EP3354825B1

EP3354825B1 - Bolt support plate and lock mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3354825B1
Application number: EP18154239.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simon Garth NAPTHINE
Original assignee: Gatemaster Ltd
Current assignee: Gatemaster Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-30
Filing date: 2018-01-30
Publication date: 2022-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-30
Also published as: GB201701473D0; EP3354825A3; EP3354825A2

Description

Introduction

The present invention relates to a bolt support plate fitted to an external surface of a gate or door.

Background to the Invention

Various types of lock mechanism are known in the art. Latch bolt locks use a spring to hold the bolt in place, allowing retraction by applying force to the bolt itself, whereas dead bolts are thrown by a mechanism that requires rotation of a key in a lock mechanism in order to move between retracted and projecting positions.
Dead bolt locks and latch bolt locks are often used in combination to provide a mixture of convenience and security.
Dead bolt locking mechanisms are used to allow dead bolts to be locked in either their retracted or projecting positions. A known mechanism for locking dead bolts is spring-operated, which works by requiring a rotary driving bit to apply force against the action of a spring, in order to move the locking means into an unlocked position, wherein the dead bolt can be moved.
The lock described in EP2915939 contains one such mechanism and comprises a dead bolt slidably mounted, via a dead bolt lever, to allow horizontal movement between a projecting position and a retracted position. The dead bolt is locked in both positions by a locking means comprising a retaining plate which is slidably mounted to allow vertical movement. The retaining plate has a horizontal slot with an upwards notch at each end. The retaining plate rests in a downwards position so that horizontal sliding is prevented by a sliding means being positioned into one of the notches of the retaining plate and thus locking the dead bolt in either the projecting position or the retracted position. The movement of the dead bolt is controlled by rotating the key in the cylinder and thus by rotation of a rotary driving bit. Movement of the rotary driving bit results in engagement with the bottom edge of the retaining plate so that the retaining plate is lifted and the dead bolt is unlocked. Subsequent rotation of the key results in the driving bit pushing the pivotally mounted dead bolt lever (and hence dead bolt) horizontally between the projecting position and retracted position, until the sliding means aligns with a notch and the retaining plate falls back downwards and again locks movement of the dead bolt. Mechanically, the mechanism is therefore a complex one. GB 369 774 A and GB 1 217 837 A disclose a bolt support plate connected with a lock having a lock body fitted on a door or gate.
Single cam locking mechanisms are well-known in the art; see for example WO 2015/000876 , GB2288207 , GB1485267 and DE8311309 . The lock mechanism of NL7807082 demonstrates the use of two cams to throw a deadbolt.
Many known locks use a common cylinder, the Euro cylinder, with a fixed size and fixed range of rotation, limiting the throw distance of the dead bolt.
Both dead bolt mechanisms and latch bolt mechanisms are inherently susceptible to damage caused by lateral impact of their respective bolts. This is often a problem when e.g. a dead bolt is inserted into an aperture in order to lock e.g. a door but that dead bolt is free to move laterally in the aperture. As a result, movement of the dead bolt in the aperture leads to lateral impacts that wear down the dead bolt mechanism. It is clear from the prior art that there exists a need for increased protection against damage suffered by dead / latch bolt mechanisms due to lateral impacts of their respective bolts.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a bolt support plate fitted to an external surface of a door or gate, the bolt support plate being connected with a lock having a lock body on an opposing surface of the door or gate and comprising one or more holes, wherein the edges of the holes provide a bolt, e.g. a latch bolt or a dead bolt of the lock, with a close fit, thereby providing lateral support for the bolt.
There is also provided use of a bolt support plate to provide lateral support for a bolt, wherein the bolt support plate is fitted to an opposing surface of a gate or door to the lock body, and wherein the bolt support plate comprises one or more holes, the edges of the holes providing a bolt, e.g. a latch bolt or a dead bolt of the lock, with a close fit, thereby providing lateral support for the bolt.
There is also provided a method of providing lateral support for a bolt, comprising the steps of fitting to a gate or door a lock body on one surface thereof and a bolt support plate on an opposing surface thereof, wherein the bolt support plate comprises one or more holes, and wherein a bolt passes through a hole in the gate or door and a hole in the bolt support plate, such that the edges of the hole in the bolt support plate provide the bolt with a close fit.
A gate or a door with locks according to the invention therefore comprise a front support plate (otherwise known as a bolt support plate), wherein the front support plate comprises one or more holes, and wherein the edges of the one or more holes provide lateral support for the dead bolt and/or a latch bolt.
