BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is need for simple, highly compact, durable and efficient door locking and unlocking devices, where deadbolts and latches are to be operated, as from the inner and outer sides of doors. In particular, there is need for improvements in mechanism responsive to door handle turning, and incorporating ! 0 means enabling handle positioning for selective handed turning, clockwise or counterclockwise. One example enables selected direction handle turning at the door inner side, with mechanism responsive to door unlocking at the door inner side, to secure door unlatching.

15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide improvements in apparatus meeting the above needs.

Basically, a locking system enabling selectively handed (right or left) 20 handle turning, incorporating the invention, includes: a) drive means including the handle rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise, b) driven means including a part movable linearly in a primary direction, to operate door lock structure, ^ c) and coupling means including a handle rotation direction selector having first and second alternate positions, and operable to displace said part in said primary direction in response to handle clockwise rotation when the selector is in first position, and alternatively to displace that part in the primary direction in response to handle counterclockwise rotation, when the selector is in second position.

As will be seen, such structure and functioning enables or facilitates door installation and operation for unlocking operation, by turning to handle either clockwise or counterclockwise, with the basic mechanism of the lock structure 1^ remaining unchanged.

Another object includes provision of such coupling to include two coupling racks, one of which is operatively coupled to the driven part when the handle is rotated clockwise, and the other of which is operatively coupled to the driven part when the handle is rotated counterclockwise. As will be seen, the

M) selector is alternatively coupled to one or the other of two coupling racks, characterized in that the non-coupled rack remains inactive when the coupled rack is displaced in said direction in response to handle rotation, for either direction of such rotation.

A further object includes provision of the driven means to include a

1 • linearly movable lock actuating member to which one or the other of the racks is coupled by the selector. As will be seen, the selector may comprise a connector such as a pin, easily shifted between alternate positions of rack coupling to the lock actuating member, as at the time of lock system installation. The uncoupled rack typically "floats" inactively during coupled rack displacement. Yet another

20 object includes provision of such racks to be separately movable in parallel relation, at opposite sides of a rack engaging gear driven by handle rotation.

An additional object includes provision of the selector in the form of a connector shiftable between alternate positions of rack coupling to the lock actuating member, as at the time of lock system installation. :> Yet another object includes provision of that member in the form of a linearly movable plate incorporating a further rack operatively coupled to a driven gear that operates door locking and unlocking mechanism. The two coupling racks, the further rack, and the plate are typically longtidunally vertically oriented for movement longitudinally, in compact, efficient aligned relation, for door mounting.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the structure as referred to, may be efficiently incorporated in a multi-function door lock system comprising:

5 a) a frame having opposite sides, and installable on a door openable between an interior space and an exterior space, b) a deadbolt and a door latch carried by the frame to move between retractable and extended positions, c) a first rotary control located at one level on the frame to 10 control deadbolt movement between extended and retracted positions via primary cam mechanism, d) a second rotary control, operated by the handle or handles, at another level on the frame to control latch movement between extended and retracted positions, via secondary cam mechanism,

! 5 e) means operatively connected between the secondary cam mechanism and the primary cam mechanism to effect deadbolt movement as aforesaid, in response to operation of the second rotary control, as effected via rotary input to the second rotary control from only one side of the frame.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as 0 the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION :5 Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a door edge with two inputs (latch key and handle) from the door extension side, and two inputs (finger and thumb, knob and door handle) from the door interior side;

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an elevation taken on line s3-3 of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevation taken on lines 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing the frame and actuating mechanism within the frame, as viewed from the door interior side; both deadbolt and latch elements extended; Fig. 6 is an elevation taken on lines 6-6 of Fig. 4; and showing both deadbolt and latch elements extended into openings in a door frame; and as viewed from the door exterior side;

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 5, but showing the deadbolt retracted, and latch extended; Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 6, but showing the deadbolt retracted and latch extended;

Fig. 9 is a view like Fig. 8 but showing both the deadbolt and latch retracted, whereby the door can freely swing between locations at opposite sides of the door frame; Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 5, but showing locked positions of different actuator elements;

