AU2009202246A1 - A mortice lock - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): NOVA HARDWARE PTY LTD Invention Title: A MORTICE LOCK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P70762AU.1 PaLStFiling Appilction 20094-5.1.doc (M) - 2 A MORTICE LOCK Field of the invention The present invention relates to a mortice lock 5 capable of selecting the status of the lock. Background A mortice lock is installed in a mortice or recess in 10 a side edge of a door. The mortice lock has a bolt that can engage a strike plate in the door frame to hold the door in a closed position. It is known to provide mortice locks with mechanisms 15 to set the status of the lock. In other words, to selectively enable/disable use of the hub actuators on either side of the door. For example, in a mortice lock that is installed in a door, the external hub actuator may be disabled, so that entry can only be gained using a key, 20 and the internal hub actuator may be enabled so that the lock can always be actuated from the internal side. In this example, the internal side of the lock is configured for an escape situation. The lock is in a vestibule status. 25 In a further example, a mortice lock can be installed with both internal and external actuators disabled or enabled, so that the door can only be opened with a key or door furniture on both sides. In these applications, the 30 lock is in a combination lock or latch status. Thus, the status of the lock can be set to suit the particular application. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU. 1\Specis\P76762.AU. 1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 3 In addition, it is also known for mortice locks to be provided with a rotatable bolt head so that the mortice lock can be used in either right hand or left hand 5 applications. In order to provide mortice locks that can be set up in left hand or right hand vestibule status, or combination status, and also having the ability to select 10 the desired hand of the lock, complicated setting mechanisms have been conceived. These setting mechanisms involve setting the lock status before the mortice lock is installed in the door. It is common for installers to incorrectly set the hand of the door prior to 15 installation. Consequently, the installer must remove the mortice lock and repeat the setting and installation procedure. 20 Summary of the invention The present invention provides a mortice lock comprising: a housing; two hub actuators that are each rotatable to retract 25 a locking bolt into the housing from a front of the housing; and a status selector for each hub actuator that is accessible through an aperture in the side or front of the housing, so that the status of the lock can be set after 30 the housing has been mounted in the mortice of a door. Preferably, the housing has apertures on each side through which a spindle of a respective hub actuator N:\Mel1oume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU-1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 4 extends, and each status selector is accessible through that aperture. Preferably, the lock further comprises a locking bar 5 that is selectively slidable between unlocked and locked positions to selectively lock one or both of the hub actuators according to the selected status, whereby when the status selector of one of the hub actuators is set to a locking bar engageable status and 10 the locking bar is in the locked position, the respective status selector abuts the locking bar to impede rotation of the respective hub actuator.. Preferably, each status selector comprises a locking 15 hub that is rotatable relative to the respective hub actuator to set the status of that hub actuator. Preferably, each locking hub is rotatable between a free position and a locking bar engageable position. 20 Preferably, each locking hub is rotatable by the spindle of the respective hub actuator. More preferably, the locking hub has a spindle aperture into which the spindle can extend to rotate the locking hub. 25 Preferably, each hub actuator further comprises an opening hub that is rotatable to retract the locking bolt into the housing and has a spindle aperture into which the spindle can pass to rotate the opening hub, 30 wherein each locking hub is positioned between the aperture on the side of the housing and the opening hub, and wherein when the spindle extends into the spindle N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 5 aperture of the opening hub, the locking hub is rotationally fixed relative to the opening hub. The lock can further comprise a dead latch pin that 5 is retractable into the housing from a front of the housing; and a dead latch mechanism for preventing movement of the bolt bracket, the dead latch mechanism including a latching bar that is slidable between free and dead 10 latched positions, the latching bar having projections that, when the latching bar is in the dead latched position, engage one of two notches in each locking hub to prevent rotation of the locking hubs. 15 In some embodiments, the locking bolt is mounted on a bolt bracket, and the locking bar includes a projection that projects from the locking bar towards the bolt bracket, the projection having an inclined face, 20 wherein, when the locking bar is in the locked position, the bolt bracket engages the inclined face