It is preferred that the front support plate is for attachment to a frame, especially an upright gate member such as a gate stile, on the opposing side from the dead bolt and/or latch bolt mechanisms. The bolt support plate preferably comprises one or more inserts (e.g. rings, especially brass rings) that at least partially cover the edges of the one or more holes and act to provide the dead bolt and/or latch bolt with a close fit and a smooth and controlled motion through the one or more holes. In this context, a close fit is a clearance fit that allows unimpeded sliding of the bolt whilst having sufficiently small clearance for the edges of the plate holes to support the bolt against lateral movement.
In the context of the invention, and in gate, frame and panel construction, there are generally five basic members: the panel and the four members which make up the frame. The vertical members of the frame may be referred to as stiles and the horizontal members as rails. A basic frame and panel item has a top rail, a bottom rail, two stiles and a panel.
As mentioned above, the front support plate is suitable to be placed on the opposing side of the stile to the dead bolt and/or latch bolt mechanisms. The bolt (or bolts) passes (or pass) through the stile and then through the support plate on the opposing side (illustrated e.g. in Fig. 1A). The front support plate advantageously provides the bolts with lateral support and thus prevents damage to the bolt mechanisms resulting when lateral force is applied to the bolts. This is of particular importance in the case of the latch bolt, which is continuously exposed to lateral force upon opening and closing of the gate or door to which the lock is fitted. Additionally, the front support plate helps provide the bolt mechanisms with a smoother movement of the bolts.
The bolt support plate of the invention is fitted to an external surface of a door or gate and is connected with a lock having a lock body on an opposing surface of the door or gate (e.g. an opposing surface of a gate stile), wherein the bolt support plate comprises one or more holes, and wherein the edges of the holes provide a bolt, e.g. a latch bolt or a dead bolt of the lock, with a close fit, thereby providing lateral support for the bolt.
Optionally, the edges of the one or more holes in the bolt support plate comprise one or more inserts (e.g. brass rings) for providing a close fit between the bolt support plate and a bolt, so as to provide a smooth and controlled motion of the bolt through the one or more holes.
It is preferred that the bolt support plate comprises means for attaching the bolt support plate to a gate or door. Preferably, these means also attach the bolt support plate to a lock body on an opposing surface of the gate or door. Optionally, the means for attaching the bolt support plate comprise one or more holes for receiving screws, in which the screws act as fasteners with helical threads, passing through the gate or door and securing into a lock body.
A kit, although not forming part of the invention, may comprise a lock and a bolt support plate, wherein the lock comprises one or more bolts, being a latch bolt or a dead bolt or both a latch bolt and a dead bolt, and the edges of the one or more holes of the bolt support plate provide the one or more bolts with a close fit thereby providing lateral support to the one or more bolts when the lock and the bolt support plate are fitted to a door or gate.
The edges of the one or more holes in the bolt support plate provide the locking bolt(s) with a close fit and allow a smooth and controlled motion of the bolt(s) through the one or more holes. Preferably, the gap between the bolt and the inner surface of the hole in the bolt support plate is sufficiently small to allow a tight fit of the bolt. The motion is controlled in that sideways or lateral movement of the bolt is restricted and supported by the relatively small gap either side. Preferably, the gap between the bolt and the edge of the hole is no more than 1cm, preferably no more than 5mm, preferably no more than 4mm, preferably no more than 3mm, preferably no more than 2mm, and most preferably no more than 1mm.
The 'close' fit of the bolt(s) in the hole(s) of the bolt support plate is sufficient to prevent significant lateral movement of the bolt(s). Thus, lateral support to the bolt(s) is achieved. Nevertheless, movement of the bolt(s) between the retracted and projecting positions is not inhibited by the close fit. The term 'close fit' is therefore equivalent to e.g. 'snug fit' and 'tight fit'.
Preferably, the bolt support plate comprises one or more inserts, e.g. ring-shaped inserts, at least partially covering the edges of the one or more holes. Preferably, the insert provides the bolt with a further controlled and smoothed motion through the one or more holes. In the presence of an insert, it is preferred that the gap between the bolt and the insert is sufficiently small to allow a close fit of the bolt. Preferably, the gap between the bolt and insert is no more than 1cm, preferably no more than 5mm, preferably no more than 4mm, preferably no more than 3mm, preferably no more than 2mm, and most preferably no more than 1mm.
The invention hence provides a bolt support plate, a door or gate and a lock for protecting locking bolts, e.g.
dead bolts and latch bolts, from lateral impacts, as well as helping to provide the bolts with a smooth and controlled motion when being moved between retracted and projecting positions.

