WO2009053973A2

WO2009053973A2 - Mortise lock with geared dead bolt release

Info

Publication number: WO2009053973A2
Application number: PCT/IL2008/001373
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adalbert Matyko; Alex Akerman
Original assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-10-23
Filing date: 2008-10-22
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: RU2475614C2; UA98671C2; MX2010004167A; TR200707230U; RU2010120455A; BRPI0817659A2; WO2009053973A3

Abstract

A mortise lock (10) including a housing (12), and a dead bolt (24) and lock bolts (72, 82) arranged for moving in and out of the housing (12) to unlocked and locked orientations, respectively, by means of a bolt-throw wheel (22), characterized in that bolt-throw wheel (22) is in geared connection with a gear (62) that includes two pins (66) that protrude from a face thereof, wherein the pins (66) of the gear (62) mesh with a gear rack (68) connected to the dead bolt (24) and as the gear (62) is rotated, the pins (66) alternately enter and exit grooves of the gear rack (68) and thus cause linear motion of the gear rack (68) and cause the dead bolt (24) to move in and out of the housing (12).

Description

MORTISE LOCK WITH GEARED DEAD BOLT RELEASE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mortise lock assemblies, and particularly to a mortise lock with a dead bolt release.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most widely used forms of lock is a mortise lock. The mortise lock is fitted within a recess that opens at the side edge of a door, that is, the edge that abuts the adjacent surface of a door jamb when the door is closed. Because the main body of the lock including most of its operational parts is within the door itself, it is difficult for an intruder to gain access to those operational parts, thereby making it difficult for the intruder to gain unauthorized entry to a locked room or area.

Many conventional lock assemblies include a handle that opens a latch against the force of a return spring. Some mortise locks have dead bolts which are thrown by turning a key-operated cylinder lock, which may also operate the latch. Some mortise locks have an auxiliary cylinder lock for actuating an auxiliary dead bolt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved mortise lock assembly, as is described in detail further hereinbelow.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a mortise lock including a housing, a latch and a dead bolt arranged for moving in and out of the housing to unlocked and locked orientations, respectively, by means of a bolt-throw wheel, and a dead-bolt release member for selectively blocking and unblocking movement of the dead bolt into the housing to the unlocked orientation, the dead-bolt release member including a bolt-blocking element that blocks passage of the dead bolt, wherein upon initial rotation of the bolt-throw wheel, a lever which is in geared connection with the bolt-throw wheel pushes the dead-bolt release member out of blocking movement of the dead bolt, and wherein further rotation of the bolt-throw wheel moves the dead bolt inwards into the housing to the unlocked orientation.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the dead- bolt release member includes a plate and the bolt-blocking element includes inwardly formed protrusions from the plate that block passage of the dead bolt, wherein the plate is arranged for sliding motion in the housing. The lever abuts against an aperture formed in the plate and the lever turns with a gear which is in geared connection with the bolt-throw wheel. The bolt-throw wheel is in geared connection with two spur gears which mesh with a gear wheel which meshes with the gear that turns with the lever.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bolt- throw wheel is in geared connection with the dead bolt by means of a connection gear that meshes with the gear wheel and by means of a pinion gear that turns with the connection gear only after the connection gear has turned through a predefined arcuate distance, the pinion gear meshing with a gear rack fixed to the dead bolt, wherein upon initial rotation of the bolt-throw wheel, the lever pushes against the aperture and pushes the dead-bolt release member out of blocking movement of the dead bolt, and wherein further rotation of the bolt-throw wheel turns the gear wheel, the connection gear and the pinion gear, the pinion gear moving the gear rack so as to move the dead bolt inwards into the housing to the unlocked orientation. The bolt-throw wheel may be in geared connection with a gear rack fixed to a lower lock bolt that slides in and out of housing.

