Door lock permitting easy change in lock core assembly orientation

A door lock (10) includes a driving device (30) having an outer spindle (36) and an outer handle (38) mounted to the outer spindle (36). A mounting member (56) is rotatably mounted in a compartment (46) of the outer handle (38). A positioning member (72) is movably received in a groove (54) of the outer handle (38). When a lock core (74) disengages from the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot move along a longitudinal axis but can pivot about a pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38) to change a positional relationship between first and second holes (64, 66) of the mounting member (56). After the lock core (74) engages with the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot pivot about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a door lock permitting easy change in the lock core assembly orientation and, more particularly, to a door lock permitting an assembly orientation of a lock core of the door lock to be adjusted to the correct assembly orientation no matter the door is right-handed or left-handed, such that the orientation of the key inserted by the user is the same.

Doors are classified into left-handed type and right-handed type according to the type of the wall separating spaces. A left-handed door has a side end pivotably mounted to a door frame, and a door lock is mounted to a right side of the left-handed door, permitting opening and closing by the right side of the left-handed door. A right-handed door has a right side pivotably mounted to a door frame, and a door lock is mounted to a left side of the right-handed door, permitting opening and closing by the left side of the right-handed door. A pivotal direction of a lock core of the door lock mounted to the left side of the door is opposite to a pivotal direction of a lock core of the door lock mounted to the right side of the door, such that the orientation of the keyway of the lock core of the door lock mounted to the left side of the door is opposite to the orientation of the lock core of the door lock mounted to the right side of the door. Thus, the direction of rotating a key for unlocking the door lock could be different, too.

Replaceable figure 8-shaped lock cores have been proposed by manufacturers to solve this problem. Specifically, two keys are provided for a figure 8-shaped lock core, one of which can be used to unlock the door lock, and the other can be used to detach the lock core from the door lock to permit a change in the assembly orientation of the lock core. However, the cross sections of the figure-8 shaped lock cores are not circular, such that the cross sections of a compartment for receiving the lock core is not circular, either. Thus, in addition to detaching the lock core, the outer handle must be detached from the door lock for changing the assembly orientation of the lock core. Namely, the outer handle is reassembled to the correct direction (i.e., the opposite direction), and the lock core is recoupled to the outer handle. Furthermore, to achieve an anti-theft effect, the outer handle cannot be directly detached unless the components in the inner handle are detached. Thus, the assembly orientation of the lock core cannot be changed when only the lock core is detached, leading to insufficient utility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, a door lock includes a driving device having an outer spindle pivotable about a pivotal axis. A latch device is operably connected to the driving device and includes a latch. Pivotal movement of the outer spindle about the pivotal axis causes movement of the latch between a latching position and an unlatching position. An outer handle includes an outer end and an inner end spaced from the outer end along a longitudinal axis. The outer handle further includes a compartment extending from the outer end towards but spaced from the inner end of the outer handle. The compartment includes an inner periphery having a groove. The outer handle further includes an axial hole extending from the inner end of the outer handle and intercommunicating with the compartment. The outer handle is coupled to and jointly pivotable with the outer spindle. A mounting member is rotatably mounted in the compartment of the outer handle and includes a first end face and a second end face spaced from the first end face along the longitudinal axis. The mounting member further includes a first hole extending from the first end face through the second end face and aligned with the axial hole of the outer handle. The mounting member further includes a second hole extending from the first end face through the second end face. The second hole is located on a side of and intercommunicates with the first hole. A positioning member is movably received in the groove of the outer handle. The positioning member permits the mounting member to pivot about the pivotal axis and prevents the mounting member from moving relative to the outer handle along the longitudinal axis. A lock core includes a first portion and a second portion adjoining and extending parallel to the first portion. The lock core is detachably engaged with the mounting member.

When the lock core engages with the mounting member, the first portion of the lock core is received in the first hole of the mounting member, and the second portion of the lock core is received in the second hole of the mounting member, preventing the mounting member from pivoting about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle.

When the lock core disengages from the mounting member, the mounting member is pivotable about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle to change a positional relationship between the first and second holes of the mounting member.

In an example, the mounting member further includes an outer periphery extending between the first and second end faces of the mounting member. The mounting member further includes a through-hole extending from an inner periphery of the second hole in a radial direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis through the outer periphery of the mounting member. The through-hole is aligned with the groove of the outer handle. The positioning member includes a first end securely received in the through-hole and a second end slideably received in the groove of the outer handle.

