AU1948997A

AU1948997A - A lockset

Info

Publication number: AU1948997A
Application number: AU19489/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Howard John Fountaine
Original assignee: Interlock Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd
Priority date: 1996-03-07
Filing date: 1997-03-07
Publication date: 1997-09-22
Also published as: GB9819036D0; GB2325960A8; GB2325960A; WO1997033060A1

Description

A LOCKSET

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lockset.

One of the problems facing a manufacturer of a lockset is the multiplicity of locking functions and/or end user requirements a lockset may need to meet. For example, the lockset may need to work with different door type closures which may be a swing door, a sliding door or a bi-fold door.

The door type may dictate a particular type of latching function which the lockset needs to be able to achieve. In addition, however, user requirements may differ depending on preferences.

Thus, for example, a lockset may need to provide a latch and throw bolt with dead locking or neither of these but simply top and bottom bolts with dead locking or all four locking points with dead locking of all or indeed other variations.

The manufacturer is therefore faced with having to provide a variety of different locksets to meet these requirements.

This leads to high manufacturing costs and usually the need for high stock holdings of a variety of different locksets, some of which may constitute slow moving stock and hence represent a significant cost to the manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is thus to provide a lockset which is multi-purpose and hence is versatile in use.

Broadly the invention in one aspect comprises a lockset having a lock body adapted for the mounting of one or more of a latch and a throw bolt and a means of operating at least one shoot bolt, and an operating mechanism operable by a locking mechanism, said operating mechanism including a primary drive element operable by said locking mechanism and a drive transfer element which transfers drive from the primary drive element to a secondary drive element, said drive transfer element being able to operate a throw bolt and said primary and/or secondary drive elements providing means for operating at least one shoot bolt.

Preferably the operating mechanism also provides a means for preventing movement of an operating handle operatively coupled to the lockset. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the lockset,

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the lockset, Figure 3 is a plan view of the lockset with cover removed and the drive transfer element separated out in the interests of clarity,

Figures 4-15 are front and rear perspective views of the lockset in partially assembled states, Figure 16 is a perspective view of the primary drive element,

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the secondary drive element,

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the drive transfer element,

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a key delatch mechanism,

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a latch drive element, Figure 21 is a perspective view of the latch,

Figure 22 is an elevation view of the lockset in the locking configuration,

Figure^' 23 is a further perspective view of the secondary drive element but in a modified form, Figure 24 is a perspective view of a further modified form of the secondary drive element, and Figure 25 is a perspective view of a modified form of the primary drive element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The lockset according to the embodiment as will be hereinafter described comprises a lock body 10 having a base 11, back wall 12, partial end wall 13 and face plate 14. The body 10 is completed by a cover 15.

In the preferred form of the invention as illustrated the face plate 14 includes an elongate opening 16 for movement therethrough of a throw bolt and a second opening 17 for movement therethrough of a latch 43. The base 11 and cover plate 15 respectively include openings 18 and 19 for reception of a standard cylinder lock mechanism (not shown) .

Slidingly located in body 10 adjacent the opening 18 is the primary drive element 20. This comprises a body 21 having an opening 22 at one end for reception of a connecting rod (not shown) for engagement with a shoot bolt (not shown) . Extending in an opposite direction is an arm 23 having a spigot 24. The distal end 25 of the arm 23 is shaped to engage with a key delatch mechanism as will hereinafter be described. In body 21 there is a recess 26 in which a follower 27 is slidingly engaged and biased to the position shown in Figure 16 by a small spring S. The follower 27 has spigots 28 at each end thereof and these respectively slidingly engage in detent slots 29 in the base 11 and cover 15.

The primary drive element is shown in position in the body 10 in Figures 5 and 6 and it will be seen that arm 23 slidingly locates on base 11 and has its upper surface aligned with or slightly below the edge of opening 16. The end of the body 21 having opening 22 engages within an opening 30 in end wall 13.

Also slidingly engaged in body 10 adjacent wall 12 is the secondary drive element 31 which is formed by a body having at one end an opening 32 to receive a connecting rod for coupling with a shoot bolt. The other end has a flat land 33 which includes an open ended slot 34. In the length of the secondary drive element 31 there is a hollow portion 35.

