GB2351526A - Method of securing a shoot bolt to a gearbox, and a gearbox therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is embodied by a cremone gearbox which drives two shoot bolts 32 (only one shown) to lock an openable panel such as a window or door. The gearbox has a part such as rack 24 with serrations 28 that can be engaged with complementary serrations 30 on the shoot bolt and also carries a sliding member 40 that can be moved by actuation of the gearbox to secure the cooperating parts together. On assembly of the lock actuation of handle 12 (Fig 1) causes bolt 60 to project from and then move longitudinally relative to the gearbox and thereby push sliding member 40 into its operative position as shown in Fig 4. Projection 56 (Figs 5, 7) can be provided on the sliding member which locates in indentation 52 in the inoperative position and indentation 54 in the operative position.

Description

2351526 METHOD OF SECURING A SHOOT BOLT TO A GEARBOX, AND A GEARBOX

THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of securing a shoot bolt to a gearbox, and to a gearbox therefor.

The invention is expected to have particular utility in relation to an openable panel such as a window or door which is made of a plastics material such as uPVC, and which panel is mounted by one or more hinges within a surrounding fixed frame. Accordingly, much of the following description relates to such use; however, the use of the invention in relation to other panels, to sliding panels, and/or to windows or doors of other materials, is not thereby excluded.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An opening panel such as a window or door is typically rectangular in shape and is mounted in a correspondinglyshaped frame. If the panel is hinged, it will have a hinge edge (defined herein as the edge parallel to the hinge axis which typically carries the hinge or hinges), a lock edge (defined herein as the edge parallel to the hinge axis and opposed to the hinge edge and which edge typically carries the locking mechanism for the panel), and two connecting edges (connecting the respective opposed ends of the hinge and lock edges together). The frame surrounding the window panel will have edges which are correspondingly named, notwithstanding that a f rame for a door may have one of the connecting edges omitted, its place being taken by the ground or floor. A "top hung" panel will have its hinge axis (and so its hinge and lock edges) substantially horizontal in use, whilst a "side hung" panel will have its 2 hinge axis (and so its hinge and lock edges) substantially vertical in use.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that friction stays, which are often used in this industry, are mounted upon the connecting edges of the panel and frame.

Openable panels are often nowadays manufactured from extruded plastics material manufactured in lengths which are then cut, mitred, and secured together to provide the panel edges. The panel edges will often incorporate one or more hollow sections within the extrusion.

A traditional "single-point" locking system for an openable panel has a pivotable handle mounted upon the lock edge, which handle carries a cockspur which in its operative position engages a keeper secured to the lock edge of the frame. Such a locking system is, however, often unsuitable for a panel of extruded plastics since the plastics material is relatively easy to distort sufficiently to permit the cockspur to be released from its keeper from outside the building, i.e. unauthorised opening of the panel can be effected from outside the building by "jemmying" the panel, i.e. by inserting a suitable tool between the lock edge of the panel and the lock edge of the f rame and forcing the cockspur away from its keeper without pivotting the handle.

In order to increase the security of such panels, it is known to fit "multi-point" locking systems.

One such multi-point locking system is. an espagnolette in which a locking bar is fitted to the lock edge of the panel, the locking bar carrying a number of bolts, perhaps mushroom-headed, for securement to separate keepers located at spaced positions along the lock edge of the frame. The locking bar (or in some cases locking bars), can be moved relative to the keepers by an actuator or gearbox fitted to the panel lock edge. Since the lock edge of the panel can therefore be secured to the lock edge of the f rame at a number of spaced positions, the panel is more secure than with a traditional single cockspur and keeper.

Another known multi-point locking system employs shoot bolts which are driven in opposite directions by a gearbox or actuator, the shoot bolts having tips which can project through or beyond the connecting edges of the panel, and locate into or behind keepers located on the opposed connecting edges of the f rame. The gearbox can also carry or operate a cockspur or other means to lock the panel lock edge to the f rame lock edge, so that all four edges of the panel can be secured to the respective edge of the frame.

For the avoidance of doubt, in this description a gearbox or actuator which drives two shoot bolts in opposite directions is referred to as a cremone, and a gearbox or actuator which drives one locking bar, or which drives two locking bars in the same direction, is referred to as an espagnolette.

It is a particular feature of openable panels made of extruded plastics materials that the espagnolette or cremone gearbox can be located. within the panel lock edge, specifically in one of the hollow chambers of the extrusion. The shoot bolts of a cremone locking system can also be located in the hollow chamber, in which case most of the shoot bolt is hidden from view by a (plastics) wall of the hollow chamber; alternatively, the shoot bolts may be of the "face-fixed" type, i n that they lie along or upon the surface of the locking edge, perhaps within an open channel thereof, but are generally visible throughout their length.

The "face-fixed" type of the cremone shoot bolts (or of an espagnolette locking bar or -bars) is sometimes preferred by window. installers since the connection of the shoot bolt to the gearbox is usually easier to perform, not requiring so much access to the hollow chamber of the extrusion. The present invention is directed principally to the "facefixed" type of shoot bolt or locking bar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A known method of securing the shoot bolts to a gearbox for a face-fixed locking system is disclosed in French patent application 2,678,671 of Ferco International. The Ferco gearbox is a cremone, and has a pair of oppositely movable racks each of which has a recess hLving a series of serrations. The end of each shoot bolt has a series of cooperating serrations which can be engaged with the serrations in the recess of a rack. The provision of serrations enables the window assembler or installer to fit the shoot bolt at one of many discrete positions relative to the rack, and so relative to the gearbox. Typically, the shoot bolt will be cut approximately to length by the window assembler, and then the serrations will be employed to ensure that the shoot bolt is correctly fitted, i.e. the tip of the shoot bolt does not project too f ar when it is retracted, and yet projects far enough when it is extended.

Since each shoot bolt is face-fixed, a cover plate is used to hold the shoot bolt against the panel edge. The cover plate typically has one or more apertures through which a screw or other f ixing means can be passed so as to' secure the cover plate to the panel edge. The shoot bolt, which lies between the cover plate and the panel edge, has an elongated slot to receive the screw or other fixing, and so can be moved relative to the cover plate. The cover plate also acts to secure the shoot bolt to the rack, i.e. to maintain the cooperating serrations in engagement with each other, though a separate screw or other fixing means can be used for this purpose.

The method of connecting the shoot bolt to a rack carried by the gearbox which is disclosed in the Ferco document discussed above is in widespread use, and is favoured because of its relative ease of assembly and the ability to adjust the effective length of the shoot bolt within certain limits without requiring accurate cutting of the length of the shoot bolt. However, the requirement to fit a screw or screws to secure the shoot bolt to the rack (perhaps by way of the cover plate) is a recognised, cause of concern to window assemblers. The screw(s) can easily become lost, and the fitment is awkward and time consuming.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of securing the shoot bolt to the rack which avoids the requirement for a screw connection, and so which avoids or reduces the problems associated therewith..

According to the invention there is provided a method of securing a shoot bolt to a gearbox, the shoot bolt and gearbox having cooperating parts which are engageable with each other, the method including the steps of {i} engaging the cooperating parts of the gearbox and shoot bolt, and {ii) positioning a member to secure the cooperating parts together, characterised in that the member is positioned by actuation of the gearbox.

Preferably, the member is carried by the gearbox; preferably also the member is slidably mounted to the gearbox.

Desirably, the gearbox carries a bolt which projects therefrom and which can engage and position the member. Alternatively, the member has a peg which projects into the gearbox to engage a movable component thereof.

Usefully, the gearbox and member.. have c6operating detent means, so that the member is itself securable in. its operative position. Such a detent means will preventthe 6 member from inadvertently moving away from its operative position in which it secures the cooperating parts of the gearbox and shoot bolt together. Usefully also, the gearbox and member have a second detent means so as to be securable in an inoperative position. Such a second detent means will ensure that the member does not inadvertently move towards its operative position, for example before the cooperating parts of the gearbox and shoot bolt have been engaged.

Preferably, the member is moved longitudinally relative to the shoot bolt in order to secure the shoot bolt to the rack; preferably also the member moves laterally during its longitudinal movement. Usefully, part of the detent means acts to cause the lateral movement. In use the member will overlie a part of the cover plate which in turn maintains the shoot bolt in engagement with the rack; however, since the cover plate and rack may lie somewhat apart adjacent the gearbox, the lateral movement or "lifting" of the member as it passes over the end of the cover plate will avoid fouling of the end of the cover plate.

Preferably, the member comprises a guide portion and a cover portion; preferably also the cover portion carries a part of the detent means. In this way, only the cover portion need be moved laterally, the cover portion perhaps bending relative to the guide portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gearbox for fitment to an openable panel, the gearbox having a part which can be engaged with a cooperating part of a shoot bolt, characterised in that the gearbox carries a member which can be moved by actuation of the gearbox to secure the cooperating parts together.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig.1 is a front view of an opening window panel mounted in a fixed frame; Fig.2 is a sectional view through the window. and frame of Fig.1; Fig.3 is a side view of part of the cremone gearbox according to the invention, and showing the end of a shoot bolt prior to connection thereto; Fig.4 is a view as Fig.3 but with the shoot bolt secured to the gearbox; Fig.5 is a view of part of the gcarbox and shoot bolt during sliding movement of the sliding member; Fig.6 is an underside view of part of the gearbox of Fig.3, with the sliding member removed; Fig.7 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Fig.2; and Fig.8 is a sectional view of a corner mounting f or the shoot bolt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The window assembly I of Figs. I and 2 includes a window panel 2 hingedly mounted in fixed frarde 6; window panel 2 mounts glazing 4 in known manner. An opening window panel such as that shown is often referred to as a "sash".

8 The window 2 comprises a hinge edge 2a, and a lock edge 2b; edges 2a,2b are parallel and are interconnected by connecting edges 2c,2d. The frame correspondingly comprises a f rame hinge edge 6a, a f rame lock edge 6b and two f rame connecting edges 6c,6d. In this embodiment, the panel 2 is pivoted upon hinges 8, used to secure the panel hinge edge 2a to the frame hinge edge 6a. In an alternative embodiment the panel is hinged upon friction stays mounted between the connecting edges 2c,6c and 2d,6d respectively, in known fashion.

The panel lock edge 2b carries ihe actuator or gearbox 10. In this embodiment the gearbox is a cremone, and upon rotation of the handle 12 is thus adapted to drive,two shoot bolts 14a,14b simultaneously in opposite directions into engagement with respective keepers 16a, 16b; keepers 16a, 16b are mounted respectively upon the frame connecting edges 6c,6d.

As shown in Fig.2, the gearbox 10 is 1 ocated within a hollow chamber 20, for example the so-called "spare chamber", of the prof ile of panel lock edge 2b, and is secured there by screws (not shown) passing though the lock edge in known fashion. In the orientation as viewed in Fig. 2, the lower wall of the hollow chamber '20 has been locally:removed to permit the insertion of the gearbox 10.

In alternative embodiments the gearbox may be located in one of the socalled "drainage chamber", "reinforcing chamber", "Euro-groove" or other suitable chamber or recess in the hollow profile. In another alternative embodiment, in which the sash is solid, e.g. wood, the gearbox is secured'to a surface thereof in known fashion.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the gearbox can mount a cockspur or the like which is engageable with a keeper mounted to the f rame lock edge 6b. In such 9 embodiments, each of the panel edges is secured to its respective frame edge.

The gearbox 10 in the embodiment shown is similar to that 4 described in GB patent 2,297,796. As will be understood from a reading of the specification of that patent, in the unlocked condition of the gearbox both of the shoot bolts 14a,14b are retracted, and the bolts 30 carried by the gearbox are withdrawn, and so do not project into the air gap 22 between the window lock edge 2b and the frame lock edge 6b. However, in this embodiment the shoot bolts 14a,b are face fixed, and so lie within the air gap, specifically along the lower (as drawn) surface 18 of the panel lock edge 2b. In other embodiments, the profile of the panel lock edge might have a channel which is open along its outer side, the shoot bolts lying within the channel.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, as is common with such gearboxes, a pair of racks 24 (only one of which is shown) project from the gearbox 10 and are driveable in opposite direction by the gearbox 10. Each rack 24 has a recess 26 bordered by a series of serrations 28, which serrations 28 correspond to the serrations 30 on the shoot bolt 32. In order to connect the shoot bolt 32 to the rack 24, the end of the shoot bolt is lowered (in the orientation of Fig.3) into the recess 26. Once the shoot bolt serrations.30 have en aged the rack serrations 28, longitudinal movement of the rack 24 will be communicated directly to the shoot bolt 32.

Connected to the shoot bolt 32, and usually supplied affixed thereto, is a cover plate 34. As will be understood by those skil led in the art, the cover plate 34 is adapted to maintain the shoot bolt 32 in position against thellock edge 2b, the cover plate 34 having a number of spaced apertures (such as the aperture 84 of Fig.8) which are aligned with elongated slots (such as the slot 86 of Fig.8). A screw or other fixing means can be passed through the aperture and slot and into the lock edge 2b, the fixing means securing - the cover plate 34 to the lock edge 2b, with the slot allowing the shoot bolt 32 to move relative thereto.

It will readily be understood by those skilled in this art that the shoot bolt, (and corresponding cover plate) may be manufactured specifically for the particular panel for which they are intended, or they may be made as a standard length requiring to be cut or cropped to the correct length for the particular panel. The shoot bolt 32 and cover plate 34 have been manufactured specifically for the panel 2, and so the shoot bolt is serrated only for a short length (slightly longer than the length of the recess 26; in embodiments in which the shoot bolt and cover plate must be cut to length, it is usual to provide serrations along all or almost all of the length of the shoot bolt.

As will readily be understood, it is a particularly beneficial feature of the serrations 28,30 that they can be connected at a number of discrete relative positions, so that accurate cutting of the shoot bolt and cover plate is not necessary.

Once the shoot bolt end has been inserted into the recess 26, and the serrations 28,30 engaged, it is necessary to secure the shoot bolt 32 to the rack 24, to prevent the subsequent inadvertent separation of these components. As above described, in certain prior art arrangements a screw is passed through an aperture of the shoot bolt and into the rack for this purpose.

According to the invention, however, the securement of the shoot bolt 32 to the rack 24 is effected by a sliding member 40, which is carried by the gearbox 10. As better seen in Fig. 6, the gearbox 10 has a pair of op?osed ledges 42, and the sliding member 40 has a pair of opposed grooves 44 (Fig.7) which can cooperate with the ledges 42 to enable the sliding member 40 to slide relative to the gearbox 10 whilst being retained in engagement therewith.

The ledges 42 do not run the full length of the gearbox 10, and the region from which the ledges have been omitted enables fitment of the sliding member 40 to the gearbox 10.

As seen in Fig.6, the surface 46 of the gearbox'10 has two indentations 52,54. The sliding member 40 has a single projection 56 (Figs.5,7), which can locate within one or other of the indentations 52,54, the projection and indentations providing two detent positions for the sliding member 40. The first detent position, with the projection 56 located in the indentation 52, comprises the inoperative position of the sliding member 40 as shown in Fig.3, and the gearbox will usually be supplied to the window manufacturer or installer with the sliding member 40 in this position. The second detent position, with the projection 56 located in the indentation 54, comprises the operative position of the sliding member as shown in Fig.4. In both operative and inoperative positions, part of the grooves 44 surround a part of the ledges 42, so that the sliding member 40 is retained relative to the gearbox 10 in both of these positions (and in all of. the intermediate positions therebetween).

As seen in Fig.5, it is a particularly advantagous feature of certain embodiments of the invention that the projection 56 is carried by the cover portion 36 of the slide member 40 (rather than the guide portion 38). Thus, when the slide member is between its detent positions, the projection 56 is caused to ride along the surface 46, causing lateral movement of the cover portion 36, and in particular the end 48 thereof. Since the end 48 is moved laterally (or "lifted") as it passes over the end 58 of the cover plate, there is little or no likelihood of the end 48 fouling on the end 58 of the cover plate, which fouling could prevent correct operation of the device. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, there is a small gap between the end of the cover plate 34 and the end of the shoot bolt 32, and this is not uncommon, since these components will only be connected together some distance away from the respective ends. A large gap between these parts, which might be present in practice in many circumstances, could prevent sliding movement of the cover portion 36 of the sliding member 40 over the end 58 of the cover plate 34, unless the cover portion moved laterally as provided for.

In the embodiment shown the sliding member bends resiliently about the junction of the guide portion 38 and the cover portion 36, and so as soon as the projection 56 enters the recess 54 the cover portion assumes the position shown in Fig.4 in which it effectively clamps the cover plate 34 against the panel edge 2b.

As shown in Figs.3 and 4, it is a..feature of the crefflone gearbox of GB patent 2,297,796 that in addition to movement of the racks 24, actuation of the handle 12 causes a pair of bolts 60 (only one of which is shown) to first project from, and then move longitudinally relative to, the gearbox 10. The inventor utilises the longitudinal movement of the bolt 60 to drive the sliding member 40 from its inoperative position to its operative position, i.e. the bolt 60 engages the end 62 of the sliding member 40 and drives it along the surface 46 into its operative position. Thus, following f itment of the gearbox 10 into the panel lock edge 2b, and engagement of the shoot bolts 32 therewith, the gearbox 10 is actuated so as to drive out the sliding members 40 and so secure each shoot bolt 32 to its respective rack 24. Each sliding member 40 will then be located in its second detent position, and will remain there regardless of subsequent movement of the bolt 60 and the rack 24.

It will be noted by comparing Figs.3 and 4 that the rack 24 is also driven outwardly by the gearbox 10. Such movement of the rack 24 also drives out the shoot bolt 32, but it is noted that the cover plate 34 does not move, i.e. this is fixed felative to the lock edge.

13 Fig. 8 shows a corner mounting 70 for the shoot bolt 32, which is of known design. Thus, the mounting 70 comprises a cover plate 72 whic h is bent through 900 so as to embrace a corner where the panel lock edge 2b meets a panel connecting edge 2c or 2d. The f irst part 74 of the cover plate 72 overlies the end of the shoot bolt 32, and so is adapted to lie along the lock edge 2b of the panel; the second part 76 of the cover plate 72 has a fixing block 80 secured thereto, and has screw-receiving apertures 82 by which the cover plate 72 may be secured to the connecting edge 2c or 2d.

In other embodiments, the fixing block 80 may be deleted, and more (or perhaps less) that two apertures 82 provided in the second part 76 of the cover plate, as desired.

The second part 76 also has an opening 88 through which the shoot bolt tip can project, to engage keeper 16a or 16b (not shown).

The first part 74 of the cover plate 72 has a circular screw receiving aperture 84, and the shoot bolt 32 has an elongated slot 86; when the corner mounting 70 has been fitted to the panel 2, a screw is passed through the aperture 84 and slot 86, and into the panel itself, so as to secure the corner mounting 70 to the lock edge 2b. As will be known to those skilled in the art, the first part 74 of the cover plate 72 carries a rivet 90, part of which passes through the slot 86 and overlies the shoot bolt 32, so as to retain the shoot bolt 34 and cover plate 72 in engagement before,,,fitment to the'panel. In embodiments with long shot bolts, there may be more than one rivet 90 spaced along the length of the shoot bolt.

