IE20100211A1 - Improvements in locking assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking assembly 1 which can be used for a cariety of purposes such as locking gates, doors, shutters and the like is disclosed. It comprises a bolt carrier 3 which is slidable in a housing 1 and which at one end a slide bolt 90 extends which can be inserted into a receiver 2. the receiver 2 has an open mouth 4 to accept the slide bolt 90 but it is closed at the opposite end 5 to deter tampering. A locking mechanism is mounted inside the housing, alongside the bolt carrier 3.

Description

This invention relates to locking assemblies which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as locking doors including sectional doors and industrial doors for example door(s) of a warehouse or garage, gates, and doors of transport vehicles, io Background to the Invention Locking assemblies based on a slidable bolt which engages a fixed receiver have been known for many years, particularly for locking doors to supporting structures (such as door frames) or for locking one door to another. Such assemblies require an auxiliary locking mechanism such as a padlock for securing the bolt in the closed position. One problem with these arrangements is that the padlock (and often the bolt itself) is open to interference by unscrupulous persons. There is also a risk of loss of the padlock when it is separated from the bolt, and it is necessary to attach the padlock to the locking assembly before it possible to secure the assembly in either an open or closed position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a locking assembly that will be robust, that will protect the locking mechanism from interference by unscrupulous persons, and that can be locked in both the open and closed positions. It is a further object to provide a locking assembly that can be fitted on existing structures without requiring substantial modifications to the existing structure or hindering existing locking mechanisms. It is a further object to provide a locking device, whose application is varied, and which, depending on the angle of fitting, can be used to lock structures in vertical or horizontal positions.

In GB 811 005 A, a prison lock is described which comprises a casing housing a main bolt and key-operable internal bolt adapted to engage with the main bolt to prevent the unlocking movement of the main bolt. The main bolt and locking bolt are spring-loaded and therefore biased to their locked positions.

In US 4 564 079 there is described a deadbolt gate lock which can be locked in its advanced or retracted position by means of a pin tumbler or spring bolt. The deadbolt is locked by depression of a button, while release of the lock is achieved by utilization of a key. No positive key action is required for extension or retraction of the bolt.

In GB 2 352 763 A, there is described a security bolt for commercial vehicles comprising a steel casing which houses a sliding security bolt. A push-button cylinder detent is arranged to engage apertures formed in the bolt to secure the bolt in position.

However, the bolt slides through the casing at one end and exits the casing at the opposite end. As such, this arrangement allows entry of water and other corrosive materials to enter the locking assembly and thereby damaging the integrity of the locking assembly.

In GB 2 327 967 A the present inventor has described a locking assembly for use with a receiver having an open mouth, comprising: a) a housing for a slide member, b) a slide member dimensioned to fit slidably in both the housing and the receiver, the slide member being movable between a bolted position in which it bridges the receiver and the housing and an unbolted position in which it is disengaged from the receiver, and, c) means for locking the slide member in both the bolted and unbolted positions, said locking means comprising a locking mechanism inside the slide member having a lock bolt which can be extended from the slide member to engage the housing in both the bolted and unbolted positions of the slide member.

In GB 2 356 017 A the present inventor has described a locking assembly for use with a receiver having an open mouth, comprising: a housing for a slide member and a locking mechanism, a slide member dimensioned to fit slidably in both the housing and the receiver, the slide member being movable between a bolted position in which it bridges the receiver and the housing and an unbolted position in which it is disengaged from the receiver, means for locking the slide member in the bolted position, the locking means comprising a locking mechanism enclosed inside the housing beside the slide member and having a lock bolt which can be extended towards the slide member by operation of a key from outside the housing, the slide member having at least IE 1 Ο Ο 2 1 1 one locking box to engage the extended lock bolt when the slide member is in the bolted position.

