REARRANGABLE LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR

Abstract

The present application relates to a locking assembly (1) for facilitated reconfiguring of a door (100) between left hand swing operative use and right hand swing operative use. The locking assembly (1) comprising a locking mechanism (10) configured to secure a door (100) to a door frame (110) in a locking state; at least one door bracket (12a, 12b) by which the locking mechanism (10) is arranged to the door (100); a control mechanism (30) comprising a housing (31) and a coupling member (32) configured to couple to a handle (50a), wherein the control mechanism (30), in a first operative position relative said at least one door bracket (12a, 12b), is configured to actuate the locking mechanism (10) out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member (32) relative the housing (31) in a first direction, and wherein the control mechanism (30) is configured to be moved from the first operative position relative said at least one door bracket (12a, 12b) to a second operative position relative said at least one door bracket (12a, 12b), in which second operative position the control mechanism (30) is configured to actuate the locking mechanism (10) out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member ((32) relative the housing (31) in a second direction different from said first direction.

Claims

1. A locking assembly for a door, the locking assembly comprising: a locking mechanism configured to lock a door to a door frame in a locking state; at least one door bracket by which the locking mechanism is arranged to the door; a control mechanism comprising a housing, and a coupling member configured to connect to a handle, wherein the control mechanism, in a first operative position relative said at least one door bracket, is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a first direction, wherein the control mechanism is configured to be moved from the first operative position relative said at least one door bracket to a second operative position relative said at least one door bracket different from said first operative position, in which second operative position the control mechanism is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a second direction, wherein the coupling member is configured to engage with a control member configured to move linearly relative the housing, wherein the control member is coupled to the locking rod, wherein the control mechanism is pivotably coupled to the locking rod via the control member to be pivotable between the first operative position and the second operative position.

2. (canceled)

3. The locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is rotatable relative the housing, and is provided with cog teeth configured to engage with the control member configured to move linearly relative the housing, wherein the control member is coupled to the locking rod.

4. The locking assembly according to claim 3, wherein the control member is arranged to move linearly relative the housing in a control slot positioned at a housing side adjacent to the locking rod.

5. The locking assembly according to claim 3, wherein the control member and the locking rod are mutually parallel when the control mechanism is positioned in an operative position.

6. The locking assembly according to claim 2, wherein the coupling member comprises two substantially identical coupling portions arranged on opposite sides of the coupling member, by which coupling portions the control mechanism is configured to couple to a handle.

7. The locking assembly according to claim 5, wherein the coupling member is provided with a coupling aperture traversing through the coupling member between said coupling portions, the coupling aperture configured to receive a handle.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to be pivotable around an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the locking rod.

11. (canceled)

12. The locking assembly according to claim 2 wherein the locking rod comprises a portion transversally displaced from a longitudinal axis of the locking rod.

13. The locking assembly according to claim 12, wherein the control mechanism is coupled to the transversally displaced portion of the locking rod.

14. The locking assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism comprises a through-hole for receiving a screw to secure the control mechanism in an operative position.

15. A door comprising a locking assembly according to claim 1, and a handle arrangement operatively connected to the locking assembly.

16. Method of reconfiguring a door between left hand swing operative use and right hand swing operative use, wherein the door comprises a locking assembly and a handle arrangement operatively connecting to the locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock a door to a door frame in a locking state; at least one door bracket by which the locking mechanism is arranged to the door; a control mechanism comprising a housing, and a coupling member configured to connect to a handle, wherein the control mechanism, in a first operative position relative said at least one door bracket, is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a first direction, wherein the control mechanism is configured to be moved from the first operative position relative said at least one door bracket to a second operative position relative said at least one door bracket different from said first operative position, in which second operative position the control mechanism is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a second direction, wherein the coupling member is configured to engage with a control member configured to move linearly relative the housing, wherein the control member is coupled to the locking rod, wherein the control mechanism is pivotably coupled to the locking rod via the control member to be pivotable between the first operative position and the second operative position, wherein the method comprises the steps of: releasing the control mechanism from a first operative position; removing the handle arrangement from the door; moving the control mechanism from the first operative position to the second operative position; reorienting the door; reattaching the handle arrangement to the door; reattaching the control mechanism to the handle arrangement.

