AU2012254976A1 - A lock assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A LOCK ASSEMBLY A lock assembly (30) including a lock mechanism (54), an interior escutcheon (34), an exterior escutcheon (44) and an exterior member (52). The lock mechanism (54) is configurable in locked and unlocked states. The exterior member (52) is coupled with the lock mechanism (54) and manually operable to configure the lock mechanism (54) into the locked state. The exterior member (52) is unable to configure the lock mechanism (54) into the unlocked state. %0 C') cn L )

Description

S&F Ref: P049018 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Austral Lock Pty Ltd, of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 133 801 662, of 31-33 Alfred Street, Blackburn, Victoria, 3130, Australia Actual Inventor(s): David Greenbury Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: A lock assembly Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2012900045 05 Jan 2012 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(6882755_1) A LOCK ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a lock assembly. [0002] The invention has been primarily developed for use with hinged or sliding doors, and will be described hereinafter with reference to these applications. Background of the Invention [0003] Australian patent No. 2005218038 discloses a lock assembly in which the blade of a standard key or the blade of a dedicated tool can be used to configure the lock into a locked state from the exterior side of the lock assembly. The key or tool is not able to configure the lock into an unlocked state. [0004] The lock assembly disclosed in Australian patent No. 2005218038 allows a person leaving a room or building to lock the lock assembly without requiring the correct key. Object of the Invention [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lock assembly which can be locked (but not unlocked) from the exterior side of the lock assembly without requiring the correct key. Summary of the Invention [0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a lock assembly including: a lock mechanism configurable in locked and unlocked states; an interior escutcheon; an exterior escutcheon; and an exterior member coupled with the lock mechanism and manually operable to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state, 2 wherein the exterior member is unable to configure the lock mechanism into the unlocked state. [0007] The exterior member is preferably mounted to the exterior escutcheon. [0008] The exterior member is preferably slidable, relative to the exterior escutcheon, to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state. [0009] In one form, suitable for hinged or pivoting doors, the lock mechanism includes a lock bolt. In another form, suitable for sliding doors, the lock mechanism includes a lock beak. [0010] The exterior member is preferably manually slidable towards the exterior escutcheon to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state. The exterior member is preferably a push button. [0011] The exterior member is preferably manually slidable away from the exterior escutcheon to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state. The exterior member is a preferably pull slide, most preferably with a finger or thumb grip recess therein. [0012] The exterior escutcheon is preferably elongate with a longitudinal axis and the exterior member is preferably manually slidable in the direction of the longitudinal axis to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state. [0013] The exterior escutcheon preferably includes a substantially planar exterior surface and the exterior member is preferably manually slidable in a direction parallel to the substantially planar exterior surface to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state. [0014] The lock assembly preferably includes: an interior handle associated with the interior escutcheon; an exterior handle associated with the exterior escucheon; a manually operable snib associated with the interior escutcheon; and a double ended lock cylinder having an interior end associated with the interior escutcheon and an exterior end associated with the exterior escutcheon.

