A DOOR LOCK

Abstract: The lock housing (1) of a door lock houses two mutually independent mechanisms for retracting a latch bolt (24) from its locking position. The one mechanism enables the latch bolt to be retracted by turning a key in a cylinder lock provided with a cylinder follower (4), in a conventional manner. The second mechanism enables the latch bolt to be retracted with the aid of a knob follower (15) in coaction with a coupling hook (10), providing that a stop member (22e) which is actuated by the core (21a) of a solenoid (21) and which moves in the movement plane of the coupling hook is not in engagement with a corresponding stop member (10e) on the coupling hook (10). In this regard, rotational or pivotal movement of the knob follower causes a coupling means (15b) associated with said knob follower to engage a second recess (10b) in the coupling hook (10), therewith coupling the knob follower and the coupling hook together, wherein further rotation of the knob follower causes the latch bolt to be retracted by virtue of the coupling hook actuating the enlargement (24b) on the latch bolt rod. When the stop members (10e, 22e) are mutually engaged, the knob follower coupling means (15b) will pass by the coupling hook without engaging the same. The core-carried stop member (22e) is rectilinearly movable and the core does not function to move or swing the members of the lock mechanisms.

Description: A DOOR LOCK FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to door locks of the kind defined in the preamble of Claim l. Door locks of this kind also normally include a lock bolt which is actuated by a cylinder mechanism, wherein turning of a key in the lock opening direction will retract both the lock bolt and a latch bolt. However, the invention can also be applied to door locks of the kind which lack a standard lock bolt and in which the latch bolt serves additionally as a lock bolt. Normally, such locks are also provided with a safety catch which ensures that the latch bolt cannot be pressed-in with the aid of a tool inserted in the door crack, when the door is closed. In this regard, the latch bolt can only be retracted with the aid of the key and by means of the door knob or handle when so permitted. However, the invention can also be applied to other types of locks, for instance with locks that lack a safety catch of the aforesaid kind. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART FI-B-854835 (Wartsila/Abloy) describes a door lock of the kind to which the invention pertains which lacks a lock bolt and in which "coupling means" are provided between the knob follower and the door knob or like turning device, and which includes a solenoid for controlling said coupling means. Depending on the object of use, the solenoid when in an active state shall either establish a connection between follower and latch bolt or disengage such connection, although always so that the latch bolt can be actuated via the cylinder lock. The constructions described in the publication are technical¬ ly complicated, among other things because when moving between its end positions the solenoid core is intended to rotate and displace different component members of the actual lock mechanism. Thus, in order for the arrangement to function satisfactorily it is necessary for the solenoid core to carry out not inconsiderable functional work. This increases the risk of unsatisfactory functioning of the lock and shortens the useful life thereof. US-A-3,748,878 (Balzano, et al) describes a lock of the kind concerned in which a force-transmitting connection between a knob and a lock bolt can be controlled by a solenoid. In the case of this lock construction, the electrically con¬ trolled coupling means can be moved in the direction of the knob axis so as to break or make the connection of the knob with the lock bolt. DE-A-2 151 904 (Hemmen) describes a lock of the kind con¬ cerned in which the solenoid always releases the lock when activated. SE-B-426 858 (FAS) describes another type of coupling means for disconnecting or connecting the latch bolt activating the follower. SE-B-442 420 (WSO CPU-System) describes a slightly different lock construction which includes a lock bolt, a knob or the like, and an electrically actuable knob coupling means. The coupling means has the form of a disk which is provided around its periphery with at least one tooth which coacts with a bracket-carried pivotable hook which is connected to the electrical manoeuvering means in a manner to enable the hook to be swung into and out of engagement with said tooth. This arrangement is encumbered essentially with the same drawbacks as the arrangement described in the aforesaid Finnish publication. DE-C1-38 17 696 (Meyers & Meister) describes a mechanical combination lock which includes a coupling system having a pivotal or rotatable dogging disk, said lock being particu¬ larly intended for safes, vaults and safety deposit cabinets. The disk has a recess or notch into which a hook-bearing abutment member connected to a lock bolt ("Einfallhebel") is able to engage when permitted by a solenoid-activated latching member. The latching member is movable at right angles to the movement plane of the dogging disk and the abutment member. When the abutment member is in engagement with the disk, rotation of the disk causes the lock bolt to be retracted to its lock release position. Code disks provided with notches or recesses are mounted adjacent to and parallel with the dogging disk. This type of combination lock thus differs from door locks that are intended for houses, flats and domestic buildings for instance and which are provided with a latch bolt that has a flanged or likewise enlarged part at one end and where the latch bolt is actuated by two separate mechanisms, one of which is a cylinder lock mechanism, to which the present invention relates. Further example of the earlier standpoint of techniques are found in DE-A-26 22 720 (Matzanke) and EP-A1-0 315 056 (Hell ϋller + Zingg) . OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a door lock of the aforesaid kind which comprises only a few positively coacting components and in which the solenoid core does not need to carry out real work in conjunction with actuating the means required to enable or prevent retraction of the latch bolt upon activation of the knob follower. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention with a lock arrangement of the aforesaid kind that has the characteristic features set forth in the charac¬ terizing clause of the following Claim 1. By using a coupling member that is provided with a stop member of and which is intended for the aforesaid coaction with a stop member on a solenoid core, the solenoid need not perform any other operative function in conjunction with activation of the latch bolt by the follower, via the coupling member or movement out of engagement with the coupling member to avoid such activation other than that of ensuring that the core stop member will be respectively in engagement with and out of engagement with the stop member on the coupling member by virtue of movement of the core stop member in a plane which is parallel with the movement plane of remaining members. In other words, the solenoid core is not required to actuate any members which are included in the actual lock mechanism and required to maneuver the latch bolt with the aid of the follower, as is the case in constructions belonging to the known prior art. This reduces the number of lock components required, while at the same time reducing the risk of damage to the lock and the risk of lock malfunctions, while also enhancing the reliability of the lock and extend¬ ing its useful life. In practice, the core stop member may be provided on a core connected element, for instance a slide which moves essen¬ tially rectilinearly between two end positions in said plane. To this end, the slide may include an elongated hole which receives a pin for controlling movement of the slide element. The actual stop members may have the simple form of shoulders whose direction of mutual engagement is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide. It will be seen that the work required of the solenoid core in moving a slide of this simple design together with its associated shoulder into and out of engagement with the shoulder on the coupling member is practically negligible. Movement of the slide in conjunc¬ tion with delivering current to the solenoid will preferably occur against the action of a spring, which functions to return the slide and its stop shoulder, biassed by the spring, to their initial or original position when the current supply to the solenoid is broken. In one embodiment preferred in practice, the coupling member has the form of a hook member having two adjacent recesses or apertures for alternative engagement with a coupling means connected to the follower, for instance a pin which extends in parallel with the pivot axis of the follower. In this embodiment, the coupling member has a simple and compact construction, while facilitating engagement of the follower with the coupling member. In practice, it is preferred that the pivot axle of the coupling member is mounted in an elongated hole in said member, so that when the coupling means is in engagement with one of said recesses, the coupling member will be both pivotal and displaceable on said pivot axle. This possibility of combined pivotal and linear movement of the coupling member forces the special function of the invention to permit free passage of the follower when the two stop members mutually engage, while, when such is not the case, initial movement of the follower will cause the coupling member to pivot around its pivot axis so as to bring the follower into engagement with said second recess by means of said coupling means, such as to couple the follower reliably to the coupling member. Continued pivotal movement of the follower will then cause the coupling member to both pivot and move linearly in relation to its pivot axle and to retract the latch bolt to its lock release position, by virtue of the coupling member engaging the enlarged part at the end of the latch bolt or to a member mounted adjacent thereto. The coupling member is preferably actuated by a spring which, when the stop members are not in mutual engagement, causes initial rotation of the coupling member such that the knob follower coupling means is able to engage in the second recess on the coupling member. The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1-4 illustrate an inventive latch bolt lock from above. The illustrated locks are shown prior to installation and the Figures show the lock housing and the different lock mechanisms housed therein. The knob follower mechanism which actuates the latch bolt is shown in different positions, wherein Figs. 1-3 illustrate engagement of the follower mechanism and retraction of the latch bolt, while Fig. 4 shows the follower in a disengaged state. More particularly: Fig. 1 illustrates the initial position of the coupling hook when the stop members are out of mutual engagement and prior to initial pivotal movement of the knob follower. Fig. 2 shows the position of the coupling hook subsequent to initial pivotal movement of said hook and the knob follower, such as to obtain coupling engagement between said two stop members. Fig. 3 illustrates the state of the lock when turning of the knob or handle is continued and the latch bolt is retracted. Finally, Fig. 4 shows the stop members in engagement with one another, wherewith the coupling hook remains in its initial position and free passage of the knob follower arm is permitted. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The illustrated latch bolt lock is comprised of a lock housing 1 which includes a lock post 2 and which houses a lock bolt 6 and associated lock mechanism, represented by a cylinder follower 4 having a toothed segment 4a in engagement with a toothed segment 5 which, through the medium of a pin 8 in an aperture 6a provided in the lock bolt 6, causes the lock bolt to move linearly into and out of a locking position in response to turning of the lock key (not shown) in an associated cylinder lock (not shown). The bolt mechanism coacts with a dogging arm 7 which coacts with the other bolt of the lock, namely the latch bolt 24, in a manner described in detail herebelow. The latch bolt 24 typically includes a bolt rod 24a and a latch-bolt enlargement 24b. The latch-bolt enlargement is actuated by a spring 25. The bolt rod 24a is embraced by a plate or washer 9 in the vicinity of the latch bolt enlargement 24b. The latch bolt 24 is manoeuvered typically by means of a knob follower 15 having a follower arm 15a and a follower hub or bush 16. The follower is pivotal about an axis 15c. The follower is actuable by a knob, a handle or like device (not shown) in a typical manner. The follower arm 15a actuates the enlargement 24b of the latch bolt 24 via a coupling member which in the illustrated case has the form of a coupling hook 10 provided with two mutually adjacent recesses 10a and 10b which coact with a coupling means in the form of a pin 15b on the follower arm 15a in a manner described in more detail below. The coupling hook is provided with an elongated hole lOd which accommodates a pivot pin 10c, therewith enabling the coupling hook 10 to both pivot on and move linearly in relation to the pin 10c. The coupling hook 10 is also provided with a stop member lOe, the function of which will be described in more detail below. The coupling hook 10 is biassed by a spring 23 which strives to swing the hook 10 around the pivot pin 10c in a clockwise direction. The follower 15 is swung clockwise around the hub 15c against the action of a spring 17. Reference 20 identifies an attachment for a solenoid 21 having a core 21a which coacts with a slide 22. The slide is provided with an elongated hole 22a which accommodates a pin 22b, said pin controlling or giving the rectilinear movement of the slide. The slide carries a stop member 22e intended for coaction with the stop member lOe on the hook member 10 (c.f. below). The solenoid core 21a is biassed in an outward direction by a spring 19, i.e. is biassed towards the position in which the stop members lOe and 22e on the respective hook member 10 and slide 22 are in mutual engagement. Voltage is applied to the solenoid 21 by means of an electric contact device 14 located externally of the lock housing, wherein the electrical arrangement within the lock housing includes a protective diode 18. The latch bolt mechanism also includes a safety catch 26 provided with a lock-picking guard 27, and a safety-catch hook 11 actuated by a spring 28. The arrangement prevents the latch bolt 24 from being retracted from its locking position to its lock release position, e.g. with the aid of a screw- driver or the like inserted into the door crack. The safety catch 26 is actuated by a spring 29. A spring 30 is provided for actuation of the toothed segment 5. The safety catch 11 is also adapted for coaction with a microswitch 12 mounted in the lock housing, thereby enabling the state of the lock to be indicated electrically. Coupling of the follower 15 to the coupling hook 10 to effect movement of the latch bolt 24 to its lock release position by means of the handle or knob will now be described with reference to Figs. 1-3. Coupling of the follower to the hook 10 requires the stop member lOe on said hook to be out of engagement with the stop member 22e on the slide 22 connected to the solenoid core 21a. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, this is effected by supplying current to the solenoid 21 through the medium of the electrical contact device 14 located externally of the lock housing, wherewith the solenoid core 21a will be attracted against the action of the spring 19 and the coupling means, i.e. the pin 15b, on the follower arm 15a will engage the recess 10a in the coupling hook 10, which therewith holds the follower arm 15a in the position shown in Fig. 1. Actuation of the knob (not shown) causes the follower, and therewith the follower arm 15a, to swing to the position shown in Fig. 2, i.e. the pin 15b leaves the recess 10a and enters the recess 10b in the coupling hook, said hook being, at the same time, swung clockwise by virtue of the bias exerted by the spring 23. The coupling hook 10 and the follower 15 are therewith coupled together. Continued rotation of the follower 15 to the position shown in Fig. 3 will then result in further rotation of the coupling hook 10 about its axis 10a. At the same time, the coupling hook is moved relative to the pivot pin 10a accommodated in the elongated hole lOd. During this movement, the coupling hook engages the plate 9 abutting the latch-bolt enlargement 24b, therewith retracting the latch bolt 24. When the knob or handle is released, all component members are returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 under the influence of the follower spring 17. Fig. 4 shows what occurs when the current supplied from the electrical contact device 14 to the solenoid is broken and the knob or handle turned. The solenoid core 21a is urged by the spring 19 to the right in the Figure, resulting in corresponding rectilinear movement of the slide 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the stop member lOe on the coupling hook 10 is in engagement with the stop member 22e on the slide 22, meaning that the coupling hook 10 will be prevented from swinging clockwise under the action of the spring 23 when the knob or handle is actuated such as to swing the follower clockwise. Instead, the follower arm 15a and the pin 15b pass beneath the hook-part lOf of the coupling hook 10, i.e. the latch bolt remains latched in its locking position. It will be evident from this that the solenoid core does not contribute towards rotating or displacing any vital compo¬ nents belonging to the actual lock mechanism or components that are active in coupling together parts of the lock mechanism. The sole purpose of the solenoid core is to generate rectilinear movement of the slide 22 carrying the stop member 22a from one end position to another, in which the coupling members lOe and 22e are either in mutual engagement or mutually disengaged. When current is again supplied to the solenoid, the solenoid core will be returned by the action of spring 19. It will be understood that the activation direction of the solenoid may be the opposite to that described, i.e. such that the stop members will be moved out of their position of mutual engagement when current to the solenoid is broken. The aforedescribed lock components may also have a different design or configuration than that described and illustrated within the inventive concept as defined in the following Claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A door lock comprising a lock housing (1) which accommo¬ dates a latch bolt (24) that includes a bolt rod (24a) and bolt-rod enlargement (24b) and which is movable from a locking position to a lock release position against the action of a spring (25), wherein the latch bolt (24) is actuable by mechanisms located on different sides of the latch bolt in the lock housing, namely by a key-actuable cylinder mechanism having a follower (4) which, through the medium of further functional members (e.g. 5, 7), causes the latch bolt to move to its lock release position in response to turning of a lock key, and a knob follower (15) which can be rotated by means of a knob, handle or like device and which coacts with a coupling member (10) pivotal about a pivot pin (10c) such that in one position of the coupling member (10) rotary movement of the knob follower causes the latch bolt (24) to be retracted to its lock release position, and in another position causes the latch bolt to remain unaffected by movement of the knob follower, wherein the coupling member (10) also coacts with a solenoid core (21a) mounted in the lock housing and, depending on the position of the core, cooperates in moving the coupling member (10) to one or the other of said rotational positions, character- ized in that the coupling member (10) and the solenoid core (21a) carry mutually coacting stop members (lOe, 22e) which are movable in a plane parallel with the movement plane of the latch bolt (24), wherein when in mutual engagement said stop members (10e, 22e) function to hold the coupling member in a position in which it is unaffected by rotational movement of the knob follower (15); and in that subsequent to moving in said plane, the core-actuated stop member (22e) is located out of engagement with the stop member (10e) carried by the coupling member, wherein rotational movement of the knob follower (15) causes the knob follower to be coupled to the coupling member (10), and wherein continued rotation of the knob follower results in retraction of the latch bolt (24), by virtue of the direct or indirect action of the coupling member on the bolt-rod enlargement (24b) of the latch bolt. 2. A door lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the core-associated stop member (22e) is mounted on a core- connected member, for instance a slide (22), which moves generally rectilinearly between two end positions in said plane. 3. A door lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that the slide member (22) includes an elongated hole (22a) which receives a pin (22b) for controlling, or guiding, linear movement of said slide member. 4. A door lock according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the coupling member has a hook-like configuration (10) which includes two mutually adjacent recesses (10a, 10b) for alternative engagement with a coupling means, e.g. a pin (15b), which is connected to the knob follower (15) and which extends parallel with the pivot axis (15c) of said knob follower. 5. A door lock according to Claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axle (10c) of the coupling member (10) is accommo¬ dated in an elongated hole (lOd) in said coupling member, such that when the coupling means (15) engages in one of said recesses (10a, 10b), the coupling member (10) is both pivotal on and linearly displaceable in relation to said pivot axle (10c). 6. A door lock according to Claim 5, characterized in that when the stop members (lOe, 22e) are out of mutual engage¬ ment, rotation of the knob follower (15) results in rotation of the coupling member (10) , engagement of the coupling means (15b) in the second (10b) of said recesses in the coupling member (10), continued rotation and linear movement of the coupling member relative to its pivot axle (10c), and retraction of the latch bolt (24) by engagement with its bolt-rod enlargement (24b) or with a member (9) mounted adjacent thereto. 7. A door lock according to Claim 6, characterized in that the coupling member is actuated by a spring (23) which functions to swing said member clockwise around the pivot axle (10c).

Inventors: HIRVI JORMA, JOHANSSON ROGER, NYSTROEM LARS-AAKE, HIRVI, JORMA, JOHANSSON, ROGER, NYSTROEM, LARS-AAKE
Applicants: ASSA AB
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E05B47
IPC codes: E05B47