Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
INDICATOR LEVER
BACKGROUND
100011 Embodiments of the present application generally relate to locks and
levers for entryway
devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present
application relate to
lock assemblies having adjustable status indicators.
100021 Certain types of entryway devices and/or locksets can include a
status indicator that can
provide visual information regarding a status of the lockset and/or a room or
passageway
associated with the entryway device and/or lockset. The type of status
information
communicated by such status indicators can vary. For example, the status
indicator can provide
information indicating whether a door and/or the associated lockset is locked
or unlocked, and/or
whether a room or area associated with that door and/or lockset is occupied or
unoccupied,
among other types of information.
100031 With respect to at least certain types of mechanical status
indicators, the status indicator
can often be mechanically coupled to the associated latch bolt, such as, for
example, via a direct
drive mechanism. However, use of such direct drive mechanisms, among other
forms of
mechanical coupling, can result in such locksets being susceptible at least to
unauthorized
unlocking via illicit physical manipulation of the status indicator. For
example, if an individual
were to forcibly move or otherwise displace a status indicator from displaying
an indicator
associated with a locked status to an unlocked status, such movement or
displacement of the
status indicator can be translated, via the mechanical coupling of the direct
drive mechanism, to a
bolt or latch of the lockset such that the bolt or latch can be moved from a
locked position to an
unlocked position. Further, the components associated with mechanical coupling
of a status
indicator to the lockset, such as the components of a direct drive mechanism,
can contribute to an
increase in the bulk, size, cost, and/or complexity of the lockset.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
BRIEF SUMMARY
100041 A status indicating handle assembly generally includes a handle, an
activation carrier
mounted in the handle, and a status indicator mounted in the handle and
engaged with the
activation carrier. The handle includes a shank extending along a longitudinal
axis and a grip
portion extending laterally from the shank. The activation carrier is mounted
in the shank, and
has an unlocking position and a locking position. The status indicator has a
first state in which a
first indicium is displayed and a second state in which the first indicium is
not displayed. The
activation carrier transitions the status indicator between the first state
and the second state as the
activation carrier moves between the locking position and the unlocking
position. Further forms,
features, embodiments, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be
apparent upon
reading the specification and claims provided herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100051 The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures
wherein like
reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.
100061 FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a portion of an
exemplary lock assembly
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application.
[00071 FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of a portion of an
exemplary lock assembly
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application.
00081 FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of an
exemplary lock assembly
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application.
00091 FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded side view of a portion of an exemplary
indicator assembly
according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
0010f FIG. 5 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary first
lever according to an
illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
[00111 FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of a portion of an
activation pin that is
extending through a spring cage spindle, and which is engaging an activation
carrier of an
exemplary indicator assembly according an illustrated embodiment of the
subject application.
100121 FIG. 7 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary
activation carrier
according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00131 FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an exemplary activation carrier
according to an illustrated
embodiment of the subject application that is housing at least a portion of a
first magnet and a
biasing member, and which is engaged with a stationary pin.
[00141 FIG. 9 illustrates a first side perspective view of a first side of
an indicator barrel having a
plurality of first indicator symbols according to an illustrated embodiment of
the subject
application.
100151 FIG. 10 illustrates a second side perspective view of a second side
of an indicator barrel
having a plurality of second indicator symbols according to an illustrated
embodiment of the
subject application.
100161 FIG. 11 illustrates a front side view of an unrolled sidewall of an
indicator barrel having
different sized first and second indicator symbols arranged in different
patterns on different
backgrounds, as well as arranged at least in a non-centered orientation.
100171 FIG. 12A illustrates a cross sectional view of a lock assembly in an
unlocked condition
and which includes an exemplary indicator assembly to an illustrated
embodiment of the present
application.
00181 FIG. 12B illustrates a magnified cross sectional view of the portion
of the indicator
assembly encircled in FIG. 12A by the area identified as "12B".
00191 FIG. 13A illustrates a cross sectional view of a lock assembly of
FIG. 12A in a locked
position.
00201 FIG. 13B illustrates a magnified cross sectional view of the portion
of the indicator
assembly encircled in FIG. 13A by the area identified as "13B".
00211 FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded front side perspective view of an
indicator mechanism
assembly according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
100221 FIG. 15 illustrates a front side view of a portion of the indicator
mechanism assembly
shown in FIG. 14 coupled to a portion of a thumb turn assembly.
[00231 FIG. 16 illustrates a rear side view of the indicator mechanism
assembly shown in FIG.
14 coupled to a portion of a thumb turn assembly.
100241 FIG. 17 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary cam
and ferromagnetic
body of the indicator mechanism assembly shown in FIG. 14.
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
100251 FIG. 18A illustrates a bottom side perspective side view of an
exemplary cam of the
indicator mechanism assembly shown in FIG. 14 coupled to a ferromagnetic body
in the form of
a hairpin clip.
[00261 FIG. 18B illustrates a bottom side perspective side view of the
exemplary cam shown in
FIG. 18A.
100271 FIG. 19A and 19B illustrate a bottom side view and a bottom side
perspective view,
respectively, of an exemplary rear case coupled to a magnet and a clear cover
of the indicator
mechanism assembly shown in FIG. 14.
00281 FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded front side perspective view of an
indicator mechanism
assembly according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
002911 FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a portion of the assembled indicator
mechanism assembly
of FIG. 20 in a locked indication position and an unlocked indication
position, respectively.
00301 FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded front side perspective view of an
indicator mechanism
assembly according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
[00311 FIG. 23 illustrates an exploded front side perspective view of a
portion of the indicator
mechanism assembly shown in FIG. 22.
00321 FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate a front side view of a portion of the
indicator mechanism
assembly shown in FIG. 22 in an unlocked position and a locked position,
respectively.
00331 FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded front side perspective view of an
indicator mechanism
assembly according to an illustrated embodiment of the subject application.
00341 FIG. 26 illustrate a front side view of a portion of the indicator
mechanism assembly
shown in FIG. 25 in both an unlocked indicator position and a locked indicator
position.
00351 FIG. 27 illustrates a rear side perspective view of the indicator
mechanism assembly
shown in FIG. 25 being positioned for attachment to an exemplary plate punch
that is attached to
an entryway device.
100361 FIG. 28 is an exploded assembly view of a status indicating handle
assembly according to
certain embodiments.
100371 FIG. 29 is a partially-exploded assembly view of a lockset including
a status indicating
handle assembly according to certain embodiments.
100381 FIG. 30 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the status
indicating handle
assembly illustrated in FIG. 29.
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00391 FIG. 31 is a partial cutaway illustration of the lockset illustrated
in FIG. 29.
100401 The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description
of certain
embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in
conjunction with
the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the application, there
is shown in the
drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the
present application is
not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached
drawings. Further,
like numbers in the respective figures indicate like or comparable parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
100411 Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for
convenience and is not
intended to be limiting. Words such as "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom,"
"first," and "second"
designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This
terminology includes the
words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar
import. Additionally,
the words "a" and "one" are defined as including one or more of the referenced
item unless
specifically noted. The phrase "at least one of" followed by a list of two or
more items, such as
"A, B or C," means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination
thereof.
100421 FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a portion of an
exemplary lock assembly 100
according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application. The lock
assembly 100 is
structured to be operably mounted or coupled to an entryway device, such as,
for example, a
door or gate, among other devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the lock assembly 100
includes a first
lever 102 that is coupled to a lock chassis 104, such as, for example, via a
first spring cage 106
that is coupled to both the lever 102 and the lock chassis 104. While FIG. 1
depicts a particular
type of lock assembly 100, embodiments of the present application are
adaptable to a variety of
different types and designs of lock assemblies and lock chassis. The lock
chassis 104 can be
configured to translate rotational movement provided by rotational
displacement of the first lever
102 to linear displacement that can facilitate the slideable movement of a
latch bolt between
extended and retracted positions. The first lever 102 can be operably coupled
to the lock chassis
104, such as, for example, attached to a first spring cage spindle 108 of the
first spring cage 106
that is connected to a first chassis spindle. As discussed below, the first
lever 102 can be
configured to house at least a portion of an indicator assembly 110 that can
be configured to
communicate status information, including, for example, status information
pertaining to the lock
assembly 100 being in an locked or unlocked state, or a state or condition
relating to the
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
entryway device and/or an associated space, such as, for example, whether a
room associated
with the entryway device and lock assembly 100 is occupied or unoccupied,
among other
information or indications.
100431 FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a side view and a side perspective view,
respectively, of a portion
of the lock assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. For at least purposes of discussion,
the first lever 102
and the first spring cage 106 shown in FIG. 1 have been hidden from view in
FIG. 2, and the first
lever 102 has been hidden from view in FIG. 3. However, the components of the
indicator
assembly 110 are generally arranged as if the first lever 102 were present in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
Further, a rear side perspective view of an exemplary first lever 102 is shown
in FIG. 5. As
shown in at least FIGS. 2-4, according to the illustrated embodiment, the
indicator assembly 110
can include the first lever 102, an activation pin 112, an actuator 114, an
activation carrier 116, a
biasing element 118, a stationary pin 120, a first magnet 122, a second magnet
124, an indicator
barrel 126, and an indicator bezel 128. As shown by at least FIG. 3, the
activation pin 112 can
be attached to, or part of the actuator 114, which can be coupled to a thumb
or pushbutton
assembly. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the activation
pin 112 can be
securely received within an aperture 130 in the actuator 114, among other
manners of securely
attaching the activation pin 112 to the actuator 114. Further, the actuator
114 can be sized for
slideable linear displacement within at least a portion of the first spring
cage spindle 108. As
discussed below, a pushbutton of the thumb or pushbutton assembly of the lock
assembly 100
can be configured to be accessible by a user or operator on at least a side of
the entryway device
that is opposite to the side of the entryway device at which the first lever
102 is positioned.
