GB2302910A

GB2302910A - Panel locking arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2302910A
Application number: GB9617718A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Townsend
Original assignee: Archibald Kenrick and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Archibald Kenrick and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1992-12-16
Filing date: 1993-12-17
Publication date: 1997-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-17
Also published as: GB2302910B; GB9617718D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a panel locking arrangement, and in particular to a method of assembling a shoot bolt into a frame member of a panel such as a hollow profile window or door. The method comprises the steps inserting an operating member 150 (driven by an actuating mechanism 19) into one (eg lower) frame member of the panel, inserting axially an inner end part of an operated member 184 (connecting to a shoot bolt 20) another (eg side) frame member; snap-engaging the inner end part 182 of the operated member with the operating member at 180 with the operating member to effect coupling of the members; finally rotating an outer end part of the operated member to effect adjustment of the shoot-bolt projection, eg via screw-threaded connection 19.

Description

PANEL LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a panel locking arrangement, and in particular to a locking arrangement including a shoot bolt locking system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The following description and disclosure will for convenience refer to top-hinged sash (opening casement) windows, and geometrical terms such as upwards" and "upwardly" will refer to such a sash window mounting, though it will be understood that the invention (as for the prior disclosed arrangements) is applicable to side mounted sash windows.

It has been recognised for many years that an improved locking arrangement is required for hinged panels, such as sash windows. Many of the traditional locking arrangements have proved ineffective to stop experienced house breakers and the like, who can open the sash without need to break the glass.

One traditional locking arrangement utilises a pivoted lever (cockspur) mounted on the sash frame, the cockspur being engageable with a keeper in or on the fixed outer window frame. The cockspur is mounted on the so-called sash lock frame part, which is opposed to the sash hinge frame part and to which it is connected by sash connecting parts. -A cockspur, however, provides only single-point" locking.

One arrangement to provide "multi-point" locking is to fit two or more cockspurs side by side on the sash lock frame part. The sash can however often still be opened relatively easily using a tool adapted to force the sash lock frame part (and thus the cockspurs) away from the cockspur keepers.

Another arrangement to provide multi-point locking is an espagnolette having a number of mushroom-headed bolts carried by a slide plate.

An alternative multi-point locking arrangement is to provide "shoot bolts" oppositely movable into locking engagement with respective opposed keepers in the upwardly-extending window frame members ("cremone"), the shoot bolts being moved simultaneously into and out of locking engagement by an operating mechanism. The keepers are a significant distance from the operating mechanism, and to inhibit unlawful entry (upon forcible release of the shoot bolts from the keepers) the shoot bolts need to be non-flexible.

Such a cremone provides "two-position" locking, though still only requiring a single operating handle. For ease of fitting and assembly, usually the shoot bolts are connected to movable members of the operating mechanism, rather than forming part of the operating mechanism.

Concurrent with the development of improved locking arrangements has been the introduction of sash frames of aluminium and plastics, which can be formed from long extruded lengths of largely-hollow profile. To provide the maximum glazing area the profiles are being made smaller in cross-section, and thus a suitable operating mechanism is required, particularly one of small height and depth and which if desired can fit within a hollow chamber of the profile, usefully the so-called "spare chamber".

We thus seek to provide a locking assembly for a panel comprising an operating mechanism and a pair of oppositely movable shoot bolts, the shoot bolts being connected to respective operating members of the operating mechanism. In order to ensure that each shoot bolt will engage its respective keeper in the locking condition and will also withdraw flush with the sash frame in the non-locking condition, the axial length of the shoot bolts, and/or the combined axial length of the shoot bolt and its respective operating member, can be adjustable.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to a feature of the invention we provide a panel locking assembly including an operating member and operated member characterised by one of the members having a coupling hook. Usefully the hook is in the form of a rectangular tongue. Preferably the hook is within the projected cross section of the member.

According to yet another feature we provide a panel locking assembly including an operating member and operated member characterised by one of the members having a tongue and the other of the members having a groove, and by resilient means to urge the tongue and groove into coupling engagement.

Usefully the resilient means is movable with one of the members. Preferably the spring means is a separate metallic spring, usefully mounted in or on the operating member, but alternatively in or on the operated member. In a preferred embodiment the operating member carries a separate coupling unit affixed thereto and which includes the tongue or groove.

We also provide a coupling unit positioned between an operating member and an axially-extending shoot bolt characterised in that the member has an opening defined by an upstanding part, the unit having a lateral projection engageable behind said part, and spring means resiliently biassing the projection behind said part. Usefully the opening is axially facing. The spring means is compressible also to permit subsequent release of a head of or carried by the shoot bolt from behind said part. The unit can be of plastics material secured to a rack of a cremone actuating mechanism; the spring means can be a (plastics) leaf spring formed integrally therewith.

