WO2020118653A1

WO2020118653A1 - Door lock

Info

Publication number: WO2020118653A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/121072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chen-Hsiang LEE
Original assignee: Lee Chen Hsiang
Priority date: 2018-12-14
Filing date: 2018-12-14
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: CN113167082A; CN113167082B; DE112018008207T5

Abstract

A door lock (250) includes a mounting seat (251) fixed to an inner side of a door and first and second gears (293, 331) pivotably mounted to the mounting seat (251). A locking device (371) is coupled to the first gear (293). A first connecting member (335) is movably mounted to the mounting seat (251). A first latch (415) is coupled to and jointly movable with the first connecting member (335). An inner handle (433) is coupled to and jointly pivotable with the second gear (331). The first latch (415) can be moved to a latching position or an unlatching position by either switching the locking device (371) to an unlocking state and pivoting the first gear (293) or using the inner handle (433) to pivot the second gear (331).

Description

Door Lock

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a door lock and, more particularly, to a door lock mounted on a door and operable from the outside by using a locking device or from the inside by using an inner handle, moving a latch to a latching position to prevent the door from being opened or moving the latch to an unlatching position to permit opening of the door.

A type of currently available conventional folding door includes two panels pivotable relative to each other. The two panels are aligned end to end when the folding door is closed. When the folding door is open, the two panels are folded to reduce the space occupied by the folding door. Thus, the folding door is suitable for a small space, such as a bathroom.

Since the above-mentioned folding door is generally mounted in a space that is not necessarily to be locked. The folding door generally does not include a locking function for anti-theft purposes. Specifically, a type of the above-mentioned folding door includes a latch that engages with a latch hole when the folding door is closed, preventing opening of the folding door. However, no locking mechanism is provided for the latch, such that any person can easily separate the latch from the latch hole, thereby opening the folding door.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, a door lock according to the present invention includes a mounting seat having a first pivotal portion. A first gear is pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion. The first gear includes a latching wall section and an unlatching wall section spaced from the latching wall section in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion. A locking device is coupled to the first gear. The locking device and the first gear are jointly pivotable. The locking device is pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion. The locking device is operable to switch between a locking state engaged with the first pivotal portion and an unlocking state disengaged from the first pivotal portion. The locking device is not pivotable when in the locking state. The locking device is pivotable when in the unlocking state. An actuating plate is movably received in the locking device and includes an outer end. When the locking device is in the locking state, the outer end of the actuating plate is inside the locking device. The outer end of the actuating plate is outside of the locking device and is located between the latching wall section and the unlatching wall section in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion. A first connecting member is movably mounted to the mounting seat and includes a first rack meshed with the first gear. A first latch is coupled to the first connecting member. The first latch and the first connecting member are jointly movable. The first latch is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. When the locking device is in the unlocking state and pivots about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion to a position where the outer end of the actuating plate presses against the latching wall section of the first gear, the first connecting member moves the first latch from the latching position to the unlatching position. When the outer end of the actuating plate presses against the unlatching wall section of the first gear, the first connecting member moves the first latch from the unlatching position to the latching position.

The door lock according to the present invention provides the locking device for operating the first latch to the latching position or the unlatching position, such that a folding door can be locked or unlocked from the outside to provide an anti-theft effect.

In an example, the door lock further comprises a plurality of locking pieces movably received in the locking device. Each of the plurality of locking pieces includes an engaging end. The engaging end of each of the plurality of locking pieces engages with the engagement groove of the first pivotal portion when the locking device is in the locking state. The engaging end of each of the plurality of locking pieces disengages from the engagement groove of the first pivotal portion when the locking device is in the unlocking state.

In an example, the door lock further comprises a key removably engaged with the locking device. The locking device is switched to the unlocking state when the key engages with the keyway. The locking device is switched to the locking state when the key disengages from the keyway.

In an example, the unlatching wall section is spaced from the latching wall section in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion by a spacing larger than the outer end of the actuating plate. The locking device in the unlocking state is pivotable between an alignment position and a non-alignment position. With the locking device in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position and with the first latch in the latching position, the first gear is not pivoted and the first latch remains in the latching position when the locking device pivots from the non-alignment position to the alignment position. With the locking device in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position and with the first latch in the unlatching position, the first gear is not pivoted and the first latch remains in the unlatching position when the locking device pivots from the non-alignment position to the alignment position. With the locking device in the unlocking state and the alignment position, the engaging end of each of the plurality of locking pieces is aligned with the engagement groove of the mounting seat, permitting removal of the key from the locking device. With the locking device in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position, the engaging end of each of the plurality of locking pieces is not aligned with the engagement groove of the mounting seat, preventing removal of the key from the locking device.

In an example, the mounting seat further includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The first pivotal portion is disposed on the inner surface. The mounting seat further includes a second pivotal portion disposed on the inner surface and spaced from the first pivotal portion. A second gear is pivotably mounted to the second pivotal portion and meshes with the first rack of the first connecting member. The second gear does not mesh with the first gear. An inner handle is coupled to the second gear. The inner handle and the second gear are jointly pivotable. The inner handle is disposed on the outer surface of the mounting seat. The locking device is disposed on the inner surface of the mounting seat. No matter whether the locking device in the locking state or the unlocking state, when the second gear is pivoted when the inner handle pivots, the first connecting member displaces to move the first latch to one of the latching position and the unlatching position, the locking device is not pivoted, and the first gear is driven by the first rack to pivot.

In an example, a second connecting member is movably mounted to the mounting seat and includes a second rack. The first and second racks mesh with the first gear and are located on two sides of the first gear, respectively. The first and second connecting members are actuated by the first gear to move in a parallel fashion in two opposite directions when the first gear pivots. A second latch is coupled to the second connecting member. The second latch and the second connecting member are jointly movable. The second latch is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The second latch is in the latching position when the first latch is in the latching position. The second latch is in the unlatching position when the first latch is in the unlatching position.

In an example, the first gear further includes a first end face and a second end face spaced from the first end face. The first gear further includes a first movement groove in the first end face. The first movement groove includes the latching wall section and the unlatching wall section. The first gear further includes a limiting block on an outer periphery thereof. The limiting block is received in the second movement groove. The outer end of the actuating plate is located in the first movement groove when the locking device is in the unlatching state.

In an example, the mounting seat further includes a first protrusion. The first connecting member further includes a first track. The first protrusion is slidably coupled with the first track of the first connecting member.

In another aspect, a door lock according to the present invention comprises a mounting seat having a first pivotal portion and a second pivotal portion. A first gear is pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion. A second gear is pivotably mounted to the second pivotal portion. A locking device is coupled to the first gear and is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state. The locking device in the locking state is prevented from jointly pivoting together with the first gear. The locking device in the unlocking state is jointly pivotable together with the first gear. An inner handle is coupled to the second gear. The inner handle and the second gear are jointly pivotable. A first connecting member is movably mounted to the mounting seat and includes a first rack meshed with the first and second gears. A first latch is coupled to the first connecting member. The first latch and the first connecting member are jointly movable. When the locking device is pivoted, the first gear pivots to actuate the first connecting member, moving the first latch between a latching position and an unlatching position. When the inner handle is pivoted, the second gear pivots to actuate the first connecting member, moving the first latch between the latching position and the unlatching position.

In an example, a second connecting member is movably mounted to the mounting seat and includes a second rack meshed with the first and second gears. The first and second gears are located between the first and second racks. The first and second connecting members are actuated by one of the first and second gears to move in a parallel fashion in two opposite directions when the one of the first and second gears pivots. A second latch is coupled to the second connecting member. The second latch and the second connecting member are jointly movable. The second latch is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The second latch is in the latching position when the first latch is in the latching position. The second latch is in the unlatching position when the first latch is in the unlatching position.

The door lock according to the present invention provides optional operation of the inner handle or the locking device to move the first and second latches to the latching position or the unlatching position. Even though the locking device is used to move the first and second latches to the latching position, the inner handle can be used to move the first and second latches to the unlatching position. Namely, the door according to the present invention provides excellent utility.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a door equipped with a door lock according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another diagrammatic elevational view of the door of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the door lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a locking device and a first gear of the door lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another exploded, perspective view of the door lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the locking device of the door lock switched to an unlocking state

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with first and second latches moved by a key to a latching positon.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with the first and second latches moved to the latching positon and with the locking device returned to an alignment position.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with the first and second latches moved to an unlatching positon and with the locking device moved to a non-alignment position.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with the first and second latches moved by the locking device to the latching positon.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the door lock of FIG. 1 with the first and second latches moved by an inner handle to the latching positon.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first” , “second” , “lower” , “upper” , “inner” , “outer” , “side” , “end” , “portion” , “section” , “longitudinal” , “axial” , “radial” , “circumferential” , “horizontal” , “transverse” , “vertical” , “inward” , “spacing” , “length” , “width” , “thickness” , and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A door lock 250 according to the present invention is mounted in a door 1 that can be folded. The door lock 250 can provide a locking function when the door 11 is closed, thereby retaining the door 11 in the closed state. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 11 includes a first board 20 and a second board 177. The first and

second boards

20 and 177 can be assembled into a left-handed folding door. The first board 20 includes a first end 25 and a second end 27 spaced from the first end 25 in a width direction. The first board 20 further includes an upper end 22 and a lower end 24 spaced from the upper end 22 in a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction.

