AU780561B2

AU780561B2 - A catch

Info

Publication number: AU780561B2
Application number: AU68875/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yeok Sing Sio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-23
Filing date: 2000-08-23
Publication date: 2005-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-23
Also published as: DE60038615D1; DE60038615T2; ES2307530T3; ATE392525T1; CN1174155C; CN1371447A; JP2003507608A; EP1212503B1; AU6887500A; EP1212503A1; WO2001014672A1; SG83743A1; PT1212503E; AU780561C

Abstract

A catch for sliding or hinged doors, windows, grilles of a swing opening member such as a door, window etc. having a catch for preventing unauthorised opening of the door etc. The catch has inter-engaging projections which are mounted on flexible shafts, if the sliding members are prised apart, the flexible shafts deform such that the projections keep engaged and prevent unauthorised opening of the sliding members.

Description

1 A CATCH FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of catches. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of catches for doors (sliding or hinged), windows, drawers, grilles etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sliding doors, grilles, windows etc. suffer from the problem that they can often be easily forced opened by prising the sliding members, i. e. doors, grilles etc. apart.

This problem is also encountered in hinged doors, windows, etc. as these are also prone to opening by prising the catch/lock mechanism open which secures the hinged door.

Previously, security devices have been suggested for sliding grilles etc. which prevent the sliding panels being pulled apart to a certain extent. For example, Australian patent AU-27145/95 discloses a device which has inter-engaging teeth which partially prevent sliding grilles from being prised apart. However, under such a force, these teeth will break rendering the security device useless.

ooooo SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention accordingly provides a catch assembly for securing first and second members, the first and second members being moveable relative to each other between open and locked positions, and being separated from each other by a narrow space when in the locked position, the assembly including: first and second catch members attachable to the first and second members respectively, said first and second catch members being located in the narrow space between the first and second members, said first and second catch members each including a shaft having a generally rectangular base and a generally rectangular height, said base having a free base end and an attached base end and said height having a free height end and an attached height end, said attached base end joined to said attached height end said free height 2 end terminating in a projection, the height of the first catch member being generally parallel to the height of the second catch member and to the first and second members in the locked position, wherein when the first and second catch members are in a locked position, wherein when the first and second catch members are in a locked position, said projection of the first catch member engages said projection of the second catch member and said projection of the second catch member engages said projection of the first catch member, and, when a prying member is inserted into the narrow space between either of the first and second members and one of said shafts to attempt to pry the first and second members to the open position, the narrow space between said first and second members increases and said projections flex towards each other enhancing the engagement of said projections in response to the insertion of the prying member.

In a second aspect the present invention accordingly provides a hinged member assembly, including first and second members wherein the first member is a hinged member and is securable in a closed position to the second member, the hinged member assembly further including a catch assembly for securing the first and second members together, wherein the catch assembly is a catch assembly according S to a first aspect of the present invention.

The catch assembly can be fitted to the first and second members via glue, nails, screws etc. Alternatively, the catch members may be integral with at least one of the first and second members. The catch members could also clip, for example, to an edge of the first and/or second members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described with reference to the following preferred embodiment in which: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a catch in an open position; Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 with the catch in a closed position; Figure 3 shows the catch of Figures 1 and 2 when the members are prised apart; Figure 4 shows the catch of Figures 1 to 3 which has been prised open; Figure 5 shows the catch of figures 1 to 4 which has been squashed; Figure 6 shows two members which are slidable relative to each other with a plurality of catches in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 shows two slidable members with a plurality of catches alternatively arranged in opposite directions; Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of the catch shown in Figures 1 to 5 applied to sliding windows; Figures 9a to 9b show a drawer using the catch of members I to 5; and Figures 10a to 10c show the catch of Figures 1 to 5 applied to a swing door.

Figure 1 shows a catch 1 which is attached to a first member 3 and a second member The second member 5 is slidable in a first sliding direction 7 relative to the first member 3. The catch 1 has a first catch member 9 and a second catch member 11. The first catch member 9 has an L shaped shaft 13 which is integral with the first sliding member at one end 15. A first projection 17 is located at the other end of shaft 13.

A first projection 17 is also integral with shaft 13 at its free end.

Similarly, second catch member 11 comprises an L shaped shaft 19 and a second •.20 projection 21. The second catch member 11 is similar in construction to the first catch member 9, but is rotated through 180 to the first catch member 9. The distance (d) between the first 3 and second 5 members is such that the second member 5 can freely slide in the first sliding direction 7 relative to the first member.

In Figure 1, the catch is shown in the unlocked position, i. e. the projection 17,21 are not interengaged with each other. The catch may be moved into the locked position by lock member 4. In this particular example, lock member 4 acts to pull the first catch 9 towards itself such that the projection 17 and 21 interengage. Alternatively, lock member 4 could work by pushing the elongate part 12 of shaft member 11 away from the lock member 4. This also allows the first and second projections 17 and 21 to engage.