Coupling the primary and secondary drive elements 21 and 31 is a drive transfer element 37 which in the illustrated form of the invention is formed as a throw bolt. Projecting transversely either side of the element 37 are spigots 38 which rotatably engage in openings 39 in the respective base 11 and cover 15. As can be seen in Figure 3 the underside of element 37 includes a shaped groove 46 to one side of spigot 38 and to the other side thereof a second spigot 41. Spigot 24 of primary drive element 20 engages in groove 46 while spigot 41 of element 37 engages in the open ended slot 34 of secondary drive element 31.

With a standard key operable cylinder lock mechanism located between openings 18 and 19 a cam or projection of the lock mechanism is engagable with follower 27 when a key is rotated in the lock to carry out a locking procedure. Initial contact with the follower 27 causes the follower to move into recess 26 against the bias of spring S followed by the cam or projection of the lock mechanism. Thus further rotation of the key causes the primary drive element 20 to slidingly move longitudinally such that the end having opening 22 moves through opening 30 and projects beyond wall 13 (see Figure 22) .

Due to the engagement of spigot 24 with the groove 46 of drive transfer element 37 this movement causes the drive element 37 to rotate about the pivot axis formed by spigots 38 and openings 39. In turn, due to the inter-engagement of spigot 41 and open ended slot 34 the secondary drive element 31 is forced to move longitudinally so that the end having opening 32 is also moved to project from the housing 10 (see Figure 22) . Once the primary drive element 20 has moved a certain distance the cam or projection of the lock mechanism moves out of engagement with recess 26. This is substantially at a point where spigots 28 move into the extension 29a of detent slots 29. The key- can thus continue to be rotated to a point where it can be removed from the lock mechanism.

Insertion of the key into the lock mechanism and rotation in the opposite direction causes the opposite action of the primary and secondary drive elements to occur so that the lockset is moved back to its unlocked position.

When the drive transfer element 37 is formed as a throw bolt the rotation of the element 37 causes the end 42 forming the throw bolt to move out through slot 16 (see Figure 22) and into engagement with a striker plate of the closure (eg door) surround. While the throw bolt in the illustrated arrangement is of a straight configuration it is the preferred form hooked (as shown in Figure 22) so that when the end 42 moves into the opening in the strike plate the hooked end hooks over the edge of the opening in the strike plate.

A latch 43 is slidingly located in a partitioned area 44 in the lock body 10 to extend through opening 17 in face plate 15. Projecting from the rear of the latch 43 is a projection 45 which engages through an opening 46 in a wall 47 of partitioned area 44. A compression spring S engages about projection 45 and locates between the rear surface of latch 43 and the opposing surface of wall 47. Projection 45 is provided with a removable flanged end cap 48 allowing removal and rotation by 180° of latch 43 to give opposite closing capability.

Engaged between wall 47 and the end cap 48 is the distal end 49 of a finger 50 of a latch driver 51. The body of the latch driver 51 is provided with a transverse square cross section bore 52 which opens at each side through a turret 53. One turret 53 rotationally engages in an opening 54 in cover 15 while the other turret 53 engages through an opening 55 in a key delatch member 56 and into opening 54a in base 11.

The key delatch member 56 is keyed to the latch driver 51 by lugs 55' in opening 55 engaging in cut-outs 57 in the turret 53 with which the key delatch member 56 is engaged. The distal end 58 of a finger 59 of the key delatch mechanism 56 engages between wall 47 and end flange 48 of the latch 43.

The arrangement of the lugs 55" and the cut-outs 57 in turret 53 is such that when the latch driver 51 is rotated by handles connected to a square shaft extending through bore 52 the key delatch member 56 rotates with the latch driver 51, the key delatch member 56 includes a shoulder 60 with which the distal end 25 of the primary drive element 20 can engage. Thus when a key is inserted into the lock mechanism and rotated to unlock the lockset the key can be rotated beyond the position at which unlocking occurs so as to drive the primary drive mechanism 20 further into the body such that the distal end 25 pushes on shoulder 60. This is achieved due to the spigots 28 able to move into extension detent slots 29a located at right angles to the upper detent slots 29. This movement causes the key delatch member 56 to rotate about the axis of bore 52 relative to the latch driver 51 so as to move the flanged end cap 48 which via projection 45 retracts the latch 43.

