GB2428624A - A lock fitting aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock fitting aid 1 for determining the position of a striker on a door frame. The aid comprises a fixed part 10 for indicating the required striker position on a door frame, and a movable depth gauge part 20 for determining a required spacing of the fixed part from a door jam 30 with the fixed part in the required position. The lock fitting aid 1 may form a part of the packaging associated with a lock assembly. The fixed part 10 may also comprise a laminar element (figure 14, 310).

Description

I

A LOCK FITTING AID

The present invention relates generally to a lock fitting aid and particularly to an aid for determining the position of a striker on a door frame.

Lock assemblies for doors generally have a lock with a dead bolt morticed in the door, and a striker having an aperture for receiving the bolt to lock the door in a closed position and being mounted to the door frame. For example, rim locks generally have a strike box and mortice locks have a strike plate. When the door reaches its closed position the locking bolt can be moved outwardly of the lock to be received in the aperture of the striker such that opening of the door is prevented by abutment of the bolt with the striker until the bolt is retracted into the lock to release it.

Because the mechanism of action of such locks requires the bolt to be moved into the striker aperture when the door is closed it is difficult to determine the exact required position for the striker on the door frame for the lock bolt to be in register with the striker aperture so that it can smoothly enter into and withdraw from the aperture in use. As a result, in many cases the required position for the strike plate is estimated and fitted and then adjusted if required. Incorrect fitting of the striker requires adjustment or even replacement and could effect the operation of the lock bolt if done inaccurately.

The present invention seeks to address the problem of accurately positioning a striker on a door frame.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lock fitting aid for determining the position of a striker on a door frame, the aid comprising a fixed part for indicating a required strike position on a door frame, a removable depth gauge part for determining a required spacing of the fixed part from a door jam with the fixed part in the required position.

The present invention therefore uses the principle that the door jam can be used as a reference point from which a depth to a required position for a striker plate can be measured so that the required position can accurately be determined. For this purpose the fixed part is held in the required position whilst the movable depth gauge part is moved to abut against the door jam whereupon the relative position between the fixed part and the moving part can be indicative of the required position for the fixed position when the aid is subsequently held against the door frame by a user to mark the position for the striker (which corresponds to the position of the fixed part).

In use, the fixed part and movable part can be placed onto a door frame with the door closed and the movable part can be pushed towards the door jam. More specifically, the fixed part can be first placed on the door itself so that the fixed part represents the striker and is positioned so that the lock bolt would pass into the striker aperture. Thereafter, with the fixed part in the required position relative to the bolt the door can be closed so that the fixed part is automatically situated in the required position on the door frame for the lock bolt to pass into the striker aperture when the door is closed. Thereafter, the movable part can be moved relative to the fixed part with the door in the closed position until it abuts against the door jam. When the door is subsequently opened so that the door frame is accessible, the fixed part and the movable part are in a required relative position to allow them to be removed and replaced in the identical depth position when the user is ready to mark the required position for the striker using the fixed part as a template. The fixed part thereby comprises a striker template.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided a lock fitting aid for determining the position of a striker on a door frame, the aid comprising: a fixed part for indicating a required striker position on a door frame; and a movable part which is movable, in use, relative to the fixed part towards a door jam with the fixed part in the required position, in which, in use when the movable part abuts against a door jam it defines a required depth position on a door frame corresponding to the required position whereby to comprise a depth gauge for the fixed part.

The movable part may be slidable with respect to the fixed part. Other forms of relative movement are not beyond the scope of the invention.

The fixed part may be connected or connectable to the movable part. Accordingly the parts are held together with makes it easier to keep them in a required relative position.

There may be provided means for retaining the fixed part and the movable part in a required relative position such as a clip, ratchet arrangement or the like. Once the movable part has been used to determine the required depth for the fixed part with the door closed the aid can be removed from the door frame. When the aid is placed back against the frame it is important that the relative positions between the parts is unchanged if an accurate depth is to be attained.

The length of the fixed part may correspond to the length of a striker to be fitted.

Accordingly the fixed part could be used to mark top and bottom positions for positioning along the length of the frame.

The width of the fixed part may correspond to the length of a striker to be fitted.

This helps the fixed part to function as a template for a striker, because the sides of the fixed part can be marked on the door frame in the required position to help line the striker up correctly when it is subsequently fitted.

