WO2009087464A1

WO2009087464A1 - Mortise lock

Info

Publication number: WO2009087464A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/003639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avner Hadashi; Avner Lam
Original assignee: GOLDTEC MIGUN 2005 Ltd
Current assignee: GOLDTEC MIGUN 2005 Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-26
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-26
Also published as: IL206403A0; IL206403A

Abstract

A mortise lock comprising an outer casing, a bolting assembly, a cylinder arrangement (34;502), a locking mechanism (600;1100), at least one extension rod (528T, 528T, 528R) and a split-nut arrangement, wherein: the cylinder arrangement is associated with the bolting assembly (526) and the locking mechanism, and is adapted for activating the bolting assembly to assume an unbolted position and a bolted position; the locking mechanism comprises a stopper adapted for assuming an unlocked position, corresponding to the bolting assembly' s unbolted position, and a locked position, corresponding to the bolting assembly' s bolted position, and adapted in the locked position for preventing retraction of the bolting assembly into the unbolted position thereof; the at least one extension rod is articulated to the locking mechanism so as to assume a retracted position corresponding to the bolting assembly' s unbolted position, and an extended position corresponding to the bolting assembly's bolted position; the split nut arrangement comprises an inside nut plate associated with an inside handle nut (512) and an outside nut plate associated with an outside handle nut; and wherein the inside nut plate is associated with the at least one extension rod and the stopper such that displacement of the inside nut plate entails simultaneous displacement of the stopper from the locked position to the unlocked position, and displacement of the extension rod from the extended position to the retracted position.

Description

MORTISE LOCK

FIELD AND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a mortise lock and more particularly it is concerned with such a mortise lock fitted with multiple locking bolts, the lock being actuated in different operable positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mortise locks are well known in the art and are typically designed to fit into an opening formed at the locking stile (an edge of a door opposite the edge that is hinged to the door frame).

A mortise lock generally includes one or more latches (also referred to as bolts) displaceable between an extended position in which they project beyond the edge of the door into a corresponding opening in the door frame (and/or wall or sealing/floor, in some cases) so as to latch the door closed, and a retracted position in which opening of the door is facilitated.

Also known in the art are so called "panic doors" which are designed so as to quickly be opened, from the inside, at different emergency situations no matter if the door is locked or not, typically by simply actuating a door handle or bar. This requirement is to enable fast escape from an enclosure (building and the like) in case of emergency.

A large diversity of mortise locks are known in the art, designed to provide different operable situations of the locking mechanism. Examples of mortise locks are disclosed in US Patents Nos. 4,154,070 and 5,678,870 and in WO 99/61734 and WO 2004/059114.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a mortise lock comprising an outer casing, a bolting assembly, a cylinder arrangement, a locking mechanism, at least one extension rod and a split-nut arrangement, wherein:

^■ said cylinder arrangement is associated with said bolting assembly and said locking mechanism, and is adapted for activating said bolting assembly for assuming a first, unbolted position in which it is retracted into said outer casing, and a second, bolted position in which it projects from said outer casing;

^■ said locking mechanism comprises a stopper adapted for assuming a first, unlocked position, corresponding to said bolting assembly's first, unbolted position, and a second, locked position, corresponding to the bolting assembly's second, bolted position, wherein, in said locked position, said stopper is adapted for preventing retraction of the bolting assembly into the unbolted position thereof; ■ said at least one extension rod is articulated to said locking mechanism so as to assume a first, retracted position corresponding to said bolting assembly's first, unbolted position, and a second, extended position corresponding to the bolting assembly's second, bolted position;

^■ said split nut arrangement comprises an inside nut plate associated with said inside handle nut and an outside nut plate associated with said outside handle nut; and wherein said inside nut plate is associated with said at least one extension rod and said stopper such that displacement of the inside nut plate entails simultaneous displacement of said stopper from said second, locked position to said first, unlocked position, and displacement of said extension rod from said second, extended position to said first, retracted position.

Said cylinder arrangement may be adapted for displacing said stopper from said second, locked position to said first, unlocked position.

Said split nut arrangement may further comprise a lever plate fixedly articulated to said inside nut plate, and said locking mechanism may comprise a retraction member associated with said lever plate, and wherein both said bolting assembly and said extension rod are pivotally articulated to said retraction member, whereby activation of the retraction member entails retraction of both said extension rod and said bolting assembly. Thus, unbolting of the door may be selectively performed by at least one of the cylinder arrangement and the inside handle.

In said first, retracted position, said at least one extension rod may minimally project from said outer casing, and in said second, extended position it may maximally project from said outer casing. The lever plate may be articulated to said extension rod such, that retraction of the extension rod by said lever plate may entail activation of the retraction member, which may in turn entail retraction of the bolting assembly.

According to one particular design, said retraction member may be in the form of a cam plate. According to another design, said retraction member may be in the form of a cam wheel.

The bolting assembly may comprise at least one bolt, and said outer casing may comprise a side style through which said at least one bolt is adapted to project in said first, bolted position of the bolting assembly.

According to one example, said bolting assembly may be formed with at least one tooth, and said cylinder arrangement may comprise a latch adapted for engaging said tooth so as to displace said bolting assembly from said first, bolted position to said second, unbolted position and vise versa.

According to another example, said bolting assembly may comprise a grappling member, said locking mechanism may comprise at least one locking gear, and said cylinder arrangement may be adapted for activating said locking gear, so as to engage said grappling member and thereby displace said bolting assembly from said first, bolted position to said second, unbolted position and vise versa. In this case, said locking gear may be formed with one or more pins adapted to engage said grappling member. Said lock may further comprise a latching mechanism articulated to said locking mechanism, said latching mechanism comprising a latch and a latch retractor, and adapted to assume a first, latched position in which said latch protrudes from said outer casing and a second, unlatched position in which said latch does not protrude from said outer casing. In particular, each of said inside nut plate, outside nut plate and said cylinder arrangement may be articulated to said latch retractor, such that unlatching of the latching mechanism is performed by at least one of the following: i. the inside handle; ii. the outside handle; and iii. the cylinder arrangement.

According to one design embodiment, said latch retractor may be in the form of a hammer pivotally articulated to said outer casing, and wherein each of said inside nut plate and outside nut plate may be formed with an operative extension adapted, upon depression of a corresponding handle to apply pressure to one end said hammer so as to pivot an opposite end thereof about said pivot point to entail retraction of said latch into said second, unlatched position.

According to another design embodiment, said latch retractor may be in the form of a latch plate formed with an inside slot and an outside slot adapted for receiving therethrough corresponding extensions of said inside nut plate and said outside nut plate, such that upon depression of a corresponding handle, an extension of the corresponding nut plate entails linear displacement of said latch plate and corresponding retraction of said latch into said second, unlatched position. Said bolting assembly may be formed with at least one nook, and said stopper may be in the form of a locking piece having a locking pin adapted to be received within said nook, at least in said bolted position, so as to prevent retraction of said bolting assembly into said unbolted position. Said bolting assembly may also comprise two or more nooks adapted to receive said locking pin, such that said bolting assembly is prevented from retraction in at least one intermediate position between said bolted position and said unbolted position.

Alternatively, said bolting assembly may be formed with a side surface, and said stopper may be in the form of a locking bar having a locking pin, such that at least in said bolted position, said locking pin is adapted to bear against said side surface so as to prevent retraction of said bolting assembly into said unbolted position.

