AU2012238281B2 - Sliding Door Locks - Google Patents

Abstract

The specification discloses a sliding door or window lock structure (10) having a latch housing (11) adapted, in use, to be mounted to a sliding door or window, the lock structure (10) being cooperable with a latch or striker plate (26) mountable to or forming part of a door or window surround, the lock structure (10) having at least one rotatable latch hook (42) rotatable between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within the latch housing (11) and a second extended latching position wherein operative parts (43) of the or each latch hook (42) extends beyond the latch housing (11), the lock structure (10) further having a lock structure operating mechanism (9) including a movable slide rack (56) for operatively moving the or each said latch hook (42) between the first and the second positions, said lock structure (10) still further having either at least one forwardly extending projection (31, 32) or at least one recess (98, 99) facing, in use, the latch or striker plate (26), said latch or striker plate (26) including at least one recess (98, 99) or at least one projection (31, 32) facing, in use, toward said lock structure (10) whereby, in a closed position, at least one said projection (31, 32) on one of said lock structure (10) or said latch or striker plate (26) engages a recess (98, 99) within the other of said lock structure (10) or latch or striker plate (26) to prevent the door or window moving vertically relative to the door or window surround in said closed position, the latch or striker plate (26) further having a latch formation (100, 101) positioned to allow a free hooked end part (43) to be located behind said latch formation (100, 101) in the second position of the or each said rotatable latch hook (42). 57 5 58 -5G 2+ 33 36 27 -7 e0 1 6 12 3q

Description

2012238281 10 Oct 2012 pooi

Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Application

Number:

Lodged:

Invention Title: Sliding Door Locks

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P111ABAU/0610 1 2012238281 10 Oct 2012

SLIDING DOOR WINDOW LOCKS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to improvements in sliding door or window locks of the type having rotating latch hooks that rotate from a retracted position substantially withdrawn into the lock housing to an extended latching position.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Lock structures for sliding door or window locks are well known in a variety of forms. Typically they include a lock housing carried by the door or window which carries the rotatable latch hook or hooks and the mechanism for moving same between the retracted and extended latching positions. Movement of the latch hooks is normally via actuation from a key operated lock barrel either from inside or outside of the door or window or by a manual actuation lever or the like from the inside of the door or window when the lock barrel is unlocked. The rotatable latch hooks are adapted to latch with a striker or latch plate connected with the door or window surround frame.

[0003] It is reasonably common practice for lock structures of this type to ensure the rotatable latch hooks remain in the retracted position while the door or window is in an open or semi-open condition by providing a spring loaded actuating feeler member projecting forwardly from the housing of the lock structure which is depressed normally only by engagement with latch plate or striker plate in the closed position of the door or window. In the extended position of the actuating feeler member, the rotatable latch hooks are retained in their retracted position whereas when the actuating feeler member is depressed, the rotatable latch hooks are freed to move to their extended latching positions. Such mechanisms are shown, for example, in Australian patent no. 701778 and GB patent no. 2212849. Australian patent no. 772488 also shows such arrangements where the actuating feeler member is either operatively connected 2 with a slide plate actuating the rotatable latch hooks or directly engages with the rotatable latch hooks. Such arrangements prevent the rotatable latch hooks being inadvertently left in an extended position as the door or window is closed which could cause damage to the latch hooks.

[0004] Lock structures of the aforementioned kind are very common in modern dwellings and other buildings and quite often are used as an external access point for the dwelling or other building. It is therefore desirable that the lock structure provide as high a level of security as is possible against unauthorized access through the door or window. The nature of sliding doors and windows may allow the door or window to be partially lifted from their slide or guide tracks to potentially allow the latching hooks to be disengaged from the latch or striker plate without rotating the latch hooks towards their withdrawn position. It is generally desirable to minimize the risk of unauthorized access through sliding doors and windows by such techniques.

[0005] It is also relatively common place for sliding door or window lock structures to be quite complex with a multitude of separate parts which adds to the costs associated with producing such lock structures and adds to the time and complication in assembling such lock structures. It is generally desirable to reduce the number of different parts required for the lock structure assembly while maintaining a robust and effective lock structure in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide improvements in sliding door or window lock structures that will ameliorate one or more of the difficulties of known lock structures of this type.

