GB2518464A

GB2518464A - Door Locks

Info

Publication number: GB2518464A
Application number: GB1403048.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Stuart Ramsden
Original assignee: RAMSDEN PURCHASING Ltd
Current assignee: RAMSDEN PURCHASING Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-18
Filing date: 2014-02-21
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Also published as: GB201403048D0; GB201316572D0

Abstract

A supplementary lock 50 comprising a locking mechanism at least partially located within a housing (which may be a fascia or cover plate 36) being driven by drive linkages extending from at least two sides, e.g. opposite sides, of the housing. The linkages can be integrally formed and comprise an elongate bar 34 whose ends project outwardly beyond the housing. Drive bars may include adjustable connectors including a toothed portion 32 which can be cut to size and connected to a toothed connector of the main lock (28, fig.2). The modular lock allows extra locks to be added on either side of a primary lock and to daisy chain supplementary locks. The lock may be for example a sliding bolt, roller bolt, dead bolt, latch or pivotal hook bolt.

Description

Title: Door locks

Description:

This invention relates to door locks and in particular, but without limitation) to modular multi-point door locks suitable for external and internal doors.

Most external doors nowadays comprise a lock for security purposes. In recent years, and certainly since uPVC doors have become an increasingly popular choice for home owners, the number of so-called "multipoint" locks in service has increased dramatically.

A multi-point lock generally comprises an elongate door locking system that fits, and is usually rebated into, the free edge of a door (or a channel formed into the edge of a uF'VC extrusion forming the door stile). As its name suggests, a multi-point lock generally comprises a number of locking points (latches) deadbolts, hook bolts) etc. in any combination) at spaced apart locations.

The purpose of a multi-point lock is to improve the doors security by providing more than one locking point, all of which must be released to open the door. Further, and this is particularly relevant to uPVC door installations) which are more susceptible than timber doors to dropping, racking and bending, a multi-point lock tends to stabilise the shape of the door within the doorframe. As such) by providing a number of locking points, it is more difficult to bend the door to gain access to the lock; it is easier to form a consistent seal around the door by applying a more even pressure to the door on the frame (as opposed to a single lock whereby all the pressure is applied through a single point)) and security can also be improved.

The market for multi-point locks is now relatively mature, which means that there are a great many different types of multi-point locks and doors in service. This creates a problem, however, for locksmiths and property owners alike when the multi-point locks begin to fail or wear out. The reason for this is that there are so many combinations and permutations of locks in service (different lock and key types, sizes) manufacturers etc.) and this creates compatibility problems. As a result, it is rare for a locksmith to carry stocks of all the necessary components to be able to fix any particular door on a first visit. Further, as certain types or models of multi-point locks become aged, the availability of spare parts becomes an ever-increasing problem.

In practice, therefore, when a multipoint lock fails, a locksmith often needs to make two visits: a first visit to temporarily secure the door in question; and a follow-up visit to replace the lock if/when the necessary parts become available. Another possibility is that the locksmith stocks a great many parts, but this is usually uneconomic due to the relatively low failure rates of multipoint locks.

A need therefore exists for a universal multipoint lock, an in particular one which can be retrofitted to most, if not all, types of door.

It is known, for example, from Winkhaus' RTM "Universal Repair Lock", ERA's RTM "Replacement Multipoint Lock" and Yale's RTM "Adjustable Doormaster RIM,, to provide a three-part modular locking system comprising a centre section carrying the lock cylinder, primary latch and deadbolt, which centre section can be mechanically linked to separate upper and lower supplementary lock portions, which comprise supplementary latches that can be spaced to match the existing keeps of the door frame. The upper supplementary lock portion comprises a push-rod that extends below it to connect it to the centre section. Likewise, the lower lock portion comprises a push-rod that extends it to connect it to the centre section. Thus, the sections can be cut to length on-site and the supplementary lock portions can then be mechanically affixed to the centre section of the locking system. By inter-linking the centre section with the supplementary lock portions, the centre portion's handle can be used to actuate the bolts of the supplementary lock portions, thus forming a modular unit.