and pushes the locking bar towards the unlocked position with retraction of the locking bolt. 25 In some embodiments, the locking bolt is mounted on a bolt bracket, and the locking bar includes a projection that projects from the locking bar towards the bolt bracket, the projection having a notch on one side, 30 wherein, when the locking bolt and the bolt bracket are retracted, the locking bar can be moved into the locked position to engage the notch in the projection, N:\Melboume\Cases\Pa1ent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3. doc 5/06/09 - 6 such that the locking bolt is held in a retracted position. In certain embodiments, the locking bar has a single 5 projection with both the inclined front face, and the notch on one side. The present invention also provides a mortice lock that is mountable in the mortice of a door, the lock 10 comprising: a housing; two hub actuators that are each rotatable to retract a locking bolt into the housing from a front of the housing; 15 a bolt bracket on which the locking bolt is mounted, the bolt bracket being movable to retract the locking bolt; a dead latch pin that is retractable into the housing from a front of the housing, the dead latch pin extends 20 through one or more guide slots in the bolt bracket; and a dead latch mechanism for preventing movement of the bolt bracket, which is operated by the dead latch pin such that when the dead latch pin is retracted and the locking bolt is fully forward, the bolt bracket is prevented from 25 moving in the housing. Preferably, the bolt bracket has two guide slots for guiding the dead latch pin. 30 Brief description of the drawings In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specs\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 7 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: is an exploded view of a mortice lock according to a first embodiment of the 5 present invention; Figure 2: is a partial cross section view of the mortice lock of Figure 1, showing a locking hub in a locking bar engageable position; 10 Figure 3: is a partial cross section view of the mortice lock of Figure 1, showing a locking hub in a free position; Figure 4: is partial cross section view of a mortice lock according to a second embodiment of 15 the present invention, showing a locking bar in an unlocked position; Figure 5: is partial cross section view of the mortice lock of Figure 4, showing a locking bar in a locked position; and 20 Figure 6: is a partial cross section view of a mortice lock according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a locking hub in a locking bar engageable position. 25 Detailed description of the drawings Figures 1 to 3 show a mortice lock 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In use, the 30 lock 10 is installed in a mortice or similar recess in a side edge of a door (not shown) with a front surface of the lock 10 (for example, a face plate, which is not shown) flush with the side edge of the door. The status N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU-1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 8 of the mortice lock 10 can be selected when the housing is positioned in the mortice, as will be described in further detail. 5 The lock 10 has a locking bolt 12 that can be retracted into a housing from a front of a housing. In this embodiment, the housing includes a housing body 14a and a housing face plate 14b (referred to hereinafter collectively as "housing 14"). 10 The lock 10 has a spring 16 that biases the locking bolt 12 towards a fully forward position, in which the locking bolt 12 projects beyond the side edge of the door to engage a strike plate (also not shown) in the door 15 frame. The locking bolt 12 can be retracted by actuation of two hub actuators that, when the lock 10 is fitted to a door, are each installed on a respective side of the housing 14. 20 In this embodiment, the hub actuators each include an opening hub 18a, 18b, and a spindle that is connected to the boss of the door furniture to facilitate rotation of the respective spindle.- For clarity, the spindles and the boss of the door furniture have been omitted from the 25 Figures. Each opening hub 18a, 18b has a spindle aperture 20a, 20b in which the respective spindle is to be installed. The spindle and the spindle aperture 20a, 20b have corresponding profiles; in this case, the spindle apertures 20a, 20b are square, and the spindles have a 30 square cross-section. Rotation of either hub actuator causes a lug 22a, 22b on the respective opening hub 20a, 20b to engage and move a bolt bracket 24 that is disposed within the housing 14. The locking bolt 12 is connected N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76OO0-76999\P76762.AU. 1kSpecis\P76762.AU. 1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 9 to the bolt bracket 24, such that the locking bolt 12 is retracted as the bolt bracket 24 is moved rearwardly in the housing 14. 5 Each hub actuator can be operated independently of the other to retract the locking bolt 12. The mortice lock 10 further has a status selector for each hub actuator. Each status selector enables setting 10 of the hand of each of the hub actuators so that the status of the lock 10 can be set to suit the desired application. For example, the lock 10 can be set to any of left hand vestibule status, right hand vestibule status, combination lock or latch status, or unlocked 15 status. In this embodiment each status selector is accessible through an aperture 26a, 26b in the side of the housing 14. Thus, the status of the lock 10 can be set when the 20 housing 14 is mounted in a mortice, and before the hub actuators are installed. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the status selector includes a locking bar 28 and two locking hubs 25 30a, 30b, one to each side of the housing 14. The locking bar 28 is slidable between an unlocked (raised) position (shown in Figures 2 and 3) and a locked (lowered) position to selectively lock one or both of the hub actuators according to the selected status. 30 Movement of the locking bar 28 is effected by lock actuation components. As will be appreciated, lock actuation components include (but are not limited to) any N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76OO-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 10 of: lock cylinders, door furniture, turn knobs or emergency buttons. Such lock actuation components extend through (or are accessible through) apertures 32a, 32b in either side of the housing 14. 5 Each locking hub 30a, 30b is rotatable between a locking bar engageable position (shown in Figure 2) and a free position (shown in Figure 3) . As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment the locking hubs 30a, 10 30b turn through 450 between the engageable and free positions. For clarity, each of Figures 2 and 3 only show the housing body 14a, the locking bar 28, one of the locking hubs 30b and a slidable latching bar 34. The function of the latching bar 34 will be described in 15 further detail later. The status selectors operate as follows: 1. When the locking bar 28 is in the unlocked position: each locking hub 30a, 30b can be 20 freely rotated by the hub actuator regardless of whether the respective locking hub 30a, 30b is in the engageable or free position. Thus, the locking bolt 12 can be freely retracted into the housing 14. 25 2. When the locking bar 28 is in the locked position and one of the locking hubs 30a, 30b is in the engageable position: a lug 35a, 35b on the respective locking hub 30a, 30b abuts the locking bar 28, preventing rotation of the 30 respective hub actuator. Thus, retraction of the locking bolt 12 by attempted operation of the respective hub actuator is prevented. N :Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P7676 2 AU 1\Specis\P76762.AU 1 Specfication 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 11 3. When the locking bar 28 is in the locked position and one of the locking hubs 30a, 30b is in the free position: the lug 35a, 35b on the respective locking hub 30a, 30b is not 5 able to contact the locking bar 28 so rotation of the respective hub actuator to retract the locking bolt 12 is possible. As the locking hubs 30a, 30b can be set independently 10 of one another, the status of the lock 10 can set to any of left hand vestibule status, right hand vestibule status, combination lock status or unlocked status. The locking hubs 30a, 30b have spindle apertures 36a, 15 36b, which in this embodiment each have an eight-pointed star shape. A spindle with a square cross section can be inserted into the spindle aperture 36a, 36b to rotate the respective locking hub 30a, 30b between the engageable and free positions. Furthermore, a spindle with a square 20 cross section can be inserted into the aperture 36a, 36b in any orientation that mates with the eight-pointed star shaped aperture 36a, 36b. Thus, each spindle can be partially inserted in the 25 housing 14 to select the status of the respective locking hub 30a, 30b, prior to being further inserted into the respective opening hub 18a, 18b. In this position, the spindle is fully inserted (and thus installed) in the housing 14. 30 Each locking hub 30a, 30b is positioned between the respective side aperture 26a, 26b and opening hub 18a, 18b. In both the engageable and free positions of the N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3 doc 5106/09 - 12 locking hub 30a, 30b, the spindle aperture 36a, 36b aligns with the spindle aperture 20a, 20b so that the spindle can extend through both the locking hub 30a, 30b and the opening hub 18a, 18b on the respective side of the housing 5 14. In other words, when each spindle is fully inserted in the housing 14, that spindle extends through the respective locking hub 30a, 30b and into the respective opening hub 18a, 18b for actuation of the locking bolt 12. 10 In addition, when the mortice lock 10 is fully installed in a door, the spindle of each hub actuator extends through the locking hub 30a, 30b and into the opening hub 18a, 18b. In this way, the spindle rotationally fixes the locking hub 30a, 30b relative to 15 the opening hub 18a, 18b. Furthermore, as will be appreciated, when door furniture is installed on the door, the spindles are retained in the lock 10 by the furniture. This prevents 20 the lock status from being reset in routine use of the door, which provides security against unintentional altering of the lock status. A procedure for installing the mortice lock 10 is set 25 out below: 1. Preparing a door to receive the lock 10, which may include: defining a mortice in the door; and apertures for hub actuators, lock components and fasteners, as required. 