NZ748320A - A lock assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock assembly which includes a lock body, a lock barrel, a handing cam and a handing cam retainer. The lock body has impeding means. The lock barrel is received in and rotatable with respect to the lock body. The handing cam is adapted to engage the lock barrel and movable between first and second orientations being restricted by the impending means. The handing cam retainer is adapted to engage the handing cam which during installation is selectively disposed in either the first or second orientation. The handing cam retainer is detachably connected to the lock barrel in order to facilitate fastening of the handing cam onto the lock barrel in the selected orientation. The present invention also includes a kit for installation of the lock assembly having a lock body onto a panel with a pre-existing hole.

Description

A Lock Assembly Technical Field This invention broadly relates to a lock ly.

Background of the Invention It is lly desired in the lock cturing industry to provide a lock assembly capable of being handed to turn clockwise or anti—clockwise to suit different installation conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock assembly which satis?es the above desire or which will at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lock ly including: a lock body having impeding means; a lock barrel received in and rotatable with respect to the lock body; a g cam adapted to engage the lock barrel and movable between first and second orientations being restricted by the impending means; and a handing cam retainer adapted to engage the handing cam which during installation is ively disposed in either the ?rst or second ation, the handing cam retainer being detachably connected to the lock barrel in order to facilitate fastening of the handing cam onto the lock barrel in the selected orientation.

Preferably, when the handing cam is initially disposed in the ed ?rst orientation during installation to engage the lock barrel, the lock barrel together with the handing cam retainer are rotatable in only one direction until the handing cam, which is driven by the banding cam retainer and restricted by the impending means, is subsequently moved to the second orientation; whereas when the banding cam is initially. disposed in the selected second ation to engage the lock barrel, the lock barrel together with the handing cam retainer are rotatable in only an opposite direction until the handing cam is subsequently moved to the first orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the lock assembly is adapted to be installed into a panel with a pre-existing hole.

In one red embodiment, the handing cam is in the form of a L-shaped bar with at least one arm. Alternatively, the handing cam is in the form of a ed bar with a pair of arms.

Preferably, the handing cam retainer is in the form of a cap having a circumferential wall. More preferably, the circumferential wall includes at least first and second es adapted to receive the arm when the handing cam is initially disposed in the first and second orientations, tively.

The circumferential wall may include first and second pairs of recesses adapted to receive the pair of arms when the handing cam is initially disposed in the first and second orientations, respectively.

In another preferred embodiment, the handing cam is in the form of a disk having one or more arms. More preferably, the handing cam has a first engaging means adapted to interlock the handing cam to the handing cam retainer. The first ng means is preferred to be in the form of a hole.

In this embodiment, the handing cam retainer has a second engaging means d to correspond with the first engaging means of the handing cam. The second engaging means is preferred to be in the form of a protruding block.

The handing cam retainer is preferred to be connected to the lock barrel by way of fastening means. Preferably, the fastening means include a pair of .

Preferably, the lock assembly includes a locking latch which forms an integral part of or is affixed to the handing cam retainer.

The lock ly is preferred to be ble onto a panel by way of an installation kit. In a preferred embodiment, the installation kit includes: a housing adapted to engage the panel and support the lock body; first fastening means adapted to engage the g after placement of the lock body inside the housing for securement of the lock body.

In a preferred ment, the panel includes a pre~existing hole for facilitating lation of the lock assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a first portion adapted to pass through 1O the pre—existing hole provided in the panel and be exposed on first side of the panel, and on the second a second portion located towards one end of the first portion and exposed side of the panel. The second portion is preferred to be a fascia. Preferably, the first portion includes second fastening means. The second fastening means is preferred to be in the form of external threads provided at an opposite end of the first portion.

Preferably, the external threads are adapted to cooperate With the internal threads of the nut to achieve securing ofthe lock body inside the housing.

Preferably, the 10ch body is inserted into the g from the first side of the panel during installation.

Preferably, the housing is in the form of a cylindrical sleeve. More preferably, an elongate gap is provided along the length of the cylindrical sleeve for odating a protruding portion provided along the length of the lock body.

The first ing means is preferred to engage and cooperate With the second fastening means to achieve securement of the lock body inside the housing.

The installation kit may also include a first spacer adapted in use to be placed over the cylindrical sleeve abutting the panel from the first side of the panel before insertion of the lock body. The first spacer is preferred to be annular. Preferably, after insertion of the lock body, a n of the annular spacer is sandwiched n the panel and one end of the protruding portion.