The problem with these known systems, however, is that they are made up of three parts, which must be used as a complete set to work together. This increases the "part count" of a locksmith's inventory. Also, the configuration of the parts of known systems is such that they must be arranged in the correct order, that is to say, with a lower lock portion located beneath the centre section, and an upper lock portion located above the centre section, due to the directionality of the locks. The directionality of the locks refers, herein, to the direction of movement of the bolts, and in almost all situations, the bolts must move in the same direction (either up or down) to ensure that the door doesn't jam inside the frame. Thus, if an upper lock is inadvertently installed in a lower lock's position (or vice-versa), that is to say, upside down, with an opposite directionality to the lower lock, the locking system as a whole may not operate correctly because the upper and lower locks will operate in opposite directions, thereby potentially jamming the door in the doorframe. As such, there is some scope for human error with existing multi point lock replacement systems.

In certain embodiments, this invention aims to address and/or overcome one or more the above problems. In certain embodiments the invention provides an improved and/or an alternative multipoint lock for a door.

According to first aspect of the invention, there is provided a supplementary locking portion, suitable for a multipoint locking door, the supplementary locking portion comprising a supplementary lock actuatable via a supplementary linkage, wherein the supplementary linkage extends, in use, above and below the supplementary lock.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a multipoint locking system for a door comprising: a primary locking portion comprising: a primary lock; a pair of primary linkages extending, in use, above and below the primary lock, which primary linkages are operatively connected to the primary lock; a supplementary locking portion comprising a supplementary lock actuatable via a supplementary linkage; and a connector for operatively interconnecting the primary and secondary linkages; wherein the supplementary linkage extends, in use, above and below the supplementary lock.

By providing a supplementary linkage that extends above and below the supplementary lock, it is possible to connect an identical, or similar, supplementary locking portion either above or below the primary locking portion. It also means that, in certain embodiments, the supplementary locks can be oriented in any desired direction. This invention thus reduces the number of different parts required by enabling the supplementary locking portion to be used in a number of different positions relative to the primary locking portion. In other words, a locksmith might only need to stock and/or carry one type of primary lock and one type of supplementary lock.

Moreover, certain embodiments of the invention permit "daisy-chaining" a plurality of supplementary locking portions to one another above or below the primary locking portion by interconnecting, using further connectors, a portion of the supplementary linkage extending above a first supplementary locking portion to the a portion of the supplementary linkage extending below a second supplementary locking portion, or vice-versa.

The invention also permits, in certain embodiments, mixing of locking portions, for example, roller bolts and hook bolts in different combinations.

The primary locking portion comprises a primary lock, which can comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a latch; a roller bolt; a cylinder; and an actuating handle.

The supplementary locking portion comprises a supplementary lock, which can comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a roller bolt; and a latch.

The locking portions suitably comprise a fascia plate comprising through holes, which may be countersunk, for affixing them to a door. A barbed connector may additionally be provided, which engages with the fascia and whose barbs engage with a rebate or channel of the door edge to secure the respective portion and/or fascia in-situ.

The connector can compose a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, nut and bolt, machine screw and tapped through hole. Additionally or alternatively, the connector may comprise complementarily-shaped toothed engagements that inter-engage to connect the components together. A toothed arrangement conveniently provides some adjustment for the spacings of the primary and supplementary locks.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a supplementary lock of a multipoint lock comprising: a housing, a locking mechanism at least partially located within the

S

housing, the locking mechanism being actuatable, in use, via linkages extending from at least two sides of the housing.

Suitably, the linkages extend from opposite sides of the housing, for example, in use, from above and below the housing. Suitably, the linkages are integrally formed and comprise an elongate bar whose ends project outwardly beyond the housing.

The distal ends of the linkages suitably comprise adjustable connectors adapted for connection to a further linkage. The adjustable connectors may comprise a slotted aperture or a plurality of spaced apart apertures through which, a mechanical connector can fasten to connect the linkage to the further linkage. The mechanical connector may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a screw and a screw-receiving aperture; a bolt and nut; and a rivet and a rivet-receiving aperture. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustable connectors may comprise a toothed portion of the linkage or further linkage, and a complimentarily-shaped receiving slot of the other one of the linkage or further linkage, wherein toothed portion is adapted to engage the receiving slot to inhibit or prevent relative slippage of the two. Suitably, the toothed portion can be cut to length, for example, by being manufactured from a material such as mild steel, which can be readily hack-sawed, on-site.

The further linkage may comprise a linkage of a further supplementary lock, whereby two or more supplementary locks are interconnectable, in use, by their respective adjustable connectors.

