Lock mechanism

Abstract

A lock mechanism particularly for doors having a narrow stile, wherein a unique arrangement of components provides greater security and facilitates manufacture and installation, as characterized by a heavy pivotally swingable bolt connected at its inner end to one end of a rocker lever, the other end of the lever being formed with spaced end abutment projections between which a spring-urged latching detent is movably mounted for initial engagement and movement to a non-latching released position by an associated manually rotatable actuating cam extension prior to engagement with one or the other of the abutment projections to move the rocker lever in an appropriate direction for actuating the bolt to its locked or unlocked position. A feature also resides in the use of an insert type of key-operated lock cylinder assembly rather than an assembly of the threadedly mounted casement type, thus enabling use of a relatively thicker cam extension which can be straddled during a portion of its movement by the associated end of the rocker lever.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of locks.

Heretofore, it has been known generally from U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,854,839 and 2,989,859 to provide a lock mechanism of the swinging bolt type for mounting in the narrow stile of a door, and the present invention constitutes an improvement over the lock mechanisms disclosed in the above mentioned patents.

The lock mechanisms as disclosed in these patents are in the main designed for use with key-actuated lock cylinder assemblies of the casement type, and which are threadedly secured to a side plate of the lock mechanism casing. In this type assembly, the rotatable cam extension is of relatively thin material and is arranged to operatively engage abutment means and detent means on one side only of an elongated actuating lever that is pivoted at one end for swinging movement and has its other end connected by a pin and slot connection to the inner end of a swingable bolt. The cam extension is positioned between the ends of the actuating lever, and the lever as arranged requires a relatively long throw to actuate the bolt.

In accordance with the features of the present invention, it is proposed to modify the components and component arrangement of the above noted patents so as to obtain a simplified mechanism, yet one having improved operating characteristics, and which will provide greater security. Briefly, this is accomplished by utilizing a key-actuated lock cylinder assembly of the insert type having a cam extension of considerably increased thickness, and which can by symmetrically positioned at one end of a rocker lever, the other end of the lever being connected to the inner end of the pivotally swingable bolt. This lever arrangement produces a relatively short bolt operating throw and has the advantage that the end associated with the cam extension can be provided with integrally formed spaced end abutment projections so as to operably centrally straddle the cam extension in a manner to apply operating forces in the actuating plane of the lever. Thus, the applied forces will be desirably equally balanced between the ends of the pivot support of the rocker lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lock mechanisms, and is more particularly concerned with improvements in lock mechanisms of the type used for doors having a narrow stile.

It is one object of the herein described invention to provide a lock mechanism of the type used for doors having a narrow stile, in which a unique arrangement of the components provides for greater security, more economical manufacture, and ease of installation.

A further object is to provide a lock mechanism of the foregoing character which utilizes a rocker lever for producing a relatively short throw for operating a swingably pivoted bolt connected with one end of the rocker lever, and in which the other end of the lever is operatively connected for operation by a rotatable cam extension of an associated lock cylinder assembly.

A further object is to provide a lock mechanism as in the foregoing, in which the end of the rocker lever associated with the lock cylinder is formed with integral spaced end abutment projections between which a spring-urged latching detent is movably mounted for initial engagement and movement to a non-latching released position by the cam extension prior to engagement with one of the abutments to move the rocker lever and actuate the bolt.

Another object is to provide a lock mechanism in which a bolt actuating lever is pivoted for rocking movement, and is arranged at one end to centrally straddle the cam extension of an associated lock cylinder assembly during a portion of the cam extension movement, so as to apply actuating forces substantially in the plane of the actuating lever rather than adjacent a side face of the lever.

Still another object is to provide a lock mechanism according to the foregoing in which the actuating lever is operable by a cam extension of a lock cylinder assembly of the insert type, rather than a threadedly mounted lock cylinder assembly of the casement type.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lock mechanism embodying the features of the present invention, together with an associated door jamb;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the cooperative relationship of the lock components, the bolt being in extended locked position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, except that the bolt is shown in retracted unlocked position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially on line 4--4 of FIG. 5, showing details of the mounting for the cam roller detent at the end of the actuating rocker lever; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section view, taken substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 2

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes, there is disclosed in FIG. 1 a lock casing which is designated generally by the numeral 10. This casing is stamped or otherwise formed to provide two sections which are staked or otherwise interconnected to form a substantially closed housing within which the lock mechanism is contained between side wall portions 11 and 12. At the forward side of the casing, a face plate 13 is removably attached by means of suitable screws 14 to an integrally formed upper casing lug 15 and an integrally formed front wall 16. This face plate is formed to provide a rectangular slot or opening 17 having registration with an opening 18 of the casing front wall, and through which a bolt structure 20 is movable to retracted and extended positions, as will hereinafter be explained more fully.