In both of the above examples, said stopper may be spring biased, such that it is constantly urged into its second, locked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, several embodiments will now be illustrated, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial view of a door front fitted with a mortise lock according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric, partially exploded view of a portion of the door with the lock seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the lock according to the present invention, fitted with auxiliary locking assemblies; Fig. 4 is an exploded isomeric view of a mortise lock according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a cover plate removed for visualization;

Fig. 5 is an exploded isomeric view of the mortise lock of Fig. 5, showing the cover plate, a cam support plate, and some other components; Fig. 6A is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a fully locked position;

Fig. 6B is an enlarged view of detail A of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6C is an enlarged view of detail B of Fig. 6B;

Fig. 6D is an enlarged view of detail C of Fig. 6C; Fig. 6E is an enlarged view of detail D of Fig. 6D ;

Fig. 6F is a rear enlarged view of detail E of Fig. 6D;

Fig. 6G is a front view of the lock shown in Fig. 6 with the cover plate mounted thereon;

Fig. 7A is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a first step of unlocking the lock using the inside handle;

Fig. 7B is a rear view of an enlarged detail A of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8A is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at an unlocked position of the bolts, using a cylinder lock, the locking latch still at its projecting position; Fig. 8B is an isometric view of the lock shown in Fig. 8 A;

Fig. 9A is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a fully unlocked position using a key and with the locking latch at its retracted position;

Fig. 9B is an isometric view of an enlarged detail B of Fig. 9 A;

Fig. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the locking mechanism of the lock of Fig. 1;

Fig. HA is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a fully unlocked position using the inside handle;

Fig. HB is an isometric representation of Fig. 1 IA;

Fig. HC is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a locked position when depressing the outside handle;

Fig. HD is a planer view of the lock, with the cover plate removed, at a fully unlocked position, at a different arrangement of the locking mechanism, using the outside handle; Fig. 12A is a schematic isometric view of a mortise lock according to another embodiment of the present invention, in a bolted position thereof;

Fig. 12B is a schematic exploded isometric view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A; Fig. 12C is a schematic front view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A;

Fig. 12D is a schematic exploded isometric view of the casing of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A;

Fig. 12E is a schematic isometric exploded view of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 12B; Fig. 12F is a schematic isometric view of the bolting platform shown in Fig.

12B;

Fig. 12G is a schematic isometric exploded view of the latching mechanism shown in Fig. 12B;

Fig. 13A is a schematic isometric right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown in an unbolted position, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 13B is a schematic isometric left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 13 A, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 13C is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown in an unbolted position, with the front cover thereof being removed; Fig. 13D is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 13 C, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 14A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown during an unlatching operation performed by a cylinder, with the front cover thereof being removed; Fig. 14B is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 14A, with the back cover removed;

Figs. 14C and 14D are enlarged views of respective details D and E of Figs. 14A and 14B respectively;

Fig. 15A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown in an unbolted position during an unlatching operation performed by an inside handle, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 15B is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 15 A, with the back cover removed; Fig. 16A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown at a first stage of a bolting operation, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 16B is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown at a second stage of a bolting operation, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 16C is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 16B, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 16D is a schematic enlarged view of detail F shown in Fig. 16B;

Figs. 17A is a schematic right isometric view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, in a bolted position, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 17B is a schematic left isometric view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 17A, with the back cover removed;

Figs. 17C and 17D are enlarged views of respective details A and B of Figs. 17A and 17B respectively; Fig. 17E is a schematic front view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 17A, with the front cover removed;

Fig. 18 A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown in a bolted position during an unlatching operation performed by an outside handle, with the front cover thereof being removed; Fig. 18B is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 16A, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 19A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown during a first stage of an unbolting operation performed by the cylinder, with the front cover thereof being removed; Fig. 19B is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 19A, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 19C is a schematic enlarged view of detail N shown in Fig. 19B;

Fig. 19D is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown during a second stage of an unbolting operation performed by the cylinder, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 19E is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 19D, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 19F is a schematic enlarged view of detail G shown in Fig. 19D; Fig. 19G is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown during a third stage of an unbolting operation performed by the cylinder, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 19H is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 19G, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 191 is a schematic enlarged view of detail H shown in Fig. 19H;

Fig. 2OA is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown during a first stage of an unbolting operation performed by the inside handle, with the front cover thereof being removed; Fig. 2OB is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 2OA, with the back cover removed;

Figs. 2OC to 2OE are schematic enlarged views of respective details I, II and III ofFigs. 20A and 20B;

Fig. 2OF is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12 A, shown during a final stage of an unbolting operation performed by the inside handle, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 2OG is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 2OF, with the back cover removed;

Fig. 2OH is a schematic enlarged view of detail IV shown in Fig. 2OG; Fig. 21A is a schematic right-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 12A, shown during reversal of the latch mechanism thereof, with the front cover thereof being removed;

Fig. 21B is a schematic left-side view of the mortise lock shown in Fig. 2 IA, with the back cover removed; and Fig. 21C is a schematic enlarged view of detail M shown in Fig. 21 A;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrating a door 20 fitted with a mortise lock in accordance with the present invention generally designated 22, through an opening 24 formed at a locking style 26 of the door 20. The mortise lock assembly comprises an outside handle assembly 30, an inside handle assembly 32 and a cylinder lock 34. The arrangement is such, that at the assembled position, the lock is received such that a front plate thereof 38 extends substantially flush with the locking style 26 of the door, as seen in Fig. 1, with the inside plate and outside plate being interconnected to one another via so called blind bolts 40 extending from the outside plate 30 and being lockingly secured to bolts 42 fitted on the inside plate 32, whereby disengagement thereof may be facilitated only from the inside. The inside plate 32 rotatably secures an inside handle 46 secured to the inside plate 32 by a nut 48 with an inside door handle square spindle 50 projecting therefrom. Similarly, the outside door plate 30 rotatably accommodates the outside handle 58 rotatably secured thereto by nut 60 and where a square spindle 62 inwardly projects.

At the assembled position (e.g. Fig. 1) both square spindles 50 and 62 coaxially engage a locking mechanism of the lock, though operable independently, as will be explained hereinafter in detail.

The cylinder lock 34 noticed in Figs. 1 and 2 may be fitted with a removable outside key and a fixed inside knob (both not shown). The inside knob 68 may be replaceable by a removable key, as known, per se. In the illustration of Fig. 3, the mortise lock 22 is illustrated separate from the door wherein it is noticeable that its front plate 38 slidingly accommodates a locking latch 74, a face bolt 76, and two secondary bolts, namely a top bolt 8OT and a bottom bolt 8OB, each articulated via an extension rod 82T and 82B, respectively, to auxiliary locks (not shown), respectively, which are designed for locking engagement at the locking style of the door as known per se.

Lock 22 further comprises a rearward extending static bolt 94 extending from the lock case and projecting through an opening formed at a hinge style of the door (not shown) for engagement with a corresponding aperture formed at a door jam (not shown) upon closing of the door. It is also noticed in Fig. 1 that the locking latch 74 and the face bolt 76 extend substantially symmetrically within the front face of the door whereby it may be easily fitted within a "left side door" or a "right- side door".

Turning now to Figures 5 to 12 there is illustrated a mortise lock according to one embodiment of the present invention. The lock in accordance with the second embodiment is generally designated 500 and is fitted for securely receiving therein a cylinder lock (34 in Figs. 1 and 2) through suitable openings 504A and 504B formed in the inside plate 506A and the outside plate 506B respectively, as shown in Fig. 4. The outside plate 506B is formed with side walls thus constituting a casing for the locking, whilst the inside face 506A serves as a cover securely attachable to the outside case 506B by means of bolts 508, as seen in Fig. 5.

The lock in accordance with the illustrated embodiment comprises a locking mechanism generally designated 600 which in the particular embodiment has a square receptacle 512 for receiving a corresponding square spindle 50 of an inside door handle 46

(Fig. 2) and a spindle 62 of an outside door handle 58 (Fig. 2) respectively, wherein the receptacles 512 are separated from one another as will be become apparent hereinafter.

