GB2296032A

GB2296032A - Locking sysem for doors and windows

Info

Publication number: GB2296032A
Application number: GB9425515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Philip Shenton
Original assignee: PLUS PLAN
Current assignee: PLUS PLAN
Priority date: 1994-12-17
Filing date: 1994-12-17
Publication date: 1996-06-19
Also published as: GB9425515D0

Abstract

An electronic window or door locking system which is ordinarily in the unlocked position, moving to the locked position upon the detection by sensor (130) of a person outside the window (100) or door, the mechanism returning to the unlocked position after the person has moved beyond the range of the sensor. The operation of the locking system by electronic means allows a plurality of locking formations to be provided without the need for more than one handle or complex mechanical linkages. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Locking System for Doors and Windows This invention relates to locking mechanisms for doors and windows, in particular to automatically operated systems providing added security.

Locking systems for windows commonly comprise locking elements, such as pins, provided on one edge of the window sash which locate in keeps on the corresponding internal face of the window frame. When the window is closed, the pins are moved by a manually-operable handle into locking engagement with the keeps, preventing opening of the window.

In view of heightened desire for domestic security, known locking systems of the type described above may be insufficiently effective. In particular, it may be desirable to provide locking elements on more than one edge of the window sash, but such an arrangement is difficult to realise in practice, since it necessitates a plurality of handles or complex mechanical linkages. Also, such an arrangement has the disadvantage that normal opening and closing may be time-consuming and cumbersome.

There has now been devised an improved form of locking system for doors and windows which overcomes or substantially mitigates the disadvantages of known systems.

According to the invention, there is provided a window or door assembly comprising a window or door panel mounted in a frame and moveable from an open position to a closed position, the frame or panel being provided with a locking formation moveable from an unlocked position in which the window or door may be opened, to a locking position in which, when the panel is in the closed position, the window or door is locked, locking means operable to move the locking formation from the unlocked position to the locking position, and sensor means arranged to detect the presence of a person in the external vicinity of the panel and to actuate the locking means in response thereto.

The window or door assembly according to the invention is advantageous primarily in that it provides greater security than known windows or doors provided with known locking systems. In particular, a plurality of locking formations may be provided at more than one edge of a door or window panel without the need for more than one handle or complex mechanical linkages. Each locking formation may be in the unlocked position during normal use, being moved into the locking position only in response to the presence of a person outside the window or door. Normal operation is thus no more complex than with a conventional window or door.

It is an important feature of preferred embodiments of the invention that the locking formation is normally in the unlocked position, and the locking means acts to move the locking formation to the locking position only in the event of the presence of a person outside the window or door being detected.

The sensor means may be a generally conventional movement detector, as used for instance in domestic security alarm systems. The sensor means preferably has a range of less than im, more preferably of the order of 50cm or less, so that the locking means are actuated only by close approach of a person to the window or door. For similar reasons, particularly in the case of doors and ground floor windows, the sensor means are preferably arranged in such a manner (eg at a sufficient height) that the likelihood of the locking means being unnecessarily actuated by the detection of the presence near the window of, for instance, a dog or cat is reduced.

Movement of the locking formation from the unlocked to the locking positions may be brought about by suitable electrical circuitry, eg involving a solenoid. For example, the locking formation may be a bolt which consists of the moving part of a cylindrical solenoid which moves in and out according to the electrical signal used to drive it. The bolt will move in one direction when supplied with a positive supply current and then back in the other direction when the electrical supply is reversed.

It is strongly preferred that there be provided means for overriding the locking system of the invention, so that it does not impede normal operation of the window during, for example, emergency egress. Such an override system is most preferably operably linked to a conventional manually operable handle. If the handle is operated, then the override system preferably prevents the locking formation being moved to the locking position. If the window is closed and the locking formation is in the locking position, then operation of the handle preferably causes the locking formation to be withdrawn to the unlocked position. To this end, the handle may incorporate switch means which are operably connected to the control circuitry of the locking system.

Most preferably, the disabling of the locking system remains operative for a fixed, pre-determined time. Typically, this time may be of the order of 15 seconds. After the expiry of this period, the system returns to normal operation.

The electrical circuitry is preferably battery powered, eg by an alkaline or rechargeable battery. For safety reasons, the electronic circuit is preferably provided with means for monitoring the battery voltage level and disabling the locking system in the event that the voltage falls below a level required for reliable operation. The system may incorporate means, eg an audible tone, to indicate low battery voltage. In the event that the battery voltage falls below a certain threshold value, the operation of the locking means is disabled so that in such circumstances the locking means can never impede escape of personnel through the door or window in an emergency.

Following actuation, the locking formation may remain in the locking position for a pre-determined period. This predetermined period could be, say, 20 seconds. At the end of this pre-determined period the locking formation preferably returns to the unlocked position, unless the presence of a person in the vicinity of the door or window is still detected.

The window or door of the present invention may be provided with a visual indicator, eg a flashing LED, to indicate the presence of the automatic security system and to act as a deterrent to any would-be intruder.

The locking formations are conveniently projections such as bolts which engage, in the locking position, in recesses in the adjacent face of the frame or panel.

The locking means may be housed in the door or window panel, in which case the locking formations engage in the frame.

Alternatively, the locking means may be housed in the frame and the locking formations engage in the door or window panel.

As well as being formed as an integral part of new doors or windows, the locking system of the invention may be added to existing doors or windows, to provide added security.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a window according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a locking device incorporated into the window of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional schematic view of the locking device of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a corner of a window sash forming part of the window of Figure 1, on which a second form of automatically actuatable locking device is mounted.