In addition, 'a plastic clip 92 is fitted between the cover plate 72 and the shoot bolt 34, the purpose of which is to ensure that the shoot bolt 34 is correctly positioned relative to the corner. mounting 70 as the panel is 14 assembled. The clip 92 is designed to be broken off the first time the gearbox 10 is actuated. In this embodiment, the plastic clip 92 has two available positions relative to the cover plate 72 (corresponding to the two end positions of the elongated hole 94 within which the plastic clip 92 is a tight fit); since the throw of the gearbox 10 will likely be a standard distance, the two available positions provide two possible distances by which the, shoot bolt tip will project beyond the second part 76 of the cover plate in use.

Thus, using the corner mounting 70 and the sliding member 40, the shoot bolt 34 will be supported at both of its opposed ends, and in particular will be maintained against the surface 18 of the panel edge, or within a channel thereof, as applicable. The support of the shoot bolt at its two ends might be sufficient for shorter shoot bolts, but with longer shoot bolts it might be necessary for the cover piate to be secured to the lock edge intermediate the corner and the gearbox, the shoot bolt and cover plate having a number of corresponding apertures and slots similar to those referred to as 84 and 86 respectively in Fig.8.

Whilst the gearbox 10 is designed to conform to GB patent 2,297,796, it will be understood that the invention.is also applicable to other gearboxes. Thus, whilst it is a particular advantage of the gearbox 10 that the projecting and moving bolts 60 can be utilised, all cremone gearboxes will have internal or external parts which move to drive the racks and so can also be used to drive a sliding member. Thus, in some embodiments it may be necessary that the sliding member carries a peg which projects through a slot into the gearbox for the purpose of being driven by a moving component located therein; alternatively, the gearbox may be adapted so that a peg is connected to the moving component and projects outwardly through a slot to drive the sliding member.

- is - In addition, whilst the invention has been described in relation to a cremone gearbox, the invention can also be utilised to secure' the locking bar or bars to certain types of espagnolette gearbox.

Claims (16)

1. A method of securing a shoot bolt to a gearbox, the shoot bolt and gearbox having cooperating parts which are engageable with each other, the method including the steps of fil engaging the cooperating parts of the gearbox and shoot bolt, and fii) positioning a member to secure the cooperating parts together, the member being positioned by actuation of the gearbox.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1 in Which step Jiij includes sliding the-member relative to the gearbox..
3. 3. The method according to claim I or claim 2 in which step (iij includes moving the member 'longitudinally relative to the shoot bolt, and in which the member also moves laterally during its longitudinal movement.
4. 4. The method according to any of claims 1-3 in which a projecting part of the gearbox drives the member during actuation of the gearbox.
5. 5. A gearbox for f itment to an openable panel or to the frame surrounding the openable panel, the gearbox having a part which can be engaged with a cooperating part of a shoot bolt, in which the gearbox carries a member which can be moved by actuation of the gearbox to secure the cooperating parts together.
6. 6. The gearbox according to claim 5 in which the gearbox carries a locking means which projects therefrom and which can engage and drive the member.
7. 7. The gearbox according to claim 5 in which the member has a drive means which projects into the gearbox and can engage a movable component thereof.
8. 8. The gearbox according to any of claims 5-7 in which the gearbox and member have cooperating detent means so as to be securable in an operative position.
9. 9. The gearbox according to claim 8 in which the gearbox and member have a second detent means so as to be securable also in an inoperative position.
10. 10. The gearbox according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which part of the detent means acts to cause lateral movement of at least part of the member during positioning movement of the member.
11. 11. The gearbox according to any of claims 5-10 in which the member comprises a guide portion and a cover portion.
12. 12. The gearbox according to claim 11 in which the' guide portion has grooves locatable upon respective ledges of the gearbox.
13. 13. The gearbox according to claim 11 when dependent upon claim 8 or claim 9 in which the cover portion carries a part of the detent means.
14. 14. The gearbox according to claim 13 in which the cover portion is resilient.
15. 15. The gearbox according to claim 5 in which the shoot bolt is connected to a cover plate, the member overlying a part of the cover plate to secure the cooperating parts together.
16. 16. A gearbox for fitment to an openable panel constructed and arranged substantially as described in relation to Figs.3-7 of the accompanying drawings.