The supplementary lock's housing suitably comprises a fascia plate comprising screw-receiving through apertures for receiving, in use, screws for affixing the supplementary lock to a door, and wherein the linkages comprise slotted apertures arranged to register with the fascia's screw-receiving apertures to permit sliding, in use, of the linkages relative to the fascia.

A retainer may also be provided, which is adapted to clip to the fascia and which comprises at least one barb adapted to engage with a slot or rebate of a door to which, in use, the supplementary lock is affixed.

The supplementary lock's locking mechanism suitably comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a bolt; a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a roller bolt; and a latch.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a multipoint lock comprising: a supplementary lock according to any preceding claim; and a primary lock comprising a main housing, a primary locking mechanism at least partially located within the main housing and primary linkages operatively connected to the primary locking mechanism and extending outwardly from at least two sides of the main housing; and means for operatively interconnecting at least one primary linkage to at least one linkage of the supplementary lock.

The primary linkages suitably extend from opposite sides of the main housing, for example, from above and below the main housing, in use, i.e. when fitted to a door. The primary linkages are suitably integrally formed and comprise an elongate bar whose ends project outwardly beyond the main housing. Suitably, the distal ends of the primary linkages comprise adjustable connectors adapted for connection to the linkage of the supplementary lock.

Where provided, the adjustable connectors may comprise a slotted aperture or a plurality of spaced apart apertures through which, a mechanical connector can fasten to connect the primary linkage to the linkage of the supplementary lock. The mechanical connector can be of any suitably type, such as a screw and a screw-receiving aperture; a bolt and nut; and/or a rivet and a rivet-receiving aperture.

Additionally or alternatively, the adjustable connectors may comprise a toothed portion of one of the linkages, and a complimentarily-shaped receiving slot of the other one of the linkages, wherein toothed portion is adapted to engage the receiving slot to inhibit or prevent relative slippage of the two. Likewise for the supplementary lock's linkages, the multipoint lock's linkages can be cut to length, in use.

The main housing suitably comprises a fascia plate comprising screw-receiving through apertures for receiving, in use, screws for affixing the primary lock to a door, and wherein the primary linkages comprise slotted apertures arranged to register with the fascia's screw-receiving apertures to permit sliding, in use, of the linkages relative to the fascia.

A retainer may be provided, which is adapted to clip to the fascia and which comprises at least one barb adapted to engage with a slot or rebate of a door to which, in use, the primary lock is affixed.

The primary locking mechanism may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a bolt; a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a roller bolt; a latch; a key-lock cylinder; and an actuating handle.

Suitably, the main housing comprises a keyhole-shaped aperture for receiving a correspondingly-shaped Euro lock cylinder lock.

Suitably, the primary lock is configured, by a first movement of the handle, to operate the latch, and in a second movement of the handle, to actuate the deadbolt, hook bolt or roller bolt.

Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the primary linkages can be operatively connected to the primary lock to extend or retract on the second movement of the handle, but not necessarily the first.

The multipoint lock may comprise a primary lock and two or more interconnected supplementary locks, which can both the located to one side of the primary lock.

An extension linkage may also be provided, to facilitate widely-spacing apart the primary lock and the supplementary lock, the extension linkages are suitably adapted, in use, to operatively interconnect the primary linkages of the primary lock to the linkages of the supplementary lock.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a multipoint lock kit comprising one or more supplementary locks as described herein and a primary lock as described herein.

A supplementary lock or multipoint lock substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a primary locking portion in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the primary locking portion of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the primary locking portion of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view from below of a first type of supplementary locking portion according to the invention; FigureS is a side view of the supplementary locking portion of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the supplementary locking portion of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a plan view from below of a second type of supplementary locking portion according to the invention; FigureS is a side view of the supplementary locking portion of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a plan view from above of the supplementary locking portion of Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a close-up view of Figures 7 and/or 9.

In Figures ito 3, a primary locking portion 10 comprises a main body portion 12 forming a housing around a locking mechanism (not visible). The housing 12 has a key-shaped aperture 14 for receiving a cylinder lock (not shown), which acts, when fitted, to selectively lock and/or release an internal mechanism (not visible) of the primary locking portion 10. The primary locking portion lOis actuated by a handle (not shown), which cooperates, in use) with a square spline shaft 16, which sequentially advances and retracts, in use, a latch 18 and a deadbolt 20. A first movement of the spline shaft 16 operates the latch 18 to open and close the door (not shown) for normal use, whereas a further movement of the spline shaft 16 (often in an opposite direction) actuates the deadbolt 20 to better secure the door. It will be noted that the latch 18 has an inclined surface to allow it to be retracted automatically when a door is shut, but to resist subsequent opening without first retracting the latch 18 into the main body portion 12.