Activation of the thumb turn or pushbutton assembly by a user can facilitate
generally linear
displacement of the actuator 114 in a first direction generally toward the
first lever 102. Such
linear displacement of the actuator 114 can thus result in similar linear
displacement of the
activation pin 112 in the first direction from an inactivated position to an
activated position. As
shown in at least FIGS. 3 and 6, the first spring cage spindle 108 of the
first spring cage 106 can
have a generally elongated slot 132 that is configured to accommodate such
linear displacement
of the activation pin 112 between the inactivated and activated positions.
100441 As shown by at least FIGS. 6 and 7, according to the illustrated
embodiment, the
activation carrier 116 can have a generally cylindrical or tubular shape that
is generally defined
by an outer wall 134. The outer wall 134 can extend from a first end 136 to a
second end 138 of
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
the activation carrier 116. Additionally, the outer wall 134 of the activation
carrier 116 can have
an outer size, such as, for example, an outer diameter, that can accommodate
both slideable
linear and rotational displacement of the activation carrier 116 within an
activation bore or
chamber 140 (FIG. 5) of the first lever 102. The outer wall 134 can also
generally define an
inner cavity 142 of the activation carrier 116 that is sized to receive
placement of the biasing
element 118, as well as at least portions of the stationary pin 120 and the
first magnet 122, as
discussed below. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiment, the outer wall
134 can
generally define an opening 144 at the first end 136 of the activation carrier
116 that provides an
inlet for insertion of at least the biasing element 118 and first magnet 122
into the inner cavity
142 of the activation carrier 116.
I0045) The second end 138 of the outer wall 134 is configured and
positioned to abut the
activation pin 112. Moreover, as discussed below, linear displacement of the
activation pin 112
at least in the first direction from the inactivated position to the activated
position can provide a
force for the linear and rotational displacement of the activation carrier 116
from an inactivated
to an activated position. Further, according to the illustrated embodiment,
the outer wall 134 at
the second end 138 of the activation carrier 116 can include a rear wall 146
that can generally
enclose the second end 138 of the activation carrier 116.
[00461 According to certain embodiments, the outer wall 134 can include a
helical groove 148
along at least a portion of the outer wall 134 of the activation carrier 116
that is sized to receive
placement of the stationary pin 120, and which can accommodate at least a
portion of the helical
groove 148 sliding about the stationary pin 120 during displacement of the
activation carrier 116.
Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiment, the helical groove 148 and
stationary pin 120
are sized to facilitate rotational displacement of the activation carrier 116
as the activation carrier
116 is linearly displaced between inactivated and activated positions.
Further, according to
certain embodiments, the stationary pin 120 is positioned in a pin hole 150
(FIGS. 1 and 4) in the
first lever 102, and extends through at least a portion of the activation bore
or chamber 140 of the
first lever 102. According to the illustrated embodiment, the pin hole 150 can
extend through
one or more external surfaces of the first lever 102. Further, the stationary
pin 120 can be
generally orthogonal to both the direction of linear displacement taken by the
activation carrier
116 between the inactivated and activated positions of the activation carrier
116, as well as
orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the activation bore or chamber
140 (FIG. 5) of the
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
first lever 102. Additionally, the stationary pin 120 can also be generally
orthogonal to the
activation pin 112.
10047) According to the illustrated embodiment, the stationary pin 120
extends through the inner
cavity 142 of the activation carrier 116, and thus through opposing sides of
the helical groove
148 in outer wall 134 of the activation carrier 116. Accordingly, the biasing
element 118, such
as, for example, a spring, can be positioned within the inner cavity 142
between the portion of
the stationary pin 120 that extends through the inner cavity 142 and the rear
wall 146. Thus, as
the stationary pin 120 is maintained within the first lever 102 at a generally
static position
relative to the linear position of the activation carrier 116, when the
activation carrier 116 is
displaced from inactivated position to the activated position, such as, for
example, by
displacement of the activation pin 112 in the first direction, the linear
distance between the
stationary pin 120 and the rear wall 146 in the inner cavity 142 of the
activation carrier 116
decreases. Such a decrease in linear distance between the stationary pin 120
and the rear wall
146 can result in an increase in the compression of the biasing element 118
that is positioned
therebetween. Accordingly, in the event the force provided by the activation
pin 112 is removed,
or reduced to a level below that of a biasing force provided by the biasing
element 118, the
compressed biasing element 118 can provide a force as the biasing element 118
at least partially
decompresses that can facilitate the linear displacement, as well as the
rotational displacement,
of the activation carrier 116 in a second direction that facilitates the
return of the activation
carrier 116 back to the inactivated position, the second direction being
opposite of the first
direction. As discussed below, such return of the activation carrier 116 via,
at least in part, the
biasing force provided by the biasing element 118 can also at least assist in
facilitating the return
of the activation pin 112 and the associated actuator 114 to their respective
inactivated positions.
100481 The first magnet 122 can comprise a diametric magnet having opposing
first and second
poles. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first magnet 122 is sized
to be secured
within the inner cavity 142 of the activation carrier 116. For example,
according to certain
embodiments, the first magnet 122 can have a size and/or shape that is
configured to be matingly
received in a counter bore 152 (FIG. 4) of the inner cavity 142 of the
activation carrier 116.
Further, the first magnet 122 can be positioned within the inner cavity 142
such that a portion of
the first magnet 122 is positioned adjacent to, or protrudes through, the
opening 144 of the inner
cavity 142 and/or the first end 136 of the activation carrier 116.
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00491 As shown by at least FIGS. 4, 9 and 10, the indicator barrel 126 has
a size, such as, for
example, an outside diameter, that is configured to be to rotatably displaced
within a barrel
chamber 154 in the first lever 102. According to the illustrated embodiment,
the barrel chamber
154 can extend along a central longitudinal axis that is generally orthogonal
to the central
longitudinal axis of the activation bore or chamber 140 of the first lever
102. Additionally, the
barrel chamber 154 can extend through a face portion 156 of a handle portion
158 of the first
lever 102 so as to provide the barrel chamber 154 with an opening 160 in the
face portion 156
through which, when the indicator barrel 126 is housed within the first lever
102, a least a
portion of the indicator barrel 126 is visible to a user of the lock assembly
100 in a manner in
which the user can see one or more indicator symbols that are on the indicator
barrel 126, as
discussed below.
[00501 According to the illustrated embodiment, the indicator barrel 126
can have a sidewall 162
having generally cylindrical configuration. However, the sidewall 162 of the
indicator barrel
126 can have a variety of shapes and configurations, including, for example, a
circular, oval,
non-circular, triangular, and polygonal cross sectional shape, and
combinations thereof, among
other shapes and configurations. The indicator barrel 126 can also include at
least one or more
openings 164 that extend between, or are positioned at, opposing first and
second ends 166, 168
of the indicator barrel 126. For example, according to the illustrated
embodiment, the opening
164 can extend between the first end 166 and second end 168 of the indicator
barrel 126 such
that a spindle or axle 170 about which the indicator barrel 126 can rotate, or
which the indicator
barrel 126 can be rotated with, extends though the indicator barrel 126.
According to the
illustrated embodiment, opposing ends of the spindle 170 can be each coupled
to bearings 172
that can at least assist in the rotation of the spindle 170, and thus rotation
of the indicator barrel
126. Alternatively, the opening 164 can be sized or configured to receive
separate spindles that
extend into opposing ends of the opening 164 and/or the indicator barrel 126,
but which do not
extend through the entire indicator barrel 126.
[00511 As shown by at least FIG. 4, according to certain embodiments, the
opening 164 at the
first end 166 of the indicator barrel 126 can be sized to receive secure
placement of the second
magnet 124. Similar to the first magnet 122, according to the illustrated
embodiment the second
magnet 124 is a diametric magnet having opposing first and second poles. As
discussed below,
the first and second magnets 122, 124 can be arranged such that, as the
activation carrier 116 is
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
displaced in the first direction toward the activated position, the attraction
or repulsion between
one or more of the magnetic poles of the first and second magnets 122, 124 can
cause rotation of
second magnet 124 such that the indicator barrel 126 also rotates.
Additionally, as discussed
below, the indicator symbols on the indicator barrel 126 can be arranged such
that the indicator
barrel 126 is rotated from a position at which one or more first indicia are
visible to a user of the
lock assembly to a position at which one or more second indicia are visible to
the user, the
second indicia including at least one indicator that conveys a different
indication than the first
indicia.
[0052] The indicator bezel 128 is configured to be secured to the first
lever 102 and positioned
about at least a portion of the opening 160 of the barrel chamber 154.
According to the
illustrated embodiment, the indicator bezel 128 includes a body portion 174
that extends between
opposing first and second ends 176, 178 of the indicator bezel 128. The body
portion 174 can
include an opening 180 through which, when the indicator bezel 128 is secured
to the first lever
102, can provide at least visual access to indicator symbols on the indicator
barrel 126 through
the indicator bezel 128. Further, according to the illustrated embodiment, the
body portion 174
of the indicator bezel 128 can include a base wall 182, at least a portion of
the base wall 182
configured to abut, or be generally adjacent to, the face portion 184 of the
handle portion 186 of
the first lever 102 when the indicator bezel 128 is secured to the first lever
102. Thus, according
to the illustrated embodiment, the base wall 182 can have an outer periphery
having a size that is
larger than the opening 160 of the barrel chamber 154.
[00531 The indicator bezel 128 can further include a first leg 188a and a
second leg 188b that
extend downwardly from the base wall 182 of the indicator bezel 128. According
to the
illustrated embodiment, the first leg 188a is inwardly offset from the first
end 176 of the
indicator bezel 128, while second leg 188b is inwardly offset from the second
end 178 of the
indicator bezel 128 such that the first and second legs 188a, 188b extend into
the barrel chamber
154 when the indicator bezel 128 is secured to the first lever 102. According
to certain
embodiments, the distance that the first and second legs 188a, 188b are
inwardly offset can be
based on the distance between opposing end walls 190a, 190b of the barrel
chamber 154. For
example, according to certain embodiments, the first and second legs 188a,
188b can be inwardly
offset from the first end 176 and the second end 178, respectively, of the
indicator bezel 128, by
a distance that accommodates an outer sidewall of each of the first and second
legs 188a, 188b
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
abutting, or being generally adjacent to, the end walls 190a, 190b of the
barrel chamber 154
when the indicator bezel 128 is positioned within the barrel chamber 154.
