WO2018195719A1

WO2018195719A1 - Folding door with a door lock

Info

Publication number: WO2018195719A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/081684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chen-Hsiang LEE
Original assignee: Lee Chen Hsiang
Priority date: 2017-04-24
Filing date: 2017-04-24
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Also published as: CN111201360A; CN111201360B

Abstract

A folding door (10) with a door lock is provided, comprising first and second walls (20, 177) pivotably connected together. The first panel (20) includes a chamber (32) and a mounting hole (34) intersecting with the chamber (32). A follower (46) is slideably mounted in the chamber (32) and includes a rack (58) in the mounting hole (34). First and second outer covers (70, 137) are mounted to first and second walls (26, 28) of the first panel (20). A driving member (96) is rotabably mounted between the first and second panels (20, 177) and meshes with a rack (58). The folding door (10) enhances structural strength and reduces manufacturing costs.

Description

FOLDING DOOR WITH A DOOR LOCK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding door with a door lock and, more particularly, to a folding door with enhanced structural strength and reduced manufacturing costs.

A type of conventional folding door includes two panels pivotable relative to each other. When the folding door is closed, the two panels are aligned end to end. When the folding door is open, the two panels are folded to reduce the space occupied by the folding door. Thus, the folding door is suitable for a small space, such as a bathroom.

However, side frames made of aluminum or other metal is often required to be mounted to four sides of the folding door to enhance the structural strength of the panels due to insufficient structural strength of the panels or the material characteristics (such as a glass door) , leading to high manufacturing costs and complicated manufacturing procedures.

Some of commercially available folding doors use a latch to provide a latching function. When the folding door is in the closed sate, the latch is moved to engage with a latch hole in a door frame to which the folding door is pivotably mounted, avoiding opening of the folding door. However, the mechanism for operating the latch must be disposed in a metal side frame mounted to one of the panels, leading to high manufacturing costs and complicated manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, an operative rod for actuating the latch is generally mounted to a location adjacent to a top end of the folding door, which is not convenient to operation. Furthermore, the latch operating mechanism is generally coupled with a box to form a latch assembly before installation onto the folding door, further increasing the manufacturing costs. Handles provided on both sides of the folding door for easily opening/closing the folding door also increase the manufacturing costs.

Thus, a need exists for a novel folding door with enhanced structural strength and reduced manufacturing costs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, a folding door with a door lock includes a first panel having first and second ends spaced from each other along a first axis and first and second walls extending between the first and second ends and spaced from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first panel further including two first partitioning boards extending between the first and second walls and located between the first and second ends. The first and second walls and the two first partitioning boards together define a chamber. The first panel further includes a mounting hole extending from the first wall through the second wall along the second axis and intersecting with the chamber. A second panel is pivotably connected to the second end of the first panel. A follower is slideably received in the chamber and includes a rack. The rack is received in the mounting hole. The follower is slideable between a latching position and an unlatching position along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. A first outer cover is mounted to the first wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. A second outer cover is mounted to the second wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. A driving member is rotatably received in the mounting hole and is located between the first and second outer covers. The driving member includes a gear meshed with the rack of the follower. A knob is coupled to and jointly moveable with the driving member and is located outside of the first panel. Pivotal movement of the knob causes pivotal movement of the driving member to move the follower between the latching position and the unlatching position. A latch is coupled to and jointly movable with the follower.

When the follower is in the unlatching position, the latch is disengageable from a latch hole of a door frame to which the first and second panels are mounted, and the first and second panels are moveable relative to the door frame to an open position.

When the first and second panels are in a closed position and the follower is in the latching position, the latch is engageable with the latch hole to prevent the first and second panels from moving relative to the door frame to the open position.

In an example, the folding door further includes an indicator fixed to and jointly movable with the driving member. The indicator includes a lug having first and second portions respectively indicating the unlatching and latching positions of the latch. The first outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A window extends from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis. The first portion of the lug is aligned with the window when the follower is in the unlatching position. The second portion of the lug is aligned with the window when the follower is in the latching position.

In an example, the first outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A peripheral wall is formed on the inner face of the first outer cover and is received in the mounting hole of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a partitioning portion extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall. The partitioning portion includes a first side adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and a second side adjacent to the second wall of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a first opening extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis and aligned with the partitioning portion. The second outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A second opening extends from the inner face through the outer face of the second outer cover along the second axis and aligned with the partitioning portion. The portioning portion of the first outer cover and the peripheral wall dividing the mounting hole into a first holding space and a second holding space. The first holding space is located adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and intercommunicated with the first opening. The second holding space is located adjacent to the second wall of the first panel and intercommunicated with the second opening.

In an example, the first outer cover further includes a first pivotal hole extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis and surrounded by the peripheral wall. The second side of the partitioning portion is located between the first pivotal hole and the first side of the partitioning portion along the first axis. The second outer cover further includes a second pivotal hole extending from the inner face through the outer face of the second outer cover along the second axis. The driving member includes a first axle formed on a side of the gear and having non-circular cross sections. The driving member further includes a second axle formed on another side of the gear. The first axle of the driving member is pivotably received in the first pivotal hole. The second axle of the driving member is pivotably received in the second pivotal hole. The indicator includes an engagement portion engaged with the first axle. The lug is formed on an outer periphery of the engagement portion.

In an example, the folding door further includes an upper guiding jacket received in the chamber of the first panel and located above the mounting hole along the third axis. The upper guiding jacket includes an upper guiding groove extending along the third axis. A lower guiding jacket is received in the chamber of the first panel and is located below the mounting hole along the third axis. The lower guiding jacket includes a lower guiding groove extending along the third axis. The follower further includes first and second sections spaced from each other along the third axis and an intermediate section between the first and second sections. The rack is formed on the intermediate section. The first and second sections of the follower are slideably received in the chamber. The first section of the follower is slideably received in the upper guiding groove of the upper guiding jacket. The second section of the follower is slideably received in the lower guiding groove of the lower guiding jacket.

In an example, the folding door further includes a sleeve received in the chamber of the first panel. The first panel further includes an upper end. The chamber extends along the third axis to the upper end of the first panel. The sleeve is located in the upper end of the chamber. The sleeve includes a sliding groove extending along the third axis. The latch is slideably received in the sliding groove of the sleeve. A distal end of the latch is located above the upper end of the first panel when the follower in the latching position.

In an example, the first panel further includes a first side frame fixed to the second end of the first panel and a first outer frame fixed to the first end of the first panel. The first outer frame includes a roller mounted to a top end thereof. The second panel includes a first side and a second side. A second side frame is fixed to the first side of the second panel and has top and bottom ends. A second outer frame is fixed to the second side of the second panel. Two pivots are respectively fixed to the top and bottom ends of the second side frame for pivotal connection with the door frame. The roller is slideable along the door frame. The first and second side frames are pivotably connected together by a pivotal frame.

