GB2183716A - Improvements in locking mechanisms and security grilles - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyless locking mechanism 1 e.g. for a security grille 2 comprises a latch 21 engageable by a receiver 25 which is manually movable for locking the latch. As shown the receiver 25 has a downwardly extending extension leg 30 which extends at a lower end through a housing 35 and a locking lever 40 having an enlarged bore 41 through which the leg 30 extends locks the leg 30 and hence the receiver 25. A coil spring 45 urges the lever 40 into a normally raised, locked position. To unlock the mechanism the lever 40 is manually pushed downwardly against the biassing of the spring 45 allowing the leg 30 and hence the receiver 25 to travel into an upper position under the biassing of a second spring 50. Latches 21,22 are formed as extensions on bars 4 of the grille- are received in slots 20, 23, 24 and have a cut-out notch 28,29 engaged by upper wall of slots 23, 24 in locked position. A security grille for door, window, counter, bar-top comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate bars 4 arranged in the form of a trellis and collapsible from open to closed position. The bars are pivotally interconnected at their points of intersection by rivets 5. Rollers 31 are shown provided at the outermost extremities of the bars 4 which run in channel tracks 10, 11, 12, 13 as the grille is moved between the open and closed positions, track 11 being movable upwardly in tracks 15, 16. The grille may utilise locking mechanism as above or padlock. Various grilles are illustrated and divided e.g. grille may be in two parts meeting in central position; separate grilles may be utilised. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in locking mechanisms and security grilles The invention relates to a quick-release locking mechanism particularly fore security grillefora closure such as a door, window, counter, bar-top or the like. The invention also relates to a security grille incorporating such a locking mechanism. Further, the invention relates to an improved construction of security grille for a closure such as a door, window, counter, bar-top orthe like.

One ofthe problems with security grilles for closures such as doors orwindows is that generally they are secured in position by key-operated locks.

While forming effective security barriers such grilles may lead to safety problems in that in the event of a fire before the user can exit through the window or door he must first locate the keyfor operating the lock before the grille can be removed to allowthe windowordoorto be opened.

This invention is directed towards overcoming this difficulty by providing an improved locking mechanism particularly for security grilles and the like.

In one aspect the invention provides a quickrelease keyless locking mechanism for a security grille orthe like comprising a latch and a receiver engagable by the latch, the receiver being manually movable from a released position in which the latch may be retracted from the receiver to a locking position in which the latch is lockinglyengaged bythe receiver.

In one embodiment of the invention locking means are provided for locking the receiver in the locked position.

In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention there ceiver includes an extension leg and the locking meansengagestheextensionlegtolocktheexte sion leg and hence the receiver in the locked position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking meanscomprisesa lever having meansfor engaging the extension leg, the lever being movable from an open position in which the receiver extension leg is freely movable relative to the lever to a locked position in which the extension leg is locked relative to the lever.

Preferablythe means for engaging the extension leg comprises a bore extending through the lever, the extension arm extending through the bore,the transverse dimension of the bore being slightly lar gerthanthe transverse dimension oftheextension arm andthe lever being pivotally movable from an inclined position in which the bore engages the extension leg to lock it relative to the lever to a released position in which the extension leg is freely movable in the bore.

Preferably lever biassing means are provided for biassing the lever into a locked position engaging the extension leg.

The biassing means may comprise a spring such as a coiled spring.

In one embodiment of the invention the lever is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin, the lever being adjustable relative to the pin to vary the angle of the lever.

Preferably the pivot pin comprises an adjustable screw, the lever having a slightly enlarged bore through which the screw extends and the screw having an adjustable nut for retaining the lever on the screw.

In another embodiment of the invention extension arm biassing means are provided for biassing the arm into a release position.

The extension biassing means may comprise a spring which reacts between a fixed location and an abutment on the extension arm to urge the extension leg into a release position. Typically the abutment comprises a washer locked to the extension leg.

