AU2007231858A1 - A Sliding Window Catch - Google Patents

Description

A Sliding Window Catch 0 Z Field of the Invention.

SThis invention is directed to a catch assembly of a particular design to enable the catch to be fitted either to a sash stile or to the interlock. The catch assembly may also have 00 a particular design to enable the handle to be locked to provide increased security.

00 M Background Art.

A typical sliding window assembly comprises a rectangular surround frame which is typically made of aluminium sections which are joined together and which are fastened to wall studs or similar to define the opening. The surround frame typically supports a fixed window and a sliding window. The sliding window is often known as a sliding sash or just a sash.

Of course, there are many other arrangements of window assemblies which may comprise more than one sliding sash or more than one fixed window and the like.

The sliding sash typically comprises a sheet of glass which is held in a surround frame which comprises the sliding sash. Thus, a typical surround frame will have a pair of side vertical frame portions and a top and bottom horizontal frame portion which are attached together. For larger sliding sashes, the bottom horizontal frame portion contains a pair of rollers.

The vertical frame portions are often known as a lock stile and an interlock. The lock stile vertical frame portion is typically the portion that slides towards and away from the surround frame and typically contains the lock. The term "lock" is used loosely and may include a catch, a handle, a "proper" lock and the like.

Many sliding windows contain a pivoting handle assembly which is often also known as a "catch". The assembly comprises a handle and some form of housing. The housing is attached to the vertical frame portion. The handle either contains, or is in some manner associated with a lock tongue which is often also known as a "snib", a 2

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"latch bolt" and the like. Usually, some form of spring arrangement is provided to bias the handle into the naturally locking position. The snib has a special shape such

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Z that when the sliding window is closed, the snib does not become damaged or break.

Thus, it is quite normal for the snib to have one angled (ramped) face and one flat face. As the window is closed, the angled face of the snib contacts and rides over a 00 rib or something similar on the surround frame and then locks behind the rib to lock 00 the window to the surround frame. This arrangement is quite conventional.

However, it is also known to attach the catch to the interlock member and not the lock stile member. When this occurs, the profile of the snib is incorrect and it is not possible to simply fasten a catch which is suitable for the lock stile member to the interlock member as the catch will not function properly.

For this reason, it is known to provide two types of catches, one designed for the lock stile member and the other designed for the interlock member.

One form of the present invention is directed to a catch which can be used on either the lock stile member or the interlock member with a slight modification that can be done on site and quite easily, and which need not require disassembly of all the catch components.

As mentioned previously, it is quite well known to have a catch which is attached to the lock stile and which has a particularly shaped snib such that when the window is closed, the snib will ride over a rib on the surround frame and then lock behind the rib to lock the window in the closed position. While this arrangement provides a reasonable level of security, it does not prevent the window from being opened from the inside. Thus, an intruder can enter the dwelling by some other means and can then slide open the window to possibly provide an easy exit. Alternatively, if the window glass is broken, the intruder can slide the window open and enter the dwelling.

For this reason, it is also reasonably well known to provide a catch which can be locked using a key. The catch contains a key barrel and insertion and turning of a key in the key barrel will lock the snib against all types of movement which means that the 3 catch can not be manipulated back into the open position without a key. Another form of the present invention is directed to a lockable catch of a particular design which is Z simple yet reliable in use.

Yet another form of the present invention is directed to a lockable catch which also 00 can be used on the lock stile or the interlock with only slight modification.

00 M It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the S 10 common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a catch assembly that may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a catch assembly for attachment to a sliding window, the catch assembly comprising a handle which can be moved from a locking position where the window is locked against sliding movement, and a free position where the window can slide, and a snib which is operatively associated with the handle and which locks the catch assembly against movement when the handle is in the locking position, the snib containing an angled face which is adapted to ride over a locking portion when the window is moved to the closed position, the snib being separable from the handle and able to be reversed or otherwise changed thereby enabling the catch assembly to be used on a lock stile or an interlock.

