AU2016201646A1 - A lock assembly for use with a latch assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a lock assembly 5 for use with a latch assembly 2. The lock assembly 5 including an inner handle 21 and an outer handle 13 that are rotatable about an actuator axis X-X, a first cylinder lock 29 operable about an axis Z-Z and a second cylinder lock operable about an axis Y-Y, wherein each of the axes Y-Y and Z-Z are parallel to the axis X-X. '-I ( U-V -- -- -- ----- - -- -- -- - ---\ '-4 /49N r -4 ----------- nj 6 rn r4 r- \ / -4 -- ---- - ---- ---- -- ---- --- --/ ---------~' 1 -/- --- ---- - -- ----- \// --- 7 ------ \ 4 /---- ----- ------- - -- ----------\ 4------1

Description

A Lock Assembly For Use With A Latch assembly [0001] This invention relates to a lock assembly for mounting to a door. The lock assembly has been designed for a particular application to be used with a latch assembly of the kind having a bolt that is moved between a latch condition and a release condition. The combination of lock assembly and latch assembly can be suitable for use with a swing door, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application.

[0002] A lock assembly for a swing door will generally include some form of handle assembly that is rotatable to move a bolt from an extended latched position to a retracted release position. The lock assembly will also include a lock mechanism that can prevent the handle assembly from moving the bolt. The lock mechanism may be adjusted by operation of cylinder lock on the inner side and outer of the door. The lock mechanism may also be adjustable from the inner side of the door by operation of a snib. The applicant has appreciated an increasing demand for lock assemblies to retain this level of functionality whilst having a slimline appearance.

[0003] The door can be made in a range of thickness to suit the environment in which it is installed. Commercial doors tend to be relatively thick, while residential doors can be thinner. There is an increasing demand to make doors thinner, particularly for the residential market. One limiting factor on how thin the door can be is the type of lock assembly intended to be mounted to the door. It is generally aesthetically desirable, for example, to have the cylinder lock housing flush with a front face of an escutcheon when mounted on a door.

[0004] Whilst there is a general demand for lock assemblies to achieve certain functions, it can be the appearance of the lock assembly that appeals to certain users. It is generally the colour, finish or shape of the handles and or the escutcheon plates that is assessed by the user. However what appeals to one user may differ to what appeals to another user. Furthermore what appeals to one user yesterday may not appeal tomorrow, particularly if the colour scheme for the surrounding area has been changed. However the costs of the user changing the lock assembly to suit changes in what appeals can be cost prohibitive. Furthermore locksmiths would need to carry a greater range of stock of lock assemblies, if they were trying to meet the full range of demand, which again would be probably cost prohibitive.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a lock assembly that addressed at least one of the above issues.

[0006] A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

[0007] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a lock assembly for use adjusting a condition of a latch assembly between a latch condition and a release condition when the lock assembly and latch assembly are mounted to a door, the lock assembly including, an inner actuator for operation from an inner side of the door, an outer actuator for operation from an outer side of the door, each of the inner actuator and outer actuator being rotatable about an actuation axis for use adjusting the condition of the latch assembly, a lock mechanism that is adjustable between a release condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered operable and a deadlocked condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered inoperable, the lock assembly including a first cylinder lock operable from an inner side of the door having a first barrel that is rotatable about a first axis for adjusting a condition of the lock mechanism, a second cylinder lock operable from an outer side of the door having a second barrel rotatable about a second axis for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism, wherein the first axis is parallel to the second axis and both the first axis and second axis are parallel to the actuation axis.

[0008] It is preferred that the first cylinder lock includes a first cylinder housing and the second cylinder lock includes a second cylinder housing, whereby the first axis is offset from the second axis so as to allow the first cylinder housing to overlap with the second cylinder lock housing when the lock assembly is mounted to the door. The extent to which the first cylinder lock overlaps with the second cylinder lock may vary to suit the thickness of the door to which the lock assembly is mounted. This can include a relatively thin door, in which the first cylinder lock includes a first barrel with a first face formed with a first keyway, and the second cylinder lock includes a second barrel with a second face formed with a second keyway, the lock assembly being may be configured so that when in use the first face is spaced from the second face by between 46mm and 60mm. Naturally the lock assembly may be used on thicker doors whereby the spacing of the first face from the second face is greater than this.

[0009] The inner actuator may be linked to the outer actuator in any suitable manner however the lock assembly is particularly suitable for including a spindle interacting with the inner actuator and outer actuator.

