GB2298227A

GB2298227A - Espagnolette bolting systems

Info

Publication number: GB2298227A
Application number: GB9503465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Sidney Middleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-22
Filing date: 1995-02-22
Publication date: 1996-08-28
Also published as: GB9503465D0

Abstract

An espagnolette bolting system for a door, window or like opening structure comprises a pair of bolts movable between an operative and an inoperative position and a pair of toothed racks (13, 16) arranged to move respective bolts between the operative and inoperative positions and vice versa. A first pinion (3) is rotatably mounted in a case (1) and is arranged to engage with a first toothed rack (13). A spindle (5) extends through the pinion (3) and projects from a side of the case, a handle or lever being mounted on the projecting end of the spindle. A second pinion (6) is also rotatably mounted in the case (1) and is arranged to engage the second toothed rack (16) and to be engaged and driven by the first pinion. The arrangement is such that turning of the spindle (5) by means of the handle or lever is effective to cause the first pinion (3) to rotate to drive the first toothed rack (13) and the second pinion (6) which in turn is effective to drive the second toothed rack (6) whereby the bolts can be moved from the operative to the inoperative position or vice versa.

Description

Mtle: IMPROVEMBTS IN ESPAGNOLETIE BOLTING SYSTEMS This invention relates to bolts and is particularly concerned with espagnolette bolts for doors, windows and like opening structures.

In a known espagnolette bolting system, bolts are provided at the top and bottom of a door and are operated by a single central driving cog. The cog is arranged to be operated by a door handle or lever and engages racks which drive the bolts.

The racks engage the cog on opposite sides which means that at least one of the bolts has to be heavily cranked. The disadvantage with this is that if force is applied, flexing of the bolts can occur so that the bolts are deformed and the racks can jump out of engagement with the cog so that the door cannot then be bolted.

The present invention aims to provide an espagnolette bolting system which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantage and which ensures reliable operation.

According to the invention, there is provided an espagnolette bolting system for a door, window or like opening structure; said system comprising a first bolt movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, a second bolt movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, a first toothed rack arranged to move the first bolt between said operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, a second toothed rack arranged to move the second bolt between said operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, a first pinion rotatably mounted in a case and arranged to engage with the first toothed rack, a spindle extending through the first pinion and projecting from at least one side of the case and a handle or lever being mounted on a or the projecting end of the spindle; and a second pinion rotatably mounted in the case and arranged to engage with the second toothed rack and to be engaged and driven by the first pinion, the arrangement being such that turning of the spindle by means of the handle or lever is effective to cause the first pinion to rotate to drive the first toothed rack and the second pinion which in turn is effective to drive the second toothed rack whereby the bolts can be moved from the operative to the inoperative position or vice versa.

The provision of the second pinion enables both racks and bolts to be located adjacent to the foreend of the case in which they are located and avoids the necessity for either of the bolts to be cranked thereby ensuring reliable operation.

Preferably, the spindle projects from only one side of the case but it may for some applications project from both sides of the case if desired.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the system according to the invention may also include a centre swing dead bolt which is arranged to be operated by the first pinion. The dead bolt may be formed integrally with the pinion if desired.

The system according to the invention may also be provided with one or two corner units each having a mechanism for operating a or a respective additional bolt. The or each said mechanism may comprise a toothed rack operatively connected to said first or second toothed rack and arranged to drive a further pinion which in turn is arranged to drive a further toothed rack operatively connected to said additional bolt.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the centre unit of one embodiment of an espagnolette bolting system according to the invention with the casing lid of the unit removed to show the internal components; Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line II-II in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line rn-rn in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line V-V in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a corner unit forming part of the system shown in Fig. 1;; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the centre unit of a second embodiment of an espagnolette bolting system according to the invention; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the unit shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the unit shown in Fig. 7.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Reference will first be made to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings in which the centre unit of an espagnolette bolting system according to the invention comprises a casing 1 which is adapted to receive and co operate with a casing lid 2, both components being designed to be received and fitted in a recess in the opening edge of a door, window or like opening member. A toothed pinion 3 is rotationally mounted in the casing, the pinion having a series of teeth over only part of its periphery and a centre bolt 4 being secured to or formed integrally with the pinion 3. A toothed rack 13 is slidably mounted in the casing, the teeth of said rack engaging with the teeth of the pinion whereby the rack can be driven by the inter-engaging teeth when the pinion 3 is rotated.The pinion is provided, for this purpose, with a square-sectioned bore 5 which is adapted to receive a spindle of corresponding section, one end of the spindle being arranged to project from the casing or the casing lid and to be engaged by a handle (not shown) whereby turning of the handle is effective to rotate the spindle and hence the pinion 3.

A second, reversing, pinion 6 is rotationally mounted on a pin 7 in the casing 1 and is provided with a series of teeth which are arranged to mesh with the teeth of the pinion 3. A second toothed rack 16 is slidably mounted in the casing 1, in a similar manner to the rack 13, with the teeth of the rack engaging with the teeth of the reversing pinion 6. As can be seen from Figs. 2 to 5 of the drawings, the two racks 13 and 16 are laterally offset from one another whereby they can be moved towards each other to overlap, in the thrown or bolted condition of the system, without interfering with each other.

The casing 1 is further provided with circular projections 8 and 9 and the casing lid 2 is provided with corresponding apertures by means of which the casing lid can be accurately located on the casing. The projection 8 is provided with a bore 11 and the casing 1 is provided with a bore 12 by means of which the casing can be secured by screws or the like (not shown) to a door or window or like opening structure.

