GB2612074A

GB2612074A - Mechanical linkage for a door handle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2612074A
Application number: GB2115104.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jennings David; Chantler Roger
Original assignee: UAP Ltd
Current assignee: UAP Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-21
Filing date: 2021-10-21
Publication date: 2023-04-26
Also published as: GB202115104D0

Abstract

A door lock comprising a lock casing 2 housing an actuating mechanism transferring movement of door handle 4 to bolt 6. The actuating mechanism comprising a mechanical linkage 8, which may be a single or multipiece component with further join 12, coupled to a pivot 10 connected to door handle and a pin 14 of the linkage 8 located in an oblique slot 16 driving bolt 6. The actuating mechanism is preferably located below the handle with space by the side of the handle for attachment holes mounting a rose handle.

Description

Mechanical Linkage for a Door Handle Assembly

Field of Invention

The present invention is in the field of locks, and in particular in the field of mechanisms for driving locks, bolts or catches in response to user operation of 5 a handle assembly.

Background

Many doors, both internal and external, comprise a handle such that a user may actuate the handle in order to operate the door. Such actuation may be mechanical, such as a user rotating the handle, or may be done at a distance via an electronic message for example. A mechanism is used to transfer the actuation of the handle into motion of the lock, bolt, or catch that is being operated by the handle. There are many such mechanisms for this purpose.

There are also many styles of handle. Often door handles (in particular exterior door handles) comprise a long back plate. This allows the door handle to be attached to the door around a locking case that is situated behind the back plate. It is often not possible to attach a handle to a locking case through the locking case itself due to the locking mechanism that is housed within the locking case. For example, a locking mechanism such as a euro cylinder lock is often incorporated into the locking case (especially for exterior doors where security concerns are often greatest).

Other types of handles however do not comprise a back plate. For example, rose handles are often used for interior doors because rose door handles have a small (or even non-existent) back plate. However, there is an unmet need to provide a rose handle on an exterior door, without compromising on the security of the exterior door. At present some rose handle style handles are supplied with a locking means situated on the handle itself. However, this style has been known to not be the most secure of locking arrangements, and therefore can be vulnerable to thieves. One reason for this is that there is simply not space within the handle to provide a secure locking system such as a euro cylinder lock or other suitable locking means. In some cases, handles with locks situated on them use less secure locking means.

The present claims therefore address the need to provide a rose handle on a door with a locking mechanism (such as an exterior door), without comprising on security of the door.

Statements of Invention

Aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims. Optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the claims there is provided a door lock case and handle assembly comprising a door lock casing housing a door opening/closing mechanism. The door opening/closing mechanism comprising a door handle configured for operation by a user and an actuating mechanism configured to transfer the movement of the door handle to a bolt, wherein the bolt may be in an open or closed position. The actuating mechanism may comprise a mechanical linkage, a pin and a slot (such as optionally an oblique slot), wherein the pin is positioned within the slot, and is attached to a distal end of the mechanical linkage, and wherein a proximal end of the mechanical linkage is connected to the door handle, wherein the proximal end of the mechanical linkage follows the movement of the door handle, thereby moving the position of the pin within the oblique slot. The position of the pin within the oblique slot determines the position of the bolt. This is advantageous as the mechanical linkage allows for a rose door handle to be fitted through the casing, as opposed to traditional mechanical linkages which sit at least partially beside the handle assembly and therefore prohibit this.

Optionally, the door lock case and handle assembly further comprises a door handle attachment hole extending through the door lock casing and configured for attachment of the door handle to the door lock casing. This allows the door handle, such as the rose door handle to be attached.

Optionally, the door handle attachment hole is positioned horizontally adjacent to the door handle. This may be advantageous as this is a typical placement required for fitting a rose door handle, and is not possible in prior systems.

Optionally, the door handle attachment hole comprises two holes positioned horizontally adjacent the door handle, and with one hole positioned either side of the door handle. This may advantageously make the connection between the handle and the lock casing more secure.

Optionally, the actuating mechanism extends down below the door handle within the door lock casing. This may advantageously provide space for the attachment hole to be positioned adjacent the door handle.

