GB2561141A

GB2561141A - Window locking system

Info

Publication number: GB2561141A
Application number: GB1616332.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mayer Peter
Original assignee: Assured Product Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Assured Product Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-24
Filing date: 2016-09-26
Publication date: 2018-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-26
Also published as: WO2017051145A2; GB201616332D0; GB201516910D0; WO2017051145A3; GB2561141B

Abstract

A locking system, e.g. for a window, the system including a gearbox unit 1, at least one arm extension 2A, 2B, and at least one L-shaped corner component 3A, 3B. Releasable connections couple the arm extension bars to the gearbox and the corner components such that each component is separable and interchangeable. Preferably each arm extension bar has a hinged cover clip (19, fig.4) over the connector, the hinge being a living hinge. The extension arm may be of plastics and may be cut to the desired length. A keeper may be provided with first and second hinged sections enabling it to be used flat in a first configuration and folded in a second configuration for use as a corner keep. The gearbox may include pivotal locking bolts. The corner component may include pivotal locking bolts (31A, 31B, fig.5B) and a sliding shootbolt (40) providing multipoint locking.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Assured Product Solutions Ltd 72 Bancroft Chase, HORNCHURCH, Essex, RM12 4DR, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2518464 A EP 2754802 A2 EP 0740039 A1 DE 019748059A1

GB 2368092 A EP 1219768 A2 EP 0589170 A1 US 20080092606 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E05B, E05C

Other: Online: EPODOC TXTA WPI (72) Inventor(s):

Peter Mayer (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Agile IP LLP

Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0ΧΖ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Window locking system Abstract Title: A modular locking system (57) A locking system, e.g. for a window, the system including a gearbox unit 1, at least one arm extension 2A, 2B, and at least one L-shaped corner component 3A, 3B. Releasable connections couple the arm extension bars to the gearbox and the corner components such that each component is separable and interchangeable. Preferably each arm extension bar has a hinged cover clip (19, fig.4) over the connector, the hinge being a living hinge. The extension arm may be of plastics and may be cut to the desired length. A keeper may be provided with first and second hinged sections enabling it to be used flat in a first configuration and folded in a second configuration for use as a corner keep. The gearbox may include pivotal locking bolts. The corner component may include pivotal locking bolts (31 A, 31B, fig.5B) and a sliding shootbolt (40) providing multipoint locking.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/11

08 18

3A

FIG. 1

2/11

08 18

Fig. 3B

08 18

4/11

08 18

31A

Fig. 6

08 18

6/11

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FIG. SC

7/11

08 18

FIG. 10

8/11

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53B

Fig. 13

Fig. 11

08 18 ίί/ΐί

WINDOW LOCKING SYSTEM

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a window locking system. More especially the invention relates to a shootbolt locking system constructed from three parts.

Background to the invention

Shootbolts are lock systems commonly used for windows and doors. Shootbolts are used on multi-point locks to further secure the door or window into head and sill of the frame by an upwards movement of the sprung handle.

A window lock using a shootbolt system usually consists a central gearbox and shootbolt rods or extensions which fit into the gearbox.

Traditional shootbolt lock systems are complex in structure and can be difficult to fit. Moreover, the gearbox can fail and rods can sometimes get damaged when trying to remove the lock especially if the window has been stuck shut.

The present invention aims to provide a shootbolt locking system that is made of only three simple parts allowing for easy fitting with a minimal number of tools.

The complete shootbolt is formed of three parts that can be cut to fit casements of varying size. For example, the system parts could fit casement sizes from 240 mm with just the gearbox, and 400 mm to 1672 mm with all components .

In general the three component parts of the system are a gearbox, corner drive extensions and keeps. Conventional shootbolt locking systems consist of at least six parts, namely a gearbox, metal extension, left and right hand corner keeps and intermediate keeps for additional locking points .

The simplicity of the structure of the system of the present invention provides a dynamic, secure, easy to fit locking system and helps to reduce stock levels needed for its manufacture.

Statement of invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for inter alia a window, the system comprising a gearbox unit, at least one arm extension and at least one L-shaped corner component, the gearbox and arm extension having complimentary means to connect to each other and to be separable therefrom and corner component and arm extension having complimentary means to connect to each other and to be separable therefrom such that each component of the system is interchangeable .

Preferably the gearbox unit comprises a main body with a first gearbox arm connected to and extending from one end of the main body and a second gearbox arm connected to and extending from the opposing end of the main body, wherein extension connectors are provided at the end of each gearbox arm to connect at least one extension arm to one or both sides of the gearbox.

Preferably one or the L-shaped corner component includes at its distal end an extension connector to connect one end of an extension arm to the L-shaped component.

