HK1174675A - Lock assembly including bolt hold back function - Google Patents

Description

Lock assembly including a latch bolt blocking function

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lock assembly comprising a housing, a bolt movable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position; and a retainer device for maintaining the latch tongue in a retracted position. Such locks are commonly used to secure a door in a closed position and one form of lock assembly is a mortise lock. For the purposes of the following description of the invention, reference is made to a mortice lock assembly for use with a door, however the invention may be in other forms of lock and have other uses.

Background

The mortise lock assembly is designed to fit in a mortise cavity on the edge of the door. The lock assembly includes a bolt movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The mortise lock assembly may include a biasing device, such as a spring, for urging the latch bolt to adopt the extended position. When the deadbolt is in the extended position, the door remains in the closed position and engages the adjacent deadbolt at the jamb or the like. To move the door from the closed position, the latch tongue must be moved from the extended position. It is generally convenient to be able to move the door from the closed position without the need to move the bolt from the extended position, as will be explained below.

Mortise lock assemblies typically include a handle for operating an actuator that is operable to retract the latch bolt. Key operated locking devices, such as cylinder locks, typically include a mechanism that allows an authorized user to control the operation of an actuator with a key. Automatic door closers may be used to return the door to the closed position, preferably to enable the door to be moved from the closed position without the need to operate an actuator. This situation may occur in public buildings, such as libraries or shops.

Buildings may require a lock assembly to ensure that the door is in the closed position at night, however it is also desirable to make it easier for pedestrians to pass through the doorway during the day. Especially if there are a large number of doorways that pedestrians who wish to easily enter the building use. In these situations it is desirable for the lock assembly to have a latch bolt blocking function whereby a building attendant, such as a store owner or librarian, can control the latch bolt to be in the retracted position.

The blocking function may be activated by operating an actuator to move the latch bolt to the retracted position, however, this is typically due to directly depressing the head of the latch bolt, leaving the door out of the closed position. The latch bolt is held in the retracted position by an element associated with the key locking device as long as it is in the retracted position. This ensures that the blocking function is controlled by an authorized user.

Mortise lock assemblies may be used in a variety of environments requiring different functionality. A single-seat building may have a front door that requires a lock assembly with a blocking function; however, the stairwell of the same building may have a fire door that does not require a blocking function. Fire doors need to be able to remain in a closed position to reduce the ingress of expelled smoke into the stairwell, which can be achieved by relying on a mortise lock assembly. Thus, it is preferred that the mortise lock assembly be mounted in an environment that does not allow an authorized user to limit the latch bolt to the retracted position.

It will be appreciated that ensuring that a lock having the desired functionality is installed in the appropriate door is an obligation of the lock installer. The lock installer may require a lock attempt before the door is installed, in which case the desired function of the lock may not be known. Alternatively, the door may be fitted with a mortise lock having an improper blocking function, in which case the mortise lock needs to be removed from the mortise cavity and replaced with a more appropriate mortise lock.

Disclosure of Invention

Preferably, the present invention seeks to provide a lock assembly which includes a blocking function and which is relatively simple to assemble. It is also preferred that the lock assembly be adjustable to accommodate more than one application.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lock assembly comprising: a lock case; a latch tongue movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a front face of the lock housing; a biasing device for biasing the latch tongue towards an extended position; a locator device that, when the latch tongue is in the retracted position, can prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the first position, or does not prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the second position; wherein when the latch tongue is away from the retracted position and the locator member is in the first position, movement of the latch tongue to the retracted position causes the locator member to adopt a third position which does not prevent the latch tongue from moving away from the retracted position, the locator means flexing when adjusted from the first position to the third position.

Preferably, the locator device comprises an elongate member having a fixed end and a free end, the free end moving relative to the fixed end when the locator member is adjusted from a first position to a third position. Preferably, when the elongate member adopts the third position, it is bent away from the front face of the lock housing; when the elongate member prevents the latch bolt from moving from the retracted position, the elongate member is urged towards the front of the lock housing. Preferably, when the elongate member prevents movement of the latch tongue from the retracted position, it is supported relatively adjacent the free end; when the elongate member is adjusted to a third position, it is supported relatively away from the free end.