17. Use of a locking assembly for reconfiguring a door between left hand swing operative use and right hand swing operative use, wherein the locking assembly comprises: a locking mechanism configured to lock a door to a door frame in a locking state; at least one door bracket by which the locking mechanism is arranged to the door; a control mechanism comprising a housing, and a coupling member configured to connect to a handle, wherein the control mechanism, in a first operative position relative said at least one door bracket, is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a first direction, wherein the control mechanism is configured to be moved from the first operative position relative said at least one door bracket to a second operative position relative said at least one door bracket different from said first operative position, in which second operative position the control mechanism is configured to actuate the locking mechanism out of the locking state by operatively moving the coupling member relative the housing in a second direction, wherein the coupling member is configured to engage with a control member configured to move linearly relative the housing, wherein the control member is coupled to the locking rod, wherein the control mechanism is pivotably coupled to the locking rod via the control member to be pivotable between the first operative position and the second operative position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a close-up perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention when in use;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention when in use;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a close-up perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention when the control mechanism is being released;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a close-up perspective view of a door to which the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is arranged;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a door to which the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is arranged;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a close-up perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention when the control mechanism is being moved;

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a close-up perspective view of a door to which the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is arranged;

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a close-up perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention when the control mechanism is being reattached;

[0044] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a door to which the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is arranged;

[0045] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The locking assembly 1 is configured to be arranged to a door 100 hinged to a door frame 110. In the following, a door 100 is assumed to be either left hand or right hand swing operated. By left hand or right hand swing operated, it is meant that the door 100 is hinged to a door frame 110 about either the left edge or the right edge of the door 100, respectively, as seen when facing the side of the door 100 to which a handle 50a of a handle arrangement 50 is arranged. Also, in the following, the locking assembly 1 is assumed to be arranged to a door 100 aligned with a plane YZ when in a closed position. The door 100 is opened by swinging the door 100 about the hinges in a direction perpendicular to said plane YZ. The hinge axis about which the door 100 is hinged is oriented parallel to axis Z. In general, the axis Z is a vertical axis. In the following, a handle arrangement 50 arranged to the door 100 is assumed to be arranged on an outwardly facing side of the door 100. The locking assembly 1 on the other hand is assumed to be arranged on an inwardly facing side of the door 100. The door 100 is also assumed to open in an outwardly direction, but may also, or alternatively, open in an inwardly direction. The door is also assumed to be provided with at least one coupling aperture 100a, 100b through which a handle 50a can be coupled to the locking assembly 1. In the following, the locking assembly 1 is described in association with a door 100 provided with two coupling apertures 100a, 100b arranged adjacent to each other, wherein one is arranged above the other.

[0048] The locking assembly 1 comprises at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b, at least one door bracket 12a, 12b, a keeping member 15, a locking rod 20, and a control mechanism 30. As can be seen in e.g. FIGS. 2-3, the at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b is configured to be arranged to a door frame 110. The at least one door bracket 12a, 12b is configured to be arranged to a door 100. The at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b and the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b are configured to be arranged to the door frame 110 and the door 100 respectively so that they connect when closing the door 100 into the door frame 110. In other words, they are substantially arranged at the same vertical level on the door frame 110 and the door 100 respectively. The at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b and the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b are configured to connect to one another using a connecting portion and a receiving slot configured to receive said connecting portion. The connecting portion is provided on the at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b. The receiving slot is provided on the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b. The receiving slot extends along a side of the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b in an inwardly direction relative the door. Moreover, the receiving slot extends through the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b on the side opposite a mounting side of the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b. The connecting portion of the door frame bracket 11a, 11b is configured to enter the open end of the receiving slot when the at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b and the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b connect. The keeping member 15 is configured to move linearly relative the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b in a slide channel. The slide channel extends into the receiving slot of the at least one door bracket 12a. The keeping member 15 can move linearly, or slide, in said slide channel into a keeping position where the keeping member 15 is positioned so that it covers the open end of the receiving slot. When in the keeping position, the keeping member 15 blocks the connecting portion from leaving the receiving slot, thereby keeping the at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b and the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b connected, and consequently locking the door 100 to the door frame 110.

