AU2018206751A1 - Lock Mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\KMII\17349189 l.docx-17072018 A lock mechanism for a panel including an actuator arranged to be mounted to the panel and a shoot bolt connected to the actuator by a linkage, wherein the shoot bolt is biased toward an extended position for engagement with adjacent structure so as to fix the panel in place.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock mechanism.

BACKGROUND [0002] Exterior straight sliding shutters use flush bolts or flip locks to lock a shutter in position. The flush bolts or flip locks are either face mounted or rebated into the shutter as a clearly visible piece of hardware at a top or bottom edge of the shutter. An end user doesn’t always remember to lock the shutter off. During high winds an unlocked shutter may slam into an adjacent jamb or door stop potentially causing damage and generating a great deal of noise as the shutter moves back and forth.

[0003] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

SUMMARY [0004] In one aspect, there is provided a lock mechanism for a panel including an actuator arranged to be mounted to the panel and a shoot bolt connected to the actuator by a linkage, wherein the shoot bolt is biased toward an extended position for engagement with adjacent structure so as to fix the panel in place.

[0005] In one embodiment, the shoot bolt is arranged to project past an edge of the panel for receipt in a retainer formed in the adjacent structure.

[0006] In one embodiment, the shoot bolt has a plastic coated metal tip.

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-2[0007] In one embodiment, the lock mechanism includes a housing which is fitted into a face of the panel, the housing accommodating the actuator and a biasing element that acts on the linkage to hold the shoot bolt in the extended position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the actuator is a lever and the linkage is connected to the lever by a coupling that allows for articulated movement between the lever and the linkage.

[0009] In one embodiment, the linkage is attached to the shoot bolt via a coupling which allows for articulated movement between the linkage and the shoot bolt.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a lock mechanism including a shoot bolt and an actuator connected by a linkage via couplings that allow for articulation of the linkage.

[0011] In one embodiment, the actuator and bolt are each provided with a connector in the form of a collar which fits over the linkage.

[0012] In one embodiment, the couplings include a pin which is received in aligned holes formed in the linkage and the associated connectors.

[0013] In one embodiment, each coupling includes a clip for clipping onto the linkage from a sideward direction as the pin is inserted through the aligned holes of the linkage and the connectors.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aligned holes are oriented transverse to the linkage so that the linkage is able to pivot at the couplings to accommodate horizontal offset between the connectors.

[0015] In one embodiment, the housing is adapted to be mounted in a face of the panel while a body of the housing projects internally of the panel, wherein the couplings and linkage are arranged in a cavity behind the face of the panel while the shoot bolt projects from an edge of the panel.

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-3 [0016] In another aspect, there is provided a panel and lock mechanism, as described above, with the actuator mounted in a face of the panel, the linkage arranged in a cavity of the panel and the shoot bolt projecting from an edge of the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The invention is described in more detail, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lock mechanism;

[0019] Figure 2 is a front view of a sliding panel assembly fitted with the lock mechanism;

[0020] Figure 3 is a side view of the sliding panel assembly;

[0021] Figure 4 shows an actuator housing fitted to a face of a section of the panel assembly;

[0022] Figure 5 is an end view of a section;

[0023] Figure 6 is a partial view of a comer of the panel assembly, showing a shoot bolt secured in a channel;

[0024] Figure 7 is a front view of another panel fitted with the lock mechanism;

[0025] Figure 8 shows a view of a front section of the panel;

[0026] Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view of the panel and lock mechanism;

[0027] Figure 10 is a bottom view of a corner of the panel;

[0028] Figure 11 is a partially sectioned bottom view of the comer of the panel;

[0029] Figure 12 is a bottom view of a corner of another panel;

[0030] Figure 13 is a bottom view of the comer with an open profile;

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-4[0031] Figure 14 is a diagrammatic side view of the panel and lock mechanism; and [0032] Figure 15 shows a view of a front section of the panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0033] Figure 1 shows a lock mechanism 1 which includes a bolt 2, an actuator 3 and a connecting linkage 4.

[0034] The actuator 3 is in the form of a lever 5 with a grip knob 6. The lever 5 slides along an elongate slot 7, between up and down positions. The slot 7 is provided in a housing 8 with a main body 9 that accommodates the lever 5. The body 9 projects rearward of an attachment plate 10, which includes apertures 11 that receive fasteners 12 in the form of fixing screws 13.

[0035] The lever 5 is connected to a connector 14 which moves up and down with the lever 5. The connector 14 is shown in the form of a collar 15 which fits over an end 16 of the linkage 4.

[0036] A coupling 20 secures the connector 14 to the linkage 4. The coupling 20 includes a pin 21 and a clip 22. Lateral holes 23, 24 allow the pin 21 of the coupling 20 to pivotally connect the linkage 4 and the collar 15. The pin 21 is mounted to the clip 22 which includes fingers 25 arranged to snap-grip the linkage 4 as the pin 21 is inserted through the holes 23, 24.

[0037] The coupling 20 and linkage 4 are preferably connected to allow pivotal movement about the pin so that the linkage 4 can articulate in a forward/rearward direction as a result of limited clearance between an inner dimension of the collar 15 and an outer dimension of the linkage 4.