Preferably however, the lateral projection is on an intermediate adjuster threadedly connected to the shoot bolt whereby the bolt can be rotated to adjust its axial position relative to the upstanding part. Preferably the shoot bolt has the male thread. Continuous (non-incremental) adjustment of the shoot bolt in the intermediate unit is made possible by the screwed connection, though if the other (outer) end of the shoot bolt has to adopt specified angular positions to engage properly in one or both of a profile guide cover for the shoot bolt tip or in the keeper the effective adjustment may be in incremental steps.

We also provide a panel comprising a frame part of hollow profile and a locking assembly within the profile which includes drive means, a housing for the drive means, an operating member responsive to the drive means, an operated member movable with the operating member and means releasably to couple the operated and operating member outside the housing characterised in that the said means releasably to couple the operated and operating member is non-rotatably located within the hollow profile.

We also disclose a method of assembling a shoot bolt to an actuator which includes the steps of providing a bolt end with one of a tongue and groove, feeding that bolt end towards the actuator, the actuator having the other of the tongue and groove, causing the bolt end to ride over a ramp whilst being subject to a resilient force, and permitting the bolt end to move in response to the resilient force to effect engagement of the tongue with the groove. Preferably the bolt end following approach movement in an axial direction parallel to its length is caused to ride over a ramp whilst being subject to the resilient force, prior to moving laterally into the tongue and groove locking engagement.Preferably the bolt end is an adjuster in the form of a nut threadedly fitted to the bolt to permit rotation of the bolt relative to the bolt end, for axial adjustment of the bolt relative to the bolt end and thus to the actuator. Usefully the actuator is a rack of a cremone operating mechanism, and located within a sash hollow profile; each cremone bolt will be independently locatable from outside the casement with an actuator, usually inside the spare chamber.

It is another teaching that a multi-part elongate shoot bolt be provided, with two of the parts being relatively adjustable in axial position, whereby the shoot bolt is effectively two-part. It is yet another teaching that the two-part shoot bolt is adjusted to length prior to retention in the adjusted position by a part of the panel to which the two-part shoot bolt assembly is fitted.

One part of the shoot bolt is a rod, the other is a socalled bullet, which has a part adapted to be received in a keeper fixed in or to the window outer frame and a part which can be slidably guided relatively to the inner panel.

It is a further teaching of the invention that the rod is non-rotatable, being suitably coupled to the actuating mechanism e.g. a rack, perhaps in known fashion, whereby to achieve this.

Thus we provide a shoot bolt which includes first and second ends, and a bullet connected to the said second end characterised by the shoot bolt being substantially inflexible and by axially adjustable connecting means for the bullet, whereby the axial distance between the said first end and the bullet can be set and maintained.

Usefully the first end includes a shaped coupling part adapted releasably to engage operating means for the shoot bolt, the shaped coupling part in use being adapted to transmit axial movement from the operating means.

We further provide a panel frame of hollow profile section, an annular guide mounted to the panel frame, a shoot bolt having a first end coupled within the profile to axial drive means and a second end slidably mounted in the annular guide, and a bullet connected to the second end characterised by means to adjust the axial position of the bullet relative to the second end to alter the separation between the first end and the bullet. Preferably the bullet is internally tapped so as threadedly to engage with an outer threaded portion of the shoot bolt second end (the outermost end in use) whereby the bullet is rotated for axial adjustment. Desirably the bullet external surface is acircular in cross section, preferably rectangular, and the opening of the annular guide is correspondingly shaped; thus after securement to the profile the annular guide can hold the bullet against rotation.

We further provide a window unit which includes an outer window frame and an inner sash frame of hollow profile section, an annular guide mounted to the sash frame, a keeper mounted to the outer window frame in a position opposed to the annular guide, a shoot bolt having a first end coupled within the profile to axial drive means and a second end slidably mounted in the annular guide, and a bullet connected to the second end and movable into locking engagement with the keeper characterised in that the first end is non-rotatably coupled to the drive means, and in that the bullet is non-rotatably mounted in the annular guide.

Preferably the bullet is internally tapped, so as threadedly to engage with an outer threaded portion of the shoot bolt second end (the outermost end in use) whereby the bullet is rotated for axial adjustment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a front elevation of a casement assembly, comprising an opening sash top hinged to an outer fixed window frame, with an externally mounted cremone locking arrangement; Fig.2 is a section of a hollow profile casement assembly, with an internally mounted locking arrangement; Fig.3 is a partial plan view of the operating mechanism of the locking arrangement of Fig.2, in the locking condition; Fig.4 is a partial plan view of the operating mechanism of Fig.3 but in the non-locking condition; Fig.5 is a sectional view of an "internally glazed" sash window in the closed condition; Fig.6 is a perspective part view of a shoot bolt tip projecting from a sash;; Fig.7 is a side view of a cremone locking arrangement; Fig.8 is a side view of one embodiment of rod coupling assembly; Fig.9 is a side view of a housing to receive a rod coupling assembly, such as that of Fig.18; Fig.10 is a perspective part view of another embodiment of rod coupling assembly; Fig.ll is a side view of another embodiment of housing; Fig.12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of rod coupling assembly; Fig.13 is of a coupling arrangement according to the invention; Fig.14 is a plan view of a further embodiment of housing, mounted on an operating rack; Fig.15 is a view on the line C-C of Fig. 12; Fig.16 is a view on the line D-D of Fig.12;; Fig.17 is a plan view of an alternative adjuster, threadedly connected to a threaded end of a shoot bolt; Fig.l8 is a view of the free end of a shoot bolt, to which an outer end cap is attached; Fig.l9 is a side partial view of an adjustment key; Fig.20 is a section on the line E-E of Fig.l7; Fig.21 is a partial plan view of a gear housing with an alternative embodiment of panel locking assembly, with the locking members in their outwards (locking) condition; Fig.22 is a partial plan view of the panel locking assembly of Fig.19, but with the locking members in their withdrawn non-locking condition; Fig.23 is a side view of a multi-part shoot bolt assembly, in use; Fig.24 is a view on the line F-F of Fig.23; Fig.25 is a partial view of another multi-part shoot bolt assembly;; Fig.26 is a part sectional view of a corner of a hollow profile, with a guide assembly; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following drawings similar numbers are given to similar parts.

The window assembly includes an outer window frame 10 fixable into or fixed in a building wall (not shown). Tophinged to the window fixed frame 10 by hinges 12 is an openable (sash) window 14 locating glazing 15.

The sash closure section 16 carries an actuating mechanism 19 operated by a locking handle 18 and located in housing 30 (Fig.3). When the actuating mechanism is operated by manual rotation of the handle 18, shoot bolts 20 are moved outwardly and inwardly relative to the actuating mechanism into a respective locking and unlocking condition. Each shoot bolt second end during this movement slides in respective guide 22, and in the locking condition has a tip 23 (Fig.6) standing proud of the profile 26 and engaged in or on a keeper 24 fixed to outer window frame 10 in known fashion, whilst in the unlocked condition the tip 23 is withdrawn from the keeper to allow the casement comprising 14 and glazing 15 to be swung to an open position.As is well known in the art, the keepers 24 can be shaped and positioned to provide not only a closed window condition but also a secure partly-open (vent) window condition.

In the embodiment of Fig.2 the outer window frame 10 and inner sash frame 14 are of hollow profile section. The actuating mechanism 19 is located in the so-called spare chamber 21 of the sash, as is most of each shoot bolt 20 i.e. except the tip portion.

The sash is closed in the direction of arrow "A", with engagement of longitudinally-extending seal 25 with the fixed outer frame 10.

As shown in Figs.3 and 4 the operating mechanism 19 has a housing 30, within which is located a first operating member 150. The first operating member 150 has a groove 180 into which tongue 182 of shoot bolt adjuster 184 can slidingly fit. Thus during assembly the shoot bolt 196 and adjuster 184 carried thereby are fed towards the housing 30, until the tongue 182 is aligned with groove 180, whereupon the tongue is resiliently biassed by spring 186 (downwardly as viewed) into engagement with the groove to provide a positive mechanical connection of the adjuster 184 and first operating member 150.

The adjuster 184 can be released from engagement with the first operating member 150 by a reverse method step i.e. by compression of spring 186 (by upwards movement as viewed of the adjuster head or the inwards end with tongue 182) and retraction leftwards.

The spring 186 is located by boss 188 upstanding from base 31 of the housing 30.

The outwards movement of first operating member 150 is limited by its abutment with inwardly formed upstanding base part 30a. In this embodiment sidewall 32b of the housing 30 is cut short or of small extent to help guide into and allow entry into the housing 30 of the tongue 182 of adjuster 184.

The engagement of adjuster 194 with second operating member 170 is effected similarly (Fig.14).

As seen in the non-locking condition of Fig.4, inward movement of the first operating member 150 and of the second operating member 170 is restricted by engagement of these members at 190. The adjuster 194 is identical with adjuster 184 and mounted so as to be aligned therewith for balanced shoot bolt actuation, with both the first and second operating members having a location and guiding surface slidingly engaged with upstanding sidewall 32e to help with positive alignment.

Each adjuster 184,194 has an opening through which can be seen the innermost end of threaded shoot bolt 196, so the the fitter can be satisfied both that the shoot bolt end has been inserted sufficiently far into the adjuster to accept the tensile forces and that the shoot bolt 196 has not been inserted too far with the result that adjustment in the length reduction direction after assembly in the sash is not possible.

Because the adjuster tongue 182 is fitted with minimum play in groove or recess 180, axial movement between the adjuster and operating member is minimised, preferably avoided, so that all the adjustment needed for correct positioning of the shoot bolt 196 (for engagement into a keeper in the locking condition and withdrawal flush with the sash frame in the non-locking condition) occurs by the screw thread engagement of the shoot bolt in the adjuster i.e. the adjuster is internally threaded (not shown), preferably only over a short length, and so acts as a nut inwardly and outwardly of which the externally threaded shoot bolt 196 can be screwed by adjustment rotation of its outermost end (remote from the adjuster).

In the embodiment of Fig.51 glazing 15 is mounted to sash frame 14 from internally of the building. Spare chamber 21, and thus housing 30 of the operating mechanism, and handle 18 are to the same side of the sash frame 14 as the glazing beading 215.

As shown in Fig.6, a shoot bolt is guided and supported in outer wall 26 of a connecting sash frame member by cover member 27, which in this embodiment is firmly but removably located in the outer wall 26. Thus the cover member 27 has a rectangular opening to match the rectangular section of the shoot bolt tip 23.

One suitable operating mechanism is schematically shown in Fig.7. The operating members 540,541 are racks movable by a gear 543 (upon rotation by handle 517) from the outwards (locking) condition shown wherein the tips 23 of shoot bolts 544 are into keepers 545, to a retracted non-locking condition with tips 23 withdrawn from keepers 545. The major part of each rack is located in operating mechanism housing 546, but each rack has an section 547 aligned with the corresponding section of the other rack and in this embodiment outside the housing 546; the aligned section directly or indirectly as hereinafter described provides part of the coupling assembly of the invention, releasably and adjustably to retain shoot bolt 544.

As shown in Fig.8 the inner end 549 in use of a shoot bolt 544 i.e. the end opposite bolt tip 23, is threaded. In an alternative embodiment the shoot bolt 544 is threaded along its entire length, and in a further alternative embodiment has weakened sections so that a shoot bolt or a shoot bolt pair can readily be provided in one of a number of preselected discrete lengths, each with a threaded end.

In use, and as more fully described below, for accurate axial positioning of the shoot bolt tip relative to the window fixed frame 10, necessary so that in the shoot bolt outwards (locking) condition the tip 23 fully engages in a recess in the frame 10 or in a keeper secured in known fashion thereto, the inner shoot bolt end 549 is received in an adjuster 551 forming part of or secured to an operating member such as operating member 541. In the embodiments shown the adjuster 551 is secured to section 547 of operating member 541, this section being outside the housing 546, and so not relying on the housing for retention.

In the embodiment of Fig.8 the adjuster 551 has an internally threaded end portion 550. Thus shoot bolt 544 can be screwed into and out of the outer threaded end (in use) of adjuster 551 to alter the length of the combined assembly. In an alternative embodiment, more suited for possible use where space is not at a premium, perhaps outside the profile, the inner shoot bolt end 549 carries a fixed nut engagable with an externally threaded end portion of adjuster 551.

In one method of assembly, the shoot bolt is fed through an opening (not shown) cut in outer wall 26 of a hollow profile sash connecting member (right to left as viewed in Fig.18) prior to being coupled to adjuster 551. Subsequent to insertion and coupling of a shoot bolt, the opening is closed by a cover member 27, which can also help guide the shoot bolt tip towards and away from its locking condition.

In a less preferred embodiment, the adjuster 551 can be connected to the (rack) operating section 547 of member 541 prior to insertion of shoot bolt 544 through wall 26, the hollow profile adjacent the housing 546 being additionally cut away to permit the (inner) shoot bolt end then to be engaged with the adjuster. However in the preferred method of assembly the adjuster 551 is threadedly engaged with the operated member e.g. shoot bolt 544 outside the profile, with the adjuster and operated member fed into the profile with the adjuster leading, with the adjuster having a coupling part engagable with a corresponding part on or of the operating member e.g. tongue and groove, for coupled engagement.

There are separate means as more fully described below for the preferred method of assembly then to locate and hold the adjuster 551 against rotation and axial movement relative to the operating member after such insertion whilst permitting relative rotation of the shoot bolt 544 for axial (threaded) position adjustment.

Thus when using a cover member, such as the cover member 27 of Fig 6, the permitted axial adjustment is incremental i.e.

the tip 23 can be angularly located after one or more half turns. In an alternative embodiment, with a circular opening in wall 26 so that the cover member can be retained in any angular position, there is a permitted universal axial adjustment; it will be understood that the associated keeper (not shown) may then need to be shaped to cater for e.g. a tip 23 which is rectangular in cross section, or preferably the tip 23 is itself circular in cross section to be received in a circular keeper 545 recess or behind a keeper plate.

The inner end of operated member or adjuster 551 has an engagement head 552 with a groove 553 in surface 554.

Opposed to grooved surface 554 is a pressure surface 555 against which spring 560 (Fig.9) can press when head 552 is inserted into section 547 of operating member 541 through axial opening 562, until the groove 553 is aligned with the upstanding part or tongue 563, whereupon groove 553 is sprung into tight axial location about tongue 563. Any required relative axial movement between the shoot bolt 544 and section 547 of operating member 541 is now controlled by the threaded connection at the adjuster 551.

The inner shoot bolt end 549 is located by the adjuster, by way of the operating member and thus indirectly rather than directly by the housing 546 or the operating gears or equivalent. A shoot bolt is not required to engage with the gear housing 546, for sliding guidance or for retention.

Release of the adjuster can be effected by lateral movement (upwards as viewed) of the adjuster relative to the section 547, first to compress spring 560, followed by outwards movement (to the left as viewed); once the locking apparatus is properly fitted into a sash window such removal should however rarely be needed.

In the embodiment of Fig.8, head 552 is of tapered form in cross section, to aid in the insertion into the axial opening 562.

The operated member (adjuster) 551 and operating member (rack) 541 are coupled at 561, as by tongue 562 and groove 553 outside the housing 546 (Fig.7) for the drive means 543, and in use can be non-rotatably located in a hollow profile such as that of Fig.2.

In the embodiment of Fig.10, the head 572 is of smaller cross section than the remainder of the adjuster, and pressure surface 575 lies in a plane parallel to the adjuster longitudinal plane. Adjuster movement inwards relative to the section 547 is restrained by engagement of surfaces 576 and 586, and in an alternative embodiment by surfaces 577 and 587. Outwards movement is restrained by engagement between surfaces 578,588.

In the embodiment of Fig.9 the spring 560 is trapped between part 568 and part 569, thereby to be mounted in cantilever.

In the embodiment of Fig.ll, the spring 580 is trapped by its ends in housing recess 581, thereby to become a convex leaf spring.

In the embodiment of Fig.12 the head 592 is a generally rectangular extension to the adjuster 591, but of smaller section. It includes recess 593, and a side ramp 599 angled so that when engaged during insertion by a lateral projection (not shown) inside the housing opening 562 the head will be lifted over a retaining peg or the like carried by the housing i.e. lifting of the head in this embodiment is effected independently of the retaining peg.

Furthermore, in this embodiment spring 590 is carried by adjuster 591, to engage opening 562.

In an alternative embodiment the head 592 is resiliently biassed sideways as viewed, with for instance the ramp urging the head into the paper against the action of a spring acting against the back face of the head in a further embodiment, the head has a tongue 594, the head being lifted as by a ramp until the tongue 594 can drop sideways into a groove in the housing wall.

In one alternative embodiment to that of Fig.9 the opening 562 is cut e.g. drilled into the end of a bar; in an alternative embodiment the opening 562 is formed into one side of a bar and is covered and enclosed by a separate plate which acts also to hold the spring in position. If the spring is located in the0 adjuster, as in the embodiment of Fig.12, a cover plate may be not be necessary.

In the embodiment of Fig.13, there is a housing 601 of plastics moulded to the section 541 of the operating rod, but with metal inserts 606,607 to absorb the initial insertion impact loading. In an alternative embodiment insert 607 can be an exposed end of the operating rod 541.

The housing opening 562 has lead-in or chamfered surfaces 603 to assist in guiding the adjuster towards the engaged position. The bias spring 600 is integrally formed with the housing.

In the embodiment of Figs 14-16, the housing 701 is a "click-fit" by means of dimples 702 in recesses 547a in section 547 of the shoot bolt 541. Since in this embodiment the section 547 is rectangular in cross section, the housing is held against rotation and against axial movement relative to section 547. In an alternative embodiment the dimples and recesses are spaced apart, to provide additional resistance to relative rotation and twisting of the adjuster and operating rod; following assembly, rotation of the shoot bolt even during window locking and unlocking will be resisted by cover member 27.

In this embodiment the adjuster will have a tongue which is resiliently biassed into the groove 703 by spring 700, formed integrally with housing 701 of plastics but preferably of spring steel. The outward face (to the left as viewed) of the groove 703 can be undercut.

Lip 705 prevents the housing 701 sliding along the section 547, perhaps as a result of the housing fouling the inside of the spare chamber as the shoot bolt is moved and overcoming the retention of dimples 702; in an alternative embodiment the lip 705 may be removed and the housing 701 instead pinned or otherwise securely affixed to section 547.

The sides 704 of the housing alongside the groove 703 can be inset so as closely to embrace the adjuster head 752, which as seen in the embodiment of Fig.17 can be narrower than the remainder of the adjuster. As shown, and as an important feature of the invention, the adjuster has an opening 756 through which can be viewed the end 549 of the shoot bolt 544, so that prior to insertion of the adjuster and shoot bolt into the profile the manufacturer and/or fitter, on site or preparatory to factory sash assembly, firstly can check that the shoot bolt has been threadedly engaged with sufficient bearing length in the adjuster; and secondly can check that the shoot bolt has not been inserted too far such that further inward screw adjustment of the shoot bolt is prevented, as may be necessary on-site by the window fitter or otherwise after the arrangement has been assembled in a sash. In an alternative embodiment the opening 756 is on a side surface or in the base of the adjuster (i.e. rather than in the roof): and in yet a further embodiment the single opening 756 is replaced by two openings corresponding to the minimum and maximum predetermined allowable "insertion" shoot bolt positions before introduction to the sash, or by a series of holes so that the closeness of the shoot bolt inserted end to the minimum and maximum positions can be judged.

The arrangement is inserted in a profile, and the tongue and groove on head 552,572,592,752, and section 547 or housing 601,701, engaged as above described. At the factory, the fitter can turn handle 18,517 so that the shoot bolts are outwardly moved to their locking condition, and the shoot bolt tip 23 (Fig.6) or outer end cap 759 (Fig.l8) can be rotated by key 760 (Fig.19) until key face 762 is in contact with the sash outer surface, whereby to ensure that in use the bolt tip 23 or end cap 759 will project for locking the required amount yet when the handle is turned to the unlocked condition the cap will be retracted substantially flush with the sash outer surface or preferably with a combined quide and cover member 27.

In Fig.21, the spring 800 is located in the operating mechanism housing 30, being retained by boss 801. The adjuster 851 has a tongue 852 which closely fits into groove 853 in rack 541. Thus the shoot bolt (not shown) and the adjuster 851 mounted to the inner end (in use) thereon are fed towards the housing 30 during initial window fitting, with the head of adjuster 851 depressing spring 800 until the tongue 852 is aligned with groove 853, whereupon the tongue is resiliently biassed into the groove by spring 800.

The tongue and groove are thereafter held in engagement by the spring 800.

The outwards movement of rack 541 is limited by its engagement with inturned housing end 546a. This outwards movement is effected by a handle 18 (Fig.l) which in this embodiment has a square projecting portion which fits into square recess 42 in cockspur 40.

The relative position of rack 547 in Fig.22 can be contrasted with that of rack 541 in Fig.21 i.e. rack 547 is shown in the inwards non-locking condition for the adjuster and associated shoot bolt. Further inwards movement (to the left as viewed) of rack 547 is prevented by abutment with rack 541.

It will be understood from the respective drawings that the adjuster 751 of Fig.17 has a limited-length internally threaded portion 750, rather than the full-length internal thread of adjuster 551 (Fig.8). This can provide all the thread engagement necessary, and the cost and complication of full-length tapping of the adjuster is avoided.

Although it is possible to utilise a shoot bolt with only a limited-length external thread, we prefer a shoot bolt threaded for its full length.

Because the adjuster is closely coupled (without play) to the rack or equivalent operating member, all or substantially all the axial adjustment controlling the shoot bolt extension from the adjuster necessary for full engagement with a keeper mounted on or in the outer window frame 10 in known fashion can be effected by rotation of the outermost end of the shoot bolt i.e. the end remote from the adjuster. The retraction movement is controlled by the throw from handle 18.

In an alternative and preferred embodiment these functions are reversed i.e. the retracted shoot bolt position is set by screwing the shoot bolt into or out of the adjuster, by rotation of the shoot bolt outer end, whilst engagement in or with a keeper is determined by the handle rotation and gearing throw.

In the embodiment according to Fig.23, each shoot bolt has a first end 930 and a second end 932. First end 930 has a tongue 954, for a purpose described above. Second end 932 is threaded, and is rotatably mounted within a tapped recess 934 of bullet 936. Thus the bullet can be adjusted in position along the shoot bolt whereby to alter the length of the shoot bolt assembly.

Surface 938 of the bullet is part of an acircular outer peripheral cross section, which in use can slide within a correspondingly shaped opening 940 in a metal plate 942 fixed to the outer facing wall 944 of sash profile 14, and aligned with an enlarged opening opening 946 in profile 14.

In one method of adjustment, with the casement closed the bullet is positioned in opening 946, and the handle 18 gently turned to drive the shoot bolts 20 towards the locked (outwardly extended) condition. If a bullet fouls its keeper before the handle is fully turned, the casement is opened (to allow access to the bullet) which is then rotated in the angular direction to shorten the shoot bolt-bullet assembly; if the bullet fails to engage properly with the keeper, the casement is also first opened, and the bullet is rotated to lengthen the assembly. When the fitter is satisfied, the plate 942 is slid over the bullet and secured to the outer facing wall 944 of the (plastics) profile 14.

In an alternative method of assembly, and with however the handle 18 first turned to the full locking condition, the bullet is rotated by a key which has a recess of a predetermined depth corresponding to full locking engagement of the bullet with the keeper, the recess being of a crosssection to fit closely around the bullet. The key is rotated together with the bullet until the key engages the profile outer facing wall 944, which sets the required length of the shoot bolt bullet combination, whereupon the plate 942 is secured to the outer wall 944 of profile 14.

The bullet may be screwed to the shoot bolt by the manufacturer. We therefore provide means to view that the bullet is fitted with at least a required bearing length, as by the provision of aperture 970 in a bullet wall. To permit the bullet to be further screwed onto the threaded bolt end during assembly of the locking arrangement to a panel, a second aperture can provided to ensure that adjustment movement is still possible. In an alternative embodiment the shoot bolt can be threaded along its full length even though only part of the thread will be used.

An important feature is that the shoot bolt is not itself rotated. This is achieved both by its substantially nonflexible construction and by the mounting arrangement for its first end 930.

In the embodiment of Fig.25 the tongue is on a separate part screw-threaded to rod 930 but secured thereafter nonrotatably together, as by adhesive or by being pinned.

In an alternative operating mechanism each shoot bolt is connected to the rack outside the housing 30, possibly rigidly in known fashion: it will be understood that this will require a longer routed hole (upwardly as viewed in Fig.2) whereby to enable not only the housing 30 to be inserted into the profile (being thereafter retained by the screws for handle 18, with the profile wall sandwiched therebetween), but also to allow access to permit connection of the shoot bolt to the rack.

Preferably, and as shown in Fig.24, the bullet outer periphery is square in cross section (as therefore is the opening 940 in plate 942) and so can be rotated in discrete steps of 90 degrees i.e. prior to the metal guide and side thrust resisting plate 942 being affixed to the profile wall 944. In alternative embodiments the bullet may be hexagonal or octagonal.

In use the bullet is guided by one or both of the openings 940,942 and when so guided is prevented from rotating. Thus each shoot bolt is guided and supported in an outer wall 944 of a connecting sash frame member (extending upwardly as viewed in Fig.l) by guide and cover member 942, which in the Fig.23 embodiment is shown as a plate but could alternatively be differently shaped and/or have a backing, perhaps of plastics coloured as wall 944, to provide a longer guiding length for the shoot bolt and to help fill crevices in the outer face of wall 944 as extruded by the proprietary profile manufacturer (extruder).

Claims

1. A method of assembling a locking assembly into a panel which includes the steps of: placing an operating member into one frame member of the panel; inserting axially an inner end part of an operated member into said one frame member through another frame member of the panel; engaging the inner end part of the operated member with the operating member within the said one frame member to effect a coupling of the members; characterised by the further step after said coupling of rotating an outer end part of the operated member about the axis to effect adjustment of the combined axial length of the operating member and the operated member.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 characterised by the subsequent step of fitting holding means for the operated member into said another frame member whereby to hold the outer end part of the operated member against further rotational adjustment.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the step of engaging the inner end part and the operating member to effect the said coupling includes stressing a spring, whereby subsequent release of the coupling also requires stressing of the spring.

4. A locking assembly for an openable panel such as a door or window characterised in combination by : an operating member; an operated member having an inner end part and an outer end part; non-rotatable coupling means connecting the operating member and the inner end part of the operated member; and rotatable adjustment means for length adjustment of the coupled operating member and operated member.

5. A locking assembly according to claim 4 characterised in that the outer end part is one of square, hexagonal and octagonal in cross-section.

6. A locking assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5 characterised by operating member guide means mounted in a housing secured in one frame member of the panel arranged to constrain the operating member to substantially linear travel, and by operated member guide means to constrain movement of the operated member towards and away from a locking position with a portion of the outer end part projecting from another frame member of the panel.

7. A locking assembly according to any of claims 4-6 characterised in that the said outer end part is a hollow end piece, internally threaded and rotatably adjustably connected to an externally threaded portion of the operated member.

8. A locking assembly according to claim 7 characterised by a viewing opening in the end piece.

9. A locking assembly according to any of claims 4-6 characterised in that the said inner end part is a non rotatable coupling member rotatably adjustably connected to an externally threaded portion of the operated member.

10. A locking assembly according to claim 9 characterised by a viewing opening in the coupling member.

11. A locking assembly according to claim 4 characterised in that the said inner end part is an adjuster which is annular in cross-section, an engagement head having a groove, the head being carried by an axially inner portion of the adjuster such that it is engageable with a tongue carried by the operating member.

12. A locking assembly according to claim 11 characterised in that the engagement head carries a leaf spring mounted in cantilever, the free end of the spring being axially inwards of the cantilever mounting.

13. A locking assembly according to claim 6 characterised in that the coupling means is located inside the housing.

14. A locking assembly according to claim 6 characterised in that the coupling means is located outside the housing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method of assembling a locking arrangement into a panel comprising a first frame member and a second frame member which is at an angle to the first frame member, which includes the steps of: placing an operating member into the first frame member of the panel, said operating member being movable within the first frame member along an axis; holding the operating member against rotation about the axis; inserting an inner end part of an operated member into the first frame member through the second frame member of the panel, the inner end part being inserted substantially parallel to said axis; engaging the said inner end part of the operated member with the operating member within the said one frame member to effect a coupling of the operating and operated members;; and, after said coupling, rotating an outer end part of the operated member about the said axis to effect adjustment of the combined axial length of the operating member and the operated member.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 which includes the subsequent step of fitting holding means for the operated member into said second frame member whereby to hold the outer end part of the operated member against further adjustment rotation.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the step of engaging the inner end part and the operating member to effect the said coupling includes stressing a spring, the spring being stressed by the said inner part, whereby subsequent release of the coupling also requires stressing of the spring.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-3 wherein the said outer end part after said coupling is left projecting from the second frame member.

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-4 in which the said inner end part of the operated member has a projection and the operating member has a groove, the projection being engaged in the groove to effect the coupling by relative movement of the operating and operated members perpendicular to said axis.

6. A locking arrangement for an openable panel such as a door or window comprising a first frame member and a second frame member which is at an angle to the first frame member which includes: an operating member; an operated member having an inner end part and an outer end part; non-rotatable coupling means connecting the operating member and the inner end part of the operated member; and rotatable adjustment means for length adjustment of the coupled operating member and operated member.

7. A locking arrangement according to claim 6 in which the outer end part is one of square, hexagonal and octagonal in cross-section.

8. A locking arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7 which includes operating member guide means mounted in a housing secured in the first frame member of the panel and arranged to constrain the operating member to substantially linear travel, and by operated member guide means to constrain movement of the operated member towards and away from a locking position wherein a portion of the outer end part projects from the second frame member of the panel.

9. A locking arrangement according to any of claims 6-8 wherein the operated member is made up of two parts, the said outer end part being a hollow end piece which is internally threaded, the other part being externally threaded, the outer end part being rotatably adjustably connected to the externally threaded part of the operated member.

10. A locking arrangement according to claim 9 characterised by an aperture in the hollow end piece, the aperture permitting determination of the bearing length of the said other part within the hollow outer end part.

11. A locking arrangement according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the outer end part is selectively rotatable relative to the said other part, the parts being thereby adjustable in relative position, the said other part being non-rotatably connected to the operating member.

12. A locking arrangement according to any of claims 6-8 characterised by a coupling means between the operating member and the operated member, the coupling means being hollow and receiving a portion of the operated member, the coupling means having an opening, said opening extending along said axis whereby said portion of the operated member can be viewed through the opening.

13. A locking arrangement according to claim 12 in which the coupling means is internally threaded and the portion of the operated member is correspondingly externally threaded whereby to permit length adjustment by relative rotation of the coupling means and the said part, the coupling means having an engagement head, the head being carried by an axially inner portion of the coupling means, the engagement head being engageable with the operating member.

14. A locking arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the engagement head has a transverse groove and the operating member has a transverse tongue into which the groove can fit.

15. A locking arrangement according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the engagement head carries a leaf spring mounted in cantilever, the free end of the spring being axially inwards in the position of use of the cantilever mounting.

16. A locking arrangement according to claim 8 characterised in that the said coupling means is located inside the housing.

17. A method of assembling a locking arrangement into a panel comprising a first frame member and a second frame member, said frame members being interconnected and perpendicular, substantially as described with reference to Figs.1-9, or Fig.10, or Fig.11, or Fig.12 or Fig.13, or Fig.14, or Fig.l7, or Fig.21 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A locking arrangement constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to Figs.l-9, or Fig.10, or Fig.11, or Fig. 12 or Fig.l3, or Fig.l4, or Fig.l7, or Fig.21 of the accompanying drawings.