Fig. 1 1 is a view like Fig. 6, but showing locked positions of different actuator elements;

Fig. 12 is a view like Fig. 10 but showing unlocked positions of the elements seen in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a view like Fig. 1 1 but showing unlocked positions of the elements seen in Fig. 1 1 ;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section taken on lines 14-14 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section taken on lines 15-15 of Fig. 12; Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section, like Fig. 15, but viewing the frame with extended and interior sides reversed;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an actuator arm seen in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 18 is a section showing holdback mechanism in engaged position; with latch bolt in extended position;

Fig. 19 is like Fig. 18 but shows the holdback mechanism in sidewardly disengaged position, with the latch bolt in retracted position;

Fig. 20 is like Fig. 19, but with a hold back plate displaced downwardly into a groove in the retracted latch;

Fig. 21 is an exploded view of the latch plate, the latch bolt; and the hold back plate retainer;

Fig. 22 is a view like Fig. 5, but showing split cam structure, the deadbolt being in locked extended position, and the latch also being extended.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged section taken on lines 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a view like Fig. 6, and showing split cam mechanism in deadbolt extended and locked position, with a deadlock arm in actuated position;

Fig. 25 is a view like Fig. 24, showing the deadlock arm moved away from the deadbolt to allow deadbolt release;

Fig. 26 is a view like Fig. 25, showing elements when deadbolt and latch are retracted;

Fig. 27 is a section taken on line 27-27 of Fig. 24, elements being locked; Fig. 28 is a view like Fig. 27, showing elements in unlocked positions;

Fig. 29 is a plan view section taken on lines 29-29 of Fig. 24, elements being locked;

Fig. 30 is a section taken on lines 30-30 of Fig. 29; Fig. 31 is an exploded perspective view showing split cam mechanism;

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of mechanism elements; and

Fig. 33 is a view similar to Fig. 32, but showing additional elements.

Fig. 34 is an elevation showing structure incorporating the invention; Fig. 35 is a perspective exploded view of preferred apparatus incorporating the invention;

Fig. 36 is an enlarged vertical elevation showing elements including racks and gears shown in Fig. 34, and a door handle turnable clockwise to unlock the door, in response to activation of one of two parallel racks;

Fig. 36a shows the handle of Fig. 34 in relation to a door installation;

Fig. 37 is a view like Fig. 36, with the door handle turnable counterclockwise to activate the other of the two parallel racks;

Fig. 37a shows the handle of Fig. 37 in relation to a door installation;

Fig. 38 is a section taken on lines 38-38 of Fig. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, a preferred multi-function door lock system or apparatus 10, has a mounting frame 11 sized for insertion into a door opening 11".

The frame has opposite sides 12 and 13 which respectively face toward the door exterior 14, and the door interior 15. The front side 16 of the frame is carried by a mounting plate 17 held in position by fasteners 18, as seen in Fig. 1. As also seen in Fig. 2, a deadbolt 19 is carried by the frame to protrude from the plate 17, via opening 20, as the bolt is moved between extended position

19a (see Fig. 6) and retracted position 19b in the frame (see Fig. 7); and a latch bolt or latch 21 is carried by the frame to protrude from plate 17 via opening 22, as it is moved between extended position 21 a and retracted position in the frame. Elongated frame structure appears at 11a— 11d. See Figs. 10 and 11.

A first rotary control such as rotary actuator 25 is located at one level on the frame, at the interior side of the door, for example, to control deadbolt movement between extended and retracted positions via compact mechanism in the frame. That mechanism typically includes primary cam 26. Actuator 25 is typically gripped by the user's thumb and finger, to be turned in operating the deadbolt. A second rotary control, such as handle 27 is located at a second and typically lower level, to project from the frame, at the interior side of the door, for example, to control latch 21 movement between extended and retracted positions via compact mechanism in the frame, that mechanism typically including secondary cam mechanism 28. See Fig. 5.

