CN212249572U

CN212249572U - Locking assembly and door assembly comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN212249572U
Application number: CN201890000922.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·沃克; I·桑加
Original assignee: Times Family Security Co ltd
Current assignee: Times Family Security Co ltd; Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2020-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-04
Also published as: EP3619382A1; GB201707144D0; GB202214009D0; EP3619382B1; GB2564225A; GB201807345D0; GB2608340B; GB2564225A9; GB2608340A; GB2564225B; WO2018203080A1

Abstract

A locking assembly for a door has a retainer and a locking body. The locking body has a locking bolt for engaging the retainer and an automatic actuation mechanism for actuating the locking bolt. The automatic actuation mechanism has a trigger and a contact surface on the retainer and is configured to compress the compressible trigger when the locking body is aligned with the retainer. The locking assembly may automatically actuate the locking bolt when the door is closed and may be retracted with a key. The locking assembly has a latching mechanism that prevents accidental actuation of the locking bolt.

Description

Locking assembly and door assembly comprising same

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a locking system for door and window. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic locking, multi-point locking assembly for a door.

Background

Multi-point locks are well known for use in fixed doors and are also common in modern extruded PVC doors, although multi-point locks are also used in wood, metal and composite doors. The multipoint lock has a locking bolt that is drivable by the handle unit. The locks provide a high degree of security because they have a plurality of locking bolts that connect the door and the frame.

It is desirable to have a locking assembly that provides greater security and greater ease of use of a multipoint lock. Automatic locks have been developed in which a locking bolt is automatically fired to secure a door once the door is closed. Existing systems are typically electronic, which presents difficulties in powering the system on or off.

Without the aid of an electric motor, it may be difficult for a user to loosen the locking bolt to unlock the door. This typically requires either the use of a handle unit or the user to apply sufficient force to the system with just the key.

It is also desirable to provide a locking assembly that reduces the chance of a user accidentally engaging the locking assembly.

The present invention seeks to solve or ameliorate one or more problems with door and window lock assemblies, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a locking assembly for a door is provided. The locking assembly may include a locking body. The locking body may comprise at least one locking bolt. The locking body may include an automatic actuation mechanism for engaging the locking bolt. The locking assembly may include a retainer configured to engage the locking bolt. The automatic actuation mechanism may include a compressible trigger. A compressible trigger may be provided on the locking body. A compressible trigger may be used to trigger the automatic actuation mechanism. The locking assembly may include a contact surface. The contact surface may be provided on the holder. The contact surface may be configured to compress the compressible trigger as or when the locking body is aligned with the retainer.

The trigger may be mechanical. The trigger may be non-electronic. The trigger may be non-magnetic.

The automatic actuation mechanism may include one or more springs. One or more springs may be configured to bias the locking bolt into the engaged position. The automatic actuation mechanism may be gravity assisted. The one or more springs may be configured to bias the locking bolt to an intermediate position, wherein the locking bolt moves to the engaged position under the force of gravity. Actuating the locking bolt may include moving the locking bolt. For example. Actuating the locking bolt may include moving the locking bolt to the engaged position.

As used herein, a locking bolt is any form of bolt that is selectively movable between an engaged position and a retracted position. The locking bolt may comprise a hook bolt. Engaging the locking bolt may include rotating the hook bolt to engage the retainer.

In some embodiments, the retainer includes a notch and the locking body and the retainer may be aligned when the locking bolt may protrude into the notch without contacting an edge thereof.

The locking assembly may further comprise at least one latch bolt. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a latch bolt, as used herein, is a conventional term in the art. Typically, the latch bolt may include a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, to bias it into the engaged position and may be retracted using the handle, but does not include a locking mechanism for preventing retraction thereof.

The automatic actuation mechanism may be configured to engage the locking bolt after the latch bolt engages the keeper. The trigger and/or the at least one latch bolt may be displaceable relative to a central axis of the locking body and/or the gearbox.

The locking body is movable relative to the holder on a movement axis. During a closing operation of the locking assembly, the locking body may be moved in a moving direction. The trigger can be displaced in the direction of movement relative to the at least one latch bolt. The trigger may be located behind the at least one latching bolt in the direction of movement.

The at least one latch bolt may be disposed adjacent to the locking bolt.

The latch bolt may include an insert having a low friction material. The low friction material may be a coating. The low friction material may be a plastic material, such as PTFE.

The locking body may comprise a plurality of automatically engageable locking bolts. The locking body may include a plurality of latch bolts. Two or more latch bolts may be provided adjacent to one or more automatically engageable locking bolts. Optionally, each self-engaging locking bolt is provided with an adjacent latching bolt. The locking body may comprise a plurality of locking units, each unit comprising at least one locking bolt and at least one latching bolt. The automatic actuation mechanism may be configured to engage more than one, or optionally all, of the locking bolts. The compressible trigger may trigger more than one or optionally all of the automatically engageable locking bolts.

The locking body may include a gear box for housing a portion of the automatic actuation mechanism. The locking bolt may be spaced from the gear box. In embodiments including a plurality of locking bolts, some or all of the locking bolts may be spaced apart from the gearbox.

The gear box may be located substantially centrally of the length of the locking body. The locking assembly may include a first locking unit and a second locking unit. The first and second locking units may be located at or near the first and second ends of the locking body.

The compressible trigger may be located on the gearbox. The locking assembly may further comprise a key operated deadbolt. A key operated deadbolt may be located in the gearbox.

The actuating mechanism may be operable to retract the automatically engaged locking bolt. The actuating mechanism may be configured to hold the locking bolt in the non-engaged position until triggered. For example, until the trigger is compressed.

The automatic actuation mechanism may further comprise a locking core. The locking bolt can be retracted by rotating the locking core with a key.

