BACKGROUND

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of locksmithery, and more particularly, to a mortise lock.

2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

[0002] Enforcing locks such as to withstand burglary is an age old problem. In mortise locks protecting against picking the bolt is a major challenge.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a bolt assembly in a mortise lock having a housing and a bolt throw wheel with a link element having a linking pin, the bolt assembly comprising: a bolt connected to the linking pin and arranged to move along a bolt throw direction between an unlocked state, in which the bolt is withdrawn within the housing, and a locked state, in which the bolt protrudes from the housing, upon a rotation of the bolt throw wheel, the bolt having at least one straight slot, oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, , and at least one corresponding lateral space; at least one hook arranged to fit into a corresponding one of the at least one lateral spaces in the bolt, the at least one hook having: a basal end having a basis pivotly connected to the bolt; a hook end arranged to be withdrawn within the bolt in the unlocked state of the bolt and to laterally protrude from the bolt in the locked state of the bolt; and a curved slot extending from the hook end to the basal end, the curved slot being straight at the hook end and congruent to a corresponding one of the at least one straight slot in the bolt at the unlocked state, and being curved at the basal end such that an indentation of the hook protrudes, at the unlocked state, into the corresponding straight slot, and at least one guiding pin, arranged to fit into a corresponding one of the at least one straight slot in the bolt, and into the curved slot in the corresponding hook, wherein the at least one guiding pin is positioned at the hook end of the corresponding curved slot when the bolt is in the unlocked state, and at the basal end of the corresponding curved slot when the bolt is in the locked state, wherein upon the motion of the bolt from the unlocked state to the locked state, the at least one guiding pin is arranged to push the indentation of the corresponding at least one hook such as to pivotly move the hook to protrude at its hook end laterally from the bolt, and wherein the at least one guiding pin at the basal end of the corresponding curved slot is positioned to provide a geometrical locking of the at least one hook.

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a mortise lock comprising: a housing and a bolt throw wheel with a link element having a linking pin; and a bolt assembly comprising: a bolt connected to the linking pin and arranged to move along a bolt throw direction between an unlocked state, in which the bolt is withdrawn within the housing, and a locked state, in which the bolt protrudes from the housing, upon a rotation of the bolt throw wheel, the bolt having at least one straight slot, oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, and at least one corresponding lateral space; at least one hook arranged to fit into a corresponding one of the at least one lateral spaces in the bolt, the at least one hook having: a basal end having a basis pivotly connected to the bolt; a hook end arranged to be withdrawn within the bolt in the unlocked state of the bolt and to laterally protrude from the bolt in the locked state of the bolt; and a curved slot extending from the hook end to the basal end, the curved slot being straight at the hook end and congruent to a corresponding one of the at least one straight slot in the bolt at the unlocked state, and being curved at the basal end such that an indentation of the hook protrudes, at the unlocked state, into the corresponding straight slot, and at least one guiding pin, arranged to fit into a corresponding one of the at least one straight slot in the bolt, and into the curved slot in the corresponding hook, wherein the at least one guiding pin is positioned at the hook end of the corresponding curved slot when the bolt is in the unlocked state, and at the basal end of the corresponding curved slot when the bolt is in the locked state, wherein upon the motion of the bolt from the unlocked state to the locked state, the at least one guiding pin is arranged to push the indentation of the corresponding at least one hook such as to pivotly move the hook to protrude at its hook end laterally from the bolt, and wherein the at least one guiding pin at the basal end of the corresponding curved slot is positioned to provide a geometrical locking of the at least one hook.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of locking a mortise lock having a bolt, comprising: inserting at least one hook into at least one corresponding space in the bolt, and pivotly connecting the at least one hook to the bolt such as to allow the at least one hook to laterally protrude from the bolt in a locked state of the bolt; cutting at least one corresponding straight slot in the bolt, oriented parallel to a bolt throw direction, and at least one corresponding curved slots in the at least one hook, such that each curved slot is straight at a hook end and congruent to the corresponding straight slot in an unlocked state of the bolt, and is curved at a basal end such that an indentation of the hook protrudes, at the unlocked state, into the corresponding straight slot in the bolt; fitting at least one guiding pin into the corresponding at least one straight slot in the bolt, and into the corresponding curved slot in the corresponding hook, such that the at least one guiding pin is positioned at the hook end of the curved slot when the bolt is in the unlocked state, and at the basal end of the curved slot when the bolt is in the locked state; arranging the at least one guiding pin to push the indentations in the corresponding at least one hook such as to pivotly move the at least one hook to protrude at its hook ends laterally from the bolt upon a motion of the bolt from the unlocked state to the locked state; and positioning the at least one guiding pin at the basal end of the at least one curved slot such as to provide a geometrical locking of the at least one hook.