[0049] The keeping member 15 is coupled to the locking rod 20. The locking rod 20 may be a flat rod as depicted in FIGS. 1-11. The locking rod 20 is configured to move linearly relative said at least one door bracket 12a, 12b in said slide channel as well. By moving the locking rod 20 along said slide channel, the keeping member 15 is either moved into or out of the keeping position, depending on direction of movement of the locking rod 20. The movement of the locking rod 20 is controlled by the control mechanism 30 which is operatively coupled to a handle 50a and the locking rod 20. By moving the handle 50a, the locking rod 20 is actuated into movement, thereby moving the keeping member 15 about the keeping position, and in particular to move it out of the keeping position. Moreover, the locking rod 20 comprises a transversally displaced portion 20a relative a longitudinal axis of the locking rod 20. Specifically, the transversally displaced portion 20a is a portion in-between two aligned portions 20b, 20c of the locking rod 20. The locking mechanism 30 is arranged adjacent to the transversally displaced portion 20a. The locking mechanism 30 is coupled to the transversally displaced portion 20a. The transversally displaced portion 20a, and the aligned portions 20b, 20c are all parallel.

[0050] The control mechanism 30 comprises a housing 31, a coupling member 32, and a control member 35. The housing 31 is provided with at least one mounting surface. The housing 31 is configured to be arranged adjacent to the door 100 so that the at least one mounting surface is facing the door 100, and in particular into a coupling aperture 100a, 100b, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The at least one mounting surface of the housing is provided with at least one and preferably two mounting areas. An aperture may traverse each mounting area, in which apertures fasteners may be positioned to secure the housing 31 to the door 100, or a handle 50a directly through the coupling aperture 100a, 100b. Fasteners may for example be screws, bolts and nuts, or other fastening means including mechanical and/or adhesive fasteners. The housing 31 is provided with a cavity to house the coupling member 32. Moreover, the housing 31 is provided with a sliding slot for slidable reception of the control member 35. The at least one mounting surface is open to expose the coupling member 32 arranged in the cavity. The coupling member 32 is provided with at least one coupling portion 32a, 32b for coupling to a handle 50a. The at least one coupling portion 32a, 32b may be accessed through the opening of said at least one mounting surface. A handle 50a may thus be coupled to the coupling portion 32a, 32b of the coupling member 32 through said opening of said at least one mounting surface and coupling aperture 100a, 100b of said door 100 to couple the handle 50a and the coupling member 32. In FIG. 5, a handle arrangement 50 is illustrated. The handle arrangement 50 comprises a handle 50a, a handle housing 50b. The handle arrangement 50 also comprises a fixating bracket 50c arranged on the opposite side of the door 100 relative the handle 50a and the handle housing 50b, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] The coupling member 32 comprises a cog or a cog-like portion. The cog-like portion extends along a rim of the coupling member 32. The cog or cog-like portion generally includes a plurality of teeth which are operatively engaged to a series of grooves integral to the control member 35. The control member 35 is configured to slide relative the housing 31 in the sliding slot. A portion of the control member 35 extends out of the housing 31 and is coupled to the locking rod 20. Hence, rotation of the handle 50a thereby imparts rotation to the coupling member 32 which translates the motion via the teeth to move the control member 35 in the sliding slot, thereby actuating movement of the locking rod 20 and consequently the keeping member 15 as well. By rotating the handle 50a to a pre-determined position, the keeping member 15 is moved out of the keeping position, thereby allowing the at least one door frame bracket 11a, 11b and the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b to release from one another.

[0052] The control mechanism 30 is configured to be arranged to the door 100 in a first operative position. By an operative position, it is meant that the control mechanism 30 is arranged fixedly in a position adjacent to the door 100 relative the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b while coupled to the locking rod 20 and the handle 50a, so as to be able to transfer a motion there in-between. The control mechanism 30 is configured to be releasable from the first operative position and to be reattached in at least a second operative position relative said at least one door bracket 12a, 12b. The coupling member 32 is provided with two coupling portions arranged on opposite sides. The housing 31 is provided with two mounting surfaces arranged on opposite sides. When in an operative position, one of the mounting surfaces is facing the door 100 and the coupling aperture 100a, 100b, wherein which one depends on which of the first and second operative position the control mechanism 30 is currently placed in.

