GB2593805A

GB2593805A - Locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2593805A
Application number: GB2101816.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Qi James; yang John; Zhu Tom
Original assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Current assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-13
Filing date: 2021-02-10
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Also published as: IE20210031A2; GB202101816D0; WO2021159396A1

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a door or window, the locking mechanism comprising a rotor 12a 12b for coupling to a handle such that rotation of the handle causes the rotor to rotate, wherein the rotor comprises a detent mechanism, the detent mechanism comprising a projection 30a, a notch 200 202 and biasing such as a leaf spring 8a, configured to engage the projection and the notch with each other when rotation of the rotor causes the projection and the notch to align. Preferably the engagement of the projection and the notch causes the user to feel or hear haptic or audible feedback. The notch or the projection may be formed on the spring as part of its profile, which may be curved, arcuate, wishbone or kidney shaped. The rotor may be a split rotor comprising a first rotor portion 12a and a second rotor portion 12b, which have an aperture 2 for receiving the handle. The locking mechanism may have an actuation mechanism for actuating locking bolts or latches including a drive plate 7 and a linkage having an actuator arm 5. The locking mechanism may form part of a multi-point lock.

Description

Locking Mechanism

Field of invention

The invention relates to locking mechanisms for windows and doors, and more specifically to a locking mechanism comprising a detent mechanism for providing feedback to a user when a handle associated with the locking mechanism returns to its rest position

Background

Some existing locking mechanisms have a detent mechanism for providing a hapfic and/or audible feedback to the user when a handle (e.g., a door or window handle) returns to its default position. However, the detent mechanisms are often complex and prone to breakage. They tend to contain multiple springs, which over time may permanently deform and lose their mechanical properties due to fatigue and stress. This results in the handle not returning to its default position, stiffness during operation, or loss of the hapfic and/or audible feedback.

Moreover, wear on the detent mechanism may cause the handle to become loose and suffer from wobbling after a period of use. This is less pleasant for a user to operate. If this problem is not fixed, it can lead to increased wear on other components of the locking mechanism. This may eventually cause damage or failure of a component within the locking mechanism, requiring replacement of the whole locking mechanism.

The present invention attempts to resolve and/or ameliorate one or more of the problems with locking mechanisms for windows and doors and/or provide a valuable alternative.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a locking mechanism for a door or window. The locking mechanism may comprise a rotor. The rotor may be for coupling to a handle such that rotation of the handle causes the rotor to rotate. The rotor may have a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism may comprise a projection. The detent mechanism may comprise a notch. The detent mechanism may comprise a biasing means. The biasing means may be configured to engage the projection and the notch with each other when rotation of the rotor causes the projection and the notch to align.

The notch may have a rectangular, triangular, hemispherical or trapezoidal cross section profile. The projection may have a corresponding rectangular, triangular, hemispherical or trapezoidal cross section profile. The projection may comprise a tooth.

The detent mechanism may provide a haptic and/or an audible feedback to a user. The haptic and/or audible feedback may be provided when the rotor returns to a default position e.g. when the projection and notch are aligned. The audible feedback may comprise a clicking, ringing, popping or clanking sound. The haptic feedback may comprise a tactile sensation which can be felt by a user. The tactile sensation may comprise snapping, clicking, juddering, and/or vibrating.

The notch may be formed on the rotor. Alternatively, the projection may be formed on the rotor.

The rotor may have a body. The body may be cylindrically shaped or comprise a partial cylinder portion. The cylindrical body or partial cylinder portion may comprise a first surface, a second surface and an outer circumferential face between the first and second surfaces.

In some embodiments, the notch may be located on the outer circumferential face of the body. The notch may be located on the first or second surface of the body. The notch may be an indent or recess in the body of the rotor. The notch may be integrally formed in the rotor. The notch may be formed by cutting out a portion of the rotor.

Alternatively, the projection may be located on the outer circumferential face of the body.

The projection may be located on the first or second surface of the body. In some embodiments, the projection is integrally formed in the rotor. Alternatively, the projection may comprise a separate element coupled to the body.

The projection may be formed on the biasing means. For example, the projection may be integrally formed on the biasing means. Alternatively, the notch may be formed on the biasing means, for example, the notch may be integrally formed in the biasing means.

