GB2127087A

GB2127087A - Locks for sliding doors or windows

Info

Publication number: GB2127087A
Application number: GB08226458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Buckley
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 1982-09-16
Filing date: 1982-09-16
Publication date: 1984-04-04
Also published as: GB2127087B

Abstract

A lock for a sliding door or window comprises a first elongate strip 10 for fixedly mounting along the vertical end edge of the locking stile of the door or window, a second, movable strip 11 mounted on the first strip for limited longitudinal movement relatively thereto between locked and unlocked positions, operating means 12 for effecting said relative longitudinal movement, two headed longitudinally-spaced locking screws 14 projecting outwardly from the second 11 in the general plane of the door or window, a retaining strip 17 for mounting on the fixed frame 18 of the door or window, which retaining strip is formed with keyhole-shaped apertures 16 to receive the projecting locking screws 14 respectively, whereby the lock may be engaged by passing the heads of the screws 14 through the larger portions of the apertures while the second elongate strip is in the unlocked position, and then moving the second elongate strip 11 to the locked position in which the shanks of the screws enter the narrower portions of the apertures in the retaining strip, thus preventing withdrawal of the screws from the retaining element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to locks for sliding doors or windows The invention relates to locks for sliding doors or windows of the kind in which one part of the lock is mounted in the upright edge of the sliding door or window and co-operates with a retaining element mounted on the fixed upright frame member against which the end edge face of the door or window abuts, the part of the lock carried by the door or window including one or more manually movable elements which, when the door or window is closed, may be actuated for retaining engagement with the retaining element to maintain the door or window in the closed position.

In one known lock of this kind, the part of the lock mechanism mounted on the door or window comprises a first elongate element fixedly mounted along the vertical end edge of the locking stile of the door or window, and a second movable elongate element mounted on the first element for limited longitudinal movement between locked and unlocked positions relatively thereto. The two elements have keyhole-shaped apertures which are in register in the unlocked position but are moved out of register in the locked position.The retaining element, mounted on the fixed door frame, comprises one or more headed projections which can pass through the registering apertures in the unlocked position but, in the locked position, are prevented from withdrawing from the apertures, since they are no longer in register Such locks are commonly used on sliding doors or windows where the edge of the locking stile passes into a vertical channel on the upright fixed frame member as the window is closed. Thus, when the window is open, the projections on the fixed frame member lie within the channel and cannot, for example, catch on the clothing of a person using the door or window.

However, in some forms bf sliding door or window the channel is formed on the locking stile and the surface of the fixed frame member is substantially flat, the flanges of the channel passing into parallel slots in the surface of the frame member as the door or window moves to the closed position. With such an arrangement it is undesirable to provide projections on the fixed frame member since they will not be contained within a channel and may, therefore, catch on the clothing of a person using the door or window, and could even cause injury. The present invention sets out to provide a lock which overcomes this disadvantage and which, in a preferred embodiment, may be provided by modification of an existing form of lock of the kind first referred to.

According to the invention a lock for a sliding door or window comprises a first elongate element for fixedly mounting along the vertical end edge of the locking stile of the door or window, a second, movable elongate element mounted on the first element for limited longitudinal movement relatively thereto between locked and unlocked positions, operating means for effecting said relative longitudinal movement, at least two longitudinally-spaced locking members projecting outwardly from the second element in the general plane of the door or window and each formed with a neck and an enlarged head, a retaining element for mounting on the fixed frame of the door or window, which retaining element is formed with apertures to re chive the projecting locking members respectively, each aperture being keyhole-shaped and comprising a first portion large enough to permit the passage of the head and neck of the projection therethrough and a narrower portion leading from the first portion and large enough to permit only the passage of the neck of the projection, whereby the lock may be engaged by passing the heads of the projectings through the larger portions of the apertures while the second elongate element is in the unlocked position, and then moving the second elongate element to the locked position in which the necks of the projections enter the narrower portions of the apertures in the retaining element, thus preventing withdrawal of the projections from the retaining element.

Since the projections are provided on the locking stile, they may lie within and be protected by the flanges of the channel on the locking stile when the lock is used in the second type of door or window mentioned above. The flat surface of the mixed frame member only requires to be formed with fixed apertures and thus remains substantially flat.

The movable elongate element may be mounted on the side of the first, fixed element which, when the lock is mounted for use, is remote from the retaining element, the fixed element being formed with longitudinal slots through which said projections extend, so as to permit said longitudinal movement of the second element relatively to the first element.

It is desirable that no attempt should be made to close the door or window with the movable element already in the locked position, since the projections will not then register with the larger portions of the apertures in the retaining element and this could therefore cause damage to the lock. Preferably, therefore, blocking means are provided for preventing longitudinal movement of the movable element except when the projections are in engagement with the retaining element.

Said blocking means may comprise an abutment movably mounted on the first element, or a part fixed in relation thereto, which abutment normally lies in the path of movement of the movable elongate element, but is automatically moved out of said path of movement as the projections engage the retaining element.

For example, the abutment may be normally urged by spring means into the path of movement of the movable element, and may carry a smaller extension which projects towards the retaining element, whereby engagement of the extension with the retaining element as the door or window is closed displaces the abutment out of the path of movement of the movable element, the movable element being formed with a slot which the extension may enter to permit longitudinal movement of the element past the extension.

The abutment may be pivotally mounted on the fixed element, or part fixed in relation thereto, and may be arranged to pass into an aperture in the movable element, the abutment passing also through a registering aperture in the fixed element in the case where the movable element is on the side of the fixed element remote from the retaining element.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic vertical section through the part of a lock mechanism mounted on the locking stile of a sliding door or window.

Figure 2 is a view looking from the right of Figure land Figure 3 is a view of the fixed part of the lock mechanism mounted on the fixed upright frame member of the sliding door or window.

The locking mechanism shown in the drawings may be a modification of an existing form of mechanism of the kind first referred to above.

Referring to Figure 1, the part of the mechanism mounted on the sliding door or window comprises a fixed metal strip 10 overlying the rear side of which is a movable metal strip 11. A mechanism 12 for moving the strip 11 up and down relatively to the fixed strip 10 is mounted on the fixed strip and passes through a slot in the movable strip.

The fixed strip 10 is formed with two vertically spaced longitudinally extending slots 13 through which pass respectively the shanks of roundheaded screws 14 mounted on the movable strip 11. When the mechanism is in the unlocked position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the screws 14 lie at the upper ends of the slot 13, and when the mechanism is operated to the locked position the strip 11 is moved downwardly and the screws 14 move to the bottom of the slots 13. A key-operated device 15 is provided for retaining the mechanism in the locked position.

The screws 14 co-operate with keyhole-shaped slots 16 in a retaining strip 17 mounted on the fixed upright door or window frame member 18, as shown in Figure 3. With the screws 14 in their upper, unlocked position, the heads of the screws may pass through the larger portions 19 of the apertures 16, thus permitting the door or window to be closed.

The screws 14 are disposed within a channel on the edge of the locking stile, and, as the door or window is closed, the flanges 20 of the channel enter spaced parallel slots 21 in the upright frame member.

Once the door or window has been closed, the mechanism 12 is operated to move the strip 11 and screws 14 downwardly so that the shanks of the screws enter the narrower portions 22 of the slots 16 and prevent withdrawal of the screws through the slots. This retains the window or door in the closed position.

It will be appreciated that if an attempt were made to close the door or window with the mechanism already in the locked position, the heads of the screws 14 would be out of register with the larger portions of the slots 16 and would strike against the surface of the upright frame member, thus possibly causing damage to the lock mechanism. A safety mechanism is therefore provided for ensuring that the lock can only be operated to the locked position when the screws 14 are in engagement with the slots 16.

This safety mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lever arm 24 which is pivotally mounted on the fixed device 12 and is formed with an abutment block 25 which, in the unlocked position of the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2, passes through the larger portions of registering keyhole-shaped apertures 26 and 27 in the strips 10 and 11 respectively. The block 25 thus normally prevents downward movement of the strip 11 from the unlocked position.

Extending forwardly from the block 25 is a pin 28, and as the window is closed the pin 28 engages the surface of the upright frame member as the screws 14 enter the slots 16 and pushes the block 25 rearwardly out of engagement with the slots 26.

Thus, when the screws 14 are engaged with the slots 16 the block 25 no longer prevents operating movement of the strip 11 and the lock may be operated to move the strip 11 downwardly to the locked position.

The narrower portion of the keyhole-shaped slot 27 in the movable strip 11 passes over the extension 28 and thus permits this movement.

CLAIMS (Filed on 1619/83) 1. A lock for a sliding door or window comprising a first elongate element for fixedly mounting along the vertical end edge of the locking stile of the door or window, a second, movable elongate element mounted on the first element for limited longitudinal movement relatively thereto between locked and unlocked positions, operating means for effecting said relative longitudinal movement, at least two longitudinally-spaced locking members projecting outwardly from the second element in the general plane of the door or window and each formed with a neck and an enlarged head, a retaining element for mounting on the fixed frame of the door or window, which retaining element is formed with apertures to receive the projecting locking members respectively, each aperture being keyhole-shaped and comprising a first portion large enough to permit the passage of the head and neck of the projection therethrough and a narrower portion leading from the first portion and large enough to permit only the passage of the neck of the projection, whereby the lock may be engaged by passing the heads of the projections through the larger portions of the apertures while the second elongate element is in the unlocked position, and then moving the second elongate element to the locked position in which the necks of the projection enter the narrower portions of the apertures in the retaining element, thus preventing withdrawal of the projections from the retaining element.

2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein the movable elongate element is mounted on the side of the first, fixed element which, when the lock is mounted for use, is remote from the retaining element, the fixed element being formed with longitudinal slots through which said projections extend,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the element past the extension. The abutment may be pivotally mounted on the fixed element, or part fixed in relation thereto, and may be arranged to pass into an aperture in the movable element, the abutment passing also through a registering aperture in the fixed element in the case where the movable element is on the side of the fixed element remote from the retaining element. The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic vertical section through the part of a lock mechanism mounted on the locking stile of a sliding door or window. Figure 2 is a view looking from the right of Figure land Figure 3 is a view of the fixed part of the lock mechanism mounted on the fixed upright frame member of the sliding door or window. The locking mechanism shown in the drawings may be a modification of an existing form of mechanism of the kind first referred to above. Referring to Figure 1, the part of the mechanism mounted on the sliding door or window comprises a fixed metal strip 10 overlying the rear side of which is a movable metal strip 11. A mechanism 12 for moving the strip 11 up and down relatively to the fixed strip 10 is mounted on the fixed strip and passes through a slot in the movable strip. The fixed strip 10 is formed with two vertically spaced longitudinally extending slots 13 through which pass respectively the shanks of roundheaded screws 14 mounted on the movable strip 11. When the mechanism is in the unlocked position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the screws 14 lie at the upper ends of the slot 13, and when the mechanism is operated to the locked position the strip 11 is moved downwardly and the screws 14 move to the bottom of the slots 13. A key-operated device 15 is provided for retaining the mechanism in the locked position. The screws 14 co-operate with keyhole-shaped slots 16 in a retaining strip 17 mounted on the fixed upright door or window frame member 18, as shown in Figure 3. With the screws 14 in their upper, unlocked position, the heads of the screws may pass through the larger portions 19 of the apertures 16, thus permitting the door or window to be closed. The screws 14 are disposed within a channel on the edge of the locking stile, and, as the door or window is closed, the flanges 20 of the channel enter spaced parallel slots 21 in the upright frame member. Once the door or window has been closed, the mechanism 12 is operated to move the strip 11 and screws 14 downwardly so that the shanks of the screws enter the narrower portions 22 of the slots 16 and prevent withdrawal of the screws through the slots. This retains the window or door in the closed position. It will be appreciated that if an attempt were made to close the door or window with the mechanism already in the locked position, the heads of the screws 14 would be out of register with the larger portions of the slots 16 and would strike against the surface of the upright frame member, thus possibly causing damage to the lock mechanism. A safety mechanism is therefore provided for ensuring that the lock can only be operated to the locked position when the screws 14 are in engagement with the slots 16. This safety mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lever arm 24 which is pivotally mounted on the fixed device 12 and is formed with an abutment block 25 which, in the unlocked position of the mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2, passes through the larger portions of registering keyhole-shaped apertures 26 and 27 in the strips 10 and 11 respectively. The block 25 thus normally prevents downward movement of the strip 11 from the unlocked position. Extending forwardly from the block 25 is a pin 28, and as the window is closed the pin 28 engages the surface of the upright frame member as the screws 14 enter the slots 16 and pushes the block 25 rearwardly out of engagement with the slots 26. Thus, when the screws 14 are engaged with the slots 16 the block 25 no longer prevents operating movement of the strip 11 and the lock may be operated to move the strip 11 downwardly to the locked position. The narrower portion of the keyhole-shaped slot 27 in the movable strip 11 passes over the extension 28 and thus permits this movement. CLAIMS (Filed on 1619/83)

1. A lock for a sliding door or window comprising a first elongate element for fixedly mounting along the vertical end edge of the locking stile of the door or window, a second, movable elongate element mounted on the first element for limited longitudinal movement relatively thereto between locked and unlocked positions, operating means for effecting said relative longitudinal movement, at least two longitudinally-spaced locking members projecting outwardly from the second element in the general plane of the door or window and each formed with a neck and an enlarged head, a retaining element for mounting on the fixed frame of the door or window, which retaining element is formed with apertures to receive the projecting locking members respectively, each aperture being keyhole-shaped and comprising a first portion large enough to permit the passage of the head and neck of the projection therethrough and a narrower portion leading from the first portion and large enough to permit only the passage of the neck of the projection, whereby the lock may be engaged by passing the heads of the projections through the larger portions of the apertures while the second elongate element is in the unlocked position, and then moving the second elongate element to the locked position in which the necks of the projection enter the narrower portions of the apertures in the retaining element, thus preventing withdrawal of the projections from the retaining element.

so as to permit said longitudinal movement of the second element relatively to the first element.

3. A lock according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein blocking means are provided for preventing. longitudinal movement of the movable element except when the projections are in engagement with the retaining element.

4. A lock according to claim 3, wherein said blocking means comprise an abutment movably mounted on the first element, or a part fixed in relation thereto, which abutment normally lies in the path of movement of the movable elongate element but is automatically moved out of said path of movement as the projections engage the retaining element.

5. A lock according to claim 4, wherein the abutment is normally urged by spring means into the path of movement of the movable element, and carries a smaller extension which projects towards the retaining element, whereby engagement of the extension with the retaining element as the door or window is closed displaces the abutment out of the path of movement of the movable element, the movable element being formed with a slot which the extension may enter to permit longitudinal movement of the element past the extension.

6. A lock according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the abutment is pivotally mounted on the fixed element, or part fixed in relation thereto, and is arranged to pass into an aperture in the movable element, the abutment passing also through a registering aperture in the fixed element in the case where the movable element is on the side of the fixed element remote from the retaining element.

7. A lock for a sliding door or window, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.