4 Figure 2 shows the catch member in its locked position. The lock member 4 is not shown here, the separation distance between the first member 3 and the second member 5 is increased such that the first and second projections 17,21 engage with one another. Inner surfaces 29,31 of the two projections 17,21 about one another such that the second member 5 cannot be moved along first sliding direction 7. Hence, the sliding assembly is in a locked position.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement of Figure 2 where the first member 3 and the second member 5 are prised apart to extend the separation distance In this forced position, the angle 23 of the L shaped first and second shafts 13,19 extends to greater than 900. Also, the outside angle 25,27 at which the first 13 and the second 19 shafts respectively meet the first 3 and second 5 members also extends to more than 90. In this strained position, the abutting surfaces 29,31 of the projections 17,21 still engage with each other. Hence, the catch members 9,11 still remain locked in the position 45 holding the sliding assembly together.

Figure 4 shows the catch where the force applied to the catch members has exceeded the plastic deformation limit and the catch members have permanently deformed.

This permanent deformation of the catch members also prevents the door from being 20 open.

As has been previously described, preferably, the doors have been provided with a plurality of catches. Only the catches at the point where the force is applied will deform. Therefore, only a small part of the door will have catches which have plastically deformed. This deformation in just a small part of the door also causes the door to be prevented from opening.

Figure 5 shows a further safety feature of the catch. In this case, a force has been applied at an opposing end of the sliding members to that where the catches are. This causes the sliding members 3 and 5 to be pushed together. The catch members 9 and 11 are pushed together and plastically deform, here, the deformation is seen to occur in the shorter parts of the L-shaped shafts 9a and 1 la and deformed in preference to the longer parts of the shafts 9b and 1lb.

It will be preferred for the doors to be provided with a plurality of catches of the type shown in Figures 1 to 5. This is schematically shown in Figure 6. Here, only a part of the L section shaft 13,19 is shown. If one of the catch member opens, the other catch members should remain shut so preventing the members 3,5 from being prised apart.

It will be appreciated that there are preferential directions for providing the prising force. Figure 7 shows an arrangement wherein the catches 1 are alternately arranged such that the middle catch 41 is oppositely orientated with respect to adjacent catches 43,45. Middle catch 41 is a mirror image through the centre of the catch 1 about the abutting surfaces 29,31. This catch provides a very strong lock as there is no single preferential direction for applying prising force for all of the catches.

Figure 8 shows a sliding window arrangement. Window panes 101 and 103 can slide in directions 105 and 107. The window panes are supported by window frame 109.

The window is shut when the window panes 105 and 107 are positioned so that they occupy the whole of the area defined by window frame 109. The furthest end 111,113 0..

020 of window panes 103,101 from the window frame 109 when the window is in the closed position each have a catch member 115,117 of the type described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Ideally, there is a plurality of catch members. However, for simplicity only one catch member is shown here. The window locks by moving the relative position of catch members 115,117 into the locked position (Figure 2) such that the projection (not shown) on the catch members 115,117 are interengaged.

If a trespasser attempts to get into the windows by prising open the furthest points of the panes 111,113, then the catch members 115,117 flex apart in the manner shown in Figure 3. However, if a force is applied where the window pane meets the frame 109, then this causes the catch members 115,117 to be pushed together in the manner shown in Figure Figure 9 shows the catch of the present invention applied to a drawer. The drawer 121 is slidable relative to a housing 123, for example, a cabinet etc. The housing has drawer supports 125 and 127, a first catch member is located on both of the supports 125,127. However, for simplicity, only the interaction of the drawer with one of the catch members will be described. The drawer 121 is provided with a catch member 129 which is intended to interlock with catch member 131 provided on support 125.

The catch member 129 is provided on the side of the drawer 121 close to the front end of the drawer. The front end of the drawer 121 is defined as the end of the drawer which is visible when the drawer is shut. To shut the drawer, the drawer 121 is pushed backwards into the housing 123. When the drawer 121 is pushed into the closed position, the catch members 129 and 131 interengage on both sides of the drawer. Thus preventing removal of the drawer.

Figure 9b shows the drawer in the closed position within the housing 123. The catch can be configured so that the projections 129 and 131 automatically engage when the drawer 121 is pushed into position. Alternatively, a lock member or some other lock mechanism may be provided so that the catch members 129 and 131 only interengage when the lock is activated.

In Figure 9c, a screwdriver or other such implement is inserted into the catch mechanism to try to force open the drawer. The screwdriver 135 causes the righthand catch members 131 and 129 to interengage more strongly. The drawer is pushed in the direction of the left-hand support 125. The catch members 129 and 131 on the righthand side will interengage more strongly. As the drawer is pushed towards support 125, the left-hand catch members 129 and 131 are also interengaged more strongly. If the force applied to the drawer by screwdriver 135 is strong enough at least one of the catch members 129,131 will plastically deform.