In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention the receiver comprises an elongate arm having a slot for reception of the latch.

Preferably the receiver arm includes at least two spaced-a pa rt slots for reception of respective latches.

In one embodiment of the invention the latch comprises a bar engagable by the receiver in the locked position.

In one embodiment of the invention the latch comprises a bar having a notch engagable by the receiver slot.

Preferably the latch is formed by portion of or an extension of a bar of a security grille.

The invention also provides a security grille incorpo rating locking mechanism according to the invention.

In another aspect the invention provides a security grillefora closure, the grille comprising a plurality of elongated bars arranged in theform of trellis, the bars being movable from a closed position covering the closure with the bars extended in an open-work lattice to an open position uncovering the closure, with the bars retracted.

In one embodiment of the invention the bar is transversely movable from a position to one side of the closure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention tile trellis comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged intersecting bars, adjacent bars being interconnected at their point of intersection by a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between adjacent bars on movement ofthe bars between the open and closed positions.

Typically the pivot means comprises a rivet means such as a semi-tubular rivet.

Preferably spacer means are provided between the bars at the points of intersection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bars are slidably movable and attract means. Typically the bars are carried on a roller means which is slidably movable along the track means on opening and closing ofthe grille.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the in ventionthetrackmeansincludesa lowersupport track and an uppertrack. Preferablythe upper riser track moves upwardly as the grille is moved from the closed to the open position.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the riser is slidably mounted in a pair offixed side support tracks.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the in vention one of the side supporttracks defines a receiverforthe grille.

Typically the receiver comprises a slot provided in thesupporttrackthroughwhichtheextremityofat least one ofthe bars extends in a position covering the closure member.

In one embodiment of the invention locking means are provided for locking the grille in a closed position. The locking means may be a keyless locking mechanism according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front, partially sectional view of a security grille according to the invention having a keyless locking mechanism, also according to the invention in an open position, Figure 2 is a detailedviewon an enlarged scaleof portion ofthe locking mechanism of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of the grille and locking mechanism of Figures 1 and 2 in a locked position, Figure 4 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of portion ofthe locking mechanism of Figure3, Figure 5is a perspective view of portion of the sec urity grille and locking mechanism of Figures 1 and 3 in the locked position, Figure 6 is a frontview of a detail of the grille, Figure 7is a perspective view of the detail of Figure 6 grille on the line VII -VII in Figure 5, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of thearrowsVlll-Vlll in Figure 5, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows IX-IX in Figure 5, Figure 10 is a side view ofthe detail X in Figure 5, Figure 11 is a perspective view of a security grille according to the invention in a closed position, Figure 12 is a perspective view of a detail of the grille of Figure 11 in the direction ofthe arrow XII, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the grille of Figure 11 in an open position, Figure 14 is a perspective view of a detail of the grille ofFigurel3inthe direction ofthe the arrow XIV, Figure 15is an elevational view of another grille according to the invention in a closed position, Figure 16 is an elevational view of the grille of Figure 15 in a partially open position, and Figure 17 is an elevational view of a detail ofthe grille of Figures 15 and 16.

Referring to the drawings and initiallyto Figures 1 to 10 thereof there is illustrated a keyless locking mechanism according to the invention indicated generallybythe reference numeral 1 which inthis case is incorporated in a security grille indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 and also according to the invention.The security grille 2 is a grille 2for the inside of a window3 however, it will be apprecia tedthatthe grille may be used for any suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening.