The biasing means may be configured to engage the projection and the notch with each other when the rotor returns to its default position. In this case, the notch and the projection will be aligned with each other. During the rotation of the rotor, the notch and the projection may be spatially or rotationally offset relative to each other.

The biasing means may comprise a spring. The spring may comprise a helical compression, torsion, or conical spring. Alternatively, the spring may comprise a leaf spring. This is advantageous, since prior detent mechanisms comprise multiple springs to provide sufficient force, which means there are many potential points of failure. Failure of a spring within the detent mechanism can lead to a negative sensation for the user, as well as potentially causing the locking mechanism to jam. In some embodiments, the spring may have a curved shape. For example, the spring may have an arcuate, wishbone or kidney-shaped profile.

The spring may comprise a first spring portion. The first spring portion may comprise either the notch or the projection. The notch or projection may be located at a central region of the first spring portion. The first spring portion may be elongate. The first spring portion may have a first end and a second end. The first end and/or the second end may be connectable to a casing e.g. the lock gearbox casing. The first end may comprise a first shoulder and a first arm. The first arm may extend away from the first spring portion.

The second end may comprise a second shoulder and a second arm. The second arm may extend away from the first spring portion. The first and/or second arm may be connectable to a casing. The first and/or second arm may comprise a connector for connecting with or to the casing. The connector may comprise a tongue for engaging a connecting formation in the casing. Alternatively, the connector may comprise a loop or partial loop for engaging a corresponding formation in the casing. The corresponding formation may comprise a slot, recess, mechanical fastener, or a pillar extending perpendicularly from the casing.

In a further series of embodiments, the rotor may comprise a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion. The first and the second rotor portions may be rotatable independently of each other. The first and second rotor portion may be positioned such that the second surface of the first rotor and the first surface of the second rotor align.

The first rotor portion may comprise a first notch. The second rotor portion may comprise a second notch. The first notch may be parallel to the second notch when the rotor portions are in their default position. Alternatively, the first notch may be spatially or rotationally offset from the second notch when the rotor portions are in their default positions.

In a further series of embodiments, the first rotor portion may comprise a first projection.

The second rotor portion may comprise a second projection. The first projection may be parallel to the second projection when the rotor portions are in their default positions. Alternatively, the first projection may be spatially or rotationally offset from the second projection when the rotor portions are in their default positions. Both the first and the second notches may be engageable by a single projection formed on a single biasing means.

The locking mechanism may comprise a first and a second biasing means. The first biasing means may be configured to engage the first projection and the first notch with each other when rotation of the first rotor portion causes the first projection and the first notch to align. Correspondingly, the second biasing means may be configured to engage the second projection and the second notch with each other when rotation of the second rotor portion causes the second projection and the second notch to align.

The locking mechanism may comprise a casing for housing the rotor and the detent mechanism. The casing may be a lock gearbox casing. The biasing means may be coupled to the casing.

The locking mechanism may comprise an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism may be for actuating one or more locking bolts and/or latch bolts. The actuation mechanism may comprise a drive plate. The actuation mechanism may comprise at least one linkage connected to the drive plate. The at least one linkage may be connectable to one or more locking bolts and/or latch bolts. The actuation mechanism may be configured so that the rotation of the rotor drives the actuation mechanism.

The drive plate may be located within the lock gearbox casing. The drive plate may be connected to the rotor (or rotor portions).

In some embodiments, rotating the rotor may cause the rotor to engage with the drive plate, which in turn drives the actuation mechanism. The rotor may comprise a radially projecting follower. The radially projecting follower may engage the drive plate. The rotor may be coupled to a handle via a spindle. The rotor may comprise a spindle aperture for receiving a spindle therein. The spindle aperture may be configured to prevent relative rotation of the rotor and spindle. In some embodiments, the spindle and spindle aperture may have a square cross-section. The spindle may comprise a first spindle portion and a second spindle portion. The first spindle portion may be aligned with the second spindle portion. The first and second spindle portions may slot into a single spindle aperture.

The locking mechanism may comprise at least one handle. In some embodiments, there may be a first and a second handle. The first handle may be an internal handle located on an internal side of a window or a door. The second handle may be located on an external side of the window or a door. The first handle may be coupled to the first rotor portion via the first spindle portion. The second handle may be coupled to the second rotor portion via the second spindle portion. As such, rotation of the first handle may cause the first rotor portion to rotate independently of the second rotor portion and vice versa.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-point lock comprising a locking mechanism as described herein. The multi-point lock may comprise a plurality of locking bolts and/or latch bolts.