Preferably the or each extension connector has a cover clip which extends over the connector, the cover clip comprising two sections divided by a hinge to one section to pivot in respect of the other section to allow access to the extension connector.

Preferably, the system further comprises at least one keep, the keep comprises first and second sections divided by a hinge to allow one section of the keep to fold in respect of the other section.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided, a method of installing a locking system for inter alia a window, the method comprising, fitting a gear box of claim 1 into the window profile, selecting a an extension arm and cutting it to the desired size, connecting the extension arm to the gear box and clipping said extension arm into the window profile, selecting a desired L-shaped corner component and connecting said component to the extension arm.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shootbolt locking system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a central gearbox component of figure 1;

Figures 3A and 3B are top and side views respectively of the central gear box of figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the gearbox of figure 2;

Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of an end shootbolt component of figure 1 in unlocked and locked positions respectively;

Figure 6 is a side view of the end shootbolt of figure 5B;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the end shootbolt of figure 5;

Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are perspective views of alternate variations of end shootbolts;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an extension arm of the system of figure 1;

Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the arm of figure 9 in combination with an end shootbolt component;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of end shootbolt constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

Figure 12 is a side view of the end shootbolt of figure 11;

Figure 13 is an exploded view of the end shootbolt of figure 11;

Figure 14 shows perspective views of a keep forming part of the system;

Figure 15 shows the keep of figure 14 in various configurations showing it being folding in use;

Figure 16 is an exploded view of the detail of the keep of figure 14;

Figure 17 is a detailed cross section of the active hinge and clip detail of the keep when folded;

Figures 18A to 18C are top, side cross section and bottom views of an alternative central keep; and

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a side keep.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Referring first to figure 1, the window locking system system comprises a central gearbox unit 1 and two shootbolt extension arms 2A, 2B and shootbolt ends 3A, 3B.

Each component part making up the locking system will now be described referring first to figures 2 to 4, which show the structural form of the central gearbox 1.

The gearbox 1 comprises a main body 4 comprising a central section 5 and two side sections 6A, 6B extending from each side of the central section 5 and each having less width than the central section 7. The main body is generally symmetrical across its central lateral axis.

A first gearbox arm 7 is connected to, and extends from, one side section 6A of the main body 4 and a second gearbox arm 8 is connected to, and extends from, the opposing side section 6B of the main body 4.

The main body 4 comprises first and second complimentary housings 9, 10 which are secured together by rivets 11.

A face plate 12 is secured to the main body 4. The face plate 12 is preferably made from stainless steel to provide strength to the structure and provide resistance to corrosion. The face plate 12 is secured to the main body 4 via rivets 13.

The rivet points are located across both the housings 9, 10 to allow for secure assembly and to evenly distribute the load across both sections.

An extension arm connector 14 is provided at the end of each gearbox arm 7, 8. The connectors 14 are provided to connect the extension arms 2 to the end of each respective section 6 of the main body 4.

A liftable locking member 15 is extendable and retractable from the main body 4 through a slot 16 in the face plate via a locking member pin 17 connected to a spindle gear acting about a gearbox pinion 19 engaged with a teethed surface 20 on each arm 7, 8.

For illustration purposes, figures 2 and 3B show the locking pins 15 extended from side sections 16 of the main body 4 in a locked position. Figure 3A, on the other hand, shows the locking pins 15 located within the side sections 16 of the main body 4, unextended, in an unlocked position.

Each end of the face plate 12 includes a connector 17 with a central aperture 18.

An extension cover clip 19, which may carry marketing indicia, such as a brand name or product number, is shaped and dimensioned to lie over the open face of each extension arm connector 14. The cover clip 19 is formed with two sections divided by an active hinge to allow the cover clip 19 to be lifted to allow access to the extension arm connector 14 to insert it remove the extension arm. One section includes an aperture 20 aligned with the aperture 18 on the faceplate 12 to provide screw alignment for ease of fitting.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a shootbolt end component 3 of the system. Variations of shootbolt ends providing various degrees of locking are shown and described in later figures. They all take generally the same structural form.

The shootbolt end 3 illustrated in these figures has three points of locking which can be seen clearly when comparing figure 5A and 56B.

Figure 5A shows the shootbolt end 3 in unlocked configuration. The shootbolt 3 comprises an L-shaped housing 21 formed from two halves 22A and 22B joined together (see figure 7). In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the housing is formed as a single moulding with an internal channel.

Extending within and out of the housing 21 is a locking bolt rack connector arm 23 (extending into the vertical arm of the housing 21 in figures 6 and 7) and a top rack connector arm 24 (extending into the horizontal arm of the housing 21 in figures 6 and 7) .

An L-shaped face plate 30 is located over the open face of the housing.

The face plate 30 is made from stainless steel to provide further structural support to reduce corrosion.