Examples

Reference Key
Gate Lock (1)
Latch bolt mechanism (2)
Dead bolt mechanism (3)
Latch bolt (4)
Gate lock body (5)
Euro cylinder (10)
Driving bit (12)
Outer cam aperture (14)
Cam body (15)
Cam (16)
Cam jamming surface (17)
Cam follower (18)
Cam follower jamming surface (19)
Dead bolt (20)
Dead bolt channel (22)
Front support plate (24)
Gate stile (26)
Front support plate holes (28)
Brass inserts (30)
Resistance point (32)
Screws (34)
Screw holes (36)
Flip over spring (38)

The invention is now illustrated in specific examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.s 1 A and B respectively show a schematic side and front view of a gate lock and front support plate, according to the invention;
Fig.s 2 - 6 show schematic side views of the dead bolt mechanism of figure 1 in various positions;
Fig. 7 shows an exploded schematic side view of the dead bolt locking mechanism; and
Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of a gate lock, in which a dead bolt mechanism comprises a flip over spring.

Example 1 - Dead Bolt Mechanism Connected to Front Support Plate

Fig. 1 shows a gate lock (1) incorporating a latch bolt mechanism (2) and a dead bolt mechanism (3), mounted on a gate stile (26) with screws (34) threaded through screw holes (36) and the gate stile to secure the lock body (5) on one side to the front support plate (24) on the other.
The dead bolt mechanism (3) comprises a Euro cylinder (10) fixed within a rotating cam body (15). Key-driven operation of the Euro cylinder (10) drives a cam (16) that throws the dead bolt (20) between retracted and projecting positions.
The front support plate (24) is located on the other side of the gate stile (26) and provides support for the latch bolt (4) which passes through the stile from one side to the other, in order to resist lateral movement and reduce the effect of side impacts on the latch bolt (4) being transmitted to and damaging the latch bolt mechanism (2). In use, the latch bolt (4) is constantly being moved between retracted and projecting positions by the action of slamming the gate and opening it with the handle (not shown). A hole is provided through the stile for each bolt to pass through but these are generally significantly larger in diameter than the bolt with such a large clearance all around that the bolt is effectively isolated in mid-air. Hence, absent the support plate side impacts on the latch bolt (4), which are particularly common when opening and closing the gate to which the gate lock (1) is fitted, cause damage.
The front support plate (24) also provides similar distal support for the dead bolt (20), in order to resist lateral movement and reduce the effect of side impacts on the dead bolt (20) being transmitted to and damaging the dead bolt mechanism (3). The front support plate is particularly useful when there is a significant gap between the body of the lock and the cavity (not shown) in which the latch bolt (4) and dead bolt (20) must engage when in projecting positions.
The front support plate (24) in Fig. 1 is provided with two holes (28) in the surface that have slightly larger diameters to the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) for which the edges of the holes will provide support. The edges of the holes are provided with circular brass inserts (30) that allow a close fit of the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) into the holes (28). Each brass insert is durable and corrosion-resistant, allowing it to provide a low friction surface for movement of the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) back and forth through the holes (28), while the close fit assists in providing protection against damage to the dead bolt mechanism (3) and the latch bolt mechanism (2). Additionally, the increased lateral support for the latch bolt provides a smoother slamming action of the gate.
The front support plate attaches to the exterior surface of the gate stile (26), whilst the dead bolt mechanism (3) is positioned parallel to the support plate (24) on the other side of the stile (26). Apertures in the gate stile (26) allow movement of the dead bolt (20) through the internal surface of the stile (26).
As the dead bolt (20) passes through the hole (28) and the insert (30) in the front support plate (24), its movement is steadied and guided into the cavity (not shown) in which the dead bolt (20) must engage when thrown to secure the gate.
Figures 2 - 6 show the dead bolt mechanism (3) in the gate lock (1) of Fig. 1. Movement between the retracted (and locked) position - see Fig. 2 - and the projecting (and locked) position - see Fig. 6 - will now be explained.
Upon turning of the key in the Euro Cylinder (10), the driving bit (12) begins rotating around the circumference of the cylinder until it engages the outer cam aperture (14) of the cam body (15) - see Fig. 3. Further rotation of the driving bit (12) then begins to move the cam (16) - see Fig. 4 - around the same plane as the driving bit (12), in turn driving the cam follower (18) and throwing the dead bolt (20), until the driving bit (12) disengages the outer cam aperture (14) - see Fig. 5 - and the cam (16) is prevented from further movement in the same direction by a cam stop (not shown). The cam (16) will have completed one movement from a retracted position to a projecting position, wherein the cam follower (18) is attached to a dead bolt (20) that has slid along a channel (22) causing the dead bolt (20) to be thrown so as to project away from the dead bolt mechanism (3) and hence into its 'projecting position'.