Optionally, the position of the pin within the oblique slot determines the position of a driving element that then drives the position of the bolt.

Optionally, the proximal end of the mechanical linkage comprises a pivot. This may allow the mechanical linkage to move with the door handle as it is rotated during operation, thus extending the distance the pin may travel through the oblique slot, and improving the leverage of the door handle, thus reducing the force required by the user.

Optionally, the mechanical linkage comprises a further join, such that the mechanical linkage is configured to act as a piston. This may further increase the distance that the pin may travel in the slot, and may also allow the mechanical linkage to be more compressed in size within the lock casing.

Optionally, the door handle is configured to rotate when operated, and the proximal end of the mechanical linkage is configured to rotate with the rotation of the door handle upon operation.

Optionally, when the bolt is in the closed position the bolt protrudes from the door to prevent the door from being opened.

Optionally, the door handle comprises a rose door handle.

According to a second aspect of the claims there is provided a door comprising a door and the door lock case the first aspect set out above, wherein the door lock case is situated within the door.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt is in an unlocked state.

Figure 2 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt is in a partially locked state.

Figure 3 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt is in a locked 10 state.

Detailed Description

The figures set out above and described below show a door lock case and handle assembly comprising a door lock casing housing a door opening/closing mechanism. The door opening/closing mechanism comprising a door handle configured for operation by a user and an actuating mechanism configured to transfer the movement of the door handle to a bolt, wherein the bolt may be in an open or closed position. The actuating mechanism may comprise a mechanical linkage, a pin and a slot (such as optionally an oblique slot), wherein the pin is positioned within the slot, and is attached to a distal end of the mechanical linkage, and wherein a proximal end of the mechanical linkage is connected to the door handle, wherein the proximal end of the mechanical linkage follows the movement of the door handle, thereby moving the position of the pin within the oblique slot. The position of the pin within the oblique slot determines the position of the bolt.

Figure 1 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt 6 is in an unlocked state. Figure 1 sows a door lock casing 2, a door handle 4 (it is noted that this is the axis of the door handle that is turned by operation of the lever of the handle itself, the external door handle, such as a rose door handle is also referred to as a door handle, but quite evidently these can be separated from one another and the skilled person will appreciate this), a latch of bolt 6, a mechanical linkage 8, a pin 14, an oblique slot 16, a pivot 10, and a further

S

join 12. The mechanical linkage 8, pin 14, oblique slot 16, pivot 10 and further join 12 together make up an actuating mechanism (of which the pivot 10 and further join 12 are entirely optional features).

Figure 1 shows the pin 14 at the base of the oblique slot 16. This is because the handle 4 is in the resting position (it is noted the bolt 6 may be biased either so that in the resting position the bolt 6 is in the locked state, or such that in the resting position the bolt 6 is in the unlocked state). The actuation mechanism is therefore not providing any force to the bolt 6 in order to actuate it. The pivot 10 of the actuation mechanism is in the 5 o'clock position and is therefore not rotated. It is also noted that the rack and pinion at the top of the lock case is engaged in its lowest state.

In the configuration set out in Figure 1 the handle 4 is connected to the actuation mechanism. In particular, the handle 4 is connected to the mechanical linkage 8. In the case of Figure 1 this connection is via a pivot 10. This means that as the handle 4 is rotated by the user during operation the pivot 10 of the actuation mechanism can rotate with the handle 4 over a set distance of rotation (that in preferable embodiments corresponds with the angular range of rotation of the handle 4 available to the user). The rest of the mechanical linkage 8 is moved by the rotation of the pivot 10. The pin 14 is situated within the slot 16 (which is shown as being an oblique slot 16 in Figure 1 -oblique meaning angled relative the horizontal x axis). This means that as the distance between the slot 16 and the end of the mechanical linkage 8 attached to the pivot 10 is decreased the position of the pin 14 within slot 16 must move towards the base of the slot 16. Likewise, as the distance between the end of the mechanical linkage 8 attached to the pivot 10 and the slot 16 is increased so the position of the pin 14 within the slot 16 must move up towards the top of the slot 16.

