A latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door

Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to a latchbolt assembly 5 including a housing 6, a latchbolt 8 that is movable relative to the housing 6, a detent 44 and a detent biasing means 45 which urges the detent 44 to adopt a deadlock position and also biases the latchbolt 8 to adopt an extended position. The latchbolt assembly 5 also includes a hub 32 that is rotatable to cause the detent 44 to move from the deadlock position, and also cause the latchbolt 6 to move away from the extended position towards a retracted position. <filename> Abstract 2021257926 26 Oct 2021 <filename> FIG. 2 20 21 25 79 26 2 6 O ct 2 02 1 2 / 12 5 X X Y Y 24 20 63 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 42 41 40 39 38 37 3634 35 28 27 26 25 22 19 18 17 17 17 16 16 8 9 157 14 2 / 12 5 2021257926 26 Oct 2021 14 20 26 8 27 18 24 Y o 19 1 53 o 38 0 17 (iiiii) 0 I63 52 16 17 42 40 7 FIG. 2

Description

Title of Invention A latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to a latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door, having a housing, and latchbolt that is movable relative to the housing. In one embodiment the latchbolt assembly forms part of a multipoint assembly which has one or more remote bolt assemblies for mounting to a door. In another embodiment the latchbolt is rotatable relative to the housing which may be referred to as a hookbolt. The applicant has developed the latchbolt assembly for a particular application as a mortice latchbolt assembly, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application. It should be appreciated however that the invention may have other applications beyond mortice latchbolt assemblies. Background of Invention

[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] A latchbolt assembly will generally include a housing which is mounted to a door. A mortice latchbolt assembly will include a housing that is adapted for location within a mortice cavity formed in a side edge of the door. Door furniture, including escutcheons and handles can be mounting to an inner surface and an outer surface of the door for interaction with the latchbolt assembly. A latchbolt is mounted within the housing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A latchbolt biasing means, often a spring, is included to bias the latchbolt towards the extended position. This arrangement allows for the latchbolt to automatically retract from the extended position as it moves across a strike plate on the door jamb when the door is closing. The latchbolt can also automatically return to the extended position to latch the door once it is closed. While the handles are manually rotatable to move the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position to allow the door to be opened.

[0004] The latchbolt assembly can be suitable for accommodating a cylinder lock assembly that is manually operable with an authorised key from an inner side and outer side of the door. A turn snib may also be included for manually operation on the inner side of the door only. The cylinder lock and turn snib are used to adjust locking components within the latchbolt assembly. The locking components can include a deadlocking mechanism that when active resists unauthorised movement of the latchbolt from the extended position that might otherwise be achieved by applying end pressure to the latchbolt. Generally, a deadlocking mechanism is bistable in that it is either active or inactive, and is adjusted between these conditions by manual operation of the cylinder lock or turn snib.

[0005] The latchbolt can be adapted to move linearly within the housing or rotate within the housing between the extended and retracted position. Where the latchbolt rotates, the latchbolt can be formed with a hook which is referred to as a hookbolt. Where the latchbolt assembly includes a hookbolt, a hookbolt biasing means is included to bias the rotation of the hookbolt to the extended position. However it is generally desirable that the hookbolt remain in the retracted position until the door is closed, to reduce the likelihood that it will be damaged when the door swings to the closed position. One solution to this is to include an auxiliary bolt that engages and retains the hookbolt in the retracted position, until such time as the auxiliary bolt retracts in response to sliding over the strike plate on the door jamb. While such an arrangement can allow the hookbolt to automatically move to the extended position, deadlocking the hookbolt in the extended position generally still requires manual operation of a cylinder lock or turn snib.

[0006] The latchbolt can be adapted to form part of a multipoint assembly which has one or more remote bolt assemblies for mounting to a door. While the latchbolt is automatically biased towards the extended position, the remote bolt assemblies are generally operationally linked to the deadlocking mechanism. The remote bolts can only be manually moved to the extended position, often by adjustment of the deadlocking mechanism from the inactive condition to the active condition. Accordingly to open the door, say from an inner side, when the deadlocking mechanism is in an active condition requires the user to adjust the cylinder lock or turn snib along with rotating the door handle.

[0007] Door security manufactures have recognised a change in user expectation that door security needs to be more technologically sophisticated if it is to keep pace with those expectations. The applicant has developed more sophisticated door furniture with electronic card readers controlling powered locking mechanisms to operably disengage the handles from operating the latchbolt assembly. One example of such door furniture is described in the applicant's patent, AU2018347006. However, as such door furniture does not utilise cylinder locks or turn snibs their suitability for use with latchbolt assemblies having deadlocking mechanism and interaction with multi point assemblies is limited at best.

