GB2327457A - Shoot bolt fastening for windows or doors - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoot-bolt fastening has a shoot-bolt 4, 5 connected to a handle operated mechanism 2 in a casing 3 by means of a composite connecting rod 1 comprising at least two elongate sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 connected end-to-end in axial alignment. At least one of the sections is a casting. Key operation of the mechanism 2 may be provided and a dead bolt 10 for locking the connecting rod 1. There may be a shoot-bolt 4, 5 at each end of the connecting rod which is connected at an intermediate part of its length to the handle operated mechanism. Sections 12, 14, 16 of the connecting rod connected to the or each shoot-bolt and to the handle operated mechanism are preferably made as rigid strips of plate metal, and one ore more cast intermediate section 13, 15 are connected between the rigid strip sections. The or each cast section may be of channel section and narrower than the strip sections. The inclusion of a cast section or sections in the composite connecting rod enables the rod to be made more cheaply than a conventional one piece connecting rod made as a continuous stamped metal strip, and without loss of strength.

Description

SHOOT-BOLT FASTENING FOR WINDOWS OR DOORS This invention relates to a shoot-bolt fastening for windows or doors in which at least one shoot-bolt adaptedsto be mounted at an edge of a window or door is caused to be moved linearly between retracted and shot positions by means of a handle. Such a fastening is hereinafter referred to as a "shoot-bolt fastening of the kind described".

A shoot-bolt fastening of the kind described may be used on a sliding or hinged window or door. The or each shoot-bolt may be arranged to engage with a keeper at a top and/or bottom edge and/or a side edge of a window or door. The fastening may be applied to a single window or door installation and the fastening may be applied to a live or slave window or door. It is usual for the or each shoot-bolt to be operated from a handle operated mechanism housed in a casing which is mounted on the window or door at an intermediate part, usually at or towards the centre, of the length of the closing edge of the window or door. Conventionally a single one-piece connecting rod connects the or a shoot-bolt to the handle operated mechanism. The connecting rod has needed to be robust because of the distance over which it extends from the handle operated mechanism to the shoot-bolt and the load it is required to take to transmit operation of the handle to the shoot-bolt. In order to meet this requirement the connecting rod has generally been made of metal bar or a stamped strip of metal plate. In consequence of the robustness of the one-piece connecting rod, the connecting rod has accounted for a significant part of the cost of known shoot-bolt fastenings of the kind described.

There is a need to reduce the cost of manufacturing shoot-bolt fastenings of the kind described for some applications of use at least without detracting from their operation and effectiveness. The present invention is aimed at addressing that need.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a shoot-bolt fastening is provided of the kind described in which a shoot-bolt is connected to a handle operated mechanism by means of a composite connecting rod comprising at least two elongate interconnected sections of which at least one is formed as a casting.

Preferably the composite connecting rod comprises sections each made as a rigid strip of plate metal, preferably stamped, connected respectively to the handle operated mechanism and to the shoot-bolt, and at least one intermediate section which is formed as a casting. If a hook or hooks is or are required to be operated by the connecting rod as well at an intermediate part or parts of the length of the connecting rod one or more further rigid strip sections, similarly made of plate metal, may be included in the connecting rod at the hook or hooks. Similarly, if the connecting rod carries a lateral bolt at an intermediate part of its length for engagement in a keeper opposite the edge of the window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use, the connecting rod may have a rigid strip section of plate metal at that bolt also.

For a window or door required to have shoot-bolts at opposite edges, for example top and bottom edges, the composite connecting rod can extend from one shoot-bolt to the other and be connected at an intermediate part of its length to the handle operated mechanism. Again rigid strip section of metal plate may be provided at the ends of the connecting rod which connect to the shoot-bolts and at the intermediate part to connect with the handle operated mechanism, with cast sections connected between the strip sections.

The strip sections of metal plate may, for example, be of stainless steel and the or each cast section may, for example, be of zinc.

Conveniently the or each cast section is of channel section to save on metal content whilst providing it with rigidity and strength. The or each cast section may be narrower than the strip sections.

