GB2151293A - Locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking system for a door or window assembly comprises a longitudinally extending rod (20), operating means (10) for rotating said rod about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of bolt elements (35) spaced apart axially along the length of the rod, driving means (30) associated with said bolt elements for moving same between respective locking and releasing positions in response to rotation of said rod, and an interlock mechanism(s), Figs. 2,3 (not shown), for preventing the bolt elements being moved. One interlock mechanism serves to hold the bolt elements in their locking positions and another interlock mechanism serves to prevent the bolt elements being moved to the locking position except when the door or window is in its position of closure. The interlock mechanisms may be used singly or in combination with one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Locking system Description of Invention This invention relates to a locking system in, or for installation in, a door or window assembly of the kind comprising a panel-like structure which is movable into and out of a position of closure relative to an opening, the panel-like structure having an edge member which in the closed position is disposed adjacent to a corresponding edge member which defines part of the periphery of said opening.

Such door or window assemblies will hereinafter for convenience be referred to as assemblies of the kind specified.

Our prior patent application No. 8328676 discloses and claims an assembly of the kind specified wherein one of said edge members includes a locking system comprising a plurality of bolt elements spaced apart longitudinally, a longitudinally extending rod, operating means for rotating said rod about its longitudinal axis, and driving means associated with said bolt elements for moving said bolt elements between respective locking and releasing positions in response to rotation of said rod.

The present invention is concerned with further developments of such a locking system to incorporate an interlock for preventing the bolt elements being moved.

With these objects in view, we provide an assembly of the kind specified in which a plurality of bolt elements disposed at spaced apart positions along one of said edge members are operatively connected with a rod which extends longitudinally of said edge member and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to move said bolts between locking and releasing positions, the rod being rotatable by operating means associated therewith, and an interlock mechanism is provided which serves to prevent rotation of said rod and thereby hold said bolt elements in one or more selected positions.

A first interlock mechanism may serve to hold the bolt elements in their locking positions.

In a preferred locking system, the operating means comprises a linearly movable member arranged to operate a rotary member connected to, or forming part of, the rod, and the first interlock mechanism in such a system may include a locking member which is movable into a position in which it obstructs movement of said linearly movable member in the direction required to withdraw said bolt elements from their locking positions. Most conveniently, the locking member is so related to the linearly movable member as to be movable into its operative, locking position only when the linearly movable member is in a position corresponding to the locking position of the bolt elements.

This may be achieved by forming or providing a projection on the linearly movable member which engages a face afforded by the locking member when in positions other than its operative position so that during the operative range of movement of the linearly movable member, the projection engages said face and prevents the locking member being moved into its locking position, except when said projection registers with a recess formed in said locking member. Movement of the locking member to its locking position when the projection and recess are aligned thereby serves to hold the longitudinally movable member against such movement whilst it is in the position corresponding to the locking position of said bolt elements.

A second interlock mechanism may serve to prevent the bolt elements being moved to the locking position except when the panel-like structure is in its position of closure relative to the openings. This, in turn, prevents the first interlock mechanism, where provided, from being used to lock the system in its locking condition other than when the door or window is actually closed.

For this purpose, the locking system may include a striker member which is biased into an operative position in which movement of the bolt elements is prevented, the striker member being displaced into an inoperative position in which such movement is allowed when the panel-like structure is brought into its position of closure relative to the opening.

The striker member may comprise a spring loaded plate which is arranged to project from the edge member carrying the locking system so that it is engaged and displaced to its inoperative position when the panel-like structure is in its position of closure relative to the opening.

In one arrangement, the rod may be formed with a recess which affords a flat face and the striker plate may afford a complementary flat face which in the operative position engages the flat face on the rod so as to prevent rotation of the latter. Most conveniently, the rod is formed with two opposed recesses and the central part of the rod between the recesses is received within a slot formed in the striker plate whereby the rod is held against rotation. At one position along its length, the slot may open out into a circular recess of diameter not less than that of the rod, the arrangement being such that in the inoperative position of the striker plate, the circular recess is aligned with the rod, thereby allowing the latter to be rotated.

