GB2131480A

GB2131480A - Security fittings

Info

Publication number: GB2131480A
Application number: GB08332235A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip John Mawditt
Original assignee: Parkes & Sons Ltd Josiah
Current assignee: Parkes & Sons Ltd Josiah
Priority date: 1982-12-09
Filing date: 1983-12-02
Publication date: 1984-06-20
Also published as: GB8332235D0; GB2131480B

Abstract

A security fitting for hinged windows has a lock assembly 1 including a cylinder locking plug 13, and a keeper 2. When the window is closed the body 11 of the lock assembly is received between the limbs 6 of the keeper and so that an oblong tongue 15 on the rear of the plug 13 lies next to the base 4 of the keeper. Turning the plug 13 with a correct key rotates the tongue 15 so that opposite peripheral portions thereof lock into grooves 7 located at the junctions between the limbs 6 and base 4 of the keeper. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security fittings The present invention relates to security fittings for locking together two relatively movable members. Fittings in accordance with the invention are, in particular, useful for locking hinged windows to their frames in their closed condition, although embodiments of the invention may be found of equal utility in the securement of other relatively-movable members of like character.

According to the invention, a security fitting for locking together two relatively-movable members comprises a lock assembly and a keeper therefor; the lock assembly comprising a body housing a key-releasable locking device having a key entrance at one end of said body and a rotatable locking tongue at the opposite end thereof; the keeper being of generally U-shaped cross-section with a base portion from which two spaced-apart limbs project, and having grooves for the reception of said locking tongue defined at the respective junctions between said limbs and base portion; the lock assembly and keeper being adapted to be attached to respective said members so that when said members are brought into the position to be locked together the locking tongue of the lock assembly, being in an unlocking rotary position relative to said body, can enter between said limbs of the keeper to be juxtaposed to the base portion thereof; whereby rotation of the locking tongue from that condition is effective to piace peripheral portions thereof into said grooves in the keeper thereby to resist separation of the lock assembly and keeper in the direction of said relative movement.

A preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a window security fitting wiil now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an orthographic view of the fitting as installed on a casement window, in an unlocked condition; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the fitting of Figure 1, in the locked condition; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the lock body employed in the fitting of Figures 1 and 2, with the locking plug omitted; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the locking plug employed in the fitting of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 5 is a front elevation of the locking tongue employed in the fitting of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the illustrated fitting comprises a lock assembly 1 and associated keeper 2. The keeper 2 is made from a generally U-shaped extrusion and is fixed, by two screws 3 passing through the base 4 of the U, to the vertical rail 5 of a casement window leaf remote from the hinge line. The opening and closing movement of the window is indicated by the arrow A. Although basically of U-section, the keeper 2 is undercut at the junctions of its base 4 and limbs 6 to define two paraliel grooves 7.

The lock assembly 1 is mounted to the fixed window frame 8 at a position to cooperate with the keeper 2 when the window is closed, by two screws 9 passing through flanges 10 on the lock body 1 the latter may again be formed from an extruded section. A wedge-shaped packing piece 12 is optionally provided to ensure correct alignment of the lock assembly 1 with the keeper 2 when the lock assembly is fixed to a window frame 8 with tapered sides.

The lock body 11 (see also Figure 3) forms the housing for a rotatable locking plug 1 3 of disc tumbler type (see also Figure 4), capable of being locked to the housing at 900 displaced positions.

This plug carries at the end opposite to its key entrance 14 a locking tongue 1 5 of the form more clearly seen in Figure 5. The tongue 1 5 is an oblong disc of e.g. sintered stainless steel, having a central square-sectioned aperture 1 6 and an integral tab 1 7 extending from one of its faces. It is mounted to the plug 13 by fitting the aperture 16 over a square stub 1 8 on the rear of the plug (Figure 4) and then riveting the end portion 1 9 of the plug into a countersunk depression 20 (Figure 5) in the rear face of the tongue 1 5 (i.e. the face opposite tb the tab 17).

