GB2455777A

GB2455777A - Locking system with hook, main locking unit, secondary locking unit and common through bar

Info

Publication number: GB2455777A
Application number: GB0724964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Shenton
Original assignee: Window Fabrication and Fixing Supplies Ltd
Current assignee: Window Fabrication and Fixing Supplies Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2009-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-21
Also published as: GB2455777B; GB0724964D0

Abstract

A locking system includes a main locking unit 2 including a lock activation device 10 and at least one secondary locking unit. At least two of which include at least one hook 9 which on operation of the lock activation device of the main locking unit can be moved between open and secure positions wherein at least one of the hooks 9 of the system rotates clockwise and at least one of the hooks moves anti-clockwise when the locking system is being moved from open to secure positions. The operation of the hook 9 is controlled by movement of a common through bar 5 running through all the locking units of the system and which through bar 5 is moved in one direction only at any given time. The system may further include a deadlock and a cam members attached to external and internal handles. A retractable latch and cylinder lock may also be provided.

Description

1 2455777 Locking System This invention relates to a locking system and, in particular, to a multi point locking system. The locking system as will be described is suited to use with doors but as will be well appreciated by those in the industry it is possible to use this type of locking system with any closure means, for example doors, hatches or windows.

When providing prefabricated glazing units, including doors, the purchaser is looking for something above the standard and readily available, particularly in the area of security. The provision of prefabricated units has enabled the security features of the glazing and door units to be increased marked over what was previously available. However, there has also been a marked increase in the ingenuity of the average thief and they are still able to force or otherwise gain entry to a home for ill purpose.

A number of the currently available locking systems use hook type securing means which whilst being substantial to fend off an attempt to simply force the closure open include a number of weaknesses that allow the clever miscreant to still gain access. Principally the hook members in conventional locking systems have a common drive and are connected into a common system. Specifically this enables the system to be simply operated and less prone to malfunction whilst improving the security and strength of certain vulnerable elements of the locking system. However this in turn has led to highlighting of an ingrain weakness in the system. The use of the common system means that the hooks as a whole can be forced at the same time. Normally by trying to force the drive system to move and operate in one direction and force the hooks to move and disengage enough for the closure to be prised open. The conventional system are connected together so that the hook all move in the same direction so this will work, in principle, and allow the closure to be forced.

As will be well appreciated any closure can be force and opened with the application of the right amount of force. The present invention is intended to add a further level of security to conventional systems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a locking system including a main locking unit including a lock activation means and at least one secondary locking unit, at least two of which means and units include at least one hook securing means which on operation of the lock activation means of the main locking unit can be moved between open and secure positions wherein at least one of the hook securing means of the system rotates clockwise and at least one of the hook securing means moves anti-clockwise when the locking system is being moved from open to secure positions and the operation of the hook securing means is controlled by movement of a common through bar running through all the locking units of the system and which through bar is moved in one direction only at any given time.

The advantage with the above system resides from two primary factors, firstly the system maintains its simplicity in that a common bar with movement in one direction only controls the operation of all the units in the locking system.

Secondly the system utilise hook members, which move in opposing direction to provide security. Therefore, the locking system is operated in a similar manner to a clasp and forcing movement of the system in one direction will not be sufficient to induce release of the locking function. The system would have to be forced in both directions at the same time. Therefore this invention enables the full mechanical strength of the system to be utilised.

In one arrangement of the invention may also include deadlock which acts directly on the through bar to prevent movement of the through bar and thereby operation of the locking system.

In one configuration of the present invention the locking system includes at least one cam member connected to a handle to allow a user to operate the locking system wherein the cam member transmits movement of the handle through to the through bar and allows activation of the locking system. In an alternative arrangement the locking system includes two cam members a first cam member attached to an externally mounted handle and the second of said cam member connected to an internally mounted handle each of which cam members transmits movement of the handle to the through bar but only the second of which enables the lock to be activated.

The locking system also includes a retractable latch that is moved from a securing to open position by activation of the lock activation means.

The locking system may also include a cylinder lock located in the main unit. The cylinder lock may be fitted into the unit, once the unit has been installed in a closure.

The retractable latch may be operated and the lock activated by a lever arm arrangement which transmits force applied by a cam on the cylinder lock operated when a key is turned in the lock sufficient to operate and move the retractable latch to the open position.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking system including a main locking unit including a lock activation means and at least one secondary locking unit, each of which units includes at least one securing means which on operation of the lock activation means of the main locking unit can be moved between open and secure positions; a retractable latch operable by a handle between open and secure positions and a cylinder lock having a cam member moveable by the action of key which operates the cylinder lock wherein a lever arm arrangement is connected to the retractable latch and which is moved by the cam on the cylinder lock transmitting force applied by said cam to move the retractable latch from a securing to an open position.