When these two interlock mechanisms are used in conjunction with one another, the bolt elements are held in their inoperative positions, and the first interlock mechanism cannot be operated, until the door is closed.

Upon closure, the striker member is displaced, so as to allow the bolt elements to be moved to their operative positions, in which the first interlock mechanism can then be operated to lock the bolt elements in that position. However, the first interlock mechanism may be provided in the absence of the second, and vice versa. Also, whilst these mechanisms may be used with advantage in conjunction with the locking system as described and claimed in our patent application No.

8328676, they may also be used in conjunction with other types of locking system where similar considerations arise.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a basic locking system to which the present invention is applicable, this system being described more fully in our pending application No. 8328676; Figure 2 illustrates a first form of interlock mechanism which is operative to hold the system in its locking condition, and Figure 3 illustrates a further interlock mechanism is operative to hold the system in its releasing condition.

The locking system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes an operating mechanism indicated generally at 10 which is designed to rotate a longitudinally extending rod 20 about its axis so as to operate spaced bolt mechanisms 30 which are provided at opposed ends of the rod.

The operating mechanism 10 includes a housing 11 in which a generally cylindrical sleeve 1 2 is guided for iinear movement by means of pins 1 3 which engage in slots 1 4 formed at opposite sides of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 1 2 is movable by means of a sector plate 1 5 having a pivot 1 6 with an aperture 1 7 for the reception of a transverse shaft which may carry conventional handles. As can be seen, teeth 1 8 on the sector plate engage with a rack 1 9 formed or provided on the sleeve 1 2.

The rod 20 comprises upper and lower parts 21 and 23 which are interconnected by a rotary member 22 which extends through the sleeve 1 2. The central portion 24 of the member 22 is formed as a double helix, and the end portions are located by suitable bearing surfaces afforded by the housing 11.

The pins 1 3 protrude inwardly of the sleeve 1 2 so as to engage the helical portion 24 of the member 22. It will be appreciated that the sleeve 1 2 is movable linearly within the housing 11 by rotation of the sector plate 1 5. The pins 1 3 hold the sleeve 1 2 against rotation, and by virtue of their engagement with the helical part 24 of the rotary member 22, the latter is caused to rotate about its axis in response to linear movement of the sleeve 1 2.

The end portions of the rotary member 22 are fixedly secured to the adjacent upper and lower parts 21 and 23 of the rod 20, so that the rod as a whole is rotated as a rigid body.

At the opposed ends of the upper and lower parts, the rod 20 is formed with two axially spaced reduced diameter portions 26, and a pinion 28 is formed or provided between such reduced portions.

The reduced portions 26 are received in respective bearings 32 afforded by a housing 31 incorporating the bolt mechanism 30. The housing 31 includes a transverse channel 34 which guides a bolt 35 for linear movement between a retracted, or releasing position as illustrated, and a projected, or locking position. The bolt 35 is formed with teeth 36 which mesh with the pinion 28 for this purpose, and the bolt may also include an abutment member 37 which is engageable with the pinion, or an internal abutment face afforded by the housing 31, to limit outward movement of the bolt.

In use, the locking system is installed in a frame member which may comprise for examples the peripheral frame of an opening door or window. The precise form of such frame member may vary, but it will generally include a transverse web and a pair of opposed flanges. The web is formed with apertures through which the bolts 35 can pass. In their extended poSitionS, the bolts 35 are received within appropriate keepers afforded by a further frame member which comprise part of a peripheral frame which defines the opening closed by the door or window, or it may comprise part of a further, fixed or openable, door or window. The form of this frame member may also vary, but in general it will include a transverse web and respective opposed flanges.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the above described locking mechanism is modified by the incorporation an interlock mechanism which operates to hold the bolts 35 in their projected positions so as to lock the door or window to which the locking system is fitted. The interlock mechanism 50 incorporates a locking member 51 which is mounted so as to be movable in a direction towards and away from the sleeve 1 2. The latter is formed with a projection 52 which extends towards the locking member 51 and is adapted to be engaged in a recess 53 which is formed in the end face 54 thereof. As will be appreciated, the arrangement is such that when the locking member 51 is in the position as illustrated, movement of the sleeve 20 by means of the sector plate 1 5 is not restricted and accordingly the rod 20 can be rotated to effect movement of the bolts 35 between their projected and retracted positions as required.

The sleeve 1 2 and locking member 51 are so positioned that the projection 52 registers with the recess 53 when the sleeve 1 2 is in the position corresponding to the projected position of the bolts 35, and it is only when the sleeve 1 2 is in this position that the locking member 51 can be moved so as to engage the projection 52 within the recess 53, thereby holding the sleeve 12 against longitudinal movement in either direction and effectively locking the bolts 35 in their projected positions.

Conversely, when the sleeve 1 2 is in any other position, abutment between the end face 55 of the projection and the end face 54 of the locking member 51 (at least within the working range of movement of the sleeve 12) prevents the locking member 51 being moved into its locking position. Thus, the lock can be operated only when the bolts 35 are in their projected positions.

The locking member 51 may be movable manually, but preferably a key-operable lock 56 is provided, which has a driving projection 57 engaging in a shaped recess 58 whereby, as the lock 56 is turned by its key the projection 57 moves in the clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 2 to drive the locking member 51 to the left, providing the projection 52 is aligned with the recess 53.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the locking system shown in Fig. 1 may alternatively or additionally be modified by the inclusion of an interlock mechanism 60 which is operative to hold the bolts 35 in their retracted positions unless the door or window to which the locking system is fitted is in its closed condition.

For this purpose, the interlock mechanism 60 includes a striker plate 61 which is guided for movement in a mounting block 62. The striker plate 61 incorporates a pin 63 which is slidable within a slot 64 formed in the block and a spring 65 operates thereon so that the striker plate 61 normally adopts a position in which it projects outwardly from the block 62, as shown.

The outer end of the striker plate is chamfered as shown at 66 so that as the door is closed, the plate 61 strikes the frame is thereby driven against the force of the spring 65 into a retracted position.

The striker plate 61 is formed with a circular aperture 67 of a diameter corresponding to that of the circular section rod 20, and a slot 68 extends away from the aperture 67 in the direction of movement of the striker plate 61.

The rod 20 is formed with opposed recesses which define flat faces 69 spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the slot 68.

The arrangement is such that when the striker plate 6 1 is in its projected position. as shown, the flat faces 69 engage the sides of the slot 68 so that the rod 20 cannot be rotated. However, when the striker plate 61 is displaced inwardly by engagement with the frame as the door is closed, the circular aperture 67 registers with the rod 20 so that the latter can then be rotated.

In this way, the bolts 35 can be driven into and out of their projected positions only whilst the door is in a position of closure. Accordingly, once the bolts have been retracted and the door has been opened, the bolts cannot be returned to their projected positions before the door is again closed.

Conveniently, the interlock mechanisms 50 and 60 are used in combination, but either may be used independently of the other as part of a locking system of the kind illustrated in Fig. 1, or as part of any other locking system where similar requirements arise.

The interlock mechanism 50 which is provided for the purpose of holding the locking system in the condition in which the bolts are projected could itself be constructed in a manner similar to the interlock mechanism 60. Thus, instead of the locking member 51 having a recess 53 to engage the projection 52 on the sleeve 12, it could alternatively be formed with a slot and aperture similar to slot 68 and aperture 67 in striker plate 61, and in the same manner engage opposed flats formed on the rod 20. The angular position of such flats would be selected so as to register with the slot in the locking member and thereby allow the locking member to be driven to its locking position, when the bolts 35 are in their projected positions. If it is arranged that the rod is rotated through 180t in driving the bolts between their extreme positions, the same locking plate could be used to retain the bolts in either projected or retracted positions so that the system could be locked in both the locking and releasing conditions.

