Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a lock assembly and a method of operating same.

[0002] The invention has been primarily developed for use as a door lock in residential applications. However, the invention is not limited to its particular use and is also suitable for other lock applications, such as shop fronts, hotels, gates and garages.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Door locks are known that have an actuator, such as a knob or lever handle, which is pivoted to retract a bolt for door opening. Such locks include a mechanism that can be moved, in response to pi votal movement of a correctly coded key, from a position blocking movement of the actuator or a position allowing movement of the actuator. The blocking position and the allowing position correspond to the lock being locked or unlocked respectively. An example of such a lock is Lockwood's 001 (trade mark) deadlock.

[0004] A disadvantage of this type of lock stems from the requirement for the key needing to be pivoted to move the move the mechanism, as pivoting a key can be difficult for the elderly or disabled. In addition, it is common to locate multiple keys on a key ring and such additional keys can scratch the lock during the pivotal movement of the key. Additionally, pivoting can be confusing in terms of which direction to turn the key to unlock or lock. Such confusion can be especially problematic in the case of an emergency, such as a fire, as it can slow the user from escaping the building.

Object of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a lock assembly including:

a housing;

a lock bolt at least partially mounted in the housing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position;

an actuator mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the housing, the pivotal movement of the actuator being adapted to move the lock bolt from the extended position to the retracted position;

a lock cylinder, including a barrel and a cylinder housing, at least partially mounted in the actuator, the barrel being maintained in a rest position, in the absence of a correctly coded key being inserted therein, and being moveable axially relative to the cylinder housing from the rest position to an actuated position, upon insertion of the correctly coded key therein; and a detent moveable between a first position, allowing pivotal movement of the actuator relative to the housing, and a second position, preventing pivotal movement of the actuator relative to the housing,

wherein the movement of the barrel to the actuated position drives the detent from the second position to the first position or from the first position to the second position.

[0007] In one embodiment, the movement of the barrel to the actuated position directly drives the detent from the second position to the first position or from the first position to the second position. In this embodiment, the barrel includes a first cam surface adapted to abut and drive a second cam surface on the detent.

[0008] In another embodiment, the movement of the barrel to the actuated position indirectly drives the detent from the second position to the first position or from the first position to the second position. In this embodiment, the movement of the barrel causes movement of one or more, preferably one, intermediate member(s) which in turn cause(s) said movement of the detent.

[0009] Preferably, the movement of the barrel to the actuated position drives the detent from the second position to the first position. [0010] The detent is preferably held in the first position by a spring biasing means. The detent is preferably held in the second position by the spring biasing means.

[001 1] The lock assembly preferably includes a lock status indicator adapted to visually display a first status whilst the detent is in the first position and a second status whilst the detent is in the second position, wherein the first status and the second status are each visually distinct from one another.

[0012] The lock status indicator is preferably mounted in or on the housing.

[0013] The lock status indicator is preferably directly or indirectly driven to display the first or the second status by the detent. Alternatively, the lock status indicator is preferably on, or forms part of, the detent.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a lock assembly, the method including the steps of:

a. maintaining an actuator in a fixed configuration relative to a housing by

positioning a detent, mounted in the housing, in a first position engaged with the actuator and thereby preventing relative rotational movement between the actuator and the housing;

b. maintaining a barrel of a lock cylinder, at least partially mounted in the actuator, in a rest position, relative to a cylinder housing of the lock cylinder, in the absence of a correctly coded key being inserted in the barrel;

c. inserting the correctly coded key into the barrel to thereby allow axial movement of the barrel relative to the cylinder housing from the rest positi on to an actuated position; and

d. driving the detent from the first position to a second position, disengaged with the actuator and thereby allowing relative rotational movement between the actuator and the housing, responsive to the axial movement of the barrel from the rest position to the actuated position,

wherein the actuator is then pivotable relative to the housing to move a lock bolt from an extended position to a retracted position. [0015] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a lock assembly, the method including the steps of:

a. maintaining an actuator in a pivotable configuration relative to a housing by

positioning a detent, mounted in the housing, in a first position disengaged from the actuator and thereby allowing relative pivotal movement between the external actuator and the housing;

b. maintaining an a barrel of a lock cylinder, at least mounted in the actuator, in a rest position relative to a cylinder housing of the lock cylinder, in the absence of a correctly coded key being inserted in the barrel;

c. inserting the correctly coded key into the barrel to thereby allow axial movement of the barrel relative to the lock cylinder housing from the rest position to an actuated position; and

d. driving the detent from the first position to a second position, engaged with the actuator and thereby preventing relative pivotal movement between the actuator and the housing, responsive to the axial movement of the barrel from the rest position to the actuated position,

wherein the actuator is then prevented from being pivoted relative to the housing to prevent movement of a lock bolt from an extended position to a retracted position.

[0016] Preferably, step d. includes the detent being directly driven to the second position by the axial movement of the barrel from the rest position to the actuated position.