[0053] The first operative position and the second operative position are associated with left hand- and right hand swing operative use of the door 100, respectively. Hence, by moving the control mechanism 30 between the first operative position and the second operative position, a door 100 may be reconfigured for left hand- or right hand swing operative use. The change in operative position may involve moving the control mechanism 30 to different positions relative the at least one door bracket 12a, 12b. Specifically, it may involve rotating the locking mechanism 30 so as to change which coupling portion 32a, 32b is exposed to be coupled to a handle 50a. The method of reconfiguring a door for either left hand or right hand operative use may also involve flipping the door 180 degrees, and it may also involve reposition of the hinges connecting the door 100 to the door frame 110.

[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, the control member 35 is rotationally coupled to the locking rod 20. This allows the control mechanism 30 to rotate relative the locking rod 20 about a rotational axis A, when released from the first operative position. When released, the control mechanism 30 is able to rotate between the first operative position to the second operative position. This allows for a quick and efficient reconfiguring of a door for left hand or right hand swing operative use. Only the control mechanism 30, the door frame brackets 11a, 11b and the door frame hinges needs to be repositioned. The angle between respective orientation of the control mechanism 30 in the first operative position and the second operative position is about 180 degrees.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a close-up perspective view of the locking assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the invention when in use, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the locking assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the invention, also when in use. The locking assembly 1 is arranged to a locker, specifically a locker door 100 and a locker door frame 110. Specifically, the door frame brackets 11a, 11b are arranged to the door frame 110, and the door brackets 12a, 12b, the control mechanism 30 and the locking rod 20 are arranged to the door 100. Moreover, the locking rod 20 may be provided with locking rod stops 25a, 25b configured to limit the range of motion of the locking rod 20 by abutting a door bracket 12a, 12b. In one exemplary embodiment, the locking rod stops 25a, 25b are clamped in place onto the locking rod 20. The position of the locking rod stops 25a, 25b may be repositioned to adjust the range of motion of the locking rod 20. The locking assembly 1 is arranged to the door 100 and configured for left hand swing operative use, see FIGS. 2-3.

[0056] As previously stated, the control mechanism 30 is configured to be releasable from a first operative position and moveable to a second operative position. The process or method of moving the control mechanism 30 from a first operative position to a second operative position is illustrated in FIGS. 4-11. First, the method comprises a step of releasing the control mechanism 30 from a first operative position. This may involve removing fasteners fixating the housing 31 in position adjacent to the door 100, from the handle arrangement 50, and the coupling member 32 from the handle 50a. Also, a fixating bracket 50c may need to be removed from the handle arrangement 50 as well, which fixating bracket 50c is arranged to couple to the handle arrangement 50 through one of the coupling apertures 100a, 100b. The method further comprises a step of removing the handle arrangement 50 from the door, as seen in FIG. 5. The method further comprises a step of flipping the door 180 degrees as indicated by FIG. 6. The method further comprises a step of moving the control mechanism 30 from the first operative position to the second operative position, so that a coupling portion 32a, 32b of the coupling member 32 may couple to a handle 50a through a different coupling aperture 100a, 100b. This may involve rotating the control mechanism 30 about a pivot axis A. The method further comprises a step of attaching the handle arrangement 50 to the door 100 as indicated in FIG. 8. Now, the handle 50a is oriented such that it will couple to the coupling member 32 through coupling aperture 100b rather than 100a. The method further comprises a step of securely arranging the control mechanism 30 in the second operative position as shown in FIG. 9. This involves securing the housing 31 to the handle arrangement 50 by inserting screws through each mounting area, and connecting the coupling member 32 to the handle 50a. Also, the fixating bracket 50c is also arranged in place to fixate the handle arrangement 50 in position. The locking assembly 1 is then appropriately arranged to allow locking and unlocking of the door 100 by rotating the handle 50a, as indicated by FIGS. 10 and 11, in a right hand swing operative use.

[0057] This completes the detailed description of a particular embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.