[00010] The lock assembly preferably includes a snib operable from an inner side of the door for adjusting the lock mechanism to adopt a privacy condition whereby the outer actuator only is rendered inoperable. The snib may take any suitable form, which may include the inner actuator and the lock mechanism are configured so that operation of the inner actuator adjusts the condition of the lock mechanism from the privacy condition to the release condition. This may also include the snib having a button that is that is moved in a direction which is parallel to the actuation axis from an inactive position to a snibed position, whereby having the button in the snibed position corresponds to the lock mechanism adopting the privacy condition.

[00011] The first cylinder lock is preferably operable for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition and for adjusting the lock mechanism from the release condition to the deadlock condition, while the second cylinder lock is operable for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition only. This reduces the likelihood of a person being deadlocked on the inner side of the door by a person on the outer side of the door.

[00012] The inner actuator may interact with the lock mechanism in any suitable manner, this may include the inner actuator having a hub that is rotatable about the actuation axis, and the lock mechanism includes a detent that engages the hub when the lock mechanism is in the deadlocked condition to prevent the hub from rotating. The hub may take any physical form including for example a plate like member. The detent may include a first tooth that engages a first recess in the hub when the lock mechanism is in the deadlock condition. It is also preferred that the detent also engages the hub when the lock mechanism adopts the privacy condition. In this regard it is preferred that the detent includes a second tooth that engages a second recess in the hub when the lock mechanism is in the privacy condition. It is further preferred that the inner actuator includes a further hub that is configured for lost motion with said hub, hereinafter the first hub, the further hub including a ramp surface which interacts with a ramp surface formed on the detent, to disengage the second tooth from the second recess in the first hub, before the first hub is rotated. The recesses on the hub may be in any suitable location and one location includes the first recess is on an opposed side of the hub from the second recess.

[00013] The lock mechanism may include a gear or cam that is rotatable on operation of the first cylinder lock to move a slide which is connected to the detent. The slide may take any suitable form and one form has the slide including at least one groove to interact with the cam, while another form includes multiple grooves to interact with the gear. The slide may be a single piece unit, or alternatively the slide is a slide assembly of multiple parts. The lock assembly preferably includes a ball detent that interacts with the slide to retain the slide when the lock mechanism is in the deadlocked condition. The lock assembly may include alternative means for retaining the lock mechanism in a deadlocked condition other than a ball detent. The lock assembly preferably includes a deadlocking indicator member being visible from an inner side of the lock assembly that moves with the slide when the lock mechanism adjusts between the release condition and the deadlock condition. This allows a person on the inner side of the door to determine the condition of the lock mechanism from a distance without having to physically test if the handle is rotatable.

[00014] The second cylinder lock may interact with the lock mechanism in any suitable manner, and one arrangement may include a cam shaft that interacts with the second cylinder lock and the slide to adjust the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition. The cam shaft preferably interacts with the slide to adjust the condition of the snib from the privacy condition to the release condition.

[00015] According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a lock assembly for mounting to a door including an inner escutcheon for mounting to an inner side of the door and an outer escutcheon for mounting to an outer side of the door, an inner actuator and an outer actuator being operable by an inner handle and an outer handle respectively, a lock mechanism associated with the inner escutcheon for controlling operation of the inner actuator and outer actuator, the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon each being configured to accommodate at least one magnet on an inner surface thereof, and a metal outer face plate for locating on an outer surface of the outer escutcheon and a metal inner face plate for locating on an outer surface on the inner escutcheon, each of the inner face plate and outer face plate being retained adjacent the respective inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon by the magnets.

[00016] It is preferred that each of the inner face plate an outer face plate is inhibited from removal from the respective inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon by attaching the respective inner handle and outer handle to the inner actuator and outer actuator. The inner face plate and outer face plate may be formed of a different metal from the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon. Alternatively the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon may be formed from a hardened plastics material. The inner surface of the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon may each be formed with a plurality of wells, each well accommodating one of said magnets. The outer surface of each of the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon may be formed with a peripheral lip to inhibit movement of the inner face plate and outer face plate.

[00017] A lock assembly may take any suitable form however this aspect of the invention is particularly suited to the form of lock assembly whereby the inner face plate and outer face plate each includes one aperture for accommodating the inner actuator and outer actuator respectively, and a further aperture for providing access to controls of the lock mechanism [00018] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the attached illustrations which show a preferred embodiment of various aspects of this invention. The particularity of those drawings and the related detailed description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the definition of the invention according to each of its aspects as provided by the claims.