Additionally,
according to the illustrated embodiment, an opening 192 in each of the first
and second legs
188a, 188b can be sized to house a bearing 172 through which the spindle 170
is secured.
1005411
The indicator bezel 128 can be secured to the first lever 102 in a number of
manners. For
example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the indicator bezel 128
includes a skirt 194
that downwardly extends from the base wall 182. Further, according to the
illustrated
embodiment, the skirt 194 generally extends along the base wall 182 along a
portion of the body
portion 174 that is generally adjacent, as well as generally parallel, to at
least two opposing sides
of the opening 180 in the body portion 174 of the indicator bezel 128.
Additionally, the skirt 194
can include a plurality of engagement tabs 196. As shown in at least FIG. 3,
according to the
illustrated embodiment, the engagement tabs 196 can have a generally "L"
shaped configuration,
with a bottom protrusion 200 outwardly extending from the arm 202 of the
engagement tab 196.
The protrusions 200 can be sized to be received in an adjacent recess 198 in
the first lever 102,
such as, for example, a recess 198 formed by an undercut in the barrel chamber
154. According
to such an embodiment, when the indicator bezel 128 is inserted into the
barrel chamber 154, the
protrusions 200 of the engagement tabs 196 can abut, or other otherwise
contact, adjacent walls
of the barrel chamber 154 in a manner that inwardly deforms or deflects the
arms 202 of the
engagement tabs 196. When the indicator bezel 128 is inserted into the barrel
chamber 154 to a
depth at which the indicator bezel 128 is to be connected to the first lever
102, the protrusions
200 of the engagement tabs 196 can be generally aligned with the mating
recess(es) 198, such as
the undercut, that can receive insertion of at least a portion of the
protrusions 200. With the
protrusions 200 generally aligned with the mating recess(es) 198, the arms 202
of the
engagement tabs 196 can at least partially return from their inwardly deformed
or deflected
positions so that at least a portion of the protrusions 200 are received in
the mating recess(es)
198, thereby securing the indicator bezel 128 to the first lever 102. Further,
such attaching of the
indicator bezel 128 can occur after the indicator barrel 126 has been
rotatably secured about the
spindle 170 in the barrel chamber 154. Thus, when the indicator bezel 128 is
secured to the first
lever 102, at least a portion of the indicator barrel 126 can be viewed
through the opening 180 in
the indicator bezel 128.
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00551 FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate views of opposing first and second sides
204a, 204b of the
sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126. As discussed below, at least the
indicator barrel 126
and the first and second magnets 122, 124 can be arranged such that, when the
activation carrier
116 is displaced at least in the first direction from the inactivated position
to the activated
position, the indicator barrel 126 is rotated from a first position in which
one of the first and
second sides 204a, 204b of the indicator barrel 126 are viewable through the
opening 180 in the
indicator bezel 128 to a second position at which the other of the first and
second sides 204a,
204b of the indicator barrel 126 is viewable through the opening 180 in the
indicator bezel 128.
[00561 As shown by at least FIG. 9, the first side 204a of the indicator
barrel 126 can include at
least a portion of one or more first indicator symbols 206. Similarly, as
shown by at least FIG.
10, the second side 204b of the indicator barrel 126 can include at least a
portion of one or more
second indicator symbols 208. Additionally, the first indicator symbols 206
can be different than
the second indicator symbols 208, or otherwise convey to a user a different
indication than the
indication provided by the second indicator symbols 208. For example, in the
illustrated
embodiment, the exemplary first indicator symbols 206 can comprise one or more
images
generally depicting a closed or locked padlock, while the exemplary second
indicator symbols
208 comprise one or more images generally depicting an open or unlocked
padlock. However, a
variety of other types of symbols can be used for the first and second
indicator symbols 206, 208.
Additionally, the first and second indicator symbols 206, 208 are not limited
to images or
illustrations, and can instead take a variety of other forms, including, for
example, numbers,
letter, words, characters, patterns, backgrounds, and/or colors, as well as
combinations thereof, in
addition to other types of symbols. Additionally, the differences between the
first and second
indicator symbols 206, 208 can include, or be limited to, differences in the
size and/or
arrangements of the first and second symbols 206, 208. Additionally, according
to certain
embodiments, when assembled to the first lever 102, the indicator barrel 126
can be biased by a
secondary biasing element 125 (FIG. 4) to be biased to displaying either the
first side 204a or
second side 204b of the indicator barrel 126. For example, according to
certain embodiments,
the secondary biasing element could be a torsion spring or cam return that is
operably coupled to
the indicator barrel 126 and the indicator bezel 128 and/or the first lever
102. Alternatively, the
secondary biasing element 125 could include at least one magnet that utilizes
magnetic forces to
attract or repel the indicator barrel 126 to a rotational position that allows
the indicator barrel 126
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
to be in the first or second position so that an associated side 204a, 204b of
the indicator barrel
126 to be seen through the opening 180 in the indicator bezel 128.
100571 FIG. 11 represents a flattened version of the sidewall 162 of the
indicator barrel 126. As
shown, the indicator barrel 126 has three zones, namely, a first zone 210, a
second zone 212, and
a third zone 214. The first zone 210 can occupy at least a portion of the
first side 204a of the
sidewall 162 and include one or more first indicator symbols 206, while the
second zone 212 can
occupy at least a portion of the second side 204b of the sidewall 162 and
include the second
indicator symbols 208. As previously discussed, in the illustrated example,
the one or more first
indicator symbols 206 are different from the second indicator symbols 208 with
respect to the
padlock image, the size of each padlock image, the number of padlock images,
and the
arrangement of the padlock images. According to the illustrated embodiment,
when the lock
assembly 100 is in a locked state or condition, the indicator barrel 126 may
be oriented so that
the first indicator symbols 206 positioned on the first zone 210 on the first
side 204a of the
indicator barrel 126 are positioned to be viewable to a user of the lock
assembly 100, while the
second indicator symbols 208 are not visible. Similarly, when the lock
assembly 100 is in an
unlocked state or condition, the indicator barrel 126 may be oriented so that
second indicator
symbols 208 positioned on the second zone 210 on the second side 204b of the
indicator barrel
126 are viewable to the user, while the first indicator symbols 206 are not
visible. Additionally,
again, the first indicator symbols 206 can have a different background than
the background used
with the second indicator symbols 208, such as, for example, a different
background color and/or
pattern. Different arrangements or orientations could also be incorporated to
further differentiate
the first and second indicator symbols 206, 208. For example, the one of the
first and second
indicator symbols 206, 208 could be arranged in a set pattern, such as, for
example, in rows or
diagonals, while the other of the first and second indicator symbols 206, 208
could be randomly
dispersed along the associated first or second zone 210, 212. Such a mixture
of orientations
could also at least assist in the first and second indicator symbols 206, 208
being arranged in a
manner that is suitable for installation with lock assemblies in either one of
a right handed or left
handed configuration.
[00581 According to certain embodiments, the first and second indicator
symbols 206, 208 can
be formed on and/or with the indicator barrel 126, such as, for example,
formed during molding
of the indicator barrel 126, among other processes of fabricating the
indicator barrel 126.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
According to other embodiments, the first and second indicator symbols 206,
208 can be formed
on a substrate that is configured to be positioned about the indicator barrel
126. Thus, according
to certain embodiments, the third zone 214 can provide at least a portion of
an area on the
substrate at one end of the substrate that can overlap at least another
portion of the substrate at an
opposing end of the substrate so that the substrate can be positioned in a
closed configuration
about the indicator barrel 126. Accordingly, the third zone 214 can be sized
to receive placement
of an adhesive that is used to secure such a substrate in the closed
configuration.
[0059j
The opening 180 of the indicator bezel 128 can be sized and positioned to at
least prevent
portions of both the first and second zones 210, 212, and the first or second
indicator symbols
206, 208, from being simultaneously viewable through the opening 180 of the
indicator bezel
128 at least when the activation carrier 116 is at either one of the activated
and inactivated
positions, and/or the indicator barrel 128 is at one of the first position and
the second position.
Moreover, the opening 180 in the indicator bezel 128 can have a smaller size
than a
corresponding size of the region of the sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel
126 that is occupied
by the first zone 210 and/or the second zone 212. Such a size difference
between the opening
180 in the indicator bezel 128 and the corresponding portions of the sidewall
162 of the indicator
barrel 126 that are occupied by the first and second zones 210, 212 can result
in only a portion of
either the first or second zones 210, 212 (and the corresponding first or
second indicator symbols
206, 208 positioned thereon) being visible through the opening 180 when the
activation carrier
116 is at either one of the activated and inactivated positions. For example,
the opening 180 of
the indicator bezel 128 can be sized to permit a user to see through the
opening 180 an area of
the sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126 that corresponds to about 150 of
the periphery of the
sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126. If the first and second zones 210,
212 each encircle
about 180 of the sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126, then each of the
first and second zones
210, 212 encompass about 30 of the sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126
that is not visible
through the opening 180 of the indicator bezel 128 when the activation carrier
116 is at either
one of the activated and inactivated positions. Such differences between the
size of the opening
180 of the indicator bezel 128 and the size of the areas of the indicator
barrel 126 occupied by
the first and second zones 210, 212 can alleviate any need for the indicator
barrel 126 to be
completely rotated in order to prevent portions of both the first and second
zones 210, 212, and
associated indicator symbols 206, 208, from being simultaneously viewable
through the opening
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
180. Moreover, in this example, by providing such size differences, the
indicator barrel 126
could, for example, be rotated to a position that is up to around 300 short of
a complete rotation
and still only one, but not both, of the first or second zones, and their
corresponding indicator
symbols 206, 208, would be viewable through the opening 180 of the indicator
bezel 128.
