GB2416188A

GB2416188A - Multi-point lock comprising pin-and-socket arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2416188A
Application number: GB0514397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Southall; Roger Ian Chantler
Original assignee: Fullex Locks Ltd
Current assignee: Fullex Locks Ltd
Priority date: 2004-07-13
Filing date: 2005-07-13
Publication date: 2006-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-13
Also published as: GB0514397D0; GB2416188B

Abstract

A multi-point lock comprises a front plate P, reciprocally slidable shoot elements S actuated by a lock means 1, locking devices 2, 3 each situated between the lock means 1 and an extremity of a shoot element, and a pin-and-slot arrangement 4 which actuates the lock means upon actuation of the shoot elements by the lock means. Each locking device may be formed as a bolt 2 or a hook 3, and may be provided in a housing 7 with a slot 10 to guide the locking device. The shoot elements may terminate in longitudinally extending shoot bolts 5 to provide additional security.

Description

LOCK APPARATUS

The invention relates to lock apparatus, particularly to such apparatus as can be used in a multi-tenancy situation.

In a multi-tenancy situation such as premises which could be a hotel, block of flats, apartments, student accommodation and the like, it is usually necessary to provide a dead-lock situation for security. However, prior apparatus is complicated and hence expensive to manufacture, and often to install.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate such disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for locking a closure, comprising a front plate, lock means, reciprocably slidable shoot elements operable on actuation of the lock means, locking devices between the lock means and an extremity of the shoot elements, and means operable to actuate the locking devices on operation of the lock means.

Using the invention it is possible to provide a locking element at a variety of centres between the lock means and the extremities of the apparatus.

Suitably, the lock means may comprise a handle whereby to operate the shoot elements.

This provides for ease of operation.

The lock means may comprise a key-, thumb-turn, or finger-turn operable lock. This construction provides for versatility of operation.

The locking devices may comprise a bolt slidably reciprocable between locking and unlocking positions in a direction substantially at 90 to a plane in which the shoot elements are adapted to slide.

Alternatively the locking devices may comprise hook devices which are pivotably reciprocable between locking and unlocking positions in a plane substantially transverse, e.g. about 90 , to a plane in which the shoot elements are adapted to slide.

Either of these alternatives of locking device construction provides for secure locking of a closure to which the apparatus is f tted in use.

The locking devices may each comprise a housing for an associated bolt or hook device, the housing being secured to the rear of the front plate, and actuating means for the lock or hook device, which actuating means is connected to the shoot element and is reciprocable in the housing between a first and a second position whereby to operate the locking devices. This provides a relatively simple construction, and for relatively simple operation.

The actuating means may comprise for the bolt reciprocable a plate element with an inclined blind slot therein and a pin means in the slot for driving the locking means between a locking and unlocking position.

There may be guide means for the plate element comprising a slot in the housing and a pin projecting from the plate element and captive in the slot for reciprocable movement therealong whereby to guide the plate element.

The slot in the housing may be of T-configuration, suitably inverted.

The pin means of the locking means may be captive and guided in a further slot in the housing. The further slot is advantageously vertical in use.

Alternatively the actuating means may comprise for a hook device the reciprocable plate element with a pin extending through a vertical limb of the T-slot and fixed to the hook device, and a pin in the horizontal limb of the T-slot and to which the hook device is pivoted, whereby to pivot the hook device between locked and unlocked positions on movement of the plate element.

The lock means may comprise a spring whereby a handle automatically reverts to a locked position on release.

Alternatively, the lock means may comprise a plurality of spindles hereby the lock means is operable from inside by a handle, while from the outside a key is required.

The shoot elements may terminate in shoot bolts extending in the longitudinal direction of the shoot elements and adapted in use to engage respective keepers at the head and sill of a closure surround. This construction provides for additional security.

The shoot elements may be extendible by extension elements, such as a profiled part for engagement with a respective end of the shoot elements.

The profiled part may comprise a serrated part which can be cut to length for connection with the end of the shoot element.

The locking devices may be positioned at 400mm centres along the shoot elements, or they may be positioned at 700mm centres along the shoot elements.

The locking devices may comprise both bolt and hook devices in the one apparatus.

The apparatus may be made of mild or stainless steel, suitably being in the form of pressings.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a closure, including apparatus as hereinbefore defined.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts, comprising a lock means, a selection of back sets and a selection of handle and locking device centres, the arrangement being such that a lock means, selected back set and handle and locking device centres can be assembled to provide apparatus for locking a closure for a particular application.

The apparatus hereinbefore described may operate either a single or a double door.

In every embodiment, the apparatus may be operable by a handle and the lock means may be locked and unlocked by means of a key.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows schematically respective front and side elevational views of one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows schematically respective front and side elevational views of a further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows schematically respective front and side elevational views of a third embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 3A being a schematic side elevational view of a locking device in the form of a hook device; Fig. 4 shows schematically respective front and side elevational views of a fourth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Figs. 5A and 5B respectively show to an enlarged scale and in more detail schematic top plan views and side elevational views of one end of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 3 in an unlocked and locked position; Figs. 6A and 6B show views similar to those of Figs. 5A and 5B but of the centre and towards the other end of the apparatus; Figs. 7A and 7B respectively show schematic plan and side elevational views of apparatus according to the invention in the locked and unlocked position, and being an embodiment which has both bolt and hook devices as locking devices; Figs. 8A and 8B respectively show to an enlarged scale part A of Figs 7A and 7B, namely a hook device, locking device and its operation; Fig. 9 shows schematically an elevational view of a lock means layout of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 shows schematically an elevational view of alternative lock means layout of apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 11 is a schematic enlarged plan view of an extension element of apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are indicated by like numerals, there is provided apparatus for locking a closure, comprising a front plate or cover strip 'P' lock means 1, reciprocably slidable shoot elements 'S' operable on actuation of the lock means 1, locking devices 2, 3 between the lock means 1 and extremities of the shoot elements 'S', and means 4 operable to actuate the locking devices on operation of the lock means 1.

The front plate or cover strip 'P' can be 20mm wide (Figs. 1 and 3) or 16mm wide (Figs. 2 and 4).

The shoot elements 'S' are usually flat rods which slide in a casing on operation of a handle (not shown) of the lock means 1.

As is usual, on rotation of the handle to unlock the apparatus, the shoot elements 'S' are drawn toward the centre of the apparatus i.e. towards the lock means 'P', to release shoot bolts 5 which are at the extremities of the shoot elements 'S' and in the locked position are seated in keepers respectively at the head or sill of the closure surround or frame (also not shown).

It will be understood that the shoot bolts 'S' may be omitted.

Intermediate the lock means 1 and the extremities defined by the end of the shoot elements 'S' and shoot bolts 5 if incorporated, are the locking devices 2, 3 which are actuated by the actuating means 4 and which can be positioned at any desired centre e.g. 400mm or 700mm, the distance being measured from centre to centre of the locking device 2 and a superposed orifice 6 through the front plate 'P', as shown in Fig. 6B for 700mm centres. Thus the apparatus described with reference to the drawings can be used in a variety of applications.

In every embodiment, the locking devices 2, 3 are operated by the means 4, which includes a slidable plate 6' which plate 6' is housed in a housing 7 secured to a back plate 8 of the apparatus and which has a substantially vertical, as viewed, blind slot 9 therethrough.

There is also a T-shaped slot 10 in a wall of the housing 7, which is of essentially U- shape in section, the 'T' being inverted so that the bar of the 'T' is at the bottom as viewed.

There is in the plate 6' an inclined slot 11.

In the embodiments of Figs. 1, 2, 5A, SB, 6A and 6B where the locking devices each comprise a bolt 2 which is reciprocable into and out of the housing 7 in a direction at substantially 90 to the plane of movement of the shoot elements 'S' the plate 6' has a bolt or pin 12 which is captive in the bar of the 'T'-slot and is guided thereby. The locking device bolt 2 also has a bolt or pin 13 which passes through and is captive in the slot 9, whilst also passing through the inclined, blind, slot 11.

In the unlocked position, the bolt 2 is withdrawn into the housing 7 (see e.g. Figs. 5A, 6A).

In this unlocked condition, the slidable plate 6' is at the left hand (as viewed) end of the housing 7, the bolt or pin 12 is at or adjacent the right hand end of the bar of the T-slot and the bolt or pin 13 is at the base of the vertical slot 9 and at the lower end of the inclined slot 11.

If it is desired to lock the closure, a handle of the lock means 1 is thrown to move the shoot elements 'S' outwardly, away from the lock means 1. This action, as is shown in Figs. 5B and 6B, acts to move the plate 6'. However, such movement of the plate, to the right, can only be accommodated by the bolt or pin 13 riding up slot 9, which acts as a guide, and up the inclined slot 11.

The pressure of the bolt or pin 13 on the boundary of the slot 11 allows the plate 6' to move to the position shown in Figs. 5B and 6B, and which throws the bolt 2 out of the housing to engage with a keeper (not shown). The pin 12 thus acts to guide the plate 6' during reciprocable movement.

In the embodiment where the locking device is a hook device 3, the housing 7 is as in the previous embodiment, and the plate is identical, save that in the embodiment (Figs.

7A, 7B, 8A, 8B) the slots 9 and 1 1 are not utilised. There is a bolt or pin 14 which passes through the horizontal limb of the T-slot, in which it is captive, and to which the hook device 3 is pivotably secured.

A bolt or pin 15 is fixed to the hook device 3 and is captive in the vertical limb of the T- slot.

The unlocked position is shown in Fig. 8A, the plate 6' being at the left hand end, as viewed, of the housing 7. If it is desired to lock the closure, the shoot elements are thrown as before by rotation of the handle at the lock means 1. This action tends to draw the plate 6' to the right in the housing 7. The only way for such movement to be accommodated is for the hook device 3 to pivot about the bolt or pin 14, to allow it to travel to the left, as viewed, and to allow the bolt or pin 15 to travel down the vertical bar of the T-slot to the position shown in Fig. 8B, the locked position.

The movement of the hook device 3 to the locked position as shown successively in Fig. 8A, where it is shown that although the bolt or pin 18 travels vertically, it in effect follows an arc, which action is translated to pivotal motion of the hook device 2 to provide the movement to the locked position.

Thus whether the locking device is a bolt 2 or a hook device 3, there is a simple mechanism provided by the plate 6' and the shoot elements 'S' for providing additional locking (and unlocking) action along the length of the apparatus.

In most apparatus, the handle is spring loaded to effect automatic return to the initial, usually locked, position.

Where there is no such spring loading, the lock means (Fig. 9) includes a spring mechanism in the form of two coil springs 16 which are compressed when the handle is operated to open the closure, and which when the handle is released, bias the handle back to the closed position.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of lock means 1 which includes two spindles 17, 18 which are operable from inside a closure by the handle, which can operate the lock means, shoot elements 'S' and locking devices 2, 3 from inside the closure. This is a safety feature as the apparatus can be operated from internally of, say, a room, and therefore a resident cannot generally be Happed. From outside, a key is required to be inserted and turned to allow an external handle to operate the shoot bolts and locking devices 2, 3.

This is thus an additional security feature as only a person with a key, presumably authorised, can gain access.

It will be understood that the lock means 1 has a latch or bolt to effect locking and unlocking centrally of the apparatus.

Fig. 11 shows an extension element 19 for the shoot elements 'S'. It has means such as serrations 20 at one end part, opposite a shoot bolt part 21. The extension element can be cut to a required length at the serrated part 11 and secured as by a sleeve 22 (Figs.

5A, 5B for example) to a shoot element 'S' to extend same to a desired length.

Thus, the apparatus can be adjusted in length as desired for a particular application.

The lock means 1 may be a quick-release lock which can allow instant exit of premises in the event of an emergency whilst maintaining security of the multi-point lock and the advantage thereof is hereinbefore described. The apparatus embodying the invention and as hereinbefore described can also be retro-fitted to any door or other closure and can be integrated into door production lines without modification to door preparation.

The lock means 1 may be locked by a key inserted in the keyhole shown.

However, although a key operated lock has been described, it will be understood that modifications whenever necessary, for example there may be a thumb turn instead of a key. Such a thumb turn, or indeed finger turn, is part of a back plate of the lock apparatus as considered interiorly of a door in which the lock apparatus is mounted. The closure is suitably a door.

Claims

1. Apparatus for locking a closure, comprising a front plate, lock means, reciprocably slidable shoot elements operable on actuation of the lock means, locking devices between the lock means and an extremity of the shoot elements, and means operable to actuate the locking devices on operation of the lock means.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the lock means comprising a handle whereby to operate the shoot elements.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the lock means comprising a key-, thumb-turn, or finger-turn operable lock.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the locking devices comprising a bolt slidably reciprocable between locking and unlocking positions in a direction substantially at 90 to a plane in which the shoot elements are adapted to slide.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, the locking devices comprising hook devices which are pivotably reciprocable between locking and unlocking positions in a plane substantially transverse to a plane in which the shoot elements are adapted to slide.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, the locking devices each comprising a housing for an associated bolt or hook device, the housing being secured to the rear of the front plate, and actuating means for the lock or hook device which actuating means is connected to the shoot element and is reciprocable in the housing between a first and a second position whereby to operate the locking devices.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, the actuating means comprising for a bolt a reciprocable plate element with an inclined slot therein and a pin means in the slot for driving the locking means between a locking and unlocking position.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, there being guide means for the plate element comprising a slot in the housing and a pin projecting from the plate element and captive in the slot for reciprocable movement therealong whereby to guide the plate element.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, the slot in the housing being of T configuration.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, the pin means of the locking means being captive and guided in a further slot in the housing.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, the further slot being vertical, in use.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 9, the actuating means comprising for a hook device the reciprocable plate element with a pin extending through a vertical limb of the T-slot and fixed to the hook device, and a pin in the horizontal limb of the T-slot and to which the hook device is pivoted, whereby to pivot the hook device between locked and unlocked positions on movement of the plate element.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the lock means comprising a spring whereby a handle automatically reverts to a locked position on release.

14. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 12, the lock means comprising a plurality of spindles whereby the lock means is operable from inside by a handle, while from the outside a key is required.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the shoot elements terminating in shoot bolts extending in the longitudinal direction of the shoot elements and adapted in use to engage respective keepers at the head and sill of a closure surround.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the shoot elements being extendible by extension elements.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, the extension elements comprising a profiled part for engagement with a respective end of the shoot elements.

18. Apparatus according Claim 17, the profiled part comprising a serrated part which can be cut to length for connection with the end of the shoot element.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the locking devices being positioned at 400mm centre along the shoot elements.

20. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 19, the locking devices being positioned at 700mm centre along the shoot elements.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 19 or Claim 20, the locking devices comprising both bolt and hook devices on the one apparatus.

22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, made of mild steel.

23. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 21, made of stainless steel.

24. Apparatus for locking a closure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A closure, including apparatus according to any preceding claim.

26. A set of parts, comprising a lock means, a selection of back sets and a selection of handle and locking device centres, the arrangement being such that a lock means, selected back set and handle and locking device centres can be assembled to provide apparatus for locking a closure for a particular application.