Furthermore, the mortise lock is formed with a front plate 522 slidingly accommodating locking latch 524 displaceable between a retracted position and a projecting position. A face bolt 526 is also slidingly displaceable through the front plate 522 between a retracted position and a projecting position.

The mortise lock 500 further comprises three secondary bolts namely a top bolt 528T, a bottom bolt 528B and a rear bolt designated at 528R. It is noticed that the locking latch 524 and the face bolt 526 are displaceable upon parallel axes being substantially horizontal and similarly the rear secondary bolt 528R is displaceable upon an axis parallel to said horizontal axis. According to a different embodiment (not shown) the rear bolt fixedly projects through the rear of the door. However, the secondary bolts 528T and 528B are displaceable upon a coaxially extending axis being substantially perpendicular to said first axis. The rear and bottom bolts 528B and 528R are restricted for axial displacement by means of grooves 537B and 528R formed therein, and adapted to slidingly receive pins 563 formed in the cover 506A.

As discussed hereinabove, the secondary bolts 528T, 528B and 528R are fitted for articulation via extension rods 82T, 82B and 94 (shown Fig. 4) to corresponding auxiliary locks (not shown) respectively, for locking engagement at the locking style of a door and a hinged style of a door, respectively. Alternatively, the secondary bolts merely activate locking rods projecting into the sashes.

As apparent from Fig. 4, the locking latch 524 and the face bolt 526 extend substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the front plate 522 whereby the lock is easily fitted within a "left side door" or a "right side door". A geared locking wheel 532 is pivotally secured to the casing at 534 wherein each of the secondary bolts is formed at its proximal end with a pivot arm 536T, 536R and 536B, respectively, said pivot arms being pivotally secured at a proximal end thereof to the locking wheel 532 (by pins 535T, 535B and 535R) received within grooves 533T, 533B and 533R respectively. The arrangement is such that pivot arms 536T and 536B are pivoted to the locking wheel 532 about a line 531 extending through the center 534 of the locking wheel 532. It is also noticed that whilst the pivot arms 536T and 536B extend above the locking wheel 532, the pivot arm 536R extends below the locking wheel 532 with a distal end (at 535R) of the pivot arm 536R pivoted to the locking wheel 532 at a point generating a line with center pin 534 adapted to transverse the axis 531 at a substantially perpendicular relation.

The locking wheel 532 is engaged by a bolt cam 540, attached to a hole 533C of the locking wheel 532 by a pin 543, whereby axial displacement of the bolt cam 540 entails corresponding angular displacement of the locking wheel 532, the purpose of which will become apparent thereafter. The bolt cam 540 is such that at an assembled position of the lock, in the presence of a cylinder lock, the bolt cam 540 is engaged with a corresponding latch 520 of the cylinder lock 502 (Figs. 9 to 11), whereby rotation of the cylinder lock entails an axial movement of the bolt cam 540, and corresponding angular movement of the locking wheel 532, as will become apparent hereinafter.

The bolt cam 540 is capable of displacing only along an axis parallel to said first axis (substantially horizontal) owing to a pin 574 (shown Figs. 9A and 9B) fixed to the bolt cam 540 and received within a corresponding groove 576 of the casing. The bolt cam 540 is formed with a recess 541 at a bottom portion thereof, having a left cam shoulder 542 and a right cam shoulder 544. In the middle of the recess 541, a tooth 546 is formed, dividing the recess into two sub-recesses 541a and 541b. Each of the sub recesses 541a and 541b are adapted to receive the latch 520 during corresponding rotation of the cylinder.

The bolt cam 540 is further formed at its top side with three consecutive recesses 549a to 549c, disposed along the axial dimension of the bolt cam 540, adapted to receive a pin therein. The recesses are of growing depth, the left most recess being the shallowest, and the right most recess being the deepest.

The mortise lock 500 is fitted with a dead bolt mechanism generally designated 580 and comprises a locking piece 588 restricted for axial displacement about a second axis (substantially vertical) owing to two positioning pins 590B and 590T extending from the locking piece and slidingly received within a pair of grooves 592 formed in the casing. The locking piece 588 is normally biased in a downward direction owing to a torsion spring 589, having one end articulated to a square nut 581 fixed to the casing, and another end held by the pin 590 of the locking piece 588. This arrangement provides downwards biasing of the locking piece 588, such that the locking piece 588 remains within one of the recesses 549. In assembly, the torsion spring 589 is primed, i.e. the end thereof is displaced in a CW direction, against the biasing direction of the spring, to rest on the pin 590T, similar to a cocking operation.

The arrangement is such that when the locking piece 588 is in its downward position, i.e., the pin 590B is received within one of the recess 549, rearward movement of the bolt cam 540 is prevented, whereby the face bolt 526 cannot be forced into an unlocking position by applying axial pressure thereto. Thus, only when the locking piece 588is in its upward position, i.e., the pin 590B is out of the recess 549, the bolt cam 540 is free to displace rearwards.

In an initial position, shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the face bolt 526 is in a retracted position and the locking piece 588 is in its upper most position, its pin 590B being received within the left most recess 549a of the bolt cam 540. Upon rotating a knob or key of the cylinder lock 502, the latch 520 thereof rotates in a CCW direction, to engage the bottom portion of the locking piece 588, pushing it slightly upwards, causing the pin 590B to escape the recess 549a, thereby allowing the bolt cam 540 to perform an axial movement. The latch 520 continues to rotate until it engages the left shoulder 542 of the bolt cam 540. The latch proceed in pushing the shoulder 542 of the bolt cam 540 in an axial direction of arrow 1, entailing a corresponding rotary motion of the locking wheel 532, and partial deployment of the bolts 528. The latch is rotated until it disengages from the shoulder 542, thereby completing a first locking step.

After the first locking step, shown in Fig. 7, the locking piece 588 is displaced half way in a downwards direction, its bottom pin 590B being received now in the central recess 549b of the bolt cam 540. Upon further rotation of the latch 520, it engages the middle tooth 546, whereby a similar operation takes place as in the first step. Upon completion of the latch 520 rotation (Figs. 6A to 6G)₅ the face bolt 526 is fully retracted, and the bottom pin 590B is received within the right most, deepest groove 549c, thereby preventing backward displacement of the bolt cam 540. The bolts 528 are, at this position, fully deployed.

It is important to note that the bolt cam 540 is formed with an additional tootii 548, whereby, should the latch 520 is further rotated in the CCW direction, it would engage the tooth, preventing it from further rotation and extraction of the bolt cam 540 further along the axial direction.

In the closed and locked position the locking latch 524 and the front bolts 526 project from the front plate 522 (Fig. 6B) into locking engagement with corresponding openings of a locking sash (not shown) and similarly, the secondary bolts namely 528T,

528R and 528B are at their extended positions in locking engagement with a respective ceiling/wall/floor, respectively.

With further attention being drawn to Figs. 9A and 9B, the mortise lock 500 comprises a latch mechanism 700, comprising the latch 524, mounted on a lead bar 702 and biased by a coiled spring 708 to project outwardly from the door pane 522. The latch mechanism 700 further comprises a latch hammer 710 pivotally attached to the casing at 715 to allow rotary movement. At its top end, the hammer 710 is articulated to the lead bar 702, arrested at its end by a stopper 704. The hammer 710 is further formed with a groove 712 adapted to receive a guiding pin 562 of a latch plate 560, and a projecting shoulder 714 at a bottom side thereof for purposes explained hereinafter.

The latch plate 570 is an essentially prolonged plate formed of a top and a bottom portion 570T, 570B respectively, angled to one another. The latch plate 570 is further formed with top and bottom longitudinal grooves 572T and 57B respectively, disposed along the bottom portion 570B, adapted to receive corresponding pins 562, 560 respectively. The bottom portion 570T is also formed with a shoulder 576 the purpose of which will be explained in detail later. The top portion 570T of the latch plate 570 is formed at its end with a pin 574 adapted to be received within the groove 712 of the latch hammer 710.

The arrangement is such that the latch plate 570 is adapted to dispose axially in the vertical direction, guided by the pins 560, 562, upon pressure applied to the shoulder 576 thereof. In operation, upon rotation of the cylinder lock 502 for unlocking the lock 500, the latch 520 is rotated in a CW direction. At an unlocked position of the lock 500, upon rotation of the cylinder and latch 520, the latch engages the bottom shoulder 576 of the latch plate 570, pushing it upwards. This upward movement causes the pin 574 to slide within the groove 712 of the latch hammer 710, and entails a CW rotation of the hammer 710 about point 715. This in turn entails pulling of the lead bar 702 backwards to retract the latch 524. It would be appreciate that since the bolt cam 540 displaces axially during locking and unlocking of the door, the latch plate 570 articulated thereto through pins 547, 550 in grooves 552, 554, changes its angular position, as may be seen in Fig. 6D. In this position, the pin 550 is brought forward, and the top portion 570T of the latch plate 570 assumes an essentially vertical position, while the bottom portion 570B becomes angled with respect to the vertical direction.

Once the face bolt 526 and the secondary bolts 528T, 528R and 528B have been retracted (using the cylinder lock as explained hereinabove), retraction of the locking latch 524 may take place upon either further rotation of the cylinder lock 502 by about another 30° or by depressing either of the inside or outside handles (not shown) whereby the latch hammer 710 pivots about 715, resulting in retraction of the locking latch 524, as explained.

With reference to Fig. 10, the lock 500 is also adapted to be opened by a locking mechanism articulated to the handles 48, 56 of the lock 500. The locking mechanism 600 is formed with an inside locking plate 610 and an outside locking plate 630, a bolt plate 620 and a separation plate 640. Each locking plate 610, 630 is formed with a central opening 611, 631 respectively, adapted to receive but members 601, 603 respectively. The nut members 601, 603 are of hexagonal shape corresponding to the shape of the openings 611, 631, and are adapted to receive spindles 50, 62 of the lock 500. Each of the locking plates 610, 630 is also formed with an arm 612, 632 respectively, the purpose of which will be explained in detail later, and a hole 616, 636 formed opposite the locking arms 612, 632. The bolt plate 620 is also formed with a central opening 621 for receiving a spindle therein, and is formed with a first, short arm 622, and a second, long arm 624, extending in essentially perpendicular directions. In assembly, the locking plates 610, 630, the bolt plate 630 and the separation plate

640 are attached to one another using the door spindles. In addition, each of the locking plates 610, 630 may be attached to the bolt plate 620 by a screw passing through the corresponding holes 616, 626, and 636. When assembled within the lock 500, the top end of each of the locking plates 610, 630 is articulated by a biasing spring 671, 673 to the casing.

Turning to Figs. 1 IA and 1 IB, the locking mechanism 600 is shown within the casing of the lock 500 such that the bolt plate 620 is only attached to the inside locking plate 610. In this position, unlocking of the lock 500 may be performed by the inside handle, and includes unlatching of the lock latch 524 and unlocking the bolts 526, 528. Depressing the inside handle 62 entails a corresponding CW rotation of both the locking plate 610 and the bolt plate 620 wherein the arm 612 of the locking plate 610 engages the bottom shoulder 714 of the latch hammer 710, entailing a corresponding CW rotation thereof, pulling on the lead bar 702 of the latch 524. The movement is similar to that described with respect to latch opening using the cylinder lock 502.

Retraction of the bolts 526, 528, is performed by two consecutive stages. During the first stage, the bolt plate 620 rotates simultaneously with the locking plate 610, whereby the short arm 622 hooks the pin 590T of the locking piece 588, pulling it upwards to release the bottom pin 590B from a respective recess 549 of the bolt cam 540. This allows axial displacement of the bolt cam 540. During the second stage, after release of the pin 590B from the recess 549, and upon further rotation of the bolt plate 620, the long arm 624 comes in contact with the pin 527 of the top bolt 528T. Applying pressure to pin 527 of the top bolt 528T, entails pushing the top bolt 528T in a downward direction of arrow 670, to cause rotation of the locking wheel 532 in a CCW direction, facilitating retraction of all the bolts 528R, 528B, 528T and 526 to the position shown in Fig. 1 IA.

The angle between the short arm 622 and the long arm 624 of the bolt plate 620 is specifically designed to allow long arm 624 to come in contact with the pin 527 only after the short arm 622 has released the locking piece 588 from one of the recesses 549 of the bolt cam 540.

It would thus be understood that simply pushing down on the pin 527 of the top bolt 528T is not sufficient to bring the lock into an unlocking position. This arrangement allows preventing picking of the lock by drilling the casing and manually pushing down on the pin 527. In general, applying pressure to any one of the bolts 528B, 528T and 528R in order to cause a corresponding rotation will not facilitate opening the lock 500 due to the pin 590B still occupying a respective recess 549, thereby deprived of any axial displacement.

Thus, it would also be appreciated that from a fully locked position of the lock 500 in which the latch 524 and all of the bolts 526, 528 are deployed, one depression of the inside handle allows complete retraction of all members — latch and bolts, facilitating quick and easy opening of the door.

With reference to Fig. HC, depressing the outside handle, entails only rotation thereof, i.e. without rotation of the bolt plate 620. In this position, the arm 632 engages the bottom shoulder 716 of the latch hammer 710 to retract the latch 524. However, since the bolt plate 620 remains in place, its arm 622 does not engage the top pin 590T to lift the locking piece 588, and the bolt cam 540 is restricted from performing an axial movement allowing retraction of the face bolt 526. Furthermore, since the bolt plate 620 does not rotate, the long arm 624 thereof does not apply pressure to the pin 527 of the top bolt 528T, preventing rotation of the locking wheel 532 and retraction of the bolts 528.

It is also appreciated that the separation plate 640 is made of drill-proof steel thereby separating between the inside handle mechanism and the outside handle mechanism whereby vandalism and tempering from the outside do not affect the inside handle mechanism.

With reference now being made to Fig. 1 ID, the screw 660 may be replaced such that it attaches the outside locking plate 630 with the bolt plate 620, whereby depressing the outside handle would entail retraction of all bolts 526, 528 and latch 524, and depressing the inside handle would only entail retraction of the latch 524. According to one design variation (not shown), two screws may be used, whereby depressing either of the inside or outside handles would entail retraction of both bolts 526, 528 and latch 524.

It is appreciated, however, that the lock 500 in accordance with this embodiment has a built-in panic position, namely, also when the lock is completely locked, i.e. as in the position of Fig. 7 (namely, locking latch 524, face bolt 526 and secondary bolts 528T, 528R and 528B, are all at their projecting, locking position), the lock may be fully unlocked and opened simply by a one-stroke activation (depression) the inside handle (not shown) so as to retract all bolts and latches and facilitate instant opening of the lock. This takes place simultaneously by retracting the face bolt 526 and the secondary bolts 528T, 528R and 528B side by side with retraction of the locking latch 524.

As mentioned hereinabove, these steps take place simultaneously whereby the mortise lock 500 is rapidly unlocked from the inside, in case of emergency. This procedure however, can not be performed using the outside handle, since the locking plate 630 is securely disconnected from the outside handle.

All the elements of the lock may be made of metal using, among other methods, sheet bend operations, which may significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of the lock 500. Turning now to Figs. 12A to 12D, another mortise lock generally designated as 1000 is shown comprising an outer casing 1010, an extension rod mechanism 1020, a cylinder 1030, a locking mechanism 1100, and a bolting assembly 1200. The mortise lock 1000 is adapted for accommodation within a door D, and switching between a first, unbolted position, in which the door may be freely opened, and a second, bolted position in which the door is prevented from opening.