The gear rack may also mesh with a gear, which in turn is in geared connection with another gear rack fixed to an upper lock bolt that slides in and out of housing.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the dead bolt includes a lug that abuts against a latch bolt follower that is movable by means of the bolt-throw wheel, wherein an upper portion of the latch bolt follower is arranged to cause a latch bolt arm to move the latch. The latch bolt follower has an ear arranged to be pushed by a cam portion of the bolt-throw wheel, wherein the upper portion of the latch bolt follower is arranged to abut against a lever which is pivoted about a pivot and arranged to push against the latch bolt arm that pivots to move the latch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a simplified side view illustration of inner components of a mortise lock, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the mortise lock being in a locked orientation;

Fig. IA is a simplified enlarged view of a latch throw member and a cylinder lock cam side of the mortise lock of Fig. 1 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. IB is a simplified enlarged sectional view of a dead bolt assembly and a dead-bolt release member of the mortise lock of Fig. 1 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 1C is a simplified enlarged view of a gear train used to move components of the mortise lock of Fig. 1 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2, 2A, 2B and 2C are simplified illustrations, corresponding respectively to Figs. 1, IA, IB and 1C of the mortise lock of Fig. 1, wherein the dead bolt assembly has been moved to an unlocked orientation;

Figs. 3, 3A, 3B and 3C are simplified illustrations, corresponding respectively to Figs. 1, IA, IB and 1C of the mortise lock of Fig. 1, wherein a latch bolt has been moved to an unlocked orientation; and

Figs. 4, 4A and 4B are simplified side view, sectional view and enlarged view illustrations, respectively, of a gear train of the lower cylinder lock of the mortise lock of Fig. 1, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Figs. 1-lC, which illustrate a mortise lock 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Mortise lock 10 includes a lock casing or housing 12 into which the locking mechanism of the lock is fitted, and a faceplate 14. Mortise lock 10 is suitable for use in a variety of doors, for example, but not exclusively, hinged doors and sliding doors. Mortise lock 10 is designed to be mortise fitted typically within a frame section of the door. When received within the door, the housing 12 is concealed except for the faceplate 14, which is typically flush with the edge surface of the door opposite the hinge edge of the door. Mortise lock 10 includes apertures for receiving other lock furniture, including a handle aperture 16 (typically non-round, e.g., square) and a lock cylinder aperture 18. The handle aperture 16 may receive a spindle of a handle (not shown) for throwing (opening) a latch (or latch bolt) 20. The lock cylinder aperture 18 may receive a cylinder lock 19 (shown in Figs. 4-4B) which may turn a bolt-throw wheel 22 (shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 4A, and part of which is also seen in Fig. IA) for throwing a dead bolt assembly 24 (as well as latch 20 and other lock elements, as is described below) upon insertion and rotation of a proper key in cylinder lock 19. Dead bolt assembly 24 is also referred to as dead bolt or dead bolts 24.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, mortise lock 10 includes an auxiliary lock cylinder aperture 26 for receiving therein an auxiliary cylinder lock (not shown) for actuating an auxiliary dead bolt 28 and latch 20. Auxiliary dead bolt 28 may be secured to a guide member 30 arranged for sliding in and out of housing 12. The sliding motion of guide member 30 may be guided by means of a pin 32 that fits in a groove 34 formed in shaft 30. Guide member 30 may have gear teeth 36 that mesh with a bolt-throw wheel (not shown) of the auxiliary cylinder lock. The auxiliary cylinder lock may be useful, for example, to a homeowner who has a maid who has a key to operate the cylinder lock that fits in the lock cylinder aperture 18. The homeowner does not provide the maid with the key to the auxiliary cylinder lock. In this manner, the homeowner can lock the auxiliary cylinder lock and leave for vacation, with the comforting assurance that the maid cannot gain unauthorized entry into the home with her key to the other lock.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4 and 4A, which illustrate a gear train of the lower cylinder lock 19 of mortise lock 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned above, cylinder lock 19 turns bolt- throw wheel 22, which is affixed to the end of the tumbler of cylinder lock 19. Bolt-throw wheel 22 is in geared connection with a gear wheel 62 (or simply gear 62). Bolt-throw wheel 22 may be a complete gear wheel, that is, with gear teeth 360° around wheel 22. Bolt-throw wheel 22 may include a tongue 29, which may actuate locking elements as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment (the illustrated embodiment), bolt-throw wheel 22 includes both gear teeth and tongue 29, wherein tongue 29 interrupts a portion of the gear teeth of bolt-throw wheel 22. If bolt-throw wheel 22 were to mesh only with gear wheel 62, then wheel 22 would not cause rotation of gear wheel 62 at the interrupted portion of the gear teeth of bolt-throw wheel 22. In order for the gear transmission from bolt-throw wheel 22 to gear 62 to be continuous, bolt-throw wheel 22 is also in geared connection with a spur gear 61 that meshes with another spur gear 60, which in turn meshes with gear wheel 62. In this manner, at the interrupted portion of the gear teeth of bolt-throw wheel 22, bolt-throw wheel 22 transfers motion to gear wheel 62 via spur gears 61 and 60. Thus bolt-throw wheel 22 constantly transfers power to gear 62.

