GB2562849A

GB2562849A - Shoot bolt for a locking mechanism and locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2562849A
Application number: GB1804609.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dain Fletcher Tracy; John Barnett Craig
Original assignee: Spire Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: Spire Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-23
Filing date: 2018-03-22
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Also published as: GB201704644D0; GB201804609D0

Abstract

The shoot bolt 124 comprises a face plate 130 and a shoot bolt bar 134, the shoot bolt having a longitudinal axis (A-A) and the shoot bolt bar being movable longitudinally relative to the face plate. The shoot bolt has a shoot bolt tip 138 which can project beyond a corner element 142. The shoot bolt also has an extension piece 60 mounted to move with the shoot bolt bar, the extension piece having an extension tip 66 which also projects beyond the corner element. The extension tip may be offset from the bolt tip in the Y and Z directions. The extension tip is located alongside the shoot bolt tip. The shoot bolt allows use of a window in separate modes such as a night vent mode. The shoot bolt can be used in conjunction with a gearbox to form a locking mechanism.

Description

SHOOT BOLT FOR A LOCKING MECHANISM

AND LOCKING MECHANISM

FIELD OFTHE INVENTION

This invention relates to a shoot bolt for a locking mechanism. The shoot bolt is in particular suited for fitment to an espagnolette gearbox as part of the locking mechanism. The invention also relates to a locking mechanism incorporating a shoot bolt.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The invention is expected to find its greatest utility as part of a locking mechanism for a window, and so the following description will relate primarily to such applications. Use of the invention with other movable panels such as doors, for example, is not thereby excluded.

A known opening window 10 and its surrounding frame 12 are shown generally in Fig.1. The lock body 14 of the locking mechanism of the window 10 is shown in dotted outline. Part or all of the lock body 14 is located within the hollow profile of the window 10, and is therefore totally hidden from view when the window is closed as shown in Fig. 1. The lock body 14 is also substantially hidden from view when the window 10 is opened.

The lock body 14 includes an espagnolette gearbox 16 which is actuated by a handle 18. The handle 18 may or may not include a key-operated lock.

Two shoot bolts 24 are connected to the gearbox 16, such that rotation of the handle 18 between the locking and unlocking positions is converted by the gearbox 16 into linear movement of the shoot bolts 24 parallel to and along the locking edge 26 of the window 10 (towards the top and bottom of the window 10 as viewed in Fig 1).

A known shoot bolt 24 is shown in Fig.2. The shoot bolt 24 comprises a face plate 30 which is not movable in use. The face plate has openings 32 to receive fasteners (not shown) by which the shoot bolt 24 is secured to the window 10, and in particular to the locking edge 26.

Slidably mounted to the face plate is a shoot bolt bar 34. In known fashion, the shoot bolt bar 34 has elongate slots through which the fasteners pass so that the shoot bolt bar can move along the direction of its longitudinal axis A-A relative to the fixed face place 30.

Though not seen in Fig.2, the left-hand end of the shoot bolt bar 34 as viewed will typically carry a serrated section which is adapted to fit into a cooperating serrated sleeve of the gearbox, whereby to interconnect the shoot bolt bar 34 to the gearbox 16.

It will be seen that the shoot bolt 24 of Fig.2 also includes a mushroom-headed bolt or cam 36 which projects beyond the face plate 30 (and which when fitted to the window 10 projects from the locking edge 26). The bolt 36 cooperates with a keeper (not shown) located along the locking edge 20 of the frame 12, in known fashion. The bolt 36 is securely mounted to the shoot bolt bar 34 and projects through a slot 40 in the face plate 30 so as to permit the desired longitudinal movement relative to the face plate.

Mushroom headed bolts such as 36 are not fitted to all shoot bolts, and their inclusion upon a shoot bolt according to the present invention is entirely optional.