[0064 FIGS. 12A-13B illustrate the indicator assembly 110 in use with an
exemplary lock
assembly 100. As shown, the exemplary lock assembly 100 can include a first
latch assembly
portion 216, a second latch assembly portion 218, the lock chassis 104, a
latch assembly 220, and
a pushbutton assembly 222. While the exemplary lock assembly 100 discussed
herein includes a
pushbutton assembly 222, according to other embodiments, the lock assembly 100
can instead
include a thumb turn assembly. Additionally, while specific structures are
discussed herein,
including structures relating to the below-discussed lock chassis 104, the
lock assembly 100 can
have a variety of other designs and/or use other components to operate the
lock assembly 100,
including, for example, other mechanical or motorized drive assemblies, among
other types of
lock assembly designs.
[00611 The first latch assembly portion 216 is structured to extend from
one of a first and
second side of an entryway device, such as, for example, an interior or
exterior side of a door.
Similarly, the second latch assembly portion 218 extends from the other of the
first and second
sides of the entryway device. The lock chassis 104 is positioned between, and
coupled to, the
first and second latch assembly portions 216, 218. Further, according to
certain embodiments, at
least a portion of the first and second latch assembly portions 216, 218, as
well as at least a
portion of the lock chassis 104, can extend into, or otherwise be positioned
within, a through
hole in the entryway device that extends along a thickness of at least a
portion of the entryway
device between the opposing first and second sides of the entryway device.
100621 According to certain embodiments, the first latch assembly portion
216 can include the
first lever 102, a first rose 224, and the first spring cage 106. The first
rose 224 can be sized to
extend over at least a portion of the first spring cage 106 so that the first
rose 224 can be
positioned to at least assist in covering or concealing the first spring cage
106, among other
components of the lock assembly 100, from view at least when the lock assembly
100 is
operably mounted or coupled to the entryway device. Thus, according to certain
embodiments,
the first rose 224 can provide a decorative plate or cover that can enhance
the aesthetics of the
lock assembly 100.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00631 According to certain embodiments, the lock chassis 104 includes a
first chassis spindle
226 that extends through at least a portion of the first spring cage 106, and
which is sized for
engagement with at least the first spring cage spindle 108. For example,
according to certain
embodiments, at least a portion of the first spring cage spindle 108 can
receive insertion of the
first chassis spindle 226. Further, mating portions of the first chassis
spindle 226 and the first
spring cage spindle 108 can have non-rounded shapes, and/or be mechanically
coupled together,
such as, for example, by a mechanical fastener, including, but not limited to,
a pin, screw, or key,
such that rotational displacement of the first spring cage spindle 108 is
translated into rotational
displacement of at least the first chassis spindle 226. The first spring cage
spindle 108 can also
be connected to the first lever 102, such that rotational displacement of the
first lever 102 is
translated by the first spring cage spindle 108 into rotational displacement
of the first chassis
spindle 226.
100641 Similarly, the second latch assembly portion 218 can include a
second lever 228, a
second rose 230, and a second spring cage 232. The second rose 230 can be
sized to extend over
at least a portion of the second spring cage 232 so that the second rose 230
can be positioned to
at least assist in covering or concealing the second spring cage 232 from view
at least when the
lock assembly 100 is operably mounted or coupled to the entryway device. Thus,
according to
certain embodiments, the second rose 230 can provide a decorative plate or
cover that can
enhance the aesthetics of the lock assembly 100.
I00651 According to certain embodiments, the lock chassis 104 includes a
second chassis spindle
234 that extends through at least a portion of a second spring cage 232, and
which is sized for
engagement with at least a second spring cage spindle 236. For example,
according to certain
embodiments, at least a portion of the second spring cage spindle 236 can
receive insertion of the
second chassis spindle 234. Further, mating portions of the second chassis
spindle 234 and the
second spring cage spindle 236 can have non-rounded shapes, and/or be
mechanically coupled
together, such as, for example, by a mechanical fastener, including, but not
limited to, a pin,
screw, or key, such that rotational displacement of the second spring cage
spindle 236 is
translated into rotational displacement of at least the second chassis spindle
234. The second
spring cage spindle 236 can also be connected to the second lever 228, such
that rotational
displacement of the second lever 228 is translated by the second spring cage
spindle 236 into
rotational displacement of the second chassis spindle 234.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[00661 According to the illustrated embodiment, the lock chassis 104 can
engage the latch
assembly 220. Moreover, the lock chassis 104 is configured such that rotation
of the first or
second chassis spindles 226, 234 can be translated into linear displacement of
a latch bolt 238 of
the latch assembly 220 between retracted and extended positions.
100671 The pushbutton assembly 222 can include a pushbutton 240, a plunger
assembly 242, a
release button plunger 244, a locking lug 246, and a push rod 248. Further,
the pushbutton
assembly 222 can be used in conjunction with the lock chassis 104 and/or latch
assembly 220 to
lock or unlock the lock assembly 100. Moreover, the pushbutton assembly 222
can be
configured to prevent the displacement of the latch bolt 238 of the latch
assembly 220 from the
extended position at least when the entryway device is in a closed position,
and thus prevent
displacement of the associated entryway device away from a closed position
relative to the
associated entryway.
100681 FIGS. 12A and 12B depict the lock assembly 100 in an unlocked
condition such that the
latch bolt 238 retractable via at least rotational displacement of the first
lever 102. As shown,
according to the illustrated embodiment, with the lock assembly 100 in the
unlocked condition,
the activation carrier 116 can be at the inactive position. Additionally,
according to the
exemplary embodiment, the indicator barrel 126 can be at a first position
within the barrel
chamber 154 of the first lever 102 such that at least the one or more first
indicator symbols 206
on the first zone 210 and/or first side 204a of the sidewall 162 of the
indicator barrel 126 are
visible through the opening 180 of the indicator bezel 128. For example, as
previously
discussed, the indicator barrel 126 can be biased by the secondary biasing
element 125 so that
the first side 204a of the sidewall 162 of the indicator barrel 126 is
viewable through the opening
180 in the indicator bezel 128. Additionally, as previously mentioned, in at
least certain
circumstances, at least a portion of the third zone 214 of the sidewall 162
can also be visible
through the opening 180 of the indicator bezel 128 when the indicator barrel
126 is in the first
position.
[00691 When a user elects to lock the lock assembly 100 via use of the
pushbutton assembly 222
such that the latch bolt 238 cannot be retracted using at least the first
lever 102, the user may
engage, such as, for example, depress, the pushbutton 240 that is positioned
in and/or extends
from the second lever 228 so that the pushbutton 240 is displaced in the first
direction toward the
first lever 102. As previously mentioned, although the exemplary embodiment of
the subject
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
application discusses use of a pushbutton assembly 222, other types of
assemblies, including, for
example, a thumb turn assembly, could instead be used. According to certain
embodiments, the
linear displacement of the pushbutton 240 in the first direction can
facilitate the pushbutton 240
pushing a push rod 244 against a plunger assembly 242 to facilitate linear
displacement of the
plunger assembly 242 in the first direction to a locked position, as shown in
FIG. 13A.
According to the illustrated embodiment, with the plunger assembly 242 in the
locked position,
an enlarged portion of the plunger assembly 242 can be at a position relative
to the lock chassis
104 that precludes the latch bolt 238 from being retracted from the extended,
or locked position
via at least use of the first lever 102. For example, according to certain
embodiments, the
plunger assembly 242 can be displaced by engagement of the pushbutton 240 to a
position that
prevents linear displacement of a slide assembly of the lock chassis 104
and/or precludes the
latch assembly 220 from linearly displacing the latch bolt 238 from the
extended position to the
retracted position.
100701 As the plunger assembly 242 is linearly displaced in the first
direction in response to
displacement of the pushbutton 240, the plunger assembly 242 can push against
the locking lug
246, causing the locking lug 246 to also be linearly displaced in the first
direction. Such
displacement of the locking lug 246 can result in the locking lug 246 pushing
against the actuator
114 so that the actuator 114 is also linearly displaced in the first direction
and away from the
inactivated position of the actuator 114. Additionally, as the activation pin
112 is attached, or
otherwise coupled, to the actuator 114, the activation pin 112 is also
linearly displaced in the first
direction with such displacement of the actuator 114. Further, as previously
discussed, according
to the illustrated embodiment, such displacement of the activation pin 112 can
include the
activation pin 112 moving through the elongated slot 132 in the first spring
cage spindle 108.
100711 Such movement of the activation pin 112 in the first direction can
facilitate the
displacement of the activation carrier 116 in the first direction and away
from the inactivated
position of the activation carrier 116. For example, the displacement of the
activation pin 112 in
the first direction can facilitate the activation pin 112 providing a pushing
force against the rear
wall 146 of the activation carrier 116 that causes the activation carrier 116
to also be displaced.
However, as previously discussed, such displacement of the activation carrier
116 includes the
activation carrier 116 being both displaced in the first linear direction, as
well as the activation
carrier 116 being rotated via the interaction of the stationary pin 120 with
the helical groove 148
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
in the activation carrier 116. Additionally, as also previously discussed, as
the activation carrier
116 is displaced in the first direction, the distance in the inner cavity 142
of the activation carrier
116 between the stationary pin 120 and the rear wall 146 of the activation
carrier 116 decreases,
thereby causing the biasing element 118 that is positioned therebetween to be
further
compressed.
10072) According to the illustrated embodiment, the first and second
magnets 122, 124 can be
arranged such that, as the activation carrier 116 approaches and/or arrives at
the activation
position of the activation carrier 116, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, one of
the first and
second poles of the first magnet 122 can be oriented relative to one of the
first and second poles
of the second magnet 124 so that a magnetic force is provided to rotate the
indicator barrel 126.
Further, the magnetic force provided between the first and second magnets 122,
124 can be
sufficient to overcome the biasing force provided by the secondary biasing
element 125. Such
rotation of the indicator barrel 126 can facilitate rotation of the indicator
barrel 126 from the first
position at which the first side 204a, and at least a portion of the first
indicator symbols 206 (as
well as possibly a portion of the third zone 214) are viewable through the
opening 180 of the
indicator bezel 128, to the second position at which the second side 204b, and
at least a portion
of the second indicator symbols 208 (as well as possibly another portion of
the third zone 214)
are visible through the opening 180.