[0006] These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

Figs. 1A, IB, 2A, 2B and 2C are overview illustrations of a mortise lock, according to some embodiments of the invention; Fig. 3A is an exploded view, illustrating the mortise lock (part of the housing removed) with the bolt assembly, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3B is a perspective view, and Fig. 3C is a cross section, both illustrating the bolt, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3D is a perspective view illustrating a hook, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the mortise lock (part of the housing removed) with the bolt assembly, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate the mortise lock with the bolt assembly at the unlocked state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 5A is a cross section, Fig. 5B is a side view with part of the housing removed;

Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate the mortise lock with the bolt assembly at the intermediate transient state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 6A is a cross section, Fig. 6B is a side view with part of the housing removed;

Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate the mortise lock with the bolt assembly at the locked state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 7A is a cross section, Fig. 7B is a side view with part of the housing removed; and

Fig. 8 illustrates a method of locking a mortise lock having a bolt, according to some embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009] Figs. 1A, IB, 2A, 2B and 2C are overview illustrations of a mortise lock, according to some embodiments of the invention. Figs. 1A and 2A illustrate the mortise lock in an unlocked state, with a bolt 100 being withdrawn within a housing 70. Figs. IB and 2C illustrate the mortise lock in a locked state, with bolt 100 protruding from housing 70, and with hooks 110 laterally protruding from bolt 100. Fig. 2B illustrates the mortise lock in an intermediate transient state, in which bolt 100 protrudes from housing 70, yet hooks 110 are withdrawn within bolt 100.

[0010] Fig. 3A is an exploded view illustrating the mortise lock (part of housing 70 removed) with a bolt assembly 102, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0011] Fig. 3B is a perspective view, and Fig. 3C is a cross section, both illustrating bolt 100, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Fig. 3D is a perspective view illustrating hook 110, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the mortise lock (part of housing 70 removed) with bolt assembly 102, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0014] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate the mortise lock with bolt assembly 102 at the unlocked state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 5A is a cross section, Fig. 5B is a side view with part of housing 70 removed. [0015] Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate the mortise lock with bolt assembly 102 at the intermediate transient state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 6A is a cross section, Fig. 6B is a side view with part of housing 70 removed.

[0016] Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate the mortise lock with bolt assembly 102 at the locked state, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 7A is a cross section, Fig. 7B is a side view with part of housing 70 removed.

[0017] The mortise lock comprises housing 70 and a bolt throw wheel 80 with a link element 85 having a linking pin 83. The mortise lock further comprises bolt assembly 102 comprising bolt 100 connected to linking pin 83 and arranged to move along a bolt throw direction (horizontal in the Figs.) between the unlocked state (Figs. 1A, 2A, 5A and 5B), in which bolt 100 is withdrawn within housing 70, and a locked state (Figs. IB, 2C, 7A and 7B) in which bolt 100 protrudes from housing 70, upon a rotation of bolt throw wheel 80. Bolt 100 has at least one straight slot 103, oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, and at least one corresponding lateral space 105. Bolt assembly 102 further comprises at least one hook 110 arranged to fit into a corresponding one of lateral spaces 105 in bolt 100. Hook 110 (Fig. 3D) has a basal end 114 having a basis 119 pivotly connected to bolt 100, e.g., by a pivot 111, and a hook end 113 arranged to be withdrawn within bolt 100 in the unlocked state of bolt 100 and to laterally protrude from corresponding lateral space 105 in bolt 100 in the locked state of bolt 100.

[0018] Hook 110 (Fig. 3D) further comprises a curved slot 112 extending from a hook end 117 to a basal end 118. Curved slot 112 is straight at hook end 117 and congruent to a corresponding one of straight slots 103 in bolt at the unlocked state, and is curved at basal end 118 such that an indentation 116 of hook 110 protrudes, at the unlocked state, into corresponding straight slot 103.