Preferably, the lock assembly includes an actuator operable to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position, the locking means being adjustable between a use condition and a non-use condition, the actuator being rendered inoperable when the locking means is in the use condition and operable when the locking means is in the non-use condition; the locator means is adjustable between the first and second positions as the locking means is adjusted between the in-use and non-use conditions respectively. Preferably, the locking means comprises a stop slider which slides when the locking means is adjusted between the in-use and non-use conditions, wherein the locator means is connected to the stop slider and moves therewith.

Preferably the lock assembly includes a selector operable to interact with the detent means whereby when the selector selects the non-use condition, the detent means is unable to prevent the latch bolt from moving from the retracted position when the detent means is in the first position. Preferably, the selector is operable from the front of the housing. Preferably, said head of said latch tongue is movable in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position and is rotatable about an axis between an operating position and an adjustment position; when the head is in the working position, it prevents the operation of the selector; when the head is in the adjustment position, it allows the selector to operate. Preferably, the lock assembly includes a face plate connected to a front face of the housing, the face plate preventing rotation of the head to an adjustment position when the face plate is connected to the housing. Preferably, the panel is connected to the lock housing by at least one fastening element.

Preferably, the latch tongue comprises a member located behind the head of the latch tongue, the member being movable relative to the head when the selector is adjusted between a use condition in which the latch tongue is restrained in a retracted position once the detent is moved to the first position and a non-use condition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mortise lock assembly comprising: a lock case; a latch tongue movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the front face of the lock housing; a biasing device for biasing the latch tongue towards an extended position; a locator device that, when the latch tongue is in the retracted position, can prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the first position, or does not prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the second position; wherein when the latch tongue is away from the retracted position and the locator member is in the first position, movement of the latch tongue to the retracted position causes the locator member to be in a third position which does not prevent the latch tongue from moving away from the retracted position; a selector operable from a front face of the housing, the selector cooperating with the detent means whereby when the selector selects the non-use condition, the detent means is unable to prevent movement of the latch bolt from the retracted position when the detent means is in the first position.

Preferably, said head of said latch tongue is movable in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position and is rotatable about an axis between an operating position and an adjustment position; when the head is in the working position, it prevents the operation of the selector; when the head is in the adjustment position, it allows the selector to operate. Preferably, the mortice lock assembly includes a face plate connected to a front face of the housing, the face plate preventing rotation of the head to an adjustment position when the face plate is connected to the housing. Preferably, the panel is connected to the lock housing by at least one fastening element. More preferably, the latch tongue includes a member located behind the head of the latch tongue and movable relative to the head when the selector is adjusted between a use condition in which the latch tongue is restrained in a retracted position once the detent is moved to the first position and a non-use condition.

Preferably, the lock assembly is a mortice lock assembly.

The above discussion of the lock assembly included in the specification is intended to provide a background to the present invention. Whilst it exists in australia before the priority date of the invention, this is not to suggest or imply that any such lock assembly forms part of the prior art or is common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

Drawings

To facilitate a more detailed description of the invention hereinafter, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which show two embodiments of the invention. The features of the drawings and the associated detailed description are not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad definition of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a mortise lock assembly without the cover showing the latch bolt in a retracted position and the locking device in a non-use position.

Figure 2 illustrates the mortice lock assembly of figure 1 with the latch bolt in an extended position and the locking device in a use condition.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of selected components of the mortise lock assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the latch bolt assembly with the latch bolt in an extended position and the locking device in a use position.

Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed view of the interaction of the retainer and hook corresponding to fig. 1, with the retainer in a second position.

Fig. 6 illustrates a detailed view of the interaction of the retainer with the hook corresponding to fig. 2, wherein the retainer is in a first position.

Fig. 7 illustrates a detailed view of the interaction of the retainer with the hook corresponding to fig. 4, wherein the retainer is in a first position.

Fig. 8 illustrates a detailed view of the interaction of the retainer with the hook body, wherein the retainer is flexible such that the retainer is in a third position.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the latch assembly.

FIG. 10a is a side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 9 with the selector in a non-use position.

FIG. 10b is a front view of the latch assembly of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11a is a side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 9 with the selector in the use position.

FIG. 11b is a front view of the latch bolt assembly of FIG. 11 a.