30 2. Rotating the locking bolt 12 relative to the housing 14 to suit the latching direction. 3. Mounting the housing 14 in the mortice. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762 AU 1\Specis\P76762 AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3 doc 5106109 - 13 4. Setting the hand of each hub actuator, which, for each status selector, involves: a) Partially inserting the spindle into the housing to change the status of 5 the respective status selector, if required; and b) Fully inserting the spindle into the housing, such that the spindle extends through the locking hub 30a, 10 30b and into the opening hub 18a, 18b. 5. Installing remaining door furniture, as required. 15 In this embodiment, item 4(a) above involves inserting the spindle into the spindle aperture 36a, 36b of the respective locking hub 30a, 30b and rotating the locking hub 30a, 30b between the locking bar engageable position and the free position. In this way, the spindle 20 is used as a tool to operate the status selector. The lock 10 also includes a dead latch pin 38 that is retractable into the housing from a front of the housing 14. The latch pin 38 co-operates with a dead latch 25 mechanism that includes the latch bar 34. The dead latch mechanism is arranged to slide the latch bar 34 between free and dead latched positions. Retraction of the latch pin 38 causes the latch bar 34 to slide towards the dead latched position. When the latch pin 38 is retracted and 30 the locking bolt 12 is fully forward, the latch bar 34 prevents the bolt bracket 24 from moving rearwardly in the housing 14. Thus, the locking bolt 12 can be held in the fully forward position. In practice, this feature of the N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3 doc 5106/09 - 14 lock 10 ensures that when the door is closed the locking bolt 12 is dead latched. Furthermore, when the latch pin 38 is fully forward 5 of the housing 14, the latch bar 34 is in the free position. The dead latch pin 38 extends through two guide slots 42, 44 in the bolt bracket 24. Movement of the dead latch 10 pin 38 relative to the bolt bracket 24 is constrained by the guide slots 42, 44. As shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the latch bar 34 has projections 40. Each locking hub 30a, 30b has 15 two notches 41, 43 on the outer periphery. When the latch bar 34 is in the dead latched position, the projections 40 engage either notch 41, 43, depending on the position of the respective locking hub 30a, 30b. This ensures that the position of the locking hubs 30a, 30b cannot be 20 changed when the lock 10 is dead latched. This provides an important security feature of the lock 10. In particular, when the door is closed (such that the locking bolt 12 is fully forward in the strike 25 plate and the dead latch pin 38 is retracted by the strike plate), the projections 40 on the latch bar 34 engage the notches 41, 43, which prevents rotation of the locking hubs 30a, 30b. Thus, the lock 10 cannot be tampered with to change the lock status and enable unlocking of the lock 30 10 when the door is closed. In this embodiment, the notches 41, 43 are angularly spaced by 450*. However, the person skilled in the art will N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762 AU 1 Specfication 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 15 appreciate that the notches may be angularly spaced by any workable angle. The locking bolt 12 is mounted on a hollow pin 46 5 such that the locking bolt 12 can be rotated on the hollow pin 46 relative to the bolt bracket 24. This enables the lock 10 to be used in either left hand or right hand door applications. The lock 10 includes a face plate 48 that attaches to the front of the housing 14. When the face 10 plate 48 is attached to the housing 14, the face plate 48 rotationally constrains the locking bolt 12 relative to the bolt bracket 24. A guide pin 47a is attached to the back of the 15 housing 14. A hollow mounting pin 47b is secured within bolt bracket 24. The hollow mounting pin 47b receives the spring 16, which biases the bolt bracket 24, and thus also the locking bolt 12, towards a fully forward position. The hollow mounting pin 47b also receives the 20 guide pin 47a, which acts to guide the bolt bracket 24 as it moves within the housing 14. Figures 4 and 5 show a mortice lock 110 according to a second embodiment in partial cross section. For clarity 25 of these Figures, many components of the lock 110 have been omitted. However, features of the lock 110 that correspond with features of the lock 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 have reference numerals incremented by 100. 30 The lock 110 includes a projection 150 that is connected to the locking bar 150. The projection 150 projects from the locking bar 128 towards the bolt bracket 124. The projection 128 has an inclined face 152, which N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\76OO-7699 9 \P7 6 7 6 2 .AU 1\Specis\P76762.AU. 1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 16 provides the lock 110 with an anti-lockout functionality, as described below. In Figure 4, the locking bar 128 is shown in the 5 unlocked (raised) position and the bolt bracket 124 is in its rearmost position, which corresponds with the locking bolt (not shown in Figure 4) in the fully retracted position. 