In a second example, the positioning member moves through the through-hole into a space formed by the annular groove of the mounting member and the groove of the outer handle.

In an example, each of the first and second holes has a central axis. The central axes of the first and second holes spaced from each other in a spacing direction. The through-hole has a central axis at a non-parallel angle to the spacing direction.

The lock core can include a positioning sleeve configured to be unlocked and pivoted by a key. The positioning sleeve includes a lug formed on an outer periphery thereof. The key can be operated to pivot the lug between an extended, engagement position and a retracted, detachment position. When the lug is in the extended, engagement position, the lug abuts the second end face of the mounting member to prevent the lock core from disengaging from the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, thereby positioning the lock core. When the lug is in the retracted, detachment position, the lug is spaced from the second end face of the mounting member to permit the lock core to move relative to the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, disengaging the lock core from the mounting member.

The outer spindle can further include a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove spaced from the first insertion groove by 180° in a circumferential direction about the pivotal axis. When the lug is in the extended, engagement position, the lug abuts an inner wall of one of the first and second insertion grooves to prevent the lock core from disengaging from the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, thereby positioning the lock core. When the lug is in the retracted, detachment position, the lug is spaced from the inner walls of the first and second insertion grooves to permit the lock core to move relative to the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, disengaging the lock core from the mounting member and the outer spindle.

In a second aspect, a door lock includes a driving device having an outer spindle pivotable about a pivotal axis. The driving device is adapted to be mounted to a door having a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face. The door further includes a first side extending between the first and the second end faces. The outer spindle has a distal end located on an outer end of the first side of the door. A latch device is operably connected to the driving device and includes a latch. Pivotal movement of the outer spindle causes movement of the latch between a latching position and an unlatching position. The latch device is configured to be mounted to one of the first and second end faces of the door. An outer handle includes an outer end and an inner end spaced from the outer end along a longitudinal axis of the outer spindle. The outer handle further includes a compartment extending from the outer end towards but spaced from the inner end of the outer handle. The compartment includes an inner periphery having a groove. The outer handle further includes an axial hole extending from the inner end of the outer handle and intercommunicating with the compartment. The outer handle is coupled to and jointly pivotable with the outer spindle. A mounting member is rotatably mounted in the compartment of the outer handle. The mounting member includes a first end face and a second end face spaced from the first end face along the longitudinal axis. The mounting member further includes a first hole extending from the first end face through the second end face and aligned with the axial hole of the outer handle. The mounting member further includes a second hole extending from the first end face through the second end face. The second hole is located on a side of and intercommunicates with the first hole. A positioning member is movably received in the groove of the outer handle. The positioning member permits the mounting member to pivot about the pivotal axis and prevents the mounting member from moving relative to the outer handle along the longitudinal axis. A lock core includes a first portion and a second portion adjoining and extending parallel to the first portion. The lock core is detachably engaged with the mounting member.

When the lock core engages with the mounting member, the first portion of the lock core is received in the first hole of the mounting member, and the second portion of the lock core is received in the second hole of the mounting member, preventing the mounting member from pivoting about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle to change a positional relationship between the first and second holes of the mounting member. When the lock core disengages from the mounting member, the mounting member is pivotable about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle.

When the latch device is mounted to the first end face of the door, the second portion of the lock core is located right below the first portion of the lock core in a vertical direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis. When the latch device is mounted to the second end face of the door, the second portion of the lock core is located right below the first portion of the lock core in a vertical direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis.

In an example, the mounting member further includes an outer periphery extending between the first and second end faces of the mounting member. The mounting member further includes a through-hole extending from an inner periphery of the second hole in a radial direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis through the outer periphery of the mounting member. The through-hole is aligned with the groove of the outer handle. The positioning member includes a first end securely received in the through-hole and a second end slideably received in the groove of the outer handle.

In a second example, the positioning member moves through the through-hole into a space formed by the annular groove of the mounting member and the groove of the outer handle.

In an example, each of the first and second holes has a central axis. The central axes of the first and second holes spaced from each other in a spacing direction. The through-hole has a central axis at a non-parallel angle to the spacing direction.

The lock core can include a positioning sleeve configured to be unlocked and pivoted by a key. The positioning sleeve includes a lug formed on an outer periphery thereof. The key can be operated to pivot the lug between an extended, engagement position and a retracted, detachment position. When the lug is in the extended, engagement position, the lug abuts the second end face of the mounting member to prevent the lock core from disengaging from the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, thereby positioning the lock core. When the lug is in the retracted, detachment position, the lug is spaced from the second end face of the mounting member to permit the lock core to move relative to the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, disengaging the lock core from the mounting member.

