Lever type handle and lock assembly for the same

A lock assembly for a lever type handle is disclosed. In the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to an aspect to the invention, the lever type handle is for opening and closing a door by a rotation of a handle portion. The lock assembly includes a key module rotated by a key member, wherein the key module being positioned in the handle portion, a rotary shaft rotated by a rotation of the key module and locking or unlocking the door through a dead lock member, and a rotation transmitter for transmitting the rotation of the key module to the rotary shaft.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a lever type handle and a lock assembly for the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as an interest in interior design increases, a shape of a handle is also diversified. Among handles of various types, a lever type handle is convenient, and has an excellent appearance. Therefore, the lever type handle is used for various doors, such as, a door of a room, a window, a front door, and so on.

A lever type handle basically opens and closes a door, and, additionally locks the door by preventing the rotation of the lever type handle or by using a dead lock member such as a dead bolt. For this, a key way or a hole wherein an additional key is inserted is formed at a peripheral portion of the lever type handle or a front surface of the lever type handle.

However, since the key way or the hole is formed at the peripheral portion of the lever type handle or the front surface of the lever type handle, a large area is necessary to perform an assembly and a process for mounting the lever type handle, and it makes an ill appearance. Also, in order to change the structure with the key to the structure without the key, to change the structure without the key to the structure with the key, or to change a type of the key, a whole portion of the lever type handle should be disassembled, a key-inserted portion should be replaced, and the whole portion of the lever type handle should be re-assembled. Thus, it is inconvenient to change the structure with the key to the structure without the key, to change the structure without the key to the structure with the key, or to change the type of the key. In addition, shapes of the lever type handles are different whether the key is used or not and according to the types of the keys, along with the basic function for opening and closing the door, and thus, the handles cannot have the uniform appearances.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The invention provides a lever type handle and a lock assembly for the same being able to have a simple structure and to be used for many purposes.

In a lock assembly for a lever type handle according to an aspect of the invention, the lever type handle is for opening and closing a door by a rotation of a handle portion. The lock assembly includes a key module rotated by a key member and positioned in the handle portion, a rotary shaft rotated by a rotation of the key module and locking or unlocking the door through a dead lock member, and a rotation transmitter for transmitting the rotation of the key module to the rotary shaft.

The key module may be positioned at an end portion of the handle portion.

An insertion direction of the key member may be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the handle portion.

The rotation transmitter may include a flexible shaft.

The handle portion may be bent, and the rotation transmitter may be bent to correspond to the handle portion in the handle portion.

The rotation transmitter may have a suspended portion where the rotary shaft is suspended at an end portion of the rotation transmitter.

The dead lock member may be protruded from or inserted in the door by the rotation of the rotary shaft, or the dead lock member may prevent the rotation of the lever type handle.

The key module may include at least one of a key way, a groove for a coin, and a grip portion at a surface of the key module exposed to an outside.

The lock assembly may further include a fixing portion where the rotation transmitter is fixed, and the fixing portion is positioned between the rotation transmitter and the key module. The fixing portion includes a groove having protrusions and indentations at an inner surface of the fixing portion, and the rotation transmitter is fixed to the groove of the fixing portion.

The key module may include a depressed portion where the fixing portion is coupled by an interference fit or a tight fit.

The lock assembly may be used on a hinged door or a sliding door.

The key module may have a cylinder shape.

A lever type handle according to another aspect of the invention includes a handle structure positioned outside a door, the handle structure including a housing portion mounted adjacent to a door and a handle portion including a first handle portion rotatably coupled to the housing portion and a second handle portion connected to the first handle portion through a bent portion, and a lock assembly for opening and closing the door by an operation of the handle portion. The lock assembly includes a key module rotated by a key member, the key module being positioned at and end portion of the second handle portion, and a rotary shaft rotated by a rotation of the key module and locking or unlocking the door through a dead lock member, a rotation transmitter for transmitting the rotation of the key module to the rotary shaft.

The key module may be positioned at an end portion of the handle portion.

An insertion direction of the key member may be parallel to a longitudinal direction of the handle portion.

The rotation transmitter may include a flexible shaft.