The outer casing comprises a front cover 1012, a back cover 1014 having side walls 1015 perpendicular thereto, and a side style 1016 designed such that when the front cover 1012, back cover 1014 and side style 1016 are assembled together, they form a cavity 1011 adapted for accommodating the locking mechanism 1100, and slidingly accommodating the bolting assembly 1200.

The front cover 1012 and back cover 1014 are formed with respective cylinder openings 1013 and 1015 adapted for receiving therethrough a cylinder lock 1030 to be engaged with the locking mechanism 1100. The mortise lock 1000 is also adapted to receive a first door handle 1002, articulated to one side of the locking mechanism 1100 through the front cover 1012, namely an inside handle, and a second door handle 1004 articulated to another side of the locking mechanism 1100 through the back cover 1014, namely an outside handle. The inside handle 1002 and the outside handle 1004 coaxially engage a locking mechanism 1100 of the mortise lock 1000, though operable independently, as will be explained hereinafter in detail.

The side style 1016 is formed with four circular openings 1017 adapted for slidingly accommodating four corresponding bolts 1206 of the bolting assembly 1200, allowing them to be restrictively displaced back and forth along a direction perpendicular to the side style 1016 in order to bolt/unbolt the door D. The side style 1016 is further formed with a latch opening 1018 adapted for slidingly receiving therein a latch 1310 of a latch mechanism 1300. In addition, the side style 1016 is also formed with several holes 1019 adapted for screws used for closing the outer casing 1010 and securing the locking mechanism 1100 within the cavity 1011. With particular reference to Figs. 12E and 12F, the basic components of the locking mechanism 1100 and the bolting assembly 1200 will now be described. Assembly and operation of the basic components will be discussed in detail with respect to Fig. 13 A through 201. The bolting assembly 1200 comprises a bolt platform 1201 and a grappling member 1220 pivotally attached to the bolt platform 1201, and biased by a biasing spring 1240.

The bolt platform 1201 has a base platform 1202 extending along a longitudinal axis X, and having at a left end thereof a side wall 1204 extending perpendicular to the base platform 1202, and having four bolts 1206 projecting therefrom in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. The bolts 1206 are adapted to slidingly project through respective holes 1017 of the side style 1016 of the lock's outer casing 1010.

The base platform 1202 is further formed with a first cam channel 1203 locate at a bottom portion of the base platform 1202, and extending parallel the longitudinal axis

X. In addition, the base platform 1202 is formed with a restrictor 1210, the purpose of which would be explained in detail later with respect to the bolting sequence of the lock

1000.

The right end of the base platform 1202 is in the form of a T bar 1211, having at a top portion and a bottom portion thereof a cam pin designated 1212T and 1212B respectively adapted to be received within respective cam channels 1142T, 1142B of the cam plates 1140T, 1140B (shown Fig. 12E). The T bar 1211 is further formed with a central cam channel 1205 extending parallel to the first cam channel 1203, however, being at an offset with respect therewith. The grappling member 1220 comprises a body 1222 hinged at a first end thereof to the base platform 1202 at 1223, and is further formed with grappling recess 1224 at a second end thereof, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and a guide pin 1226 disposed between the first and second end. At a bottom side thereof, the grappling member 1220 is formed with a bulge 1228 adapted for activating the latch mechanism 1300 as will be explained in detail later.

The grappling member 1220 is adapted to pivot about the pin 1223, however, this pivoting is biased by the spring 1240, applying downward pressure on the grappling member via a top surface 1227 thereof.

The locking mechanism 1100 comprises a split-nut arrangement 1110, a gear assembly 1130, and an extension arrangement 1150, a locking bar 1160, a lever member 1170, a restrictor plate 1180 and a blocking plate 1190.

The split-nut arrangement 1110 comprises an inside nut assembly and an outside nut assembly, comprising: • an inside nut 1111 and an outside nut 1121 adapted for receiving the spindles of respective inside and outside door handles 1002, 1004;

• an inside nut plate 1112 and an outside nut plate 1122 fixedly articulated to the respective inside nut 1111 and outside nut 1121; • an inside biasing spring 1116 and an outside biasing spring 1126 associated with the respective inside nut 1111 and outside nut 1121, and adapted for biasing the door handles 1002, 1004 so as to return to their initial position upon release of the door handle.; and

• a lever plate 1128. Each of the nut plates 1112, 1122 is formed with respective operative extensions

1113, 1123, respective attachment ports 1114, 1124, and respective nut receiving apertures 1115, 1125.

The split-nut arrangement 1110 is such that when assembled, the inside nut plate 1112 is fixedly coupled to the lever plate 1128 via a bolt 1117 and attachment port 1114, such that rotation of the nut plate 1112 about the axis X entails similar rotation of the lever plate 1128 about the same axis.

The extension arrangement 1150 comprises a top and bottom cam plates 1140T and 1140B respectively, each being formed with a rounded surface 1142T, 1142B, a left cam channel 1144T, 1144B, a right cam channel 1146T and 1146B, and a pivot hole 1148T, 1148B respectively. The arrangement is such that the left cam channels 1144T, 1144B are adapted for pivoted articulation to the extension rods 1022T, 1022B respectively, the right cam channels 1146T, 1146B are adapted for pivoted articulation to the bolting assembly 1200, and each of the cams 1140 is pivotable about the axis of the pivot hole 1148T, 1148B thereof. The locking bar 1160 comprises a body 1161 being formed, at a first end thereof with a depression surface 1163, and at a second end thereof with a guiding extension 1164. The body 1161 is further formed with a guide channel 1162 and a central pin 1165.

The blocking plate 1190 comprises a body 1191 formed at a first end thereof 1192 with a pivot hole 1196 and at a second end thereof 1194 with a channel 1198. The pivot hole 1196 is adapted for pivotally pinning the first end 1192 of the blocking plate 1190 to the outer casing 1010, and the channel 1198 is adapted for slidingly receiving therein the central pin 1165 of the locking bar 1160. The lever member 1170 is formed with body 1171 having a right, prolonged end 1172, a left, stub end 1174, and a central hole 1176 disposed therebetween. The right end 1172 and left end 1174 are each formed with respective pressing surfaces 1173 and 1175. The pressure surface 1173 is adapted to bear against the top cam plate 1140T and the pressure surface 1175 is adapted to bear against the depression surface 1163 of the locking bar.

The gear assembly 1130 comprises a first, small gear 1132 and a second, large gear 1134 adapted to mesh with one another such that rotation of one of the gears entails rotation of the other. The second, large gear 1134 is formed with two synchronization pins 1136 A and 1136B, such that in assembly, the pins 1136 A, 1136B project towards the back cover 1014 of the outer casing 1010.

The restrictor plate 1180 comprises a v-shaped body 1181 having two extensions 1182 and 1184, and formed with a pivot hole 1186 at an end thereof remote from the extensions 1182, 1184. The restrictor plate 1180 is also formed with a bulge 1188 formed at the side wall of the extension 1184.

The mortise lock 1000 further comprises a latch mechanism 1300 comprising a latch 1310, a biasing spring 1320 and a latch plate 1340. The latch 1310 is formed with a latch head 1312 and a guide rod 1314. The latch plate 1340 comprises a body in the form of a flat plate 1342, being formed at one end thereof with a side wall 1344 extending perpendicular to the flat plate 1342. The side wall 1344 is formed with a guide hole 1346 adapted to slidingly receive therethrough the guide rod 1314 of the latch 1310. The flat plate 1342 is further formed with two longitudinal slits 1343, 1345, adapted for respectively receiving therethrough the nut plates 1112 and 1122. The flat plate 1342 is also formed with a back slit 1348 adapted for receiving therethrough an extension 1182 of the restrictor plate 1180.

