EP0500998B1

EP0500998B1 - Automatic locking device

Info

Publication number: EP0500998B1
Application number: EP91105224A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Brian Arthur Andrews
Original assignee: IMBERWOOD Ltd
Current assignee: IMBERWOOD Ltd
Priority date: 1991-03-28
Filing date: 1991-03-28
Publication date: 1996-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-28
Also published as: ATE145036T1; EP0500998A1; DE69123045D1

Abstract

A device for incorporation into deadbolt, and multipoint lever operated locks, with or without deadbolt facilities, which enabled the lock to function as follows:- In order to lock the system, the lever handle (8) is lifted. The locking points and deadbolt, if fitted are now positioned and locked automatically, the lever returns to the horizontal. Use of the cylinder (9) is not required. Releasing the lock and arming the device is done in the following way. Rotate the cylinder (9) 360 DEG to release the lock and arm the block (10) (B) in the horizontal plane against the action of spring (11). Depress the lever handle (8). The locking points, the latch and the deadbolt, if fitted, are retracted to the unlocked position. The device (B) is now armed in the vertical plane. <IMAGE>

Description

Field of Application:-

The Lock Industry with reference to Deadbolt and Multipoint Locks

Background and Description of Prior Art:-

A locking device according to the introductory part of claim 1 is described in DE 34 21 094 A1. The deadbolt of this locking device is movable between a closed position in which the deadbolt is extended and an open position in which the deadbolt is retracted. In the closed position the deadbolt is locked by an armed locking member in order to avoid unauthorized retraction of the deadbolt.
In order to lock the known locking device a cylinder is actuated in a first direction thereby moving the deadbolt from the open position into the closed position in which it is automatically locked by the primed locking member.
By actuating the cylinder in a direction opposed to the first direction the primed locking member is moved from the locking position into a releasing position and the deadbolt is retracted into the open position.
For both, moving the deadbolt into the closed position as well as into the open position a key for actuating the cylinder is necessary.
The problem of the necessity to use a key to fully secure a locking device of the type mentioned above is solved by the features of claim 1 according to the invention.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the subclaims.
The functions of the "Automatic Locking Device" as described below indicate the underlying principles of the device. The dimensions layout and means of providing pressure may vary to accommodate various lock designs. The underlying principles of the device represent the technical features for which patent is sought.
Drawing A depicts the "Automatic Locking Device" positioned within an existing lock design. Drawing B is an exploded view of the device shown incorporated in drawing A. Drawings C and D depict two further methods of constructing the "Automatic Locking Device".
Each method varies in construction but utilized the same technical features. These variants are not considered to be the only designs by which the "Automatic Locking Device" can be constructed. They are merely included to demonstrate that the unique technical features described under the heading Disclosure, in the paragraph entitled "The Inventive step", can be utilized in various ways which still represent the "Automatic Locking Device", and that any device which is armed (primed) under pressure horizontally via the cylinder to enable the subsequent operation of the lock blocking mechanism, and is primed under pressure vertically from the lever handle to secure the primed lock blocking mechanism, until it is required to be released, and in which the release of both primed mechanisms is via the lever handle, which operates the standard lock mechanism is a representation of the invention the "Automatic Locking Device"

Drawing Notes:

Reference drawing A/B, A/C and A/D progress the full cycle for each of three version of the "Automatic Locking Device". Referring to a schedule of parts with numbers and descriptions for drawing "A" and common numbers and descriptions for drawings B, C and D. Therefore any conbination of drawings AB, AC or AD can be read in conjunction with the drawing notes for that combination.

Drawing Notes: Reference Drawings A,B, A,D,

Priming Cycle:

Rotate Cylinder (9) Cylinder 9 raises Base Plate (18) Compressing Spring (19) which releases Tongue (20) in Cut Out (2) In the Lock Side Plate (1) and drives Block (10) along Plunger (12). As Block (10) Slides and Compresses Spring (11) Up (16) on Slide (15) locks into Cut Out (14) in the Intermediate Primer (13) which is now pressed against the underside of Lock Plate (5) thus putting pressure on Springs (17) and (19) which drive Base Plate (18) downward, locking Tongue (20) into Cut Out (2) in Lock Side Plate (1).
The device Is now partially primed.
Lever Handle (8) is depressed, raising Lock Plate (5) thus removing pressure on Springs (17) and (19) which allows Base Plate (18) to rise, releasing Tongue (20) from Cut Out (2). Block (10) now slides forward and is held under pressure of Spring (11) against the closest edge of Lock Plate (5).
The device is now fully Primed.

Release Cycle:

Lever Handle (8) Is raised lowering Lock Plate (5), Locking Bar Top (3), Locking Bar Bottom (4) and throwing the Deadbolt (7) forward. The lowering of Lock Plate (5) releases the Block (10) to slide across Lip (6) on Lock Plate (5) downward pressure from Lock Plate through Springs (17) and (19) drive Base Plate (18) down driving Tongue (2) into the secured position of Cut Out (3). Blocking the Lock.
The Lock is now secure.

