GB2177449A

GB2177449A - Improved fastening apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2177449A
Application number: GB08517006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Hastings; Anthony Cheriton
Original assignee: DUSKHURST Ltd
Current assignee: DUSKHURST Ltd
Priority date: 1985-07-04
Filing date: 1985-07-04
Publication date: 1987-01-21
Also published as: GB8517006D0; GB2177449B

Abstract

Fastening apparatus for use on a closure member such as a window or door has at least one latch (10) for securing to the closure member or surrounding frame, the latch (10) being mounted for pivotal movement; a striker (40) being mounted on the frame or the closure member respectively and mounted for sliding movement relative to a mounting part (41), the arrangement being such that the latch (10) may pass the striker (40) in one direction, contact between the latch (10) and the striker (40) causing movement of the striker and movement in the other, opposite direction, being possible by pivotal movement of the latch (10) about axis (11), which pivotal movement may be prevented by manually operable locking means (30). Two or more latches each having respective strikers may be provided if desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved fastening apparatus Description of Invention The present invention relates to fastening apparatus for closure members such as doors, windows or the like.

Many different types of fastening apparatus for closure members are known, the common type comprising a movable fastening member secured to the closure member and a striker secured to the frame, the closure member being movable between a first position in which the movable member engages the striker on the frame and maintains the closure member in a closed position, and a second position in which it is out of contact with the striker to enable opening of the closure member relative to its frame.

A further type of closure member comprises an espagnolette type of fastening apparatus in which the manually operable member is secured to the closure member, movement of the operable member causing engagement with two or more strikers spaced from each other. Such fastening apparatus enables firm securement of the closure member at, for example, two different sides thereof or at the top and bottom.

An espagnolette type of fastening apparatus provides firm fastening of a closure member but has the disadvantage of requiring a precise operation of the manually operable member to secure the closure member in a closed position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved fastening apparatus for a closure member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a fastening apparatus for a closure member comprising a movable latch, a movable striker, the configuration of the latch and striker, in use, being such that movement in a first direction of the latch relative to the striker permits the latch to pass the striker due to movement of the striker, and relative movement in a second opposite direction enables the latch to pass the striker only if movement of said latch is permitted and wherein manually operable means are provided to enable or prevent movement of said latch.

Preferably, said fastening apparatus is adapted for mounting on said closure member and said striker is adapted for mounting on a frame surrounding at least part of said closure member.

The striker may be mounted for sliding movement relative to the member to which it is secured.

Said latch is preferably mounted for pivotal movement relative to the member to which it is secured.

The fastening apparatus of the present invention may comprise a pair of strikers and a pair of latches to enable securement of the closure member at two spaced positions relative to a frame.

Preferably, the arrangement of said fastening apparatus necessitates the movement of said manually operable means to enable opening of the closure member and wherein said opening of said closure member is enabled by permitting of movement of said latch.

Preferably, movement of the closure member towards a closed position enables movement of the or each striker by virtue of contact with a respective latch to enable closure and securement of said closure member without necessity of operating said manually operable means.

Preferably, said manually operable means is movable, in a direction to enable opening of the closure member, in a direction substantially the same as the initial movement of the closure member towards an open position.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of fastening means of the present invention; Figure 2 is a detailed perspective, partly broken away view, of the manually operable member; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the striker; Figure 4 illustrates part of the fastening apparatus secured to a window.

The embodiment of fastening means shown in the drawings is an espagnolette type fastening means and comprises a pair of latches only one of which is shown, and a pair of strikers, again only one of which is shown.

The fastening means comprises a latch 10 which is pivotally mounted about an axis 11 to a guide member 12.

Inside the guide member 12 there is located a first bar 13 and a second bar 14, the bars 13 and 14 being resiliently biased by a helical spring 15 in a direction away from each other.

Movement of the bars 13 and 14 is limited by the provision of a slot 16 and the bar 13 and a peg 17 secured to the guide member 12. A similar slot is provided for the bar 14 but is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

The bar 13 comprises a spigot 18 carrying a shoulder 19 and the bar 14 has a similar spigot 20 carrying a shoulder 21.

The casement 22 is provided with a slot 23 through which projects a plate member 24. The plate member 24 is provided with a nose section generally indicated at 25 and which, in a normal at rest position, is located directly between shoulders 18 and 21 and prevents any movement of bars 13 and 14 in a direction towards each other.

The plate member 24 is provided with cut-outs 26 and 27 of a size that enables, on movement of the plate member 24, accommodation of the spigot" shoulder assemblies 18 and 19 and 20 and 21 respectively.

The plate member 24 has an aperture 28 into which projects a lug 29 provided on a manually operable member 30. The manually operable member 30 includes an engagement part 31 and a spring retaining member 32.

The manually operable member 30 is secured to the guide member 12 by connection with a further guide member 33 which projects into grooves 34 and 35 of the manually operable member 30 to guide the manually operable member and enable relative sliding movement thereto.

Movement of the manually operable member 30 in a direction as shown by arrow A enables the two cut-outs 26 and 27 to be positioned such that movement of bars 13 and 14 would enable the spigotJshoulder assemblies 18, 19 and 20, 21 to be accommodated within the cut-outs 26 and 27 respectively.

Referring now specifically to the striker shown in Figure 3, the striker comprises a plunger 40 guided for sliding movement in a mounting part 41. Sliding movement between the plunger 40 and the mounting part 41 is both guided and limited by a pin 42 projecting from the plunger member 40 into a slot 43 provided in the mounting part.

The mounting part 41 is provided with through bores 44 and 45 through which fasteners may pass to secure the mounting part to a closure member or frame.

A helical spring 46 bears on the end 47 of the plunger 40 and the end 48 of a plug 49 secured into the end 50 of the mounting part 41.