In assembly of the mortise lock 1000, the following components are pivotally or slidingly attached to pins of the outer casing 1010 of the mortise lock 1000:

• guide channel 1205 of the bolting assembly 1200 via pin 1042;

• pivot hole 1186 of the restrictor plate 1180 via pin 1042; • guide channels 1162 of the locking bar 1160 via pin 1042;

• gears 1132, 1134 via respective pins 1044 and 1046;

• channel 1203 of the bolting assembly 1200 via pin 1044;

• blocking plate 1190 to the outer casing 1010 via pin 1044; and • cam plates 1140T, 1140B via respective pins 1048T and 1048B.

Further in assembly, the following components are pivotally or slidingly articulate to one another:

• the extension rods 1022T, 1022B to the respective left cam channels 1144T, 1144B via pins 1054;

• the pins 1212T, 1212B are received within the respective right cam channels 1142T, 1142B;

• right portion of the lever plate 1128 to the central hole 1176 of the lever member via pin 1129; and • channel 1162 of the locking bar 1160 to hole 1198 of the blocking plate

1190;

Turning now to Figs. 13 A to 13D, the mortise lock 1000 is shown in an unbolted position, in which the bolt platform 1202 and bolts 1206 are retracted into the outer casing 1010 of the lock 1000, such that they do not project from the side style 1016, and the extension rods 1022T, 1022B are also retracted such that a majority thereof is received within the cavity of the outer casing 1010. It is also observed that in the position shown in Figs. 13A to 13D, the latch 1310 projects through the side style 1016 due to the biasing spring 1320.

In the unbolted position, the cam plates 1140T, 1140B are oriented such that the respective curved surfaces 1142T, 1142B are facing one another, and the left cam channels 1146T, 1146B are in a position remote from the side style 1016, retaining the bolting assembly 1200 in its retracted position.

• the nut plates 1112, 1122 are in their forward position such that the respective portions 1113, 1123 thereof are inclined forward. • the restrictor plate 1180 is also in its forward position such that the extension

1184 thereof is lowered and the bulge 1188 restricts the movement of the bolt platform 1202 by bearing against the pin 1226 of the grappling member 1220;

• the locking bar 1160 and the blocking plate 1190 are in their downward position, i.e. the pin 1187 bears against the top portion of the channel 1162 of the locking bar 1160.

It is also noted, that although the bolting assembly 1200 is retracted into the cavity of the mortise lock 1000, the door D (shown Fig. 12C) cannot yet be opened, since the latch mechanism 1300 is in its deployed position, i.e. the latch head 1312 projects through the side style 1016 and into the door frame (not shown).

Retraction of the latch mechanism 1300 (also referred to as 'unlatching') may be performed by at least one of the following three components - by the cylinder 1030, by the inside handle 1002 or by the outside handle 1004. With reference to Figs. 14A to 15B, two unlatching operations will now be discussed, one using the cylinder 1030, and the other one using the inside handle 1002 (unlatching using the outside handle 1004 will be discussed separately with reference to Figs. 18A and 18B):

Turning to Figs. 14A to 14D, unlatching of the latch mechanism 1300 is shown as performed by the cylinder 1030. During unlatching, the cylinder is rotated clockwise, such that one of the pins 1136A, 1136B bears against the bulge 1228 of the grappling member 1220, causing it to pivot counter clockwise about the pin 1223.

This CCW movement raises the pin 1226 of the grappling member 1220, thereby applying pressure against the bulge 1188 of the restrictor plate 1180. This, in turn, causes the restrictor plate 1180 to pivot CW about the pin 1042, such that the extension 1182 of the restrictor plate 1180 is drawn backwards, away from the side style

1016.

Since the extension 1182 is received within the slot 1348, backward motion of the extension 1182 entails retraction of the latch plate 1340 against the biasing force of the spring 1320, which in turn, entails retraction of the latch 1310.

It is important to note that when unlatching is performed by the cylinder 1030 as described above, the only operating components are the gear 1134, grappling member

1220, the restrictor plate 1180 and the latching mechanism 1300 itself. In other words, the nut plates 1112, 1122, and consequently the both door handles 1002, 1004 remain static.

It should also be appreciated that the cylinder 1030 may be adapted to receive therein an operating key (not shown), or alternatively, be fitted with a rotatable knob (not shown) adapted for operating the cylinder 1030.

Turning now to Figs. 15A and 15B, unlatching of the latch mechanism 1300 is shown as performed by the inside handle 1002. In order to unlatch the latching mechanism 1300, the door handle 1002 is depressed, entailing backward movement of portion 1113 of the nut plate 1112. Since the portion 1113 is received within the slot 1343 of the latch plate 1340, backward motion of the portion 1113 entails retraction of the latch plate 1340 against the biasing force of the spring 1320, which in turn, entails retraction of the latch 1310.

It is noticed that due to the split-nut arrangement 1130, designed such that each door handle is associated only with one of the nut plates 1112, 1122, depression of the inside handle 1002 does not entail rotation of the nut plate 1122, but only of its own nut plate 1112. It is noted that the longitudinal slots 1343, 1345 are sufficiently long such that movement of the latch plate 1340 under depression of the inside handle 1002 does not apply pressure to portion 1123 of the nut plate 1112 associated with the outside handle 1004.

In addition, rotation of the nut plate 1112 entails rotation of the downward movement of the lever plate 1128, entailing corresponding downward movement of the lever member 1170. However, since the lock 1000 is unbolted, this downward movement of the lever member 1170 plays no role during unlatching. The role of the lever member 1170 will be discussed in detail with reference to Figs. 2OA to 2OH.

It is also observed that retraction of the latch plate 1340, causes the left side of the slot 1343 of the latch plate 1340 to bear against the extension 1182 of the restrictor plate 1180, thus rotating it CW about the pin 1042. This rotation is similar to the CW rotation of the restrictor plate 1180 described in Figs. 14A to 14D, i.e. the bulge 1188 is displaced upwards and no longer bears against the pin 1226 of the grappling member 1220.

Attention is now drawn to Figs. 16A to 16D, in which a bolting sequence of the mortise lock 1000 is shown, performed by the cylinder 1030. Turning the cylinder 1030 in a CCW direction causes the pin 1136 A of the gear 1134 to rotate until it is received within the grappling recess 1224.

Further rotation of the cylinder causes the pin 1136 A to bear against an inner surface 1229A of the grappling recess 1224, and apply pressure on the grappling member 1220 in a leftward direction of arrow Rl. Applying sufficient pressure against the grappling member 1220 results in slightly pushing the extension 1184 of the restrictor plate 1180 upward, allowing the grappling member 1220 to release the pin 1226 from the bulge 1188. Upon release, the bolt platform 1202 is free to displace leftwards into the position shown in Figs. 16A to 16C. In addition, the displacement of the bolt platform 1202 disengages the pin 1165 of the locking bar 1160 from the nook 1209 of the bolt platform 1202, such that it now bears against a bottom surface 1208 of the bolt platform 1202.

In the position shown in Figs. 16A to 16C, the bolt platform 1202 is displaced to the left, causing the bolts 1206 to partially project from the side style 1016. In addition, it is observed that in this position, further rotation of the gear 1134 has released the pin

1136A from the grappling recess 1224, and the pin 1136B now bears against an outer portion 1229B of the grappling member 1220.

Also in this position, due to the leftward displacement of the bolt platform 1202, the pins 1212T and 1212B thereof cause the cam plates 1140T and 1140B to rotate in a CCW direction, which in turn, causes the extension rods 1022T, 1022B to partially project from the outer casing 1010.

