A LOCK HAVING A REVERSIBLE LATCH BOLT

Abstract

A lock having a reversible latch bolt, wherein the latch bolt comprises a reversing mechanism, the reversing mechanism being arranged to rotate the tip with respect to the main body over 180? along the door width direction from a first angular position to a second angular position, wherein the reversing mechanism comprises a proximal portion of the tip opposite to the distal portion of the tip wherein the proximal portion is arranged to fit inside a receiving portion of the main body and wherein the receiving portion of the main body and the proximal portion of the tip respectively form a female and male cylindrical part such that the tip can be rotated between the first and second angular positions whilst residing in the receiving portion of the main body, the reversing mechanism further comprising a second spring, biased to maintain the tip in the first or second angular position when the tip is respectively in the first or second angular position, and the reversing mechanism comprising a cam and follower assembly, wherein the proximal portion of the tip comprises the cam, wherein the cam is arranged to cooperate with the follower upon rotation of the tip between the first and second angular position, wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular positions loads the second spring and wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip into the first or second angular positions unloads the second spring.

Claims

1. A lock having a reversible latch bolt, the lock comprising a frame comprising a base plate and a side plate, a latch bolt extending along a door width direction through a latch bolt opening in the side plate, the latch bolt being movably mounted on the frame along the door width direction between a locking and an unlocking position, wherein the latch bolt comprises a main body and a tip connected to the main body, wherein the main body and the tip are aligned along the door width direction, wherein the tip is a substantially cylindrical element comprising a distal portion having a beveled ending configured for impacting on a lock striker, wherein, on the outer surface of the latch bolt, the transition between the main body and the tip is on the outer side of the side plate, a first spring arranged to bias the latch bolt into the locking position by acting on the main body, and an operating mechanism acting on the main body for actuating the latch bolt from its locking to its unlocking position against the action of the first spring, and wherein the latch bolt further comprises a reversing mechanism, the reversing mechanism being arranged to rotate the tip with respect to the main body over 180? along the door width direction from a first angular position to a second angular position, wherein the reversing mechanism comprises the following elements: a proximal portion of the tip opposite to the distal portion of the tip wherein the proximal portion is arranged to fit inside a receiving portion of the main body, characterized in that the reversing mechanism further comprises the following elements: the receiving portion of the main body and the proximal portion of the tip respectively form a female and male cylindrical part such that the tip can be rotated between the first and second angular positions whilst residing in the receiving portion of the main body, a second spring, biased to maintain the tip in the first or second angular position when the tip is respectively in the first or second angular position, and a cam and follower assembly, wherein the tip comprises the cam, wherein the cam is arranged to cooperate with the follower upon rotation of the tip between the first and second angular position, wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular positions loads the second spring and wherein the relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip into the first or second angular positions unloads the second spring, wherein either: a) the cam and follower assembly is arranged to translate the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction upon rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction and wherein said translation loads or unloads the second spring, or b) the second spring comprises the follower and the rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction loads or unloads the second spring without translating the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction.

2. The lock according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a hollow tube, wherein the main body comprises a retention element fixed within the hollow tube such as to delimit the receiving portion of the main body along the door width direction, wherein the retention element comprises a bolt opening, wherein a bolt, having a bolt head and a screw threaded portion extending between the bolt head and a free end of the bolt, is inserted in a channel extending along the door width direction through at least a portion of the tip, through a portion of the main body and through the bolt opening in the retention element, wherein the bolt head resides in one of the main body or the tip, and wherein the free end of the bolt resides in the other one of the main body or the tip, wherein the latch bolt further comprises fixing means arranged to substantially prevent the movement of the bolt along the door width direction with respect to the retention element.

3. The lock according to claim 2, wherein the channel extends along the door width direction from an opening in the beveled ending in the distal portion of the tip, through the tip, through at least a portion of the main body, through the bolt opening in the retention element, wherein the bolt head resides in the tip such as to be accessible through the opening of the channel in the beveled end of the tip, and wherein the free end of the bolt resides in the main body.

4. The lock according to claim 3, wherein the latch bolt comprises a length adjustment mechanism arranged to adjust the distance along the door width direction that the latch bolt extends from the latch bolt opening when the latch bolt is in the locking position, wherein the length adjusting mechanism comprises the following elements: a pin holder slideably arranged within the main body, wherein the pin holder holds one or more abutment pins on which the first spring and the operating mechanism abut, wherein the pin holder is slideably arranged between a close position and a far position in which the pin holder is respectively closer and more remote from the tip, the bolt arranged as an adjustment bolt, the free end of the adjustment bolt being received in a screw hole provided in the pin holder, and wherein the rotation of the adjustment bolt along its axis in the door width direction results in the screwing of the adjustment bolt in or out of the pin holder which results in the sliding of the pin holder respectively towards the close or far position.

5. The lock according to claim 2, wherein the cam comprises one of at least one anchoring projection protruding along the door width direction or at least two anchoring recesses, and wherein the main body comprises the other one of the at least one anchoring projections and the anchoring recesses such that the anchoring recesses are arranged to receive the anchoring projection at least when the tip is in either one of the first or second angular position, preferably at most when the tip is in either one of the first or second angular positions, wherein preferably the at least one anchoring projection is formed by a groove applied in the proximal portion of the tip, wherein the groove is elongated substantially perpendicularly to the door width direction, and wherein preferably the groove has angled walls.

6. The lock according to claim 5, wherein the proximal portion of the tip has an outwardly chamfered circumferential edge.

7. The lock according to claim 5, wherein the amount that each anchoring projection protrudes in the door width direction follows a gradient, wherein the gradient comprises a steep part adjacent to the positions of minimal protrusion and a less steep intermediate part between the steep parts.

8. The lock according to claim 16, wherein the cam and follower assembly is arranged to translate the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction upon rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction and wherein said translation loads or unloads the second spring, wherein the second spring is a compression spiral spring, wherein the second spring is arranged coaxially over the bolt between the bolt head of the bolt and an inwardly projecting collar provided in the proximal portion of the tip such as to urge the tip towards the main body, and wherein the translation of the tip in the door width direction moves the inwardly projecting collar towards or away from the bolt head such as to respectively compress or relax the second spring, wherein preferably the fixing means comprise a fixation element fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt, and the bolt head, wherein the retention element is clamped by means of the second spring and the inwardly projecting collar between the fixation element and the free end of the proximal portion of the tip, and wherein preferably the fixation element comprises a rotation hindering element.

9. The lock according to claim 5, wherein the cam and follower assembly is arranged to translate the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction upon rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction and wherein said translation loads or unloads the second spring, wherein the bolt extends along the door width direction from the bolt head residing in the main body up to the free end received in a screw hole provided in the tip, wherein the second spring is a compression spiral spring, wherein the second spring is arranged coaxially over the bolt between the bolt head of the bolt and the retention element such as to urge the tip towards the main body, and wherein the translation of the tip in the door width direction moves the bolt head towards or away from the retention element such as to respectively compress or relax the second spring, wherein preferably the fixing means comprise the bolt head, and the free end of the proximal portion of the tip, wherein the retention element is clamped by means of the second spring between the bolt head and the free end of the proximal portion of the tip.

10. The lock according to claim 3, wherein the second spring comprises the follower and the rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction loads or unloads the second spring without translating the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction, wherein the second spring is an element that is elastically compressible along the door width direction, wherein the second spring is arranged between the retention element and free end of the proximal portion of the tip, and wherein the shape of the cam and of the second spring are such that the rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular position compresses the second spring, wherein the follower is formed by the second spring, wherein the bolt head preferably abuts an inwardly projecting collar provided in the proximal portion of the tip, wherein preferably the fixing means comprise a fixation element fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt, and the bolt head, wherein the retention element is clamped by means of the second spring and the inwardly projecting collar between the fixation element and the bolt head, and wherein preferably the fixation element comprises a rotation hindering element.

11. The lock according to claim 2, wherein the second spring comprises the follower and the rotation of the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction loads or unloads the second spring without translating the tip with respect to the main body along the door width direction, wherein the second spring is a leaf spring, wherein a first leg of the leaf spring abuts on or is formed by the retention element and wherein the second leg of the leaf spring abuts on the proximal portion of the tip, such as to bias the proximal portion of the tip in a direction perpendicular to the door width direction against the wall of the main body, wherein the bolt head preferably abuts an inwardly projecting collar provided in the proximal portion of the tip, and wherein the fixing means preferably comprise a fixation element fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt, and the bolt head, wherein the retention element is clamped by means of the inwardly projecting collar between the fixation element and the bolt head, wherein preferably the shape of the proximal portion of the tip is delimited by an outer contour, wherein the cross-section of the outer contour with a plane perpendicular with the door width direction forms a perimeter and wherein the cam is formed by a portion of the proximal portion of the tip adjacent to the free end thereof having a perimeter comprising two recessed portions provided at opposite sides of the channel, wherein the second leg of the leaf spring rests on one of the recessed portions when the tip is in the first angular position and wherein the second leg of the leaf spring rests on the other one of the recessed portions when the tip is rotated in the second angular position, and wherein the follower is formed by the second leg of the leaf spring.

12. The lock according to claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises a key cylinder opening for receiving a key cylinder, wherein the side plate further comprises a dead bolt opening for receiving a dead bolt, the frame having mounted thereon the following elements: a dead bolt extending along the door width direction through the dead bolt opening, the dead bolt being movably mounted on the frame along the door width direction between a locking and an unlocking position by means of a key cylinder, wherein the dead bolt comprises a main body and a tip connected to the main body, wherein the main body is a hollow tube, wherein the main body and the tip are aligned along the door width direction, wherein the tip is a cylindrical element comprising a free ending arranged to enter into a corresponding dead bolt slot in a striking plate, and wherein the main body is preferably provided with an attachment pin, a mechanism for actuating the dead bolt upon rotation of a key in the key cylinder to move the dead bolt from its locking to its unlocking position and vice versa, wherein the mechanism for actuating the dead bolt comprises a dead bolt lever acting on the main body of the dead bolt, preferably on the attachment pin and following the rotation of the key in the key cylinder, and wherein the dead bolt preferably comprises a dead bolt length adjustment mechanism arranged to adjust the distance along the door width direction that the dead bolt extends from the dead bolt opening when the dead bolt is in the locking position, wherein the dead bolt length adjusting mechanism comprises the following elements: an attachment pin holder slideably arranged within the main body of the dead bolt, wherein the attachment pin holder holds the attachment pin, wherein the attachment pin holder is slideably arranged between a close position and a far position in which the attachment pin holder is respectively closer and more remote from the tip of the dead bolt, a retention element fixed within the main body of the dead bolt, the retention element delimiting the insertion depth of the tip into the main body along the door width direction, wherein the retention element comprises an adjustment bolt opening through which an adjustment bolt extending in the door width direction is inserted, an adjustment bolt inserted in a channel extending along the door width direction from an opening in the free ending of the tip of the dead bolt, through the tip of the dead bolt, through at least a part of the main body of the dead bolt, through the adjustment bolt opening in the retention element, and ending in a screw hole provided in the attachment pin holder, wherein the adjustment bolt extends along the door width direction from a bolt head accessible through the opening of the channel in the free end of the tip of the dead bolt up to a free end received in the screw hole of the attachment pin holder, and fixing means for substantially preventing the movement of the adjustment bolt along the door width direction such that the rotation of the adjustment bolt along its axis in the door width direction results in the screwing of the adjustment bolt in or out of the attachment pin holder which results in the sliding of the attachment pin holder respectively towards the close or far position.

13. The lock according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the latch bolt is formed from a plate bended along the door width direction, wherein preferably adjacent edges of the bended plate form a slit at the positions outside of the receiving portion and wherein the edges of the bended plate form a seam in the receiving portion, wherein preferably adjacent edges of the seam are welded together at least in one point preferably, and wherein preferably the transversal openings are punched out of the plate.

14. The lock according to claim 12, wherein the main body of the latch bolt is formed from a plate bended along the door width direction, wherein preferably adjacent edges of the bended plate form a slit at the positions outside of the receiving portion and wherein the edges of the bended plate form a seam in the receiving portion, wherein preferably adjacent edges of the seam are welded together at least in one point preferably, and wherein preferably the transversal openings are punched out of the plate, and wherein the main body of the dead bolt and the main body of the latch bolt have a substantially similar bended plate and transversal openings.

15. The lock according to claim 2, wherein the retention element is inserted in transversal openings provided in the hollow tube walls of the main body such as to fixate the retention plate in the hollow tube of the main body.

16. The lock according to claim 3, wherein the cam comprises one of at least one anchoring projection protruding along the door width direction or at least two anchoring recesses, and wherein the main body comprises the other one of the at least one anchoring projections and the anchoring recesses such that the anchoring recesses are arranged to receive the anchoring projection at least when the tip is in either one of the first or second angular position, preferably at most when the tip is in either one of the first or second angular positions, wherein preferably the at least one anchoring projection is formed by a groove applied in the proximal portion of the tip, wherein the groove is elongated substantially perpendicularly to the door width direction, and wherein preferably the groove has angled walls.

Description

FIGURES

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a detailed exploded view of the a latch bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the assembled latch bolt shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the latch bolt shown in FIG. 3 along section AA.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a more detailed view of section B indicated in FIG. 4.

[0060] FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of the tip shown in FIGS. 2-5, wherein the proximal portion of the tip is shown in detail.

[0061] FIG. 6b shows a top view of the tip of FIG. 6a.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the nut shown in FIGS. 2-5.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a detailed exploded view of an alternative implementation of the latch bolt shown in FIGS. 2-5.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the latch bolt shown in FIG. 8 along a plane perpendicular to the door width direction.

[0065] FIG. 10 shows a detailed exploded view of the a dead bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, having a similar construction as the latch bolt shown in FIGS. 2-5.

[0066] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the assembled dead bolt shown in FIG. 10.

[0067] FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the dead bolt shown in FIG. 11 along section AA.

[0068] FIG. 13 shows a more detailed view of section B indicated in FIG. 12.

[0069] FIG. 14 shows the lock of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section, wherein the latch bolt is the latch bolt shown in FIGS. 2-5, and wherein the dead bolt is the dead bolt shown in FIGS. 10-14.

[0070] FIG. 15 shows a detailed exploded view of the a latch bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, according to a second embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 16 shows a side view of the assembled latch bolt shown in FIG. 15.

[0072] FIG. 17 shows a cross-section of the latch bolt shown in FIG. 16 along section AA.

[0073] FIG. 18 shows a more detailed view of section B indicated in FIG. 17.

[0074] FIG. 19 shows a detailed exploded view of the a dead bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, having a similar construction as the latch bolt shown in FIGS. 15-18.

[0075] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the assembled dead bolt shown in FIG. 19.

[0076] FIG. 21 shows a cross-section of the dead bolt shown in FIG. 11 along section AA.

[0077] FIG. 22 shows a more detailed view of section B indicated in FIG. 12.

[0078] FIG. 23 shows the lock of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section, wherein the latch bolt is the latch bolt shown in FIGS. 15-18 and wherein the dead bolt is the dead bolt shown in FIGS. 19-23.

[0079] FIG. 24 shows a detailed exploded view of the a latch bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, according to a third embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 25 shows a detail of a cross-section of the latch bolt shown in FIG. 24 along a plane perpendicular to the door width direction.

[0081] FIG. 26 shows a detailed exploded view of the a latch bolt of the lock shown in FIG. 1, according to a fourth embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 27 shows a side view of the assembled latch bolt shown in FIG. 26.

[0083] FIG. 28 shows a cross-section of the latch bolt shown in FIG. 27 along section AA.

[0084] FIG. 29 shows a more detailed view of section B indicated in FIG. 28.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lock 1 has a reversible and length adjustable latch bolt 2, the lock 1 comprising a frame comprising a base plate 3 and a side plate 4. The base plate 3 comprises a follower opening for receiving a handle shaft follower 5 as well as a key cylinder opening for receiving a key cylinder 14. The side plate 4 comprises a latch bolt opening for receiving a latch bolt 2 as well as a dead bolt opening for receiving a dead bolt 15. The frame has mounted thereon the following elements: [0086] a latch bolt 2 extending along a door width direction, i.e. the elongation direction of the latch bolt 2, through the latch bolt opening. The latch bolt is movably mounted on the frame along the door width direction between a locking and an unlocking position by means of a handle (not shown). The latch bolt 2 comprises a main body 6a and a tip 7a connected to the main body 6a. The main body 6a is formed by bending a plate and punching out transversal openings 26a (not shown in FIG. 1). The tip 7a is formed by milling out a solid piece of metal. On the outer surface of the latch bolt 2, the transition 49a between the main body 6a and the tip 7a is on the outer side of the side plate 4. The main body 6a is a hollow substantially beam-shaped tube, formed by a bended plate. The main body and tip 6a, 7a are aligned along the door width direction. The tip 7a is a substantially cylindrically shaped object comprising a distal portion having a beveled ending 8 configured for impacting on a lock striker for example a door lock striker provided on the frame of a door. The main body 6a is provided with an abutment pin 10a which is a screw, [0087] a first spring 11 arranged to bias the latch bolt 2 into the locking position by abutting on the abutment pin 10a and on a second side plate 45 opposite to the first side plate 4, [0088] a handle shaft follower 5 provided in the follower opening. The handle shaft follower 5 comprising a handle shaft channel 12 extending along an axis in a door thickness direction for receiving a handle shaft (not shown) for said handle. The door thickness direction is substantially perpendicular to the door width direction. The handle shaft follower 5 is pivotally mounted around its axis in the door thickness direction on the frame between a first and a second angular position, such that in use the handle shaft follower 5 rotates between the first and the second angular position upon rotation of the handle shaft between the first and the second angular position, and [0089] an operating mechanism 13 for actuating the latch bolt 2 against the action of the first spring 11 upon rotation of the handle shaft follower 5 to move the latch bolt 2 from its locking to its unlocking position against the action of the first spring 11 when the handle shaft follower is rotated from its first angular position to its second angular position and to move the latch bolt 2 from its unlocking to its locking position assisted by the action of the first spring 11 when the handle shaft follower 5 is rotated from its second angular position to its first angular position. The operating mechanism 13 for actuating the latch bolt comprises a latch bolt lever abutting the abutment pin 10a and following the rotation of the handle shaft follower 5. [0090] a dead bolt 15 extending along the door width direction through the dead bolt opening, the dead bolt being movably mounted on the frame along the door width direction between a locking and an unlocking position by means of a key cylinder 14. The dead bolt 15 comprises a main body 6b and a tip 7b connected to the main body 6b. The main body 6b is formed by bending a plate and punching out transversal openings 26b (not shown in FIG. 1). The tip 7b is formed by milling out a solid piece of metal. The main body 6b is a hollow substantially beam shaped tube. The main body and tip 6b, 7b are aligned along the door width direction. On the outer surface of the dead bolt 15, the transition 49b between the main body 6b and the tip 7b is on the outer side of the side plate 4. The tip 7b is a substantially cylindrical object comprises a free ending 18 arranged to enter into a corresponding dead bolt slot in a striking plate. The main body 6b is provided with an attachment pin 10b. [0091] an operating mechanism 20 for actuating the dead bolt 15 upon rotation of a key in the key cylinder 14 to move the dead bolt 15 from its locking to its unlocking position and vice versa, wherein the mechanism 20 for actuating the dead bolt comprises a dead bolt lever attached on the attachment pin 10b and following the rotation of the key in the key cylinder 14.

[0092] The above mentioned features of the lock correspond to the lock presented in the prior art publication EP2915939. Details of these common features of the lock, such as to provision of a second turn lever coupled to the key cylinder, can be found in said patent publication which is therefore incorporated by reference into the present patent application.

[0093] The latch bolt 2 comprises a reversing mechanism, the reversing mechanism being arranged to rotate the tip 7 with respect to the main body over 180? along the door width direction from a first angular position to a second angular position. This reversing mechanism comprises the following elements: [0094] a proximal portion 38a (not shown in FIG. 1) of the tip 7a opposite to the distal portion of the tip wherein the proximal portion 38a is arranged to fit inside a receiving portion of the main body 6 and wherein the receiving portion of the main body 6a and the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a respectively form a female and male cylindrical part such that the tip 7a can be rotated between the first and second angular positions whilst residing in the receiving portion of the main body 6a, [0095] a second spring 36 (not shown in FIG. 1), biased to maintain the tip 7a in the first or second angular position when the tip is respectively in the first or second angular position, and [0096] a cam and follower assembly, wherein the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a comprises the cam. The cam is arranged to cooperate with the follower upon rotation of the tip 7a between the first and second angular position. The relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular positions loads the second spring 36. The relative movement of the cam and the follower upon rotation of the tip 7a into the first or second angular positions unloads the second spring 36. The present invention has two main implementations: [0097] a) a first implementation known as alternative a, wherein the cam and follower assembly is arranged to translate the tip 7a with respect to the main body 6a along the door width direction upon rotation of the tip 7a with respect to the main body 6a along the door width direction and wherein said translation loads or unloads the second spring 36. Embodiments showing a latch bolt according to alternative a are shown in FIG. 2-7, 8-9 or 15-18 respectively corresponding to the first embodiment, an alternative implementation of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described further below. [0098] b) a second implementation known as alternative b, wherein the second spring 36 comprises the follower and the rotation of the tip 7a with respect to the main body 6a along the door width direction loads or unloads the second spring 36 without translating the tip 7a with respect to the main body 6a along the door width direction. Embodiments showing a latch bolt according to alternative b are shown in FIG. 24-25 or 26-29 respectively corresponding to the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment will be described further below.

[0099] In all shown embodiments the main body 6a of the latch bolt and the main body 6b of the dead bolt 15 comprises a retention element 24a, 24b fixed within the transversal openings 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b of their respective main body by means of a projection 27a, 27b. The retention element 24a, 24b delimits the receiving portion of the main body 6a, 6b along the door width direction. The retention elements 24a, 24b comprise a bolt opening 28a, 28b. A bolt 29a, 29b, having a bolt head 33a, 33b and a screw threaded portion extending between the bolt head 33a, 33b and a free end 34a, 34b of the bolt 29a, 29b, is inserted in a channel extending along the door width direction through at least a portion of the tip 7a, 7b, through a portion of the main body 6a, 6b and through the bolt opening 28a, 28b in the retention element 24a, 24b. The bolt head 33a, 33b resides in one of the main body 6a, 6b or the tip 7a, 7b, and the free end 34a, 34b of the bolt 29a, 29b resides in the other one of the main body 6a, 6b or the tip 7a, 7b. The latch bolt 2 and the dead bolt 15 further comprise fixing means arranged to substantially prevent the movement of the bolt 29a, 29b along the door width direction with respect to the retention element 24a, 24b, such as to avoid the accidental removal of the bolt 29a, 29b from the latch bolt 2 or dead bolt 15. The hollow tube of the main body 6a, 6b has a different shape at the end comprising the receiving portion with respect to the remainder of the hollow tube. The shape of the hollow tube is substantially cylindrical at the end comprising the receiving portion whilst it is substantially beam-shaped for the remainder of the main body 6a, 6b. The transition 50a, 50b of the shape occurs remote from the receiving portion and the retention element 24a, 24b.

[0100] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15-18 regarding the latch bolt, and shown in FIGS. 19-22 regarding the dead bolt, the channel extends along the door width direction through a portion of the tip 7a, 7b, through at least a portion of the main body 6a, 6b, through the bolt opening 28a, 28b in the retention element 24a, 24b, and the bolt head 33a, 33b resides in the main body 6a, 6b, whilst the free end 34a, 34b of the bolt 29a, 29b resides in the tip 7a, 7b.

[0101] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2-5, 8-9, 24-25 or 26-29a regarding the latch bolt, and shown in FIGS. 10-13 regarding the dead bolt, the channel extends along the door width direction from an opening 31a in the beveled ending 8 in the distal portion of the tip 7a for the latch bolt 2 and from an opening 31b in the free ending 18 in the distal portion of the tip 7b for the dead bolt 15, through the tip 7a, 7b, through at least a portion of the main body 6a, 6b, through the bolt opening 28a, 28b in the retention element 24a, 24b, and the bolt head 33a, 33b resides in the tip 7a, 7b such as to be accessible through the opening 31a of the channel in the beveled end 8 of the tip 7a for the latch bolt and through the opening 31b of the channel in the free end 18 of the tip 7b for the dead bolt 15, whilst the free end 34a, 34b of the bolt 29a, 29b resides in the main body 6a, 6b.

[0102] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2-5, 8-9, 24-25 or 26-29 regarding the latch bolt 2, and shown in FIGS. 10-13 regarding the dead bolt 15, the latch bolt 2 and dead bolt 15 comprises a length adjustment mechanism arranged to adjust the distance along the door width direction that respectively the latch bolt 2 and dead bolt 15 extends from respectively the latch bolt opening and dead bolt opening when respectively the latch bolt 2 and dead bolt 15 is in the locking position, wherein the length adjusting mechanism comprises the following elements: [0103] a pin holder 21a, 21b slideably arranged within the main body 6a, 6b wherein the pin holder comprises a reception hole 22a, 22b for holding the aforementioned abutment pin 10a, 10b on which the first spring 11 and the operating mechanism 13 abut for the latch bolt 2 and on which the operating mechanism 20 abuts for the dead bolt 15. The pin holder 21a, 21b is slideably arranged between a close position and a far position in which the pin holder 21a, 21b is respectively closer and more remote from the tip 7a, 7b and wherein preferably the full rotation of the pin holder 21a, 21b with respect to the main body 6a, 6b hollow tube along the door width direction is not possible because the abutment pins 10a, 10b extend through a slot 23a, 23b provided in the hollow tube wall, [0104] the bolt 29a, 29b arranged as an adjustment bolt, the free end 34a, 34b of the adjustment bolt 29a, 29b being received in a screw hole 32a, 32b provided in the pin holder 21a, 21b, and [0105] wherein the rotation of the adjustment bolt 29a, 29b along its axis in the door width direction results in the screwing of the adjustment bolt 29a, 29b in or out of the pin holder 21a, 21b which results in the sliding of the pin holder 21a, 21b respectively towards the close or far position. This sliding is the result from the fact that the adjustment bolt 29a, 29b cannot translate along the door width direction due to the fixing means, and because the pin holder 21a, 21b cannot rotate along the door width direction with respect to the hollow tube of the main body 6a, 6b.

[0106] In the embodiments wherein the dead bolt 15 or latch bolt 2 comprises the length adjusting mechanism, the abutment pin 10a, 10b protrudes radially out of the main body 6a, 6b through a slot 23a, 23b provided in the walls of the main body 6a, 6b. The slot is elongated substantially along the door width direction such as to allow translation of the pin holder 21a, 21b. The first spring 11 and the latch bolt lever abut on the protruding part of their abutment pin 10a of the latch bolt. The main body 6b of the dead bolt 15 is provided with a further slot through which the dead bolt lever enters the hollow tube such as to abut on its abutment pin 10b. This latter slot is also elongated along the door width direction such as to allow the movement of the dead bolt lever for translating the pin holder 21b. The latter slot is the slot formed between the edges of a bended plate from which the hollow tube of the dead bolt 15 is formed.

First Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 2-7, the Alternative Implementation of the First Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 8-9, the Second Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 15-18 and the Corresponding Dead Bolts:

[0107] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-7, the variant of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9, and the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-18, the cam is formed by two anchoring projections 44 provided eccentrically on the free end 41 of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7 such that the anchoring projection 44 protrudes along the door width direction from the free end 41 of the proximal portion of the tip 7. The channel through the tip 7 runs substantially centrally through the tip 7, and the anchoring projections 44 are placed on opposite of the sides surrounding the channel. The channel is provided on the free end 41 of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7. This means that the free end 41 is the base of the anchoring projection 44, i.e. the deepest point or the valley of the projection. The anchoring projection 44 is made from the same material as the remainder of the tip 7, i.e. is integral with the remainder of the tip. The retention element 24a together with the wall of the hollow tube of the main body 6 delimits two anchoring recesses 30. The anchoring recesses 30 are arranged to receive the anchoring projection 44 at most when the tip 7 is in either one of the first or second angular position. The anchoring recesses 30 are anchoring openings, i.e. opening up all the way through the retention element 24a along the door width direction.

[0108] The two anchoring projections are formed by a groove applied in the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a, wherein the groove is elongated substantially perpendicularly to the door width direction. The groove is applied to the real free end of the proximal portion of the tip 7a, and forms valleys and hills wherein the hills are the anchoring projections and the valleys are the base/valley 41 of the anchoring projection. The latter is referred to as the free end of the proximal portion of the tip throughout the present patent application, even though the real free end of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a prior to application of the groove corresponds to the summit 43 of the anchoring projection 44 after formation of the anchoring projections 44. As particularly shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a has an outwardly chamfered circumferential edge 48 prior to the application of the groove. After having formed the outwardly chamfered circumferential edge, the groove is formed in the real free end of the proximal portion of the tip. The groove is delimited by a groove bottom wall 51 and opposing groove sidewalls 52. The groove has angled walls, i.e. the angle between the bottom wall 51 and the sidewall 52 is a obtuse angle. The edge 71 thus formed delimiting the angled sided walls 52 comprises two steep parts 72 adjacent to the bottom wall 51 and an less steep intermediate part 73 between the steep parts.

[0109] In these embodiments of the latch bolt, alternative a as described above applies. In these embodiments, the follower is formed by the anchoring recesses 30 i.e. by the structural features forming the anchoring recesses, and the anchoring projection 44 has such a shape that upon rotation of the tip out of the first or second angular position, the anchoring projection is gradually lifted out of the anchoring recesses without substantially deforming the anchoring recesses. According to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-7 the retention element 24a comprises only a single unitary part shaped as a plate like part. According to the alternative variant of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9 the retention element 24a comprises a primary part shaped as a plate like part 53 and an add-on part 54, wherein the add-on part 54 is attached to the primary part 53 and wherein the add-on part 54 forms the anchoring recessions 30. The add-on part 54 is a bended plate folded around a fold line 55, wherein the fold line 55 of the bended plate forms a ridge delimiting the anchoring recessions 30 adjacent to the ridge. The primary part 53 and the add-on part 54 are made of different materials. The add-on part comprises two connecting legs 75 that clips into leg recesses 76 formed by the primary part 53 of the retention element 24a.

[0110] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-7 and 8-9 the channel of the latch bolt extends along the door width direction from the opening 31a in the beveled ending 8 in the distal portion of the tip 7a, through the tip 7a, through at least a portion of the main body 6a, through the bolt opening 28a in the retention element 24a, wherein the bolt head 33a resides in the tip 7a such as to be accessible through the opening 31a of the channel in the beveled end 31a of the tip 7a, whilst the free end 34a of the bolt 29a resides in the main body 6a. The second spring 36 is a compression spiral spring, wherein the second spring 36 is arranged coaxially over the bolt 29a between the bolt head 33a of the bolt 29a and an inwardly projecting collar 39a provided in the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a such as to urge the tip 7a towards the main body 6a. The translation of the tip 7a in the door width direction moves the inwardly projecting collar 39a towards or away from the bolt head 33a such as to respectively compress or relax the second spring 36. The fixing means comprise a fixation element in the form of a nut 35a fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt 29a, and further comprises the bolt head 33a. The retention element 24a is thus clamped, by means of i.e. by intermediary of the second spring 36 and the inwardly projecting collar 39a, between the nut 35a and the free end of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a. Additionally, the nut 35a is clamped between the retention element 24a and the shape transition 50a of the main body 6a thereby forming part of the fixing means. As shown in detail in FIG. 7, the nut 35a comprises a rotation hindering element formed by two further anchoring projection 56 configured to be received in two further anchoring recesses 57 formed by the retention element 24a such as to avoid involuntary rotation of the bolt 29a.

[0111] The FIGS. 10-13 show a dead bolt 15 constructed substantially similarly to the latch bolt of FIGS. 2-7, albeit without reversing mechanism. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-13 the channel of the dead bolt 15 extends along the door width direction from the opening 31b in the free ending 18 in the distal portion of the tip 7b, through the tip 7b, through at least a portion of the main body 6b, through the bolt opening 28b in the retention element 24b, wherein the bolt head 33b resides in the tip 7b such as to be accessible through the opening 31b of the channel in the free end 18 of the tip 7b, whilst the free end 34b of the bolt 29b resides in the main body 6b. In the dead bolt 15, there is no second spring. The fixing means comprise a nut 35b fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt 29b, and further comprises the bolt head 33b abutting on an inwardly projecting collar 39b provided in the proximal portion of the tip 7b. The retention element 24a is thus clamped by means of, i.e. by intermediary of the inwardly projection collar 39b, between the nut 35b and the free end of the proximal portion 38b of the tip 7b. Additionally, the nut 35b is clamped between the retention element 24b and the shape transition 50b of the main body 6b thereby forming part of the fixing means. The FIG. 14 shows a view of the lock similar to the view shown in FIG. 1, but wherein the latch bolt 2 and the dead bolt 15 are shown partially in cross-section to reveal the construction of the latch bolt according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-7 and to reveal the construction of the dead bolt according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-13.

[0112] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15-18 the bolt 29a of the latch bolt 2 extends along the door width direction from the bolt head 33a residing in the main body 6a up to the free end 34a received in a screw hole provided in the tip 7a. The second spring 36 is a compression spiral spring, wherein the second spring 36 is arranged coaxially over the bolt 29a between the bolt head 33a of the bolt 29a and the retention element 24a such as to urge the tip 7a towards the main body 6a. The translation of the tip 7a in the door width direction thus moves the bolt head 33a towards or away from the retention element 24a such as to respectively compress or relax the second spring 36. The fixing means comprise the bolt head 33a, and further comprise the free end of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a. The retention element 24a is clamped, by means of i.e. by the intermediary of the second spring 36, between the bolt head 33a and the free end of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a. In these embodiments, no length adjustment mechanism is provided. Therefore, no slot 23 is provided, but merely a reception hole 70 for receiving an abutment pin on which the first spring 11 and the operating mechanism 20 abut.

[0113] The FIGS. 19-22 show a dead bolt 15 constructed substantially similarly to the latch bolt of FIGS. 15-18, albeit without reversing mechanism. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19-22 the channel of the dead bolt 15 extends along the door width direction from the bolt head 33b residing in the main body 6b up to the free end 34b received in a screw hole provided in the tip 7b. In the dead bolt 15, there is no second spring. The fixing means comprise the bolt head 33b, and further comprise the free end of the proximal portion 38b of the tip 7b. The retention element 24b is clamped directly between the bolt head 33b and the free end of the proximal portion 38b of the tip 7b. Additionally the bolt head 33b is clamped between the retention element 24b and the shape transition 50b of the main body 6b thereby forming part of the fixing means. The FIG. 23 shows a view of the lock similar to the view shown in FIG. 1, but wherein the latch bolt 2 and the dead bolt 15 are shown partially in cross-section to reveal the construction of the latch bolt according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-18 and to reveal the construction of the dead bolt according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19-22.

Third Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 24-25.

[0114] In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 24-25, the cam is formed by two anchoring projections 44 similar to the one shown in the variant of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9 as described above.

[0115] In this third embodiment the alternative b) as described above applies. In this embodiment, the channel extends along the door width direction from an opening 31a in the beveled ending 8 in the distal portion of the tip 7a, through the tip 7a, through at least a portion of the main body 6a, through the bolt opening 28a in the retention element 24a. The bolt head 33a resides in the tip 7a such as to be accessible through the opening 31a of the channel in the beveled end 8 of the tip 7a, and the free end 34a of the bolt 29a resides in the main body 6a. The retention element 24a comprises a primary part 58 formed as a plate like part. An add-on part 59 is attached to the primary part 58 of the retention element 24a, i.e. the add-on part 59 itself is not part of the retention element 24a. The add-on part 59 is a bended plate folded around a fold line 60, wherein the fold line 60 of the bended plate forms a ridge delimiting the anchoring recessions 30 adjacent to the ridge. The primary part and the add-on part are made of different materials. In the present embodiment, the bended plate of the add-on part 59 is the second spring 36, i.e. the bended plate forms a plate spring. The bolt head 33a abuts on an inwardly projecting collar 39a provided in the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a. The follower is formed by the bended plate of the add-on part 59. The add-on part 59 comprises two connecting legs 77 that clips into leg recesses 78 formed by the primary part 58 of the retention element 24a. The fixing means comprise a nut 35a fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt 29a, and further comprises the bolt head 33a. The retention element 24a is clamped, by means of i.e. by the intermediary of the second spring 36 and the inwardly projecting collar 39a, between the nut 35a and the bolt head 33a. Additionally the nut 35a is clamped between the retention element 24a and the shape transition 50a of the main body 6a thereby forming part of the fixing means.

Fourth Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 26-29.

[0116] In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 26-29, alternative b as described above applies. The second spring 36 is a leaf spring, wherein a first leg 61 of the leaf spring abuts on the retention element 24a and wherein the second leg 62 of the leaf spring abuts on the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a, such as to bias the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a in a direction perpendicular to the door width direction against the wall of the hollow tube of the main body 6a. The bolt head 33a abuts an inwardly projecting collar 39a provided in the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a. The fixing means comprise a nut 35a fixed to the threaded portion of the bolt 29a, and further comprises the bolt head 33a. The retention element 24a is clamped, by means of i.e. by intermediary of the inwardly projecting collar 39a, between the nut 35a and the bolt head 33a.

[0117] The shape of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a is delimited by an outer contour, wherein the cross-section of the outer contour with a plane perpendicular with the door width direction forms a perimeter and wherein the cam is formed by a portion of the proximal portion 38a of the tip 7a adjacent to the free end thereof having a perimeter comprising two recessed portions 63 provided at opposite sides of the channel. The second leg 62 of the leaf spring 36 rests on one of the recessed portions 63 when the tip 7a is in the first angular position and the second leg 62 of the leaf spring 36 rests on the other one of the recessed portions 63 when the tip 7a is rotated in the second angular position. In the present embodiment, the follower is formed by the second leg 62 of the leaf spring. The perimeter is substantially circular apart from the recessed portions 63.