EP1767733B1

EP1767733B1 - Multiple locking points latch system for doors and windows

Info

Publication number: EP1767733B1
Application number: EP06111217A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yiannis Constantinides
Original assignee: Ac Technometal Ltd
Current assignee: Ac Technometal Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-27
Filing date: 2006-03-15
Publication date: 2010-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-15
Also published as: EP1767733A1; CY2545B1; ATE487013T1; DE602006017944D1; CY1111144T1; ES2352208T3

Abstract

The invention provides a multiple locking latch system which comprises a latch (1) arranged to be mounted, in use, on a door or window leaf, a catch (4) arranged to be contained within the latch, and a movable rod (6) arranged to slide, in use, within a channel incorporated in the leat. The catch is arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod. A satellite locking catch (8) which is arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod and to slide in accordance with the rod, is also provided, the satellite locking catch being arranged to mate, in use, with a mating socket (14) mounted on a frame.

Description

The present invention relates to a latch system for use on doors and windows featuring multiple locking points.
Latches are very common on aluminum, wooden and PVC doors/windows to provide a locking system. These latches are usually mounted on the door/window leaf and comprise an adjustable catch that engages on a socket mounted on the door/window frame. Since most designs consist of only one catch, the overall security provided by the lock against forced entry is limited by the strength of the catch and/or the mating socket. In addition, while a forced entry is in progress on a door/window equipped with a single point latch it is possible to pivot the window against the single locking point and use a lever to bend the door/window leaf thus succeeding in an entry. In addition, the provision of multiple latches on a single door/window frame can be time-consuming and complex for a user to lock securely, see for example US 6 270 129 B1 .
An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks outlined above by providing a latch system with multiple locking points spaced away from the latch body. The number of locking points is variable and depends on the height of the door/window as well as the required security against forced entry.
According to the present invention there is provided a multiple locking latch system comprising: a latch arranged to be mounted, in use, on a door or window leaf; a latch catch arranged to be contained within the latch; a movable rod arranged to slide, in use, within a channel incorporated in the leaf, wherein the latch catch is arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod; and a satellite locking catch arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod and to slide in accordance with the rod, wherein the latch catch and a screw catch of the satellite locking catch are arranged to mate, in use, with mating sockets mounted on a frame, the latch system being characterised in that the satellite locking catch is arranged such that the distance between the satellite locking catch and the screw catch is adjustable, and the mating sockets are adjustably mounted to the door/window frame.
The system may further comprise a socket arranged to be mounted, in use, on the frame for providing a mating socket for the satellite locking catch.
The latch may be arranged to be fixed, in use, to the leaf such that the majority of a main body of the latch extends inside the leaf.
The latch may include side openings such that the latch catch partly extends beyond the main body of the latch on both sides thereof.
The latch may be arranged such that a locking action moves the latch catch through a predetermined distance in order that the latch catch engages with a mating socket.
A portion of the catch may extend beyond the latch body and may allow engagement with the moveable rod.
The catch may be moveable with respect to the latch whilst maintaining its engagement with the nearby moveable rod, thus accommodating installation requirements.
The moveable rod and the latch catch may be arranged to engage with one another in use, such that the rod and the latch catch are arranged to move an equal distance to, and in the same direction of movement as, one another.
The moveable rod and the satellite locking catch may be arranged to engage with one another in use, such that the rod and the satellite locking catch are arranged to move an equal distance to, and in the same direction of movement as, one another.
The satellite locking catch may be arranged such that it is only moveable along the longitudinal axis of the channel.
The socket may be adapted to provide a mating socket for the latch catch and the satellite catch.
Implementation of the present invention leads to a simpler latch system in terms of design, construction and assembly that results in lowering the cost of investment and production.
One example of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A-1E are top, side, rear side, bottom and cross-sectional (along line A-A) views, respectively, of a latch according to the present invention;
Figures 2A-2C are top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of a catch according to the present invention;
Figures 3A-3C are side, top, and cross-section (along line A-A) views, respectively, of a moving rod according to the present invention;
Figures 4A-4E are top, side, cross-section (along line A-A), rear side and bottom views, respectively, of the main body of the satellite locking catch according to the present invention;
Figures 5A-5D are top, front side, side and rear side views, respectively, of the screw catch which is part of the satellite locking catch according to the present invention;
Figures 6A-6C are side, top and cross-sectional (along line A-A) views respectively, of a lock insert which is part of the satellite locking catch according to the present invention;
Figures 7A-7D are top, side, cross-sectional (along line A-A) and end views respectively, of a satellite locking catch in an assembly configuration according to the present invention;
Figures 8A-8E are top, side, cross-sectional (along line A-A), rear side and bottom views respectively, of a socket according to the present invention;
Figure 9 is a view of the latch and socket as fitted on the door/window according to the present invention;
Figure 10 is a view of the satellite locking catch and socket as fitted on the door/window according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is a view of a multiple locking points latch system in an assembly configuration according to the present invention;

