GB2513121A

GB2513121A - Shoot bolt assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2513121A
Application number: GB1306828.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracy William Edmonds
Original assignee: Grouphomesafe Ltd
Current assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-15
Filing date: 2013-04-15
Publication date: 2014-10-22
Also published as: CN203654892U; GB201306828D0

Abstract

A shoot bolt assembly 10 for installation with a drive mechanism on a side of a door or window comprising first and second shoot bolt bars 20, 26 overlapping and slidably mounted with respect to one another, a locking mechanism 40 for fastening the shoot bolt bars together, a corner bracket 12 having first and second arms 17, 18 for securing to the closure leaf and a fixing member 60, for example a shear pin breakable upon first operation of the assembly, for retaining the first shoot bolt bar and first arm of the corner bracket together during installation of the assembly. The arrangement may further comprise a cover strip for preventing access to the locking apparatus. A pair of assemblies may be used together to form a bi-directional espagnolette locking system along with a pair of pins or hooks. There is also a method for installing the assembly.

Description

SHOOT BOLT ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a shoot bolt assembly for fitting to a closure member, such as a door or window, and in particulai but not exclusively to an adjustable shoot bolt assembly for use with an espagnolette-type locking mechanism to provide multi-point locking of said closure member.

Briefly, a shoot bolt comprises a rod or bar, usually of metal, that is fitted to a side edge of a closure member, such as in a gioove oi channel theieof, and which can be moved linearly between a retracted position to allow unobstructed movement of the closure member into and out of the surrounding fixed frame and a locking position in which the bolt piojects beyond the end of the side edge for retention in a keeper hole in the fixed frame. The shoot bolt is most conveniently operable by a handle associated with a drive mechanism, rotation of the handle being transmitted by the drive mechanism into translational movement of a shoot bolt. Mostly, shoot bolts are fitted in pairs, one either side of the handle/diive mechanism, so that rotating the handle in one direction causes the drive mechanism to drive both bolts in opposite directions away from the mechanism for engaging in keepers at the opposing ends of the fixed frame and rotating the handle in the opposite direction results in both bolts being retracted.

For improved security, shoot bolts may be incorporated as part of an espagnolette locking system in which the handle/drive mechanism also acts to bring locking pins or latches provided along the side edge of the closure membei into locking engagement with corresponding striker plates or the like on the side edge of the fixed frame. Thus! the combination of shoot bolts and locking pins/latches can effectively secure the closure member along three of its four side edges, the fourth edge being hingedly attached to the fixed frame.

Closure members are generally made and supplied in a wide range of sizes to fit the varied dimensions of the fixed frame. Frequently, the closure members include a standard "Eurogroove" profile along their side edges for accommodating the required door/window haidware, such as the shoot bolt and espagnolette fittings, but the height and width of the closure members remains variable both by size and manufacture tolerance. Rather than making a wide range of shoot bolts of different lengths to cater for the variations in height ot the closure member, it is desiiable to piovide means for adjustment of the shoot bolt length in order to fit with a particular closure membei and engage as required with the fixed frame. In relation to the shoot bolts! there are two main options for length adjustment, namely they can be croppable which, as their name suggests, can be cropped to size, or they can be extensible.

In a preferred extensible arrangement, for example, the shoot bolt can comprise first and second shoot bolt bars, the first and second bars being slidable with respect to each other thereby to extend or shorten the shoot bolt accordingly. Preferably, the second shoot bolt bar is mounted on the first bar, whereby the second bar can be slid out with respect to the first bar effectively to extend the reach of the bolt. In this way, the second shoot bolt bar acts primarily as an adjustment bar. Thus, depending on the dimensions of the closure member to which the shoot bolt is fitted, the second bar can be slid out with respect to the first bar to extend the reach of the bolt or slid in towards the first bar to shorten the reach. Once at the desired "reach" the bars are preferably fixed with respect to each other, such as by means of a locking screw. After adjustment to fit the dimensions of the closure member and fixing, access to the locking screw is ideally prevented, such as by means of a cover or cap which can also be fixed in position over the locking screw.

A shoot bolt mechanism of the type described is typically secured to the closure member by means of a corner bracket and fixing screws. The shoot bolt generally slides beneath one arm of the bracket and the end of the bolt is projected through an aperture in the other arm, adjacent the corner, when the shoot bolt is activated.

It will be appreciated from the above that there are a number of different parts involved in any shoot bolt mechanism. Moreover, several of the pads are required to interact with each other to provide the necessary adjustability but are subsequently fixed with respect to each other, yet at the same time have to remain tree to move after fitting to the closure member. Connection of the various parts to the drive mechanism, such as an espagnolette drive mechanism, and installation on the closure member, can therefore be a complicated and time consuming process.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide the various parts of the shoot bolt mechanism in a format that is easily installed on the closure member.

From a first aspect therefore! the invention resides in a shoot bolt assembly for installation with a drive mechanism on a side of a closure member for hingedly mounting in a fixed frame, the assembly comprising: a shoot bolt comprising fiist and second shoot bolt bars oveilapping and slidably mounted with respect to one another for adjusting the length of the bolt; a locking mechanism for locking the positions of the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other when the shoot bolt is at a desired length; a corner bracket for mounting around the corner of the closure niember, said bracket having a first aim on which the first shoot bolt bar is slidably mounted, and a second arm extending from and substantially at right angles to said first arm for securing the bracket to an adjacent side of the closure member; wherein the assembly further includes a fixing member foi retaining the fiist shoot bolt bar and first arm of the corner bracket togethei in a pie-set position during installation of the assembly with the drive mechanism on the closure member.

As will be understood, the fixing membei serves to immobilise the shoot bolt in ielation to the corner bracket whilst the assembly is being fitted to the drive mechanism, and thereafter to the closure member. This temporary immobilisation not only makes installation of the shoot bolt assembly on the closure member easier and therefore faster for the installei, but also simplifies fabiication of the assembly itself. Moieovei, the fixing member serves to pre-set the extent by which the first shoot bolt bar protrudes beyond the corner bracket when the drive mechanism is fully operated.

Of course, it will be understood that typically a shoot bolt assembly according to the invention is installed on each side of the drive mechanism.

In a preferied assembly, the fixing membei comprises a peg that is ietained in and by apertures in both the first shoot bolt bar and first arm of the corner bracket which, when the bar is in a retracted position with respect to the bracket, are overlapping.

Once the assembly has been installed on the closure member, with the corner bracket secured and the first and second shoot bolt bars locked with respect to each othei, the fixing member may be disabled to permit operation of the shoot bolt. The fixing member may be disabled simply by removal or, alternatively, may be disabled by breaking.

In a particularly preferred assembly! the fixing member comprises a shear pin that is disabled, or sheared, from the assembly upon first operation of the drive mechanism. In other words, the shear pin is sacrificed under the force exerted by the drive mechanism after the assembly and drive mechanism have been fully installed on the closure member and the drive mechanism is operated for the first time.

In one such arrangement, the shear pin may comprise a frangible peg which is breakable upon first operation of the drive mechanism. For example, the force exerted by the drive mechanism on the shoot bolt is transmitted to the peg which is at least partially trapped in the aperture of the stationary corner bracket, causing the peg to break and thereby treeing the shoot bolt for movement. The peg may be formed with a weakened mid-portion, thus reducing the force required to fracture the peg.

In an alternative arrangement, the shear pin may simply be dislodged upon first operation of the drive mechanism. For example, the force exerted by the drive mechanism on the shoot bolt is transmitted to the shear pin, forcing out the pin as the area of overlap between the respective apertures of the shoot bolt bar and corner bracket is reduced.

Preferably the shear pin is comprised of a deformable material. More preferably, the shear pin comprises a substantially hollow elongate portion for insertion in the overlapping apertures of the first shoot bolt bar and corner bracket, and a head portion having a diameter greater than the width of the aperture in the corner bracket which head portion sits proud of the external face in use of the corner bracket. In this way! the risk of the pin becoming trapped in the apertures and jamming the shoot bolt mechanism is substantially prevented. Moreover, if necessary, the head portion can be gripped with fingers, pliers or the like to remove the pin after installation of the shoot bolt assembly.