Drawing Notes: Reference Drawina AC,

Priming Cycle:

Rotate Cylinder (9). Cylinder (9) raises Base Plate (18) compressing Spring (19) releasing Tongue (20) in Lock Side Plate (1) and Driving Block (10) along Plunger (12) compressing Spring (11) Lip (16) on Slide (15) locks into Cut Out (14) In Imtermediate Primer (13) under pressure of Spring (17).
The expansive pressure of Spring (17) is now retaining the expansive pressure of Spring (11).
The device is now partially Primed.
Lever Handle (8) is depressed this raises Lock Plate (5), Locking Bar Top (3) Locking Bar Bottom (4) and also draws in the Deadbolt (7) which depresses the Intermediate Primer (13) releasing Cut Out (14) on Intermediate Primer (13) from Lip (16) on Slide (15) and allowing Spring (11) to expand, driving Block (10) forward against the closest face of the Lock Plate (5) leaving Spring (11) under partial pressure and Spring (19) driving Base Plate (18) down. Thus positioning Tongue (20) in the Blocked position In Cut Out (2) In Lock Side Plate (1).
The Device is now fully primed.

Release Cycle:

Lever Handle (8) is raised lowering Lock Plate (5) Locking Bar Top (3) Locking Bar Bottom (4) and driving Deadbolt (7) forward. The lowering of Lock Plate (5) releases Block (10) over the Lip (6) on Lock Plate (5) Blocking the Lock.
The Lock is now secure.
To resolve the problem of the necessity to use a key to fully secure a multipoint lock the "Automatic Locking Device" may be incorporated into any existing multipoint lever operated lock. The novelty of the "Automatic Locking Device" is that incorporated Into any multipoint lever operated lock it will change the mode of operation, enabling the locking points to be both positioned and secured by a single movement of the lever handle, without the use of the key operated cylinder The inventive step involved in the "Automatic Locking Device" is the double priming of the device against both horizontal pressure, which Is used to drive the device Into the blocking mode and thereby secure the lock, and against vertical pressure, which is used to block the primed device until it Is required to function and thus secure the lock.
The combination of these two functions into a single subassembly, which can be released by a single movement of the lever handle as it is used to position the locking points, and the subsequent, effective locking of the multipoint lock which results from that single movement, combined with the double priming of the "Automatic Locking Device" horizontally via the cylinder, as it is rotated to release the lock mechanism and vertically by the lever handle, as it is used to retract the locking points into the unlocked mode make the "Automatic Locking Device" unique in its concept and application.

Schedule of Parts Ref Drawings A, B, C and D

1. Lock Side Plate Main Lock (Prior Art) A
2. Cut Out (Side Plate)
3. Locking Bar Top
4. Locking Bar Bottom
5. Lock Plate
6. Lip (Lock Plate)
7. Deadbolt
8. Lever Handle
9. Cylinder
10. Block "Automatic Locking Device" B, C & D
11. Spring (Horizontal)
12. Plunger
13. Intermediate Primer
14. Cut Out (Intermediate Primer)
15. Slide
16. Lip (Slide)
17. Spring (Vertical Upper)
18. Base Plate
19. Sprint (Vertical Lower)
20. Tongue (Base Plate)
21. Axle (Drawing D only)

Claims

A locking device comprising
at least one dead bolt (7) which is movable between a closed position and an open position by actuating means (8)

and a locking member (10) movable between a locking position and a releasing position whereby in the locking position the locking member (10) locks the dead bolt (7) in the closed position,
characterized
in that the dead bolt actuating means is formed by a latch-actuating lever handle (8),

in that the locking member (10) is movable into the releasing position by a releasing member (9) separate from the lever handle (8),

in that, by actuating the lever handle (8) in a first direction, the dead bolt (7) is movable from the closed position into the open position and, at the same time, the latch is retractable,

in that the dead bolt (7) is movable from the open position into the closed position by actuating the lever handle (8) in a direction opposed to the first direction, and in that the locking device is armed against two pressures having substantially perpendicular directions, the first pressure being used to enable driving of the locking member (10) from the releasing position into the locking position and the second pressure being used to hold the locking member (10) in the releasing position and to block the driving of the locking member (10) towards the locking position until the lever handle (8) is actuated in the first direction.
A locking device according to claim 1,
characterized
in that dead bolt (7) and the level handle (8) are connected through a lock plate (5) which is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the dead bolt (7), thereby moving the dead bolt (7) between the closed position and the open position.
A locking device according to claim 2,
characterized
in that in the locking position the locking member (10) engages with the lock plate (5), thereby locking the dead bolt (7) in the closed position.
A locking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized
in that with the locking member (10) in the locking position the second pressure is used to block moving of the locking member (10) into the releasing position.
A locking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized
in that the locking member (10) is fixable in the releasing position by a fixing member (15, 16, 18, 20) and that the fixing member (15, 16, 18, 20) is armed against the second pressure for fixing the locking member (10) in the releasing position.
A locking device according to claims 4 and 5,
characterized
in that moving of the locking member (10) into the releasing position is blocked by the fixing member (15, 16, 18, 20).