The retainer may include one or more notches for receiving one or more locking bolts and/or latching bolts. The retainer may comprise a notch of each locking bolt and/or each latching bolt. The retainer may include one or more retainer plates. The retention plate may include one or more notches. The locking assembly may include a retaining plate of each locking unit. The locking assembly may include a retaining plate for the gearbox.

The or each recess may comprise a bearing in an edge thereof. Bearings may be used to reduce friction of bolts sliding through the edges of the notches. The bearings may be cylindrical and/or tubular. The bearing may comprise a low friction material. The low friction material may be a coating. The low friction material may be a plastic material, such as PTFE. Alternatively, the bearing may comprise a wear resistant material, such as brass.

In some embodiments, the recess configured to receive the latch bolt may include a bearing in an edge thereof. The bearing may be configured to reduce the force required to retract the latch bolt.

The bearing is movable relative to the recess to widen or narrow the width of the recess.

The bearing may be provided on an edge of the bearing plate. The bearing plate may include at least one securing slot for adjustably securing the bearing plate to the retainer. For example, the bearing plate may include a pair of slots. The slot may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener, such as a screw. The slot may extend away from the notch. Thus, prior to tightening the mechanical fastener, the bearing plate may be moved along the axis of the slot to provide adjustability. When attached to the holder, the edge of the support plate may form an edge of the recess.

The bearing may be provided on a rear edge of the recess. The rear edge of the notch is the edge adjacent to the rear edge of the latch bolt.

The bearing plate is movable relative to the contact surface.

The contact surface in the holder may comprise a ramp. The trigger may be configured to slide up the ramp when the locking body and the retainer are aligned. Alternatively, the contact surface may comprise a ridge or step and the trigger may comprise an angled surface. The contact surface and/or the recess may be displaceable relative to a central axis of the holder.

The locking body is movable relative to the holder on a movement axis. The contact surface may be displaced relative to the recess in the direction of movement within the holder. The contact surface may be located behind the recess in the direction of movement within the holder.

The latch bolt, trigger, notch and contact surface may all be relatively located on the moving axis such that during a closing operation of the locking assembly, the latch bolt engages the notch before the contact surface compresses the trigger.

The retainer may include a front edge. The leading edge is the edge of the retainer that first encounters the locking body during the closing operation of the locking assembly. The recess may be located closer to the front edge of the retainer than the contact surface.

The locking body may include a front edge. The leading edge is the edge where the locking body first encounters the retainer during the closing operation of the locking assembly. The latch bolt may be located closer to the front edge than the trigger.

The locking assembly may include a latch mechanism. The latching mechanism may comprise any conventional latching mechanism or the latching mechanisms described herein.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door assembly comprising a locking assembly as described above. The door assembly may include a door and a door frame. The door and the door frame may be connected by one or more hinges. The locking body may be located in or on the door and the retainer may be located in or on the door frame. In some embodiments, the positions of the locking body and the retainer are reversed.

The locking assembly may be configured such that during a closing operation of the door, the automatic actuation mechanism is triggered when the door is aligned with the door frame. The door may be aligned with the door frame when the door is closed and/or when the locking body is aligned with the retainer, and/or when the locking bolt is aligned with the notch in the retainer. In one series of embodiments, the automatic actuation mechanism is configured such that the trigger is compressed when the door is closed.

The contact surface and the notch in the retainer may be positioned relative to each other such that the latch bolt engages the notch before the contact surface compresses the trigger during door closing. When the door is closed, the front end surface of the door moves relative to the door frame. At the final stage of closing, the movement is approximately linear and can be considered as the axis of movement. The retainer may be configured such that the contact surface and the notch are displaced relative to each other on the moving axis of the door. The contact surface may be located behind the notch in the direction of travel of the door. The trigger and latch bolt are movable on a door movement axis. For example, the trigger may be located behind the latch bolt in the direction of travel of the door.

The door assembly may be configured such that the locking body moves toward the keeper as the door closes. The latch bolt may be configured to be retracted under a compressive force by movement of an edge of the keeper. With the latch bolt aligned with the notch in the keeper, it may engage the notch. The latch bolt may be configured to bear on an edge or surface of the keeper and bias the locking bodies into alignment. The contact surface may be configured such that once the latch bolt has engaged the notch, the contact surface compresses the trigger. The contact surface may be configured such that when the latch is compressed by the keeper, the trigger is partially compressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking assembly comprising at least one latch bolt and/or locking bolt, and a latch mechanism for selectively retaining the at least one latch bolt and/or locking bolt in a retracted position. The latching mechanism includes a two-stage switch configured to be operable in a release operation and an actuation operation to engage and/or disengage the latching mechanism.

An operation portion may be provided. The release operation may move the operating portion between a locked configuration in which the actuation operation of the latch mechanism cannot occur and a release configuration in which the actuation operation can occur.

The locking assembly may comprise a locking assembly as previously described.

The latch mechanism may be configured to selectively retain the at least one latch bolt and/or locking bolt in the retracted position.

The releasing operation may include overcoming an obstacle, resistance, or biasing force or disengaging the catch. The releasing operation may include moving the switch in a first direction. The first direction may be a linear direction. Alternatively, the first direction may be a rotational direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The first direction may be in the longitudinal or lengthwise direction of the locking assembly, or the first direction may have a component thereof in the longitudinal or lengthwise direction.

The actuating operation may include moving the restricting portion to the restricting position. The restraining portion may comprise a block or a tooth. The restraining portion may be configured to engage a portion of an actuation mechanism, such as a drive rod. The restraining portion may be configured to prevent movement of the actuation mechanism.

The actuating operation may include moving the switch in a second direction. The second direction may be a linear direction. Alternatively, the second direction may be a rotational direction, such as clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The second direction may be in the transverse or width direction of the locking assembly, or the second direction may have a component thereof in the transverse or width direction.