Detailed Description

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of a lock assembly according to the present invention in the form of a mortice lock assembly 1 located in a mortice eye in the side edge of a door (not shown). The lock assembly shown in figure 1 comprises a lock housing 2, the cover (not shown) of which is not shown to expose the entire bolt 3. The bolt 3 is movable relative to the housing 2 between an extended position, shown in figure 4, in which the head 6 of the bolt 3 extends from the front of the housing 2, and a retracted position, shown in figure 1, in which the head 6 of the bolt 3 is retracted into the housing 2. The lock assembly 1 includes biasing means 7 for urging the bolt towards the extended position. Fig. 1 illustrates a compression spring as a preferred embodiment of the biasing means 7 for urging the latch tongue 3 in the extended position.

An actuator 4 is included, the actuator 4 moving the bolt 3 from the extended position to the retracted position. Preferably, the actuator 4 illustrated in figure 3 is of the split hub type, having an inner hub piece 8a and an outer hub piece 8 b. Each hub 8 is connected to a handle or knob (not shown) on the inside or outside of the door, which is turned by the user to rotate each hub about a drive axis X-X. The actuator further comprises a drive arm 9, the drive arm 9 co-operating with the two hubs 8 such that rotation of each hub 8 causes the drive arm 9 to move about the drive axis X-X. The drive arm 9 cooperates with the latch tongue 3 such that movement of the drive arm from the position shown in figure 4 to the position shown in figure 1 causes the latch tongue to move to the retracted position shown in figure 1.

The locking means 5 and the actuator 4 cooperate to prevent rotation of the inner hub and/or the outer hub 8 when the locking means is in the locked position. Preferably, the locking device 5 illustrated in fig. 1 comprises an inner cam 10a and an outer cam 10b (only a portion of which is visible in fig. 1), each of which is rotatable by operating a cylinder lock on the outside of the door, or a cylinder lock or latch (not shown) on the inside of the door. Each cam 10 cooperates with a cam follower 12 such that rotation of each cam 10 causes the follower 12 to move linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the latch tongue 3.

Follower 12 is connected to one end of a translator 13, which translator 13 pivots with the movement of follower 12. The cam 10, the follower 12 and the shifter 13 are located within the housing 11 to form a cam subassembly. The housing is made up of two parts 11a and 11b, which can be seen in fig. 3.

While the other end of the translator 13 is in turn connected to a stop slider 14. The stop slider 14 cooperates with inner and outer detents 15a, 15b, the inner and outer detents 15a, 15b respectively cooperating with the hubs 8a, 8 b. When comparing fig. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the locking device is adjusted from the non-use position of fig. 1 to the use position of fig. 2. In the use position of fig. 2, the outer pawl 15b is moved to a position whereby rotation of the outer hub 8b is prevented. Accordingly, by way of illustration, the locking device 5 includes the features of the inner cam 10a, the outer cam 10b, the follower 12, the translator 13, the stop slider 14, the inner pawl 15a and the outer pawl 15 b.

The lock assembly illustrated in figure 1 also includes a panel 17 connected to the front face of the housing 2. The panels 17 are connected using fastening elements, preferably in the form of threaded fasteners 18, only one of which is visible in the illustration. The threaded fasteners 18 allow for easy removal of the panel 17 for reasons that will be explained later in the specification. The face plate includes a hole (not shown) to allow the head of the bolt 3 to pass through it, otherwise the face plate 17 blocks access to the front of the lock housing 2.

The latch assembly 3 illustrated in fig. 3 is one preferred form, and another preferred form will be described later in the specification. The illustrated latch assembly includes a head 6 connected to a body 19. The latch assembly also includes a strip 30, the strip 30 being shown in other figures and being secured to the body 19. Alternatively, the strip 30 may be integrally formed with the body 19. The strip 30 includes a hook 33 at one end thereof, the hook 33 being designed to interact with other components of the mortise lock assembly, as will be described below.

The lock assembly includes detent means 29, the detent means 29 being operable to prevent movement of the bolt 3 from the retracted position. The locator means 29 is selectively accessible such that it is operable when the lock assembly is in the locked condition and is inoperable when the lock assembly is in the unlocked condition. Any form of optional locator device 29 is suitable for the present invention, and the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is but one form of suitable locator device.

Fig. 3 illustrates a preferred form of locator device 29, such as an elongate member 29. One end 50 of the elongated member is fixed to the stop slider 14 and the stop slider 14 is provided with a notch 51, which notch 51 facilitates the fixing. The elongated member 29 also includes a free end 52 that can be engaged with the hook 33. Fig. 1 illustrates the locking device 5 in a non-use position, which positions the retainer 29 in a second position, whereby the free end 52 is not located within the hook 33. When the locking device 5 is adjusted to the position of use shown in fig. 2, the retainer is moved to the first position, whereby the free end 52 is located behind the hook 33. This variation can be more easily seen by comparing fig. 5 and 6. When the free end 52 is located behind the hook 33, the latch 3 is resisted from moving from the retracted position.

In one embodiment, the positioner 29 is flexible. It will be noted from fig. 7 that the retainer 29 is supported by the actuator housing 54, which is relatively adjacent the free end 52 when the actuator housing resists movement of the latch from the retracted position. The flexibility of the retainer 29 means that the retainer 29 is not flexed or is flexed negligibly when the resisting latch 3 is retracted. However, when the positioner 29 is moved to the third position as illustrated in fig. 8, its deflection is observable. Fig. 7 illustrates the locking device 5 in the use position and the latch tongue in the extended position. Moving the latch tongue to the retracted position as illustrated in fig. 8 causes the retainer 29 to flex adjacent the connection with the stop block 14. It will be appreciated that this connection is substantially further from the free end 52 and therefore deflection of the retainer 29 is observable. As a result, when the retainer 29 is in the third position, it does not hold the latch tongue 3 in the retracted position.

Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the latch bolt assembly 3 in which like features to the previous embodiments are indicated with like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the head 6 is connected to the body 19 by means of bolts. The axis Y-Y of the latch tongue 3 extends through the bolt 20. The body 19 of the illustrated latch tongue 3 comprises a mounting part 21 and a chassis part 22. The mounting member 21 includes a pair of flanges 23,24, each having a hole 26,27 through which the bolt 20 extends, 26, 27. The chassis member 22 includes a flange 28 at the front face and holes (not shown) for receiving the bolts 20. The proximal end of the chassis member 22 interacts with the drive arm 7 in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. The strip 30 is located behind the head 6 of the latch 3. The strip 30 comprises a projection 31, which projection 31 is located in a slot 32 in the mounting part 21 when the latch 3 is assembled. This arrangement of the projection 31 and slot 32 facilitates linear movement of the strip 30 relative to the mounting member 21. In this embodiment, the latch assembly 3 includes a selector 74, the selector 74 being operable to select the state of the detent means 29. Any form of selector 34 is suitable, however, the preferred embodiment of the selector shown in fig. 9 is a rotatable disc having a boss 35 in the middle of the disc, the boss 35 being located in a hole 36 in the mounting part 21 of the latch 3. The disc comprises a first leg 37 and a second leg 38, the first leg 37 being engaged with the strip 30, the second leg 38 being accessible through the front end of the main body 19 of the latch 3. The movement of the second leg 38 relative to the body 19 causes the disc 34 to rotate, moving the strip 30 in the axial direction YY of the latch 3. Such adjustment can be seen in fig. 10 and 11, whereby fig. 10 shows the strip 30 in a retracted position, and accordingly the positioner arrangement is in a non-use state. By moving the second leg 38 upwards, the disc 34 in fig. 1 is rotated in order to adjust the position of the strip 30 so that the positioner arrangement adopts the use position.

Fig. 10 and 11 also illustrate a 90 ° rotation of the head 6 of the latch tongue 3 about the axis XX of the latch tongue 3. This exposes the second leg 38 of the selector 34 for adjustment of the locator device 29 between the non-use condition and the use condition. Considering the head 6 of the latch 3 shown in fig. 10 and 11 in the adjustment position, the head 6 needs to be rotated 90 ° to the working position shown in fig. 1 and 2 in order to allow the head 6 to move between the extended position and the retracted position.

The face plate 17 is configured such that when the face plate 17 is connected to the lock housing 2 it prevents the head 6 of the bolt 3 from rotating from the operating position to the adjustment position. It will therefore be appreciated that the face plate 17 needs to be separated from the lock housing 2 before the detent means 29 can be adjusted between the non-use condition and the use condition.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the lock assembly, in accordance with the present invention, provides an environment in which the deadbolt blocking function may or may not be required. Flexibility reduces the amount of inventory that locksmiths may need to hold. It is a particular advantage to locate the selector behind the head of the latch tongue, which can only be rotated once the panel has been removed.