For completeness, some locking mechanisms utilise locking bars rather than shoot bolts. A locking bar is secured to the espagnolette gearbox in place of a shoot bolt, and carries one or more mushroom-headed bolts such as 36. The different terms “locking bar” and “shoot bolt” are used herein respectively to describe a locking component which terminates within the length of the locking edge 26, and a locking component which projects beyond the corner at the end of the locking edge.

As seen in Fig.2, a shoot bolt 24 typically incorporates (or is at least connected to) a corner element 42. In the assembled window 10 of Fig. 1 each of the shoot bolts has a corner element 42 located at a respective corner 44 at the ends of the locking edge 26.

The corner element 42 has an opening through which the tip of the shoot bolt bar 34 can project as seen in Fig.2, tip of the shoot bolt projecting in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A and cooperating with a keeper mounted to the frame 12 at the corner 44.

It is commonplace for a locking mechanism to include a “night vent” facility. Thus, whilst all locking mechanisms are designed to secure the window in its fully closed position (with the weather seals suitably compressed between the window and frame), many are also designed to secure the window in a partially-open position, specifically in a position in which the locking edge 26 of the window 10 is spaced by a few millimetres from the locking edge of the frame 20 so that there is a small ventilation gap between the window and frame.

A suitable keeper 46 for the locking mechanism of Fig. 1 having a night vent facility is shown in Fig.3. In known fashion, the keeper 46 is mounted to the frame 12 at a corner 44 aligned with the corner element 42. The keeper 46 has two openings or recesses 50a,b, each of which can accommodate the projecting tip of the shoot bolt bar 34. The opening 50a will accommodate the projecting tip of the shoot bolt bar 34 when the window is in its fully closed position, and the opening 50b will accommodate the projecting tip of the shoot bolt bar 34 when the window is in its night vent position.

Fig.4 shows a cross-section through a known window 10 and frame 12, substantially in its fully closed position (the weather seals are not shown). As is common, the window 10 and frame 12 are made as plastics extrusions with suitable strengthening elements (typically metallic rails or bars), but alternatively may be made as aluminium extrusions or of timber. Each window manufacturer will have its own design of profile, but most share common features. One of the common features is the so-called Euro-groove 52, the width and depth of this groove in the window profile being standardised so as to enable the many different manufacturers of locking componentry to make their componentry suitable to fit into the groove.

It will be understood that a length of profile is cut, mitred and connected to adjacent lengths of the profile to make the rectangular window 10 and frame 12 shown in Fig. 1.

In the known arrangement of Fig.4, the shoot bolt 24 fits into the Euro-groove 52 of the profile along the locking edge 26, with the face plate 30 lying substantially flush with the open edge of the groove. Also, adjacent to each of the corners 44 between the locking edge 20 and the connected edges of the frame 12, a keeper 46 fits into the region 54 of the frame 12.

The window profile of Fig.4 has a lip 56 which is designed to overlie a part of the frame 12, the lip typically carrying a weather seal. However, many newer profile designs do not have an overlying lip and are usually referred to as “flush fit” windows. A flush fit window profile is shown in Fig.7.

It is a recognised concern that the flush fit profiles such as that shown in Fig.7 cannot accommodate a “night vent” keeper such as the keeper 46 of Fig. 3.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a shoot bolt for a locking mechanism which provides a night vent facility for a profile which cannot accommodate a known night vent keeper, and in particular for a locking mechanism fitted to a flush-fit window profile.

According to the present invention there is provided a shoot bolt comprising a face plate and a shoot bolt bar, the shoot bolt having a longitudinal axis and the shoot bolt bar being movable longitudinally relative to the face plate, the shoot bolt having a shoot bolt tip which can project past a corner element, the shoot bolt having an extension piece mounted to the shoot bolt bar to move with the shoot bolt bar, the extension having an extension tip which can also project past the corner element, the extension tip being located alongside the shoot bolt tip.

