GB2382617A

GB2382617A - Shoot bolt assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2382617A
Application number: GB0225973A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Dolman
Original assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-07
Filing date: 2002-11-07
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0126703D0; GB0225973D0

Abstract

A shoot bolt assembly comprising a driving means (10) and two bolt arms (12) where the fastening means, eg a screw (31a, figure 4c) are covered, in an unlocked position, by covering means (16) but uncovered in the locked position. Also, a shoot bolt assembly in which a lug (16) is received, in the locked position, in a keep, thereby further securing the assembly.

Description

SHOOT BOLT ASSEMBLY This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to shoot bolt assemblies such as may be used for securing opening windows and doors in closed positions.

It is known to provide shoot bolt assemblies that comprise a bolt-driving mechanism within a housing, which is adapted to be accommodated in a recess in an outer face of an edge member of a window or door. Two bolt arms extend in opposite directions from a front face of the drive mechanism, to be moved longitudinally by the mechanism. The bolt arms are ordinarily adapted to be accommodated within a shallow channel which extends longitudinally along the outer face of the edge member, outer end portions of the arms being projectable through guides, secured to corners of the window or door, for engagement with keeps on an adjacent window or door frame in what is herein referred to as a closed condition of the mechanism. In an open condition of the mechanism the bolt ends are drawn back from the keeps, through the corner guides, to permit the window or door to be opened.

Such assemblies have the problem that it may be possible to prise a bolt arm out of the assembly at a point between the mechanism and the keeps.

It is therefore known in one example to provide on each bolt arm a lug which, with a bolt arm extended, is securely located within a keep secured to the window. This further secures the window. With the bolt arms retracted the lug vacates the keep to allow the window to be opened. However, as these lugs are generally attached to the bolt arm by means of rivets they tend to be easy to prise off or out of the keeps.

In a further example, the assembly is attached to the window or door by a fastening means which may appear unsightly.

According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a shoot bolt assembly comprising a driving means and two bolt arms extending in opposite directions from the driving means and arranged to be driven by the driving means between an extended, locked position, and a retracted, unlocked position, fastening means for securing the shoot bolt assembly to an object to be locked, and a covering means which is arranged to cover the fastening means when the bolt arms are retracted and expose the fastening means when the bolt arms are extended.

This has the advantage that the unsightly fastening means are covered when the bolt arms are in the retracted position, whilst access to them is possible in the extended position.

The covering means may be attached to the bolt arm, and may form part of the bolt arm. It may therefore move relative to the fastening means as the bolt arms are extended.

Optionally, the fastening means may secure the driving means of the assembly to the object. The covering means may cover and uncover the fastening means by retracting into and withdrawing from an opening in the driving means.

The driving means may comprise a housing for a driving mechanism with the bolt arms extending into the housing. An upper cover may be provided on the housing. The covering means may retract into and withdraw from the upper cover of the driving means. The upper cover may be provided with at least one window through which access to the fastening means is possible with the bolt arms in the extended position.

The upper cover may be provided with recesses complementary to the shape of the covering means.

Preferably, the covering means at least partially defines one or more locking lugs, the or each lug being adapted to be received within a keep when the bolt arms are in the extended position and withdrawing from the keep in the retracted position. The keep may be separate from the assembly and may be secured to a frame to which the object is to be locked. The or each lug may extend perpendicular to the bolt arms away from the driving means and be attached to a bolt arm at a point closer to the end of the bolt arm attached to the driving means than the distal end of the bolt arm.

This has the advantage of supplying extra locking means to reduce the possibility of leverage whilst also providing cover for the fastening means in one unit.

Where the covering means defines part of a lug, it may only partially withdraw from the drive housing or its cover. This gives the advantage that the rigidity of the assembly is increased.

The bolt arms may each comprise a bolt forming member which, in the extended position extend into a keep, and, in the retracted position, retract therefrom. The keep may be separate from the assembly and may be secured to a frame to which the object is to be locked.

The or each lug may comprise a head portion and a tail portion. The tail portion may be of reduced thickness with respect to the head portion.

The head portion may be attached by a lug fixing means to a bolt arm. The tail portion may be slidably received into the drive housing or its upper cover. The tail portion may cover at least part of the fastening

means in the retracted position and with the bolt arms in the extended position the tail portion may uncover the fastening means.

The lug fixing means may comprise a pin passing through the head portion of the lug and a bolt arm, with securing means at either end, adapted to fix the lug to the bolt arm at a first point. Alternatively, the lug fixing means may comprise a screw, bolt or rivet fixing a lug to a bolt arm at a first point.

The or each lug may further be provided with a lug rotation prevention means securing a lug against rotation about the first point of the bolt arm.

The lug rotation prevention means may comprise a nib on the head portion of the lug adapted to co-operate with an opening in the bolt arm at a second point. Alternatively, the lug rotation prevention means may comprise an opening in the head portion of the lug adapted to c-operate with a nib attached to the bolt arm at a second point.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a shoot bolt assembly adapted to lock a first part to a second part with the first part moveable relative to the second, the assembly being fastened to the first part and comprising two bolt arms extending in opposite directions from a driving means and arranged to be driven by the driving means along their lengths, and at least one lug, the or each lug being received within a keep secured to the second part and with the bolt arms extended and the assembly in a locked position and retracting from the keep with the bolt arms retracted and the assembly in an unlocked position in which the or each lug is partially received within the driving means in the locked position.

The or each lug may extend perpendicular to the bolt arms and away from the driving means and may be attached to a bolt arm at a point closer to

the end of the bolt arm attached to the driving means than the distal end of the bolt arm.

This arrangement is advantageous as the bolt arms become more rigid and hence less prone to being prised out of position.

The driving means may comprise a housing and optionally an upper cover in which the lugs are at least partially received in the locked position.

The assembly may be fastened to the first part by a fastening means. The fastening means may be accessible through the upper cover. The or each lug may block access through the cover portion to the fastening means with the mechanism in the unlocked position, and unblock access in the locked position.

The head portion may be attached by a lug fixing means to a bolt arm.

The tail part may be slidably received into a complementary recess in the upper cover. The tail portion may only partially vacate the upper cover in the locked position.

There now follows a description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a shoot bolt mechanism that illustrates the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a part-sectioned view in elevation of one bolt arm and the driving mechanism of a shoot bolt mechanism of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a view from above of a lug as shown in Figure 1; Figure 2b is a view from the side of the lug of Figure 2a; Figure 2c is a view from the bottom of the lug of Figure 2a; Figure 3a is a view from above of a cover of the driving mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 3b is a part-sectioned view in elevation of the cover of Figure 3a ; Figure 3c is a view from the side of the cover of Figure 3a; Figure 3d is a cross sectional view along the line d-d in Figure 3b; Figure 3e is a cross sectional view along the line e-e in Figure 3b; Figure 4a is a view from the top of a bolt arm as shown in Figure 1, in the closed position; Figure 4b is a view in partial section from the side of the shoot bolt mechanism of Figure 1 in the closed position; Figure 4c is an enlargement of Figure 4b, showing more detail; Figure 5a corresponds to Figure 4a, but in the open position; Figure 5b corresponds to Figure 4b, but in the open position; and

Figure 5c corresponds to Figure 4c, but in the open position.

A shoot bolt mechanism for fitment to a window comprises a handle-operated bolt driving mechanism contained with a housing 10.

Two bolt arms 12 (only one shown) extend in opposite directions from the housing, being arranged to be driven in opposition directions along their length by operation of the driving mechanism. In use, the driving mechanism in its housing 10 is accommodated within a recess in an outer face of an edge member of a window sash, the bolt arms 12 lying within channels which extend along the outer face in opposite directions from the recess.

Each bolt arm 12 comprises a transmission member 17 coupled at one end to the driving means and to a bolt forming member 14 at the other. The bolt forming member 14 is slidably received within a guide member 15 that is in use attached to an edge member of a window sash. On operation of the driving means, the transmission member 17 is pushed outwards and so pushes the bolt forming member 14 outwards, through a hole in an end member 13, attached to two edge members of the window sash at their junction, so that the bolt forming member 14 extends into a receiving part of a window frame. The bolt forming member then locks the window shut.

Attached to the upper face of the transmission member 17, that is the opposite side of the transmission member 17 to the drive housing 10, and towards the end of the transmission member 17 closest to the drive housing 10 is a lug 16, shown in further detail in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c of the accompanying drawings. The lug 16 consists of a head part 22 and a tail part 21, the tail part 21 having reduced thickness compared with the head part 22. The head part is provided with a passageway 24 through which a pin 19 passes, by means of which the lug 16 is secured to the

transmission member 17. The lug 16 is attached to the transmission member 17 such that the tail portion 21 is closest to the drive housing 10 and the head portion 20 furthest away. Further provided on the lug 16 is a nib 25 which engages in a corresponding recess in the transmission member 17 to secure the lug 16 against rotation relative to the transmission member 17. The top of the lug 16 is provided with a lip such that on extension of the transmission member the lug 16 securely engages in a receptacle in the window frame, further securing the window against opening.

On top of the drive housing 10 is provided a cover 18, shown in more detail in Figures 3a to 3e of the accompanying drawings. The cover 18 consists of an elongate flat body 35, with its long dimension aligned with the length of the bolt arms 12 with two portions 33 extending orthogonally from the long sides towards the drive housing 10. The side portions 33 are provided with notches 34 by means of which the cover is secured against movement along the direction of the bolt arms 12 relative to the drive housing 10. Screw holes 31 are provided in the cover through which screws 31a (visible in Figures 4a-5c of the accompanying drawings) pass to secure cover 18 and drive housing 10 to the window frame. A covering section 36 extends over the screw holes 31, being provided with a window section 38 through which access to the screw holes 31 is possible, and a recess 32 complementary to the shape of the lug 16 into which the lug can retract when the transmission member 17 is retracted.

Figures 4a to 4c show the mechanism in extended position in which the window will be locked. The bolt forming member 14 is extended so that it would locate in a corresponding recess in the window frame. The lug 16 is moved away from the drive housing 10 so that the lip 23 engages in a corresponding receptacle in the window frame. Together, the bolt

forming member 14 and lip 23 secure the window against opening. As the lug 16 is in a position moved away from the drive housing 10 access is available to a retaining screw 31a in the screw hole 31 through window 38.

Figures 5a to 5c show the mechanism in the retracted, open position. Bolt forming member 14 is withdrawn from the frame, as is the lip 23 of the lug 16 from its receptacle in the frame. The lug 16 is positioned within recess 32 with the effect that the tail portion 21 covers screw 31a in the screw hole 31 so as to provide a more attractive appearance.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A shoot bolt assembly comprising a driving means and two bolt arms extending in opposite directions from the driving means and arranged to be driven by the driving means between an extended, locked position, and a retracted, unlocked position, fastening means for securing the shoot bolt assembly to an object to be locked, and a covering means which is arranged to cover the fastening means when the bolt arms are retracted and expose the fastening means when the bolt arms are extended.
2. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 1 in which the covering means is attached to the bolt arm.
3. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 2 in which the covering means forms part of the bolt arm.
4. The shoot bolt assembly of any preceding claim in which the fastening means secures the driving means of the assembly to the object.
5. The shoot bolt assembly of any preceding claim in which the covering means is operable to cover and uncover the fastening means by retracting into and withdrawing from an opening in the driving means, respectively.
6. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 5 in which the driving means comprises a housing for a driving mechanism with the bolt arms extending into the housing, with an upper cover provided on the housing further in which the covering means, in use, retracts into and withdraws from the upper cover of the driving means.

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7. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 6 in which the upper cover is provided with at least one window through which access to the fastening means is possible with the bolt arms in the extended position.
8. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 6 or claim 7 in which the upper cover is provided with recesses complementary to the shape of the covering means.
9. The shoot bolt assembly of any preceding claim in which the covering means at least partially defines one or more locking lugs, the or each lug being adapted to be received within a keep when the bolt arms are in the extended position and withdrawing from the keep in the retracted position.
10. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 9 in which the keep is separate from the assembly and is secured to a frame to which the object is to be locked.
11. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 9 or claim 10 in which the or each lug extends perpendicular to the bolt arms away from the driving means and is attached to a bolt arm at a point closer to the end of the bolt arm attached to the driving means than the distal end of the bolt arm.
12. The shoot bolt assembly of any one of claims 9 to 11 when dependent on claim 6 in which the or each lug in use only partially withdraws from the drive housing or its cover.
13. The shoot bolt assembly of any one of claims 9 to 12 in which the or each lug comprises a head portion and a tail portion, with the tail portion of reduced thickness with respect to the head portion, and the head portion attached by a lug fixing means to a bolt arm.

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14. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 13 in which the tail portion is slidably receivable into the drive housing or an upper cover thereof.
15. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 13 or claim 14 in which the tail portion is operable to cover at least part of the fastening means in the retracted position and, with the bolt arms in the extended position the tail portion, to uncover the fastening means.
16. The shoot bolt assembly of any one of claims 13 to 15 in which the or each lug is further provided with a lug rotation prevention means securing each lug against rotation about a first point being the lug fixing means.
17. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 16 in which the lug rotation prevention means comprises a nib on the head portion of the lug adapted to co-operate with an opening in the bolt arm at a second point, or vice versa.
18. A shoot bolt assembly adapted to lock a first part to a second part with the first part moveable relative to the second, the assembly being fastened to the first part and comprising two bolt arms extending in opposite directions from a driving means and arranged to be driven by the driving means along their lengths, and at least one lug, the or each lug being received within a keep secured to the second part and with the bolt arms extended and the assembly in a locked position and retracting from the keep with the bolt arms retracted and the assembly in an unlocked position in which the or each lug is partially received within the driving means in the locked position.

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19. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 18 in which the or each lug extends perpendicular to the bolt arms and away from the driving means and is attached to a bolt arm at a point closer to the end of the bolt arm attached to the driving means than the distal end of the bolt arm.
20. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 18 or claim 19 in which the driving means comprises a housing and an upper cover in which the lugs are at least partially received in the locked position.
21. The shoot bolt assembly of any one of claims 18 to 20 in which the assembly is fastenable to the first part by a fastening means, the fastening means is accessible through the upper cover and the or each lug blocks access through the cover portion to the fastening means with the mechanism in the unlocked position, and unblocks access in the locked position.
22. The shoot bolt assembly of any one of claims 18 to 21 in which the or each lug comprises a head portion and a tail portion, with the tail portion of reduced thickness with respect to the head portion.
23. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 22 in which the tail part is slidably receivable into a complementary recess in the upper cover.
24. The shoot bolt assembly of claim 23 in which the tail portion only partially vacates the upper cover in the locked position.
25. A shoot bolt assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.