GB2421978A

GB2421978A - Shoot bolt mechanism with channel forming member

Info

Publication number: GB2421978A
Application number: GB0602239A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Dolman
Original assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-27
Filing date: 2004-02-24
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-24
Also published as: GB2398830A; GB0602239D0; GB0304406D0; GB2398830B; GB0403980D0; GB2421978B

Abstract

A shoot bolt mechanism comprises two bolt arms 12 extending in opposite directions from a driving means 10 and driven in opposite directions along their lengths. Each bolt arm comprises an inner portion comprising a transmission bar 14 which is operatively coupled to the driving means, and an outer portion comprising a bolt forming member 16. A connection means 24, 27 is arranged to adjustably connect the inner portion to the outer portion to form a bolt arm of required length. A channel forming member 15 is provided which defines an elongate channel that extends substantially to the end of the transmission bars and provides a guide for the transmission bars.

Description

SHOOT BOLT MECHANISM

This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to bidirectional shoot bolt mechanisms such as are used for securing opening windows and doors in closed positions.

Such mechanisms 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 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 which 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.

Several different types of shoot bolt assembly are known in the art. In many cases, the bolt arms are formed in two portions- an inner transmission member and an outer bolt forming member which are adjustable connected together by a connector. The bolt forming members typically have one or more openings in them through which the connector passes. During installation the connector is first loosened, the length set and the connector retightened to fix the length of the arm. This is a manual operation and can in many cases prove fiddly and time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements to the design of shoot bolt mechanisms which in some cases may enable more convenient installation.

According to the present invention there is provided a shoot bolt mechanism comprising bolt-driving means and two bolt-arms which extend in opposite directions from the driving means and are arranged to be driven thereby in opposite directions along their lengths, each bolt arm comprising an inner portion comprising a transmission bar which is operatively coupled to the driving member, and an outer portion comprising a bolt forming member, a connection means which is arranged to adjustably connect the inner portion to the outer portion to form a bolt arm of required length, the assembly having an installation position in which the connection means permits the length of the bolt arm to be adjusted and an installed position in which the connection means locks the bolt forming means and the transmission bar together, and in which the assembly is arranged such that operation of the driving mechanism whilst the connection means is in the installation position forces the connection means into the installed position.

Therefore, the invention provides a shoot bolt assembly which has bolt arms of adjustable length and which automatically lock in length upon installation under the action of an installer operating the drive mechanism.

The connection means preferably comprises a clamping sleeve having an opening that receives an overlapping region of the transmission bar and the bolt forming member and a locking block which in the installation position permits the overlapping regions of transmission bar and bolt forming member to move relative to one another and in the installed position is locked in position by the clamping sleeve. The locking block may comprise a wedge which is forced into the opening in the clamping sleeve to fix the overlapping regions together.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the overlapping regions need not be in contact with one another and could in fact be forced apart by the wedge rather than forced together. In the most preferred embodiment, however, the overlapping regions are in contact with one another and are free to slide over one another when in the installation position.

The transmission bar and or the bolt forming member may be provided with a track of teeth and either the wedge and/or the clamping sleeve may be provided with complimentary teeth that engage the teeth of the track.

The teeth help the wedge and clamping sleeve to grip the transmission bar and or the bolt forming member to hold them in place. The assembly may further include means for biasing the teeth of the wedge/sleeve away from the track, such as a leaf spring.

The assembly may include a stop which is fixed relative to the driving mechanism and abuts the clamping sleeve, the wedge being secured to the transmission bar such that on operation of the driving mechanism with the clamping means in the installation position the stop forces the sleeve over the wedge. The stop acts against the sleeve whilst the wedge is drawn into place.

The stop may be positioned such that the wedge is drawn into the clamping sleeve as the transmission bar is retracted. This is most convenient as the stop may then comprise an elongate channel forming member which extends from the driving means out towards the sleeve. An end face of the channel forming member may provide a force against the cover as the transmission bar is retracted, or some other part may act upon the cover The transmission bar may be slidably received within the channel forming member. The channel forming member may be slidably connected to the bolt driving mechanism allowing it to move relative to the bolt driving means during installation or may be fixed to or an integral part of the driving mechanism. The length of the channel is preferably such that it extends outwards from both sides of the bolt driving means by a distance substantially equal to the length of a retracted transmission bar.