The invention will now be illustrated, by description of an example locking system, in accordance with the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the locking system of the present invention: Figures 2 and 3 show side and plan views of the main locking unit shown in figure 1: Figures 4 and 5 show views of the cover plate and main body section of the main locking unit shown in figures 2 and 3: Figure 5A shows a blown up view of the hook member and latch member of the main locking unit as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings: Figures 6 to 9 show views of the upper secondary unit shown in figure 1: and Figures 10 to 13 show views of the lower secondary locking unit shown in figure 1.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a schematic representation of a multi point locking system 1 made in accordance with the present invention. It should be remembered that this type of locking device is intended for mounting in a closure such as a door or a window located in a frame. At points in the following discussion and description the above configuration and orientation for the locking system will be assumed and relied upon.

The multi point locking system 1 includes a main locking unit 2; and upper and lower secondary locking units 3,4. The upper and lower units 3,4 are connected to the main locking unit by a bar 5 extending through the units and the bar 5 is moved by the operation of the main locking unit 2 which movement is used to move the units 3 and 4 between open and locking positions.

Now referring to figures 2 to 5 of the drawings there is shown various views of the main locking unit 2. The main locking unit 2 includes: a casing 6 having a main section 7 and a cover plate 8; a hook type lock member 9; a retractable lever 13 or latch; first and second cam members 10, 11; a dead lock locking means 12; lever means 14; and through bar 5 which extends along the length of the lock.

The cover plate 8 and the main section 7 of the casing are provided with a number of openings, grooves and slots to allow for the correct mounting of the abovementioned components in the casing 6. The openings, grooves and slots in the casing will be described and indicated in the following discussion of the above detailed components.

The cover plate 8 is screw fitted to the main section 7 to form the casing 6 and hold the components of the main locking unit 2 in position.

The through bar 5 extends through the main locking unit between an orifice in the upper surface and an orifice in the lower surface. The bar 5 is disposed to run adjacent the side edge of the casing closest to the edge of a closure when the main locking unit is fitted in a closure, and against the base of the main section 7.

Now starting at the upper end of the locking means 2, when the lock has been disposed correctly in a closure, there is located the hook like member 9. This member 9 has a main body section 9a of substantially right-angled triangular configuration with the right angle located downwardly and against the side of the casing 6 that will be adjacent the closure. A hook like projection 9b extends outwardly through a gap 9c in the side wall of the casing 6 from the side edge of the right angled triangle that will be adjacent the closure when fitted, and the member 9 has pivotal seats 9d in the remaining corner of the triangular configuration.

The seats 9d are located in openings 9e in the base of the main section 7 of the main locking unit 2 and the cover plate 8 so as to provide pivotal mounting for the hook like member 9 in the main locking unit 2.

In addition there is provided a shaped abutment 9x (see Figure 5A) that extends from the lower surface 9f of the hook member and a shaped slot 9g is provided in the upper sections of the member 9 so that the movement of the member 9 is not interfered with by mounting means for the unit 2 in a door or other closure member. Finally included on the shaped abutment is a stud (not shown) which engages in a groove or slot (not shown) provided in the through bar 5. In this manner the movement of the through bar causes the hook like member to be moved between open (hook fully retracted into the casing) and locking positions (hook extending through gap in the casing 6 to engage in suitable means provided in the frame of the closure.

The retractable latch 13 comprises a substantially rectangular member having at one end a rounded profile section 13a and at the other a simple squared finish.

When correctly located in the casing 6 the rounded section 1 3a of the retractable latch 13 is configured and located so that in it's normal position it extends through an opening 1 3h in the side of the main section of the casing 6. Further when the retractable latch 13 is located in the casing 6 the latch 13 has inner and outer surfaces with respect to the base of the main section 7 of the casing 6.

The inner surface engages the base of the main section 7 of the casing 6 and includes a transverse groove adjacent the profiled section 13a, a landed section including two abutments which engage and run in slots provided in the base of the main section 7 of the main locking unit 2. A recess (not shown) is provided in the lower surface at the lower edge remote from the rounded section 1 3a.

The outer surface of the retractable latch 13 includes a stud member 1 3e and two abutments 13f which abutments engage and run in grooves 13g provided in the cover plate 8.

A cut out 13x (See Figure 5A) is provided in the upper surface of the retractable latch into which the abutment on the hook type member 9 can locate to allow proper operation of the locking unit. Further a cut away is provided in the through bar so that when the lock is in the open position the retractable latch 13 can be retracted into the casing 6.

When the locking system is in the secure position the hook like member 9 extends through the casing wall and the abutment in the lower surface of the hook like member 9 is located in the cut away in the upper surface of the retractable latch 13. Therefore if an attempt is made to retract the retractable latch 13 when the lock is in the secure position the retractable latch 13 will be prevented from movement by engagement against the through bar 5 and the abutment of the hook like member 9.

The first and second cam members 10, 11 are substantially the same in configuration and operation. Each of the cam members includes an upper section lOa.1 Ia and a lower section.

The upper sections include a hub iOc,lic with an outstanding cam arm lOd,lid that includes a stud (not shown) for engagement into a slot (not shown) provided in the through bar 5. Upper surface of the hub lOc,llc includes a seat lOd, lid for location in an opening 1 Oe, lie in the cover plate 8. The under side of the hub section lOc,i ic includes a butterfly shaped opening and recess (not shown).

Further each of the holes includes a square shaped orifice for the fitting of a handle or handles (not shown) to allow for the operation of the locking system.

The lower section lOb,1 lb comprise a plate having a seat for location in an opening in the base of the main section 7 of the casing 6. Extending upwardly from the plate is a square shaped wall (not shown which when the cam members are assembled locate in the butterfly opening in the upper member lOa,ila. The fit of the wall in the respective opening is not a tight fit so there is some rotation of the lower and upper members with respect to each other before movement is transmitted from one member to the other.

In addition an arm member lOg extends from the first or upper cam member 10 which when the lock is assembled locates in the recess provided in the retractable latch 13. Movement of the cam member 10 is transmitted via the arm lOg to the retractable latch 13. Consequently when the upper cam member 10 is operated the retractable latch is retracted, however when the lower cam member ii is operated the retractable latch is not operated and the closure remains secure.

Normally the cam member 10, ii will be operated by handles fitted to the door with the upper cam member being fitted to an internal handle and the lower cam member fitted to an external handle.

The dead locking means 12 comprises a block like member 12a having a U shaped member 12b located in an indented groove 12c. The U shaped member 1 2b is spring activated to a downward position by a spring mounted to act between an inner surface of the U shaped member and the indented groove. The U shaped member also includes protrusions 12d at the ends of the arms of the U shaped member 12b sized and located to run in slots i2e provided in the base of the main section 7 and the cover plate 8 of the casing 6. The block 12a also includes protrusions 12f to locate and run in slots 12g provided in the base of the main section 7 and the cover plate 8 of the casing 6.

The slots 12e are shaped with an inward protrusion 12h from the lower surface thereof whilst the slots 12g are straight forward slots to allow back and forth movement in a guided manner of the block 12b of the means 12. The dead locking means is moveable between open and secure positions and in order to move the deadlock means 12 between these positions the U shaped member 12b has to moved upwardly against the action of the spring to allow the protrusions 12d to pass over the protrusion 12h. Consequently positive action is required to move the deadlocking means 12 between open and secure positions.

Further the lower surface, surface engaging the base of the main section 7 at the end closest the closure frame has an indent (not shown) to allow passage over the through bar 5. In addition a cut away section is provided in the through bar 5 which when the deadlocking means is in the closed position engages the deadlocking means 12 to prevent operation of the locking system. In addition a groove 1 2i is provided in the upper surface of the block 1 2a.

In addition openings 6a are provided in the cover plate and base of the main section 7 for location of a cylinder lock barrel in the system. The cylinder lock barrel will only be mounted once the main locking unit has been mounted in a closure and serves to locate and secure the main locking unit in position.

Finally there is provided a lever means 14. The lever means comprises two members a U shaped upper section 14a, having two arms 14b, the arms of which engage in grooves 14c provided in the cover plate 8, and which upper section has a slot 14d for engagement with the stud 13e of the retractable latch 13. When fitted as the retractable latch moves in and out the upper section moves up and down the grooves 14c under the action of the stud 13e and the slot 14d.

At the lower end of the upper section 14a there is provided a recess 14f for location of a circular member 14h provided on a lower arm section 14g. The lower arm section is elongate and slightly curved and at the end thereof remote from the member 14h there is provided a hook section for engagement with a cam provided in the cylinder lock.

The lower arm section 14g is pivotally attached to the upper member 14a and when fitted lies over the cam arms lOd,lld and in the groove 12i of the dead locking means.

