Lockset Adjustment Ring for Varying Door Thicknesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locksets that actuate the latch bolt upon rotation, push, or pull of the handle struggle with proper alignment and adjustment for varying door thicknesses, making it difficult to integrate reliable and cost-effective privacy locks.
Innovation Solution
A lockset design featuring a retractor assembly with an adjustment member and mount plates that allow for adjustable positioning to fit doors of different thicknesses, enabling secure mounting and alignment while allowing the latch bolt to be actuated through rotation, push, or pull, and incorporating a privacy lock mechanism that can be disengaged by the interior handle in any mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate is rotated to adjust the distance between opposing plates for different door thicknesses, then the lockset can fit doors of various thicknesses, but the alignment of the opening in the cover plate with the internal feature of the lockset becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is designed to be movable relative to the housing body, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic positioning capability enables the mount plate alignment to be adjusted independently from the distance adjustment, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment functionality is segmented into two independent functions: one for adjusting the distance between plates (handled by rotating the cover plate) and another for adjusting the alignment of the opening (handled by moving the adjustment member longitudinally). This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without interfering with the other.
2Manufacturing precision
If the adjustment member is sized to not fit through the mount plate aperture, then the mount plate can be blocked from advancing too far, but the adjustment member cannot be easily repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is designed with dynamic repositioning capability through the snap-fit mechanism. The lugs on the housing body can be snapped into different positions along the adjustment member's longitudinal axis, allowing easy repositioning while maintaining secure mounting when in the final position.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit mechanism provides a pre-planned adjustment mechanism that guides the installer through the positioning process. The lugs and corresponding slots provide predetermined positions that ensure proper alignment and spacing before final installation, cushioning against installation errors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lockset uses complex structures to enable push, pull, and rotation actuation modes, then the latch bolt can be actuated in multiple ways, but traditional privacy lock designs do not work well with these improved locksets
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor assembly is designed with universal functionality that works with all three actuation modes (push, pull, and rotation). The internal mechanism translates all three types of handle input into the same retraction motion, allowing a single privacy lock design to work with multiple actuation modes without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the privacy lock function with the existing retractor assembly structure. Rather than adding a separate complex mechanism, the privacy lock utilizes the same housing, flange, and mounting structure already present in the lockset, simplifying the overall design while enabling multi-mode actuation compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A lockset is actuable by pivoting a handle about a longitudinal axis of the lockset by rotating the handle and by pivoting the handle about an axis transverse to the lockset axis, such as by pushing or pulling. The lockset includes an inside handle and an outside handle, each associated with an independent mechanism, each of which can independently actuate the lockset. A locking mechanism prevents actuation of a first one of the independent handle mechanisms without affecting operation of the other handle mechanism. Upon actuation of the other handle mechanism, a retractor engages a surface of the locking mechanism and removes it from engagement with the first locking mechanism. An adjustment ring has a first configuration that centers the lockset in a door having a first standard thickness and a second configuration that centers the lockset in a door having a second standard thickness.