[00019] Figure 1 illustrates a partially exploded view of a latch set including a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly according to the invention positioned adjacent part of a door.

[00020] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an outer portion of the lock assembly from Figure 1.

[00021] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 1.

[00022] Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 3 with the lock mechanism illustrated in a release condition.

[00023] Figure 4a is an isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 4.

[00024] Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 3 with the lock mechanism in a deadlocked condition.

[00025] Figure 5a is an isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 4.

[00026] Figure 6 is a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly with the lock mechanism returned to the release position by way of operation of an outer cylinder lock.

[00027] Figure 6a is an isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 5.

[00028] Figure 7 is a partial isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 4a illustrating the lock mechanism in the release position.

[00029] Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 7 illustrating a button of the snib in an inactive position.

[00030] Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 8 with the button of the snib in a snibbed position.

[00031] Figure 10 is a partial isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 9 illustrating the button in the snib position, and the lock mechanism adopting the privacy condition.

[00032] Figure 11 illustrates a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly according to Figure 10.

[00033] Figure 12 illustrates a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 11 with the inner actuator rotated to adjust the condition of the lock mechanism to a release condition.

[00034] Figure 12a is a detailed isometric view showing a detent of the lock mechanism interacting with a hub of the inner actuator.

[00035] Figure 13 illustrates a rear elevation view of the inner portion of the lock assembly with the lock mechanism having been adjusted from the privacy condition by way of operation of the second cylinder lock.

[00036] Figure 13a is a rear isometric view of the inner portion of the lock assembly from Figure 13.

[00037] Figure 1 illustrates in a summary a portion of a door 1, a latch assembly 2 for location in a bore 3 formed in the side edge 4 of the door 1, and a lock assembly 5 including an inner portion 6 and an outer portion 7 to be mounted to an inner side 8 and outer side 9 of the door 1 respectively. The latch assembly 2 illustrated includes a body 10, and a bolt 11 which is movable relative to the body 10 between a latch condition as illustrated and a release condition (not illustrated) whereby the bolt 11 is retracted within the body 10. The adjustment of the condition of the latch assembly 2 is by operation of a driver 12 having a square shaped bore located towards the rear of the body 10. The lock assembly 5 of the invention may be used with other forms of latch assembly 2, and the form of latch assembly 2 as hereinbefore described and illustrated is merely one example.

[00038] The outer portion 7 of the lock assembly 5 illustrated includes an outer handle 13 associated with an outer escutcheon 14, with an outer face plate 15 positioned between the outer handle 13 and the outer escutcheon 14. A cylinder lock 16 (hereinafter a second cylinder lock) is visible through an opening 17 formed in a lower portion of the outer face plate 15. More specifically the opening 17 reveals a barrel 18, hereinafter the second barrel 18 having a face 19 hereinafter a second face formed with a keyway 20 to receive a key (not shown) for rotating the barrel about a second axis Y-Y.

[00039] The inner portion 6 of the lock assembly 5 illustrated in Figure 1 includes a similarly shaped inner handle 21, inner escutcheon 22, and inner face plate 23. A top cover plate 24, actuator cover plate 25 and bottom cover plate 26 are each individually screwed to the inner escutcheon 22 by way of a plurality of screws 22. The features of the lock assembly 5 located between each cover plate 24, 25, 26 and the escutcheon 22 will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations. Flowever it should be noted that a spindle 28 is rotatable by either handle 13, 21 about an actuation axis X-X. Also a cylinder lock hereinafter the first cylinder lock 29 is operable to rotate a cylinder cam 30 about an axis Z-Z.

[00040] Figure 1 also illustrates four screws 31 extending from the rear of the inner escutcheon 22 which extend through the door 1 when the lock assembly is mounted to the door 1. The threaded portion of each screw 31 locates within threaded bores 32 formed in posts extending from the rear of the outer escutcheon 14.

[00041] Figure 2 illustrates the outer face plate 15 detached from the outer escutcheon 14. According to one aspect of the invention each face plate 15, 23 is detachably secured to its escutcheon 14, 22. This may be achieved by any suitable arrangement and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the face plate 15 is formed of metal and is retained adjacent the escutcheon 14 by four magnets 33 each located in a well 34 formed to the rear of the escutcheon 14. The number and location of the magnets 33 and wells 34 may vary from that as illustrated. This arrangement conveniently secures the face plate 15 to the escutcheon 14 before the handle 13 is attached. Accordingly this allows for the face plate 15 to be removed and interchanged with other face plates 15 if the end user wishes to make a change. This may allow for changes in colour or finishes of the face plate 15 to match the decor of the surroundings of the door 1.