It has been found that the inclusion of the or each cast section in the composite connecting rod can provide a substantial saving in the cost of the connecting rod over a conventional one-piece connecting rod made as a continuous stamped metal strip, whilst satisfactorily meeting the functional requirements of the connecting rod.

Furthermore the composite connecting rod may be made of a width to fit into and operate in a Eurogroove of a window or door.

The sections of the composite connecting rod may be secured together, end-to-end, in any convenient manner, for example by staking, screws or riveting.

It has been usual for the one-piece connecting rods of known shootbolt fastenings of the kind described to be coupled to the handle operated mechanisms inside the casings of the mechanisms. A shoot-bolt fastening in accordance with the present invention may have the composite connecting rod coupled to the handle operated mechanism so as to be on the outside of the casing of the mechanism. Preferably the connecting rod has a rigid strip section of plate metal coupled to the mechanism. The section may be received into a guide channel iri the outside of the casing but preferably it is located by guide posts within the width of the section.

An advantage of coupling the connecting rod to the handle operated mechanism on the outside of the casing, and of using the preferred guide posts, is that the width of the casing can also be reduced. It too may be made of a width to be received in a Eurogroove. of a window or door. A further advantage is that the fabricating and assembling of components of the casing, and of the mechanism it contains, may be simplified, which can produce a cost saving as well.

The handle operated mechanism may be arranged to be operated by a handle from one side of the fastening and by a key from an opposite side. A snib may be provided for preventing operation of the mechanism by either the handle or the key. A split spindle may be used having coaxial parts respectively arranged for the handle and key operation of the mechanism.

The handle operated mechanism may include a latch which is retractable by the handle against spring-loading. The latch may have a nose supported on a pin on which it is rotatable through 1800 for presenting the latch for left or right handed engagement with a keeper.

The fastening now provided may include a key-operated dead-bolt.

Preferably the dead-bolt engages with the connecting rod to lock the rod against movement for operating the shoot-bolt or bolts. The dead-bolt may engage in a complementary slot in a section of the composite connecting rod. Therefore, since the handle operated mechanism is connected to the connecting rod and the shot dead-bolt also engages with the connecting rod the mechanism is protected from being damaged in the event that the handle is forced in an attempt to operate the shoot-bolt or bolts. The spindle of the handle, or the handle, would break first in that event, which is relatively easy and cheap to replace.

The dead-bolt may be operated through a cylinder lock. A cam of the cylinder lock may operate the dead-bolt through a spring-loaded gate in the bolt.

A fastening in accordance with the present invention may be fitted to a window or door as original equipment, or it may be fitted as a replacement for another fastening. In the latter case a shoot-bolt or bolts of the fastening may be used with the existing keeper or keepers, if desired.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a window or door which includes a shoot-bolt fastening in accordance with the first aspect of the invention herein set forth.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a shoot-bolt fastening in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged section through a shoot-bolt casing of the fastening, Figure 3 in an enlarged section though a casing housing a handle operated mechanism of the fastening, and Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section through part of a window fitted with the fastening.

Referring to Figure 1, the shoot-bolt fastening of this embodiment of the invention, suitable for use on a casement window or door, comprises a composite connecting rod 1 connected to a handle operated mechanism 2 in a central casing 3, top and bottom shoot-bolts 4 and 5 respectively in respective top and bottom bolt casings 6 and 7, and a hook 8 in a hook casing 9. A key operated dead-bolt 10 is also housed in the central casing 3. A cover strip 11 extends over the connecting rod 1 for the full length of the rod.

The composite connecting rod 1 is made up of a number of elongate section 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 connected end-to-end in axial alignment.