Advantageously! the aperture provided for the fixing pin in the corner bracket is elongated, in the form of a shod slot, such that movement of the shoot bolt in a first operation of the drive mechanism initially causes the fixing pin to be forced along the slot and then, as the shoot bolt is advanced further, causes the pin to tilt hence assisting in its displacement.

As hereinbefore described, it is preferred that ready access to the locking mechanism for locking the positions of the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other when the shoot bolt is at a desired length is substantially prevented once the locking has taken place. Accordingly, the shoot bolt assembly according to the invention preferably further comprises a cover strip slidably mounted on the shoot bolt and having an aperture therethiough foi allowing access to the locking mechanism when the cover is slid to a locking position. Preferably, the cover strip is slidably mounted on the second shoot bolt bar.

It will be understood that after locking of the shoot bolt bars to provide the desired shoot bolt length, the covei strip may then be slid to a locked position in which the access aperture is no longer in registration with the locking mechanism. Ideally, the cover strip is then fixed in this locked position preventing further sliding of the strip and effectively blocking ready access to the locking mechanism and theieby avoiding unintentional adjustment of the shoot bar length. Most pieferably the covei strip is fixed to the coiner bracket when in the locked position, for example, by means of a fixing screw or the like.

Since the afoiementioned covei stiip is iequired to be slidable with respect to the shoot bolt during the fitting of the shoot bolt assembly on the closure member, it is desirable that the cover strip forms part of the shoot bolt assembly as supplied as it cannot easily be retrofitted.

The cover strip is preferably secured to the corner bracket by a removable fixing member, hereinafter referred to as a transport fixing, preferably in the form of a peg that is retained in overlapping apertures in the cover strip and the cornei biacket.

In this way, the cover strip is temporarily immobilised on the assembly at least during storage and transportation prior to fitting, and during the fixing of the second arm of the coiner biacket to the side edge of the closure member. In other woids, the cover strip is kept out of the way" until such time as the first and second shoot bolt bars are ready to be locked together.

Preferably, the length of the cover strip is such that when the strip is temporarily fixed to the corner bracket, by means of the tiansport fixing, a portion of the second shoot bolt bar at its distal end is left exposed ready for engagement with the drive mechanism. In this way, the cover strip is held in a position where it does not interfere or otherwise obstruct installation of the assembly with the drive mechanism.

The cover strip can also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the closure member fitted with the shoot bolt. In particular, and consistent with the aforementioned preferred features, the length of the cover strip is preferably maximised such as to obscure from view as many of the apertures or other features of the assembly that might otherwise be visible on the exposed surface of the shoot bolt on closure member. The cover strip therefore provides a more attractive external appearance by virtue of having cleaner" lines.

The transport fixing may simply comprise a peg that fits by friction in the overlapping apertures, and may additionally include a grip portion that projects in use above the outer face of the cover strip to facilitate removal by the installer, for example, after the assembly has been located on the side edge of the closure member and the corner bracket secured thereto. The transport fixing preferably comprises a plastic element, preferably in a contrasting colour to the assembly so that it is readily identifiable as a disposable component.

Typically, the transport fixing is removed after the corner bracket has been secured to the closure member! allowing the cover strip to be slid back in a direction away from the corner bracket, preferably slid back over the second shoot bolt bar, and enabling operation of the locking mechanism through the access aperture to secure the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other.

Since the first and second shoot bolt bars are unsecured with respect to each other in the assembly as supplied (i.e. prior to fitting) to enable sliding for length adjustment, the access aperture in the cover strip will generally permit access to the locking mechanism only when the shoot bolt bars are in the minimum length relationship whilst the transport fixing remains in place. In other words, in a common situation where the second shoot bolt bar is slid back to increase the shoot bolt length, access to the locking mechanism is blocked by the cover strip. Removal of the transport fixing permits the cover strip to be moved backwards towards the drive mechanism until the locking mechanism can be viewed through the access aperture in the cover strip, whereupon the locking mechanism can be deployed to fix the relationship between first and second shoot bolt bars.