The mechanical linkage 8 comprises a further join 12. This join 12 is entirely optional. The further 12 allows the mechanical linkage 8 to operate as a piston. This reduces wear on the pin 14, slot 16 and mechanical linkage 8. It may also extend the range of motion of the pin 14 and the pivot 10. The further join 12 may be implemented in any suitable way. For example, the mechanical linkage 8 may be formed of two parts that are joined at the join 12 This join 12 may be in the form of a hole and pin, nut and bolt or other male/female arrangement. Alternatively, the join 12 may be in the form of a ball and socket such as a shoulder joint, or alternatively a knee joint. In the alternative the mechanical linkage 8 may be formed of a single element with the join comprising a more flexible region of said element. This may be achieved for example by reducing the width of the mechanical linkage 8 at the position of the join 12 such that the portion of the mechanical linkage 8 with the reduced width acts as a spring.

It is noted that the pin 14 is positioned within the mechanical linkage 8. In particular, the pin 14 is positioned within a channel of the mechanical linkage 8. This allows the pin 14 to travel along the length of the channel as the pin 14 also moves within the slot 16. This gives the pin 14 more freedom of movement. This may reduce friction between the pin 14 and the mechanical linkage 8 which will thus increase the lifespan of the device. Alternatively, the pin 14 may be simply directly attached to the mechanical linkage 8, for example by being embedded within the mechanical linkage 8.

The actuation mechanism comprising the pivot 10, the mechanical linkage 8, the pin 14, the oblique slot 16, and the further join 12 is situated below the handle 4. This arrangement leaves space next to the handle 4 that is empty. In typical (prior art) locking cases the mechanism at least partially sits adjacent the handle 4. The empty space next to the handle 4 in the embodiments described herein are therefore a departure from the teaching of the art, and the prejudice in the art. In this empty space adjacent the handle 4 and within the lock case are shown two holes. These holes allow the handle lever to be directly attached to the locking case by attaching through the locking case. The holes may be referred to as attachment holes. This provides a very secure join of the handle to the locking case. Moreover, this means that a back plate is not required in the handle. Back plates are often required in prior art systems so that the handle can attach around the locking case to the door. In the present arrangement the attachment of the handle directly to the locking case (through the locking case) leaves the back plate obsolete. This enables a rose handle to be used when in the past this was not possible.

This arrangement may allow a multi-point lock centre case to be deconstructed into its two main parts. This may be both more aesthetically pleasing as well as enabling flexibility in design of the locking system.

In Figure 1 the pivot 10 is rotated clockwise as far as it can go. The mechanical linkage 8 is therefore positioned close to the oblique slot 16, and therefore the pin 14 is positioned at the bottom of the oblique slot 14. This therefore positions the bolt 6 in the open position (i.e. situated internally within the lock casing and not extruding externally for example into a recess in the door frame). The positioning of the pin 14 drives the position of the bolt 6. This may be directly, or via a driving element. In this example the position of the pin also drives the rack and pinion at the top of the lock casing. Therefore, a secondary lock may be driven by this same mechanism. The secondary lock and the primary lock may in some embodiments interact with one another such that the secondary lock prohibits the primary lock from moving in the case of vandalism. This interaction of the primary and secondary locks is optional.

In Figure 1 the further join is shown such that the two parts of the mechanical linkage 8 form a 7 'clock arrangement. This is merely illustrative and any angle may be used, however the angle may change as the handle is rotated as is shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In one example rather than the user rotating the door handle 4 the user instead sends an electronic message to the lock. On receipt of the electronic message (and optionally once verification that the message was received from an allowed user) the lock may then actuate the actuation mechanism in the same manner. The pivot 10 may not be required in such embodiments due to the lack of rotation.

Figure 2 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt 6 is in a partially locked state. The handle 4 is partially rotated. The pivot 10 of the actuation mechanism has therefore travelled with the handle 4 in the anticlockwise direction. The pivot 10 is now in approximately the 6 o'clock position. This in turn has moved the positon of the mechanical linkage 8. The portion of the mechanical linkage 8 attached to the pivot 10 is further from the oblique slot than it was in Figure 1. Therefore, the pin 14 in the oblique slot 16 has travelled up the oblique slot 16 and now sits in the middle of the oblique slot 16. The bolt 6 has therefore been actuated to a half open positon the bolt 6 extends partially out of the lock casing, but is not in the fully locked position. It is noted that the bolt 6 may rotate as is shown in Figure 2, or alternatively the bolt may move in a linear direction (i.e. straight out of the lock casing perpendicular to the lock casing). The rack and pinion at the top of the casing is in a half open position similar to the bolt 6.

