A LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A LOCK MECHANISM

Abstract

 The present invention proposes a latch assembly (100) for use in a lock mechanism (200), comprising an actuator (1) arranged to create a rotary motion, a lock bolt (2) configured to move between an open position and a closed position on an axis of movement (X), a triggering mechanism (3) coupled to the lock bolt (2) and actuated by the rotary movement of the actuator (1), and a resilient member in contact with the lock bolt (2). Said lock bolt (2) is provided with an actuation lug (21) wherein the triggering mechanism (3) is configured to urge the lock bolt (2) from the closed position toward the open position by applying a mechanical force on the actuation lug (21) while the resilient member is biased to push the lock bolt (2) in an opposite direction on the axis of movement for holding the lock bolt (2) in the closed position.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a latch assembly for use in a lock mechanism, providing energy saving.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Latch assemblies are commonly used in lock mechanisms for securing items such as drawers, cabinets, cabin doors and doorframes. In the state of art, various latches for panel closures have been employed where one of the panels, such as a swinging door, drawer or the like, is to be fastened or secured to a stationary panel, doorframe, cabinet, or compartment body. On the other hand, electrically operated latch assemblies are preferred due to the need for remote or push-button entry, coded access, key-less access, or monitoring of access.

[0003] Electrically actuated latch assemblies and lock assemblies having thereof are becoming more and more preferable due to the need for remote or push-button entry, coded access, key-less access, or monitoring of access. These latches perform the opening and closing functions using an actuator which controls either a pawl or a bolt. For this purpose, solenoid actuators are commonly used in the art. A solenoid door lock is a remote door locking mechanism that is operated via an electromagnetic solenoid. In most cases, the locking mechanism of a solenoid door lock is similar to a conventional key operated mechanism. The only difference between them is that a low voltage solenoid is included in the mechanism that retracts the latch to the door when a button or other controller is activated. The latch is then held as long as the button is pressed until the switch or controller is activated again. However, this type of lock mechanisms requires high energy usage for keeping the lock open or closed. Moreover, in case of a malfunction in the locking mechanism, for example a voltage loss or an actuator burnout, it is no longer possible to operate the latch electrically.

[0004] A prior art publication referred to as EP3216701 (B1), for instance, discloses a latch mechanism for releasably locking a lock bolt against axial movement. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical body or housing within which is mounted a slider, to be slidably axially moveable relative to the cylindrical body, the slider biased into a first position by means of a biasing means such as a spring. A retaining means such as one or more balls or ball bearings is provided to retain the slider in the first position relative to the cylindrical body. The retaining means is located between the slider and the cylindrical body. The latch mechanism also includes a pusher arranged to contact the slider and a solenoid arranged to cause the pusher to move axially relative to the cylindrical body when the solenoid is energised.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] Primary object of the present invention is to overcome the abovementioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly which provides energy saving.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly which can be both electromechanically and manually operated.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly adaptable to any type of lock mechanism.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a latch assembly having a reduced production cost and a simplified operating mechanism.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention proposes a latch assembly for use in a lock mechanism, comprising an actuator arranged to create a rotary motion, a lock bolt configured to move between an open position and a closed position on an axis of movement, a triggering mechanism coupled to the lock bolt and actuated by the rotary movement of the actuator, and a resilient member in contact with the lock bolt. Said lock bolt is provided with an actuation lug wherein the triggering mechanism is configured to urge the lock bolt from the closed position toward the open position by applying a mechanical force on the actuation lug while the resilient member is biased to push the lock bolt in an opposite direction on the axis of movement for holding the lock bolt in the closed position.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, the triggering mechanism comprises a rack gear shaped and sized to engage to the actuation lug so that the actuation lug and the rack gear are operated in a coordinated manner.