[0038] The bolt 2 has a similar connector 26 to that of the actuator 3. The connector 26 is also in the form of a collar 27 with diametrically arranged holes 28 that align with holes 29 in a lower end 30 of the linkage 4. The holes 28, 29 receive a pin 31 of another clip 32 which is arranged to grip the linkage 4 when the pin 31 is in place.

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-5 [0039] With that arrangement, the linkage 4 is also able to articulate in a forward/rearward direction relative to the bolt 2.

[0040] The connector 26 is preferably formed of stainless steel or the like, integral with the bolt 2, which includes a plastic liner coating 33.

[0041] The linkage 4 is preferably a rod 34 formed of a light weight material such as aluminium, which is drilled with holes 23, 29 and cut to length. The lock mechanism 1 is thereby able to remotely control operation of the bolt 2 over varying distances, determined by the selected length of the rod 34.

[0042] In one embodiment, the housing 8 also accommodates a biasing element (not shown) which may, for example, be in the form of a spring or equivalent, to bias the actuator 3 and thereby the bolt 2 into an extended condition for automatic locking. As an alternative to a spring, simple weight load of the linkage 4 and bolt 2 may be used to bias the bolt downward and into an extended condition.

[0043] Figure 2 shows the lock mechanism 1 fitted into a sliding panel assembly 40, which includes a panel 41 supported from a track 42 by rollers 43, which have height adjustable mountings 44 that connect the rollers 43 to a top edge 45 of the panel 41.

[0044] The housing 8 is mounted in a front section 46 of a face 47 of the panel 41. The bolt 2 is shown in an extended position, projecting into a channel 48 from a bottom edge 49, at a lower comer 50 of the panel 41.

[0045] Figure 3 is an end view of the panel assembly 40. The rollers 43 are shown inside the track 42, which has a generally downward facing C-section to support wheels 51 of the rollers 43.

[0046] The bolt 2 is shown in a fully extended position, in which a tip 52 of the bolt 2 has locked into a location hole 53 to secure the sliding panel 41 to adjacent structure 54 in the form of the channel 48.

[0047] Figure 4 shows the front section 46 of the panel 41 in more detail, where attachment plate 55 is fixed to the panel 41 by the screws 56.

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-6[0048] Alternatively, the housing 8 can be fixed in place initially and the lock mechanism 1 subsequently assembled by gaining side access to the panel 41. The lateral connection between the couplings 20 and the linkage 4 facilitates assembly of the lock mechanism 1 from the side.

[0049] Figure 5 shows the housing 8 and knob 6 of the lever 5 project only a small distance from the front of the panel, in the order or 10mm which is advantageous for aesthetics and also minimises the chances of the actuator 4 being damaged.

[0050] In Figure 5, the panel 41 is provided with a removable cover 60 which forms a side edge 61 of the panel 41. The cover 60 is removed to facilitate ease of installation of the lock mechanism 1 however the side edge 61 may be integral and fixed relative to the panel 41, in which case the lock mechanism 1 would need to be fed into the panel 41 from the front face 47.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the bolt 2 in the extended condition, where the tip 52 is captured in the location hole 53. The location hole 53 is formed in a strip 62 that extends between opposite walls 63 of the channel 48. More than one location hole 53 may be provided along the length of the channel 48. As the panel 41 slides along the channel 48, the tip 52 of the bolt 2 travels along the strip 62 until the location hole 53 is reached, where the bias on the bolt 2 forces the tip 52 into the hole 53 to automatically lock the panel 41 in place against further sliding movement.

[0052] A guide 64 is provided as a spacer to maintain a separation between the bolt 2 and the walls 63 and to smoothly guide the bolt 2 along the length of the channel 48. The guide 64 and the plastics coating on the bolt 2 are preferably formed of a low friction material to glide through the channel 48 without damaging the channel 48.

[0053] Figure 7 illustrates another panel 70 and like parts to those described above will be denoted by like reference numerals.

[0054] The panel 70 includes a frame with a side stile 71 in which the housing 8 of the lock mechanism 1 is mounted.

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-7[0055] Figure 8 shows a front section 72 of the stile 71 as including a tab 73 covering a notch 74. The tab 73 is removed to allow the lock mechanism 1 to be fed through the notch 74. The tab 73 can be pre-formed in the stile 71 or cut on-site, as required.

[0056] Figure 9 illustrates the positon of the lock mechanism 1 in a cavity 79, inside the panel 70. The bolt 2 is positioned centrally relative to a depth dimension of the panel 70, while the coupling 20 associated with the actuator 3 is adjacent a rear face 75 of the panel 70. The lock mechanism 1 operates, despite the coupling 20 being out of alignment with the bolt 2, as a result of the articulated connection between the linkage 4 and the couplings 20.

[0057] The articulated connection also means the lock mechanism 1 has a degree of flexibility which allows the bolt 2 and linkage 4 to be inserted through the notch 74 and lowered into position.