In Figure 2 it is noted that the further join 12 has been moved relative to its potion in Figure 1. The two portions of the mechanical linkage 8 are now closer to the 6 o'clock position relative to each other.

Figure 3 shows a door lock mechanism in which the latch/bolt 6 is in a locked state. The handle 4 has been fully rotated by the user and the pivot 10 has followed the rotation of the handle 4. The pivot 10 now is positioned at approximately the 5 o'clock position beneath the handle 4. The portion of the mechanical linkage 8 that is attached to the pivot 10 is now at its furthest distance from the oblique slot 16. The pin 14 is therefore situated at the top of the oblique slot 16. This in turn drives the bolt 6 into the fully extended locked position. The bolt 6 is now situated outside of the lock casing. The bolt 6 is configured in this position to sit inside a recess on a door frame, or on the building itself. The position of the bolt 6 within said recess prevents the door from being opened without further operation by the user. The rack and pinion is also in the fully locked position. Any secondary lock may therefore also be positioned in the locked position.

In Figure 3 it is noted that the further join 12 has moved further. The two portions of the mechanical linkage 8 are now in the 6 o'clock position relative to one another. The further join 12 may act as a pivot 10 to ensure that pin can move linearly along the oblique slot 16. The further join 12 may be stiff such that relative to the pivot 10 there is little movement of the further join 12 as the handle is actuated.

It is noted that features of each of the embodiments described above, specifically the embodiment shown as well as those optional features described in the text above may be combined with the features of the other embodiments.

For example, embodiments in which a secondary lock cylinder is used may be combined with any of the other optional features, for example the various alternative ways of implementing the further join 12 of the mechanical linkage 8.

Claims

Claims 1. A door lock case and handle assembly comprising: a door lock casing housing a door opening/closing mechanism; the door opening/closing mechanism comprising a door handle configured for operation by a user and an actuating mechanism configured to transfer the movement of the door handle to a bolt, wherein the bolt may be in an open or closed position; wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a mechanical linkage, a pin and an oblique slot, wherein the pin is positioned within the oblique slot, and is attached to a distal end of the mechanical linkage, and wherein a proximal end of the mechanical linkage is connected to the door handle; wherein the proximal end of the mechanical linkage follows the movement of the door handle, thereby moving the position of the pin within the oblique slot; wherein the position of the pin within the oblique slot determines the position of the bolt.
2. A door lock case and handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a door handle attachment hole extending through the door lock casing and configured for attachment of the door handle to the door lock casing.
3. A door lock case and handle assembly of claim 2, wherein the door handle attachment hole is positioned horizontally adjacent to the door handle.
4. A door lock case and handle assembly of any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the door handle attachment hole comprises two holes positioned horizontally adjacent the door handle, and with one hole positioned either side of the door 25 handle.
5. A door lock case and handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the actuating mechanism extends down below the door handle within the door lock casing.
6. A door lock case and handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the position of the pin within the oblique slot determines the position of a driving element that then drives the position of the bolt.
7. The door lock case and handle mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the proximal end of the mechanical linkage comprises a pivot.
8. The door lock case and handle mechanism of claim 7, wherein the mechanical linkage comprises a further join, such that the mechanical linkage is configured to act as a piston.
9. A door lock case and handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the 10 door handle is configured to rotate when operated, and the proximal end of the mechanical linkage is configured to rotate with the rotation of the door handle upon operation.
10. A door lock case and handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein when the bolt is in the closed position the bolt protrudes from the door to 15 prevent the door from being opened.
11. A door lock case and handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the door handle comprises a rose door handle.
12. A door comprising a door and the door lock case of any of claims 1-11, wherein the door lock case is situated within the door.