Movement of both the latch driver 51 and key delatch member 56 is possible due to the hollow portion 35 of the secondary drive element 31 as this hollow provides a clearance for the distal ends 49 and 58 of the drive element 51 and key delatch member 56 respectively as well as the end cap screw 48 of the latch 43.

Release of the key in the lock mechanism at the point where the key can be removed permits the primary drive element 20 to be restored to its natural unlocked position. This is effected by the action of a coil spring 61 on pin 62 driving against the latch driver 51 to cause the latch driver 51 to rotate so as to extend the latch 43 to its latching position. In the normal arrangement of the lockset in, say, a door installation a square shaft is engaged through bore 52 of the latch driver 51. The shaft is coupled at either end to a door handle. With the lockset in the unlocked position the handle can simply be rotated causing the shaft to rotate the latch drive elements 51 to retract the latch 43. Upon release of the handle the latch 43 is caused to project in the normal manner due to the action of the compression spring S' about extension 45, and tension spring 61 about spigot 62.

However, with the lockset moved to the locking configuration as previously described the secondary drive element 31 moves to a position whereby the body of the latch driver 51 engages with flat surface 63 and inclined surface 64 of the secondary drive element 31 thereby preventing the latch driver 51 from being able to be rotated. The handles are therefore "frozen" against movement.

The lockset according to the present invention can be configured in a variety of different ways to suit end purposes and preferences of the user. For example, with the lockset in the configuration as illustrated and described herein the lockset provides a simple latching function via latch 43 when the lockset is in the unlocked position.

However, upon locking via the lock mechanism the primary and secondary drive elements 20 and 31 extend such that connecting rods coupled thereto can drive shoot bolts top and bottom of the door into locking recesses to lock the door at its top and bottom edges. Simultaneously the throw bolt 37 projects through opening 16 to engage in the strike while the handles become frozen as a consequence of the inter- engagement of the secondary drive element 31 and the latch driver 51. Four locking points are thus provided.

However, the drive transfer element 37 can be configured to function simply as a drive element. That is, it does not have a portion 42 which upon locking projects through opening 16. Thus the lock simply provides movement of the drive elements to operate shoot bolts and causes the latch 43 to be frozen in the projecting position. Therefore three locking positions are provided.

If, however, the drive elements 20 and 31 are not coupled to connecting rods and hence shoot bolts or indeed are not provided with ends able to be coupled to connecting rods, only locking of the latch is provided.

In another configuration the latch mechanism can be dispensed with as can the throw bolt so that the lockset simply operates to move shoot bolts. This can be a configuration which is particularly useful with, say, bi-fold doors. In yet a further configuration the drive elements can be configured not to operate shoot bolts and the latch 43 can be dispensed with whereupon locking is achieved simply by the drive transfer element 37 being formed as part of a throw bolt.

It will be appreciated that any combination of the aforementioned configurations is possible.

Referring to Figure 23 of the drawings, there is shown a modified form of the secondary drive element 31. According to this modified form a spigot 65 projects from the main body of the secondary drive element. In the locked position this spigot 65 slides in behind end cap 48 and prevents latch 43 from being retracted. This there prevents latch 43 from being pushed back into the lockset body 10 by a thin lever etc which a person may try to use to force the lock when endeavouring to gain unauthorised entry. It also provides extra strength to the "frozen handle" as resistance to movement is not only dependent on the interaction of surfaces 63 and 64 with the latch driver 51.

Figures 24 and 25 illustrate truncated versions of the secondary drive element 31 and primary drive element 20 respectively. These truncated versions can be used to provide yet a further configuration of lockset in which coupling to shoot bolts outside the boundary of the body of the lockset is not required.

The lockset according to the present invention thus provides a means whereby a manufacturer can manufacture a minimum number of elements and then during assembly can configure the lockset to a particular end function requirement. The lockset is thus extremely versatile as to its end use functions.