Liftable locking members 31A, 31B are extendable and retractable from the housing 21 through slots 32A, 32B in the housing 21 and the face plate 30. The locking members 31 are pivotable about a locking member pin via pinion gears 33 acting against a toothed surfaces 34 of the connector arms 23, 24 as those arms move within the housing 21 in response to a locking or unlocking action.

The locking member pins are made from steel for increased strength and are provided with serrated ends to engage with the pinion gears 33.

The locking members 31 have a solid cast construction for strength.

An L-shaped corner drive bar 35 extends over the corner of the housing 21 within its channel to provide a link between the connector arms 23, 24.

The corner drive bar 35 is bi-directional allowing the locking members 31 to retract into the housing 21 as well as extend from it. The corner drive bar guide is held in place within the housing via rivet extending through a corresponding aperture 38 formed in the face plate 30. The corner drive bar also includes a screw thread aperture which aligns with a similar aperture in the face plate 30 to provide screw alignment for ease of fitting.

Figure 6 shows the shootbolt end 3 in its locked configuration. As can be seen in this figure, locking occurs when the locking bolt rack connector arm 23 is forced upwardly into the housing 21. Upwards movement causes a first hook 31A to pivot outwardly through the corresponding slot 32A in the face plate 30. This provides a first locking point.

At the same time, an end part 40 of the connector arm 23 is forced upwardly out of a correspondingly positioned aperture 41 in the face plate 30. This provides a second locking point.

Also, at the same time, the top rack connector arm 24 is forced in a direction out of the housing 21 by the corner drive bar 35 linking the two connector arms 23, 24. Movement of the connector arm 24 causes a second hook 31B to pivot outwardly through the corresponding slot 32B in the face plate 30. This provides a third locking point.

The shootbolt end 3 is unlocked (back to the configuration illustrated in figure 5A) by retracting the connector arm 23 causing the hooks 31A, 31B to pivot back within the housing 21 by action of a shootbolt reversing rack 42.

The distal end of the locking bolt rack connector arm 23 has an extension arm connector 43 fixed thereto during the production process. This allows connection of an additional extension arm to be fitted to the top of the window if required. The additional of a further extension enhances security and also prevents profile deflection.

Variations to the shootbolt end 3 are shown in figures 8A, 8B and 8C.

Figure 8A shows a two point locking design. As can be seen, the locking bolt rack connector arm 23 does not extend through the aperture 41 in the face plate 30 when the connector arm 23 extends fully in the housing 21 in locked configuration. The aperture 41 is not required and is covered by a hole plug 44 which may carrying marketing indicia. The hole plug 44 is formed from a plastics material and, when inserted, prevents water ingress into the end unit 3.

Figure 8B shows a bold and front only locking design. As can be seen, the top rack connector arm 24 is much simpler in construction and does not carry a locking hook mechanism. Slot 32B of the face plate 30 is covered by a hole plug 45 as described above.

Figure 8C shows a bold and top only locking design. As can be seen, this time, locking bolt rack connector arm 23 is much simpler in construction and does not carry a locking hook mechanism. Slot 32A of the face plate 30 is covered by a hole plug 46 as described above.

The use of common components between the gearbox 1 and shootbolt end component 3 creates a simple, elegant design and reduces manufacturing and tooling costs resulting with an overall locking system with a low carbon footprint.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an extension arm 2 of the system. The arm 2 is pre-assembled with the desired variant of shootbolt end component 3.

using an described.

The extension arm 2 is made from a composite plastic to allow it to be easily croppable using, for example, hand snips or a saw. The end of the arm 2 is shaped and configured for clip attachment to the central gearbox 2 extension arm connector 14 as previously The extension arm 2 may be cut to size.

The extension arm 2 has two apertures 47 for receiving screws for fitment. The apertures 47 are formed within recesses 48 in the arm 2 can be easily locatable using extension screw locators 49 which fit within the recesses

48. The screw locators 49 comprise a middle section 50 having an aperture 51 in its floor and side flanges. When located within the recess 48 the aperture 51 of the locator 49 is aligned over the aperture 47 through the extension arm 2 thereby providing a clear way of locating the aperture 51 for ease of fitting.

The extension arm 2 shown has two fixing points for added security and/or to provide options should the profile tolerance be found to be incorrect during fitting. The arm 2 may have any number of fixing points.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate an end shootbolt of an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment a top rack connector arm is not present. The housing 52 is formed in two halves 53A, 53B secured together and only extends along one axis (the vertical axis) of the shootbolt. The horizontal section of the faceplate 54 has apertures 55 to receive screws for simple alignment and securement to a window frame. The faceplate 54 also has an aperture 56 to receive the end 57 of the locking bolt rack connector arm 58 when in a locked configuration. The end of the faceplate 54 has a V shaped indent. The remaining features of the shootbolt and its locking mechanism are generally the same as previously described.

Figures 14 to 17 illustrate a keep 60 for use with the system. The keep 60 can be used with both the gearbox 1 and the corners 3.

The keep 60 is adjustable, by for example 1 mm either way to counteract any compression in the frame, incorrect tolerance of a component of the frame.

The keep 60 is designed with an active hinge 61 to allow the keep to be folded about the hinge 61 to form a corner keep is desired, as can be seen best in figure 15.

Referring to figure 14, the keep 60 comprises a main body 57 comprising first and second sections 62A, 62B divided by the hinge 61 . The end surfaces 63A, 63B of each section 62 are angled so to provide a triangular prism shaped recess 64 above the hinge 61.

The end surface 63A of the first section 62A has three apertures 65. The end surface 63B of the second section 62B has three protrusions 66 having a complimentary shape to the apertures 65.

The recess 64 allows for the second section 62B to hinge upwardly to a position in which the second section 62B is perpendicular to the first section 62A, whereby the end surfaces 63 abut each other and the protrusions 66 are received within the apertures 65.

As can be seen in figure 16, keep plates 67A, 67B are secured to the top surface of each section 62A, 62B and is secured thereto by a screw 68 and a keep adjustment screw retaining plate 69.

When in its basic form, wherein the keep sections 62 lie in the same plane, a triangular prism shaped cover cap 70, which may include marketing indicia is fitted into the recess 64. When in place the cap keeps the sections 62 in position. The cap 70 must be removed before the second section 62B can be folded about the hinge 61.

Figure 17 illustrates the active hinge mechanism and folding retaining clip detail.

Figures 17 to 18 illustrate an alternative design for a central keep 71. The keep 71 is formed as a single piece.

Figure 19 illustrates an alternative design of a corner keep 72. Here, one section 73 of the keep 72 upstands perpendicularly from one end of the other section 74.

The fitting process will now be described. Firstly the gearbox 1 is located in the correct position within the pre-routed section of the profile. The gearbox unit 1 is screwed into position using the two screw ports.

The extension arms 2 are aligned up against the gearbox unit 1 in order to establish where they need to be cut.

Once	cut	to	size,	the	extension arms 2	are then	clipped
into	the	extension	arm	connectors 14 at	the end	of each
gear	box	arm	7, 8.	At	the same time the	extension	arms 2
are	clipped	into	the	profile section.	Additional screw

points are provided to hold the arms 2 in place or increase strength if necessary.

The extension arms 2 can be initially fitted on the returns of the corner drivers 3, which have two screw points for security and strength. The arms 2 can then be fitted to the face of the sections of the corner drivers

3.

A total of three keeps are then fitted. One keep is used for the gearbox 1, and two for the corners 3. The cap 7 0 is removed to allow the keep 60 to be closed about its active hinge 61. Once clipped into position within the profile section it can then be screwed into the profile. There are four fixing screws in each keep 60 for added strength.

The adjustment plate 67 allows for on-site adjustment of the keep 60 to increase or decrease the compression load on the gasket in the event, for example, that the gasket has compressed over a period of time.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely descriptive of example embodiments of this invention and that modifications can readily be made to these embodiments without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking system for inter alia a window, the system comprising a gearbox unit, at least one arm extension and at least one L-shaped corner component, the gearbox and arm extension having complimentary means to connect to each other and to be separable therefrom and corner component and arm extension having complimentary means to connect to each other and to be separable therefrom such that each component of the system is interchangeable.

2. A locking system according to claim 1, wherein the gearbox unit comprises a main body with a first gearbox arm connected to and extending from one end of the main body and a second gearbox arm connected to and extending from the opposing end of the main body, wherein extension connectors are provided at the end of each gearbox arm to connect at least one extension arm to one or both sides of the gearbox.

3. A locking system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each L-shaped corner component includes at its distal end an extension connector to connect one end of an extension arm to the L-shaped component.

A locking mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the or each extension connector has a cover clip which extends over the connector, the cover clip comprising two sections divided by a hinge to one section to pivot in respect of the other section to allow access to the extension connector.

5. A locking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprises at least one keep, the keep comprises first and second sections divided by a hinge to allow one section of the keep to fold in respect of the other section.

6. A method of installing a locking system for inter alia a window, the method comprising, fitting a gear box of claim 1 into the window profile, selecting a an extension arm and cutting it to the desired size, connecting the extension arm to the gear box and clipping said extension arm into the window profile, selecting a desired L-shaped corner component and connecting said component to the extension arm.

7. A locking system as substantially hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures .

8. A method of installing a locking system as substantially hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1616332.1