Preferably, the lationkit-further includes a second spacer adapted to span the space between the ?rst spacer and the nut. The second spacer is preferred to be in the form of a sleeve with an elongate opening running along its length.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for installation of a lock assembly having a lock body onto a panel with a pre—existing hole, the kit including: a g adapted to support the lock body which includes a protruding portion, the housing including: a first portion being a rical sleeve adapted in use to be fed through the pre— existing hole from an al side of the panel such that the cylindrical sleeve ends up being disposed on an al side of the panel, the cylindrical sleeve including an te gap which runs along its length and being adapted in use to receive the lock body; and a second portion adapted in use to engage the panel and be exposed on the external side of the panel; and a fastening means adapted to engage the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel for securement of the lock body following insertion of the lock body into the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel; wherein the elongate gap is arranged and con?gured so as to facilitate the protruding portion to extend therethrough and beyond the perimeter of a cross section of the cylindrical sleeve y resulting in the protruding portion in direct or indirect engagement with an internal side of the panel.

Preferably, the first portion includes means to restrict rotation of the housing. More preferably, the means include one or more ?at areas provided on the first portion of the housing. The one or more ?at areas are adapted to match with one or more corresponding ?at areas which at least partially de?ne the pre-existing hole.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing, a lockassembly having a lock body onto a panel with a pre—existing hole using the installation kit described above, the method including the steps of: i) providing a housing adapted to support the lock body which includes a protruding portion, the g including first and second portions; ii) passing the ?rst portion being a cylindrical sleeve h the pre—existing hole from the external side of the panel such that the first portion ends up being disposed on an external side of the panel; the cylindrical sleeve including an elongate gap which runs along its length and being d in use to receive the lock body; iii) engaging the second portion of the housing with the panel, the second portion being exposed on the external side of the panel; iv) inserting the lock body into the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel where the ?rst portion is exposed such that the protruding portion extends through the elongate gap and beyond the perimeter of a cross section of the cylindrical sleeve so as to directly or indirectly engage an internal side of the panel, and v) engaging a fastening means with the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel so as to secure the lock body within the cylindrical .

Brief Description of the Drawings The ion may be better understood from the following miting ption of a preferred embodiment, in which: Figure l is a perspective View of an assembled lock assembly in ance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective View from one end of the lock assembly of Figure 1 without the installation kit; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from the side of-the lock assembly of Figure 1 without the installation kit; Figure 4 is an magni?ed View of a handing cam and cap of the lock assembly of Figure Figure 5 is an end View showing the interior of the cap of Figure 4 with the dotted lines illustrating the two le initial engaging orientations of the bar with the cap; Figure 6 is an end View showing one end of the lock barrel of the lock assembly of » Figure 1 with the dotted lines illustrating the two possible initial engaging orientations of the bar with the lock barrel; Figures 7 to 11 are perspective views illustrating the procedure involved in the installation of the lock assembly of Figure 1 into a panel of a letterbox; Figure 12 is a rear perspective view showing ate ments of the handing cam and handing cam retainer of the lock assembly of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a front perspective View showing the handing cam and handing cam retainer of Figure 12; Figure 14 is an exploded View of the lock assembly of Figure 1 with the handing cam and handing cam retainer of Figure 12; and Figure 15 is an exploded View of the lock assembly of Figure 14 after installation of the handing cam onto the handing cam retainer of Figure 12 in a selected orientation.

Detailed Description of the gs Referring to s 1 to 3, a lock assembly 10 for installation onto a panel (see Figures 7 to 11) is shown. The panel in the present embodiment is part of a letterbox as an example, It should be noted that the panel may be part of other objects such as a cupboard or door. The lock assembly 10 includes a lock body 12, a lock barrel 14 received in and rotatable with respect to the lock body 12, a handing cam and a handing cam er. As best shown in s 2 and 3, the lock body 12 has impeding means in the form of a pair of extensions 20 & 22 stemming from the rical lock body 12.

Each extension 20, 22 es a pair of shoulders 24 & 26 and 28 & 30 (see Figure 3). ing to Figures 3 and 4, the handing cam is in the form of a U—shaped bar 16 with a pair of arms 32 & 34. In use, the bar 16 is brought into engagement with the lock barrel 14. The bar 16 is movable between ?rst and second orientations being restricted by shoulders 24 and 28.

Also shown in Figures 2 and 3 is a handing cam retainer in the form of a cap 18. The cap 18 is con?gured in use to engage the bar 16 which may be initially disposed in either the ?rst or second orientation 38 & 40 as desired, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