In some embodiments, the multi-point lock may comprise a locking unit located away from the actuation mechanism, and at least one drive rod connecting to the actuation mechanism and the locking unit. The locking unit may comprise at least one locking bolt and/or latch bolt.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a door or a window leaf comprising a locking mechanism or multipoint lock as described herein. The locking mechanism or multi-point lock may be recessed into or located within the door or window leaf.

The described invention is presented in the context of a multipoint locking system. However, the invention is applicable to any locking system or indeed any handle and latch assembly.

Brief Description of Figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a locking mechanism with part of a casing removed; Figure 2 is a side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1, with part of the casing removed, and with a latch bolt and locking bolt actuated; Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 4a is a magnified perspective view of the region A in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4b is a magnified perspective view of a locking mechanism with part of a casing removed.

Detailed Description

The invention is illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a lock gearbox 1. The lock gearbox 1 consists a locking mechanism situated within a lock gearbox casing 500. The locking mechanism may be for a use within a multi-point lock. The gearbox casing 500 is formed by a rectangular left side plate 100, a front wall la, a back wall lb, an upper wall lc, a lower wall id and a rectangular right side plate 15. Terms such as "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "top" and "bottom" are used in the present specification solely to allow the invention to be described more clearly, and should not be taken to limit the scope of the invention to any specific orientation or configuration. The front wall la and the back wall lb extend along the longer edges of the left side plate 100. The upper and lower walls lc and ld extend along the shorter edges of the left side plate 100. The right side plate 15 may be positioned to cover the internal mechanism of the lock. The right and the left side plates are separated from each other by a number of pillars 14, into which mechanical fasteners 16 can be embedded. In the embodiment shown, the mechanical fasteners 16 are screws. The right side plate 15 has two projecting edge flanges 17. The two projecting flanges 17 are positioned at right angles to the plane of the right side plate 15. When the right side plate 15 is fastened to the gearbox casing via the pillars 14, the projecting edge flanges 17 overlap the front wall la. The projecting edge flanges 17 include holes 18, which overlap with holes 60 in the front wall la. The holes 18 and 60 are designed to receive fixing screws (not shown), to fasten the right side plate 15 to the rest of the gearbox casing.

The left side plate 100 and the right side plate 15 are provided with a eurocylinder shape cutouts 11. The eurocylinder shape cutouts 11 are intended for receiving a lock cylinder therethrough (not shown). A eurocylinder lock is able to provide a key recognition system for the locking mechanism to prevent the unlocking of the locking mechanism by unauthorised users.

The gearbox casing 500 of the locking mechanism houses a latch bolt 6, a locking bolt 3, a spindle aperture 2, a rotor 98 and radially projecting followers 20a and 20b. The rotor 98 has a first rotor portion 12a and a second rotor portion 12b. The latch bolt 6 can be operated by rotating a first handle and/or a second handle (not shown). The first handle is positioned at one side of the locking mechanism and the second handle is positioned on the opposite side of the locking mechanism. Each handle is mounted on a respective spindle portion (not shown). The first handle is coupled to the first spindle portion and the second handle is coupled to the second spindle portion. During use, the first and second spindle portions are located in the spindle aperture 2. The first spindle portion engages with the first rotor portion 12a. The second spindle portion engages with the second rotor portion 12b. Rotating the first handle rotates the first spindle portion, which in turn rotates the first rotor portion 12a. Rotating the second handle rotates the second spindle portion, which in turn rotates the second rotor portion 12b. Each rotor portion 12a, 12b is mounted such that their rotation is about an axis normal to the right and left side plates 15 and 100. Furthermore, the first rotor portion 12a comprises a first radially projecting follower 20a and the second rotor portion 12b comprises a second radially projecting follower 20b. The function of the first and second radially projecting followers 20a and 20b is described hereinafter.

