GB2279989A

GB2279989A - Apparatus for locking a closure

Info

Publication number: GB2279989A
Application number: GB9314742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Henry Shepherd
Original assignee: HEYWOOD WILLIAMS Ltd
Current assignee: HEYWOOD WILLIAMS Ltd
Priority date: 1993-07-16
Filing date: 1993-07-16
Publication date: 1995-01-18
Also published as: GB9314742D0

Abstract

Securement apparatus for a window or door comprises a gear 12 turned by a handle, to move a first rack 14. The first elongate window bolt 10 is secured to the first rack 14. A second rack 16 is movable with the first rack 14, and offset from it. Parallel to the second rack there is a third rack 20 secured to a second elongate bolt 12. Between the second rack 16 and third rack 20 there is an idler gear 18. Thus, turning the handle moves all three racks. In particular it moves racks 14 and 20, and bolts 10 and 12, in opposite directions. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A CLOSURE This invention relates to apparatus for locking a closure, for example a door or, especially, a window, in a frame. The invention relates in particular to apparatus having two bolts which are movable longitudinally, in opposite directions, under the action of a common handle.

Such bolts may be moved outwards simultaneously to engage keepers, typically in rails transverse to the rails in or on which the apparatus is mounted, and may thereafter be retracted simultaneously, these movements being caused by turning the handle in opposite senses.

The invention concerns in particular the gearing mechanism of the apparatus which converts turning movement of the handle into opposed longitudinal movement of the bolts.

Apparatus which converts turning movement of the handle into opposed longitudinal movement of bolts, by means of a rotatable plate to which the ends of the bolts are pivotally secured is well known. One modern example, is shown in GB2069586A. Such systems can be relatively simple but have the substantial disadvantage that the bolts do not move only longitudinally; they must move transversely too, as the rotatable plate turns. This restricts their usage in modern UPVC systems.

Other apparatus, as shown in GB 2148377A, comprises a pair of coaxial pinions turned by the handle, and a pair of side-by-side racks respectively engaged with the pinions. However, the lockcase for such apparatus is rather bulky, because of the need to accommodate the sideby-side pinions and racks.

Other apparatus, as shown in GB 2118611A and EP 478229A, comprises a single pinion turned by a handle and a pair of racks, respectively engaged with opposite sides of the pinion. Such apparatus may have a lockcase which is slimmer than the lockcase for a system of the type described in GB 2148377A, but the lockcase must be of width sufficient to accommodate the entire width of the pinion and the two racks.

Furthermore, many of these earlier systems are somewhat complex, which can make them expensive and, in some cases, unreliable.

It is object of the present invention to provide apparatus which is simple and reliable and which can be made compact, so that it is able to be used in as many UPVC systems as possible. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus in which the bolts and racks therefor may all be coaxial, throughout their length, without any requirement for the bolts to have offset portions, or for there to be an offset connection with the racks (as is the case in EP 478229A).

In accordance with the present invention there is provided apparatus for locking a closure, the apparatus comprising: a control member; a gearing mechanism; first and second bolts, movable in opposite directions on operation of the control member; wherein the gearing mechanism comprises a first rack movable longitudinally on operation of the control member and mounted to, or integral with, the first bolt; a second rack commonly movable with the first rack, a third rack being substantially parallel to, and transversely spaced apart from, the second rack, the third rack being mounted to, or integral with, the second bolt; and an idler gear meshing between the second and third racks.

Operating the control member moves the first rack, and hence the first bolt. The second rack moves with the first rack. This turns the idler gear and causes the third rack to move in the opposite direction to the first rack; and, hence, the second bolt to move in the opposite direction to the first bolt.

The second bolt is preferably substantially colinear with the first bolt.

In one embodiment the second rack is substantially colinear with the first rack.

Preferably, however, the third rack is substantially colinear with the first rack. In this embodiment it is preferred moreover that the first and third racks, to which the bolts are mounted, or with which they are integral, are both substantially colinear with the bolts.

Preferably the gearing mechanism is housed within a lockcase whose sides constrain the racks of the gearing mechanism to run longitudinally. In particular, when the first and second racks are offset from each other, as is preferred, there is a single part on which those racks are formed. Each of the first and second racks preferably has rack teeth which face inwardly, and the face of each rack which is opposite to the rack teeth slidably contacts the inner surface of the lockcase. Preferably, so do both lateral faces of each rack, so that very effective guidance can be achieved, within a compact lockcase.

