WO2014131075A1

WO2014131075A1 - Folding door latch

Info

Publication number: WO2014131075A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Ryan; Peter Tran
Original assignee: Lock Focus Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-03-01
Filing date: 2014-02-12
Publication date: 2014-09-04
Also published as: AU2014223296B2; AU2014223296A1

Abstract

The specification discloses an improved latch structure (11) for use with a concertina type folding panel door or window arrangement and an optional lock structure (12) for use with the latch structure (11), the latch structure (11) having a first slide member (20) that, in use, slides along and within an upright hollow frame member (10), the first slide member (20) having first connection means (50, 1) enabling an elongate latching member (46) to be retained for movement with the first slide member (20) such that a distal end (47) of the member (46) is securable in or released from a stationary retaining zone (48), the latch structure (11) further including a latching part (34) associated with the first slide member (20) that is, in use, movable in a transverse direction between at least a first position retaining the first slide member (20) against movement along the hollow frame member (10) and a second position allowing movement of the first slide member (20) along the frame member (10), the latching part (34), in use, not extending outwardly of the frame member (10).

Description

FOLDING DOOR LATCH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to improvements to latches, with or without locking capability, for multiple panel folding door or window structures.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Door or window structures to cover relatively large spans are often made up by panels of similar widths that are hinged together for relative pivoting motion about vertical hinge axes, the panels being supported by roller wheels or similar located in lower and/or upper guide tracks whereby in an extended position, the panels span the desired zone and generally are maintained in one plane, and in a folded position, the panels are located folded against one another in concertina fashion on one or both sides of the desired zone. Such structures might include one or a small group of panels separate from the others to act as an openable or closable door without necessarily altering the closed condition of the other panels. Structures of the aforementioned kind can often be used to close or open a shop front typically in shopping centres or similar applications, but can be found in many other applications.

[0003] When the panels are located in the closed extended configuration, one or more latches are provided, with the or each latch enabling at least one or groups of the panels to be latched in the extended closed configuration. If desired, locking means can be provided to both latch and lock the panel or groups of the panels in the closed extended configuration. Such latches in known arrangements are normally mounted in an upright frame member of a frame surrounding a glass or other material sheet forming a panel of the structure. The latches can be mounted in one or more intermediate panels and/or in an end located panel but generally speaking, if the latch assembly has a physical configuration that extends a reasonable distance from the plane of the panel to which it is installed, then this will obstruct the panels when folded in a concertina manner in the open condition. Thus in the folded condition the space taken up by the folded panels can be significantly greater than would be the case if the panels simply closely engaged one another in the folded condition. Moreover, there is a risk of the latch being damaged or the latch damaging an adjacent panel if the latch does have a part extending a distance from the panel to which it is mounted.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a latch structure for a folding door or window assembly of the aforementioned kind that minimizes the extent that any part of the latch extends from the plane of a panel of such a door or window assembly. The invention also aims to provide improvements in the structure of latches of the aforementioned kind. In a referred aspect, the present invention also aims to provide a lock structure capable of selective use with the latch structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of this invention a latch structure is provided for a concertina folding panel door or window structure, said latch structure having a first slide member adapted, in use, to slide along and within an upright hollow frame member of a panel of the door or window structure, said first slide member having first connection means to enable an elongate latching member to be retained for movement with the first slide member whereby a distal portion of the elongate latching member is securable in a retaining zone to latch said panel in a closed position when said first slide member is moved to a closed position, said latch structure having a latching part associated with said first slide member that, in use, is movable in a transverse direction relative to said first slide member between at least a first position retaining said first slide member against movement along said frame member, and a second position enabling movement of said first slide member along said frame member. [0006] Because of the latch structure as defined in the preceding paragraph, it is possible to construct such a latch structure that has very little lateral extension from the surface of the door or window frame member, thereby minimizing any space occupied by the multiple door or window panels when in the folded (open) condition. The terminology "concertina folding panel door or window structure" is intended to refer to any door or window structure made up of multiple panels where adjacent panels are hinged together for relative pivoting about vertical axes, and where in the folded or open condition, the panels are desirably intended to lie in a condition, as close as possible to, occupying parallel, adjacent planes, and where in the closed condition, the panels are desirably extended and lie substantially in the same plane.