The second direction may be different from the first direction. The second direction may be angled relative to the first direction. The second direction may be transverse to the first direction or have a component thereof in a transverse direction relative to the first direction. The first direction and the second direction may include an angle therebetween. The angle may be substantially 90 °. The angle may be less than 90.

The switch is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The latch mechanism may be configured such that when the switch is in the engaged position, the latch mechanism prevents the at least one latch bolt and/or the at least one locking bolt from moving to the engaged position. The engagement position of the latch bolt and/or the locking bolt may be a position where the latch bolt or the locking bolt will engage with the retainer. The locking assembly may comprise a locking body and the latch bolt and/or the locking bolt may be in the engaged position when the latch bolt and/or the locking bolt protrudes or protrudes from the locking body. The latch mechanism may be configured such that the at least one latch bolt and/or the at least one locking bolt operate normally when the switch is in the disengaged position. The switch is movable in a direction opposite the first direction and the second direction to disengage the latch mechanism.

Alternatively, the latching mechanism may be configured such that the two-stage switch is operable in a release operation and an actuation operation to engage the latching mechanism, and the two-stage switch is operable in a release operation and an actuation operation to disengage the latching mechanism. The latching mechanism may be configured such that the switch is operable in a releasing operation and an actuating operation to engage and/or disengage the latching mechanism and in a holding operation. The holding operation may include an operation opposite to the releasing operation. For example, applying or moving a backup barrier, resistance or biasing force or engaging a snap.

The locking assembly may comprise a plurality of latch bolts and/or locking bolts. The latching mechanism may be configured to retain the plurality of latch bolts and/or the locking bolt in the retracted position when the latching mechanism is engaged. The latching mechanism may be configured to retain all of the latch bolts and/or the lock bolts in the retracted position, e.g., when the latching mechanism is engaged.

The locking assembly may include an automatic actuation mechanism for engaging the at least one latch bolt and/or the locking bolt. The latching mechanism may be configured to hold all of the latch bolts and all of the automatically actuated locking bolts in the retracted position when the latching mechanism is engaged. In some embodiments, engaging the latching mechanism may include disengaging an automatic actuation mechanism. The automatic actuation mechanism may include a trigger and, optionally, the latching mechanism may deactivate the trigger when the latching mechanism is engaged.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism further comprises one or more key operated deadbolts.

In some embodiments, the switch may be movable in a third direction. The third direction may be parallel or substantially parallel to and/or opposite the first direction.

The switch may comprise a slider. The slider may comprise a plate. The slider may include a connector for connecting the slider to the locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a first aperture for receiving the connector and thereby limiting movement of the slider. The switch may include a restriction portion. The locking assembly may include a path for receiving the restraining portion and constraining movement of the slider. The restraining portion may be configured such that when in the engaged position it engages a portion of the actuating mechanism.

The slider may slide in the first direction and/or the second direction. Alternatively, the slider may slide in a third direction. The third direction may correspond to a hold operation.

The first and second directions, and optionally the third direction, may define a switch path. The switch path may have a U-shape or an inverted U-shape.

The latching mechanism may be configured such that, to engage the latching mechanism, the switch must be moved in a first vertical direction and then moved in a second horizontal direction. Moving the switch in the second horizontal direction may include an actuating operation. The first vertical direction may include moving the switch upward. The latch mechanism may be configured to move in a third, downward direction.

The locking assembly may further comprise a knob or handle configured to retract the at least one latch bolt and/or the at least one locking bolt.

The locking assembly may be configured to be located in a front edge end face of the door. The locking assembly may be configured such that the first direction or the second direction is transverse to the movement of the door during a closing operation of the door. This is advantageous for door assemblies that include a seal or gasket in contact with the front face of the door, as the seal or gasket may accidentally engage the latch mechanism if the switch is movable on the same axis as the direction of movement of the door.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a door assembly is provided, comprising a door leaf and a locking assembly according to the third aspect of the present invention.

The door assembly may be configured such that the locking assembly is located on the front face of the door leaf. The locking assembly may have a length defined by the longest dimension of the locking assembly. The door assembly may be configured such that the length of the locking assembly is substantially vertical.

The first direction may be in a vertical direction or have a component in a vertical direction. The second direction may be in the horizontal direction or have a component in the horizontal direction. In one series of embodiments, the first direction is on a horizontal axis and the second direction is on a vertical axis.

It should be understood that any one or more features of any aspect of the present invention may be combined with other features of any aspect of the present invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a locking assembly;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are close-up views of portions of the locking assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a retainer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a retainer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a locking unit according to one embodiment;

fig. 5B and 5C are sectional views of the locking unit of fig. 5A during a retracting operation;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of a gearbox according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the gearbox of FIGS. 6A-6B during a retraction operation;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the gearbox of FIGS. 6A-6C from the opposite side;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of a gearbox according to an embodiment; and

fig. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the gear case.

Detailed Description

Turning now to FIG. 1, the locking assembly will be described. While locking assemblies for doors are known that are configured to automatically launch one or more locking tongues when the door is closed, they have a number of disadvantages. First, these often require complex electronic or magnetic trigger assemblies to ensure proper actuation. Second, due to the complex assembly, they typically require a significant amount of force to retract all of the locking and latching bolts to open the door. Although this can be achieved by a door handle, the ideal modern styling point is not to use an external door handle. Thus, in embodiments, it may be desirable for the mechanism to be operable only by a key.

Figure 1 shows a locking body 10 for use in a locking assembly according to the claims. The lock body 10 has a gear box 11 and two

lock units

12, 13 located remote from the gear box 11. The gear box 11 is located substantially in the centre of the locking body 10, although in other variants the position of the gear box 11 may be moved closer to one of the locking

units

12, 13.