Unlike a conventional shoot bolt in which the shoot bolt bar is linear and of substantially uniform cross-section throughout most of its length, the present shoot bolt has an extension piece which lies alongside the end of the shoot bolt bar. The shoot bolt bar has a bolt tip and an extension tip which lie alongside one another. The keeper needs to have only one recess or opening and it can be arranged that the shoot bolt tip enters the keeper opening in the window fully closed position and the extension tip enters the keeper opening in the night vent position. The space required to accommodate the keeper is therefore significantly reduced, enabling the keeper to be fitted to the frame surrounding a flush-fit window profile.

Preferably, the extension piece is secured to the shoot bolt bar by way of a slot in the face plate. In such an arrangement a part of the face place lies between the extension and the shoot bolt bar so that the extension tip is offset from the shoot bolt tip in two directions. The keeper recess must be sufficiently large to accommodate the offset but is still smaller than a conventional night vent keeper.

Preferably, the extension piece is mounted to the shoot bolt bar immediately adjacent to the corner element. This minimises the size of the extension piece and maximises the security of its connection to the shoot bolt bar, and also reduces the difficulty of accommodating the extension piece in the window profile.

There is also provided a locking mechanism comprising an espagnolette gearbox, at least one shoot bolt and at least one keeper, the shoot bolt comprising a face plate and a shoot bolt bar, the shoot bolt having a longitudinal axis, the espagnolette gearbox being connected to the shoot bolt bar and adapted to move the shoot bolt bar longitudinally relative to the face plate, the shoot bolt having a shoot bolt tip which can project past a corner element, the shoot bolt having an extension piece mounted to the shoot bolt bar to move with the shoot bolt bar, the extension piece having an extension tip which can also project past the corner element, the extension tip being located alongside the shoot bolt tip, the keeper having a single opening to accommodate a chosen one of the shoot bolt tip and the extension tip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a known window fitted with a known locking mechanism;

Fig.2 shows a known shoot bolt as used in the locking mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 shows a known keeper as used in the locking mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig.4 shows a sectional view through the profiles of the window and frame of Fig.1;

Fig.5 shows a shoot bolt according to the present invention;

Fig.6 shows a keeper suitable for use with the shoot bolt of Fig.5;

Fig.7 shows a sectional view through the profiles of a flush-fit window and frame;

Fig.8 shows a sectional view through the profiles of a flush-fit window and frame fitted with a shoot bolt according to the present invention, in the fully closed position; and

Fig.9 shows a view as Fig.8 in the night vent position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of Figs. 1-4 is set out above and will not be repeated. The shoot bolt of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5 and is designed to cooperate with the keeper shown in Fig.6, in particular for use with a flush-fit window profile as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The shoot bolt 124 comprises a face plate 130 which is not movable in use. The face plate has an opening 132 to receive a fastener (not shown) by which the shoot bolt 124 is secured to the window 110 (Figs. 7,8), and in particular to the locking edge of the window 110. The number and position of the openings 132 can vary to suit the length of the shoot bolt 124.

Slidably mounted to the face plate 130 is a shoot bolt bar 134. The shoot bolt bar 134 has an elongate slot (not seen) through which the fastener passes so that the shoot bolt bar 134 can move along the direction of its longitudinal axis A-A relative to the (fixed) face place 130.

The left-hand end of the shoot bolt bar 134 as drawn has a serrated section 58 which is just visible in Fig.5, and which is adapted to fit into a cooperating serrated sleeve of a gearbox such as the gearbox 16, whereby to interconnect the shoot bolt bar 134 to the gearbox, in known fashion.

The shoot bolt 124 has a corner element 142 which in this embodiment is a continuation of the face plate 130 and substantially replicates the corner element 42 of the known shoot bolt 24. The corner element 142 has additional openings 132 to receive fasteners (not shown).

The corner element 142 has an opening through which the tip 138 of the shoot bolt bar 134 can project as shown in Fig.5, the tip 138 in its extended position projecting past the corner element 142 as shown.

Securely connected to the shoot bolt bar 134 is an extension piece 60. In this embodiment the extension piece 60 is connected to the shoot bolt bar 134 by two rivets 62 which pass through a slot 64 in the face plate 130 and into aligned holes (not seen) in the shoot bolt bar 134. Accordingly, longitudinal movement of the shoot bolt bar 134 in the direction along its longitudinal axis A-A (along the X axis as shown in Fig.5) results in corresponding movement of the extension piece 60.