Thus, rather than having two completely different catch assemblies, or needing to completely disassemble a catch assembly to make it useful for the lock stile or the interlock, a single catch assembly can be used and when required, the snib can be 3 0 removed and reversed to make the catch assembly suitable for a lock stile or an interlock. In this manner, a single catch assembly can be used for both purposes with only a minor modification required.

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,I Suitably, the catch assembly further contains a lock barrel which is operatively associated with the handle such that the handle can be locked against movement by Z insertion and turning of a key within the lock barrel. Alternatively, the catch assembly may comprise some form of push lock arrangement to lock the handle against movement which may not be as secure as a key barrel but possibly more secure than 00 no locking of the handle at all.

00 M It is also envisaged that a lock barrel equivalent may be provided such as a locking snib member, a locking button and the like, but it is considered most secure to provide S 10 a lock barrel with a removable key.

The term "catch" or "catch assembly" is meant to include any type of member or assembly that can be fitted to a sliding window, possibly a sliding door or other type of sliding wing or member that would benefit from being locked and which can function to lock the window etc against sliding movement. Thus, the term "catch" may also include a lock, a latch, and the like. Sometimes, the term "handle" or "handle assembly" is used to cover an assembly that also functions to lock a window etc against sliding movement.

The term "lock" is merely meant to include this situation where the sliding window etc cannot slide freely. Thus, the term "lock" may sometimes be exchanged with "latch" or "catch" and the like.

The term "snib" is meant to include any member or portion which can function to lock against something to prevent the window from moving. Thus, the term "snib" may sometimes be known as a "lock tongue", "latch tongue", "lock member or lock portion", "latch member or latch portion" and the like. The snib may comprise a relatively simple member which will be described in greater detail below.

It is considered that the catch assembly will be used primarily with a sliding window.

However, there may be circumstances where it is advantageous to fit the catch assembly to a fixed window and which then locks against the sliding window at some suitable place. The catch assembly may also find suitability with locking sliding

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members other than sliding windows. These sliding members may include sliding partitions, possibly sliding doors (for instance sliding cabinet doors) and the like.

z The handle of the catch assembly may comprise many different shapes and configurations. The handle may also be made of many different materials but it is 00 envisaged that suitable material will be a plastic material. Plastic handles are quite 00 common for use with window locks etc. The handle may comprise a "grip" type handle, a "lever" type handle, a "knob" type handle and the like. For use with a sliding window, it is envisaged that the handle will be large enough to be comfortably manipulated by a person's hand or fingers and therefore will typically have a length of between 40-150 mm. This can vary to suit.

The "handle" is sometimes known simply as a "grip".

The catch assembly is designed to be attachable to a sliding window in such a manner that it cannot be easily removed. Thus, the catch assembly may be fastened to the sliding window using one or more fasteners such as screws or rivets. Alternatively, the catch assembly can be "crimped" or otherwise attached to the sliding window. It is however preferred that the catch assembly can be slidingly attached to the sliding window. This type of attachment is known and typically comprises a particular profile on the lock stile or interlock and a complimentary profile on some part of the catch assembly to allow the catch assembly to be slidingly attached to the profile.

The handle can be moved between a locking position and a free position. Typically, the handle can slide or pivot between the locking position and the free position. With the catch assembly of the present invention, it is preferred that the handle can be "pulled" from the locking position to the free position.

Some form of return mechanism is preferably provided to naturally return the handle to the locking position. It is considered that a biasing means such as at least one spring and preferably two or more springs would be suitable as might be an elastic material such as a rubber member.

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It is preferred that the catch assembly comprises a housing which is adapted for attachment to the sliding window or other suitable member, and the handle being

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Z attached to, or relative to, the housing for movement between the locking position and the free position. Thus, in this particular design of the catch assembly, the handle is not attached directly to the sliding window. Instead, the housing can be attached to 00 the sliding window and handle can be attached to the housing. An advantage of this 00 design is that the handle can be pulled (that is a sliding motion as opposed to a pivoting motion), as it would be difficult to have a pulling motion with the handle directly attached to the sliding window. However, a broad form of the invention may cover a handle which is attached to the sliding window and which can pivot or otherwise move between the locking position and the free position while still being attached to the sliding window.

