AU2015268582A1 - Multi-point latch for a hinged door or window panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A latch structure adapted to be mounted within a hollow perimeter frame member of a door or window panel, said hollow frame member having a forward face, a rearward face and a pair of side faces joining said forward face to said rearward face, said latch structure including: a first member securable, in use, within said hollow frame member at an intermediate position along said hollow frame member; a movable blocking member carried by said first member, said blocking member having a blocking part movable between an extended operative position and a withdrawn inoperative position, said blocking member being urged to move said blocking part towards said operative position; actuator means accessible, in use, externally of said hollow frame member to selectably move said blocking part from said operative position to said inoperative position; a first slide member positionable in use on one side of said first member, and a second slide member, positionable, in use, on an opposed side of said first member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member being movable along said hollow frame member away from said first member and towards said first member within said hollow frame member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member having a distal end engageable, in use, in a retaining zone when said first slide member and said second slide member has been moved outwardly relative to said first member; urging means to urge each of said first slide member and said second slide member inwardly towards said first member; each of said first slide member and said second slide member being accessible through at least one of said first face or said second face to enable manual movement in an outwards direction against said urging forces applied by said urging means; said first slide member including a first part adapted in a first position to retain said blocking part of said blocking member in said inoperative position when said first slide member is in an inner position, said first part of said first slide member freeing said blocking part of said blocking member to move to said operative position and thereby preventing said first part of the first slide member moving to said first position; and said second slide member including a second part engageable with said blocking part in said operative position when said second slide member has been moved along said hollow frame member away from said first member, said second part being engageable with said blocking part when in said operative position to prevent said second slide member moving towards said first member. k.0 SR t Ct Nt-"

Description

MULTI-POINT LATCH FOR A HINGED DOOR OR WINDOW PANEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in latch assemblies for multi-point latching of a hinged door or window panel. The invention is particularly applicable to latching of a single panel of a multiple panel folding door or window structure, but could equally be used for latching a single hinged panel (door or window).

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Door or window structures to span relatively large openings are often made up of multiple panels of similar width that are hinged together for relative pivoting motion about vertical axes, the panels being supported by roller wheels or similar, located in lower and/or upper guide tracks whereby in an extended position, the panels span and close the large opening with multiple panels being located in one plane. In a folded or open position, the panels are located folded against one another in concertina fashion on one or both sides of the large opening. Such window or door structures might include one, or a small group of panels separate from the others to act as an openable or closable access door without necessarily altering the closed condition of the other panels. Structures of the aforementioned kind can often be used to close or open a shop front typically in shopping centres or similar applications, but can be used in domestic dwellings and in many other applications.

[0003] When the panels are positioned in the closed extended configuration, one or more latches are located in the closed extended configuration, one or more latches are provided, with the or each latch enabling at least one panel or groups of the panels to be latched and held against movement from the extended closed configuration. The latch may be lockable by a key operated lock cylinder or it might act as a manual latch configuration.

[0004] US patent specification nos. 4315648, 4436329 and 6021603 illustrate latches of the aforementioned kind. International patent application no. PCT/AU2014/000109 also illustrates a latch structure of this type. Generally, latch structures of this type having single part latching whereby a latching rod is extended into a retaining zone at one end of the panel member in which the latch is mounted. Such latch structures can be mounted in one or more intermediate panels and/or in an end panel but generally speaking, if the latch assembly has a physical configuration that extends any distance from the plane of the panel to which it is installed, then this will provide an obstruction when folded in concertina fashion in the open condition. Thus, in the folded condition, the space taken up by the folded panels can be significantly greater than would be the case if the panels simply closely engaged one another in the folded condition. Moreover, if the latch structure has projecting parts, there is a danger that the projecting parts will be damaged or will cause damage to an adjacent panel.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a latch structure of the aforementioned kind that is efficient and convenient to use which provides greater security by providing multi-latch points. A preferred objective is to provide a latch structure of the aforementioned kind that has minimal projecting parts suitable for use in a folding or concertina type door or window panel structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch structure adapted to be mounted within a hollow perimeter frame member of a door or window panel, said hollow frame member having a forward face, a rearward face and a pair of side faces joining said forward face to said rearward face, said latch structure including: a first member securable, in use, within said hollow frame member at an intermediate position along said hollow frame member; a movable blocking member carried by said first member, said blocking member having a blocking part movable between an extended operative position and a withdrawn inoperative position, said blocking member being urged to move said blocking part towards said operative position; actuator means accessible, in use, externally of said hollow frame member to selectably move said blocking part from said operative position to said inoperative position; a first slide member positionable in use on one side of said first member, and a second slide member, positionable, in use, on an opposed side of said first member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member being movable along said hollow frame member away from said first member and towards said first member within said hollow frame member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member having a distal end engageable, in use, in a retaining zone when said first slide member and said second slide member has been moved outwardly relative to said first member; urging means to urge each of said first slide member and said second slide member inwardly towards said first member; each of said first slide member and said second slide member being accessible through at least one of said first face or said second face to enable manual movement in an outwards direction against said urging forces applied by said urging means; said first slide member including a first part adapted in a first position to retain said blocking part of said blocking member in said inoperative position when said first slide member is in an inner position, said first part of said first slide member freeing said blocking part of said blocking member to move to said operative position and thereby preventing said first part of the first slide member moving to said first position; and said second slide member including a second part engageable with said blocking part in said operative position when said second slide member has been moved along said hollow frame member away from said first member, said second part being engageable with said blocking part when in said operative position to prevent said second slide member moving towards said first member.

