HK1075927B - A multipoint lock - Google Patents

Description

Multi-point lock

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a multipoint lock, in particular a multipoint lock having a primary lock and a pair of remote locks, said remote locks being connected to the primary lock by means of a sliding element in a particular manner so that the primary lock can be used both as a multipoint lock and as a conventional single lock.

Background

Multipoint locks generally comprise a central lock and one or more remote locks. The remote lock is operated by operation of the central lock and the remote lock is connected to the central lock by a sliding element. This general type is well known.

The multi-point lock allows the door to be locked in 2 or 3 spaced apart positions rather than a single position to improve the security of the door. Typically, the central lock is provided on the door in a conventional position, with each remote point lock being provided adjacent the upper and lower portions of the door.

While multi-point locks provide many advantages, the assembly of multi-point locks on windows and doors is more complicated than single locks. One difficulty is that if a pair of remote locks are provided, the remote locks are of a different form, that is, the correct remote locks must be provided adjacent the upper and lower portions of the door. Sometimes, remote locks are misassembled, resulting in the multi-point lock not being functional.

Another disadvantage of multipoint locks is the need to use a slider or rod to connect the central lock to the remote lock. The joining operation is often harsh and difficult. Furthermore, maintenance and replacement of the multipoint lock is also very demanding and difficult due to the difficulty in removing the slider or rod extending from the central lock to the remote point lock.

Another major disadvantage of multipoint locks is that the central lock needs to be designed as a dedicated and multipoint lock structure. This means that if a multipoint lock is not required, the central lock cannot be used. It would therefore be beneficial if the central lock could be used as both a traditional single lock and a multi-point lock.

A multipoint lock is disclosed in australian patent 714689. The multipoint lock has an internal sliding or rotating locking member. The locking member has a transversely extending finger extending to the rear of the lock. The laterally extending finger engages a pin on an outer slide. Thus, movement of the locking element causes the finger to push against the pin so that the remote lock is operated. However, movement of the locking member in the opposite direction does not result in the locking member being operated. To overcome this drawback, another embodiment is described in the patent, in which the finger comprises a slot that captures the pin. . Thus, movement of the locking element in either direction can cause the slider to be operated. One disadvantage of this arrangement is that the slot has a degree of "lost motion", which means that some movement of the locking element does not result in a corresponding operation of the remote lock. Another disadvantage is that the slider is only held loosely, not fixed to the locking element.

It will be clearly understood that, although prior art documents are referred to herein, this does not constitute an admission that the applicant is entitled to their common general knowledge in the art in australia or any other country.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multipoint lock which overcomes at least in part the above disadvantages of the prior art or which provides the public with a practical or commercial choice.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a lock for use as a multipoint lock, the lock comprising:

a lock body is arranged on the lock body,

a latch bolt movable between a locked position and a free position,

an actuating member for moving the latch bolt,

a locking element which is arranged in the lock body and can move between a locking position in which the bolt is locked and an unlocking position,

connecting means connectable to a remote lock operating member for moving the operating member without any lost motion.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a multipoint lock assembly comprising a main lock, at least one remote lock and a remote lock operator, said main lock having:

a lock body is arranged on the lock body,

a latch bolt movable between a locked position and a free position,

an actuating member for moving the latch bolt,

a locking element which is arranged in the lock body and can move between a locking position in which the bolt is locked and an unlocking position,

first connecting means connectable to a remote lock operating member,

the remote lock operator has second coupling means which are connectable to the first coupling means of the main lock to move the remote lock operator in a manner which does not have any lost motion.

Such locks may be used as door locks, window locks, etc., but are preferably used as multipoint locks for sliding doors (e.g., screen doors) or swinging doors (also typical of screen doors). The lock is typically mounted to the edge of a metal door frame, but is not so limited.

The lock has a lock body. The lock body may be of any suitable shape and size, but is generally rectangular in plan view and is typically between 10-30 cm in length, 2-10 cm in width and 1-5 cm in thickness. These dimensions may of course be adapted. The lock body is typically made of metal. Internal structural features may be provided in the lock body for use in assembling the lock components, as is well known in the art.

The lock has a bolt that is movable between a locked position and a free position. The deadbolt may be a sliding deadbolt or a rotating deadbolt. If the bolt is a sliding bolt, it may be provided with a bevelled nose. The locking bolt may also be provided with an array of ridges or teeth to lock the bolt against impacts attempting to forcibly open the bolt, thereby improving the security of the bolt. Such a structure is known.