Once the locking mechanism has been deployed, the cover strip may be slid forward, towards the corner bracket, so that the access aperture no longer overlies the locking mechanism. At this position, the locking mechanism is protected from inadvertent adjustment or tampering.

The aperture in the covei strip and the aperture in the corner bracket that combine to retain the transport fixing when overlapping may also provide a fixing location for securing the cover strip to the sash profile through the corner bracket after deployment of the locking mechanism. For example, the fixing aperture in the cover strip may be screw-threaded for retaining a fixing screw to secure the cover strip to the sash profile via the aperture in the cornei bracket. The apeiture in the corner bracket may simply comprise a clearance hole.

With iegards to the first and second shoot bolt bais, vaiious configuiations are possible.

In a prefeired ailangement, the first shoot bolt bar comprises a metal bai having an elongate engagement slot, most preferably a toothed engagement slot, for cooperating with the locking mechanism. The first shoot bolt bar may be reinforced at its distal end (the end that is projected beyond the closure member when the shoot bolt mechanism is activated), for example, by means of a secondary bar, of shorter length, affixed to the first shoot bolt bar. In this way, the projecting portion of the shoot bolt is strengthened.

Moreover, the first shoot bolt bar, with secondaiy bar if present, preferably carries a locking pin for engagement with a corresponding keeper/stiiker plate or the like on the side edge of the fixed frame and which, in conjunction with the shoot bolt, provides bidirectional locking of the closure member with the fixed frame.

The second shoot bolt bar! which effectively acts as the length adjustment bar, may comprise a channel member, having a base and opposing side walls, such that the first shoot bolt bar is accommodated at least partially within the channel. In use, the degree of overlap of the first shoot bolt bai in the channel of the second shoot bolt bar will of course vary according to the length of the closure member to which the assembly is fitted. The side walls of the channel member may be flanged! or the channel may be closed along the fourth side to form a hollow block, either configuration ensuring that the relative movement between first and second shoot bolt bars is constrained to longitudinal movement.

The locking mechanism for locking the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each othei following length adjustment for the particular closuie member on which the assembly is installed may comprise a locking block and a locking sciew, wherein the fiist and second bars are sandwiched" between the block and screw head such that rotation of the locking screw in a locking direction draws the bars towards each other to secure them together.

In the assembly, prior to installation on the closure member, the locking screw is preferably engaged with the locking block such as to permit relative movement between the first and second shoot bolt bars for the purpose of adjustment to the closure member, with the locking screw being subsequently tightened only after fitting to the closure member.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the locking mechanism is fixed in relation to the second shoot bolt bar, for example, by the locking screw passing through a screw hole in the bar. In this way, as the second shoot bolt bar is drawn out or pushed in relative to the first shoot bolt bar, such as when the shoot bolt is adjusted to fit to a closure member, the locking mechanism moves with the second shoot bolt bar. By contrast, the first shoot bolt bar is preferably provided with an elongate slot for allowing the locking mechanism to move along the slot whilst fixed on the second shoot bolt bar. Thus the elongate slot enables a continuous, fine adjustment of the shoot bolt length.

The internal walls of the elongate slot of the first shoot bolt bar may be profiled, such as with a series of ridges or teeth, for cooperation with a similarly profiled raised portion on the locking block, which raised portion resides in the elongated slot when the shoot bolt bars are drawn towards each other in a locking operation. Such ridges/teeth overlap and therefore help retain the position of the first shoot bolt bar during and after locking with the second shoot bolt bar, preventing relative sliding between the respective shoot bolt bars. Further, to ensure that second bar can be drawn out or pushed in smoothly during the adjustment exercise, a spring element, for example a flat spring, may be interposed between the locking block base and the first shoot bolt bar so that locking block is urged away from the first shoot bolt bar in the assembly, prior to fitting to the closure member.