10 When the locking bar 128 is in the locked (lower) position and the bolt bracket 124 moves rearwardly in the housing 114, the bolt bracket 124 engages the inclined face 152 and pushes the locking bar 128 towards the unlocked position. The bolt bracket 124 can be driven 15 rearwardly by the locking bolt being pushed into the housing 114, for example by closing on a strike plate (not shown). Similarly, the bolt bracket 124 can be drawn rearwardly if a locking hub (not shown) is in the free position and the respective hub actuator (also not shown) 20 is operated to retract the locking bolt. In addition, the projection 150 has a notch 154 on a side edge, which is between the inclined face 152 and the locking bar 128. The notch 154 provides the lock 110 with 25 hold-back functionality, as described below. In Figure 5, the locking bar 128 is shown in the locked (lower) position and the bolt bracket 124 is in its rearmost position, which corresponds with the locking bolt 30 (not shown in Figure 5) in the fully retracted position. When the locking bolt is retracted (which corresponds with the bolt bracket 124 in its rearmost position), the N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762 AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Specdication 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 17 locking bar 128 can be moved into the locked position such that the notch 154 engages the bolt bracket 124 to hold the locking bolt in a retracted position. 5 In some embodiments, the status selector for each hub actuator can be accessible through one or more apertures in the front of the housing. One such embodiment is shown in Figure 6, which shows, in partial cross section, a mortice lock 210 according to a third embodiment. For 10 clarity, many components of the lock 210 have been omitted. However, features of the lock 210 that correspond with features of the lock 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 have reference numerals incremented by 200. 15 The locking hub 230a in the lock 210 can be rotated by pushing a tool against either of two abutment tabs 256a, 256b. An opening 258 is provided in the front of the housing 214 through which a lock installer can pass a tool to change the lock status. In particular, pushing a 20 tool, such as an Allen key, on either abutment tab 256a, 256b will rotate the locking hub 230a. Thus, the status of the mortice lock 210 can be selected via opening 258 in the front face once the 25 housing 214 is positioned in the mortice. The face plate, which attaches to the front of the housing 214, can also cover the opening 258, preventing access to the opening 258. Once the face plate is installed, the status of the mortice lock cannot be accidentally changed. Furthermore, 30 the lock status can only be changed when the lock is unlocked and the door open. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\7600-76999\P76762.AU 1\Specis\P76762.AU- 1 Specification 2009-6-3. doc 5106109 - 18 Aperture 236a in the locking hub 230a has an eight pointed star shape such that a spindle with a square cross section can be inserted into the aperture 236a, 236b in any orientation that mates with the eight-pointed star 5 shape. Thus, the locking hub 230a can be rotationally fixed relative to the respective opening hub by the spindle. The status of the mortice lock 210 can be selected 10 after the housing is installed into the mortice lock cutout in the door. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made 15 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The mortice locks shown in the Figures are the narrow-style, meaning that the depth of the housing is 20 narrow. This type of mortice lock is particularly suitable for use in metal or timber frame doors. However, the invention is also applicable to mortice locks for alternative styles of doors and locks with any desired backset. 25 In some alternative, non-illustrated embodiments of the mortice lock according to the present invention, the status selector is accessible through a dedicated aperture in the side of the housing, which is separate to the 30 aperture through which the spindle passes to access the hub actuator. In such an embodiment, the status selector may include a locking hub that is rotatable between free and locking bar engageable positions by operation of an NA elbourne\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3. doc 5/06/09 - 19 additional component, such as a geared member that drives the locking hub. In these embodiments, the status of the mortice lock can be selected after the housing is installed into the mortice lock cutout in the door. 5 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 10 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3 doc 5/06/09

Claims (7)

1. A mortice lock comprising: a housing; 5 two hub actuators that are each rotatable to retract a locking bolt into the housing from a front of the housing; and a status selector for each hub actuator that is accessible through an aperture in the side or front of the 10 housing, so that the status of the lock can be set after the housing has been mounted in the mortice of a door.

2. A mortice lock according to claim 1, wherein the housing has apertures on each side through which a spindle 15 of a respective hub actuator extends, and each status selector is accessible through that aperture.