Preferably the control member is a handle which can be turned, and the gearing mechanism includes a drive gear turned by the handle and meshing with the first rack.

Preferably, the length of the bolts is selectable, either by making them of a material, such as aluminium, which permits them easily to be cropped, or by an adjustment means, such as a screw adjustor.

Preferably, the drive gear is of quadrant form.

Suitably it has faces substantially orthogonal to one another, and which contact an inner surface of the lockcase in the limit positions of the apparatus.

Preferably, therefore, the drive gear and the first rack together extend across the whole width available within the lockcase.

Preferably, the idler gear is of smaller radius then the drive gear. The idler gear is preferably toothed around its entire circumference.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly of a closure member and a fixed frame therefor, wherein the closure member is fitted with apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably the bolts extend beyond the respective ends of the rail of the closure member in or on which they are mounted, to be selectively engagable in the lateral rails of the fixed frame. This means that good security can be achieved.

Suitably the fixed frame is fitted with keepers within which the ends of the bolts may engage.

Preferably each bolt has at least one detent projecting towards the fixed frame, the or each detent being selectively engagable in a keeper thereof. Thus, when the closure member is locked, securement is achieved along the leading rail, and at the lateral rails. The presence of such detents and keepers means that good weatherproofing can be achieved.

Preferably the gearing mechanism is located internally of a UPVC profile and the bolts are located externally.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows, in partial side view, apparatus in accordance with the invention, in the locked condition, with the handle removed; Fig. 2 shows the gearing mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 1, in the unlocked condition; Fig. 3 is a plan view complimentary to the side view of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end sectional view of the gearing mechanism along line A-A shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing parts of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 shows the gearing mechanism of an alternative embodiment, in side view.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the apparatus is used for locking a top-hinged casement window 2 within a fixed frame 4. The profiles of the window frame and of the fixed frame are formed of UPVC.

The term "leading rail" will be used to denote the rail of the window frame which is opposite to the rail which is hinged to the fixed frame. The leading rail is mitred at its corners to "transverse rails" of the window frame. The adjoining rails of the fixed frame will be called the "contact rail", and the "lateral rails".

The locking apparatus comprises a lockcase 6 housing a gearing mechanism; a lockable handle 8; and two colinear bolts 10, 12 of strip metal, one extending from the lockcase to one corner of the leading rail, and the other extending from the opposite side of the lockcase, to the other corner of the leading rail. The bolts are movable longitudinally, in opposite directions, on turning the handle 8, through the agency of the gearing mechanism.

The lockcase is housed within a cavity within the profile which serves as the leading rail of the window frame. The bolts are external thereto, running along the face of that rail.

The gearing mechanism has a quadrant drive gear 12 secured to the square-section drive spindle of the handle 8. The quadrant gear 12 is in mesh with a first rack 14, to which the bolt 10 is mounted. The first rack 14 is comprised by a part 15 which also has a second rack 16 which extends in the opposite direction to the first rack 14, and is offset therefrom. The teeth of the first and second racks also face in opposite directions.

The second rack 16 is in mesh with a small diameter idler gear 18, which is toothed around its whole circumference, and is also in mesh with a third rack 20.

The third rack 20 is integrally formed with the second bolt 12, the proximal end of that bolt being of crenellated form so as to provide rack teeth.

The quadrant gear has flat faces 22, 24 which are orthogonal to one another, and which respectively contact an inner wall 25 of the lockcase, in the limit positions, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be observed that the axis of the quadrant gear 12 is not located centrally with respect to the lockcase, but adjacent to wall 25, and approaching an end thereof. This same wall 25 is contacted by the face of the second rack 16 which is opposite to its rack teeth, whilst the opposite wall of the lockcase is contacted by the face of the first rack, which is opposite to its rack teeth. By this means the part 15 which has the first and second racks is constrained to move without transverse deviation, within the lockcase. Similarly, that part 15 has lateral faces which contact the side walls of the lockcase, so as to constrain that part against lateral movement.Thus, the only movement of part 15 which is permitted is longitudinal movement.

It will be observed that the bolts 10, 12, and the racks 14, 20 which directly drive them, are generally colinear. It is advantageous for the bolts to be colinear as this leads to ease of manufacture and of fitting.

There is no need for the bolts to have offset portions to enable them to become colinear, or for there to be offset portions between the respective racks and the bolts. The only offset which is required is that formed in part 15, that offset being between the first and second racks, whereby the second rack lies in a plane which is inward of the plane in which the first rack lies, relative to the window frame.

Fig. 5 shows the proximal ends of the bolts 10, 12, and the part 15, in a disassembled condition.

Keepers 30 are screwed to the respective lateral rails of the fixed frame, each keeper having a slot 32 for receipt of the distal end 34 of the respective bolt. Each such distal end 34 is tapered, as shown in Fig. 3.

Moreover the slot 32 may be chamfered.

Each bolt has mounted thereon two transverse detents 36, each facing towards the contact rail of the fixed frame. One such detent is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Each detent is in the form of a headed roller, selectively engageable within the appropriate respective keeper 38 secured to the opposite face of the contact rail of the fixed frame. Thus, the apparatus provides four securement points along the leading rail, and two securement points beyond the leading rail, at the bottom ends f the lateral rails of the fixed frame. In other embodiments securement may be effected only along the leading rail; or only beyond the leading rail; in each case using the same type of lockcase and gearing mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lockcase is L-shaped in cross-section, having an upstand 40 which houses the proximal ends of the bolts.

The apparatus described in this example is extremely compact. In this embodiment the internal throughthickness of the lockcase is only 3 mm, not including the upstand. The other dimensions of the lockcase are only 22 mm and 50 mm, whilst the height of the upstand is 14 mm. This permits the lockcase to be located in a very large number of manufacturers' UPVC profiles. Moreover, the gearing mechanism is cheap to manufacture, simple and robust.

Fig. 6 shows the lockcase and gearing mechanism of a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference is that the first rack 141 is connected in-line to the second rack 161. The idler gear 181 meshes between the second rack 161 and the third rack 201, which is connected, through an offset portion, to the second bolt 121.

It will be observed in Figs. 1 and 3 that the keepers 38 are of a standard type having a slot for night venting as well as for complete closure; and have four slots, so that the keeper is universal. It will be appreciated that only one slot is used in the Figs. 1 and 3 embodiment. An alternative embodiment employs narrower bolts 10, 12 and end keepers 30 with two colinear slots 32, so that night venting is possible.

In another embodiment, instead of the bolts having detents in the form of headed rollers or pins, being fixed abutment members on the bolt, the bolts may have detents of the "drop nose" type. A detent of the "drop nose" type is movable about a pivot, between a stowed position in which it does not protrude from the bolt, and a securement position in which it does protrude, and is received within a keeper secured to the contact rail.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAINS

1. Apparatus for locking a closure, the apparatus comprising: a control member; a gearing mechanism; first and second bolts, movable in opposite directions on operation of the control member; wherein the gearing mechanism comprises a first rack movable longitudinally on operation of the control member and mounted to, or integral with, the first bolt; a second rack commonly movable with the first rack, a third rack being substantially parallel to, and transversely spaced apart from, the second rack, the third rack being mounted to, or integral with, the second bolt; and an idler gear meshing between the second and third racks.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second bolt is substantially colinear with the first bolt.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the third rack is substantially colinear with the first rack.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the first and third racks, to which the bolts are mounted, or with which they are integral, are both substantially colinear with the bolts.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gearing mechanism is housed within a lockcase whose sides constrain the racks of the gearing mechanism to run longitudinally.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first and second racks are offset from each other and are carried by a single part, and wherein each of the first and second racks has rack teeth which face inwardly, and the face of each rack which is opposite to the rack teeth slidably contacts the inner surface of the lockcase.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein both lateral faces of each rack also contact the inner surface of the lockcase.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control member is a handle which can be turned, and the gearing mechanism includes a drive gear turned by the handle and meshing with the first rack.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 5 and 8, wherein the drive gear is of quadrant form, and has faces orthogonal to one another, and which contact an inner surface of the lockcase in the limit positions of the apparatus.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length of the bolts is selectable by an operator.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the idler gear is of smaller radius than the drive gear.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the idler gear is toothed around its entire circumference.

13. An assembly of a closure member and a fixed frame therefor, wherein the closure member is fitted with apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

14. An assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the bolts extend beyond the respective ends of the rail of the closure member in or on which they are mounted, to be selectively engagable in the lateral rails of the fixed frame.

15. An assembly as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, wherein the fixed frame is fitted with keepers within which the ends of the bolts selectively engage.

16. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 15, in which each bolt has at least one detent projecting from the bolt transversely towards the fixed frame, the or each detent being selectively engagable in a keeper on the fixed frame.

17. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 16, wherein the gearing mechanism is located internally of a UPVC profile and the bolts are located externally.

18. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A window or door fitted with closure apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.