The assembly described in GB 2 327 967 had a long slot in the housing, in order to allow access for a key to the locking mechanism in both the bolted and unbolted positions of the slide member. The assembly described in GB 2 356 017 has opposing slots, one in each side wall of the housing and with the sliding member extending through both slots. The slide member is longer than the housing and traverses the length of the housing to allow the sliding member to move to-and-fro. The sliding member thus passes through both sides of the housing of the locking assembly described in GB 2 356 017, and a substantial portion of it is outside the housing. It has been found that when either assembly are used on road transport vehicles the respective slots allow entry of rainwater, and other materials such as, mud, grit salt and sand from road surfaces into the interior of the housing. The water causes corrosion, especially if it is trapped. The other materials may also cause corrosion and/or become bound to moving parts thus interfering with free movement. The effects of water and the other materials may be to initially make the lock more difficult to lock and/or open and ultimately cause seizing of the sliding action and/or the lock, making it impossible to open/close and/or lock/unlock.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these problems.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a locking assembly for use with a receiver having an open mouth, the assembly comprising: a) a housing for a bolt carrier and a locking mechanism, b) a slide bolt dimensioned to fit slidably in both the housing and the receiver, the slide bolt being movable between a bolted position in which it extends from the housing into the receiver and an unbolted position in which it is disengaged from the receiver, c) a bolt carrier for carrying the slide bolt, the bolt carrier in the form of a slideable block housed within the housing and slideable within the housing relative to a guide so that sliding action of the bolt carrier in a bolting direction moves the slide bolt toward the bolted position and sliding action of the bolt carrier in an unbolting direction moves the slide bolt toward the unbolted position, d) a guide within the housing for guiding sliding action of the bolt carrier, IE 1 0 0 2 1 1 e) a lock for locking the slide bolt in the bolted position, the lock comprising a locking mechanism enclosed inside the housing beside the bolt carrier and having a lock bolt which can be extended towards the bolt carrier by operation of a key from outside the housing, the bolt carrier having at least one slot to engage the extended lock bolt when the bolt carrier is positioned so that the slide bolt is in the bolted position.

The invention provides a secure locking assembly in which the locking mechanism is shielded from tampering and is protected from the weather and other environmental conditions.

According to one particular aspect of the invention, the bolt carrier may be a block, for example a substantially rectangular block. The bolt carrier generally further comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the bolt on the bolt carrier. The slide bolt may be of any length to accommodate any type of door or gate that is being locked. A bolt that is between 5 and 20cm, for example 5 and 15 cm is desirable. For example, if the lock is being placed on a door of a transport vehicle, the slide bolt may be toward the shorter end of this range. If the locking assembly is being used on a gate, the slide bolt would need to be longer, toward the longer end of this range.

The slide bolt of the locking assembly may be of any shape and is desirably substantially cylindrical in cross-section. The slide bolt will be dimensioned to be smaller than the bolt carrier so that the bolt carrier can function as a stop for the slide bolt. The slide bolt may be constructed of very robust and hardwearing material, such as hardened steel etc. The robust nature of the slide bolt means that the locking assembly can withstand harsh treatment, for example, a blow from a hammer or tampering with a crowbar.

In a preferred arrangement of the present invention, the slide bolt extends through only one wall of the housing, the housing having an aperture in an end wall dimensioned to slidably accommodate the slide bolt of the bolt carrier. The aperture is found in the end wall of the housing and may be positioned, in use so that the aperture faces downward, for example in a position above the receiver. The downward facing position of the aperture allows any water or other liquid which may enter the housing of the locking assembly to drain out through the aperture, thereby preventing any damage to the internal space of the housing. Furthermore, the security of the locking assembly is IE 1 0 0 2 1 1 enhanced with only one aperture available for the slide bolt of the bolt carrier to exit the housing.

In another aspect of the present invention, the housing has at least one side wall and the bolt carrier slides along a space, for example a channel or passageway, defined by the guide and the side wall. The guide acts as a dividing bar within the housing, separating the spaces within the housing in which the bolt carrier and locking mechanisms are found. The guide is positioned within the housing parallel to the side walls and abuts the end walls to create the space. However, the guide may also be shorter than the distance between the end walls of the housing while still defining the spaces within the housing in which the bolt carrier and locking mechanism are found.