3 [0015] In one form, the manually operable snib is pivotable between locked and unlocked positions. In another form, the manually operable snib is slidable between locked and unlocked positions. Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0017] Fig. 1 is an interior perspective view of a first embodiment of a lock assembly, mounted within a section of door frame; [0018] Fig. 2 is an exterior perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1; [0019] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1; [0020] Fig. 4 is an internal view of the lock assembly of Fig. I in an unlocked state, for right handed operation; [0021] Fig. 5 is a lock assembly of Fig. 4 showing re-configuring into the locked state; [0022] Fig. 6 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 5 after re-configuring into the locked state; [0023] Fig. 7 is an interior view of the lock assembly of Fig. 1 in an unlocked state, for left handed operation; [0024] Fig. 8 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 7 showing re-configuring into the locked state; [0025] Fig. 9 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 7 after re-configuring into the locked state; [0026] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior escutcheon of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1; [0027] Fig. I1 is an external side view of the lock mechanism of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1, in an unlocked state; 4 [0028] Fig. 12 is shows the lock mechanism of Fig. I1 in a snib locked state; [0029] Fig. 13 shows the lock mechanism of Fig. 11 in a deadlocked (i.e. cylinder locked) state; [0030] Fig. 14 is an exterior perspective view of a second embodiment of a lock assembly, mounted within a section of door frame; [0031] Fig. 15 is an exploded view of the exterior escutcheon of the lock assembly 14; [0032] Fig. 16 is an internal perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 14 in an unlocked state, for right handed operation; [0033] Fig. 17 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 16 showing re-configuring into the locked state; [0034] Fig. 18 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 17 after re-configuring into the locked state; [0035) Fig. 19 is an interior perspective view of a third embodiment of a lock assembly, mounted within a section of door frame; [0036] Fig. 20 is an exterior perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 19; [0037] Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 19; [0038] Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior escutcheon of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 19; [0039] Fig. 23 is an internal view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 19 in an unlocked state; [0040] Fig. 24 shows the lock assembly of Fig. 23 during re-configuring into the locked state; [0041] Fig. 25 is an internal view of the lock mechanism of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 19 in an unlocked state; [0042] Fig. 26 shows the lock mechanism of Fig. 25 in a snib locked state; and [0043] Fig. 27 shows the lock mechanism of Fig. 25 in a deadlocked (i.e. cylinder locked) state.