The cap 18 is detachably connected to the lock barrel 14 in order to fasten the bar 16 onto the lock barrel 14.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the cap 18 has a circumferential wall 42 with a ?rst pair of recesses 44 and a second pair of recesses 46. Each pair of recesses 44, 46 is red to receive the pair of arms 32 & 34 when the bar 16 is initially and selectively disposed in either the ?rst and second engaging orientations during installation. It is important to note that once the bar 16 is received within the cap 18, it is locked in position with respect to the cap 18 and hence would rotate with the cap 18 which is to be driven by the lock barrel 14 once the cap 18 is detachably fastened to the lock barrel 14 by way of fastening means such as screws 48. Although not ideal, the bar 16 may be L-shaped with only one arm. The movement of this one arm would be restricted by shoulders 24 & 28 only.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in use, if and when the bar 16 is initially disposed in the ?rst orientation 38 to engage the lock barrel 14, the lock barrel 14 together with the cap 16 are rotatable in only one direction as indicated by arrow 50, until the bar 16 is subsequently moved to the second orientation 40. In contrast, if and when the bar 16 is lly disposed in the second orientation 40 to engage the lock barrel 14, the lock barrel l4 together with the cap 16 are rotatable in only an opposite direction as indicated by arrow 52, until the bar 16 is subsequently moved to the ?rst orientation 38. It will be appreciated that the cap 16 can be detached for a change of on of the bar 16 from the ?rst orientation 38 to the second orientation 40 and vice versa, to suit different installation situations if required.

Referring to Figure 1, the lock assembly 10 also includes a locking latch 76 which forms an integral part of or is af?xed to the back of the cap 18. As such, the locking latch 76 is driven by the cap 18 which in turn is driven by the lock barrel 14 which in turn is driven by a key. Depending on the l disposition of the bar 16 chosen by the installer, the locking latch 76 may in use be turned clockwise or anticlockwise to suit different installation situation.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 11, the lock assembly 10 further consists of an installation kit including a g 54 and a fastening means in the form of a nut 58 with internal s. The housing 54 is con?gured to engage a panel 60 which in the present ment is the door of a letterbox (not shown) and support the lock body 12. The nut 58 during installation is brought into engagement with the housing 54 after placement of the lock body 12 inside the housing 54 for securement of the lock body 12.

As best shown in Figure 7, the g 54 which is cylindrical in shape has means in the form of ?at areas 55 & 57 which are con?gured to match with the ?at areas 59 & 61 which partially de?ne the pre—eXisting hole 62. As such, after installation, the housing 54 is locked in position being prohibited from any rotational movement.

Installation and operation of the lock assembly 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. The panel 60 has a pre—existing hole 62 which receives the housing 54. The housing 54 has a first portion in the form of a rical sleeve 64 con?gured to pass h the pre—existing hole 62 provided in the panel 60. The housing 54 has an elongate 70 running along the length of the cylindrical sleeve 64 for accommodating a protruding portion 72 extending along the length of the lock body: 12. ,, The sleeve 64 is exposed on one side of the panel 60. The housing 54 also has a second portion in the form of a fascia 66 located towards one end of the sleeve 64 and exposed on the other side of the panel 60. The sleeve 64 has an opposite end with second fastening means in the form of external threads 68. The external threads 68 cooperate with the internal threads of the nut 58 to e securing of the lock body 12 inside the housing 54. It is important to note that the cylindrical sleeve 64 of the housing 54 is con?gured such that itsnugly ?ts within the isting hole 62. As such, the hole 62 does not require any modi?cation or re-con?guration in order to facilitate installation of 64 may be a lock assembly of any type or form onto the panel 60. The rical sleeve provided in different sizes or con?guration to suit holes of different sizes or con?gurations.

As best shown in Figure 7, the sleeve 64 of the housing 54 is passed through the hole 62 from one side of the panel 60 as indicated by arrow A. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the lock body 12 is inserted into the housing 54 from the other side of the panel 60 as indicated by arrow B. The nut 58 is then brought into engagement with the external threads 68 on the sleeve 64 to achieve securement of the lock body 12 inside the housing 54.

Turning to Figure 10, the stepped locking latch 76 is af?xed to the cap 36 by way of a fastening means such as a screw 74. As shown in Figure ll, the lock ly 10 is installed in the panel 60 exposing a key hole 78 being part of the lock barrel 14. They key hole 78 is provided to e a key which is used by a user to e the locking latch 76 via the lock barrel l4 and the cap 36 from the external of the letterbox.