[0017] Alternatively, step d. includes the detent being indirectly driven to the second position by the axial movement of the barrel from the rest position to the actuated position.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a lock assembly, in a locked

configuration;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 along line 2-2; [0021] Fig. 3 is a front view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 , in an unlocked configuration and with a key inserted therein;

[0022] Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 along line 4-4; [0023] Fig. 5 is a top view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1;

[0024] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 5 along line 5-5;

[0025] Fig. 7 is a top view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 , in an unlocked configuration and with the bolt retracted by the actuator;

[0026] Fig. 8 is cross sectional views of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 7 along line 8-8; [0027] Fig. 9 is cross sectional views of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 7 along line 9-9; [0028] Fig. 10 is a top view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0029] Fig. 1 1 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig 10 along line 1 1-1 1, when locked from the opposite side thereof;

[0030] Fig. 12 shows the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 1 during unlocking from the opposite side; and

[0031 ] Fig. 13 shows the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 1 during bolt traction from the opposite side;

[0032] Fig. 14 is a front view of a second embodiment of a lock assembly, in a locked configuration;

[0033] Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 14 along line 15- 15;

[0034] Fig. 16 is a front view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 14, in an unlocked configuration and with a key inserted therein; and [0035] Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 16 along line 17- 17.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a lock assembly 20, which has a housing 22, an actuator, in the form of lever handle 24, a retractable bolt 26 and an auxiliary bolt 28. The housing 22 includes an opening 30 therein through which may be viewed an indicator of the unlocked (green) or locked (red) status of the lock assembly 20. The indicator will be discussed in more detail below. The lock assembly 20 can only be locked from the opposite side to that having the housing 22 and the handle 24. The lock assembly 20 can be unlocked from either side.

[0038] Turning to Fig. 2, there is shown a pin cylinder assembly 32 which includes a housing 34 and a cylinder barrel 36. The barrel 36 has a key slot 38 therein. The pin cylinder assembly 32 is of the push-type in which the barrel 36 can be moved axially, in the direction of key insertion, from a rest position (Fig. 2) to an actuated position (Fi g. 4), when a correctly coded key is inserted therein.

[0039] The lock assembly 20 also includes a cylinder drive plate 40, an actuator hub 42, an actuator spring 44, a door mount plate 46, a drive disk 50, a bolt carriage 52, a bolt spring 54 and drive arm 56. The drive plate 40 has a shoulder 40a. A spring 60 biases the drive plate 40 away from the drive disk 50.

[0040] The lock assembly 20 also includes a pivot arm 62 and a detent 64. The pivot arm 62 has a proximal end 62a, a flange 62b and a distal end 62c. The detent has two detent balls 64a and an associated spring 64b (see Fig. 6).

[0041] The unlocking of the lock assembly 20, from the side of the lock assembly 20 having the housing 22 and the handle 24, with a key 68 will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. [0042] Figs. 1 and 2 show the lock assembly 20, when locked, and without a key 68 in the key slot 38. The lock assembly 20 is locked due to the detent 64 being engaged with the handle 24 in such a way as to prevent pivotal movement thereof, as will be described in more detail below. In the absence of the correctly coded key 68, the pin cylinder barrel 36 is fixed in relation to the housing 34 in the rest position shown. Figs. 3 and 4 show the lock assembly when the key 68 has been inserted into the barrel 36 and the barrel 36 has been moved axially relative to the housing 34, and relative to the handle 24, to an actuated position. During this movement, the shoulder 40a of the drive plate 40 pushes the flange 62b of the pivot arm 62 inwardly, causing the pivot arm 62 to rotate clockwise about the proximal end 62a. This pivotal movement of the pivot arm 62 causes the distal end 60c of the pivot arm 62 to drive the detent 64 leftwards and out of engagement with the handle 24. When the detent 64 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, it no longer engages with the handle 24 and the handle 24 may be pivoted to retract the bolt 26. The lock assembly 20 is thus unlocked.

[0043] When the key 68 is then removed from the barrel 36, the barrel 36 is forced outwardly relative to the housing 34 by the spring 60, returning it to the rest position shown in Fig. 2.

[0044] The blocking of the movement of the handle 24 (i.e. the locking of the lock assembly 20) by the detent 64 shall now be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 6 shows that the handle 24 has a cylindrically shaped base part 70, which has a radial cut-out 72 therein. Fig. 6 also shows the detent 64 in the locking position, as described with reference to Fig. 2, in which it protrudes into the cut-out 72 to engage the handle 24, thereby preventing the handle 24 from being pivoted relative to the housing 22. The detent 64 maintains this position due to the detent balls 64a pressing into engagement with inner detent locking recesses 64c in the housing 22.