The housing may be made of any suitable material and it is considered that plastic will be a suitable material. The housing may have any suitable length and for most applications it is considered that a length of between 50-200 mm will be suitable.

The housing may comprise a profile or some other means to attach the housing to the sliding window or other suitable member. The profile may comprise a groove or channel or recess or something similar adapted to accept a rib or something similar on the sliding window, and to provide a secure attachment, it is envisaged that the profile will comprise at least two such grooves etc. However, other forms of attachments of the housing to the sliding window may be used such as fasteners, crimping, some form of snap lock arrangement, some form of twist lock arrangement and the like.

The housing may contain an opening to accommodate a key barrel.

The housing may contain another larger opening to accommodate parts of the handle.

The handle may be attached relative to the housing in such a manner that the handle can still move between the locking position and the free position and preferably be biased into the naturally locking position, but where the handle cannot inadvertently fall away from the housing. A particularly preferred manner to attach the handle 7 relative to the housing will be described in the preferred embodiments of the invention. However, other means by which the handle may be attached to the housing Z are also envisaged.

The housing may be provided with some form of guide means to guide the handle 00 between the locking position and the free position. The guide means may comprise a

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00 rail or rib or something similar on the housing and the handle may be provided with a corresponding groove or recess to enable the handle to slide relative to the housing.

S 10 The catch assembly contains a snib. It is preferred that the snib is formed as a separate piece and is then assembled to the remainder of the catch assembly and in such a manner that the snib is operated upon operation of the handle. It is particularly preferred that the snib is attached to the handle such that operation of the handle causes operation of the snib. It is also particularly preferred that the attachment of the snib to the handle is done in such a manner that the snib can be removed and replaced in a different orientation to enable the catch assembly to be suited for the lock stile or the interlock.

The snib may be formed from any suitable material and plastic and metal are considered to be suitable materials.

For a sliding window situation, the snib may comprise an elongate member which has an angled face and a flat face to make the snib suitable to move over a corresponding locking rib or something similar on the surround frame or fixed window or something else and then be locked to it by the flat face which prevents retraction. Thus, a suitable configuration of the snib in cross-section will comprise a pair of substantially flat faces which are at right angles to each other and an interconnecting angled face such that the cross-section is substantially a right angle triangle.

The length of the snib may vary but it is considered that the snib will have a length of between 20-100 mm. The "thickness" of the snib may also vary but it is considered that a maximum thickness of between 4-20 mm will be suitable.

8 It is preferred that the snib is attached to the handle and therefore the snib and/or handle may be provided with some form of attachment means to enable the snib to be Z attached to the handle. In one form, the snib may be provided with at least one and preferably two or more tab members or other type of projections that can be accommodated within a corresponding recess on the handle to enable the snib to be 00 attached to the handle. To prevent inadvertent removal, the tab members/projections Vt) 00 may have a push fit or friction fit within the corresponding recess on the handle.

Alternatively, some form of press lock, push lock or spring lock arrangement may be provided to prevent inadvertent removal of the snib from the handle. The arrangement should be such that the snib can be removed when required.

It is preferred that the snib is configured such that it can be reversed to enable the catch assembly to be used on the lock stile or an interlock. However, it is also envisaged that the snib may be configured such that it can be rotated to enable the catch assembly to be used on the lock stile or interlock. It is considered most convenient however that the snib can simply be reversed, as this allows the tab members etc to be provided to facilitate attachment of the snib to the handle.

The catch assembly may comprise some form of a key lock arrangement to improve the security of the catch assembly. Thus, the housing of the catch assembly may be provided with an opening to accommodate a key barrel. The key barrel will probably be of conventional design and may comprise a pin barrel or a disk barrel or something else. Usually, the "front" of the key barrel contains the key entry slot and the "rear" of the key barrel contains a pin (sometimes called the cam) which rotates upon insertion and rotation of the key in the barrel. This arrangement is quite conventional.

