GB2042052A - Releasable-fastening bolts - Google Patents

Abstract

A bolt comprises a housing, a slider (6) slidable relative to the housing, and means, such as a knob (11) secured to the slider and located in a cut-out (14) in a cover (13), for limiting the travel of the slider relative to the housing. The housing comprises a solid flat base (1) and means, such as a rib (7) and a groove (4) of a complementary dovetail section, for releasably securing the slider (6) against removal from the base (1). The base has upper and lower surfaces and apertures (5) extending therethrough between the upper and lower surfaces for receiving securing devices such as screws. The base is secured with its lower surface against a supporting surface (not shown), the slider being slidable over the upper surface of the base, the apertures and any fixing devices therein. In another embodiment, the dovetail connection between base and slider is omitted; the cover is releasably secured to the base, and when so secured prevents removal of the slider. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bolts The present invention relates to a bolt and in particular to a bolt suitable for situations where usage is heavy.

In conventional bolts comprising a slider that slides relative to a fixed base, the base is often secured by a screw which is unsupported for part of its length. Such means of attachment does not afford a robust construction and the bolt is easily damaged by consistent and perhaps ineonsiderate usage.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bolt of robust construction that obviates or mitigates the above disadvantage.

According to the present invention there is provided a bolt comprising a housing, a slider slideable relative to the housing, and means for limiting the travel of the slider relative to the housing, characterised in that the housing comprises a solid flat base and means for releasably securing the slider against removal from the base, the base having upper and lower surfaces and apertures extending therethrough between the upper and lower surfaces for receiving securing devices, whereby the base may be secured with its lower surface against a supporting surface, the slider being slideable over the upper surface of the base, the apertures and any fixing devices therein.

Preferably the housing comprises a cover and releasable means for securing the cover to the base, the cover when secured to the base preventing removal of the slider. The slider and base may comprise a rib and a slot of complementary dovetail section which are interengaged and relatively slideable. Alternatively the cover and base may comprise at least two grooves and two ribs which interengage.

Preferably a leaf spring is provided between the housing and the slider to keep the slider in a given set position.

Preferably a cut-out is provided in the cover through which access is provided to the means by which the slider is operated.

The travel of the slider may be limited by a hook member engaging a flange supported by the slider.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a bolt embodying the present invention; Figure 2 shows the bolt of Fig. 1 fixed in position ready for use; Figure 3 shows the bolt of Fig. 1 when constructed but not fixed; Figure 4 shows a partially exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows the bolt of Fig. 4 in its assembled condition; Figure 6 shows the slider of the bolt shown in Fig. 4; and Figure 7 shows a hook member by which the travel of the slider is limited in the bolt shown in Fig. 4.

With reference to Fig. 1 a base 1 is composed of a solid rectangular sectioned bar with a step 2 at one end. An upper surface 3 has a groove 4 of dovetail section. In the base of groove 4 are three countersunk holes 5 through which screws pass to secure the base 1 to a door.

A slider 6 comprises a rectangular sectioned bar and a dovetail sectioned rib 7 complementary to groove 4. The rib 7 stops short at one end of the bar for the rectangular sectioned end to form a shoot 8 which engages with a receiver plate on a door frame (not shown).

The rib 7 fits into groove 4 thus connecting elements 1 and 6 but allowing relative sliding movement between them. Slider 6 has a shallow trough 9 to receive a leaf spring 10.

A knob 11 is secured to slider 6 by a screw 12.

An aluminium anodised cover 1 3 has a cutout 14 to provide access to knob 11 through the cover. In construction cover 1 3 is sandwiched between knob 11 and slider 6 and the assembly is then secured together by screw 12.

Screw 1 5 secures the cover 1 3 at one end to step 2. At the other end of the case there is a flap 1 6 with an appropriate aperture for shoot 8 to penetrate. The part of flap 1 6 remote from the main body of the case is attached to the door by a screw so as to secure the bolt firmly in place. Leaf spring 10 is compressed between slider 6 and cover 1 3 so the friction between cover 1 3 and spring 10 keeps the slider in position once it has been set. Cover 1 3 protects the slider element from damage. The interlocking dovetail sections form a strong connection between the slider 6 and base 1 and afford a robust construction.