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sliding door or window lock structure having a lock housing to be mounted to a door or window in use, said lock structure having a pair of rotatable latch hooks, each 3 being mounted on a bearing post for rotation between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within said latch housing and a second extended latching position, a lock structure operating mechanism including a single slide rack positioned within said lock housing with a pair of spaced guide slots each being positioned over a respective said bearing post whereby cooperation between said guide slots and said bearing posts guides sliding movement of said slide rack, a first end region of said slide rack being cooperable with a first one of said latch hooks and a second end region of said slide rack being cooperable with a second one of said latch hooks whereby movement of said slide rack in a first direction causes said latch hooks to simultaneously move towards said first position and movement of said slide rack in an opposite second direction causes said latch hooks to simultaneously move towards said second position, said latch hooks being identical to one another whereby each said latch hook can be used at either the first end region or the second end region of said slide rack, and an actuating feeler member slidably mounted in said lock housing having a first free end urged outwardly of the lock housing by spring means, said actuating feeler member engaging a portion of said slide rack preventing movement of said slide rack from a position where said latch hooks are in said first position when said actuating feeler member is in an extended position, said actuating feeler member being moved towards a withdrawn position by the first free end engaging with a latch plate structure as the lock structure moves with a door or window to a closed position, the actuating feeler member in said withdrawn position freeing said slide rack to move in a direction permitting the latch hooks to move to said second latching position.

[0007a] The lock structure operating mechanism may further include means for operatively moving said slide rack in said first direction or said second direction.

[0008] There is also described a sliding door or window lock structure having a lock housing adapted to be mounted to a door or window in use and being cooperable with a latch plate structure mountable to or forming part of a door or window surround, said lock structure having at least one rotatable latch hook 2012238281 27 Jun2017 3a rotatable between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within said latch housing and a second extended latching position, a lock structure operating mechanism for operatively moving the or each said rotatable latch hook between said first and said second positions, said lock structure further having 5 either at least one forwardly extending projection or at least one recess which in use faces toward said latch plate structure, said latch plate structure including at least one recess or at least one projection facing toward said lock structure whereby in a closed position of the door or window at least one said projection engages in a said recess such that said door or window is substantially prevented 10 from vertical movement relative to the door or window surround, said latch plate structure further including a latch formation positioned to allow a free hooked end part of a said latch hook to be located behind said latch formation in the second position of the or each said rotatable latch hook. 15 [continued on page 4] 2012238281 23 Nov 2016 4 [0009] Structures as defined in the above paragraph enable a lock structure to be provided with greater security against unauthorized access.

[0010] There is also described a sliding door or window lock structure having a lock housing adapted to be mounted to a door or window in use, said lock structure having at least one rotatable latch hook rotatable between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within said lock housing and a second extended latching position, a lock structure operating mechanism for operatively moving the or each said rotatable latch hook between said first and said second positions, said operating mechanism including a manually grippable slide member mounted to said lock housing for movement in a generally vertical direction, said operating mechanism including a link portion engaging with said slide member and passing through an access aperture in said lock housing, said slide member including cover strip means to close said access aperture over the extent of movement of said slide member. The cover strip means may include portions extending from opposite sides of the slide member.

[0011 ] There is also described a sliding door or window lock structure adapted to be mounted to a door or window in use, said lock structure having at least one rotatable latch hook rotatable between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within said lock housing and a second extended latching position, a lock structure operating mechanism for operatively moving the or each said rotatable latch hook between said first and said second positions, said operating mechanism including a manually grippable slide member mounted to said lock housing for movement in a generally vertical direction, said operating mechanism including a link member with a first portion engaging with said slide member and a second portion adapted to actuate the or each said latch hook, said link member being rotatably mounted for movement between limit positions corresponding to the first withdrawn position and the second extended latching position of the or each said latch hook, said link member including detent recesses corresponding to said limit positions, and a leaf spring member 2012238281 23 Nov 2016 5 engageable with said link member whereby a portion of said leaf spring engages with a respective said recess at the limit positions of said link member.

[0012] Further preferred features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in relation to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figs 1 a and 1 b are exploded perspective views of a sliding door or window lock structure according to a preferred embodiment viewed in opposite directions, with some parts omitted for the sake of clarity; [0016] Figs 2a and 2b are perspective views of the lock structure of Figs 1 a and 1 b assembled with the hook latches withdrawn and extended; [0017] Fig 3a shows the lock structure of Fig 2b in cooperation with a door or window surround mounted latch plate structure; [0018] Fig 3b is an elevation view of Fig 3a; 2012238281 10 Oct 2012 6 [0019] Fig 4a is a perspective view similar to Figs 2a and 2b but viewed from the opposite side; [0020] Fig 4b is an edge elevation view of the lock structure from the same side as shown in Fig 4a; [0021] Fig 5a is a perspective view similar to Fig 4a but including the cover face of the housing including the gripping handle; [0022] Fig 5b shows an edge elevation of the configuration shown in Fig 5a; [0023] Fig 6 is a perspective view of part of the assembly shown in earlier drawings; [0024] Fig 6a is a detail of the area marked A in Fig 6 showing the leaf spring engaging in a detent recess; [0025] Fig 7 is a view similar to Fig 6 but showing the parts in a different position; [0026] Fig 7b is a detail of the area marked B in Fig 7; [0027] Figs 8 and 10 are detailed perspective views of the link member shown in earlier drawings; and [0028] Figs 9 and 11 are detailed perspective and elevation views of the leaf spring shown in Figs 6 and 7. 7 2012238281 10 Oct 2012