Figures 10a to O10c show the present invention applied to a hinged door. Figure shows a hinged door 201 which is hingeably connected to fixed support 203. The door is closed when it is in line with fixed supports 205. The free end of the door 201, i.e. the end of the door which is opposite to a hinge 207 is provided with a first catch member 209. A second catch member 211 is provided on support 205.

Figure 10b shows the door when it is shut. The catch members 209 and 211 interlock to cause the door 201 to be locked into position in line with support 205 and 203.

The catch members 209 and 211 may interlock as the door is put into the closed position. Alternatively, a further lock may be provided to cause projections on catch members 209 and 211 to interengage. A screwdriver 213 can be used to push members 209 and 211 into the locked position. The screwdriver 213 cannot be used to prise open the catch members. As it will only force them more into engagement.

Eventually, the catch members will start to plastically deform.

It will be understood that the term "comprise" and any of its derivatives (eg.

comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

o oooo*

Claims

1. A catch assembly for securing first and second members, the first and second members being moveable relative to each other between open and locked positions, and being separated from each by a narrow space when in the locked position, the assembly including: first and second catch members attachable to the first and second members respectively, said first and second catch members being located in the narrow space between the first and second members, said first and second catch members each including a shaft having a generally rectangular base and a generally rectangular height, said base having a free base end and an attached base end and said height having a free height end and an attached S height end, said attached base end joined to said attached height end said free height end terminating in a projection, the height of the first catch member being generally 5 parallel to the height of the second catch member and to the first and second members in the locked position, wherein when the first and second catch members are in a locked position, wherein when the first and second catch members are in a 01 locked position, said projection of the first catch member engages said projection of the second catch member and said projection of the second catch member engages said projection of the first catch member, and, when a prying member is inserted into the narrow space between either of the first and second members and one of said 0:999i shafts to attempt to pry the first and second members to the open position, the narrow space between said first and second members increases and said projections flex towards each other enhancing the engagement of said projections in response to the insertion of the prying member.

2. A catch assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second members slides relative to the other of said members and relative to said catch assembly, each of the first member and the second member is selected from the group consisting of a sliding door, a sliding window, a sliding grille, a drawer, a hinged door, a hinged window and a hinged grille, and the shaft is capable of moving through at least 250 from a rest position during flexing.

3. A catch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft of each catch member flexes away from the member attached to said catch member as the members are moved apart.

4. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the catch members include metal or plastics.

A catch assembly according to claim 4, wherein the catch members includes at least one of UPVC, aluminium, iron or stainless steel.

6. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the :5 shaft moves angularly as it flexes.

7. A catch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said oO attached base end joined to said attached height end forms an shape. oo .oeo.i .20

8. A catch assembly according to claim 7, wherein the shaft flexes such that the o. angle at the corner of the is varied as the members are moved apart or together. see. 0

9. A catch assembly according to claim 1, including at least two first catch members located on opposing sides of the first member.

A hinged member assembly, including first and second members wherein the first member is a hinged member and is securable in a closed position to the second member, the hinged member assembly further including a catch assembly for securing the first and second members together, wherein the catch assembly is a catch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A hinged member assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first member is a hinged door, hinged window or hinged grille.

12. A catch assembly according to claim 1, further including at least two catch members arranged along a whole length of at least one of the first and second members, wherein at least one catch member is orientated in a first orientation, and at least one other catch member is oriented in a second orientation.

13. A catch assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first orientation is substantially opposite to the second orientation.

14. A catch assembly according to claim 12, including at least four catch members wherein at least two catch members are oriented in a first orientation and at least two catch members are oriented in a second orientation wherein the catch members of the first orientation are alternately arranged with the catches of the second orientation.

A catch assembly according to claim 1, further including a lock member wherein the lock member is configured to move the first and second catch members into a locked position.

16. A catch assembly according to claim 15, wherein movement of the lock i member affects movement of at least one of said first and second catch members.

17. A catch assembly according to claim 15, wherein movement of the lock member affects movement of at least one of said first and second members and at least one of said first and second catch members.

18. A catch assembly according to claim 1, wherein catch members are constructed of a material having an elastic limit and when the catch members are moved far enough to cause the catch members to exceed the elastic limit, the catch members do not return to their original position, preventing the moveability of the 11 members relative to each other.

19. A catch assembly as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. A hinged member assembly as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 10t day of January, 2005. Yeok Sing Sio By his Patent Attorneys MADDERNS 4* 000"0 0* 0 *oo 0 ro *SC(.e 0 *050, 0ee