The bolt structure 20, in its locked or extended position, is adapted to extend into a suitable opening 21 formed in an edge face 22 of an associated jamb or another door 23. The bolt 20 is shown as a laminated structure in which a plurality of metallic plates 24 are secured together in overlying relation by means of suitable rivets 25 or other conventional means. The bolt is pivotally mounted for swinging movements through an angle of substantially 90.degree. between its extended and retracted positions, a pivot pin 26 extending through the inner end of the bolt and having its opposite ends ridgedly supported in the side walls 11 and 12, respectively.

As will be seen from FIG. 5, the laminated bolt includes five plate members, the central plate being terminated short of the bolt pivot 26 to provide an intermediate inner end space 27. The plates lying on the opposite sides of this space are apertured to receive the pivot pin 26 therethrough and support the bolt for pivotal rotation. These plates are further provided on each side of this space with a generally L-shaped slot 28, and which are aligned transversely of the bolt. Each of these slots has dwell positions at its ends as indicated by the numerals 29 and 30, respectively. The slot 28 is oriented so that its long leg extends in a direction generally transversely of the bolt, while the short leg of the slot is more nearly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bolt.

The bolt 20 is actuated between its retracted unlocked position and extended locked position by means of an actuating rocker lever 31 which extends longitudinally of the casing 10 and is supported between its ends on a pivot 32 for rocking movement. One end of the lever 31 extends into the space 27 of the bolt and carries a transversely extending pin 33 having its ends respectively positioned on opposite sides of the lever and extending into the bolt slots 28, 28 for movement therein. The rocking movement of the lever is thus constrained, and the slot 28 is so shaped as to accommodate relative movements of the pin and the bolt during operative movements of the actuating lever in moving the bolt between its retracted and extended positions.

Provisions are made for positively releasably latching the bolt 20 in its retracted position and its extended position. This is accomplished by detent means associated with the other end of the actuating lever 31, which includes a cam roller 34 as best shown in FIG. 5. The roller is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 35 intermediate its ends which forms a portion 36 of reduced diameter, this portion being slidably movable within an inner end portion 37 of an end opening T-shaped slot (FIG. 4) as provided in the other end of the actuating lever 31. An outermost end 38 of the slot is of increased width and provides an end opening space which separates integrally formed end projections 39 and 40 which lie on opposite sides of the roller 34.

The outermost ends of the roller 34 are formed to provide axially extending end projections 41 and 42 of reduced diameter, and which are respectively positioned for movement in arcuate slots 43, 43, respectively, formed in the side walls 11 and 12 of the casing. Each slot 43 has dwell notches 44 and 45, respectively, at its ends.

As shown in FIG. 4, the roller 34 normally extends into the space of the slot end portion 38 between the end projections 39 and 40 and is biased in an outward direction in the slot by means of a coiled spring 46 placed on each side of the actuating lever 31, one end of the coiled spring being secured to an anchor pin 47 carried by the lever, and the other end of the spring bearing against and seated in a circumferentially extending groove 48 formed in the end portion of the roller 34. With this arrangement, the roller end projections 41 and 42 will be biased into the dwell notches 44, 44 in the extended position of the bolt 20, and into the dwell notches 45, 45 in the retracted position of the bolt, as respectively shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Various manually operable mechanisms may be utilized for motivating rocking movement of the lever 31, and with the lock mechanism disclosed herein, the lever may be arranged for operation by means of a conventional lock cylinder from either or both sides of the door. For illustrative purposes, there is shown a conventional key controlled lock cylinder 50 which is preferably of the insert type rather than the casement type which is threadedly mounted in the casing of the lock mechanism. The insert type is available in a single form accessible form one side of the door or double form where it is desired to lock and unlock the door from either side of the door. The lock cylinder has a body structure of generally keyhole configuration, the body having a cylindrical portion 51 and a radially extending depending projecting portion 52. The body portion is insertable endwise through aligned keyhole-shaped openings 53, 53, respectively, formed in the side walls 11 and 12 of the casing 10. When the lock cylinder assembly is positioned in the casing 10, the projecting portion 52 extends between internal spaced mounting lugs 54 and 55. The assembly is secured by means of a retaining screw 56 which is insertable through an opening 57 in the front wall 16 of the casing, this screw being adapted to extend through aligned openings in the lugs 54, 55, and threadedly embrace a threaded opening in the projection 52.

