GB2271144A - Catch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A catch mechanism for a gate having a locking means which prevents the catch mechanism being released unless the locking means is manually operated to allow release of the catch mechanism. As shown in figs 1a, 1b a pivoting means 2, which is disposed on the gate, co-operates with a member in the form of a gate post 8 to which the gate is attached when closed. The locking means 4 ensures that the first means is in fixed engagement with the attachment member unless the locking means is manually operated to disengage the first means. In fig 2 means 2 is slidable and has pins 26 cooperating with a slot portion 24 in a member 4 to prevent retraction until member 4 is moved. Sliding means are also disclosed in two further embodiments (figs 3, 4, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

CATCH MECHANISM This invention relates to a catch mechanism, particularly for use with child safety gates.

Many catch mechanisms of gates of all description can fail to close properly and are therefore able to be opened by pulling or pushing the gate. Locking devices can be added to the catch such that once the catch has been closed the gate can also be manually locked. Such locking devices depend on the person operating the gate to remember to lock the gate. A self-locking catch would overcome this problem and automatically lock the gate when the catch is engaged.

According to the present invention, there is provided a catch mechanism for a gate having a locking means which prevents the catch mechanism being released unless the locking means is manually operated to allow release of the catch mechanism.

Preferably, the catch mechanism has a first means disposed on the gate which co-operates with a member to which the gate is attached when closed, and the locking means which ensures that the first means is in fixed engagement with the attachment member unless the locking means is manually operated to disengage the first means.

Preferably, the first and locking means are both disposed on the gate and related such that operation of the locking means allows disengagement of the first means from the attachment member and the free position of the first means when disengaged from the attachment member acts with the locking means to keep the locking means in an open position and prevent the locking means from returning to its original position.

Preferably, the locking means is pivotally moveable and mounted on a top bar of the gate. The locking means, when the gate is closed, may restrict movement of the first means in relation to the attachment member and thereby prevent the opening adtion of the first means.

The first means may be spring operated or pivotal such that in a disengaged position from the attachment means the first means automatically restricts the movement of the locking means and re-engagement of the first means with the attachment member releases the locking means and allows it to return to its position restricting relative movement of the first means and the attachment member Preferably, the locking means is manually operated by raising and pivoting the locking means. The first means may restrict the movement of the locking means such that it does not fall back down after being manually raised until the first means is engaged with the attachment member.

The first means may surround the attachment member or be sprung such that it is housed in a recess in the attachment member.

The locking means may be pivoted at the end opposite to the attachment member and be substantially U-shaped such that it surrounds three sides of the attachment member and a top bar of the gate including the first means such that relative movement of the gate and the attachment member is restricted.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig la and lb are perspective views of a first embodiment of a catch mechanism in accordance with the present invention in an open and closed position respectively; Fig lc is a side view of the catch mechanism of Fig la; Fig 2a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a catch mechanism in accordance with the present invention in an open position following manual operation of the locking means; Figs 2b and 2c are side views of the catch mechanism of Fig 2a in a closed and an open position; Fig 2d is a vertical section of the catch mechanism of Fig 2a; Figs 3a and 3b are perspective views of a third embodiment of the catch mechanism in accordance with the present invention in an open and a closed position respectively;; Figs 3c and 3d are vertical sections of the catch mechanism of Figs 3a and 3b in open and closed positions respectively; Figs 4a and 4b are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the catch mechanism in accordance with the present invention in an open and a closed position respectively; and Fig 4c is a cross-section of the catch mechanism of Figs 4a and 4b.

Referring to the drawings, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig 1. A catch mechanism has a first means 2 and a locking means 4 attached to a top bar 6 of the gate. The first means 2 is in the form of a fork 3 and a support 18, the fork 3 corresponding to the shape of a vertical member 8 to which the gate is attached when closed. The support 18 is attached to the bottom surface 9 of the end 10 of the top bar 6 of the gate in a pivotal arrangement through a pivot point 12 such that the fork 3 projects from the support 18 and from under the end 10 of the top bar 6 as a continuation of the bar 6. The locking means 4 is pivotally attached at point 19 to the top bar 6 and has three mutually perpendicular sides such that it surrounds the top 14 and sides 16 of the top bar 6 and the support 18 of the first means 2.

The locking means 4 is pivoted through the pivot point 19 running horizontally through the sides 16 of the top bar 6 such that the locking means 4 can be pivoted by being lifted up away from the end 10 of the top bar 6.

The support 18 of the first member 2 has a rectangular cross-section such that when the support 18 is pivoted about the pivot point 12 through approximately 90 the locking means 4 does not fit around the support 18 due to the fork 3 now positioned at approximately 90 to the bar 6 and the longer side of the support 18 which is wider than the width of the top bar 6.

Fig 2 shows a second embodiment of the catch mechanism having a first means 2 and locking means 4 as in Fig 1 attached to a top bar 6 of the gate. The first means 2 again has a fork 3 corresponding to the shape of a vertical member 8 to which the gate is attached when closed. The fork 3 has rounded ends 28. In this embodiment the fork 3 has a support 20 which is housed inside the top bar 6 such that the fork 3 forms a continuation of the top bar 6 and extends from the end 10 of the bar 6. The support 20 extends out of the top bar 6 and is then connected to the fork 3. The support 20 is connected with a spring 21 within the bar 6 such that the fork 3 may be pushed towards the bar 6, and the extended portion of the support 2 pushed into the bar 6.When the fork 3 is uninhibited, the spring 21 rests in its expanded position, with the fork 3 projecting as far as allowable by the spring 21.

The locking means 4 is pivotable as in Fig 1. The locking means 4 has a slot 22 which follows the shape of a radially decreasing arc with a centre at the pivot point 23 of the locking means 4. The slot 22 also extends 24 a short distance away from the pivot point 23 off the line of the arc at the lowest point of the arc. A corresponding straight slot 25 in the bar 6, running along the bar 6, allows a pin 26 which has one end attached to the support 20 to pass through both slots 22 and 25.

Fig 3 shows a third embodiment of the catch mechanism of the present invention. The catch mechanism has a first means 2 and a locking means 4 attached to a top bar 6 of the gate (as in Figs 1 and 2). The first means 2 is in the form of a sprung projection 30 projecting from the end 10 of the top bar 6. The projecting portion 30 is rounded on its vertical faces 31 and has a support 38 housed in the bar 6 and connected with a spring 32. The locking means 4 is similar to that described for Figs 1 and 2 and in addition has a flat leg 33 projecting towards the bar 6 from the top internal surface 34 of the locking means 4. A slot 37 in the top 35 of the bar 6 allows the leg 33 to enter the bar when a corresponding slot 36 in the support 38 is aligned with the slot 37. When the slots 36 and 37 are not aligned and the leg 33 is prevented from slotting into the slot 36, the locking means 4 is prevented from pivoting in a downward direction.

Fig 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the catch mechanism having a locking means 40 attached to a vertical member 41 to which the gate is attached when closed. The locking means 40 is in the form of two sprung projections 42, 43 from the member 41, positioned such that there is an area 44 between the two projections 42, 43 in which a bar 45 of the gate may be housed.

The projections 42 and 43 have curved vertical surfaces on the surfaces which are not adjacent to the area 44, which curve away from the bar 45 to the member 41. The area 44 between the projections 42 and 43 is defined by two straight vertical sides 46, 47. The projections 42, 43 are attached to springs 48, 49 housed within the member 41.

In use, the embodiments of Fig 1, 2 and 3 in a closed position with the gate shut, have a first means 2 in the form of a fork 3, which surrounds the attachment member 8 on three sides (Figs 1 and 2) or is in the form of a spring projection 30 depressed against the attachment member 8 (Fig 3) and the locking means 4 holds the first member 2 in position around or against the attachment member 8. In Fig 1 this occurs by the locking means 4 preventing rotation of the first means 2. In Fig 2 the locking means 4 restricts the depression of the spring 21 by the pin 26 and slot 22 and 25 arrangement. In Fig 3 the locking means 4 restricts the sideways movement of the depressed first means 2 by covering the sides of the attachment member 8.

Manual operation of the locking means 4 by lifting the pivoted locking means 4 up away from the attachment member 8 allows the first means 2 to be released from the attachment member 8. In Fig 1 the fork 3 is free to rotate as the gate is opened once the locking means 4 is lifted and disengages from the attachment member 8. In Fig 2 the raising of the locking means 4 causes the pin 26 to travel along the radially decreasing arc shaped slot 22, the decreasing radius of the arc forces the pin to travel along the straight slot 25 along the bar 6 away from the end 10 of the bar 6. As the pin 26 is forced away from the end 10 of the bar 6, the spring 21 is compressed and the fork 3 is pulled away from the attachment member 8.The fork 3 has rounded ends 28 which allow the fork 3 to be pulled or to be pushed past the attachment member 8 when the pin 26 has entered the extension 24 of the slot 22, and the gate is being opened. In Fig 3 when the locking means 4 is lifted the gate is free to open and the spring projecting 30 is free to move sideways off the attachment member 8 and to spring out of the bar 6 when it is no longer depressed against the attachment member 8.

When the locking means 4 has been raised and the gate opened, the first member 2 prevents the locking means 4 from falling back down over the bar 6.

In Fig 1 the prevention is caused by the fork 3 of the first means 2 rotating through an angle and obstructing the sides of the locking means 4 from falling around the bar 6. In Fig 2, the prevention is caused by the spring fork 3 springing out of the bar 6 and the pin 26 travelling along the extension 24 of the slot 22 from the arc thereby preventing the pin 26 from returning up the arced slot 22 and the locking means 4 from falling back down. In Fig 3, the prevention is caused by the leg 33 not being able to be housed in the slot 36 in support 30 as the first member 2 springs out into its free position. The slot 36 is only aligned with the slot 37 in the bar 6 and the leg 33 when the fork 3 is depressed as in the closed position against the attachment member 8.

When the gate is again closed and the first member 2 engaged with the attachment member 8, the locking means 4 is automatically released by the first means 2 and allowed to fall into its original position preventing opening of the gate.

Modifications and variations of the above described embodiment can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1 A catch mechanism for a gate having a locking means which prevents the catch mechanism being released unless the locking means is manually operated to allow release of the catch mechanism.

2 A catch mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the catch mechanism has a first means disposed on the gate which co-operates with a member to which the gate is attached when closed, and the locking means which ensures that the first means is in fixed engagement with the attachment member unless the locking means is manually operated to disengage the first means.

3 A catch mechanism as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the first and locking means are both disposed on the gate and related such that operation of the locking means allows disengagement of the first means from the attachment member and the free position of the first means when disengaged from the attachment member acts with the locking means to keep the locking means in an open position and prevent the locking means from returning to its original position.

4 A catch mechanism as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 wherein the locking means is pivotally moveable and mounted on a top bar of the gate.

5 A catch mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the locking means, when the gate is closed, restricts movement of the first means in relation to the attachment member and thereby prevents the opening action of the first means.

6 A catch mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims

2 to 5, wherein the first means is spring operated or pivotal such that in a disengaged position from the attachment means the first means automatically restricts the movement of the locking means and re-engagement of the first means with the attachment member releases the locking means and allows it to return to its position restricting relative movement of the first means and the attachment member.

7 A catch mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims

2 to 6 wherein the locking means is manually operated by raising and pivoting the locking means.

8 A catch mechanism as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the first means restricts the movement of the locking means such that it does not fall back down after being manually raised until the first means is engaged with the attachment number.

9 A catch mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims

2 to 8, wherein the first means surrounds the attachment member or is sprung such that it is housed in a recess in the attachment member.

10 A catch mechanism as claimed in any one of Claims

2 to 9, wherein the locking means is pivoted at the end opposite to the attachment member and is substantially U-shaped such that it surrounds three sides of the attachment member and a top bar of the gate including the first means such that relative movement of the gate and the attachment member is restricted.

11 A catch mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig 1 or Fig 2 or Fig 3 or Fig 4 of the accompanying drawings.