Lock body

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a lock assembly comprising a cartridge housing containing a bolt having a retracted position and an extended position in which the bolt extends out of a first side of the cartridge housing; a spindle cam having a spindle passage for receiving a spindle therethrough, the spindle cam being rotatable between a first angular position and a second angular position; and a coupling structure for operative connection to one or more remote latches; wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the bolt to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position on movement of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position; and wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the coupling structure to: (i) move the coupling structure from a first position to a second position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, and (ii) move the coupling structure from its second position to its first position on rotation of the spindle cam from the second angular position to the first angular position.

Description

Lock bodyField

[0001] The invention relates to lock assemblies, and in particular, lock assemblies that are useful in multipoint lock assemblies and as standalone locks.Background

[0002] Multipoint lock systems generally include a primary central lock assembly which is operatively connected to one or more (generally two) secondary locks. These secondary locks are generally installed at upper and lower locations on a door. Multipoint locks offer the advantage of greater security than compared with a standalone central lock assembly. It is pointed out that the central lock assembly in a multipoint lock system can be installed as part of the multipoint lock system or as a standalone lock.

[0003] The secondary locks are user actuated between the retracted and engaged states via the primary central lock assembly. Typically, the central lock assembly includes an internal slide that may be driven, for example by key or snib, between various states to unlock and lock the bolt of the primary central lock assembly and to retract and extend the bolts of the secondary multipoint lock assemblies. Alternatively, the central lock assembly includes internal slide(s) that may be driven by lever, between various states to retract and extend the bolt of the primary central lock assembly and to retract and extend the bolts of the secondary multipoint lock assemblies.

[0004] In standard locks, the bolt on the primary central lock assembly is automatically extended on door closure. In standard locks where the secondary multipoint locks are extended / retracted by lever, in order to extend the bolts on the secondary multipoint locks, a user needs to actuate a lever in a first direction which causes the slide within the primary central lock assembly to move to a first position into engagement with one or more components to extend the bolts on the multipoint locks. For example, a user rotates a handle in an upwards direction, which moves the slide into engagement with a component for driving the bolts in the multipoint locks into the engaged position.

[0005] To retract the bolts, a user then actuates a lever which causes the slide within the primary central lock to move in a second direction which causes the slide to move to a second position into engagement with one or more components to both retract the bolt in the primary central lock and to retract the bolts in the multipoint locks. In instances where bolts of the multipoint locks are not in the engaged state, then actuation of the central lever would then only retract the bolt of the primary central lock assembly.

[0006] This standard arrangement has a number of issues. One issue is that users often forget to actuate the multipoint locks when locking the door since this generally requires a user to rotate a lever or handle in the upwards direction. Thus, an additional and non-intuitive action is required by a user to engage the multipoint locks. If the handle is not actuated upwards and locked then only the primary central lock has the bolt extended and therefore results in reduced security.

[0007] Another issue is that snib or cylinder driven slides are not easily adaptable to electronic locks which are driven by motor. In order to drive the slide with a motor would require large motors and or large gearboxes requiring high motor power. This is problematic with regards to space limitations for the larger motor / gearbox and batteries as well as battery life. This is especially problematic when considering the application using multipoint locks, as the motor would need to extend and retract 3 bolts which would require high motor power / torque.

[0008] It is desirable to provide a standalone lock assembly or a multipoint lock system having a primary central lock assembly that addresses one or more of the above problems.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to address at least one shortcoming of the prior art and / or provide a useful alternative.

[0010] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and / or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.Summary of Invention

[0011] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock assembly comprising: a cartridge housing containing:a bolt having a retracted position and an extended position in which the bolt extends out of a first side of the cartridge housing; a spindle cam having a spindle passage for receiving a spindle therethrough, the spindle cam being rotatable between a first angular position and a second angular position; and a coupling structure for operative connection to one or more remote latches; wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the bolt to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position on movement of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position; and wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the coupling structure to:(i) move the coupling structure from a first position to a second position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, and(ii) move the coupling structure from its second position to its first position on rotation of the spindle cam from the second angular position to the first angular position.

[0012] In an embodiment, the bolt is spring biased to the extended position.

[0013] In an embodiment, the coupling structure is biased to the first position.

[0014] an embodiment, the spindle cam is biased to the first angular position.

[0015] In an embodiment, the coupling structure and / or spindle cam are biased to the first position and / or the first angular position via a spring bias applied to the bolt.

[0016] In an embodiment, the coupling structure projects from, or is accessible from, a second side of the cartridge housing opposite the first side.

[0017] In an embodiment, the coupling structure is a female connector.

[0018] In an embodiment, the coupling structure is contained within the cartridge housing.

[0019] In an embodiment, the spindle cam comprises a spindle passage for receiving a handle spindle therethrough, the spindle passage having a central axis being horizontally offset by greater than 25 mm from the first side of the cartridge housing.

[0020] In an embodiment, the spindle cam is rotatable from the first angular position in a single direction.

[0021] In an embodiment, the spindle cam has a movement range delimited by the first angular position and the second angular position.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cartridge housing further contains an actuator having a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the spindle cam is operatively engaged with the actuator to:(i) move the actuator from its rest position to its actuated position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, and(ii) move the actuator from its actuated position to its rest position on rotation of the spindle cam from the second angular position to the first angular position.

[0023] In one form of the above embodiment, the spindle cam is operatively engaged with the coupling structure via the actuator.

[0024] In one form of the above embodiment, when the actuator and coupling structure are operatively connected such that: when the actuator is moved to its rest position, the coupling structure is moved to its first position; and when the actuator is moved to its actuated position, the coupling structure is moved to its second position.

[0025] In one form of the above embodiment, the actuator comprises the coupling structure or is in fixed connection with the coupling structure.

[0026] In one form of the above embodiment, the coupling structure is integrally formed with the actuator.

[0027] In one form of the above embodiment, the coupling structure is in fixed relationship with the actuator and / or is part of the actuator and / or is integrally formed with the actuator.

[0028] In one form of the above embodiment, actuator has a movement range delimited by the rest position and the actuated position.

[0029] In one form of the above embodiment, the actuator is a slide that is linearly movable between the rest position and the actuated position.

[0030] In one form of the above embodiment, the coupling structure is configured to couple the actuator to a drive rod via a complementary coupling structure on the drive rod, the drive rod configured to actuate one or more remote latches on translation of the drive rod by movement of the actuator from the rest position to the activated position.

[0031] In one form of the above embodiment, the bolt and actuator are operatively connected via the spindle cam. In one form of the above embodiment, one or both of the bolt and actuator are in direct engagement with the spindle cam.

[0032] In one form of the above embodiment, the spindle cam includes a first engagement structure operatively engageable with the bolt, and a second engagement structure operatively connected to the actuator.]

[0033] In one form of the above embodiment, the first engagement structure is a drive shoulder configured to pivotally move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position, and the second engagement structure is a drive tab received in a slot of the actuator, the drive tab being moveable within the slot from a first slot position to a second slot position to move the actuator from the rest position to the actuated position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first rotational position to the second rotational position.

[0034] In one form of the above embodiment, the actuator is biased to the rest position.

[0035] In one form of the above embodiment, the actuator is biased to the rest position via a spring bias applied to the bolt. Preferably, the actuator is biased to the rest position via external spring bias applied to the spindle cam, such as by handle spring on the handles which transfer bias via spindle to spindle cam.

