GB2026588A

GB2026588A - Window locks

Info

Publication number: GB2026588A
Application number: GB7914923A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BKL Extrusions Ltd
Current assignee: BKL Extrusions Ltd
Priority date: 1978-07-29
Filing date: 1979-04-30
Publication date: 1980-02-06

Abstract

A lock assembly for the handle 19 of a casement or centrally pivoted window ventilator comprises a base 22 for fixing under the window handle and a tongue 32 pivotally mounted on the base by an operating member 27 about an axis transverse to the window frame and to the pivot axis of the handle. The tongue can be locked in engagement with the handle to lock the handle in the closed position and can be swung away from the handle to release the handle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lock for window handle The invention reiates to lock assemblies for window closures which are of the kind subsequently referred to as of the kind described and which comprise a mount for mounting the closure on the frame of a ventilator, a handle pivotally mounted on the mount about an axis transverse to the ventilator and a catch integral with and movable with the handle, the arrangement being such that when the handle lies in a direction generally along the frame the catch is in an operative position to hold the ventilator closed and such that the handle can be pivoted to release the catch.

Several forms of lock assembly are available for window closures of the kind described but these tend to have certain disadvantages. It is desirable for the locking assembly to be compact and to merge with the closure and for a typical closure fitted to the inside of a window it is desirable for the lock and so far as possible the closure member not to be visible from outside the window. A further feature which can be desirable is for the closure to be independent of the lock assembly to facilitate standardization of parts between windows which require lock assemblies and windows which do not require lock assemblies.

The present invention is concerned with the provision of a lock assembly which can be made compact. Preferred embodiments of the invention are concerned with a lock assembly which is separate from an associated closure but the invention could be applied to a lock assembly integral with a closure.

According to the present invention there is provided a lock assembly which is for a window closure of the kind described and which comprises a base for mounting the lock assembly on the frame and/or the mount, an operating member pivotally mounted on the base about an axis transverse to the pivot axis of the handle and transverse to the frame, a tongue on the operating member for engagement with the handle when the operating member is pivoted to its locking position to prevent release of the handle from its operating position and which is clear of the handle in the unlocking position, an a key operable lock for locking the operating member in its locking position.

Preferably the lock assembly is arranged between the root portion of the handle and the frame. The arrangement may be such that in the unlocking position the tongue faces away from the pivot axis of the handle.

Preferably the pivot axis of the operating member is perpendicular both to the pivot axis of the handle and to the direction of the frame.

However, so long as a generally transverse arrangement exists, some variations from the perpendicular conditions may be acceptable.

Preferably the lock is a cylinder lock co-axial with the pivot axis of the operating member.

However other forms of key operable lock may be used and the key may for example, be of the kind incorporating a hexagonal or other shape of driving shaft for rotating a locking member which may be in the form of a screw.

Preferably the lock assembly is used with a window closure which incorporates a channel section handle and in the locking position the tongue engages in the channel. Alternatively, the tongue may engage around an edge of the handle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a lock assembly according to the present invention FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of a window closure mounted on the frame of a ventilator and incorporating the lock assembly of Figure 1, and FIGURE 3 is an elevation in the direction of arrow lli of Figure 2 The frame 11 is in this example the upright frame of a ventilator (that is the opening part) of a casement window. I However the assembly shown could be applied to other forms of windows such as windows with centrally pivoting ventilators.

As the lock assembly in this example is a separate item which can be added to a window closure and frame, the closure and frame will first be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

The closure incorporates a mount 12 which is mounted to the frame 11 by four screws. These are screws 13, 14, and 15 and a similar screw which would be provided in place of screw 1 6 in the absence of the lock assembly. A central boss 1 7 of the mount carries a pin 18 which extends perpendicular to the frame 11 and to the complete ventilator (not shown). The pin serves as a pivotal mounting for a handle 19 which in the position shown lies in a direction generally along the frame 11 but it is cranked to provide sufficient clearance between the handle and the frame for the hand of an operator. The handle 1 9 is of channel section with the recess of the handle facing towards the frame 11.

A catch 21 is integral with the handle 19 so that it is pivotally movable with the handle 19. In the position shown the catch 21 extends transversely beyond the mount 12 2 to a position where it can engage behind the fixed frame of the window or an abutment secured to the fixed frame. This is the operative position of the catch in which, assuming the ventilator is closed; it secures the ventilator in the closed condition.

With the catch in its operative position the handle lies generally along the direction of the frame 11. In order to release the closure, to open the ventilator, the handle 1 9 is pivoted in an anticlockwise direction as seen in Figure 3 through an angle of perhaps 70 to 90 degrees. This alsp pivots the catch 21 through a similar angle and thereby releases the catch from the fixed frame or abutment. The ventilator can then be opened.

In order to enable the ventilator to-be locked in a closed condition the handle and catch assembly shouid be locked in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 when the ventilator is ciosed. For this purpose the lock assembly shown in Figure 1 (and also Figures 2 and 3) is provided.

The lock assembly comprises a base 22 which incorporates a downwardly extending mounting flange 23 for securing directly by screw 24 to the frame 11 and an upwardly extending mounting flange 25 for securing by screw 1 6 through the mount 12 of the closure to the frame. The base 22 is stepped so that it fits around the mount 12.

Screw 1 6 and screw 24 are longer than screws 13, 14 and 15.

Base 22 also incorporates a raised generally cylindrical portion 26 with its axis perpendicular to that of pin 18 and perpendicular to the frame 11.

An operating member 27 incorporates two arms 28 and 29 arranged one to each end of the cylindrical portion 26. A cylinder lock 31 is arranged within the cylindrical portion 26 and passes through the arms 28 and 29 in such a way that it provides a pivot for the operating member 27 with respect to the base 22. The lock 31 is capable of locking the operating member 27 in certain rotational positions as will be described subsequently. Stops 33 are provided for limiting the range of movement of locking member 27.

The operating member carries a tongue 32 which as shown most clearly in Figure 2 is engaged in the channel of the handle 19. The lock 31 is capable of locking the operating member with the tongue in this position. The engagement of the tongue 32 with handle 1 9 is such that it prevents pivotal movement of the handle 1 9 and thereby locks the ventilator in its closed condition.

In order to unlock the ventilator, the lock 31 is operated by its key to pivot the operating member 27 away from the position shown in full in Figure 2 to a position shown diagrammatically in chain dotted outline. This is the unlocked condition and in this situation the handle 1 9 can be pivoted so that the catch 21 takes up an inoperative position and the ventilator can be opened.

The lock shown is compact and occupies a position where to a large extent it is surrounded by parts of the conventional window closure with the result that it is unobtrusive. One other desirable feature is that as seen in Figure 3 the lock does not extend beyond the frame 11 so that it is unlikely to be seen from outside the window.

A further feature is that screw 1 5 which is one of the mounting screws for the closure is completely inaccessible when the lock is in position. Also with the handle locked in the position shown, screw 1 6 is inaccessible. The result is that neither the closure nor the lock assembly can be unscrewed from the frame 11 in the locked condition. This is a desirable security feature.

In an alternative construction, the direction of the lock may be reversed. This could be particularly valuable with a transom window because the key could then be inserted from the accessible underside of the lock.

Claims

1. A lock assenbly which is for a window closure of the kind described and which comprises a base for mounting the lock assembly on the frame and/or the mount, an operating member pivotally mounted on the base about an axis transverse to the pivot axis of the handle and transverse to the frame, a tongue on the operating member for engagement with the handle when the operating member is pivoted to its locking position to prevent release of the handle from its operating position and which is clear of the handle in its unlocking position, and a key operable lock for locking the operating member in its locking position.

2. A lock assembly as claimed in Claim 1 arranged between the root portion of the handle of the closure and the frame.

3. A lock assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which in the unlocking position the tongue faces away from the pivot axis of the handle.

4. A lock assembly as claimed in any preceeding claim in which the pivot axis of the operating member is perpendicular both to the pivot axis of the handle and to the frame.

5. A lock assembly as claimed in any preceeding claim in which the lock is a cylinder lock arranged co-axially with the pivot axis of the operating member.

6. A lock assembly as claimed in any preceeding claim for use with a window closure which is of the kind described and inciudes a channel section handle in which in the locking position of the operating member the tongue engages in the channel.

7. A lock assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the tongue engages round an edge of the handle.

8. A lock assembly which is for a window closure of the kind described and which is substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.