Lock mechanism

Abstract

A lock mechanism 1 comprises a linking member 20 which is movable between a first position in which it is directly engaged with a drive member and engageable with a cam of a cylinder lock to transmit drive from the cylinder lock to the drive member which may be a sliding drive bar 10 for actuating remote auxiliary locks, and a second position. Preferably a dead bolt 40 is driven by the cylinder lock and includes a vertical guide channel 42 permitting sliding of the linking member; extension / retraction of the deadbolt may move the linking member between first and second position such that in the second position the linking member is not operable by the cam. The drive member includes a connector for coupling to the linking member, for example a rail 12 on the drive bar 10 engages between protruding shoulder 24 and pin 24 on the linking member permitting lateral movement of the linking member but transmitting driving force when driven by the cam when in the first position. A trigger mechanism may be included to automatically throw the auxiliary bolts when a door is shut.

Description

The present disclosure relates to lock mechanisms for doors and windows. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to automatic lock mechanisms for doors and windows. It is known for doors or windows to have automatic locks wherein one or more latches or locking bolts are automatically fired to secure a door or window leaf once it has been closed. The simplest form is a night latch, which comprises a single sprung latch. While convenient, these offer a low level of security. More recently, a number of automatically fired locks offering high security and multiple locking bolts have entered the market. Some require electronic control or driving of the locking bolts, although purely mechanical automatic locks have also been developed more recently. Automatic lock mechanisms have a retraction mechanism, which moves the latch(es) or locking bolt(s) from an extended condition to a retracted condition. In many automatic lock mechanisms, the retraction mechanism is operated by a door handle. It is desirable in modern installations to provide a handle-free lock mechanism, or at least a lock mechanism which is not actuated by a handle. In some such automatic locks, the force required to drive the retraction mechanism is provided by the rotation of a key in a lock cylinder within the lock mechanism. It can be difficult for a user to provide enough torque to the key to drive the retraction mechanism, which can result in the user being unable to lock or unlock the door comfortably, or may even damage the key or lock mechanism. Examples of automatic multi-point locks (MPLs) are described by the present Applicant in UK patents GB2608340 and GB2584100, and as shown by lock mechanism 100 in Figure 1. These locks are provided with a drive plate 120 which is coupled to locking bolts (not shown) and deadbolt 103, and which falls under gravity to provide the driving force to extend the locking bolts and deadbolt 103. To retract the locking bolts, the user inserts a key into a lock cylinder located in lock aperture 122. The lock cylinder itself is not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity. In the view shown, clockwise rotation of the lock cylinder’s cam first moves the actuator 124 to the right (i.e. to the position as shown). The actuator 124 is coupled to the deadbolt 103 such that this movement simultaneously retracts the deadbolt 103. A lifting arm 125 is connected to the deadbolt 103 such that retraction of the deadbolt positions the lifting arm 125 adjacent to the lock cylinder. A second clockwise rotation of the cam of the lock cylinder then acts upon the bottom of the lifting arm 125. An upward force is transferred through the lifting arm 125, the connector arm 127, the follower 129, and to the drive plate 120 via a pin 128. Thus, rotation of the lock cylinder with a key raises the drive plate 120, which in turn retracts the further locking bolts of the MPL. To retract the locking bolts and unlock the door, the drive plate must be raised against gravity and the locking bolts driven against their springs. Since there is no (external) handle operation, the retraction force is provided by rotating the key within the lock cylinder. Thus, the force required to turn the key can be high and may provide a sub-optimal experience for a user. It is therefore desirable to provide a lock mechanism which reduces the force required to retract and / or reset the lock mechanism. The present disclosure attempts to resolve or ameliorate one or more of the problems with lock mechanisms for windows and doors, or provide a useful alternative. Summary According to a first aspect, there is provided a lock mechanism for a door or window. The lock mechanism may comprise a drive portion. The drive portion may comprise a connector thereon. The lock mechanism may comprise a linking portion. The linking portion may be connectable to the connector. The linking portion may be moveable relative to the drive portion between a first and second position. In the first position, the linking portion may be directly engaged with the drive portion and may be directly engageable with a cam of a lock cylinder. As used herein, the term ‘directly engaged’ refers to components which contact or act upon each other without intermediate components. For example, the linking portion may be connected to the drive portion without any intermediate components. The linking portion may abut the drive portion or a portion thereof, or vice versa. Similarly, the cam of a lock cylinder may contact the linking portion and directly apply a force thereto without intermediate components. As used herein, mechanisms which transfer a drive force through multiple components would be considered to be ‘indirectly engaged’. In the first position, the linking portion may be configured to transfer a drive force from the cam of a lock cylinder to the drive portion. The drive force may move the drive portion e.g. the drive force may raise or lift the drive portion. In some embodiments, the drive force may move the drive portion in a vertically upwards direction in use. The vertically upwards direction may be substantially against gravity. The connector may comprise a rail. The linking portion may be translatable (e.g. slideable) along the rail. The linking portion may comprise a groove or aperture for engaging the rail. In an alternative series of embodiments, the linking portion comprises a rail and the connector comprises a groove or aperture for engaging the rail. In some embodiments, the connector comprises a connector shoulder. The linking portion may comprise a drive shoulder. The drive shoulder may be configured to bear upon and drive the connector e.g. the rail or connector shoulder. In such embodiments, the linking portion may further comprise a retainer and / or guide pin. The retainer and / or guide pin may be spaced away from the drive shoulder to define a partial groove or aperture therebetween. Such configurations minimise material required to form the linking portion. When in the first position, the linking portion is directly engaged with the connector e.g. the linking portion may be directly engaged with the rail. When in the second position, the linking portion may be engaged with the connector and / or rail. In the second position, the linking portion may be disengaged from the connector and / or rail. The linking portion may comprise a guide surface for ensuring reliable connection of the linking portion and connector and / or guide rail when the linking portion is moved from the second to the first position. The lock mechanism may further comprise a deadbolt. The deadbolt may have a channel for receiving a part of the linking portion. The channel may be vertically aligned, or comprise a vertical element. The channel may be configured to permit vertical movement of the linking portion relative to the deadbolt. The deadbolt may be configured to move the linking portion between the first position and second position. For example, the channel may comprise channel walls which bear upon the linking portion. Thus, lateral movement of the deadbolt will drive the linking portion laterally. The connector may be located below the deadbolt e.g. vertically beneath the deadbolt. For example, in use, when the lock mechanism is installed in a door or window assembly, the connector may be located on a region of the drive portion that is below the deadbolt. The first position may correspond to an engaged position e.g. relative to a cam of a lock cylinder. The second position may correspond to a disengaged position e.g. relative to a cam of a lock cylinder. The first position may correspond to an unlocked and / or retracted condition of the deadbolt. The second position may correspond to a locked and / or extended condition of the deadbolt. The drive portion may be configured to operate at least one auxiliary locking unit. The lock mechanism may comprise a multi-point lock. The auxiliary locking unit(s) may comprise one or more locking bolts and or latch bolts. The auxiliary locking unit(s) may be operatively connected to the drive portion e.g. by one or more drive bars. The lock mechanism may comprise a gearbox in which the drive portion and linking portion are housed. The lock mechanism may comprise a face plate which connects the gearbox and the one or more auxiliary locking units. The lock mechanism may further comprise the at least one auxiliary locking unit. In some embodiments, the lock mechanism comprises an auxiliary locking unit on either side of the gearbox. The lock mechanism may further comprise a spindle follower. The spindle follower may be configured to transfer an actuation force from a door or window handle to the drive portion. The spindle follower may comprise a spindle aperture e.g. for receiving a spindle of the door or window handle. The spindle aperture may have a square crosssection to correspond with a conventional square spindle. The spindle follower may comprise at least one lever arm. The drive portion may further comprise a pin. The pin may comprise a roller. The spindle follower may transfer the actuation force to the drive portion via the roller. The spindle follower may be configured to bear upon and drive the pin e.g. when rotated by the rotation of the spindle. The actuation force may result from actuating a door or window handle, or may comprise an alternative drive means such as a motor or actuator. The actuation force may move the drive portion e.g. may raise or lift the drive portion. When the lock mechanism is installed in a door or window assembly, the actuation force may cause the drive portion to move in a vertical direction. Thus, the drive portion may be actuated by a user actuating a handle e.g. on the internal side of the door or window. The lock mechanism described herein may be provided with, or without, a lock cylinder. That is, the lock mechanism and the lock cylinder may be independently saleable components, such that a customer or locksmith can select a specific lock cylinder to use with the lock mechanism or replace the lock cylinder in an already-installed lock mechanism. According to a second aspect, there is provided lock comprising a lock mechanism as previously described and a lock cylinder. The lock cylinder may comprise a cam is configured to drive the linking portion of the lock mechanism. According to a third aspect, there is provided a door or window assembly comprising a door or window. The door or window assembly may comprise a lock mechanism or a lock as previously described. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a prior art lock mechanism; Figure 2 is a front view of a lock mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure in a retracted condition; Figure 3 is a rear view of the lock mechanism of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a front view of the lock mechanism of Figure 2 in an extended condition. Detailed Description Figures 2 and 3 show a lock mechanism 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. The lock mechanism 1 comprises a gearbox housing 2 which is partly removed in Figures 2 and 3 to show internal components. The lock mechanism 1 is intended for a door or window assembly (not shown) comprising a door / window leaf located within a door / window frame. For ease of explanation, the terms ‘door’ and ‘door frame’ will be used throughout the description to refer to the components of both door and window assemblies. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lock mechanism 1 is in a first position, corresponding to an retracted and / or unlocked condition. The lock mechanism 1 has a drive portion 10, a linking portion 20 and a lock aperture 30. The lock aperture 30 is shaped to receive a lock cylinder (not shown in the Figures for the sake of clarity). In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the lock aperture 430 is shaped to eurocylinder lock, but alternative lock shapes can be accommodated by using alternative profiles for the lock aperture. The drive portion 10 has a connector 12 thereon. The connector is in the form of a rail which projects from the surface of the drive portion 10. The linking portion 20 comprises a head portion 21 and a tail portion 22. As shown in Figure 3, the head portion comprises a drive shoulder 23 which extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing (i.e. approximately horizontally in use), and a retainer / guide pin 24 which is spaced apart from the drive shoulder 23 and defines a short aperture therebetween. The connector 12 is located within the short aperture i.e. between the drive shoulder 23 and the retainer / guide pin 24. The lock mechanism 1 has a deadbolt 40, presently shown in a retracted position. The deadbolt 40 comprises a channel 42 for receiving the tail portion 22 of the linking portion 20. The channel 42 extends vertically through the deadbolt 40 and thus permits the linking portion 20 to freely move relative to the deadbolt 40 in a vertical direction. The channel 42 has channel walls 43 on either side which restrict movement of the linking portion 20 in a horizontal direction. The deadbolt 40 is connected to an actuator 41 which is adjacent to the lock aperture 30 and moveable along rail guide 44. The actuator 41 is configured to be driven along the rail guide 44 by the cam of a lock cylinder located within the lock aperture 30. The drive portion 10 comprises a flat plate which extends vertically within the gearbox housing 2. Each end of the drive portion 10 comprises tabs 11 which are operatively connectable to drive bars (not shown) in order to form a multi-point lock (MPL). The drive portion is further provided with a pin 14 which extends from the drive portion perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing i.e. approximately horizontally in use. The pin 14 is a roller such that its outer surface is able to freely rotate. The drive portion 10 is connected to a trigger 16 which has a sprung latch configured to engage trigger shoulder 17 once the drive portion 10 is raised. The trigger 16 prevents the drive portion 10 from dropping due to gravity until the sprung latch of the trigger 16 is depressed. The lock mechanism 1 also has a follower 52 which has a spindle aperture 50 therein. The spindle aperture 50 has a square cross-section for engaging a conventional square cross-sectioned spindle (not shown) from a handle or other drive system (not shown). The spindle follower 52 is configured to rotate about an axis passing through the spindle aperture 50 when the door handle or other drive system is actuated. The spindle follower 52 comprises a lever arm 54 which engages with a roller 14 on the drive portion 10. The operation of the lock mechanism 1 will now be described with additional reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the lock mechanism 1 is in a second position, corresponding to an extended and / or locked condition. The deadbolt 40 is in an extended position whereby it projects from the front face of the gearbox housing 2. Due to the action of the channel 42 on the tail portion 22 of the linking portion 20, the linking portion 20 is in a second position whereby it is spaced apart from the lock aperture 30 and the lock cylinder (not shown) locatable therein. Similarly, the actuator 41 is in a second position to the left (as shown) of the lock aperture 30. It will be understood that the action of the cam of the lock cylinder (not shown) upon the actuator 41 would have driven the deadbolt 40 into the extended position and the linking portion into the second position. In order to retract the deadbolt 40 and unlock the lock mechanism 1, a user inserts a suitably coded key into the lock cylinder in the lock aperture 30 and rotates the key clockwise (as shown by the arcuate arrow in Figure 4). The cam of the lock cylinder engages the actuator 41 and drives the actuator 41 along the guide rail 44 in the direction of the straight arrow in Figure 4. Since the actuator 41 is connected to the deadbolt 40, this movement retracts the deadbolt 40 into the gearbox housing 2 and into the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. The linking portion 20 is similarly moved to the right due to the action of the deadbolt channel 42 upon the tail portion 22. As shown in Figure 2, the linking portion 20 is in the first position, adjacent to the lock aperture 30. During the retraction of the deadbolt 40, the drive portion 10 is stationary, thus minimising the user force required to retract the deadbolt 40 and thus turn the key. In a second step, the latch bolt 18 and any locking bolts in auxiliary locking units (e.g. in the case of an MPL) can be retracted either via the handle from the internal side of the lock mechanism 1, or via the key from the external side of the lock mechanism. From the internal side, the user rotates a handle which in turn rotates the spindle follower 52 and raises the lever arm 54. The lever arm 54 lifts the pin 14 which in turn lifts the drive portion 10. This movement of the drive portion 10 is transferred through the tabs 11 to drive bars and auxiliary locking units (not shown) i.e. further housings comprising a locking bolt and / or latch bolt. This motion is then used to retract the locking bolts in said auxiliary locking units. The upward movement of the drive portion 10 lifts the trigger shoulder 17 past the trigger 16, which engages to prevent the drive portion 10 from falling. There is no lower bound to the shoulder 17, and the drive portion 10 can be driven upwards further. Further rotation of the handle thus continues to lift the drive portion 10. This further upward motion can then be used to retract any latch bolts in the auxiliary locking units as well as the latch bolt 18 via the latch arm 19. The lock mechanism is thus fully unlocked and the door or window assembly can be opened. From the external side, the user continues to rotate the key through a second rotation i.e. after the deadbolt retraction. The cam of the lock cylinder then bears upon the lower face 25 of the linking portion 20. As the cam rotates it lifts the linking portion 20 i.e. applies an upward force to the linking portion, in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3. The drive shoulder 23 directly engages the connector 12 and thus transfers the upward force to the connector and thus to the drive portion 10. This lifts the drive portion 10 in an equivalent manner to the lever arm 54, and the retraction of the locking bolts and latch bolts 18 is achieved in the same manner. Surprisingly, the inventors have found that the arrangement described with regard to Figures 2 to 4 requires a lower force to lift the drive portion 10, compared to existing lock mechanisms, such as that shown in Figure 1. Without wishing to be bound by 5 theory, it is believed that transferring force through additional linkages, such as the connector arm 127 and through the follower 129 above the deadbolt, cause loss of mechanical efficiency. Thus a greater force is required to raise the drive portion 10. In the lock mechanism disclosed herein, by reducing the number of components connecting the lock cylinder and the drive portion 10, the actuating force is significantly 10 reduced. This provides an improved operation for the user turning the key.

Claims

1. A lock mechanism for a door or window, the lock mechanism comprising:a drive portion comprising a connector thereon connectable to a linking portion; anda linking portion moveable relative to the drive portion between a first and second position, wherein in the first position, the linking portion is directly engaged with the connector and directly engageable with a cam of a lock cylinder.

2. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the linking portion is configured to transfer a drive force from the cam of a lock cylinder to the drive portion.

3. The lock mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a rail.

4. The lock mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the linking portion is slideable along the rail.

5. The lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock mechanism further comprises a deadbolt having a channel for receiving a part of the linking portion.

6. The lock mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the deadbolt is configured to move the linking portion between the first position and second position with the cam of a lock cylinder.

7. The lock mechanism according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the connector is located below the deadbolt.

8. The lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive portion is configured to operate at least one auxiliary locking unit.

9. The lock mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:a spindle follower configured to transfer an actuation force from a door or window handle to the drive portion, wherein the spindle follower comprises a spindle5 aperture for receiving a spindle of the door or window handle.

10. A lock comprising:a lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9; anda lock cylinder comprising a cam, wherein the cam is configured to drive the 10 linking portion of the lock mechanism.

11. A door or window assembly comprising: a door or window; anda lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a lock according to 15 claim 10.12

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