GB2476486A

GB2476486A - A block member for locating on the shaft of a locking pin of a multipoint lock

Info

Publication number: GB2476486A
Application number: GB0922508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giovanni Maria Laporta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2011-06-29
Also published as: GB0922508D0

Abstract

A block member 60 for a locking system for an openable window or door leaf; the block member having a bore for receiving a shank 55 of a locking pin 50 in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to a drive rod 40 with the drive rod fixedly held between the block member 60 and a part of the locking pin in use; the block member being received in a channel in a frame member in use. The block member may be a polygonal threaded nut with parallel sides which fit within the channel in the frame which may be a Eurogroove, the blocking member being slidably guided in the groove. The shank of the locking pin may extend through the blocking member and deformed to retain the blocking member.

Description

Block Member

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a block member for a locking system for an openable window or door leaf for securing a locking pin to an elongate plate of the locking system, and a locking system incorporating such a block member.

Background to the Invention

Modern window locks as used on UPVC window assemblies generally come in one of two types, either having an espagnolette locking system or having a shoot-bolt system.

A common configuration of espagnolette mechanism is shown in figure 1. In the system of figure 1, first and second locking bobbins (mushroom-headed locking pins) 10 are mounted on a slider 14 carried behind a face plate 16. The bobbins 10 extend through and are captive in slots in the slider 14. The slider 14 is driven by a handle mechanism, which may be cam-, or rack-, or lever-driven to convert rotational handle movement to linear slider movement. The slider is moveable between a non-locking position (in which handle 22 is generally perpendicular to the slider 14) and a locking position (in which handle 22 is generally parallel to the slider 14). Movement of the handle 22 from the non-locking position to the locking position, as indicated by arrow 12, drives the slider 14 in the opposite direction. When installed to a window, the locking bobbins 10 project from the edge of the window leaf or leaf 24 on which the handle 22 is located. When the window is closed and the handle 22 is turned to lock the window, the locking bobbins 10 will move in the same direction as each other and into locking engagement with respective striker plates (not shown) that are fitted on the adjacent stile of the window frame.

The glazing for UPVC windows and doors is held within leaf edge members, which comprise extruded UPVC or other plastic sections. Typically, each UPVC leaf edge member is provided with what is commonly referred to as a "eurogroove". The eurogroove is provided in an edge surface of each leaf edge member, facing the fixed leaf outer frame and extends longitudinally of the plastic section in which it is provided.

The eurogroove is provided to accommodate hinges, and locking mechanisms such as espagnolette mechanisms, as is well known in the art. The eurogroove has a standard width and depth. The espagnolette mechanism of figure 1 will typically be received in a eurogroove of a leaf edge member, the face plate 16 being secured to the leaf edge member, and the slider 14 being slidably moveable within the eurogroove channel.

Referring to figure 1, in typical espagnolette systems the face plate 16 and slider 14 are planar elongate plates, typically each having a thickness of only around 2 mm. The locking bobbins 10 are usually riveted to the slider 14 by deforming/upsetting a tail of the locking bobbin 10 (the slider 14 and locking bobbins 10 being slidable relative to the face plate 16), as shown in figure 2. A problem with such espagnolette systems is that if an intruder tries to force open the leaf when locked, the locking bobbins 10 will bear against the striker plates on the leaf outer frame, tending to twist the locking bobbins 10 away from perpendicular alignment with the slider 14. If sufficient force is applied to the leaf, the riveted engagement of the locking bobbin 10 with the slider 14 may fail, and the locking bobbin 10 may be pulled off the slider 14 completely.

Modern locking systems for windows and doors must meet high standards, such as that of British Standard 7950. To comply with this standard, a locking system must withstand a 3000 N load applied in an outward direction to a movable leaf, a 1500 N load applied in an unlock direction to the moveable leaf, and a 1000 N load applied normal to a plane containing the locking bar, this test being repeated twice. Some conventional espagnolette systems fail to meet this standard because of problems of the locking bobbins twisting and pulling out of engagement with the slider.