To enable the key barrel to lock the handle against movement, some form of locking member may be provided which is operated by the key barrel (and typically by the pin in the rear of the key barrel) and which can lock or unlock the handle against movement. The locking member may comprise a locking bar. The locking bar may be slidable between an extended handle locking position and a retracted free position.

Movement of the locking bar between the handle locking position and the free position is typically provided by insertion and turning of a key in the key barrel.

9 The locking bar may comprise an elongate member. One part of the elongate member Z may be provided with a recess or slot or something similar to accommodate the pin of the key barrel. Another part of the elongate member may be provided with a projection or some other part which engages with the handle when the locking bar is 00 in the extended handle locking position and which does not engage with the handle 00 when the locking bar is in the retracted free position. If the handle is a "pull" handle, the engagement is preferably of the type that prevents the handle from being pulled (thereby locking the handle). For improve security, it is preferred that the elongate member is provided with more than one projection which engages with the handle.

In this manner, a simple yet reliable key lock arrangement is provided whereby turning of a key in the barrel causes a locking bar to interfere with the operation of the handle and thereby locking the handle against movement.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which figures 1-15 and 17-19 illustrate a main preferred embodiment of the invention while figure 16 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1. Illustrates the catch assembly fitted to an interlock (left-hand assembly) and to a lock stile (right-hand assembly).

Figure 2. Illustrates an exploded view of the catch assembly showing the seven parts.

Figures 3-12 show progressively how the catch assembly is assembled and in particular: Figure 3. Illustrates the first step which is attachment of the locking bar to the housing.

Figure 4. Illustrates the locking bar installed.

Figure 5. Illustrates the second step which is attachment of the handle (grip) to the housing.

Figure 6. Illustrates the handle installed.

I SFigure 7. Illustrates the third step which is installation of the springs.

Figure 8. Illustrates the springs installed.

Z Figure 9. Illustrates the fourth step which is attachment of the snib.

Figure 10. Illustrates the snib installed.

Figure 11. Illustrates the fifth step which is installation of the key barrel.

00 Figure 12. Illustrates the key barrel installed.

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00 Figure 13. Illustrates the assembled catch assembly.

Figure 14. Illustrates a section view of the catch assembly attached to the interlock and also attached to the lock stile to show how this can be achieved.

S 10 Figure 15. Illustrates how the snib is reversed to make the catch assembly suitable for the interlock position and the lock stile position.

Figure 16. Illustrates the second embodiment of the invention which is similar to the first embodiment except that a pushbutton is provided.

Figures 17-19 illustrates in more detail how the key barrel locks the handle, and in particular: Figure 17. Illustrates an exploded view of the locking bar particularly showing the locking bar tabs and the rear of the handle particularly showing the configured recesses in the rear of the handle.

Figure 18. Illustrates the unlocked position where the handle can slide up and down relative to the locking bar.

Figure 19. Illustrates the locked position where the locking bar prevents the handle from moving up and down.

Best Mode.

Referring to the drawings and initially to figure 2, there is illustrated the seven parts of the catch assembly 16. The parts are a housing 10, a handle 11, a locking bar 12, a snib 13, a key barrel 14 and a pair of springs Figure 1 shows the catch assembly 16 fitted to an interlock and also shows a catch assembly fitted to a lock stile.

Referring to figure 2, housing 10 comprises a main (typically plastic) body one end of

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11 ,IC which contains an opening 17 into which the key barrel 14 can be inserted and contained. The housing also contains a main central open area in which handle 11 can 0 Z be fitted. Handle 11 is fitted in such a manner that it can reciprocate (slide up and down, or in and out,) relative to housing 10. The reciprocating distance will be between 5-30 mm. To facilitate this movement, the inside wall of the main central 00 opening contains a rib 18 (there is also a corresponding rib on the opposite inside 00 wall, this not being illustrated in figure and handle 11 contains a corresponding recess 19 to accommodate rib 18. The handle 11 also contains a pair of small tabs which engage with an inside wall of the main central opening to limit the degree of S 10 sliding movement of the handle.