Top and bottom spring-bolt return arms 19, 9 are associated with the first rotor portion 12a and a second rotor portion 12b respectively. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, each spring-bolt return arm 9, 19 has an elongated arm containing a cut out portion into which fits the associated first or second rotor portion 12a, 12b. Each spring-bolt return arm is held parallel to the plane of the left and right side plates 100, 15. Each spring-bolt return arm 9, 19 contains a first arc-shaped slot 21a and a second arc shaped slot 21b. The first rotor portion 12a contains a first projecting finger 22a. The second rotor portion 12b contains a second projecting finger (not shown). The first projecting finger 22a slots into the first arc-shaped slot 21a. The second projecting finger slots into the second arc-shaped slot 21b. The relative motion between the first 22a and second projecting fingers and the first and second arc-shaped slots 21a, 21b provides a lost motion between the respective spring-bolt return arm 9, 19 and the associated first and second rotor portion 12a, 12b. As such, the rotation of the first or second rotor portion 12a, 12b does not directly correspond to the rotation of the spring bolt return arm 9, 19. At one end each spring-bolt return arm 9, 19 ends with a protrusions 23a, 23b and on the opposite side, with blocking arms 35. As seen in Figure 3, the blocking arms 35 have a cranked shape.

Figure 4a shows a detent mechanism within the gearbox casing. The detent mechanism has a biasing means 8a. In this case, the biasing means has a detent spring 8a. The detent spring 8a is attached to the back wall lb of the gearbox casing 500 and is located between the top and bottom spring-bolt return arms 19, 9. The spring contains a projection 30a in the centre, which is biased towards the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b. The first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b have a first notch 200 and a second notch 202 respectively. The first notch 200 and the second notch 202 are parallel with respect to each other when the first rotor portion 12a and the second rotor portion 12b are in their default position. The first notch 200 engages with the projection 30a when the rotation of the first rotor portion 12a causes the first notch 200 and the projection 30a to align. The second notch 202 engages with the projection 30a when the rotation of the second rotor portion 12b causes the second notch 202 and the projection 30a to align.

When the first, second or both notches 200, 202 align with the projection 30a, haptic and/or audible feedback may be produced.

The first and second notch 200, 202 only align with the projection 30a when the first or the second handle (not shown) returns to its default position. The engagement between the first or second notch 200, 202 and the projection 30a prevents the first or second handle from slipping out of its rest or default position unless the first or second handle is rotated by the user. Therefore, the detent mechanism may prevent the door or window handle from sagging. The sagging may manifest in the handle not returning to its default position, or the handle sliding away from its rest or default position after a period of time.

For example, the handle may not return to its horizontal position at ninety degrees with respect to the gearbox casing front wall la but rather remain tilted downwards at an angle below ninety degrees.

The detent spring 8a exerts a biasing force on the first and second rotor portions 12a and 12b which maintains the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b in the positions shown in Figures 1-3. This biasing force prevents the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b from wobbling within the gearbox casing during operation of the handle. This provides an advantage over prior detent mechanisms, which did not provide a method of preventing the wobbling of the rotor 98 during operation of the handle.

An alternative example of a detent mechanism 8a is presented in Figure 4b. In this detent mechanism, the first projection 303 and a second projection (not shown) protrude from the first rotor portion 12a and the second rotor portion 12b respectively. In turn, the spring 8a contains a corresponding notch 200a. When the handle of the window or door leaf returns to its default position, the rotor also rotates back to its default position. This causes the first projection 303 and a second projection to align and engage with the notch 200a. The alignment and engagement of the notch with the projection may result in hapfic and/or audible feedback to a user operating the handle.

In a further alternative detent mechanism (not shown), the detent spring is not attached to the gearbox casing itself, but rather to another element mounted within the casing. In all of the presented configurations (Figure 4a and 4b) the mechanical simplicity and accessibility of the detent mechanism mean that servicing, repairing or replacement of the detent spring 8a is simple and inexpensive.

In Figure 4a, the first and second notches 200, 202 are positioned at the outer circumferential face of the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b. Similarly, in Figure 4b the first projection 303 and the second projection are positioned at the outer circumferential face of the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b. However, in other embodiments of the invention the projection and notch may be positioned elsewhere on the rotor. For example, the function of the detent mechanism would remain unchanged if either the projection or the notch were positioned on the respective first or second faces of the first or second rotor portion 12a, 12b.