[0007] Preferred features of the aforesaid aspect may be as defined in any one of annexed claims 2 to 18 inclusive, the subject matter of these claims are made part of the disclosure of this specification by this reference thereto.

[0008] The present invention also provides, in a further aspect, a latch structure adapted to be mounted within a hollow frame member extending the length or the width of a door or window panel, said latch structure including: (i) a first slidable member movable along said hollow frame member in a first direction to have a portion extend beyond one end region of the hollow frame member to be securable in a first retaining zone, said first slide member being urged by first urging means to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction; (ii) a second slidable member movable along said hollow frame member in said second direction to have a portion extend beyond an opposite end region of the hollow frame member to be securable in a second retaining zone, said second slide member being urged by second urging means to move in said first direction; and (iii) actuating means positionable between said first slidable member and said second slidable member adapted to hold said first and said second slidable members in an outwardly extended position with said portions retained in said first and said second retaining zones automatically in response to movement of said first and said second slidable members in a direction against said first and said second urging forces, said actuating means including manually activated release means to allow said first and said second urging means to release said first and said second slidable members from said first and said second retaining zones. Conveniently the release means includes a key operated lock cylinder. Alternatively, the release means might be any other manually activated member such as a slide member, a rotatable member or any other device.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a door or window panel member including a hollow frame member having a latch structure as described above.

Conveniently, the door or window panel member may be a single panel member or it might be one of a concertina folding door or window construction.

[0010] It should be recognized that the present invention also includes any individual feature or particular combinations of features as disclosed in the following description.

[0011 ] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective drawing showing the main parts of the latch structure in association with a hollow perimeter frame member; [0013] Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the latch structure shown in Figure 1; [0014] Figure 3 is a face elevation view of the latch structure shown in Figure 2; [0015] Figure 4 is an edge elevation view of the latch structure shown in Figure 3; [0016] Figure 5 is a face elevation view of the latch structure shown in Figure 3 from the opposite side; [0017] Figure 6 is a detailed face elevation view of the actuating part of the latch structure shown in Figure 3; [0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the actuating part of the latch structure shown in Figure 6; [0019] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the actuating part of the latch structure shown in Figure 7 taken from the opposite side; [0020] Figure 9 is an elevation view of the actuating part shown in Figure 7; [0021 ] Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 from the opposite side; [0022] Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the slide block members; [0023] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the part shown in Figure 11 from the opposite side; [0024] Figure 13 is an elevation view of the part shown in Figure 11; [0025] Figure 14 is an elevation view of the part shown in Figure 13 from the opposite side; [0026] Figure 15 is a perspective view of another of the slide block members from one side; [0027] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the slide block member shown in Figure 15 taken from the opposite side; [0028] Figure 17 is an elevation view of Figure 15; [0029] Figure 18 is an elevation view of Figure 16; [0030] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the slide block member shown in Figure 16; and [0031] Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the slide block member shown in Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a multi-point latch structure 10 associated with a hollow frame member 11 adapted, in use, to form a perimeter frame part of a door or window structure (not shown). Typically the hollow frame member 11 has a front face 12, a rear face 13 and two side faces 14, 15. The hollow frame member would normally be an upright perimeter frame member of a door or window assembly, particularly when employed in a folding concertina type door or window construction. The multi-point latch structure can be employed in single panel hinged door or window structures and potentially in other applications. The multi-point latch structure 10, a central fixed first member 16 being the latch actuator that is secured in the hollow interior of the member 11 by screw fasteners 11, preferably passed through bores 18 in the side face 14, the screw fasteners 11 being secured in threaded bores 19 in the member 16.