The housing further has a detachable back wall which encloses the bolt carrier, guide, and lock within the housing. The end wall of the housing having the aperture l s dimensioned to accommodate the slide bolt, an end wall of the housing without an aperture, and a front wall of the housing also enclose the bolt carrier, As such, the housing and the parts located entirely within it, such as the bolt carrier, are enclosed on all six sides making tampering difficult. in a further aspect of the present invention, the bolt carrier acts as a stop to limit the movement of the slide bolt toward the bolted position or the unbolted position or both. Abutment of the bolt carrier internally against the housing acts as a stop to limit the movement of the slide bolt toward the bolted position or the unbolted position or both.

In one aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism is substantially on one side of the guide and the bolt carrier is substantially on the other. The locking mechanism, like that of the bolt carrier, is also enclosed on six sides by the front wall, the detachable back wall, a first side wall (and also the guide), the end wall with and the end wall without the aperture, and a further side wall, The locking mechanism is positioned in a space defined by the guide and the further side wall.

The guide retains the locking mechanism securely in position within the housing. In one aspect of the invention, the guide is permanently secured to the housing. In an alternative aspect of the invention, the guide is removably secured to the housing, The guide acts to retain the locking mechanism securely in position within the housing. The guide or dividing bar may be permanently secured to the housing or removably attached/secured to the housing. The advantage being that when the guide is removably IE 1 Ο Ο 2 11 attached to the housing of the locking assembly, the bolt carrier may be inserted into the housing with the lug attached to the bolt carrier.

According to one particular aspect of the invention, the bolt carrier has two slots spaced apart by a distance equal to the desired travel of the slide bolt between the bolted and unbolted positions, so that the extended lock bolt can engage the bolt carrier in both of the bolted and unbolted positions.

Each slot position may suitably be formed by an opening in the wall of the (substantially rectangular) block that defines the bolt earner. The slot is positioned in the wall of the bolt carrier which lies adjacent the guide. The locking mechanism is mounted inside the housing in a position such that the lock bolt is centrally located relative to the walls of the housing in the direction of travel of the bolt carrier.

However, other forms of recess in the bolt carrier or a structure on the bolt carrier may be used, subject only to the conditions that it can receive the lock bolt and that it does not interfere with sliding movement of the bolt carrier.

In one aspect of the invention, the arrangement of the slide bolt on the bolt carrier (for example the length of the slide bolt) as part of the locking assembly is adapted for use with the group comprising locking doors including sectional doors and industrial doors for example door(s) of a warehouse or garage, gates, and doors of transport vehicles.

The housing of the locking assembly desirably has a slot in a sidewall or front wall thereof through which a member, such as a lug, for moving the slide bolt extends, the member for use in moving the bolt carrier and the slide bolt to and from a bolted position and an unbolted position. Where the guide is permanently secured to the bousing of the locking assembly, the member may be attached to the bolt carrier by bolts or screws, or other similar means, when the carrier is in situ in the housing. Where the guide is removably secured to the housing of the locking assembly, the member may be attached to the bolt carrier prior to placing the bolt carrier in the housing. In this instance, the member may be attached to the bolt carrier by bolts, screws, or other securing arrangements, or it may be permanently attached by suitable means such as welding and the like.

IE 1 0 0 2 1 1 In another arrangement the member for use in moving the bolt carrier and the slide bolt to and from a bolted position and an unbolted position may be detachable. For example it may be engagable for use in moving the bolt carrier and the slide bolt to and from a bolted position and an unbolted position and removable at any stage for example once the bolt is in the open or locked positions. For example the member may be insertably engagable in the bolt carrier. The member may be a pin member or a lug.

The housing may have a slot in a wall thereof through which the member is insertable. The member is desirably of a convenient size, for example to fit on a key ring or in a pocket. As the member is removable the number of components external to the housing l o of the locking assembly are reduced and this in turn reduces the opportunity for tampering.

The positioning of the slot in a side wall or a front wall of the housing is selected to prevents water, dirt, and other particles from entering the housing at a position where such materials may interfere with locking mechanism or bolt earner and thus, prevents corrosion or other damage to the locking mechanism and bolt carrier. As there are no tamper points, such as slots, in the housing that are near the locking mechanism, the locking assembly is very secure.

In the preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism is mounted inside the housing in a position such that the lock bolt is centrally located relative to the walls of the housing of the assembly.