A part of the face plate 130 adjacent to the corner element 142 and the slot 64 is sandwiched between the shoot bolt bar 134 and the extension piece 60, but with sufficient freedom to permit movement of the shoot bolt bar 134 and extension piece 60 relative to the face plate 130 in the direction along the longitudinal axis A-A. The extension piece 60 has an extension tip 66 which lies alongside the tip 138 of the shoot bolt bar 134. The extension tip 66 also projects past the corner element 142 in the extended position shown in Fig.5. As better seen in Fig.8, in this embodiment the extension tip 66 does not project beyond the corner piece 142 as far as the tip 138, bit in alternative embodiments it can project by the exactly the same distance as the tip.

In this embodiment the thickness (in the Z direction) of the extension piece 60 is less than that of the shoot bolt 134, but in other embodiments the thicknesses are the same.

Because they are separated by the face plate 130, the extension tip 66 is necessarily offset from the tip 138 in the Z direction by a distance O_z. Also, the extension tip 66 is offset from the tip 138 in the Y direction by a distance O_y (the offset distances being measured from the centres of the respective tips).

A keeper 146 for use with the shoot bolt bar 124 is shown in Fig.6. The keeper 146 has a single opening or recess 150 to accommodate the tip 138 of the shoot bolt bar 134 or the extension tip 66, depending upon the position of the window

110 relative to the frame 112, as explained below.

It will be understood that the initial opening movement of the window 10, 110 is in the direction of the axis Y (the axes X, Y and Z shown in Figs. 3, 4 6 and 9 corresponding to the axes X, Y and Z of Fig.5). The axis Y is shown in Fig. 3 to show the direction of initial opening movement of the window relative to the keeper. It will also be understood from a comparison of the profiles of Figs. 4 and 6 that the region 154 of the frame 112 in which a keeper can be accommodated is significantly smaller in the Y-direction than the region 54 for the frame 12.

Alternatively stated, the Euro-groove 152 is significantly closer to the outside edge 68 of the window profile 110 than for the known window profile 10. If it was intended to use a known keeper such as 46 to provide a night vent facility for the window profile 110, it would be necessary to align the keeper opening 50a with the Euro-groove 52 in the fully closed position of the window 110 as shown in Fig.7. It will be understood that there is insufficient space within the region 154 also to accommodate the opening 50b, which opening must necessarily lie closer to the outside edge 68 than the opening 50a.

The inability to locate the known keeper 46 in the profile of a frame 112 surrounding a flush-fit window 110 will also be apparent from Fig.9, i.e. in the night vent position it would not be possible for a keeper 46 to engage the extension 138.

Fig.8 shows the window 110 in the fully closed position, i.e. with the weather seals compressed, with the tip 138 of the shoot bolt 134 located in the recess 150 of the keeper 146. Fig.9 shows the window 110 in the night vent position with the extension tip 66 located in the recess 150. The window is fully secured and can be locked in both positions, as with the known locking mechanisms. The offset distance O_y determines the distance between the fully closed and night vent positions, which is typically a few millimetres.

A comparison of Figs. 3 and 6 shows that the keeper 146 is significantly smaller in the critical Y direction, and importantly is able to fit into the region 154 of the frame profile 112 aligned with the Euro-groove 152. The reduction in size of the keeper 146 in the Y direction is primarily due to it only having a single opening 150, the opening 150 being sized to accommodate the chosen one or other of the shoot bolt top 138 and the extension tip 66, depending upon whether the window is in the fully closed position or the night vent position. The opening 150 therefore has a dimension D_y in the Y direction which is sized to accommodate the width of the shoot bolt tip 138. In this embodiment the width (in the Y direction) of the extension tip 66 matches the width of the shoot bolt tip 138, but in less preferred embodiments in which the widths do not match the opening will have a dimension in the Y direction which matches the wider of the shoot bolt tip and the extension tip.