The door 11 further includes a first side frame 173 and a first outer frame 192 spaced from the first side frame 173 in the width direction. The first side frame 173 includes an installation space 173A extending in a length direction (the vertical direction in this embodiment) . The first side frame 173 further includes an opening 173B extending from an outer face thereof to the installation space 173A in a thickness direction perpendicular to the width direction and the vertical direction. The first side frame 173 is securely mounted to the second end 27 of the first board 20. The first outer frame 192 is securely mounted to the first end 25 of the first board 20. A roller 193 is mounted to a top end of the first outer frame 192.

The door 11 further includes a second board 177 having a first side 179 and a second side 191 spaced from the first side 179 in the width direction. A second side frame 176 is mounted to the first side 179 of the second board 177. A second outer frame 194 is securely mounted to the second side 191 of the second board 177. Two pivots 195 are mounted to top and bottom ends of the second side frame 176, respectively. The first and second side frames 173 and 176 are pivotably connected, such that the first and

second boards

20 and 177 are pivotably connected.

The door 11 is mounted to an inner side of a door frame 197 fixed to a wall surface of a passageway. The door frame 197 includes an upper rail beam 197A located at an upper end thereof and extending in a transverse direction. The upper rail beam 197A includes an upper latch hole 198A. A lower latch hole 198B is provided in the ground and is aligned with the upper latch hole 198A. The two pivots 195 are pivotably mounted to a side of the door frame 197. The roller 193 is slideably received in the upper rail beam 197A. Thus, the second board 177 is pivotable about a pivotal axis defined by the two pivots 195. When the second board 177 pivots, the first board 20 is moved until the first and

second boards

20 and 177 are aligned end to end (the closed state) or are stacked together (the open state) .

With reference to FIGS. 3-8, the door lock 250 further includes a mounting seat 251 securely mounted on the door 11. The mounting seat 251 includes an inner surface 253 and an outer surface 255 spaced from the inner surface 253 in the thickness direction. A first pivotal portion 271 and a second pivotal portion 279 are disposed on the inner surface 253 of the mounting seat 251 and are spaced from each other in the vertical direction. The first pivotal portion 271 includes a first axial hole 273 extending along a longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. The first pivotal portion 271 further includes an engagement groove 275 extending from an inner periphery through an outer periphery of the first pivotal portion 271. A limiting block 277 is disposed on the outer periphery of the first pivotal portion 271 and is spaced from the engagement groove 275 in a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271.

The second pivotal portion 279 includes a second axial hole 291 extending along a longitudinal axis of the second pivotal portion 279 to the outer surface 255 of the mounting seat 251. Two first protrusions 257 and two second protrusions 259 are disposed on the inner surface 253 of the mounting seat 251. The first pivotal portion 271 is located between the two first protrusions 257 and the two second protrusions 259 in the vertical direction. The second pivotal portion 279 is located between the first pivotal portion 271 and the two second protrusions 259 in the vertical direction.

The door lock 250 further includes a first gear 293 pivotably mounted to the mounting seat 251 and a second gear 331 pivotably mounted to the mounting seat 251. The first gear 293 includes a first end face 295 and a second end face 297 spaced from the first end face 295 in the thickness direction. The first gear 293 further includes a pivotal hole 315 extending from the first end face 295 through the second end face 297. The first gear 293 further includes a first movement groove 299 in the first end face 295. The first movement groove 299 includes a latching wall section 311 and an unlatching wall section 313 spaced from the latching wall section 311 in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. In this embodiment, the latching wall section 311 is spaced from the unlatching wall section 313 by 90°. The first gear 293 further includes a second movement groove 319 in the second end face 297. The first gear 293 is pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion 271. The second end face 297 of the first gear 293 faces the inner surface 253 of the mounting seat 251. The latching wall section 311 of the first gear 293 is substantially parallel to the engagement groove 275. The limiting block 277 of the first pivotal portion 271 is received in the second movement groove 319 of the first gear 293. Thus, the first gear 293 can only pivot within the extent of the second movement groove 319 which extends about 90° in this embodiment.