Various modifications and/or additions to the lock assembly may be introduced without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (19)

1. A lock assembly, comprising:

a lock case;

a latch tongue movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the front face of the lock housing;

a biasing device for biasing the latch tongue towards an extended position;

a locator device that, when the latch tongue is in the retracted position, can prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the first position, or does not prevent the latch tongue from moving from the retracted position by adopting the second position;

characterised in that when the latch tongue is moved away from the retracted position and the locator member is in the first position, movement of the latch tongue towards the retracted position causes the locator member to adopt a third position which does not prevent movement of the latch tongue away from the retracted position, the locator means flexing when adjusted from the first position to the third position.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the locator device includes an elongate member having a fixed end and a free end, the free end moving relative to the fixed end as the locator member is adjusted from a first position to a third position.

3. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the elongate member adopts the third position it is bent away from the front face of the housing; when the elongate member prevents the latch bolt from moving from the retracted position, the elongate member is urged towards the front face of the lock housing.

4. A lock assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bolt is supported in a position relatively adjacent the free end when the elongate member prevents movement of the bolt from the retracted position; when the elongate member is adjusted to a third position, it is supported at a position relatively remote from the free end.

5. An assembly of any preceding claim, including an actuator operable to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position, the locking means being adjustable between a use condition and a non-use condition, the actuator being rendered inoperable when the locking means is in the use condition and operable when the locking means is in the non-use condition; the locator means is adjustable between the first and second positions as the locking means is adjusted between the in-use and non-use conditions respectively.

6. The lock assembly set forth in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes a stop slide that slides when said locking means is adjusted between the use and non-use conditions, and wherein said locator means is connected to and moves with said stop slide.

7. The lock assembly of claim 1, including a selector operable to interact with the detent means whereby when the selector selects the non-use condition, the detent is unable to prevent movement of the latch bolt from the retracted position when the detent means is in the first position.

8. The lock assembly set forth in claim 7 wherein the selector is operable from a front face of the housing.

9. The lock assembly of claim 8, wherein the head of the latch bolt is movable in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position and is rotatable about an axis between an operative position and an adjustment position; when the head is in the working position, it prevents the operation of the selector; when the head is in the adjustment position, it allows the selector to operate.

10. The lock assembly of claim 9, including a faceplate connected to a front face of the lock housing, the faceplate preventing rotation of the head to an adjustment position when the faceplate is connected to the lock housing.

11. The lock assembly set forth in claim 10 wherein said faceplate is connected to said housing by at least one fastening element.

12. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, the bolt including a member located behind the head of the bolt, the member being movable relative to the head when the selector is adjusted between the use condition in which the bolt is restrained in a retracted position once the detent is moved to the first position and the non-use condition.

13. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock assembly is a mortice lock assembly.

14. A mortise lock assembly, comprising:

a lock case;

a latch tongue movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to a front face of the lock housing;

a biasing device for biasing the latch tongue towards an extended position;

a locator means which, when the latch bolt is in the retracted position, prevents the latch bolt from moving from the retracted position by adopting the first position, or does not prevent the latch bolt from moving from the retracted position by being in the second position;

wherein movement of the latch bolt to the retracted position, when the latch bolt is away from the retracted position and the locator member adopts the first position, causes the locator member to adopt the third position, which does not prevent movement of the latch bolt away from the retracted position;

a selector operable from the front of the housing to interact with the detent means whereby when the selector selects the non-use condition, the detent means is unable to prevent movement of the latch bolt from the retracted position when the detent means is in the first position.

15. A mortice lock assembly according to claim 14 wherein the head of the latch bolt is movable in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position and is rotatable about an axis between an operative position and an adjusted position; when the head is in the working position, it prevents the operation of the selector; when the head is in the adjustment position, it allows the selector to operate.

16. A mortice lock assembly according to claim 15 including a face plate connected to a front face of the housing, the face plate preventing rotation of the head to an adjustment position when the face plate is connected to the housing.

17. A mortice lock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the face plate is connected to the housing by at least one fastening element.

18. A mortice lock assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the bolt includes a member located behind the head of the bolt and movable relative to the head when the selector is adjusted between the in use condition in which the bolt is restrained in a retracted position once the detent is moved to the first position and the non-use condition.

19. A mortice lock assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.