Engagement between the ridges/teeth of the locking block and the elongate slot occurs once the locking screw is rotated to draw the parts together. As will be understood, rotation of the locking screw in a locking direction serves to flatten the spring.

The screw aperture for the locking screw in the second shoot bolt bar may be contoured to allow the screw head to be countersunk. Alternatively, when the assembly comprises a cover strip, the cover strip may be profiled such as to provide a gap between it and the outwardly directed surface of the second shoot bolt bar sufficient to permit the cover to ride over of the screw head.

The shoot bolt assembly of the invention pieferably furthei complises a connector for connecting with the drive mechanism that actuates the shoot bolt. In a preferred arrangement, the connector is carried on the second shoot bolt bar, towards its distal end. The connector may comprise a projecting member, for example a dowel or the like, that can be inserted into a receiving orifice or aperture in the drive mechanism, such an ailangement enabling simple and rapid fixing of the assembly to the drive mechanism.

From another aspect, the invention resides in a method of installing the shoot bolt assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, said method complising the steps of (i) fitting the assembly to the drive mechanism, preferably involving fitting the distal (non-overlapping) end of the second shoot bolt bar or a connector thereon to the drive mechanism, especially to the drive mechanism of an espagnolette assembly: (ii) locating the assembled shoot bolt assembly and diive mechanism on a side edge of the closure member, such as in a profiled groove (e.g. a Eurogroove) along the side edge of the sash member, preferably involving pulling out of the second shoot bolt bar to extend the overall length of the shoot bolt, (Di) pulling back the first shoot bolt bar with attached corner biacket to slide acioss the second shoot bolt bar until the second arm of the bracket abuts the adjacent side edge of the closure member; (iv) securing the bracket in place on the closure member, preferably by means of fixing screws through the second arm of the bracket into the adjacent side edge; (v) locking the fiist and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other by means of the locking mechanism; and (vi) disabling the fixing member to allow the shoot bolt comprising the first and second shoot bolt bars to be advanced under the action of the drive mechanism, preferably by operating the drive mechanism so that the fixing member is dislodged by advancement of the shoot bolt.

When the shoot bolt assembly includes a cover strip initially held on the shoot bolt assembly by a transport fixing, the aforementioned method preferably further comprises the step of lemoving the fixing, to be performed after step (v) and priol to step (vi) above.

From a yet further aspect, the present invention also resides in a bi-directional espagnolette locking mechanism for installation on the side edge of a closure member hingedly mounted in a fixed fiame, said bi-diiectional mechanism complising a pair of shoot bolt assemblies according to the first aspect of the invention, a pair at locking pins or hooks, and a drive mechanism operable by a handle for driving the locking pins or hooks into engagement with keepers along the side edge of the closure member and the shoot bolts into keepers at the top and bottom edges of the closure member.

The present invention also resides in a closure member for installation in a fixed frame, wherein the closure member has a shoot bolt assembly in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, or a bi-directional espagnolette locking mechanism in accordance with a yet further aspect of the invention, fitted thereto.

A shoot bolt assembly according to the present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoot bolt assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shoot bolt assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the shoot bolt assembly of Figure 1; Figures 4a to 4f illustrate steps in the installation of the shoot bolt assembly of Figure 1 to a closure member.

The shoot bolt assembly 10 shown in Figure 1, and in exploded form in Figure 2, includes corner bracket 12, first shoot bolt bar 20, second shoot bolt bar in the form of adjustment block 26, cover strip 30 and locking mechanism 40 comprising locking block 42, locking spring 46 and locking screw 48. The assembly 10 further includes connector which is aftached to the adjustment block 26 for connecting the assembly to a drive mechanism (not shown).

The locking screw 48 of the locking mechanism 40 passes through both screw hole 28 in the adjustment block 26 (i.e. the second shoot bolt bar) and elongate slot 22 in the first shoot bolt bar 20, and engages with corresponding screw-threaded aperture 43 in projecting portion 44 of the locking block 42. The locking spring 46 is interposed between the locking block 42 and the first shoot bolt bar 20 to urge the projecting portion 44 away from the elongate slot 22 and permit relative sliding of the adjustment block 26 along the first shoot bolt bar 20 until the locking screw 48 is tightened. On tightening of the locking screw 48, the projecting portion 44 is drawn up into the elongate slot 22, whereupon teeth 24 on internal slot walls and around the perimeter of the projecting portion 44 interengage, and the fiist and second shoot bolt bars 20, 26 aie fixed together.