Figures 1A-1F show a series of views of a latch 1 according to an example of the present invention. The latch comprises a casing 19, an internal slider 2, a catch 4, fixing means to fix the catch 4 on the internal slider 2 and fixing means to fix the casing 19 on a door/window leaf 17 (figure 9). The locking and unlocking action is controlled by the longitudinal movement of the internal slider 2 with respect to the casing 19, which in turn moves the catch 4 an equal distance in the same direction since catch 4 is securely mounted on the internal slider 2. Of great importance to this invention is the length of the catch 4, which extends beyond the latch casing 19 on both sides as shown by the two narrow bars 20 and the head of the catch 4.
Figures 2A-2C show a series of views of the catch 4. In one example of the invention the catch 4 has an 'L' shape as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The length of the longer portion of the L-shaped body is arranged so that when mounted on the slider 2 it extends beyond the casing 19 on both sides.
Figures 3A-3C show a series of views of a moving rod 6. The rod 6 is comprised of a cross-sectional shape that allows it to slide freely inside a door/window channel 22 (see figure9), one or more openings 21 that allow it to engage with the satellite locking catch and one or more openings 7 that allow it to engage with the catch 4 extending bars 20.
Figures 4A-4E show a series of views of a satellite locking catch 8 main body 23. The main body 23, when viewed from one of its ends (Figure 4D), includes an inverted 'T' component that allows it to slide freely inside the door/window channel 22 and two wings 27 that offer support to the body 23 against side forces while it is inserted in the door/window channel 22. As shown in Figure 4A the satellite locking catch 8 has a circular opening 30 revealing a cylindrical area 26 and thread 29 (Figure 4C). As shown in figure 4B, it is composed of two circular pins 12, one at each end. Additionally, the satellite locking catch 8 has a square opening 31 (Figure 4E) leading to a step which reveals the thread 29.
Figures 5A-5D show a series of views of the screw catch 9. The screw catch 9 is preferably in the form of a screw with an 'L' -shaped head resembling a hook. As shown in Figure 5B it incorporates a narrow slot that allows the insertion of a straight screwdriver so as to assist a rotating action. The head has an inclined face 32, as shown in Figure 5C, that mates perfectly with a socket inclined face 33 (see figure 8).
Figures 6A-6C show a series of views of a lock insert 11. As shown in figure 6A, the lock insert 11 includes a hollow circular tube 35 that sits on top of a square plate 34. A circular hole 29 which has a diameter which is less than the screw catch diameter 10 is provided, such that when screwing the screw catch 9 inside the lock insert hole 29 a tight fit is obtained. The circular tube 35 and the plate 34 are marginally larger than the satellite locking catch 8 so as to create a force fit while the lock insert 11 is pushed inside cylindrical area 26.
Figures 7A-7D show a series of views of the satellite locking catch 8 in full assembly configuration. As shown in Figure 7C, the lock insert 11 is force fitted inside the main body 23 such that it is not able to rotate with respect to the main body 23. The screw catch 9 is screwed inside the main body 23 and held in position via the application of frictional force by the lock insert 11. The distance between the screw catch head 9 and the main body 23 can be varied via the clockwise or anticlockwise turning of the screw catch 9 via a screwdriver. At all positions the screw catch is prevented from turning on its own due to the application of frictional force by the lock insert 11.
Figures 8A-8E show a series of views of a socket 14. The socket 14 has a rectangular body with a rectangular opening 36, a circular opening with a step 37 and an oval opening with a step 38. The openings 37 and 38 are arranged so that they can accept fasteners 16 (see Figure 11) such as tapping screws so as to mount the socket 14 on a door/window frame 18 shown in Figure 9. The first step in mounting the socket 14 on the door/window frame 18 is to insert the fastener 16 through the opening 38, which is oval, and allows for vertical adjustment of the socket 14 with respect to the door/window frame 18. Having completed the adjustment, the second fastener 16 is inserted via the opening 37 so as to securely mount the socket 14 on the door/window frame 18 and prevent it from moving vertically with respect to the door/window frame 18. The socket 14 also comprises an inclined face 33 which is in perfect mate with the inclined face 32 of screw catch 9 and catch 4. As shown by the side view of Figure 8D, the socket 14 has a triangular groove 40 that is, as shown in Figure 9, in perfect match with the door/window frame shape 18 at the point of mounting.
Figure 9 is a view of the door/window leaf 17 and frame 18 just above the latch 1. It is of great importance that the catch 4 extends beyond the latch casing 19 on both sides. On one side the catch 4 engages with the socket 14 to provide a locking action and to the other side it engages with the moving rod 6. As shown in Figure 9 the moving rod 6 is free to slide vertically along the leaf 17 channel 22. Since the catch 4 extends well into the moving rod 6, it allows for horizontal movement of the catch 4 with respect to the latch slider 2 so as to accommodate fitting requirements and still be engaged with the moving rod 6.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the door/window leaf 17 and frame 18 just above the satellite locking catch 8. As seen in Figure 10 the clearance between the satellite locking catch inverted 'T' section 13 and the door/window leaf 17 channel 22 is such that it allows for free slide of the satellite locking catch 8 inside the channel 22 along its axis. In addition the mating of the satellite locking catch 8 inverted 'T' section 13 and the door/window leaf 17 channel 22 is such that it does not allow for horizontal movement of the satellite locking catch 8 with respect to the door/window leaf 17. It is also important to note that the clearance between the satellite locking catch wings 27 and the door/window leaf 17 channel 22 is so small that does not allow the rotation of the satellite locking catch 8 with respect to the door/window leaf 17 channel 22.
Figure 11 show a side view of the multiple locking points latch system in full assembly configuration, when it is mounted on a door/window. It is important to note that the moving bar 6 opening 7 engages with the catch 4 narrow bars 20 and the satellite locking catch 8 pins 12 engage with the moving bar 6 openings 21 at both ends.
By using additional moving rods 6 it is possible to connect several satellite locking catches 8. By varying the length of the moving rod 6 the distance of the satellite locking catches 8 from the latch 1 can be adjusted. When a locking action is performed the latch slider 2 moves upwards with respect to the latch casing 19 and since the catch 4 is securely mounted on the slider 2, it moves an equal distance in the same direction. Since the moving rod 6 is engaged with the catch 4 and further more the satellite locking catches 8 are engaged with the moving rod 6, the slider 2 movement results in an equal travel in the same direction of the catch 4 and all the satellite locking catches 8 that are engaged on the moving rod 6. This upward movement results in the engagement of the sockets 14 with the catch 4 and the screw catch 9 and the multiple locking action is fully realised.
The multiple locking latch system of the present invention therefore provides a far more secure locking system which is effective against forced entry whilst being simply employed by a user.