The grille 2 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersection bars 4which are movable from a closed position covering the window with the bars extended in an open-work latticeas illustrated in Figure 1,3 and 5to an open position uncovering the window with the bars 4 retracted to one side ofthe window 3. The bars 4 are interconnected attheir points of intersection by a pivot means which in this case is in the form of a semitubular rivet 5 to permit pivotal movement between adjacent ba rs 4. A plastic spacer washer 6 is provided on the rivet 5 to facilitate free pivotal movement between the bars 4 on movement between the open and closed positions.The bars 4 are provided attheir outermost points of intersection with roller means which are slidably movable along a track means comprising a fixed lower support channel track 10, an upper riser support channel track 11, a fixed side support channel track 12 and a movable side support channel track 13 having an operating handle 14. The riser track 11 is mounted on a pairofspaced-apart side tracks, namely a fixed first side riser support channel track 15 and a second fixed risersupport channel track 16. On movement ofthe grille 2 between the open and closed position the riser track 11 moves upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 15,16.

The bars 4 are provided attheir outermost points of intersection with roller means in the form of rollers 31 which are attached to the bars 4through semi-tubular rivets 32. A plastic washer 33 is again provided on the rivet 32 for ease of pivotal movement. The rollers 31 are slidably movable along the lower support track 10, the upper riser support track 1 1,thefixed sidesupporttrack 12 and a movable side support track 13.

It will be noted that each of the tracks 10,11,12 and 13 each comprise and inwardlyfacing channel having two inwardly directed returns 34 over which the rollers 70 run as illustrated in Figures 8,9 and 10.

Referring particularlyto Figures5and9theupper riser track 11 is retained in position in the channel supports 15 and 16 by a retaining member 48 of angle section which is attached to the web of the channel 16. A rubber buffer 49 is attached to the underside of the retaining member48.

By providing transverse supporttracks 10,11 the tensile strength of the grille is greatly increased. The channel-shaped section ofthetracks 10,11 ispart- icularly advantageous in providing increased tensile strength.

Two of the intersecting bars 4 of the grille extend outwardlythrough corresponding elongate slots 20 in the track 16. The extension of the bars 4 define latches 21,22 which engage in the locked position illustrated in Figure Sin corresponding receivers slots 23,24 in a receiver25which is attached to the track 16 by studs 26 which extend through locating slots 27 in the receiver 25. The receiver 25 is slidably movable relative to the track 16 by manual operation using a handle 19 attached to the receiver 25. When the slots 20 in the track 16 and the slots 23,24 in the receiver25 are aligned as illustrated in Figure Son closing ofthe grille, the latch extensions 21,22 of the bars 4 are pulled through the slots 20,23,24. The receiver 25 is then pulled downwardly in the direction of the arrow A by operating the handle 19 so that the latch extensions 21,22 ofthe bars 4 are locked in the receiving slots 23,24. For more positive locking, each ofthe latch extensions 21,22 in this case includes a cut-out notch 28,29 respectively which are engagable by the upper wall ofthe slots 23,24 respectively in the locked position illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

The latch extensions 21,22 and the receiver 25 form part of the locking mechanism according to the invention. The locking mechanism also includes an elongate extension leg 30 which extends down wardlyfrom the receiver 25, and extends at its lower end through a housing 35 which is typically atfloor level and may be attached to the floor orskirting below a window on which the grille is mounted. The extension leg 30 is constrained against bending by a pair of guide lugs 36 attached to the wall belowthe window.

Locking means for engaging the extension leg 30 to lock the leg and hence the receiver 25 in the locked position illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 is in this case provided by a locking lever40 having an enlarged bore 41 through which the leg 30 extends. The lever 40 is retained in position by a retaining screw 42 which extends through a second enlarged bore 43 adjacent one end of the lever 40. A self-locking nut44 retains the lever 40 in position on the screw 42.When the lever40 is in the lowered position in which the axis ofthe bores 41,43 are coaxial with the axis ofthe extension leg 30 and screw 42 respectively the exten sion sion leg 30 is freely movable in the bore 41 allowing the receiver2Sto be moved upwardly so thatthe latch extensions 21,22 of the bars 4are released and the grille 2 may be retracted. Lever biassing means for urging the lever40 into the normally raised, locked position, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is prov ided in this case by a coil spring 45 which extends around the extension leg 30 between a bottom wall 46 ofthe housing 35 and the lever 40.Extension leg biassing means for urging the extension leg 30 and hence the receiver 25 upwardly into a released or un locked position is in the case provided by a coil spr ing 50 extending between an upperwall 51 ofthe housing 35 and a washer 52 fixed to the extension leg 30. A stop 52 at the lower end of the extension leg 30 I engages with the bottom wall 46 ofthe housing 35to limitthemovementoftheextension leg 30 and hence the receiver 25.

In use, when the grille 2 is closed the slots 20,23 and 24 in the track 16 and receiver 25 are aligned in the unlocked position illustrated in Figure 1.The latch extensions 21,22 of the bars 4then pass through the slots and the receiver 25 is pulled down wardly by operating the handle 19 until the latch ex tension 21,22 ofthe bars 4 are locked in position.

During this phase the lever40 may be pushed down wardly to allow the extension leg 30 to be freely moved downwardly. As the extension leg 30 is moved down, the lever release spring 45 is com pressed and when the latch extensions 21,22 are locked in the receiver slots 23,24 the lever 40 is re- leased so that the extension leg 30 is engaged in the bore 41 of the lever and prevented from moving up wardly. To open the grille in the case of an emer gency such as a fire, no key is required, the lock being released by pressing the release lever40 downwardly which allows the extension leg 30 to automatically move upwardly into the release posi tion underthe biassing ofthe coil spring 45.In the unlocked position, the grille may be opened by pul ling the sidesupporttracks 13,14 and hence the bars 4through the upper and lowersupporttracks 10,11.

One advantage of the invention is in providing a keyless locking mechanism which may be operated quickly to allow access into or out of a closure such as a window, door orthe like in the event of an emergency such as a fire.

Itwill be appreciated that while the locking mechanism has been specifically described with reference to a security grille the locking mechanism could also be used in many other applications, for example, as a quickemergencyreleaselockforafiredoororthe like.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the locking mechanism described will be readily apparent. For example, the extension leg may not be essential in some cases as the receiver may be directly operated. The extension leg may comprise a number of inter-connected legs, for example, a linkage mechanism may be employed to allow the locking and release mechanism to be located at a distance away from the closure on which the receiver and latch are mounted.

It will also be appreciated that while advantageous in allowing the extension leg and hence the receiver to travel automatically into the locked position the receiver biassing means may not be an essential feature ofthe invention. Where a biassing means is employed it may not necessarily be a coil spring.

Similarly, the lever biassing means may not be an essential feature of the invention and again where such a biassing means is used it need not necessarily be in the form of a coil spring.

Referring to Figures 11 to 14there is illustrated a security grille also according to the invention and in dicatedgenerallybythereference numeral 60 which in this case is illustrated as a grilleforthe inside ofa window 61 however, itwill beappreciatedthatthe grille may be used for any suitable closure including a door or indeed, for any opening.

The grille 60 comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged elongate intersecting bars 63 which are movable from a closed position covering the window 61 with the bars 63 extended in an openwork lattice as illustrated in Figure 11 to an open position uncovering the window 61 with the bars 63 retracted on one side ofthe window 61 in the position illustrated in Figure 13. The bars are interconnected at their points of intersection by a pivot means which in this case is in the form of a semi-tubular rivet 64to permit pivotal movement between adjacent bars 63.

A plastic spacer washer is provided on the rivet 64 to facilitate free pivotal movement between the bars on movement between the open and closed positions as described above with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

As described above with reference to Figures 8 to 10 the bars 63 are provided attheir outermost points of intersection with roller means in theform of rollerswhichareattachedtothe bars63through semi-tubular rivets. A plastic washer is again provided on the rivet for ease of pivotal movement. The rollers are slidably movable along a track means comprising a fixed lower support track 73, an upper riser support track 74, a fixed side support track 75 and a movable side supporttrack 76 having a handle 77.The risertrack 74 is mounted in a pair of side tracks namely a fixed first side support risertrack79 and a second fixed side risersupporttrack 78 which forms an extension of the side supporttrack 75. On movement ofthe supporttrack 76 between the open and closed position the riser track 74 moves upwardly in the channel-shaped tracks 78,79 in the direction ofthe arrow B. The upper risertrack74 is retained in position in the channel supports 78,79 by a retaining member80 of angle section. A rubber buffer81 is attached to the underside ofthe retaining member 80.

The tracks 73,74,75 and 76 each comprise an in wardlyfacing channel having two inwardly directed returns over which the rollers run as described with referenceto Figures8to 10.

Each ofthe support tracks 73,75,78 include screw receiving holes 85 in the side webs thereofthrough which fixing screws are inserted for attaching the grille 60to a window surround. Thefixing holes 85 and the outwardly facing walls of the channel 73,75,78 are filled with suitable plastics filler pieces.

It will be noted thatthesidetrack 76 is formed with an elongate slot90 through which the free end of one ofthe bars 63 projects and is received in a receiver form by an elongate slot 91 in the web ofthe side support risertrack78. In a closed position illustrated in Figure7 a bar63 extends through the slot91 and is locked in position by a locking mechanism such as that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

One advantage ofthe security grille according to the invention is that it is of relatively simple and cheap construction and can be easily installed and locked in a closed position, closing and opening such as the inside of a window. The grille can be easily operated between the open and closed position and in use is not aesthetically invasive. By providing transverse supporttracks 73,74 the tensile strength ofthe grille is greatly increased. The channel-shaped section ofthe tracks 73,74 is particularly advantageous in providing increased tensile strength.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the security grille described above will be readily appreciated. In particular, it is envisaged that the bars may be arranged in any suitable trellis-like form to be collapsible from an open to a closed position.

It will be appreciated that particularly forwide window openings the grille may be in two parts which are pushed inwardly from opposite sides of the window opening to meet in a central locking position.

It is envisaged that the supporttracks and channels used in the grille according to the specific embodi mentofthe invention described above will typically be of extruded aluminium or other suitable material.

It will further be appreciated that while the invention has been described with particular reference to a security grillefora window the grille may also be used for other closure members such as a door or any opening.

Aside from the quick release locking mechanism described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6the security grille may include any suitable locking mechanism. For example, instead of a quick release mechanism the bar or bars which extend through the receiver may include eyes through which a padlock may be inserted to lock the grille in the locked position. Such an arrangement does not have the particular advantage of allowing the grilleto be opened quickly in the event of an emergency however, it is in effect a security device particularly as the padlock is positioned to one side ofthewindow and is difficult to access from the outside.

Referring to Figures 15 to 17 there is illustrated an othersecurity grille 100 according to the invention.

The grille is particularly adapted for use with high openings and comprises a lower grille 101 which is movable acrossthe opening in the direction ofthe arrow and an upper grille 102 which is movable in the direction of the arrow S as the grille is moved between the closed position illustrated in Figure 15 and the open position illustrated in Figure 16. Both grilles 101 and 102 are ofthe same general construc- tion as those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 14. As illustrated in Figure 17 in this case an upper risersupporttrack 105 ofthe lower grille is fixed to a lowersupporttrack 106 ofthe upper grille 102 and in use both tracks 105,106 rise as the grille is moved into the open position. Any suitable locking mechanism such as the locking mechanisms described above may be used to lock the grille 100 in the closed position.

Claims (36)

1. A quick release keyless locking mechanism for a security grille orthe like comprising a latch and a receiver engagable by the I atch, the receiver being manually movable from a released position in which the latch may be retracted from the receiver to a locking position in which the latch is lockingly engaged by the receiver.

2. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 1 wherein locking means are provided for locking the receiver in the locked position.

3. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 2 in which the receiver includes an extension leg and the locking means engages the extension leg to lock the extension leg and hence the receiver in the locked position.

4. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the locking means comprises a lever having meansforengagingtheextension leg, the lever being movable from an open position in which the receiver extension leg is freely movable relative to the leverto a locked position in which the extension leg is locked relative to the lever.

5. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the meansforengaging the extension leg comprises a bore extending through the lever, the extension arm extending through the bore, the trans- verse dimension ofthe bore being slightly larger than the transverse dimension of the extension arm andthe lever being pivotallymovablefrom an inclined position in which the bore engages the extension leg to lock it relative to the lever to a released position in which the extension leg is freely movable in the bore.

6. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 4 or Swherein lever biassing means are provided for biassing the lever into a locked position engaging the extension leg.

7. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the biassing means comprises a spring.

8. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the biassing means comprises a coil spring.

9. A locking mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 4to 8wherein the lever is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin, the lever being adjustable relative to the pin to vary the angle of the lever.

10. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the pivot pin comprises an adjustable screw, the lever having a slightly enlarged bore through which the screw extends and the screw having an adjustable nut for retaining the lever on the screw.

11. A locking mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 4to 10 wherein extension arm biassing means are provided for biassing the arm into a release position.

12. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the extension leg biassing means comprises a spring which reacts between a fixed location and an abutment on the extension arm to urge the extension leg into a release position.

13. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the abutment comprises a washer locked to the extension leg.

14. A locking mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 wherein the receiver comprises an elongate arm having a slot for reception of the latch.

15. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the receiver arm includes at least two spaced-apart slots for reception of respective latches.

16. A locking mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 1 wherein the latch comprises a bar engagable by the receiver in the locked position.

17. A locking mechanism as claimed in Claim 14 or 1 5wherein the latch comprises a bar having a notch engagable by the receiver slot.

18. A locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim in which the latch is formed by portion of or an extension of a bar of a security grille.

19. A locking mechanism substantially as here- inbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A security grille incorporating a locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim.

21. A security grille for a closure, the grille com- prising a plurality of elongated bars arranged in the form of a trellis, the bars being movable from a closed position covering the closure with the bars extended in an open-work lattice to an open position uncovering the closure, with the bars retracted.

22. A grille as claimed in Claim 21 wherein the bars are transversely or longitudinally movable from a position to one side top or bottom ofthe closure.

23. Agrille as claimed in Claim 21 or22wherein the trellis comprises a plurality of diagonally arranged intersecting bars, adjacent bars being interconnected attheir point of intersection by a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between adjacent bars on movement of the bars between the open and closed positions.

24. A grille as claimed in Claim 23 wherein the pivot means comprises a rivet means.

25. Agrille as claimed in Claim 24 wherein the rivet means comprises a semi-tubular rivet.

26. Agrilleasclaimed in anyofClaims23to25 wherein spacer means are provided between the bars at the points of intersection.

27. Agrille as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 26 wherein the barsare slidably movable in atrack means.

28. Agrilleasclaimed in Claim 27 wherein the bars are carried on a rollermeanswhich isslidably movable along the track means on opening and closing ofthe grille.

29. A grille as claimed in Claim 27 or28wherein thetrackmeansincludesa lowersupporttrackand an upper track.

30. A grille as claimed in claim 29 wherein the upper track moves upwardly as the grille is moved from the closed to the open position.

31. A grille as claimed in Claim 29 or30wherein the riser is slidably mounted in a pair offixed side support tracks.

32. A grille as claimed in Claim 31 wherein one of the side support tracks defines a receiverforthe grille.

33. A grille as claimed in Claim 32 wherein the receiver comprises a slot provided in the support trackthroughwhichtheextremityofatleastoneof the bars extends in a position covering the closure member.

34. A grille as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 33 wherein locking means are provided for locking the grille in a closed position.

35. A grille as claimed in Claim 34wherein the locking means comprises a locking mechanism as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19.

36. A grille substantially as hereinbefore descri- bed with reference to the accompanying drawings.