GB2124692A

GB2124692A - Fastening for sliding doors, windows or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2124692A
Application number: GB08312051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Socratis John Raptis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-05-06
Filing date: 1983-05-03
Publication date: 1984-02-22
Also published as: GB8312051D0; GB2124692B; GR70131B

Abstract

A fastening for sliding doors, windows or the like comprises two relatively movable members (3 and 11), one on the door, window or the like and the other on the door, window or the like frame. One of the members (3) has an open ended slot (5) arranged at least generally vertically and engageable with a headed element (8) on the other member (11); the members (3 and 11) are mounted so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the axis of the slot (5) and biassed in a direction to maintain the headed element (8) in the slot (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like This invention relates to a safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like.

With sliding doors, windows or the like in which opening of an aperture is achieved by the sliding movement of a closure member parallel to the plane of the aperture, various problems have arisen in making such closures safe from the security point of view. One of these problems resides in the fact that, in order to install such doors, windows or the like, it it is necessary to have a gap above the door to enable the door to be inserted onto its tracks.

Unfortunately this means that if the door, window or the like can be lifted, it can be lifted off its tracks and removed bodily thus providing access to the premises which the door, window or the like was closing off.

In known catch mechanisms for sliding doors, windows or the like, there is a hooked element, generally in the shape of an inverted L. A headed element on the door, window or like frame engages beneath the lip of the Land will prevent the door from sliding open. However, if the door is raised, the hook will rise up above the head element and will release the door and allow it to be slid open, or at any event to be removed.

The present invention seeks to provide a safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like in which some or all of the disadvantages of the above described existing catch arrangements are obviated or subs-tantially reduced.

According to the invention, a safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like comprises two relatively movable members, one on the door, window or the like and the other on the door, window or the like frnme, one of the members having an open-ended slot arranged at least general ly vertically and engageable with a headed element on the other member, the members being mounted so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the slot axis and biassed in a direction to maintain the headed element in the slot.

Preferably the slotted member is movably mounted on the door, window or the like and headed member is mounted stationarily on the door, window or the like frame. In these circumstances, the slotted member is preferably biassed in the upward direction and the slot has its open end at its upper end.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the handle mechanism of a sliding door incorporating a safety catch in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support member which is normally attached to the door, window or like frame and which co-operates with the catch mechanism on the door; Figure 3 shows an elevational and sectional view otthe safety catch member shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative catch element in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, the safety catch mechanism is incorporated in a handle mechanism 1 of a door, window or the like, which handle mechanism contains an opening 12 for actuation of the door.

In this opening 12 is provided a sliding latch atuating member 2 which slides up and down within the opening 12. This actuating element 2 is biassed in an upward direction by means of a coil spring 7 which seats on a seat 6 rigid with the door, window or the like.

At the rear of the member 2 is an extension portion 13 (Figures 3) having a recess in which a generally G-shaped catch element 3 is received. This catch element 3 protrudes beyond the engaging edge of the door so as to be accessible therefrom. It is provided with an aperture 4 which is of a size large enough to receive the head 8 of a co-operating member 11 which is, in use, attached stationarilyto the frame of the door, window or the like. Extending downwardly from this aperture 4 is a vertical slot 5 which is of a dimension sufficient to allow movement therein of the neck of the headed element 11 while not permitting the head 8 thereof to pass therethrough.

The operation of the catch mechanism will now be described.

With the sliding door, window or the like open, it is assumed that it is desired to close the door, window or the like. In order to do this, the door, window or the like is pulled towards the stationary frame by means of the aperture 12 and as the door, window or the like approaches the frame, the actuating member 2 is moved downwards so as to align the aperture 4 with the head 8 of the headed element 11. On closure of the door, window or the like, the head 8 will enter the aperture 4 and on release of the actuating member 2, the actuating member 2 will be biassed upwards carrying with it the catch element 3 and causing the head 8 to seat behind the edges of the slot 5.

In this position, it is impossible to open the door from the other side, which does not have the handle since it is not possible to pull the head 8 through the slot 5. Nor will raising of the door help since any upward movement of the door will more firmly push the neck of the headed element 11 down the slot 5. In this way, the security of the door, window or the like is greatly enhanced.

In a modification of the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3, the upper portion of the catch element 3 carrying the aperture is omitted leaving purely the slot 10 in the element 9 as shown in Figure 4.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, with suitable directions of the slot and position of the headed member, the slotted catch element may be provided on the door. With suitable orientation of the slot 5, either the headed member 11 or the catch plate 3 may be movable.

From the above described embodiments, it will be seen that there is provided a safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like which provides increased security against unauthorised opening of the door, window or the like from the exterior (i.e. side away from the handle arrangements).

Claims

1. A safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like comprising two relatively movable members, one on the door, window or the like and the other on the frame of the door, window or the like, one of the members having an open ended slot arranged at least generally vertically and engageable with a headed element on the other member, the members being mounted so as to be relatively movable in the direction of the slot axis and biassed in a direction to maintain the headed element in the slot.

2. A safety catch as claimed in claim 1,wherein the slotted member is movably mounted on the door, window or the like and the headed member is mounted stationarily on the door, window or like frame.

3. A safety catch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slotted member is biassed in the upward direction and the slot has its open end at its upper end.

4. A safety catch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the open ended slot extends from an aperture large enough to receive the head of the headed member.

5. A safety catch for sliding doors, windows or the like substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.