100731 According to certain embodiments, the first poles of the first and
second magnets 122,
124 can be negative poles, while the second poles of the first and second
magnets 122, 124 can
be positive poles. Additionally, the helical groove 148 in the activation
carrier 116 can be
configured so that the activation carrier 116 rotates while being displaced
from the inactivated
position to the activation position. For example, according to certain
embodiments, the
activation carrier 116 can rotate between around 90 and around 180 via the
interaction between
the helical groove 148 and the stationary pin 120 as the activation carrier
116 is displaced
between the activated and inactivated positions. Additionally, the second
magnet 124 can be
oriented in the indicator barrel 126 such that, when the indicator barrel 126
is at the first position,
as biased by the secondary biasing element 125, the first pole of the second
magnet 124 is
generally in closer proximity to the activation carrier 116 than the second
pole of the second
magnet 124. According to such an embodiment, as the activation carrier 116 is
displaced toward
the activation position, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the activation carrier
116 is rotated so
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
that, when the activation carrier 116 reaches the activation position, the
first pole of the first
magnet 122 is closer than the second pole of the first magnet 122 to the
second magnet 124.
Moreover, the first pole of the first magnet 122 can be brought to a position
in which the first
pole of the first magnet 122 is generally adjacent to the first pole of the
second magnet 124. In
such an embodiment, such displacement of the activation carrier 116 while the
indicator barrel
126 is in the first position at least initially brings the first pole of the
first magnet 122 into
relatively close proximity to the first pole of the second magnet 124.
However, as the first poles
of the first and second magnets 122, 124 are of similar polarity, a repelling
force of sufficient
strength between the first poles of the first and second magnets 122, 124 is
provided that
overcomes the biasing force of the secondary biasing element 125 that
facilitates the rotation of
the indicator barrel 126 from the first position to the second position so
that the opposing second
pole, and not the first pole, of the second magnet 124 moves to be adjacent to
the first pole of the
first magnet 122.
100741
According to the illustrated embodiment, the absence of a direct connection
between the
indicator barrel 126 and the activation carrier 116 and/or the pushbutton
assembly 222 prevents
unauthorized unlocking of the lock assembly 100 via manipulation of the
indicator barrel 126.
For example, as there is an absence of a direct mechanical connection between
the indicator
barrel 126 and the activation carrier 116, the position of the activation
carrier 116 is not adjusted
by attempts to rotate the indicator barrel 126 from the second position to the
first position. To
the contrary, when the activation carrier 116 is at the activated position,
rotation by an individual
of the indicator barrel 126 from the second position and back to the first
position merely
temporarily adjusts the rotational position of the indicator barrel 126, but
does not result in any
mechanical related adjustment in the position of the activation carrier 116,
actuator 114, or
pushbutton assembly 222. Further, any repelling forces between the first poles
of the first and
second magnets 122, 124 during an attempt to unlock the lock assembly 100 via
manual rotation
of the indicator barrel 126 back to the first position are insufficient to
unlock the pushbutton
assembly 222, including insufficient to facilitate movement of the activation
carrier 116, actuator
114, locking lug 246, and plunger assembly 242 to positions that can cause the
unlocking of the
lock assembly 100. Further, in such situations, once the individual has
released the indicator
barrel 126, the repelling forces between the first poles of the first and
second magnets 122, 124
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
will return the indicator bane! 126 back to the second position, in which the
second pole of the
second magnet 124 is again adjacent to the first pole of the first magnet 122.
10075] When the lock assembly 100 is to be unlocked, such as, for example,
via turning of the
second lever 228 or depression of the release button plunger 244 in the first
lever 102, the
actuator 114, locking lug 246, plunger assembly 242, push rod 248, and
pushbutton 240 may be
linearly displaced in a second direction that is opposite of the first
direction. Accordingly, the
activation pin 112 may no longer provide a force that maintains the activation
carrier 116 in the
activated position (FIG. 13B). Accordingly, the biasing element 118 can
provide a force, such
as, for example, a force associated with the decompression of the biasing
element 118, that
facilitates the activation carrier 116 being at least linearly displaced in
the second direction to the
inactivated position (FIG. 12B). Such displacement of the activation carrier
116 can also result
in the activation carrier 116 being rotated via the engagement of the helical
groove 148 with the
stationary pin 120. Such rotation of the activation carrier 116 as the
activation carrier 116 is also
displaced in the second direction can be opposite to the direction at which
the activation carrier
116 rotated when the activation carrier 116 was displaced in the first
direction. Such linear and
rotational displacement of the activation carrier 116 can result in the
repelling force between the
first poles of the first and second magnets 122, 124 being removed and/or
dissipated to a level
that the secondary biasing element 125 can overcome. Thus, the secondary
biasing element 125
can then facilitate the rotation of the indicator barrel 126 back to the first
position. Alternatively,
or additionally, the first magnet 122 can be rotated such that, when the
activation carrier 116 is in
the inactivated position, the second pole of the first magnet 122 is at a
position that repels that
second pole of the second magnet 124, thereby at least assisting in the
indicator bane! 126 being
rotated back to the first position.
10076] While the illustrated embodiment is discussed in terms of the
activation carrier 116 being
both linearly and rotatably displaced between the activated and inactivated
positions, according
to other embodiments, the activation carrier 116 may instead just be linearly
displaced. Such
embodiments may therefore eliminate the use of the stationary pin 120 and the
helical groove
148. Additionally, according to such embodiments, the first magnet 122 can be
positioned in the
activation carrier 116, or otherwise coupled to the activation carrier 116, at
an orientation such
that the first pole of the first magnet 122 is positioned to be adjacent to
second magnet 124 when
the activation carrier 116 is at the activation position, and generally
retains such an orientation
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
relative to the activation carrier 116 when the activation carrier 116 is also
at the inactivated
position.
100771 FIGS. 14-18B illustrate an indicator mechanism assembly 300
according to another
illustrated embodiment of the subject application. As shown, the indicator
mechanism assembly
300 can be coupled to a portion of a thumb turn assembly. Similar to the
previously discussed
pushbutton assembly 222, the thumb turn assembly can be configured to lock
and/or unlock a
latch bolt 238 at/from an extended position. According to the illustrated
embodiment, the
indicator mechanism assembly 300 includes an escutcheon 302, a cover plate
304, an indicator
plate 306, a cam 308, and a rear case 310. The escutcheon 302 can include, or
otherwise be
coupled to, a thumb turn 312 of the thumb turn assembly. The thumb turn 312
can be configured
to be rotated by a user between an unlocked and a locked position, the locked
position of the
thumb turn being associated with the thumb turn assembly locking the latch
bolt 238 in the
extended locked position, and the unlocked position of the thumb turn 312
being associated with
the thumb turn assembly not prohibiting the retraction of the latch bolt 238
from the extended
position by rotation of at least one of the first and second levers 102, 228.
100781 As shown by at least FIGS. 14, 19A and 19B, the rear case 310 can be
coupled to a
magnet 314 such that the magnet 314 is positioned around, or at least in
proximity to, at least a
first side 316 of the rear case 310. For example, according to the illustrated
embodiment, the
rear case 310 can include an aperture 318 that is sized to receive secure
placement of the magnet
314. The rear case 310 can also include an opening 320 that extends between
the first and
second sides 316, 322 of the rear case 310, and through which a portion of a
hub 324 of the cam
308, as well as a portion of a spindle 326 of the thumb turn assembly and/or
thumb turn 312 can
be positioned. Moreover, the opening 320 can be sized to at least assist in
guiding the rotational
displacement of the cam 308 between positions associated with the thumb turn
312 being rotated
between the locked and unlocked positions. Additionally, according to the
illustrated
embodiment, the first side 316 of the rear case 310 can include a first
indicator symbol 328,
while a second indicator symbol 330 is positioned on the cam 308, the second
indicator symbol
330 being different than the first indicator symbol 328. For example,
according to the illustrated
embodiment, the first indicator symbol 328 can be an image of a locked
padlock, while the
second indicator symbol 330 can be an image of an unlocked padlock. As shown
in FIG. 19A,
according to certain embodiments, the first side 316 of the rear case 310 can
be attached to a
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
cover 332, such as, for example, an acrylic plate, that can be configured to
at least assist in
retaining a position of the magnet 314 relative to rear case 310, including,
for example, assist in
retaining the magnet 314 in the aperture 318. Additionally, according to
certain embodiments,
the cover 332 can be the cover plate 304.
100791 The cam 308 can include a body portion 334 that extends from the hub
324.
Additionally, the hub 324 can extend about an opening 313 in the cam 308 that
is sized to
receive at least a portion of the spindle 326 thumb turn 312, or receive
another portion of the
thumb turn assembly. The first indicator symbol 328 can be positioned on the
first side 336 of
the body portion 334. The cam 308 can also be attached to, or otherwise
include, a
ferromagnetic body 338. For example, according to the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 17-18B,
the ferromagnetic body 338 can be a retaining clip 338a or hair pin clip 338b
that is configured
to be attached to a connection body 340 of the body portion 334 of the cam
308, as such as, for
example, a connection body 340 on a second side 344 of the body portion 334 of
the cam 308.
Moreover, the ferromagnetic body 338 can be sized so that an opening 342 of
the ferromagnetic
body 338 can be at least partially expanded to a degree that accommodates
placement of at least
portions of the ferromagnetic body 338 about the connection body 340.
According to such an
embodiment, when the ferromagnetic body 338 is matingly secured to the
connection body 340,
the ferromagnetic body 338 can exert a compression force against the
connection body 340 to a
level that retains secure engagement between the ferromagnetic body 338 and
the connection
body 340.
[00801 The indicator plate 306 can be coupled to the rear case 310 and
includes a window 346
through which at least one of the first and second indicator symbols 328, 330
can be seen.