It is also noted, that in this position, the locking bar 1160 which is biased upwards by the spring 1197 is prevented from upward displacement due to the pin 1165 still bearing against the bottom portion 1208 of the bolt platform 1202.

From the above position, further rotation of the cylinder 1030 will entail leftward movement of the bolt platform 1202 due to pressure applied to the grappling member 1220. Upon such movement, the bolts 1206 become fully projected from the side style 1016 and the locking bar 1160 is free to displace upwards under the pressure of the biasing spring 1197, bringing the mortise lock 1000 into the position shown in Figs. 17Ato l7E.

Turning now to Figs. 17A to 17E, the mortise lock 1000 is shown in its bolted position.

In this position, the bolt platform 1202 is fully displaced to the left such that the bolts 1206 maximally project through the side style 1016. In addition, due to the this displacement, the locking bar 1160 is free to displace upwards under the biasing force of the biasing spring 1197, causing the pin 1165 and subsequently the blocking plate

1190 to displace upswards, such that the pin 1165 and blocking plate 1190 bear against a back of the bolt platform 1202 and prevent retraction of the bolt platform 1202 back into the lock.

Thus, any attempt to displace the bolts 1206 back through the side style 1016 by force are useless since the pin 1165 prevents any such movement, rendering the lock bolted and shut. It is also notice that in this position, the extension rods 1022T, 1022B are extended to maximally project from the outer casing 1010 of the lock 1000, and consequently, the cam plates 1140T, 1140B are oriented such that the right cam channel 1146 is disposed above the left cam channel 1144. It should also be noted that further rotation of the cylinder 1030 is prevented due to several arrangements:

• the side wall 1204 of the bolt assembly 1200 is flush against the inner surface of the side style 1016;

• the extension rods 1022T, 1022B are restricted from further upward movement due to guide channels of the outer casing 1010 preventing them from further displacing outwards; and

• the restrictor 1210 prevents the pins 1136 A, 1136B of the large gear 1134 from applying pressure to the grappling member 1220.

Turning now to Figs. 18A and 18B, depression of the outside handle 1004 does not effect the locking mechanism 1100 and can only perform unlatching of the latch mechanism 1300.

Depression of the outside handle 1004 entails backward movement of portion 1123 of the nut plate 1122. Since the portion 1123 is received within the slot 1345 of the latch plate 1340, backward motion of the portion 1123 entails retraction of the latch plate 1340 against the biasing force of the spring 1320, which in turn, entails retraction of the latch 1310.

As previously noted, due to the split-nut arrangement 1130, designed such that each door handle is associated only with one of the nut plates 1112, 1122, depression of the outside handle 1004 does not entail rotation of the nut plate 1112, but only of its own nut plate 1122. Also, as previously noted, the longitudinal slots 1343, 1345 are sufficiently long such that movement of the latch plate 1340 does not apply pressure to portion 1113 of the nut plate 1112 associated with the inside handle 1002.

It is also observed that retraction of the latch plate 1340, causes the left side of the slot 1343 of the latch plate 1340 to bear against the extension 1182 of the restrictor plate 1180, thus rotating it CW about the pin 1042. This rotation is similar to the CW rotation of the restrictor plate 1180 described in Figs. 15A and 14B, i.e. the bulge 1188 is displaced upwards and no longer bears against the pin 1226 of the grappling member 1220. Retraction of the bolts 1206 (also referred to as 'unbolting') may be performed by the cylinder 1030 or by the inside handle 1002. With reference to Figs. 19A to 20H₅ two unbolting operations will now be discussed, one using the cylinder 1030, and the other one using the inside handle 1002: With reference to both unbolting operations, it should be understood that in order to retract the bolts 1206, the bolt platform 1202 is required to displace rightwards., a displacement which is prevented by the locking bar 1160, and particularly the pin 1165 bearing against the right wall of the bolt platform 1202. Thus, in order to unbolt the lock 1000, the locking bar 1160 must first be lowered. With particular reference to Figs. 19A to 191, unbolting of the lock 1000 using the cylinder 1030 is shown.

At a first stage of unbolting shown in Figs. 19A to 19C, the cylinder 1030 is rotated in a CW direction, entailing similar rotation of the large gear 1134. This rotation, in turn, brings the pin 1136A to bear against the nook 1195 of the blocking plate 1190, and apply downward pressure thereto. Applying pressure to the blocking plate 1190 entails downward movement of the pin 1165 and the locking bar 1160 itself. Once displaced downwards, the bolt platform 1202 is free to displace backwards so as to retract the bolts 1206. However, there is still required a mechanism for physically retracting the bolt platform 1202, for which purpose attention is now drawn to Figs. 19D to 191.

From Figs. 19D to 191 it is observed that upon further rotation of the cylinder 1030, the large gear 1134 is brought into a position in which the pin 1136B bears against the bottom of the grappling member 1220, causing it to pivot in a CCW direction about the pivot point 1223. This pivoting also slightly raises the extension 1184 of the restrictor plate 1180, although the extension 1184 plays no role in the unbolting of the lock 1000. Rotation of the large gear 1134 by the cylinder 1030 continues until the pin 1136B reaches the grappling recess 1224, allowing the grappling member 1220 to pivot back (i.e. CW), fall down and trap the pin 1136B within the grappling recess 1224 as shown in Figs. 19G to 191. Once the pin 1136B is positioned within the grappling recess 1224, further rotation of the large gear 1134 will cause the pin 1136B to apply pressure to the right inner surface 1229B of the grappling recess 1224 so as to retract the bolt platform 1202. It is appreciated that the number of revolutions of the large gear 1134 required to fully retracting the bolts 1206 into the unbolted position shown in Figs. 14A to 14E depends on the design of the lock 1000 and parameters thereof and is not restricted to a single full revolution.

In addition, throughout the unbolting sequence of the lock 1000 by the cylinder 1030, the displacement of the bolt platform 1202, and particularly of the pins 1212 thereof, entails rotation of the cam plates 1140T, 1140B, and subsequent retraction of the respective extension rods 1022T, 1022B. In other words, pressure is applied directly to the bolt platform 1202 in order to retract it, and retraction of the extension rods

1022T, 1022B occurs as a result of the movement of the cam plates 1140T, 1140B. This is not the case when the lock 1000 is unbolted by the inside handle 1002 as will now be shown with respect to Figs. 2OA to 2OH.

Turning now to Figs. 2OA to 2OH, and unbolting sequence of the lock 1000 is shown as performed by the inside handle 1002.

With particular reference to Figs. 2OA to 2OE, depression of the inside handle 1002 in a CW direction entails rotation of the nut plate 1112 in the same direction.

Since the nut plate 1112 is fixedly connected to the lever plate 1128, the lever plate

1128 also performs a CW rotation. This rotation displaces the pin 1129 of the lever plate 1128 downwards.

As previously explained, the lever member 1170 is pivotally articulate to the lever plate 1128 via a pivot hole 1176 thereof, articulated to the pin 1129. Therefore, upon downward displacement of the pin 1129, the lever member 1170 also displaces downwards, until the pin 1172 thereof comes in contact with the depression surface

1163 of the locking bar 1160.

This in turn, applied downward pressure on the locking bar 1160, causing it to displace downwards against the force of the biasing spring 1197, whereby the pin 1165 is also displaced downwards, clearing the way for the bolt platform 1202 to retract as previously mentioned. However, whereas during unbolting of the lock 1000 using a cylinder 1030 pressure is applied to the bolt platform 1202 directly, in the present case, pressure is applied to the cam plates 1140B, 1140T as will be apparent from Figs. 20F to 20G.

With reference to Figs. 2OF to 2OG, the lever member 1170 is free to rotate about the pivot point 1129 of the lever plate 1128, wherein once the portion 1174 thereof comes in contact with the depression surface 1163 of the locking bar 1160, the other portion 1172 of the lever member displaces downwards, together with the overall downward displacement of the pin 1129.