Gear wheel 62 meshes with another gear wheel 64 (or simply gear 64). Both gears 62 and 64 have two pins that protrude from a face thereof. Gear 62 has two pins 66 that protrude from both sides of the gear. The pins 66 are located along a central axis of each gear, symmetrically about the center of rotation of the gear, such as 10 mm apart. Gear 64 has two pins 67 that protrude from one side of the gear, such as 7 mm apart. (Gears 62 and 64 without the pins 66 or 67 are identical - four mounting holes are provided, two holes 10 mm apart and the other two 7 mm apart.) Pins 66 and 67 transfer the rotary motion of the gears 62 and 64, respectively, into linear motion to actuate lock bolts and elements, as is now described below.

Reference is made again to Figs. 1-lC. A gear rack 68 is fixed to dead bolt assembly 24. The pins 66 of gear 62 mesh with gear rack 68. As gear 62 is rotated, the pins 66 alternately enter and exit the grooves of gear rack 68 and thus cause linear motion of gear rack 68, and along with it, cause dead bolts 24 to move in and out of housing 12.

Gear 64 is in geared connection by means of pins 67 with a first gear rack 70 fixed to a lower lock bolt 72 that slides in and out of housing 12, guided by a pin 74 in a groove 76. Gear 64 is also in geared connection, by means of the same pins 67, with a second gear rack 80 fixed to an upper lock bolt 82 that slides in and out of housing 12, guided by a pin 84 in a groove 86. As gear 64 is rotated, the pins 67 alternately enter and exit the grooves of gear racks 70 and 80 and thus cause linear motion of gear racks 70 and 80, and along with it, cause lock bolts 72 and 82 to move in and out of housing 12.

Fig. 1 shows the bolts fully extended out the housing 12, that is, in the locked orientation. Fig. 2 shows the bolts partially extended out (partially retracted into) housing 12, that is, not yet unlocked. Fig. 3 shows the bolts fully retracted into housing 12, that is, in the unlocked orientation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dead bolt human interface device 50 is provided that provides the user with a "feel" (tactile indication) of the motion of gear rack 68 that moves the dead bolts 24 in and out of housing 12. Dead bolt human interface device 50 is seen best in Figs. IB, 2B and 3B.

In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, dead bolt human interface device 50 includes a generally rectangular body 52 with a straight-edge lug 53 and a sloped shoulder 54. A biasing device 51, such as a coil spring, is biased against lug 53. Dead bolt human interface device 50 is arranged for sliding motion in a recess 55 formed with a sloped surface 57 corresponding to the shape and size of sloped shoulder 54. Dead bolt human interface device 50 is also formed with an internal sloped surface 56.

As mentioned before, pins 66 of gear 62 mesh with gear rack 68. The same pins 66 protrude from the other side of gear 62 and are arranged to alternately push against and move away from the internal sloped surface 56. In Fig. IB, one of the pins 66 (the pin marked 66 in the drawing) is about to enter a groove 58 of gear rack 68 on one side of gear 62, and on the other side of gear 62, the same pin 66 abuts against internal sloped surface 56. In Fig. 2B, gear 62 has been turned counterclockwise, which causes pin 66 to enter groove 58 and move gear rack 68 towards the right in the sense of the drawing, that is, towards the inside of housing 12. At the same time, pin 66 pushes down on internal sloped surface 56 and causes dead bolt human interface device 50 to move down against spring 51 and move sloped surface 57 away from internal sloped surface 56. In Fig. 3B, gear 62 has been further turned counterclockwise, and pin 66 moves out of groove 58 as it moves gear rack 68 further to the right towards the inside of housing 12. Spring 51 pushes dead bolt human interface device 50 back up and sloped surface 57 once again abuts internal sloped surface 56. The action of sloped surface 57 abutting against internal sloped surface 56 is felt by the user. In this manner, the user "feels" each turn of the key in the lock cylinder and thus "feels" the movement of dead bolts 24. In addition, when sloped surface 57 abuts against internal sloped surface 56, the dead bolt human interface device 50 and dead bolts 24 become geometrically locked.