Moreover, the window 346, cam 308, and first and second indicator symbols 328,
330 can be
configured such that when the thumb turn 312 is at one of a locked position or
an unlocked
position, one of the first and second indicator symbols 328, 330 is positioned
to be viewed
through the window 346. Thus, the cover plate 304, which can be a UL plate,
can be positioned
adjacent to the indicator plate 306, and can thus be configured to not block
at least the window
indicator plate 306 from view when the indicator mechanism assembly 300 is
assembled. As
also illustrated, the cover plate 304 can include a plurality of apertures 348
that can at least assist
in the indicator mechanism assembly 300 being horizontally mounted. The
escutcheon 302 can
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
also provide an opening through which at least the window 346 of the indicator
plate 306, and
thus one of the first and second indicator symbols 328, 330, can be viewed.
10081j The magnet 314 and the ferromagnetic body 338 can be configured to
prevent the cam
308, and thus the first indicator symbol 328, from being at a position at
which portions of both
the first and second indicator symbols 328, 330 are simultaneously viewable
through the window
346. For example, as indicated by at least Figure 16, the opening 313 of the
cam 308 and the
spindle 326 of the thumb turn 312 may both have squared cross sectional shapes
that can assist
with the cam 308 being rotated via rotation of the thumb turn 312. However,
differences in the
sizes of the cross sectional shapes of the spindle 326 of the thumb turn 312
and/or manufacturing
tolerances, among other factors or possibilities, can result in the cam 308
not being rotated
completely at least when the thumb turn is completely at one of its locked
position or unlocked
position. For example, differences in sizes between the spindle 326 and the
opening 313 of the
cam 308 can result in the spindle 326 being rotatable to some degree within
the opening 313 of
the cam 308 without the spindle 326 operably engaging the walls the define the
opening 313 of
the cam 308 in a manner that causes the cam 308 to rotate. Thus, to at least
some degree, the
spindle 326 can be rotated to some degree before the spindle 326 reaches a
point at which the
spindle 326 engages the cam 308 in a manner that initiates the rotation of the
cam 308.
[00821 Conversely, such differences in sizes can result in the spindle 326
being fully rotated to
one of the locked or unlocked position, but the cam 308 not reaching, or being
placed, in a
position that corresponds to the final, complete rotation position of the cam
308. For example,
such issues can result in the cam 308 being at a position that is about 10
degrees to about 15
degrees away from a position that corresponds to the fully rotated position
the cam 308. As a
consequence, in at least certain situations in which the cam 308 is to be at
an indicator position at
which the cam 308 at least completely blocks the first indicator symbol 328
from view through
the window 346, the cam 308 may instead be at a generally intermediate
position at which the
user may be able to view at least portions of both the first and second
indicator symbols 328,
330. To prevent such issues, one or both of the magnet 314 and the
ferromagnetic body 338 can
be positioned and/or sized so that a magnetic force, such as an attraction
force, is provided
therebetween that can facilitate the cam 308 being magnetically pulled, or
otherwise rotated, to
the full rotation position such that the cam 308 at least blocks the first
indicator symbol 328 from
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
view through the window 346 and/or the entire second indicator symbol 330 is
completely
viewable.
10083f FIGS. 20-21B illustrate an indicator mechanism assembly 400
according to another
illustrated embodiment of the subject application. The indicator mechanism
assembly 400 can
include a cover 402, an indicator plate 404, a cam 406, a guide plate 408, a
rear cover plate 410,
and one or more rear cover plate springs 412. Although shown as separate
components,
according to certain embodiments, the cover 402 and the guide plate 408 can be
a single, unitary
component. The cam 406 can include a protrusion 416 that extends in a
direction that is
generally parallel to an axis of rotation and the cam 406, and which is
positioned in a slot 414 in
the indicator plate 404. Although the slot 414 is illustrated as having a
first ramp 418 and an
opposing second ramp 420 that provide the slot 414 with a generally "V" shape,
the slot 414 can
have a variety of other shapes. Additionally, although the slot 414 is
illustrated as having both
first and second ramps 418, 420, according to certain embodiments the slot 414
may have one,
but not both, of the first and second ramps 418, 420. Moreover, as discussed
below, the
inclusion of first and second ramps 418, 420 allows the option of the cam 406
being rotated in
one of two directions to lift, or otherwise upwardly displace, the indicator
plate 404.
100841 The guide plate 408 is configured to be covered by the cover 402,
and can include
openings 422, 424 that correspond to openings 426, 428 in the cover 402 that
relate to a lock
assembly. For example, an opening 422, 426 in each of the guide plate 408 and
the cover 402
can correspond to the location of the placement of a portion of the lever,
spring cage, and/or
other components of the lock assembly, while another opening 424, 428 can
correspond to
components related to a thumb turn assembly, pushbutton assembly, or lock
cylinder, among
other components. The guide plate 408 can also include an elongated aperture
430 that can
receive placement of at least one of the indicator plate 404 and the rear
cover plate 410.
According to certain embodiments, the aperture 430 is sized to accommodate
and/or guide the
linear vertical displacement of the indicator plate 306 between a first
position and a second
position. The one or more rear cover plate springs 412 can be positioned at
least between an
outer sidewall of the rear cover plate 410 and the guide plate 408.
[00851 The indicator plate 404 can include a first indicator symbol 432 and
a second indicator
symbol 434 that are vertically offset from each other, and which can each
provide a different
information or indication. For example, according to the illustrated
embodiment, the first
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
indicator symbol 432 can be the term "UNLOCKED", while the second indicator
symbol 434
can be the term "LOCKED", and can correspond to a locked or unlocked status of
the associated
lock assembly. Additionally, the cover 402 can include an indicator opening
436 through which
one of the first and second indicator symbols 432, 434 is visible from a
position external to the
indicator mechanism assembly 400.
100861 The cam 406 can extend through an opening 411 in the rear cover
plate 410, and can be
rotated in a variety of different manners. According to the illustrated
embodiment, the cam 406
can include an opening, such as, but not limited to, a square cross sectional
shaped opening, that
receives the spindle 326 such that rotation of the thumb turn 312 facilitates
rotation of the cam
406. As shown in FIG. 21A, when the cam 406 is at a first rotation position,
the protrusion 416
of the cam 406 can be generally located at a base location of the slot 414 of
the indicator plate
404. With the protrusion 416 at the base location, the first indicator symbol
432, in this example
the word "LOCKED", can be positioned to be viewable through the indicator
opening 436 in the
cover 402. Accordingly, the indicator mechanism assembly 400 can be configured
in the
illustrated example for the cam 406 to be placed at the first rotation
position when the latch bolt
238 is placed in the condition in which the latch bolt 238 is locked in the
extended position.
100871 If the locked latch bolt 238 is subsequently unlocked, such
unlocking can facilitate the
cam 406 being rotated to a second rotation position that corresponds to the
indicator plate 404
being lifted to a position at which the second indicator symbol 434, and not
the first indicator
symbol 432, is viewable through the indicator opening 436 in the cover 402.
For example, as the
illustrated embodiment of the indicator plate 404 accommodates bi-directional
rotation of the
cam 406 to the second rotation position, rotation of the cam 406 in one of a
right or left direction
from the first rotation position to the second rotation position can result in
the protrusion 416 of
the cam 406 exerting a generally upward force against an upper wall 438 of
either the first or
second ramp 420. The force provided by the protrusion 416 against the upper
wall 438 can
generally vertically displace the indicator plate 404 in an upward direction
so that the second
indicator symbol 434, in this example the word "UNLOCKED", is lifted to a
positioned to be
viewable through the indicator opening 436 in the cover 402.
[00881 If the unlocked latch bolt 238 is to be subsequently locked in the
extended position, the
locking of the latch bolt 238 can facilitate the cam 406 being rotated in a
direction that results in
the protrusion 416 exerting a generally downward force against a lower wall
440 of one of the
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
first and second ramps 418, 420 that pushes the indicator plate 404 in a
generally downward
vertical direction. As the protrusion reaches the base portion 442 of the slot
414, the force
provided by the protrusion 416 against the lower wall 440 can generally lower
the indicator plate
404 so that the first indicator symbol 432, and not the second indicator
symbol 434, is viewable
through the indicator opening 436 in the cover 402.
100891 FIGS. 22-24B illustrate an indicator mechanism assembly 500
according to another
illustrated embodiment of the subject application. The indicator mechanism
assembly 500 can
include an outer cover 501, an inner cover 502, an indicator plate 504, a cam
506, and a rear case
508. According to certain embodiments, the inner cover 502 can be constructed
of a transparent
material. Further, the indicator plate 504 can include one or more apertures
510 that can
matingly receive protrusions 512 of the rear case 508 to provide a snap fit
arrangement
therebetween that at least assists in retaining the inner cover 502 to rear
case 508. The outer
cover 501 can be coupled to at least the rear case 508 by one or more
mechanical fasteners,
including, for example, screws and include an indicator opening 514 positioned
to accommodate
external visual access to a first indicator symbol 516 on the indicator plate
504, or a second
indicator symbol 518 on the rear case 508. Similarly, the inner cover 502 can
also include an
indicator opening 515 that is positioned for alignment with the indicator
opening 514 of the outer
cover 501.
[00901 The cam 506 can include a protrusion 520 that extends in a direction
that is generally
orthogonal to a central axis of rotation of the cam 506, and which is
positioned in an opening 522
in the indicator plate 504 that is generally defined by an indicator cam wall
524 of the indicator
plate 504. As shown, the indicator cam wall 524 includes a base cam wall 526
that is positioned
between a pair of opposing cam wall ramps 528. Although the cam wall ramps 528
are
illustrated as each having inwardly tapered extensions 530, the cam wall ramps
528 can have a
variety of other shapes. Additionally, although the indicator cam wall 524 is
illustrated as two
cam wall ramps 528, according to certain embodiments, the indicator cam wall
524 can have
only one cam wall ramp. Moreover, as discussed below, the inclusion of a cam
wall ramp 528 at
either end of the base cam wall 526 allows for the option of the cam 506 being
rotated in one of
two directions to lift, or otherwise upwardly displace, the indicator plate
504.