[0058] Figure 10 shows the bolt 2 projecting from a lower edge 76 of the panel 70. The bolt 2 is positioned centrally between front and rear faces 47, 75.

[0059] Figure 11 illustrates the horizontal offset of the couplings 20 with the top coupling being located toward the rear face 75 of the panel 70. Despite the offset positioning, the actuator 3 is still able to control axial movement of the bolt 2 through the linkage 4.

[0060] Figure 12 shows another panel 80. Again, like parts to those described above will be denoted with like reference numerals.

[0061] The panel 80 in Figure 12 is wider than the panel 70 of Figures 7 to 11 however the bolt 2 is still located centrally between front and rear faces 47, 75 of the panel 80, which places the bolt 2 a greater horizontal distance from the actuator 3. The increased distance can still be accommodated, as shown in Figure 13, where the articulate linkage 4 spans between the top coupling 20, which is now closer to the front face 45, and the bottom coupling 20.

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-8 [0062] Figure 13 also shows a cover 60 which can be unclipped to open the side edge 61 of the panel 80 to provide access for assembly of the lock mechanism 1.

[0063] Referring to Figure 14, the offset of the upper and lower couplings 20 is clearly shown. The bolt 2 is able to move axially in and out of the location hole 53, under action of the actuator 3, through the offset couplings which are located in the cavity 79 behind the front face 47 and connected via the articulated linkage 4.

[0064] In the position show, the tip 52 of the bolt 2 is in the location hole 53 to secure the panel 80 against sliding movement relative to the adjacent structure of the channel 48. To move the panel, the knob 6 of the actuator 3 can be lifted to clear the tip 52 from the location hole 53, which unlocks the panel 80. The actuator 3 is preferably spring biased to urge the bolt 2 in a downward direction so that the tip 52 will automatically drop into a locked condition whenever the bolt 2 registers with the location hole 53.

[0065] Figure 15 shows a tab 73 in the stile 81 which is removed to provide access to a notch 74 through which the entire lock assembly 1 can be fed. Alternatively, the housing 8 can be inserted in the notch 74 and fixed in place, while the rest of the lock mechanism 1 is assembled through the open side edge 61 of the panel 80.

[0066] The lock mechanism 1 has been described by reference to the bolt 2 extending down into a location hole 53. However, it should be appreciated the lock mechanism 1 could instead be arranged to lock in an upward direction, into structure above a panel 80.

[0067] The lock mechanism 1 is also described with reference to use with a sliding panel, however, the mechanism can also be used to provide security to lock a pivoting or folding panel. Indeed, the lock mechanism 1 can be used to lock any other form of object against movement, as required.

[0068] The lock mechanism 1 provides an aesthetic advantage over the prior art flush bolts and flip locks as the mechanism 1 is installed and operates in a cavity of a pane. The only part of the lock mechanism 1 visible to a user will be the housing 8 and actuator knob of the mechanism. The articulation of the linkage 4 renders the lock mechanism suitable

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-9for different width panels while different heights for the actuator can be readily accommodated by simply cutting the linkage to the desired length prior to installation.

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Claims (13)

1. A lock mechanism for a panel including an actuator arranged to be mounted to the panel and a shoot bolt connected to the actuator by a linkage, wherein the shoot bolt is biased toward an extended position for engagement with adjacent structure so as to fix the panel in place.

2. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein the shoot bolt is arranged to project past an edge of the panel for receipt in a retainer formed in the adjacent structure.

3. The lock mechanism of claim 1 or 2, wherein the shoot bolt has a plastic coated metal tip.

4. The lock mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a housing which is fitted into a face of the panel, the housing accommodating the actuator and a biasing element that acts on the linkage to hold the shoot bolt in the extended position.

5. The lock mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuator is a lever and the linkage is connected to the lever by a coupling that allows for articulated movement between the lever and the linkage.

6. The lock mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the linkage is attached to the shoot bolt via a coupling which allows for articulated movement between the linkage and the shoot bolt.

7. A lock mechanism including a shoot bolt and an actuator connected by a linkage via couplings that allow for articulation of the linkage.

8. The lock mechanism of claim 6 or 7, wherein the actuator and bolt are each provided with a connector in the form of a collar which fits over the linkage.

9. The lock mechanism of claim 8, wherein the couplings include a pin which is received in aligned holes formed in the linkage and the associated connectors.

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- 11

10. The lock mechanism of claim 9, wherein each coupling includes a clip for clipping onto the linkage from a sideward direction as the pin is inserted through the aligned holes of the linkage and the connectors.

11. The lock mechanism of claim 10, wherein the aligned holes are oriented transverse to the linkage so that the linkage is able to pivot at the couplings to accommodate horizontal offset between the connectors.

12. The lock mechanism of claim 11, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted in a face of the panel while a body of the housing projects internally of the panel, wherein the couplings and linkage are arranged in a cavity behind the face of the panel while the shoot bolt projects from an edge of the panel.

13. A panel and the lock mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 12, with the actuator mounted in a face of the panel, the linkage arranged in a cavity of the panel and the shoot bolt projecting from an edge of the panel.