Eventually, the portion 1172 comes in contact with the pin 1054, connecting the extension rod 1022T to the top cam plate 1140T. Further depression of the inside handle 1002 causes the portion 1172 to apply pressure to pin 1054, which in turn causes the top cam plate 1140T to revolve about its pivot point 1048T. Revolving about the pivot point 1048T entails movement of the right cam channel 1144, which in turn, entails retraction of the bolt platform 1202 via pin 1212T.

The above operation also entails, simultaneously, rotation of the bottom cam plate 1140B due to the backward movement of the bolt platform 1202 and its articulation to the bottom cam plate 1140B via pin 1048B.

Thus, full depression of the inside handle 1002 retracts the bolts 1206 back into the lock 1000. It is important to note that, during unbolting of the lock 1000 using the inside handle, applying pressure to the top cam plate 1140T and rotating it entails retraction of the bolt platform 1202, and consequently retraction of the extensions rods 1022T, 1022B. This is as opposed to unbolting the lock 1000 using a cylinder 1030, in which pressure is applied directly to the bolt platform 1202 in order to retract it, and the rotation of the cam plates 1140T, 1140B₅ occurs as a result of the platform's 1202 retraction, thus entailing retraction of the extension rods 1022T, 1022B. It is also noted that during depression of the inside handle 1002, simultaneously with the retraction of the bolt platform 1202, there occurs retraction of the latch 1310 of the latch mechanism 1300, as previously described with respect to Figs. 15A and 15B.

Turning now to Figs. 21 A to 21C, the mortise lock 1000 is designed to have a left-side orientation or a right side orientation, and may be switched from one orientation to another by applying several simple steps, as follows:

• bolt 1117 is unscrewed so as to disengage the fixed attachment between the nut plate 1112 and the lever plate 1128;

• bolt 1117 is screwed in from the other side so as to fixedly secure nut plate 1112 to the lever plate 1128; • the side style 1016 is removed from the outer casing 1010;

• the latch 1312 is rotated 180° about the axis of the guide rod 1314; and

• the side style 1016 is assembled back onto the outer casing 1010. This allows quickly changing the orientation of mortise lock 1000 and also allows determining which of the handles (inside or outside) would be able to unbolt the lock.

Whilst some embodiments have been described and illustrated with reference to some drawings, the artisan will appreciate that many variations are possible which do not depart from the general scope of the invention, mutatis, mutandis.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mortise lock comprising an outer casing, a bolting assembly, a cylinder arrangement, a locking mechanism, at least one extension rod and a split-nut arrangement, wherein: ■ said cylinder arrangement is associated with said bolting assembly and said locking mechanism, and is adapted for activating said bolting assembly for assuming a first, unbolted position in which it is retracted into said outer casing, and a second, bolted position in which it projects from said outer casing; ■ said locking mechanism comprises a stopper adapted for assuming a first, unlocked position, corresponding to said bolting assembly's first, unbolted position, and a second, locked position, corresponding to the bolting assembly's second, bolted position, wherein, in said locked position, said stopper is adapted for preventing retraction of the bolting assembly into the unbolted position thereof;

^■ said at least one extension rod is articulated to said locking mechanism so as to assume a first, retracted position corresponding to said bolting assembly's first, unbolted position, and a second, extended position corresponding to the bolting assembly's second, bolted position; ■ said split nut arrangement comprises an inside nut plate associated with an inside handle nut and an outside nut plate associated with an outside handle nut; and wherein said inside nut plate is associated with said at least one extension rod and said stopper such that displacement of the inside nut plate entails simultaneous displacement of said stopper from said second, locked position to said first, unlocked position, and displacement of said extension rod from said second, extended position to said first, retracted position.

2. A mortise lock according to Claim 1, wherein said cylinder arrangement is adapted for displacing said stopper from said second, locked position to said first, unlocked position.

3. A mortise lock according to Claim 1, wherein said split nut arrangement further comprises a lever plate fixedly articulated to said inside nut plate.

4. A mortise lock according to Claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a retraction member associated with said lever plate, and wherein both said bolting assembly and said extension rod are pivotally articulated to said retraction member, whereby activation of the retraction member entails retraction of both said extension rod and said bolting assembly.

5. A mortise lock according to Claim 1, wherein unbolting of a door is selectively performed by at least one of the cylinder arrangement and the inside handle.

6. A mortise lock according to Claim 1, wherein in said first, retracted position said at least one extension rod minimally projects from said outer casing, and in said second, extended position it maximally projects from said outer casing.

7. A mortise lock according to Claim 3, wherein said lever plate is articulated to said extension rod, such that retraction of the extension rod by said lever plate entails activation of the retraction member, which in turn entails retraction of the bolting assembly.

8. A mortise lock according to Claim 4, wherein said retraction member is in the form of a cam plate.

9. A mortise lock according to Claim 4, wherein said retraction member is in the form of a cam wheel.

10. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said bolting assembly comprises at least one bolt, and said outer casing comprises a side style through which said at least one bolt is adapted to project in said first, bolted position of the bolting assembly.

11. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said bolting assembly is formed with at least one tooth, and said cylinder arrangement comprises a latch adapted for engaging said tooth so as to displace said bolting assembly from said first, bolted position to said second, unbolted position and vise versa.

12. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said bolting assembly comprises a grappling member, said locking mechanism comprises at least one locking gear, and said cylinder arrangement is adapted for activating said locking gear, so as to engage said grappling member and thereby displace said bolting assembly from said first, bolted position to said second, unbolted position and vise versa.

13. A mortise lock according to Claim 12, wherein said locking gear is formed with a pin adapted to engage said grappling member.

14. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein said lock further comprises a latching mechanism articulated to said locking mechanism, said latching mechanism comprising a latch and a latch retractor, and adapted to assume a first, latched position in which said latch protrudes from said outer casing and a second, unlatched position in which said latch does not protrude from said outer casing.

15. A mortise lock according to Claim 14, wherein each of said inside nut plate, outside nut plate and said cylinder arrangement is articulated to said latch retractor, such that unlatching of the latching mechanism is performed by at least one of the following: i. the inside handle; ii. the outside handle; and iii. the cylinder arrangement.

16. A mortise lock according to Claim 14, wherein said latch retractor is in the form of a hammer pivotally articulated to said outer casing, and wherein each of said inside nut plate and outside nut plate is formed with an operative extension adapted, upon depression of a corresponding handle to apply pressure to one end said hammer so as to pivot an opposite end thereof about said pivot point to entail retraction of said latch into said second, unlatched position.

17. A mortise lock according to Claim 14, wherein said latch retractor is in the form of a latch plate formed with an inside slot and an outside slot adapted for receiving therethrough corresponding extensions of said inside nut plate and said outside nut plate, such that upon depression of a corresponding handle, an extension of the corresponding nut plate entails linear displacement of said latch plate and corresponding retraction of said latch into said second, unlatched position.

18. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein said bolting assembly is formed with at least one nook, and said stopper is in the form of a locking piece having a locking pin adapted to be received within said nook, at least in said bolted position, so as to prevent retraction of said bolting assembly into said unbolted position.

19. A mortise lock according to Claim 18, wherein said bolting assembly comprises two or more nooks adapted to receive said locking pin, such that said bolting assembly is prevented from retraction in at least one intermediate position between said bolted position and said unbolted position.

20. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein said bolting assembly is formed with a side surface, and said stopper is in the form of a locking bar having a locking pin, such that at least in said bolted position, said locking pin is adapted to bear against said side surface so as to prevent retraction of said bolting assembly into said unbolted position.

21. A mortise lock according to any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein said stopper is spring biased.