The second gear 331 includes a mounting hole 333 and is pivotably mounted to the second pivotal portion 279. The first gear 293 does not mesh with the second gear 331, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The door lock 250 further includes first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 movably mounted to the mounting seat 251. The first connecting member 335 includes a first engaging portion 337 and a first rack 339 extending from an end of the first engaging portion 337. The first connecting member 335 further includes two first tracks 351 formed on the first engaging portion 337 and extending parallel to the first rack 339. The two first protrusions 257 of the mounting seat 271 are movably received in the two first tracks 351 of the first connecting member 335, respectively. The first rack 339 of the first connecting member 335 meshes with the first gear 293 and the second gear 331, as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, pivotal movement of the first gear 293 causes displacement of the first connecting member 335. Furthermore, the first rack 339 of the first connecting member 335 actuates the second gear 331 to pivot in a pivoting direction the same as the first gear 293. On the other hand, when the second gear 331 pivots, the first connecting member 335 displaces, and the first rack 339 of the first connecting member 335 actuates the first gear 293 to pivot in the pivoting direction the same as the second gear 331.

The second connecting member 353 includes a second engaging portion 355 and a second rack 357 extending from an end of the second engaging portion 355. The second connecting member 353 further includes two second tracks 359 disposed on the second engaging portion 355 and extending parallel to the second rack 357. The two second protrusions 259 of the mounting seat 251 are slidably received in the two second tracks 359 of the second connecting member 353, respectively. The second rack 357 of the second connecting member 353 meshes with the first gear 293 and the second gear 331, as shown in FIG. 7. It is noted that the first and

second gears

293 and 331 are located between the first rack 339 and the second rack 357. The first connecting member 335 faces the upper rail beam 197A of the door 11. The second connecting member 353 faces the ground. Thus, pivotal movement of the first gear 293 causes displacement of the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353, and the first and second racks 357 of the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 actuate the second gear 331 to pivot in the pivoting direction the same as the first gear 293. On the other hand, when the second gear 331 pivots, the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 displace, and the first and

second racks

339 and 357 of the first and second connecting members 353 actuate the first gear 293 to pivot in the pivoting direction the same as the second gear 331.

With reference to FIG. 3, the first connecting member 335 is connected to an end of a first connecting rod 417. The other end of the first connecting rod 417 is connected to a first latch 415. The second connecting member 353 is connected to an end of a second connecting rod 431. The other end of the second connecting rod 431 is connected to a second latch 419. When the first connecting member 335 and the second connecting member 353 displace, the first latch 415 and the second latch 419 synchronously move to a latching position (see FIG. 1) or an unlatching position (see FIG. 17) .

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the door lock 250 further includes a locking device 371 coupled to the first pivotal portion 271, an actuating plate 393, and a plurality of locking pieces 399. The locking device 371 includes a flange 373 and a cylinder 375 extending from an end face of the flange 373 along the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. The locking device 371 further includes a keyway 377 extending from an end face thereof along the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. The cylinder 375 includes an actuating plate groove 379 extending radially inwards from an outer periphery of the cylinder 375 and intersecting with the keyway 377. The cylinder 375 further includes a plurality of locking piece grooves 391 extending radially inwards from an outer periphery of the cylinder 375 and intersecting with the keyway 377.

The actuating plate 393 includes an outer end 395 and a first alignment hole 397 extending from a side of the actuating plate 393 through another side of the actuating plate 393. The actuating plate 393 is movably received in the actuating plate groove 379. Furthermore, the actuating plate 393 is biased to a position in which the outer end 395 is located in the actuating plate groove 379, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is noted that the unlatching wall section 313 is spaced from the latching wall section 311 in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271 by a spacing larger than the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393.

Each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 includes an engaging end 411 and a second alignment hole 413 extending from a side of the respective locking piece 399 through another side of the respective locking piece 399. The locations of the second alignment holes 413 of the plurality of locking pieces 399 are different from one another. Each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is received in a respective one of the plurality of locking piece grooves 391 and is biased by a spring to a position in which the engaging end 411 is located outside of the cylinder 375, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is spaced from the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 by 180° in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271.

The locking device 371 is pivotably mounted to the pivotal hole 315 of the first gear 293 and can pivot together with the first gear 293. Furthermore, the locking device 371 is pivotably mounted to the first axial hole 273 of the first pivotal portion 271. In this embodiment, the flange 373 of the locking device 371 is located outside of the first end face 295 of the first gear 293. The cylinder 375 is located in the pivotal hole 315 of the first gear 293 and the first axial hole 273 of the first pivotal portion 271. The actuating plate 393 is aligned with the first movement groove 299 of the first gear 293 along the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. Each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is aligned with the engagement groove 275 along the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271. The locking device 371 can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271 between an alignment position in which the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is aligned with the engagement groove 275 in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271 and a non-engagement position in which the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is not aligned with the engagement groove 275 in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion 271.