Handle 11 is typically made of plastic and is configured to have a finger cavity area 21 such that a person can grip the handle and pull the handle out of housing 10 (by the amount that is allowed). The handle contains a pair of small mounting projections 22 to seat the lower end of a corresponding spring 15. Thus, as the handle is pulled, springs 15 will be compressed and the handle is therefore biased by the springs into the naturally closed position.

A locking bar 12 is provided inside housing 10 and the installation of the locking bar will be described with reference 3-4 and the operation of the locking bar will be described with reference to figures 17-19. The locking bar has one end formed with a slot 23 to trap the lower pin 31 of key barrel 14 such that turning of a key within the key barrel will cause rotation of the pin and, because of the orientation of slots 23, will cause the locking bar to reciprocate. The locking bar contains a pair of small tabs 24 which are best illustrated in figure 3 and which function to lock handle 11 and which will be described in greater detail with reference to figures 17-19.

Snib 13 comprises an elongate member and the function of the snib is to engage against a rib or something similar on the window surround frame or some other part to lock the sliding sash again sliding movement. The cross-section of the main part of snib 13 is a right angle triangle and this is better illustrated in figure 14 and figure The reason for this particular configuration will be described in greater detail below.

Snib 13 also comprises a pair of spaced apart tab members 25 to enable snib 13 to be 12 ,I attached to the inner end of handle 11 and in such a manner that the snib can be removed and reversed and reinserted.

z Figures 3-13 show the assembly of the catch assembly and this will now be described in greater detail.

00 00 Referring initially to figure 3, housing 10 is substantially hollow and has an open bottom. Adjacent the lower rim of the open bottom is a guide bar 26. Locking bar 13 sits inside the lower open end of housing 10 in such a manner that it is supported by S 10 guide bar 26 for reciprocating movement.

Figures 5-6 show attachment of the handle to the housing 10. The peculiar (but important) recess or slot design 27 in the wall of handle is illustrated and forms part of the key barrel locking arrangement but which will be described in greater detail with reference to figure 17-19.

Figure 7-8 illustrates assembly of springs 15 and springs 15 are seated on top of the projections 22 on the handle which is illustrated somewhat in figure 8 but is best illustrated in figure 19.

Figure 7-8 also illustrates a pair of spaced apart open ended slots 28 in the bottom wall of handle 11 and which function to accommodate the tab members 25 of snib 13, thereby attaching snib 13 to the handle 11.

Figures 9-10 illustrates attachment of snib 13 and particularly how the tab members inserted into slots 28.

Also illustrated are the small tabs 20 on handle 11 and how pulling of handle 11 in the direction of arrow 29 (see figure 10) will ultimately result in tabs 20 striking the lower edge of housing part 30 which prevents the handle from being pulled entirely away from housing Figures 11-12 show installation of key barrel 14 and figure 12 illustrates the lower pin

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S31 of key barrel 14 trapped within slot 23 of the locking bar 12.

0 Z Figure 13 and also figure 14 illustrate how the catch assembly 16 can be attached to an interlock or a lock stile. Referring to figure 13, housing 10 has a particular shape and contains a longitudinal grooves or channel 33 along one face and another groove or 00 channel 34 along another face. These engage with various profiles on the interlock or

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00 the lock stile as illustrated in figure 14. Figure 14 also illustrates how the same catch assembly 16 can be used but with reversal of snib 13.

S 10 Figure 15 shows an end view of the catch assembly and showing how the snib 13 can be removed and reversed to make the catch assembly suitable for the interlock position or the stile position.