Referring again to Figures 1 to 3, a drive plate 7 is mounted within the gearbox casing 500. The drive plate 7 is an elongate plate like member, which lies adjacent to the left side plate 100. Both of the ends of the drive plate 7 lie adjacent to the front wall la of the gearbox casing. The drive plate 7 has a widened central section 26. Adjacent to the widened portion, the drive plate 7 carries a drive block 27, which receives the ends of the radially projecting followers 20a and 20b.

The latch bolt 6 is formed by a head 6a and a lath 6b. The head 6a is of conventional asymmetric shape, which has a planar face and an arcuate face meeting at an edge. The lath 6b is provided with lugs, like the one shown as 28, which engage and travel along respective slots, one of which is shown as 29, in the right and left side plates 15, 100. Thus, the latch bolt 6 is constrained to move in a linear path between a retracted unlocked position On which the latch bolt is in line with the front wall of the gearbox casing la, show in Figure 1) and an extended locking position On which the latch bolt extends through the gearbox casing, into the gap in the front wall la, shown in Figure 2). The protrusions 23a, 23b associated with their respective spring-bolt return arms 19, 9 overlie the opposite sides of the lath 6b for engagement with the lug 28. A torsion spring 10 acts between the back wall lb and the drive plate 7 to return the latch bolt to the extended locking position.

The locking bolt 3 is formed by a generally rectangular-section block of metal aligned with a square aperture 4 on the front wall la of the gearbox casing 500. The locking bolt 3 is moveable in a linear direction between a retracted unlocked position (show in Figure 1) in which the locking bolt 3 lies within the gearbox casing 500 and an extended locking position (shown in Figure 2) in which the locking bolt 3 projects from the gearbox casing 500 through the aperture 4. The locking bolt 3 is driven by the drive plate 7 through a mechanism of a known kind.

The lock gearbox also houses an actuator arm 5 and a cam follower 400. The actuator arm has an elongate shape (see Figure 3). The top end of the actuator arm 5 culminates with a pin 402. The pin 402 is coupled to the drive plate 7 and engages the blocking arms 35. The engagement is due to the cranked shape of the blocking arms wrapping around the pin 402. As such, tilting of the actuator arm 5 translates into tilting of the spring-bolt return arms 9, 19. The bottom end of the actuator arm is coupled to the cam follower. The cam follower 400 moves in a known way within the lock gearbox. The movement of the cam follower 400 causes the actuator arm 5 to tilt. The bottom end of the actuator arm may also be engageable to the lock cylinder (not shown).

The detent spring 8a may be configured to hold the first rotor portion 12a and the second rotor portion 12b in the position shown in Figure 1 during transportation prior to the installation of the lock gearbox 1. The first rotor portion 12a and the second rotor portion 12b may in turn hold the spring bolt return arms 9,19 and the actuator arm 5 in the position shown in Figure 1. The actuator arm 5 may in turn hold the cam follower 400 in the position shown in Figure 1 during transportation.

The gearbox casing presented in Figures 1,2 and 3 may be used in multi-point locks. As such, it contains an actuation mechanism for actuating one or more locking bolts 3 and/or latch bolts 6. The actuation mechanism has a drive plate 7 and linkage comprising the actuator arm and the top spring bolt return arm for actuating a spring bolt. Further, a multi-point lock comprises a locking unit (not shown) remote from the actuation mechanism (i.e., positioned outside the gearbox casing 500) and at least one drive rod (not shown) for connecting to the actuation mechanism via the two attachments 24 and 25 on the drive plate 7.

In use, the depicted multipoint lock with the incorporated detent spring mechanism functions as follows.

The locking mechanism described hereinbefore may be mounted in a door or window leaf. The door or window leaf may be mounted in a door or window frame. The door or window frame may comprise a first and a second edge, which are opposite. The first edge may comprise hinges for connecting to the door or window leaf. The second edge may comprise keepers for receiving the latch bolt 6, the locking bolt 3 and one or more remote locking members (not shown). The first and second attachments 24, 25 are connected to their respective remote locking members, via drive rods (not shown). The first and second handle may be attached via their respective spindles to the first and second rotor portions 12a, 12b.

