GB2340872A

GB2340872A - An actuating mechanism for a locking system

Info

Publication number: GB2340872A
Application number: GB9818700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin John Sherratt; Kevin Leslie White
Original assignee: WINKHAUS
Current assignee: WINKHAUS
Priority date: 1998-08-28
Filing date: 1998-08-28
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: GB9818700D0

Abstract

An actuating mechanism for a window or door locking system converts rotational movement of a shaft 4 by a handle, in a first rotational direction, into a linear motion of a drive rod 20 in a first linear direction. The mechanism is to convert the first rotational motion to linear motion in a second, opposite, linear direction. In the arrangement shown, a drive gear 5 moves a rack 10 in the first linear direction and a member 30 can couple the rack 10 (at 13) to the drive rod 20 (at 21). Gears 14, 15 act between rack 10 and a further rack 16 to drive rack 16 in the second, opposite, linear direction and if required the drive rod 20 can be coupled to rack 16 (at 18) by member 30.

Description

2340872 REVERSING GEARBOX The present invention relates to gearbox

mechanisms, and in particular to drive mechanisms suitable for handle-actuated locking systems for windows and doors.

Locking systems for windows and doors often use an actuating mechanism which includes a handle, a gearbox and a drive rod. The gearbox converts rotational motion of the handle into a linear motion of the chive rod. The drive rod is connected to a locking mechanism, or to a series of locking mechanisms distributed around the window frame.

Such actuating mechanisms are commonplace in windows and doors manufactured from timber, GRP, plastics and composite materials.

They are widely used for single point locking mechanisms and for multipoint locking mechanisms, including those with corner drive units which translate movement of a drive rod on one side of the window sash to one or more of the other sides of the window sash for a greater number of locking points, and for multi-function locking mechanisms such as tiltand-turn type windows.

A common problem is that in many cases the actuating mechanism must be type-specified by the end-user before manufacture and/or installation of the window unit for either left- or right-handed operation, depending upon factors such as whether the window is left or right hinge opening, and/or the proximity of adjacent window furniture or walls.

This means that, conventionally, two different types of actuating mechanism must be manufactured and supplied when constructing windows, and the window sash end-use configuration must be known in advance. This has an inevitable impact on manufacturing efficiency, stock control, inventory size and introduces the further possibility of error when supplying ordering information.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an actuating mechanism suitable for use in locking systems on doors and windows, which actuating mechanism is readily adaptable to both left- and righthanded configurations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reversible gearbox for an actuating mechanism which can be readily reconfigured to convert clockwise or anticlockwise rotational motion to linear motion in a selected direction.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an actuating mechanism for converting rotational movement of a shaft in a first rotational direction into a linear motion of a drive rod in a first linear direction, the actuating mechanism being reconfigurable to convert said is rotational motion to linear motion in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction, the actuating mechanism including a clutch member which can be repositioned to achieve said reconfiguration.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an actuating mechanism comprising:

a housing; a driving gear adapted to be rotated about an axis; a first drive rack adapted to be driven in a first linear direction by said driving gear rotating in a first direction of rotation; a second drive rack adapted to be driven in a second linear direction opposite to said first linear direction by said driving gear rotating in said first direction of rotation; a drive rod, optionally engageable with either said first or said second drive rod to move in concert therewith; lock means for engaging said drive rod with the first drive rack or with the second drive rack.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

2 Figure 1 shows in perspective view, an exploded diagram of the actuating mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show, respectively, perspective view, end view and rear view of the actuating mechanism of figure 1, including an operating handle, in a right-handed configuration with a drive rod in the open position; Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show, respectively, perspective view, end view and rear view of the actuating mechanism of figure 1, including an operating handle, in a right-handed configuration with the drive rod in the closed position; Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show, respectively, perspective view, end view and rear view of the actuating mechanism of figure 1, including an operating handle, in a left-handed configuration with the drive rod in the open position; Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show, respectively, perspective view, end view and rear view of the actuating mechanism of figure 1, including an operating handle, in a left-handed configuration with the drive rod in the open position; Figures 6a and 6b respectively show perspective views from above and below a drive rack of the mechanism of figure 1; Figures 7a and 7b respectively show perspective views of the front and rear from below of a slave rack of the mechanism of figure 1; Figures 8a and 8b show perspective views from both sides of a drive gear of the mechanism of figure 1; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a pinion of the mechanism of figure 1; Figures 10a and 10b respectively show perspective views of the inside and outside of a front or rear half of the housing of the mechanism of figure 1; Figure 11 shows a plan view of a drive rod of the mechanism of figure 1; Figures 12a and 12b respectively show perspective views from above and below of a clutch member of the mechanism of figure 1; 3 Figures 13a and 13b respectively show perspective views of the rear and front of the assembled mechanism of figure 1, with part cut away in figure 13b; and Figures 14a, l4b and 14c respectively show perspective views from above and below, and a cross-sectional profile of an alternative clutch member to that of figure 12.

With reference to figure 1 there is shown an actuating mechanism 1, suitable for a window closure, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The actuating mechanism 1 includes a housing generally formed in two parts, comprising a rear half 2 (shown detached) and a front half 3.

Within the housing 2, 3 is supported a rotatable shaft 4 which is preferably integrally formed with a drive gear 5. The rotatable shaft 4 includes a keyed socket 6 at each end, which is preferably provided by a simple square section hole extending axially through the entire shaft 4 as shown in the figures. The keyed socket 6 is adapted to receive a handle 7 (shown in figures 2 to 5) for opening and closing a window in which the actuating mechanism is installed.

In the preferred embodiment, the drive gear 5 comprises a 90' toothed gear sector which is able to rotate through a 90' turn within the housing 2, 3. However, other configurations may be used as required, eg. a 180 gear sector having 180' rotational freedom within the housing.

The drive gear 5 engages with a drive rack member 10 (also shown in greater detail in figure 6). The drive rack member 10 includes a first rack 11 which is in driven engagement with the drive gear 5, and a second rack 12, parallel with the first rack 11 but having teeth orthogonal to the teeth of the first rack 11. The second rack 12 may be formed in two parts separated longitudinally, as seen in figure 6, but could also be formed as a single rack. At one longitudinal end of the drive rack member 10 is a slot 13.

4 Also mounted in the housing 2, 3 are a pair of pinions 14, 15 which are in driven engagement with the second rack 12 of the drive rack member 10. Each of these pinions 14, 15 communicates longitudinal movement of the drive rack member 10 to a slave rack member 16. The slave rack member 16 includes a third rack 17 (seen in figure 7), which is correspondent to the second rack 12 of the drive rack member 10. This, too may be formed in two parts separated longitudinally, as seen in figure 7. At one longitudinal end of the slave rack member 16 is a slot 18.

The drive rack member 10 and slave rack member 16 lie side-by-side within the housing 2, 3, with at least the portion including slots 13, 18 extending longitudinally out from one end of the housing 2, 3. In the home position of the drive gear 5 shown in figure 1, the drive rack member 10 is in an extended position (ie. with the slot 13 remote from the housing 2, 3) and the slave rack member 16 is in a retracted position (ie. slot 18 is proximal to the housing).

The drive rack member 10 and slave rack member 16 lie above a drive rod 20 which extends through the housing 2, 3. The drive rod 20 is retained in the housing by a baseplate 8 on each of the front part 3 and rear part 2 of the housing which bears upon the inside (uppermost) surface 23 of the drive rod 20.

The drive rod 20 includes a pair of slots 22, 21 (see also figure 11 which reveals slot 22), which are respectively adapted to laterally align with the drive rack member slot 13 or the slave rack member slot 18. The drive rod 20, during assembly of the actuating mechanism 1, is longitudinally slidable through the housing to align one of the drive rack member slot 13 and slave rack member slot 18 with its respective slot 22, 21 in the drive rod 20. As viewed from the perspective of figure 1, the upper surface of the drive rod 20 is the inside surface 23 of the rod, eg. the surface which is presented towards the edge of a window sash or door frame. The lower surface 24 of the drive rod 20 is the outside surface, eg. the surface which is exposed along an edge, or around a periphery of a window sash. The drive rod 20 includes a pair of bevelled edges 25, 26 on each lateral edge adjacent the slots 21, 22, the function of which will be described hereinafter.

A clutch pin 30 comprises a pair of side clips 31, 32 to attach the clutch pin to the outside surface of the drive rod 20. The clutch pin 30 also includes a long pin 33, and a short pin 34 each extending from one face.

When the clutch pin 30 is clipped onto the outside surface of the drive rod 20, the short pin 34 extends into the drive rod, but not beyond the inside surface 23 thereof. The long pin 33 extends right through the drive rod 20 and into one of either the drive rack member 10 or the slave rack member 16, dependent upon the orientation of the clutch pin 30.

During assembly of the actuating mechanism 1, the drive rod is therefore slid to a position in which one of the drive rod slots 22, 21 is longitudinally in alignment with a respective one of the drive rack member slot 13 or slave rack member slot 18. The clutch pin 30 is then attached to the drive rod 20 by clipping it onto the outside face 24 such that clips 31, 32 engage with bevelled edges 25, 26. The orientation of the clutch pin 30 when it is attached to the drive rod 20 determines whether the long pin 33 engages with the drive rack slot 13 or with the slave rack slot 18. This, in turn, determines in which direction the drive rod 20 will travel when the rotatable shaft 4 is rotated through 90' from its home position of figure 1 - With reference to figures 2 to 5, exemplary embodiments of the actuating mechanism 1 installed in both left-handed and right-handed configurations are shown.

In figure 2a, the actuating mechanism 1 is shown configured for right hand opening. In the diagram, the actuating mechanism is shown from the rear, ie. with the window opening handle 7 behind, as it would appear from outside an opening window which is hinged at the top. The drive rod 20 would be mounted on the bottom edge of the window sash 6 with the actuating mechanism installed in a recess in the sash. The handle 7 is in the open position, with slave rack member 16 extended and drive rack member 10 retracted. The clutch pin 30 is configured to engage the drive rod 20 with the slave rack member 16 to maintain the slave rack member in fixed relation to the drive rod. The drive rack member 10 is therefore free-running with respect to the drive rod 20.

Movement of the handle 7 clockwise (viewed from the handle side) to the closed position of figure 3 causes the drive rack member 10 to move to its extended position simultaneously with the slave rack member 16 moving to its retracted position. The drive rod 20 moves in concert with the slave rack member 16, thereby moving to the right as viewed from the front (handle side) when the handle 7 is moved to the closed position.

In figure 4a, the actuating mechanism 1 is shown configured for lefthand opening. Like figures 2 and 3, the actuating mechanism is shown from the rear as it would appear from outside an opening window which is hinged at the top. The handle 7 is in the open position, with drive rack member 10 extended and slave rack member 10 retracted. The clutch pin 30 is configured to engage the drive rod 20 with the drive rack member 10 to maintain the drive rack member in fixed relation to the drive rod. The slave rack member 16 is therefore free-running with respect to the drive rod 20.

Movement of the handle 7 anticlockwise as viewed from the front (handle side) of the mechanism to the closed position of figure 5 causes the drive rack member 10 to move to its retracted position simultaneously with the slave rack member 16 moving to its extended position. The drive rod 20 moves in concert with the drive rack member, thereby moving to the right as viewed from the front (handle side) when the handle 7 is moved to the closed position.

It will be understood that, at the time of installation, the drive gear 5 can 35 be turned to an appropriate ftilly anticlockwise or fully clockwise "open" 7 position dependent upon the type of handle being fitted and the "handedness" of operation. The drive rod 20 is then slid into longitudinal position so that the slots 22, 21 therein lie in longitudinal alignment with the slot 13 or 18 of whichever of the drive rack member 10 or slave rack member 16 is in the extended position.

The clutch pin 30 is then clipped into place with the long pin 33 engaging the drive rod 20 with the selected one of the drive rack member or slave rack member which is in the extended position.

Thus, the actuating mechanism 1 can be provided partially assembled, the final stage of assembly of drive rod 20 and clutch pin 30 being left to the end-user according to the required circumstances of use.

Alternatively, the mechanism may be provided ready assembled in one of the two possible configurations. The end-user is then easily able to convert the mechanism to the opposite configuration, if required. A particular advantage of the preferred embodiment illustrated is that reconfiguration can be effected even after installation since the clutch pin, being attached to the outside surface of the drive rod, is accessible after the mechanism has been fitted into a window sash. Ideally, the clutch pin includes a small recess or aperture 36 which allows a screwdriver or similar implement to be used to prise the "clip- fit" clutch pin 30 off the drive rod 20.

To switch the direction of the actuating mechanism, the clutch pin is prised off the drive rod, thereby resulting in both drive rack member 10 and slave rack member 16 being free-running with respect to the drive rod 20. The handle is then turned from its initial setting to its opposite setting causing the drive rack member and slave rack member to exchange longitudinal positions. The clutch pin is turned through 180" and reattached to the drive rod.

Alternatively, the handle is moved to a mid-position in which the drive rack member 10 and slave rack member 16 are in alignment. The clutch pin may then be prised off, rotated through 180' and reattached.

The drive rod 20 may be of any appropriate type or profile to suit a window frame in which the actuating mechanism is installed. An exemplary rectangular cross-section strip drive rod for fitting standard sash profiles is shown in figure 11 and typically measures 10 mm by 3 mm in cross-section, with slots 21, 22 of approximately 2 mm by 10 mm. It will be understood, however, that slots 21, 22 could be replaced by apertures of any suitable shape according to the configuration of the clutch pin 30. The drive rod is typically constructed of stainless steel, although glass-reinforced plastics and other suitable materials could be used.

The drive rack member W and slave rack member 16, shown in detail respectively in figures 6 and 7, are preferably formed in a high strength zinc alloy although other suitable materials such as stainless steel or GRP could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the first, second and third racks 11, 12 and 17 have teeth profile as illustrated in the drawing insets of figures 6 and 7.

The rotatable shaft 4 and drive gear 5 are preferably of unitary construction as shown in detail in figure 8, preferably formed from high strength zinc alloy although other suitable materials such as stainless steel or GRP could be used. The tooth profile is adapted so as to co operate with the teeth of the first drive rack member.

The pinions 14, 15 are preferably identical and are shown in detail in figure 9. These are preferably formed from sintered mild steel or high strength copper / brass alloys although they could also be injection die cast in high strength zinc alloy or brass / copper alloys. Other suitable materials such as stainless steel or GRP could also be used. The tooth profile is adapted so as to co-operate with the second and third racks 12, 17.

9 The housing rear and front parts 2, 3 are preferably identical and are shown in detail in figure 10. They are preferably formed from a suitable material such as high strength zinc alloy, stainless steel, GRP or other.

The clutch pin 30 is shown in detail in figure 12, and is preferably formed from glass-filled nylon 6,6 or other GRP, but could also be formed from other suitable materials such as stainless steel or high strength zinc alloy. 10 It will be understood that the profile of the long and short pins 33, 34 of the clutch pin 30 may be any suitable shape to conform to slots or apertures in the drive rod 20, drive rack and slave rack members 10, 16. 15 In the embodiment described with reference to the figures, the clutch pin 30 is retained within the drive rod 20 and drive rack member 10 or slave rack member 16 by way of side clips 31, 32. Other attachment mechanisms are possible. For example, in another embodiment, retention of the clutch pin 30a is achieved by a barbed and resilient split 20 end 33b of the long pin 33a as shown in figures 14a to 14c.

A corresponding recess (not shown) is provided in the drive rack member slot 13 and slave rack member slot 18 positioned to catch and retain the barbs by whichever of the drive or slave rack members the long pin 33a is inserted into. Thus, the clutch pin is retained by the inside surfaces of either the drive rack member slot 13 or the slave rack member slot 18. This variation allows complete omission of the side clips 31a, 32a if this is desired, to simplify the design of the drive rod 20.

In another embodiment, the clutch pin 30 could be replaced generally by any suitable clutch member which effects a disengageable connection between one or other of the drive rack member 10 and slave rack member 16 to the drive rod 20.

The function of the clutch pin 30 could also, therefore, be provided more generally in one or more discrete parts. A lock means comprising two separate lock members might be used to engage with one of each of the drive rack and slave rack members. Only one lock member would be deployed at any one time. An exemplary system might include one or more snap-fit rivets for each of the drive rack and slave rack, to engage a selected one of the drive rack and slave rack to the drive rod. Alternatively, the function could be achieved with a pair of grub screws.

In a further alternative, the clutch member or lock means might form an integral part of the drive rod 20 or be permanently attached thereto.

11

Claims

1. An actuating mechanism for converting rotational movement of a shaft in a first rotational direction into a linear motion of a drive rod in a first linear direction, the actuating mechanism being reconfigurable to convert said rotational motion to linear motion in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction, the actuating mechanism including a clutch member which can be repositioned to achieve said reconfiguration.

2. An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 in which said clutch member is reversed to achieve said reconfiguration.

3. An actuating mechanism according to claim 1 or clahn 2 in which said clutch member is accessible from an outside surface of the actuator mechanism to achieve said reconfiguration.

4. An actuating mechanism according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 in which the shaft includes a gear which is in driving engagement with a first drive rack and with a second drive rack, movement of said first and second drive racks being in opposing directions, the actuating mechanism further including a drive rod being in driven engagement with either said first or said second drive rack according to the positioning of said clutch member.

5. An actuating mechanism according to claim 4 in which each of the drive racks and the drive rod includes an aperture therein, the clutch member having a pin adapted to pass through the drive rod aperture and a selected one of the drive rack apertures.

6. An actuating mechanism according to claim 5 in which the drive racks are in side-by-side relationship, both in overlying relationship with the drive rod, the drive rod having a pair of apertures laterally spaced therein, and in which the clutch member extends laterally across the drive rod being removable attached thereto, the selection of apertures 12 through which the pin passes being by altering the orientation of the clutch member.

7. An actuating mechanism according to claim 6 further including at least one pinion positioned between said first and second drive racks, the at least one pinion communicating movement of the shaft gear to the second drive rack via the first drive rack.

8. An actuating mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 7 in which the drive rod comprises an elongate, rectangular cross-section rod adapted to extend along a groove in a window sash, having an internal face abutting against the drive racks and an external face against which the clutch member bears.

9. An actuating mechanism according to claim 8 in which the external face of the drive rod includes a recess for receiving a portion of the clutch member.

10. An actuating mechanism according to claim 9 in which the clutch member clips to the sides of the drive rod.

11. An actuating mechanism comprising:

13 12. An actuating mechanism according to claim 11 in which the lock means comprises a clutch member which can be repositioned to switch from a first actuating mechanism configuration in which the drive rod is in driven engagement with the first drive rack to a second actuating mechanism configuration in which the drive rod is in driven engagement with the second drive rack.

13. An actuating mechanism according to claim 11 or claim 12 in which said clutch member is accessible from an outside surface of the actuator mechanism to change the configuration of the actuating mechanism.

14. An actuating mechanism according to claim 13 in which each of the drive racks and the drive rod includes at least one aperture therein, the clutch member having a pin adapted to pass through a drive rod aperture and an aperture in a selected one of the drive rack.

15. An actuating mechanism according to claim 14 in which the drive racks are in side-by-side relationship, both in overlying relationship with the drive rod, the drive rod having a pair of apertures laterally spaced therein, and in which the clutch member extends laterally across the drive rod being removable attached thereto, the selection of apertures through which the pin passes being by altering the orientation of the clutch member.

16. An actuating mechanism according to any one of claims 12 to 15 in which the drive rod comprises an elongate, rectangular cross-section rod adapted to extend along a groove in a window sash, having an internal face abutting against the drive racks and an external face against which the clutch member bears.

17. An actuating mechanism according to claim 16 in which the external face of the drive rod includes a recess for receiving the clutch member.

14 18. An actuating mechanism according to claim 17 in which the clutch member clips to the sides of the drive rod.

20. An actuating mechanism according to any preceding claim in 5 which the mechanism is fully reciprocable.

21. An actuating mechanism according to any preceding claim incorporated within a window sash frame.

22. An actuator mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.