Sections 12, 14 and 16 are each made as a rigid strip stamped from metal plate, preferably stainless steel, and sections 13 and 15, which alternate with the strip sections, are made as castings, preferably of zinc. Strip sections 12 and 16, hereinafter referred to as end strip sections, are at opposite ends of the connecting rod 1 to co-operate respectively with the top and bottom shoot-bolts 4, 5 and the other strip section 14, hereinafter referred to as the central strip section, is positioned centrally of the length of the connecting rod to co-operate with the handle operated mechanism 2, and also with the hook 8. All the strip sections are of a common width and thickness. The cast sections 13, 15 extend in the intervening spaces respectively between the top bolt casing 6 and the hook casing 9 and between the bottom bolt casing 7 and the central casing 3.

The end strip sections 12 and 16 have openings, not shown, stamped out of them respectively for the top and bottom shoot-bolts 4, 5 to extend through and the central strip section 14 has openings, not shown, stamped out of it for a latch 17 of the handle operation mechanism 2 and the dead-bolt 10 to extend through. Each strip section also has holes, not shown, stamped out of it adjacent to its ends for its connection to the adjoining cast section 13, 15, as will be described below.

The cast sections 13, 15 are each of a squared channel section deeper than the thickness of the strip sections and of narrower external width than the strip sections. They have recesses 18 formed at opposite ends in their web portions of a depth complementary to the thickness of the strip sections. Integral stakes, not shown, are formed at the recesses 18. The strip sections have their ends located in the recesses 18 of the adjoining cast sections, the holes in the ends being engaged by the stakes which are then headed to secure the strip sections firmly to the cast sections. Instead of by the stakes, the strip and cast sections may be secured together by means of rivets or screws. When the sections are secured together the outer surfaces of the web portions of the cast sections are flush with outer surfaces of the strip sections so that the composite connecting rod 1 presents a continuous planar outer face, as shown in Figure 1.

Typically the width of the strip sections 12,14,16 of the composite connecting rod is 12mm and the external width of the cast sections 13,15 is 8mm. The connecting rod, therefore, can be fitted into the Eurogroove of a window or door.

The strip sections are of lengths to extend respectively over and beyond the top and bottom bolt casings 6, 7 and over the central casing 3 and hook casing 9 in combination, sufficiently just to allow for the movement of the connecting rod to shoot and retract the shoot-bolts 4, 5, typically 16mm.

The top and bottom shoot-bolts 4, 5 and their casings are similar, being of the form shown in Figure 2. Each shoot-bolt has a diagonal slot 19 in it engaged by a pin 20 of a slide member 21 which is secured, as by screws, to the under surface of the respective end strip section 12, 16. The slide member 21 has an opening 22 in it through which the shoot-bolt extends and which registers with the opening for the shoot-bolt in the respective end strip section. The opening 22 and registering opening in the end strip section are of a length to allow for the movement of the connecting rod between retracting and shooting the shoot-bolts. Slide member 21 is slidingly accommodated in the respective casing 6, 7 for movement longitudinally of the connecting rod and the shoot-bolt is slidingly engaged in a guide part 23 of the casing which guides the shoot-bolt in its movement transversely through the connecting rod. The interengagement between the diagonal slot 19 of the shoot-bolt and the pin 20 of the slide member 21 causes and restricts movement of the shoot-bolt between a retracted position in which its nose is substantially flush with the outer surface of the connecting rod and a shot position in which it projects appreciably from that surface.

The connecting rod extends along the outside of the central casing 3, the central strip section 14 sliding along a front wall 24 of the casing. As mentioned, the central casing 3 houses both the handle operated mechanism 2 and the key operated dead-bolt 10. The handle operated mechanism 2 comprises the latch 17, a handle, not shown, operable at one side of the central casing, a two-part split spindle 25 to a first part of which the handle and a first lever 26 are attached for rotation therewith, a first latch operating slide 27 and a rack 28. The rack 28 is fixed, as by screws, to the central strip section 14 through an opening 29 in the front wall 24 of the casing. It is engaged by the first lever 26 to move the connecting rod on turning of the handle for shooting and retracting the shoot-bolts. A second lever, not shown, on that same first part of the split spindle 25 engages with the first latch operating slide 27 which is slidable parallel to the front wall 24 and has an inclined face 30 which co-operates with a complementary inclined face 31 on the latch 17.