Figure 1 shows in highly schematic form a window (generally designated 100) set in a wall 200. The window 100 comprises a hinged sash 110 mounted in a frame. The sash 110 comprises extruded uPVC sash profiles 111,112 which surround a sealed glazing unit 115, the unit 115 being held in place by beads 116,117. Likewise, the frame comprises extruded uPVC frame profiles 121,122, the lower of which 121 forms a sill.

Fitted within the lower sash profile 111 is an infra-red movement detector 130 which is arranged to detect movement within the range indicated by the curved lines in Figure 1. The detector 130 is connected to one or more locking devices described below.

Referring now to Figure 2, a locking mechanism for installation on the edge of the window 100 comprises first and second sliding bars 1,2 which, when fitted to the window 100, lie substantially flush with the edge of the window sash. The adjoining ends of the bars 1,2 are housed in a casing 3. The casing 3 houses an electrical mechanism which acts to slide the bars 1,2 outwardly along the edge of the window sash.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the electrical mechanism comprises a solenoid arrangement 21 which acts on a projection on the underside of the first sliding bar 1. A similar solenoid arrangement (not shown) is provided to act on the second sliding bar 2. The bars 1,2 will move in the direction of the arrows when a positive supply current is applied to the respective solenoid, and in the opposite direction when the electrical supply is reversed.

The outward ends of the sliding bars 1,2 are formed into first and second projections 4,5. When the window 100 is open, the sliding bars 1,2 are retracted and do not protrude beyond the edge of the window sash. The window is locked by bringing the sash into the closed position and operating a conventional handle and locking mechanism.

The locking mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2 provides additional security in the event that the window 100 is approached by a person, as might happen in an attempted break-in.

The solenoids are connected to the sensor 130 which detects the presence of a person near the window 100. In the event of such a presence being detected, and provided the window 100 is closed, the electrical mechanism then operates to move the sliding bars 1,2 outwards in the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 2. The first and second projections 4,5 then engage in corresponding recesses provided in the window frame, locking the window 100 shut. The electrical circuitry which controls this locking action is described more fully below.

The first and second projections 4,5 remain engaged with the window frame for a period of 20 seconds, following which the electrical mechanism operates again to retract the projections 4,5 from the recesses. If movement is again detected near the window 100, the bars 1,2 are once again driven outwards.

Control circuitry for the locking system is housed in a module which fits within the window sash, and provides the necessary logic to ensure the correct operation of the system, a low battery warning indication and the reversible power source to move the solenoids in each direction. The overall current consumption of the system is low to ensure a reasonable battery life.

In an alternative embodiment, the casing 3 may house only a single electrical mechanism which acts on one or other of the sliding bars 1,2. This enables the same component to be used at, say, the top and bottom edges of a window sash.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which an auxiliary locking unit 30 is fitted to an existing window sash 31. The locking unit 30 comprises a generally rectangular body 32 which houses a moveable locking pin 33. The body 32 is fixed to the window sash 31 by means of screws 34,35 passing through apertured flanges 36,37 provided on the body 31.

Operation of the locking pin 33 is identical to that of the locking mechanism in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, ie in response to a signal from the sensor 130 the pin 33 is moved into engagement with a recess in the frame.

The unit 30 can be supplied with a new window, or may be fitted to an existing window to provide added security.

The locking systems of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 3, provide additional security to a window. The locking formations (bars 1,2 and pin 33) provide a means of locking the window which is independent of the window's normal fixings. In normal use, the locking formations are retracted. In the event of the presence of a person being detected in the vicinity of the closed window, the locking formations instantaneously engage the window frame.

Claims

1. A window or door assembly comprising a window or door panel mounted in a frame and moveable from an open position to a closed position. the frame or panel being provided with a locking formation moveable from'an unlocked position. in which the window or door may be opened. to a locking position in which. when the panel is in the closed position. the window or door is locked, locking means operable to move the locking formation from the unlocked position to the locked position. and sensor means arranged to detect the presence of a person in the external vicinity of the panel and to acniate the locking means in response thereto.

2. A window or door assembly according to claim 1. wherein a plurality of locking formations are provided at more than one edge of the door or window.

A A window or door assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking formation is normally in the unlocked position, and the locking means acts to move the locking formation to the locking position only in the event of the presence of a person outside the window or door being detected.

4. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor means has a range of 50cm or less.

5. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor means comprises a movement sensor.

6. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein movement of the locking formation is brought about by electrical circuitry

7. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim 1, wherein there are further provided means for overriding the sensor means to allow normal operation of the window or door.

8. A window or door assembly according to claim 7. wherein the means for overriding is linked to a manually operable handle which when operated prevents the locking formation moving to the locked position. or if the window or door is closed and the locking formation is in the locked position. causes the locking formation to be withdrawn to the unlocked position.

9. A window or door assembly according to claim 7. wherein disabling of the locking system by the means for overriding remains operative for a fixed, predetermined time. after which the system returns to normal operation.

10. A window or door assembly according to claim 6. wherein the electric circuitry is powered by battery means, and is provided with means for monitoring the battery voltage level, disabling the locking system and activating a low battery voltage indicator in the event that the voltage falls below a level required for reliable operation.

11. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking formation. upon actuation, remains in the locked position for a predetermined period, the locking formation returning to the unlocked position at the end of this period unless the presence of a person in the vicinity of the door or window is detected.

12. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a visual indicator to indicate the presence of the automatic security system.

13. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking formation is a projection which engages, in the locking position, in a recess in an adjacent face of the frame or panel.

14. A window or door assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking means are housed in the door or window panel, the locking formation engaging with the frame.

15. A window or door assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the locking means are housed in the frame, the locking formation engaging with the door or window panel.

16. A window or door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.