Now referring to figures 6 to 9 of the drawings there is shown one of the secondary locking units 3,4 of the locking system. The system as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings includes an upper and a lower secondary locking unit which are substantially identical except the in there direction of operation. The upper secondary locking unit has a left handed operation and the lower secondary locking unit has a right hand operation.

The secondary locking unit shown in figures 6 to 8 is the upper unit 3. The unit comprises a casing 3a having a main section 3b and a cover plate 3c. Openings are provided in the main section 3b to allow for passage of the through bar 5 through the unit. The though bar 5 includes a widened section 5a completely housed in the main section 3b which widened section includes a slot 5b and a stud 5c.

Further located in the main section is a hook member 5d having a body section 5e and a hook section 5e. The body section includes upper and lower surfaces each of which has a stud for pivotal mounting of the hook member between openings in the base of the main section 3b and the cover plate 3c. A slot 5f offset slightly from the pivot means is also provided in the body section. The slot is curved slightly around the pivot means of the hook member.

When assembled the hook member is located over the widened section 5a of the through bar 5, and the stud 5c is engaged in the slot 3f in the hook member.

Further the pivot means of the hook member are engaged in openings in the mains section 3b and the cover plate 3c, with the pivotal mounting in the lower surface being achieved through the slot 5b in the widened section of the through bar 5.

In operation movement of the through bar 5 is transmitted via the stud 5c to the hook member and the hook member is caused to pivot about its mounting. This motion causes the hook section to rotate around so that in a secure position the hook section extends through an opening in the casing to engage the frame of the closure and in an open position the hook section is located in the casing.

Now referring to figures 10 to 13 of the drawings there is shown the lower secondary locking unit 4. As indicated above this unit is substantially the same as the upper unit described above and like suffixes have been used for like components. In this unit the locations of the slot 4f is located on the other side of the pivot means and a stop member 5g has been provided on the through bar.

In this manner the locking system is provided with secondary locking units which operate in opposite hands increasing the security of the system. Whilst the system shows the secondary units operating in opposite hands it is possible that the two secondary units merely operate in opposite hand to the hook member of the main locking unit 2.

When fitted to a closure such as a door the locking system is fitted in the closure so that it extends along one side of the closure. The main locking unit is fitted centrally with the upper and lower secondary locking units located above and below as appropriate. The handles for the operation of the closure are fitted so that an externally mounted handle activates the lower cam member and an internally mounted handle activates the upper cam member. Further once the main unit 2 has been fitted the cylinder lock can be fitted through the appropriate openings in the casing 6.

The through bar 5 extends between all the units in the locking system connecting then into one operational system. The system is operated by movement of the through bar, which operates the secondary locking unit 3,4 as the main unit is operated by a user.

Claims

Claims 1 A locking system including a main locking unit including a lock activation means and at least one secondary locking unit, at least two of which means and units include at least one hook securing means which on operation of the lock activation means of the main locking unit can be moved between open and secure positions wherein at least one of the hook securing means of the system rotates clockwise and at least one of the hook securing means moves anti-clockwise when the locking system is being moved from open to secure positions and the operation of the hook securing means is controlled by movement of a common through bar running through all the locking units of the system and which through bar is moved in one direction only at any given time.
2 A locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking system also includes a deadlock which acts directly on the through bar to prevent movement of the through bar and thereby operation of the locking system.
3 A locking system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking system includes at least one cam member connected to a handle to allow a user to operate the locking system wherein the cam member transmits movement of the handle through to the through bar and allows activation of the locking system.
4 A locking system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking system includes two cam members a first cam member attached to an externally mounted handle and the second of said cam member connected to an internally mounted handle each of which cam members transmits movement of the handle to the through bar but only the second of which enables the lock to be activated.
A locking system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking system also includes a retractable latch that is moved from a securing to open position by activation of the lock activation means.
6 A locking system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking system may also include a cylinder lock located in the main unit.
7 A locking system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cylinder lock is fitted into the unit once the unit has been installed in a closure.
8 A locking system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the retractable latch is operated and the lock activated by a lever arm arrangement which transmits force applied by a cam on the cylinder lock operated when a key is turned in the lock sufficient to operate and move the retractable latch to the open position.
9 A locking system including a main locking unit including a lock activation means and at least one secondary locking unit, each of which units includes at least one securing means which on operation of the lock activation means of the main locking unit can be moved between open and secure positions; a retractable latch operable by a handle between open and secure positions and a cylinder lock having a cam member moveable by the action of key which operates the cylinder lock wherein a lever arm arrangement is connected to the retractable latch and which is moved by the cam on the cylinder lock transmitting force applied by said cam to move the retractable latch from a securing to an open position.