Claims

A multiple locking latch system comprising:
a latch (1) arranged to be mounted, in use, on a door or window leaf (17);

a latch catch (4) arranged to be contained within the latch (1);

a movable rod (6) arranged to slide, in use, within a channel (22) incorporated in the leaf (17), wherein the latch catch (4) is arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod (6); and

a satellite locking catch (8) arranged to engage, in use, with the moveable rod (6) and to slide in accordance with the rod (6),

wherein the latch catch (4) and a screw catch (9) of the satellite locking catch (8) are arranged to mate, in use, with mating sockets (14) mounted on a frame (18),

the latch system being characterised in that:
the satellite locking catch (8) is arranged such that the distance between the satellite locking catch (8) and the screw catch (9) is adjustable, and

the mating sockets (14) are adjustably mounted to the door/window frame (18).
A multiple locking points latch system according to claim 1, wherein the latch (1) is arranged to be fixed, in use, to the leaf (17) such that the majority of a main body of the latch (19) extends inside the leaf (17).
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch (1) includes side openings such that the latch catch (4) partly extends beyond the main body of the latch (19) on both sides thereof.
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch (1) is arranged such that a locking action moves the catch (4) through a predetermined distance in order that the latch catch (4) engages with a mating socket (14).
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the catch (20) extends beyond the latch body (19) and allows engagement with the moveable rod (6).
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the latch catch (4) is moveable with respect to the latch (1) whilst maintaining its engagement with the nearby moveable rod (6).
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable rod (6) and the latch catch (4) are arranged to engage with one another in use, such that the rod (6) and the latch catch (4) are arranged to move an equal distance to, and in the same direction of movement as, one another.
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable rod (6) and the satellite locking catch (8) are arranged to engage with one another in use, such that the rod (6) and the satellite locking catch (8) are arranged to move an equal distance to, and in the same direction of movement as, one another.
A multiple locking points latch system according to any preceding claim, wherein the satellite locking catch (8) is arranged such that it is only moveable along the longitudinal axis of the channel (22).