The installation kit may also e a ?rst spacer in the form of an annular ring 80 designed in use to be placed over the cylindrical sleeve 64 abutting the panel 60 from the ?rst side of the panel 60 before insertion of the lock body 12. After insertion of the lock body 12, a portion of the annular spacer 80 is sandwiched between the panel 60 and one end of the protruding portion 72 ng from the lock body 12. It will be appreciated that the spacer 80 is only required for doors with a thickness between 0.7mm and 1.8mm. Additionally, 'a second spacer is provided to span the space between the spacer 80 and the nut 58. The second spacer is in the form of a sleeve 82 with an elongate opening 84 running along its length. The sleeve 82 is preferred to be used to enhance the ity of the lock assembly 10, although it is dispensable as the nut 58 is stopped by the other end of the protruding portion 72. 1O Referring to s 12 and 13, another embodiment of the g cam 92 is shown together with another embodiment of the handing cam retainer 90. The handing cam retainer 90 remains in the shape of a cap having a circumferential wall with two pairs of recesses 94 & 96. The handing cam 92 in this embodiment is in the form of a disk having a pair of arms 98. The g cam 92 also has an (?rst) ng means in the form of a square hole 100. The handing cam retainer 90 also has an (second) engaging means in the form of a protruding block 102 which corresponds with the square hole 100 provided in the handing cam 92.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, during installation, one pair of recesses 96, for example, are selected to e the pair of arms 98 when the handing cam 92 is initially disposed in the one particular (?rst) orientation. As best shown in Figure 15, the protruding block 102 is snugly received within the square hole 100 thereby achieving interlocking of the handing cam 92 to the handing cam retainer 90.

Despite the differences in con?guration and arrangement, operation of the lock assembly is identical to that described above. During installation, the g cam retainer 90 in this ment is ?rst brought into engagement with the lock barrel 14 .(see Figure 14). The handing cam 92 is then disposed in a selected orientation to engage the handing cam retainer 90 by ?tting the arms 98 into the recesses 96. The handing cam retainer 90 is in turn detachably connected to the lock barrel 14 in order to facilitate fastening of the handing cam 92 onto the lock barrel 14 in the selected orientation.

When the handing cam 92 is initially disposed in the selected ?rst orientation during installation to engage the lock barrel 14, the lock barrel 14 together with the handing cam retainer 90 are rotatable in only one direction as shown by arrow A until the g cam 92, which is driven by the handing cam retainer 90 and restricted by the impending means being shoulders 24 and 28 (being on the other side and hence not visible in Figures 14 and 15), is subsequently moved to the second orientation (to abut shoulder 28). In contrast, when the handing cam 92 is initially ed in the selected 1O second orientation to engage the lock barrel 14, the lock barrel 14 together with the handing cam retainer 90 are rotatable in only an opposite direction as shown by arrow B until the handing cam 92 is uently moved to the ?rst orientation.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described‘in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the lock assembly of the present invention may offer at least the ing advantages: 1. it is easy and simple to install into a isting hole t requiring any changes or tions thereof; ; 2. it is versatile being able to be handed to turn clockwise or anti—clockwise to suit different installation conditions; and 3. it may be easily dissembled for changing the handing if required by way of repositioning the bar to 'suit another installation condition.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modi?cations other than those speci?cally bed. All such variations and modi?cations are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (1)

Claims 1.

1. A kit for installation of a lock assembly having a lock body onto a panel with a pres—existing hole, the kit including: . a housing adapted to support the lock body which includes a ding portion, the housing including: a ?rst portion being a cylindrical sleeve adapted in use to be fed through the pre—existing hole from an external side of the panel such that the cylindrical sleeve ends up being disposed on an internal side ofthe 10 panel, the cylindrical sleeve including an elongate gap which runs along its length and being adapted in use to receive the lock body; and a second portion adapted in use to engage the panel and be exposed on the external side of the panel; and a fastening means adapted to engage the cylindrical sleeve on the internal 15 side of the panel for securement of the lock body following insertion of the lock body into the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel; wherein the te gap is arranged and con?gured so as to facilitate the ding n to extend therethrough and beyond the perimeter of a cross section of the cylindrical sleeve thereby resulting in the protruding 20 portion in direct or indirect engagement with an internal side of the panel. The kit of claim 1, wherein the ?rst portion includes means to restrict rotation of the housing. The kit of claim 2, wherein the means include one or more ?at areas ed on the ?rst n of the housing. 25 The kit of claim 3, wherein the one or more ?at areas are adapted to match with one or more corresponding ?at areas which at least partially de?ne the pre—existing hole. A method of installing a lock assembly having a lock body onto a panel with a pre—existing hole using an installation kit of claim 1, the method 30 including the steps of: ing a housing adapted to t the lock body which includes a ding portion, the housing including ?rst and second portions; passing the ?rst nortion being Va'cylindrical. sleevethroughthc pre- existing hole from the external side of the panel such that the ?rst portion ends up being disposed on an external side of the panel; the cylindrical sleeve including an elongate gap Which runs along its length and being adapted in use to receive the lock: body; iii) engaging the second portion of the housing With the panel; the 10 second portion being exposed on the external side of the panel; iv) inserting the lock body into the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel Where the ?rst portion is d such that the protruding portion extends through the elongate gap and beyond the perimeter of a cross n of the cylindrical sleeve so as to 15 directly or indirectly engage an internal side of the panel, and engaging a fastening means with the cylindrical sleeve on the internal side of the panel so as to secure the lock body Within the cylindrical sleeve.