[00042] It is preferred that the handle 13 when attached, secures the face plate 15 adjacent the escutcheon 14. This may be achieved in any suitable arrangement and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 the handle 13 is attached to an outer actuator shaft 35. The outer actuator shaft 35 illustrated has a square shaped distal portion 36 which locates within a square shaped bore 37 formed in one end of the handle 13. A grub screw 38 is inserted through a threaded transverse bore 39 to seat on a dimple 40 formed in the square shaped distal portion 36 of the actuator shaft 15. Once the grub screw 38 is seated on the dimple 40, this inhibits removal of the handle 13 from the actuator shaft 35.

[00043] The outer escutcheon 14 and outer face plate 15 illustrated in Figure 2 are each formed with an upper opening 41, 42 through which the actuator shaft 35 is inserted. An annular groove 43 is provided in the actuator shaft 35 to receive a circlip 44 therein once the actuator shaft 35 has been inserted through the opening 41 in the escutcheon 14 and face plate 15. The actuator shaft 35 includes a central portion 45 which provides a bearing surface which slides over the inner surface of the opening 41 in the escutcheon 14. A proximal end of the actuator shaft 35 includes a pair of opposed keyways 46. Each keyway accommodates an opposed lug 47 formed in a cam plate 48 for attaching the cam plate 48 to the proximal end of the actuator shaft 35. A pair of opposed biasing blocks 49 are urged to engage a peripheral surface of the cam plate 48 through operation of four compressions springs 50. The compression springs 50 locate partially within bores 51 formed in the biasing blocks and are biased away from opposed side walls 52 formed in the escutcheon 14. It should be noted that the cam plate 48 is formed with a peripheral surface which has a varying radius. It ought to be appreciated that as the cam plate 48 is rotated about the actuation axis X-X on rotation of the handle 13, this will urge each biasing block to act against the action of each compression spring 50. Accordingly this biases the handle 13 to return toward a horizontal position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The arrangement of the biasing blocks 48 and compression springs 50 may be replaced by other forms of biasing arrangements. One other such form could include a torsion spring (not shown) acting on the actuator shaft 35 to bias the handle 13 toward the horizontal position.

[00044] Figure 2 illustrates an outer actuator hub or plate 53 which is located at the proximal end of the actuator shaft 35 and is formed with lugs 54 (only one of which is visible) on a rear surface thereof for location in the opposed keyways 46 formed in the actuator shaft 35. This arrangement allows the actuator plate 53 to rotate with the actuator shaft 35 on rotation of the handle 13 about the actuation axis X-X. The actuator plate 53 also includes a centrally located square shaped bore 55 to receive one end of the spindle 28 (see Figure 1). Once the actuator plate 53 is located on the actuator shaft 35 this is all retained in position adjacent the escutcheon 14 by fitting the actuator cover 25 to the escutcheon 14, and fastening it in this position by the pair of screws 27.

[00045] Figure 2 also illustrates the rear of the second cylinder lock 16 being fitted with a slotted plate 56 to accommodate a proximal end of a tail bar 57. A distal end of the tail bar 57 locates within a slot formed in a cam shaft 58 (see Figure 1) forming part of a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations. The second cylinder lock 16 locates within a bore 59 formed in the escutcheon 14, and its barrel 18 (see Figure 1) is accessible through a lower opening 60 formed in the face plate 15. The second cylinder 16 is retained adjacent the escutcheon 14 by an outer cylinder 61 retainer which is fastened to the escutcheon 14 by way of a pair of screws 62.