[0008] Before turning to a summary of the invention, it will be useful to provide an explanation of some of the terms that will be used to define the spatial relationship of various parts thereof. In this respect, spatial references throughout this specification will generally be based upon a latchbolt assembly when mounted to a vertical door. Furthermore, the terms extended position and retracted position when applied to the latchbolt are relative terms having regard to the in use application on a door, such that the door is latched when the latchbolt is in the extended position and the door can be opened when the latchbolt is in the retracted position. To this end the latchbolt need not be entirely retracted within the housing when it is in the retracted position. Summary of Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a detent that interacts with the latchbolt and is movable within the housing relative to a deadlocked position in which the latchbolt is deadlocked in the extended position, a detent biasing member that biases the detent towards the deadlocked position which in turn biases the latchbolt towards the extended position, a hub within the housing that is rotatable from outside the housing in a first direction about an actuation axis to cause the detent to move away from the deadlocked position and also to cause the latchbolt to move away from the extended position toward the retracted position.

[0010] According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a latchbolt assembly for use centrally in a multipoint assembly which has one or more remote bolt assemblies to mount to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a single hub that is rotatable from either side of the housing about an actuation axis, rotation of the single hub in a first direction to causes the latchbolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position, a remote actuation member within the housing being configured for interacting with the one or more remote bolt assemblies, wherein the remote actuation member is movable on rotation of the single hub about the actuation axis in a second direction.

[0011] According to further still another aspect of this invention there is provided a latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is rotatable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a detent that interacts with the latchbolt and is movable within the housing relative to a deadlocked position in which the latchbolt is deadlocked in the extended position, and a detent biasing member that biases the detent towards the deadlocked position which in turn biases the latchbolt towards the extended position.

[0012] The latchbolt assembly preferably includes an auxiliary bolt and an auxiliary bolt biasing member that biases the auxiliary bolt towards an extended position relative to the housing, the auxiliary bolt and the detent being adapted to interact when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position and the detent is away from the deadlocked position to inhibit movement of the detent back towards the deadlocked position so as allow the latchbolt remain in the retracted position when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, and to release the detent when the auxiliary bolt is moved away from the extended position to allow the latchbolt return towards the extended position.. The auxiliary bolt preferably includes a sloped or curved leading end so that it is suitable for sliding across a strike plate when the latchbolt is mounted on a swing door. In a particular preferred embodiment the leading end is a bull nose so that the latchbolt assembly can operate when installed in either a left hand opening or a right hand opening door. The auxiliary bolt can interact with the detent in any suitable manner, and one preferred arrangement has the auxiliary bolt movable linearly within the housing and includes a catch surface, and the latchbolt includes a flange that engages the catch surface when the auxiliary bolt is in the extend position and the latchbolt is in the retracted position. The latchbolt assembly can include a sensor within the housing, and a signal generator associated with the axillary bolt, the sensor and signal generator being adapted to indicate when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position.

[0013] The latchbolt is preferably adapted for rotational movement about a latchbolt axis when moving between the extended and retracted positions, and the preferred arrangement includes an aperture in the latchbolt and the housing including a shaft that fits in the aperture so that the latchbolt rotates about the shaft. However other arrangements are clearly possible.

[0014] A latchbolt assembly preferably includes the detent being adapted for linear movement within the housing in a generally longitudinal direction of the housing and adapted for resisting movement within the housing in a generally lateral direction of the housing, and the latchbolt is adapted to interact with the detent so that when end pressure is applied to a free end of the latchbolt the latchbolt urges the detent to move in said latitudinal direction. The manner in which the detent interacts with the latchbolt may take any suitable form, and in one form the latchbolt includes a nub being positioned relative to the rotational axis so that said end pressure applied to the free end of the latchbolt will produce a moment, and the detent includes an abutment surface that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing so that when the latchbolt is in the extended position and the detent is in the deadlocked position the abutment surface is engaged by the nub so as to resist (counteract, prevent movement of the latchbolt) said moment. It is further preferred that the detent includes a drive surface that engages the nub when the hub is rotated in the first direction, wherein the drive surface is aligned with the lateral direction of the of the housing.

[0015] The latchbolt assembly preferably includes a remote actuation member within the housing being configured for interacting with the one or more remote bolt assemblies, of the form wherein the remote actuation member is movable between a remote bolt extended position and a remote bolt retracted position, whereby rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the first direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt retracted position and rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the second direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt extended position. The hub preferably forms part of a hub mechanism including a hub biasing means for biasing the hub towards a rest position from which the hub can be rotated towards the first direction or second direction. The hub mechanism may also include a hub slide that is movable directly with the rotation of the hub, and the hub biasing means acts on the hub slide, the hub mechanism being adapted so that the hub slide engages the detent when moving the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position and disengages from the detent when the hub biasing means biases the hub to return to the rest position. The remote actuation member also preferably forms part of a remote actuation mechanism which includes a lever that moves directly with the hub slide and acts between the hub slide and the remote actuation member. It is preferred that the remote actuation mechanism includes a catch acting between remote actuation member and the housing so as to catch on the housing and inhibit movement of the remote actuation member relative to the housing when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position. It is further preferred that the remote actuation member is adapted to retain the catch so as to move therewith, the housing includes an aperture, and including a catch biasing means for biasing the catch into the aperture when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position, the catch being adapted to interact with the lever so as to retract from the aperture when the hub is rotated in the first direction. It is still further preferred that the remote actuation member include a slot to accommodate the catch, the slot being adapted to allow the catch to slide linearly therein.

[0016] The preferred form of latchbolt assembly is a mortice latchbolt assembly for location within in mortice cavity in a door. Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a latch set including a preferred embodiment of a latchbolt assembly according to the invention when mounted to a door.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 1 from a front perspective.

[0019] Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 1 from a rear perspective.

[0020] Figure 4A is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 1 with the faceplate and cover plate removed to reveal the latchbolt in an extended position.

[0021] Figure 4B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 4A with the detent shown in ghost-line to reveal the hub in the at rest position.

[0022] Figure 5A is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly which has been adjusted from Figure 4A to illustrate the latchbolt assembly in a retracted position.

[0023] Figure 5B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 5A with the detent shown in ghost-line to reveal the hub having been rotated in a first direction from the rest position.

[0024] Figure BA is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly which has been adjusted from Figure 5A to illustrate the auxiliary bolt in the extended position.

[0025] Figure 6B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 6A with the detent in ghost-line to reveal engagement of the latchbolt by the auxiliary bolt.

[0026] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a partially assembled latchbolt assembly from Figure 1 with the detent removed to more clearly illustrate the interaction of the auxiliary bolt with the latchbolt.

[0027] Figure 8A is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly which is altered from Figure 4A to illustrate the remote actuation member in a remote bolt extended position.

[0028] Figure 8B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 8A with the detent shown in ghost-line to reveal the hub rotated in a second direction.

[0029] Figure 9A is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly which is altered from Figure 8A with the hub returned to the at rest position.

[0030] Figure 9B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 9A with the detent shown in ghost-line to reveal the alteration of the lever from Figure 8B.

[0031] Figure 10A is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly as altered from Figure 9A illustrating the latchbolt in a retracted position and the remote actuation member in a remote bolt extracted position.

[0032] Figure 10B is a side elevation view of the latchbolt assembly from Figure 10A with the detent shown in ghost-line to reveal the hub having been rotated in a first direction from Figure 9B.

[0033] Figure 11 is an isometric view of a partially assembled latchbolt assembly from Figure 1 with the cover plate and faceplate removed revealing the interaction between the lever and the catch prior to moving remote actuation member from the remote bolt extended position to the remote bolt retracted position.

[0034] Figures 12A to 12E are a front elevation view of the latchbolt assembly with remote bolt assemblies. Detailed Description

[0035] Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a lockset 1 attached to a door 2. The lockset 1 includes outer door furniture 3 mounted to an outer side of the door 2, inner door furniture 4 mounted to an inner side of the door 2 and a latchbolt assembly 5 mounted on a side edge of the door 2. Whilst the latchbolt assembly 5 will be described in greater detail with reference to latter illustrations, it can be noted in Figure 1 that the latchbolt assembly includes a housing 6 which includes a faceplate 7 through which project a latchbolt 8 and an auxiliary bolt 9.

[0036] The Applicant has designed the latchbolt assembly 5 for use with their door furniture described in co-pending Application No. 2014203087, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In order to provide an improved appreciation of the inter operation of the latchbolt assembly 5 with the preferred door furniture described in co-pending Application No. 2014203087, the outer door furniture 3 and inner door furniture 4, will generally include an electronic card reader or the like for controlling operation of the powered locking mechanism (not shown) within the outer door escutcheon 10 and / or inner door escutcheon 11. Where an authorised user presents an authorised key card (not shown), the locking mechanism will deactivate such that rotation of either the outer door lever 12 or inner door lever 13 will result in rotation of a spindle (not shown) which extends between the outer door furniture 3 and the inner door furniture 4 through the latchbolt assembly 5.

[0037] Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates the latchbolt assembly 5, it can be appreciated that the housing 6 from Figure 1 is formed from a combination of a base 14, a cover plate 15 and the faceplate 7. The base 14 is preferably formed from a cast metal to support and guide various components of the latchbolt assembly 5 therein in a manner which will be described in greater detail later in the specification. The cover plate 15 can be attached to the base 14 in any suitable manner including screw fasteners (not shown) or rivetted to the base. While the faceplate 7 is formed with a series of tabs 16 which locate within respective recesses 17 of the base 14 and cover plate 15 (not visible in the base) so that the faceplate 7 snap locks to the base 14 and cover plate 15. It can also be noted that the faceplate 7 is formed with a rectangular aperture 18 and an elongate aperture 19 through which the auxiliary bolt 9 and the latchbolt 8 can project respectively.

[0038] It can be appreciated from Figure 2 that the auxiliary bolt 9 includes a bull- nose 20 which projects through the rectangular aperture 18, and is so shaped to slide across a strike plate (not show) irrespective of whether the latchbolt assembly 5 is mounted to a left-hand opening or a right-hand opening door 2. The auxiliary bolt 9 also includes a body 21 that remains within the housing 6. An auxiliary bolt biasing spring 22 acts between the auxiliary bolt 8 and an internal wall 23 (most visible in Figure 7) formed in the base 14. Figure 2 illustrates the body 21 being formed with a catch surface 24 the purpose of which will be described later in the specification.

[0039] Figure 2 also illustrates a sensor 25, which in the preferred embodiment is a hall sensor, and is positionable adjacent a front wall of the base 14 (see also Figure 4A). The auxiliary bolt 9 includes a signal generator 26, which in the preferred embodiment is the form of a magnet, which can send a signal to the sensor 25 when the auxiliary bolt 9 is in an extended position (see for example Figure 6A for the extended position of the auxiliary bolt 9). A wiring loom 27 connects the sensor 25 to either one of the inner door furniture 4 or outer door furniture 3 so as to only allow for certain functionality to occur when the auxiliary bolt 9 is in the retracted position as would occur when the door 2 is in the closed position.

[0040] Referring collectively to Figures 2 and 3 which illustrate the latchbolt 8 being formed with a circular aperture 28 so as to fit on a shaft 29 formed on the base 14. In this manner the latchbolt 8 can rotate about the shaft when moving between an extended position as illustrated for example in Figure 4A, and a retracted position as illustrated in Figure 5A. A latchbolt 8 that moves in this manner, and has the shape as illustrated, can be also be referred to as a hookbolt Figure 3 also illustrates the latchbolt being formed with a nub 31 which is spaced from the rotational axis X-X. The nub 31 is in the shape of a “b” (see Figure 4A) for reasons that will become apparent later in the specification.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates a single hub 32 having a barrel portion 33 that seats within apertures 34, 35 of the base 14 and the cover plate 15 respectively so as to enable the hub 32 to rotate about an actuation axis Y-Y. The barrel portion 33 has an aperture formed therein to accommodate said spindle (not shown) which extends between the outer door furniture 3 and inner door furniture 4 (see Figure 1). In this manner an authorised user, presenting an authorised key can rotate either the outer door lever 12 or inner door lever 13 to rotate the hub 32. The hub includes an arm 36 which extends radially from a barrel portion 33 and has a return 37 formed at the free end of the arm 36. The return 37 is cylindrical in shape and fits within an elongate slot 38 formed in a hub slide 39 so that it can rotate and slide within the slot 38 on rotation of the hub 32. The interaction of the hub 32 with the hub slide 39 will be described in greater detail later in the specification.

[0042] The hub 32, the hub slide 39 with a hub biasing spring 40 acting on the hub slide 39, combine to form a hub mechanism which urges the hub 32 to adopt a rest position as illustrated in Figure 4B. The hub slide 39 is formed with an upper ledge 41 and a lower ledge 42 to capture the hub biasing spring 40 therebetween. The hub biasing spring 40 also interacts with a shelf 43 (see Figure 3) formed on the base so that movement of the hub slide 39 in either the up or down direction will be counteracted by the hub biasing spring 40.

[0043] Figure 2 also illustrates a detent 44 and a detent biasing spring 45. The detent biasing spring 45 is located within the cavity 46 formed in the base 14 with one end of the detent biasing spring 45 engaging a top wall 47 of the cavity 46, and an opposed end of the detent biasing spring 45 engaging a foot 49 of the detent 44. In this arrangement the detent biasing spring 45 urges the foot 49 towards a bottom wall 50 of the base (see also Figure 4B). Figure 2 also illustrates the hub slide 39 being formed with a shoulder 51 which can engage a lower edge 52 of the detent 44 (see for example Figure 4A). The interaction of the detent 44 with the hub slide 39 will be described in detail later in the specification. Figure 3 also illustrates the detent 44 including a flange 30 at an upper end thereof that interacts with the catch surface 24 in a manner that will be explained later in the specification.

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates a lever 53 which locates on a shaft 54 formed in the base 14 so as to pivot thereabouts. The lever 53 includes an arm 55 with a return 56 formed at a distal end thereof which locates in a slot 57 (partly obscured) which is similar in its shape and orientation laterally within the housing as the slot 38. This arrangement allows the lever 53 to pivot about the shaft 54 on movement of the hub slide 39.