100911 The rear case 508 includes a cavity 532 that can receive placement
of the indicator plate
504. According to certain embodiments, the cavity 532 is sized to accommodate
and/or guide
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
the linear vertical displacement of the indicator plate 504 between a first
position at which the
first indicator symbol 516 on the rear case 508, and not the second indicator
symbol 518, is
viewable through an indicator opening 514 in the outer cover 501, and a second
position at
which the second indicator symbol 518 on the indicator plate 504, and not the
first indicator
symbol 516, is viewable through the indicator opening 514. According to the
illustrated
embodiment, the first indicator symbol 516 can be the term "UNLOCKED", while
the second
indicator symbol 518 can be the term "LOCKED", and each can correspond to a
locked or
unlocked status of the associated lock assembly.
[0092] The cam 506 can extend through an opening 534 in the rear case 508,
and can be rotated
in a variety of different manners. According to the illustrated embodiment,
the cam 506 can
include an opening, such as, but not limited to, a square cross sectional
shaped opening, that
receives the spindle 326 such that rotation of the thumb turn 312 facilitates
rotation of the cam
506. As shown in FIG. 24A, when the cam 506 is at a first rotation position,
the protrusion 520
of the cam 506 can abut the base cam wall 526 of the indicator plate 504. In
such a situation, the
second indicator symbol 518, in this example the word "UNLOCKED" can be
positioned to be
viewable through the indicator opening 514 in the outer cover 501.
100931 If the latch bolt 238 is subsequently locked, such locking can be
facilitate the cam 506
being rotated to a second rotation position that corresponds to the indicator
plate 504 being
generally vertically lifted to a position in which indicator plate 504 does
not block the first
indicator symbol 516 from view through the indicator opening 514 in the inner
cover 502. For
example, as in the illustrated embodiment the indicator plate 504 includes a
pair of cam wall
ramps 528, the indicator plate 504 can accommodate bi-directional rotation of
the cam 506.
Moreover, rotation of the cam 506 from the first rotation position to a second
rotation position
can be accomplished via rotation of the cam 506 in either one of a right or
left direction from the
first rotation position to the second rotation position. As the cam 506 is
rotated to the second
rotation position, the cam wall ramp 528 is configured for the protrusion 520
of the cam 506 to
exert a generally upward force against the cam wall ramp 528 that facilitates
the generally
upward vertically displacement of the indicator plate 504. Such lifting of the
indicator plate 504
moves the second indicator symbol 518 from view and reveals the first
indicator symbol 516,
which had been behind the indicator plate 504 on the rear case 508.
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[0094] If the unlocked latch bolt 238 is to be subsequently locked in the
extended position, the
locking of the latch bolt 238 can facilitate the cam 506 being rotated to a
position where the cam
506 exerts a generally downward force at least against the base cam wall 526
that results in the
displacement of the indicator plate 504 in a generally downward vertical
direction. Such
lowering of the indicator plate 504 moves the second indicator symbol 518 into
position to be
viewed through the indicator opening 514 in the outer cover 501, and results
in the indicator
plate 504 covering the first indicator symbol 516 so that the first indicator
symbol 516 cannot be
seen through the indicator opening 514 in the outer cover 501.
[00951 The exemplary indicator mechanism assembly 500 shown in FIGS. 22-24B
depict an
arrangement in which the first and second indicator symbols 516, 518 are
visible through an
indicator opening 514 in a lower portion of the outer cover 501. Moreover, in
the illustrated the
configuration, the indicator plate 504 is lowered to cover the first indicator
symbol 518 on the
rear case 508. Alternately, as shown by the exemplary indicator mechanism
assembly 500'
shown in FIGS. 25-26, the first and second indicator symbols 516, 518 can be
positioned at
upper locations on the rear case 508' and indicator plate 504', respectively,
such that, when the
indicator plate 504' is raised, the indicator plate 504' is positioned to
block the first indicator
symbol 516 on the rear case 508' from view, and the second indicator symbol
518 is viewable
through the indicator opening 514', which is positioned in an upper portion of
the outer cover
501'. Conversely, when the indicator plate 504' is lowered via operation of
the cam 506, such as
the cam 506 engaging the base cam wall 526, the indicator plate 504' is
lowered to a position at
which the second indicator symbol 518 is no longer viewable through the
indicator opening 514'.
Moreover, the lowering of the indicator plate 504' moves the indicator plate
504' to a position at
which the indicator plate 504' no longer is blocking the first indicator
symbol 518 from being
visible through the indicator opening 514'.
100961 FIG. 27 illustrates a rear side perspective view of the indicator
mechanism assembly 500'
shown in FIG. 25 being positioned for attachment to a plate punch 600 that is
attached to an
entryway device 550. As shown, the plate punch 600 can include a plurality of
apertures that are
sized to receive a mechanical fastener, such as, for example, a screw, that
secures the plate punch
600 to the entryway device 550. As shown, an upper edge 602 of the plate punch
600 can
include a plurality of pockets 604 that can each matingly receive a retention
tab 536 that extends
downwardly from an upper outer wall 538 of the outer cover 501'. Additionally,
the plate punch
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
can include a lower ledge 606 that is positioned to abut an inner lower wall
540 of the outer
cover 501'. According to certain embodiments, the punch plate 600 can have a
length between
the lower ledge 606 and the upper portion of the punch plate 600 that is
adjacent to the pockets
604 that can result in a compressive engagement between the outer cover 501'
and the punch
plate 600 when assembled. Further, the indicator mechanism assembly 500' can
include a spring
542 that is attached to the rear case 508, and which can abut the plate punch
600.
100971 With reference to FIG. 28, illustrated therein is a status-
indicating lever handle assembly
700 according to certain embodiments. The illustrated handle assembly 700 is
configured for
use as an interior handle of the type installed to the interior side of a lock
chassis for mounting in
a door. The handle assembly 700 is mounted to an interior spindle 702, which
is rotatably
mounted to an interior spring cage 704 and is connected with the lock chassis
such that rotation
of the spindle 702 about a longitudinal axis 701 causes retraction of a
latchbolt. Positioned
within the spindle 702 is a push rod 706 that is connected to the chassis such
that movement of
the push rod 706 between a proximal position and a distal position transitions
the lock chassis
between a locked state and an unlocked state, for example as described above.
100981 As described herein, the handle assembly 700 generally includes a
lever handle 710, a
pushbutton 720 movably mounted to the handle 710, an activation carrier 730
engaged with the
pushbutton 720, a bezel 740 mounted to the handle 710, and a status indicator
750 mounted
within the handle 710.
[0099] The lever handle 710 generally includes a longitudinally-extending
shank 712, a grip
portion 714 extending laterally from the shank 712, and a chamber 716 formed
in the grip
portion 714. The grip portion 714 includes a front face 715, and the chamber
716 includes an
opening 717 defined in the front face 715. As described herein, the status
indicator 750 is
mounted in the chamber 716 and is configured to display indicia relating to
the locked/unlocked
state of the lock chassis.
[01.00] A pushbutton 720 is mounted within the shank 712 and is accessible
via an opening 713
formed in the front face 715 of the lever handle 710. The pushbutton 720 is
mounted to the push
rod 706 to facilitate manual manipulation of the push rod 706. As such, a user
is able to change
the lock chassis between the locked state and the unlocked state by
manipulating (e.g., pushing
or pushing and turning) the pushbutton 720. In the illustrated form, the
pushbutton 720 is
provided as a push/turn button that facilitates both linear and rotational
displacement of the push
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
rod 706. In other forms, the pushbutton 720 may not necessarily be configured
to facilitate
rotation of the push rod 706. The pushbutton 720 includes a channel 722, which
in the illustrated
form is annular.
[0101] An activation carrier 730 is mounted to the pushbutton 720 for
movement with the
pushbutton 720 and the drive rod 706 between the proximal unlocking position
and the distal
locking position. The activation carrier 730 includes a clip portion 732 that
is engaged with the
channel 722, a body portion 734 coupled to the clip portion 732, and a first
magnet 738 mounted
in an opening 735 formed in the body portion 734. Due to the fact that the
activation carrier 730
is mounted for linear movement with the pushbutton 720 and the drive rod 706,
movement of the
pushbutton 720 and the drive rod 706 between the locking and unlocking
positions causes
movement of the first magnet 738 within the shank 712.
[01021 In the illustrated form, the bezel 740 is mounted in the opening 717
and at least partially
encloses the chamber 716. The bezel 740 includes a laterally-extending window
742 through
which a portion of the indicator assembly 750 is visible. The window 742 may
be covered by a
transparent or translucent cover 744 that discourages the accumulation of
dust, debris, and grime
within the window 742.
101031 The status indicator 750 generally includes a barrel 760 that is
mounted within the
chamber 716 for rotation about a lateral axis 751, and a second magnet 752
mounted to the barrel
760. The barrel 760 includes a first, lock-indicating section 762 and a
second, unlock-indicating
section 764, each of which is selectively visible via the window 742. The lock-
indicating section
762 includes one or more locked indicia 763 that indicate to the user that the
lock chassis is in
the locked state when the locked indicium 763 is visible via the window 742.
Similarly, the
unlock-indicating section 764 includes one or more unlocked indicia 765 that
indicate to the user
that the lock chassis is in the unlocked state when the unlocked indicium 765
is visible via the
window 742. In certain forms, the locked indicia 763 may comprise a first
color, and the
unlocked indicia 765 may comprise a second color. It is also contemplated that
the locked
indicia 763 and/or the unlocked indicia 765 may take another form, such as
those described
hereinabove.
[01041 As noted above, the push rod 706, the pushbutton 720, the activation
carrier 730, and the
first magnet 738 are mounted for joint longitudinal movement between a
proximal unlocking
position in which the lock chassis is unlocked, and a distal locking position
in which the lock
31
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
chassis is locked. The first magnet 738 and the second magnet 752 are mounted
to the activation
carrier 730 and the barrel 760 such that movement of the pushbutton 720
between the locking
position and the unlocking position causes rotation of the barrel 760 between
a lock-indicating
position and an unlock-indicating position. When the pushbutton 720 is in its
locking position,
the barrel 760 is in its lock-indicating position, in which the lock-
indicating section 762 is visible
via the window 742 to indicate that the lock chassis is in the locked state.
When the pushbutton
720 is in its unlocking position, the barrel 760 is in its unlock-indicating
position, in which the
unlock-indicating section 764 is visible via the window 742 to indicate that
the lock chassis is in
the unlocked state. As will be appreciated, the magnetic interaction between
the first magnet 738
and the second magnet 752 causes the barrel 760 to rotate between the lock-
indicating position
and the unlock-indicating position as the pushbutton 720 move between the
locking position and
the unlocking position. The lock-indicating position and the unlock-indicating
position are
rotationally offset from one another by an offset angle. In the illustrated
form, the offset angle is
about 90 . It is also contemplated that other offset angles may be utilized,
including both acute
angles and obtuse angles.
101051
With additional reference to FIGS. 29-31, illustrated therein is a status-
indicating handle
assembly 800 according to certain embodiments. The illustrated handle assembly
800 is
configured for use as an outside handle of the type installed to the outside
side of a door having
mounted thereto a lock chassis. For example, a lockset 890 may include the
lock chassis 892, the
above-described handle assembly 700 as an inside handle, and the handle
assembly 800 as an
outside handle. The handle assembly 800 is mounted to an outside spindle 802,
which is
rotatably mounted to an outside spring cage 804 and is connected with the lock
chassis 892 such
that rotation of the spindle 802 about a longitudinal axis 801 causes
retraction of a latchbolt 894
when the lock chassis 892 is in an unlocked state. Positioned within the
spindle 802 is an outside
push rod 806 that is connected to the chassis 892 such that the push rod 806
moves along the
longitudinal axis 801 between a locking positon and an unlocking position as
the lock chassis
892 transitions between the locked state and the unlocked state. Thus, as with
the inside push
rod 706, the locking position of the outside push rod 806 is correlated with
the locked state of the
lock chassis 892, and the unlocking position of the outside push rod 806 is
correlated with the
unlocked state of the lock chassis 892.
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[01.06] As described herein, the handle assembly 800 generally includes a
lever handle 810, a
housing 820 mounted within the lever handle 810, a transmission 830 mounted in
the housing
820, an activation carrier 840 mounted in the housing 820 and engaged with the
transmission
830, a rotatable plug 850 slidably engaged with the outside push rod 806, and
a status indicator
860 mounted in the lever handle 810.
101071 The lever handle 810 generally includes a longitudinally-extending
shank 812, a grip
portion 814 extending laterally from the shank 812, and a chamber 816 formed
in the grip
portion 814. The grip portion 814 includes a front face 815, and the chamber
816 includes an
opening 817 defined in the front face 815. As described herein, the status
indicator 860 is
mounted in the chamber 816 and is configured to display indicia relating to
the locked/unlocked
state of the lock chassis 892.
[0108] A housing 820 is seated within the shank 812 and includes a first
chamber 823 and a
second chamber 824 connected with the first chamber 823. The first chamber 823
generally
extends along the longitudinal axis 801, and the second chamber 824 generally
extends along a
secondary longitudinal axis 801' that is laterally offset from the primary
longitudinal axis 801.
101091 The transmission 830 is rotatably seated in the first chamber 823
for rotation about the
primary longitudinal axis 801. The transmission 830 includes a generally
cylindrical body
portion 832, a helical groove 834 defined by the body portion 832, and a
transmission gear 836
including a plurality of gear teeth 837 extending radially outward from the
body portion 832. A
pin 838 extends through an aperture 807 formed in the push rod 806 and is
engaged with the
helical groove 834 such that rotation of the transmission 830 about the
longitudinal axis 801 is
correlated with movement of the push rod 806 along the longitudinal axis 801.
101101 The activation carrier 840 is rotatably seated in the second chamber
824 for rotation
about the secondary longitudinal axis 801', and in the illustrated form, is
further mounted for
movement along the secondary longitudinal axis 801'. The activation carrier
840 includes a
generally cylindrical body portion 842 defining a chamber 844, and a gear 846
including a
plurality of gear teeth 847 extending radially outward from the body portion
842. The gear 846
is engaged with the transmission gear 836 such that rotation of the
transmission 830 about the
primary longitudinal axis 801 (e.g., as a result of longitudinal movement of
the push rod 806)
causes a corresponding rotation of the activation carrier 840 about the
secondary longitudinal
axis 801'. As a result, rotation of the activation carrier 840 about the
secondary longitudinal axis
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
801' is correlated with movement of the push rod 806 along the primary
longitudinal axis 801. A
first magnet 848 is mounted in the chamber 844. In the illustrated form, the
first magnet 848 is
provided as a diametric magnet such that rotation of the magnet 848 about the
secondary
longitudinal axis 801' alters the orientation of the magnetic field generated
by the magnet 848.
As described herein, such rotation of the first magnet 848 causes the status
indicator 860 to
transition between a lock-indicating state and an unlock-indicating state.
101111 As noted above, the activation carrier 840 is mounted for movement
along the secondary
longitudinal axis 801'. More particularly, the activation carrier 840 is
longitudinally movable
between an engaged position in which the gears 836, 846 are engaged with one
another and a
disengaged position in which the gears 836, 846 are disengaged from one
another. The
activation carrier 840 may be biased toward the engaged position by a biasing
member 849. In
the illustrated form, the biasing member 849 is provided in the form of a
compression spring. In
other embodiments, the biasing member 849 may be provided in another form,
such as that of a
torsion spring, an extension spring, an elastic member, or a magnet. The body
portion 842
includes an aperture 843 that is aligned with an opening 811 in the handle 810
such that a tool
(e.g., an Allen wrench or screwdriver) can be inserted into the aperture 843
via the opening 811.
As described herein, the tool may be utilized to adjust the rotational
position of the activation
carrier 840 to accommodate for different door thicknesses.
[01121 The plug 850 is rotatably mounted to the lever handle 810, and is
accessible via an
opening 813 in the handle 810. The plug 850 generally includes a head 852 and
a stem 854
extending from the head 852. In the illustrated form, the head 852 includes a
groove 853
operable to receive the tip of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver by which
the plug 850 can be
rotated. The stem 854 includes a longitudinally-extending slot 855 through
which the pin 838
extends to rotationally couple the plug 850 with the push rod 806 while
permitting longitudinal
movement of the push rod 806 relative to the plug 850. Rotation of the plug
850 (e.g., by a tool)
causes the pin 838 to travel within the helical groove 834 and along the slot
855, thereby causing
axial or longitudinal displacement of the drive rod 806, while the slot 855
permits the plug 850 to
remain in the same axial location relative to the handle 810. As such, when
the lockset 890 is in
its locked state, rotation of the plug 850 (e.g., by a tool) can serve to
drive the push rod 806 to its
unlocked position, thereby transitioning the lock chassis 892 to the unlocked
state for emergency
override of the locked condition.
34
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
[01131 The status indicator 860 generally includes a barrel 870 that is
mounted in the chamber
816 for rotation about a lateral axis, a second magnet 862 mounted in the
barrel 870, and a
transparent or translucent cover plate 864 that is seated in the opening 817
and encloses the
chamber 816. Like the barrel 760, the barrel 870 includes a first, lock-
indicating section 872 and
a second, unlock-indicating section 874, each of which is selectively visible
via the opening 817.
The lock-indicating section 872 includes one or more locked indicia 873 that
indicate to the user
that the lock chassis 892 is in the locked state when the locked indicium 873
is visible behind the
cover plate 864. Similarly, the unlock-indicating section 874 includes one or
more unlocked
indicia 875 that indicate to the user that the lock chassis 892 is in the
unlocked state when the
unlocked indicium 875 is visible behind the cover plate 864. In certain forms,
the locked indicia
873 may comprise a first color, and the unlocked indicia 875 may comprise a
second color. It is
also contemplated that the locked indicia 873 and/or the unlocked indicia 875
may take another
form, such as those described above.
1011411 As noted above, longitudinal movement of the push rod 806 is
correlated with rotation of
the activation carrier 840 such that longitudinal movement of the push rod 806
between its
locking position and its unlocking position causes rotation of the activation
carrier 840 (and thus
the magnet 848) between a locking position and an unlocking position. While
other forms are
contemplated, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking and unlocking
positions of the
activation carrier 840 are offset from one another by about 180 . As a result,
a first pole of the
first magnet 848 faces the second magnet 862 when the activation carrier 840
is in the locking
position, and an opposite second pole of the first magnet 848 faces the second
magnet 862 when
the activation carrier 840 is in the unlocking position. Additionally, the
magnetic interaction
(i.e., attraction and/or repulsion) between the magnets 848, 862 causes the
barrel 870 to rotate
between a lock-indicating position corresponding to the locking position of
the activation carrier
840 and an unlock-indicating position corresponding to the unlocking position
of the activation
carrier 840.
101151 As noted above, a tool may be inserted into the aperture 843 via the
opening 811 to adjust
the rotational position of the activation carrier 840, for example to
accommodate for different
door thicknesses. When so inserted, the tool may be pushed in order to push
the activation
carrier 840 to the disengaged position against the force of the biasing member
849 to thereby
disengage the gears 836, 846 from one another. With the activation carrier 840
in the disengaged
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
position, the tool may be rotated to rotate the activation carrier 840 and the
magnet 848 mounted
therein to a position corresponding to the correct position of the barrel 870.
For example, if the
lock chassis 892 is currently in the locked state but the status indicator 860
indicates that the lock
chassis 892 is in the unlocked state, the tool may be used to adjust the
rotational position of the
activation carrier 840 such that the status indicator 860 adopts the
appropriate state.
101161 While the invention has been described in connection with what is
presently considered
to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that
the invention is not
to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended
to cover various
modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope
of the appended
claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law.
[01171 Furthermore it should be understood that while the use of the word
preferable, preferably,
or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may
be more desirable, it
nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be
contemplated as
within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that
follow. In reading
the claims it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one"
and "at least a portion"
are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless
specifically stated to the
contrary in the claim. Further, when the language "at least a portion" and/or
"a portion" is used
the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically
stated to the contrary.
36
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-19