The gear box 11 and the locking

units

12, 13 are connected by a panel 14 extending continuously between the two locking

units

12, 13. The locking body 10 is configured to be received in a groove (not shown) provided in a front end surface of the door leaf. Located behind the panel 14 is a drive rod 15 which operatively connects the gearbox 11 with the two locking

units

12, 13. The gear case 11 is provided with a first latch bolt 16A. Each locking

unit

12, 13 is provided with a

further latching bolt

16B, 16C. The locking

unit

12, 13 further comprises locking

bolts

17B, 17C in the form of hooks.

Turning now to fig. 2A to 2C, the gear box 11 and the locking

units

12, 13 will be further described.

The locking

units

12, 13 each comprise a

locking unit housing

120, 130, which

locking unit housings

120, 130 are directly connected to the panel 14 by

mechanical fasteners

122, 132. The ends of the panel 14 are provided with

screw holes

124 and 134 for fixing the panel 14, thereby fixing the locking body 10 to the door leaf. The locking

units

12, 13 each comprise part of an automatic actuating mechanism (not shown) configured to engage with the locking

bolts

17B, 17C.

The gearbox 11 has a gearbox housing 110, the gearbox housing 110 being directly connected to the panel 14 by a pair of mechanical fasteners 112, typically mechanical screws or bolts. The housing 110 has a locking aperture 114, the locking aperture 114 being configured to receive a locking core (not shown). The locking aperture 114 has a profile configured to receive a locking core, as described in the applicant's application GB 14742578.9. An optional lock bore insert 116 is mounted in the lock bore 114 to allow the use of a conventional euro profile within the gearbox 11.

The gear case 11 also has a latch bolt 118 operated by a lock core (not shown) installed in the lock hole 114. The gear case 11 is also provided with a spindle bore 117, the spindle bore 117 having a generally square cross-section for receiving a spindle from a conventional door handle assembly (not shown). The gear box 11 is designed so that when the handle is operated the latch bolt 16A retracts, rotating the cam 119 in a conventional manner.

Adjacent to the latch bolt 16A is a trigger 113 for triggering an automatic actuation mechanism which engages with the locking

bolts

17B, 17C. Finally, the gearbox 11 is provided with a slider 115 for engaging a latch mechanism (not shown). The trigger and latch mechanism will be described further below.

Turning now to fig. 3, a retaining plate 200 is shown which forms part of the retainer of the locking assembly. The holding plate 200 is configured to be disposed in the door frame and positioned opposite to the gear case 11 of the locking body 10. Retention plate 200 includes an elongated body 201, with elongated body 201 having a longest dimension in a length direction (e.g., in direction X). A series of countersunk fixing holes 203 are arranged lengthwise along the main body 201 for receiving screws (not shown) and fixing the holding plate 200 to a door frame (not shown).

Toward one end is a strike recess 205, the strike recess 205 extending away from the body 201 in the Y direction. The cross-section of the locking tongue recess 205 is designed to correspond to the cross-section of the locking tongue 118, in this case rectangular.

Toward the other end of the main body 201 is provided a latch bolt notch 207. Latch bolt notch 207 also extends away from body 201 in the Y direction and across the width of the body (in the Z direction) to form an approximately cubic groove. The back 209 is angled relative to the body 201 such that they are not parallel. This is to accommodate the inclined surface of the latch bolt 16A.

Adjacent to the latch bolt notch 207 is a contact surface 211. The contact surface 211 is a portion of the body 201. The body is provided with a ramp 213, which ramp 213 connects the contact surface 211 with a trigger recess 215. The trigger notch 215 is a plate offset from the surface of the body 201 in the Y-direction.

In use, the locking body 10 will move relative to the retainer 200, which is fixed to the door frame. When the locking body 10 and the retainer 200 are very close, the relative movement is approximately linear and can be estimated to be along the direction Z. This can be considered as the direction of movement. During the closing movement of the door leaf, the locking body 10 will move substantially in direction Z.

When the trigger 113 is brought toward the holder 200, the trigger enters the trigger notch 215. As the trigger continues in direction Z, it encounters ramp 213. Since both the ramp 213 and the trigger 113 are angled, movement of the trigger 113 in the Z direction causes the trigger 113 to climb the ramp 213 until it contacts the contact surface 211. During this movement, the trigger 113 compresses in a direction opposite to the Y direction. This compression is used to trigger the automatic actuation mechanism, as described below.

The latch notch 207 has four edges.

Edges

217 and 219 extend in direction Y and are therefore substantially transverse to direction of movement Z. Since latch bolt 16A reaches edge 217 before reaching opposite edge 219, edge 217 is a front edge 217 of latch notch 207. The opposite edge 219 is thus the rear edge 219. The main body 201 at the front edge 217 extends in the direction Z to provide a protruding portion 221. The protruding portion 221 is provided with a bearing plate 223, which bearing plate 223 is coupled to the protruding portion 221 by a pair of bolts or screws 225 received in slots 227. The slot 227 extends in the Z direction, i.e., the direction of movement. Therefore, the bearing plate 223 is movable in the direction Z, i.e., the moving direction. Bearing plate 223 includes a bearing edge 229, which bearing edge 229 overlaps with front edge 217 of latch bolt notch 207. The bearing edge has a bearing 231 disposed therein. The bearings are typically made of brass or other wear resistant material. In use, when the latch bolt 16A is retracted, it rests on the bearing 231 rather than the front edge 217 of the latch bolt notch 207 (as in prior locking assemblies). Thus, the bearing reduces the resistance exerted on the latch bolt 16A and makes it easier for the user to retract the latch bolt 16A and open the door.

Thus, the bearing edge forms an effective edge of the latch bolt notch 207. By moving the bearing plate 223 in the Z direction, the width of the latch bolt notch (in the Z direction) can be adjusted. More importantly, because the latch bolt 16A will pass over the bearing plate 223 and the front edge 217 of the notch 207 before being biased into the latch bolt notch 207, moving the bearing plate 223 can effectively move the position of the latch bolt notch 207 in the Z-direction. By moving the bearing plate 223, the relative position of the latch bolt notch 207 and the contact surface 211 can be adjusted in the direction of movement of the door leaf and the locking body 10. Accordingly, the retention plate 200 may be configured to ensure that the latch bolt 16A is received in the latch bolt notch 207 before the trigger 113 fully climbs the ramp 213 and is compressed by the contact surface 211.

Turning now to fig. 4, a second retention plate is shown. The second holding plate 250 has substantially the same structure as the holding plate 200, and the description of the same features will not be repeated. The retaining plate includes a locking bolt recess 255 for receiving one of the locking

bolts

17B, 17C. The locking bolt recess is substantially identical to the deadbolt recess 205.

A significant difference between retention plate 250 and retention plate 200 of fig. 3 is the absence of contact surfaces, ramps, or trigger notches. The trigger 113 in the locking body 10 is configured to trigger the entire locking body's automatic actuation mechanism, as discussed in more detail below, so no other trigger adjacent to each

latch

17B, 17C is required.

The trigger and automatic actuation mechanism will now be described with reference to fig. 5A-5C, 6A and 6B.

Turning now to fig. 5A, the interior of the locking unit 12 is shown. The locking unit is substantially identical to the locking unit 13 and therefore the present description comprises two units. References to the locking bolt 17B and the latching bolt 16B are intended to refer equally to the locking bolt 17C and the latching bolt 16C. The housing 120 includes the locking bolt 17B, the latch bolt 16B, and portions of the automatic actuation mechanism.

The locking bolt 17B is hook-shaped and is shown in an engaged protruding position. The locking bolt 17B has a pivot point 301 to which it is pivotally coupled. In use, it may rotate about pivot point 301. A first torsion spring 303 is provided to bias the locking bolt 17B to the engaged position as shown in fig. 5. In order to retract the locking bolt 17B, the force of the first torsion spring 303 must be overcome. The rear edge of the locking bolt 17B is provided with a guide block 305 protruding from the surface of the locking bolt 17B.

An anti-jamming lever 307 is provided, which is pivotably coupled to pivot point 307A. A second torsion spring 309 is provided, the second torsion spring 309 being configured to bias the anti-jamming bar 307 into the engaged position as shown in fig. 5A. The anti-jamming rod 307 is configured to prevent the locking bolt 17B from being forcibly pushed back into the locking unit 12. For example, an attacker may insert a tool between the door and the door frame and apply an upward force to attempt to lift the locking bolt 17B, thereby retracting the locking bolt 17B sufficiently that it no longer engages the locking bolt recess 255. If this occurs, the rear surface 306 of the locking bolt 17B will contact the front end 307C of the anti-jamming bar 307, which will be pushed into the corner formed by the rear surface 306 and the guide block 305, thereby preventing further retraction of the locking bolt 17B.

With additional reference to fig. 5B and 5C, to properly retract the locking bolt 17B, the user actuates the mechanism at the gear box 11 (see below) and pushes the locking bolt 17B back into the housing 120. This is accomplished by one or more drive rods (15, omitted from fig. 5A-5C) extending from the gear case 11. The drive rod 15 is connected to the drive plate 313 within the housing 120 by either of the

drive rod connectors

331, 332. The driving

lever connectors

331, 332 are provided at opposite ends of the locking

units

12, 13 and are connectable to one end of the driving lever 15. In the example of the locking unit 12 in fig. 1 and 5A-5C, since the locking unit 12 is located below the gear case 11, the drive rod 15 enters through the upper passage 333 and is connected to the drive rod connector 332. In the case of the locking unit 13, the drive rod 15 extends through the lower channel 334 and is connected to the drive rod connector 331. Thus, the locking

units

12, 13 are interchangeable, simplifying the manufacturing process and minimizing the number of specific components required. Since the drive plates 313 in both locking

units

12, 13 are connected to one or more drive rods 15, the drive plates 313 are each moved simultaneously by a mechanism within the gear box 11.

To retract the locking bolt 17B, a mechanism within the gearbox is actuated (e.g., with a key) to drive the drive rod 15 upward. This upward movement is therefore transmitted to the drive plate 313 within the locking

unit

12, 13. The drive plate 313 is coupled to a drive cam 315 that acts on the underside of the locking bolt 17B. Thus, as the drive plate 313 is driven upward, the drive cam 315 is also driven upward, which pushes the locking bolt 17B in a clockwise direction (as shown) toward the torsion spring 303 until retraction as shown in fig. 5B. As described above, to prevent the anti-jamming bar 307 from obstructing the movement of the locking bolt 17B, the upper edge 317 of the drive plate 313 is configured to push the head 307B of the anti-jamming bar 307 upward, thereby causing the leading end 307C to be lifted above the locking bolt 17B, which passes unobstructed from below. Then, as shown in fig. 5B and 5C, the anti-jamming bar 307 may be placed on the upper surface 308 of the locking bolt 17B. The locking bolt 17B is held in a retracted position by a drive cam 315 on a drive plate 313, which is held in the position shown in figure 5B by a mechanism within the drive rod and gearbox.

The configuration shown in fig. 5B shows the locking bolt 17B in a retracted position and with the trigger mechanism to be triggered, but with the latch bolt 16B still engaging the locking unit 12 and protruding from the locking unit 12. Therefore, to open the door, the latch bolt 16B must be retracted.

The latch bolt 16B is coupled to a third spring 319 for biasing the latch bolt 16B to the engaged/protruding position. Latch bolt 16B is also coupled to a pivot arm 321, which pivot arm 321 is generally L-shaped and has a first arm 321A and a second arm 321B. The drive plate 313 adjacent the drive rod connector 331 is also provided with a drive block 322. As shown in fig. 5A, drive block 332 is spaced from second arm 321B of pivot arm 321. As the drive rod 15 and drive plate 313 are lifted, thereby retracting the locking bolt 17B, the latch bolt teeth 322 are also lifted into contact with or immediately adjacent the second arm 321B. In the second stage, drive rod 15 and drive plate 313 are actuated and further lifted by the gearbox mechanism. Thus, as drive rod 15 moves upward, latch bolt teeth 322 drive second arm 321B upward and rotate pivot arm 321. Accordingly, the first arm 321A is driven rightward (as viewed in the drawing) and drives the rear block 163 rightward against the biasing force of the third spring 319. The rear block 163 is connected to the latch bolt 16B by a shaft 165, and the latch bolt 16B is driven into the locking unit 12, as shown in fig. 5C. No catch is provided to hold the drive plate 313 in the raised position shown in fig. 5C, and therefore the latch bolt 16B is temporarily held in the fully retracted position shown in fig. 5C. When the biasing force from the mechanism in the gear box and the drive rod 15 is released, 16B is biased by the third spring 319 back to the protruding position shown in fig. 5B.

The latch bolt 16B has an insert 161. Insert 161 is made of a low friction material such as PTFE. The insert 161 is positioned such that in use it contacts and rides on the bearing 231 in the bearing plate 223. The combination of the bearing 231 and the low friction insert 161 minimizes the frictional forces acting on the latch bolt 16B retraction. Identical inserts 161 are provided in each of the

latch bolts

16A, 16B, 16C.

Turning now to fig. 6A to 6C, the gearbox 11 is shown in three configurations: pre-trigger or to trigger (fig. 6A), post-trigger (fig. 6B) and fully retracted (fig. 6C). The trigger 113 has an inclined surface 140 at an outer end and teeth 141 at the other end located within the gearbox housing 120. The teeth 141 may be received in cutouts 143 in a gear box plate 145. The gear case plate 145 extends in the longitudinal direction of the gear case 11, and both ends are connected to the drive rods 15, respectively. The opposite ends of the drive rod 15 are connected to drive

rod connectors

331, 333. The gearbox plate 145 is connected to a series of cams within the gearbox 11 to drive actuation of the locking mechanism in a conventional manner by rotation of a locking core (not shown) that will be retained within the locking aperture 114.

In fig. 6A, the pre-triggered or to-be-triggered configuration corresponds to the configuration of the locking unit 12 shown in fig. 5B, where the locking bolt 17B is retracted, but the latching bolt 16B is engaged. When the trigger 113 is compressed as described above, the trigger 113 moves rearward into the gearbox housing 120. When engaged, the gear plate 145 is prevented from moving in the lengthwise direction of the gearbox housing 120 by the teeth 141. When pushed rearward, as shown in fig. 6B, the teeth 141 move out of engagement with the upper ends of the cutouts 143, and the gear plate 145 may move in the direction of the arrow (i.e., downward) within the gearbox housing 120, preferably under the force of gravity or additionally or alternatively by a biasing mechanism (not shown).

When the gear plate 145 descends, the gear plate 145 also drives or pulls the drive rod 15 downward. As the drive lever 15 moves downward, the drive plate 313 and the drive cam 315 in the

lock units

12, 13 also descend. Without the drive cam 315 being in the raised position to hold the locking bolt 17B in the retracted position in fig. 5B, the drive cam 315 is biased by the first torsion spring 303 and further biased under gravity to the protruding position as shown in fig. 5A due to its weight. Then, the anti-jamming bar 307, which has rested on top of the locking bolt 17B, may be lowered behind the locking bolt 17B to prevent retraction.

The mechanism of the reset trigger mechanism and the automatic actuation mechanism will now be described with additional reference to fig. 6D. To deactivate the trigger mechanism and the automatic actuation mechanism, the gear plate 145 must be lifted. From the inside of the door, this can be achieved by a handle connected to the spindle bore 150 via a spindle (not shown). The spindle bore 150 is connected to a spindle shaft 151. The spindle shaft 151 drives a spindle block 152 (on a surface opposite the angle of fig. 6A-6C) that protrudes from the gear plate 145 and thus rotates the handle in a conventional manner to lift the gear plate 145. In some embodiments, a handle may also be provided on the outside of the door to actuate the mechanism.

From the outside, it is desirable to retract the deadbolt 118, locking bolt 17B and latching bolt 16B so that only the key is used to reset the trigger mechanism and automatic actuation mechanism (although in some embodiments a handle may be provided). A lock core 114A such as a lock core of a euro profile is provided in the lock hole 114. The gearbox has a conventional two-stage mechanism for multi-point locking that can be driven by the rotating cam 114B of the locking core.

Two-stage mechanisms typically involve rotating the key twice within the barrel of the locking core. From the locked position, a first rotation of the rotating cam 114B (clockwise as shown) actuates a deadbolt slide 171 connected to the deadbolt 118. In fig. 6D, this first rotation has been completed and the bolt slide 171 and the bolt 118 have been driven to the retracted position. The mechanism also includes a first arm 173 connected to the bolt 118. Thus, as the deadbolt 118 is driven to the right as shown, the arm 173 moves in the same direction to the position shown in fig. 6D, adjacent to the lock core 114A. To engage the deadbolt 118 from the position shown in fig. 6D, a key is inserted into the lock core 114A and rotated counterclockwise to drive the deadbolt slide 171 from right to left.

In the second stage, subsequent rotation of the rotating cam 114B (clockwise rotation as shown) lifts the first arm 173. When the locking bolt 118 is retracted, the first arm 173 is aligned with the second arm 175. As the first arm 173 is lifted by the rotating cam 114B, it lifts the second arm 175. The second arm 175 is L-shaped and has a projection 176 that is received in the slot 146 in the gear plate 145. Accordingly, the rotation of the rotating cam 114B causes the gear plate 145 to be lifted. Thus, lifting the gear plate 145 retracts the locking bolt 17B and the latch bolt 16B and resets the automatic actuation mechanism.

As the gear plate 145 is lifted, i.e., in the direction of the arrow in fig. 6D, the cutout 143 (fig. 6A-6C) is lifted until it is aligned with the teeth 141 of the trigger 113. The teeth 141 are biased downwardly by a small spring (not shown) into the notches 143 and thus prevent the gear plate 145 from falling back downwardly. Thus, the trigger 113 effectively holds the gear plate 145 in the cocked position as shown in FIG. 6A, and similarly, the drive plate 313 is held in the cocked position as shown in FIG. 5B.

As shown in fig. 6C, by continuing to rotate the rotating cam 114B, the gear plate 145 is driven further upward. The tooth 141 travels within the notch 143 until it reaches the bottom of the notch 143, at which stage the gear plate 145 is prevented from moving further upward. The gear plate 145 is connected to an L-shaped lever 165, which L-shaped lever 165 retracts the latch bolt 16A in the same manner as the retraction of the

latch bolts

16B, 16C previously described. Thus, all of the latch bolts 16A-16C retract simultaneously. As shown in fig. 6A, when the force applied to the key and the gear plate 145 is removed, the gear plate 145 descends until the teeth 141 contact the upper ends of the cutouts 143 and prevent further movement. Thus, retraction of the latch bolts 16A-16C is temporary and depends on the user applying force via a key or handle in a conventional manner.

Thus, a simple trigger mechanism is achieved by which the locking

bolts

17B, 17C are actuated. Furthermore, since the gear plate 145 is held in place by the teeth 141, the locking

bolts

17B, 17C are prevented from firing unless the trigger is compressed. By using a single trigger to remotely trigger the mechanisms within each locking unit, rather than a single trigger mechanism within each locking unit, the number of components is minimized. A single trigger also means that the number of springs and biasing mechanisms within the automatic actuation assembly is reduced. Thus, the force required to retract the locking

bolts

17B, 17C against the force of the biasing mechanism is reduced.

The inventors have found that the force required to retract all of the locking and latching bolts is reduced to a level that can be operated with a conventional key within an acceptable force range that has been found to be less than or equal to a competitor.

Turning now to fig. 7A-8B, the latch mechanism will be described. Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate the gearbox in a cut-away condition with the latch mechanism in a non-engaged configuration and an engaged configuration, respectively. Fig. 8A and 8B show perspective exterior views of the latch mechanism in a non-engaged configuration and an engaged configuration, respectively.

A variety of latching mechanisms are known in the art and generally vary depending on the locking assembly to which they are applied. For a conventional night latch, the latch mechanism may have a button that can be depressed once the latch bolt is retracted to hold the latch bolt in the retracted position. For a lock assembly to automatically engage the lock bolt when the door is closed, it is necessary to provide a latch mechanism that selectively prevents engagement of the lock bolt and any latch bolt.

The latch mechanism is desirable when a user wishes to close but not lock a door equipped with the locking assembly. For example, in a home application, a user may wish to spend time in a garden without locking a door. Some users may engage the locking bolt when the door is open, thereby preventing the door from closing properly, but if the door is swung violently, there is a risk of damaging the locking bolt.

The inventors have found that the second aspect of the invention is advantageous in preventing the latch mechanism from being accidentally engaged. If the latch mechanism is accidentally engaged, the user may not be aware that the door is unlocked and therefore a safety hazard exists. By requiring the switch to move in a first direction and then a second direction, inadvertent engagement of the latch mechanism is reduced (e.g., by a user tapping or swiping the switch).

The latch mechanism 400 of one embodiment of the present invention has a two-stage switch 401 in the form of a slider 115. The slider 115 comprises a flat plate held against the outer surface of the panel 14. The face plate 14 is provided with a first latch slot 403 and a second latch slot 405. The first slot 403 is linear and the second pin slot 405 is convoluted. The second pin slot 405 has an inverted U-shape. The first end of the slider 115 is provided with a first mushroom-shaped protrusion 407 that is received within the first latch slot 403. The opposite end of the slider 115 is provided with a second mushroom shaped protrusion 409 that is received within the second latch slot 405.

Thus, the slider 115 may be moved by two discrete movements. A first length direction movement D1 as shown in fig. 8A, wherein the slider is moved in the length direction of the locking body 10 and the first and second mushroom shaped protrusions are moved directly in the length direction/direction. This movement is a release operation because, due to the shape of the second latch slot, the walls of the slot prevent the slider from moving during the actuation operation until the top of the slot is reached.

Then, the slider 115 may be moved in the second direction D2. Since the first latch slot 403 is linear, the first mushroom-shaped protrusion 407 is limited to axial movement only. The second protrusion 409 is able to move laterally in the direction D2, thereby causing the upper end of the slider 115 to slide laterally. The slider 115 thus rotates about the first mushroom-shaped protrusion 407. By moving the second mushroom-shaped protrusion laterally, it is possible to engage it with the arm 411 in the gear plate 145 and prevent the arm 411 from moving downward beyond the protrusion 409. This is an actuating operation as it moves the projection from the non-engaging position to the engaging position.