[0045] The lever 53 also has another arm 58 as more clearly illustrated in Figure 3 having a lower edge that is adapted to interact with a catch 59. More specifically the catch 59 includes a ramp surface 60 that is engaged by the lower edge of the other arm 58, in a manner that will be described later in the specification. It is important to note in Figure 3 that the catch 58 includes a nose portion 61 that can locate in a rectangular aperture 62 in the cover plate 15. The catch 59 form parts of a remote actuation mechanism which also includes a remote actuation member 63 and the lever 63. The remote actuation member 63 slides longitudinally of the base 14 along a track 64 formed in the base 14. A catch biasing means 65 acts between the remote actuation member 63 and the catch 59 to urge the catch 59 in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the remote actuation member 63.

[0046] It is important to also note from Figure 3 that the remote actuation member 63 includes a bore 66 formed therein which is accessible through a rear wall of the base (see also Figure 11) when the housing 6 is assembled. The function of the bore 66 is to receive a pin 69 (see Figure 12A) or the like connected to a bar linkage 70 linking the operation of the latchbolt assembly 5 with one or more remote bolt assemblies 71 mounted elsewhere in the door 2. The manner in which the remote bolt assemblies 71 operate once connected to the remote actuation member 63 will be explained later in the specification.

[0047] The manner in which the latchbolt assembly 5 may be adjusted through rotation of either the outer door lever 12 or inner door lever 13 only will now be described with reference to the remaining Figures. Figure 4A illustrates the latchbolt 8 in an extended position and the auxiliary bolt 9 in a retracted position. Furthermore the detent 44 is illustrated in a deadlock position in which the nub 31 engages an abutment surface 67 on the detent 44. It can be appreciated from Figure 4A that the nub 31 is spaced radially from the rotational axis X-X and with the nub 31 engaging the abutment surface 67 it will resist any unauthorised end pressure applied to a free end of the latchbolt 8 thereby inhibiting rotation of the latchbolt 8 from the extended position. Furthermore it can be noted from Figure 4B that with the detent biasing spring 45 acting on the foot 49 that the detent is biased towards adopting this deadlock position.

[0048] Figure 4B illustrates the hub 32 in the at rest position and when comparing with Figure 5B rotation of the hub 32 in a clockwise direction, hereinafter referred to as the first direction, causes the detent 44 to move in a longitudinal direction of the housing 6. This causes the abutment surface 67 to slide along the nub 31 until such time as the nub 31 engages a drive surface 68 (see Figure 4A) formed on the detent 44 which surface extends in a latitudinal direction of the housing. Further raising of the detent 44 causes the latchbolt 6 to rotate about the rotational axis X-X causing the latchbolt 6 to move from the extended position towards a retracted position. Depending upon the installation tolerance between the door 2 to an adjacent door jamb (not shown), and for the purposes of this specification Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the latchbolt 8 in a retracted position. Whilst it is not illustrated it should be appreciated from Figure 5A that hub 32 can be rotated slightly further, to move the detent 44 and cause the latchbolt 8 to rotate so that it is entirely within the housing 6 (see Figure 1). However, with the detent 44 in the position illustrated in Figure 5A, itis raised sufficiently so that the flange 30 does not foul movement of the body 21 (see Figure 5B) of the auxiliary bolt 9.

[0049] It is important to note that when comparing Figure 4B with Figure 5B that rotation of the hub 32 in the first direction raises the hub slide 39 so that the shoulder 51 engages the lower edge 52 to lift the detent 44. Furthermore lifting the hub slide 39 causes the lever 53 to pivot, however with the remote actuation member 63 illustrated in a remote bolt retracted position as shown in Figure 4B the pivoting of the lever 53 in this manner does not result in adjustment of the remote actuation member 63. The impact of this can be appreciated from comparing Figures 12A and 12B which equate to Figures 4A and 5A respectively. More specifically rotating the hub 32 from the position illustrated in Figure 12A to the position illustrated in Figure 12B causes the latchbolt 8 to retract, however the remote bolts 72 remain in the retract position.

[0050] Once the latchbolt 8 has been moved to the retracted position as illustrated in Figure 5B, the door 2 can be opened which will allow the auxiliary bolt 9 to move to an extended position as illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. Once the auxiliary bolt 9 moves to the extended position, the catch surface 24 engages the flange 30 on the detent 44, and with the nub 31 captured to move with the detent 44, the latchbolt 8 is inhibited from rotating back to the extended position. The user can then pass through the doorway releasing either the outer door lever 12 or inner door lever 13 which allows the hub 32 to return to the at rest position under the influence of the hub biasing spring 40 acting on the hub slide 39 as illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. Thereafter the door can return to a closed position causing the auxiliary bolt 9 to return to the retracted position as illustrated in Figure 4A and Figure 4B. This in turn allows the detent 44 to move longitudinally of the housing 6 under the influence of the detent biasing spring 45 to cause the latchbolt 8 to rotate about the rotational axis X-X back to the extended position. It should again be noticed that this adjustment causes the lever 53 to return to its original position without adjusting the position of the remote actuation member 63.