[0012] In a possible embodiment, the triggering mechanism further comprises a pinion gear configured to be associated with the actuator to transmit the rotary motion from the actuator to the rack gear.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, the rack gear is configured to move in an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the lock bolt by converting the rotary motion into a linear motion.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, the actuation lug has an actuation surface extending on a diagonal plane with respect to the axis of movement, wherein the rack gear is provided with a contact surface corresponding to the actuation surface such that the linear motion of the rack gear enables the lock bolt to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the rack gear has a restraining lug configured to fix the actuation lug in the open position such that the restraining lug is fitted onto a stop surface provided on the actuation lug.

[0016] In a possible embodiment, the latch assembly further comprises a hinged cover having a first body and a second body arranged in a collapsible manner.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the hinged cover has a bolt opening provided on at least one of the first body and the second body for enabling a first end of the lock bolt to protrude from the hinged cover when the lock bolt is in the closed position.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the resilient member is a compression spring positioned to extend on the axis of movement between an inner surface of the hinged cover and a second end of the lock bolt.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the lock bolt is arranged to switch a lock cylinder provided in the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, the first end of the lock bolt is configured to insert into a cylinder housing provided on the lock cylinder when the lock bolt is in the closed position, which is the locked state of the lock cylinder.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the actuator is an electric motor for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy.

[0022] In a possible embodiment, the actuator is arranged to be operated by a circuit board associated with a control panel provided on the lock mechanism.

[0023] In a possible embodiment, the actuator is arranged to be operated by means of a key or wrench.

[0024] The present invention also proposes a lock mechanism for cabinet doors comprising a latch assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0025] The figures, whose brief explanations are herewith provided, are solely intended for providing a better understanding of the present invention and are as such not intended to define the scope of protection or the context in which said scope is to be interpreted in the absence of the description.

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the latch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows perspective views of a lock bolt and a rack gear of the latch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, with the protection cover, when the lock bolt is in the open position.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, with the protection cover, when the lock bolt is in the closed position.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, with only the first body, when the lock bolt is in the open position.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, with only the first body, when the lock bolt is in the closed position.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional front view of the lock mechanism comprising the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, when the lock bolt is in the open position.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional front view of the lock bolt of the latch assembly and the lock cylinder of the lock mechanism according to an embodiment the present invention, when the lock bolt is in the open position.

Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional front view of the lock mechanism comprising the latch assembly according to an embodiment the present invention, when the lock bolt is in the closed position.

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional front view of the lock bolt of the latch assembly and the lock cylinder of the lock mechanism according to an embodiment the present invention, when the lock bolt is in the closed position.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the lock mechanism on a cabinet door, according to the present invention.

Reference numbers

[0026] Referring now to the figures outlined above, the present invention proposes a latch assembly. The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

100. Latch assembly

200. Lock mechanism

1. Actuator

2. Lock bolt

21. Actuation lug

211. Actuation surface

212. Stop surface

22. First end

23. Second end

3. Triggering mechanism

31. Rack gear

311. Contact surface

312. Restraining lug

32. Pinion gear

4. Compression spring

5. Protection cover

51. First body

52. Second body

53. Bolt opening

6. Lock cylinder
61. Cylinder housing

7. Circuit board

8. Control panel

X. Axis of movement

D. Cabin door

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] The exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 illustrates a latch assembly (100), in particular a latch assembly (100) that may be incorporated into a lock mechanism (200) as depicted in Figs. 7 to 11.