Conversely, the interlock mechanism for preventing the door being closed with the bolts in the projected position could be constructed in a similar manner to interlock mechanism 50, in that the striker plate 61 could be replaced by a striker plate similar to the locking plate 51 which co-operates with a projection on the sleeve 1 2 and serves to hold the latter in the position corresponding to the retracted position of the bolts 35 until such modified striker plate is displaced by closure of the door relative to the frame.

Claims (14)

1. An assembly of the kind specified in which a plurality of bolt elements disposed at spaced apart positions along one of said edge members are operatively connected with a rod which extends longitudinally of said edge member and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to move said bolts between locking and releasing positions, the rod being rotatable by operating means associated therewith, and an interlock mechanism is provided which serves to prevent rotation of said rod and thereby hold said bolt elements in one or more selected positions.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said interlock mechanism serves to hold the bolt elements in their locking positions.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the operating means comprises a linearly movable member arranged to operate a rotary member connected to, or forming part of, the rod, and said interlock mechanism includes a locking member which is movable into a position in which it obstructs movement of said linearly movable member in the directiion required to withdraw said bolt elements from their locking positions.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the locking member is so related to the linearly movable member as to be movable into its operative, locking positions only when the linearly movable member is in a position corresponding to the locking position of the bolt elements.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4 wherein a projection formed or provided on the linearly movable member is arranged to engage a face afforded by the locking member when in positions other than its operative position so that during the operative range of movement of the linearly movable member, the projection engages said face and prevents the locking member being moved into its locking position, except when said projection registers with a recess formed in said locking member.

6. An assembly according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein said locking member is manually movable into and out of its locking position.

7. An assembly according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein said locking member is movable into and out of its locking position by means of a key-operable locking mechanism.

8. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said interlock mechanism serves to prevent the bolt elements being moved to the locking position except when the panel-like structure is in its position of closure relative to the opening.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8 wherein said interlock mechanism includes a striker member which is biased into an operative position in which movement of the bolt element is prevented, the striker member being displaced into an inoperative position in which such movement is allowed when the panel-like structure is brought into its position of closure relative to the opening.

1 0. An assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the striker member comprises a spring loaded plate which is arranged to project from the edge member carrying the locking system so that it is engaged and displaced to its inoperative position when the panel-like structure is in its position of closure relative to the opening.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the rod is formed with a recess which affords a flat face and the striker plate affords a complementary flat face which in the operative position engages the flat face on the rod so as to prevent rotation of the latter.

1 2. An assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the rod is formed with two opposed recesses and the central part of the rod between the recesses is received within a slot formed in the striker plate whereby the rod is held against rotation.

1 3. An assembly according to Claim 1 2 wherein the slot opens out into a circular recess of diameter not less than that of the rod, the arrangement being such that in the inoperative position of the striker plate, the circular recess is aligned with the rod, thereby allowing the latter to be rotated.

14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a first interlock mechanism which serves to hold the bolt elements in their locking positions, and a second interlock mechanism which serves to prevent the bolt elements being moved to the locking position except when the panel-like structure is in its position of closure relative to the opening.

1 5. A locking system for installation in an assembly of the kind specified comprising a longitudinally extending rod, operating means for rotating said rod about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of bolt elements spaced apart axially along the length of the rod, and driving means associated with said bolt elements for moving same between respective locking and releasing positions in response to rotation of said rod, and an interlock mechanism for preventing the bolt elements being moved.

1 6. An interlock mechanism for a locking system as claimed in Claim 1 5 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. An interlock mechanism for a locking system as claimed in Claim 1 5 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.