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Referring to the drawings a preferred embodiment for a sliding door or window lock structure 10 is illustrated. Figs 1a and 1b are exploded perspective views of many of the parts forming the lock structure 10 with some of the parts not shown being included in later drawings. In Figs 1a and 1b, the parts illustrated comprise a lock housing 11 including a first housing part 12 adapted to be secured to an inside frame part of a door or window (not shown) with the upper face 13 facing away from the door or window when secured thereto. The underneath face 14 is positioned adjacent the door or window frame when secured thereto. The first housing part 12 includes a pair of spaced bearing posts 15, 16 having a circular circumference, each with a central bore 19 to allow fastener bolts not shown to pass therethrough to secure the first housing part to the door or window and to a part (not shown) of the lock structure positioned on the outside of the door or window. A second cover part 17 of the lock housing 11 (shown in Figs 5a, 5b) covers the upper face 14 and includes a gripper handle portion 18.

[0030] An actuating feeler member 20 is configured to be slidably received in a groove 21 in the upper face 13 of the housing part 12. When assembled a rear face 22 of the feeler member 20 is engaged by an urging spring (not shown) to press the feeler member 20 forwardly such that the ledges 23 on the feeler member 20 engage against the ledges 24 in the groove 21 providing a limit to possible forward movement of the feeler member 20. In use a forward end 25 of the feeler member 20 will engage a part of the latch or striker plate 26 (Figs 3a, 3b) when the door or window is in a closed position to move the feeler member 20 at least partially back into the groove 21 against the spring urging force to a withdrawn position. In the extended position, an intermediate region 27 comprised of the full height of the feeler member 20 occupies and blocks a cut out guide zone 28 formed in a forward edge region 29 of the upper face 13 of the first housing part 12. When the feeler member is pushed to the withdrawn position, a cut out zone 30 on the forward end 25 of the feeler member 20 is 2012238281 10 Oct 2012 8 positioned in the region of the cut out guide zone 28 such that the feeler member 20 no longer blocks the guide zone 28.

[0031] The first housing part 12 includes a pair of spaced lugs or projections 31,32 extending forwardly of the forward edge region 29 which will be described in greater detail with reference to Figs 3a and 3b. A rear edge zone 33 of the first housing part 12 includes an elongate guide groove 34. The first housing part includes a central aperture 35 enabling a key operated lock barrel to pass therethrough and the structure on the outside of the door or window such that the lock structure can be key operated from either the inside or the outside. Mounting structures 36 are provided around the central aperture 35 to enable a ring member 37, a connecting link member 38 and a mounting member 39 for the key operated lock barrel to be mounted in the lock structure with a spring element 40 pressing the ring member 37 and link member 38 against the flange 41 of the mounting member 39 (see Figs 6 and 7). A pair of latch hooks 42 is provided with an operative part being a free hook end 43 and a bearing opening 44 opposite the hook end 43. When assembled, the bearing opening 44 fits over a bearing post 15, 16 such that the free hook ends 43 face toward one another.

The ring portions 45 surrounding the bearing opening have a pair of gear formations 46, 47 formed on opposite sides such that the same latch hook 42 can be used on either bearing post 15,16, i.e. separate inventory for different shaped latch hooks are not required.

[0032] A leaf spring member 48 is provided including a base part 49 and a leaf spring leg 50 formed from sheet metal (see Figs 9 and 11). The base part 49 is configured to fit into and be held by a groove 51 formed in the upper face 13 of the first housing part 12. When assembled, the free end 52 of the leaf spring leg 50 engages an extending flange part 53 of the link member 38. A surface of the flange part 53 (Fig 8) includes detent recesses 54, 55 which are positioned to indicate limits of movement of the link member 38 equivalent to disengaged and engaged positions of the latch hooks 42. i 2012238281 10 Oct 2012 9 [0033] The lock structure 10 further includes a lock structure operating mechanism 9 including a single slide rack 56 having side edges 57, 58, an upper face 59 and a lower face 60. At one end an elongate guide slot 61 is provided and a similar guide slot 62 is formed at the opposite end. The guide slots 61,62 have a width to fit over the bearing posts 15,16 and a length defining the length of sliding movement of the slide rack 56. A large opening 63 is provided sufficient to clear the mounting structures 36 on the housing part 12 during sliding movement of the slide rack 56. Conveniently, side edges 64, 65 of the opening 63 slide on opposed faces 66, 67 of the mounting structures 36. Conveniently, side edges 57, 58 of the slide rack 56 also slide on upstanding rear faces 68, 69 of the lugs or projections 31,32 and on an upstanding ledge 70 adjacent the rear edge zone 33. The lower face 60 of the slide rack 56 includes gear formations 71, 72 formed at either end and on opposite sides of the slide rack 56 adapted to engage, when assembled, with one of the gear formations 46, 47 on the latch hooks 42 whereby sliding movement of the slide rack drives the latch hooks 42 simultaneously in opposite rotational directions. The lower face 60 of the slide rack further includes oppositely located side bars 73, 74 adapted, in use, to slide on the upper face 13 of the first housing part 12. The slide bar 73 includes a lowered section 75 which in use is positioned in the cut away region 28 such that the ends 76, 77 of the lowered section 75 provide stops engageable with the ends of the cut away region 28 to limit sliding movement of the slide rack 56. The end 76 also is engageable with the feeler member 20 when in a blocking position to prevent movement of the slide rack 56. The side edge region 58 of the slide rack 56 also includes a downwardly (from the upper face 59) recess 78 that in use engages with a downwardly depending pin 79 on the link member 38.

[0034] The lock structure 10 further includes a manually grippable knob 80 comprised of an outer gripping part 81 connectible with an operating slide part 82. The slide part 82 includes a mounting flange 83 for connecting the gripping part 81 thereto. The slide part 82 also includes a pair of slide projections 84, 85 that, in use, engage in and slide along the elongate guide groove 34 formed in the first housing part 12. The projections 84, 85 together with the groove 34 define the movement path of the knob 80. The mounting flange 83 passes outwardly 10 2012238281 10 Oct 2012 through an elongate recess 86 formed between the housing parts 12,17 that would typically be open enabling the mounting flange 83 to slide upwardly or downwardly (Figs 5a, 5b) to allow the knob 80 to simultaneously move. The slide part 82, however, also includes cover strips 87, 88 that cover the access opening 86 by preventing unwanted devices or materials entering the housing cavity. The link member 38 includes a transversely extending flange part 90 including free end spaced finger parts 91, 92 defining a recess 93 therebetween. In use the recess 93 is positioned to place the fingers 91,92 on either side of a pin 94 on the slide part 82. Wall structures 95, 96 on either side of the pin 94 forming part of the slide part 82 limit the angular movement of the flange part 90. The flange part 90 extends from a ring part 97 mounted for limited rotational movement about an axis defined by the lock barrel (not shown).

[0035] Operation of the lock structure 10 as described above will now be described. The lock structure is actuated by sliding movement of the slide rack 56 to rotate the latch hooks 42 to either a withdrawn position where they are at least substantially within the lock housing 11 (Fig 2a) to an extended latching position (Figs 2b, 3a, 3b). Movement of the slide rack 56 occurs by key operation of the lock barrel (not shown) either from inside or outside the door or window, or when the lock barrel is unlocked, by sliding movement of the sliding knob 80. If the feeler member 20 is extended, the slide rack 56 is held in a first open position (Fig 2a) where the latch hooks 42 are withdrawn. As the door or window moves to a second closed position the feeler member 20 is pressed inwardly the slide rack to move from the position shown in Fig 2a to that shown in Fig 2b and in so doing, the latch hooks rotate on the bearing posts 15,16 to the extended position shown in Fig 2b. In so doing as shown in Figs 3a, 3b, the projections 31, 32 also enter recesses 98, 99 formed in the striker or latch plate 26 with the hook end parts 43 engaging behind plates 100,101 also forming part of the latch plate 26.

