GB2484466A

GB2484466A - Locking mechanism for a hinged door or window

Info

Publication number: GB2484466A
Application number: GB1017054.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Brian Duncan; Brett Noel Allard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-11
Filing date: 2010-10-11
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Also published as: GB201017054D0

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a hinged window or door in which the wing is provided with a metal box stiffener extending an edge of the wing opposite to its hinged edge; the box stiffener containing an operating plate 11 pivotally mounted at 12, a pair of push rods 14, 15, pivotally coupled to the rotating operating plate 11 at opposite sides of the fixed pivot 12 and a bolt 20, 21, coupled to each push rod such that rotation of plate 11 drives push rods in opposite directions to extend and retract bolts from the edge of the wing. Operating plate 11 may be rotated by a key operated lock or handle. Preferably bolts 20, 21 extend into reinforced strikers in the frame into which the wing is mounted.

Description

SECURITY LOCKING MECHANISM

FOR A DOOR OR WINDOW

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a security locking mechanism for a hinged opening member such as a door or window. The invention is particularly applicable to external windows such as casement windows, awning windows or hopper windows.

BACKGROUND

In many burglaries the intruder initially gains entry by forcing an external window. Many locking arrangements have been devised in an effort to prevent burglars from forcing the window open, but most burglars will agree that there are very few windows which cannot be forced.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of security locking mechanism which is extremely difficult to force whilst also being reliable to operate and inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a security locking mechanism for a hinged opening member such as a door or window, in which the opening member is provided with a metal box stiffener extending along an edge of the opening member which is opposite to its hinged edge, and the box stiffener contains a metal operating plate rotatable about a fixed pivot, a pair of metal push rods pivotally attached to the operating plate on opposite sides of the fixed pivot extending in opposite directions along the box stiffener, and a pair of longitudinally-movable metal bolts which extend from opposite ends of the box stiffener, the boits being coupied to the push rods such that they are extended and retracted by the push rods upon rotation of the operating member.

The operating plate is preferably rotatable by means of a key-operated lock or handle.

For even greater security the bolts preferably engage in metal strengthening plates attached to the facing surfaces of a frame secured in a wall opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of an awning window provided with a security locking mechanism in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1, shows part of a typical awning window 1, which may be of uPVC, aluminium or timber. Such a window is hinged at the top edge (not shown) to a frame 2 which is secured in a walJ opening in known manner. The frame may include additional opening windows and/or non-opening windows such as the glazing panel 3. The window 1 comprises a glazing panel 4, e.g. single double or triple glazed, held in a rectangular casing which includes a hinged top member and an opposite bottom member 5.

In common locking arrangements a lock mechanism is mounted at the centre of the bottom member 5 to engage the adjacent cross-member 6 of the frame 2. A burglar will often gain entry by inserting a metal tool between the members 5 and 6 and forcing the window out of shape until the lock mechanism breaks or disengages.

The present locking mechanism includes a metal box-section stiffener 10, preferably steel, which is incorporated into the window casing, extending along the length of the bottom member 5. The box stiffener resists bending, reduces distortion of the window casing, and also provides a secure housing for the moving components of the mechanism which are contained within the stiffener. These components include a metal operating plate 11 which can be rotated about a fixed pivot 12 by means of a key-operated barrel lock 13, a lockable handle or the like. A pair of stiff metal push rods 14 and 15 are attached to the operating plate 11 by pivotal connections 16 and 17 located on opposite sides of the fixed pivot 12. The rods 14 and extend in opposite directions along the box stiffener 10, and are coupled by respective pivotal connections 18 and 19 to a pair of metal bolts 20 and 21 which are slidably mounted within opposite ends of the box stiffener. Upon rotation of the operating plate 11 the push rods 14 and 15 move in opposite directions to extend or retract the bolts 20 and 21.

When the bolts 20 and 21 are extended they project into pre-drilled metal plates 22 and 23 fixed to opposite sides of the frame 2. The bolts extend through the plates into corresponding apertures 24 and 25 in the frame 2. Retraction of the bolts allows the window to be opened in the normal manner.

The use of a rotatable operating plate to move the rods is far more robust than a rack and pinion mechanism, for example, in which the teeth can be disengaged or snapped of by application of force, and which are also prone to wear. The locking mechanism is not visible from the outside so that, although they are far more secure, windows or doors provided with the mechanism will not look much different from those found in any other building.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A security locking mechanism for a hinged opening member such as a door or window, in which the opening member is provided with a metal box stiffener extending along an edge of the opening member which is opposite to its hinged edge, and the box stiffener contains a metal operating plate rotatable about a fixed pivot, a pair of metal push rods pivotally attached to the operating plate on opposite sides of the fixed pivot extending in opposite directions along the box stiffener, and a pair of longitudinally-movable metal bolts which extend from opposite ends of the box stiffener, the bolts being coupled to the push rods such that they are extended and retracted by the push rods upon rotation of the operating member.
2. A security locking mechanism according to Claim 1 in which the operating plate is rotatable by means of a key-operated lock or handle.
3. A security locking mechanism according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the bolts engage in metal strengthening plates attached to the facing surfaces of a frame secured in a wall opening.
4. A security locking mechanism for a hinged opening member such as a door or window which is substantially as described with reference to the drawing.