A fixing member in the forni of shear pin 60 is retained in overlapping apertures 25, 15 in the first shoot bolt bar 20 and in the corner bracket 12, maintaining the first shoot bolt bar and bracket together in a pre-set position ready for installation. The shear pin aperture on the coiner biacket 12 is slightly elongated, allowing the shear pin 60 to be tilted and displaced during the first operation of the shoot bolt assembly 10 (as would occur following installation on a closure member).

A transpoit fixing in the foim of transpoit peg 70 is ietained in separate overlapping apertures 32, 16 in the cover strip 30 and in the corner bracket 12, maintaining the cover strip in a fixed position in order not to obstruct or interfere with location of the connector at the distal end of the adjustment block 26 with the drive mechanism. The tiansport peg 70 has grip portion 72 to facilitate its removal at the appropriate stage during installation of the assembly 10.

A doss-section of the shoot bolt assembly 10 prioi to installation on a closuie membei is shown in Figure 3. Here, the locking block 42 is shown unengaged with the teeth 24 of the elongated slot 22 on the first shoot bolt bar 20, so that the adjustment block 26 can be slid freely along the first shoot bolt bai.

The steps involved in installation of the shoot bolt assembly of Figures 1 to 3 are illustrated in Figures 4a to 4f. Initially, the shoot bolt assembly 10 is fitted to espagnolette unit 90 incoipolating a diive mechanism (not shown) by means of the connectoi 50 affixed to the distal end of the adjustment block 26 (Figure 4a).

Depending on the length of the side edge 82 of the door or window 80 to which the assembly 10 is to be fitted, the adjustment block 26 is drawn out sufficiently so that the second arm 18 of the corner bracket 12 lies beyond the end of the side edge 82 when the assembled shoot bar assembly 10 and espagnolette unit 90 are then inserted in a groove along the side edge 82 of the door/window 80 (Figure 4b).

The corner bracket 12 is then slid back towards the door or window 80 until the second arm 18 thereof abuts the adjacent side edge 84 of the window or door whereupon the bracket is secured by fixing screws 19 (Figure 4c). At this stage, the transport peg 70 is removed (and may be discarded) (arrow 0) to allow the cover strip 30 to be slid back (arrow F) to reveal the head of the locking screw 48 through access aperture 34 in the cover strip. The locking screw 48 is then tightened (arrow F) to lock the first shoot bolt bar 20 and adjustment block 26 together (Figure 4d).

After tightening the locking screw 48, the cover strip 30 is slid forwards (arrow G) towards the corner bracket 12 so that the access aperture 34 no longer exposes the head of the locking screw 48 and a permanent" fixing screw 39 is screwed into the sash profile 80 via the overlapping apertures 32, 16 in the cover strip 30 and corner bracket 12 (arrow H) that previously held the transport peg 70 (Figure 4e).

With the shoot bolt assembly 10 now installed on the door or window 80, the drive mechanism (not shown) is operated to force movement of the first shoot bolt bar 20 in relation to the stationary (fixed) corner bracket 12, and in doing so the overlap between the apertures 15. 25 in the corner bracket 12 and first shoot bolt bar 20 is reduced resulting in the shear pin 60 being sheared (arrow I). With the shear pin 60 dislodged, the shoot bolt can be advanced further to project through the aperture 25 in the second arm 18 of the corner bracket 12 (Figure 4f). Generally, the first operation of the drive mechanism is conducted with the door or window 80 swung away from the fixed frame, i.e. in an open position, so that the loose shear pin 70 or part thereof can be safely discarded.

The shoot bolt assembly according to the invention not only keeps the various components of the shoot bolt system conveniently together as a unit prior to fitting, but also simplifies the installation process on the closure member. Moreover, the cover strip results in a relatively clean appearance of the exposed surface of the shoot bolt assembly by obscuring the various functional aspects of the assembly. It will, of course, be appreciated that the invention has been described by way of example only, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A shoot bolt assembly for installation with a drive mechanism on a side of a closure member for hingedly mounting in a fixed frame, the assembly comprising: a shoot bolt comprising first and second shoot bolt bars overlapping and slidably mounted with respect to one another for adjusting the length of the bolt; a locking mechanism for locking the positions of the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other when the shoot bolt is at a desired length; a corner bracket for mounting around the corner of the closure member, said bracket having a first arm on which the first shoot bolt bar is slidably mounted, and a second arm extending from and substantially at right angles to said first arm for securing the bracket to an adjacent side of the closure member; wherein the assembly further includes a fixing member for retaining the first shoot bolt bar and first arm of the corner bracket together in a pre-set position during installation of the assembly with the drive mechanism on the closure member.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member cooperates with the first shoot bolt bar and the corner bracket such that the fixing member is disabled upon first operation of the shoot bolt assembly by the drive mechanism.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member comprises a shear pin adapted to shear upon first operation of the shoot bolt assembly.
4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims! wherein the first shoot bolt bar and first arm of the corner bracket are each provided with an aperture which apertures overlap when the first shoot bolt bar is in a retracted position with respect to the bracket, and wherein the fixing member, preferably a shear pin, is retained in and by the overlapping apertures.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the aperture in the corner bracket is elongate such that upon first operation ot the shoot bolt assembly the fixing member is initially tilted prior to being ejected from the aperture.
6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover strip slidably mounted on the shoot bolt for preventing access to the locking mechanism after the first and second shoot bolt bars are locked with respect to each other, the cover strip having an aperture therethrough for allowing access to the locking mechanism when the cover is slid to a locking position.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a removable transport fixing for temporarily immobilising the cover strip on the assembly with respect to the shoot bolt.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the cover strip and corner bracket are provided with apertures which overlap for retaining the transport fixing, preferably in the form of a transport peg, by friction.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the transport fixing aperture in the cover strip is screw-threaded for co-operation with a fixing screw to secure the cover strip to the profile of the closure member via the transport fixing aperture of the corner bracket following removal of the transport peg and locking of the first and second shoot bolt bars.
10. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the distal end of the second shoot bolt bar is provided with a connector for connecting with the drive mechanism, and wherein the cover strip has a length such that when the strip is slid back after removal of the transport fixing, the connector is exposed.
11. A bi-directional espagnolette locking mechanism for installation on the side edge of a closure member hingedly mounted in a fixed frame, said bi-directional mechanism comprising a pair of shoot bolt assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 10. a pair of locking pins or hooks, and a drive mechanism operable by a handle for driving the locking pins or hooks into engagement with keepers along the side edge of the closure member and the shoot bolts into keepers at the top and bottom edges of the closure member.
12.A method of installing a shoot bolt assembly according to any one of claims ito on a closure member for use in a fixed frame, the method comprising the steps of (i) fitting the assembly to the drive mechanism; (U) locating the assembled shoot bolt assembly and drive mechanism on a side edge of the closure member; (ih) pulling back the first shoot bolt bar with attached corner bracket to slide across the second shoot bolt bar until the second arm of the bracket abuts the adjacent side edge of the closure member; (iv) securing the bracket in place on the closure member; (v) locking the first and second shoot bolt bars with respect to each other by means of the locking mechanism; and (vi) disabling the fixing member to allow the shoot bolt comprising the first and second shoot bolt bars to be advanced under the action of the drive mechanism by operating the drive mechanism so that the fixing member is sheared by advancement of the shoot bolt.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the shoot bolt assembly includes a transport fixing for temporarily immobilising the cover strip on the assembly with respect to the shoot bolt and wherein the transport fixing is removed after step (v) and prior to step (vi).
14. A shoot bolt assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
15. A method of installing a shoot bolt assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4a to 4f of the accompanying drawings.