The length of the slide bolt extending from the bolt carrier can be adapted, that is shortened or lengthened, for use with a variety of doors such as a door of a transport vehicle, industrial doors, and also for use with gates. This provides an advantage in that varying lengths to accommodate the specific needs of the user, without having to replace the entire locking assembly can be employed. A further advantage is that the slide bolt can be replaced with other slide bolts of different sizes.

The locking mechanism may comprise a mortise-type lock i.e. a lock of the kind which can be accommodated in a mortise in a door or the like, and the lock bolt is directly acted upon by a key. A mortise-type lock generally has very slim dimensions which make it suitable to be enclosed in a housing adjacent to the bolt carrier.

However, other types of locking mechanism having a lock bolt which is extendible from and retractable into a lock body can be used, e.g. a 7 lever safe lock. A pin tumbler cylinder may be employed.

IE 1 Ο 0 2 11 An assembly comprising a door gear for holding a door closed and comprising at least one engaging member and a handle for moving the engaging member between an engaged position where the door is held closed and a non-engaged position where the door may be opened; and a locking assembly according to any preceding claim arranged to lock the door closed by preventing movement of the engaging member to the nonengaged position.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and side of a locking assembly with receiver, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 is a view from the rear of the locking assembly of figure 1 with the back plate removed, Figure 3 is a view of the inner workings of part the assembly of figure 1 in a 15 dismantled condition, Figure 4A is a view of the back plate of the assembly and receiver of figure 1, while Figure 4B is a view of a spacer for moving the locking assembly of figure 1 out from a substrate, Figure 5A is a flattened view of the front and side walls and wings of the 20 housing, Figure 5B is side view of the guide of the locking assembly, and Figure 5C is a end view of an end wall of the housing of Figures 1 to 4, while Figure 5D is a lock receiver for use with shorter locks, Figure 6A and 6B are a front view and perspective view of the front of a locking assembly and the guide, respectively, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7A is a perspective view of the bolt carrier having a lug permanently attached thereto, and Figure 7B is an end view thereof, Figure 8A is a perspective view of a bolt carrier having an aperture for a pin member for use in moving the bolt carrier and the slide bolt to and from a bolted position and an unbolted position may be detachable, while Figure 8B is a cross sectional view of the bolt carrier adapted to matingly receive the pin member, Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front and side of a locking assembly with receiver, according to the present invention, Figure 10A is a perspective view of the bolt carrier having a member insertably 35 engaged in the bolt carrier, and Figure 1 OB is an end view thereof, Figure 11A is a view of the back plate of the assembly and receiver of figure 9, while Figure 1 IB is a view of a spacer for moving the locking assembly of figure 9 out from a substrate, and IE 1 Ο Ο 2 1 1 Figure 12Α and 12B are a view of a lock assembly of Figures 1 to 8 secured to a door.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figures 1 to 12 show a bolt-type locking assembly of the invention and the various components thereof. It comprises a bolt carrier 3, which is slidable in a housing 1. The bolt carrier 3 carries a slide bolt 90 which can be inserted into a receiver 2. The receiver 2 has an open mouth 4 to accept the slide bolt 90 but it is closed at the opposite end 5 to deter tampering. A locking mechanism 30 is mounted inside the housing, alongside the bolt carrier 3. The locking mechanism is preferably a pin tumbler cylinder or mortise-type lock, such as the type manufactured by Chubb Security Pic.

The housing has a front plate 6, side walls 7a,7b, and end walls 8a,8b and a removable backing plate 9. A pair of wings 60 projects perpendicularly away from the side walls 7 and parallel to the front plate 6 (see Figures 1,2, 5A, and 6A). Opening or aperture 10 is cut in the end wall 8b (see Figure 5C) to receive the slide bolt 90 carried on the bolt carrier 3 and to allow the slide bolt 90 to travel to-and-fro relative to the housing 1 (as indicated by arrow A in Figures 1 and 2). Insofar as possible the housing has no other apertures so that entry of water and corrosive fluids into the interior of the housing 1 is thus kept to a minimum.

