GB2240360A

GB2240360A - Handle locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2240360A
Application number: GB9026701A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rupert Andrew Speechley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-08
Filing date: 1990-12-07
Publication date: 1991-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-07
Also published as: GB2240360B; GB8927791D0; GB9026701D0

Abstract

A locking device for locking a closure member mounted in a frame; such as a door, or casement window; where the closure member is provided with a lever arm handle operated latch mechanism consists of a locking plate (50) having an aperture which is mounted on the handle so that part of the handle projects therethrough. To secure the closure, the plate is mounted on the handle with one edge of the plate disposed closely adjacent to the frame so that rotation of the plate about the axis of rotation of the handle is prevented by abutment with the frame. A locking bar (60) secured to the plate by a padlock (64), is inserted through the projecting portion of the handle to lock the handle to the plate. <IMAGE>

Description

ZIuproveuents in or relating to locking devices" This invention relates to locking devices and iore particularly, but not exclusively, to a locking device for preventing the undesired opening of a closure member such as, for example, a door or a window which is provided with a latch iechanisi operated by a lever arr handle.

The lever arr handle referred to above is usually of an L-shaped configuration, one end of the L being rotatably mounted on a bunting plate for operating the latch rechanis and the other end of the L fording a hand-operated lever by leans of which rotation of the handle is effected, Such lever arn handle operated latch mechanisms are frequently used on casement windows and on the internal doors of buildings, when they are normally of a simple type without any additional lock for locking the latch iechanisn being incorporated therein.

When it is required to lock such casement windows or internal doors, it is necessary to either replace the existing lever arr handle operated latch rechanisss with one which incorporates an additional integral lock or to provide a separate lock, such as a mortice lock, security bolt or the like.

This replaceient of the lever arm operated latch rechanisr or the provision of an additional lock suffers fror the disadvantage that it is a tire consuming and relatively expensive operation and the object of this invention is to provide a locking device for use with the existing lever arm operated latch mechanism where the above disadvantage is alleviated.

According to this invention, a locking device for locking a closure member rounted in a france where the closure member is provided with a lever arm handle operated latch mechanism comprises a locking member adapted to be mounted on the handle to restrict rotation of the handle and prevent release of the latch mechanism and securing means for releasably securing the locking member to the handle.

Preferably, part of the locking member is adapted to engage the frame to restrict rotation of the handle.

Preferably, also, the locking member is a locking plate and one edge of the plate engages the frame.

The locking plate, preferably, is provided with an aperture through which part of the handle is inserted so that rotation of the handle produces corresponding rotation of the locking plate.

Preferably, the locking plate is provided with two or more apertures wherein the distances between the ends of the apertures and the edges of the plate are different to accolmodate different handle positions on different closure members.

Preferably, also, the securing means comprises a locking bar which extends between the part of the handle extending through the plate and the surface of the plate.

The locking bar is, preferably, releasably secured to the plate by a lock.

Preferably, the locking bar is a bifurcated member extending on both sides of the plate.

Preferably, also, the locking plate is adapted to extend over and restrict access to securing members by means of which the handle is secured to the closure member to prevent or inhibit removal thereof, when the locking device is in position.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a locking device for use on a lever arm handle operated latch mechanism; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the locking device mounted on the lever arm handle; Figure 3 is a partly sectioned plan view of the locking device shown in Figure 2 of the drawings; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative locking device mounted in position on the lever arm handle; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the locking device shown in Figure 4 of the drawings partially secured in position on the lever arm handle; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the locking device shown in Figure 4 of the drawings secured in position on the lever arm handle.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a locking device indicated generally at 10 for mounting on a lever arm handle indicated generally at 12 of a latch mechanism 14 corprises a locking plate 16 of a generally rectangular shape having rounded corners. The sides 18 of the plate 16, which are generally upright in use, are greater in length than the sides 20 which are generally horizontal in use.

The locking plate 16 has an aperture indicated generally at 22 formed therein which is disposed centrally in the plate 16. The aperture 22 has a head portion 24 and a slot-like portion 26 extending transversely of the plate 16, parallel to the sides 20 thereof. The head portion 24 of the aperture 22 is sufficiently large to receive a rotatable part 28 of the handle 12 but the slot-like portion 26 of the aperture 22 is not large enough to admit said rotatable part 28. The slot-like portion 26 is, however, sufficiently wide to receive a lever portion 30 of the handle 12.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the dimensions of the aperture 22 are such that the plate 16 can be placed onto the handle 12 with the adjacent portions of the rotatable part 28 and the lever portion 30 extending therethrough. However, the length of the aperture 22 is such as to prevent further movement of the plate 16 to pass completely over the handle 12.

The plate 16 is thus wedged onto the handle 12 in the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings and a lock 32, such as a padlock, is placed over the handle 12. The plate 16 is secured to the handle 12 and can not be removed until the lock 32 has been removed.

In this embodiment where the lever arm handle 12 and the latch mechanism 14 which is operated thereby, are mounted on a door 34 installed in a door frame 36, the plate 16 prevents movement of the handle 12 for a sufficient distance to release the latch 14 due to the side 20 of the plate 16 engaging in contact with the frame 36 when the handle 12 is rotated.

The lever arm handle 12 is mounted on a mounting plate 38 which is secured to the door 34 by fixing screws 40. It will be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings that the plate 16 extends some way beyond either end of the aperture 22 and a considerable way beyond the top and bottom of the aperture 22 so that the fixing screws 40 are screened by the plate 16 to deny access thereto with a screwdriver.

It will also be observed from Figure 2 of the drawings that the plate 16 has a transverse mirror plane passing through the aperture 22. Thus the locking device 10 is equally well adapted for use on a left-hinging or right-hinging door or other closure member.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings, an alternative locking device indicated generally at 50 for mounting on and locking a lever arm handle 52 which operates a latch mechanism (not shown) of a door (not shown) or other closure member, such as a casement window, comprises a locking plate 54 formed of sheet metal provided with a coating of plastics material to avoid damage to the door or frame in which the door is mounted.

The locking plate 54 has apertures 56 and 58 formed therein which are each adapted to have the handle 52 partially inserted therethrough. The ends of the apertures 56 and 58 are arranged to be at different distances from the adjacent side edges of the plate 54 to enable the plate 54 to be mounted on handles 52 installed at a variety of positions on doors which are either left or right hinging with the edge of the plate 54 closely adjacent to the door frame.

A locking bar 60 of inverted U-shape is mounted on the plate 54 to secure the plate 54 to the handle 52. One arm of the locking bar 80 is inserted between the handle 52 and one side of the plate 54 and the other arm of the locking bar 60 extends down the opposite side of the plate 54.

The lower end of said other arm of the locking bar 60 is bent into a circular shape to form a hole which is brought into alignment with a slot 62 in the plate 54. The plate 54 is locked in position on the handle 52 by means of a padlock 64, the hasp of which is inserted through the slot 62 and the hole formed in said other arm of the locking bar 60 as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

The positioning of the edge of the plate 54 closely adjacent to the door frame and the locking of the plate 54 to the handle 52 restricts rotation of the handle 52 so that the latch mechanism can not be released and the door opened when the locking device 50 is in position.

Although the above described locking devices consist of locking plates of rectangular shape, it will be appreciated other shapes of plates can be used such as T-shapes or triangular shapes providing the shapes have an edge which can bear against the frame of the door, window or the like to prevent rotation of the handle to which the plate is secured.

All of the features disclosed in this specification including the accompanying claims abstract and drawings may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification including the accompanying claims, abstract and drawings.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A locking device for locking a closure member mounted in a frame where the closure member is provided with a lever arm handle operated latch mechanism comprising a locking member adapted to be mounted on the handle to restrict rotation of the handle and prevent release of the latch mechanism and securing means for releasably securing the locking member to the handle.

2. A locking device according to Claim 1, wherein part of the locking member is adapted to engage the frame to restrict rotation of the handle.

3. A locking device according to Claim 2, wherein the locking member is a locking plate and one edge of the plate engages the frame.

4. A locking device according to Claim 3, wherein the locking plate is provided with an aperture through which part of the handle is inserted so that rotation of the handle produces corresponding rotation of the locking plate.

5. A locking device according to Claim 4, wherein the locking plate is provided with two or more apertures and the distances between the ends of the apertures and the edges of the plate are different to accommodate different handle positions on different closure members.

6. A locking device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the securing means comprises a locking bar which extends between the part of the handle extending through the plate and the surface of the plate.

7. A locking device according to Claim 6, wherein the locking bar is releasably secured to the plate by a lock.

8. A locking device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the locking bar is a bifurcated member extending on both sides of the plate.

9. A locking device according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the locking plate is adapted to extend over and restrict access to securing members by means of which the handle is secured to the closure member to prevent or inhibit removal thereof, when the locking device is in position.

10. A. locking device constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

10. A locking device constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A locking device for locking a closure member mounted in a frame where the closure member is provided with a lever arm handle operated latch mechanism comprising a locking member adapted to be mounted on the handle with part of the handle extending therethrough to restrict rotation of the handle and prevent release of the latch mechanism and securing means insertable between the part of the handle extending through the locking member and the locking member itself for releasably securing the locking member to the handle.