Claims

1. A lockset having a lock body (10) adapted for the mounting of one or more of a latch (43) and a throw bolt (42) and a means of operating at least one shoot bolt, and an operating mechanism (27, 20) operable by a locking mechanism, said operating mechanism including a primary drive element (20) operable by said locking mechanism and a drive transfer element (37) which transfers drive from the primary drive element (20) to a secondary drive element (31), said drive transfer element (37) being able to operate a throw bolt (42) and said primary and/or secondary drive elements (20, 31) providing means for operating at least one shoot bolt.

2. A lockset as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operating mechanism provides a means (63, 64) for preventing movement of an operating handle operatively coupled to the lockset.

3. A lockset as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the drive elements (20, 31) provides a means (63, 64) of preventing movement of a means (51) for mounting an operating handle.

4. A lockset as claimed in claim 3 wherein the drive element is said secondary drive element (31).

5. A lockset as claimed in claim 4 wherein the secondary drive element (31) includes a clearance (35) to accommodate movement of part of the handle mounting means (51) when said secondary drive element (31) is located in a non-locking position.

6. A lockset as claimed in claim 5 wherein the secondary drive element (31) includes an engagement surface (63, 64) which cooperates with a part of the handle mounting means (51) when the secondary drive element (31) is located in a locking position.

7. A lockset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 3 to 6 wherein the handle mounting means (51) includes a latch driver means (50) which is cooperatively engaged with said latch (43).

8. A lockset as claimed in claim 7 further including delatching means (56) operable by said primary drive element (20) upon unlocking of the locking mechanism to cause the latch (43) to retract to a non-latching position.

9. A lockset as claimed in claim 8 wherein the delatching means comprises a delatch member (56) rotatable about substantially the axis of rotation of the handle mounting (51), said delatch member (56) including an engagement means (60) for engagement of said primary drive element (20) and a latch drive means (59) which is cooperatively engaged with said latch (43).

10. A lockset as claimed in claim 9 wherein the delatch member (56) is coupled to the handle mounting means (51).

11. A lockset as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein there is included biasing means (S') for applying a restoring movement to the delatching means (56).

12. A lockset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive transfer element (37) is formed as a throw bolt.

13. A lockset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive transfer element (37) is pivotable about a pivot axis (38), there being slot (34, 36) and follower (24, 41) movement transfer means coupling the primary and secondary drive elements (20, 31) with the drive transfer element (37).

14. A lockset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the throw bolt (42) has a hooked latching portion.

15. A lockset as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the primary drive element (20) is a one piece elongate element adapted at one end (21) for coupling to a shoot bolt and at the other end (23) for engagement with a delatching mechanism (56), said primary drive element (20) being slidingly located within the lock body (10).

16. A lockset as claimed in claim 15 wherein the delatching means (56) is operable by said primary drive element

(20) to cause the latch (43) to retract to a non- latching position.

17. A lockset as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the operating mechanism includes a follower (27) which is arranged to be engagable by a projection or cam element of the locking mechanism, said follower (27) being mounted for movement against biasing means (S) and controlled in movement caused by the locking mechanism by guide means (29).

18. A lockset as claimed in claim 17 wherein the guide means includes detents (29) with which the follower (27) engages under the action of the biasing means (S) at the locking and unlocking positions of the projection/cam of the locking mechanism.

19. A lockset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a part of one or both of the primary and secondary drive elements (20, 31) projects through an opening (30) in the lock body (10) when the lockset is in a locking position, said part being provided with means (22, 32) for coupling to a shoot bolt or shoot bolt connecting rod.

20. A lockset as claimed in claim 1 further including delatching means (56) operable by said primary drive element (20) upon unlocking of the locking mechanism to cause the latch (43) to retract to a non-latching position.

21. A lockset as claimed in claim 20 wherein the delatching means comprises a delatch member (56) rotatable substantially about the axis of rotation of a handle mounting means (51), said delatch member (56) including an engagement means (60) for engagement of said primary drive element (20) in a latch drive means (59) which is cooperatively engaged with said latch (43).

22. A lockset as claimed in claim 1 further including stop means ( _* ) for preventing movement of the latch (43) when the lockset is in a locking position.

23. A lockset as claimed in claim 22 further including means (63, 64) for preventing movement of a latch retraction means (56) .