GB2351119A

GB2351119A - Locking means with an auxiliary bolt

Info

Publication number: GB2351119A
Application number: GB0010584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Francis Lambert; Stephen J Hall
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 2000-05-02
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-02
Also published as: GB2351119B; GB0010584D0; GB9913667D0

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a sash fitted with an espagnolette assembly. The locking mechanism comprises two parts, wherein when a pin (2) on the first part engages the second part, an auxiliary bolt (8) on the second part engages a slot (3) in the first part. The engagement of the pin (2) with the second part is actuated by longitudinal motion of the espagnolette rod (1). The second part may additionally include a slidably mounted wedge (12) which, when abutted by the pin (2), causes the bolt (8) to engage the slot (3) in the first part.

Description

2351119 A LOCKING MECHANISM This invention relates to locking mechanisms,

and in particular to a locking mechansim for an espagnolette assembly.

Espagnolette assemblies are well known for locking vents, such as windows or doors, in fixed frames. In general, an espagnolette assembly comprises a drive mechanism mounted in or on a vent which, when activated by a handle, drives rods or bars which extend or retract from the sides of the vent into holes or keeps in the sides of the fixed frame.

Locking mechanisms for espagnolette assemblies are well known in the art. For example, UK patent application GB 2164382A describes an espagnolette fastener for doors or windows comprising a plurality of spaced apart bolts for engagement with a corresponding plurality of keepers. The bolts are operated by an external handle which slides the bolts longitudinally along a rail plate to engage or disengage the keepers.

UK patent application GB 227011 OA describes a locking mechanism for a sash whereby a plurality of projections on an elongate carrier attached to the vent frame engage complementary retainers on the sash. The elongate carrier is shifted, to engage or disengage the plurality of projections, by means of turning a handle.

A secure locking mechanism on windows and/or doors is essential to prevent unwanted intruders. The espagnolette locking mechanisms described above offer many advantages over conventional window locks in terms of security. However, there is always a need to improve the security of espagnolette locking mechanisms as the methods of potential intruders become more sophisticated.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention aims to improve upon the security of the prior art locking mechanisms for espagnolette assemblies. In addition, the present invention aims to improve the sealing of vents by incorporating a means for increasing

2 the gasket pressure on the vent frame as the locking mechanism is engaged. The improved sealing has the advantages of preventing draughts and reducing the possibility of intrusion by the insertion of prying means between the sash and the vent frame. Although the present invention is particularly applicable to an espagnolette assembly, it is envisaged that the locking mechanism herein described could be used in other types of vent lock and, indeed, other apparatus requiring a secure fastening means.

According to the present invention there is provided a locking mechanism comprising a first part and a second part, wherein when the first part engages the second part, the second part in turn engages the first part with an engaging locking means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism is provided for the purpose of locking vents. The vent may be a window, door or other opening in a building requiring secure fastening.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first part comprises a pin or spigot for engaging the second part. The first part may comprise an opening for receiving the engaging locking means of the second part. The first part of the locking mechanism may be fixed to a sash or a vent frame. Preferably, the first part is attached to the sash. The first part may be made from metal, plastics or other suitable material.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second part comprises a housing or mounting block and a rotatably mounted locking means. The locking means is preferably hook-shaped or comprises a hook-shaped part. The housing andlor locking means may be made from metal, plastics or other suitable material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second part comprises a pivot mounted within a housing and a spring which biases the locking means to a retracted position in the housing. Preferably the spring is a torsion spring, although other 3 springs such as coil springs can be employed. The pivot and/or spring may be made from metal, plastics or other suitable material.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second part comprises a wedge which is slidably mounted within the housing. The wedge is shaped such that when it abuts the locking means, the locking means is rotated about the pivot and engages the slot in the first part. Preferably, the wedge is biased towards a position wherein it does not abut the locking means as the first part disengages from the second part. The wedge may be biased by means of a spring. The wedge may be made from metal, plastics or other suitable material.

The second part, as hereinabove described may be fastened to a sash or a fixed frame. Preferably, the second part is attached to the fixed frame of the vent. The housing preferably has two or more openings for fastening it to the vent frame or sash. The housing may be fastened by means of screws, bolts or the like.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism is employed in combination with an espagnolette assembly. In this preferred embodiment the pin is attached to an espagnolette bar. The espagnolette bar ftirther comprises a slot for receiving the locking means of the second part. Still according to this preferred embodiment, the second part may be fixed to the vent frame and is capable of receiving the pin attached to the espagnolette bar as the sash moves from an open position to a closed position. The espagnolette assembly may also comprise other locking devices known in the art, such as the mechanisms of bolts and keepers described in LTK Patent applications GB 2164382A and GB 22701 10A.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a locking mechanism wherein when the sash is closed and the pin has been received in the housing, longitudinal motion of the espagnolette bar and the pin in a first direction actuates the locking means of the second part of the locking mechanism. The actuated 4 locking means of the second part may be received by a slot or opening in the espagnolette bar.

Preferably, the actuation of the locking means in the second part of the locking mechanism is provided by the abutment of the pin against the bottom portion of the locking means, which causes the locking means to rotate about a pivot. The top portion of the locking means may then engage in a slot of the first part of the locking mechanism.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal motion of the espagnolette bar in the opposite direction releases the locking means of the second part from the slot. The locking means returns to its retracted position due to the biasing of a torsion spring in the second part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pin comprising an eccentric spigot rotatably mounted on an espagnolette bar. The eccentric spigot allows variation in gasket compression on closing a sash.

According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an espagnolette assembly comprising at least one of the locking mechanisms as herein described.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of an espagnolette assembly comprising a first embodiment of locking mechanism according to the present invention in its unlocked position; Figure 2 shows a side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the mechanism of Figure 1 in its locked position; Figure 5 shows a side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a front view of the locking mechanism of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the second part of the locking mechanism of first embodiment with the locking means in its retracted position in the housing; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the second part of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment with the locking means in its active position; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of part of an espagnolette assembly, comprising a second embodiment of locking mechanism according to the present invention in its unlocked position; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the espagnolette assembly of Figure 9 with the locking mechanism in its locked position; Figure 11 shows a sectional side view of part of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 9 in its unlocked position; Figure 12 shows a sectional side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 9 in its locked position.

An espagnolette assembly (not shown) comprises an espagnolette rod (1), a drive mechanism and a handle mounted on a sash. The espagnolette assembly is activated by the handle which rotates gears within the drive mechanism. These gears extend or retract the espagnolette rod or rods. The rod(s) can engage various keeps on the vent frame by the methods known in the art.

6 A locking mechanism of the present invention comprises two parts. The first part comprises an espagnolette rod (1) having a pin (2) and a slot (3). The espagnolette rod is mounted on a sash (not shown), together with the other necessary components of the espagnolette assembly.

The second part (4) comprises a housing (5) for mounting on a vent frame (6). The second part further comprises a pivot (7), a locking means (8) rotatably mounted about the pivot (7), and a torsion spring (9). The locking means is preferably a hook-shaped article which facilitates the securing of the locking means in the slot (3) of the espagnolette rod (1). Positive engagement between the espagnolette rod (1) and the second part (4) is thereby achieved.

The housing comprises a recess as shown in the drawings. The locking means protrudes out from the recess when it is engaged in the 'locked' position (Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8). The locking means (8) is biased to its retracted position within the housing by the torsion spring (9) when it is in the 'unlocked' position. (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 7).

In a first embodiment, a recess of the housing (5) comprises a substantially cross-shaped groove with one leg (11) of the groove being flared. As will be apparent from the drawings, the cross-shaped groove allows the second part of the locking mechanism (4) to be employed in vents which open in any direction. Thus, the same locking mechanism may be used for both left-handed and right-handed vents, and/or vents which open to the outside and inside.

The housing (5) further comprises two openings (10) for fastening the housing to the vent frame. The housing (5) can be fastened by means of screws, bolts or the like.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, as the sash (not shown) is drawn into the vent frame (6), the pin (2) protruding from the espagnolette rod (1) is received in the grooved part of the housing (5). The locking means (8) is biased to the retracted position within the housing 7 by the torsion spring (9). This allows the pin (2) to enter the grooved part of the housing without abutting the locking means (8).

Still referring to Figure 1, once the pin (2) is located within the housing (5), downward longitudinal motion of the espagnolette rod (1), actuated by rotation of the handle (not shown), makes the pin (2) travel along the flared leg (11) of the recess in the housing (5). Due to the flared nature of the leg (11) the longitudinal motion of the espagnolette rod (1) and pin (2) results in some lateral motion of the sash, thereby increasing gasket compression around the vent frame (6) as the locking mechanism is actuated. Further, if the pin (2) is a rotatably mounted eccentric spigot (not shown), the amount of lateral force exerted by the sash on the fixed frame (6) may be adjusted by rotating the eccentric spigot.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, as the pin (2) travels longitudinally down the flared leg (11) in the housing (5), it abuts the bottom part of the locking means (8). This abutment displaces the locking means from its retracted position, causing the locking means (8) to rotate about the pivot (7). The rotation of the locking means (8) allows the hook-shaped top part of the locking means to engage with the slot (3) in the espagnolette rod, such that when the pin (2) reaches its final position at the bottom of the flared leg (11), the hookshaped top part of the locking means (8) is fully engaged with the slot (3). The locking mechanism is thus in its 'locked' position (see Figures 4, 5 and 6).

The vent is unlocked by reversing the above process. Thus, the espagnolette bar is moved in the opposite direction by means of rotating the espagnolette handle in an opposite direction. During the unlocking process, the locking means (8) is retracted back into the housing (5) by the action of the tension in the torsion spring (9).

In another embodiment of this invention there is provided a locking mechanism (not shown) for vents as herein described wherein the vent may be locked ajar. This 'nightlocking' mechanism comprises an additional recessed housing (not shown) adjacent to the second part (4) for receiving the pin (2) on the espagnolette rod (1). The additional 8 recessed housing (not shown) is positioned such that when the pin (2) is received in the recess by the longitudinal motion of the espagnolette rod (1), the vent is held ajar. The additional recessed housing (not shown) may form part of the housing (5). In this embodiment, the second part (4) will necessarily be left- or right-handed.

In an alternative embodiment of the 'night-locking' mechanism, there are provided two or more adjacent second parts (4) attached to the fixed frame and/or two or more pins (2) and slots (3) on the espagnolette rod (1).

In a further embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, there is provided a locking mechanism wherein the second part further comprises a slidably mounted wedge (12). Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the pin (2), which is received in the recessed housing, abuts a first wider end of the wedge during longitudinal motion of the espagnolette rod (1). This abutment causes the narrower end of the wedge (12) to slide behind the top part of the locking means (8). The narrower end of the wedge is shaped such that its abutment with the locking means causes the locking means to rotate about its pivot and engage with the slot in the espagnolette rod. The locking means is thus in its locked position (see Figures 10 and 12), with the wedge providing reinforcement against unauthorised forcing of the locking means (8).

In this further embodiment, a cover plate (not shown) may be added to the back of the housing (5) to hold the locking means (8), spring (9) and wedge (12) in place during transit before it is attached to the vent frame.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it can be seen how the night-locking feature and the second part which includes a slidably mounted wedge may be combined in one embodiment of this invention.

it will, of course, be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

9

Claims

1. ' A locking mechanism comprising a first part and a second part, wherein when the first part engages the second part, the second part, in turn, engages the first part with an engaging locking means which secures the first part to the second part.

2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 for use in locking a vent.

3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the first part comprises a pin.

4. A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first part comprises an opening for receiving the engaging locking means of the second part.

5. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the opening on the first part comprises a slot.

6. A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the second part comprises (a) a housing; and (b) a rotatably mounted locking means.

7. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second part comprises a pivot mounted within the housing, the locking means being rotatably mounted about said pivot.

8. A locking mechanism as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein the second part comprises a wedge which is slidably mounted within the housing.

9. A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the second part comprises a spring which biases the locking means to a retracted position.

10. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spring is a torsion spring.

11. A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, wherein the locking means of the second part comprises a hook.

12. A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the housing comprises a recess with a flared portion.

13. A locking mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A vent comprising a sash, a fixed frame and a locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A vent as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first part is attached to the sash and the second part is attached to the fixed frame.

16. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the vent is fitted with an espagnolette assembly.

17. A vent as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first part comprises a pin attached to an espagnolette bar and a slot in said espagnolette bar.

18. A vent as claimed in claim 17, wherein the pin is an eccentric spigot rotatably mounted on said espagnolette bar.

19. A vent as claimed in claims 17 or 18, wherein longitudinal motion of the espagnolette bar in a first direction actuates the locking means of the second part, said locking means thereby being received by the slot in the espagnolette bar.

20. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 17-19, wherein a pivot divides the locking means into a top portion and a bottom portion and the locking means is actuated by the pin abutting the bottom portion to cause the locking means to rotate about the pivot, such that the top portion engages the slot in the espagnolette bar.

21. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 17-19, wherein the locking means is actuated by the pin abutting a wedge, said wedge in turn abutting the locking means to cause it to rotate about the pivot and engage the slot in the espagnolette bar.

22. A vent as claimed in claim 21, wherein the wedge is biased to a position where it does not abut the locking means as the first part disengages from the second part.

23. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 17-22, wherein the locking means is biased to a retracted position as the first part disengages from the second part.

24. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 17-23, wherein the locking means is biased to a retracted position by a torsion spring.

25. An espagnolette assembly comprising at least one locking mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1- 13.