GB2253239A - Stored energy locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking system is applied to a door (10) hinged in a frame (13), the door having swing bolts (23) each movable between a retracted position, and an extended position where it engages with the frame, the locking system having an energy storage assembly (18) fitted to the door, with a strip (17) extending from the assembly around the edge of the door and connected to a chain (16) anchored to the door jamb, so that opening of the door charges the energy storage assembly, whilst subsequent closing of the door automatically causes the bolts to extend to engage with the frame, energy stored during the door opening causing retraction of the bolts on actuation of a handle (41) or lock (42) of the door, the lock being operable to prevent such retraction by the handle. The energy storage device is shown in Figs. 12A-12C. A system of compression springs are compressed as the wing is opened and held in their compressed state by a ball bearing 38 which is automatically released when the door is closed. <IMAGE>

Description

LOCKING SYSTEM The invention relates to a locking system for an angularly movable wing, having an associated f m.e in which it is received in its closed position. Typically the wing is a door hingedly mounted to its frame.

An object of the invention is to provide a locking system in a convenient and effective form.

According to the invention there is provided a locking system for an angularly movable wing having an associated frame, the system comprising a locking element intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing so that when the wing is in its frame the locking element can be extended into and retracted out of engagement with the frame, an energy storage assembly intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing, connection means extending between the energy storage assembly and a member relative to which the wing is movable, the connection means being arranged to charge energy storage means of the energy storage assembly during angular movement of the wing relative to said member, with engagement of the wing in its frame causing release of stored energy to extend said locking element into engagement with said frame, and means intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing for retraction of the locking element from engagement with the frame.

Preferably retraction of the locking element is by means of stored energy in the energy storage assembly.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a door and associated frame, incorporating a locking system of the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the underside of the door and frame of Figure 1, the wall defining the frame opening also being shown; Figure 3 is a schematic view of part of the locking system of the invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a locking unit of the locking system; Figures 5A to 5C show one form of locking unit in detail in retracted and extended states, and also a diagram of pivot and pin centres, respectively; Figures 6A and 6B show another form of locking unit in the manner of Figures 5A and 5B, respectively;; Figures 7 to 11 show successive stages of the functioning of the locking system of the invention from initial opening of the door to its being closed, as well as locking of the system and then release and opening of the door; Figures 12A to 12G schematically show energy storage means of the locking system and the operation thereof during the stages of door movement in Figures 7 to 11; and Figures 13A to 13C schematically show the functional relationship between a door handle and key operated lock of the system in relation to part of the energy storage means.

Figures 1 and 2 show a door 10 hung at its top and bottom by hinges 11 to a door jamb 12 of a door frame 13 between walls 14. As can be seen from Figure 2, the jamb is relieved at its lower most part to receive an anchoring element 15 to which is connected a chain 16 or other flexible element. The chain is connected to a strip 17 which extends in a groove at the bottom of the door, around the lower free corner of the door and then vertically upwards within the edge of the door into an energy storage assembly or energy cell 18 affixed to the door at a position substantially corresponding to the conventional central handle and lock unit of a single or multi-point locking system.The strip 17 is in three parts, the first part 17A extending from the chain being rigid, the second part 17B which extends around the corner of the door being flexible and the third part 17C which extends vertically upwards being rigid.

At the vertical edge surface of the door a facia plate would be provided to cover the strip 17 and hide it from view. Outwards of the strip 17C, but also running alongside it slightly inwards of the edge of the door is an actuator strip 19 which extends between top and bottom swing bolt units 20, 21 respectively, the actuator strip also passing through a central swing bolt unit 22 disposed just above the energy cell 18. These three swing bolt units would be of conventional form and attached to the door in the conventional manner, typically as with a three-point locking system, sliding of the actuator strip upwards or downwards causing the bolts to extend or retract from the edge of the door into or out of corresponding keeper plates or slots in the adjacent frame, when the door is in its closed position.

Figure 3 shows how the strip 17 is turned lengthwise through 900 where it enters and leaves the bottom swing bolt unit 21 and also where it enters the energy cell 18. Similarly the actuator strip 19 is turned lengthwise through 900 where it leaves the bottom swing bolt unit 21, enters and leaves the energy cell 18, with the arrangement being similar where it enters and leaves the central swing bolt unit 22 and where it enters the top swing bolt unit 20. This 900 turn is better illustrated in Figure 4 which shows the central unit 22 with its swing bolt 23. The mechanism for converting linear movement of the strip 19 into swinging movement of the bolt can be conventional. However, two advantageous arrangements are shown in Figures 5A-5C, and 6A and 6B respectively.

Figures 5A and 5B show the central unit 22 of Figure 4, with its swing bolt 23 mounted on its pivot 23A. The bolt 23 carries an actuating pin 23B which extends outwardly from the bolt into an aperture 23C in the actuator strip 19. As can be seen from the figures, the aperture 23C is generally L-shaped, but has an inner sloping cam surface 23D against which the pin 23B engages during upward or downward movement of the strip 19, the slope of this surface 23D being such as to cause the pin to travel around the pivot 23A in an arc which leads to corresponding arcuate swinging of the bolt 23 between its retractive position shown in Figure 5A and its extended position shown in Figure 5B. The drawings also show an abutment surface 23E of the aperture and the side 23F of the strip 19 adjacent the pivot 23A.

In use, the strip 19 can travel through the unit 22 with vertical upwards movement of the strip forcing the bolt 23 to its retracted position and downwards movement forcing the bolt to its extended position. In both inwards and outwards actions of the bolt, the forces are transmitted between the aperture 23C and the peg 23B, the peg being integral with the bolt 23. In the extended position, if a force were to be applied to the bolt to try to retract it, the peg would be pushed against the abutment surface 23E and the force would be transmitted normally from the peg and perpendicularly onto the abutment surface, thus transmitting forces horizontally, see Figure 5C. As a result all the force is directly parallel to the horizontal axis of the pivot and at only a very small distance 'x' from the pivot centre, thus providing only minimal rotational force.Horizontal and rotational forces applied from the bolt would require that the abutment surface moves further back in the unit 22 if rotation of the bolt is to occur. The strip 19 is however physically restrained from moving back in the unit by the pivot 23A, and thus the mechanism is locked.

Additionally the actuating strip cannot be forced vertically upwards because there is no abutment surface allowing direct or vector vertical forces.

Figures 6A and 6B show a similar arrangement to that in Figures 5A and 5B, the difference being that the aperture in the strip 19 is now a mirror image, with the centres of the pivot and the pin respectively being substantially horizontally aligned in the retracted position of the bolt rather than in its extended position, the aperture thus being in a relatively lower position in the strip 19. This arrangement directs all horizontal forces, directed through the associated abutment surfaces, towards the outside of the unit casing. Once again the strip 19 is restrained from sideways movement (now to the front of the unit casing) by the casing wall itself, shown at 23G, hence not permitting arcuate movement of the bolt when a force is applied as before to retract it. Again such forces cannot force the strip 19 vertically because there is no abutment surface allowing direct or vector forces.

The strip 17C terminates, as indicated, in the energy cell 18, and Figures 12A-12G show how movement of this strip as the door is opened and closed is arranged to control movement of the actuator strip 19 and thus of the swing bolts 23.

Figures 12A to 12G inclusive show in detail the energy cell 18 and how the various operative parts thereof move during opening and closing of the door.

As can be seen from these drawings, the end of the part 17C of the strip 17 has its end turned inwardly through 900 to form a projecting part 24. The end portion of the part 17C extending into the energy cell 18 is longitudinally cut away almost up to the part 24, to leave a sloping cam surface 25 which is directed generally to the front of the casing of the energy cell.

Between the projecting part 24 and an inner lower surface of the casing of the energy cell 18 is a light compression spring 26, which thus forces the strip part 17C upwardly so that the part 24 abuts a horizontal flange 27 which forms an integral part of the energy cell casing. The part 17C of the strip is spaced slightly inwardly from the front of the energy cell casing and can slide vertically upwards to the flange 27 and vertically downwards as far as permitted by the spring 26.