The bolt carrier 3 comprises a block, which is a substantially rectangular block 20. The block 20 has end walls 21a,21b, side walls 23a,23b, a front wall 25, and a back wall 27. The block 20 further has an opening 22 cut into sidewall 23a to accommodate a lug 24. The lug 24 is secured in the opening 22 by screws 26a,26b or can alternatively be permanently fixed in place for example welded in place, This latter arrangement is shown in Figures 7A and 7B where a weld 95 holds the lug 24 in place. The lug 24 is an elongated S-shape, meaning there are two points of inflection 82,84 (see Figure 3).

The lug 24 protrudes through a slot 80 in sidewall 7 of the housing 1 to allow the user to move the bolt carrier 3 from an open position to closed position and vice versa when in the unlocked state (arrow B in Figure 1). The sidewall 23b has at least one slot, and in the embodiment has two slots 29a,29b to accommodate a lock bolt 30a (shown in dashed outline in Figure 2) of the locking mechanism 30, When the lock bolt 30a is engaged in slot 29b the slide bolt 90 is locked in the bolted position within receiver 2 in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. When the lock bolt 30a is engaged in slot 29a, the slide bolt 90 is locked in the unbolted position.

IE 1 0 0 2 ι 1 Apertures 40a,40b are provided in the end walls 21 a,21b, respectively, of the block 20 to accommodate the slide bolt 90 in bolt carrier 3. The slide bolt 90 is releasably secured within the block 20 by a screw 41 passing through the back wall 27 and engaging with aperture 42 on the bolt 90 (see Figure 3). The block 20 is slidably accommodated within a passageway 50 of the housing 1 which is defined as the space between a guide 14 (see Figures 5B and 6B) and the sidewall 7a of the housing 1. The guide 14 is positioned within the housing 1 parallel to the side walls 7a,7b. The guide 14 abuts the end walls 8a,8b to create the channel or passageway 50.

The locking mechanism 30 is secured within the housing 1 by bolts 11 passing through the face plate 12 of the lock, via apertures 11a (see Figures 5B and 6B), and into flanges 13 standing up from the front plate 6. The flanges 13 are secured to the guide 14 (see Figure 5B), which is welded or secured in some similar fashion at each end to the front plate 6 to help retain the body of the locking mechanism securely in position.

Figure 5D shows a lock receiver 98 and comprises a body 94 in which is defined a lockshaped aperture 99. The receiver 99 is for use with shorter locks, for example those that are too short otherwise to extend out through hole 32. For example a lock body may be from 40 to 46 mm long and for those at the shorter end of this range the lock receiver 99 is very useful.

The front plate 6 may be secured to the backing plate 9, and further secured onto a substrate that requires locking, by passing conventional bolts through apertures 61,62 in the front plate 6, co-operating apertures 63,64 in the backing plate 9 (see Figure 4A for the backing plate) and subsequently engaging them with the substrate (such as is shown in Figure 12 where the locking mechanism is in place on the door of a transport vehicle.).

If required, for example to space the lock away from a substrate such as a door to which it is applied, one or more packer plates or spacers 96, as shown in Figure 4B can be employed. The spacer 96 has apertures 97,98 which are arranged to mate with apertures 64,63 on the backing plate 9. Two spacers 96 may be employed each arranged so that apertures 97,98 are in register with apertures 64,63. Having the spacers underneath the locking assembly will move the locking assembly out from the substrate. This is useful for example where there is an obstruction for the slide bolt at the periphery of the substrate, for example a lip or weld. Using the spacer(s) 96 will raise the slide bolt clear of any such obstruction. As can be seen in Figure 4B the spacer 96 is desirably not the same length as the lock. This means that the lock, for example a backing plate thereof may extend across an obstruction.

IE 1 0 02 1' The locking mechanism 30 has a lock bolt 30a (shown in dashed outline in Figure 2) which can be extended from or retracted into the face plate 12 by operation of the lock. The lock bolt 30a is moved positively in both directions by the locking mechanism. The bolt 30a engages the slot 29b when the bolt carrier 3 is in the bolted position (with the bolt 90 in the receiver 2 as shown in figure 1) and engages the slot 29a when the bolt carrier 3 is in the unbolted position (with the bolt 90 withdrawn from the receiver 2).