Reference is now made again to Figs. 1 and IA. A latch bolt follower 92 is linked to dead bolt assembly 24 by means of a pin 93 that is received in an L-shaped groove 95 formed in gear rack 68. Latch bolt follower 92 has an ear 94. Latch bolt follower 92 is pivoted to an upper portion 103.

In Fig. 1, pin 93 is at the far right end of grove 95. After turning the lock tot the position in Fig. 2, pin 93 moves to the far left end of grove 95, but latch bolt follower 92 has not yet moved.

When dead bolt assembly 24 is brought to the unlocked orientation (by further rotation of the key in the cylinder lock), as seen best in Figs. 3 and 3 A, L-shaped groove 95 pushes pin 93 and moves ear 94 to the right, in the sense of the drawings. Ear 94 is now in a position to be struck and pushed upwards by tongue 29 of bolt-throw wheel 22.

Upward motion of latch bolt follower 92 (again by rotation of the key in the cylinder lock) causes upper portion 103 to push upwards against a shoe 104 of a lever 106. Lever 106 is pivoted about a pivot 108 and has an arm extension 110 that pushes against a latch bolt arm 112, which is biased by a spring 114. Latch bolt arm 112 pivots together with handle aperture 16 to move latch 20 to the unlocked orientation for opening the door.

It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mortise lock ( 10) comprising : a housing (12); and a dead bolt (24) and lock bolts (72, 82) arranged for moving in and out of said housing (12) to unlocked and locked orientations, respectively, by means of a bolt-throw wheel (22); characterized in that bolt-throw wheel (22) is in geared connection with a gear (62) that comprises two pins (66) that protrude from a face thereof, wherein the pins (66) of said gear (62) mesh with a gear rack (68) connected to said dead bolt (24) and as said gear (62) is rotated, the pins (66) alternately enter and exit grooves of said gear rack (68) and thus cause linear motion of said gear rack (68) and cause said dead bolt (24) to move in and out of said housing (12), and wherein said gear (62) meshes with another gear (64) that also comprises two pins (67) that protrude from a face thereof, wherein the pins (67) of said gear (64) mesh with a first gear rack (70) and a second gear rack (80) respectively fixed to said lock bolts (72, 82), and as said gear (64) is rotated, the pins (67) alternately enter and exit grooves of said first and second gear racks (70, 80) and cause said lock bolts (72, 82) to move in and out of said housing (12).

2. The mortise lock (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a dead bolt human interface device (50) that provides a tactile indication of motion of said gear rack (68) that moves said dead bolt (24) in and out of said housing (12).

3. The mortise lock (10) according to claim 2, wherein said dead bolt human interface device (50) is formed with an internal sloped surface (56) and comprises a lug (53) and a sloped shoulder (54), wherein a biasing device (51) is biased against said lug (53), and said dead bolt human interface device (50) is arranged for sliding motion in a recess (55) formed with a sloped surface (57) corresponding to said sloped shoulder (54).

4. The mortise lock (10) according to claim 3, wherein as said gear (62) turns, said pins (66) alternately push against said internal sloped surface (56) and thus cause said sloped surface (57) to move away from said internal sloped surface (56), and alternately move away from said internal sloped surface (56) and thus cause biasing device (51) to push said sloped surface (57) against said internal sloped surface (56) and provide said tactile indication.

5. The mortise lock (10) according to claim 3, wherein when said sloped surface (57) is moved against said internal sloped surface (56), said dead bolt (24) is geometrically locked.

6. The mortise lock (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said bolt- throw wheel (22) comprises a tongue (29) that interrupts a portion of gear teeth of said bolt-throw wheel (22), and wherein said bolt-throw wheel (22) is in geared connection with a spur gear (61) that meshes with another spur gear (60), which in turn meshes with said gear (62).

7. The mortise lock (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (66) of said gear (62) protrude from both sides of said gear (62).