5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0044] Figs I and 2 show a first embodiment of a lock assembly 30, for use with a pivoting or hinged door, mounted within a section of door frame 32. The lock assembly 30 includes an interior escutcheon 34, an interior lever handle 36, an interior end 38a of a double ended lock cylinder 38, an interior snib 40, a lock bolt 42, and an exterior escutcheon 44, an exterior end 38b of the double ended lock cylinder 38, an exterior lever handle 48 and a face plate 50. Fig. 2 also shows an exterior member, in the form of a manually slideable push button 52. [0045] As best shown in Fig. 3, the lock assembly 30 includes a lock mechanism 54. The lock mechanism 54 includes a hub 56 with a square cross section opening 58 therein which receives, and engages with, a square cross section drive shaft 60. The ends of the drive shaft 60 are received within square cross section recesses 36a and 48a provided in the proximal ends of the handles 36 and 48 respectively. As is understood by persons skilled in the art, this allows pivotal movement of the handles 36 and 48 to cause corresponding pivotal movement of the hub 56. [0046] The lock mechanism 54 also includes a snib hub 61 with a square cross section opening 62 therein. The snib hub 61 is similarly connected to the snib 40 via a square cross section drive shaft 64. As is also understood by persons skilled in the art, the snib 40 can be pivoted to lock the lock assembly 30 from the interior side. Snib locking (also known as privacy mode) can be released by movement of the interior snib 40 or by use of the correct key in either end of the double ended lock cylinder 38. [0047] Fig. 3 also shows the push button 52 mounted to the exterior escutcheon 44 beneath a backing plate 66. [0048] Figs. 4 to 6 show the exterior escutcheon 44 and the components mounted thereto with the backing plate 66 removed, and configured for right handed operation. The push button 52 has, on its upper or distal end, a bridging part 52a and a pair of protuberances 52b. The protuberances 52b are positioned on the lower side of (i.e. beneath) the exterior cam member 70. The push button 52 also has a pair of slots 52c, nearer its lower or proximal end, through which are received locating or guiding bosses 44a that form part of the exterior escutcheon 44. A spring 68 is mounted between the exterior escutcheon 44 and the push button 52 and biases the 6 push button 52 downwardly and away from the exterior escutcheon 44. The bridging part 52a and the slots 52c prevent the push button 52 from becoming disengaged from the escutcheon 44 by limiting the travel thereof. [0049] Fig. 4 (and also Fig. 10) also shows an exterior cam member 70 which also is connected to the snib hub 60 via engagement of the square cross section drive shaft 64 in a square recess 72 within the cam member 70. [0050] Fig. 5 shows the lock assembly 30 whilst the push button 52 is manually pushed upwards and towards the escutcheon. The exterior escutcheon 44 is elongate with a longitudinal axis and the push button 52 slides in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Put another way, the exterior escutcheon 44 has a substantially planar exterior surface and the push button 52 slides in a direction parallel to the substantially planar exterior surface. During this movement, the right hand side protuberance 52b pivots the exterior cam 70 counter-clockwise. This movement is transferred to the snib hub 60 thereby configuring the lock assembly 30 into a locked state in a similar manner to that previously described with reference to snib locking. [00511 Fig. 6 shows the lock assembly 30 after the manual pressure has been released from the push button 52 whereby the spring 68 returns it to the lower position. Importantly, the push button 52 can not influence or change the position of the exterior cam 70 during this downward movement and thus can not configure the lock assembly 30 back into an unlocked state. Accordingly, the push button 52 allows a user to lock (but not unlock) the lock assembly 30 from the exterior side without requiring the need for the correct key (or any dedicated tool or the like). The lock assembly 30 can only be re-configured into the unlocked state by moving the (interior) snib 40 or by the correct key in either end 38a or 38b of the lock cylinder 38. [0052] Figs. 7 to 9 show the lock assembly configured for left handed operation, in which the position of the exterior cam 70 and the handle 48 is reversed (i.e. rotated through 1800) compared to that of Figs. 4 to 6. During similar manual actuation, the left hand side protuberance 52b pivots the exterior cam 70 clockwise responsive to upward sliding movement of the push button 52, placing the lock assembly 30 into a locked state. [0053] Figs. 11 to 13 shows the operation of the internal components of the lock assembly 54. Fig. 11 shows a snibbing cam 74 which is driven by the square cross section drive shaft 64 via 7 the snib 40 from interior or via the push button 52 from exterior. The distal end of the cam 74 engages with a lock slider 76 which has a lower recess 76a and an upper protuberance 76b. [0054] Fig. 11 shows the lock assembly 30 in an unlocked state in which rotation of the hub 56 can retract the bolt 42 for door opening. [0055] Fig. 12 shows the lock assembly 30 in a snib locked state after the snib 40 has been pivoted, or the push button 52 has been pushed, to pivot the cam 74, which in tum drives the slide 76 upwardly to position the upper protuberance 76b behind the bolt 42. As a result, rotation of the hub 56 is unable to retract the bolt 42 and the lock assembly 30 is locked. [0056] Fig. 13 shows the lock mechanism in a deadlocked or cylinder locked state where a correct key in the lock cylinder 18 has been used to rotate a cylinder cam 78 within the lower recess 76a and drive the locking slide 76 upwardly until the upper protuberance 76b again sits behind, and prevents retraction of, the bolt 42. Further, in this position, the cam 78 also prevents the downward (i.e. unlocking) movement of the slider 76 until the cam 78 is moved again by rotation of the correct key within the lock cylinder 18. [0057] Figs. 14 to 18 show a second embodiment of a lock assembly 80 for a pivoting or hinged door, configured for right handed operation. The construction and operation of the lock assembly 80 is similar to that of the lock assembly 30 previously described and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. However, in the lock assembly 80, the push button 52 is replaced by a pull slide 82, with a finger or thumb depression 83. The pull slide 82 has, on its upper or distal end, a bridging part 82a. The pull slide 82 also has a pair of protuberances 82b and a single slot 82c. The protuberances 82b are positioned on the upper side of the exterior cam member 70. The pull slide 82 is biased upward and towards the escutcheon 44 by a pair of springs 84. [0058] Figs. 16 to 18 show similar lock states to Figs. 4 to 6 respectively. Fig. 16 shows the lock assembly 82 in an unlocked state. [0059] Fig. 17 shows the pull slide 82 being manually pulled downwardly and away from the exterior escutcheon 44. This causes the left hand side protuberance 82b to pivot the exterior cam member counter-clockwise, locking the lock assembly 80.