[0036] In one form of the above embodiment, the spindle cam comprises a drive tab and the slide comprises a slot, the drive tab being located within the slot and moveable within the slot on rotation of the spindle cam from a first slot position to a second slot position to linearly move the slide from the rest position to the actuated position.

[0037] In one arrangement, the slot comprises a first slot portion and a second slot portion, the first slot portion comprising the first slot position and the second slot portion comprising the second slot position, and wherein the slide is stationary during movement of the drive tab within the first slot portion and the slide is moved from the rest position to the actuated position during movement within the second slot portion to the second slot position. Preferably, the bolt is moved into a partially retracted position when the spindle cam is rotated from the first angular position toward the second angular position and the drive tab is moved within the first slot portion from the first slot position toward the second slot position.

[0038] In an embodiment, the cartridge housing further contains a locking member having a first position and a second position, wherein: in the first position the locking member is operatively disconnected from the bolt, and in the second position the locking member is operatively connected to the bolt to lock the bolt in the extended position.

[0039] In one form of the above embodiment, the locking member is a locking slide, linearly movable between the first position and the second position.

[0040] In one form of the above embodiment, the bolt comprises a recess configured to receive the locking member to lock the bolt in the extended position.

[0041] In one arrangement of the above embodiment, the locking member is spring biased to the second position, and wherein the locking member is configured to be retained out of the second position against the spring bias when the bolt is in the retracted position.

[0042] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the actuator can be moved from the rest position to the actuated position via actuation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, e.g., by a user.

[0043] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member is operatively connected to the actuator such that movement of the actuator from the rest position to the actuated position moves the locking member from the second position to the first position.

[0044] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member is operatively connected to the actuator such that movement of the actuator from the rest position at least partially toward the actuated position operatively disconnects the locking member from the bolt.

[0045] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the coupling structure can be moved from its first position to its second position via actuation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, e.g., by a user.

[0046] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member is operatively connected to the coupling structure such that movement of the coupling structure from its first position to its second position moves the locking member from the second position to the first position.

[0047] In one form of the above arrangement, movement of the coupling structure from its first position towards its second position causes the locking member to move from its second position to its first position.

[0048] In one form of the above arrangement, the cartridge housing further contains a locking member override operatively connected with the locking member to move the locking member between the first position and the second position on actuation of the locking member override between a neutral position and an override position.

[0049] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member override is a pivot lever having a first arm operatively engageable with the actuator, and a second arm operatively engaged with the locking member.

[0050] In one form of the above arrangement, the second arm is held within a recess of the locking member.

[0051] In one form of the above arrangement, the actuator comprises a shoulder for operative engagement with the first arm.

[0052] In one form of the above arrangement, on movement of the actuator from its rest position to its actuated position, the shoulder is configured to abut or engage with the first arm and pivot the locking member override about the pivot point to move the locking member override fromits neutral position to its override position, and move the locking member from its second position to its first position via operative engagement with the second arm.

[0053] In one form of the above arrangement, the second arm is longer than the first arm.

[0054] In one form of the above arrangement, the actuator is engaged with a spring configured to spring bias the actuator to its rest position.

[0055] In an alternative arrangement of the above embodiment, the locking member is operatively connected to a motor to drive the locking member between the first position and the second position.

[0056] In one form of the above arrangement, the cartridge housing contains the motor.

[0057] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the locking member prevents movement of the coupling structure into its second position.

[0058] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the locking member prevents rotation of the spindle cam into the second angular position.

[0059] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member prevents rotation of the spindle cam into the second angular position via the bolt.

[0060] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the lock assembly is configured to permit partial rotation of the spindle cam towards the second angular position whilst preventing movement of the spindle cam into the second angular position.

[0061] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in the second position, the locking member prevents movement of the actuator into its actuated position.

[0062] In one form of the above arrangement, the locking member prevents movement of the actuator into the actuated position via the bolt.

[0063] In one form of the above arrangement, when the locking member is in second position, the actuator is configured to remain stationary on rotation of the spindle cam. That is, rotation of the spindle cam is limited to movement corresponding to the first slot portion of the actuator in which there is no movement of the actuator within the lock assembly. The locking member prevents further movement of the spindle cam corresponding to the second slot portion of the actuator. In other words, the locking member delimits movement of the spindle cam to that within the first slot portion of the actuator.

[0064] In one form of the above arrangement, the cartridge housing further contains a manually actuatable override having a rest position and an override position, and wherein on moving the manually actuatable override from the rest position to the override position, the locking member is moved from the second position to the first position.

[0065] It is preferred that when the locking member is in the first position the spindle cam can be rotated from the first angular position toward the second angular position to move the bolt to the retracted position.

[0066] It is preferred that the manually actuatable override comprises: an input portion mechanically displaceable by a user over a first length, and an output portion operatively engaged with the input portion and the locking member, the output portion being displaceable over a second length when the input portion is displaced the first length to move the locking member from the second position to the first position; and wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

[0067] By way of example, the manually actuatable override is in the form of a pivot lever having a first arm defining the input portion and a second arm defining the output portion, the first arm and second arm extending from a pivot, wherein the second arm is longer than the first arm. In this way, a small displacement of the input portion, such as by a rotary key cylinder or the like, results in a relatively larger displacement of the output portion.

[0068] In one form of the above arrangement, when locking member is in second position, the coupling structure remains in its first position on rotation of the spindle cam from its first angular position towards its second angular position.

[0069] In an embodiment, the lock assembly further comprising a sensor configured to detect whether a door that the lock assembly is installed on is open or closed. It is preferred that the cartridge contains the sensor.

[0070] In an embodiment, the cartridge housing further comprises an auxiliary bolt operatively engaged with the bolt, the auxiliary bolt having a retracted position and an extended position, wherein: when the auxiliary bolt is moved to the retracted position, the bolt is moved to the extended position; and when the spindle cam is rotated by a user to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position and the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, the auxiliary bolt operatively engages with the bolt to hold the bolt in the retracted position. That is, when the user releases the spindle cam, and the spindle cam subsequently returns to the rest position, the bolt is retained in the retracted position.

[0071] In one form of the above embodiment, the auxiliary bolt is operatively engaged with the bolt via a latch locking mechanism.

[0072] It is preferred that when the auxiliary bolt is in the retracted position, the latch locking mechanism is disengaged from the bolt, and when the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, the latch locking mechanism is engaged with the bolt.

[0073] In an embodiment, when the bolt is retracted by rotation of the spindle cam to the second angular position, and the auxiliary bolt is extended, the lock assembly is configured to hold the bolt in retracted position when spindle cam is returned to the first angular position.

[0074] It is preferred that the lock assembly further comprises a sensor configured to directly or indirectly detect if the auxiliary bolt is in the retracted position and / or the extended position.

[0075] It is preferred that the sensor includes wiring retained in a recess located within the cartridge housing and extending adjacent a second side of the cartridge housing opposite the first side.

[0076] In an embodiment, the cartridge has a thickness of 17 mm or less, preferably 16 mm or less.

[0077] In an embodiment, the coupling structure is in fixed relationship with the actuator and / or is part of the actuator and / or is integrally formed with the actuator.

[0078] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.Brief Description of Drawings

[0079] Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0080] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock system including a lock assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for installation into a door frame.

[0081] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the lock system of Figure 1 installed on door frame in a door closed position.

[0082] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of central lock assembly, upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies and connecting drive rod.

[0083] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 from a first side thereof.

[0084] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 from a second side thereof.

[0085] Figure 6 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in the door closed position.

[0086] Figure 7 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in the door open position.