The first alignment hole 397 of the actuating plate 393 and the second alignment holes 413 of the plurality of locking pieces 399 can cooperate with a key 437 to switch the locking device 371 to an unlocking state. Specifically, when the locking device 371 is in the alignment position and when the key 437 is not inserted into the keyway 377, the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is in the engagement groove 275, such that the locking device 371 cannot pivot. The locking device 371 in this state is defined as a locking state (see FIGS. 6 and 8) . When the key 437 is inserted into the keyway 377, each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is pushed by the key 437 to a position in which the respective engaging end 411 retracts into the respective locking piece groove 391 of the locking device 371 (see FIGS. 11 and 13) . Thus, the locking device 371 can be operated by the key 437 to pivot, and the locking device 371 in this state is defined as an unlocking state. Furthermore, when the locking device 371 is switched to the locking state, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is located in the actuating plate groove 379 (see FIG. 7) . When the locking device 371 is switched to the unlocking state, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is outside of the actuating plate groove 379 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) .

The door lock 250 is mounted in the installation space 173A of the first side frame 173. Furthermore, a head portion of the locking device 371 is received in the opening 173B of the first side frame 173. The first latch 415 faces the upper end 22 of the door 11 and is adjacent to the upper rail beam 197A. The second latch 419 faces the lower end 24 of the door 11.

The door lock 250 further includes an inner handle 433 having a mounting end 435. The inner hand 433 is configured to be mounted to a side of the locking device 371 and is configured to be located at an indoor side. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking device 371 is mounted to the inner surface 253 of the mounting seat 251. The inner handle 433 is mounted to the outer surface 255 of the mounting seat 251. The mounting end 435 of the inner handle 433 extends through the first side frame 173 and the second axial hole 291 of the mounting seat 251 and is coupled with the mounting hole 333 of the second gear 331. Thus, pivotal movement of the inner handle 433 pivots the second gear 331 and actuates the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 to displace.

Now that the basic construction of the door 11 incorporating the locking device 250 of the present invention has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of the door 11 and the locking device 250 can be set forth and appreciated. In particular, for the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that the first board 20 and the second board 177 are aligned end to end (the closed state) . Furthermore, the first latch 415 and the second latch 419 are in the unlatching position (see FIG. 1) . The first latch 415 is disengaged from the upper latch hole 198A, the second latch 419 is disengaged from the lower latch hole 198B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) , and the locking device 371 is in the alignment position (see FIGS. 7 and 8) . It is further assumed that the key 437 is not inserted into the keyway 377 of the locking device 371 which is in the locking state. Furthermore, the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is engaged in the engagement groove 275 of the mounting seat 251 to prevent pivotal movement of the locking device 371. Furthermore, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is located in the actuating plate groove 379. The latching wall section 311 of the first gear 293 is substantially parallel to the actuating plate 393, and the unlatching wall section 313 is substantially perpendicular to the actuating plate 393. Thus, the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are aligned with but do not engage with the upper and

lower latch holes

198A and 198B, respectively. Namely, the door 11 can be opened to permit the first and

second boards

20 and 177 to have an acute angle therebetween or to a fully opened state.

When it is desired to lock the door 11 in the closed state to prevent opening of the door 11, assume an operator is at a side (generally the inner side) of the door 11 having the inner handle 433, the operator pivots the inner handle 433 from a vertical state (FIG. 1) to a horizontal state (FIGS. 18 and 19) , which causes the second gear 331 to pivot. The second gear 331 actuates the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 to move in a parallel fashion in two opposite directions. The first and

second latches

415 and 419 move from the unlatching position (FIG. 1) to the latching position (FIG. 18) . During movement of the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353, the first and

second racks

339 and 357 pivot the first gear 293 to a position where the latching wall section 311 is substantially perpendicular to the actuating plate 393, and the latching end section 313 is substantially parallel to the actuating plate 393. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 15, since the locking device 371 is in a locking state (which is not pivotable) and since the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is located in the actuating plate groove 379, the locking device 371 remains in the alignment device when the first gear 293 pivots.

When the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the latching position, the first and

second latches

415 and 419 engage with the upper and

lower latch holes

198A and 198B, respectively, such that the first side frame 173 is fixed and, thus cannot be moved or pivoted. Thus, the door 11 cannot be opened.