8 [0060] Fig. 18 shows the lock assembly 80 after the manual pressure has been released from the pull slide 82 whereby the springs 84 return it to the upper position. Again, the pull slide 82 can not influence or change the position of the exterior cam 70 during this upward movement and thus cannot re-configure the lock assembly 80 back to an unlocked state. [0061] The pull slide 82 allows a user to lock (but not unlock) the lock assembly 80 from the exterior side without requiring the need for the correct key (or any dedicated tool or the like). As with the previous embodiment, the lock assembly 80 can only be re-configured into the unlocked state by moving the (interior) snib 40 or by use of the correct key in either end 38a or 38b of the lock cylinder 38. [0062] The lock assembly 80 can be configured for left handed operation by oppositely repositioning the exterior cam 70 and the lever handle 48 (i.e. rotating through 1800) to that shown in Figs. 16 to 18. In such an arrangement, the right hand side protuberance 82b pivots the exterior cam 70 responsive to downward movement of the pull slide 82 away from the exterior escutcheon 44. [0063] Figs. 19 to 27 show a third embodiment of a lock assembly 100 for a sliding door. The construction and operation of the lock assembly 100 is similar to that of the lock assembly 30 described previously and like reference numerals are used to indicate like features. However, in the lock assembly 100, the interior and exterior lever handles 36 and 48 are replaced by smaller interior and exterior levers 102 and 104 respectively. The lock bolt 42 is also replaced by a lock beak 106. [0064] The lock assembly 100 is shown in a right handed configuration and can also be configured for left handed operation in a similar manner to that previously described. The lock assembly 100 is shown with an exterior push button 52 and can also be configured with a pull slide similar to that previously described. [0065] The lock assemblies 30, 80 and 100 described above advantageously allow a user to lock, but not unlock, from the exterior side without requiring the need for the correct key (or any dedicated tool or the like). This allows a user to lock a door from the exterior without having to retrieve their keys. A further advantage is that locking with the push button/pull slide puts the lock into 'privacy' (i.e. snib locked) mode so any occupants still inside the building or room can 9 unlock the lock assembly from the interior via operation of the interior snib, and again without the need for a key. The lock assemblies described above are advantageously also intuitive to operate as many users are familiar with using an interior snib or the like to snib lock a lock assembly from the interior and using a key to deadlock. [0066] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (16)

1. A lock assembly including: a lock mechanism configurable in locked and unlocked states; an interior escutcheon; an exterior escutcheon; and an exterior member coupled with the lock mechanism and manually operable to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state, wherein the exterior member is unable to configure the lock mechanism into the unlocked state.

2. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior member is mounted to the exterior escutcheon.

3. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the exterior member is slidable, relative to the exterior escutcheon, to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state.

4. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock bolt.

5. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock beak.

6. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior member is manually slidable towards the exterior escutcheon to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state.

7. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the exterior member is a push button.

8. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the exterior member is manually slidable away from the exterior escutcheon to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state.

9. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the exterior member is a pull slide I1

10. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pull slide includes a finger or thumb grip recess therein.

11. The lock assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior escutcheon is elongate with a longitudinal axis and the exterior member is manually slidable in the direction of the longitudinal axis to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state.

12. The lock assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior escutcheon includes a substantially planar exterior surface and the exterior member is manually slidable in a direction parallel to the substantially planar exterior surface to configure the lock mechanism into the locked state.

13. The lock assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the lock assembly includes: an interior handle associated with the interior escutcheon; an exterior handle associated with the exterior escucheon; a manually operable snib associated with the interior escutcheon; and a double ended lock cylinder having an interior end associated with the interior escutcheon and an exterior end associated with the exterior escutcheon.

14. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the manually operable snib is pivotable between locked and unlocked positions.

15. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the manually operable snib is slidable between locked and unlocked positions.

16. A lock assembly substantially as described herein with reference to: Figs. I to 13; Figs. 14 to 18; or Figs. 19 to 27 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 12 November 2012 Austral Lock Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON