NZ248959A - Window latch: curved latch member engages linear keeper - Google Patents

Description

Priority Date(-): Complete Specification Filad: Class: Publication Date: 2..LEE.B.J9.96.

P.O. Journal No: Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE J5 OCT 1993 rbcsjvjhd COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LOCKING DEVICE WE, HARDWARE & SYSTEMS PATENTS LIMITED, a British company of 100 Fetter Lane, London, England EC4A 1BN hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a ; patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it \v is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2489 59 -la- LOCKING DEVICE This invention relates to locking devices for doors, windows and the like closures.

It is known to secure a door or.ysrindow when closed by means of an 5 espagnolette. A typical espagnolette has a plurality of bolting elements spaced apart along the side edge of the door or window for engagement with corresponding keepers on the surrounding frame in the closed position.

Usually the bolting elements are mounted on a bar arranged for longitudinal sliding movement along the side edge of the door or window on rotation- of a 10 manually operable handle coupled to the bar through a drive mechanism.

Many of the known espagnolettes are of complex construction and the door or window frame has to be adapted to mount the drive mechanism and bar. For timber frames, extensive machining of the frame is often required for Installation and, for metal or plastics frames, special profiles are usually 15 required for installation.

Additionally, many of the known espagnolettes can be forced by breaking the bolting elements and/or keepers and, in certain cases, a low force is sufficient to obtain entry.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the 20 above problems and disadvantages of known espagnolettes and has for its object the provision of a locking device of simple construction that is easy to install and which is resistant to forcing.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking device for a door or window having an opening wing movable relative 25 to a surrounding frame, the device comprising a casing adapted to be mounted on one of the wing and frame, drive means In the casing responsive to rotation of manually operable means about a first axis for moving catch means between an inoperative position and an operative position, and a keeper adapted to be mounted on the other of the wing and frame for 30 engagement by the catch means in the operative position for securing the wing relative to the frame in a closed position, the catch means being guided in the casing for rotation about a second axis substantially normal to the first axis such that engagement of the catch means with the keeper causes The wing to be urged towards the frame in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the wing and frame to secure the wing position.

RZ. PATENT OFFICE 13 OEC 1995 RECEIVED (followed by page 2) 248959 Preferably, the catch means comprises a curved plate guided for rotation about the second axis during movement between the inoperative and operative positions by internal guide faces on opposed sides of the casing.

Conveniently, the plate is located in the operative and inoperative 5 positions of the catch means by stop means within the casing.

Advantageously, the drive means comprises an actuator bush rotatably mounted between the opposed sides of the casing and having a cam formation engageable with the plate for moving the plate between the inoperative and operative positions on rotation of the manually operable 10 means.

Preferably, the manually operable means comprises a rotatable handle operativeiy connected to the actuator bush by a spindle. The handle may be lockable to prevent unauthorised actuation of the locking device.

Advantageously, the keeper and catch means have respective 15 elongate formations that extend parallel to the second axis for engagement in the operative position of the catch means to secure the wing in the closed position.

Preferably, the keeper formation is of curved or bent profile in transverse section, and the catch means formation is provided by a leading 20 edge of the catch means that locates under the keeper formation in the operative position.

The keeper is preferably an extrusion of uniform cross-section and may have at least one further formation for engagement by the leading edge in the operative position of the catch means to secure the opening wing in a 25 partially open vent position.

In a preferred arrangement the casing is mounted on the opening wing and the keeper is mounted on the surrounding frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a door or window comprising an opening wing movable relative to a 30 surrounding frame and a locking device for securing the opening wing in a closed position, the locking device comprising a keeper on the surrounding frame and a casing on the opening wing, drive means in the casing for moving catch means between an inoperative position and an operative position on rotation of manually operable means about a first axis, the 35 casing having a base wall defining an elongate slot through which the catch means extends in the operative position for engagement with the keeper to 248959 secure the opening wing in the closed position and having opposed sidewalls defining guide faces for simultaneous rotation of the catch means about a second axis generally normal to the first axis for movement of the catch means between the inoperative and operative positions, and the catcl, means and keeper having respective elongate formations extending substantially parallel to the second axis that are co-operable to cause the opening wing to be urged towards the frame in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the opening wing and frame to secure the opening wing in the closed position.

