Bridge Adapter for Non-Standard Mortise Lock Cavity Installation

Solution Overview

Problem

Mortise locks often face installation challenges due to non-standardized sizes, and when replaced by faceplates, doors may lack a suitable surface, necessitating expensive replacements.

Innovation Solution

The development of bridge adapters that can be inserted into door stile cavities, featuring a planar body with hinged plates that fold into a rectangular tube shape to support mortise locks or faceplates, accommodating varying cavity sizes and depths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mortise lock is installed in a door stile cavity, then the locking function is provided, but the cavity size must precisely match the lock body size which is not standardized

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge adapter changes the physical parameters of the cavity by inserting a structural element that bridges the gap between the existing cavity and the new lock body, allowing the same adapter to accommodate various cavity sizes through its adjustable geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge adapter acts as an intermediary component between the existing door stile cavity and the new mortise lock body, providing a connecting structure that transfers the locking function without requiring a precise fit between the cavity and lock

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a faceplate is installed on a door stile, then a smooth surface is required, but doors with previous mortise locks lack a suitable surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge adapter serves as an intermediary that creates a new mounting surface on the door stile by extending from the existing cavity, providing a suitable surface for faceplate installation without requiring replacement of the entire door

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the bridge adapter plates are made rigid for structural support, then the locking mechanism is strong, but the adapter cannot be inserted through tight openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge adapter transitions from a flexible state during installation to a rigid state during operation, with the plates capable of bending during insertion through the opening and then locking into a fixed rigid configuration to provide structural support for the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge adapter plates are nested in a folded configuration during storage and installation, allowing them to pass through tight openings, and then deployed to form an extended rigid structure that provides the necessary structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10927565B2Bridge adapter

Publication Date: 2021.02.23

AI summary

Bridge adapters configured for insertion into a door stile cavity within a door stile are presented, the bridge adapter including: a planar body including, a first plate disposed along a proximal end of the planar body, where the first plate includes a first plate front edge disposed along the proximal end and a first plate back edge located along opposite ends of the first plate, where the first plate front edge includes a locking tab sized to couple with a locking indent, a second plate including a second plate front edge and a second plate back edge located along opposite ends of the second plate, where the second plate front edge is mechanically coupled along the first plate back edge by a leading hinge.