[0087] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1.

[0088] Figure 9 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly is an unlocked operating state with retractable bolt in the extended position, e.g., in passage mode.

[0089] Figure 10 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when a user actuates the lock assembly from the unlocked operating state of Figure 9 to a door open position.

[0090] Figure 11 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components after a user has released a handle upon placing the lock in the door open position of Figure 10.

[0091] Figure 12 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly is in a privacy or deadlocked mode and the door is in the closed position.

[0092] Figure 13 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly is in a privacy or deadlocked mode and the door is in the closed position after actuation of the door handle.

[0093] Figure 14 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when the manually actuated lock slide override arm is actuated.

[0094] Figure 15 is an internal view of the central lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 showing the arrangement of components when a user actuates the lock assembly to move the door into the open position whilst the override is active as illustrated in Figure 14.

[0095] Figure 16 illustrates a multipoint lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in the unlocked, closed door state.

[0096] Figure 17 illustrates a multipoint lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in an actuated unlocked, open door state.

[0097] Figure 18 illustrates a multipoint lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in an unlocked, open door state.

[0098] Figure 19 illustrates a multipoint lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in the deadlocked or privacy locked, closed door state.

[0099] Figure 20 illustrates a multipoint lock assembly of the lock system of Figure 1 in the deadlocked or privacy locked, closed door state after actuation of the door handle.

[0100] Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the central lock assembly from a first side thereof in accordance with another aspect of the invention.

[0101] Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the central lock assembly of Figure 21 from a second side thereof.

[0102] Figure 23 is an internal view of the lock assembly of Figure 21 showing the arrangement of components when the lock assembly is in a deadlatched state.

[0103] Figure 24 is an internal view of the lock assembly of Figure 21 showing the arrangement of components when the deadlatch override has been actuated by a user.

[0104] Figure 25 is an internal view of the lock assembly of Figure 21 showing the arrangement of components when the lock assembly is in a user actuated state.

[0105] Figure 26 is an internal view of the lock assembly of Figure 21 showing the arrangement of components when the lock assembly is in a door open state.

[0106] Figure 27 is an illustration of a lock assembly, such as the lock assembly of Figure 1 or Figure 21 installed within a door frame.Description of Embodiments

[0107] The invention will be described below in relation to one or more embodiments thereof.

[0108] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lock system 100 for installation into a door frame 102.

[0109] Lock system 100 comprises an interior door handle furniture 104 having a door handle 105, an exterior door handle furniture 106 having a door handle 107, a central lock assembly 108 having a retractable bolt 109 extending from a first side of central lock assembly 108, and upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and HOB having retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB respectively, each of multipoint lock assemblies 110A and HOB being operatively connected to central lock assembly 108 via a drive rod 112. The skilled person will appreciate that in alternate embodiments, the lock system omits one or both of upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B and drive rod 112.

[0110] Central lock assembly 108 advantageously has a slim design with a width that is less than standard locks due to the arrangement of the internal components therein. This is advantageous since it additionally allows lock system 100 to be installed in doors with thinner door frames, such as security doors / screen doors and the like. In particular, and as will be discussed in more detail, the central axis of spindle passage 427 (see also Figure 4) is offset by greater than 25 mm from door engagement surface of door mount tabs 113A and 113B. Preferably, the offset is greater than 26 mm, more preferably greater than 27 mm, even more preferably greater than 28 mm. In this particular embodiment, the offset is about 28.5 mm. The hole openings for furniture bosses and furniture screws are also offset by the same amount.

[0111] Door frame 102 includes edgewise cavities 114, 116A, 116B for receiving central lock assembly 108, and upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B respectively, and which are affixed thereto by screws.

[0112] Door frame 102 also include first and second lateral openings 120A and 120B which pass from an exterior facing side through to the interior facing side thereof to allow installation of interior door handle furniture 104 and exterior door handle furniture 106 in an operatively connected manner. In particular, door handles 105 and 107 are operatively connected with each other and with central lock assembly 108 via a spindle 122. In this way, when the central lock assembly 108 is in passage mode, either of door handles 105 and 107 may be actuated, such as by a user applying a downward force to rotate handles 105 and 107, to turn spindle 122 and retract bolt 109. Likewise, in this mode, when the user actuates door handles 105 and 107, driverod 112 is translated from a rest position to an actuated position to retract bolts 111 A and 11 IB within multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B respectively. Interior door handle furniture 104 includes button 124 which is operable to unlock the door from the interior side.

[0113] Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating lock system 100 installed on door frame 102 with retractable bolts 109, 111 A, and 11 IB in the extended state, such as when the door with lock system 100 installed thereon is in a closed position. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating lock system 100 as per Figure 2 but without door frame 102 and showing the arrangement of central lock assembly 108 and upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and HOB via drive rod 112.

[0114] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are exploded perspective views of central lock assembly 108 from first and second sides thereof.

[0115] Lock assembly 108 comprises a cartridge housing formed from a cartridge body 400 and cover plate 402 which are affixed together via screws. The cartridge housing contains retractable bolt 109, spindle cam 406, an actuator in the form of slide 408 and driven arm 409, auxiliary bolt 410, a latch locking mechanism in the form of a pivot locking arm 412, and torsion springs 414 and 416. In this embodiment, the cartridge housing also contains a motor module 418 having a motor, an electronic door position sensor 420 in communication with motor module 418, a motor driven locking member in the form of a locking slide 422, and a manually actuated lock slide override arm 424.

[0116] Retractable bolt 109 is rotatable about a central mount 404 between an extended position in which an end portion in the form of hook 426 extends outside the cartridge housing to engage with a recess on a strike plate or the like (not shown) and a retracted position in which retractable bolt 109 is substantially housed within the cartridge housing. Retractable bolt 109 is spring biased via torsion spring 414 into the extended position.

[0117] As generally discussed above, retractable bolt 109 can be retracted by a user on rotation of handles 105 and 107 which are engaged with spindle cam 406 via spindle 122. Spindle 122 is engaged in fixed relation with spindle cam 406 via a spindle passage 427 such that actuation of handles 105 and 107 from their rest position also rotates spindle cam 406 via spindle 122. In this embodiment, actuation of handles 105 or 107 causes rotation of spindle cam 406 in a direction such that spindle cam 406 rotates toward the first side of lock assembly 108.

[0118] Spindle cam 406 includes arm 428 with a drive tab 429. Drive tab 429 is seated within upper portion of slot 430 of slide 408 such that on rotation of spindle cam 406 drive tab 429 slides within slot 430 from the upper portion thereof into the lower portion thereof. This in turn causes slide 408 to move longitudinally from its rest position to an actuated position in a direction toward retractable bolt 109.

[0119] Rotation of spindle cam 406, causes surface 406A of spindle cam 406 to contact surface 409A of driven arm 409. This causes driven arm 409 to rotate toward the first side of lock assembly 108. Driven arm 409 is engaged with retractable bolt 109 via a boss 409B which engages within slot 109A of retractable bolt 109. This causes retractable bolt 109 to be moved from the extended position into the retracted position, such that hook portion 426 is substantially withdrawn within the cartridge housing. This is best illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7 which provide perspective views of the retractable bolt 109 in the extended position and retracted position respectively. Also shown is torsion spring 414 which is shown in an expanded state in Figure 6 when retractable bolt 109 is extended, and a compressed state in Figure 7 when retractable bolt 109 is retracted. In either case, torsion spring 414 applies a biasing force to move or maintain retractable bolt 109 in the extended position. Consequently, after actuation, and if auxiliary bolt 410 is depressed (e.g. by strike plate) such that retractable bolt 109 is free to move, when a user then releases handle 105 or 107, torsion spring 414 returns retractable bolt 109 to the extended position. Slide 408 is returned to its rest position by handles 105 and / or 107 being sprung to their rest position (e.g., in this embodiment their horizontal orientation as shown in Figure 1). The handle springing occurs due to spring bias housed in door handle furniture 104 and / or 106. Spindle 122 is engaged with handles 105 and 107 such that when handles 105 and 107 are at rest (e.g., in the horizontal orientation as shown in Figure 1, spindle cam 406 is likewise in its rest position, and therefore slide 408 is also in its rest position due to engagement of slot 430 with drive tab 429.