The front face 12 of the hollow frame member 11 has a generally rectangular opening 20 into which a rectangular cover member 22 is secured by snap fitted fastening means. The cover member 22 has an access opening 23 at one end allowing access to a key operated cylinder 24 in the member 16. The member 16 is constructed to mount a second key operated cylinder facing in the opposite direction and in this circumstance a second opening is formed in the rear face 13 of the hollow frame member 11 and the first member 16 is capable of being actuated from either side (inner or outer sides) of the window or door member. Equally actuation from only one side is also possible.

[0033] The latch structure 10 further includes a first slide member 25 and a second slide member 26, each positioned on opposite sides of the first member 16 and retained, in use, within the hollow frame member 11. The first slide member 25 comprises a first slide block 27, a first engagement part 28, and an elongate first rod member 29 (Figure 2) adjustably connected to a distal end 30 of the first slide block 27. The second slide member 26 comprises a second slide block 32, a second engagement part 33, and an elongate second rod member 34 (Figure 2) adjustably connected to a distal end 35 of the second slide block 32. The first slide member 25 and the second slide member 31 are, in use, arranged to slide along the hollow interior of the hollow frame member 11. Access openings 36 and 37 are located in the front face 12 and the rear face 13 of the hollow frame member 11 on either side of the opening 20 to provide manual access to the first slide block 27 and the second slide block 32 positioned there beneath. The front and rear surfaces of the slide blocks 27, 32 have a length and width sufficient to fully cover the openings 36, 37 at all positions of movement of the first slide member 25 and the second slide member 31. Each of the openings 36, 37 has a snap in frame member 38, 39 to encompass the edge zone of each of the openings 36, 37. Each of the first slide block 27 and the second slide block 32 has a finger engagement zone 40 formed in their forward and rear faces that will, in use, underlie the openings 36, 37 in all positions of use of the first and second slide members 25, 31. The finger engagement zones 40 take the form of a recess or depression such that no projecting parts extend beyond the surfaces of the front and rear faces 12, 13 of the hollow frame member 11. While Figure 1 shows access to the first and second slide blocks 27, 31 from both the front face 12 and the rear face 13, if in any particular application, operation of the latch structure is intended to be from only one side of the door or window panel, then one of the sets of openings 36, 37 on the front face 12 or the rear face 13 would not be included.

[0034] The latch structure 10 further includes spring means 41 to urge each of the first slide members 25 and the second slide member 31 inwardly towards the first member 16 such that a near end 42 of the first slide block 27 and a near end 43 of the second slide block 32 will engage opposite ends of the first member 16 in a free state but can be moved outwardly against the spring urging force by an operator engaging the finger engagement zones 40 and manually pushing the slide blocks 27, 32 outwardly.

[0035] Further physical and operational features of the latch structure 10 will be described hereafter with reference to Figures 2 to 20. Figures 2 to 6 show features of the lock structure 10 comprising the first central actuator member 16, the first slide member 25 and the second slide member 31. The elongated rod members 29, 34 are respectively located in complementary bores 44, 45 extending from the distal ends 30, 35 of the first slide block 27 and the second slide block 32. Each of the elongated rod members 29, 34 has a screw threaded section 46 that can be threaded into a metal threaded nut 47 held loosely in a recessed zone configured to prevent the nut 47 rotating. In this manner, the elongated rod members can be screwed into or out of the nut 47 by rotating the distal free end of the rod member 29 or 34 to adjust the length of rod projecting beyond the end of the hollow frame member 11 (or the end of the door or window panel). Once the correct length extending is achieved, a grub screw 48 is threaded laterally through a threaded nut 95 held loosely but non rotatably in a recess in the first slide block 27 and the second slide block 32, the grub screws 48 being threaded onto the threaded section 46 of the rod member 29 or 34 to prevent further rotation of the rod member 29 or 34. Access to the grub screws 48 to screw it in a tightening or loosening direction is through small openings in the rear face 13 of the hollow frame member 11. Each of the first and second slide blocks 27 and 32 may carry elastomeric buffer members 50 on their near ends 42, 43 to reduce noise and potential damage when the slide blocks are driven inwardly under urging forces supplied by the spring means 41.

Alternatively, or in addition, similar elastomeric buffer members might be carried on the opposed ends 51,52 of the first actuator member 16.

[0036] Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a preferred version of the first actuator member 16. The member 16 includes a base platform 53 having a housing section 54 at one end 52 and a wall 55 at the opposed end 51. A platform section 56 joins the housing section 54 to the wall 55 and carries a pivot 57 to enable a hooked retaining member 58 (Figures 2 to 6) to be carried thereon to pivot from a withdrawn position (Figure 6) to an extended position (Figures 2, 3 and 5). The housing section 54 has a compartment 59 with an open slot 60 leading outwardly of the member 16. The compartment 59 carries a blocking member 61 that has a flange section 62 slidably located in the slot 60 and a body section 63 slidably located in the compartment 59. A spring member 64 urges the blocking member 61 to move in a direction to extend the flange section 62 from the wall 65 of the housing section 54. A limit stop or post 66 is provided to limit rotation of the hooked retaining member 58 to the extended position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The housing section 54 includes mounting cavities 67, 68 on either side of the compartment 59, each accommodating a key operated cylinder 69 with the key access slot 70 facing in opposite directions, that is, in use towards the front face and to the rear face. The distal end of each key operated cylinder 69 engages with and rotates (when the key is inserted and turned) an actuator part 71 with a projecting tab 72. The tabs project from opposite sides into the compartment 59 and are adapted to engage a front face 73 of the body section 63 of the blocking member 61 to push the blocking member 61 inwardly into the compartment 59 against forces applied by the spring 64. In so doing the flange section 62 is substantially withdraw such that it no longer operationally extends from the wall 65. Each of the actuator parts 71 rotate on a pivot pin carried by a cover plate 74 secured by fasteners 75 to the housing section 54.

[0037] The hooked retaining member 58 includes a hook arm 76 extending laterally from a mounting section 77 with a pivot opening engaged over the pivot 57. A retainer plate 78 and screw fastener 79 keeps the hooked retaining member 58 in the assembled condition as illustrated. The mounting section 77 carries on a section of its periphery, a few gear teeth 80 adapted in use to engage with a gear teeth section 81 formed on the second engagement part 33 or the second slide member 26 as will be further described below. The hook arm 76 is intended, when laterally extended to engage with a stationary retainer member on a door or window surround or on an adjacent hinged panel such as might be useful in a concertina folding door or window configuration. Further, use of the hooked retaining member 58 is optional in the sense that if it is used, greater security is achieved, however, if it is determined in a particular application, it will not be required, then simple removal (or not installing) the hooked retaining member 58 will convert the latch structure 10 from a three point latching device to a two point latching device. Such removal of the hooked retaining member 58 does not require any other changes to the latch structure 10 disclosed in this specification. As shown in Figure 19, the first slide block 27 and the first engagement point 28 are made in two parts assembled together by screw fasteners 92. The first slide block 27 might be moulded from a suitable hard wearing plastic given that it is required to slide within the hollow frame member 11. The first engagement part might be die cast from a suitable metal. As shown in Figure 20, the second slide block 32 and the second engagement part 33 may be made in two parts assembled together by screw fasteners 90. The second slide block 32 may be moulded from a suitable hard wearing plastic material like the first slide block 27. The second engagement part 33 may be die cast from a suitable metal.

[0038] Operation of the latch structure 10 is generally as described below.