[0051] Considering now the latchbolt assembly 5 as illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B whereby the hub 32 has been rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, hereinafter referred to as the second direction. The rotation of the hub 32 in this second direction has no impact on the position of the detent 44 or the latchbolt 8, however it does cause the hub slide 39 to move longitudinally within the housing 6. This causes the lever 53 to pivot raising the remote actuation member 63 to a remote bolt extended position. The remote actuation member 63 is retaining this position by the nose 61 of the catch 59 locating in the rectangular aperture 62 of the cover plate 15 (see Figure 3). This allows the user to thereby release the outer door lever 12 or inner door lever 13 to allow the hub 32 to return to the rest position which also adjusts the position of the hub slide 39 and the lever 53 to the position as illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B. When the user again rotates the hub 32 in the first direction, as illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, this causes the latchbolt 8 to rotate from the extended position to the retracted position. Furthermore, the pivoting of the lever 53 also adjusts the position of the catch 59 relative to the rectangular aperture 62 by sliding across the slope 60 of the catch 59 (see Figure 11). Further rotation of the lever 53 from the position illustrated in Figure 11 causes the remote actuation member 63 to move longitudinally of the housing to a remote bolt retracted position as illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B. Again the impact of movement of the remote actuation member 63 can be appreciated by comparing Figures 12A, 12C, 12D and 12E which equate to Figures 4A, 8A, 9A and 10A respectively. More specifically rotation of the hub 32 in the second direction from the position shown in Figure 12C to the position shown in Figure 12C will cause the remote bolts 72 to move to an extended position. Thereafter the hub 32 can return to the rest position illustrated in Figure 12D while the latchbolt 8 and the remote bolts 72 remain in the extended position. However Figure 12E illustrates that rotation of the hub 32 from the rest position in the first direction will cause the latchbolt 8 and remote bolts 72 to return to their respective retracted positions.

[0052] It ought to be appreciated from the foregoing that the latchbolt assembly 5 as hereinbefore described allows for deadlocking of the latchbolt 8 in the extended position without requiring the user to adjust a cylinder lock or turn snib. Furthermore the ability to adjust the remote actuation member 63 through rotation of the inner door handle 13 or outer door handle 12 is also useful. Still furthermore the ability to utilise a single hub 32 rather than a split hub provides simplification of the latchbolt componentry, and simplification of the assembly process required to manufacture the latchbolt.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows 1. Alatchbolt assembly for mounting to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a detent that interacts with the latchbolt and is movable within the housing relative to a deadlocked position in which the latchbolt is deadlocked in the extended position, a detent biasing member that biases the detent towards the deadlocked position which in turn biases the latchbolt towards the extended position, a hub within the housing that is rotatable from outside the housing in a first direction about an actuation axis to cause the detent to move away from the deadlocked position and also to cause the latchbolt to move away from the extended position toward the retracted position.

2. Alatchbolt assembly according to claim 1 including an auxiliary bolt and an auxiliary bolt biasing member that biases the auxiliary bolt towards an extended position relative to the housing, the auxiliary bolt and the detent being adapted to interact when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position and the detent is away from the deadlocked position to inhibit movement of the detent back towards the deadlocked position so as allow the latchbolt remain in the retracted position when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, and to release the detent when the auxiliary bolt is moved away from the extended position to allow the latchbolt return towards the extended position.

3. Alatchbolt assembly according to claim 2 wherein the auxiliary bolt includes a sloped or curved leading end so that it is suitable for sliding across a strike plate when the latchbolt is mounted on a swing door.

4. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the auxiliary bolt is movable linearly within the housing and includes a catch surface, and the detent includes a flange that engages the catch surface when the auxiliary bolt is in the extend position and the latchbolt is in the retracted position.

5. Alatchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 including a sensor within the housing, and a signal generator associated with the axillary bolt, the sensor and signal generator being adapted to indicate when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position.

6. Alatchbolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the latchbolt is adapted for rotational movement about a latchbolt axis when moving between the extended and retracted positions.

7. Alatchbolt assembly according to claim 6 wherein the latchbolt includes an aperture and the housing includes a shaft that fits in the aperture so that the latchbolt rotates about the shaft.

8. Alatchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 6 or 7 wherein the detent is adapted for linear movement within the housing in a generally longitudinal direction of the housing and adapted for resisting movement within the housing in a generally lateral direction of the housing, and the latchbolt is adapted to interact with the detent so that when end pressure is applied to a free end of the latchbolt the latchbolt urges the detent to move in said latitudinal direction.

9. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 8 wherein the latchbolt includes a nub being positioned relative to the rotational axis so that said end pressure applied to the free end of the latchbolt will produce a moment, and the detent includes an abutment surface that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing so that when the latchbolt is in the extended position and the detent is in the deadlocked position the abutment surface is engaged by the nub so as to resist said moment.

10. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 9 wherein the detent includes a drive surface that engages the nub when the hub is rotated in the first direction, wherein the drive surface is aligned with the lateral direction of the of the housing.

11. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including a remote actuation member within the housing being configured for interacting with the one or more remote bolt assemblies, wherein the remote actuation member is movable between a remote bolt extended position and a remote bolt retracted position, whereby rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the first direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt retracted position and rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the second direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt extended position.

12. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 11 wherein the hub forms part of a hub mechanism including a hub biasing means for biasing the hub towards a rest position from which the hub can be rotated towards the first direction or second direction.

13. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 12 wherein the hub mechanism includes a hub slide that is movable directly with the rotation of the hub, and the hub biasing means acts on the hub slide, the hub mechanism being adapted so that the hub slide engages the detent when moving the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position and disengages from the detent when the hub biasing means biases the hub to return to the rest position.

14. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 13 wherein the remote actuation member forms part of a remote actuation mechanism which includes a lever that moves directly with the hub slide and acts between the hub slide and the remote actuation member.

15. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 14 wherein the remote actuation mechanism includes a catch acting between remote actuation member and the housing so as to catch on the housing and inhibit movement of the remote actuation member relative to the housing when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position.

16. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 15 wherein the remote actuation member is adapted to retain the catch so as to move therewith, the housing includes an aperture, and including a catch biasing means for biasing the catch into the aperture when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position, the catch being adapted to interact with the lever so as to retract from the aperture when the hub is rotated in the first direction.

17. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 16 wherein the remote actuation member includes a slot to accommodate the catch, the slot being adapted to allow the catch to slide linearly therein.

18. A latchbolt assembly for use centrally in a multipoint assembly which has one or more remote bolt assemblies to mount to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is moveable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a single hub that is rotatable from either side of the housing about an actuation axis, rotation of the single hub in a first direction to causes the latchbolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position, a remote actuation member within the housing being configured for interacting with the one or more remote bolt assemblies, wherein the remote actuation member is movable on rotation of the single hub about the actuation axis in a second direction.

19. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 18 including a detent that interacts with the latchbolt and is movable within the housing relative to a deadlocked position in which the latchbolt is deadlocked in the extended position, and a detent biasing member that biases the detent towards the deadlocked position which in turn biases the latchbolt towards the extended position, wherein the detent is moved from the deadlocked position on rotation of the single hub in the first direction.

20. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 18 or 19 including an auxiliary bolt and an auxiliary bolt biasing member that biases the auxiliary bolt towards an extended position relative to the housing, the auxiliary bolt and the detent being adapted to interact when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position and the detent is away from the deadlocked position to inhibit movement of the detent back towards the deadlocked position so as allow the latchbolt remain in the retracted position when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, and to release the detent when the auxiliary bolt is moved away from the extended position to allow the latchbolt return towards the extended position.

21. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 20 wherein the auxiliary bolt includes a sloped or curved leading end so that it is suitable for sliding across a strike plate when the latchbolt is mounted on a swing door.

22. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 20 or 21 wherein the auxiliary bolt is movable linearly within the housing and includes a catch surface, and the latchbolt includes a flange that engages the catch surface when the auxiliary bolt is in the extend position and the latchbolt is in the retracted position.

23. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 22 including a sensor within the housing, and a signal generator associated with the axillary bolt, the sensor and signal generator being adapted to indicate when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position.

24. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 23 wherein the latchbolt is adapted for rotational movement about a latchbolt axis when moving between the extended and retracted positions.

25. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 24 wherein the latchbolt includes an aperture and the housing includes a shaft that fits in the aperture so that the latchbolt rotates about the shaft.

26. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 24 or 25 wherein the detent is adapted for linear movement within the housing in a generally longitudinal direction of the housing and adapted for resisting movement within the housing in a generally lateral direction of the housing, and the latchbolt is adapted to interact with the detent so that when end pressure is applied to a free end of the latchbolt the latchbolt urges the detent to move in said latitudinal direction.

27. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 26 wherein the latchbolt includes a nub being positioned relative to the rotational axis so that said end pressure to the free end of the latchbolt will produce a moment, and the detent includes an abutment surface that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing so that when the latchbolt is in the extended position and the detent is in the deadlocked position the abutment surface is engaged by the nub so as to resist said moment.

28. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 27 wherein the detent includes a drive surface that engages the nub when the hub is rotated in the first direction, wherein the drive surface is aligned with the lateral direction of the of the housing.

29. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 28 wherein the single hub forms part of a hub mechanism including a hub biasing means for biasing the hub towards a rest position from which the hub can be rotated towards the first direction or second direction.

30. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 29 wherein the hub mechanism includes a hub slide that is movable directly with the rotation of the hub, and the hub biasing means acts on the hub slide, the hub mechanism being adapted so that the hub slide engages the detent when moving the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position and disengages from the detent when the hub biasing means biases the single hub to return to the rest position.

31. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 30 wherein the remote actuation member forms part of a remote actuation mechanism which includes a lever that moves directly with the hub slide and acts between the hub slide and the remote actuation member.

32. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 31 wherein the remote actuation mechanism includes a catch acting between remote actuation member and the housing so as to catch on the housing and inhibit movement of the remote actuation member relative to the housing when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position.

33. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 32 wherein the remote actuation member is adapted to retain the catch so as to move therewith, the housing includes an aperture, and including a catch biasing means for biasing the catch into the aperture when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position, the catch being adapted to interact with the lever so as to retract from the aperture when the hub is rotated in the first direction.

34. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 33 wherein the remote actuation member includes a slot to accommodate the catch, the slot being adapted to allow the catch to slide linearly therein.

35. A latchbolt assembly for mounting to a door, the latchbolt assembly including a housing, a latchbolt that is rotatable relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position, a detent that interacts with the latchbolt and is movable within the housing relative to a deadlocked position in which the latchbolt is deadlocked in the extended position, and a detent biasing member that biases the detent towards the deadlocked position which in turn biases the latchbolt towards the extended position.

36. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 35 including a hub within the housing that is rotatable from outside the housing in a first direction about an actuation axis to cause the detent to move away from the deadlocked position and also to cause the latchbolt to move away from the extended position toward the retracted position.

37. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 35 or 36 including an auxiliary bolt and an auxiliary bolt biasing member that biases the auxiliary bolt towards an extended position relative to the housing, the auxiliary bolt interacting with the latchbolt to retain the latchbolt in the retracted position when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position and to release the latchbolt from the retracted position when the auxiliary bolt is moved away from the extended position.

38. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 37 wherein the auxiliary bolt includes a sloped or curved leading end so that it is suitable for sliding across a strike plate when the latchbolt is mounted on a swing door.

39. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 37 or 38 wherein the auxiliary bolt is movable linearly within the housing and includes a catch surface, and the latchbolt includes a flange that engages the catch surface when the auxiliary bolt is in the extend position and the latchbolt is in the retracted position.

40. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 37 to 39 including a sensor within the housing, and a signal generator associated with the axillary bolt, the sensor and signal generator being adapted to indicate when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position.

41. A latchbolt assembly according to any one of claims 35 to 40 wherein the latchbolt includes an aperture and the housing includes a shaft that fits in the aperture so that the latchbolt rotates about the shaft.

42. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 41 wherein the detent is adapted for linear movement within the housing in a generally longitudinal direction of the housing and adapted for resisting movement within the housing in a generally lateral direction of the housing, and the latchbolt is adapted to interact with the detent so that when end pressure is applied to a free end of the latchbolt the latchbolt urges the detent to move in said latitudinal direction.

43. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 42 wherein the latchbolt includes a nub being positioned relative to the rotational axis so that said end pressure to the free end of the latchbolt will produce a moment, and the latchbolt includes an abutment surface that is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing so that when the latchbolt is in the extended position and the detent is in the deadlocked position the abutment surface is engaged by the nub so as to resist said moment.

44. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 43 wherein the detent includes a drive surface that engages the nub when the hub is rotated in the first direction, wherein the drive surface is aligned with the lateral direction of the of the housing.

45. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 36 including a remote actuation member within the housing being configured for interacting with the one or more remote bolt assemblies, wherein the remote actuation member is movable between a remote bolt extended position and a remote bolt retracted position, whereby rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the first direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt retracted position and rotation of the hub about the actuation axis in the second direction moves the remote actuation member towards the remote bolt extended position.

46. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 45 wherein the hub forms part of a hub mechanism including a hub biasing means for biasing the hub towards a rest position from which the hub can be rotated towards the first direction or second direction.

47. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 46 wherein the hub mechanism includes a hub slide that is movable directly with the rotation of the hub, and the hub biasing means acts on the hub slide, the hub mechanism being adapted so that the hub slide engages the detent when moving the latchbolt from the extended position to the retracted position and disengages from the detent when the hub biasing means biases the hub to return to the rest position.

48. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 47 wherein the remote actuation member forms part of a remote actuation mechanism which includes a lever that moves directly with the hub slide and acts between the hub slide and the remote actuation member.

49. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 48 wherein the remote actuation mechanism includes a catch acting between remote actuation member and the housing so as to catch on the housing and inhibit movement of the remote actuation member relative to the housing when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position.

50. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 49 wherein the remote actuation member is adapted to retain the catch so as to move therewith, the housing includes an aperture, and including a catch biasing means for biasing the catch into the aperture when the remote actuation member is in the remote bolt extended position, the catch being adapted to interact with the lever so as to retract from the aperture when the hub is rotated in the first direction.

51. A latchbolt assembly according to claim 50 wherein the remote actuation member includes a slot to accommodate the catch, the slot being adapted to allow the catch to slide linearly therein.

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