[0120] Figure 6 and Figure 7 also more clearly illustrate the arrangement of components within lock assembly 108. In particular, spindle cam 406 is offset from the central axis of the lock and is located adjacent the second side of central lock assembly 108 opposite the first side. An advantage of offsetting spindle cam 406 to be adjacent to the second side of lock assembly 108, is that it allows for lateral widening and / or thickening of door handle furniture 104 (e.g. in the horizontal x or z directions, with the y direction being the vertical length) to accommodate batteries and electronics in door handle furniture 104 and / or 106, without door handle furniture104 and / or 106 contacting the doorjamb when the door is opened / closed. To the inventor’s knowledge, offsetting spindle cam 406 so that it is greater than 25mm from a door engagement surface of door mount tabs 113 A and 113B has not been done previously in this type of security door lock application . In this embodiment, the offset is 28.5 mm, this means that when lock assembly 108 is located within a door, spindle cam 406 is not located centrally within lateral openings 120A and 120B in the door which means that wider door handle furniture 104 and 106 can be used. Due to the location of spindle cam 406 within lock assembly 108, spindle cam 406 is only rotatable in one direction from its rest position where arm 428 rests adjacent the second side to its actuated position. The range of motion of spindle cam 406 is delimited between the rest position and actuated position. This is a departure from lock assemblies that form the central lock assembly of a multi-point lock assembly where the multipoint bolts are extended by handle operation. In such multipoint lock assemblies, the actuator is generally rotatable in a first direction to retract retractable bolts of each of the central lock assembly and the multipoint lock assemblies e.g., which is the same as in lock assembly 108 when operatively connected to multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B. However, in other central lock assemblies the actuator is also rotatable from its rest position in a second direction opposite to the first direction to move the retractable bolts of the multipoint lock assemblies to the extended position. This is not possible with the present design since spindle cam 406 can only be rotated in one direction from its rest position.

[0121] In Figure 6, lock assembly 108 is shown in the closed door state with slide 408 and spindle cam 406 in the rest position, retractable bolt 109 in the extended position, and auxiliary bolt 410 in the retracted or depressed position. With auxiliary bolt 410 in the retracted position, pivot locking arm 412 is held above and out of contact with retractable bolt 109. Retractable bolt 109 also includes a detent 600 which abuts against an internal wall of the lock assembly 108.

[0122] In Figure 7, lock assembly 108 is shown in the open door state with slide 408 and spindle cam 406 in the rest position, retractable bolt 109 in the retracted position, and auxiliary bolt 410 in the extended position. With auxiliary bolt 410 in the extended position, pivot locking arm 412 holds retractable bolt 109 in the retracted position via abutment with detent 600 on retractable bolt 109.

[0123] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of lock assembly 108 showing that drive rod 112 engages with a second side of central lock assembly 108 opposite the first side via anengagement pin 800 which is received into bore 802 in slide 408. Thus, actuation of slide 408 between its rest position and actuated position, for example when a user actuates handle 105 or 107, also causes linear translation of drive rod 112 to retract retractable bolts 111A and 11 IB. On release of handle 105 or 107 by a user, slide 408 returns to its rest position, and hence drive rod 112 likewise returns to its initial position. As discussed previously, slide 408 is returned to its rest position by handles 105 and / or 107 being sprung to their rest position.

[0124] Auxiliary bolt 410 is located on the first side of lock assembly 108 and is spring biased to the extended position by torsion spring 416. The purpose of auxiliary bolt 410 is to retain retractable bolt 109 in the retracted position when a door in which lock assembly 108 is installed is in the open position. To achieve this, auxiliary bolt 410 cooperates with a latch locking mechanism to hold retractable bolt 109 in the retracted position when auxiliary bolt 410 is in the extended position and to permit movement of retractable bolt 109 when auxiliary bolt 410 is in the retracted position. Auxiliary bolt 410 is shaped such that on closure of a door, auxiliary bolt 410 contacts a surface of a strike plate (not illustrated) which causes auxiliary bolt 410 to be depressed into a retracted position and which provides a physical barrier against the spring bias of torsion spring 416. However, on opening the door lock assembly 108 is moved away from the strike plate, and thus there is no longer a physical barrier which works against the spring bias provided by torsion spring 416, and as such, auxiliary bolt 410 returns to its extended position.

[0125] In this particular embodiment, the bolt locking mechanism is in the form of pivot locking arm 412. When auxiliary bolt 410 is depressed in its retracted position, auxiliary bolt 410 pushes locking arm 412 to a position in which it is disengaged or otherwise separated from retractable bolt 109. In this arrangement, locking arm 412 does not prevent movement of retractable bolt 109 from the retracted position to the extended position. In contrast, when auxiliary bolt 410 is extended, locking arm 412 is configured to engage detent 600 on retractable bolt 109 which holds retractable bolt 109 in the retracted position. To release retractable bolt 109 from being locked in the retracted position by locking arm 412, auxiliary bolt 410 must first be depressed (e.g., which occurs on closure of a door). The effect of this arrangement is that when the door is in an open position retractable bolt 109 is retained in the retracted position and, when the door is in the closed position retractable bolt 109 is able to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0126] Cartridge body 400 also includes motor module 418 with a motor therein. Motor module 418 is operatively connected to locking slide 422 to move locking slide 422 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, locking slide 422 does not prevent retractable bolt 109 from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. However, in the second position, locking slide 422 prevents retractable bolt 109 from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. That is, locking slide 422 effectively acts to lock retractable bolt 109 in the extended position. In this particular embodiment, locking slide 422 includes a tip 423 which, when in the second position, fits within a notch 500 (best shown in Figure 5) in retractable bolt 109 to physically prevent retractable bolt 109 from being moved from the extended position into the retracted position. The skilled person will appreciate that whilst this particular embodiment illustrates direct engagement between locking slide 422 and retractable bolt 109, locking slide 422 may act indirectly on retractable bolt 109 to lock retractable bolt 109 in the extended position.

[0127] Lock assembly 108 may be configured such that motor in motor module 418 automatically drives locking slide 422 from the first position to the second position on detection that the door is closed and / or that the retractable bolt 109 is in the extended position. However, in other embodiments, the motor in motor module 418 does not automatically drive locking slide 422 on detection that the door is closed and / or the retractable bolt 109 is in the extended position. To achieve this, cartridge body 400 can include one or more position sensors. In this embodiment, cartridge body 400 includes a door sensor 420 which is in electrical communication with motor module 418. Door sensor 420 is operatively coupled with locking arm 412 to detect whether locking arm 412 is engaged or disengaged from retractable bolt 109. Sensing can be via a contact switch or a switch that senses a magnet on locking arm 412 or by other methods generally known to those skilled in the art. As discussed above, locking arm 412 is disengaged from retractable bolt 109 when auxiliary bolt 410 is depressed and retractable bolt 109 is extended which is representative of a ‘door closed’ position, and locking arm 412 is engaged with retractable bolt 109 when auxiliary bolt 410 is extended and retractable bolt 109 is retracted which is representative of a ‘door open’ position. An additional sensor may be present to determine the position of locking slide 422 and whether this is disengaged from or engaged with retractable bolt 109.

