# US 6,293,131 B1 · Lock casing to be installed in a door or the like > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,131 B1 - Document ID: US6293131B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/211,760 - Filed: 1998-12-15 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1997-12-16 - Assignees: Abloy Oy - Inventors: Jaakko Lemettinen; Juha Raatikainen; Ari Pirinen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293131B1 ## CPC - E05B 47/0603: {the detent moving rectilinearly} - E05B 47/0002: {with electromagnets} - E05B 63/06: with lengthwise-adjustable bolts {; with adjustable backset, i.e. distance from door edge} - E05B 9/02: {Casings} of latch-bolt {or deadbolt} locks - E05B 17/2011: {using balls or the like cooperating with notches (E05B63/121 takes precedence)} - E05B 47/0004: {said core being linearly movable} - E05B 55/00: Locks in which a sliding latch is used also as a locking bolt - E05B 63/0056: {Locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts (adjustable strikers E05B15/024; adjustable to different keys E05B35/083; adjustable bolt or backset E05B63/06; adjustable coupling means for bars, rods, cables E05C9/20)} - E05B 65/06: for swing doors {or windows, i.e. opening inwards and outwards} - E05B 2047/0073: {Current to unlock only} - E05B 2047/0085: {Key and electromagnet} - Y10S 292/60: Adjustment provisions - Y10T 70/7102: And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring] - Y10T 70/7107: And alternately mechanically actuated by a key, dial, etc. - Y10T 70/8541: Mounting arrangements - Y10T 70/8838: Adjustment provisions - Y10T 292/0982: Bolt blocking or disabling means - Y10T 292/62: Bolt casings - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A lock casing comprises a case-like lock housing and a follower unit which is releasably fastened to the lock housing at an adjustable distance from the front plate of the lock casing. The follower unit includes a follower element which is turnable in the follower unit about an operating axis and is accessible from at least one side of the door for turning by means of a key operated locking mechanism. Force transmitting elements provide a force transmitting connection between the follower element and the bolt of the lock casing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lock casing to be installed in a door or the like, comprising: a front plate, a case-like lock housing attached to the front plate and including a bolt, a follower unit which is releasably fastened to the front plate and includes a follower element which is turnable in the follower unit about an operating axis, the follower element being accessible from at least one side of the door for turning by means of a key operated locking mechanism, at least one spacer element between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the follower unit is held at a distance from the front plate, the or each spacer element being detachable from both the front plate and tile follower unit and being removable from between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the or each spacer element can be removed and replaced with another spacer element of different thickness and the distance of the follower unit from the front plate can be adjusted, and a force transmitting means operable, on movement of the follower element, to control operation of the bolt, and wherein the spacer element does not extend between the front plate and the lock housing, whereby position of the lock housing relative to the front plate is not affected by the spacer element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the follower unit is fastened to the lock housing by at least one screw engaging the front plate and the follower unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the follower unit is fastened to the lock housing by screws and the or each spacer element is formed with holes through which the screws pass. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit and a second force transmitting element mounted in the lock housing, the first and second force transmitting elements cooperating through respective force transmitting surfaces which extend transverse to the front plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A lock casing according to claim 4, wherein the first force transmitting element is guided for movement perpendicular to the operating axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A lock casing according to claim 4, wherein the front plate has a length dimension parallel to a line which is perpendicular to the operating axis and the follower unit has two walls with spaced, mutually confronting surfaces for guiding movement of the first force transmitting element parallel to the length dimension of the front plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the lock housing has two opposite side walls perpendicular to the front plate and the follower unit is disposed at least partly between the side walls of the lock housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the lock housing and the follower unit have respective guide surfaces which extend perpendicular to the front plate for cooperating to position the follower unit lengthwise of the front plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit, a second force transmitting element mounted in the lock housing and a dead locking member which is engageable with the bolt for dead locking the bolt, and the lock casing further comprises a solenoid means arranged to act on the second force transmitting element independently of the first force transmitting element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A lock casing according to claim 1, comprising a dead locking member having a dead locking position in which it blocks movement of the bolt from a protruding position to a retracted position, for dead locking the bolt, and a releasing position in which it allows movement of the bolt from its protruding position to its retracted position, a dead locking control member having a first position, in which it holds the dead locking member in its dead locking position, and a second position, in which it allows the dead locking member to move from its dead locking position to its releasing position, and a spring urging the dead locking control member toward its first position, and wherein when the bolt is in its protruding position, force applied to a lateral surface of the bolt generates a force component urging the bolt toward its retracted position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A lock casing according to claim 10, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit and second and third force transmitting elements mounted in the lock housing, the first, second and third force transmitting elements are mechanically in series, the third force transmitting element is operative, when acted on by the second force transmitting element, to urge the dead locking control member toward its second position, and the lock casing further comprises a solenoid means arranged to act on the third force transmitting element independently