[00046] Figure 3 illustrates the inner face plate 23 spaced from the inner escutcheon 22. It should be understood that the inner face plate 23 is releasably retained adjacent the inner escutcheon 22 in the same manner as described with reference to the outer escutcheon 14 and outer face plate 15 illustrated in Figure 2. However as there is less space available on the rear surface of the inner escutcheon 22, only three wells are provided for accommodating three magnets 33 respectively for retaining the inner face plate 23 adjacent the inner escutcheon 22. Again a circlip 44 is used to retain the actuator shaft 35 adjacent the escutcheon 22 and a grub screw 38 is used to retain the inner handle 21 on the actuator shaft 35 when assembled. Furthermore biasing blocks 49 act under the action of compression springs 50 on the cam plate 48 to urge the inner handle 21 to adopt the horizontal position. However, it is preferred that the inner actuator illustrated in Figure 3 includes an actuator hub formed by a first actuator plate 63 and a second actuator plate 64. The first actuator plate 63 includes a pair of lugs 65 for location within the opposed keyways 46 formed in the actuator shaft 35. In this arrangement the first actuator plate 63 rotates directly on rotation of the actuator shaft 35. The second actuator plate 64 is rotated on rotation of the first actuator plate 63, however there is preferably lost motion between rotation of the first actuator plate 63 and second actuator plate 64. The purpose of this lost motion will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations. It should be noted however from Figure 3 that the second actuator plate 64 includes a square shaped bore 55 for receiving one end of the spindle 28 (see Figure 1).

[00047] Figure 3 also illustrates a detent 66 which forms part of the lock mechanism. The detent 66 may take any form however in the embodiment illustrated it includes a first tooth 67 or lug inwardly facing from the bottom of the ring of a detent 66, and a second tooth 68 or lug inwardly facing from the top of the detent 66. The first tooth 67 and second tooth 68 are configured interact with a first recess 69 and second recess 70 respectively formed on opposed sides of the second actuator plate 64. This interaction will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations.

[00048] The detent 66 is formed with an upper connecting portion 71 and a lower connecting portion 72. The upper connecting portion 71 is formed with four posts (obscured) for location in two sets of bores in snib legs 73. The lower connecting portion 72 is formed with four bores (only three of which are visible in Figure 3) for locating on four posts formed in two arms 74 of a slide assembly.

[00049] The slide assembly may be formed as a single unit however in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 the slide assembly also includes a pair of spaced transfer plates 75, an upper portion of each are attached to the respective slide arm 74. A lower portion of one of the transfer plate is attached to a deadlocking rack 76 whilst the other transfer plate 75 is attached to a cam shaft slide plate 77. The cam shaft slide plate is configured for interacting with the cam shaft 58 in a manner that will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations. Whereas the deadlocking rack 56 is formed with a pair of grooves 78 for interacting with teeth 79 of the deadlocking gear 80. A deadlocking gear cap 81 is provided for interacting with the deadlocking gear 81, and also for interacting with the cylinder cam 30 associated with the first cylinder lock 29. This interaction will be described in greater detail by reference to the latter illustrations.

[00050] Figure 3 illustrates an actuator cover plate 25 positioned adjacent the detent 66 for retaining the detent 66, first actuator plate 63, second actuator plate 64 and cam plate 48 on the actuator shaft 35. The actuator cover plate 25 is fastened to the inner escutcheon 22 by way of a pair of screws 27.

[00051] Figure 3 also illustrates the deadlocking rack 76 being formed with a lower leg 81 which is configured for interaction with an indicator 83. More specifically the indicator 83 is formed with a lateral portion 84 which locates adjacent the lower leg 82 of the rack 76 when the lock assembly 5 is assembled. An indicator panel 85 is positioned on the indicator 83, and the indicator panel 85 is visible through a lower aperture 86 (mostly obscured) formed in a lower portion of the escutcheon 22. This arrangement allows for the indicator 83 to move with the deadlocking rack 76 in a manner that will be described in greater detail by reference to the latter illustrations. It should be noted from Figure 3 however that a pair of compression springs 87 are provided to interact with the indicator 83 to urge the indicator 83 towards a bottom wall 88 of the escutcheon 22. However in an alternate arrangement not shown the indicator 83 can be formed with the rack 76 so as to move directly therewith. In this alternate arrangement the springs 87 are no longer required.

[00052] The lock assembly 5 preferably includes a snib for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism from a release condition to a privacy condition. The snib may take any form however in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 the snib includes a privacy button 89, and a button guide 90. The privacy button 89 includes a post 91 which locates in a bore 92 formed in the button guide 90 with a compression spring 93 positioned over the post 91 for urging the button 89 away from the guide 90. The button 91 is formed with a rectangular distal portion 94 which locates within a rectangular opening 95 formed in the inner escutcheon 22 and inner face plate 22. This rectangular portion 94 is in use depressed by the user for moving the privacy button 89 relative to the guide 90. The button is formed with a pair of opposing shoulders 96 which interact with the snib legs 73 in a manner that will be described in greater detail by reference to latter illustrations. Each snib leg 73 is urged away from an upper wall 97 of the escutcheon 22 by the action of a respective compression spring 98. The snib is retained in its position adjacent the inner escutcheon 22 by the top cover plate 23, which in turn is fastened to this position by way of a plurality of screws 27. Furthermore, the slide assembly is retained in its position adjacent the inner escutcheon 22 by the fitting of a lower cover plate 26, which is in turn fastened to the inner escutcheon by way of a plurality of screws 27.