Of course, to act as a stop there must be means provided for fixing the channel forming member in position relative to the housing of the driving mechanism at least during the installation of the assembly.

In a most advantageous arrangement the channel forming member may comprise a hollow section which fits around an overlapping region of the transmission bar and the bolt forming member. Alternatively, it may comprise a C-shaped channel section having inwardly directed hooked portions which reach around an overlapping region of the transmission bar and bolt forming member.

The assembly may include a bolt guiding means which is slidably interconnected with the bolt arms and comprises corner guides through which the bolt forming members become projected in use of the mechanism.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a shoot bolt mechanism comprising bolt-driving means and two bolt-arms which extend in opposite directions from the driving means and are arranged to be driven thereby in opposite directions along their lengths, each bolt arm comprising an inner portion comprising a transmission bar which is operatively coupled to the driving member, and an outer portion comprising a bolt forming member which at least partially overlaps the inner portion, and a connection means which is arranged to adjustably clamp the inner portion to the outer portion to form a bolt arm of required length, and in which the overlapping portions do not have any openings therein.

By openings we mean slots or holes, circular, elongate or otherwise, which may give the appearance of weakening the end product.

One embodiment which avoids the need for any openings includes a connection means which comprises a clamping sleeve that defines an opening that receives the overlapping region of the transmission bar and bolt forming member and a locking block which is received within the opening to lock the overlapping regions in place relative to one another.

The locking block may comprise a wedge which is driven into the clamping sleeve.

According to a third aspect the invention provides a shoot bolt mechanism comprising bolt-driving means and two bolt-arms which extend in opposite directions from the driving means and are arranged to be driven thereby in opposite directions along their lengths, each bolt arm comprising an inner portion comprising a transmission bar which is operatively coupled to the driving member, and an outer portion comprising a bolt forming member which at least partially overlaps the inner portion, and a connection means which is arranged to adjustably clamp the inner portion to the outer portion to form a bolt arm of required length, and in which a channel forming member is provided which defines an elongate channel that extends substantially to the end of the transmission bars and provides a guide for the transmission bars.

The channel forming member supports and guides the transmission bars during assembly. It may be fixed relative to the driving mechanism, or may even form an integral part of a housing for the driving mechanism.

The channel forming member may comprise an elongate planar member, preferably of metal, which is folded to form a guide channel for the transmission bars.

According to a fourth aspect the invention provides a shoot bolt mechanism comprising bolt-driving means and two bolt-arms which extend in Opposite directions from the driving means and are arranged to be driven thereby in opposite directions along their lengths, and in which a tip is provided at the end of at least one of the bolt forming members which is of a material that is softer than the material which forms the end of the bolt arm.

This is advantageous as it prevents the bolt arm from scratching a keep to which it is inserted when locked.

The tip could be of any one of a variety of materials, although plastic is preferred as it is durable and easy to manufacture. The bolt arm may comprise a stainless steel bolt arm.

The assembly may include a bolt guiding means which is slidably interconnected with the bolt arms and comprises corner guides through which the bolt forming members become projected in use of the mechanism, the tip portion may be adapted to fix the bolt guiding means onto the bolt arm.

The bolt arm may have a portion of reduced width at its end and the tip may have a stem portion which overlaps and is secured to the reduced width portion and a head portion which is of greater width than the reduced width portion which extends away from the end of the bolt arm, the bolt guiding means having an opening which receives the bolt arm that is wider than the reduced width portion yet narrower than both the adjacent portion of bolt arm and the head portion. The bolt guiding means is therefore held captive on the reduced width portion.

The length of the reduced width portion of the bolt arm may be at least equal to the required movement of the bolt arm relative to the bolt guiding means during operation of the mechanism.

The tip may be secured to the end of the bolt arm by one or more, preferably two, rivets.

Of course, in a most preferred arrangement both bolt arms are provided with plastic tips.

According to a fifth aspect the invention provides a guide member for use in combination with a shoot bolt mechanism comprising a hollow sleeve which defines an opening that is arranged to receive a bolt arm of the shoot bolt assembly and one or more barbs which are adapted to secure the guide member within a channel provided in a window or door frame to which the shoot bolt mechanism is secured.

It will of course be appreciated that shoot bolt assemblies may be provided which include a combination of any of the above described features. The guide member of the fifth aspect could be used together with a shoot bolt assembly of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention for example, or with another shoot bolt assembly which does not fall within the scope of any of the first to fifth aspects.

There will now be described, by way of example only one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a shoot bolt assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an overhead view of the shoot bolt assembly of Figure 1 in an assembled position; Figure 3 is a side view of the shoot bolt assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a part view of the underside of the assembly showing the connection means in a installation position which permits adjustment of the overall length of the bolt arms; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 in which the connection means is in the installed position which prevents adjustment of the length of the bolt arm; Figure 6(a) and (b) are partial side and top views of the connection means in the installation position; Figure 7(a) and (b) are sections taken along the lines X-X and A-A respectively in Figure 6(b); Figure 8(a) and (b) are partial side and top views of the connection means in the installation position; Figure 9(a) and (b) are sections taken along the lines X-X and A-A respectively in Figure 8(b); and Figure 10 is an enlarged exploded view of the bolt guiding means and end portion of the shoot bolt assembly.

A shoot bolt mechanism for fitment to a window comprises a handle operated bolt driving mechanism contained within a housing 10. Two bolt arms 12 extend in opposite directions from the housing, being arranged to be driven in opposite directions along their lengths 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 transmission bars lying within channels which extend along the outer face in opposite directions from the recess. These will typically be of the Euro-groove type. The two bolt arms are identical and only one of them will be described in detail.

The housing 10 is also provided with two hooked rails 13a,13b along its top edge which are slidably received within an elongate channel defined by a Continuous channel forming member 15. This channel forming member 15, which can conveniently be formed by folding over the edges of a metal sheet to form a U-shaped channel with hooked retaining lips, covers the housing 10 and a substantial part of the bolt arms when it is installed in the recess in the frame, providing an attractive appearance to the assembly. An optional name plate 17 may also be provided which snaps onto the channel and is secured using two screws (not shown) that pass into the window frame through elongate openings 23 in the bolt arms. The name plate 17 could be provided with the name and contact details of a manufacturer of the assembly, or perhaps a logo or the like.

The bolt arm 12 comprises an inner end portion 14 comprising a transmission bar of generally flat form. An inner end of the transmission bar 14 is coupled to the driving mechanism within the housing 10 and located between the channel forming member 15 and the edge of the window. The bolt arm comprises also an outer end portion comprising a bolt forming member 16, also in the form of a flat bar. In use the whole bolt arm comprising the transmission bar 14 and the bolt forming member 16 is arranged to slide longitudinally within the Euro-groove channel formed in the face of the outer edge of the sash. To help secure the bolt forming member in the channel it may also pass through a slot in a hollow retaining guide 40 which is provided with barbs 42 that engage the channel when pressed into place. This helps provide additional support on longer lengths of bolt arm, and can be omitted in some arrangements.

The end of the bolt forming member 16 of the bolt arm is arranged to slide through an elongate slot 18 in a stainless steel member forming a corner guide 20. The corner guide 20 is shaped to embrace a corner of the window sash. To prevent the free end of the bolt forming member from scratching any keep into which it is received it is provided with a plastic tip 30. This can be seen more clearly in the exploded view of Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

The end 32 of the bolt forming member 16 is of reduced width compared with the rest of the bolt forming member and attached to this is a tip 30 which comprises a plastic member having an elongate stem 31 that is laid up onto the reduced width end portion 32. This stem 31 is sandwiched between the end 32 of the bolt forming member and a metal cover plate 33. The three layers 3 1,32,33 are riveted together.

It can also be seen that the plastic tip 30 includes an enlarged head portion 34 that protrudes from the stem 31 beyond the end 32 of the bolt forming member. This is slightly tapered to assist in location within a keep. The guide portion 20 is slid onto the already riveted bolt forming member from the opposite end. The opening 18 in the guide portion 20 is dimensioned narrower than the main width of the bolt forming member yet slightly larger than the portion of reduced width. Once the bolt forming member 16 is inserted into clamping sleeve 27 and channel forming member 15 it will remain captive on the end of the bolt forming member by the enlarged head portion 34 yet is free to slide up and down the end of the bolt forming member by a distance determined by the length of the portion of reduced width. This ensures the guide portion is not misplaced prior to installation of the assembly to the window.

Finally, the bolt arm comprises a connection means which joins the transmission bar 14 and bolt forming member 16 together. The connection means is operable between an installation position in which it allows the length of the bolt arm to be adjusted and an installed position in which the length of the bolt arm is fixed.

The connection means comprises two parallel tracks of teeth 22a, 22b which extend longitudinally along the bolt forming member 16, which in the form of a generally U-shaped toothed member 24 is secured to the end of the transmission bar 14 and has two rows of teeth 25a, 25b that face towards and engage the tracks 22a, 22b on the bolt forming member 16.

A plastic leaf spring 26 is formed as an integral part of the toothed member 24 that biases the teeth of the toothed member 24 and of the tracks apart. A clamping sleeve comprising a hollow cover 27 is also provided which slidably fits around the transmission bar 14 and the bolt forming member l6in a region where they overlap. The clamping sleeve 27 abuts the end of the channel forming member 15 which thereby acts as a stop and is generally located between the toothed member 24 and the end of the channel forming member 15 in an installation position in which the driving means is positioned such that the transmission bar 14 is extended. To achieve this the transmission bar must be of a length that is sufficient to allow for it to protrude beyond the end of the channel forming member 15 by a small amount.

In use, when the assembly is offered up to the window the transmission bar can be slid relative to the bolt forming member to provide the desired bolt arm length. The clamping sleeve is free from the toothed member and the spring ensures the teeth of the toothed member do not engage the track.

In a first step of assembly the locking mechanism is placed in a recess in the frame and the bolt arms and transmission bars are laid into an elongate slot in the frame. The channel forming member 15 is then fixed in position using two screws (four on longer versions) which pass into the locking mechanism and into the frame. The screws fix the channel forming member in place, which then provides positive guidance for the transmission bars that slide within the channel forming member.

On operation of the driving member the transmission bar is drawn into the channel forming member 15. The bar draws with it the toothed member which is held captive on the end, and pulls the toothed member 24 towards the clamping sleeve 27 until it starts to be drawn into the clamping sleeve 27. The end of the channel forming member 15 prevents the cover being drawn in towards the driving mechanism and so as the transmission bar continues to be retracted the toothed member 24 gets wedged inside the clamping sleeve 27. The clamping sleeve 27 forces the teeth of the toothed member 24 into engagement with the tracks of teeth on the bolt forming member thereby locking the bolt forming member and transmission bar together.

Once the two parts of the bolt arm are locked together the bolt driving means can be operated many times to open and or close the mechanism. It is notable that all the parts of the connection means are held captive on the assembly, so there are no loose or fiddly parts that need to be fitted during installation. Provided the assembly is supplied with the connection means in the assembly position and the driving means set for the bolt arm to be in the extended position it only needs to be offered up to the window, the bolt arms set in the desired position (corresponding to the required length of an extended bolt arm) and the driving means turned to the retracted position automatically to fix the length of the bolt arm.

The completed assembly has a sleek and attractive appearance because of the lack of slots or openings in the bolt forming member and the provision of the continuous cover over the transmission bars and the gearbox. The lack of slots also gives the assembly a feeling of increased strength with no apparent areas of weakening. The need for slots has been removed by the revised clamping mechanism securing the transmission bar to the bolt forming member, and also by the provision of the hollow retaining guide 40.

Claims

1. A shoot bolt mechanism comprising bolt-driving means and two bolt-arms which extend in Opposite directions from the driving means and are arranged to be driven thereby in opposite directions along their lengths, each bolt arm comprising an inner portion comprising a transmission bar which is operatively coupled to the driving member, and an outer portion comprising a bolt forming member which at least partially overlaps the inner portion, and a connection means which is arranged to adjustably clamp the inner portion to the outer portion to form a bolt arm of required length, and in which a channel forming member is provided which defines an elongate channel that extends substantially to the end of the transmission bars and provides a guide for the transmission bars.

2. A shoot bolt mechanism according to claim 1 in which the channel forming member is fixed relative to the driving mechanism.

3. A shoot bolt mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the channel forming member forms an integral part of a housing for the driving mechanism.

4. A shoot bolt mechanism according to any preceding claim in which the channel forming member comprises an elongate planar member, which is folded to form a guide channel for the transmission bars.

5. A shoot bolt mechanism according to claim 4 in which the elongate planar member is made of metal.