When installing the bolt shown in Fig. 1 the base is screwed to a timber surface or into a prepared recess and to ensure accuracy a card template giving screw positions is provided which can also be useful by providing a packing where the rear face of the recess is not perfectly level. The slider, cover and knob assembly is mated with the base and the cover is secured to the step and the door by the appropriate screws.

With reference to Fig. 4 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

A base 1 7 comprises a solid rectangular sectioned bar having on each side a rib 1 8 running the full length of the base 1 7. Extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the base 1 7 are three countersunk holes 1 9 through which screws 20 pass to secure the base 1 7 to a door (not shown). An internally threaded hole 21 is provided in the upper surface 22 of the base 17 which corresponds in position to a countersunk hole 23 in a cover 24 (shown partly in outline only). A screw 25 is passed through the hole 23 and screwed into the hole 21 in the base 17 in order to secure the cover 24 to the base 1 7 when the bolt is assembled.

A slider 26 slideable over the upper surface 22 of the base 1 7 supports a flange 28, a knob 29, a cut-out 30 having at each end a lip and a rectangular sectioned end 31 which forms a shoot which engages with a receiver plate in a door frame (not shown) when the slider is extended. In the assembled bolt the flange 28 interengages with a hook member 32 (Fig. 7) which comprises a block 33 and flange 34. A hole 35 is provided in block 33 corresponding in position to the internally threaded hole 21 in the base 17 and the countersunk hole 23 in the cover 24. The cover 24 is secured in position by the bolt 25.

The member 32 serves to limit the travel of the slider 26. A leaf spring is received in the cut-out 30, its ends being secured by the lips at each end of the cut-out. When the bolt is assembled the leaf spring is compressed between slider 26 and base 17 so that the resulting friction keeps the slider in position once it has been set.

The cover 24 has a cut-out to allow access to knob 29. Ribs 36 form grooves which mate with the ribs 18 an each side of the base 1 7. The upper ribs 36 also hold the slider 26 and the hook member 32 in position.

When installing the bolt shown in Fig. 4 the base 17 is screwed into position and then the pre-assembled cover 24, slider 26 and hook member 32 are slid onto the base 1 7 by locating the ribs 1 8 in the grooves formed by ribs 36. The complete assembly is then secured in position by inserting screw 25 through holes 23, 35 and 21.

Claims (12)

1. A bolt comprising a housing, a slider slideable relative to the housing, and means for limiting the travel of the slider relative to the housing, characterised in that the housing.

comprises a solid flat base and means for releasably securing the slider against removal from the base, the base having upper and lower surfaces and apertures extending therethrough between the upper and lower surfaces for receiving securing devices, whereby the base may be secured with its lower surface against a supporting surface, the slider being slideable over the upper surface of the base, the apertures and any fixing devices therein.

2. A bolt according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing comprises a cover and releasable means for securing the cover to the base, the cover when secured to the base preventing removal of the slider.

3. A bolt according to claim 2, characterised in that a cut-out is provided in the cover through which the slider is accessible for operation.

4. A bolt according to claim 3, characterised in that the slider supports a knob which is accessible through the cut-out, the cut-out limiting the travel of the knob and of the slider.

5. A bolt according to claim 4, characterised in that the knob is secured to the slider by a screw.

6. A bolt according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the slider and base comprise a rib and a slot of complementary dovetail section which are interengaged and relatively slideable.

7. A bolt according to claim 3, characterised in that the cover and base comprise at least two-grooves and two ribs which interengage.

8. A bolt according to claim 7, characterised in that the travel of the slider is limited by a hook member engaging a flange supported by the slider.

9. A bolt according to claim 8, characterised in that the hook member and slider are supported in a common channel defined by the cover, the hook member being releasably secured to the cover.

10. A bolt according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the cover is releasably secured to the base by a screw.

11. A bolt according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a leaf spring is provided between the housing and the slider.

12. A bolt substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.