The fixed part may comprise a slot which corresponds to a lock bolt to be received in a striker. The purpose of the slot is twofold. First, the slot allows the fixed part to be pushed onto the bolt with the door in an open position; with the bolt very slightly out of the lock just enough for the fixed part to remain attached, the door can be closed and the fixed part will be in exactly the correct position to serve as a template for the striker. Second, when the required relative position between the fixed part and the movable part has been set, the slot serves as a template for marking the required position for the striker aperture.

The movable part may comprise one or more slots for receiving the fixed part. The fixed part can be provided separately from the movable part and the parts can be assembled to form the aid by threading the fixed part through the slots.

The fixed part may comprise a laminar element. The sliding part may comprise a laminar element. Laminar elements can fit in between the door and the door frame with the door in a closed position. The parts may be formed from laminar material such as paper, card, sheet metal, plastics material or the like.

The form of the fixed part is determined at least partly by the striker it is intended to replicate. Accordingly the fixed part may have one or more apertures for replicating one or more lock parts to be received in a striker, such as latches and bolts. Therefore locks including mortice deadlocks, mortice sash locks and mortice latches can be fitted using the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an item of packaging for a lock assembly including a striker, the packaging material having markings comprising a pattern for the fixed part and/or movable part of an aid, whereby the fixed part and/or movable part can be cut out from the packaging material. Accordingly the lock packaging provides the aid for fitting the lock. The aid is thereby very simple and cheap to produce and can be tailored to the particular lock with which it is supplied.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining a required position for a lock striker on a door frame comprising the steps of: using a fixed member to indicate a required position on a door frame; and using a movable part to determine a required spacing of the fixed part from a door jam with the fixed part in the required position.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a fixed part forming part of a lock fitting aid formed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a movable part forming part of the same locking aid as the fixed part shown in Figure 1; Figure 3A shows the fixed part and movable parts shown in Figures 1 and 2 assembled to form a lock fitting aid and shown in a first end position; Figure 3B shows the locking aid of Figure 3A in a second end position; Figures 4 to 9 illustrate the working of the locking aid shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 10 is a plan view of part of a packaging box incorporating a template for a lock fitting aid according to the present invention; Figure 11 is a plan view of a fixed part forming part of a lock fitting aid formed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of a movable part forming part of the same locking aid as the fixed part shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 shows the fixed part and movable parts shown in Figures 11 and 12 assembled to form a lock fitting aid and shown in a position intermediate a first and a second end position; Figure 14 is a plan view of a fixed part forming part of a lock fitting aid formed according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a plan view of a movable part forming part of the same locking aid as the fixed part shown in Figure 14; and Figure 16 shows the fixed part and movable parts shown in Figures 14 and assembled to form a lock fitting aid and shown in a first end position.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a fixed part generally indicated 10. The part 10 is a generally T-shape laminar element formed from a thin material such as plastic, metal, card or paper. The part 10 comprises a longer leg 11 and a shorter leg 12 with the shorter leg 12 extended from the centre of the longer leg 11 and defining two equal length arms 11 a, 11 b on the leg 11. The longer leg 11 is generally rectangular and the shorter leg 12 is generally frusto-conical in shape.

The longer leg 11 includes a central rectangular aperture formed as a cut out portion 13. At the side of the longer leg 11 opposite the shorter leg 12, two triangular slits 14, 15 project inwardly roughly flanking the two sides of the aperture 13.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a movable part generally indicated 20.

The part comprises a generally rectangular planar body 21 in this embodiment formed from the same material as the fixed part 10. At one end of the body 20 is a rectangular aperture 22. Either side of the long sides of the aperture is a slot 23, 24 indicated by broken lines.

Referring now to Figure 3A the fixed part 10 and moveable part 20 are shown assembled into a lock fitting aid 1 for fitting a striker plate for a dead bolt.

The fixed part 10 is slotted into the movable part 20 by slotting the arms 1 la, lib through respective slots 24, 23. The slits 14, 15 allow the leg 11 to bow in order to push the arms 1 la, 1 lb into the slots 24, 23.

With the aid 1 assembled the aperture 13 in the fixed part 10 aligns with the aperture 22 in the movable part.

The movable part 20 is slidable sideways with respect to the fixed part 10 with the fixed part sliding through the slots 23, 24 from the position shown in Figure 3A to the position shown in Figure 3B. As described in detail with respect to Figures 4A to 4F, in use a door jam 30 comprises an abutment surface towards and eventually against which the movable part 20 is pushed. Because the aperture 22 is longer than the aperture 13, the aperture 13 is always fully in register with part of the aperture 22.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 9 the aid 1 is shown in use. In each of Figures 4A to 9A a photograph is shown; in each of Figures 4B to 9B a line drawing of the respective photograph is shown.

In Figures 4A and 4B the aid 1 is shown presented to a door 35 at the point on the door where a lock bolt 40 protrude. The aperture 13 in the fixed part 10 is dimensioned so as to correspond to the bolt and to an aperture in a striker plate (not shown) into which the bolt must slide. Accordingly the fixed part can be positioned up against the door 35 in exactly the right position for receiving the bolt 40. Furthermore, with the bolt 40 moved outwardly the fixed part 10 can be fitted over the bolt 40 and held in position as shown.

In Figures 5A, SB and 6A, 6B the door 35 is shown closing. The bolt 40 can remain slightly protruding as shown in Figures 6A and 6B to retain the fixed part because of the small gap between the edge of the door 35 and the door frame 45 when the door is fully closed.

With the door 35 fully closed the fixed part is now in exactly the correct position on the door frame 45 relative to the bolt 40 i.e. it is in the position in which it is desired to fit a striker.

In Figures 7A and 7B the door 35 is fully closed and the fixed part 10 is retained in the required position by virtue of its engagement on the bolt. In other embodiments the fixed part is retained in this position in which the aperture 13 is in registration with the bolt 40 by other means such as adhesion or temporary fixings such as clips rather than the bolt 40 itself so that the bolt 40 could be fully retracted if required.

With the door 35 fully closed the movable part 20 can be pushed towards the door jam 30 whilst the fixed part remains in position. Eventually the movable part will abut against the door jam. The position of the top and bottom of the fixed part 10 are now marked on the outside of the door frame 45. Thereafter the door is opened whilst keeping the fixed part and the movable part in a fixed positional relationship.

With the door 35 open the aid 1 can be placed back against the door frame 45 as shown in Figure 8A, 8B and 9A, 9B. The markings on the door frame can be used to place the aid 1 at the correct position along the length of the frame 45 by aligning the fixed part 10 with the markings. Thereafter the aid can be pushed towards the door jam 30 until the movable part once again abuts against the door jam 30. Because the relative position between the fixed part 10 and the movable part have not changed the depth to which the aid I can be inserted relative to the door jam must be the correct depth to situate the fixed part in the required position.

Furthermore, the aperture 13 in the fixed part 10 must then be in the exact position to receive the bolt and so its position is marked.

With the position of the aperture 13 and the top and bottom of the fixed part marked on the door frame 45 a striker member (not shown) can be fitted on the door frame to the required position for receiving the bolt 40.

Referring now to Figure 10 there is shown an alternative aspect of the present invention.

A plan view of the interior surface one side 150 of a packaging box is shown. The packaging box itself (not shown) carries a lock of the type for which the aid 1 shown in Figure 1 to 4 is suitable.

The side 150 carries a pattern for a fixed part 110 and a movable part 120 of the type discussed in relation to Figures 1 to 9 (illustrated by the dotted lines). The parts 110, 120 can be cut out from the side 150 and used as a fitting aid for the lock carried in the packaging box in the manner described in relation to Figures 4 to 9.

Alternatively the parts 110, 120 may be defined by perforations so that they can be pushed out of the side 150.

Because the parts 110, 120 are supplied with a specific lock the fixed part 120 can be dimensioned to correspond to the striker for that lock.

Referring now to Figure 11 there is shown a fixed part generally indicated 210.

The part 210 is a generally T-shape laminar element formed from a thin card or paper. The part 210 comprises a first leg 211 and a second leg 212 with the second leg 212 extended from the centre of the first leg 211 and defining two equal length arms 21 Ia, 21 lb on the leg 211. The leg 211 is generally rectangular and the shorter leg 212 is also generally rectangular in shape.

The leg 211 includes a central rectangular aperture formed as a cut out slot portion 213.

Referring now to Figure 12 there is shown a movable part generally indicated 220.

The part comprises a generally rectangular planar body 221 in this embodiment formed from the same material as the fixed part 210. At one end of the body 221 is a rectangular aperture 222. Either side of the long sides of the aperture 222 is a longitudinal slot 223, 224 indicated by broken lines. In addition a transverse slot 225 extends along the body 221 at the opposite end to the aperture 222.

Referring now to Figure 13 the fixed part 210 and moveable part 220 are shown assembled into a lock fitting aid 201 for fitting a striker plate for a latch bolt.

The fixed part 210 is fitted into the movable part 220 by slotting the arms 21 la, 211b through respective slots 224, 223. In addition the arm 212 slots through the slot 225 to hold the part firmly in place.

With the aid 201 assembled the aperture 213 in the fixed part 210 aligns with the aperture 222 in the movable part 220.

The movable part 220 is slidable sideways with respect to the fixed part 210 with the fixed part sliding through the slots 223, 224.

Referring now to Figure 14 there is shown a fixed part generally indicated 310.

The part 310 is a generally T-shape laminar element.. The part 310 comprises a first leg 311 and a second leg 312 with the leg 312 extended from the centre of the leg 11.

The leg 311 includes a first rectangular aperture 31 3a formed as a cut out portion.

In addition the leg 311 has a second rectangular aperture 31 3b. The aperture 31 3a is intended to represent a dead bolt aperture in a striker plate and the aperture 31 3b is intended to represent a latch bolt aperture in a striker plate.

Referring now to Figure 15 there is shown a movable part generally indicated 320.

The part 320 comprises a generally rectangular planar body 321 in this embodiment formed from a different material as the fixed part 310. At one end of the body 321 is a first rectangular aperture 322a and a second rectangular aperture 322b. A slot 323 extends along the lower part of the body 321 and a slot 324 extends along the upper part of the body 321.

Referring now to Figure 16 the fixed part 310 and moveable part 320 are shown assembled into a lock fitting aid 301 for fitting a sash lock.

The fixed part 310 is slotted into the movable part 20 by slotting the arms 311 a, 31 lb through respective slots 324, 323.

With the aid 301 assembled the aperture 3 13a in the fixed part 310 aligns with the aperture 322a in the movable part and the aperture 31 3b aligns with the aperture 322b.

The movable part 320 is slidable sideways with respect to the fixed part 310 with the arms 31 la, 31 lb sliding through the slots 323, 324.

Claims (16)

1. A lock fifing aid for determining the position of a striker on a door frame, the aid comprising: a fixed part for indicating a required striker position on a door frame, and a movable depth gauge part for determining a required spacing of the fixed part from a door jam with the fixed part in the required position.

2. A lock fitting aid for determining the position of a striker on a door frame, the aid comprising: a fixed part for indicating a required striker position on a door frame; and a movable part which is movable, in use, relative to the fixed part towards a door jam with the fixed part in the required position, in which, in use when the movable part abuts against a door jam it defines a required depth position on a door frame corresponding to the required position whereby to comprise a depth gauge for the fixed part.

3. An aid according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the movable part is slidable with respect to the fixed part.

4. An aid according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the fixed part is connected or connectable to the movable part. * I

5. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which there are provided means for retaining the fixed part and the movable part in a required relative position.

6. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the length of the fixed part corresponds to the length of a striker to be fitted.

7. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the width of the fixed part corresponds to the length of a striker to be fitted.

8. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the fixed part comprises a slot which corresponds to a lock bolt to be received in a striker.

9. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the movable part comprises one or more slots for receiving the fixed part.

10. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the fixed part comprises a laminar element.

11. An aid as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the sliding part comprises a laminar element.

12. An item of packaging for a lock assembly including a striker, the packaging material having markings comprising a pattern for the fixed part and/or movable part of the aid according to any preceding Claim, whereby the fixed part and/or movable part can be cut out from the packaging material.

13. A method of determining a required position for a lock striker on a door frame comprising the steps of: using a fixed member to indicate a required position on a door frame and using a movable part to determine a required spacing of the fixed part from a door jam with the fixed part in the required position.

14. An aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

15. An item of packaging substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

16. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.