In a second aspect, a folding door with a door lock includes a first panel having first and second ends spaced from each other along a first axis. The first panel further includes a mounting hole extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A spacing between the mounting hole and the first end of the first panel along the first axis is larger than a spacing between the mounting hole and the second end of the first panel along the first axis. The first panel further includes a chamber extending along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes and intersecting with the mounting hole. A second panel is pivotably connected to the second end of the first panel. A first outer cover is mounted to the first wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. The first outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A peripheral wall is formed on the inner face of the first outer cover and is received in the mounting hole of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a partitioning portion extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall. The partitioning portion includes a first side adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and a second side adjacent to the second wall of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a first opening extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis and aligned with the partitioning portion. A second outer cover is mounted to the second wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. The second outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A second opening extends from the inner face through the outer face of the second outer cover along the second axis and aligned with the partitioning portion. The portioning portion of the first outer cover and the peripheral wall divide the mounting hole into a first holding space and a second holding space. The first holding space is located adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and intercommunicates with the first opening. The second holding space is located adjacent to the second wall of the first panel and intercommunicates with the second opening. A latch is slideably received in the chamber of the first panel. A knob is coupled to and jointly moveable with the latch and is located outside of the panel. The knob is operable to move the latch along the third axis to engage with a latch hole in a door frame to which the folding door is mounted or to disengage from the latch hole of the door frame.

In an example, the folding door further includes a follower slideably received in the chamber and includes a rack. The rack is received in the mounting hole. The follower is coupled to and jointly moveable with the latch. The follower and the latch are slideable between a latching position and an unlatching position along the third axis. A driving member is rotatably received in the mounting hole and is located between the first and second outer covers. The driving member includes a gear meshed with the rack of the follower. Pivotal movement of the knob and the driving member causes the follower and the latch to move between the latching position and the unlatching position. When the follower is in the unlatching position, the latch is disengageable from the latch hole of the door frame. When the follower is in the latching position, the latch is engageable with the latch hole of the door frame.

In an example, the folding door further includes an indicator fixed to and jointly movable with the driving member. The indicator includes a lug having first and second portions respectively indicating the unlatching and latching positions of the latch. The first outer cover further includes a window extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis. The first portion of the lug is aligned with the window when the follower is in the unlatching position. The second portion of the lug is aligned with the window when the follower is in the latching position.

In an example, the first outer cover further includes a first pivotal hole extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis and surrounded by the peripheral wall. The second side of the partitioning portion is located between the first pivotal hole and the first side of the partitioning portion along the first axis. The second outer cover further includes a second pivotal hole extending from the inner face through the outer face of the second outer cover along the second axis. The driving member includes a first axle formed on a side of the gear and having non-circular cross sections. The driving member further includes a second axle formed on another side of the gear. The first axle of the driving member is) pivotably received in the first pivotal hole. The second axle of the driving member is pivotably received in the second pivotal hole.

In an example, the folding door further includes an upper guiding jacket received in the chamber of the first panel and located above the mounting hole along the third axis. The upper guiding jacket includes an upper guiding groove extending along the third axis. A lower guiding jacket is received in the chamber of the first panel and is located below the mounting hole along the third axis. The lower guiding jacket includes a lower guiding groove extending along the third axis. The follower further includes first and second sections spaced from each other along the third axis and an intermediate section between the first and second sections. The rack is formed on the intermediate section. The first and second sections of the follower is slideably received in the chamber. The first section of the follower is slideably received in the upper guiding groove of the upper guiding jacket. The second section of the follower is slideably received in the lower guiding groove of the lower guiding jacket.

In a third aspect, a folding door with a door lock includes a first panel having first and second ends spaced from each other along a first axis and first and second walls extending between the first and second ends and spaced from each other along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first panel further includes a mounting hole extending from the first wall through the second wall along the second axis. The first panel further includes a chamber extending along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axis and intersecting with the mounting hole. A second panel is pivotably connected to the first panel. The second panel includes first and second sides spaced from each other along the first axis. The second end of the first panel is pivotably connected to the first side of the second panel to form a left-handed door or the first end of the first panel pivotably connected to the second side of the second panel to form a right-handed door. A first outer cover is mounted to the first wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. The first outer cover includes inner and outer faces spaced from each other along the second axis. The first outer cover further includes two pins formed on the inner face thereof and spaced from each other along the third axis. The inner face of the first outer cover faces the first wall of the first panel. The two pins are received in the mounting hole. A second outer cover is mounted to the second wall of the first panel and covers the mounting hole. A follower is slideably received in the chamber. The follower includes a first wall face and first and second sides on two sides of the first wall face and spaced from each other along the second axis. Two first tracks are provided on the first side of the follower and are spaced from each other along the third axis. Each of the two first tracks includes a first end and a second end located below the first end along the third axis. Two second tracks are provided on the second side of the follower and are spaced from each other along the third axis. Each of the two second tracks includes a top end and a bottom end located below the top end along the third axis. The first end of each of the two first tracks is located between the top and bottom ends of a corresponding one of the two second tracks. The second end of each of the two first tracks is aligned with the bottom end of the corresponding one of the two second tracks. A rack is provided on the first wall face. A driving member is rotatably received in the mounting hole and is located between the first and second outer covers. The driving member includes a gear meshed with the rack of the follower. A knob is coupled to and jointly moveable with the driving member and is located outside of the first panel. Pivotal movement of the knob causes pivotal movement of the driving member to move the follower between the latching position and the unlatching position. A latch is coupled to and jointly movable with the follower.

When the first and second panels are assembled to form the left-handed folding door, the first side of the follower faces the inner face of the first outer cover, and the two pins are slideably received in the two first tracks. The two pins are located in the first ends of the two first tracks when the follower is in the unlatching position. The two pins are located in the second ends of the two first tracks when the follower is in the latching position.

When the first and second panels are assembled to form the right-handed folding door, the second side of the follower faces the inner face of the first outer cover, and the two pins are received in the two second tracks. The two pins are located in the top ends of the two second tracks when the follower is in the unlatching position. The two pins are located in the bottom ends of the two second tracks when the follower is in the latching position.

When the follower is in the unlatching position, the latch is disengageable from the latch hole of a door frame to which the folding door is mounted. When the follower is in the latching positon, the latch is engageable with the latch hole of the door frame.

In an example, a peripheral wall is formed on the inner face of the first outer cover and is received in the mounting hole of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a partitioning portion extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall. The partitioning portion includes a first side adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and a second side adjacent to the second wall of the first panel. The first outer cover further includes a first opening extending from the inner face through the outer face of the first outer cover along the second axis and aligned with the partitioning portion. The second outer cover includes an inner face and an outer face. A second opening extends from the inner face through the outer face of the second outer cover along the second axis and is aligned with the partitioning portion. The portioning portion of the first outer cover and the peripheral wall divide the mounting hole into a first holding space and a second holding space. The first holding space is located adjacent to the first wall of the first panel and intercommunicates with the first opening. The second holding space is located adjacent to the second wall of the first panel and intercommunicates with the second opening.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding door according to the present invention, with two door panels of the folding door assembled to form a left-handed door.

FIG. 2 is a partial, exploded perspective view of the folding door of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a follower of the folding door of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of upper and lower guiding jackets, a sleeve, and a first outer cover.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of the follower and a link.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of an indicator.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a driving member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a second outer cover and a latch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a knob and position adjustment of the latch.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the folding door of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, with a knob pivoted and with the follower moved from the unlatching position to the latching position.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10, with the folding door opened and with first and second panels of the folding door folded.

FIG. 14 is an exploded, perspective view of the folding door assembled to form a right-handed door.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view illustrating components of the folding door of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the folding door of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, with the knob pivoted and with the follower moved from the unlatching position to the latching position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the folding door without metal side frames.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only； the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first” , “second” , “lower” , “upper” , “top” , “bottom” , “side” , “end” , “portion” , “section” , “circumferential” , “horizontal” , “vertical” , “spacing” , “length” , and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-13, a folding door 10 according to the present invention includes first and

second panels

20 and 177 can be assembled to form a left-handed door. In this example, first panel 20 is formed of plastic material by injection molding. First panel 20 includes first and second ends 25 and 27 spaced from each other along a first axis X and first and

second walls

26 and 28 extending between first and second ends 25 and 27 and spaced from each other along a second axis Y perpendicular to first axis X. First panel 20 further includes upper and lower ends 22 and 24 spaced from each other along a third axis Z perpendicular to first and second axes X and Y. First panel 20 further includes two first partitioning boards 30 extending between first and

second walls

26 and 28 and located between first and second ends 25 and 27. First and

second walls

26 and 28 and first partitioning boards 30 together define a chamber 32. First panel 20 further includes a plurality of second partitioning boards 31 extending between first and

second walls

26 and 28 and located outside of chamber 32. First panel 20 further includes a mounting hole 34 extending from first wall 26 through second wall 28 along second axis Y and intersecting with chamber 32. Four through-holes 35 are provided around mounting hole 34. Each through-hole 35 extends from first wall 26 through second wall 28 along second axis Y.

Folding door 10 further includes a door lock 12 mounted to first panel 20. Door lock 12 includes a sleeve 36 mounted in chamber 32 of first panel 20 and upper and

lower guiding jackets

38 and 42. Sleeve 36 includes a sliding groove 36A extending along third axis Z. Upper guiding jacket 38 includes an upper guiding groove 40 extending along third axis Z. Lower guiding jacket 42 includes a lower guiding groove 44 extending along third axis Z. When mounting door lock 12, lower guiding jacket 42 is fixed in chamber 32 and is located below mounting hole 34, upper guiding jacket 38 is fixed in chamber 32 and is located above mounting hole 34, and sleeve 36 is fixed in chamber 32 and is located in upper end 22 of first panel 20. Thus, sleeve 36, upper guiding jacket 38, and lower guiding jacket 42 are aligned along third axis Z (see FIG. 3) .

Door lock 12 further includes a first outer cover 70 fixed to first wall 26 of first panel 20. First outer cover 70 includes inner and

outer faces

72 and 74 spaced from each other along second axis Y. A first opening 76, a first pivotal hole 78, and a window 92 extend from inner face 72 through outer face 74 of first outer cover 70 along second axis Y. A peripheral wall 80 is formed on inner face 72 of first outer cover 70 and surrounds first opening 76, first pivotal hole 78, and window 92. Peripheral wall 80 includes a distal end 82, a first notch 80A, and a second notch 80B below first notch 80A. First outer cover 70 further includes a partitioning portion 84 extending in a space delimited by peripheral wall 80 and aligned with first opening 76. Partitioning portion 84 includes a first side 86 extending to first opening 76 and a second side 88 spaced from first opening 76 along second axis Y. Second side 88 is substantially flush with distal end 82 of peripheral wall 80. First and

second sides

86 and 88 are spaced from each other along first axis X. First side 86 is adjacent to first wall 26 of first panel 20, and second side 88 is adjacent to second wall 28 of first panel 20. Four pegs 94 are formed on inner face 72, are located outside of peripheral wall 80, and correspond to four through-holes 35 of first panel 20. First outer cover 70 further includes two pins 90 formed on inner face 72 and aligned with first and

second notches

80A and 80B.

First outer cover 70 is mounted after mounting sleeve 36 and upper and

lower guiding jackets

38 and 42. Specifically, inner face 72 of first outer cover 70 abuts first wall 26 of first panel 20, and peripheral wall 80 is received in mounting hole 34. Distal end 82 of peripheral wall 80 is substantially flush with second wall 28 of first panel 20. Second side 88 is adjacent to second wall 28 of first panel 20. First and

second notches

80A and 80B are aligned with chamber 32 of first panel 20 (see FIG. 3) . Each peg 94 is received in one of through-holes 35 to prevent first outer cover 70 from rotating relative to first panel 20.

Door lock 12 further includes a follower 46 slideably received in chamber 32 of first panel 20. Follower 46 includes first and

second sections

48 and 50 spaced from each other along third axis Z and an intermediate section 52 between first and

second sections

48 and 50. Intermediate section 52 of follower 46 includes a first wall face 54, a second wall face 56 opposite to first wall face 54, and first and

second sides

56A and 56B on two sides of first wall face 54 and spaced from each other along second axis Y.

Two first tracks 59 are provided on first side 56A and are spaced from each other along third axis Z. An upper one of the two first tracks 59 is located between a lower one of the two first tracks 59 and first section 48. Each first track 59 includes a first end 59A and a second end 59B located below first end 59A along third axis Z.

Two second tracks 60 are provided on second side 56B of follower 46 and are spaced from each other along third axis Z. An upper one of the two second tracks 60 is located between a lower one of the two second tracks 60 and first section 48. Each second track 60 includes a top end 60A and a bottom end 60A located below top end 60A along third axis Z.

First end 59A of each first track 59 is located between top and bottom ends 60A and 60B of a corresponding second track 60. Second end 59B of each first track 59 is aligned with bottom end 60B of the corresponding second track 60. Namely, first tracks 59 have an identical length along third axis Z, and second tracks 60 have an identical length along third axis Z. Furthermore, the length of each first track 59 along third axis Z is smaller than the length of each second track 60 along third axis Z.

Furthermore, a rack 58 is formed on first wall face 54 and includes a plurality of teeth. In this example, rack 58 is located between upper first and

second tracks

59 and 60 and lower first and

second tracks

59 and 60.

Follower 46 is mounted after first outer cover 70. Specifically, follower 46 is slideably received in chamber 32 of first panel 20. First side 56A of follower 46 faces first outer cover 70. Follower 46 extends through first and

second notches

80A and 80B of first outer cover 70. First section 48 of follower 46 is slideably received in upper guiding groove 40 of upper guiding jacket 38. Second section 50 of follower 46 is slideably received in lower guiding groove 44 of lower guiding jacket 42. The two pins 90 are respectively received in the two first tracks 59. Upper and

lower guiding jackets

38 and 40 support movement of follower 46 along third axis Z. The two pins 90 restrict displacement of follower 46 between the unlatching position (FIG. 11) and the latching position (FIG. 12) in first tracks 59 along third axis Z. Rack 58 is substantially located in mounting hole 34 no matter whether follower 46 is in the latching position or the unlatching position. In assembly, follower 46 remains in the unlatching position. Namely, each pin 90 is in first end 59A of a corresponding first track 59 during assembly of follower 46 (see FIGS. 4 and 11) .

After follower 46 has been mounted, a link 62 is coupled to follower 46, permitting joint movement of link 62 and follower 46 between the latching position and the unlatching position along third axis Z. Link 62 includes a first engagement end 64 and a second engagement end 66 spaced from first engagement end 64. Link 62 is received in chamber 32 of first panel 20. Second engagement end 66 of link 62 is coupled to first section 48 of follower 46. First engagement end 64 of link 62 is located outside of upper end 22 of first panel 20 (FIG. 4) .

Door lock 12 further includes an indicator 117 received in mounting hole 34. Indicator 117 includes an engagement portion 119 which is annular and has a non-circular hole. A lug 131 is formed on an outer periphery of engagement portion 119 and is arcuate. Lug 131 includes first and

second portions

133 and 135 spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of engagement portion 119. First and

second portions

133 and 135 of lug 131 respectively indicate the unlatching and latching positions of follower 46.

Indicator 117 is mounted after link 62. Engagement portion 119 of indicator 117 abuts inner face 72 of first outer cover 70, and the non-circular hole of indicator 117 is aligned with first pivotal hole 78. Lug 131 extends into a gap between follower 46 and inner face 72 of first outer cover 70. First portion 133 of Lug 131 of indicator 117 is aligned with window 92 of first outer cover 70 to indicate follower 46 is in the unlatching position (FIG. 5) .

Door lock 12 further includes a driving member 96 pivotably connected to first outer cover 70. Driving member 96 includes a gear 98 and first and

second axles

111 and 113 on two sides of gear 98. First axle 111 has non-circular cross sections corresponding to the non-circular hole of indicator 117. A driving hole 115 is defined in an end face of second axle 113 and has non-circular cross sections.

Driving member 96 is mounted after indicator 117. Specifically, first axle 111 of driving member 96 is coupled with engagement portion 119 of indicator 117 and is pivotably received in first pivotal hole 78 of first outer cover 70. Gear 98 meshes with rack 58 of follower 46. Thus, rotation of driving member 96 causes movement of follower 46 between the unlatching position (first portion 133 of indicator 117 is aligned with window 92 of first outer cover 70) and the latching position (second portion 135 of indicator 117 is aligned with window 92 of first outer cover 70) . Note that follower 46 must remain in the unlatching position during assembly. A retaining ring 171 is mounted around second axle 113 (FIG. 6) .

Door lock 12 further includes a second outer cover 137 having inner and

outer faces

139 and 151 opposite to and parallel to each other. A second opening 153 and a second pivotal hole 155 extend from inner face 139 through outer face 151 of second outer cover 137.

Second outer cover 137 is mounted after driving member 96. Specifically, second outer cover 137 abuts second wall 28 of first panel 20. Second opening 153 is aligned with partitioning portion 84. Second axle 113 of driving member 96 is pivotably received in second pivotal hole 155 of second outer cover 137. Retaining ring 171 abuts inner face 139 of second outer cover 137. Screws are extended through second outer cover 137 to engage with pegs 94 (FIG. 7) . Thus, driving member 96 is pivotably mounted between and supported by first and second outer covers 70 and 137. Furthermore, second side 88 of partitioning portion 84 abuts inner face 139 of second outer cover 137. Portioning portion 84 of first outer cover 70 and peripheral wall 80 divide mounting hole 34 into a first holding space 156 and a second holding space 158 (FIG. 10) . First holding space 156 is located adjacent to first wall 26 of first panel 20 and intercommunicates with first opening 76. Second holding space 158 is located adjacent to second wall 28 of first panel 20 and intercommunicates with second opening 153.

Door lock 12 further includes a latch 68 coupled to link 62. Latch 68 includes a positioning mark 69 on an outer periphery thereof. Positioning mark 69 can be a groove or a recess. In this example, positioning mark 69 is a groove in the outer periphery of latch 68.

Latch 68 is assembled after second outer cover 137. Specifically, latch 68 is received in chamber 32 and located in upper end 22 of first panel 20. Latch 68 is mounted around first engagement end 64 of link 63. Follower 46 remains in the unlatching position during assembly of latch 68. Latch 69 is moved along third axis Z to make positioning mark 69 of latch 68 substantially flush with upper end 22 of first panel 20. Thus, a portion of first engagement end 64 of link 62 extends beyond latch 68 (FIG. 7) and is then cut off to make first engagement end 64 flush with an upper end face of latch 68 (FIG. 8) . Thus, latch 68 and follower 46 move jointly between the latching position (FIG. 12) and the unlatching position (FIG. 11) when driving member 96 is pivoted.

Door lock 12 further includes a knob 157 having a driving rod 159 with cross sections the same as driving hole 115 of driving member 96. Specifically, driving rod 159 of knob 157 is coupled with driving hole 115 of driving member 96. Knob 157 is located outside of outer face 151 of second outer cover 137. Operation of knob 157 causes pivotal movement of driving member 96. Knob 157 can extend in a vertical direction for manual gripping when follower 46 is in the unlatching position.

A first side frame 173 and a first outer frame 192 are mounted after door lock 12. First outer frame 173 includes a connecting side 175 adjacent to first wall 28 of first panel 20. First side frame 173 is fixed to second end 27 of first panel 20. First outer frame 192 is mounted to first end 25 of first panel 20. A roller 193 is mounted on a top end of first outer frame 192.

Folding door 10 further includes a second panel 177. In this example, second panel 177 is formed of plastic material by injection molding. Second panel 177 includes first and

second sides

179 and 191 and two sidewalls 177A extending between first and

second sides

179 and 191. Second panel 177 further includes a plurality of transverse boards 180 extending between inner faces of the two sidewalls 177A.

A second side frame 176 is fixed to first side 179 of second panel 177. Second side frame 176 includes a connecting side 178 adjacent to one of sidewalls 177A of second panel 177. A second outer frame 194 is fixed to second side 191 of second panel 177. Two pivots 195 are respectively fixed to top and bottom ends of second side frame 176 for pivotal connection with a door frame 197.

A pivotal frame 196 is mounted between first and second side frames 173 and 176 to pivotably connect first and

second panels

20 and 177 together. Pivotal frame 196 includes a first pivotal portion 199 pivotably connected to connecting side 175 of first side frame 173 and a second pivotal portion 211 pivotably connected to connecting side 178 of second side frame 176.

Folding door 10 is mounted to an inner side of a door frame 197 fixed to a wall of a passage. Door frame 197 includes an upper track beam 197A having a latch hole 198. Pivots 195 are pivotably mounted to a side of door frame 197. Roller 193 is adapted to slideably received in upper track beam 197A. Thus, second panel 177 is pivotable about a pivotal axis defined by pivots 195. Pivotal movement of second panel 177 causes movement of first panel 20 until first and

second panels

20 and 177 are aligned end to end (the closed state) or are stacked together (the open state) .

Now that the basic construction of folding door 10 has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of folding door 10 can be set forth and appreciated. In particular, for the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that first and

second panels

20 and 177 are aligned end to end (the closed state) , and follower 46 is in the unlatching position (FIG. 11) . Thus, latch 68 is aligned with but not engages with latch hole 198. Namely, folding door 10 is in an unlocked state permitting folding door 10 to be folded to a partially open state (first and

second panels

20 and 177 are at an acute angle to each other) or a completely open state. A user can insert his or her hand into first holding space 156 or second holding space 158 (depending on the position of the user inside or outside folding door 10) . If the hand is inserted into first holding space 156, the user can push first outer cover 70 to pivot first and

second panels

20 and 177 to open folding door 10. On the other hand, if the hand is inserted into second holding space 158, the user can pull second outer cover 137 to pivot first and

second panels

20 and 177 to open folding door 10. Furthermore, first portion 133 of indicator 117 is aligned with window 92 of first outer cover 70 to show the user that folding door 10 is in the unlocked state in which knob 157 is substantially in the vertical direction.

Knob 157 can be operated (e.g., in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 12) to actuate follower 46 and latch 68 from the unlatching position to the latching position. Specifically, driving member 96 is pivoted, gear 98 pushes follower 46 from the unlatching position to the latching position, and latch 68 moves into latch hole 198. When follower 46 is in the latching position, pins 90 of first outer cover 70 are in second ends 59B of the two first tracks 59, and latch 68 engages with latch hole 198, not permitting pivotal movement of first panel 20 and, thus, not permitting pivotal movement of second panel 177. Folding door 10 remains in the locked state in which first and

second panels

20 and 177 are aligned end to end. When follower 46 is in the latching position, second portion 135 of indicator 117 is aligned with window 92 of second outer cover 137, showing the user that folding door 10 is in the locked state in which knob 157 is substantially in a horizontal position.

Knob 157 can be moved back to the vertical position to move follower 46 and latch 68 to the unlatching position. Latch 68 disengages from latch hole 198 to unlock folding door 10, permitting pivotal movement of first and

second panels

20 and 177 to the open state.

First panel 20 uses two first partitioning boards 30 and first and

second walls

26 and 28 to define chamber 32 receiving follower 46 and latch 68. Furthermore, first and second

outer cover

70 and 137 are used to support driving member 96 and indicator 117. Thus, additional housings are not required to accommodate follower 46, latch 68, driving member 96, and indicator 117, effectively reducing the manufacturing costs of folding door 10.

Partitioning portion 84 of first outer cover 70 cooperates second outer cover 137 to define first holding space 156 adjacent to first wall 26 of first panel 20 and second holding space 158 adjacent to second wall 28 of first panel 20. First and second holding

spaces

156 and 158 permit operation by the user to open or close folding door 10, reducing the costs for additional handles.

With reference to FIGS. 1-13, assume the left side of folding door 10 (second side 191) is pivotably connected to door frame 197, folding door 10 can be opened by first end 25 of first panel 20. In this case, each of mounting hole 34, through-holes 35, and chamber 32 has a spacing to second end 27 of first panel 20 along first axis X smaller than a spacing to first end 25 of first panel 20 along first axis X. Furthermore, the assembling direction of first outer cover 70 and the second outer cover 137 are considered. Thus, folding door 10 can be assembled to form a left-handed door suitable for operation by a left hand of a user. As shown in FIG. 10, the user can insert his or her left hand into first holding space 156 or second holding space 158 to hold first outer cover 70 or second outer cover 137.

With reference to FIGS. 14-17, in a case that each of mounting hole 34, through-holes 35, and chamber 32 has a spacing to second end 27 of first panel 20 along first axis X larger than a spacing to first end 25 of first panel 20 along first axis X, and taking the assembling direction of first outer cover 70 and second outer cover 137 into consideration (rotated 180° about second axis Y) , folding door 10 can be assembled to form a right-handed door (FIG. 14) . In this case, first outer frame 192 is connected to second end 27 of first panel 20, first side frame 173 is connected to first end 25 of first panel 20, second outer frame 194 is connected to first side 179 of second panel 177, and second side frame 176 is connected to second side 191 of second panel 177. Furthermore, pivotal frame 196 is mounted between first and second side frames 173 and 176.

In the case of the right-handed door, if it is desired to still mount first outer cover 70 on first wall 26 of first panel 20 and to mount second outer cover 137 on second wall 28 of first panel 20, first outer cover 70 is rotated 180° about second axis Y, such that first notch 80A of first outer cover 70 is located below second notch 80B along third axis Z. Likewise, second outer cover 137 is rotated 180° about second axis Y. Follower 46 is so assembled that second side 56B faces first outer cover 70 to mesh rack 58 with gear 98 of driving member 96. The two pins 90 of first outer cover 70 are received in the two second tracks 60. When follower 46 is in the unlatching position, each pin 90 is located in top end 60A of one of second tracks 60 (FIG. 16) . When follower 46 is in the latching position, each pin 90 is located in bottom end 60B of one of second tracks 60 (FIG. 17) .

