GB2403260A

GB2403260A - Shoot bolt with lateral adjustment

Info

Publication number: GB2403260A
Application number: GB0411518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Potts; Nash S Ranue
Original assignee: Spire Group Ltd
Current assignee: Spire Group Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-24
Filing date: 2004-05-24
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-24
Also published as: GB0411518D0; GB2403260B; GB0312030D0

Abstract

This invention relates to a shoot bolt, and in particular to a shoot bolt 26 for use with an espagnolette or cremone gearbox 24 in an opening window 10 or door. According to the invention there is provided a shoot bolt comprising a locking bar 32 and a face plate 34, the locking bar having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the face plate in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the locking bar being movable relative to the face plate also in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lateral movement d between the locking bolt and the face plate provides adjustability for the shoot bolt which can allow for manufacturing tolerances and also accommodate differences in window profiles and sealing gaskets. As shown a guide post 42 locates in a slot 40 which is laterally wider that the post and a leaf spring 54 biasses one side of the slot against the post. In another embodiment the spring locates in a separate slot. Alternatively cam means can be used to effect the lateral movement.

Description

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SHOOT BOLT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a shoot bolt, and in particular to a shoot bolt for use with an espagnolette or cremone gearbox in an opening window or door.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following description and disclosure is for convenience directed to a window, and in particular to a hinged window.

It will, however, be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other hinged panels such as doors, and to sliding panels such as patio windows or doors.

Also, in the following description the window is defined as being rectangular and having a hinged edge, a locking edge opposed to the hinged edge, and two connecting edges joining the hinged edge and the locking edge. (It is recognised that in some windows the hinges are in the form of friction stays which are mounted upon the connecting edges, but the above terminology will still be used for clarity.) A hinged window can be locked or otherwise secured to the surrounding frame by a multi-point locking arrangement, in which case a lock or other securing means is typically located on the locking edge and can drive more than one locking or securing member into engagement with respective keepers located around the window frame.

If the window is made of aluminium or plastics it will typically incorporate extruded lengths of largely-hollow profile, and some or all of the lock componentry can be located within the profile and so be substantially hidden from view.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many multi-point locking arrangements are known, and several employ a "cremone" gearbox located in the window locking edge. The gearbox is connected to two shoot bolts which lie along the locking edge, the shoot bolts each having a locking bar. The gearbox is effective for moving the locking bars (simultaneously and oppositely) between a locking position in which the tips of the locking bars project through the respective connecting edges of the window and can engage with keepers mounted upon the corresponding parts of the frame, and a non-locking position in which the tips of the locking bars do not project through the connecting edges (or at least project therethrough by a significantly smaller distance) so that they cannot engage the keepers and the window can be opened and closed freely.

The shoot bolts each also incorporate a face plate (sometimes called a "guide bar"), and when mounted to the surface of the locking edge of the window the face plate serves to cover the locking bar and secure the locking bar to the window. The face plate has apertures therein, through which can be passed screws or other fixings to secure the shoot bolt to the window. The locking bar (which lies underneath the face plate) has elongated slots adjacent the apertures, the slots accommodating part of the fixing and allowing sliding movement of the locking bar relative to the face plate and to the window.

The shoot bolt will also typically include a corner piece, i.e. a component adapted to lie at the corner of the window at the junction between the locking edge and a connecting edge. The corner piece serves to locate the locking bar at the corner of the window, and includes an aperture through which the tip of the locking bar can project into engagement with the keeper. In some designs the corner piece is an extension of the face plate.

c À e À À r À À e :: À A::: :: ce: À À . . - 3 - The window will be located in a surrounding frame, and a number of sealing gaskets will be located between the window and the frame. The gaskets can vary in size, in type, and in the material from which they are made. One type of gasket is known as a bubble gasket, and includes a hollow tube of resilient material. When the gasket is engaged the tube is compressed laterally, and seals by virtue of the tube material seeking to regain its uncompressed size and shape.

Another type of gasket is a flipper gasket, employing a flap of resilient material which is partially flattened as the gasket is compressed. This type of gasket seals by seeking to regain its unflattered form.

When manufacturing a window, the window manufacturer will seek to ensure that the window when fully closed compresses the gaskets sufficiently to provide effective weatherproofing, and yet does not seek to over-compress the gaskets, which over-compression may result in long-term failure of the gasket and unnecessary load upon the hinges and the locking components.

The relative position between the window and its frame when the window is fully closed is determined by the shoot bolts and the keepers, and the window manufacturer must know the positions of both of these components if the correct compression of the gaskets is to be attained. Typically, however, the shoot bolts and keepers will be manufactured separately from the window, and so it is necessary that the shoot bolt and keeper maufacturer(s) make these components precisely to fit the particular window, or else design in sufficient freedom of movement in the mounting of these components to allow the window manufacturer sufficient freedom to fit "standard" componentry to his window.

The former option is seldom undertaken since the volumes in which a particular window will be made rarely justify the - 4 - design and manufacture of dedicated componentry. In addition, some flexibility would invariably be required to accommodate for manufacturing tolerances in the window manufacturing process. Furthermore, if the window manufacturer changes the type, size or material of the gasket(s), then the dedicated componentry which was previously used may no longer be suitable. Thus, for example, bubble gaskets can be made in a number of different materials, and their resistance to compression depends upon the material from which the gasket is made; changing the material can change the position which the window must adopt relative to the frame for effective sealing.

In addition, it is not unusual for a window manufacturer to purchase lengths of window profile from (for example) a plastics extruder, and to cut and assemble windows therefrom. The same plastics extruder may supply many window manufacturers with the same profile and so in theory the shoot bolt and keeper manufacturers could make standard componentry to fit that profile. However, this is not possible in practice since different window manufacturers will often use different gaskets, and the relationship between the window and its frame must be adjustable to accommodate all of those gaskets.

Accordingly, a shoot bolt and keeper manufacturer will typically seek to make its componentry as standardized as possible, but will need to build in sufficient adjustability to accommodate the differing requirements expected of the various window manufacturers.

A known method of introducing flexibility into the componentry is to use slots instead of holes for the fixing means of the keeper, the slots allowing adjustment in the position of the keeper relative to the frame, and thus adjustment in the position of the window relative to the frame when the window is fully closed and the locking bars engage the keeper.

:::: À :: ::- À::e c::: :: e.e This method has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the availability of adjustment is not desired by the window manufacturers, who would prefer a standard component which would automatically fit its windows; the ability to adjust the components to fit its windows will require additional control steps in the manufacturing process. Also, if the keeper is not rigidly secured it may move over time.

Furthermore, the adjustability may be limited by other componentry, for example the frame profile may incorporate beads which limit the adjustment of the keeper regardless of the provision of the slots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite the disadvantages outlined above, adjustment of the position of the keeper is a widely-used method since there are no practical alternatives available. The present invention seeks to provide a practical alternative which improves upon the method described above by avoiding or reducing the disadvantages mentioned.

According to the invention therefore, there is provided a shoot bolt comprising a locking bar and a face plate, the locking bar having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the face plate in the direction of its longitudinal axis, characterized in that the locking bar is movable relative to the face plate and corner piece also in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Since the face plate is secured to the window, it will be understood that the position of the window relative to the frame when the window is fully closed and locked is determined in part by the lateral position of the locking bar relative to the face plate; since in the present invention the locking bar is movable laterally this can :::: :: ::.

À : : À : : : : : À ce - 6 - provide the adjustment and flexibility needed to accommodate the requirements of the window manufacturer.

For example, the lateral movement available to the locking bar relative to the face plate can be sufficient to accommodate all of the available gasket sizes, types and materials which might be used with a particular profile so that a dedicated keeper can be made to fit that profile without any adjustment of the keeper position being required. Also, a dedicated, non-adjustable, keeper may be suitable for use with a number of different profiles.

In preferred embodiments the shoot bolt as a corner piece which is an extension of the face plate; the corner piece will typically have an opening through which the locking bar can pass, the opening being large enough to accommodate lateral movement of the locking bar.

It is understood that some prior art shoot bolts may have locking bars which are "accidentally" movable laterally relative to the face plate, because of a relatively loose fit between the locking bar and the face plate. However, the present invention will have significantly greater lateral movement, and the lateral movement is designed in so as to allow adjustment of the locking bar relative to the face plate.

Preferably, the shoot bolt includes a control means which controls the lateral movement of the locking bar relative to the face plate.

Preferably, the control means is a resilient biassing means acting between the locking bar and the face plate, the resilient biassing means providing a lateral biassing force upon the locking bar. In such embodiments, it is the resilient biassing means which determines the lateral force acting upon the locking bar, and when the locking bar engages the keeper this in turn determines the force acting :: eeeee.' eeteeee. - 7 -

upon the gasket. Since the force exerted by the resilient biassing means can be predetermined, this can be chosen to match the compressive force desired to act upon the gasket.

Desirably, the resilient biassing means is a leaf spring.

Alternatively, the control means can be a cam, the position of which can be adjusted to adjust the lateral position of the locking bar relative to the slot.

Preferably, one of the face plate and locking bar carries a post, and the other of the face plate and locking bar has a slot which can accommodate the post, the post and slot together acting to maintain the locking bar and face plate in (sliding) engagement. Desirably, the cross-sectional dimension of the post is significantly smaller that the corresponding dimension of the slot so that the post can move laterally relative to the slot. Desirably, the control means is located within the slot and engages the post and an edge of the slot.

Preferably, the post and slot are located adjacent the corner piece. In such embodiments, the lateral movement of the locking bar is controlled adjacent the corner piece, and thus close to the keeper.

Desirably, the connection between the locking bar and the gearbox is not adapted to permit lateral movement, so that the locking bar effectively pivots through a very small angle about its connection to the gearbox. The connection will be able to accommodate the pivoting movement since this is likely to be very small in view of the length of a typical shoot bolt and the small lateral movement which will typically be necessary. Desirably also, the aperture in the corner piece is extended to accommodate lateral movement of the locking bar.

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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 shows a schematic view of a window fitted with a pair of shoot bolts according to the present invention; Fig.2 shows a plan view of the end of one of the shoot bolts of Fig.1; and Fig.3 shows a view as Fig.2 of another embodiment of shoot bolt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The window 10 is constructed from a hinged edge 12, a locking edge 14 and two connecting edges 16. In this embodiment the hinges 18 are butt hinges located on the hinged edge itself, but in other embodiments can be friction stays or the like mounted upon the connecting edges 16. The window is mounted in a surrounding frame 20, which may itself subsequently be mounted in an opening in brickwork or blockwork of a building (not shown).

The locking edge 14 carries a handle 22, which in this embodiment is connected to a cremone gearbox 24. The cremone gearbox is mounted within the profile of the locking edge 14 and so is normally hidden from view. The gearbox 24 is connected to the locking bar of each of two shoot bolts 26 which are mounted upon the locking edge 14 in known fashion. The locking bar of each shoot bolt 26 is mounted so that its tip 28 can project beyond the connecting edge 16 and engage a keeper 30 mounted upon the frame 20. Àe c'

À À . : : c:. : : : : it: ÀÀ - 9 - In common with prior art shoot bolts, the shoot bolts 26 according to the invention comprise a locking bar 32 and a face plate 34 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The face plate 34 has a number of holes (such as that numbered 36 in Fig.2) through which fixing means may be passed to secure the face plate (and therefore the shoot bolt) to the locking edge 14 of the window 10. The locking bar 32 has a corresponding elongated slot (such as that numbered 40 in Fig.2) adjacent each of the holes 36 which can accommodate a part of the fixing means, so that when the face plate 34 is secured to the locking edge 14 with the locking bar 32 secured therebetween the locking bar can nevertheless move relative to the face plate 34 and window 10 as it is driven by the gearbox 24.

In addition, and also in common with prior art shoot bolts, in order to maintain the face plate and locking bar in engagement prior to fitment onto a window the face plate 34 carries a guide post 42 having an enlarged head 44, and the locking bar 32 has an elongated slot 46 (or 40) which accommodates the guide post 42. The locking bar 32 is retained between the face plate and the enlarged head 44, but is movable relative thereto by virtue of the slot 40,46.

Furthermore, though not shown in Figs. 2 or 3, the shoot bolt has a corner piece (which is preferably an extension of the face plate 34 but can in some embodiments be a separate component) which is adapted to lie at the junction of the locking edge 14 and a connecting edge 16 and locate the shoot bolt at that junction. The corner piece will have an aperture through which the tip 28 of the locking bar can project.

Unlike the prior art shoot bolts, the slots 40, 46 are substantially wider than the thickness of the guide post 42, and substantially wider than the diameter of the hole 36.

Also, since in this embodiment the corner piece is an extension of the face plate, the aperture in the corner piece is substantially wider than the tip 28. Accordingly, ::e s..' À. -

the arrangement allows significant lateral movement of the locking bar 32 relative to the face plate 34 and corner piece, in the direction of the arrow A in Figs. 2 and 3.

When the shoot bolt 26 has been fitted to a window 10 the face plate 34 (and in this embodiment also the corner piece) will be fixed in position relative to the window 10, but by virtue of the present invention the locking bar 32 can move laterally relative to the window 10.

In the embodiment of Fig.2 the slot 40 accommodates the fixing which will be fitted into hole 36, the guide post 42, and also the control means 50. In the embodiment of Fig.3 the slot 46 accommodates the fixing which will be fitted into hole 36 and the guide post 42, and a separate slot 52 is provided to accommodate the control means 50.

In both of the disclosed embodiments, the control means 50 comprises a resilient biassing means in the form of a leaf spring 54 which is mounted upon a post carried by the face plate 34 and engages the sidewall 56 of the slot 40, 52. In the embodiment of Fig.2 the leaf spring is mounted upon the guide post 42, and in the embodiment of Fig.3 the leaf spring 54 is mounted upon a separate control post 60. In both embodiments the face plate 34 also locates a post 62 which locates one end of the leaf spring 54.

Figs. 2 and 3 both show the leaf spring 54 in its compressed state, with the locking bar 34 urged upwardly (as drawn) to its extreme position in which the leaf spring 54 is fully compressed against the post 62, and the side wall 56 of the slot 40,52 engages the guide post 42, or control post 60, respectively. When the locking bar 32 is free to move relative to the face plate 34, the leaf spring 54 will cause the locking bar 32 to move in the direction of the arrow A, until the opposed side of the slot 40, 52 engages the respective post 42, 60. The distance d by which the locking bar 32 can move relative to the face plate represents the :. e. t; . t. ce.

lateral adjustment available, and the distance d would typically be a few millimetres.

It is arranged that in use it is the side 64 of the tip 28 of the locking bar 32 which engages the keeper 30 (not shown in Figs. 2 and 3), so that engagement of the locking bar 32 with the keeper 30 urges the locking bar 32 in the direction opposed to the direction A. Accordingly, engagement of the tip 28 of the locking bar 32 with the keeper 30 will partially or fully compress the leaf spring 54, and the action of the leaf spring 32 will be to maintain a lateral force upon the locking bar, maintaining a force upon the gaskets. Clearly, the force which is desired to act upon the gaskets can be predetermined, and the strength of the leaf spring 54 chosen accordingly.

It will be understood that the locking bar 32 will adopt a position relative to the face plate 34 (and hence relative to the window 10) in which the force exerted by the compressed gasket(s) balances the force exerted by the leaf spring 54 on both shoot bolts 26; changing the gasket size, type or material may alter the position adopted by the locking bar relative to the window 10, but will not require any change of componentry.

It will be understood that other forms of control means could be utilised if desired to control the lateral position of the locking bar 32 relative to the face plate 34.

"Active" means such as a cam could be used, which would require adjustment by the window manufacturer to set the desired compression of the gasket material. Alternatively, other forms of "passive" (or automatic) control means could be used employing other resilient biassing means.

Claims

::e Àe Àe CLAIMS

1. A shoot bolt comprising a locking bar and a face plate, the locking bar having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the face plate in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the locking bar being movable relative to the face plate also in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. A shoot bolt according to claim 1 which includes a control means which controls the lateral movement of the locking bar relative to the face plate.

3. A shoot bolt according to claim 2 in which the control means is a resilient biassing means acting between the locking bar and the face plate.

4. A shoot bolt according to claim 3 in which the resilient biassing means provides a lateral biassing force upon the locking bar.

5. A shoot bolt according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the resilient biassing means is a leaf spring.

6. A shoot bolt according to claim 2 in which the control means is a cam, the position of the cam being adjustable to adjust the lateral position of the locking bar relative to the face plate.

7. A shoot bolt according to any one of claims 1-6 in which one of the face plate and locking bar carries a post, and the other of the face plate and locking bar has a slot which can accommodate the post, the post and slot together acting to guide the locking bar and face plate during relative longitudinal movement, the lateral dimension of the post being significantly smaller that the corresponding dimension of the slot so that the post can move laterally relative to the slot.

I: .e't ace: À À À À À:: A:: :: A: À aÀÀ a - 13

8. A shoot bolt according to claim 7 which includes a control means which controls the lateral movement of the locking bar relative to the face plate, the control means being located within the slot and engaging the post and an edge of the slot. ;

9. A shoot bolt according to claim 7 or claim 8 having a corner piece which is an extension of the face plate, the post and slot being located adjacent to the corner piece.

10. A shoot bolt according to any one of claims 1-9 in which the connection between the locking bar and the gearbox is not adapted to permit lateral movement, so that the locking bar effectively pivots through a very small angle about its connection to the gearbox.

11. A shoot bolt constructed and arranged substantially as described in relation to Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.