In the unlocked condition of the fitting shown in Figure 1 the tongue 1 5 is disposed horizontally and the disc tumblers of the plug 1 3 are engaged in opposed grooves 21 A of the body 11 (Figure 3).

Closing the window then brings the keeper 2 into proximity with the lock assembly 1 so that the body 11 lies between the limbs 6 of the keeper and the tongue 1 5 lies next to the base 4. To lock the fitting, the correct key 22 is inserted into the plug 1 3 to withdraw its tumblers from the grooves 21 A, and is turned clockwise (in the sense of Figure 1) through 900. This turns the tongue 15 into the vertical position shown in Figure 2, in which its two short edge portions lie within the grooves 7 of the keeper. Removing the key 22 allows the tumblers of the plug 1 3 to spring out into opposed grooves 21 B of the body 11 (Figure 3), thus relocking the plug 13 and tongue 1 5 against rotation. Unlocking of the fitting is the reverse of the above sequence.The limits of rotation of the plug 13 and tongue 1 5 when the key is inserted are set by the abutment of the tab 1 7 with the lock body 11 , the body 11 being rebated where indicated at 23 to permit the tab 17 its 900 movement.

With the fitting set up and locked as indicated in Figure 2 the keeper 2 cannot be withdrawn from the lock assembly 1 in the opening direction of the window, because of the blocking action of the tongue 1 5 within the grooves 7; rotation of the tongue 1 5 to release the keeper can be achieved only through use of the correct key.

When the fitting is in the locked condition, access to the fixing screws 3 for the keeper is blocked by the presence of the lock body 11, and access to the fixing screws 9 for the lock body is blocked by the keeper limbs 6. While the fitting remains locked, therefore, neither component 2 or 11 can be unscrewed to release the window. As seen in Figure 2, the opposed faces of the keeper limbs 6 taper in slightly towards the base 4 - this provides in effect a covergent "lead-in" to the keeper for the lock body 11 as the window is closed and can thus act to correct a small degree of vertical misalignment between these parts.

By virtue of the relative simplicity of its construction the fitting exemplified herein is readily amenable to production at relatively low cost. It is easy to install by the average householder without the need of specialised tools or skills. At the same time, fittings of this kind can contribute significantly to security against burglarious entry through windows to which they are fitted.

Claims

1. A security fitting for locking together two relatively-movable members comprising a lock assembly and a keeper therefor; the lock assembly comprising a body housing a key-releasable locking device having a key entrance at one end of said body and a rotatable locking tongue at the opposite end thereof; the keeper being of generally U-shaped cross-section with a base portion from which two spaced-apart limbs project, and having grooves for the reception of said locking tongue defined at the respective junctions between said limbs and base portion; the lock assembly and keeper being adapted to be attached to respective said members so that when said members are brought into the position to be locked together the locking tongue of the lock assembly, being in an unlocking rotary position relative to said body, can enter between said limbs of the keeper to be juxtaposed to the base portion thereof; whereby rotation of the locking tongue from that condition is effective to place peripheral portions thereof into said grooves in the keeper thereby to resist separation of the lock assembly and keeper in the direction of said relative movement.

2. A fitting according to claim 1 wherein said limbs of the keeper present opposed surfaces which converge in the direction towards the base portion thereof and which can cooperate with the body of the lock assembly to correct certain misalignment between the lock assembly and keeper as the relatively-movable members are brought into the position to be locked together.

3. A fitting according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body of the lock assembly is provided with opposed flanges having holes for fixing screws or the like fastening means, and the limbs of the keeper are configured to mask said holes when the fitting is in its locking condition.

4. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the body of the lock assembly is prepared from an extruded metal section.

5. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the keeper is prepared from an extruded metal section.

6. A fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the lock assembly has a rotatable locking device comprising a cylinder locking plug with tumblers adapted to engage in grooves within said body and to one end of which said locking tongue is attached.

7. A security fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.