Figure 17-19 illustrate how handle 11 can be locked against movement by the key barrel. Referring initially to figure 17, handle 11 contains the rear recess configuration 27 which comprises a main recess 36 and a side recess 37. Locking bar 12 can be fitted against handle 11 in the manner illustrated in figures 18-19. In the position of figure 18, the small tabs 24 on locking bar 12 are within the main recess and therefore handle 11 can still move or reciprocate in the direction of arrow 38.

However, insertion of a key into key barrel 14 and subsequent rotation causes the locking bar 12 to move in the direction of arrow 40 (see figure 19 and this causes the small tabs 24 to enter into the side recesses 37 (see figure 17) which prevents the handle from reciprocating in the direction of arrow 38 (figure 18).

Figure 16 shows the alternative embodiment of the invention having a pushbutton instead of a key barrel.

The snib 13 can be quite easily removed from handle 11 and reversed and then reinserted back into the slots in handle 11 to enable the catch assembly to be used on an interlock or a lock stile.

The handle in the catch assembly can be key locked in a simple manner.

14 N, Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", Z will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

00oO Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires Vt) 00 otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

S 10 It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A catch assembly for attachment to a sliding window, the catch assembly Z comprising a handle which can be moved from a locking position where the window is locked against sliding movement, and a free position where the window can slide, and a snib which is operatively associated with the handle 00 and which locks the catch assembly against movement when the handle is in 00 the locking position, the snib containing an angled face which is adapted to ride over a locking portion when the window is moved to the closed position, the snib being separable from the handle and able to be repositioned relative to the handle thereby enabling the catch assembly to be used on either a lock stile or an interlock.

2. A catch assembly according to claim I including a housing which is adapted for attachment to the sliding window or frame member, the handle being attached relative to the housing for movement between the locking position and the free position.

3. A catch assembly according to claim 2 wherein the housing includes a profile to attach the housing to the sliding window or frame member.

4. A catch assembly according to claim 3 wherein the profile includes a groove, channel or recess adapted to accept a rib similar on the sliding window.

5. A catch assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the catch assembly further contains a lock barrel which is operatively associated with the handle such that the handle can be locked against movement by insertion and turning of a key within the lock barrel.

6. A catch assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the housing contains an opening to accommodate at least a part of the handle.

7. A catch assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the handle is attached relative to the housing in such a manner that the handle is biased into the locking position.

8. A catch assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the housing is provided with guide means to guide the handle between the locking position and the free position.

9. A catch assembly according to claim 7 wherein the guide means comprise a rail or rib on the housing and the handle is provided with a corresponding 16 O O groove or recess to enable the handle to slide relative to the housing.

10. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the O Z snib includes an elongate member which has an angled face and a flat face such that the angled face adapts the snib to move over a corresponding locking rib on a surround frame or fixed window and the flat face prevents retraction. 00

11. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 00 snib in cross-section includes a pair of substantially flat faces which are at right angles to each other and an interconnecting angled face such that the cross-section is substantially a right angle triangle.

12. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the snib has at least one projection that can be accommodated within a corresponding recess on the handle to enable the snib to be attached to the handle.

13. A catch assembly according to claim 12 wherein the at least one projection is frictionally fitted within the corresponding recess on the handle.

14. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims further including at least one locking member may be provided to lock or unlock the handle against movement.

A catch assembly according to claim 14 wherein the locking member includes a locking bar.

16. A catch assembly according to claim 15 wherein the locking bar is slidable between an extended handle locking position and a retracted free position.

17. A catch assembly according to claim 15 wherein movement of the locking bar between the handle locking position and the free position is provided by insertion and turning of a key in a lock barrel associated with the assembly.

18. A catch assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the locking bar is an elongate member with at least one projection to engage with the handle when the locking bar is in the extended handle locking position and which does not engage with the handle when the locking bar is in the retracted free position.

19. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the snib is temporarily removed from the assembly and reversed to engage either a lock stile or interlock. I 1 17 O

20. A catch assembly substantially as described herein with reference to eth Saccompanying drawings.. O 00 00 00)