Summary of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a block member for a locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system including a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf, and a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door leaf, the first elongate plate having an aperture for receiving a shank of the locking pin, the block member having a bore for receiving the shank of the locking pin in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, and the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.

The block member provides a stronger fastening of the locking pin with the first elongate plate than the simple riveted fastening of a locking pin to the first elongate plate as used in prior art espagnolette systems, by means of providing extra shank engagement depth between the shank of the locking pin and the block member. This increases the force required to extract the locking pin from the elongate plate that it is fixedly attached to, compared with prior art systems.

Preferably the block member has first and second parallel sides, the first and second parallel sides being substantially parallel with sides of the elongate channel when the block member is installed in the elongate channel. The block member is therefore suited for slidable movement within the elongate channel.

Preferably the distance between the first and second parallel sides of the block member is selected such that the block member is slidingly received between the sides of the elongate channel, and is slidable along the elongate channel.

Preferably the distance between the first and second parallel sides of the block member is selected with reference to the distance between the sides of the elongate channel such that a sliding fit is provided between the block member and the sides of the elongate channel.

Preferably the first elongate plate has first and second parallel elongate sides, and wherein the distance between the first and second parallel sides of the block member is substantially the same as the distance between first and second parallel elongate sides of the first elongate plate. Therefore, like the first elongate plate, the block member is suited for slidable movement within the elongate channel.

Preferably the block member has a rear side facing the base of the elongate channel when installed and a front side facing away from the base of the elongate channel when installed, the distance between the front and rear sides of the block member being selected relative to the channel depth such that a sliding fit is provided between the block member and the base of the elongate channel. This provides for strong engagement of the shank with the block member, and increases the strength of the engagement between the locking pin and the first elongate plate by helping to prevent the locking pin from being twisted away from proper alignment with the first elongate plate, or extracted from the elongate plate when forces are applied to open the leaf when locked.

Preferably the elongate channel is a eurogroove.

Preferably the bore of the block member is internally threaded for threaded engagement with corresponding external threading on at least part of the shank of the locking pin.

Preferably the bore in the block member has first and second opposing open ends, the shank of the locking pin extending through the first and second opposing open ends of the aperture in the block member in use, such that a tail of the shank can be deformed under pressure to fasten the locking pin and block member with the first elongate plate between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, by riveted engagement.

Preferably the locking sytem is an espagnolette locking system.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a block member according to the first aspect of the invention, the kit further comprising a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank receivable in the bore of the block member in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, and the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.

Preferably the locking pin comprises a mushroom-headed cam. Suitably, the keep on the fixed frame member for the window or door will have a flanged rim, such that the mushroom head of the locking pin is retained under the flanged rim when the locking pin is engaged with the keep.

Preferably at least part of shank of the locking pin is externally threaded.

Preferably the bore in the block member has first and second opposing open ends, the shank of the locking pin extending through the first and second opposing open ends of the aperture in the block member in use, such that a tail of the shank can deformed under pressure to fasten the locking pin and block member with the first elongate plate between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, by riveted engagement.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank and the elongate plate having an aperture for receiving the shank; a block member having a bore for receiving the shank of the locking pin in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; a locking pin mountable to the elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank and the elongate plate having an aperture for receiving the shank; and a block member according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; and a kit of parts according to the second aspect of the invention.

Preferably the locking system is an espagnolette locking system, the first elongate plate being moveable along an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel.

Preferably the locking system further comprises a second elongate plate, the second elongate plate having an elongate slot for receiving the shank of the locking pin, the second elongate plate being fixedly attachable to the frame member of the leaf, with the second elongate plate disposed between the first elongate plate and a part of the locking pin when assembled, the first elongate plate, the locking pin and the block member being fixedly secured together and being slidably movable relative to second elongate plate.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a window or door leaf comprising a locking system according to the third, fourth or fifth aspects of the invention.

The term leaf" or "sash" as used herein means a closure member adjustable relative to a frame and arranged to close an aperture in the frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a prior art espagnolette locking system; Figure 2 shows a close-up cross-sectional view through a locking bobbin of the espagnolette mechanism of figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of an espagnolette system including block members according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the espagnolette system of figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded drawing showing a locking pin, part of the face plate, part of the slider and a block member of the espagnolette system of figure 3; Figure 6 is a side view of a locking pin of the system of figure 3; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of figure 3 of a locking pin, face plate, slider and block member of the espagnolette system of figure 3; Figure 8 is a top end view of a leaf edge member in which the espagnolette system of figure 3 can be fitted; Figure 9 is a top end view of the leaf edge member of figure 8 with the espagnolette system of figure 3 fitted in the eurogroove channel; Figure 1 OA is a front perspective view of a block member of figure 3; Figure lOB is a front side view of a block member of figure 3 (the rear side view is the same); Figure 100 is a left side view of a block member of figure 3 (the right side view is the same).

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

Referring to figure 3, an embodiment of the invention is shown comprising an espagnolette locking system 30. The espagnolette system 30 includes a housing 32 for a drive mechanism for driving a slider 40, the drive mechanism having a rotary drive member 34 with a square hole 36 for receiving a handle (not shown). The drive mechanism may have a rack and pinion type mechanism, which is well known in the art, wherein a pinion (not shown) rotates when the rotary drive member 34 is rotated, the teeth of the pinion engaging with a rack portion 42 formed on a slider 40 (visible in figure 5). During operation, rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rotary drive member 34, which moves the slider 40 in the direction of its length along a channel in a window or door leaf in which the espagnolette system 30 has been located. Of course, the drive mechanism may instead comprise a mechanism other than a rack and pinion type mechanism, such as a lever or cam driven mechanism. The teeth in the edge of the end of the slider 40, as visible in figure 5, are provided to allow the slider to drive an additional shoot-bolt mechanism (not shown) linked with the espagnolette mechanism.

The slider 40 is an elongate plate carried behind a face plate 44. Face plate 44 is an elongate plate, which is longer and wider than slider 40, and is secured to the sash edge member (not shown) in use via screws (not shown) or other fixing means that are received in apertures 46 at the top and bottom end of the face plate 44 (visible in figure 4). Slider 40 and face plate 44 are each thin, elongate plates, each having a thickness perpendicular to the plane of the leaf of only around 2 mm.

First and second locking pins 50 are mounted on the slider 40. During operation of the espagnolette mechanism, on operation of the handle, as the slider 40 moves in the direction of its length, locking pins 50 move with the slider 40, and can move into and out of corresponding striker plates or keeps (not shown) in the outer fixed frame. Each locking pin 50 is therefore moveable between an unlocked position, in which it is not in engagement with its corresponding striker plate and a locked position, in which it is in engagement with its corresponding striker plate, whereby the leaf can be opened or closed and locked. Locking pins 50 each comprise a mushroom-headed cam. The striker plates have open ended slots with flanged rims, such that the mushroom head of the locking pins 50 are retained under the flanged rims when the leaf is closed and the locking pins 50 are in the locked position.

The locking pins of the espagnolette system should not be construed as limited to mushroom-headed cams, but may be other types of locking pin or locking bolt such as roller cams (which are simple cylindrical rollers without the mushroom head, which are retained in simple open slots in striker plates).

Referring to figures 6 and 7, each locking pin 50 has a head portion 51, a body portion 52, an annular base portion 53, an annular pedestal portion 54, and a shank portion 55.

Each portion of the locking pin 50 has a circular cross-section. The head 51 and base 53 have greater diameters than the body 52 and pedestal 54, such that the head 51 and base 53 extend radially away from the body 52. Referring to figure 5, the head 51 is provided with a countersunk portion having a blind bore of hexagonal cross-section, such that the locking pin can be tightened into or released from threaded engagement with a block member 60 (which will be described in more detail below) by means of a hexagonal headed screwdriver or similar.

In accordance with the present invention, first and second block members 60 are used to non-moveably fasten the first and second locking pins 50 to slider 40. Referring to figure 5, during assembly of the espagnolette mechanism, the shank 55 of the locking pin 50 passes through an elongate slot 62 in the face plate, through a circular aperture 64 in the slider 40 and into a bore 66 in the block member 60. The shank 55 of the locking pin 50 is externally threaded. Bore 66 is correspondingly internally threaded for threaded engagement with the shank 55 of the locking pin 50, such that the locking pin can be secured in threaded engagement with the block member 60, with the slider and face plate 44 between.

Circular aperture 64 in the slider 40 is sized such that its diameter just slightly larger than the circular cross-section of the shank 55. Pedestal 54 of the locking pin 50 has a circular cross-section which is larger than that of shank 55 (forming a shoulder between the pedestal 54 and shank 55) and is also and larger than the diameter of the circular aperture 64 in the slider 40. Therefore, pedestal portion 54 does not pass through aperture 64, but bears against the edges of aperture 64, allowing the locking pin to be tightened in threaded engagement with the block member 60, with the slider 40 sandwiched between the block member 60 and the pedestal 54. Base 53 of the locking pin 50 has a circular cross-section which is larger than that of pedestal 54 (forming a shoulder between the base 53 and pedestal 54). Elongate slot 62 in the face plate 44 has a width w that is wider than the diameter of pedestal 54, but not wider than the diameter of base 53 of the locking pin, such that when assembled, pedestal 54 sits within slot 62, and base 53 bears up against the front surface or face plate 44. In this way, when assembled, locking pin 50 is non-moveably attached to block member 60 and slider 40, but can slide relative to face plate 44, within elongate slot 62, as the slider 40 slides back and forth.

Referring to figure 8, an end view of the leaf edge member 65 in which the espagnolette mechanism is to be fitted is shown. The leaf edge member 65 has a channel 67, known as a "eurogroove" provided in an edge surface that faces the fixed leaf outer frame, the channel extending longitudinally of the leaf edge member. The eurogroove channel 67 is provided as standard in most UPVC windows, and has a standard width of around 16 mm and depth of around 9 mm. The eurogroove channel 67 shown in the figures has a depth of around 9 mm, although leaf edge members with half-depth eurogrooves are also available. The channel 67 has a base 68 and two side walls 68a,68b. The channel 67 has a pair of inwardly facing flanges 69 near the opening of the channel (i.e. at the front of the channel), such that the channel effectively has a countersunk opening with straight sides in the countersunk portion.

Referring to figure 9, this shows the espagnolette mechanism installed in the eurogroove 67. The face plate 44, which is wider than the slider 40, rests on the front surface of the inward facing flanges 69 when installed (the width in this context being the dimension normal to the longitudinal axis of the slider 40 and also the axis of the shank of the locking pin 50). The face plate 44 extends along the channel 67 with the longitudinal axis of the face plate 44 parallel with the longitudinal axis of the channel.

The width of both the slider 40 and block element 60 is sufficiently less than the distance between the side walls 68a,68b and inner edges of the inwardly facing flanges 69 of the chennel 67 such that the slider 40 and block element 60 can be received within the channel 67 when installed and can slide within the channel 67.

Referring to figures 5 and bA-bC, the block member 60 is cuboid in shape, with rounded corners. The block member 60 has first and second, substantially straight parallel sides 61a, 61b. Referring to figure 9, the first and second parallel sides 61a,61b of the block member 60 are parallel with the sides 68a,68b of the channel 67 when the block member 60 is installed. The distance between the sides 61 a,61 b of the block member 60 matches the distance between the elongate sides of the slider 40, such that the block member 60 has the same width as the slider 40. Referring to figure 9, the first and second sides 61a,61b of the block member are substantially adjacent, but not touching, the respective first and second sides 68a,68b of the eurogroove 67, such that the block member 60 can slide within the channel 67.

The block member 60 has a front side (visible in figure 1OA) that faces away from the base of the channel 67 and an opposing rear side that faces the base 68 of the channel when installed. The length between the front and rear sides of the block member 60 is such that, when the face plate 44 is located on the inwardly facing flanges 69 of the channel, the rear side of the block member 60 is substantially adjacent, but not touching the base 68 of the channel 67, such that the block member 60 can slide within the channel 67 as the slider 40 moves back and forth. In this way, the block member provides maximum extra depth, for the given depth of the channel 67, in which for the shank 55 of the locking pin 50 to engage, thus providing a stronger fastening of the locking pin 50 with the slider 40 than the riveted fastening of the locking pin to the slider as used in prior art espagnolette systems (such as that of figure 2). The block member is effectively like a nut for securing the locking pin 50 to the slider 40, the block member 60 having a depth matching the available depth of the channel, and having straight sides, substantially parallel with the side walls of the channel when installed, such that the block member is able to slidably move within the channel 67. If the eurogroove 67 is a half-depth eurogroove, the length between the front and rear sides of the block member 60 will be less, but will be selected such that when the face plate 44 is located on the inwardly facing flanges 69 of the channel 67, the rear side of the block member 60 is substantially adjacent, but not touching the base 68 of the eurogroove 67.

If an intruder tries to force the leaf open, the additional engagement depth of the shank of the locking pin 50 and the bore 66 of the block member 60 helps to prevent the locking pin from being twisted out of perpendicular alignment with the slider 40, or from being pulled away from the slider completely. This is because the extraction force (the force required to extract the locking pin 50 from the slider 40 will be greater if the locking pin is fastened to the slider using a block member according to the invention rather than a prior art riveted fastening method. Furthermore, if an intruder tries to force the leaf open by trying to move the window in the direction of opening, the sides 61a,61b of the block member 60 will bear against the corresponding sides 68a,68b of the eurogroove 67, helping to prevent the locking pin from being twisted out of perpendicular alignment with the slider 40, or from being pulled away from the slider completely.

Referring to figure 7, the shank 55 of the locking pin 50 must be long enough to threadedly engage in the threaded bore 66 of the block member 60 when installed, with the slider 40 fixedly received between the block member 60 and the pedestal 54. Of course, the locking pin 50 may have a longer shank 55 than that shown in the figures, the maximum possible length of the shank 55 being such that the tail end of the shank is substantially flush with the rear side of the block member when installed.

Referring to figure 7, the bore 66 of the block member 60 has first and second open ends in the front and rear sides of the block member respectively; however, optionally the bore may have a single open end in the front side of the block member, the bore being a blind bore, and the shank of the locking pin extending to terminate at or short of the blind end of the bore.

The block member is made of steel zinc alloy but may of course be made of other materials, such as plastic.

The block member 60 with its internally threaded bore 66 is removably attachable to the locking pin 50. It will be understood, however, that the bore 66 of the block member 60 need not have an internal screw thread, but may be fitted with a sleeve of plastics material, within which the screw thread of the shank 55 of the locking pin cuts its own thread when being installed. Alternatively, the block member 60 may be made of a single block of plastics material, the bore 66 being a cylindrical bore in which the screw thread of the shank 55 of the locking pin cuts its own thread.

It will be understood that the locking pin 50 can be fastened non-moveably to the slider by riveted engagement in addition to the threaded engagement of the threaded shank 55 in the bore 66 of the block member 60. In this case, the shank 55 of the locking pin 50 will be longer than the length between the front and rear side of the block member, such that the tail end of the shank extends beyond the rear side of the block member 60 when assembled, and can be deformed/upset under pressure to fasten the locking pin non-moveably to the block member and slider by riveted engagement.

Alternatively, instead of threadedly engaging the locking pin 50 with the block member 60, the locking pin can be fastened to the block member by riveted engagement only.

In this case, bore 66 of the block member will not be internally threaded, and the shank of the locking pin will not be externally threaded; the shank 55 of the locking pin 50 will be longer than the length between the front and rear side of the block member, such that the tail end of the shank extends beyond the rear side of the block member 60 when assembled, and can be deformed/upset under pressure to fasten the locking pin non-moveably to the block member and slider by riveted engagement.

Where the locking pin 50 is provided with means for riveted fastening to the block member, the locking pin 50 may be provided with means for fastening as a blind rivet.

The block members for providing additional strength to the engagement of the locking pin with the slider can be provided with a new espagnolette system prior installation of the espagnolette system on a window/door. Alternatively, block members according to the invention can be retro-fitted to existing espagnolette mechanisms already fitted to windows/doors.

The block member of the present invention can be used with other locking pins, not only locking pins moveable on espagnolette mechanism, to increase the strength of engagement of a locking pin with a thin plate mounted in a eurogroove channel in a leaf edge member. For example, the block member as described can be used with simple mushroom-headed locking pins for engagement with slotted keeps on the outer frame, the locking pins being affixed to non-moveable thin plates mounted in a eurogroove of a leaf edge member.

Claims

Claims 1. A block member for a locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system including a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf, and a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door leaf, the first elongate plate having an aperture for receiving a shank of the locking pin, the block member having a bore for receiving the shank of the locking pin in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, and the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.
2. A block member according to claim 1, wherein the block member has first and second parallel sides, the first and second parallel sides being substantially parallel with sides of the elongate channel when the block member is installed in the elongate channel.
3. A block member according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the first and second parallel sides of the block member is selected such that the block member is slidingly received between the sides of the elongate channel, and is slidable along the elongate channel.
4. A block member according to any of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first elongate plate has first and second parallel elongate sides, and wherein the distance between the first and second parallel sides of the block member is substantially the same as the distance between first and second parallel elongate sides of the first elongate plate.
5. A block member according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate channel is a Eurogroove.
6. A block member according to any preceding claim, wherein the bore of the block member is internally threaded for threaded engagement with corresponding external threading on at least part of the shank of the locking pin.
7. A block member according to any preceding claim, wherein the bore in the block member has first and second opposing open ends, the shank of the locking pin extending through the first and second opposing open ends of the aperture in the block member in use, such that a tail of the shank can be deformed under pressure to fasten the locking pin and block member with the first elongate plate between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, by riveted engagement.
8. A block member according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking sytem is an espagnolette locking system.
9. A kit of parts comprising a block member according to any preceding claim, the kit further comprising a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank receivable in the bore of the block member in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, and the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.
10. A kit of parts according to claim 9, wherein the locking pin comprises a mushroom-headed cam.
11. A kit of parts according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least part of shank of the locking pin is externally threaded.13. A kit of parts according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the bore in the block member has first and second opposing open ends, the shank of the locking pin extending through the first and second opposing open ends of the aperture in the block member in use, such that a tail of the shank can deformed under pressure to fasten the locking pin and block member with the first elongate plate between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, by riveted engagement.14. A locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; a locking pin mountable to the first elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank and the elongate plate having an aperture for receiving the shank; a block member having a bore for receiving the shank of the locking pin in use, such that the locking pin can be fixedly attached to the first elongate plate with the elongate plate fixedly held between the block member and a part of the locking pin in use, the block member being received in the complementary channel in the frame member in use.15. A locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; a locking pin mountable to the elongate plate for engagement with a keep on a fixed frame member for the window or door, the locking pin having a shank and the elongate plate having an aperture for receiving the shank; and a block member according to any of claims 1 to 8.16. A locking system for an openable window or door leaf, the locking system comprising: a first elongate plate receivable in a complementary elongate channel therefor in a frame member of the leaf; and a kit of parts according to any of claims 9 to 13.17. A locking system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the locking system is an espagnolette locking system, the first elongate plate being moveable along an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel.18. A locking system according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the locking system further comprises a second elongate plate, the second elongate plate having an elongate slot for receiving the shank of the locking pin, the second elongate plate being fixedly attachable to the frame member of the leaf, with the second elongate plate disposed between the first elongate plate and a part of the locking pin when assembled, the first elongate plate, the locking pin and the block member being fixedly secured together and being slidably movable relative to second elongate plate.19. A window or door leaf comprising a locking system according to any of claims l5to 18.20. A block member, a kit of parts, a locking system or a window or door leaf substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.