[00053] Figures 4 and 4a illustrate the lock assembly in a release condition whereby the second actuator plate is free to rotate on rotation of the inner handle 21. Furthermore it ought to be appreciated that the outer actuator plate 53 (see Figure 2) is also free to rotate. Accordingly rotation of either outer actuator plate 53 or second actuation plate 64 will cause rotation of the spindle 28 that when located in the driver 12 will adjust the condition of the latch assembly 2 (see Figure 1).

[00054] In contrast Figure 5 and 5a illustrates the lock mechanism in the deadlock condition. When a lock mechanism is in the deadlock condition, the detent 66 is raised relative to the second actuator plate 64 so that the first tooth 67 in the detent 66 engages the first recess 69 in the actuator plate 64. The lifting of the detent 66 is achieved by rotating the cylinder cam 30 in an anti-clockwise direction for 360 degrees from the position illustrated in Figure 4 to the position illustrated in Figure 5. This in turn causes the gear cap 81 and deadlock gear 80 (see Figure 3) to rotate in a clockwise direction so as to slide the deadlock rack 76, and as a result the transfer plates 75 cylinder slides 77 and detent arms 74 vertically to drive the detent 66 into the position illustrated in Figure 5. It should be noted from Figure 4 that the detent rack 76 includes a dimple 99 which is occupied by a ball detent 100 in Figure 5 to retain the detent rack 76 in the position illustrated in Figure 5. The biasing force produced by the ball detent 100 may be supplied by other means such as a leaf spring (not shown). It should also be noticed from comparing Figures 4 and 5 that the indicator 83 has been raised relative to the lower wall 88 of the inner escutcheon 22 to thereby indicate on the inner side of the lock assembly that the lock assembly is now in the deadlock condition. Furthermore, it should be noted from at least Figure 5a that raising the detent 66 has also raised the snib legs 73 so that the position of the shoulders 96 on the button 89 relative to notches 101 formed in the snib legs 73 has been adjusted. Flowever this adjustment does not cause the snib to adjust to the privacy condition.

[00055] Figure 6 and 6a illustrates the lock assembly having been returned to the release position. This may be achieved by either rotation of the cylinder cam 30 in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Figure 5 to the position illustrated in Figure 6 or alternatively operation of the second cylinder 16 (see Figure 2) to rotate the tail bar 57 about axis YY. Rotation of the tail bar 57 (See Figure 2) causes the left-hand arm of the cam shaft 58 to engage a ledge 102 formed on the deadlocking rack 76 to drive it back down and thereby draw the first tooth 67 of the detent 66 out of engagement with the first recess 69 formed in the second actuator plate 64.

[00056] Referring now to Figure 7 it can be noted that the snib is in the release position whereby the second tooth 68 of the detent 66 is spaced from the second recess 70 formed in the second actuator plate 64. It ought to be appreciated that with the detent 66 in this position relative to the actuator plate 64, each handle 21,13 is free to rotate about the actuator axis X-X.

[00057] Figure 8 illustrates the snib button 89 in the position corresponding to that as illustrated in Figure 7. When the snib button is depressed as illustrated in Figure 9 the button 89 moves relative to the button guide 90 (see Figure 10). This moves the shoulders 96 on the button 89 out of the notches 101 formed in the snib legs 73 so that the sib legs 73 may be driven down by the action of the compression springs 98 interacting between the top wall 97 of the escutcheon 22 and each individual snib leg 73. This in turn drives the second tooth 68 of the detent 66 into engagement with the second recess 70 formed in the second actuator plate 64 to thereby prevent its rotation. This also prevents the spindle 28 from being rotated about the actuation axis X-X, however as will be explained hereinafter the spindle 28 is only prevented from being rotated about the actuation axis X-X by the outer handle 13 (see Figure 2). It can be noted from Figure 11 that movement of the detent 66 down has in turn moved the deadlock rack 76 down but not cause movement of the deadlock indicator 83. Instead the lower leg 82 of the deadlock rack 76 has moved relative to the indicator 83 leaving the indicator 83 in the same position as illustrated for example in Figure 4.