Preferably, the keeper and casing are mounted on opposed side edges 10 of the surrounding frame and opening wing respectively, and the elongate formation of the catch means has a leading edge movable in a curved path on rotation of the catch means to the operative position for co-operating with the elongate formation of the keeper to urge the opening wing to the closed position.

Advantageously, a plurality of keepers and catch means are spaced apart around the periphery of the door or window with the catch means linked for operation by common manually operable means.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-20 FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of locking device according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is a transverse section through a window fitted with the locking device of Figure 1 and shown secured in the closed position; and FIGURE 3 is an exploded isometric view showing a second embodiment of 25 locking device according to the invention.

The first embodiment of locking device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings has a rectangular casing 2 that is mounted on the opening wing 3 of a door or window in a cavity 4 opening to the side edge 5 of the wing 3 between the inner and outer faces 6 and 7 respectively. 30 The casing 2 houses a retainer plate 8 and an actuator bush 9 that is rotatable by an operating handle 10 to move the retainer plate 8 out of the casing 2 through a slot 11 in the base 12 to engage a keeper 13 mounted on the surrounding fixed frame 14 to secure selectively the wing 3 in closed or partially open vent positions.

In this embodiment, the wing 3 and surrounding frame 14 are of iberstood that this is not essential, and timber cons^ruptiop^^v^g^n 1 3 DEC 1995 (followed by page 3a) RECEIVED -3a- Vc, '^// that the wing 3 and/or frame 14 may be construct^=uSing other materials such as metal or plastics or reinforced plastics, for example aluminium or PVCu with optional internal reinforcement.

The casing 2 is formed by a front plate 15 and a rear plate 16 spaced apart by a projecting wall 17 of the rear plate 16 that terminates at each end (followed by page 4) 2h 8959 of the casing 2 in an outwardly directed base flange 18 for locating the casing 2 in the cavity 4.

The actuator bush 9 is rotatably mounted at each end in respective aligned circular apertures 19 provided in the front plate 15 and rear plate 16 5 at the centre of the casing 2.

The operating handle 10 is coupled to the actuator bush 9 by a square section spindle (not shown) received in a rectangular through bore 20 formed in the actuator bush 9 for transmitting rotation of the handle 10 to the actuator bush 9.

The retainer plate 8 is of curved profile and is located on either side of the apertures 19 between complementary concave and convex guide faces 21 and 22 provided on the rear plate 16 and front plate 15 respectively.

The centre portion of the actuator bush 9 is received in a cut-out 23 15 in the retainer plate 8 and has a projecting cam 24 arranged on rotation of the actuator bush 9 in opposed senses to move the retainer plate 8 between an inoperative retracted position within the casing 2 and an operative extended position projecting from the casing 2 through the slot 11.

The rear plate 16 has a respective projecting boss 25 on each guide 20 face 21 that extends through an aligned elongate aperture 26 in the retainer plate 8 and is received in an aligned complementary hole 27 in the front plate 15 to locate the front plate 15 for assembly and to limit actuating movement of the retainer plate 8 by engagement with the opposed ends of the aperture 26.

Each boss 25 has an internally threaded through bore 28 for engagement by a complementary fixing screw (not shown) used to mount the operating handle 10 on the inner face 6 of the wing 3 thereby securing the casing 2 in the cavity 4.

The keeper 13 comprises a base plate 29 for securing by means of 30 screws (not shown) to the frame 14 within the rebate 30 between the frame 14 and wing 3.

Upstanding from the base plate 29, the keeper has two spaced parallel longitudinal ribs 31 extending lengthwise of the side edge 32 of the frame 14 for selective engagement by the retainer plate 8 in the closed an^, vent positions respectively. ° ^ f; < '■ C.

V ^ J" 248959 The keeper 13 is of uniform cross-section along its length and is preferably an extrusion of aluminium although extrusions of other metals or alloys or plastics may be used. In this way, keepers of different length may be obtained from a common extrusion for use with retainer plates of 5 different length. This is not essential however and the keeper may be metal casting or plastics moulding.

Each rib 31 is of curved profile in transverse section and, in use, the keeper 13 is mounted with the ribs 31 extending substantially parallel to the slot 11 and inclined towards the inner face 6 of the wing 3. 10 In use, the retainer plate 8 is driven out of the casing 2 through the slot 11 by actuation of the operating handle 10 and is simultaneously guided for rotation about an axis parallel to the length of the slot 11 by the internal guide faces 21,22 such that, the leading edge 33 of the retainer plate 8 is displaced towards the outer face 7 of the wing 3 as it is driven out of the 15 slot 11 to engage under the free end of either the outer rib 31a to secure the wing 3 in the vent position or the inner rib 31b to secure the wing 3 in the closed position.

As a result of such angular displacement of the retainer plate 8, the wing is pulled inwards by engagement of the retainer plate 8 with the 20 keeper 13 and this can be used in the closed position to provide controlled compression of a resilient sealing member 34 mounted in a groove 35 extending around the periphery of the opening in the frame 14 thereby ensuring weathertight sealing of the wing 3. The sealing member 34 may be of any suitable type, for example a strip of neoprene or other suitable 25 elastomer cut to length from an extrusion of the required profile.

The plate 8 is held in the extended position until the bush 8 is rotated in the opposite sense to bring the plate 8 back to the retracted position by location of nose 24a of the cam 24 on a flat seat 23a of the cut-out 23. Additionally, the engagement between the keeper 13 and retainer plate 8 30 along the length of the leading edge 33 and the concealed location of the leading edge 33 under the free end of the rib 31 provides a strong interlock that is relatively inaccessible from the outside. As a result, the locking device 1 is resistant to forcing by a tool inserted into the rebate 30 so that security is improved, especially compared with many of the known 35 espagnolettes.

^ * £ C V 248959 Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, this shows a second embodiment of a locking device in which parts corresponding to the first embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals in the series 100.

In this second embodiment, the bush 109 is reversible and the 5 cut-out 123 in the plate 108 is modified to receive the "am 124 in each orientation of the bush 109 to adapt the locking device 101 for right or left hand fitting. In this way, the locking device 101 is non-handed.

As shown, the cam 124 has a flat nose 124a that engages a flat seat 123a of the cut-out 123 to hold the plate 108 in the extended position 10 until the bush 109 is rotated in the reverse sense to bring the plate 108 back to the retracted position.

The installation and operation of the locking device 101 is generally similar to that of the device 1 and will be understood from the description already given.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described. For example, the locking device and keeper may be arranged to secure the wing in the closed position only.

A plurality of retainer plates may be mounted in a common casing and arranged for actuation by a single operating handle to engage individual 20 keepers. For example, two retainer plates may be provided, one at each end of the casing.

Several locking devices and associated keepers may be provided at spaced apart positions for added security, especially of large wings. Each locking device may have its own operating handle but more preferably the 25 locking devices are linked for simultaneous actuation by a common operating handle.

The operating handle may be of any suitable type and may be lockable to prevent unauthorised release of the retainer plate when engaged with the keeper for added security.

Any suitable actuator means may be provided for transmitting drive from the operating handle to the retainer plate. For example, the actuator bush may be replaced by a gear mechanism.

The length of the retainer plate and keeper may be chosen to meet the strength requirements for any given application of the locking device |Lfld^~ ^ © p this may be achieved without altering the depth of the lock casing whicf^ftas /?'- advantages for selection and fitment of the locking device by the user: ..

V V./ 248959 Other applications and variations of the Invented locking device can of course be envisaged and are deemed within the scope of the invention which is not limited by the exemplary embodiments described herein. 24885®

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A locking device for a door or window having an opening wing movable relative to a surrounding frame, the device comprising a casing adapted for mounting on one of the wing and frame, drive means in the casing responsive to rotation of manually operable means about a first axis for moving catch means between an inoperative position and an operative position, and a keeper adapted to be mounted on the other of the wing and frame for engagement by the catch means in the operative position for securing the wing relative to the frame in a closed position, the catch means being guided in the casing for rotation about a second axis substantially normal to the first axis such that engagement of the catch means with the keeper causes the wing to be urged towards the frame in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the wing and frame to secure the wing in the closed position.

2. A locking device according to Claim 1 wherein the catch means comprises a curved plate guided for rotation about the second axis during movement between the inoperative and operative positions by internal guide faces on opposed sides of the casing.

3. A locking device according to Claim 2 wherein the plate is located in the operative and inoperative positions by stop means within the casing.

4. A locking device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the drive means comprises an actuator bush rotatably mounted between the opposed sides of the casing and having a cam formation engageable with the plate for moving the plate between the inoperative and operative positions on rotation of the manually operable means.

5. A locking device according to Claim 4 wherein the actuator bush is reversible for adapting the device for right or left hand fitting.

6. A locking device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the manually operable means comprises a rotatable handle operatively connected to the actuator bush by a spindle.

7. A locking device according to Claim 6 wherein the handle is lockable.

8. A locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the keeper and catch means have respective elongate formations that extend parallel to the second axis for engagement in the operative position of the catch means to secure the wing in the closed position.

9. A locking device according to Claim 8 wherein the keeper formation is of curved or bejfitFpf.Qfil<TiiBflfafijSVSGfe lection, and the catch means | 13 m ! i 1 1 RECEIVED t 248959 30 formation is provided by a leading edge of the catch means that locates under the keeper formation in the operative position.

10. A locking device according to Claim 9 wherein the keeper has at least one further formation for engagement by the leading edge in the operative position of the catch means to secure the opening wing in a partially open vent position.

11. A locking device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the keeper comprises an extrusion of uniform cross-section.

12. A locking device according to any One of the preceding Claims . wherein the casing is mounted on the opening wing and the keeper is mounted on the surrounding frame.

13. A locking device for a door, window or tike closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A door or window comprising an opening wing movable relative to a surrounding frame and a locking device for securing the opening wing in a closed position, the locking device comprising a keeper on the surrounding frame and a casing on the opening wing, drive means in the casing for moving catch means between an inoperative position and an operative position on rotation of manually operable means about a first axis, the casing having a base wall defining an elongate slot through which the catch means extends in the operative position for engagement with the keeper to secure the opening wing in the closed position and having opposed sidewails defining guide faces for simultaneous rotation of the catch means about a second axis generally normal to the first axis for movement of the catch means between the inoperative and operative positions, and the catch means and keeper having respective elongate formations extending substantially parallel to the second axis that are co-operabie to cause the opening wing to be urged towards the frame in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the opening wing and frame to secure the opening wing in the closed position.

15. A door or window according to Claim 14 wherein the keeper and casing are mounted on opposed side edges of the surrounding frame and opening wing respectively, and the elongate formation of the catch means has a leading edge movable in a curved path on rotation of the catch means to the operative position for co-operating with the elongate formation of the keeper to urge the opening wing to the closed position. f i.Z. PATENT OFFICE 1 3 DEC 1995 RECEIVED -10-

16. A door or window according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 having a plurality of keepers and catch means spaced apart around the periphery with the catch meanss linked for operation by common manually operable means. HARDWARE & SYSTEMS PATENTS LIMITED By their Atjorneys BALDWIN. SON & CAREY