The deadbolt 20 mechanism is operatively connected to a pair of slider linkages 22, which carry roller bolts 24 that protrude beyond a fascia 26 of the primary locking mechanism 10. The roller bolts engage with suitably shaped and positioned keeps (not shown) of a doorframe (not shown) to further secure the door in a locked configuration.

The free ends of the slider linkages 22 each comprise a female connector 28, which has a toothed channel 30, which engages the correspondingly toothed-shaped end 32 of a slider linkage 34, which may be a separate component (not shown), or it may form part of a supplementary locking portion 50 (as shown in Figure 10).

One type of supplementary locking portion 50 is shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, which supplementary locking portion 50 comprises a fascia plate 36 that can be secured to the edge of a door using screws extending through countersunk through holes 38 therein. The screws (not shown) also extend through slotted apertures 40 in the slider linkage 34, such that the fascia plate 36 is fixed relative to the door, whereas the slider linkage 34 is free to slide to the extent permitted by the dimensions of the slotted apertures 40. The slider linkage 34 also carries roller bolts 24 that engage with corresponding keeps of the door frame (not shown).

The tooth-shaped ends of the 32 of the supplementary locking portion 50 can be cut to size by sawing through the portions 32 at any point bounded by brackets 60 in the drawings.

It will be noted that a portion, or a toothed portion 32, of the slider linkage 34 extends from both sides of the roller bolts, thus enabling the supplementary lock portion 50 to befitted above or below the primary locking portion 10, by suitably cutting appropriately sized portions 60 from either, or both, ends. Provided the cut is made in the portions indicated by brackets 60 in the drawings, an amount of the toothed portion 32 will remain for connection to the connector 28 previously described. Also, a further connector 28 (not shown) or another female connector 28, can be used for linking more than one supplementary locking portion 50 end-to-end, to suit user requirements.

Another embodiment of a supplementary locking portion 70 is shown in Figures 7 to 9.

Identical reference signs have been used to identify identical components for the sake of consistency and to avoid repetition.

The embodiment of Figures 7 toY differs from that shown in Figure 4 to 6 by virtue of having a hook bolt mechanism 72 from which extends, or retracts, in use, a hook bolt 74. The hook bolt mechanism 72, and hence the hook bolt 74 is actuated via the slider linkages 34, which connect to other supplementary locking portions 50, 70 or to the primary locking portion 10, in a manner previously described.

Suitably, the overall length of the primary locking portion) including the female connectors 28, is substantially 469mm, and without the female connectors 28, is 425mm or 445mm -in keeping with the dimensions of know multi-point locks. Additionally, the spacing between the roller bolts 24 are spaced apart by substantially 274mm. The overall length of the supplementary locking portions 50, 70, is substantially 450mm and the length 60 of the cuttable, toothed portions 32 is suitably substantially 250mm or 260mm at either end. The thickness of the slider plate 34 is suitably 3mm and the pitch of the teeth of the toothed portions 32 is typically 2mm, with a 60 degree included angle, as shown in Figure 10.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. The shapes and dimensions of the components can be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Any dimensions shown in, or which can be inferred from, the drawings are illustrative, and do not restrict the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims: 1. A supplementary lock of a multipoint lock comprising: a housing, a locking mechanism at least partially located within the housing, the locking mechanism being actuatable, in use, via linkages extending from at least two sides of the housing.
2. The supplementary lock of claim 1, wherein the linkages extend from opposite sides of the housing.
3. The supplementary lock of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the linkages extend) in use, from above and below the housing.
4. The supplementary lock of any preceding claim, wherein the linkages are integrally formed and comprise an elongate bar whose ends project outwardly beyond the housing.
5. The supplementary lock of any preceding claim, wherein the distal ends of the linkages comprise adjustable connectors adapted for connection to a further linkage.
6. The supplementary lock of claim 5, wherein the adjustable connectors comprise a slotted aperture or a plurality of spaced apart apertures through which, a mechanical connector can fasten to connect the linkage to the further linkage.
7. The supplementary lock of claim 6, wherein the mechanical connector comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a screw and a screw-receiving aperture; a bolt and nut; and a rivet and a rivet-receiving aperture.
8. The supplementary lock of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the adjustable connectors comprise a toothed portion of the linkage or further linkage, and a complimentarily-shaped receiving slot of the other one of the linkage or further linkage, wherein toothed portion is adapted to engage the receiving slot to inhibit or prevent relative slippage of the two.
9. The supplementary lock of claim 8, wherein the toothed portion can be cut to length.
10. The supplementary lock of any of claims 5 to9, wherein the further linkage comprises a linkage of a further supplementary lock, whereby two or more supplementary locks are interconnectable, in use, by their respective adjustable connectors.
11. The supplementary lock of any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a fascia plate comprising screw-receiving through apertures for receiving, in use, screws for affixing the supplementary lock to a door, and wherein the linkages comprise slotted apertures arranged to register with the fascia's screw-receiving apertures to permit sliding, in use, of the linkages relative to the fascia.
12. The supplementary lock of claim 11, further comprising a retainer adapted to clip to the fascia and comprising at least one barb adapted to engage with a slot or rebate of a door to which, in use, the supplementary lock is affixed.
13. The supplementary lock of any preceding claim, wherein the locking mechanism comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a bolt; a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a roller bolt; and a latch.
14. A multipoint lock comprising: a supplementary lock according to any preceding claim; and a primary lock comprising a main housing, a primary locking mechanism at least partially located within the main housing and primary linkages operatively connected to the primary locking mechanism and extending outwardly from at least two sides of the main housing; and means for operatively interconnecting at least one primary linkage to at least one linkage of the supplementary lock.
15. The multipoint lock of claim 14, wherein the primary linkages extend from opposite sides of the main housing.
16. The multipoint lock of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the primary linkages are integrally formed and comprise an elongate bar whose ends project outwardly beyond the main housing.
17. The multipoint lock of claims 14, 15 or 1, wherein the distal ends of the primary linkages comprise adjustable connectors adapted for connection to the linkage of the supplementary lock.
18. The multipoint lock of claim 17, wherein the adjustable connectors comprise a slotted aperture or a plurality of spaced apart apertures through which, a mechanical connector can fasten to connect the primary linkage to the linkage of the supplementary lock.
19. The multipoint lock of claim 18, wherein the mechanical connector comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a screw and a screw-receiving aperture; a bolt and nut; and a rivet and a rivet-receiving aperture.
20. The multipoint lock of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the adjustable connectors comprise a toothed portion of one of the linkages, and a complimentarily-shaped receiving slot of the other one of the linkages, wherein toothed portion is adapted to engage the receiving slot to inhibit or prevent relative slippage of the two.
21. The multipoint lock of claim 20, wherein the toothed portion can be cut to length.
22. The multipoint lock of any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the main housing comprises a fascia plate comprising screw-receiving through apertures for receiving, in use, screws for affixing the primary lock to a door, and wherein the primary linkages comprise slotted apertures arranged to register with the fascia's screw-receiving apertures to permit sliding, in use, of the linkages relative to the fascia.
23. The multipoint lock of claim 22, further comprising a retainer adapted to clip to the fascia and comprising at least one barb adapted to engage with a slot or rebate of a door to which, in use, the primary lock is affixed.
24. The multipoint lock of any of claims 14 to 23, wherein the primary locking mechanism comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a bolt; a dead bolt; a hook bolt; a roller bolt; a latch; a key-lock cylinder; and an actuating handle.
25. The multipoint lock of claim 24, wherein the main housing comprises a keyhole-shaped aperture for receiving a correspondingly-shaped Euro lock cylinder lock.
26. The multipoint lock of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the primary lock is configured) by a first movement of the handle, to operates the latch, and in a second movement of the handle, to actuates the deadbolt, hook bolt or roller bolt.
27. The multipoint lock of claim 26, wherein the primary linkages are operatively connected to the primary lock to extend or retract on the second movement.
28. The multipoint lock of any of claims 14 to 27, comprising a primary lock and two or more interconnected supplementary locks located to one side of the primary lock.
29. The multipoint lock of any of claims 14 to 28, further comprising an extension linkage adapted, in use, to operatively interconnect the primary linkages of the primary lock to the linkages of the supplementary lock.
30. A multipoint lock kit comprising one or more supplementary locks according to any of claims 1 to 13 and a primary lock according to any of claims 14 to 29.
31. A supplementary lock or multipoint lock substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.