The handle portion may be bent, and the rotation transmitter may be bent to correspond to the handle portion in the handle portion.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the invention, a key module is positioned inside a handle portion, and thus, an additional hole for installing the key module is not formed in a window or a door. Since the key module is not exposed to the outside and is not shown from the front of the door, the appearance of a lever type handle is excellent. Also, the key module is positioned at an end portion of the handle portion, and therefore, the key module can be easily operated by a user through using a key member.

Further, a structure of the lock assembly is simplified to the key module, a rotation transmitter, and a rotary shaft. Accordingly, a number of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be decreased. In addition, it is convenient to assemble and disassemble the lock assembly.

Furthermore, by unifying shapes of the key modules, a key module having a key way, a key module having a groove for a coin, or a key module having a grip portion can be freely selected. Also, when the key module is not necessary, a finishing module can be used instead of the key module. That is, the key module and/or the finishing module can be variously applied according to user's taste, a location of a door, and a usage of the door. Therefore, the user can can select the key module or the finishing module for various purposes, and productivity of the doors with the key module or finishing module can be enhanced.

In addition, the lock assembly or the lever type handle including the lock assembly can be freely applied to various types of doors, such as a hinged door, a sliding door, and so on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a lever type handle including a lock assembly according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the lever type handle having the lock assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, andFIG. 2is a schematic view for illustrating an example of a structure of the lock assembly for the lever type handle shown inFIG. 1.

With reference toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a lever type handle100having a lock assembly according to the embodiment of the invention includes handle structures110and120positioned at both sides of a door (not shown) to be operated by a user, and a case portion130is positioned between the handle structures110and120. Lock assemblies20and40are positioned inside each of the handle structures110and120so that the door is opened and closed by the user through the operation of the handle structures110and120.

The handle structures110and120include housing portions114and124installed to be adjacent to the door by fixing members(not shown) such as bolts and handle portions112and122rotatably coupled, respectively.

The case portion130is installed inside the door. In the case portion130, a latch member2, a dead lock member4, and so on are positioned. The door is opened or closed by the latch member2and/or the dead lock member4protruded from the door or inserted in the door. For example, a latch bolt is used for the latch member2. A dead lock member protruding outside the door, such as a dead bolt, or a dead lock member for preventing a rotation of the handle portion112or122is used for the dead lock member4. In the embodiment, the latch bolt is used for the latch member2, and the dead bolt is used for the dead lock member4.

In the embodiment, the lock assemblies20and40include a latch lock assembly20and a dead lock assembly40. The latch lock assembly20makes the latch member2be protruded from the door or be inserted in the door by a rotation of the handle portion112or122. The dead lock assembly40makes the dead lock member4be protruded from the door or be inserted in the door by an operation of a key module41, which is installed at an end portion of the handle portion112or122.

More specifically, the latch lock assembly20makes the latch member2be protruded from or be inserted in the door by the rotation of the handle portion112or122.

In a normal state, the latch member2protrudes from the door to penetrate through an opening220for the latch member2of the case portion130. Thus, the latch member2is fixed to a receiving hole (not shown) of a doorpost (not shown). Hereby, the door is prevented from being open by wind or a weak concussion.

When the user rotates the handle portion112or122by an angular motion of a cam21connected to the handle portion112or122, a connection lever22connected to the cam21activates or actuates a latch slider23. Since a cam24for a slant move is formed at a side of the latch slider23, a latch guide pin25connected to the cam24moves. And then, the latch member2is inserted inside the case portion130. In this state, the user can open and close the user door.

In the embodiment, the latch lock assembly20includes the cam21, the connection lever22, the latch slider23, the cam24, and the latch guide pin25to operate the latch member2, as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the latch member2may be operated by well-known various structures.

Also, the dead lock assembly40makes the dead lock member4be protruded from or inserted into the door by the key module41installed at the end portion of the handle portion112or122.

More particularly, the rotation force of the key module41can be transmitted to the rotary shaft43through a rotation transmitter42, and a connection lever45connected to the rotary shaft43moves a dead lock slider47. By the movement of the dead lock slider47, the dead lock member4can be protruded to penetrate through an opening420for the dead lock member4of the case portion130or can be inserted in the case portion130. In the state that the dead lock member4is protruded to penetrate through the opening420for dead lock member4, the door is kept closed by the dead lock member4.