The outer spindle can further include a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove spaced from the first insertion groove by 180° in a circumferential direction about the pivotal axis. When the lug is in the extended, engagement position and the latch device is mounted to the first end face of the door, the lug abuts an inner wall of the first insertion groove to prevent the lock core from disengaging from the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, thereby positioning the lock core. When the lug is in the extended, engagement position and the latch device is mounted to the second end face of the door, the lug abuts an inner wall of the second insertion groove to prevent the lock core from disengaging from the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, thereby positioning the lock core. When the lug is in the retracted, detachment position and the latch device is mounted to the first end face of the door, the lug is spaced from the inner wall of the first insertion groove to permit the lock core to move relative to the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, disengaging the lock core from the mounting member and the outer spindle. When the lug in the retracted, detachment position and the latch device is mounted to the second end face of the door, the lug is spaced from the inner wall of the second insertion groove to permit the lock core to move relative to the mounting member along the longitudinal axis, disengaging the lock core from the mounting member and the outer spindle.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-10, a door lock10of a first example according to the present invention is mounted to a door20including a first side22and a second side24opposite to and parallel to the first side22. Door20further includes first and second end faces26and28extending between first and second sides22and24and parallel to and opposite to each other.

Door lock10includes a driving device30and an inner handle34operably connected to driving device30. Door lock10further includes an outer spindle36operably connected to the driving device30. Outer spindle36is pivotable about a pivotal axis and includes an engagement piece37provided on an outer periphery thereof. Engagement piece37can retract in a radial direction. Two legs are provided on a distal end of outer spindle36. A first insertion groove36A is provided on a lower side of one of the two legs. A second insertion groove36B is provided on an upper side of the other leg and is spaced from the first insertion groove36A by 180° in a circumferential direction about the pivotal axis. Door lock10further includes a latch device32having a latch33. Pivotal movement of outer spindle36causes movement of latch33between a latching position and an unlatching position.

Door lock10further includes an outer handle38coupled to and jointly pivotable with outer spindle36. Outer handle38includes an outer end40and an inner end42spaced from outer end40along a longitudinal axis. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis is coincident to the pivotal axis. A neck44is formed on inner end42. Outer handle38further includes a compartment46extending from outer end40towards but spaced from inner end42. Compartment46includes a first section48extending from outer end40along the longitudinal axis and a second section50extending from a bottom end of first section48. Second section50has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of first section48. Two grooves54are defined in an inner periphery of first section48and are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. Grooves54are annular in this example. Outer handle38further includes an axial hole52extending from inner end42along the longitudinal axis and intercommunicating with second section50of compartment46. An inner diameter of axial hole52is slightly larger than outer spindle36. Neck44includes an engagement groove45extending radially inwards from an outer periphery of neck44and intercommunicating with axial hole52.

Outer spindle36is coupled in axial hole52of outer handle38. Engagement piece37engages with engagement groove45of outer handle38. Thus, when outer handle38is pivoted, outer spindle36is actuated through transmission by engagement piece37to pivot about the pivotal axis, which, in turn, actuates inner components of driving device30, thereby moving latch33from the latching position to the unlatching position.

Door lock10further includes a mounting member56coupled to outer handle38. In this example, mounting member56has circular cross sections and includes a first end face58and a second end face60spaced from first end face58along the longitudinal axis and parallel to first end face58. Mounting member56further includes a first hole64extending from first end face58through second end face60and aligned with axial hole52of outer handle38. Mounting member56further includes a second hole66extending from first end face58through second end face60. Second hole66is located on a side of and intercommunicates with first hole64. Thus, first and second holes64and66together have substantially figure-8 shaped cross sections.

In this example, two annular grooves68are defined in an outer periphery62of mounting member56and are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis. Mounting member56further includes two through-holes70. Each through-hole70extends from an inner periphery of second hole66in a radial direction perpendicular to the pivotal axis to one of annular grooves68. Each through-hole70is aligned with one of annular grooves68of mounting member56and one of grooves54of outer handle38. Each of first and second holes64and66has a central axis. The central axes of first and second holes64and66are spaced from each other in a spacing direction. Each through-hole70has a central axis at a non-parallel angle to the spacing direction.