The latch 17 is urged to a normal projected position, as shown in Figure 3, by a spring 32 on a locator 33 mounted on a back wall 34 of the central casing 3. By this spring loading and the interengagement of the inclined faces 30, 31 of the latch operating slide 27 and the latch the handle is normally urged to an inoperative position. The handle has to be turned in one angular direction from the inoperative position to move the connecting rod so as to shoot the shoot-bolts and in the opposite angular direction from the inoperative position to retract the latch 17 and move the connecting rod to retract the shoot-bolts.

The latch 17 has a bevelled nose 35 which can be fixed on the latch in either of two positions for left or right hand operation of the latch, to suit the window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use.

A second part, not shown, of the split spindle 25, co-axial with but separate from the first part, carries a third lever, not shown, which is arranged to be turned by a cylinder lock 36 and also co-operates with the rack 28. The rack 28 may be moved, therefore, by key-operation of the cylinder lock 36 to move the connecting rod through the third lever to shoot and retract the shoot-bolts.

For assembly of the mechanism in the central casing 3, the three levers of the split spindle 25 are initially connected by a small diameter (typically 2mm) plastics pin, not shown, inserted into aligned holes drilled into the levers. This facilitates not only the fitting of the levers but also location of other components of the mechanism as they are assembled in the central casing. The plastics pin shears upon relative turning between the two parts of the split spindle so that the third lever is then free to turn independently of the other two levers. Thus, the latch is operable only from one side of the window or door to which the shoot-bolt fastening is fitted for use.

The two parts of the split spindle 25 are urged together to the correct position for use by coil springs acting co-axially on the outer ends of the two parts of the split spindle.

The dead-bolt 10 is housed in the central casing 3 at the opposite side of the split spindle 25 from the latch and is slidable parallel to the latch between shot and retracted positions. It is operated by key through the cylinder lock 36. A cam 37 of the lock engages with a spring-loaded gate 38 in the dead-bolt to move the dead-bolt between the shot and retracted positions. The dead-bolt can be shot when the shoot-bolts have been shot by operation of the connecting rod, the dead-bolt engaging as a close sliding fit in a mating opening in the central strip section 14 of the connecting rod, thereby securing the shoot-bolts against retraction.

The cam 37 of the cylinder lock is also engageable with a second latch operating slide 39. This engagement can be made by further turning of the key in the unlocking direction when the cylinder lock has been operated to retract the dead-bolt. The second latch operating slide 39 slides transversely of the dead-bolt in a guideway 40 of the dead-bolt to co-operate with the slide 27. Movement of the rack by the second latch operating slide moves the connecting rod to release the shoot-bolts and contact of the second lever on the split spindle 25 with the slide 27 retracts the latch against its spring loading. Return of the latch 28 by the spring loading to its normal projected position restores the first and second latch operating slides to their inoperative positions.

The dead-bolt 10 contains protective roller pins, not shown, which are located so as to be in the gap between the frame and the window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use, when the dead-bolt is shot.

This prevents cutting of the dead-bolt as a deterrent to unauthorised entry at the window or door. Typically, the dead-bolt is 8.5mum thick for robustness.

Hook 8 co-operates with the central strip section 14 of the connecting rod which extends over a front wall 41 of the hook casing 9.

When the connecting rod is moved in the direction to shoot the shootbolts 4, 5, the hook 8 is projected through an opening, not shown, in the central strip section for engagement with a keeper, not shown. The hook 8 is retracted when the connecting rod is moved in the opposite direction.

The central casing 3, the top and bottom bolt casings 6, 7 and the hook casing 9 are all of a common width to be received within a Eurogroove 42, Figure 4, of a window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use. The fact that the gate 38 is provided in the dead-bolt 10, within the thickness of the bolt, instead of outside the bolt as would be the conventional arrangement, enables the central casing to be kept to a narrow width for insertion into a Eurogroove.

Keepers for use with the shoot-bolts, latch, dead bolt and hook may be of conventional forms. Existing keepers may be used when the fastening is fitted as a replacement for another shoot-bolt fastening.

In the fitting of the fastening to a casement window, for example, having a Eurogroove 42, as shown in Figure 4, the shoot-bolt casings, central casing and hook casing are located and secured in the Eurogroove.

The connecting rod, the strip sections of which. are of the same width as the casings, is also accommodated as a sliding fit in the Eurogroove, the cast sections 13, 15 sliding freely in the Eurogroove between the casings.

The cover strip 11 is subsequently fitted and secured to close the mouth of the Eurogroove 42. The cover strip is formed as a stamping from metal plate, extends continuously for the length of the Eurogroove and has the necessary openings formed in it for the shoot-bolts, latch, dead-bolt and hook to project through to their keepers.

Although the strip sections 12, 14, 16 of the connecting rod are of narrow width they can be accurately formed by stamping, as they are of relatively short lengths. The much longer cover strip 11, fitting as it does in the wider mouth of the Eurogroove, is wider than the strip sections, typically 16mm as compared with 12mm for the strip sections, is able to be formed satisfactorily by stamping as well because of its greater width.

Conveniently the casings, the component parts of the handle operated mechanism 2, the gate 38 and the second latch operating slide 39 are all made as investment castings.

If, when the fastening is fitted for use to a window or door, there should be any attempt to force the handle while the shoot-bolts are shot and locked by the dead-bolt, damage to the mechanism in the central casing is prevented by virtue of the location of the connecting rod outside the central casing. The connecting rod is held secure by the dead-bolt against any movement, which in turn holds the mechanism inside the central casing secure against forced movement. Only the split spindle 25 and/or the handle itself may be damaged by forcing of the handle and they can be readily replaced.

A substantial saving can be achieved in the cost of production of the fastening described as compared with generally known shoot-bolt fastenings of the kind described, without detriment to the functional soundness and security of the fastening. In addition, the fastening has the advantage of fitting into a Eurogroove of a window or door.

Claims (28)

1. A shoot-bolt fastening of the kind described in which a shoot bolt is connected to a handle operated mechanism by means of a composite connecting rod comprising at least two elongate interconnected sections of which at least one is formed as a coating.

2. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 1 in which the composite connecting rod comprises sections each made as a rigid strip of plate metal connected respectively to the handle operated mechanism and to the shoot-bolt, and at least one intermediate section which is formed as a casting.

3. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 2 in which the rigid strip sections are stamped from plate metal.

4. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising at least one hook operated by the connecting rod at an intermediate part of the length of the connecting rod, the connecting rod having a rigid strip section made of plate metal at the hook.

5. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which a lateral bolt is carried by the connecting rod at an intermediate part of the length of the connecting rod for engagement with a keeper opposite the edge of the window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use, the connecting rod having rigid strip section of plate metal at the lateral bolt.

6. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which shoot-bolts are provided at opposite ends of the connecting rod and the connecting rod is connected at an intermediate part of its length to the handle operated mechanism.

7. A shoot-bolt mechanism according to claim 6 as dependent from claim 2 or claim 3 in which the connecting rod has rigid strip sections at its ends which are connected to the shoot-bolts, a rigid strip section at an intermediate part which is connected with the handle operated mechanism, and cast sections connected between the rigid strip sections.

8. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any of claims 2, 3, 4 and 7, or either of claims 5 and 6 as dependent from any of claims 2 to 4, in which the rigid strip sections are connected to the or each cast section by staked connections, the or each cast section being formed with integral stakes and the rigid strip sections being formed with holes with which the stakes are engaged to make the connections.

9. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the or each cast section is made of zinc.

10. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any of claims 2 to 9 in which the rigid strip sections are made of stainless steel.

11. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the or each cast section is of channel section.

12. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any of claims 2 to 11 in which the or each cast section is narrower than the rigid strip sections.

13. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the connecting rod and handle operated mechanism are made of a width to fit into and operate in a Eurogroove of a window or door.

14. A shoot bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the connecting rod is coupled to the handle operated mechanism on the outside of a casing of the mechanism.

15. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 14 as dependent form any of claims 2 to 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12 in which the casing has guide posts which are engaged with the connecting rod, within the width of the rigid strip section connected to the handle operated mechanism, thereby to locate the connecting rod with respect to the casing.

16. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 14 as dependent from any of claims 2 to 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12 in which the casing has a guide channel in its outside in which is received the rigid strip section connected to the handle operated mechanism, thereby to guide the connecting rod in its operating movement.

17. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the or each shoot-bolt is movable transversely of the connecting rod between retracted and shot positions, being coupled to one, or a respective one, of the sections of the connecting rod to be moved by the connecting rod between the retracted and shot positions.

18. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 17 in which the or each shoot-bolt is slidingly engaged between the retracted and shot positions, the or each shoot bolt has a diagonal slot in it engaged by a pin of a slide member secured to the, or the respective, section of the connecting rod and slidingly accommodated in the casing of the shoot-bolt for movement longitudinally of the connecting rod relative to the casing, the slide member having an opening in it through which the shoot-bolt extends and which is in register with an opening in the section, and the interengagement between the diagonal slot of the shoot-bolt and the pin of the slide member under movement of the connecting rod relative to the casing causing, and restricting, movement of the shoot-bolt between the retracted and shot positions, in which latter position the shoot-bolt projects from the section through the opening therein.

19. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the handle operated mechanism includes a latch retractable by the handle against spring-loading and having a nose supported on a pin in which the nose is rotatable through 1800 for presenting the latch for left or right handed engagement with a keeper.

20. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim including a key-operated dead-bolt which is engageable with the connecting rod to lock the connecting rod against movement for operating the or each shoot-bolt.

21. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 20 in which one of the sections of the connecting rod has a slot complementary to the dead bolt in which the dead-bolt is engageable to lock the connecting rod.

22. A shoot bolt fastening according to claim 20 or claim 21 in which the dead-bolt is operated by a cylinder lock having a cam which operated the dead-bolt through a spring-loaded gate in the bolt.

23. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any of claims 20 to 22 in which the dead-bolt contains protective roller pins located so as to be in the gap between the window or door to which the fastening is fitted for use and the frame thereof when the dead bolt is shot, thereby to prevent cutting of the dead bolt for unauthorised entry at the window or door.

24. A shoot-bolt fastening according to any preceding claim in which the handle operated mechanism is operable by the handle from one side of the fastening and is connected to a key-operated lock to be operable by means of a key from an opposite side of the fastening.

25. A shoot-bolt fastening according to claim 24 in which the handle operated mechanism comprises a or the casing of the mechanism, a latch, spring loaded to a projected latching position, the handle operable at one side of the casing, a split spindle, having relatively turnable first and second parts to the first part of which the handle and first and second levers are attached for rotation therewith, a latch operating slide and a rack fixed to one of the sections of the connecting rod, and on the second part of which split spindle a third lever is carried, the first lever engaging with the rack such that the connecting rod is moved on turning of the handle in one direction for shooting and in the opposite direction for retracting the or each shoot-bolt, the second lever engaging with the latch operating slide which co-operates with the latch to cause the latch to be retracted when the handle is turned in the direction to retract the or each shoot bolt, and the third lever engaging with the rack and being connected to the key-operated lock to be turnable by operation of the lock, thereby enabling the rack to be moved to shoot and retract the or each shoot-bolt by key-operation of the lock.

26. A shoot bolt fastening according to claim 25 in which the first, second and third levers of the split spindle are initially connected to be restrained from relative rotation by a pin inserted into aligned holes in the levers, thereby to facilitate fitting of the levers for use and location of other components of the mechanism as they are assembled in the casing, the pin being shearable upon relative turning between the first and second parts of the split spindle so that the third lever is free to turn independently of the first and second levers.

27. A window or door which includes a shoot-bolt fastening in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

28. Shoot-bolt fastening substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.