The lock cylinder assembly, as shown in FIG. 5, includes in its cylindrical body portion 51 a rotatable member 58 which carries a radially projecting cam extension 59 which is arranged to pass through an opening 60 in the body portion 52 during movement from one side to the other of the assembly body. It will be observed that the cam extension 59 is of a width such that it will engage opposite end portions of the roller 34 during its rotative movement. Thus, actuating forces will be applied in the plane of the actuating member 31 by engagement of the cam extension symmetrically with the end portions of the roller 34 on opposite sides of the lever end portion.

The cam extension 59 serves the dual purpose of initially releasing the latching detent and thereafter shifting the actuating lever from one of its latched positions to the other so as to motivate the bolt 20 from one position to the other. As shown in FIG. 2, the end projections 41 and 42 of the roller 34 are positioned in the dwell notches 44, 44, and the pin 33 is positioned in the dwell position 29 of the bolt slot 28. The bolt 20 is therefore positively latched in its extended position. Should it be desired to move the bolt to its retracted position, the cam extension 59 would be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until it reaches the position shown in dotted lines. It will be seen that the projections 39 and 40 are so oriented that the outermost end of the cam extension will pass the projection 40 and move into engagement with the roller 34. Continued movement of the cam extension will cause it to force the roller from its latching position and move it into a position which permits the cam extension to pass through the slot end portion 38 into abutting engagement with the projection 39 and apply a force which will now shift the actuating arm 31 to the position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the bolt 20 will be in a retracted position, and the pin 33 will have moved into the dwell position 30 of the slot 28. In this position of the actuating lever, the roller 34 will be biased outwardly so that its end projections 40 and 41 will now be seated in the dwell notches 45, 45, as the rotation of the cam extension continues. In this position of the actuating lever, it will be observed that the end projection 39 has now assumed a position which will permit the end of the cam extension to pass by and continue in its rotative movement. The action of the components of the lock mechanism will be similar to that just described, except in reverse order, when rotating the cam extension in a reverse direction so as to motivate the bolt 20 to its extended locked position as shown in FIG. 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the lock mechanism as described accomplishes the stipulated objects set out for the invention.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, hence, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A locking mechanism for a movably mounted door having a relatively narrow stile, comprising:

a. a casing structure positionable in said stile, said structure having an opening adapted to be positioned adjacent a vertical edge face of said stile;

b. a bolt pivotally supported in said casing for swinging selective movement to a retracted unlocked position within said casing and to an extended locked position projecting through said opening;

c. a bolt actuating lever pivotally supported between its ends in said casing for rocking movement,

one end of said actuating lever being connected with said bolt,

the other end of said actuating lever having an open ended slot with a relatively wide outer end portion extending between spaced end abutment projections, and an axially aligned relatively narrow inner end portion;

d. latching means carried by said other end of said lever for releasably latching said bolt in its extended and retracted positions, including:

a spring-urged roller having a portion of reduced diameter between its ends supported for outward and inward movements in said narrow inner portion of said slot, said roller being normally biased to a latching position extending into the relatively wide outer portion of said slot; and

e. manually operable means including an element swingably rotatable in opposite directions to initially release said latching means in both the extended and retracted positions of said bolt and thereafter rock said lever to selectively move the bolt from one of said positions to the other of said positions, said element being engageable with said roller and operative to move it to a non-latching position prior to engagement with one of said abutment projections.

2. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said roller has opposite end portions respectively extending beyond opposite faces of said other end of said lever.

3. A locking mechanism according to claim 2, in which spring members respectively positioned adjacent said opposite faces of said other end of said lever are respectively engaged with the opposite end portions of said roller.

4. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said element comprises a cam extension straddled during a portion of its swing movement by said other end of said lever and being of a width to simultaneously engage the opposite end portions of said roller.

5. A locking mechanism according to claim 4, in which said cam extension is embodied in a key actuated lock cylinder assembly slidably insertable endwise into an operative position penetrating said casing and being supported by the opposite sides thereof.

6. A lock mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said lock cylinder has a keyhole-shaped body, and said casing is formed with a pair of spaced lugs adapted to extend on opposite sides of said body, said lugs having clearance openings alignable with a threaded opening in said body for receiving a retaining threaded member.