AU723808B2 - A closure assembly - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Finesse Shopfitters CC ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: A closure assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 0 *0 P: operssb\42 76-)7spe.doc-31/AII0 -2- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION THIS invention relates to a closure assembly.

The closure members of most closure assemblies, particularly sliding doors and windows, have a locking mechanism at their front or leading end which engages with a corresponding locking mechanism in the frame of the closure assembly or the wall or other structure which the closure assembly forms part of. Because the closure member is locked at only one point, with the lock and locking mechanism usually being highly visible and accessible, it is usually not very secure. Sliding doors and windows are particularly unsecure as the slidable portion can usually be lifted off its rails quite easily to break or defeat the locking mechanism.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

P:\opesb\4276-97 sp.doc-3010(6( -3- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a closure assembly comprising a first closure member and a second closure member, at least one of the closure members being moveable relative to the other from an open position to a closed position, one closure member having a locking member associated with it comprising at least one moveable locking projection and the other closure member having an opposed locking member receiving element associated with it defining at least one slot for receiving the locking projection and a channel in which the locking projection is moveable out of alignment with the at least one slot when the at least one moveable closure member is in its closed position, to lock it in that position.

The closure assembly may comprise a first moveable closure member and a second fixed closure member.

The locking member receiving element and the locking member received therein are preferably concealed and inaccessible when the first moveable closure member is in its closed position.

The closure assembly is preferably a sliding door or window assembly and the first moveable closure member is preferably slidable relative to the second fixed closure member.

o* oa Alternatively, the closure assembly may comprise a plurality of first moveable closure members and a second fixed closure member.

Alternatively, the closure assembly may comprise one set of closure members comprising at least one first movable closure member and a second fixed closure member and another set of closure members comprising at least -4one first movable closure member and a second fixed closure member.

Each closure member is preferably framed and the locking member is preferably associated with the frame of the or each second fixed closure member and the locking member receiving element is preferably associated with the frame of the first movable closure member adjacent the or each second fixed closure member at a trailing end thereof.

The locking member is preferably associated with a front end of the frame of the or each second fixed closure member.

The frame at the trailing end of the relevant first movable closure member and the frame at the front end of the relevant second fixed closure member preferably overlap with one another when the relevant first movable closure member is in its closed position.

The trailing end of the first movable closure member and the frame at the front end of the second fixed closure member preferably interlock with one another at two points, a double interlock, when they overlap with one -•:another.

Alternatively, the closure assembly may comprise a first, inner movable closure member and a second, outer movable closure member.

The locking member receiving element and the locking member received .ooo therein are preferably concealed and inaccessible when both the movable closure members are in their closed positions.

The closure assembly is preferably a sliding door or window assembly and the first inner movable closure member and the second outer movable closure member are preferably slidable relative to one another.

Each closure member is preferably framed and the locking member is preferably associated with the first inner movable closure member at a trailing end thereof and the locking member receiving element is preferably associated with the second outer movable closure assembly at a trailing end thereof.

The frames at the trailing end of the first inner movable closure member and at the trailing end of the second outer movable closure member preferably overlap with one another when both movable closure members are in their closed positions.

The frame at the trailing end of the first inner movable closure member and

V.

the frame at the trailing end of the second outer movable closure member preferably interlock with one another at two points, a double interlock, when 5 they overlap with one another.

The frame of the second fixed closure member or first inner movable closure member preferably defines a recess therein on a side thereof facing the frame of the movable closure member or second outer movable closure member within which the locking member is positioned.

S

:The locking member receiving element preferably comprises a channel,section of the frame of the relevant first movable closure member or second outer movable closure member with at least one slot defined- thereii for -6 receiving therein the locking member or an element thereof.

The locking member preferably comprises a base receivable within the recess in the frame of the second fixed closure member or first inner movable closure member and a cam-operated vertically movable locking bar bearing at least one transverse locking projection sized to be received in the slot in the locking member receiving element.

The locking bar may bear a plurality of transverse locking projections and the locking member receiving element may therefore have a corresponding number of slots defined therein.