The locking bolt is movable between a partially extended position and a fully extended position, if desired. This can be achieved by providing a projection/knob/element extending opposite the bolt which is activated (typically depressed) as the door is closed, which in turn allows the main lock bolt to move from a partially extended position to a fully extended position. Such a structure is known.

One or more such locking tongues may be provided if the locking tongues are rotary locking tongues. The rotary latch may be equipped with some form of slam prevention mechanism or hold retraction mechanism, as is well known in the art.

Locks are typically provided with an actuator for moving the deadbolt. For sliding deadbolts, the bolt is normally pushed to a natural extended position, and an actuator is used to bring the bolt back to the retracted position against the pushing force. Many types of actuators are available, one typical actuator includes a lever that pivots or rotates to retract the sliding bolt. The actuators are typically operated by an external pin or handle or lever.

For a rotary bolt, the actuator may comprise a slider provided in the lock body and connected to the or each bolt. Movement of the slider (typically reciprocating) causes the bolt to move between the retracted and extended positions. Also, external pegs or handles or levers may be used to manipulate the slide. Other types of actuators are contemplated for use with a rotary latch.

The lock comprises a locking element which is movable between a locked position in which the bolt is locked and an unlocked position. Various types of locking elements may be used. One type of locking member may include a sliding or reciprocating locking member that is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Another type of locking element may include a rotational locking element. Generally, the locking member is constituted by a member having a sliding portion and a pivoting or rotating portion. The locking member is typically moved between its positions by a pin, a stud, a combination of a pin and a stud, or some other means. Typically, the locking element may be moved by a bolt or a lock cylinder.

The locking element in the locked position may remain in place in this position to resist movement to the unlocked position. In one form, a stop may be provided in the lock against which a portion of the locking member abuts when the locking member is in the locked position. Thus, when the locking element is in this position, it cannot be forced or moved out of the way back into the free position. A release device may be provided for moving the locking member back to the unlocked position. The release means may comprise a lock cylinder or some other element.

The lock contains a connecting means. The coupling means may be coupled to a remote lock operator such that the remote lock operator operates one or more remote locks or latches without any lost motion. The coupling means is preferably operatively coupled to the locking member such that actuation of the locking member ultimately results in operation of the remote lock. In one form, the connection means may form part of the locking element and may be integral with the locking element.

The blocking element may be provided with a part extending to the vicinity of the rear of the lock (rear referring to the part of the lock furthest from the part of the lock moving towards and away from the bolt). The component may comprise a finger, a plate or some other portion. Suitably, the member is provided with attachment means.

The attachment means may comprise any type of attachment means which can engage a remote lock operator for moving the operator in a manner which does not have any significant lost motion. It will be appreciated that if the coupling means is part of a locking element, the locking element cannot move very significantly in the lock between its locked and unlocked positions, and therefore a perceptible amount of lost motion will result in an inability to operate the remote lock properly when the locking element is operated.

One type of connection means may comprise a recess or groove provided in the locking member, typically at a location of the locking member near the rear of the lock. A projection or similar element on the remote lock operator may be retained in a recess or groove to operate the remote lock. The projection or similar element generally does not produce lost motion when the remote lock operator is operated. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a projection, pin, button, knob, finger or a plurality of such projections for engagement with a recess, recess or the like in the remote lock operator. It is also envisaged that the coupling means and the remote lock operator may also be provided with both projections and recesses etc.

Advantageously, the remote lock operator may be attached in such a way that it is not easily removed from the lock. Thus, the connecting means may comprise some form of locking means. The locking means may include a press lock structure, a twist lock structure, a snap lock structure, a lock structure requiring separate fasteners such as screws, a slide lock structure, and the like. The remote lock operator may also be provided with some form of locking means, which may be of the same type as described above. Suitably, the remote lock operator and the lock are provided with cooperating locking means.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a multipoint lock assembly generally comprising a primary lock as described above, a remote lock operator and at least one remote lock or remote bolt (all referred to as remote locks).

The remote lock operator typically comprises one or more rigid or substantially rigid members extending from the primary lock to the or each remote lock. Typically, the rigid elements include links, metal strips, or other rigid or substantially rigid members.