[0128] Door sensor 420 can also be used to inform a user as to whether the door is in the open or closed position. This is so that a user does not think a door is locked when retractable bolt 109 is extended but the door is open.

[0129] To remove the locking of the bolt, a user must provide some form of user credentials, whether in the form of a user entered code, coded keycard, interior button on door handle furniture 104 or the like. On input of an appropriate keycode or detection of a correctly coded key card, motor in motor module 418 moves locking slide 422 from the second position to the first position which permits a user to operate handle 105 or 107 to retract retractable bolt 109 and thereby open the door.

[0130] It is also desirable to include a manual override to remove the deadlock by moving locking slide 422 from the second position to the first position. This is useful in instances where there is an interruption in the power supply to motor module 418. To facilitate this, cover plate 402 comprises an override opening 434 for receiving, for example an override pin driven by an external key cylinder. Override pin extends through override opening 434 in cover plate 402 and is configured to be engage with lock slide override arm 424. As best illustrated in Figure 6, lock slide override arm 424 comprises a first arm 436 on a first side of pivotal mount 438 and a second arm 440 on a second side of pivotal mount 438. First arm 436 is positioned adjacent override opening 434 and second arm 440 is position adjacent to a nub 442 on locking slide 422. When the manual override is actuated by a user, for example via a rotary key cylinder acting on first arm 436, the lock slide override arm 424 pivots such that second arm 440 pushes against locking slide 422 to move locking slide 422 from its second position to its first position where it is disengaged from retractable bolt 109. A user can then actuate handles 105 or 107 to retract retractable bolt 109. On release of the manual override, e.g. by removal of a key from the rotary key cylinder, the lock slide override arm 424 returns to its rest position under spring bias provided by a spring in motor module 418. Torsion spring 442 keeps lock slide override arm 424 off locking slide 422 so the weight of lock slide override arm 424 is not added to the weight that needs to be driven by motor module 418 which would increase the power requirements of the motor in motor module 418.

[0131] As shown in Figure 6, first arm 436 is shorter than second arm 440, and given this, a small displacement of first arm 436, such as by a rotary key cylinder or the like, results in a relatively larger displacement of second arm 440.

[0132] In some embodiments, motor in motor module 418 is configured to automatically move locking slide 422 from the first position to the second position on detection that the door has been placed into a ‘door closed’ position. Lock system 100 may include an electronically actuated snib or the like on an internal door handle which is pressable by a user to move locking slide from the second position to the first position to allow retractable bolt 109 to then be retracted by actuation of the internal door handle. In this way, the lock system may be operated in a ‘privacy mode’.

[0133] The operation of the lock will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 15.

[0134] Figure 9 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly 108 is an unlocked operating state with retractable bolt 109 in the extended position, e.g., lock assembly 108 is in passage mode and installed on a door in the closed position. Spindle cam 406 is in the rest position with arm 428 generally oriented vertically adjacent to a wall portion of lock assembly 108 defining the second side of the lock assembly. The rest position of spindle cam 406 corresponds to door handle 105 and 107 being in the neutral position, e.g., unactuated by a user. The arrangement of the spindle cam 406 and arm 428 provides a physical barrier which prevents rotation of spindle cam in a direction toward the second side. Arm 428 comprises drive tab 429 at an end thereof which is located in an upper portion of slot 430 of slide 408 which is also in the rest position.

[0135] In the door closed position, auxiliary bolt 410 is in the depressed position in which pivot locking arm 412 is pushed by auxiliary bolt 410 to a position where it is disengaged from retractable bolt 109. Door position sensor 420 is arranged to detect the position of locking arm 412 and communicate this with motor module 418 or communicate to user via app or similar.

[0136] Door position sensor 420 communicates with motor module 418 via, for example, wiring retained in a recess located within the cartridge housing and extending adjacent a second side of the cartridge housing opposite the first side. The benefit of this arrangement is that the wiring extends out of the housing of lock assembly 108 from a single location as opposed to multiple locations e.g., the wire loom for the sensor 420 extending out a top area of the housing of lock assembly 108 and wire loom for motor module 418 extending out of a bottom area of the housing of lock assembly 108.

[0137] Further by routing the wiring from the sensor into motor module 418 and having a single wire loom extending out of a bottom area of the housing of lock assembly 108, an installer only needs to connect one wiring loom / plug from the lock assembly to external furniture such as an escutcheon during installation. In contrast, if two separate wire looms were used then this would require one loom plug for the sensor and a separate loom plug for the motor module. This causes installation to be more cumbersome and increases the likelihood of damaging wires during installation. Still further, if sensor wiring extended out from the top of lock assembly 108, then it would be close to lateral opening 120A in door frame 102. These cutouts can be sharp and can easily damage wires.

[0138] Another advantage is that by running the wiring along the second side of lock assembly108, this allows for wire routing without taking up valuable space within the housing of lock assembly 108 or without having to increase the size of the housing (such as depth, length, or thickness) to accommodate that wiring. Increasing the size of the housing of lock assembly 108 would mean that the lock assembly 108 could not be fitted to doors having small / narrow frames.

[0139] Locking slide 422 is shown in the first position where it is disengaged from retractable bolt 109. In this position, a user is able to operate handles 105 or 107 to retract retractable bolt109.

[0140] Figure 10 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 showing the arrangement of components when a user actuates spindle cam 406 via handles 105 or 107 from the unlocked operating state of Figure 9 to retract retractable bolt 109 in a door open position.

[0141] In this position, spindle cam 406 is rotated over its full range of motion from its rest position to its actuated position. The rotational motion of spindle cam 406 causes drive shoulder 406A to act on surface 409A of driven arm 409 to rotationally move driven arm 409 toward the first side of lock assembly 108. Movement of driven arm 409 then causes retraction of bolt 109 via engagement between boss 409B on driven arm with slot 109A in bolt 109.

[0142] The rotational motion of arm 428 also moves slide 408 linearly upward via movement of drive tab 429 from upper portion of slot 430 to lower portion of slot 430. Movement of slide 408 causes corresponding movement of drive rod 112 (if affixed thereto) to actuate remote latches HOA and HOB.

[0143] On opening the door, auxiliary bolt 410 is sprung outward under spring bias provided by torsion spring 416 which causes pivot locking arm 412 to drop into engagement with upper surface of retractable bolt 109. Door position sensor 420 detects the presence of pivot locking arm 412 in the engaged position and communicates this to motor module 418 and / or communicate to user via app or similar.

[0144] Figure 11 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 showing the arrangement of components after a user has released handles 105 or 107 after actuating lock assembly 108 to open the door as shown in Figure 10 and handles 105 or 107 return to the neutral position.

[0145] After release of handles 105 or 107, retractable bolt 109 is urged toward the extended position under spring bias provided by torsion spring 414. However, retractable bolt 109 is prevented from moving into the extended position due to abutment between pivot locking arm 412 and detent 600 on retractable bolt 109.

[0146] Slide 408 is returned to its rest position from its actuated position by handles 105 and / or 107 being sprung to their rest position. Movement of slide 408 is delimited by its rest and actuated positions.