If the external handle (one associated with the left side plate 100) is rotated downwardly, the associated rotor portion 12b will rotate and the projecting finger 22b will engage with the end of the arc-shaped slot 21b in the associated spring-bolt return arm 9. However, since the spring-bolt protrusion 23b does not engage with the latch bolt 6, this action will not retract the latch bolt 6 and the door or window leaf will remain latched. When the handle is returned to its rest position the rotor rotates back to its rest position and the notch 202 and the projection of the biasing detent spring 30a align and engage, producing a haptic or an audible feedback to the user.

Raising the exterior handle will rotate the associated rotor 12b in the opposite direction. Because of the lost motion between the projecting finger 22b and the arc-shaped slot 21b, the spring-bolt return arm, 9 will not rotate. However, the associated follower 20b will rotate and act on the drive block 27, causing the drive plate 7 to move downwardly.

The downward motion of the drive plate 7 also causes the one or more drive rods being extended and the remote locking members (not shown) being moved to their locking position. Further, the locking bolt 3 is extended through a square aperture 4 into the locking position. Therefore, the door or window leaf cannot be unlatched from the exterior.

When the interior handle of the leaf is lifted, the associated first rotor portion 12a rotates in an anticlockwise direction. The lost motion between the projecting finger 22a and the arc-shaped slot 21a prevent the rotation of the associated spring-bolt arm 9. However, the action of lifting of the handle does move the associated follower 20a which in turn moves the drive plate 7 downward as shown in Figure 2. The locking bolt 3 is extended through a square aperture 4 into the locking position. Further, the first and second drive members (not shown) are extended from the gearbox casing to move the remote bolts to their locking position.

If the interior handle of the leaf is rotated downwardly, the associated rotor portion 12a rotates until the projecting finger 22a engages with the arc-shaped slot 21a in the associated spring-bolt return arm 19. The spring-bolt return arm undergoes a clockwise rotation, the spring-bolt protrusion 23a engages with the lug 28 on the latch bolt 6, and the latch bolt is retracted against the action of the coil spring 10. The associated follower 20a rotates due to the motion of the interior handle and acts on the drive block 27, causing the drive plate 7 to move upwardly. The upward motion of the drive plate retracts the locking bolt 3, so that the locking bolt sits within the gearbox casing 500 (shown in Figure 1). This allows the door or window leaf to be opened.

Release of the interior handle causes the coil spring 10 to move the latch bolt from the retracted unlocked position back to the extended locked position, as shown in Figure 2. As the handle returns to its rest position the first rotor portion rotates back to its respective rest position. The notch 200 and the projection 30a align and engage. A hapfic and/or an audible feedback may be provided when the notch and the projection are caused to align with each other.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other implementations and configurations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of disclosure should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A locking mechanism for a door or window, the locking mechanism comprising: a rotor for coupling to a handle such that rotation of the handle causes the rotor to rotate, wherein the rotor comprises a detent mechanism, the detent mechanism comprising a projection, a notch and a biasing means, the biasing means configured to engage the projection and the notch with each other when rotation of the rotor causes the projection and the notch to align.
2. A locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the detent mechanism is configured to provide a haptic and/or an audible feedback to a user when the rotation of the rotor causes the projection and the notch to align.
3. A locking mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the notch is formed in the rotor and the projection is formed on the biasing means.
4. A locking mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the projection is formed on the rotor and the notch is formed on the biasing means.
5. A locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.
6. A locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the spring comprises a leaf spring.
7. A locking mechanism according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the spring comprises a curved, arcuate, wishbone or a kidney shaped profile.
8 A locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor comprises a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, the first and second rotor portions being independently rotatable of each other.
9. A locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a casing for housing the rotor and the detent mechanism.
10. A locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the biasing means is coupled to the casing.
11. A locking mechanism according to any of the proceeding claims, further comprising an actuation mechanism for actuating one or more locking bolts and/or latch bolts, the actuation mechanism comprising: a drive plate; and at least one linkage connected to the drive plate and connectable to one or more locking bolts and/or latch bolts, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured so that the rotation of the rotor drives the actuation mechanism.
12. A multi-point lock comprising a locking mechanism according to any of the preceding claims.
13. The multi-point lock according to claim 12 when dependent upon claim 11, comprising a locking unit located away from the actuation mechanism, and at least one drive rod connecting to the actuation mechanism and the locking unit.
14. A door or a window leaf comprising a locking mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 11, or a multi-point lock according to claim 12 or claim 13.