Suitably, the remote lock operator comprises a drive plate member and at least one link or bar or the like connected to or associated with the drive plate member and connected to or associated with the or each remote lock. The drive plate member may comprise a generally flat plate, which may be generally rectangular in plan view. The drive plate member typically extends across the entire rear of the lock and is typically connected to the connecting means in the lock in such a way that there is little or no lost motion. The drive plate member is typically of a size such that it projects slightly from the upper edge of the lock and the lower edge of the lock, and conventional links or bars may be used to connect the drive plate member to the remote lock. Thus, the drive plate member may be provided with some form of means for connecting a link or bar or the like to the drive plate member. The appliance depends on the type of connection but may comprise some form of small bracket provided with an opening to engage with one end of a link or the like.

The drive plate member may comprise second connecting means which connect to connecting means in the lock (hereinafter referred to as first connecting means). These connection means may be of the aforementioned type and may comprise protrusions, grooves, releasable locking means or the like.

The remote locks typically extend near the upper and lower portions of the door and window. Although a single remote lock may be used, it is more common to provide a pair of remote locks.

It is advantageous to operate all remote locks in the same way by moving the drive plate member in one direction. For example, one advantage is that sliding the drive plate in one direction will cause all of the remote locks to move from the locked position to the unlocked position, and sliding the drive plate in the opposite direction will cause all of the remote locks to move from the unlocked position to the locked position. This avoids the use of a complicated drive mechanism.

However, one disadvantage of this type of intended movement is that the upper and lower locks need to be of different lock configurations. This is because driving the plate member in one direction to move will cause one link to be pushed out and the other link to be pulled back. Therefore, each remote lock needs to adopt a different lock structure so as to enable the lock tongues to move out or move in simultaneously under the condition that one connecting rod is pushed out and the other connecting rod is pulled back. In the past, it has been necessary to provide different remote locks, but this has the disadvantage that it is always possible to install the wrong remote lock in the upper or lower part of the door or window.

Some have attempted to construct remote locks in the same fashion, that is, the same lock can be used in either the upper portion of the door or the lower portion of the door. One form is to insert the lock upside down, which is not always desirable. Other types of remote locks have very complex mechanisms for enabling the same lock to be fitted in either the upper or lower part of a door or window.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a remote lock which has a very simple structure and which can be assembled at an upper or lower portion of a door or window without modification. Generally, they can be assembled in the same orientation without the need for being turned upside down. This makes installation more convenient and more reliable.

Typically, a remote lock according to this aspect of the invention includes a recess which allows a linkage to pass through the lock body to engage the actuator arm.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention relates to a remote lock comprising: a lock body; a latch bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; an actuator for actuating the latch bolt to move between the locked position and the unlocked position; a connecting means provided on the actuator so that the link is connectable to the actuator; and a recess in the lock body for receiving the linkage and allowing the linkage to pass over the lock body without significantly protruding from the lock body profile.

By providing a recess in the lock body, and the recess typically extending along the rear wall of the lock body, the linkage rod can pass through the lock body to engage the actuator without protruding from the lock body. It will be appreciated that when the remote lock is assembled in an aluminium security door there is not enough room for the linkage to pass over the top of the lock body. Also, in order to ensure that the remote lock is strong, there is not enough space for the connecting rod to extend along the rear of the lock body, so the structure of the present invention can be used with a remote lock that substantially fills the metal door frame.

The bolt of the remote lock can slide the bolt or rotate the bolt.

The body of a remote lock typically has a generally flat front surface and a generally flat rear surface.

The actuator typically comprises a generally L-shaped or generally V-shaped horn. One arm of the angle engages the rear of the bolt or other part and the other arm of the angle may be connected to a link. The actuator is thereby pivotable or rotatable about a pivot axis to operate the deadbolt between the locked and unlocked positions.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a multipoint lock assembly comprising a central main lock and a pair of remote point locks, the locks being in the locked position.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the multipoint lock assembly of figure 1.

Fig. 3 shows the multipoint lock assembly of fig. 1 with the remote lock in the open position.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the lock assembly of fig. 3.

Figure 5 shows a remote lock in the locked position.

Fig. 6 shows the remote lock of fig. 5 in an open position.

Figure 7 shows the remote lock from one side in the locked position showing how the linkage bar passes over a portion of the lock body.

Figure 8 shows the remote lock of figure 7 from the other side, more clearly showing how the linkage bar passes over a portion of the lock body.

FIG. 9 shows the remote lock of FIG. 7 moved to an open position.

Fig. 10 shows the remote lock of fig. 9 moved to an open position.

Figure 11 shows a lock according to a second embodiment of the invention in a locked position.

FIG. 12 shows the latch of FIG. 11 in an open position.

Fig. 13-15 illustrate another manner of attachment of the locking member to the slider.

Fig. 16 shows a side view of the remote lock showing the linkage rod not protruding from the profile of the remote lock.

Figures 17 and 18 show a different type of remote lock in which the linkage is in one position.

The remote lock of fig. 17 and 18 is shown in fig. 19 and 20 with the linkage in another position.

FIG. 21 illustrates a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 22A-C illustrate a modified remote lock operator.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings and initially to fig. 1-4, there is shown a multipoint lock assembly comprising a central or main lock 10 and a pair of remote locks 11, 12 connected to the main lock 10 by a remote lock operator 13.

In a particular embodiment, the primary lock 10 has a lock body 14, which is typically made of metal and is generally rectangular in plan view. The lock body 14 is formed with a plurality of projections, flanges, ribs, eyelets, etc. therein for mounting the various lock components to the lock body.

The main lock 10 has a bolt 15, which in this particular embodiment is a sliding bolt, and which is slidable (or, more precisely, reciprocatingly movable) between an extended locked position shown in fig. 2 and 3 and a retracted unlocked position (not shown) in which the bolt is partially or fully retracted into the lock body. The bolt 15 is made of steel and has a bevelled nose 16 and an array of teeth or ridges 17 extending behind the bevelled nose 16. Such a construction is well known and the teeth or ridges serve to resist the forced action to which the bolt is subjected. The rear of the bolt 15 has a recess in which is located an extended post 18. The post 18 is engaged by an actuator 19 to retract the bolt 15 into the lock body. The bolt 15 is urged by a spring (not shown) to the naturally extended position shown in figure 1 and an actuator 19 is used to pull the bolt 15 back to the open position against the urging of the spring. Actuator 19 comprises an arm member having one end engaged to column 18. The other end of the arm is engaged by an external handle or lever (not shown) so that rotation of the external handle or lever causes the actuator 19 to retract the bolt 15. The locking bolt 15 may be held in the partially open position by engaging a shoulder 20 of the locking bolt 15 with a shoulder 21 of a release 22. The release member 22 can be released by pressing a small extension button 23. When the door is closed, the button 23 is depressed, lifting the release 22, so that the bolt 15 naturally moves to the full locking position under the spring thrust. Such a structure is well known.

The locking tongue 15 can be locked in the extended position by a locking element 24. The locking element 24 comprises a plate-shaped metal piece having a body portion 25 arranged at the front of the lock and a finger 26 extending through the lock to the rear of the lock. The locking member 24 is movable between a locked position, shown in fig. 1, and an unlocked position, shown in fig. 3. In particular, the locking element 24 has a forward nose 27 which, in the locked position in the position shown in fig. 1, extends into a recess in the locking bolt 15 and thus prevents the locking bolt 15 from being moved backwards. After the locking element 24 has been retracted into the unlocked position, the nose 27 is spaced from the locking bolt 15, and the locking bolt 15 can now be retracted into the open position by the actuator 19.

The locking element 24 can be moved into its locking position by turning a bolt or by turning a key cylinder. In particular, an external latch (not shown) may be operated by the operator. The outer latch has a rectangular pin portion which extends into a rectangular aperture 29 which forms part of the inner lever 30. The lever 30 is rotatable or swingable between the position shown in fig. 1 and the position shown in fig. 3. When the lever is rotated into the position shown in fig. 1, it pushes the locking element 24 into the locking position. Conversely, when the lever is rotated to the position shown in fig. 3, it pushes the locking member 24 into the unlocked position. The locking element can thus be operated by an external bolt actuating the internal lever 30.

The locking element 24 can also be operated by a key cylinder 31. The key cylinder 31 operates a rotatable cam 32. The cam 32 is rotatable between a position shown in fig. 1, in which it urges the locking member into the locked position, and a position shown in fig. 3, in which it urges the locking member into the unlocked position. The cam is operated by an external key which is insertable into the key cylinder and rotatable.

The locking member 24 may be held in a locked position to resist inadvertent movement to an unlocked position. This can be achieved by providing a platform portion 33 at the lowermost portion of the locking member. The platform portion 33 engages a shoulder 34 formed in the lock body. In this position, the locking element cannot be retracted into the unlocked position. In addition, since the platform portion 33 engages on the shoulder 34, the inner lever 30 is manipulated to move the locking member back to the unlocked position. The only way to retract the locking member to the unlocked position is to operate the key cylinder so that the cam 32 retracts the locking member 24 from engagement with the shoulder 34 and simultaneously retracts the locking member to the unlocked position.

The locking element is provided with a finger 26 extending to the rear of the lock. The connection between this part and the remote lock operator 13 will be better described with reference to fig. 11-15. Referring first to figure 11, there is shown a lock which differs in construction from the lock shown in figures 1 and 3 but which employs the same principle. In figure 11 the locking member 14 has a significantly enlarged widened portion 41 which extends to the rear of the lock body. This significantly enlarged widening 41 increases the strength of the locking member 14, since here the locking member 40 has to withstand forces and strains for locking the remote lock, as will be described in detail later on. The portion 41 has a coupling means which can be coupled to the remote lock operating member for moving the operating member without any lost motion. In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the attachment means comprises a recess 42.

The remote lock operator 13 includes a central drive plate 43. The driving plate 43 can be moved back and forth along the rear wall of the lock body. The drive plate 43 in the embodiment shown in figure 11 has a projection 44 which fits into a recess 42 in the part 41. The two parts fit together in such a way that there is little or no lost motion. Thus, movement of the locking member 40 to the locked position shown in fig. 11 will cause the drive plate 43 to move in the same direction. Conversely, movement of the locking member 40 to the unlocked position 2 shown in fig. 12 will cause the drive plate 4 to move in the same direction.

Different ways of connection between the drive plate and the locking member are shown in figures 13-15. In fig. 13, the drive plate is provided with a recess/groove 47 and the locking element comprises a projection 46 which fits into the recess/groove, again with little or no lost motion. In fig. 13, the two elements are also shown push locked together, since the projection 46 is "arrow" shaped and engages with a similar shape on one wall of the recess 47.

A more robust construction is shown in fig. 14, in which the locking member is provided with a pair of projections. One of the projections fits in the recess of the drive plate in such a way that there is little or no lost motion. The other projection is arrow-shaped and engages a corresponding shape on the drive plate. Thus, the other projection can be pushed out of engagement so that the drive plate can be lifted off the lock.

Fig. 15 shows another modification which again comprises a pair of projections.

Locking member 24 in fig. 1 and locking member 40 in fig. 11 extend slightly past the top and bottom of the lock and include attachment means for attaching link 50 to the drive plate. The link 50 may be of any desired length and is used to operatively connect the drive plate to the remote locks 11, 12.

The remote locks 11, 12 are best shown in fig. 11 and 12. The remote locks are identical, which means that there is no need to make different remote locks. In particular, each remote lock is provided with a sliding bolt 51, which is in an extended locking position in fig. 11 and in a retracted unlocking position in fig. 12. The bolt 51 is slidable in the housing. The rear portion of the latch 51 includes an upright post 52 to which is attached an actuating arm 53. The actuation arm 53 has a generally L-shaped profile and swings or pivots about a pivot point 54. One arm of the actuating arm 53 is provided with a shaped recess 55 extending around the post 52. The other arm of the actuating arm 53 is pivotally connected to the link 50. Referring first to the remote lock 11 in figure 11, it can be seen that the rear push of the link 50 causes the actuator arm to pull the bolt 51 back to the retracted position shown in figure 12. Conversely, extension of the link from position 2 of fig. 12 will cause the latch bolt 51 to extend to lock the position shown in fig. 11. For a remote lock 11, the link 50 is connected to the actuator arm 53 without the link 50 extending over the top of the remote lock 11. However, looking now at the remote lock 12, since the remote lock 12 is identical to the remote lock 11, by locating the remote lock 12 at the other end of the door, it can be seen that the actuator arm 53 is now located on the other side of the remote lock body. Thus, to connect the linkage 50 to the actuator arm 53, the lock body needs to be provided with a recess 56 (e.g. a groove or channel) through which the linkage can pass to enable the linkage 50 to be connected to the actuator arm 53. By providing a passage or groove in the remote lock body, the lock body can be passed through without protruding from the lock body. This is best shown in fig. 16, which shows why the link 50 does not protrude from the profile of the remote lock.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the two remote locks together can extend or retract their bolts by simple sliding movement of the actuation plate 43. Movement of the drive plate in one direction will cause one link to push one remote lock into the locked position and the other link to push the other remote lock into the locked position. In order for the same lock configuration to be used for both the upper and lower door portions and for the remote locks to be installed in the same orientation (i.e., without the need to turn one of the locks upside down), a groove or channel 56 is provided for the linkage 50 to pass through the lock body to engage the actuator arm 53.

Figures 5-10 illustrate the remote lock in more detail.

A different embodiment of the remote lock is shown in fig. 17-20, again showing the linkage 50 flipped 180 deg. so that the upper and lower remote locks are simultaneously extended and simultaneously retracted by operation of the remote lock operator behind the central master lock.

Figure 21 shows a centre lock showing the remote lock operator 43 provided with a projection 44 having an arrow shaped configuration at the end. The locking element 24 has a finger 26 provided with a groove or slot 60. The recess is configured to provide a press-fit arrangement between the projection 44 and the recess, which means that the remote lock operator 43 can simply be snapped into place at the rear of the lock.

FIGS. 22A-C illustrate a modified remote lock operator 43 provided at the rear of the lock. The remote lock operator is provided with a second pin 62 which may also be fitted to a locking element in the lock. This allows the remote lock operator 43 to be fitted to the lock in two different positions. As shown, the remote lock operator is provided with an end external trigger or protrusion 61. They are shaped and sized to substantially fill voids in a window or door frame. The projection 61 prevents any bending, bulging, etc. of the relatively long and typically very thin remote lock operator 33.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the primary lock (central lock) can be used as a multi-point lock to operate a remote lock, but can also be used as a single lock by removing the drive plate member from the lock body. There is no need to open the lock body and remove parts therefrom.

It is to be understood that other variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A lock for use as a stand-alone lock or as a central lock in a multipoint lock assembly having one or more remote locks each connected to the central lock by a substantially rigid remote lock operator having second connecting means for connecting it to the lock to move the remote lock operator in the absence of any lost motion, the lock comprising:

a lock body is arranged on the lock body,

a locking bolt movable between a locking position in which the locking bolt extends from the lock body and a free position in which the locking bolt is at least partially retracted into the lock body,

an actuator operated to move the latch bolt to the free position,

a locking member provided in the lock body and movable between a locked position in which the locking member locks the locking bolt and an unlocked position in which the locking bolt is freely movable relative to the locking member, a portion of the locking member extending to near the rear of the lock body and including first coupling means allowing the remote lock operating member to be fixed relative to the lock body by pressing the locking structure so that the remote lock operating member moves without any lost motion.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the second connecting means comprises a pin portion and an arrow-shaped portion, and the first connecting means comprises first and second grooves, the first groove being adapted to receive the pin portion and the second groove being adapted to engage the arrow-shaped portion.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the lock body has a leading edge from which the locking bolt projects and a trailing edge spaced from the leading edge, said portion of said locking member extending to the trailing edge.

4. The lock of claim 3, including a remote lock operator coupled to the locking member and further including at least one remote lock spaced from the lock body and coupled to the remote lock operator by a linkage.

5. The lock of claim 4, wherein the at least one remote point lock comprises: a lock body; a locking bolt movable between a locked position in which the locking bolt extends from the lock body and an unlocked position in which the locking bolt is retracted into the lock body; an actuator for actuating the latch bolt to move between the locked position and the unlocked position; a connecting means provided on one actuating arm of the actuating member so that a connecting rod can be connected to the actuating member; and a recess in the lock body for receiving the linkage and passing the linkage through the lock body without protruding significantly from the lock body profile.

6. The lock of claim 5, wherein said remote lock operator includes a slide actuation plate member disposed on the outside of the lock and slidable adjacent the rear of the lock body.

7. The lock of claim 6, wherein said remote lock operator is slidable at the rear of the lock body between an upper position and a lower position relative to the lock body, wherein movement of the remote lock operator between said upper and lower positions causes said at least one remote lock to move between the locked and unlocked positions.

8. The lock of claim 1, wherein said press fit connection is such that movement of said locking member results in movement of said remote lock operator without any lost motion.

9. The lock of claim 1, wherein the first connecting means comprises at least one protrusion and the second connecting means comprises at least one first recess.

10. The lock of claim 1, wherein the first connecting means comprises at least one first recess and the second connecting means comprises at least one protrusion.

11. The lock of claim 1, wherein the lock body comprises: an opening at the front side through which the bolt extends in the locked position; and an opening through the rear side through which the first connection means can be accessed.