The closure member assembly preferably also comprises a handle which operates the cam to cause vertical movement of the movable locking bar, and thus the locking projection, into and out of alignment with the slot in the locking member receiving element.

g 1 The handle may include a key-operated lock.

a The frame of each closure member is preferably a profiled metal section shaped to receive and hold a sheet of glass therein.

E fmtn Each frame may comprise an extruded aluminium section.

*9o• .°,aaa -7- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an outside pictorial view of a sliding door assembly of an embodiment of the invention showing the frame at the front end of the fixed closure member and the locking member and with the moveable closure member in an open position; Figure 2 is an inside pictorial view of the sliding door assembly of Figure 1 showing the frame at the trailing end of the movable closure member (in detail) and with the movable closure member in an open position; Figure 3 is an inside view of the sliding door assembly of Figures 1 and 2 with the movable closure member in a closed position; Figure 4 is a pictorial view of the locking member and associated oo: handle; Figure 5 is a side view of the same locking member; Figure 6 is an exploded pictorial view of the locking member in alignment with the slot in the frame of the movable closure member; 8- Figure 7 shows two front views of the engagement of the locking member and the slot and a pictorial view of the locking member received within the channel in the frame of the movable closure member and moved into a locking position; Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view on 8-8 in Figure 3 through the overlapping frames at the trailing end of the first movable closure member and the front end of the second fixed closure member in a closure assembly having a first slidable closure member and a second fixed closure member; and Figure 9 is a transverse view of a different extrusion through the overlapping frames at the trailing end of a first inner movable closure member and the trailing end of a second outer closure member (shown without the locking member) in a closure member having a first, inner movable closure assembly and Soa second, outer movable closure member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sliding door assembly 10 of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be described as a lockable and interlockable assembly, shown in Figures 1 to 3, has a framed outside (first) movable closure member or glass door 12 and a framed inside (second) fixed closure member or glass panel 14. The glass door 12 is movable relative to the glass panel 14 from an open position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to a closed position, as shown in Figure 3. The glass panel 14 has a locking member 16, shown generally in Figure 1, attached to a 9 section of frame 18 at its front end. It faces a section of frame 22 at the trailing end of the movable glass door 12 which has an opposed locking member receiving element 20, shown generally in Figure 2, formed as a part of the section of frame 22. It should be noted that although in Figures 1 to 3 the outside closure member is the movable closure member, it could be reversed with the inside closure member being the movable closure member and the outside closure member being the fixed closure member. It is, however, important to note that the locking member 16 is always associated with the inner closure member, be it a fixed closure member or a movable closure member.

The section of frame 18 is an aluminium extrusion having the profile shown in Figure 8. It is formed by joining a glass holding section 21 and a locking member attachment section 23 together. Alternatively, the two sections may be formed as an integral extrusion. The locking member attachment section 23 defines a recess 24 therein within which the locking member 16 is i received and attached to the frame 18. The locking member 16 is shown in 9.

•i °more detail in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7. It comprises a steel base strip 26 with apertures 28 formed in it, through which screws are passed to screw the base S:i strip to the adjacent section of the frame 18, and a steel locking bar attached to a cam mechanism 32, which overlies the base strip 26. Three locking projections 34 extend through slots 36 cut in the base strip 26. The cam mechanism 32 is operated by a handle 38 to move the locking bar 9 9 and thus the locking projections 34, vertically in the slots 36. The locking member 6 is known as an Epagnolette bolt. .;oo member 16 is known as an Espagnolette bolt.

9 10 The section of frame 22 is also an aluminium extrusion and also has the profile shown in Figure 8. Other profiles, which need not necessarily be aluminium extrusions, could, of course, also be used. It is formed by joining a glass holding section 21 and a locking member receiving element section which comprises an elongate channel 42. The elongate channel 42 has a number of slots 40 defined in it, corresponding in number to the number of locking projections, in this case three. Each of the frames 18 and 22, it will be seen from Figure 8, comprises substantially the same aluminium extrusion except that one is rotated through 1800 and the frame 22 includes the channel 42. The frames 18 and 22 interlock at two points (a double interlock) within two areas, A and B, as shown in Figure 8 when they overlap. This ensures that the frames 18 and 22 seal tightly against one another which not only enhances the security of the sliding door assembly but also makes it more resistant to air and water infiltration and aesthetically attractive.

S

o o ff The locking projections 34 are sized to be received within slots 40 in the channel 42 in the frame 22. In the upward laterally extending position of the handle 38, and thus a lower position of the locking bar 30, shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in Figure 6, the locking projections 34 are aligned with the slots 40. Thus, when the glass door 12 is closed, and the frames 18 and 22 overlap one another, as shown in Figure 3, the locking projections 34 slide into the slots 40. In this position, the door is not locked as by sliding the sliding door 12 backwards, the locking projections will once again move out of the slots. However, if the handle 38 is turned to a downward position, as shown in Figure 3, the locking bar 30 is moved upwards by the S S cam 32, as shown in Figure 7, and the locking projections are moved upward in the channel 42 and held within it or removed from its rails. The door 12 11 then cannot be moved or slid backwards or forwards or removed from its rails. The handle 38 contains a key-operated lock 44 to lock it in this downward position and thereby to lock the sliding door 12. The key operated lock 44 may be dispensed with and the door 12 will still be locked by the handle 38.

It should be noted that the glass door 12 can be removed and inverted. It will then operate from right to left instead of from left to right and the operation of the handle and the locking bar will be reversed.

In the closed and locked position of the sliding door 12, shown in Figure 3, the locking mechanism is sandwiched between the frames 18 and 22. It is therefore concealed and inaccessible. (This is not the case in conventional sliding doors where the single lock, located at the front of the door and attached to the outside sliding door itself, is highly visible and easy to defeat by using a crowbar either directly on the lock to break it or to lift the sliding door off its rails, simultaneously breaking the lock.) This contributes greatly to the security of the sliding door assembly and makes it very difficult to gain unauthorised access through a closed locked door. It also makes the sliding door assembly aesthetically pleasing.

*o

S.

An alternative, simpler (and thus cheaper) form of extrusion to form the frames 18a and 22a of a sliding door assembly of the invention which has a framed (first) inner or inside movable closure member and a framed (second) outer or outside movable closure member is shown in Figure 9 without the locking member. The frame 22a contains an integrally formed Si ••channel 42 and the frame 18a contains an integrally formed locking member attachment section 23. The frames 18a and 22a interlock at two points (a 12 double interlock) within the two areas, C and D.

Each closure member is movable towards the other from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, shown in Figure 9, the trailing ends of the closure members overlap. The locking member described above is associated with the frame 18a and the locking receiving member is associated with the frame 22a and they operate as described above.

Closure assemblies containing two first movable closure members corresponding to the glass door 12 in Figures 1 to 3 and a second fixed closure member corresponding to the glass panel 14 in Figures 1 to 3 are within the scope of the invention. Closure assemblies comprising two opposed assemblies 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 or two opposed assemblies described immediately above which can be opened to create a central o opening are also within the scope of the invention.

S Although this description relates to a sliding door assembly, the invention could just as well be applied to a sliding window assembly or any other sliding closure assembly.

*oo• Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

oop-

Claims (28)

1. A closure assembly comprising a first closure member and a second closure member, at least one of the closure members being moveable relative to the other from an open position to a closed position, one closure member having a locking member associated with it comprising at least one moveable locking projection and the other closure member having an opposed locking member receiving element associated with it defining at least one slot for receiving the locking projection and a channel in which the locking projection is moveable out of alignment with the at least one slot when the at least one moveable closure member is in its closed position, to lock it in that position.

2. A closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure assembly comprises a first moveable closure member and a second fixed closure member.

3. A closure assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking member receiving *15 element and the locking member are concealed and inaccessible when the first moveable closure member is in its closed position.

4. A closure assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the closure assembly is a sliding door or window assembly and the first moveable closure member is slidable relative to the second fixed closure member. *000 20

5. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each closure S"member is framed and the locking member is associated with the frame of the second fixed closure member and the locking member receiving element is associated with the frame of the first moveable closure member adjacent the second fixed closure member at a trailing end thereof

6. A closure assembly according to any one of claim 5, wherein the locking member is associated with a front end of the second fixed closure member and the frame at the trailing end of the first moveable closure member and the frame at the front end of the second fixed closure member overlap when the first moveable closure P: opersb\4276-97spe.doc3110i6/00) -14- member is in its closed position.

7. A closure assembly according to claim 6, wherein the trailing end of the first moveable closure member and the frame at the front end of the second fixed closure member interlock with one another at two points, a double interlock, when they overlap with one another.

8. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the frame of the second fixed closure member defines a recess therein on a side thereof facing the frame of the first moveable closure member within which the locking member is positioned and the locking member receiving element comprises a channel section of the frame of the first moveable closure member with the at least one slot and channel defined therein for receiving therein at least one locking projection.

9. A closure assembly according to claim 8, wherein the locking member comprises a base receivable within the recess in the frame of the second fixed closure member and a cam-operated vertically moveable locking bar bearing the at least one locking 15 projection in a transverse orientation in which it is sized to be received in the slot in the locking member receiving element. 0* °i

10. A closure assembly according to claim 9, wherein the locking bar bears a plurality of transverse locking projections and the locking member receiving element has a corresponding number of slots defined therein. off* 0 S 0 0 20

11. A closure assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the closure assembly comprises a handle which operates the cam to cause vertical movement of the moveable locking bar, and thus the locking projection, into and out of alignment with the slot in the locking member receiving element.

12. A closure assembly according to claim 11, wherein the handle includes a key- operated lock.

13. A closure assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Rclosure assembly comprises a plurality of first moveable closure members and a P opr\sb\42876-97pd-31OA)M(l) second fixed closure member.

14. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the closure assembly comprises one set of closure members comprising at least one first moveable closure member and a second fixed closure member and another set of closure members comprising at least one first moveable closure member and a second fixed closure member.

A closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure assembly comprises a first, inner moveable closure member and a second, outer moveable closure member.

16. A closure assembly according to claim 15, wherein the locking member receiving element and the locking member are concealed and inaccessible when both the moveable closure members are in their closed positions.

17. A closure assembly according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the closure o. °assembly is a sliding door or window assembly and the first inner moveable closure 15 member and the second outer moveable closure member are slidable relative to one another.

18. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein each closure member is framed and the locking member is associated with the first inner fee* movable closure member at a trailing end thereof and the locking member 20 receiving element is associated with the second outer movable closure assembly at a trailing end thereof.

19. A closure assembly according to claim 18, wherein the frames at the trailing end of the first inner movable closure member and at the trailing end of the second outer movable closure member overlap with one another when both movable closure members are in their closed positions.

A closure assembly according to claim 19, wherein the frame at the trailing end of Sthe first inner movable closure member and the frame at the trailing end of the P. opeAhsb\42876-97sp.doc-3I)/I I/()O -16- second outer movable closure member interlock with one another at two points, a double interlock, when they overlap with one another.

21. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the frame of the first inner movable closure member defines a recess therein on a side thereof facing the frame of the second outer movable closure member within which the locking member is positioned and the locking member receiving element comprises a channel section of the frame of the second outer movable closure member with the at least one slot and channel defined therein for receiving therein the at least one locking projection.

22. A closure assembly according to claim 21, wherein the locking member comprises a base receivable within the recess in the frame of the first inner movable closure member and a cam-operated vertically movable locking bar bearing the at least one locking projection in a transverse orientation in which it is sized to be received in the slot in the locking member receiving element.

23. A closure assembly according to claim 22, wherein the locking bar bears a plurality of transverse locking projections and the locking member receiving element has a corresponding number of slots defined therein.

24. A closure assembly according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the closure assembly comprises a handle which operates the cam to cause vertical movement oooo 20 of the movable locking bar, and thus the locking projection, into and out of alignment with the slot in the locking member receiving element.

25. A closure assembly according to claim 24, wherein the handle includes a key- operated lock.

26. A closure assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 12 or 18 to 25, wherein the frame of each closure member is a profiled metal section shaped to receive and hold a sheet of glass therein.

27. A closure assembly according to claim 26, wherein each frame comprises an P:\opcpssb\428 76-97spe.doc-.30/06/H) -17- extruded aluminium section.

28. A closure assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 30 th day of June 2000 Finesse Shopfitters CC By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE