GB2294083A

GB2294083A - Sequential fastening for doors and windows

Info

Publication number: GB2294083A
Application number: GB9420562A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur David Tippin; Peter James Harrison
Original assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-12
Filing date: 1994-10-12
Publication date: 1996-04-17
Also published as: GB9420562D0

Abstract

A multi-point fastening mechanism for a sash 3 supported on an outer frame 2 for pivotal movement between open and closed positions comprises a plurality of spaced apart keepers 4 for engagement by a plurality of spaced apart bolting members 5 to secure the sash 3 in the closed position. The bolting members 5 are linked for simultaneous reciprocal movement by a drive mechanism with the spacing of the bolting members 5 and keepers 4 being such that the bolting members 5 engage the keepers 4 in sequence along a side edge of the sash 3. <IMAGE>

Description

FASTENING MECHANISM FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS This invention relates to fastening mechanisms for doors and windows of the kind comprising an opening wing (the door or sash) mounted in an outer frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, in particular multi-point fastening mechanisms of the type in which the wing is secured to the outer frame in the closed position at a plurality of spaced positions for improved security against forced entry.

In the known multi-point fastening mechanisms, a plurality of spaced apart bolting members on one of the wing and outer frame and a corresponding plurality of spaced apart keepers on the other of the wing and frame are arranged for simultaneous engagement to secure the wing in the closed position.

Typically, the keepers are fixed and the bolting members are interconnected for simultaneous movement by a suitable drive mechanism between locked and unlocked positions to engage and disengage the keepers when the wing is closed. The bolting members may also engage and disengage the keepers when the wing is in a partially open or vent position.

Problems can arise for large doors and windows in ensuring simultaneous engagement of the bolting members and keepers due to the size and weight of the wing. These problems are increased when the outer frame is provided with a seal such as a strip of rubber or pile faced fabric which has to be compressed to provide a weathertight seal by engagement of the bolting members and keepers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening mechanism for doors and windows in which the opening wing (the door or sash) is secured to the outer frame at a plurality of spaced positions.

According to the present invention there is provided a fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising an opening wing (the door or sash) mounted in an outer frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, the fastening mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced apart bolting members for mounting on one of the opening wing and outer frame, and a corresponding plurality of spaced apart keepers for mounting on the other of the opening wing and frame wherein the bolting members and keepers are arranged for engagement in sequence to secure the wing in the closed position.

Preferably, the bolting members are interconnected for simultaneous movement between locked and unlocked positions with the relative spacing of the bolting members and/or keepers being chosen to provide sequential engagement of the bolting members and keepers.

Advantageously, the bolting members are connected to a common drive element operable by a drive mechanism for moving the bolting members between the locked and unlocked positions.

Preferably, the drive mechanism includes gearing for converting rotation of an operating handle in opposed senses into reciprocal movement of the drive element.

Advantageously, each keeper has an abutment face for engagement by the associated bolting member in the locked position and an inclined ramp face for engagement by the associated bolting member as it moves towards the locked position.

Preferably, each bolting member extends substantially normal to the direction of relative movement between the bolting member and associated keeper. For example, each bolting member may comprise a cylindrical body mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis.

Advantageously, the bolting members and keepers are arranged on opposed horizontal or vertical side edges of the outer frame and sash.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is perspective view of a window in the open position and showing the general arrangement of the fastening mechanism according to the invention; and FIGURES 2A.2B.2C and 2D are detail side views of the fastening mechanism showing the sequential engagement of the keepers and bolting members.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the invented fastening mechanism is shown in a window 1 comprising a rectangular outer frame 2 and a sash 3 mounted on the frame 2 by a pair of hinges (not shown) for pivotal movement about a vertical axis.

The type of hinge is not relevant to this invention but friction stays are commonly used at the top and bottom of the sash 3 for side hung windows although other types of hinge may be used as will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

The outer frame 2 and sash 3 may be constructed from sections of timber, plastics, metal or composites of any of these cut to length and joined at the corners by any suitable means.

The fastening mechanism comprises three keepers 4 vertically spaced apart on the outer side edge of the sash 3 and three bolting members 5 vertically spaced apart on the opposed side edge of the outer frame 2.

Each keeper 4 is similar and comprises a body secured to the side edge of the sash 3 by screws (not shown) or similar fastening means which extend through holes 6 in the body. The body has a flat abutment face 7 and an inclined ramp face 8 at each end.

Each bolting member 5 is similar and comprises a cylindrical body attached at one end to a flat metal bar 9 secured to the side edge of the outer frame 2 by screws 10 which extend through respective elongate slots 11 in the bar 9. The body may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

The screws 10 permit limited sliding movement of the bar 9 for simultaneous reciprocal movement of the bolting members 5 between locked and unlocked positions by means of a drive mechanism (not shown) attached to the lower end of the bar 9.

The drive mechanism forms no part of this invention and may be of any suitable type as will be familiar to those skilled in the art but typically includes gearing for converting rotation of an operating handle in opposed senses into reciprocal movement of the bar 9.

The fixed keepers 4 and movable bolting members 5 are arranged so that, on closing the sash 3 with the bolting members 5 in the unlocked position, the vertical spacing between each bolting member 5 and the associated keeper 4 progressively increases from the lower end of the bar 9 to the upper end.

As a result, displacement of the bar 9 to move simultaneously the bolting members 5 to the locked position indicated by the arrow A in Figures 2A,2B,2C and 2D, causes the bolting members 5 to engage the ramp face 7 at one end of the associated keepers 4 in sequence starting with the bottom bolting member (Figure 2A) followed by the centre bolting member (Figure 2B) and finally the top bolting member (Figure 2C) until all of the bolting members 5 engage the flat abutment face of the associated keepers 4 (Figure 2D) to secure the sash 3 in the closed position.

In this way, sequential engagement of the bolting members 5 with the associated keepers 4 applies a force from the bottom of the sash 3 to the top that urges the sash 3 towards the outer frame 2 in a controlled manner ensuring proper engagement of all the keepers 4 and, where provided, compression of a seal (not shown) between the outer frame 2 and sash 3.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment above-described can be modified without departing from the underlying concept of the invented fastening mechanism to provide sequential engagement of the bolting members and associated keepers.

For example, the number and arrangement of the bolting members and keepers may be varied according to the design and size of the door or window.

The bolting members may be mounted on the opening wing and the keepers on the outer frame.

The bolting members may be fixed and the keepers interconnected for simultaneous movement to engage the bolting members in sequence.

The bolting members and keepers may be arranged for sequential engagement one at a time as described or in sets of two or more bolting members.

For certain applications, the bolting members and keepers may be provided on more than one side edge of the opening wing and outer frame.

Finally, it will be understood that the invention has general application to a wide range of different arrangements and constructions of multi-point fastening mechanisms for doors and windows including espagnolette bolts, cremone bolts and fittings incorporating multi-point fastening mechanisms such as tilt and turn gear for pivotal movement of the door or sash about a vertical or horizontal axis and operators for opening and closing the door or sash.

Claims

Claims:

1. A fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising an opening wing (the door or sash) mounted in an outer frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions, the fastening mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced apart bolting members for mounting on one of the opening wing and outer frame, and a corresponding plurality of spaced apart keepers for mounting on the other of the opening wing and frame wherein the bolting members and keepers are arranged for engagement in sequence to secure the wing in the closed position.

2. A fastening mechanism according to Claim 1 wherein the bolting members are interconnected for simultaneous movement between locked and unlocked positions with the relative spacing of the bolting members and/or keepers being chosen to provide sequential engagement of the bolting members and keepers.

3. A fastening mechanism according to Claim 2 wherein the bolting members are connected to a common drive element operable by a drive mechanism for moving the bolting members between the locked and unlocked positions.

4. A fastening mechanism according to Claim 3 wherein the drive mechanism includes gearing for converting rotation of an operating handle in opposed senses into reciprocal movement of the drive element.

5. A fastening mechanism according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein each keeper has an abutment face for engagement by the associated bolting member in the locked position and an inclined ramp face for engagement by the associated bolting member as it moves towards the locked position.

6. A fastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein each bolting member extends substantially normal to the direction of relative movement between the bolting member and associated keeper.

7. A fastening mechanism according to Claim 6 wherein each bolting member comprises a cylindrical body mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis.

8. A fastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the bolting members and keepers are arranged on opposed horizontal or vertical side edges of the outer frame and sash.

9. A fastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the bolting members and keepers are arranged for sequential engagement one at a time or in sets of two or more bolting members.

10. A fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising an opening wing (the door or sash) mounted in an outer frame for pivotal movement between open and closed positions substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.