[0045] Fig. 8 shows the detent 64 after it has been forced out of engagement with the cut-out 72 by the pivot arm 62, as was described with reference to Fig. 4. As a result, relative pivotal movement between the handle 24 and the housing 22 can now take place. The detent 64 is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 8 by the detent balls 64a engaging with the outer detent recesses 64d in the housing 22.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows that the bolt carriage 52 has a first shoulder 52a and a second shoulder 52b. Fig. 9 also shows that the actuator hub 42 has a first boss 42a, a second boss 42b and a shoulder 42c. When the handle 24 is pivoted clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 9, the first boss 42a on the actuator hub 42 presses against the first shoulder 52a on the bolt carriage 52 and causes it to be driven rightwards, which in turn retracts the bolt 26.

[0047] If the handle 24 is pivoted in the counter clockwise direction, then the second boss 42b presses against the second shoulder 52b to similarly cause bolt retraction. In addition, further pivoting movement of the handle 24 in the counter clockwise direction allows the shoulder 42c to engage with a third shoulder 52c on the bolt carriage 52, whereby the handle 24 and the bolt 26 are retained in the retracted position (i.e. held back) until the handle 24 is manually pivoted again.

[0048] The locking and unlocking of the lock assembly 20 from the opposite side of the housing 22, and also bolt retracti on from the opposite side of the housing 22, will now be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13.

[0049] Fig. 1 1 shows that the drive disk 50 includes a rectangular recess 50a. The recess 50a is engaged with a drive shaft associated with a second pivotable key pin cylinder assembly located on the opposite side of a door to that of the housing 22. Such drive shaft and pin cylinder assemblies are well known to persons skilled in the art. When the key is inserted into this opposite pin cylinder and pivoted, it causes corresponding pivotal movement in the drive shaft which in turn causes corresponding pivotal movement in the drive disk 50. The detent 64 is connected to the drive disk 50 by the (V-shaped) drive arm 56. Accordingly, clockwise pivotal movement of the drive disk 50, to the position shown in Fig. 1 1, causes a first shoulder 50b to abut the drive arm 56 and cause counter clockwise pivotal movement of the drive arm 56. This movement of the drive arm 56 in turn causes the detent 64 to be driven radially inwardly into the locked position shown in Fig. 2.

[0050] When the drive disk 50 is pivoted counter clockwise as shown in Fig. 12, a second shoulder 50c abuts the drive arm 56. Further counter clockwise movement of the drive disk causes the drive arm 56 to pivoted clockwise, which drive the detent 64 radially outwardly into the unlocked position shown in Fig. 4.

[0051] When the drive disk 50 is pivoted even further counter clockwise, its end part 50d presses against the bolt carriage 52 at the second shoulder 52b and retracts the bolt 26. Further counter clockwise pivotal movement of the drive disk 50, to the position shown in Fig. 13, allows a third shoulder 50e to engage with the third shoulder 52c on the bolt carriage 52, whereby the bolt 26 is retained in the retracted position (i.e. held back) until the drive disk 50 is pivoted again.

[0052] Fig. 6 shows an indicator 74 pivotally mounted to the housing at pivot 76. The indicator 74 includes an arm 78 that engages with the detent 64, such that the sliding movement of the detent 64 causes pivotal movement of the indicator 74. The indicator 74 includes a red coloured section 74a and a green coloured section 74b on its outwardly facing surface. When the detent 64 is in its radially inward position (see Figs. 2 and 6), the red section 74a aligns with, and is visible through, the opening 30. When the detent 64 is in its radially outward position (see Figs. 4 and 8), the green section 74b aligns with, and is visible through, the opening 30. The lock assembly 20 thereby visually indicates its locking status.

[0053] In an alternative indicator arrangement (not shown), the detent 64 includes a red coloured section and a green coloured section on its outwardly facing surface. When the detent 64 is in its radially inward position (see Figs. 2 and 6), the red section aligns with, and is visible through an opening in the housing When the detent 64 is in its radially outward position (see Figs. 4 and 8), the green section aligns with, and is visible through, the opening.

[0054] Figs. 14 to 17 show a second embodiment of a lock assembly 20'. The construction and operation of the lock assembly 20 'is very similar to that of the lock assembly 20 'and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. However, the lock assembly 20 'does not include a pivot arm. Instead, the drive plate 40 has an curved cam surface 40' and the detent 64 has an angled cam surface 64'. The axial movement of the dri ve plate 40 from the rest position (Fig. 15) to the actuated position (Fig. 17) forces the cam surfaces 40764' to initially abut one another, and then cause the detent 64 to be driven radially outwardly by the drive plate 40 to the unlocked position shown in Fig. 17.

[0055] The main advantage of the lock assemblies described above is that they can be unlocked by simply inserting and pressing a key. This avoids a user having to pivot a key, which can be difficult for the elderly or disabled. In addition, they also avoid other keys on a key ring scratching the lock assembly during such pivotal moment. The lock assemblies also eliminate the need to pivot a key for locking or unlocking. This is advantageous as pivoting can be confusing in terms of which direction to turn to unlock or lock, such confusion being especially problematic in the case of an emergency, such as a fire, as it can slow the user from escaping the building.

[0056] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.