Patent ID: 12209436

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a cross bar type unlock-driving structure. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. In other instance, well-known components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Refer now toFIG.3throughFIG.5; whereFIG.3is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure in accordance with the present invention applied to a single-point lock,FIG.4is a schematic exploded view ofFIG.3, andFIG.5demonstrates schematically the cross bar type unlock-driving structure ofFIG.3being applied to the single-point lock mounted on a door panel. As shown, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is furnished to a single-point lock3in a panel-outside space SO of a door panel2, in which the door panel2of this embodiment can be a fire door.

The door panel2includes a first door plate21and a second door plate22opposing the first door plate21. Between the first door plate21and the second door plate22, a panel-inside space SI (labeled inFIG.15) is defined. The panel-outside space SO is the space other than the panel-inside space SI. The single-point lock3includes at least a driven unit31, and the driven unit31further includes at least a bolt311to move horizontally.

The cross bar type unlock-driving structure1includes a handle-end base11, a cross bar type handle assembly12and a driving member13.

The handle-end base11, as a two-piece assembly, includes a plate-type basic frame111and a mounting frame112(preferably being a bracket-type mounting frame). Preferably, the plate-type basic frame111and the mounting frame112are both symmetric components with respect to a central axis AX, as shown inFIG.4. The basic frame111, mounted onto the door panel2(an Y-Z plane), is furnished at a lower portion thereof with a through hole H1. The mounting frame112, disposed at a front side of the basic frame111by opposing the door panel2so as to form an accommodation space T2in between with the basic frame111, has two vertical lateral plates1127,1128to be fixed on to the basic frame111and a middle plate1129connecting the two vertical lateral plates1127and1128. Preferably, the two vertical lateral plates1127and1128are symmetry and parallel to each other. With the mounting frame112to engage the basic frame111, the accommodation space T2is formed by being opened vertically in the Y direction. Each of the two vertical lateral plates1127,1128, or at least one vertical lateral plate1127(for example), is structured to have a middle horizontal opening T1extending in the X direction. On the other hand, the mounting frame112is furnished at a middle portion MP thereof with a base through hole H2. In this embodiment, after the basic frame111and the bracket-type mounting plate112are engaged to define the internal accommodation space T2opened vertically to both an upper space SU and a lower space SD (in the Y direction) and also communicated spatially with the lateral space(s) SL through the horizontal opening(s) T1.

The cross bar type handle assembly12includes a handle121, a connection bar122and a handle seat123. The handle121, to be disposed pivotally with respect to the handle-end base11about the Z direction, is connected with the driving member13. Preferably, in this embodiment, the handle121and the driving member13are integrated as a one-piece member. As shown inFIG.4, the driving member13is formed as an extension finger connected to one end1211of the handle121, while another end1212thereof is structured to connect the connection bar122. The connection bar122, connected with the handle121, is used for a user to press down the handle121. The handle seat123, mounted onto the middle plate1129of the mounting frame112by opposing the basic frame111, has thereon an installation hole1231at a position in correspondence to the base through hole H2and used for the handle121to protrude the driving member13therethrough (also passing through the base through hole H2) into the accommodation space T2. In addition, the handle121ad well as the driving member13are pivotally connected on the handle seat123through a connection corner1216formed between the driving member13and the handle121. Thereupon, the assembly of the handle121and the driving member13can be pivoted above the handle seat123as well as the bracket-type mounting plate112on a Y-Z plane, with the driving member13in the accommodation space T2and the handle out of the handle-end base11.

The driving member13is fixedly connected with the handle121. Though, in this embodiment, the driving member13is integrated as a unique piece with the handle121, yet, in some other embodiments of this disclosure not shown herein, the driving member13can be fixed to the handle121by a fastener, a buckling element, a glue, a solder or the like fixation means. In this disclosure, the driving member13and the handle121are fixedly connected as a solid part that is moved like a rigid body. The driving member13has a driving stroke D1(labeled inFIG.8) on the Y-Z plane inside the accommodation space T2, and is synchronously moved with the cross bar type handle assembly12. In this invention, the finger-shape driving member13is driven by the handle121to undergo the driving stroke D1lying on the X-Y plane contains the central axis AX. The unlocking action upon the driven unit31of this invention is basically performed by an exterior surface of the driving member13, through which a driving trajectory to unlock the driven unit31is thus provided.

The driven unit31, located in the accommodation space T2, is driven by the driving member13, precisely pushed by the exterior surface of the driving member13. As the connection bar122is depressed down, the handle121would move downward in a pivotal manner as well with respect to the handle seat123, such that the driving member13would swing along the driving stroke D1inside the accommodation space T2. With the driving member13to move along the driving stroke D1, the driven unit31would be pushed to displace the bolt311along a bolting stroke D3(labeled inFIG.10) on an X-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane lying the driving stroke D1to perform unlocking. Thereupon, the door panel2can be pushed to open.

While the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is assembled to the single-point lock3, a part of the driven unit31would be driven by the driving member13within the accommodation space T2, while another part thereof (the bolt311) would move synchronously horizontally within the horizontal opening T1of either one of the vertical lateral plates1127and1128.

Then, refer now toFIG.6throughFIG.8; whereFIG.6is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure in accordance with the present invention applied to a double-point lock,FIG.7is a schematic exploded view ofFIG.6, andFIG.8demonstrates schematically the cross bar type unlock-driving structure ofFIG.6being applied to the double-point lock mounted on a door panel. As shown, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is furnished to a double-point lock3a, and the double-point lock3ais mounted in the panel-outside space SO of the door panel2. In particular, the door panel2can be a typical fire door.

The double-point lock3aincludes at least a driven unit31aand a lock bar32a, in which a part of the driven unit31ais located within the accommodation space T2to follow the driving stroke D1. Also, in this embodiment, the double-point lock3afurther includes an assembled connector33afor connecting the driven unit31aand the lock bar32a.

When the connection bar122is pressed down, the handle121would move downward as well. Thereupon, the driving member13would move simultaneously along the driving stroke D1to displace the driven unit31a. The driven unit31awould then drive the lock bar32ato move along a vertical stroke D2via the assembled connector33a. On the other hand, as the connection bar122is pressed down, the lock bar32awould be moved upward to put the double-point lock3ainto an unlock state, and then the door panel2can be pushed to open. As long as the depression upon the connection bar122is removed, it will resume its original position. At this time, the lock bar32awould move downward automatically due to its own gravity. Thereby, the double-point lock3awould be back to the lock state, and the door panel2is locked in position.

In addition, it is understood that the vertical single-point lock and the double-point lock3aare largely resembled to each other. The only difference in between is that the vertical single-point lock owns the upper lock bar32aof the double-point lock3abut waives the lower lock bar32a. Thus, in comparison with the double-point lock3a, the vertical single-point lock would have only one lock point (i.e., the upper lock point). Nevertheless, to both the vertical single-point lock and the double-point lock3a, the assembling and operation of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1are the same, and thus detail thereabout would be omitted herein.

Then, refer toFIG.9throughFIG.10; whereFIG.9is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure in accordance with the present invention applied to a three-point lock,FIG.9Ais a schematic cross-sectional view ofFIG.9along line A-A, andFIG.10demonstrates schematically the cross bar type unlock-driving structure ofFIG.9being applied to the three-point lock mounted on a door panel. As shown, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is provided to a three-point lock3bmounted in the panel-outside space SO of the door panel2, in which the door panel2can be a typical fire door.

The three-point lock3bincludes at least the aforesaid driven unit31, a driven unit31b, an assembled connector32band a lock bar33b. The driven unit31includes at least the aforesaid bolt311defined with a bolting stroke D3. The lock bar33bis defined with the vertical stroke D2. The assembled connector32bconnects the driven unit31band the lock bar33b.

A part of the driven unit31and a part of the driven unit31bare moved along the driving stroke D1within the accommodation space T2(labeled inFIG.4). However, it shall be explained that the driven unit31and the driven unit31bwould not interfere structurally with each other. In addition, a part of the bolt311would move within the horizontal opening T1(labeled inFIG.4).

When the connection bar122is pressed down, the handle121would move downward as well. Thereupon, the driving member13would move simultaneously along the driving stroke D1to displace the driven unit31. The driven unit31would then displace the bolt311along the bolting stroke D3. In addition, as the driving member13moves along the driving stroke D1, the driven unit31bwould be moved simultaneously. The driven unit31bwould then drive the lock bar33bto move along the vertical stroke D2via the assembled connector32b. Namely, as the connection bar122is pressed down, the driving member13would move along driving stroke D1to drive simultaneously both the driven unit31and the driven unit31b. The driven unit31would drive the bolt311to retrieve inward along the bolting stroke D3, and the driven unit31bwould drive the lock bar33bto move upward along the vertical stroke D2. Thereupon, the three-point lock3bwould be in the unlock state, and thus the door panel2can be pushed to open.

In this embodiment, the driving member13is to push a pin311bof the driven unit31b, and the driven unit31bis moved with the pin311b. In some other embodiments of this disclosure not shown here, the pin311bcan be substituted by other element such as a fastener, a roller or any other component that can be used to move with the driven unit31b.

As the depression upon the connection bar122is removed, it will gradually get back to its original position. At this time, the lock bar33bwould move downward along the vertical stroke D2by its own gravity. Also, since the driving force upon the driven unit31is removed, the bolt311would protrude outward along the bolting stroke D3. therefore, the three-point lock3bwill resume its lock state, and the door panel2can't be pushed to open.

In this embodiment, since the operation of the bolt311is the same as that inFIG.3,FIG.4orFIG.5, thus the same number “311” is assigned. Except for the appearances, the operation of the lock bar32bis the same as that of any of the lock bars32ofFIG.6toFIG.8. In comparison with the single-point lock3, the double-point lock3aand the vertical single-point lock, the three-point lock3bhas more lock points, so that, while the three-point lock3bis in the lock state, difficulty in opening the door panel2is higher. In addition, also since the three-point lock3bhas more lock points, so it can still work even whenever any of the lock points (the bolt311or the lock bar33b) is ineffective.

Then, refer toFIG.11throughFIG.13; whereFIG.11is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure in accordance with the present invention applied to an embedded lock cartridge,FIG.12demonstrates schematically the cross bar type unlock-driving structure ofFIG.11being applied to the embedded lock cartridge mounted in a door panel, andFIG.13is a schematic front view ofFIG.12. As shown, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is furnished to the embedded lock cartridge3cmounted in the panel-inside space SI of the door panel2, while the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1is deposed in the panel-outside space SO of the door panel2. In particular, the door panel2is furnished with a door panel through hole H3.

The embedded lock cartridge3cincludes a driven unit31c, a bolt32c, a striking aperture33cand a turning member34c. The striking aperture33cis adjacent to the door panel through hole H3. The turning member34c, connected with the bolt32c, is also adjacent to the striking aperture33c. Here, the turning member34cis a common part in the art. According to this disclosure, any component that can transform a first-directional linear motion into a second-directional linear motion can be the turning member34cof this embodiment. In this embodiment, the driven unit31cincludes at least an assembled lock lever311c.

A part of the driven unit31cis located within the driving stroke D1(labeled inFIG.8) inside the accommodation space T2(labeled inFIG.4). In addition, a part of the assembled lock lever311cpenetrates through the through hole H1(labeled inFIG.4), while another part thereof penetrates through the door panel through hole H3.

As the connection bar122is depressed down, the handle121would move downward as well, and thereby the driving member13would be driven to displace along the driving stroke D1. As the driving member13moves along the driving stroke D1(labeled inFIG.8), the driven unit31cwould be driven to move the assembled lock lever311ctoward the striking aperture33cto contact the turning member34c. The turning member34c, pushed by the assembled lock lever311c, would then retrieve the bolt32c. Thereupon, the embedded lock cartridge3ccan be in the unlock state, and thus the door panel2can be pushed to open. In particular, the assembled lock lever311chas a hook end for pushing the turning member34c.

In this embodiment, the through hole H1is, but not limited to, a rectangular hole. The through hole H1can be a round hole, an oval hole, a triangular hole, a pentagonal hole or the like. One advantage of the rectangular through hole H1is that, while the through hole is loosely penetrated by the assembled lock lever311c, the area and space occupied by the rectangular through hole H1can be substantially reduced. In addition, the rectangular through hole H1can provide further constraints to the assembled lock lever311c, such that the assembled lock lever311cwould move toward the turning member34ccorrectly, such that the contact between the assembled lock lever311cand the turning member34ccan be assured.

Finally, refer toFIG.14andFIG.15; whereFIG.14is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure in accordance with the present invention applied to an embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure, andFIG.15is a schematic side view of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure of IG.14mounted on a door panel. As shown, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1(labeled inFIG.4), furnished to the embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure3d, is mounted in the panel-outside space SO (labeled inFIG.5) of the door panel2, while the embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure3dis installed into the panel-inside space SI.

The embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure3dincludes at least a driven unit31d, an assembled connector32d, and a lock bar33d. The driven unit31d, including an assembled lock lever311d, is located within the driving stroke D1in the accommodation space T2(labeled inFIG.4), in which a part of the assembled lock lever311dpenetrates through the through hole H1.

When the connection bar122is depressed down, the handle121is moved downward as well, such that the driving member13would be driven to displace along the driving stroke D1. As the driving member13moves along the driving stroke D1, the driven unit31dwould move the assembled lock lever311ddown, and thus the embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure3dwould move upward to enter the unlock state. Then, at this time, the door panel2can be pushed to open.

It shall be explained that, in this disclosure, the major feature is the entire internal structure of the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1, not the housing, and thus the housing is not sketched in all the figures. Nevertheless, practically, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1does include a housing for a comfortable appearance and also for preventing from exposing the internal handle-end base11, cross bar type handle assembly12and driving member13. However, the housing will not shield completely the horizontal opening T1and the accommodation space T2.

In summary, since the cross bar type unlock-driving structure of this disclosure is furnished with both the horizontal opening T1and the accommodation space T2(vertical to the horizontal opening T1) to contain variety locking/unlocking movements of different-type of the driven units31,31a,31b,31c,31dactuated by the pivotal movement of the driving member inside the accommodation space, thus the cross bar type unlock-driving structure1provided by this invention including the handle-end base11, the cross bar type handle assembly12and the driving member13can be generally applied to the single-point lock3, the double-point lock3a, the three-point the lock3b, the vertical single-point lock, the embedded lock cartridge3cand the embedded vertical double-point lock-driving structure3d. In comparison to the prior art whose lock or lock cartridge needs specific unlock-driving structure, the cross bar type unlock-driving structure of this invention can be directly and commonly used to fit different locks and lock cartridges. Thereupon, the relative manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced. In addition, while a replacement or maintenance of the lock is needed, the replacement process and complexity would be remarkably reduced due to the generality provided by the cross bar type unlock-driving structure of this invention,

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.