[0007] In a preferred construction, the latching part moves in a direction inwardly of the frame member when moved from the first position to the second position. Conveniently, the latching part is urged to move towards the first position or in an outwardly direction, and is movable in an inward direction towards said second position against such urging forces.

[0008] In one possible construction, the latching part may be integrally formed with the first slide part. Conveniently in this construction, the latching part remains movable in said transverse direction by providing a hinging connection between the latching part and the first slide part. In an alternative preferred construction, the latching part may be formed separately from said first slide member but is retained for movement with the first slide member along said slide part. The latching part may be arranged by spring means to move in the transverse direction relative to the first slide member from the second position towards the first position.

[0009] In a preferred construction, two said first positions are provided mutually spaced from one another, a first one of said first positions corresponding to an open condition of said concertina folding panel door or window structure, and a second one of said first positions corresponding to a closed condition of said concertina folding panel door or window. Preferably the latch structure may further include a frame part adopted to fit within an opening therefor in a wall of the upright frame member of said concertina folding panel door or window structure, said frame part defining said two spaced first positions, said frame part further defining stop means preventing said latching part moving from either one of said first positions unless it is moved to said second position. Conveniently, the frame part has a peripheral mounting flange that when installed is engaged flush against a surface of said frame member. Conveniently, no part of the latch structure (including the latch part) extends laterally outwardly beyond the mounting flange when the latch structure is installed.

[0010] Preferably, the latching part may be mounted in a recess within the first slide member for movement relative to said recess in the transverse direction, spring means being provided acting between said first slide member and said latching part to urge said latching part laterally outwardly of said recess in said transverse direction.

[001 1 ] The latching part of the latch structure may have an outwardly facing open finger engaging recess that assists an operator to engage the latching part to move the latching part to the second position against forces applied by said spring means and to thereafter slide said first slide member along said frame member.

[0012] A first end of the first slide member may include first connection means enabling an end of a said elongate latching means to be adjustably connected thereto whereby a distal end of the elongate latching member can be selectably varied in distance from said first slide member. Conveniently, the first connection means may include a first screw thread enabling a second screw thread on the end of the elongate latching member to be screwed thereon, the elongate latching member being accessible from outside the frame member whereby a free end position of the elongate latching member can be adjusted by varying the screw thread engagement, the elongate latching member being fixed in position by locking means accessible through an opening in a wall of the frame member.

[0013] In a further possible construction, a second end of the first slide member may include a second connection means enabling the first slide member to be connected to a second slide member for movement, in use, along and within said frame member, said second slide member being cooperable, in use, with a lock structure.

[0014] Conveniently, the lock structure is mountable to said frame member spaced from said latch structure along said frame member, said lock structure including a key operated locking device adapted to move locking tab means laterally from an axis of rotation of said key operated locking device into locking recess means when in a locked condition or withdraw said locking tab means from said locking recess means when in a non-locked condition. Preferably, the locking tab means includes two tabs movable in opposite directions when moving to said locked condition. Conveniently, the locking recess means is/are formed in said second slide member. Preferably, when said tabs are engaged in said locking recess means, with the locking device in a locked condition, the latch structure is also positioned in its latched condition Conveniently, the tabs are also engageable in separate longitudinally spaced locking recess means when the latch structure is in a detatched position and the lock device is in an unlocked condition. Thus the latch and lock structure can be fixed with the tabs in a respective set of locking recess means in both the open and closed positions.

[0015] Further preferred aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in relation to the annexed drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figs 1 and 2 are forward and rear perspective views, at least partly exploded, showing parts of a preferred latching structure and parts of a preferred optional locking structure for use with a frame member of a door or window panel;

[0017] Fig 3 is a front perspective view of Fig 2 with the parts assembled with the frame member;

[0018] Fig 4 is a front perspective view of the latch and lock structures assembled but omitting the frame member for the door or window panel showing the latch in an open condition;

[0019] Figs 5 and 6 are front and rear elevation views with the latch and lock structures assembled but with the latch in the open condition;

[0020] Fig 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the assembled latch and lock structures in combination with a frame member and with the latch in an open condition;

[0021 ] Fig 8 is a front perspective view similar to Fig 4 with the frame member omitted and with the latch represented in a closed or latched position;

[0022] Fig 9 is a perspective view similar to Fig 8 with certain parts

represented in exploded manner and also including the frame member;

[0023] Fig 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Fig 7 but with the latch in a closed or latched position; [0024] Fig 1 1 is a top perspective view of the latch housing member that is clipped into an opening formed in a front wall of the frame member of the door or window panel;

[0025] Fig 12 is an underneath perspective view of the latch housing member shown in Fig 1 1 ;

[0026] Fig 13 is a perspective view showing the latch housing member of Figs 1 1 and 12 assembled with other parts of the latch structure and the lock structure;

[0027] Fig 14 is a detailed top perspective view of the connection region between the latch structure and the lock structure;

[0028] Fig 15 is an underneath perspective view of the region shown in Fig 14;

[0029] Fig 16 is an underneath perspective view of assembled parts of the lock structure;

[0030] Fig 17 is an underneath perspective view of the lock structure including the locking frame with locking tabs of the lock structure engaged with the locking frame;

[0031 ] Fig 18 is an upper perspective view of the lock structure shown in Fig 17; and

[0032] Fig 19 is an underneath view of Fig 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring to the drawings, figures 1 and 2 show a vertical frame member 10 into which the latch structure 1 1 or the latch structure 1 1 with a lock structure 12, is mounted. The frame member 10 is hollow and is intended to be a vertical part of a perimeter frame of a panel that may form one of multiple panels forming a door or window structure where the panels are hinged together about vertical axes permitting the complete structure to be folded (or unfolded) in concertina fashion. The infill region of the perimeter frame can comprise a glass sheet (opaque or clear) or a sheet of any other desired material.

[0034] As shown in Figs 1 and 2, the frame member 10 is generally rectangular in cross-section and has two opposed side walls, 14, 15 and two opposed edge walls 16, 17, each with a longitudinal groove 18. The side wall 14 may be a front wall (or a rear wall) but in the illustrated embodiment, has a rectangular opening 19 enabling mounting of a latch structure 1 1 . A first slide member 20 is positioned in the hollow interior 21 of the frame member 10 and is located adjacent the rectangular opening 19. A frame part 22 is provided configured to clip into the opening 19. The frame part 22 has a perimeter flange 23 that has a rear face 24 (Fig 2) positioned against the outer surface of the wall 14 when the frame part 22 is clipped into the opening 19. The thickness of the perimeter flange 23 is quite small such that the front face 25 of the perimeter flange 23 extends very little distance from the face of the wall 14. Clip formations 26, 27 (Fig 2) are positioned along the rear face of the longer side walls of the frame part 22 to allow the part to be clipped to the edges of the opening 19. As shown in the drawings the perimeter flange 23 has a pair of thickened regions 28, 29 centrally located along the longer sides of the perimeter flange 23 to provide generally square open zones 30, 31 of equal size and configuration at each end of the perimeter flange 23. Each end 32, 33 of the thickened regions 28, 29 provide stop or limit means for reasons that will be explained further below. [0035] The latch structure 12 further includes a latching part 34 having a front part 35 with a generally square perimeter approximating in size and configuration of each of the openings 30, 31 . The front part 35 has a forwardly facing recess 36 adapted to provide an operators finger engagement zone. The rear part 37 of the latching part 34 has a generally cylindrical body that slides within a complementary shaped recess or bore 38 in the first slide member 20. The rear face of the latching part 34 has a central boss 42 (Fig 2) to locate one end 39 of a compression spring 40, the other end 41 of the compression spring 40 engages an inner end of the recess 38 whereby, in use, with the rear part 37 of the latching part 34 held in the recess 38, the spring 40 urges the latching part 34 forwardly toward the wall 14 of the frame part 10. The wall of the recess 38 has a pair of opposed grooves or slots 43. A shaft or threaded bolt 44 passes through a transverse bore 45 in the rear part 37 of the latching part 34, with the ends of the shaft or bolt 44 projecting beyond the surface of the rear part 37 and engaged in the grooves or slots 43. Engagement of the ends of the bolt 44 with a forward end of the grooves or slots 43 limits forward movement of the latching part 34 under urging forces applied by the spring 40. Rearward movement is limited by engagement of the rear face of the rear part 37 with a rear or bottom of the recess 38.

[0036] Referring now to Figs 4 to 10 an elongated member 46 in the form of a rod or similar extends downwardly through the hollow interior 21 of the frame member 10. The lower distal end 47 is adapted to engage in a retainer fitting 48, suitably located, or be withdrawn therefrom. When the distal end 47 is withdrawn from the fitting 48, the panel (or group of hinged panels) is free to move to an open condition. If the distal end 47 is retained in the fitting 48, the panel (or group of hinged panels) is fixed, either in a closed or open position. The upper end 49 of the elongated member 46 has a screw threaded section 50 that is engaged in a nut 51 held in the first slide member 20 (best seen in Figs 7, 10). The nut 51 and threaded section 50 of the elongate member 46 form together a first connection. The relative position of the distal end 47 can be adjusted by screwing the threaded section 50 into or out of the nut 51 . Once the desired position is achieved, a grub screw 52 accessed through the openings 19 and 31 can be screwed down onto the threaded section 50 to prevent further rotation of same.

[0037] In operation, movement of the latching elongated member 46 is controlled by the latch structure 1 1 and in particular, movement of the first slide member 20 along the space 21 . Latching or freeing of the first slide member 20 for movement is controlled by the latching part 34. With the latching part 34 in the position illustrated in Fig 7, the part 34 is urged by the spring 40 to its outermost position. In this position, the forward part 35 is in the space 30 and the stop abutments 32 of the flange zones 28, 29, prevent the latching part 34 moving from the space 30. Because the latching part 34 is part of the first slide member 20, the slide member 20 and the elongate member 46 are also held in this fixed position. To change this, an operator will engage the latching part 34 to move it inwardly against the urging force supplied by the spring 40 such that the forward part 35 can then slide under the flange zones 28, 29 with the latching part 34 and first slide member 20 being capable of being slid down until the forward part 35 engages in the open part 31 . In this position, the slide member 20 and elongate member 46 have been moved down and the end 47of the rod 46 is engaged in the retainer fitting 48 (see Figs 8 and 10). To reverse the procedure, the latching part 34 is again pushed in and the part 34 and member 20 are slid upwardly. While all the annexed drawings show the elongated rod member 46 moving downwardly to a latching position and upwardly to de-latch, it is equally possible to reverse the structure such that the elongate member 46 would extend upwardly from the slide member 20 to have the member 46 engage or disengage from an elevated retainer fitting 48.

[0038] If it is desired to provide a locking facility, the lock structure 12 would also be provided. The lock structure 12 may include an outer part 70 adapted to fit into an opening 90 in the wall 14 of the frame member 10 and an inner part 71 providing a zone 72 to receive a key operated lock barrel (not shown). The inner part 71 is formed by screw members 97 that engage with the outer part 70 to hold the parts 70, 71 in an assembled condition. The outer part 70 is secured in the opening 90 by screws 98 passing through the respective edge walls 16, 17 of the frame member 10. The key operated lock barrel would rotate an inner fitting 73 (Fig 16) between walls 93, 94 with oppositely directed lugs 74, 75 engaging in actuating slots 76, 77 in tab members 78, 79. The tab members 78, 79 are constrained to slide between ends of the walls 93, 94 and abutments 100, 101 formed on the inner part 71 only in a transverse lateral direction. Rotation of the fitting 73 thereby causes the tab members 78, 79 to extend outwardly from or inwardly into the body of the inner part 71 . The lock structure 12 also provides a ring frame part 80 with a central zone 81 and side walls 82, 83 on either side of the central zone 81 . The central zone 81 surrounds the inner part 71 of the lock structure. Further, at one (lower in the drawings) end 84 of the ring frame part 80, connection means 85 is provided to allow same to be selectably connected to the upper end 86 of the first slide member 20 of the latch structure 1 1 . The end 86 also includes connection means 87 cooperable with the connection means 85 provided on the ring frame part 80. As is shown in the drawings, the ring frame part 80 includes openings 88, 89 in the longer side walls that engage with the tab members 78, 79 when they are in their extended position. Two cooperating sets of openings 88 and 89 are provided so that the latch structure can be locked in the open or closed positions. The selective use of the connection means 85, 87 allow the locking structure to be an optional part, if it is not required.

[0039] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations are possible while not departing from the invention defined in the annexed claims. For example, the locking structure 12 is shown in the preferred embodiment on an opposite side of the slide member 20 to the elongated rod member 46. It is possible, although perhaps not as preferred, to connect the elongated rod member 46 to a distal end of the ring frame part 80 such that the lock structure 12 would be interposed between the elongated rod member 46 and the latching structure 1 1 . Other variations would be well understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 . A latch structure for a concertina folding panel door or window structure, said latch structure having a first slide member adapted, in use, to slide along and within an upright hollow frame member of a panel of the door or window structure, said first slide member having first connection means to enable an elongate latching member to be retained for movement with the first slide member whereby a distal portion of the elongate latching member is securable in a retaining zone to latch said panel in a closed position when said first slide member is moved to a closed position, said latch structure having a latching part associated with said first slide member that, in use, is movable in a transverse direction relative to said first slide member between at least a first position retaining said first slide member against movement along said frame member, and a second position enabling movement of said first slide member along said frame member.

2. A latch structure according to claim 1 wherein said latching part moves in a direction inwardly of the frame member when moved from said first position to said second position.

3. A latch structure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said latching part is urged towards said first position.

4. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said latching part is integrally formed with said first slide part.

5. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said latching part is formed separately from said first slide member but is retained for movement with said first slide member along said slide part.

6. A latch structure according to claim 5 wherein said latching part is urged by spring means to move in the transverse direction relative to said first slide member from said second position towards said first position.

7. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein two said first positions are provided mutually spaced from one another, a first one of said first positions corresponding to an open condition of said concertina folding panel door or window structure, and a second one of said first positions corresponding to a closed condition of said concertina folding panel door or window structure.

8. A latch structure according to claim 7 further including a frame part adapted to fit within an opening therefor in a wall of the upright frame member of said concertina folding panel door or window structure, said frame part defining said two spaced first positions, said frame part further defining stop means preventing said latching part moving from either one of said first positions unless it is moved to said second position.

9. A latch structure according to claim 8 wherein said frame part has a peripheral mounting flange that when installed is engaged flush against a surface of said frame member.

10. A latch structure according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein no part of said latch structure extends laterally outwardly beyond said mounting flange when said latch structure is installed.

1 1 . A latch structure according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said latching part is mounted in a recess within said first slide member for movement relative to said recess in the transverse direction, spring means being provided acting between said first slide member and said latching part to urge said latching part laterally outwardly of said recess in said transverse direction.

12. A latch structure according to claim 1 1 wherein said latching part has an outwardly open finger engaging recess that assists an operator to engage the latching part to move the latching part to the second position against forces applied by said spring means and to thereafter slide said first slide member along said frame member.

13. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein a first end of said first slide member includes first connection means enabling an end of a said elongate latching member to be adjustably connected thereto.

14. A latch structure according to claim 13 wherein said first connection means includes a first screw thread enabling a second screw thread on the end of the elongate latching member to be screwed thereon, the elongate latching member being accessible from outside the frame member whereby a free end position of the elongate latching member can be adjusted by varying the screw thread engagement, the elongate latching member being fixed in position by locking means accessible through an opening in a wall of the frame member.

15. A latch structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein a second end of said first slide member includes second connection means enabling the first slide member to be connected to a second slide member for movement, in use, along and within said frame member, said second slide member being cooperable, in use, with a lock structure.

16. A latch and lock structure according to claim 15 including said lock structure being mountable to said frame member spaced from said latch structure along said frame member, said lock structure including a key operated locking device adapted to move locking tab means laterally from an axis of rotation of said key operated locking device into locking recess means when in a locked condition or withdraw said locking tab means from said locking recess means when in a non-locked condition.

17. A latch and lock structure according to claim 16 wherein said locking tab means includes two tabs movable in opposite directions when moving to said locked condition.

18. A latch and lock structure according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein said locking recess means is / are formed in said second slide member.

19. A latch and lock structure according to claim 18 wherein locking recess means includes longitudinally spaced recesses formed in said second slide member whereby the concertina folding panel door or window is adapted to be locked in its open or its closed position.