When both the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the latching position, the inner handle 433 can be operated to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the unlatching position. Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 19, the inner handle 433 is pivoted from the horizontal state to the vertical state to pivot the second gear 331 in the reverse direction, and the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 move in a parallel fashion towards each other until the first and

second latches

415 and 419 reach the unlatching position. During movement of the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353, the first and

second racks

339 and 357 return the first gear 293 to a position where the latching wall section 311 is parallel to the actuating plate 393 (FIG. 7) . When the first and

second latches

415 and 419 reach the latching position, the first and

second latches

415 and 419 disengage from the upper and

lower latch holes

198A and 198B, respectively, permitting opening of the door 11.

In another case that the operator is at a side (the outer side) of the door 11 to which the locking device 371 is mounted, when the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the unlatching position, the key 437 can be inserted into the keyway 377 of the locking device 371 to move each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 along the respective locking piece groove 391 until the respective engaging end 411 disengages from the engagement groove 275 of the first pivotal portion 271 (see FIG. 13) . Thus, the locking device is switched to a pivotable, unlocking state. Furthermore, the key 437 actuates the actuating plate 393 to displace, moving the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 into the first movement groove 299 of the first gear 293 (FIG. 12) . Furthermore, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 abuts a side of the latching wall section 311 of the first gear 293.

After the locking device 371 has been switched to the unlocking state, the key 437 is pivoted in a direction towards the unlatching wall section 311 and, thus, pivots the locking device 371. The outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 presses against the unlatching wall section 311 to pivot the first gear 293, causing the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 to move in a parallel fashion, which, in turn, moves the first and

second latches

415 and 419 from the unlatching position to the unlatching position. During movement of the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353, the first and

second racks

339 and 357 actuate the second gear 331 to pivot, such that the inner handle 443 moves from the vertical state to the horizontal state.

When the first and

second latches

415 and 419 move to the latching position, the locking device 371 pivots to the non-alignment position. In this case, the engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is spaced from the engagement groove 275 in the circumferential direction about the first pivotal portion 271 (see FIG. 14) . In this state, the key 437 cannot be disengaged from the keyway 377. In a case that the locking device 371 is to be pivoted back to the alignment position while the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the latching position, since the locking device 371 is in the non-alignment position (the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is spaced from the latching wall section 313 by 90° in the circumferential direction about the first pivotal portion 271) , when the locking device 371 pivots from the non-alignment position to the alignment position, the first gear 293 is not moved. When the locking device 371 reaches the alignment position, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 is substantially parallel to and abuts a side of the latching wall section 313. The engaging end 411 of each of the plurality of locking pieces 399 is aligned with the engagement groove 275 (see FIG. 15) . Thus, the key 437 can be removed, and the door 11 is locked through the locking device 371 from the outside and, thus, cannot be opened.

After using the key 437 to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the latching position, the inner handle 433 pivots to the horizontal state. It is noted that the first and

second latches

415 and 419 can be moved to the unlatching position by either using the key 437 from the outer side or by moving the inner handle 433 from the inner side (directly moving the inner handle 433 from the horizontal state to the vertical state) . The second gear 331 is driven to actuate the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 to thereby move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the unlatching position. Furthermore, the first gear 293 pivots back to the position where the unlatching wall section 311 is substantially parallel to and abuts the actuating plate 393 (see FIG. 7) .

When the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the latching position, the key 437 can be used from the outer side of the door 11 to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the unlatching position. With reference to FIG. 15, specifically, when the first and

second latches

415 and 419 are in the latching position and when the locking device 371 is in the unlocking state, the key 437 is pivoted towards the unlatching wall section 313 to pivot the locking device 371, causing the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 to press against the unlatching wall section 313 of the first gear 293. Thus, the first gear 293 actuates the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 to move towards each other in a parallel fashion, as shown in FIG. 16. When the locking device 371 pivots, the outer end 395 of the actuating plate 393 presses against the unlatching wall section 313 to pivot the first gear 293, moving the first and second connecting

members

335 and 353 towards each other in a parallel fashion, thereby moving the first and

second latches

415 and 419 from the latching position to the unlatching position. After the first and

second latches

415 and 419 reach the unlatching position, the locking device 371 is pivoted in the reverse direction to the alignment position (see FIGS. 12 and 13) , and the key 437 can be removed from the locking device 371.

The door lock 250 according to the present invention provides the locking device 371 to permit displacement of the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the latching position or the unlatching position, providing the door 11 (in the form of a folding door) with a locking function and an unlocking function from the outer side, thereby providing an anti-theft effect.

Furthermore, the door lock 250 according to the present invention provides optional operation of the inner handle 433 or the locking device 371 to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the latching position or the unlatching position. Even though the locking device 371 is used to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the latching position, the inner handle 433 can be used to move the first and

second latches

415 and 419 to the unlatching position. Namely, the door according to the present invention provides excellent utility.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the engagement groove 275 can be in the form of a recess in the inner periphery of the first axial hole 273 without extending through the outer periphery of the first pivotal portion 271. Furthermore, the door lock 250 does not have to include the second connecting member 353, the second connecting rod 431, the second latch 419, and the lower latch hole 198B. Furthermore, the first connecting member 335 can include only one first track 351, the second connecting member 353 can include only one second track 357, and the mounting seat 251 can include only one first protrusion 257 and only one second positioning protrusion 259.

Although the door lock 250 according to the present invention is described with reference to the embodiment mounted on a folding door, the door lock 250 can be used on an ordinary door or a double door.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

A door lock comprising:

a mounting seat (251) including a first pivotal portion (271) ;

a first gear (293) pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion (271) , wherein the first gear (293) includes a latching wall section (311) and an unlatching wall section (313) spaced from the latching wall section (311) in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion (271) ;

a locking device (371) coupled to the first gear (293) , wherein the locking device (371) and the first gear (293) are jointly pivotable, wherein the locking device (371) is pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion (271) , wherein the locking device (371) is operable to switch between a locking state engaged with the first pivotal portion (271) and an unlocking state disengaged from the first pivotal portion (271) , wherein the locking device (371) is not pivotable when in the locking state, and wherein the locking device (371) is pivotable when in the unlocking state;

an actuating plate (393) movably received in the locking device (371) and including an outer end (395) , wherein when the locking device (371) is in the locking state, the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) is inside the locking device (371) , wherein the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) is outside of the locking device (371) and is located between the latching wall section (311) and the unlatching wall section (313) in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion (271) ;

a first connecting member (335) movably mounted to the mounting seat (251) and including a first rack (339) meshed with the first gear (293) ;

a first latch (415) coupled to the first connecting member (335) , wherein the first latch (415) and the first connecting member (335) are jointly movable, and wherein the first latch (415) is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position,

wherein when the locking device (371) is in the unlocking state and pivots about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion (371) to a position where the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) presses against the latching wall section (311) of the first gear (293) , the first connecting member (335) moves the first latch (415) from the latching position to the unlatching position, and

wherein when the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) presses against the unlatching wall section (313) of the first gear (293) , the first connecting member (335) moves the first latch (415) from the unlatching position to the latching position.
The door lock as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of locking pieces (399) movably received in the locking device (371) , wherein each of the plurality of locking pieces (399) includes an engaging end (411) , wherein the engaging end (411) of each of the plurality of locking pieces (399) engages with the engagement groove (275) of the first pivotal portion (271) when the locking device (371) is in the locking state, and wherein the engaging end (411) of each of the plurality of locking pieces (399) disengages from the engagement groove (275) of the first pivotal portion (271) when the locking device (371) is in the unlocking state.
The door lock as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a key (437) removably engaged with the locking device (371) , wherein the locking device (371) is switched to the unlocking state when the key (437) engages with the keyway (377) , and wherein the locking device (371) is switched to the locking state when the key (437) disengages from the keyway (377) .
The door lock as claimed in claim 3, wherein the unlatching wall section (313) is spaced from the latching wall section (311) in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the first pivotal portion (271) by a spacing larger than the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) , wherein the locking device (371) in the unlocking state is pivotable between an alignment position and a non-alignment position,

wherein with the locking device (371) in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position and with the first latch (415) in the latching position, the first gear (293) is not pivoted and the first latch (415) remains in the latching position when the locking device (371) pivots from the non-alignment position to the alignment position,

wherein with the locking device (371) in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position and with the first latch (415) in the unlatching position, the first gear (293) is not pivoted and the first latch (415) remains in the unlatching position when the locking device (371) pivots from the non-alignment position to the alignment position,

wherein with the locking device (371) in the unlocking state and the alignment position, the engaging end (411) of each of the plurality of locking pieces (399) is aligned with the engagement groove (275) of the mounting seat (251) , permitting removal of the key (437) from the locking device (371) , and

wherein with the locking device (371) in the unlocking state and the non-alignment position, the engaging end (411) of each of the plurality of locking pieces (399) is not aligned with the engagement groove (275) of the mounting seat (251) , preventing removal of the key (437) from the locking device (371) .
The door lock as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second gear (331) , wherein the mounting seat (251) further includes an inner surface (253) and an outer surface (255) , wherein the first pivotal portion (271) is disposed on the inner surface (253) , wherein the mounting seat (251) further includes a second pivotal portion (279) disposed on the inner surface (253) and spaced from the first pivotal portion (271) , wherein the second gear (331) is pivotably mounted to the second pivotal portion (279) and meshes with the first rack (339) of the first connecting member (335) , and wherein the second gear (331) does not mesh with the first gear (293) ; and

an inner handle (433) coupled to the second gear (331) , wherein the inner handle (433) and the second gear (331) are jointly pivotable, wherein the inner handle (433) is disposed on the outer surface (255) of the mounting seat (251) , and wherein the locking device (371) is disposed on the inner surface (253) of the mounting seat (251) ,

wherein no matter whether the locking device (371) in the locking state or the unlocking state, when the second gear (331) is pivoted when the inner handle (433) pivots, the first connecting member (335) displaces to move the first latch (415) to one of the latching position and the unlatching position, the locking device (371) is not pivoted, and the first gear (293) is driven by the first rack (339) to pivot.
The door lock as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second connecting member (353) movably mounted to the mounting seat (251) and including a second rack (357) , wherein the first and second racks (339, 357) mesh with the first gear (293) and are located on two sides of the first gear (293) , respectively, wherein the first and second connecting members (335, 353) are actuated by the first gear (293) to move in a parallel fashion in two opposite directions when the first gear (293) pivots; and

a second latch (419) coupled to the second connecting member (353) , wherein the second latch (419) and the second connecting member (353) are jointly movable, wherein the second latch (419) is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position, wherein the second latch (419) is in the latching position when the first latch (415) is in the latching position, and wherein the second latch (419) is in the unlatching position when the first latch (415) is in the unlatching position.
The door lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first gear (293) further includes a first end face (295) and a second end face (297) spaced from the first end face (295) , wherein the first gear (293) further includes a first movement groove (299) in the first end face (295) , wherein the first movement groove (299) includes the latching wall section (311) and the unlatching wall section (313) , wherein the first gear (293) further includes a limiting block (277) on an outer periphery thereof, wherein the limiting block (277) is received in the second movement groove (319) , and wherein the outer end (395) of the actuating plate (393) is located in the first movement groove (299) when the locking device (371) is in the unlatching state.
The door lock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting seat (251) further includes a first protrusion (257) , wherein the first connecting member (335) further includes a first track (351) , and wherein the first protrusion (257) is slidably coupled with the first track (351) of the first connecting member (335) .
A door lock comprising:

a mounting seat (251) including a first pivotal portion (271) and a second pivotal portion (279) ;

a first gear (293) pivotably mounted to the first pivotal portion (271) ;

a second gear (331) pivotably mounted to the second pivotal portion (279) ;

a locking device (371) coupled to the first gear (293) , wherein the locking device (371) is switchable between a locking state and an unlocking state, wherein the locking device (371) in the locking state is prevented from jointly pivoting together with the first gear (293) , and wherein the locking device (371) in the unlocking state is jointly pivotable together with the first gear (293) ;

an inner handle (433) coupled to the second gear (331) , wherein the inner handle (433) and the second gear (331) are jointly pivotable;

a first connecting member (335) movably mounted to the mounting seat (251) and including a first rack (339) meshed with the first and second gears (293, 331) ; and

a first latch (415) coupled to the first connecting member (335) , wherein the first latch (415) and the first connecting member (335) are jointly movable,

wherein when the locking device (371) is pivoted, the first gear (293) pivots to actuate the first connecting member (335) , moving the first latch (415) between a latching position and an unlatching position, and

wherein when the inner handle (433) is pivoted, the second gear (331) pivots to actuate the first connecting member (335) , moving the first latch (415) between the latching position and the unlatching position.
The door lock as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a second connecting member (353) movably mounted to the mounting seat (251) and including a second rack (357) meshed with the first and second gears (293, 331) , wherein the first and second gears (293, 331) are located between the first and second racks (339, 357) , wherein the first and second connecting members (335, 353) are actuated by one of the first and second gears (293, 331) to move in a parallel fashion in two opposite directions when the one of the first and second gears (293, 331) pivots; and

a second latch (419) coupled to the second connecting member (353) , wherein the second latch (419) and the second connecting member (353) are jointly movable, wherein the second latch (419) is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position, wherein the second latch (419) is in the latching position when the first latch (415) is in the latching position, and wherein the second latch (419) is in the unlatching position when the first latch (415) is in the unlatching position.