of the second force transmitting element for urging the dead locking control member toward its second position. ### Claim 12 A lock casing to be installed in a door or the like, comprising: a front plate with a longitudinal dimension, a case-like lock housing attached to the front plate, the lock housing including a bolt, a follower unit which includes a follower element which is turnable in the follower unit about an operating axis, a fastening means for securing the follower unit to the front plate at a position such that the operating axis is perpendicular to a line which is parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the front plate and the follower element is accessible from at least one side of the door for turning by means of a key operated locking mechanism, the fastening means including at least one spacer element positionable between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the follower unit is held at a distance from the front plate, the or each spacer element being detachable from both the front plate and the follower unit and being removable from between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the or each spacer element can be removed and replaced with another spacer element of different thickness and the distance of the follower unit from the front plate can be adjusted, and a force transmitting means operable, on movement of the follower element when the follower unit is secured to the lock housing, to control operation of the bolt, and wherein the spacer element does not extend between the front plate and the lock housing, whereby position of the lock housing relative to the front plate is not affected by the spacer element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, wherein the fastening means includes at least one screw for engaging the front plate and the or each spacer element is formed with at least one hole through which the screw can pass. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit and a second force transmitting element mounted in the lock housing, the first and second force transmitting elements cooperating through respective force transmitting surfaces which extend transverse to the front plate when the follower unit is fastened to the lock housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A lock casing according to claim 14, wherein the first force transmitting element is guided for movement perpendicular to the operating axis. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A lock casing according to claim 14, wherein the follower unit has two opposite walls with spaced, mutually confronting surfaces for guiding movement of the first force transmitting element perpendicular to the operating axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, wherein the lock housing has two opposite side walls perpendicular to the front plate and the follower unit can be disposed at least partly between the side walls of the lock housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, wherein the lock housing and the follower unit have respective guide surfaces which extend perpendicular to the front plate for cooperating to position the follower unit lengthwise of the front plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit, a second force transmitting element mounted in the lock housing and a dead locking member which is engageable with the bolt for dead locking the bolt, and the lock casing further comprises a solenoid means arranged to act on the second force transmitting element independently of the first force transmitting element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) A lock casing according to claim 12, comprising a dead locking member having a dead locking position in which it blocks movement of the bolt from a protruding position to a retracted position, for dead locking the bolt, and a releasing position in which it allows movement of the bolt from its protruding position to its retracted position, a dead locking control member having a first position, in which it holds the dead locking member in its dead locking position, and a second position, in which it allows the dead locking member to move from its dead locking position to its releasing position, and a spring urging the dead locking control member toward its first position, and wherein when the bolt is in its protruding position, force applied to a lateral surface of the bolt generates a force component urging the bolt toward its retracted position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A lock casing according to claim 20, wherein the force transmitting means includes a first force transmitting element mounted in the follower unit and second and third force transmitting elements mounted in the lock housing, the first, second and third force transmitting elements are mechanically in series when the follower unit is secured to the lock housing, the third force transmitting element is operative, when acted on by the second force transmitting element, to urge the dead locking control member toward its second position, and the lock casing further comprises a solenoid means arranged to act on the third force transmitting element independently of the second force transmitting element for urging the dead locking control member toward its second position. ### Claim 22 An article of manufacture including: a door having an edge, a key operated lock mechanism attached to the door and defining an operating axis at a predetermined distance from the edge of the door, and a lock casing to be installed in the door, the lock casing comprising: a case-like lock housing including a bolt, a front plate to which the lock housing is attached, for attaching the lock housing to the edge of the door, a follower unit which is releasably fastened to the front plate and includes a follower element which is turnable in the follower unit about a follower axis, the follower element being accessible from at least one side of the door for turning by means of the key operated lock mechanism, at least one spacer element between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the follower unit is held at a distance from the front plate, the or each spacer element being detachable from both the front plate and the follower unit and being removable from between the front plate and the follower unit, whereby the or each spacer element can be removed and replaced with another spacer element of different thickness and the distance of the follower unit from the front plate can be adjusted, and a force transmitting means operable, on movement of the follower element, to control operation of the bolt, and wherein the thickness of the or each spacer element is such that when the lock casing is installed in the door with the front; plate attaching the lock housing to the edge of the door, the follower axis is at said predetermined distance from the edge of the door, and wherein the spacer element does not extend between the front plate and the lock housing, whereby position of the lock housing relative to the front plate is not affected by the spacer element.