It will be understood that the single opening 150 must accommodate the offset O_zin the Z direction between the shoot bolt tip 138 and the extension tip 66. It is clear from Fig.9, however, that the size of the keeper 146 in the Z direction (out of the paper as drawn) is not critical and there is room to accommodate an increase in the size of the opening in the Z direction. Specifically, the dimension D_z in the Z direction of the opening 150 is large enough to accommodate the offset O_z. Also, since the offset O_z is measured from the centre of the shoot bolt tip 138 to the centre of the extension tip 66 the opening 150 must also accommodate half of the respective thickness of the tips (but may be enlarged further in the Z direction to permit more freedom of positioning for the installer).

Claims

1. A shoot bolt (124) comprising a face plate (130) and a shoot bolt bar (134), the shoot bolt having a longitudinal axis (A-A) and the shoot bolt bar being movable longitudinally relative to the face plate, the shoot bolt having a shoot bolt tip (138) which can project beyond a corner element (142), the shoot bolt having an extension piece (60) mounted to move with the shoot bolt bar, the extension piece having an extension tip (66) which can also project beyond the corner element (142), the extension tip (66) being located alongside the shoot bolt tip (138).

2. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 1 in which the extension tip (66) is offset (O_y) from the shoot bolt tip (138) in a first direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A).

3. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the extension tip (66) is offset (O_z) from the shoot bolt tip (138) in a second direction (Z) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A).

5. A shoot bolt (124) according to any one of claims 1-3 in which the extension piece (60) is mounted to the shoot bolt bar by at least one fixing (62).

6. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 5 in which the at least one fixing (62) passes through a slot (64) in the face plate (130).

7. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 6 in which a part of the face place (130) lies between the extension piece (60) and the shoot bolt bar (134).

8. A shoot bolt (124) according to any one of claims 5-7 in which the extension piece (60) is mounted to the shoot bolt bar (134) immediately adjacent to the corner element (142).

9. A shoot bolt (124) according to any one of claims 1-8 in which the shoot bolt tip (138) can project beyond the corner element (142) by a maximum first distance, and the extension tip (66) can project beyond the corner element (142) by a maximum second distance, the maximum first distance being different to the maximum second distance.

10. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 9 in which the maximum first distance is larger than the maximum second distance.

11. A shoot bolt (124) according to any one of claims 1-10 in which at least one bolt (36) is mounted to the shoot bolt.

12. A shoot bolt (124) according to claim 11 in which the at least one bolt is a mushroom-headed bolt (36).

13. A locking mechanism comprising an espagnolette gearbox (14), at least one shoot bolt (124) and at least one keeper (146), the shoot bolt comprising a face plate (130) and a shoot bolt bar (134), the shoot bolt having a longitudinal axis (A-A), the espagnolette gearbox being connected to the shoot bolt bar and adapted to move the shoot bolt bar longitudinally relative to the face plate, the shoot bolt having a shoot bolt tip (138) which can project beyond a corner element (142), the shoot bolt having an extension piece (60) mounted to move with the shoot bolt bar, the extension piece having an extension tip (66) which can also project beyond the corner element (142), the extension tip (66) being located alongside the shoot bolt tip (138), the keeper (146) having a single opening (150) to accommodate a chosen one of the shoot bolt tip and the extension tip.

14. A locking mechanism according to claim 13 in which the extension tip (66) is offset (O_y) from the shoot bolt tip (138) in a first direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A), and in which the single opening (150) has a dimension (D_y) in the first direction (Y) to accommodate the chosen shoot bolt tip (138) or extension tip (66).

15. A locking mechanism according to claim 13 or claim 14 in which the extension tip (66) is offset (O_z) from the shoot bolt tip (138) in a second direction (Z) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A), and in which the single 5 opening (150) has a dimension (D_z) in the second direction (Z) which is large enough to accommodate the offset (O_z) in the second direction (Z).