Fig. 1 also shows a key 29 projecting or inserted via keyhole 29a at the exterior side of the door, i.e. opposite from rotary actuator 25, to be operatively connected with the first rotary control for moving the deadbolt (as between extended or locking positions, and a retracted or unlocking position). Also Fig. 1 shows a second handle or handle lever 32, projecting at the exterior side of the door, and at the opposite side of the frame from handle 27. Handle 32 is operatively connected with the second rotary control mechanism as is handle 27 to control latch movement between extended and retracted positions, in response to manual down-turning of handle 32, at the exterior side of the door.

Latch movement between extended and retracted positions occurs in response to turning of either of handles 27 and 32 as effected via compact secondary cam mechanism 28.

It is a feature of the invention that means is provided and operatively connected between the secondary cam mechanism 28 and primary cam mechanism 26 to effect deadbolt movement as aforesaid in response to operation of said second rotary control, as effected via rotary input to said second rotary control from only one side of the frame. Thus, for example, as interior side handle 27 is turned to turn shaft 27a, not only is the latch retracted from extended position in engagement with the door frame or associated hardware, at opening 22, (see Figs. 12 and 13) but also the deadbolt is retracted from extended position in engagement with the door frame or associated hardware, whereby a person trapped at the door interior side (building room side) can quickly escape from that interior by opening the deadbolt locked and latch engaged door in response to emergency turning of handle 27alone; this occurs even though actuators at 25 and 29 are not manipulated. This is enabled by provision and operation of lower split cam mechanism 28 effecting downward translation of a link 36 (see Fig. 12) which extends upwardly into operative engagement or connection with compact upper or primary split cam mechanism 23, (see Fig. 22) and which in turn effects deadbolt retraction from locking or extended positions. In this regard, as the secondary split cam mechanism is operated by handle 27, the latch is retracted from engagement with the door frame or associated hardware. As a result, the door is completely unlocked, i.e. is free for swinging to allow "panic" escape. See in this regard lower split cam mechanism arm 50 in Figs. 12 and 25, rotating into engagement with foot 36a of link 36 to displace 36 downwardly, as in Fig. 25. This causes or effects downward movement of arm extension 36a!, pin guided at 36c, to push pin 38a down to engage arm 38, rotating it and actuating arm 39 clockwise in Fig. 25. This causes downward and leftward movement of actuating arm 39, of the upper split cam (see also Fig. 31 ), so that a pin 39b extending in deadbolt slot 49 retracts the deadbolt due to pin 39b movement to the left, in vertical lost motion slot 49 in the deadbolt 19, retracting the deadbolt to the left, in Fig. 26. Arms 39 and 39a of the upper split cam extend from hubs 39' and 39a', in Fig. 31. The arms are assembled side by side. See Fig. 30.

In this regard, return of the deadbolt to the right in Fig. 24 is effected by rotation of key 29 or by actuator 25, rotating the rotor 53 clockwise in Fig. 24. A dog 53a on 53 then cams or rotates the upper split cam part 55 counterclockwise, which rotates 39 counter- clockwise, pushing the deadbolt to the right, via pin 39a movement in slot 49. Rotation of rotor 53 counterclockwise by the key causes lug 53a to push cam part 55a and cam 39 clockwise to retract the deadbolt. Figs. 8 and 9 also show mechanism to retract the latch 21 in response to reverse (counter-clockwise) rotation of rotor 53 by either of 25 or 29, seen in Fig. 1. As shown, dog or lug 53a on rotor 53 (rotated counterclockwise) engages projection 61a on or lever 61 , pivoted at 62, to rotate 61 counterclockwise. Lower extension 61b on 61 then engages part 56 associated with the secondary cam mechanism to retract the latch. That mechanism includes a split hub 40 and camming part 28 which rotates clockwise in Figs. 5 and 12 to engage and displace lug 42 on the latch body 21a, (Fig. 6) retracting the latch to the right in Fig. 5, against compression spring 43.

Arm 50 on the hub 40 is rotatable to displace lug 36a on link 36 downwardly. This movement causes downward translation of link 36 (see Figs. 12-17 and 26) effecting or enabling retraction of the deadbolt, via operation of the primary cam mechanism, as referred to. Part 406 in Figs. 5 and 6 does not dog 28 but is axially spaced between 28 and 28a.

In this regard, counterclockwise turning of rotor 53 in Fig. 24 in response to turning of key 29 causes lug 53a on the rotor to engage the primary split cam extension 55a on arm 39 and thereby rotate that arm clockwise in Fig. 25 for retracting the bolt. Rotor 53 is also rotatable by the actuator 25 at the interior side of the door, enabling unlocking of the deadbolt.

In Figs. 5-9, and 17, and as referred to, the actuator or camming part 28 carried by rotary split hub part 40 is operable upon handle actuated rotation of 40 to rotate and engage lug 42 on the latch to push the latch into retracted position. As referred to, rotation of 28 is effected by handle 27 at the inner side of the door, which also effects deadbolt retraction, via link 36. See Figs. 14, and 25. In addition, rotation of companion split hub part 28a by the exterior side handle 32 (see Fig. 5) effects latch retraction via rotation of actuator 28a to engage protrusion 56 on the latch, (see Fig. 8) to push the latch into retraction, but without affecting the status of the deadbolt. To retract it, the key 29 must be inserted and turned, to rotate rotor 53, as referred to. Figs. 18-21 show the provision of hold back plate 95 movable downwardly, as seen in Fig. 20, to effect insertion of the plate lower tip portion 95a into a groove 76 in the top of the latch 21. This holds the latch against movement into latching position. Plate 95 is carried by the frame for sliding movement. A serrated pusher 97 associated with the plate protrudes at 97a for thumb actuation, as seen in Fig. 1. A hold back plate retainer 98 is engageable by a rightwardly movable clutch 79 (see Figs. 18 and 19) actuated by the pivotable extension 55a of the cam part 55, pivoted at 62a. When latch 61 is moved leftwardly to bring groove 76 into registration with hold back plate tip portion 95a, as by clockwise rotation of rotor 53, the latch 21 is displaced to the left, by lower extent of cam part 61 , to bring groove 76 into vertical registration with hold back tip 95a, at which time the hold back is movable downwardly, allowing the teeth 99a on clutch 79 to engage teeth 98a on the retainer 78 carried by the plate 95, locking the latch in retracted position.

SUMMARY OF USER OPERATION

1 From extension side of door, key 29 is turning to unlock (retract) the deadbolt 19. Then handle 22 is turned to retract latch 21 , to open door, and also perform this function in case deadbolt was already retracted.

2 . From interior side of door, rotary retractor 25 is turnable to unlock (retract) the deadbolt. Also, actuator 25 is turnable to effect retraction of latch 21 , via arm 61. This enables operation of the hold back 95 and 97 to enable door to swing freely. 3 From interior side of door, handle 27 can be turned to retract both latch and the deadbolt, as in an emergency.

In Fig. 36a, a preferred door lock system or apparatus 10, has a mounting frame 11 sized for insertion into a door opening 11'.

The frame has opposite sides which respectively face toward the door exterior, and the door interior. See side 13 facing the door interior. As seen in Fig. 36a a deadbolt 19 is carried by the frame to move between extended position and retracted positions in the frame; and a latch bolt or latch 21 is carried by the frame below 19, to protrude as it is moved between extended position and retracted positions in the frame. Elongated frame structure appears at 11a — 11d.

A first rotary control such as rotary actuator 25 is located at one level on the frame, at the interior side of the door, for example, to control deadbolt movement between extended and retracted positions via compact mechanism in the frame. Actuator 25 is typically gripped by the user's thumb and finger, to be turned in operating the deadbolt. A second rotary control, such as handle 27 is located at a second and typically lower level, to project from the frame, at the interior side of the door, for example, to control latch 21 movement between extended and retracted positions via compact mechanism in the frame, that mechanism typically including secondary cam mechanism.