In use, when the user turns the handle to retract the locking bolt and the latch bolt, they drive the gear plate 145 up to the position shown in fig. 6C. In this configuration, the arm 411 is lifted over the second mushroom-shaped protrusion 409. When the slider 115 is moved to the engaged position, the arm 411 and the gear plate can no longer be retracted to their starting position, and the actuation mechanism cannot be triggered. Thus, when the user engages the latch mechanism, the automatic actuation mechanism is disabled. Thus, the user does not have to worry about accidentally locking themselves on the outside of the door.

It is further advantageous that some door assemblies include seals and gaskets that contact the side end faces of the door on the side of the door opposite the hinge side (i.e., the end of the door facing the retainer). This is particularly problematic when the latch is provided on the side end face of the door to which the lock assembly is mounted. These seals and gaskets may contact the latch switch and accidentally engage the latch mechanism. Thus, the user does not know that the door will not automatically lock. Similarly, and potentially more importantly, depending on the orientation of the latching mechanism, the seal and gasket may inadvertently disengage the latching mechanism when the door is closed. When the door is closed, the actuating mechanism may be triggered, the bolt engages and the user will be inadvertently locked.

With respect to the embodiment of the drawings, in the embodiment of fig. 7 and 8, such inadvertent engagement of the latch mechanism is prevented because the release operation requires the switch to be moved in the length direction. Any end facing seal or gasket will pass the latch mechanism in the lateral and/or width direction. Thus, any force applied to the switch will bias the switch in the incorrect direction to perform the release operation, and the latch will not accidentally engage or disengage.

Claims

1. A locking assembly for a door, comprising:

a holder;

a locking body comprising at least one locking bolt for engaging the retainer; and an automatic actuation mechanism for actuating the locking bolt; wherein

The automatic actuating mechanism includes:

a compressible trigger disposed on the locking body for triggering the automatic actuation mechanism; and

a contact surface disposed on the retainer and configured to compress the compressible trigger when the locking body is aligned with the retainer.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a notch, the locking body and the retainer being aligned when the locking bolt is able to project into the notch without contacting an edge thereof.

3. The locking assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one latch bolt for engaging the retainer; wherein the automatic actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the locking bolt after the at least one latch bolt engages the keeper.

4. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one latch bolt comprises an insert having a low friction material.

5. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one latch bolt is disposed adjacent to the locking bolt.

6. The locking assembly of claim 3, comprising a plurality of the locking bolts, wherein the automatic actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the plurality of locking bolts after the at least one latch bolt engages the keeper.

7. The locking assembly of claim 6, wherein the locking body comprises a plurality of the latch bolts, wherein each of the lock bolts is located adjacent to one of the latch bolts.

8. The locking assembly of claim 5, comprising at least one additional latch bolt positioned separately from the locking bolt.

9. The locking assembly of claim 6, comprising at least one additional latch bolt positioned separately from the plurality of locking bolts.

10. The lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising a key operated deadbolt.

11. The locking assembly of claim 1, comprising a gear box for housing at least a portion of the automatic actuation mechanism, and wherein the at least one locking bolt is spaced apart from the gear box.

12. The locking assembly of claim 11, further comprising at least one latch bolt for engaging the retainer, wherein the gear box is located substantially centrally of the length of the locking assembly, and wherein the locking assembly comprises: a first locking unit having the locking bolt and the latching bolt, and a second locking unit having the locking bolt and the latching bolt.

13. The locking assembly of claim 11 wherein the compressible trigger is located on the gear box.

14. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the automatic actuation mechanism is operable to retract the locking bolt.

15. The locking assembly of claim 14, wherein the automatic actuation mechanism further comprises a locking core, and wherein the locking bolt is retractable by rotating the locking core with a key.

16. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises one or more retainer plates.

17. The locking assembly of claim 3, wherein the retainer comprises a notch, the locking body and the retainer being aligned when the locking bolt can protrude into the notch without contacting an edge thereof, wherein the notch is configured to receive the locking bolt and/or a latch bolt, the notch comprising a bearing in an edge thereof for reducing friction of a bolt sliding over the edge of the notch.

18. The locking assembly of claim 17, wherein the bearing is movable relative to the notch to widen or narrow a width of the notch.

19. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the contact surface in the retainer comprises a ramp or a step.

20. The lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one latching and/or locking bolt and a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism comprising a two-stage switch configured to be operable in a release operation and an actuation operation to engage the latching mechanism.

21. A door assembly comprising a door leaf and a door frame and a locking assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. The door assembly of claim 21, configured such that the automatic actuation mechanism actuates the locking bolt when the door is aligned with the door frame.

23. A locking assembly comprising at least one latch bolt and/or locking bolt, and a latching mechanism for selectively retaining the at least one latch bolt and/or locking bolt in a retracted position;

the latching mechanism includes a two-stage switch configured to be operable in a release operation and an actuation operation to engage and/or disengage the latching mechanism.

24. A lock assembly according to claim 20 or 23, comprising a plurality of the latch and/or lock bolts, wherein the bolt mechanism is configured to retain all of the latch and/or lock bolts in a retracted position when engaged.

25. The locking assembly of claim 23, wherein the releasing operation comprises overcoming an obstruction, resistance, or biasing force or disengaging a catch.

26. The locking assembly of claim 23 wherein the releasing operation comprises moving the switch in a first direction.

27. The locking assembly of claim 26, wherein the first direction is a length direction of the locking assembly.

28. The locking assembly of claim 26 wherein the actuation operation includes moving the switch in a second direction.

29. The locking assembly of claim 28, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction.

30. The lock assembly of claim 23, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to retain all of the latch bolts and/or lock bolts in the retracted position when engaged.

31. A door assembly comprising the locking assembly of claim 23.