As the driving bit (12) disengages the outer cam aperture (14), the cam (16) remains in a position partially exited from the cam follower (18) cavity - see Fig. 5. The partial exiting of the cam (16) is effective to prevent force inwards on the dead bolt, absent turning of the key, to cause reverse movement of the cam follower (18), and hence dead bolt (20), from the projecting position to the retracted position. Any inward force applied to the dead bolt (20) is countered by the edge surface (19) of the cam follower (18) jamming on the upper surface (17) of the cam (16) - see Fig. 7 - at a resistance point (32), and the direction of force is redirected towards the rotational centre of the cam (16) preventing movement of the dead bolt (20).
Only upon reverse movement of the driving bit (12) can the jamming surfaces (17, 19) be disengaged, by the driving bit (12) engaging the outer cam aperture (14) to move the cam (16) backwards, releasing the jamming surfaces. Further backwards movement of the driving bit moves the cam follower (18), and hence dead bolt (20), back into the retracted position.
Movement back into the retracted position is as follows.
Upon reverse turning of the key in the Euro Cylinder (10), the driving bit (12) begins rotating around the circumference of the cylinder, from the Fig. 6 position, until it engages the outer cam aperture (14) of the cam body (15) - see Fig. 5. The driving bit (12) then begins to move the cam (16) - see Fig. 4 - around the same plane as the driving bit (12), in turn driving the cam follower (18) and retracting the dead bolt (20), until the driving bit (12) disengages the outer cam aperture (14) - see Fig. 3-and the cam (16) is prevented from further movement in the same direction by a cam stop (not shown). The cam (16) will have completed one movement from a projecting position to a retracted position, wherein the cam follower (18) is attached to a dead bolt (20) that has slid along a channel (22) causing the dead bolt (20) to move back into its 'retracted position'.
As the driving bit (12) disengages the outer cam aperture (14), the cam (16) remains in a position partially exited from the cam follower (18) cavity - see Fig. 3. The partial exiting of the cam (16) is effective to prevent outward force on the dead bolt, absent turning of the key, to cause movement of the cam follower (18), and hence dead bolt (20), from the retracted position to the projecting position. Any outward force applied to the dead bolt (20) is countered by an edge surface of the cam follower (18) jamming on an upper surface of the cam (16) at a resistance point (not shown, but corresponding to the surfaces and resistance point shown in Fig. 7), and the direction of force is redirected towards the rotational centre of the cam (16), effectively locking the mechanism and preventing movement of the dead bolt (20).
Only upon forwards movement of the driving bit (12) can the jamming surfaces be disengaged, by the driving bit (12) engaging the outer cam aperture (14) to move the cam (16) forwards, releasing the jamming surfaces. Further forwards movement of the driving bit moves the cam follower (18), and hence dead bolt (20), back into the projecting position.
The position of the dead bolt (20) relative to the channel (22) is adjustable by a known means of a set screw (not shown) in the axial direction of the dead bolt (20), accessible through an axial passageway in the dead bolt (20). In this way, the distance over which the dead bolt (20) outwardly projects can be adjusted.
The combination of the driving bit (12) driving a cam (16), which in turn drives a cam follower (18), namely the arrangement as described above and depicted in figures 2 - 6, has a multiplier effect, increasing the distance the dead bolt (20) can be thrown for a standard rotation from a known Euro cylinder (10). As illustrated, rotation of the outer point of the driving bit (12) describes a first circle and rotation of the innermost point of the cam aperture (14) describes a second circle with a greater diameter than the first and with a centre offset from the first. The circles intersect, thus the paths of the driving bit (12) and cam aperture (14) intersect, allowing the driving bit (12) to engage and drive the cam aperture (14) so as to move the cam (16) (further outwardly spaced from the centre of rotation) a greater lateral distance (approx. 30mm) than the lateral distance travelled by the driving bit (approx.. 18mm) during its engagement in the cam aperture (14).
The jamming surfaces (17, 19), provided on the cam and cam follower, respectively, prevent movement of the dead bolt (20) without turning the key and without the need for a separate mechanism to lock the dead bolt (20) in the projecting and retracted positions.
The front support plate (24) protects the dead bolt mechanism (3) from side impacts on the dead bolt (20).