The mortise-type lock 4 is operated by a key inserted through a keyhole 32 in the front plate 6. it engages the conventional keyhole 32a in the lock body. An escutcheon plate 34 may suitably be provided to close over the keyhole 32 when the key is not present.

The freedom to travel of the bolt carrier 3 is determined by whether or not the lock bolt 30a of the locking mechanism 30 is engaged with the slots 29a or 29b of the block 20. The bolt carrier 3 can be locked in both the bolted and unbolted positions.

The slots 29a,29b are cut to a size which is only marginally larger than the lock bolt 30a, so that the assembly is positively and firmly locked in both of its bolted and unbolted positions. The end walls 8a,8b also have a function in relation to the extent of travel of the bolt carrier, in that abutment of the bolt carrier internally against the end walls 8a,8b acts to limit the movement of the bolt carrier 3 toward the bolted or unbolted positions. In addition, even if the end walls 8a,8b are damaged by attempted tampering, such damage is unlikely to affect the operation of the locking assembly as the lock bolt firmly locks the bolt carrier in position. In any event, the locking mechanism is totally enclosed in the housing, so that it is not vulnerable to tampering. The lock bolt 90 is further protected because a substantial part of it is enclosed inside the bolt carrier 3 when the assembly is in the bolted position, The bolt carrier 3 is held in the bolted position by a side of the lock bolt, so that the lock bolt cannot be forced to a retracted position by force applied on the bolt carrier.

Figures 6A and 6B show a second embodiment which is similar to the first embodiment except that the guide 14 which secures the locking mechanism 30 within the housing is removable. Flanges 13 are secured to the guide 14 in a similar manner as described above, that is, welded or secured in some similar fashion at each end to the front plate 6 to help retain the body of the locking mechanism securely in position.

However, at each end of the guide 14 there is attached thereto a mount 70 having an aperture 72. Secured to the inner surface of the front plate 6 are corresponding mounts IE 10 0211 having a corresponding aperture 76. The guide 14 is secured to the front plate 6 by means of screws, bolts, or the like passing through apertures 72 and 76. This permits the locking mechanism 30 and guide 14 to be removed as a single unit from the assembly 1, for example to allow the bolt carrier 3 to be inserted in the housing.

As mentioned above and as shown in Figures 7A and 7B there is provided a bolt carrier 3 having a lug 24 secured thereto by welding or secured in a similar fashion. In particular in the drawing a weld 95 holds the lug 24 in place. This obviates the need to use screws or bolts to secure the lug 24 to the bolt earner 3 as described for the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the slot 80 as shown in Figure 1 may be positioned more centrally on sidewall 7a, which means that the lug can be straight, or shaped in a way other than that described for the first embodiment above.

As show in Figures 8A and 8B, there is provided a bolt carrier 3 having an aperture defined by a sleeve 110 secured (internally) to sidewall 23a of the block 20. It may be secured by welding, threading or any other suitable manner. The sleeve 110 is open at at least one end and it defines an aperture 112 in the sidewall 23a ofthe block 20. An engaging member in the form of a pin member 114 having a handle 116 and a shaft 118 is used to matingly engage with the sleeve 110 through aperture 112. The engagement of the member and the bolt carrier can be achieved in any desirable manner for including any type of male/female connectors. The pin member 114, when inserted into the sleeve 110, is used by a user of the locking assembly to slide the slide bolt 90 to-and-fro relative to the housing 1 in the same manner as that when lug 24 is used (as indicated by arrow A in Figures 1 and 2). This obviates the need to use the lug 24 as described above, or indeed any screws or bolts to secure the lug 24 to the bolt carrier 3 as described for the first embodiment. The pin member may be removed when the locking assembly is in the bolted or unbolted position. The use of a removable member, such as the arrangement with sleeve 110 and the pin member 114, reduces the number of components which may be visible external of the housing, thereby reducing the number of potential components that can be tampered with.