In the embodiment, the dead lock assembly40operates the dead lock member4by using the connection lever45and the dead lock slider47, as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the dead lock member4may be operated by well-known various structures. That is, it is enough to have the key module41, the rotation transmitter42, and the rotary shaft43in the embodiment, and various structures for moving the dead lock member4by the rotary shaft43may be used.

With reference toFIG. 3, along withFIG. 1, the dead lock assembly40including the key module41, the rotation transmitter42, the rotary shaft43, and so on will be described in more detail.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to the first embodiment of the invention, andFIG. 4is a perspective view of various modified embodiments of the key module in the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to drawings, the dead lock assembly40, which is the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to the embodiment, may include the key module41, the rotation transmitter42, and the rotary shaft43. Also, a fixing portion49may be further positioned between the key module41and the rotation transmitter42.

In the embodiment, the key module41is rotatably installed inside the handle portion (112or122ofFIG. 1). More particularly, an inner portion of each of the handle portions112and122is vacant, and an end portion of each of the handle portions112and122is open. The key modules41are positioned at the open end portions of the handle portions112and122, respectively. The key modules41are formed to correspond to an inner shape of the handle portions112and122, respectively. For example, each of the handle portions112and122has a cylinder shape.

The key module41is formed of at least one of various materials having high productivity and having high strength so that it cannot be damaged by repeated operations. For example, the key module41may be formed of metal, plastic, and so on.

A key way410is formed at an outer surface of the key module41exposed through the open end of the handle portion112or120so that a key416can be inserted. In the embodiment, it is exemplified that the key416is used as a key module for rotating the key module41. In the invention, the key member indicates all structures, components, and types being able to rotate the key module41.

Therefore, as shown in (a) ofFIG. 4, a groove410afor a coin416ais formed, and the key module41may be rotated by the coin416ainserted into the groove410a. Selectively, as shown in (b) ofFIG. 4, the grip portions410bare formed at both sides of the outside surface of the key module41b. The user may insert fingers into the grip portions410band rotate the key module41b. In (b) ofFIG. 4, it is shown that the grip portions410bhave grooves or concave shapes so that the user's finger can be inserted. Contrary to this, the grip portions410hhave extruded shapes.

Also, when the locking by the dead lock member4is not necessary in the lever type handle, a finishing module41chaving a flat outside surface may be used instead of the key module41, as shown in (c) ofFIG. 4.

In the embodiment, the key module41bis positioned at the end portion of the handle portion112or122, and thus, the insertion direction of the key416is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the handle portion112or122. That is, it is different from the prior art in which the longitudinal direction of the handle portion112or122crosses the insertion direction of the key416.

Also, a depressed portion (or a recess portion)412may be formed at an inner surface opposite to the outer surface of the key module41. The fixing portion49is fixed in the depressed portion412by an interference fit or a tight fit, and the rotation transmission42is fixed to the fixing portion49. Then, the key module41and the rotation transmitter42are firmly and stably fixed to each other, and thus, the rotation of the key module41can be transmitted to the rotary shaft43.

For example, the fixing portion49may be a spline. As shown in drawings, grooves having protrusions and/or indentations are formed at the fixing portion49. Therefore, the fixing portion49can firmly and stably be fixed to an outer surface of the rotation transmitter42. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Selectively, the rotation transmitter42may be directly fixed to the key module41without the fixing portion49.

Various structures for transmitting the rotation of the key module41may be applied to the rotation transmitter42. A flexible shaft that can change the axis direction may be used for the rotation transmitter42. For example, the flexible shaft may be formed by winding a thin wire several times to have a coil or spring shape in order to change the axis direction. Therefore, the rotation transmitter42can transmit the rotation of the key module41to the rotary shaft43, and can be installed in the handle portion112or122.

A suspended portion42ais formed at an end portion of the rotation transmitter42adjacent to the rotary shaft43, and the rotary shaft43can be fixed to the suspended portion42a. Then, the rotation transmitter42and the rotary shaft43can be firmly and stably fixed to each other.

In the lever type handle, each of the handle portions112and122is bent, each of the rotation transmitters42positioned in the handle portions112and122is also bent to correspond to each of the handle portions112and122.

The rotary shaft43may be formed of a shaft of various materials and various shapes. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the materials and shapes of the rotary shaft43.

