HK1151079A - Adjustable backset lockset - Google Patents

Description

Lock with adjustable lock core distance

Background

The present invention relates generally to a lock for a door and more particularly to a lock with an adjustable barrel distance for use with doors having different barrel distances.

"Pitch" refers to the distance between the edge of the door and the opposing horizontal axis of rotation along which moving the latch opens and retracts the latch bolt of the latch mechanism. The lock center distance has been standardized in the industry. Standard backset distances for commercial door furniture are 23/8 inches and 23/4 inches.

Latch structure manufacturers have met the need for standard pitch latches by manufacturing and selling two different types of latch structures. However, it is inefficient to stock lock assemblies and components having two different backset distances.

An alternative approach is to provide an adjustable latching mechanism that has become an accepted feature of tubular locks. However, this type of adjustable latch mechanism solution is often not strong enough for class 2 commercial locks that can meet ANSI standards.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a new lockset that is easily adjustable to fit doors having different backset distances. The adjustment should effectively provide inherent strength to the assembly. Ideally, the new latch construction should allow for relatively quick and easy selective adjustment between two standard backset distances.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a lock assembly comprising a housing and a latch bolt having a connector. A retractor element is mounted within the housing for linear reciprocating movement. The retractor element includes a first attachment location formed in the retractor element at a first position relative to the axis of reciprocation of the retractor element and a second attachment location formed in the retractor element at a second position relative to the axis of reciprocation of the retractor element. The second attachment location is spaced a distance from the first attachment location along the axis of reciprocation of the retractor element. The connector of the latch bolt is selectively engageable with the retractor element at either the first connection position or the second connection position to move with the retractor element. An operating device is operatively connected to the retractor element to facilitate selective reciprocation of the retractor element to move the latch bolt between the latched and unlatched positions.

Drawings

For a fuller understanding of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the figure, the position of the upper end of the main shaft,

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the latch body of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the latch body of fig. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the latch retractor member of FIG. 3 and a latch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a latch bolt assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the latch bolt assembly of fig. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the latch retractor element of FIG. 4 and a latch bolt assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the latch retractor and latch bolt assembly of figure 7.

Detailed Description

The device with adjustable lock barrel distance according to the present invention is suitable for conventional locks, such as U.S. patent application nos. 4,920,773 and 6,131,970, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, it will be appreciated that the overall construction of the latch assembly is not important to the present invention, and will be described herein or in the above-mentioned U.S. patents for exemplary purposes. Accordingly, while the present invention will be described in detail herein with reference to exemplary embodiments of the adjustable backset function, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention need not be explained in detail as to the function of all of the lock components.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, words such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," etc., merely describe the configuration in the figures. Of course, these components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cylindrical lock assembly, generally designated 20, adapted for use in conventional openings in doors. The cylinder lock assembly 20 includes an inner member 22 and an outer member 24. The inner member 22 includes a catch plate 26, a catch cover 28, and a lever 30. The outboard component 24 includes a stop plate 32, a stop cover 34, and an operating lever 36. The chassis 40 is located between the inner 22 and outer 24 side members. A latch assembly 42, positioned so as to be operatively connected to the chassis 40, includes a latch bolt 44 extending outwardly from a panel 46 in an extended or latched position.

The discs 26 and 32 are each shaped in a generally circular configuration and have axially central openings 48 and 50, respectively. Two pairs of apertures 52 and 54 are formed in the periphery of each of the trays 26 and 32. A pair of holes 52 are adapted to be penetrated by bolts (bolts) 56 extending through the door. The other pair of apertures are for receiving bolts (not shown) that secure the trays 26 and 32 to their respective covers 28 and 34. A pair of inwardly extending projections 58 are formed in the outer tray 32 by perforating the outer tray 32.

The flaps 28 and 34 are each generally circular in shape and include sidewalls 60 and 62 that define a dish-shaped cavity located on the inner surface of the flaps 28 and 34. Axial openings 64 and 66 are formed through each of the flaps 28 and 34 and extend through swivel rods (spindles) 68 and 70 extending outwardly therefrom. A return spring 72 is positioned within the cavity of each of the flaps 28 and 34. As described above, the trays 26 and 32 are bolted to the covers 28 and 34 to retain the spring 72 within the chamber.

The operating levers 30 and 36 each include a handle 74 and 76 integrally formed with a hub 78 and 80. In the lock, each hub 78 and 80 has an axial opening 81 that can be connected to an axial opening formed through the handle to receive a knob or cylinder for closing the latch bolt in either the deployed or the latched position. Further, while a lever is shown, it will be appreciated that other latch operating means are suitable, such as a door knob or the like.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, chassis 40 includes a housing 90 for receiving a U-shaped retraction element 95 and opposing rollback sleeves 92 and 94. The housing 90 includes a box 96 and opposing end caps 98. The cassette 96 is shaped in a U-shaped configuration having a base 100 and a pair of legs 102 integrally formed with the base. The legs 102 have inwardly bent ends 101. Two pairs of opposed projections 103 extend transversely from each leg 102.

The end cap 98 is generally circular and has a central axial opening 104. The end cap 98 defines four spaced notches 106 for receiving the projections 103 on the cartridge body 96.

The retraction element 95 is formed by a base 108 having cam surfaces 110 on each side and a pair of spaced parallel arms 112. The end of the arm 112 is formed with a pair of opposed outer lips 114 and a pair of opposed inner lips 116. The lips 114 and 116 are preferably spaced approximately 3/8 inches apart, i.e., the difference between the standard door pitch values of 23/8 inches and 23/4 inches. As will be described below, the lock will remain at 23/4 inches on center distance when the outer lips are engaged. When using the inside lip, the barrel distance will adjust the standard barrel distance to 23/8 inches by the largest difference. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and other backset distances may be accommodated by using other or differently spaced lips.

The sleeves 92 and 94 are formed at one end thereof with a pair of cam members 93, respectively. The cam member 93 is constituted by the inverted portions of the sleeves 92 and 94 extending from the end of the cylindrical portion. The sleeve is rotatably disposed within an opening 104 of the end cap 98.

When the components of chassis 40 are assembled, reversing sleeves 92 and 94 are positioned to position cam member 93 adjacent cam surfaces 110 on either side of retraction member 95. The sleeves 92, 94 and the retraction element 95 are then disposed in the box 96 between the legs 102 and adjacent the inner surface of the base 100. The ends of the two springs 120 are disposed over a pair of spaced posts 122 extending outwardly from the base 100 of the cartridge 96. The other end of the spring 120 engages a detent 124, which detent 124 is disposed in a corresponding opening in the rear of the retraction element 95 to place the spring 120 in a receiving position for subsequent compression. To complete the housing 90, the end cap 98 is slid over the sleeves 92 and 94, with the tabs 103 on the cartridge body 96 inserted into the slots 106 on the end cap 98 and twisted. The retraction member 95, the inwardly facing ends of the sleeves 92 and 94, the spring 120 and the retainer 124 are contained within the housing 90. The sleeves 92 and 94 extend outwardly from an opening 104 in the end cap 98. In this arrangement, the lips 114 and 116 of the retraction element 95 are exposed through the housing 90.

Referring to FIG. 4, the latch assembly 42 includes a latch case 130 secured to one end of the panel 46. The latch bolt 44 is partially contained within the latch case 130 and extends outward of the latch case to an extended position and through an opening in the face plate 46. The latch bolt 44 is retractably located in a retracted or unlocked position within the latch case 130. Thus, the latch bolt 44 is movable between a deployed or latched position and a retracted or unlatched position. The latch bolt 44 includes a latch tail 132 extending from the rear of the latch case 130. The end of the latch tail 132 is T-shaped and has arms 134 and 135. The latch tail 132 is designed to be positioned through the opening of the retraction member housing 90 with the arms 134 and 135 thereof behind the lips 114 and 116 of the retraction member 95. As shown in fig. 4, the latch tail 132 has a length adapted to allow the arms 134 and 135 to engage behind the inner lip 116 of the retraction member 95. In this arrangement, when one of the sleeves 92 and 94 is rotated, the cam member 93 will engage the cam surface 110 on the retraction member 95, thereby urging the retraction member 95 inwardly against the force of the spring 120. When the retraction member 95 is moved inwardly, the latch tail 132 is pulled by the retraction member 95 to withdraw the latch bolt 44 from the retracted position.

Another embodiment of a latch bolt 44 according to the present invention is shown in fig. 5 and 6. This embodiment includes a deadlock function. The latch bolt 44 includes a latch tail 132, a latch (latch) 136, a latch tail 137, and a deadlock release lever 138. The latch tail 132 is secured within a slot 140 formed in the rear of the head 142 of the latch bolt 44. The latch 136 is connected to a latch tail 137. The latch 136 and latch tail 137 and deadlock release lever 138 are reciprocally movable with respect to each other and with respect to the latch tail 132. In use, this embodiment of the latch bolt 44 operates in a conventional manner with its latch 136 in the retracted position when the door is closed and prevents the latch bolt 44 from being pushed to the retracted position.

During assembly of the components of the cylinder lock assembly 20 of FIG. 1, the latch assembly 42 is first positioned in the opening at the edge of the door. The edge opening is connected to a larger transverse opening in the door. The chassis 40 is inserted through the larger opening. As the tray 40 is moved into the larger opening, the tray 40 engages and engages a ledge 144 extending from the rear of the latch box 130, the ledge 144 engaging behind the bent ends 101 of the legs 102 of the box 96. In this position, the housing 90 is disposed within the door opening and the sleeves 92 and 94 extend from opposite sides of the door. The latch tail 132 is then attached to the inner lip 116 of the retraction element 95 in the manner described above, and the panel is secured to the door edge.

The process of mounting the latch assembly 42 on the chassis 40 also includes the step of selectively changing the latch box based on the greater throw of the door in accordance with the present invention. Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the implementation begins with sliding the secondary latch case 160 or sleeve over the original latch case 130. The secondary latch box 160 is longer, but the latch tail portion 132 is sized so that it extends from the rear of the secondary latch box 160. It will be appreciated that according to the present invention, both the latch tail 137 and the deadlock release lever 138 are longer when using the latch assembly with deadlock capability described above. The modified latch assembly may then be attached to the chassis 40 by engagement with lugs 162 extending from the rear of the secondary latch box 160 behind the curved ends 101 of the legs 102 of the box 96. The latch tail 132 then connects with the outer lip 114 of the retraction element 95 in the manner described above and secures the panel 46 to the edge of the door.

The outboard catch plate 32 is then slid over the outboard end cap 98. As shown in fig. 2, both end caps 98 have longitudinally spaced side grooves 146 for receiving the trays 26 and 32. The catch trays 26 and 32 are adapted to engage either of the two recesses 146 in the end cap 98 to accommodate different door thicknesses. The outboard baffle disc 32 has an oblong central opening 50. The oblong opening 50 has a large enough dimension to allow the catch tray 32 to fit over the outboard end cap 98 of the latch housing 90. The oblong central opening 50 also has two opposing flat surfaces defining a narrower portion of the oblong central opening 50. This shape of the opening 50 allows the outboard baffle disc 32 to be mounted eccentrically relative to the housing 90 with the narrower portion of its oblong central opening 50 centered on the housing 90 and its flat surface in the set of grooves 146. In this way, the outboard catch plate 32 is aligned with the appropriate groove 146 in the end cap 98, with the outermost groove being adapted for a thick door and the innermost groove being adapted for a thin door, and shifted to a concentric position laterally relative to the housing 90. When the outboard stop disk 32 is so engaged, the housing 90 is rotationally and axially fixed relative to the outboard stop disk 32. The outboard end cap 98 of the housing 90 also includes opposing longitudinal ribs 148 and the oblong central opening 50 in the outboard flap 32 includes opposing notches. These notches are adapted to receive corresponding longitudinal ribs 148 when the outboard deflector disc 32 is engaged with any one of the set of grooves 146. This construction also strengthens the assembly against rotation of the outboard fender 32 relative to the housing 90.

The outboard flap 34 is adapted to the outboard flap 32. The openings in the outboard flap 32 are aligned with threaded holes in the outboard flap 34 to facilitate the use of bolts to secure the outboard flap 32 to the outboard flap 34.

The inboard catch tray 26 is secured to the inboard catch cover 28 and then moved over the inboard side of the end cap 98 and over the door surface. The bolt holes in the inboard shield 28 are aligned with the threaded holes in the outboard shield 34. The threaded end of the bolt 56 then passes through the unthreaded hole of the inboard shield 28 and into the bolt hole of the outboard shield 34. The bolts 56 are then tightened to secure the trays 26 and 32 and the flaps 28 and 34 in a fixed assembly position on the opposite side of the door, whereby the bolt heads 52 enter countersunk holes in the outer face of the inboard flap 28. It is noted here that during the process of connecting the flaps 28 and 34 in the manner described above, the tabs of the sleeves 92 and 94 align with corresponding slots (not shown) in the turn bars 68 and 70, such that the sleeves 92 and 94 and the turn bars 68 and 70 rotate together in the lock assembly 20.

To complete the assembly, the inboard cover cup 152 slides over the inboard pivot post 68 and the inboard cover 28 and the inboard lever 30 are secured to the inboard pivot post 68. Similarly, the outboard cover cup 154 is disposed on the outboard rotary rod 70 and the outboard cover 34 and outboard lever 36 are secured to the rotary rod 70. During connection of the operating rods 30 and 36, the axial hub openings 79 and 81 are located on the rotating rods 68 and 70 and include a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 156. The slot 156 receives corresponding ribs formed on the levers 30 and 36 to assist in the rotation of the rotary rods 68 and 70 upon actuation of the levers 30 and 36. The hub openings 79 and 81 are also formed with transverse recesses and are positioned to align with transverse slots formed in the pivot rods 68 and 70. Spring loaded detent pins or plates (not shown) extend through the slots and into the recesses to retain the levers 30 and 36 on the sleeves 92 and 94.

Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the disclosure to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and advantages of the disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing description. For example, while a cylindrical lock is shown, the retractor elements shown and described herein may be used with any variety of bolt locks or locks that are adapted for two or more backset. Accordingly, we intend to embrace all such modifications, omissions and additions that are similar and which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a bolt may not be identical in structure, in that a nail secures wooden parts together by a cylindrical surface, while a bolt is by a helical surface, in the case of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a bolt are of equivalent structure.

Claims (1)

1. A lock assembly, comprising:

a housing;

a latch bolt including a connector;

a retractor element disposed within the housing for linear reciprocation, the retractor element including a first connection location formed in the retractor element at a first position relative to an axis of reciprocation of the retractor element and a second connection location formed in the retractor element at a second position relative to the axis of reciprocation of the retractor element and spaced a distance along the axis of reciprocation of the retractor element from the first connection location, the connector being selectively engageable with the retractor element at either the first connection location or the second connection location for movement therewith; and

an operating device is operatively connected to the retractor element for facilitating selective reciprocal movement of the retractor element to move the latch bolt between the latched and unlatched positions.