[0147] On closure of the door, auxiliary bolt 410 comes into contact with a strike plate or the like on an opposing door frame which causes auxiliary bolt 410 to be pressed inward. The inward movement of auxiliary bolt 410 lifts pivot locking arm 412 away from retractable bolt 109. Retractable bolt 109 is then sprung to the extended position under spring bias of torsion spring 414. Pivot locking arm 412 is moved from door position sensor 420 which relays to motor module 418 or electronics that the lock is in a door close state as generally illustrated in Figure 9.

[0148] Figure 12 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly 108 is in a locked operating state with retractable bolt 109 in the extended position and locking slide 422 is in the second position whereby retractable bolt 109 is locked in the extended position, e.g., lock assembly 108 is in a privacy or deadlocked mode and the door is in the closed position.

[0149] As can be seen, the general arrangement of lock components is similar to that illustrated in Figure 9. However, in Figure 12, motor in motor module 418 has driven locking slide 422from the first position to the second position. In the first position, illustrated in Figure 9, locking slide 422 does not prevent retractable bolt 109 from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. In the second position, illustrated in Figure 12, locking slide 422 prevents retractable bolt 109 from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. In particular, locking slide 422 includes a tip 423 which is received in a complementary recess in retractable bolt 109 which provides a physical barrier to movement of retractable bolt 109 from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0150] Motor in motor module 418 may be configured to automatically move locking slide 422 from the first position to the second position on detection by door position sensor 420 of a closed door state (e.g., when pivot locking arm 412 is disengaged from retractable bolt 109). In this way, lock assembly 108 automatically locks on closure of a door.

[0151] Figure 13 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 with the retractable bolt 109 in the extended position and locked by locking slide 422. In this state, spindle cam 406 can be partially rotated which permits some movement of retractable bolt 109 toward the retracted state.However, the engagement between locking slide 422 and retractable bolt 109 prevents linear movement of slide 408 which delimits movement of spindle cam 406. In more detail, spindle cam 406 comprises drive tab 429 which is located within slot 430 of slide 408. On rotation of spindle cam 406, drive tab 429 is moveable within slot 430 which causes slide 408 to linearly move its rest position to its actuated position. However, when locking slide 422 is engaged with retractable bolt 109, slide 408 is locked in its rest position. Slot 430 has a first portion 430A and a second portion 430B. Movement of drive tab 429 within first portion 430A of slot 430 does not cause linear movement of slide 408. Linear movement of slide 408 is caused by movement of drive tab 429 within second portion 430B of slot 430. Thus, when locked, partial rotation of spindle cam 406 is possible (e.g., by a user actuating a door handle to take up clearances between bolt notch 500 and tip 423 of locking slide 422) which results in drive tab 429 moving within first portion 430A of slot 430. This movement results in partial retraction of retractable bolt 109. However, movement of drive tab 429 through second portion 430B of slot 430 is not possible. This is because locking slide 422 prevents further retraction of retractable bolt 109 and thus locks movement of drive tab 429 from the second portion 430B of slide 430 due to the interaction between drive shoulder 406A on spindle cam 406 and surface 409A of driven arm 409, which in turn, is engaged with retractable bolt 109 via boss 409B on driven arm 409 and slot 109A in retractable bolt 109. Thus, due to the initial profile of slot 430, slide 408 cannotmove while retractable bolt 109 is locked by locking slide 422. This is important as it ensures there is no driving / movement of drive rod 112 when lock assembly 108 is locked, and thus no actuation of the multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B when in this state. If movement of slide 408 was possible, then multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B could be moved into the non-deadlatched position or partially retracted position whilst locking slide 422 is in the second position (i.e., the locked position).

[0152] Figure 14 is an internal view of lock assembly 108 showing the arrangement of components when the manually actuated lock slide override arm 424 is actuated.

[0153] Starting from the arrangement depicted in Figure 12 where lock assembly 108 is in the deadlocked state, the deadlock may be overridden by actuation of lock slide override arm 424. The override may be in the form of a rotary key cylinder which may be, for example, located in the handle or escutcheon on the exterior and / or interior facing surface of the door. In any case, the manual override includes a pin 1400 which projects into the interior of the cartridge housing through opening 434 in cover plate 402. Actuation of the manual override causes lateral movement of the pin to actuate lock slide override arm 424 from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 14. As can be seen, lock slide override arm 424 is pivoted into contact with locking slide 422 to move locking slide 422 from the second position to the first position where it is disengaged from retractable bolt 109 and no longer provides a physical barrier which prevents movement of retractable bolt 109 from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0154] Figure 15 follows from Figure 14 and shows that a user is able to actuate spindle cam 406 via handles 105 or 107 to move the door into the open position whilst the override is active. Removal of the override, e.g. by withdrawing a key from a rotary key cylinder results in lock slide override arm 424 being pivoted back to its disengaged position (as illustrated in Figure 10) due to spring within motor module 418.

[0155] Figures 16 to 21 illustrate the functioning of central lock assembly 108 as part of a multipoint lock assembly with upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B.

[0156] Figure 16 illustrates lock assembly 108 in the same state as Figure 9, that is, lock assembly 108 is in an unlocked door closed state with retractable bolt 109 in the extendedposition. In the door closed state, retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB on upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and HOB are likewise in the extended position.

[0157] Each of the upper and lower multipoint lock assemblies 110A and 110B include an auxiliary bolt 1600A and 1600B respectively which operates in a similar manner to auxiliary bolt 410 in respect of lock assembly 108. That is, the auxiliary bolts 1600A and 1600B cooperate with a latch locking mechanism that is disengaged from retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB when in the extended state (e.g., corresponding to a door closed position) and engaged with retractable bolts 111A and 11 IB when in the retracted state (e.g., corresponding to a door open position) to hold retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB in the retracted state until the door is closed and auxiliary bolts 1600A and 1600B are depressed.

[0158] In Figure 16, lock assembly 108 is in an unlocked door closed state, and as such, auxiliary bolts 1600A and 1600B are depressed.

[0159] Figure 17 illustrates lock assembly 108 in the same state as Figure 10. That is, a user has actuated handle 105 or 107 to retract retractable bolt 109. As generally described in relation to Figure 10, actuation of handle 105 or 107 causes spindle cam 406 to be rotated over its full range of motion from its rest position to its actuated position. The rotational motion of arm 428 of spindle cam 406 moves slide 408 linearly upward via movement of drive tab 429 from upper portion of slot 430 to lower portion of slot 430.

[0160] Slide 408 includes coupling structure in the form of bore 802 (shown in dashed lines denoting that coupling structure 802 is hidden from view) for fixed coupling with drive rod 112. In particular, drive rod 112 has an engagement pin 800 which fits into bore 802 such that drive rod 112 and slide 408 are fixed relative to each other. Given this fixed relationship, translation of slide 408 between the rest and actuated positions likewise causes translation of drive rod 112 between a rest and an actuated position thereof. Thus, actuation of slide 408 between its rest position and actuated position, for example on user actuation of handle 105 or 107, causes linear translation of drive rod 112 to retract retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB as illustrated in Figure 17.

[0161] In Figure 17, lock assembly 108 is in an unlocked door open state, and as such, auxiliary bolts 1600A and 1600B are moved to the extend position under spring bias.