In the dead lock assembly40, when the user inserts the key416to the key module41and rotates the key module41, the rotary shaft43is rotated through the rotation transmitter42, and thereby moving the dead lock member4.

In the embodiment, the key module41is positioned inside the handle portion112or122, and thus, an additional hole for installing the key module41is not formed at a window or a door. Since the key module41is not exposed to the outside and the key module41is not shown at the front, an appearance of the lever type handle is excellent. Also, the key module41is positioned at the end portion of the handle portion112or122, and therefore, the key module41can be easily operated by the user through using the key416.

Further, a structure of the dead lock assembly40is simplified as the key module41, the rotation transmitter42, and the rotary shaft43. Accordingly, a number of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be decreased. In addition, it is convenient to assemble and disassemble the dead lock assembly40.

Furthermore, by unifying the shapes of the key modules41,41a, and41b, the key module41having the key way410, the key module41ahaving the groove410afor the coin416a, or the key module41bhaving the grip portions410acan be freely selected. Also, when the key module41,41a, or41bis not necessary, the finishing module41ccan be used instead of the key module41,41a, or41b. That is, the key module41,41a, or41band/or the finishing module41ccan be variously applied according to user's taste, a location of a door, and a use of the door. Therefore, the right of selection of the user can increase, and productivity of producers can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, lock assemblies for lever type handles according to other embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail. Portions that are same as or similar to the portions of the above embodiment will be omitted, and other different portions will be described in more detail.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a lever type handle including a lock assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, a lever type handle102according to the second embodiment is applied to a sliding door20such as a window. That is, in the above embodiment, it is described and shown that the lever type handle is applied to a hinged door. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a lock assembly for the lever type handle is applied to the sliding door20. In this instance, handle structures110amay be positioned at both side of the sliding door20, respectively, or the handle structure110amay be positioned at one side of the sliding door20.

In the second embodiment, the dead lock member4apositioned inside the sliding door20is protruded to maintain the locked state or is inserted into the sliding door20to release the locked state, by the rotation of the rotary shaft43through the key module40. Since known various structures may be applied to the structure for making the dead lock member4aof the sliding door20protruded from or inserted in the door, the detail descriptions thereof will be omitted.

InFIG. 5, it is exemplified that the key module41for using the key416is used. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, for the key module41, the key module41having the key way410, the key module41ahaving the groove410afor the coin416a, the key module41bhaving the grip portions410b, or the finishing module41c, as shown inFIG. 4may be used.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a door having a lever type handle including a lock assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIG. 6, in a lever type handle104according to the third embodiment, the dead lock member prevents the rotation of the handle portion112or122, not protruding to the outside. That is, when the key module41of a lock assembly for the lever type handle is rotated, the dead lock member (not shown) moves to a position for preventing the rotation of the handle portions112and122. Then, the handle portions112and122cannot be rotated, and thus, the latch member2cannot be inserted into the case portion103. Thus, the door can be kept closed.

Since known various structures may applied to the structure for preventing the rotation of the handle portions112and122, the detail descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of a lever type handle having a lock assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, in a lock assembly106according to the embodiment, a part of the key module41is positioned in the handle portion112or122, and the other part of the key module41is exposed to the outside. Hereby, exposing the part of the key module41where the key member like a key is inserted to the outside, the user can easily insert the key into the key module41. In this instance, since the key module41has a shape corresponding to the handle portion112or122, the appearance is not ill although the part of the key module41is exposed.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of a lever type handle108having a lock assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

It is exemplified that the key module41wholly has a uniform diameter in the embodiment shown inFIG. 7. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 8, a part of the key module41positioned outside the handle portion112or122may have a diameter larger than that of the other part of the key module41positioned inside the handle portion112or122. Then, there is no step between the outer surface of the handle portion112or122and the part of the key module41positioned outside the handle portion112or122. Then, the appearance is excellent, and the inconvenience due to the step can be prevented.

As described in the above, the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to the invention can maintain or release the locked state of the door by controlling the movement of the dead lock member4or4aprotruding to the outside of the door. Also, the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to the invention can maintain or release the locked state of the door by controlling the movement of the latch member2by moving the dead lock member to the position for preventing the rotation of the handle portions112and122.