3. A mortice lock according to either claim 1 or 2, further comprising a locking bar that is selectively 20 slidable between unlocked and locked positions to selectively lock one or both of the hub actuators according to the selected status, whereby when the status selector of one of the hub actuators is set to a locking bar engageable status and 25 the locking bar is in the locked position, the respective status selector abuts the locking bar to impede rotation of the respective hub actuator.

4. A mortice lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 30 wherein each status selector comprises a locking hub that is rotatable relative to the respective hub actuator to set the status of that hub actuator. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU 1\Specis\P76762.AU.1 Speification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 21 5. A mortice lock according to claim 4, wherein each locking hub is rotatable between a free position and a locking bar engageable position. 5 6. A mortice lock according to either claim 4 or 5, wherein each locking hub is rotatable by the spindle of the respective hub actuator.

7. A mortice lock according to claim 7, wherein each 10 locking hub has a spindle aperture into which the spindle can extend to rotate the locking hub.

8. A mortice lock according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising: 15 a dead latch pin that is retractable into the housing from a front of the housing; and a dead latch mechanism for preventing movement of the bolt bracket, the dead latch mechanism including a latching bar that is slidable between free and dead 20 latched positions, the latching bar having projections that, when the latching bar is in the dead latched position, engage one of two notches in each locking hub to prevent rotation of the locking hubs. 25 9. A mortice lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each hub actuator further comprises an opening hub that is rotatable to retract the locking bolt into the housing and has a spindle aperture into which the spindle can pass to rotate the opening hub, 30 wherein each locking hub is positioned between the aperture on the side of the housing and the opening hub, and wherein when the spindle extends into the spindle N:\MeIboume\Cases\Patent\760O0-76999\P 7 6 7

62.AU.l\Specis\P76762.AU. 1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 22 aperture of the opening hub, the locking hub is rotationally fixed relative to the opening hub. 10. A mortice lock according to claim 3, further 5 comprising: a bolt bracket to which the locking bolt is mounted, and a projection that projects from the locking bar towards the bolt bracket, the projection having an 10 inclined face, wherein, when the locking bar is in the locked position, the bolt bracket engages the inclined face and pushes the locking bar towards the unlocked position with retraction of the locking bolt. 15 11. A mortice lock according to claim 3, further comprising: a bolt bracket to which the locking bolt is mounted, and 20 a projection that projects from the locking bar towards the bolt bracket, the projection having a notch on one side, wherein, when the locking bolt and the bolt bracket are retracted, the locking bar can be moved into the 25 locked position to engage the notch in the projection to hold the locking bolt in a retracted position. 12. A mortice lock according to claim 3, further comprising: 30 a bolt bracket to which the locking bolt is mounted, and a projection that projects from the locking bar towards the bolt bracket, the projection having an N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\760O0-76999\P76762.AU.1 \Specis\P76762.AU I Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 23 inclined face and a notch on one side, wherein, when the locking bar is in the locked position, the bolt bracket engages the inclined face and pushes the locking bar towards the unlocked position with 5 retraction of the locking bolt, and wherein, when the locking bolt and the bolt bracket are retracted, the locking bar can be moved into the locked position to engage the notch in the projection to hold the locking bolt in a retracted position. 10 13. A mortice lock that is mountable in the mortice of a door, the lock comprising: a housing; two hub actuators that are each rotatable to retract 15 a locking bolt into the housing from a front of the housing; a bolt bracket on which the locking bolt is mounted, the bolt bracket being movable to retract the locking bolt; 20 a dead latch pin that is retractable into the housing from a front of the housing, the dead latch pin extends through one or more guide slots in the bolt bracket; and a dead latch mechanism for preventing movement of the bolt bracket, which is operated by the dead latch pin such 25 that when the dead latch pin is retracted and the locking bolt is fully forward, the bolt bracket is prevented from moving in the housing. 14. A mortice lock according to claim 13, wherein the 30 bolt bracket has two guide slots for guiding the dead latch pin. N: \elboumeCases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU.1\Specis\P76762.AU 1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09 - 24 15. A mortice lock substantially as herein described with reference. to the accompanying drawings. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\76000-76999\P76762.AU-1\Specis\P76762AU.1 Specification 2009-6-3.doc 5/06/09