Reversible mortise lock

Abstract

A reversible mortise lock comprises a latch bolt which is removable from the housing for ease of reversal. A securing member is disposed inside the lock housing for releasbly holding the latch bolt in the housing. The securing member includes a securing element having a blocking surface biased into engagement with the latch bolt for securing the latch bolt to the securing member. The securing element has a surface accessible from outside the lock housing which when pressed releases the latch bolt from the securing member. Once the latch bolt is freed, the latch bolt can be completely removed from the lock housing, reversed and reinstalled. This releasing surface is only accessible through the side walls of the lock housing. Therefore, latch bolt reversal must be performed before the lock is installed in a door. Once the lock is installed, the latch bolt cannot be reversed because the latch bolt cannot be removed from the lock. A locking mechanism for use in the lock comprises a blocking element in the housing and a toggle for manually moving the blocking element between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to a latch operator. A stop is removably attached to the blocking element and adapted in the locked position to prevent operation of the outside latch operator. The stop is also accessible through the side walls of the lock housing and positioning of the stop in the blocking element is accomplished before installation. Preferably, the stop is a threaded plug which is received in a threaded opening in the blocking element. Thus, a screw driver is the only tool needed to release the latch bolt from the lock housing for reversal of the latch bolt and locking mechanism.