GB2398103A - Keep for use with a locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A keep 10 for use in conjunction with a lock or latch of a door is described. The keep has a body 14 adapted to be attached to a door frame and has at least one first aperture 16 and at least one second aperture 18 each adapted to engage at least one locking means 34 of at least one door hingedly attached to said frame. The first aperture is positioned 16 such that the door is retained in a first position relative to said frame and the second aperture 18 is positioned such that said door is retained in a second position relative to said frame. The first aperture is provided with access means 20 to said first aperture such that an object can cause said locking means to disengage from said first aperture thereby allowing said door to move relative to said frame. There is also disclosure of means to prevent removal of the operating spindle 32 of the locking means 34.

Description

23981 03

A KEEP FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A LOCKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a keep for use in conjunction with a locking device, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a keep for a locking device used on internal doors of a domestic residence.

Our patent number GB2209367 relates to a security device which may be used on the internal doors of a house. The device is particularly designed so as to isolate the rooms of the house so that if a burglar is able to gain access to that room through a window they are prevented from getting any further because the door leading from that room has been locked from the outside.

This device has the disadvantage that it is possible for an occupant of the room to accidentally lock themselves inside. The device of UK patent 2209367 works by preventing the rotation of the spindle, which is attached to the door handles, when the door is to be locked. However, preventing the spindle from rotating does not prevent the latch from moving in and out. The latch is biassed against the force of a spring and can move without rotation of the handle or spindle. As a result, since it is possible to put the door into a locked position whilst it is open, a person can enter a room, and shut the door behind them or the door be shut accidentally. Thus, the occupant would be locked in that room until assistance arrived to open the door from the outside. Clearly if the person in question was alone in the house without any means of communication from the room in which they were docked this could become a serious, if not deadly, situation.

This device also has the disadvantage that it is possible to overcome the locking mechanism. When a person is locked in a room from the outside it is possible, using a screwdriver, to remove the face plate of the locking device and obtain access to the spindle. If the spindle is removed it is then possible to move the latch and retract it thereby allowing the door to open.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above described disadvantages of the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a keep for use in conjunction with a locking means of a door, the keep comprising: a body adapted to be attached to a door frame by at least one attaching means, the body having at least one first aperture adapted to engage at least one locking means of at least one door hingedly attached to said frame, said first aperture being positioned such that said door is retained in a first position relative to said frame, and at least one second aperture adapted to engage said locking means, said second aperture being positioned such that said door is retained in a second position relative to said frame, wherein in use said first aperture is provided with access means to said first aperture such that an object can cause said locking means to disengage from said first aperture thereby allowing said door to move relative to said frame.

By providing a keep having two apertures therein and one aperture having access means allowing an inserted object to disengage the locking means or latch of the door, the advantage is provided that the likelihood of becoming accidentally trapped inside a room is considerably reduced or eliminated. The device may also be used to provide some privacy. On entering a room the locking mechanism may be applied (from the outside) and the door shut as far as the first aperture. If another person attempts to enter the room the handle will be prevented from turning due to the locking mechanism. Thus they will be alerted that the room may well be occupied. If the wish to enter the room anyway they can unlock the mechanism and gain entry to the room. When the occupier wishes to leave they can insert an object into the access means, depress the latch and open the door.

In a preferred embodiment said device is adapted to provide a substantially planar surface through which said first and second apertures extend and first potion of said keep, adjacent said first aperture, is angled relative to said planar surface so as to assist the movement of said latch and a second portion of said keep, between said first and second apertures adapted to resist the movement of said latch.

In a standard single aperture keep, the leading edge of the keep is curved slightly away from the door. The leading surface of a latch is also typically either curved or angled away from the edge of the door frame. As a result, when the leading edge of the keep and the leading surface of the latch come into contact they are angled such that the keep is able to push the latch inwards allowing the door to shut and the latch to extend back into the aperture. This is the case with the first aperture of the present invention and therefore if the door is pushed closed the latch is able to retract and then extend to within the first aperture. From this position it is possible for a person on the inside of a room to use an object to push into the access means to press the latch back and open the door once more. The rearward edge of the first aperture is not angled so is to assist the latch in retracting. As a result, the latch is unlikely to move from the first aperture to the second aperture. Thus the accidental closing of the door will not result in the occupant of the room being locked therein since without a turn of the handle the latch will not enter the second aperture. If it is required that the door should be completely closed and then locked this is achieved by using the handle. The door will automatically close as far as the first aperture of the keep it is then necessary to turn the handle to retract the latch then pull the door into a fully closed position release the handle thereby releasing the latch into the second aperture and then to activate the locking mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment said body and said apertures are cut from a sheet of metal.

In another preferred embodiment said attaching means comprises at least one screw extending through at least one respective third aperture in said body and into said door frame.

In a preferred embodiment said access means comprises a channel extending from said first aperture.