The operation of the mounting means will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the position shown in Figure 1, movement of the latch member 10 and movement of the other latch member (not shown) is prevented since the shoulders 19 and 21 are in contact with the nose portion 25 of plate member 24. Thus, anti-clockwise movement of the latch member 11 is not possible.

Pivotal movement of the other latch member (not shown) in a direction so that it is withdrawn within guide member 14 is also not possible.

The latch member 10 is provided with a lead face 51 of a shape so that contact with plunger 40 does not cause downwards movement of the plunger into its mounting part, thus the latch 10 and any member secured thereto, i.e. the closure member, is unable to pass the striker.

If the engageable part 31 of the manually operable member 30 is pushed in a direction as shown by arrow A, i.e. in a direction to open the closure member, then the cut-outs 26 and 27 provided on the plate member 24 will come into register with the spigot/shoulder assemblies 18, 19 and 20,21 respectively and continued pressure on the manually operable part 30 in a direction to cause opening of the closure member will cause anticlockwise pivotal movement of the latch member 10 since the bar 13 may now move in an upwards direction againstthe resilient bias provided by the spring 15. When the latch 10 has pivoted through a sufficient angle, it may pass the plunger 40 and hence the closure member to which it is fitted may open.

It will be appreciated that the other latch (not shown) will pivot in a similar manner moving bar 14 towards the bar 13 against the resilient bias provided by the helical spring 50.

As soon as the manually operable member 30 is released, i.e. when the closure member is opened, then the plate member 24 will return to the position in which its nose section 25 is positioned between spigot shoulder assemblies 18,19, and 20,21 thus once again anti-clockwise pivotal movement of latch 10 will be prevented and clockwise pivotal movement of the other latch will be prevented.

When it is required to close the closure member, the manually operable part 31 is grasped and pulled in a direction to close the closure member. When the latch 10 strikes the plunger 40 contact between the plunger 40 occurs with a trailing face 53 and the oblique angle of the trailing face 53 will cause a component of the closing force to act in a downwards direction to move the plunger 40 against the resilient bias of spring 46 into its mounting member enabling the latch 10 to pass the plunger 40 without necessitating movement of the latch member 10.

As soon as the latch 10 has passed the plunger 40, the plunger 40, under the force of spring 46, will return to the position as shown in Figure 1. A similar sequence of events will occur with the other latch member (not shown) and the closure member will once again be in a firmly secured position opening thereof only being possible on movement of the manually operable member 30.

The casing 33 of the manually operable member 30 may be provided with locking means, for example a cylinder lock which, on operation of a key or other locking eiement, prevents movement of the plate member 24 so that it is immovable from a position in which the nose part 25 extends between spigot shoulder assemblies 18,19, and 20,21 thus locking the closure member in its closed position.

The design of the fastening means of the present invention enables not only the guide member 12 but also the mounting clasp 41 and casing 33 all to be made from an extrusion or from some suitable rolled material, for example aluminium alloy or stainless steel, thus enabling the fastening means to be readily adapted for any suitable size of closure member.

It is further envisaged by suitable design of the operative parts that the latch members may be mounted on the frame element and the strikers may be mounted on closure members.

Whereas the embodiment of the present invention aforedescribed is intended for use with two latch members, it will be appreciated that it may have a single latch member and a single striker.

The features described in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A fastening apparatus for a closure member comprising a movable latch, a movable striker, the configuration of the latch and striker, in use, being such that movement in a first direction of the latch relative to the striker permits the latch to pass the striker due to movement of the striker, and relative movement in a second opposite direction enables the latch to pass the striker only if movement of said latch is permitted and wherein means are proyided to permit or prevent movement of said latch.

2. Afastening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said means for permitting or preventing movement of said latch are manually operable.

3. A fastening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 wherein key-operated locking means are provided to prevent movement of said latch.

4. Afastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said latch is adapted for mounting on said closure member and said striker is adapted for mounting on a frame surrounding at least part of said closure member.

5. Afastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the striker is adapted for mounting to permit of relative sliding movement between the striker and that one of the closure member or surrounding frame to which it is secured.

6. Afastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said latch is mounted for pivotal movement.

7. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a pair of strikers and a pair of latches, each latch being adapted to cooperate with a respective striker.

8. A fastening apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said apparatus is such that said pair of latches are spaced from one another so as to enable securementofa closure memberto a frame at two spaced positions.

9. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein resilient means are provided to bias the or each latch into an in use position.

10. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the other each striker is provided with resilient means to bias said striker into an in use position.

11. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said apparatus comprises a pair of latches each mounted for pivotal movement, the pivotal movement of each latch permitting of said latches to pass their respective strikers causing at least a part of each latch to approach each other, and wherein the means preventing of pivotal movement comprise an element or combination of elements extending between said latches and hence preventing said pivotal movement.

12. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims secured to a closure member at least partially surrounded by a frame and wherein said latch is secured to one of said closure member or said frame and said striker is secured to one of said frame or said closure member respectively.

13. A fastening apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 wherein opening of said closure member relative to said frame is enabled by movement of said manually operable means and wherein opening of said closure member is permitted by movement of said latch.

14. Afastening apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein movement of said closure member towards a closed position is enabled by movement of the or each striker by virtue of contact with the respective latch, such movement of the closure member towards its closed position being enabled without the necessity of operation of said manually operable means.

15. A fastening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 12to 14wherein said manually operable means is movable in a direction to enable opening of the closure member in a direction substantially the same as the initial movement of the closure member towards an open position.

16. A fastening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17. In combination a fastening apparatus secured to a closure member provided with a frame at least partially surrounding the closure member, the fastening apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

18. A fastening apparatus including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A fastening apparatus in combination with a closure member and surrounding frame including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.