[0028] Said latch assembly (100) mainly comprises: an actuator (1) arranged to create a rotary motion, a lock bolt (2) configured to move between an open position and a closed position on an axis of movement (X), a triggering mechanism (3) coupled to the lock bolt (2) and actuated by the rotary movement of the actuator (1), and a resilient member in contact with the lock bolt (2). Accordingly, said lock bolt (2) is provided with an actuation lug (21) as seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in detail. The triggering mechanism (3), on the other hand, is configured to urge the lock bolt (2) from the closed position toward the open position by applying a mechanical force on the actuation lug (21). At the same time, the resilient member is biased to push the lock bolt (2) in an opposite direction on the axis of movement for holding the lock bolt (2) in the closed position. Thus, a bilateral tension is created on the lock bolt (2) and the actuator (1) decides in which direction the lock bolt (2) will move.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the triggering mechanism (3) has at least one gear element. In an embodiment, the triggering mechanism (3) has a rack gear (31) shaped and sized to engage to the actuation lug (21) so that the actuation lug (21) and the rack gear (31) are operated in a coordinated manner. According to this embodiment, the rack gear (31) transmits the rotary motion of the actuator (1) directly to the lock bolt (2).

[0030] Referring to Fig. 1, in an embodiment, the triggering mechanism (3) comprises more than one gear elements. According to this embodiment, the triggering mechanism (3) comprises a rack gear (31) shaped and sized to engage to the actuation lug (21) and further comprises a pinion gear (32) configured to be associated with the actuator (1) to transmit the rotary motion from the actuator (1) to the rack gear (31). The pinion gear (32) is configured to be fitted onto an axial rod provided on the actuator (1).

[0031] Accordingly, the rack gear (31) is configured to move in an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement (X) by converting the rotary motion into a linear motion. As the rack gear (31) moves linearly, it either approaches the lock bolt (2), which results in the lock bolt (2) coming to the open position, or moves away from the lock bolt (2), which results in the lock bolt (2) coming to the closed position.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the actuation lug (21) has an actuation surface (211) extending on a diagonal plane with respect to the axis of movement (X) as depicted in Fig. 2. According to this arrangement, the rack gear (31) is provided with a contact surface (311) corresponding to the actuation surface (211) as also seen in Fig. 2. Thus, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the linear motion of the rack gear (31) enables the lock bolt (2) to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the rack gear (31) has a restraining lug (312) and the lock bolt (2) has a stop surface (212) provided on the actuation lug (21), referring again to Fig. 2. As the restraining lug (312) is fitted onto the stop surface (212), the lock bolt (2) is fixed in the open position.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latch assembly (100) further comprises a hinged cover (5) having a first body (51) and a second body (52) arranged in a collapsible manner. This arrangement provides protection for all mechanical and electronic components of the latch assembly (100). In a further embodiment, the hinged cover (5) has a bolt opening (53) provided on at least one of the first body (51) and the second body (52) for enabling a first end (22) of the lock bolt (2) to protrude from the hinged cover (5) when the lock bolt (2) is in the closed position as depicted in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The bolt opening (53) is preferably provided on the first body (51) of the hinged cover (5) as seen in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Thus, when the latch assembly (100) of the invention is mounted in a lock mechanism (200), the lock bolt (2) is ensured to be in connection with the other parts of the lock mechanism (200).

[0035] In a further embodiment, the resilient member is a compression spring (4), as seen in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, positioned to extend on the axis of movement (X) between an inner surface of the hinged cover (5) and a second end (23) of the lock bolt (2). The compression spring (4) is configured to be compressed when the lock bolt (2) is in the open position. Accordingly, when the lock bolt is in the closed position, the compression spring (4) is released.

[0036] According to the present invention, the lock bolt (2) is arranged to switch a lock cylinder (6) provided in the lock mechanism (200) between a locked state and an unlocked state. Said lock mechanism (200) comprising both the lock cylinder (6) and the latch assembly (100) according to the present invention is depicted in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9. According to this arrangement, referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the first end (22) of the lock bolt (2) is configured to insert into a cylinder housing (61) provided on the lock cylinder (6) when the lock bolt (2) is in the closed position, which is the locked state of the lock cylinder (6).

[0037] The locked state of the lock cylinder (6) refers a state during which a user or an intruder cannot open a cabinet door (D) provided with said lock mechanism (200) unless the lock bolt (2) is switched to the closed position. Accordingly, the unlocked state of the lock cylinder (6) means that the cabinet door (D) provided with said lock mechanism (200) can be opened, for example, by means of a handle.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator (1) is an electric motor for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. This arrangement makes it possible to operate the lock bolt (2) in an electromechanical manner which ensures energy saving compared to electromagnetic applications in the art.