By providing the access means in the form of a channel the advantage is provided that the first aperture can be recessed further into the door frame. This makes the keep appear more discrete and does not cause it too extend to far beyond the door frame. This reduces the likelihood of clothing becoming caught and damaged on the keep.

In a further preferred embodiment said first aperture and said channel are, in combination, substantially T-shaped.

In a preferred embodiment said second aperture is substantially rectangular.

The keep may further comprise latch pressing means to press the latch into a retracted position when it is in the first aperture.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device for use in conjunction with a spindle of a locking mechanism, the device comprising: a body having at least one first surface adapted to at least partially engage at least one external surface of a spindle of a locking mechanism, said spindle extending through a first aperture in a door or window from a first side of said door or window to an opposing second side of said door or window, in use said body extending radially from said spindle so as to prevent said device passing through said first aperture and said first surface being adapted to remain in engagement with said surface of said spindle so as to prevent said spindle from being extracted from said first aperture from a side of the door or window opposite to a side of said door or window that the device is located.

By providing a device attached to the spindle of a locking mechanism where the device is attached to the spindle on the opposite side to that which you wish to prevent removal, the advantage is provided that the spindle cannot be removed without gaining access to the device from the other side. Thus if a burglar were to enter a room which had been locked from the outside they would be unable to gain access from that room to the rest of Che building. Even if they were to remove the face plate of the locking mechanism to obtain access to the spindle, the spindle could not be pulled from the door towards them without removing the device.

In a preferred embodiment said body comprises at least one rigid or resilient polymer material.

In a preferred embodiment, said body slides onto said spindle through a second aperture in said body.

In another preferred embodiment said first surface remains in engagement with said spindle at least partially by means of friction.

Typically the device described above is a rubber or plastic washer which is inserted onto the spindle and remains located thereon by its central aperture forming a tight fit around the spindle. If locking devices of the type described in GB2209367 are located on both sides of a door, it would be most preferable to locate devices of the present invention similarly on both ends of the spindle. Therefore, in order to remove the spindle for the purposes of maintenance and the like, it would be necessary to remove one of the devices. Therefore a device maintained by frictional force has the advantage that, where necessary, this frictional force can be overcome. Alternatively with a plastic washer it would be possible to cut the washer radially, allowing it to be removed. Once the maintenance had been completed it would be possible to replace the washer with a new one.

In a further preferred embodiment second aperture is sized so as to produce said friction.

The body may be moulded onto said spindle.

In a preferred embodiment said body remains in engagement with said spindle at least partially by means of an adhesive.

The body may comprise at least one metal material.

The device may further comprise at least one threaded member adapted to extend through a threaded aperture in said body and engage said spindle.

By using a metal body engaged with the spindle by a grub screw or the like the advantage is provided that the removal of the spindle from the opposite side of the than device is provided can be almost completely prevented.

The device may also further comprise at least one notch adapted to engage at least one notch engaging member extending from a locking means and thereby preventing rotation of said spindle.

By providing a notch in the device which can engage with a lump sticking out of a locking device the advantage is provided that rotation of the spindle can be prevented. This can be used as an alternative or in addition to the locking mechanism previously described.

In another preferred embodiment in use said device is recessed into said door or window such that an externally facing second surface of said body is substantially flush with a surface of said first or second side of said door or window.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limititive sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a keep of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the keep of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the keep of Figures 1 and 2 together with an associated locking device; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a keep of Figure 1 and associated locking device; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the keep of Figure 1 in use; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a keep of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the keep of figures 1 and 2, together with an associated locking device; Figure 8 is a side view of the keep of figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the keep of figures 1 and 2, together with an associated locking device; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a spindle and locking device of the present invention.

A keep 10 is designed for use in conjunction with a locking device 12. The keep 10 has a body 14 which has a first aperture 16, a second aperture 18 and an access means to the first aperture in the form of a channel 20 therein. Body 14 also has attaching means, in the form of holes 22, through which screws 24 are inserted in order to attach keep 10 to a door frame 26.

Locking device 12 is of the type described in UK patent number 2209367, having a handle 30 axially mounted on a spindle 32 and thereby causing the movement of latch 34. Spindle 32 is provided with two retaining devices 36, in the form of tightly fitting rubber or plastic washers, which prevent the movement and easy removal of the spindle 32. Locking device 12 also includes a locking member 38 which when in an engaged position prevents the rotation of spindle 32. Catch 39, in the form of a small lump on the inside of the external plate of Docking device 12, prevents locking member 38 from accidentally sliding, under the force of gravity, into or out of a locked position. In figure 3, lock 38 is shown in an unlocked position thus handle 30 and spindle 32 are free to turn. An object is used as part of the invention and examples of these are shown in Figures 2 and 5, these being respectively pen 40 and slider 42. - 9 -

In use, keep 10 is located on door frame 26 either such that the first aperture 16 entirely or at least partially extends beyond the edge of door frame 26, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, or is covered by door frame 26 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. As door 13 moves towards a closed position, latch 34 is caused to retract by the leading edge of keep 10. Typically, the leading edge of keep 10 would be curved slightly away from door 13 in order to assist the easy movement of latch 34. Once passed the leading edge of keep 10 latch 34 is able to extend into aperture 16, thereby maintaining door 13 in a first position relative to frame 26. Latch 34 is less easily able to pass from first aperture 16 to second aperture 18 because the strip of the body 14 extending between first and second apertures 16 and 18 is angled somewhat opposite to that of the leading edge of keep 10. As a result, latch 34 jams against the strip of body 14 between apertures 16 and 18 and is unable to move further and allow the door to become fully closed by extending latch 34 into aperture 18.

With the latch 34 in the first aperture 16 it is possible to overcome the lock 38. Lock 38 prevents the rotation of handle but the rotation of handle 30 is not necessary in order to move latch 34.. As a result, it is possible to insert an object such as pen 40 or slider 42 along channel 20 so is to push latch 34 back and allow door 13 to reopen. Lock 38 is shown on the inside of door 13 on Figure 3 for illustrative purposes only, this would normally be located on the other side of the door.

If it is required that the door be fully closed and locked from the outside, in order to provide the benefits of the invention of patent number GB2209367, then it is necessary to turn the handle 30 in order that latch 34 is retracted and can pass into aperture 18 before it is released again. Once in this position channel 20 does not extend into second aperture 18 and therefore the latch cannot be retracted except by the turning of handle 34.

Therefore if locking means 38 is used handle 30 cannot be turned and a person on the inside of a room cannot gain access to any other rooms.

Referring to Figure 6, in which parts in common with the embodiment of Figures 5 and 8 are provided with like reference numerals increased by 100, the channel (referenced 20 on Figure 5) is not present. The access means to the latch when it is in the first aperture 116 is provided by slider 142 which is able to push the latch from engagement with the first aperture 1]6.

Alternatively the keep 110 could be positioned such that it extends beyond the door frame 126 so that the first aperture 116 is entirely exposed. If this is the case slider L42 would not be required as it would be possible to simply push the latch in by hand, using the occupant of the room's finger as the object.

Referring to Figure 7, which shows lock 38 in a locked position thereby preventing handle 30 and spindle 32 from turning, a device 10 of the present invention is shown, together with a locking mechanism of the type described in GB2209367. In this example, the locking mechanism has been provided with two locks 38 on opposing sides of the door. As a result, if the door shows in figure 7 were that of a bedroom, it would be possible for the person on the inside of the room to lock the door, thereby preventing any person from obtaining access into the room from the outside. If the room were unoccupied, the lock on the outside of the room could be used to prevent any persons who have obtained access to the room from gaining access to any other rooms in the building.

As a result, spindle 32 has been provided with two washers 36 on either end of the spindle 32. Thus when the door is in a fully closed position and locked the washers prevent easy removal of the spindle. For example, if the plate of the locking device were removed only the washer immediately adjacent to the removed place would be accessible. If this immediately adjacent washer were removed the spindle still cannot be removed due to the washer on the other side prevents the spindle being pulled through and the handle and plate on the other side of the door prevent the spindle being pushed through.

Furthermore, the washers are recessed into the door such that they fit flushly with the door and they fit closely with the inside of the hole in which they are recessed. They must still be able to move within the recess hole, or the spindle cannot turn, but sufficiently snug so as to make them difficult to remove. Thus the washers will slow down all but the most determined burglars and in particular reduce the threat from opportunistic burglars who are after a quick get-away and from burglars who are stealing specifically to buy drugs.

Referring to Figure 9, in which parts in common with the embodiment of Figure 7 are provided with like referenced numerals increased by 200, the latch 234 is substantially rectangular in cross section along all of its length and does not contain the curved surface which extends externally of the door, as seen in Fig,re 7. As a result, the latch 234 will not enter the first aperture 216 or the second aperture 218 without being deliberately retracted into the door. Therefore it is necessary to either turn handle 230 or to press latch 234 manually into the door and thus it is almost impossible to accidentally lock the latch 234 into either the first or second apertures 216 and 218.

Referring to Figure 10, an alternative to the rubber washers 36, for example as seen in Figure 4, is shown in the form of a metal ring 50 which may be attached to spindle 32. The metal ring 50 is locked to spindle 32 by a grub screw (not shown) which is inserted into a threaded hole (also not shown) and is tightened to engage spindle 32 thereby locking ring 50 in position. In its simplest form the ring 50 may omit the notch 52 (shown in Figure 10) and act in the same way as washer 36 as previously described. If a single washer or ring 50 is used it should be located on the opposite side of the door than that where the intruder is expected. Thus if the intruder were to remove the plate of the door handle closest to them, it would be impossible to extract the spindle since the ring 50 would prevent the spindle from being drawn towards the intruder.

If the metal ring 50 is provided with a notch 52 this is able to act as an additional locking mechanism when used in conjunction with a lock 38 of the type shown in Figure lO. Lock 38 is the same as those previously described but has an additional notch engaging portion 54 which extends approximately perpendicular to the surface of the lock 38. The lock 38 has an aperture 56 which is divided into an upper substantially circular portion 58 and a lower substantially rectangular portion 60. The diameter of the upper circular portion 58 is slightly greater than the diagonal dimension of a cross section of spindle 32 such that spindle 32 is able to rotate within upper portion 58 of aperture 56. The width of lower portion 60 is approximately the same as the width across a cross section of spindle 32 such that spindle 32 is unable to rotate in lower portion 60 of aperture 56. As a result, if lock 38 is moved upwards so that spindle 32 is within lower portion 60 of aperture 56, then the spindle 32 is unable to rotate and the handle of the door attached to spindle 32 cannot rotate.

As an alternative locking mechanism, the notch engaging portion 54 is adapted to engage with notch 52 when lock 38 is moved downwards. Because ring 50 is locked relative to spindle 32 when notch engaging portion 54 is engaged with notch 52, the ring 50 and spindle 32 are unable to rotate and the door is locked. This may be an additional or alternative locking mechanism to that of the lower portion 60 of aperture 56. The lock 38 is moved up and down by handle portion 62 which extends below the plate of the door handle as shown in coloured lines in Figures 7 and 9.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limititive sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, this form of double apertures keep may be used in conjunction with a latch type lock, commonly termed a Yale lock, in which it is possible to slam a door shut and locked without use of a key. By using the keep, herein for described, the lock could be put in a first position which would prevent the door from swinging open, but would not require a key to reopen it. If it were required to lock the door properly, it would be necessary to insert the key in order to retract the latch in order that the latch can pass to the second aperture 18.

Claims (21)

1. A keep for use in conjunction with a locking means of a door, the keep comprising: a body adapted to be attached to a door frame by at least one attaching means, the body having at least one first aperture adapted to engage at least one locking means of at least one door hingedly attached to said frame, said first aperture being positioned such that said door is retained in a first position relative to said frame, and at least one second aperture adapted to engage said locking means, said second aperture being positioned such that said door is retained in a second position relative to said frame, wherein in use said first aperture is provided with access means to said first aperture such that an object can cause said locking means to disengage from said first aperture thereby allowing said door to move relative to said frame.

2. A keep according to claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to provide a substantially planar surface through which said first and second apertures extend and a first portion of said keep, adjacent said first aperture, is angled relative to said planar surface to as to assist the movement of said latch and a second position of said keep, between said first and second apertures adapted to resist the movement of said latch.

3. A keep according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said body and said apertures are cut from a sheet of metal.

4. A keep according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said attaching means comprises at least one screw extending through at least one respective third aperture in said body and into said door frame.

5. A keep according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said access means comprises a channel extending from said first aperture.

6. A keep according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first aperture and said channel are, in combination, substantially T- shaped.

7. A keep according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second aperture is substantially rectangular.

8. A keep according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising latch pressing means to press the latch into a retracted position when it is in the first aperture.

9. A keep for use in conjunction with a locking means of a door, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A security device for use in conjunction with a spindle of a locking mechanism, the device comprising: a body having at least one first surface adapted to at least partially engage at least one external surface of a spindle of a locking mechanism, said spindle extending through a first aperture in a door or window from a first side of said door or window to an opposing second side of said door or window, in use said body extending radially from said spindle so as to prevent said device passing through said first aperture and said first surface being adapted to remain in engagement with said surface of said spindle so as to prevent said spindle from being extracted from said first aperture from a side of the door or window opposite to a side of said door or window that the body is located.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said body comprises at least one rigid or resilient polymer material.

12. A device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said body slides onto said spindle through a second aperture in said body.

13. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said first surface remains in engagement with said spindle at least partially by means of friction.

14. A device according to claim 15, wherein second aperture is sized so as to produce said friction.

15. A device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said body is moulded onto said spindle.

16. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein said body remains in engagement with said spindle at least partially by means of an adhesive.

17. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein said body comprises at least one metal material.

18. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 17, further comprising at least one threaded member adapted to extend through a threaded aperture in said body and engage said spindle.

19. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, further comprising at least one notch adapted to engage at least one notch engaging member extending from a locking means and thereby preventing rotation of said spindle.

20. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein in use said device is recessed into said door or window such that an externally facing second surface of said body is substantially flush with a surface of said first or second side of said door or window.

21. A security device for use in conjunction with a spindle of a locking mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 3, 4 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.