With the latch structure 10 in a non-latched condition, the spring means 41 acts on the first slide member 25 and the second slide member 26 to move the first slide block 27 and the second slide block inwardly such that they engage with the first actuator member 16. In this condition the elongate rod members 29, 34 are withdrawn from any retainer zones which allows the door / window panel or panels to be moved freely. In this inner condition of the first slide member 25, the first engagement part 28 overlies the wall 65 to prevent the flange section 62 from projecting from the slot 60 beyond the wall 65. Manual movement of the first slide block 27 outwardly allows the first engagement part 28 to clear the slot 60 to allow the flange section 62 to project from the wall 65. Figures 3 and 5 illustrate the grip recess 40 having been moved from its inner position adjacent to the inner edge of the frame 38 to its outer position adjacent the outer edge of the frame 38 by moving the first slide block 27. The free end 82 of the first engagement part 28 has cleared the slot 60 and is prevented from moving back in an inwards direction under action of the spring means 41 by the flange section 62 now extending outwardly of the wall 65. Similarly, in moving the second slide member 26 outwardly, the free end 83 of the second engagement part 33 passes beyond the slot 60 and is prevented from returning by the extension of the flange section 62 (Figures 3, 5). In the circumstances where a hooked retaining member 58 is installed, the gear teeth 80, 81 initially engage to commence rotation of the hook arm 76 towards its laterally extending position. In doing so, the hook arm 76 commences to pass through a slot 84 with defined ends 85, 86 formed in the second engagement part 33. Continued movement of the hook arm 76 occurs by the hook arm engaging an end 85 of the slot 84. Thus when both the first sling member 25 and the second sliding member 26 are moved outwardly, the distal ends of the elongated rod members 29, 34 are engaged in retainer zones, and if the hooked retaining member 58 is used, the member 58 is also automatically moved to its extended retaining position. When it is intended to delatch the latch structure key is inserted into one of the key cylinder lock barrels and rotated to withdraw the flange section 62 inwardly and thereby allow the first and second slide members 25, 26 to move inwardly under forces applied by the spring means 41. The opposite end 86 of the slot 84 acts to initially rotate the hook arm inwardly until the gear teeth 80, 81 reengage.