[0039] The actuator (1) is preferably arranged to be operated by a circuit board (7) associated with a control panel (8) provided on the lock mechanism (200). The circuit board (7) is preferably a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the control panel (8) has more than one buttons indicating numbers and/or symbols such that the user can enter a password.

[0040] In an embodiment, the actuator (1) is arranged to be operated by means of a key or wrench. Thus, it is also possible to operate the latch assembly (100) manually.

[0041] A lock mechanism (200) for cabinet doors (D) comprising a latch assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments is also proposed and depicted in Fig. 11.

Claims

1. A latch assembly (100) for use in a lock mechanism (200), comprising:

- an actuator (1) arranged to create a rotary motion,

- a lock bolt (2) configured to move between an open position and a closed position on an axis of movement (X),

- a triggering mechanism (3) coupled to the lock bolt (2) and actuated by the rotary movement of the actuator (1), and

- a resilient member in contact with the lock bolt (2); wherein
said lock bolt (2) is provided with an actuation lug (21) wherein the triggering mechanism (3) is configured to urge the lock bolt (2) from the closed position toward the open position by applying a mechanical force on the actuation lug (21) while the resilient member is biased to push the lock bolt (2) in an opposite direction on the axis of movement for holding the lock bolt (2) in the closed position.

2. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the triggering mechanism (3) comprises a rack gear (31) shaped and sized to engage to the actuation lug (21) so that the actuation lug (21) and the rack gear (31) are operated in a coordinated manner.

3. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 2, wherein the triggering mechanism (3) further comprises a pinion gear (32) configured to be associated with the actuator (1) to transmit the rotary motion from the actuator (1) to the rack gear (31).

4. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 3, wherein the rack gear (31) is configured to move in an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement (X) by converting the rotary motion into a linear motion.

5. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 4, wherein the actuation lug (21) has an actuation surface (211) extending on a diagonal plane with respect to the axis of movement (X), wherein the rack gear (31) is provided with a contact surface (311) corresponding to the actuation surface (211) such that the linear motion of the rack gear (31) enables the lock bolt (2) to move between the open position and the closed position.

6. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 4, wherein the rack gear (31) has a restraining lug (312) configured to fix the lock bolt (2) in the open position such that the restraining lug (31) is fitted onto a stop surface (212) provided on the actuation lug (21).

7. The latch assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch assembly (100) further comprises a hinged cover (5) having a first body (51) and a second body (52) arranged in a collapsible manner.

8. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 7, wherein the hinged cover (5) has a bolt opening (53) provided on at least one of the first body (51) and the second body (52) for enabling a first end (22) of the lock bolt (2) to protrude from the hinged cover (5) when the lock bolt (2) is in the closed position.

9. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the resilient member is a compression spring (4) positioned to extend on the axis of movement (X) between an inner surface of the hinged cover (5) and a second end (23) of the lock bolt (2).

10. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the lock bolt (2) is arranged to switch a lock cylinder (6) provided in the lock mechanism (200) between a locked state and an unlocked state.

11. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 10, wherein the first end (22) of the lock bolt (2) is configured to insert into a cylinder housing (61) provided on the lock cylinder (6) when the lock bolt (2) is in the closed position, which is the locked state of the lock cylinder (6).

12. The latch assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (1) is an electric motor for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy.

13. The latch assembly (100) according to Claim 12, wherein the actuator (1) is arranged to be operated by a circuit board (7) associated with a control panel (8) provided on the lock mechanism (200).

14. The latch assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the actuator (1) is arranged to be operated by means of a key or wrench.

15. A lock mechanism (200) for cabinet doors (D) comprising a latch assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing