GB2343477A

GB2343477A - Door or window security device with two parts having cooperating projections and apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2343477A
Application number: GB9926011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Dolman
Original assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-04
Filing date: 1999-11-04
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Also published as: GB9926011D0; GB9824021D0

Abstract

A security mechanism 3 for a wing 2 movable relative to a frame 1, for example the hinged edge of a window, comprises first 5 and second 6 rigid elements adapted to be attached to respective parts of the frame and movable wing which are adjacent when the movable member is in a closed position, each of the elements having at least one projection 7, 11 which is adapted to engage a complementary aperture 9, 12 provided on the other element when the movable member moves into the closed position. The projections and/or the periphery of the apertures may be shaped to provide a camming action to draw the frame and wing together.

Description

SECURITY MECHANISM This invention relates to a security mechanism for a member movable between open and closed positions relative to a fixed frame, such as a window or door.

It is important to ensure that the movable member, when in the closed position, is secure against forced entry. This applies particularly to windows, especially those whose frames are of uPVC. Windows which are pivoted along one side to the frame usually have a handle-operated latch or lock on the opposing side. It is also common for the pivoted side to have a security mechanism to prevent the window being forced on this side. One known security mechanism is provided on surfaces of the movable member and frame which are adjacent in the closed position. The security mechanism comprises a projection mounted on the surface of either the frame or the movable member engaging in an aperture cut in the surface of the other. It can be difficult to cut the aperture in the correct position both longitudinally and laterally of the surface while allowing the arcuate movement of the movable member. Cutting an oversize aperture to ensure engagement of the projection can weaken a uPVC profile.

According to the present invention a security mechanism for a member movable relative to a frame between open and closed positions comprises first and second rigid elements adapted to be attached to respective parts of the frame and movable member which are adjacent when the movable member is in the closed position, each of the first and second elements being adapted to be attached at a predetermined lateral position on the parts of the frame and movable member, one of the first and second elements having a projection and the other having a complementary aperture which the projection is adapted to enter when the movable member moves into the closed position.

The projection and aperture are much easier to locate accurately, as they, are formed on elements which attach at predetermined lateral positions on the frame and movable member. With the lateral position predetermined it is only necessary to locate the elements longitudinally, which is relatively easy.

If it is necessary to provide an aperture in the frame or movable member as well to accommodate the projection, it can be cut accurately and easily to the correct size, using the aperture on the rigid element as a template.

Providing the aperture on a rigid element tends to reinforce rather than weaken that part of the frame or movable member.

Preferably each rigid element has at least one projection and at least one aperture. Most preferably there are two projections on one rigid element and a single projection on the other, to provide a three-point locking system. The single projection is preferably arranged between the other two projections.

Conveniently the profile of the rigid element at the periphery of an aperture and/or the complementary projection are shaped to provide a camming action for the projection as it enters the aperture. This assists in closing of the movable member.

This security mechanism is particularly useful for side-hung windows, that is, those which are pivoted to the frame at one upright side. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a security mechanism in position on a frame and movable member; Figure 2 is a plan view of one element of the security mechanism; Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of the other element of the security mechanism; Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is similar to Figure 1, but shows the security mechanism attached to a different frame and movable member.

Figure 1 shows a section through adjacent parts of a window comprising a fixed frame member 1 and a movable frame member 2, both of uPVC, with a security mechanism 3 in place. The movable frame member 2 is pivoted to the fixed frame member 1 by hinges (not shown) so that the movable frame member 2 moves angularly relative to the fixed frame member 1 about an axis 4, between the closed position shown and an open position.

The security mechanism 3 comprises first and second rigid elements 5,6 attached respectively to the members 1, 2. The first element 5 has a pair of projections 7,8, each of which is adapted to enter and engage in a complementary aperture 9,10 on the second element 6 when the movable frame member 2 is in the closed position. The second element 6 has a single projection 11 adapted to enter and engage in a complementary aperture 12 in the first element 5 when the movable member 2 is in the closed position.

In order to ensure that the projections 7,8,11 engage in the apertures 9, 10, 12, each of the elements 5, 6 is adapted to fit onto the profile of the respective frame member 1, 2 at a predetermined lateral position (that is, -a predetermined position in the direction indicated by the arrow A). It will be appreciated that the frame members 1,2 have particular dimensions and external profiles 13,14, and the elements 5,6 have matching profiles 15,16 on their surfaces which engage the profiles 13, 14 to ensure that they are positioned accurately. Each element 5,6 is attached to the respective frame member 1,2 by screws passing through countersunk holes 17 in the elements.

The rigid elements 5,6 are shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 6. Both are metal castings, being made of aluminium. Figures 2 to 4 show the first element 5 with the two projections 7,8 and the single aperture 12.

The projections 7,8 are similar with a substantially rectangular cross section and are spaced apart on the laterally inner part of the element 5. A countersunk fixing hole 17 is provided between them. The single aperture 12 is on the laterally outer part of the element 5 and is positioned centrally, with a fixing hole 17 on each side. The aperture 12 is of rectangular outline, with its inner side 18 being inclined. Figures 3 and 4 show the profile 15 of the surface which in use engages the fixed frame member 1. They also show the profile of the projections 7,8, with a curved inner face 19 and a substantially straight outer face 20.

Figures 5 and 6 show the second element 6, with its two apertures 9, 10 on its inner part. Each aperture 9,10 is of rectangular outline, with inclined inner and outer sides 21,22. The single projection 11 is also of rectangular cross-section, and has inclined inner and outer faces 23,24 respectively. The second element 6 has four fixing holes 17.

For use, the rigid elements 5,6 are attached to the frame members 1,2.

Their lateral position is predetermined by the profiles 15, 16 matching the profiles 13,14 of the members 1,2, and their longitudinal position is determined by the person fitting the window. Apertures 25 may also be cut in the profile 14, using the apertures 9,10 as a template, to accommodate the projections 7,8. As the window is moved into the closed position the projections 7,8,10 enter the apertures 9,10,12, and engage in them. The inner faces 19 on the projections 7,8 co-operate with the inclined inner sides 21 of the apertures 9,10 with a camming action to assist closing of the window. When the window is in the closed position the projections 7,8,11 form a three-point locking system.

Predetermining the lateral position of the elements 5,6 ensures that the projections 7,8,11 will always engage in the apertures 9,10,12. The rigid elements 5,6 also act to reinforce the frame members 1,2.

Figure 7 shows how the same elements 5, 6 can be used on different frame member 1', 2'which have similar locating points on their external profiles. However, window frame with different external profiles 13,14 will usually need rigid elements 5,6 with different profiles 15,16 to match the particular frames.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A security mechanism for a member movable relative to a frame between open and closed positions comprising first and second rigid elements adapted to be attached to respective parts of the frame and movable member which are adjacent when the movable member is in the closed position, each of the first and second elements being adapted to be attached at a predetermined lateral position on the parts of the frame and movable member, each of the first and second elements having at least one projection which is adapted to enter a complementary aperture provided on the other element when the movable member moves into the closed position.
2. A security mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which one rigid element has two projections, and the other has a single projection.
3. A security mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which the single projection is accommodated between the two projections on the other rigid element.
4. A security mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the profile of the rigid element at the periphery of an aperture and/or the complementary projection are shaped to provide a camming action for the projection as it enters the aperture.
5. A security mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.