Claims (22)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A latch structure adapted to be mounted within a hollow perimeter frame member of a door or window panel, said hollow frame member having a forward face, a rearward face and a pair of side faces joining said forward face to said rearward face, said latch structure including: a first member securable, in use, within said hollow frame member at an intermediate position along said hollow frame member; a movable blocking member carried by said first member, said blocking member having a blocking part movable between an extended operative position and a withdrawn inoperative position, said blocking member being urged to move said blocking part towards said operative position; actuator means accessible, in use, externally of said hollow frame member to selectably move said blocking part from said operative position to said inoperative position; a first slide member positionable in use on one side of said first member, and a second slide member, positionable, in use, on an opposed side of said first member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member being movable along said hollow frame member away from said first member and towards said first member within said hollow frame member, each of said first slide member and said second slide member having a distal end engageable, in use, in a retaining zone when said first slide member and said second slide member has been moved outwardly relative to said first member; urging means to urge each of said first slide member and said second slide member inwardly towards said first member; each of said first slide member and said second slide member being accessible through at least one of said first face or said second face to enable manual movement in an outwards direction against said urging forces applied by said urging means; said first slide member including a first part adapted in a first position to retain said blocking part of said blocking member in said inoperative position when said first slide member is in an inner position, said first part of said first slide member freeing said blocking part of said blocking member to move to said operative position and thereby preventing said first part of the first slide member moving to said first position; and said second slide member including a second part engageable with said blocking part in said operative position when said second slide member has been moved along said hollow frame member away from said first member, said second part being engageable with said blocking part when in said operative position to prevent said second slide member moving towards said first member.
2. 2. A latch structure according to claim 1 wherein said first slide member includes a first slide block connected to or forming an extension of said first part, said first slide block having a near end facing, in use, towards said first member, and a distal end, in use, facing away from said first member, and a forward face between said near end and said distal end of said first slide block, said forward face having a first depression extending inwardly of said forward face adapted, in use, to be engaged by an operator to manually move said first slide block.
3. 3. A latch structure according to claim 1 wherein said first slide member includes a first slide block connected to or forming an extension of said first part, said first slide block having a near end facing, in use, towards said first member, and a distal end, in use, facing away from said first member, said first slide member further including a first extension rod adjustably connected to the distal end of said first slide block, an end region of said first extension rod forming said distal end of said first slide member.
4. 4. A latch structure according to claim 3 wherein said first extension rod includes a screw threaded section adjacent said first slide block, said first slide block including a threaded nut held non-rotatably in a recess in said first slide block whereby said screw threaded section of said first extension rod is threaded through said threaded nut such that said first extension rod extends from the distal end of the first slide block generally in line with said first slide block.
5. 5. A latch structure according to claim 4 wherein a grub screw engages the threaded section of said first extension rod in an adjusted position to prevent rotation of the threaded section.
6. 6. A latch structure according to claim 5 wherein said grub screw is threadingly engaged with a threaded nut held non rotatably in a recess in said first slide block.
7. 7. A latch structure according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said grub screw is accessible and operable through an opening in a wall portion of one of the rearward face or the side faces of the hollow frame member.
8. 8. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second slide member includes a second slide block connected to or forming an extension of said second part, said second slide block having a near end facing, in use, towards said first member, and a distal end, in use, facing away from said first member, and a forward face between said rear end and said distal end of said second slide block, said forward face of the second slide block having a second depression extending inwardly of said forward face adapted, in use, to be engaged by an operator to manually move said second slide block.
9. 9. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said second slide member includes a second slide block connected to or forming an extension of said second part, said second slide block having a near end facing, in use, towards said first member, and a distal end, in use, facing away from said first member, said second slide member further including a second extension rod adjustably connected to the distal end of said second slide block, an end region of said second adjustment rod forming said distal end of the second slide member.
10. 10. A latch structure according to claim 9 wherein said second extension rod includes a screw thread section adjacent said second slide block, said second slide block including a threaded nut held non-rotatably in a recess in said second slide block whereby said screw threaded section of said second extension rod is threaded through said threaded nut such that said second extension rod extends from the distal end of the second slide block generally in line with said second slide block.
11. 11. A latch structure according to claim 10 wherein a grub screw engages the threaded section of said second extension rod in an adjusted position to prevent rotation of the threaded section.
12. 12. A latch structure according to claim 11 wherein said grub screw is threadingly engaged with a threaded nut held non rotatably in a recess in said second slide block.
13. 13. A latch structure according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said grub screw is accessible and operable through an opening in a wall portion of one of the rearward face or the side faces of the hollow frame member.
14. 14. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein a hooked retaining member is mounted to said first member, said hooked retaining member having a first section mounted to a pivot means and a second hooked section extending laterally from said first section, said hooked retaining member being movable from a first inoperative position substantially positioned within said first member to a second operative position where said second hooked section extends laterally from said first member.
15. 15. A latch structure according to claim 14 wherein said first section of the hooked retaining member and said second part of said second slide member including cooperable gear teeth whereby movement of the second slide member when said gear teeth are engaged causes at least partial rotation of the hooked retaining member about said pivot.
16. 16. A latch structure according to claim 15 wherein said second part of said second slide member includes a slot through which the second hooked extension passes when in said second operative position.
17. 17. A latch structure according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein an end of said slot engages and moves said second hooked section, as said second part of the second slide member is moved towards its latching position, at least partially to said second operative position.
18. 18. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the first slide member is required to be moved towards its latching position before said second slide member is movable to its latching position.
19. 19. A door or window panel member including a hollow perimeter frame member having a forward face, a rearward face and a pair of side faces, said door or window panel member including a latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
20. 20. A door or window panel member according to claim 19 connected to at least one other door or window panel by vertical connecting hinge means.
21. 21. A latch structure adapted to be mounted within a hollow frame member extending the length or the width of a door or window panel, said latch structure including: (i) a first slidable member movable along said hollow frame member in a first direction to have a portion extend beyond one end region of the hollow frame member to be securable in a first retaining zone, said first slide member being urged by first urging means to move in a second direction opposite to said first direction; (ii) a second slidable member movable along said hollow frame member in said second direction to have a portion extend beyond an opposite end region of the hollow frame member to be securable in a second retaining zone, said second slide member being urged by second urging means to move in said first direction; and (iii) actuating means positionable between said first slidable member and said second slidable member adapted to hold said first and said second slidable members in an outwardly extended position with said portions retained in said first and said second retaining zones automatically in response to movement of said first and said second slidable members in a direction against said first and said second urging forces, said actuating means including manually activated release means to allow said first and said second urging means to release said first and said second slidable members from said first and said second retaining zones.
22. 22. A latch structure according to claim 21 wherein said release means includes a key operated lock cylinder. LOCK FOCUS PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P39862AU00