Example 2 - Bolt Support Plate

The bolt support plate (24) in Fig. 1 is provided with two holes (28) in the surface that have slightly larger diameters to the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) for which the edges of the holes will provide support. The edges of the holes are provided with circular brass inserts (30) that allow a close fit of the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) through the holes (28). Each brass insert is durable and corrosion-resistant, allowing it to provide a low friction surface for movement of the dead bolt (20) and latch bolt (4) back and forth through the holes (28), while the close fit assists in providing lateral protection against damage to the dead bolt mechanism (3) and the latch bolt mechanism (2).
The invention hence provides a means for protecting a lock mechanism from lateral impacts.

Claims

A bolt support plate (24) fitted to an external surface of a door or gate (26), the bolt support plate being connected with a lock having a lock body (5) on an opposing surface of the door or gate and comprising one or more holes (28), wherein the edges of the holes provide a bolt (4, 20), e.g. a latch bolt or a dead bolt of the lock, with a close fit, thereby providing lateral support for the bolt.
A door or gate comprising a lock and a bolt support plate according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the one or more holes comprise one or more inserts (30) for providing a close fit between the bolt support plate and a bolt, so as to provide a smooth and controlled motion of the bolt through the one or more holes.
A door or gate comprising a lock and a bolt support plate according to claim 2, wherein the one or more inserts is a brass ring.
A door or gate comprising a lock and a bolt support plate according to any preceding claim, comprising a hole for a latch bolt and/or a hole for a dead bolt.
A door or gate comprising a lock and a bolt support plate according to any preceding claim, comprising means for attaching the bolt support plate to a gate or door.
A door or gate comprising a lock and a bolt support plate according to claim 5, wherein the means for attaching the bolt support plate to a gate or door comprise one or more holes for receiving screws (36), which screws pass through the gate or door and secure into the lock body.
Use of a bolt support plate (24) to provide lateral support for a bolt (4, 20), wherein the bolt support plate is fitted to an opposing surface of a gate or door (26) to the lock body (5), and wherein the bolt support plate comprises one or more holes (28), the edges of the holes providing a bolt, e.g. a latch bolt or a dead bolt of the lock, with a close fit, thereby providing lateral support for the bolt.
A method of providing lateral support for a bolt (4, 20), comprising the steps of fitting to a gate or door (26) a lock body (5) on one surface thereof and a bolt support plate (24) on an opposing surface thereof, wherein the bolt support plate comprises one or more holes (28), and wherein a bolt passes through a hole in the gate or door and a hole in the bolt support plate, such that the edges of the hole in the bolt support plate provide the bolt with a close fit.