Also contained in the energy cell is a ram 28 which has a straight lower leg portion 29 which is disposed for sliding movement adjacent the inside front surface of the energy cell casing, this leg portion 29 extending alongside the part 17C of the strip substantially to fill the space between this part 17C and the front inner surface of the energy cell casing. The leg portion 29 is integrally connected with a generally C-shaped upper part of the ram which has a horizontal arm 30 which extends between the front and rear inner surfaces of the energy cell casing in the area of the casing above the flange 27. A leg part 31 extends vertically integrally upwardly from the arm 30, being disposed for sliding movement against the inner rear face of the energy cell casing, with the end of this leg part 31 being turned through 900 towards the front of the energy cell casing to form a nose 32.A pair of compression springs 33 are arranged between the flange 27 and the lower surface of the arm 30 to bias the ram upwardly and a further compression spring 34 is provided between a downwardly facing surface of nose 32 and an upwardly facing surface of a nose 35 which is formed as a rearwardly facing inturned part at the bottom of a rod 36 which can slide adjacent the inner front casing face.

The rod 36 extends out of the top of the casing and is attached to the actuator strip 19, which therefore moves with it to operate the swing bolts.

The position of the energy cell 18 shown in Figure 12A is one where the door is closed and the swing bolts are retracted. In this position the light spring 26 holds the strip part 17C upwards against the flange 27, and the compression springs 33 hold the ram fully upwards against a top part of the energy cell casing. In this position the further compression spring 34 holds the rod 36 fully downwardly against the arm 30. In this position a rectangular aperture 37 in the leg portion 29 of the ram 28 is disposed adjacent the end of the cut-away part of the strip part 17C adjacent the cam surface 25, and a ball bearing 38 engages against the surface 25 whilst at the same time being directed by the surface 25 partly to extend into the aperture 37, thereby effecting a connection between the strip part 17C and the ram 28.

Below this position of the aperture 37, the front of the energy cell casing is provided with a further, deeper circular aperture 39 which can receive part of the ball bearing 38, as will be described. Extending into this aperture from the outside is a rod 39A, which will further be described hereinafter in relation to a locking and release mechanism of the locking system illustrated in Figures 13A to 13C.

The lower corner cf the rod 36 can be engaged by a snib 40 at the energy cell, the snib 40 being spring loaded to engage with the rod 36 whenever the door is open thereby preventing the rod 36 being moved downwardly by the spring 34. However, this snib is forced inwardly against its spring bias when the door is closed, by virtue of the snib engaging against the door jam or frame. Thus as schematically shown in Figure 12A for the closed door position, the snib is moved back against its spring bias.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that it will be apparent that normal opening of the door will cause relative movement between the door and the strip 17 which is fixed at its one end to the anchoring element 15 at the door jamb. Accordingly, as the door opens the strip effectively charges the energy storage means in the energy cell 18 so that when the door is closed, i.e. received in its frame, the stored energy is released to cause movement of the rod 36 and thus consequently extension of the swing bolts of the three swing bolt units. Thus closing of the door automatically causes a locking thereof by virtue of the throwing of the three swing bolts. Figures 1 and 7 to 11 will now be used, in conjunction with Figures 12A to 12G to explain how the locking system, and particularly the energy cell 18 operates during the various door movements.

Figure 1 shows the door closed position with each of the three swing bolts retracted into its associated unit. In the energy cell corresponding to this closed position, the components are as shown in Figure 12A, both the strip part 17C and the ram 28 being at their respective highest positions. As the door is first opened, as in Figure 7, it starts to charge the energy storage means, maximum charging occurring at about 300 of opening. The charging is accomplished by the door opening relatively moving the strip part 17C downwardly so that the spring 26 becomes compressed. As soon as the door is opened the snib 40 engages with the rod 36 which is thus held in position. As the strip part 17C moves downwardly in the energy cell, the ram also moves downwardly in view of the connection between these two parts by way of the ball bearing 38.Accordingly as the door continues to open the ram and the strip part 17 move downwardly together to the position shown in Figure 12B just prior to the position of maximum charging. During this movement the cam surface 25 pulls the ball bearing downwards with it with a force biased towards the front surface of the casing, the ball bearing likewise pulling the ram downwards, as shown in Figure 12B, until the position is reached at maximum charging, as shown in Figure 12C, where the ball bearing is directly opposite the aperture 39, at which point the ball bearing is pushed into this aperture by the cam surface 25. As can be seen in Figure 12C, this position corresponds to the furthest downward position of the ram with the compression springs 33 and 34 both being fully compressed, downwards movement of the rod 36 still being prevented, however, by the snib 40. Once this maximum charging position has been reached, it will be appreciated that the strip part 17C is now free to continue its downwards movement or to move upwardly, as a result of further opening, or closing, of the door, such movement of the strip part causing no further movement of other elements in the energy cell. For the arrangement shown in Figures 12A to 12C, it is assumed that a handle 41 of the door (Figures 13A-13C) has been released so that the rod 39A is in its rearward position in the aperture 39 as shown in these figures.

Figure 8 represents the operation of the locking system whilst the door is moved from its open position up to a position where it is almost, but not quite closed, for example where the door is still open by about an angle of 5 . This closing can be merely by way of the door being pushed towards its frame, or by means of a conventional mechanical door closer device. This closing action down to approximately 5 opening causes the strip part 17C to move relatively upwardly in the energy cell so that its projecting part 24 abuts the horizontal flange 27 with the light compression spring 26 becoming relaxed.

During this action the ball bearing remains within the aperture 37 of the ram 29, but the major portion of the ball bearing is restrained within the aperture 39.

The springs 33 and the spring 34 are all acting to force the ram upwardly. However, the ball bearing restrains the ram from upwards movement. The abutment surface formed by the bottom of the aperture 37 is deliberately arranged to abut the ball bearing at one side of its centre, in particular the side furthest from the aperture 39 so that the resultant force acting on the ball bearing biases it towards the aperture 39. As a result the ram is restrained and the ball bearing is firmly held in aperture 39 by the ram 29 (Figure 12D).

As the door is fully closed, i.e. received in its frame 13, the snib 40 is moved against its biasing spring by engagement with a striker plate in the frame. This is illustrated in Figure 9. In Figure 12E this is shown by the snib 40 having moved to the right, so that the energy cell is triggered to release its mechanical kinetic energy into the actuator rod 36. As can be seen from Figure 12E, movement of the snib to the right enables the rod 36 to be forced downwardly by the spring 34 until its nose 35 engages against the arm 30 of the ram, which is still held stationary by means of the ball bearing 38.

The downward movement of the rod 36 causes corresponding downward movement of the actuator strip 19, which in turn causes extension of all three swing bolts out of their respective casings to engage in associated keepers or slots respectively in the frame 13. The door is thus now locked by the engagement of these three swing bolts which has occurred automatically upon the closing of the door into its frame.

Once the energy cell is charged, i.e. once the ram has been held down by means of the ball bearing, full closing of the door will always throw the bolts, since when the door closes it will always release the snib from engagement with the rod 36 which will then thus be forced down to cause movement of the actuator strip 19.

As well as showing a handle 41 of the door, Figures 13A to 13C also show a cylinder lock 42, and Figure 12F shows the operation of the energy cell when the lock or handle of the door is operated to release the bolts. As will be described hereinafter, this involves inward movement of the rod 39A, and this action relates to Figure 11 which shows how the door can be unbolted by either turning the handle 41 or operating the lock 42 in the appropriate direction. In either case this action moves the rod 39A inwardly in the aperture 39 to push the ball bearing 38 out of the aperture 39, which allows the ram 28 to rise under the action of the springs 33 from the position shown in Figure 12E, through the position shown in Figure 12F, to the fully discharged position shown in Figure 12G.It will be appreciated that once the ball bearing is pushed out of the aperture 39 the ram is released and rises under the action of the springs 33 with the ball bearing moving freely along the cut-away part of the strip part 17C over which part of the ball bearing is now positioned. Accordingly, the ram continues to move upwardly under the action of the springs 33 until the ball bearing engages against the cam surface 25 and its nose 32 engages against the interior surface of the top of the casing of the energy cell 18.

This rising of the ram also causes upward movement of the rod 36 which, since the door is still closed, takes place with the snib held against its spring bias. Thus as the ram rises it moves the rod upwardly until it reaches the position where its lower portion is opposite the snib.

However since the door is closed, the snib is held out of engagement with the rod 36.. Clearly the upward movement of the rod 36 causes simultaneous upward movement of the actuator strip 19, thereby causing retraction of all three swing bolts. Thus the door can now be pushed or pulled open as appropriate.

Figures 13A to 13C schematically show the mechanical inter-relationship between the handle 41 and the key operated lock 42, as well as the relationship between these components and the rod 39A. Taken in conjunction with Figure 10, it will be explained how an already bolted door can be 'locked' so that operation of the handle has no affect up on the bolts, with a result that the door can only be unbolted after initial key operation of the lock.

As shown in Figures 13A to 13C, the lock 42 has a conventional lobe 43, whilst the handle 41 has an integral extension part 44 typically at 90 to the main handle part, this extension part being disposed vertically when the handle is in its normal horizontal rest position. At one side of the lock 42 is an elongated arm 45 which has an upstanding rib 46. The bottom of the arm is formed with a profile to match that of the lower part of the lock so that, as will be described, a lifting of the arm will cause this lower part to surround closely the bottom part of the lock. At the centre of this lower profiled part of the arm 45 is an upstanding peg 47, and whereas the rib 46 is disposed for engagement by the lobe 43, this peg 47 is positioned for engagement by the extension part 44 of the handle 41.

The arm 45 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a plate 48, and an upper part of the arm is formed as a hook 49 which extends over a bent round end portion of the rod 39A, this end portion of the rod 39A normally being in engagement with an inner surface of the recess defined by the hook part 49 so that pivotal movement of the arm causes a corresponding resultant movement of the rod 39A as will be described. A torsion spring 50 is arranged around the pivot with its ends abutting lugs on the arm 45 and plate 48 respectively so that the arm is biased to its vertical position shown in Figure 13A.The plate is largely disposed on the opposite side of the lock to the arm 45 and at a position adjacent the arc of rotation of the lobe 43, this plate is formed with a recess 51 which has sloping lead-in surfaces 52 at its top and bottom to facilitate engagement of the lobe 43 with this part of the plate to move the plate upwardly and downwardly relative to the energy cell casing, as will be described. This upward and downward movement of the plate also includes upward and downward movement of the arm which is pivoted on the plate, the arm in its upper position encompassing the bottom of the lock and bringing the peg 47 clear of the extension part 44 of the handle 41 as already mentioned.

Operation of this handle/lock arrangement will now be described in detail.

As shown in Figure 12E, the bolts have been thrown by downwards movement of the rod 36, with the ball bearing still being held partly in the aperture in the ram and partly in the aperture 39. In this position it is possible to retract the bolts and thus open the door by use of either the handle 41 or the key 42. As can be seen from Figure 13A, downwards movement of the handle will cause the extension part 44 to act on the peg 47, and since the arm 45 is pivotally mounted to the plate 48, the arm will be forced to swing to the left as shown in the figure. Similarly if the lock 42 is operated by its key, so that the lobe 43 moves clockwise, it can be seen that this lobe will engage the rib 46, again forcing the arm to pivot to the left as viewed in the drawing.

Thus either by operation of the handle or by the lock, the arm will make a small arcuate movement, and as shown in Figure 13B, this will cause the hook part 49 to push the end of the rod 39 slightly to the left as viewed in Figure 13B and also as viewed in Figures 12E and 12F.

This slight movement of the rod 39A is sufficient for the end of the rod to push the ball bearing out of the aperture 39 and back to the position where it forms a connection between the ram and the strip part 17C. Thus this actuation of the handle or the lock releases the ram which moves the rod 36 upwardly thus automatically releasing the bolts. As shown in the drawings, a stop can be provided to limit the movement to the left of the arm 45.

If however it is desired to lock the mechanism with the bolts thrown, so that it is not possible by actuation of the handle alone to retract the bolts and open the door, this is possible by turning the key in the lock in the opposite direction to that described for releasing the bolts. Thus as shown in Figure 13C, turning the key to move the lobe anti-clockwise from the position shown in Figure 13A, will cause the lobe to swing partly into the recess 51 and lift it upwardly as it passes therethrough to the position shown in Figure 13C where it is almost clear of the upper lead-in surface 52. The same action lifts rib 46 so that it does not obstruct the full rotation of the key back to its original position, where removal of the key can occur leaving the mechanism deadlocked.This lifting of the plate, as described, causes a simultaneous lifting of the vertically disposed a= and as shown in Figure 13C, in the fully raised position the profiled end of the arm fits snugly around the bottom of the cylinder lock with the peg 47 clear of the extension part 44. Thus in this position downwards movement of the handle has no effect on the rod 39A and thus on the rod 36 held in its position shown in Figure 12E with the bolts thrown. Thus retraction of the bolts is only possible by at least firstly using the key to return the plate 48 and arm 45 to the position shown in Figure 13A.It can be seen that if the key is inserted and turned clockwise the lobe will again pass into the recess 51 and pull the plate downwardly until the Figure 13A position is reached, whereupon the key can either be rotated further so that the lobe engages the rib 46, or alternatively the handle can then be moved downwardly to engage the peg 47 and swing the arm.

It will be appreciated that many variations of the invention from the embodiment disclosed and illustrated are possible. For example instead of the handle and/or lock being arranged to move the rod 39A inwardly against its spring bias, the movement of this rod could be controlled by a conventional panic latch bar. In other words the energy storage arrangement could be charged by opening an emergency door and then closing it so that the bolts are automatically thrown, with there still being energy in the energy cell by way of the springs 33 so that in the event of a fire or other emergency the door can be opened by operation of the panic bar to force the rod 39A inwardly into the aperture 39 to displace the ball bearing, allow the ram to rise and thus retract the bolts in order to allow the door to be opened.

Other variations include the door being provided with a latch bolt for manual operation charging, and there could be a handle on both sides or only one side cf the door or in an alternative arrangement the handle could be replaced solely by the use of the key operated lock. A night latch facility could also be provided.

Retraction of the locking element(s) could be by means other than the use of stored energy in the energy storage means, for example mechanical means such as a handle.

The charging components need not be in the assembly which includes the lock and/or handle but could be at one of the hinges. Moreover the anchoring element 15 with a chain 16 could be situated at the top, bottom or any other position on the hinge side of the door. Clearly the strip 17 could extend along the top side of the door and then vertically downwardly through the top and centre swing bolt units and into the energy cell. Indeed the strip could extend anywhere across from the jamb.

Instead of swing bolts, linearly moveable bolts could of course be used. As mentioned although the conversion of linear movement into angular movement in respect of the swing bolts could be achieved by conventional means, the arrangements shown in Figures 5 and 6 are believed to represent an invention in both overcoming known problems with attempts being made to force bolts out of their extended positions to gain entry via a door or other wing.

Claims (19)

1. A locking system for an angularly movable wing having an associated frame, the system comprising a locking element intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing so that when the wing is in its frame the locking element can be extended into and retracted out of engagement with the frame, an energy storage assembly intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing, connection means extending between the.energy storage assembly and a member relative to which the wing is movable, the connection means being arranged to charge energy storage means of the energy storage assembly during angular movement of the wing relative to said member, with engagement of the wing in its frame causing release of stored energy to extend said locking element into engagement with said frame, and means intended to be arranged, in use, at the wing for retraction of the locking element from engagement with the frame.

2. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connection means include a slidable member which during charging of the energy storage assembly is connected to a slidable member of the energy storage assembly, said slidable member of the assembly effecting storage of said energy in first resilient means of the energy storage assembly during said charging, the first resilient means acting on locking element operating means which during said charging are held in a first position thereby keeping the locking element retracted.

3. A locking system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein upon a predetermined amount of said relative angular movement between the wing and the member taking place, in use, said connection between the slidable members of the connection means and the energy storage assembly respectively is automatically released and the slidable member of the assembly is automatically restrained against movement, the assembly now being in a fully charged state.

4. A locking system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said locking element operating means are automatically released from said first position when the wing is received in its frame, with the energy stored in said first resilient means causing the locking element operating means to move a second position, such movement causing extension of the locking element into the frame.

5. A locking system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein during charging said locking element operating means are engaged by a snib which holds them in said first position, the snib contacting the frame, in use, when the wing is received therein, such contact releasing the snib from its engagement with the locking element operating means for them to move to their second position.

6. A locking system as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein said slidable member of the connection means has a cam surface on a part thereof received in the assembly, said slidable member of the assembly having a portion extending alongside said part of the slidable member of the connection means, said portion having an aperture therethrough, a casing of the energy storage having an aperture, and there being a locking ball for connecting together either said slidable members of the connection means and said assembly or said slidable member of the assembly and said casing, the arrangement being such that during said charging the locking ball engages said cam surface and also extends into said aperture in said slidable member of the assembly, thereby connecting the slidable members together, said aperture in the slidable member of the assembly becoming aligned with said aperture of said casing when said predetermined amount of relative angular movement has taken place, with the locking ball being moved by said cam surface clear of sasd slidable member of the connection means, thereby automatically to release the connection between the slidable members, the locking ball being moved to a position where it is partly received in both the apertures in the slidable member of the assembly and of said casing respectively, thereby automatically restraining the slidable member of the assembly against movement.

7. A locking system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein retraction of the locking element, in use, is by means of stored energy in the energy storage assembly.

8. A locking system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein during charging, said slidable member of the assembly effects storage of energy in second resilient means of the energy storage assembly, said second resilient means acting between said slidable member of the assembly and said casing, the slidable member of the assembly having a part arranged to engage said locking element operating means, the arrangement being such that, in use, operation of said means for retraction of the locking element when the wing is in its frame releases said locking ball from the aperture of the casing, allowing movement of the slidable member of the assembly by the energy stored in said second resilient means, such movement causing said part of the slidable member of the assembly to engage said locking element operating means to move them to their said first position, thereby retracting said locking element from its frame.

9. A locking system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the means for retracting the locking element include an angularly movable member which can be moved by manual actuation of an operating member, movement of the movable member effecting release of the ball from said aperture of the casing.

10. A locking system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein two of said operating members are provided in the form of a handle and a key operated lock respectively, either operating member being actuatable to move said angularly movable member.

11. A locking system as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said angularly movable member has abutments for engagement by a lobe of said lock and part of said handle respectively to move said angularly movable member, said angularly movable member being pivoted on an element having an abutment for engagement by said lobe, such engagement moving the element relative to said handle so that said part of the handle can no longer engage its abutment on the angularly movable member, so that retraction of said locking element is only possible by actuation of the lock.

12. A locking system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the direction of rotation of the key in the lock to effect movement of the angularly movable member is opposite to the direction of rotation of the key in the lock to effect said movement of said element relative to the handle.

13. A locking system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means is strip extending, in use, along a bottom of the wing, around a lower free corner thereof and then upwards along the edge of the wing into the energy storage assembly, an end of the strip at the bottom of the door being connected to a flexible element extending from a fixed member at the frame.

14. A locking system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 12, wherein said locking element operating means is connected to an actuator strip which extends to a plurality of locking element units containing respective bolts, sliding movement of said locking element operating means and thus of the actuator strip causing extension or retraction of the bolt of each unit.

15. A locking system as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the bolts are swing bolts mounted on respective pivots, each swing bolt having a pin extending into a generally L-shaped slot in the actuator strip, sliding movement of the actuator strip in one direction, in use, causing the pin of the bolt to engage a cam surface of said slot and pivot the bolt out of its unit.

16. A locking system as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the actuator strip has a rear surface which abuts the bolt pivot if, with the bolt extended, a force is applied to try to retract it, such a force being transmitted from the pin onto an abutment surface of the slot in a horizontal direction substantially aligned with a horizontal axis of the pivot of the bolt, thereby minimising rotational forces.

17. A locking system as claimed in Claim 15, wherein if, with the bolt extended, a force is applied to try to retract it, such force is directed to an outside of the unit, thereby preventing arcuate movement of the bolt to retract it.

18. A locking system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the means for retracting the locking element is a panic latch bar which is manually actuable to effect release of said locking ball from said aperture of the casing, thereby causing retraction of the locking element.

19. A locking system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.