[00058] Figure 12 illustrates the detent 66 having been raised so that the second tooth 68 is spaced from the second recess 70 formed in the second actuator plate 64. This is achieved by rotation of the inner handle 21 to cause the first inner actuator plate 63 (see Figure 12a) to rotate relative to the second actuator plate 64. The first actuator plate 63 includes a ramp surface 103 which slides over a ramp surface 104 formed on the detent 66 to thereby raise the second tooth 68 out of the second recess 70. This in turn raises the snib legs 73 (see Figure 12), to thereby allow the button 89 to return to the release position. Alternatively the snib may be adjusted by operation of the second cylinder lock 16 (see Figure 2) so as to rotate the cam shaft 58 as seen in Figure 13. Rotation of the cam shaft 58 causes the right-hand arm of the cam shaft 58 to engage the cylinder slide 77 thereby raising the detent 66.

[00059] Whilst Figure 3 illustrates the deadlock gear 80 including multiple teeth 79 for interaction with multiple grooves 78 in the deadlocking rack 76, this may be substituted by a rack 76 having a single recess and the deadlock gear having a single tooth.

[00060] It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing that by having an offset between the first cylinder lock axis Z-Z with the second cylinder lock axis Y-Y allows a lock assembly of this nature to be fitted to a thinner door that would be possible when the cylinder locks were coaxial. Furthermore the ability to release the face platel 5, 23 on the inner escutcheon 22 or outer escutcheon 14 provides an additional advantage.

[00061] Whilst the illustrations and text refer to a first cylinder lock 29 and a second cylinder lock 16 having a cylinder cam 30 and a slotted plate 56 that rotate about the Z-Z and Y-Y axis respectively to adjust the condition of the lock assembly, the lock cylinder 26 and 16 could be provided with barrels that move in the direction of the axis Z-Z and Y-Y to adjust the condition of the lock assembly.