Mounting member56is rotatably mounted in compartment46of the outer handle38. Annular grooves68of mounting member56are aligned with grooves54of outer handle38(FIG. 5), such that each annular groove68and the associated groove54together form an annular space. First end face58of mounting member56is substantially flush with outer end40of outer handle38. Second end face60abuts an intersection of first and second sections48and50.

Each of two positioning members72in the form of two balls is moved through one of through-holes70into one of the annular spaces formed by one of annular grooves68of mounting member56and one of grooves54of outer handle38. Thus, each positioning member72is movable between mounting member56and outer handle38. Since the central axis of each through-hole70is at a non-parallel angle to the spacing direction of the central axes of first and second holes64and66, each positioning member72which has passed through an associated through-hole70falls downward due to the gravitational force and, thus, misaligns from the associated through-hole70, preventing positioning member72from passing through the associated through-hole70in the reverse direction and subsequent disengagement from outer handle38and mounting member56. Furthermore, the outer diameter of each positioning member72is slightly smaller than the radial length of the associated annular space defined by the associated groove54and the associated annular groove68, such that positioning members72between outer handle38and mounting member56permit outer spindle36to pivot relative to outer handle38about the pivotal axis and prevent mounting member56from disengaging from outer handle38along the longitudinal axis.

Door lock10further includes a lock core74detachably mounted to mounting member56. Lock core74includes a housing76having a first portion78and a second portion80parallel to and adjoining first portion78, such that outer housing76has substantially figure-8 shaped cross sections. First portion78is pivotably received in a positioning sleeve82which has a lug84on an outer periphery thereof Lock core74further includes a shaft86rotatably mounted in positioning sleeve82. Shaft86includes a keyway86A extending from an end face through the other end face of shaft86. Two keys can be inserted into keyway86A. One of the keys can unlock the locking state of shaft86(positioning sleeve82remains locked and cannot pivot) and can further drive driving device30to move latch33between the latching position and the unlatching position. The other key can unlock the locking state of positioning sleeve82to permit joint pivotal movement of positioning sleeve82and shaft86, pivoting lug84of positioning sleeve82about the pivotal axis between the extended, engagement position outside of homing76and the retracted, detachment position inside of housing76.

In a case that mounting member56is rotated to a position in which second hole66is right below first hole64in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while lug84is in the retracted, detachment position, first portion78of lock core74can be inserted into first hole64of mounting member56via first end face58of mounting member56, and second portion80is received in second hole66. Furthermore, first portion78is coupled with outer spindle36. The two legs of outer spindle36abut the outer periphery of second portion80of housing76. Thus, lock core74cannot pivot relative to outer spindle36but can pivot jointly with outer spindle36. Lug84of positioning sleeve82is aligned with first insertion groove36A of outer spindle36. An outer end face of housing76of lock core74is substantially flush with first end face58of mounting member56. The key for operating positioning sleeve82can be used to pivot positioning sleeve82, moving lug84from the retracted, detachment position to the extended, engagement position (FIGS. 4 and 5). Thus, an end of lug84abuts second end face60of mounting member56and an inner wall of first insertion groove36A of outer spindle36, such that lock core74cannot disengage from outer spindle36and mounting member56along the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, second portion80of lock core74is right below first portion78. Thus, outer handle38can be pivoted to cause joint pivotal movement of outer spindle36, mounting member56, and lock core74.

Assume door20is mounted as a left-handed type (second end face28is pivotably connected to a door frame), and first end face26is movable between a closed position aligned with the door frame and an open position misaligned from the door frame. In this case, door lock10is mounted to a location of door20adjacent to first end face26(FIG. 3). Specifically, driving device30is fixed to first and second sides22and24of door20and is adjacent to first end face26. Latch device32is fixed to first end face26of door20, and latch33in the latching position is beyond first end face26. An inclined face of latch33faces second side24of door20. Inner handle34is on second side24of door20. Outer handle38, mounting member56, and lock core74are on first side22of door20. Assume that the assembly orientation of lock core74is that second portion80is right below first portion78after door lock10has been installed to door20, the assembly orientation of lock core74is correct and, thus, does not need to change the assembly orientation of lock core74. In this case, first side22of door20is deemed as the outer side, and second side24of door20is deemed as the inner side. Thus, door20is pivoted to open if door20is pushed from first side22towards second side24. On the other hand, door20is pivoted to the closed position if door20is pushed from second side24towards first side22.