[0162] Figure 18 illustrates lock assembly 108 in the same state as Figure 11. That is, the user has actuated handle 105 or 107 to retract retractable bolt 109 and open the door, and the user has subsequently released handle 105 or 107 to allow handles 105 and 107 to return to their neutral position. In Figure 18, slide 408 has returned to its rest position and as such, drive rod 112 has been moved to its rest position. However, movement of drive rod 112 from its actuated position to its rest position does not affect retractable bolts 111A and 11 IB. Retractable bolts 111A and 11 IB remain locked in the retracted state by the latch locking mechanism.

[0163] Figure 19 illustrates lock assembly 108 in the same state as Figure 12. That is, locking slide 422 is in the second position engaged with retractable bolt 109 to lock retractable bolt 109 in place. As a result of this arrangement, slide 408 cannot be moved from its rest position to the actuated position, and consequently, retractable bolts 111 A and 11 IB are likewise locked in their extended position.

[0164] Figure 20 illustrates lock assembly 108 in the same state as Figure 13. That is, locking slide 422 is in the second position engaged with retractable bolt 109 to lock retractable bolt 109 in place. In Figure 20, a user has actuated a door handle which has caused partial rotation of spindle cam 406 and thus movement of drive tab 429 within the first portion 430A of slot 430 of slide 408. This movement of spindle cam 406 also causes partial retraction of retractable bolt 109. However, as discussed previously, locking slide 422 prevents full retraction of retractable bolt 109 and thus also locks spindle cam 406 from further rotational movement. Given this, drive tab 429 cannot move into second portion 430B of slide 430, and consequently slide 430 is locked from linear movement from its rest position. Since slide 430 cannot be moved, actuation of spindle cam 406 does not cause movement of drive rod 112, and thus multipoint lock assemblies 110A and HOB cannot be actuated.

[0165] Figures 21 to 26 illustrate a central lock body 2100 according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0166] Figure 21 and Figure 22 are exploded perspective views of a central lock assembly 2100 from first and second sides thereof.

[0167] Lock assembly 2100 comprises a cartridge housing formed from a cartridge body 2102 and cover plate 2104 which are affixed together via screws. The cartridge housing contains retractable bolt 2108, spindle cam 2110, an actuator in the form of slide 2112 and driven arm2114, auxiliary bolt 2116, a latch locking mechanism in the form of a pivot locking arm 2118, and torsion springs 2120 and 2122. This embodiment differs in that it does not contain a motor or motor driven locking slide within the cartridge body. Instead, this embodiment includes deadlatching slide 2124 which is spring driven via compression spring 2126, and slide override arm 2128. Slide override arm 2128 includes a first finger 2130 engaged with a shoulder 2112A on slide 2112 and a second finger 2132 engaged with a shoulder in recess 2124A of deadlatching slide 2124. Slide override arm 2128 is pivotally mounted to pin 2134 and is fixedly retained by actuator 2112 and deadlatching slide 2124. Lock assembly 2100 also includes door position sensor 2136 which may for example, be in electrical communication with a motor located outside the cartridge body such as within an escutcheon. In such cases, the motors may clutch the handles to allow or disallow rotation of spindle cam 2110 via the handles.

[0168] Lock assembly 2100 can be interfaced with remote lock assemblies 110A and 110B via a drive rod 2136 which fixedly attaches to slide 2112 via connection between a pin 2138 on drive rod 2136 which is received in a bore 2140 of slide 2112. In this way, when slide 2112 is translated, drive rod 2132 is also translated, thus actuating bolts 111A and 11 IB on remote lock assemblies 110A and HOB.

[0169] Lock assembly 2100 may be installed into the cavity of a door frame in a similar manner to lock assembly 108, and affixed to the door via screw by door mount tabs 2042A and 2042B.

[0170] Figure 23 is an internal view of lock assembly 2100 showing the arrangement of components when lock assembly 2100 is in a deadlatched operating state with retractable bolt 2108 in the extended position. Spindle cam 2110 is in the rest position corresponds to door handles being in a neutral position, e.g., unactuated by a user. Spindle cam 2110 includes an arm 2300 with drive tab 2302 at an end thereof which is located in an upper portion of a slot 2304 of slide 2112 which is also in the rest position.

[0171] In the door closed position, auxiliary bolt 2116 is in the depressed position in which pivot locking arm 2118 is pushed by auxiliary bolt 2116 to a position where it is disengaged from retractable bolt 2108. Door position sensor 2136 is arranged to detect the position of pivot locking arm 2118 and communicate this with a motor or electronics (not illustrated, but which may be located within an escutcheon rather than within the cartridge body). In embodimentsincluding a motor, the motor may directly clutch the handles to allow or disallow rotation of spindle cam 2110 via the handles.

[0172] Deadlatching slide 2124 has a first position and a second position. In the first position, deadlatching slide 2124 is disengaged from retractable bolt 2108 such that deadlatching slide 2124 does not prevent retractable bolt 2108 from being externally moved (e.g., by pushing the external end of the bolt in the extended state which protrudes from the cartridge housing) from the extended position to a retracted position. In the second position, as shown in Figure 23, deadlatching slide 2124 is engaged with retractable bolt 2108 via a notch in retractable bolt 2108 such that deadlatching slide 2124 prevents retractable bolt 2108 from being externally moved from the extended position. Deadlatching slide 2124 is biased to the second position by compression spring 2126. In Figure 23, a tip portion of deadlatching slide 2124 is received into a recess of retractable bolt 2108 which physically prevents retractable bolt 2108 from being moved from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0173] Also shown is slide override arm 2128, which is shown in the neutral position. Slide override arm 2128 includes first finger 2130 engaged with a shoulder 2112A on slide 2112 and second finger 2132 engaged within recess 2124A of deadlatching slide 2124. When slide 2112 is driven up by spindle cam 2110, shoulder 2112A on slide 2112 drives first finger 2130 upwards causing clockwise rotation of slide override arm 2130 and downward movement of second finger 2132 which, in turn, drives deadlatching slide 2124 downward against compression spring 2126. This movement causes deadlatching slide 2124 to be withdrawn from the notch in retractable bolt 2108, and thus allows retractable bolt 2108 to be retracted. Clearances of components within the lock body are such that deadlatching slide 2124 is clear of the notch in retractable bolt 2108 before retractable bolt 2108 starts its retraction.

[0174] Figure 24 illustrates lock assembly 2100 as shown in Figure 23, but where a user has partially actuated spindle cam by handle which in turn moves slide 2112 partially upwards towards the actuated position, which in turn actuates slide override arm 2128, to remove deadlatching slide 2124 from engagement with retractable bolt 2108. In particular, slide override arm 2128 is rotated about a pivot point such that finger 2132 presses downward on deadlatching slide 2124 to move deadlatching slide 2124 downward against the spring bias provided by compression spring 2126 from the second position toward the first position such that the tip portion of deadlatching slide 2124 is withdrawn from the recess in retractable bolt 2108.

[0175] Figure 24 shows that initial rotation of spindle cam 2110 causes the tip of the deadlatching slide 2124 to move out of engagement with a recess in the retractable bolt 2108 before the retractable bolt starts retracting. If this did not occur, retractable bolt 2108 could not be retracted by the handle.

[0176] With deadlatching slide 2124 disengaged from retractable bolt 2108, a user is able to actuate spindle cam 2110 further via external handle or the like to retract retractable bolt 2108. This is illustrated in Figure 25.