[00062] Various alterations and/or additions may be introduced to the foregoing without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (29)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A lock assembly for use adjusting a condition of a latch assembly between a latch condition and a release condition when the lock assembly and latch assembly are mounted to a door, the lock assembly including, an inner actuator for operation from an inner side of the door, an outer actuator for operation from an outer side of the door, each of the inner actuator and outer actuator being rotatable about an actuation axis for use adjusting the condition of the latch assembly, a lock mechanism that is adjustable between a release condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered operable and a deadlocked condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered inoperable, the lock assembly including a first cylinder lock operable from an inner side of the door having a first barrel that is rotatable about a first axis for adjusting a condition of the lock mechanism, a second cylinder lock operable from an outer side of the door having a second barrel rotatable about a second axis for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism, wherein the first axis is parallel to the second axis and both the first axis and second axis are parallel to the actuation axis.
2. 2. A lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first cylinder lock includes a first cylinder housing and the second cylinder lock includes a second cylinder housing, whereby the first axis is offset from the second axis so as to allow the first cylinder housing to overlap with the second cylinder lock housing when the lock assembly is mounted to the door.
3. 3. A lock assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first cylinder lock includes a first barrel with a first face formed with a first keyway, and the second cylinder lock includes a second barrel with a second face formed with a second keyway, the lock assembly being configured so that when in use the first face is spaced from the second face by between 48mm and 60mm.
4. 4. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a spindie interacting with the inner actuator and outer actuator.
5. 5. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a snib operable from an inner side of the door for adjusting the lock mechanism to adopt a privacy condition whereby the outer actuator only is rendered inoperable.
6. 6. A lock assembly according to claim 5 wherein the inner actuator and the lock mechanism are configured so that operation of the inner actuator adjusts the condition of the lock mechanism from the privacy condition to the release condition.
7. 7. A lock assembly according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the snib includes a button that is that is moved in a direction which is parallel to the actuation axis from an inactive position to a snibed position, whereby having the button in the snibed position corresponds to the lock mechanism adopting the privacy condition.
8. 8. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first cylinder lock is operable for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition and for adjusting the lock mechanism from the release condition to the deadlock condition, while the second cylinder Sock is operable for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition only.
9. 9. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner actuator includes a hub that is rotatable about the actuation axis and the lock mechanism includes a detent that engages the hub when the lock mechanism is in the deadlocked condition to prevent the hub from rotating.
10. 10. A iock assembly according to claim 9 wherein the detent includes a first tooth that engages a first recess in the hub when the lock mechanism is in the deadlock condition.
11. 11. A lock assembly according to claim 9 or 10 when dependent upon any one of claims 7 to 5 wherein the detent engages the hub when the lock mechanism adopts the privacy condition.
12. 12. A iock assembly according to claim 11 wherein the detent includes a second tooth that engages a second recess in the hub when the lock mechanism is in the privacy condition.
13. 13. A iock assembly according to claim 12 wherein the inner actuator includes a further hub that is configured for lost motion said hub, hereinafter the first hub, the further hub including a ramp surface which interacts with a ramp surface formed on the detent, to disengage the second tooth from the second recess in the first hub, before the first hub is rotated.
14. 14. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13 when dependent upon claim 10 wherein the first recess is on an opposed side of the hub from the second recess.
15. 15. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the iock mechanism includes a gear or cam that is rotatable on operation of the first cylinder lock to move a slide which is connected to the detent.
16. 16. A iock assembly according to claim 15 wherein the slide includes at least one groove to interact with the cam, or multiple grooves to interact with the gear.
17. 17. A lock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the slide is a slide assembly.
18. 18. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17 including a bail detent that interacts with the slide to retain the slide when the lock mechanism is in the deadlocked condition.
19. 19. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18 including a deadlocking indicator member being visible from an inner side of the lock assembly that moves with the slide when the lock mechanism adjusts between the release condition and the deadlock condition.
20. 20. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 19 including a cam shaft that interacts with the second cylinder lock and the slide to adjust the condition of the lock mechanism from the deadlocked condition to the release condition.
21. 21. A lock assembly according to claim 20 when dependent upon any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the cam shaft interacts with the slide to adjust the condition of the snib from the privacy condition to the release condition.
22. 22. A lock assembly for mounting to a door including an inner escutcheon for mounting to an inner side of the door and an outer escutcheon for mounting to an outer side of the door, an inner actuator and an outer actuator being operable by an inner handle and an outer handle respectively, a lock mechanism associated with the inner escutcheon for controlling operation of the inner actuator and outer actuator, the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon each being configured to accommodate at least one magnet on an inner surface thereof, and a metal outer face plate for locating on an outer surface of the outer escutcheon and a metal inner face plate for locating on an outer surface on the inner escutcheon, each of the inner face plate and outer face plate being retained adjacent the respective inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon by the magnets.
23. 23. A iock assembly according to claim 22 wherein each of the inner face plate an outer face plate is inhibited from removal from the respective inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon by attaching the respective inner handle and outer handle to the inner actuator and outer actuator.
24. 24. A lock assembly according to claim 23 wherein the inner face plate and outer face plate is formed of a different metal from the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon.
25. 25. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the inner surface of the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon are each formed with a plurality of wells, each well accommodating one of said magnets,
26. 26. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein the outer surface of each of the inner escutcheon and outer escutcheon are formed with a peripheral lip to inhibit movement of the inner face plate and outer face plate.
27. 27. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the inner face plate and outer face plate each includes one aperture for accommodating the inner actuator and outer actuator respectively, and a further aperture for providing access to controls of the lock mechanism.
28. 28. A lock assembly for use adjusting a condition of a latch assembly between a latch condition and a release condition when the lock assembly and latch assembly are mounted to a door, the lock assembly including, an inner actuator for operation from an inner side of the door, an outer actuator for operation from an outer side of the door, each of the inner actuator and outer actuator being rotatable about an actuation axis for use adjusting the condition of the latch assembly, a lock mechanism that is adjustable between a release condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered operable and a deadlocked condition whereby the inner actuator and outer actuator are rendered inoperable, the lock assembly including a first cylinder lock operable from an inner side of the door having a first barrel that is adjustable at a first axis for adjusting a condition of the lock mechanism, a second cylinder lock operable from an outer side of the door having a second barrel adjustable at a second axis for adjusting the condition of the lock mechanism, wherein the first axis is parallel to the second axis and both the first axis and second axis are parallel to the actuation axis.
29. 29. A lock assembly according to claim 28 wherein the first barrel and/or the second barrel move in the first axial direction and/or second axial direction respectively in order to adjust the condition of the lock mechanism.