Inner handle34or outer handle38can be pivoted to move latch33from the latching position to the unlatching position. If door lock10is set in the locking state in which outer spindle36and outer handle38cannot be pivoted (but inner handle34can be pivoted), the key for unlocking shaft86can be used to rotate shaft86to switch door lock10to the unlocked state, such that latch33can be moved from the latching position to the unlatching position upon pivotal movement of outer spindle36and outer handle38.

Given first side22of door20is the outer side and second side24is the inner side, if door20is mounted in a manner that first end face26is pivotably connected to the door frame while second end face28is movable between a closed position aligned with the door frame and an open position misaligned from the door frame, door lock10must be mounted to a location adjacent to second end face28(FIG. 6). Specifically, driving device30is fixed to first and second sides22and24and is located adjacent to second end face28of door20, and latch device32is fixed to second end face28. Latch33in the latching position is beyond second end face28of door20. The inclined face of latch33faces second side24of door20. Inner handle34is on second side24of door20. Outer handle38, mounting member56, and lock core74are on first side22of door20.

It can be appreciated that it is not necessary to detach components on the side of outer handle38during installation of door lock10on door20. Since outer handle38and lock core74are assembled together, outer handle38is generally mounted to the outer side of door20to provide an anti-theft effect. Outer handle38cannot be detached without detaching inner handle34and the components on the side of the inner handle34. Given the above arrangement, if the assembly orientation of lock core74is that second portion80is right above first portion78(which is the wrong direction, seeFIGS. 6 and 7), it is necessary to insert the key88for detaching lock core into keyway86A (FIG. 7) and then pivot the key88to pivot positioning sleeve82, moving lug84from the extended, engagement position to the retracted, detachment position. Thus, lug84is spaced from first insertion groove36A of outer spindle36and second end face60of mounting member56, permitting lock core74to be disengaged from mounting member56and outer spindle36along the longitudinal axis.

After lock core74restricting mounting member56has been detached (FIG. 9), mounting member56can be rotated relative to outer handle38about the pivotal axis until second hole66of mounting member56is right below first hole64(FIG. 10). Namely the positional relationship between first and second holes64and66of mounting member56is changed. Next, lock core74is reassembled with mounting member56and outer spindle36. Then, key88is used to pivot positioning sleeve82, moving lug84from the retracted, detachment position to the extended, engagement position. Thus, mounting member56is again restricted by lock core74and outer spindle36, such that mounting member56can only pivot together with outer handle38and outer spindle36. Furthermore, lock core74cannot disengage from outer spindle36and mounting member56along the longitudinal axis. Lock core74has been assembled to be in the correct assembly orientation in which second portion80is right below first portion78. Thus, door lock10can be mounted to door20with the assembly orientation of lock core74remaining the same and correct.

Since door lock10permits the assembly orientation of lock core74mounted to mounting member56can be changed without detaching outer handle38, manufacturers do not have to consider whether the assembly orientation of lock core74meets the user need, because the assembly orientation of lock core74can be changed by using key88for detaching lock core74. Thus, door lock10provides enhanced convenience during installation.

Another feature of door lock10is that the central axis of each through-hole70of mounting member56is at a non-parallel angle with the spacing direction of the central axes of the first and second holes64and66(namely, each through-hole70is not directly below the associated first hole64or the associated second hole66), such that each positioning member72which has passed through an associated through-hole70falls downward due to the gravitational force and, thus, misaligns from the associated through-hole70. Thus, even if mounting member56is rotated before lock core74is mounted, it is difficult for each positioning member72to disengage from mounting member56by passing through the associated through-hole70in the reverse direction. The assembly of mounting member56and outer handle38is, thus, simple.

FIG. 11shows a door lock10of a second example according to the present invention. Door lock10of the second example is substantially the same as the first example except that mounting member56does not have to include the two annular grooves68, and the two positioning members72are cylindrical and are engaged with through-holes70of mounting member56by tight coupling, such that each positioning member72has an end slideably received in one of grooves54of outer handle38. The two positioning members72can also prevent mounting member56from disengaging from outer spindle36and outer handle38and can permit mounting member56to pivot about the pivotal axis before mounting member56engages with lock core74.

Due to the feature of the rotatable mounting member56after detaching lock core74, door lock10of the second example also permits a change in the assembly orientation of lock core74without detaching outer handle38.

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, mounting member56can include only one annular groove68, outer handle38can include only one groove54, and a positioning member72is received in the annular space defined by annular groove68and groove54. Furthermore, outer handle38, mounting member56, lock core74, and positioning members72can be of other desired forms as conventional including but not limited to of commercially available types.

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.