Figures 9 to 11 show a an embodiment which is similar to the arrangements described above, having a bolt-type locking assembly of the invention and the various components thereof, using the same reference numbers for those components described above, A housing 200 has a front plate 6, side walls 7a,7b, and end walls 8a,8b and a removable backing plate 9 (see Figure 11 A). A pair of wings 60 projects substantially perpendicularly away from the side walls 7 and parallel to the front plate 6 (see Figure 9). Rather than having a slot in sidewall 7 of the housing 200 (as per the housing 1 of IE 1 Ο 0 2 1 ' Figures 1 and 5A), the housing 200 has a slot 80 on the front face 6. The slot 80 accommodates an engaging member in the form of a lug 120, which protrudes through the slot 80 on front face 6 of the housing 200 to allow the user to move the bolt carrier 3 from an open position to closed position and vice versa when in the unlocked state (arrow H in Figure 9). The lug 120 is optionally removable, The front wall 25 of the bolt carrier 20 has at least one slot 122 to accommodate the lug 120, which passes adjacent and perpendicular the bolt 90 in situ in block 20 (see Figures 10A and 10B). The lug 120 passes through slot 122 and a slot 124 in a backing ί 0 plate 130 (dashed outline in Figure 10A, and Figure 11A for the backing plate). The lug 120, when inserted into the slots 120 and 124, is used by a user of the locking assembly to slide the slide bolt 90 to-and-fro relative to the housing 200 in the same manner as that when lug 24 is used (as indicated by arrow A in Figures 1, 2, and 9).

This obviates the need to use the lug 24 as described above, or indeed any screws or bolts to secure the lug 24 to the bolt carrier 3 as described for the first embodiment. The lug 120 may be removed when the locking assembly is in the bolted or unbolted position. The use of the slots 122,124, and the lug 120 reduces the number of components which may be visible external of the housing, thereby reducing the number of potential components that can be tampered with. Having it extend through the front and/or rear of the housing allows it to be operated from opposing sides of the locking assembly. Where the assembly is fitted to a door or the like the lug 120 may extend through a slot on the door also allowing a user to move the sliding bolt from inside the door, The front plate 6 may be secured to the backing plate 130, and further secured onto a substrate that requires locking, by passing conventional bolts through apertures 61,62 in the front plate 6, co-operating apertures 63,64 in the backing plate 9 (see Figure 11A for the backing plate) and subsequently engaging them with the substrate (such as is shown in Figure 12 where the locking mechanism is in place on the door of a transport vehicle). If required, for example to space the lock away from a substrate such as a door to which it is applied, one or more packer plates or spacers 96, as shown in Figure I IB can be employed. The spacer 96 has apertures 97,98 which are arranged to mate with apertures 64,63 on the backing plate 130, Two spacers 96 may be employed each arranged so that apertures 97,98 are in register with apertures 64,63. Having the spacers underneath the locking assembly will move the locking assembly out from the substrate.

IE 1 0 0 2 11 If desired, and as shown in Figure 11 A, a keyhole 3 2d may be provided in the backing plate 9 and a lock arranged therein, This means that the locking assembly can be locked and unlocked from the rear of the assembly if desired.

There is sufficient space inside the housing of any of the embodiments herein described for electrical or alarm equipment to be contained in a secure manner therein.

In the all embodiments, the extended bolt is positively locked because it cannot be retracted until a key is used to move the levers and open the lock, after which the key acts directly on the lock bolt to cause it to move.

In all embodiments, a keyhole can be provided in the backing plate so that the assembly can be unlocked by insertion of a key from the rear. This can be in addition to or instead of a lock that is unlocked from a front face of the assembly. In all embodiments, a lug that is optionally removable, may be provided for allowing sliding of the slide bolt from the bolted position to an unbolted position and vice versa, the lug extending through the rear and/or front of the assembly.

Figures 12A and 12B shows an assembly comprising door gear 100 for holding a door 105 closed. The door gear 100 comprises an engaging member on a rotatable bar 101 and a handle 102 for moving bar 101 between an engaged position where the door 105 is held closed (Figure 12A) and a non-engaged position where the door 105 may be opened (Figure 12B - for simplicity the handle 102 is omitted from Figure 12B). The assembly further comprises a locking assembly 1 as described above and arranged to lock the door closed by preventing movement of the bar 101 which prevents movement of the engaging member to the non-engaged position. In particular a receiver 2 on the bar 101 receives the slide bolt 90. The slide bolt 90 is locked in place (as described above) to prevent rotation of bar 101 as shown in Figure 12A. When the locking assembly 1 is opened by a key the slide bolt can be retracted (by movement of lug 24 as indicated by arrow F in Figure 12A) and the bar 101 can be rotated (as indicated by arrow E) as shown in Figure 12B to open the door 105.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

IE 1 Ο Ο 2 1 Ί It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims (22)

Claims
1. A locking assembly for use with a receiver having an open mouth, the assembly comprising: a) a housing for a bolt carrier and a locking mechanism, b) a slide bolt dimensioned to slidably engage in the mouth of the receiver, the slide bolt being movable between a bolted position in which it extends from the housing into the receiver and an unbolted position in which it is disengaged from the receiver, c) a bolt carrier for carrying the slide bolt, the bolt carrier in the form of a slideable block housed within the housing and slideable within the housing relative to a guide so that sliding action of the bolt carrier in a bolting direction moves the slide bolt toward the bolted position and sliding action of the bolt carrier in an unbolting direction moves the slide bolt toward the unbolted position, d) a guide within the housing for guiding sliding action of the bolt carrier, e) a lock for locking the slide bolt in the bolted position, the lock comprising a locking mechanism enclosed inside the housing beside the bolt carrier and having a lock bolt which can be extended towards the bolt carrier by operation of a key from outside the housing, the bolt carrier having at least one slot to engage the extended lock bolt when the bolt carrier is positioned so that the slide bolt is in the bolted position. 25
2. 2. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bolt carrier is a substantially rectangular block.
3. 3. The locking assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the bolt carrier further comprises a mechanism for adjusting the position of the bolt on the bolt 30 carrier and/or allowing different bolts to be Fitted.
4. 4. The locking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slide bolt is substantially cylindrical in cross-section. 35 5. The locking assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the slide bolt extends through only one wall of the housing, the housing having an aperture in an end wall dimensioned to slidably accommodate the slide bolt of the bolt carrier.
5. IE 1 Ο Ο 2 11
6. 6. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing has at least one side wall and the bolt carrier slides within a channel defined by the guide and the side wall.
7. 7. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bolt carrier acts as a stop to limit the movement of the slide bolt toward the bolted position or the unbolted position or both. 10
8. 8. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein abutment ofthe bolt carrier internally against the housing acts as a stop to limit the movement of the slide bolt toward the bolted position or the unbolted position or both.
9. 9. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking 15 mechanism is substantially on one side of the guide and the bolt carrier is substantially on the other.
10. 10. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bolt carrier has two slots spaced apart by a distance equal to the desired travel of the slide bolt 20 between the bolted and unbolted positions, so that the extended lock bolt can engage the bolt carrier in both of the bolted and unbolted positions,
11. 11. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the arrangement of the slide bolt on the bolt carrier is adapted for use with the group comprising a 25 door of a transport vehicle, a gate, shutters, and domestic doors.
12. 12. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a member that is connectable to the bolt carrier, and the housing having a slot in a wall thereof through which the member extends, the member for use in moving the 30 bolt carrier and the slide bolt to and from a bolted position and an unbolted position.
13. 13. The locking assembly as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the member is removably engageable with the bolt carrier.
14. 14. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the guide retains the locking mechanism securely in position within the housing, IE 1 Ο 0 2 1 1
15. 15. The locking assembly according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the guide is permanently secured to the housing.
16. 16. The locking assembly according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the guide is 5. Removable from the housing.
17. 17. The locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the locking mechanism is mounted inside the housing in a position such that the lock bolt is centrally located relative to the walls of the housing.
18. 18. The locking assembly according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mortise-type lock.
19. 19. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein a key directly acts upon the 15 lock bolt.
20. 20. An assembly comprising: a door gear for holding a door closed and comprising at least one engaging member and a handle for moving the engaging member between an engaged position where 20 the door is held closed and a non-engaged position where the door may be opened; and a locking assembly according to any preceding claim arranged to lock the door closed by preventing movement of the engaging member to the non-engaged position.
21. 21. A locking assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as shown in, Figures 1 to 11.
22. 22. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as shown