Automatic Lock With Rotatable Trigger

Abstract

A lock for securing to a movable body (1) and for cooperating with a strike plate (12) on a stationary body (11), which lock is movable away from the strike plate (12) for opening the movable body (11), which lock is movable into juxtaposition with the strike plate (12) for closing the movable body (11) and which lock comprises a casing (3) which includes a rotatable trigger (8) which is positioned in the casing (3) and a locking member (7) which is also positioned in the casing (3) and wherein; the rotatable trigger (8) projects from the casing (3); the rotatable trigger (8) rotates about an axis of rotation positioned on a front working plane of the casing (3) such that the rotatable trigger (8) rotates into the casing (3) and out of the casing (3) with the rotatable trigger (8) being spring biased to rotate out of the casing (3); the locking member (7) is movable between a projected position in which the locking member (7) projects from the casing (3) and a retracted position in which the locking member (7) is retracted into the casing (3); the locking member (7) is configured to move into the projected position when the rotatable trigger (8) rotates into the casing (3); the locking member (7) is configured to move into the retracted position when the rotatable trigger (8) rotates out of the casing (3); the locking member (7) moves into a locked position when the lock is brought into juxtaposition with the strike plate (12) such that the rotatable trigger (8) rotates into the casing (3) as it comes into juxtaposition with the strike plate (12), whereby the locking member (7) projects from the casing (3) such that the locking member (7) moves into a recess in the strike plate to lock the movable body (1) and: • when the lock is moved out of juxtaposition with the strike plate (12) the rotatable trigger (8) rotates out of the casing (3) and the locking member (7) moves into the retracted position.

Claims

1. A lock for securing to a movable body and for cooperating with a strike plate on a stationary body, which lock is movable away from the strike plate for opening the movable body, which lock is movable into juxtaposition with the strike plate for closing the movable body, and which lock comprises a casing which includes a rotatable trigger which is positioned in the casing and a locking member which is also positioned in the casing and wherein: the rotatable trigger projects from the casing; the rotatable trigger rotates about an axis of rotation positioned on a front working plane of the casing such that the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing and out of the casing with the rotatable trigger being spring biased to rotate out of the casing; the locking member is movable between a projected position in which the locking member projects from the casing and a retracted position in which the locking member is retracted into the casing; the locking member is configured to move into the projected position when the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing; the locking member is configured to move into the retracted position when the rotatable trigger rotates out of the casing; when the lock is brought into juxtaposition with the strike plate the rotatable trigger comes into juxtaposition with the strike plate such that the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing and the locking member moves into a locked position, whereby the locking member projects from the casing such that the locking member moves into a recess in the strike plate to lock the movable body; and when the lock is moved out of juxtaposition with the strike plate the rotatable trigger rotates out of the casing and the locking member moves into the retracted position.

2. A lock according to claim 1 wherein the spring bias force which operates on the rotatable trigger to bias the rotatable trigger to rotate out of the casing, is such that the same spring bias force is also configured to force the locking member into the retracted position in the casing as the rotatable trigger rotates out of the casing, such that, when the lock is moved out of juxtaposition with the strike plate the rotatable trigger will be spring biased to rotate out of the casing and the locking member will be spring biased to move into the retracted position in the casing.

3. A lock according to claim 1 and including a tumbler in the casing and wherein: the tumbler is configured such that as the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing and the locking member projects out of the casing into a partially or fully projected position, the tumbler moves into a position in the casing such that it prevents the locking member from being forced into the casing by a force external of the casing being applied to the projected end of the locking member; and the tumbler is also configured such that when the rotatable trigger rotates out of the casing and the locking member moves into the unlocked position in the casing, the tumbler moves out of a position where it prevents the locking member moving into the unlocked position.

4. A lock according to claim 1 in which the locking member is a locking bolt such that the front projecting plane of the locking bolt is orthogonal in form.

5. A lock according to claim 1 and including a minimum angle of rotation of the rotatable trigger such that the minimum angle of rotation will achieve a full projection of the locking member such that: when the lock comes into juxtaposition with the strike plate, there is a maximum gap distance between the front working plane of the casing and the corresponding face of the strike plate such as to allow for the minimum angle of rotation of the rotatable trigger to be achieved, and such that; the maximum gap distance is a maximum measurement which still ensures a full projection of the locking member; there is a projection distance, which is the distance the furthest point of the rotatable trigger projects beyond the front working plane of the casing when the rotatable trigger is fully rotated out of the casing; and there is a relationship between the projection distance and the maximum gap distance such as to have a minimising effect on the required projection distance relative to the maximum gap distance.

6. A lock according to claim 1 and including a first spring in the casing which acts between the rotatable trigger and the locking member and in which: the first spring is configured such that as the rotatable trigger comes into juxtaposition with the strike plate, the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing such that a force is applied to the first spring which applies a force to the locking member to move the locking member out of the casing; and the force applied to the locking member gradually increases as the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing.

7. A lock according to claim 6 in which the force applied to the first spring increases as the rotatable trigger rotates into the casing and the first spring is further configured to act between the rotatable trigger and the locking member such as to reduce the force required to rotate the rotatable trigger during the latter stages of rotation of the rotatable trigger into the casing.

8. A lock according to claim 6 and including a driver and a second spring, and in which: the driver is positioned behind the rotatable trigger such that the driver is forced backwards by the rotatable trigger into the casing by the engagement of the rotatable trigger with the strike plate; and the driver being biased by the second spring in a forward direction to remain in contact with the rotatable trigger, thereby biasing the rotatable trigger to project from the casing; the first spring is configured with the driver such that the backwards movement of the driver applies a force to the first spring which is configured to apply a force to the locking member to move the locking member to the projected position; and the driver is configured with the locking member such that if the lock is moved out of juxtaposition with the strike plate, the second spring biases the driver in a forwards direction which spring biases the locking member into a retracted position in the casing.

9. A lock according to claim 8 and including a bolt link which rotates about a fixed fulcrum in the casing, and a spring arm which also rotates about the fixed fulcrum, and in which: the rotation of the spring arm is such as to move the locking member between the projected position out of the casing and the retracted position into the casing; the first spring is configured with the driver such that the backwards movement of the driver is configured to apply a force to the first spring which applies a force to the spring arm to rotate the spring arm to cause the locking member to move to the projected position; the driver is configured with the bolt link such that a movement of the driver causes a rotation of the bolt link; as the lock is moved out of juxtaposition with the strike plate and the rotating trigger rotates out of the casing, the driver is spring biased forwards by the second spring; and the bolt link is configured with the spring arm such that a forwards movement of the driver causes a rotation of the bolt link which causes a rotation of the spring arm to move the locking member into the retracted position.

10. A lock according to claim 9 in which the first spring is a torsion spring which rotates about the fixed fulcrum, the first spring has a first leg and a second leg, the first leg is configured to move with the driver, the first leg is rotatable by the driver as the driver moves backwards in the casing and thereby to apply force to the second leg which is configured to put a rotational force on the spring arm to move the locking member to the projected position.

11. A lock according to claim 8 in which the first spring and the driver are configured such that when the driver is in the latter stages of its backwards movement, the driver slides over the first leg of the first spring, thus reducing the force required to rotate the rotatable trigger in the latter stages of its rotation into the casing.

12. A lock according to claim 9 in which the tumbler is configured such that the rotation of the bolt link moves the tumbler into a position in the casing that prevents the locking member from being retracted into the casing by a force applied to the projected area of the locking member, and the tumbler also being configured such that the opposite rotation of the bolt link moves the tumbler out of a position where the tumbler prevents the locking member moving into the unlocked position.

13. A lock according to claim 8 in which the rotatable trigger is configured to engage the strike plate, and the rotatable trigger rotates about a point of rotation, and in which: the distance between the point of rotation and the point of contact of the rotatable trigger with the strike plate, is greater than the distance from the point of rotation to the contact point of the rotatable trigger with the driver, thereby creating a mechanical advantage to reduce the lateral force required to rotate the rotatable trigger against the strike plate to achieve a backwards movement of the driver during closure of the movable body.

14. A lock according to claim 1 and including a thrower in the casing and a thrower spring which is in the casing and which is connected to the thrower, and a user-operable mechanism which is interchangeable to the casing, and in which: the user-operable mechanism is able to exert a force that moves the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; the user-operable mechanism has a rotatable nib which is movable in an arc within the casing; the thrower is movable in an arc within the casing, the arc being approximately concentric to the arc described by the rotatable nib; the thrower spring is a torsion spring with one leg of the thrower spring mounted on a pivot in the casing and the other leg of the thrower spring pivoted on the thrower such that; when a force is applied to the rotatable nib, the rotatable nib moves the thrower, the thrower being spring biased by the thrower spring so that when the force on the rotatable nib is released, the rotatable nib is spring biased to return to its original position prior to a force being applied to it; and the thrower is configured to move the locking member to the unlocked position.

15. A lock according to claim 1 and including an unlocking assembly which rotates in the casing to move the locking member to the unlocked position when an unlocking force is applied to the unlocking assembly and the unlocking assembly is configured to reduce the rotation required of the unlocking assembly to move the locking member to the unlocked position wherein a projecting member of the unlocking assembly moves the locking member to the unlocked position, and in which: the unlocking assembly includes an unlocking barrel and an unlocking cam, with the unlocking cam acting as the projecting member of the unlocking assembly; the unlocking cam is rotatable with the unlocking barrel, the unlocking barrel being rotatable to connect with the unlocking cam thus rotating the unlocking cam to move the locking member to the unlocked position; and when the locking member is positioned in the casing where the locking member may be in collision with the unlocking cam during a retraction of the locking member into the casing when the lock is free of the strike plate, the unlocking cam is configured to freely rotate during such a collision such as not to prevent the movement of the locking member into the retracted position.

Description

[0071] Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0072] FIG. 1 is a section through a lock of the present invention with a lock case cover being removed to show the lock in a fully unlocked state when disengaged from a strike plate and with the strike plate immediately behind;

[0073] FIG. 2 is a plan section on the line 1-1, with component parts being shown in cross-section on a horizontal plane, and with the locking device being shown in an unlocked state and about to engage with the strike plate;

[0074] FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of part of the front of the lock case, with an upper fore-end removed, and a rotatable trigger slightly removed from the lock and rotated to create a second view of the rotatable trigger to display the rear of the rotatable trigger;

[0075] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of the lock casing, with an outer casing cover removed, with the lock casing coming into juxtaposition with the strike plate in the initial stages of a movable body closing situation;

[0076] FIG. 5 is a three dimensional view of the lock, with the outer lock casing cover removed, and with the lock casing in juxtaposition with the strike plate in the latter stages of a movable body closing situation;

[0077] FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of the lock, with the lock casing removed, and with two extra component members added to the lock casing which are not shown in previous Figures;

[0078] FIG. 7 is a three dimensional view of the lock casing looking into the lock casing in a direction opposite to the view shown in FIG. 6, and with the lock casing plus other component elements removed, and with the lock casing being positioned adjacent the strike plate in a movable body closed configuration where the lock would have been locked but then unlocked;

[0079] FIG. 8 is a three dimensional view similar to FIG. 7, but with the configuration of the lock being such that it has just been relocked by a relock facility;

[0080] FIG. 9 is a section through a second lock of the present invention with a lock case cover being removed to show the lock in a fully locked state when engaged with the strike plate;

[0081] FIG. 10 is a view into the second lock of the present invention with a lock case cover being removed to show the lock in a partially unlocked state while engaging with the strike plate;

[0082] FIG. 11 is a view into the second lock of the present invention with a lock case cover being removed to show the lock in a fully unlocked state with some components removed to better demonstrate the unlocked state and the lock disengaged with the strike plate; and

[0083] FIG. 12 is a three dimensional view of an unlocking assembly of the second lock of the present invention.

[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown a first lock of the present invention fitted on a movable body 1 having a movable body edge 2. Each lock is contained in a lock casing 3 having a lower fore-end plate 4, and an upper fore-end plate 5. The lock comprises two projecting members in the form of a rotatable trigger 8 and a sliding deadbolt 7. The movable body 1 is co-operable with a stationary body 11. The stationary body 11 carries a strike plate 12 running parallel to the lower fore-end 4. There is a strike box 13 to the rear of the strike plate 12. The strike-box 13 is horizontally aligned with the deadbolt 7. The strike plate 12 also has a cambered face which forms a ramp 14.

[0085] The rotatable trigger 8, the driver 9, the deadbolt 7 and other elements of the lock move forwards and backwards. The forward direction is when the elements move out of the lock casing 3, beyond the lower fore-end 4. The backwards direction is the opposite direction.

[0086] The rotatable trigger 8 comprises a rotatable planar form 15 and projections 16, 17. The projections 16, 17 are perpendicular to the planar form 15. The projections 16, 17 act to create a fulcrum column 18 of the rotational movement of the rotatable trigger 8. The projections 16, 17 sit in either of slots 19 in the lower fore-end 4 or can be rotated 180° such that the fulcrum column 18 sits in the opposite slot 19 in the lower fore-end 4, as shown in FIG. 3. The upper fore-end 5 sits over the lower fore-end 4 in order to hold the rotatable trigger 8 in position. The driver 9 slides forwards and backwards in slots in the casing 3. The driver 9 is spring projected forwards by compression of the second spring 10 in order to maintain a forward force on the rotatable trigger 8.

[0087] There is a first spring 20, a bolt link 21 and a spring arm 26, all of which are centrally mounted on a pivot 22. A first extension 23 of the bolt link 21 sits in a notch 24 in the driver 9. The first extension 23 moves with the driver 9 to rotate the bolt link 21. A second extension 25 of the bolt link 21 connects with the spring arm 26. The spring arm 26 also rotates on the pivot 22 and sits over the bolt link 21. The spring arm 26 has legs 28, 29 which slide over a pin 30 on the deadbolt 7 to move the deadbolt 7 forwards and backwards. The first spring 20 is in the form of a torsion spring and it sits over the spring arm 26. The first spring 20 pivots over the pivot 22. The first spring 20 has a leg 32 which sits into a notch in a projection 33 of the spring arm 26. The first spring 20 also has a leg 34 which sits in a notch 35 in the driver 9.

[0088] The rotatable trigger 8 may be handed (reversed in direction to accommodate a right hand opening movable body as opposed to a left hand opening movable body, or vice versa).

[0089] Referring to FIG. 3, the fulcrum column 18 of the rotatable trigger 8 is fitted into the fore-end 4. The slot 36 is located centrally of the slots 19. The rotatable trigger 8 is pressed back against the driver 9, such that projections 37, 38 of the rotatable trigger 8 fit through the slot 36 of the lower fore-end 4 first. Then the rotatable trigger 8 is shifted sideways to allow the fulcrum column 18 into one of the slots 19, with the projections 37, 38 sitting to the rear of the lower fore-end 4. The distance between the slots 19 is different to the distance between the projections 37, 38, and the central fulcrum column 18, such that when the fulcrum column 18 is in a slot 19, then the projections 37, 38 are maintained to the rear of the lower fore-end 4.

[0090] FIG. 2 is a plan of the lock including the rotatable trigger 8. FIG. 2 shows how the measurement indicated as “A” is less than the measurement indicated “>A”. When the rotatable trigger 8 meets the strike plate 12, the configuration of the strike plate ramp 14 is such that the point of contact between the rotatable trigger 8 and the strike plate 12 ensures that the furthest point 39 of the rotatable trigger 8 becomes the point upon which the closing force is directed. The dimensions of the rotatable trigger 8 are such that a mechanical advantage is derived from the configuration such as to reduce the movable body closing force.

[0091] The closing action of the lock shown in FIGS. 1-8 is as follows. The lock casing 3 is brought into contact with the strike plate 12 such that the rotatable trigger 8 is the first member to contact the ramp 14. As the rotatable trigger 8 contacts, it rotates into the lock casing 3, forcing the driver 9 backwards against the second spring 10. The driver 9 rotates the first spring 20, which rotates the spring arm 26, which drives the deadbolt 7 forwards out of the lock casing 3. The deadbolt 7 moved forwards to meet the ramp 14 of the strike plate 12, and as the movable body 1 closes, the deadbolt 7 slides along the ramp 14. As the movable body 1 is pressed further into the stationary body 11, the deadbolt 7 aligns with the strike box 13 and the deadbolt 7 projects into the strike box 13 to lock the movable body 1.

[0092] FIGS. 1-8 show a balanced action deadbolt lock with a rotatable trigger assembly within the mechanism. If the movable body 1 is free of the stationary body 11, the rotatable trigger 8 may be rotated by accident or intentionally and the deadbolt 7 will then project from the casing. However, f the force is removed from the rotatable trigger 8, the deadbolt 7 will retract backwards into the casing 3 again. The movement to force the deadbolt 7 out is as described above with reference to the movable body 1 locking, but without a strike plate. Thus, if the rotatable trigger 8 is released again, the second spring 10 will force the driver 9 forwards and rotate the rotatable trigger 8 out of the casing. This movement of the driver 9 will rotate the bolt link 21, with the extension 25 of the bolt link 21 contacting and rotate the spring arm 26 such that the legs 28, 29 of the bolt spring arm 26 will withdraw the deadbolt 7 back into the lock casing 3. This will thus correct the lock such that the lock is ready to lock again if brought into juxtaposition with the strike plate 12.

[0093] The assembly of the lock shown in FIGS. 1-8 illustrates how the lock includes a first spring 20 which is configured to limit the force required to pressure the first spring 20 such that, once sufficient spring tension has built up in the first spring 20 by backward movement of the driver 9, then a continued backward movement of the driver 9 will not continue to increase the spring tension. More specifically, the driver 9 is configured to slide over the first spring 20 in the latter stages of the backwards movement of the driver 9. FIG. 1 shows how the driver 9 will directly rotate the first spring 20 as the lock comes into contact with the strike plate 12. FIG. 4 shows the driver 9 still rotating the first spring 20 as the rotatable trigger 8 moves up the ramp 14 in a semi-movable body closure situation. FIG. 5 shows the driver 9 beginning to slide over the first spring 20 as the rotatable trigger 8 and the deadbolt 7 move into position in alignment with the strike box 13.

[0094] FIGS. 1 and 3-8 show a thrower 40. FIG. 4 shows that the thrower 40 includes curved projections 41. The curved projections 41 sit in curved slots in the casing 3, and they allow the thrower 40 to move radially about a user-operable mechanism 42. The user-operable mechanism 42 may be inserted into the lock casing 3 in order to operate the lock and may be interchangeable to the lock. A nib 43 of the user-operable mechanism 42 rotates the thrower 40 such that a face 44 of the thrower 40 meets a face 45 of the deadbolt 7, and thereby moves the deadbolt 7 backwards in the casing 3. A torsion spring 46 pivots on a barrel stump 47, and locates in a void 48 of the thrower 40. FIG. 7 shows the thrower 40 having unlocked the deadbolt 7 (shown dotted) and the torsion spring 46 in an extended state. If a user removes the force on the user-operable mechanism 42, the thrower 40 returns to its normal state as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, and thus the nib 43 will move with the thrower 40.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the thrower 40 and the spring 46 are configured to include for a volume of space situated between the barrel stump 47 and the thrower 40. A member such as a bolt 27 shown in FIG. 4 may optionally be inserted laterally through the casing 3, through a hole 49 shown in FIG. 5. Such a lateral projection may be necessary to fasten an escutcheon plate to the external side of a movable body. A second lateral projection may be fitted through area 50 of the lock casing 3.

[0096] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 include the same lock mechanism as in previous figures, but also including additional members in the form of a tumbler 51 and a slider 52 which fit over the barrel stump 53. The tumbler 51 comprises a composite form and acts as a holdback facility to the deadbolt 7 when the lock is unlocked. The tumbler 51 includes a hooking face 54 which hooks over a face 55 of the deadbolt 7 to act as a holdback. The slider 52 moves up and down over the barrel stump 53. The projection 56 (see FIG. 8) of the slider 52 moves up and down in the slot 57 as best seen in FIG. 4. The slider 52 is operated by the thrower 40 during an unlocking cycle. The tumbler 51 includes a planar form 58 (see FIG. 7). The planar form 58 has a rounded edge 59 which is moved up and down by a face 60 of the slider 52 such that an up or down movement of the slider 52, rotates the tumbler 51. During an unlocking cycle, the face 61 of the thrower 40 raises the slider 52 up, thus rotatable the tumbler 51 upwards to allow the deadbolt face 62 to slide under the face 63 of the tumbler 51. In a movable body locked situation, the face 63 of the tumbler 51 falls onto the deadbolt 7 such that, if a force is put on the deadbolt 7 in order to retract it into the casing 3, the face 65 of the deadbolt 7 presses against the face 64 of the tumbler 51 and thus prevents the deadbolt 7 from retracting, and so acting as a deadlocking feature. The face 64 of tumbler 51 rotates in and out of a deadlocking position with face 65 of the deadbolt 7 (see FIG. 9). The tumbler 51 rotates about barrel stump 53 and with bolt link 21 connecting with tumbler 51 by projection 66 of bolt link 21 raising and lowering projection 67 of tumbler 51 as the bolt link 21 rotates forwards and backwards.

[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates a re-locking feature. More specifically, if the deadbolt 7 is unlocked and the tumbler 51 is engaged as a holdback facility thus allowing the force on the user-operable mechanism 42 to be released, the user has the option to disengage the holdback facility. This option is achieved by rotating the user-operable mechanism 42 in the opposite direction to the unlocking rotation. This allows the nib 43 to raise the face 66 of the slider 52, thus rotating the tumbler 51 to release the holdback facility and allow the deadbolt 7 to move forwards again to the locking position.

FIGS. 9-12 show a second lock of the present invention with similar parts as in the lock shown in FIGS. 1-8 and have been given the same reference numbers for ease of explanation and understanding. The second lock has an adapted spring arm 68. Also included is an unlocking assembly which includes unlocking cam 70 and unlocking barrel 71. Unlocking barrel 71 includes a square shaped void 72 such that a user operable mechanism, for example a door handle, may fit to rotate the unlocking assembly.

[0098] If the unlocking assembly is rotated by a user operated mechanism, projection 74 of unlocking barrel 71 raises slider 52 (see FIG. 10) to move deadlocking face 64 from the backwards direction of movement of face 65 of deadbolt 7. Projection 74 continues to rotate to meet projection 75 of unlocking cam 70 to rotate unlocking cam 70 and thus to rotate cam arm 69 to connect with adapted spring arm 68, rotating it to move deadbolt 7 into a semi-retracted position as in FIG. 10 and then to a fully retracted position whereupon the lock is unlocked.

[0099] FIG. 11 shows the second lock free of the strike plate. If the rotatable trigger 8 is rotated into the casing, the deadbolt 7 will move forwards to the projected position. If the rotatable trigger 8 is then released such that the deadbolt 7 is retracted into the lock casing 3, the deadbolt 7 may collide with the cam arm 69 which is free to rotate backwards such that it does not impede the movement of the deadbolt 7. Also shown is torsion spring 76 which brings the unlocking barrel 71 to its resting position (see FIG. 11).

[0100] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any combination.