It will of course be appreciated that instead of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the projections (31,32) might be formed on the striker or latch plate (26) to be engaged in recesses (98, 99) formed on the lock structure (10) in the closed position of the door or window. It is also possible for a single projection (31,32) to be placed on both the striker or latch plate 26 and the lock structure 10 2012238281 10 Oct 2012 11 each being engageable with a respective recess (98, 99) on the other member in the closed position. Conveniently the plates 100,101 extend in opposite directions from the recesses 98, 99. This arrangement provides a greater level of security in that with the key barrel locked, the door or window cannot be disengaged from a surround.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles defined in the annexed claims.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A sliding door or window lock structure having a lock housing to be mounted to a door or window in use, said lock structure having a pair of rotatable latch hooks, each being mounted on a bearing post for rotation between a first withdrawn position at least substantially positioned within said latch housing and a second extended latching position, a lock structure operating mechanism including a single slide rack positioned within said lock housing with a pair of spaced guide slots each being positioned over a respective said bearing post whereby cooperation between said guide slots and said bearing posts guides sliding movement of said slide rack, a first end region of said slide rack being cooperable with a first one of said latch hooks and a second end region of said slide rack being cooperable with a second one of said latch hooks whereby movement of said slide rack in a first direction causes said latch hooks to simultaneously move towards said first position and movement of said slide rack in an opposite second direction causes said latch hooks to simultaneously move towards said second position, said latch hooks being identical to one another whereby each said latch hook can be used at either the first end region or the second end region of said slide rack, and an actuating feeler member slidably mounted in said lock housing having a first free end urged outwardly of the lock housing by spring means, said actuating feeler member engaging a portion of said slide rack preventing movement of said slide rack from a position where said latch hooks are in said first position when said actuating feeler member is in an extended position, said actuating feeler member being moved towards a withdrawn position by the first free end engaging with a latch plate structure as the lock structure moves with a door or window to a closed position, the actuating feeler member in said withdrawn position freeing said slide rack to move in a direction permitting the latch hooks to move to said second latching position.
2. 2. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said guide slots has a length defining the movement length of said slide rack in said first direction or said second direction.
3. 3. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of the first end region and the second end region of the slide rack has gear teeth formations, each of said latch hooks having gear teeth formations cooperable in use with the gear teeth formations on the slide rack to cause rotation of the latch hooks on said bearing posts in respect to sliding movement of said slide rack.
4. 4. A sliding door or window lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including mounting means to mount a key operated lock barrel, said slide rack including a central aperture enabling said mounting means to pass therethrough, the lock barrel moving said slide rack in response to an operating key actuating said lock barrel.
5. 5. A sliding door or window lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a manually movable actuating slide member mounted for movement in a direction generally corresponding to the movement direction of the slide rack, said slide member including cover strips extending from each end to cover access openings in said lock housing over the extent of movement of said slide member.
6. 6. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 5 further including a link member connecting said slide member to said slide rack, said link member including a first pin engageable in a recess in said slide rack and a first free end part engageable with a projection on said slide member.
7. 7. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 6 wherein said link member further includes a portion opposite said first free end part, said portion being mounted for rotation on said mounting means for the key operated lock barrel.
8. 8. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 5 wherein said cover strips include portions extending from opposite sides of said slide member.
9. 9. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 7, wherein said link member is rotatably mounted for movement between limit positions corresponding to the first withdrawn position and the second extended latching position of said latch hooks, said link member including detent recesses corresponding to said limit positions, and a leaf spring member engageable with said link member whereby a portion of said leaf spring engages with a respective said detent recess at the limit positions of said link member.
10. 10. A sliding door or window lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the lock structure is cooperable with a latch plate structure mountable to or forming part of a door or window surround, said lock structure further having either at least one forwardly extending projection or at least one recess which in use faces toward said latch plate structure, said latch plate structure including at least one recess or at least one projection facing toward said lock structure whereby in a closed position of the door or window at least one said projection engages in a said recess such that said door or window is substantially prevented from vertical movement relative to the door or window surround, said latch plate structure further including a latch formation positioned to allow a free hooked end part of a said latch hook to be located behind said latch formation in the second position of the or each said rotatable latch hook.
11. 11. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 10 wherein the free hooked end parts of said latch hooks face towards one another in said second positions of the latch hooks.
12. 12. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 11 wherein a pair of said forwardly extending projections are provided spaced from one another, each of said forwardly extending projections being adapted to engage in a separate said recess in the closed position of the door or window.
13. 13. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 12 wherein each said forwardly extending projection or said recess is positioned adjacent a said rotatable latch hook at least in the second position.
14. 14. A sliding door or window lock structure according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said latch formation includes a plate member adjacent to a said recess.
15. 15. A sliding door or window lock structure according to claim 14 having a pair of spaced said recesses, said plate members extending in opposite directions from a respective said recess.