[0177] In Figure 25, a user has rotated spindle cam 2110 to its actuated position, which moves slide 2112 to its actuated position against spring bias provided by compression spring 2500. Movement of slide 2112 upwards causes deadlatching slide 2124 to move downward via rotation of slide override arm 2128 as discussed above, and frees deadlatching slide 2124 from notch in bolt 2108. Further rotation of spindle cam 2110 causes cam 2110A on arm 2300 to contact surface 2114A on driven arm 2114 to and move driven arm 2114, which in turn, moves retractable bolt 2108 to the retracted position via interaction between a boss of driven arm 2114 and a slot in retractable bolt 2108 (e.g., similar to the arrangement in lock assembly 108).

[0178] Lock assembly 2100 is shown in the door closed position since auxiliary bolt 2116 is depressed.

[0179] Figure 26 illustrates the lock after the door has been opened and the handle has been released by a user.

[0180] In Figure 26, slide 2112 is returned to its rest position due to spring bias applied by compression spring 2500 which in turn causes spindle cam 2110 to return to its rest position, and any associated handles to return to their neutral position. Auxiliary bolt 2116 is sprung to its extended position allowing pivot locking arm 2118 to come into contact with retractable bolt 2108. Retractable bolt 2108 is prevented from returning to the extended position due to abutment of nub on retractable bolt 2108 against pivot locking arm 2118.

[0181] In this position, deadlatching slide 2124 moves to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position under spring bias of compression spring 2126. In this position, tip of deadlatching slide 2124 abuts a surface of retractable bolt 2108 against the spring bias. This abutment does not prevent movement of retractable bolt 2108 into the extendedposition on door closure (as per Figure 23). On closure of a door and movement of retractable bolt 2108 into the extended position, tip of deadlatching slide 2124 is free to move under spring bias of compression spring 2126 into notch of retractable bolts 2108.

[0182] The skilled person will appreciate that lock assembly 2100 may be used as the central lock assembly in a multipoint lock as generally illustrated in Figures 16 to 20.

[0183] Figure 27 illustrates a partial view of a door frame 2700 with a lock assembly 108 / 2100 installed therein. In particular, Figure 27 shows that due to the axis of spindle cam 406 / 2110 being offset by greater than 25 mm from door engagement surface of door mount tabs 113 A and 113B / 2135A and 2135B (not visible in Figure 27), spindle cam 406 / 2110 is not located centrally within lateral openings 2702A and 2702B of door frame 2700. If spindle cam 406 / 2100 were located centrally within lateral openings 2702A and 2702B (which would be the case if a typical offset of 25 mm was used), then door handle furniture 2706 would need to be positioned nearer a leading edge of door frame 2700, which in turn means that door handle furniture 2706 would be installed too close to the leading edge of door frame 2700 and may contact the door jamb. This is particularly problematic for electronic locks since these are generally wider than door furniture / escutcheons for non-electronic locks since they are additionally required to house components such as motors, batteries, printed circuit boards and the like. Screw hole locations in the lock assembly are also offset.

[0184] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lock assembly comprising: a cartridge housing containing: a bolt having a retracted position and an extended position in which the bolt extends out of a first side of the cartridge housing; a spindle cam having a spindle passage for receiving a spindle therethrough, the spindle cam being rotatable between a first angular position and a second angular position; and a coupling structure for operative connection to one or more remote latches; wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the bolt to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position on movement of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position; and wherein the spindle cam is operatively engageable with the coupling structure to:(i) move the coupling structure from a first position to a second position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, and(ii) move the coupling structure from its second position to its first position on rotation of the spindle cam from the second angular position to the first angular position.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling structure projects from, or is accessible from, a second side of the cartridge housing opposite the first side.

3. The lock assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the spindle cam comprises a spindle passage for receiving a handle spindle therethrough, the spindle passage having a central axis being horizontally offset by greater than 25 mm from the first side of the cartridge housing.

4. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spindle cam is rotatable from the first angular position in a single direction.

5. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge housing further contains an actuator having a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the spindle cam is operatively engaged with the actuator to:(i) move the actuator from its rest position to its actuated position on rotation of the spindle cam from the first angular position to the second angular position, and(ii) move the actuator from its actuated position to its rest position on rotation of the spindle cam from the second angular position to the first angular position.

6. The lock assembly of claim 5, wherein: the spindle cam is operatively engaged with the coupling structure via the actuator; and / or the coupling structure is in fixed relationship with the actuator and / or is part of the actuator and / or is integrally formed with the actuator; and / or the actuator has a movement range delimited by the rest position and the actuated position; and / or the actuator is a slide that is linearly movable between the rest position and the actuated position.

7. The lock assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuator and coupling structure are operatively connected such that: when the actuator is moved to its rest position, the coupling structure is moved to its first position; and when the actuator is moved to its actuated position, the coupling structure is moved to its second position.

8. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge housing further contains a locking member having a first position and a second position, wherein: in the first position the locking member is operatively disconnected from the bolt, and in the second position the locking member is operatively connected to the bolt to lock the bolt in the extended position.

9. The lock assembly of claim 8, wherein the bolt comprises a recess configured to receive the locking member to lock the bolt in the extended position.

10. The lock assembly of claim 8 or 9, wherein the locking member is spring biased to the second position, and wherein the locking member is configured to be retained out of the second position against the spring bias when the bolt is in the retracted position.

11. The lock assembly of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein movement of the coupling structure from its first position towards its second position causes the locking member to move from its second position to its first position.

12. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein the cartridge housing further contains a locking member override operatively connected with the locking member to move the locking member between the second position and the first position on actuation of the locking member override between a neutral position and an override position.

13. The lock assembly of any one of claims 8 or 12, wherein the cartridge housing contains a motor, and the locking member is operatively connected to the motor to drive the locking member between the first position and the second position.

14. The lock assembly of claim 13, wherein when the locking member is in the second position, the locking member prevents movement of the coupling structure into its second position.

15. The lock assembly of any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the cartridge housing further contains a manually actuatable override having a rest position and an override position, and wherein on moving the manually actuatable override from the rest position to the override position, the locking member is moved from the second position to the first position.

16. The lock assembly of claim 15, wherein when the locking member is in the first position the spindle cam can be rotated from the first angular position toward the second angular position to move the bolt to the retracted position.

17. The lock assembly of claim 15 or 16 , wherein the manually actuatable override comprises: an input portion mechanically displaceable by a user over a first length, and an output portion operatively engaged with the input portion and the locking member, the output portion being displaceable over a second length when the input portion is displaced the first length to move the locking member from the second position to the first position; and wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

18. The lock assembly of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein when locking member is in second position, the coupling structure remains in its first position on rotation of the spindle cam from its first angular position towards its second angular position.

19. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cartridge housing further comprises an auxiliary bolt operatively engaged with the bolt, the auxiliary bolt having a retracted position and an extended position, wherein: when the auxiliary bolt is moved to the retracted position, the bolt is moved to the extended position; and when the spindle cam is rotated by a user to move the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position and the auxiliary bolt is in the extended position, the auxiliary bolt operatively engages with the bolt to hold the bolt in the retracted position.

20. The lock assembly of claim 19, wherein the lock assembly further comprises a sensor configured to directly or indirectly detect if the auxiliary bolt is in the retracted position and / or the extended position.

21. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge has a thickness of 17 mm or less.

22. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling structure is in fixed relationship with the actuator and / or is part of the actuator and / or is integrally formed with the actuator.

23. The lock assembly of claim 20, wherein the sensor includes wiring retained in a recess located within the cartridge housing and extending adjacent a second side of the cartridge housing opposite the first side.Allegion (Australia) Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON

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