With reference to FIG. 18, first and

second panels

20 and 177 have sufficient structural strength to form a folding door 10 without first and second side frames 173 and 176 and first and second

outer frames

192 and 194. Specifically, in the case of first and

second panels

20 and 177 without aluminum side frames, a first engagement groove 27A is defined in the end face of second end 27 of first panel 20 and extends along third axis Z. Furthermore, a second engagement groove 179A is defined in first side 179 of second panel 177. An engagement member 213 is provided for connecting first and

second panels

20 and 177 and includes a flexible first engagement leg 215 engaged in first engagement groove 27A and a flexible second engagement leg 217 engaged in second engagement groove 179A. Furthermore, roller 193 is fixed on first panel 20. The two pivots 195 are fixed on the top and bottom ends of second panel 177 and are located adjacent to second side 191 of second panel 177. Thus, first and

second panels

20 and 177 can flexibly pivot relative to first engagement leg 215 or second engagement leg 217.

First and

second panels

20 and 177 of folding door 10 are made of plastic material by injection molding. The two first partitioning boards 30 and second partitioning boards 31 provide first panel 20 with sufficient structural strength. Transverse boards 180 between the two sidewalls 177A of second panel 177 provide second panel 177 with sufficient structural strength. Thus, it is not always necessary to install aluminum side frames (such as first and second side frames 173 and 176) to reinforce the structural strength, reducing the manufacturing costs.

The length of each first track 59 of follower 46 is not equal to the length of each second track 60, and bottom end 59B of each first track 59 is aligned with bottom end 60B of a corresponding second track 60. Thus, door lock 12 can be correctly mounted on folding door 10 to provide the same function no matter folding door 10 is assembled to be a left-handed door or a right-handed door, effectively reducing the inventory costs for parts.

Furthermore, first and second outer covers 70 and 137 and mounting hole 34 of first panel 20 together define first and second holding

spaces

156 and 158 for operation by the user to open or close folding door 10. Thus, first panel 20 has no protrusive handles on first wall 26 or second wall 28. Thus, first and

second panels

20 and 177 in the folding state have a relatively small acute angle therebetween (see FIG. 13) . As a result, a larger opening can be provided for access of people or articles when folding door 10 is open.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, folding door 10 does not have to include sleeve 36 and upper and

lower guiding jackets

38 and 42, such that first and

second sections

48 and 50 of follower 46 and chamber 32 of first panel 20 can be made smaller in size. Furthermore, latch 68 can be slightly smaller than chamber 32 without adversely affecting movement of follower 46 and latch 68 in chamber 32 along third axis Z.

Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

A folding door with a door lock, comprising:

a first panel (20) including first and second ends (25, 27) spaced from each other along a first axis (X) and first and second walls (26, 28) extending between the first and second ends (25, 27) and spaced from each other along a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis (X) , with the first panel (20) further including two first partitioning boards (30) extending between the first and second walls (26, 28) and located between the first and second ends (25, 27) , with the first and second walls (26, 28) and the two first partitioning boards (30) together defining a chamber (32) , and with the first panel (20) further including a mounting hole (34) extending from the first wall (26) through the second wall (28) along the second axis (Y) and intersecting with the chamber (32) ；

a second panel (177) pivotably connected to the second end (27) of the first panel (20) ；

a follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) and including a rack (58) , with the rack (58) received in the mounting hole (34) , and with the follower (46) slideable between a latching position and an unlatching position along a third axis (Z) perpendicular to the first and second axes (X, Y) ；

a first outer cover (70) mounted to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) ；

a second outer cover (137) mounted to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) ；

a driving member (96) rotatably received in the mounting hole (34) and located between the first and second outer covers (70, 137) , with the driving member (96) including a gear (98) meshed with the rack (58) of the follower (46) ；

a knob (157) coupled to and jointly moveable with the driving member (96) and located outside of the first panel (20) , with pivotal movement of the knob (157) causes pivotal movement of the driving member (96) to move the follower (46) between the latching position and the unlatching position； and

a latch (68) coupled to and jointly movable with the follower (46) ,

wherein when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, the latch (68) is disengageable from a latch hole (198) of a door frame (197) to which the first and second panels (20, 177) are mounted, and the first and second panels (20, 177) are moveable relative to the door frame (197) to an open position, and

wherein when the first and second panels (20, 177) are in a closed position and the follower (46) is in the latching position, the latch (68) is engageable with the latch hole (198) to prevent the first and second panels (20, 177) from moving relative to the door frame (197) to the open position.
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 1, further comprising: an indicator (117) fixed to and jointly movable with the driving member (96) , with the indicator (117) including a lug (131) having first and second portions (133, 135) respectively indicating the unlatching and latching positions of the latch (68) , with the first outer cover (70) including an inner face (72) and an outer face (74) , with a window (92) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) ,

wherein the first portion (133) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, and

wherein the second portion (135) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the latching position.
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 2, with the first outer cover (70) including an inner face (72) and an outer face (74) , with a peripheral wall (80) formed on the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) and received in the mounting hole (34) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a partitioning portion (84) extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall (80) , with the partitioning portion (84) including a first side (86) adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and a second side (88) adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a first opening (76) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) , with the second outer cover (137) including an inner face (139) and an outer face (151) , with a second opening (153) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) , with the portioning portion (84) of the first outer cover (70) and the peripheral wall (80) dividing the mounting hole (34) into a first holding space (156) and a second holding space (158) , with the first holding space (156) located adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the first opening (76) , and with the second holding space (158) located adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the second opening (153) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 3, with the first outer cover (70) further including a first pivotal hole (78) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and surrounded by the peripheral wall (80) , with the second side (88) of the partitioning portion (84) located between the first pivotal hole (78) and the first side (86) of the partitioning portion (84) along the first axis (X) , with the second outer cover (137) further including a second pivotal hole (155) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) , with the driving member (96) including a first axle (111) formed on a side of the gear (98) and having non-circular cross sections, with the driving member (96) further including a second axle (113) formed on another side of the gear (98) , with the first axle (111) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the first pivotal hole (78) , with the second axle (113) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the second pivotal hole (155) , with the indicator (117) including an engagement portion (119) engaged with the first axle (111) , and with the lug (131) formed on an outer periphery of the engagement portion (119) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 1, further comprising:

an upper guiding jacket (38) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located above the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the upper guiding jacket (38) including an upper guiding groove (40) extending along the third axis (Z) , and

a lower guiding jacket (42) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located below the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the lower guiding jacket (42) including a lower guiding groove (44) extending along the third axis (Z) ,

with the follower (46) further including first and second sections (48, 50) spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) and an intermediate section (52) between the first and second sections (48, 50) , with the rack (58) formed on the intermediate section (52) , with the first and second sections (48, 50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) , with the first section (48) of the follower (46) slideably received in the upper guiding groove (40) of the upper guiding jacket (38) , and with the second section (50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the lower guiding groove (44) of the lower guiding jacket (42) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 1, further comprising: a sleeve (36) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) , with the first panel (20) further including an upper end (22) , with the chamber (32) extending along the third axis (Z) to the upper end (22) of the first panel (20) , with the sleeve (36) located in the upper end (22) of the chamber (32) , with the sleeve (36) including a sliding groove (36A) extending along the third axis (Z) , and with the latch (68) slideably received in the sliding groove (36A) of the sleeve (36) , wherein a distal end of the latch (68) is located above the upper end (22) of the first panel (20) when the follower (46) in the latching position.
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 1, with the first panel (20) further including a first side frame (173) fixed to the second end (27) of the first panel (20) and a first outer frame (192) fixed to the first end (25) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer frame (192) including a roller (193) mounted to a top end thereof, with the second panel (177) including a first side (179) and a second side (191) , with a second side frame (176) fixed to the first side (179) of the second panel (177) and having top and bottom ends, with a second outer frame (194) fixed to the second side (191) of the second panel (177) , with two pivots (195) are respectively fixed to the top and bottom ends of the second side frame (176) for pivotal connection with the door frame (197) , with the roller (193) adapted to slide along the door frame (197) , and with the first and second side frames (173, 176) pivotably connected together by a pivotal frame (196) .
A folding door with a door lock, comprising:

a first panel (20) including first and second ends (25, 27) spaced from each other along a first axis (X) , with the first panel (20) further including a mounting hole (34) extending along a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis (X) , and with a spacing between the mounting hole (34) and the first end (25) of the first panel (20) along the first axis (X) being larger than a spacing between the mounting hole (34) and the second end (27) of the first panel (20) along the first axis (X) , with the first panel (20) further including a chamber (32) extending along a third axis (Z) perpendicular to the first and second axes (X, Y) and intersecting with the mounting hole (34) ；

a second panel (177) pivotably connected to the second end (27) of the first panel (20) ；

a first outer cover (70) mounted to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) , with the first outer cover (70) including an inner face (72) and an outer face (74) , with a peripheral wall (80) formed on the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) and received in the mounting hole (34) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a partitioning portion (84) extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall (80) , with the partitioning portion (84) including a first side (86) adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and a second side (88) adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a first opening (76) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) ；

a second outer cover (137) mounted to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) , with the second outer cover (137) including an inner face (139) and an outer face (151) , with a second opening (153) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) , with the portioning portion (84) of the first outer cover (70) and the peripheral wall (80) dividing the mounting hole (34) into a first holding space (156) and a second holding space (158) , with the first holding space (156) located adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the first opening (76) , and with the second holding space (158) located adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the second opening (153) ；

a latch (68) slideably received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) ； and

a knob (157) coupled to and jointly moveable with the latch (68) and located outside of the panel (20) , with the knob (157) operable to move the latch (68) along the third axis (Z) to engage with a latch hole (198) in a door frame (197) to which the folding door (10) is mounted or to disengage from the latch hole (198) of the door frame (197) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 8, further comprising:

a follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) and including a rack (58) , with the rack (58) received in the mounting hole (34) , with the follower (46) coupled to and jointly moveable with the latch (68) , and with the follower (46) and the latch (68) slideable between a latching position and an unlatching position along the third axis (Z) ；

a driving member (96) rotatably received in the mounting hole (34) and located between the first and second outer covers (70, 137) , with the driving member (96) including a gear (98) meshed with the rack (58) of the follower (46) , wherein pivotal movement of the knob (157) and the driving member (96) causes the follower (46) and the latch (68) to move between the latching position and the unlatching position,

wherein when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, the latch (68) is disengageable from the latch hole (198) of the door frame (197) , and

wherein when the follower (46) is in the latching position, the latch (68) is engageable with the latch hole (198) of the door frame (197) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 8, further comprising: an indicator (117) fixed to and jointly movable with the driving member (96) , with the indicator (117) including a lug (131) having first and second portions (133, 135) respectively indicating the unlatching and latching positions of the latch (68) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a window (92) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) ,

wherein the first portion (133) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, and

wherein the second portion (135) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the latching position.
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 8, with the first outer cover (70) further including a first pivotal hole (78) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and surrounded by the peripheral wall (80) , with the second side (88) of the partitioning portion (84) located between the first pivotal hole (78) and the first side (86) of the partitioning portion (84) along the first axis (X) , with the second outer cover (137) further including a second pivotal hole (155) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) , with the driving member (96) including a first axle (111) formed on a side of the gear (98) and having non-circular cross sections, with the driving member (96) further including a second axle (113) formed on another side of the gear (98) , with the first axle (111) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the first pivotal hole (78) , and with the second axle (113) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the second pivotal hole (155) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 8, further comprising:

an upper guiding jacket (38) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located above the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the upper guiding jacket (38) including an upper guiding groove (40) extending along the third axis (Z) , and

a lower guiding jacket (42) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located below the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the lower guiding jacket (42) including a lower guiding groove (44) extending along the third axis (Z) ,

with the follower (46) further including first and second sections (48, 50) spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) and an intermediate section (52) between the first and second sections (48, 50) , with the rack (58) formed on the intermediate section (52) , with the first and second sections (48, 50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) , with the first section (48) of the follower (46) slideably received in the upper guiding groove (40) of the upper guiding jacket (38) , and with the second section (50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the lower guiding groove (44) of the lower guiding jacket (42) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 8, further comprising: a sleeve (36) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) , with the first panel (20) further including an upper end (22) , with the chamber (32) extending along the third axis (Z) to the upper end (22) of the first panel (20) , with the sleeve (36) located in the upper end (22) of the chamber (32) , with the sleeve (36) including a sliding groove (36A) extending along the third axis (Z) , and with the latch (68) slideably received in the sliding groove (36A) of the sleeve (36) , wherein a distal end of the latch (68) is located above the upper end (22) of the first panel (20) when the follower (46) in the latching position.
A folding door with a door lock, comprising:

a first panel (20) including first and second ends (25, 27) spaced from each other along a first axis (X) and first and second walls (26, 28) extending between the first and second ends (25, 27) and spaced from each other along a second axis (Y) perpendicular to the first axis (X) , with the first panel (20) further including a mounting hole (34) extending from the first wall (26) through the second wall (28) along the second axis (Y) , and with the first panel (20) further including a chamber (32) extending along a third axis (Z) perpendicular to the first and second axis (X, Y) and intersecting with the mounting hole (34) ；

a second panel (177) pivotably connected to the first panel (20) , with the second panel (177) including first and second sides (179, 191) spaced from each other along the first axis (X) , with the second end (27) of the first panel (20) pivotably connected to the first side (179) of the second panel (179) to form a left-handed door or the first end (25) of the first panel (20) pivotably connected to the second side (191) of the second panel (177) to form a right-handed door；

a first outer cover (70) mounted to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) , with the first outer cover (70) including inner and outer faces (72, 74) spaced from each other along the second axis (Y) , with the first outer cover (70) further including two pins (90) formed on the inner face (72) thereof and spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) , with the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) facing the first wall (28) of the first panel (20) , and with the two pins (90) received in the mounting hole (34) ；

a second outer cover (137) mounted to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and covering the mounting hole (34) ；

a follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) , with the follower (46) including a first wall face (54) and first and second sides (56A, 56B) on two sides of the first wall face (54) and spaced from each other along the second axis (Y) , with two first tracks (59) provided on the first side (56A) of the follower (46) and spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) , with each of the two first tracks (59) including a first end (59A) and a second end (59B) located below the first end (59A) along the third axis (Z) , with two second tracks (60) provided on the second side (56B) of the follower (46) and spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) , with each of the two second tracks (60) including a top end (60A) and a bottom end (60B) located below the top end (60A) along the third axis (Z) , with the first end (59A) of each of the two first tracks (59) located between the top and bottom ends (60A, 60B) of a corresponding one of the two second tracks (60) , with the second end (59B) of each of the two first tracks (59) aligned with the bottom end (60B) of the corresponding one of the two second tracks (60) , and with a rack (58) provided on the first wall face (54) ；

a driving member (96) rotatably received in the mounting hole (34) and located between the first and second outer covers (70, 137) , with the driving member (96) including a gear (98) meshed with the rack (58) of the follower (46) ；

a knob (157) coupled to and jointly moveable with the driving member (96) and located outside of the first panel (20) , with pivotal movement of the knob (157) causes pivotal movement of the driving member (96) to move the follower (46) between the latching position and the unlatching position； and

a latch (68) coupled to and jointly movable with the follower (46) ,

with the first and second panels (20, 177) assembled to form the left-handed folding door (10) , the first side (56A) of the follower (46) faces the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) , the two pins (90) are slideably received in the two first tracks (59) , wherein the two pins (90) are located in the first ends (59A) of the two first tracks (59) when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, and wherein the two pins (90) are located in the second ends (59B) of the two first tracks (59) when the follower (46) is in the latching position,

with the first and second panels (20, 177) assembled to form the right-handed folding door (10) , the second side (56B) of the follower (46) faces the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) , and the two pins (90) are received in the two second tracks (60) , wherein the two pins (90) are located in the top ends (60A) of the two second tracks (60) when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, and wherein the two pins (90) are located in the bottom ends (60B) of the two second tracks (60) when the follower (46) is in the latching position,

wherein when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, the latch (69) is disengageable from the latch hole (198) of a door frame (197) to which the folding door (10) is mounted, and

wherein when the follower (46) is in the latching positon, the latch (69) is engageable with the latch hole (198) of the door frame (197) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 14, further comprising: an indicator (117) fixed to and jointly movable with the driving member (96) , with the indicator (117) including a lug (131) having first and second portions (133, 135) respectively indicating the unlatching and latching positions of the latch (68) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a window (92) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) ,

wherein the first portion (133) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the unlatching position, and

wherein the second portion (135) of the lug (131) is aligned with the window (92) when the follower (46) is in the latching position.
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 15, with a peripheral wall (80) formed on the inner face (72) of the first outer cover (70) and received in the mounting hole (34) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a partitioning portion (84) extending in a space delimited by the peripheral wall (80) , with the partitioning portion (84) including a first side (86) adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and a second side (88) adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) , with the first outer cover (70) further including a first opening (76) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) , with the second outer cover (137) including an inner face (139) and an outer face (151) , with a second opening (153) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) and aligned with the partitioning portion (84) , with the portioning portion (84) of the first outer cover (70) and the peripheral wall (80) dividing the mounting hole (34) into a first holding space (156) and a second holding space (158) , with the first holding space (156) located adjacent to the first wall (26) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the first opening (76) , and with the second holding space (158) located adjacent to the second wall (28) of the first panel (20) and intercommunicated with the second opening (153) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 16, with the first outer cover (70) further including a first pivotal hole (78) extending from the inner face (72) through the outer face (74) of the first outer cover (70) along the second axis (Y) and surrounded by the peripheral wall (80) , with the second side (88) of the partitioning portion (84) located between the first pivotal hole (78) and the first side (86) of the partitioning portion (84) along the first axis (X) , with the second outer cover (137) further including a second pivotal hole (155) extending from the inner face (139) through the outer face (151) of the second outer cover (137) along the second axis (Y) , with the driving member (96) including a first axle (111) formed on a side of the gear (98) and having non-circular cross sections, with the driving member (96) further including a second axle (113) formed on another side of the gear (98) , with the first axle (111) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the first pivotal hole (78) , with the second axle (113) of the driving member (96) pivotably received in the second pivotal hole (155) , with the indicator (117) including an engagement portion (119) engaged with the first axle (111) , and with the lug (131) formed on an outer periphery of the engagement portion (119) .
The folding door with a door lock according to claim 14, further comprising:

an upper guiding jacket (38) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located above the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the upper guiding jacket (38) including an upper guiding groove (40) extending along the third axis (Z) , and

a lower guiding jacket (42) received in the chamber (32) of the first panel (20) and located below the mounting hole (34) along the third axis (Z) , with the lower guiding jacket (42) including a lower guiding groove (44) extending along the third axis (Z) ,

with the follower (46) further including first and second sections (48, 50) spaced from each other along the third axis (Z) and an intermediate section (52) between the first and second sections (48, 50) , with the rack (58) formed on the intermediate section (52) , with the first and second sections (48, 50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the chamber (32) , with the first section (48) of the follower (46) slideably received in the upper guiding groove (40) of the upper guiding jacket (38) , and with the second section (50) of the follower (46) slideably received in the lower guiding groove (44) of the lower guiding jacket (42) .