[0019] Bolt assembly 102 further comprises at least one guiding pin 115 arranged to fit into a corresponding one of straight slot 103 in bolt 100, and into curved slot 112 in the corresponding hook 110. Guiding pins 115 is positioned at hook end 117 of corresponding curved slot 112 when bolt 100 is in the unlocked state, and at basal end 118 of corresponding curved slot 112 when bolt 100 is in the locked state.

[0020] Upon the motion of bolt 100 from the unlocked state to the locked state, guiding pins 115 are arranged to push indentation 116 of corresponding hook 110 such as to pivotly move hook 110 to protrude at its hook end 113 laterally from bolt 100. Furthermore, guiding pins 115 at basal end 118 of corresponding curved slot 112 is positioned to provide a geometrical locking of hooks 110.

[0021] The mortise lock may further comprise a lock enhancer 90 having a slit 91 and arranged to accommodate bolt 100 within slit 91 and support bolt 100.

[0022] Housing 70 may further comprise a supportive pin 84 supporting housing 70. Bolt 100 has a space 104 arranged to accommodate supportive pin 84 in the unlocked state, the locked state and during the motion of bolt 100 therebetween, such that supportive pin 84 does not mechanically limit the motion.

[0023] Bolt 100 may be a folded tab (Figs. 3B and 3C) and bolt assembly 102 may further comprise a stabilizing element 101 arranged to stabilize the folded tab.

[0024] Bolt 100 may comprise two parallel straight slots 103 (Fig. 3A), oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, and bolt assembly 102 may comprise two hooks 110 in two corresponding lateral spaces 105 in bolt 100, as well as two guiding pins 115, each arranged to fit into a corresponding one of two parallel straight slots 103 in bolt 100, and into a corresponding one of two curved slots 112 in corresponding hooks 110.

[0025] Bolt 100 may comprise one straight slot 103 and bolt assembly 102 may comprise one hook 110 with one corresponding guiding pin 115.

[0026] Fig. 8 illustrates a method of locking a mortise lock having a bolt, according to some embodiments of the invention. The method may comprise the following stages: inserting at least one hook into at least one corresponding space in the bolt, and pivotly connecting the at least one hook to the bolt such as to allow the at least one hook to laterally protrude from the bolt in a locked state of the bolt (stage 150); cutting at least one corresponding straight slot in the bolt, oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, and at least one corresponding curved slots in the at least one hook, such that each curved slot is straight at a hook end and congruent to the corresponding straight slot in an unlocked state of the bolt, and is curved at a basal end such that an indentation of the hook protrudes, at the unlocked state, into the corresponding straight slot in the bolt (stage 155); fitting at least one guiding pin into the corresponding at least one straight slot in the bolt, and into the corresponding curved slot in the corresponding hook, such that the at least one guiding pin is positioned at the hook end of the curved slot when the bolt is in the unlocked state, and at the basal end of the curved slot when the bolt is in the locked state (stage 160); arranging the at least one guiding pin to push the indentations in the corresponding at least one hook such as to pivotly move the at least one hook to protrude at its hook ends laterally from the bolt upon a motion of the bolt from the unlocked state to the locked state (stage 165); and positioning the at least one guiding pin at the basal end of the at least one curved slot such as to provide a geometrical locking of the at least one hook (stage 170).

[0027] According to some embodiments of the invention, the bolt comprises two parallel straight slots, oriented parallel to the bolt throw direction, wherein the at least one hook comprises two hooks in two corresponding lateral spaces in the bolt, and wherein the at least one guiding pins comprises two guiding pins, each fitted into a corresponding one of the two parallel straight slots in the bolt, and into a corresponding one of the two curved slots in the corresponding hooks.

[0028] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0029] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0030] Reference in the specification to "some embodiments", "an embodiment", "one embodiment" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

[0031] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. [0032] The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples.

[0033] It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

[0034] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0035] It is to be understood that the terms "including", "comprising", "consisting" and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0036] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0037] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not to be construed that there is only one of that element.

[0038] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0039] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. [0040] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

[0041] The term "method" may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

[0042] The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

[0043] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

[0044] The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

[0045] Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

[0046] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.