A key projects at the exterior side of thedoor, i.e. opposite from rotary actuator 25, to be operatively connected with the first rotary control for moving the deadbolt (as between extended or locking position, and a retracted or unlocking position). Also a second handle or handle lever typically projects at the exterior side of the door, and at the opposite side of the frame from handle 27. That handle is operatively connected with second rotary control mechanism, as is handle 27, to control latch 21 movement between extended and retracted positions, in response to manual down-turning of handle, at the exterior side of the door. Latch movement between extended and retracted positions occurs in response to turning of either of such handles effected via compact secondary cam mechanism.

It is a feature of the invention that the door installation may accommodate either right-handed i.e. clockwise down movement of handle 27 (see arrow 200 in Fig. 36a) to operate the latch, or left-handed i.e. counterclockwise down movement of handle 27 (see arrow 200a in Fig. 37a) to operate the latch (i.e. retract it from a latch captivating recess in the door opening). This is accomplished with re-setting or re-positioning of only one element, such as a selector, i.e. connector pin 201 seen in Figs. 35-37. In other words, the system enables selectively handed (right or left) handed turning of a handle for unlocking (unlatching) of a door, as at the time of door installation.

As referred to, a drive means includes handle 27 rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise; a driven means that typically includes a driven part, such as linearly movable lock actuating member or link plate 204, linearly movable in a primary direction (see arrow 205) to operate door lock structure; and coupling means is provided and includes the handle rotation direction selector pin 201. That pin has first and second alternate positions 201a and 201 b (see Figs. 36 and 37), whereby it operates to displace part or plate 204 in direction 205 in response to handle clockwise rotation (see Fig. 36) when the selector pin is in a first position, and alternatively it operates to displace 204 in the primary direction 205 in response to handle counterclockwise rotation (see Fig. 37) when the pin is in its second position.

This is accomplished in an efficient, laterally compact, and vertically longitudinally elongated or disposed positioning of elements, by providing two vertically elongated coupling racks 208 and 209, one of which is operatively coupled to the driven part 204 when the handle is turned clockwise (see Fig. 36), and the other of which is operatively coupled to the driven part 204 when the handle is rotated counterclockwise (see Fig. 37). Accordingly, the selector pin or screw is alternatively coupled to one or the other of the coupling racks, in such manner that the non-coupled rack remains inactive when the coupled rack is displaced in direction 205 in response to handle rotation. Further, the non-coupled rack "floats", i.e. moves upwardly as the selector coupled rack moves downwardly. See rack teeth 208a and 209a engaging opposite sides of toothed rotary drive element or gear 210 rotated by handle 27 via drive cam 230. Pin is manually positioned in either Fig. 36 or Fig. 37 position, at the time of installation. It is received in drilled opening or hole 208b in rack 208, and hole 211 b in plate 211 ; or in hole 209b in rack 209 and hole 211c in plate 211. In either event, plate 211 is displaced downwardly in response to handle turning. Note 211 is coupled to link plate on member 204.

Plate 211 incorporates a further rack 212 operatively coupled to a driven spur gear 213, that operates door unlocking mechanism indicated at 216 as plate 204 moves downwardly. Return springs 218 serve to push plate 204 back upwardly, and its driving rack (208 or 209) back upwardly returning handle 27 to horizontal position.

The invention may be efficiently incorporated in the locking described with reference to Figs. 1 - 33, that comprises a) a frame having opposite sides, and installable on a door openable between an interior space and an exterior space, b) a deadbolt and a door latch carried by the frame to move between retractable and extended positions, c) a first rotary control located at one level on the frame to control deadbolt movement between extended and retracted positions via primary cam mechanism, d) a second rotary control, operated by the handle or handles, at another level on the frame to control latch movement between extended and retracted positions, via secondary cam mechanism, e) means operatively connected between the secondary cam mechanism and the primary cam mechanism to effect deadbolt movement as aforesaid, in response to operation of the second rotary control, as effected via rotary input to the second rotary control from only one side of the frame.

Housing and mounting elements appear at 221-223 in Fig. 35, along with a mounting plate 224 and a vertical displacement guide 225 for 211.