Respective drive bars 14 and 15 are secured, respectively, to the toothed racks 13 and 16 and extend from the centre unit of the bolting system adjacent to the lower and upper edges respectively of the structure to which the system is secured. The drive bars 14 and 15 are connected to respective bolts (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, a toothed rack 17 is secured to the upper end of the drive bar 15 and the teeth of the rack 17 are arranged to mesh with the teeth of a toothed pinion 18 which is rotationally mounted in a casing 19 of a corner unit at the upper edge corner of the structure.

A further toothed rack 21 is mounted horizontally in the casing 19 of the corner unit, the teeth of said rack being meshed with the teeth of the pinion 18. The racks 17 and 21 are laterally offset with respect to one another so that they do not interfere with one another. A drive bar 22 is secured to the rack 21 and extends horizontally along the top edge of the structure. A bolt 23 is secured to the drive bar 22 and projects from the upper edge of the structure. This bolt is engageable in a recess in the surrounding frame (not shown) in the locked condition of the system.

The lower end of the drive bar 14 may be provided with a toothed rack similar to the toothed rack 17 and arranged to mesh with a toothed pinion located in a casing of a corner unit located at the lower edge corner of the structure. The lower corner unit is similar in every respect to the upper corner unit shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings and a further toothed rack, drive bar and bolt similar to the rack 21, drive bar 22 and bolt 23 may also be provided if desired.

Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings show the bolting system in the unbolted condition.

In order to throw the bolts into the bolted condition of the system, the pinion 3 must be turned, by means of the handle on the spindle, through 9(f in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. Rotation of the pinion 3 is effective to move the centre bolt 4 from the withdrawn position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the thrown position shown in dashed lines. At the same time, the pinion 6 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 by virtue of its engagement with the pinion 3. Rotation of the pinions 3 and 6 in this manner is effective to move the toothed racks 13 and 16 towards each other. This movement causes the respective drive bars 14 and 15 to move towards each other and to move the associated bolts to the thrown or bolted position.At the same time, movement of the rack 16 in a downwards direction as viewed in Fig. 1 causes the rack 17 to move downwards which causes the pinion 18 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6. This rotation of the pinion 18 causes the rack 21 to move to the right as viewed in Fig. 6 which is effective to move the bolt 23, by means of the drive bar 22, into engagement with the frame of the structure.

At the same time, upwards movement of the toothed rack 13 is effective to throw the bolt (if provided) at the lower edge of the structure in a similar manner to the bolt 23. In this fashion, the structure can be effectively bolted.

The bolts can be withdrawn by rotating the pinion 3, by means of the spindle and handle, in the opposite direction, i.e. in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Further bolts may be provided to extend from the outer edge of the door, window or like structure and arranged to be operated by the drive bars which are secured to the toothed racks 13 and 16. More than one bolt may also be provided along the top and bottom edges of the structure.

Figs. 7 to 9 show a simplified version of an espagnolette bolting system according to the invention in which the centre unit is not provided with a centre bolt 4.

This embodiment is otherwise similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings except that in this case the toothed racks 13 and 16 overlap in the withdrawn position of the bolts and are provided at their overlapping ends with bent-over tabs or tangs 24. The racks also have reduced width portions which extend through respective slots of the casing 1. The arrangement for securing the casing lid 2 to the casing 1 is also slightly different in this case in that the projection 9 is replaced by a projection 25 having a bore 26 which is similar to the projection 8 having the bore 11. A similar projection 27 with a bore 28 is provided at the other end of the casing. This embodiment is otherwise similar to the previous embodiment and may also be provided with one or two corner units.

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments but modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the corner units as shown in Fig. 6 are optional and may be omitted from both embodiments if desired.

Claims

1. An espagnolette bolting system for a door, window or like opening structure; said system comprising a first bolt movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, a second bolt movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, a first toothed rack arranged to move the first bolt between said operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, a second toothed rack arranged to move the second bolt between said operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, a first pinion rotatably mounted in a case and arranged to engage with the first toothed rack, a spindle extending through the first pinion and projecting from at least one side of the case, a handle or lever being mounted on a or the projecting end of the spindle, and a second pinion rotatably mounted in the case and arranged to engage with the second toothed rack and to be engaged and driven by the first pinion, the arrangement being such that turning of the spindle by means ofthe handle or lever is effective to cause the first pinion to rotate to drive the first toothed rack and the second pinion which in turn is effective to drive the second toothed rack whereby the bolts can be moved from the operative to the inoperative position or vice versa.

2. A bolting system according to claim 1, wherein the spindle projects from only one side of the case.

3. A bolting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a central dead bolt is arranged to be operated by the first pinion and to be moved between operative and inoperative positions substantially instantaneously with movement of said first and second bolts.

4. A bolting system according to claim 3, wherein the central dead bolt is formed integrally with the first pinion.

5. A bolting system according to claim 3, wherein the central dead bolt is secured to the first pinion for movement therewith.

6. A bolting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of said toothed racks is provided at one end with a bent-over tab or tang.

7. A bolting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said first and second toothed racks has a reduced width portion extending through a wall of the case.

8. A bolting system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one corner unit is provided, the or each said corner unit having a mechanism for operating a or a respective additional bolt

9. A bolting mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the or each mechanism comprises a toothed rack operatively connected to the first or second toothed rack and arranged to drive a further pinion which in turn is arranged to drive a further toothed rack operatively connected to said additional bolt.

10. A bolting system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a plurality of additional bolts are provided, each of said additional bolts being arranged to be operated substantially simultaneously with each other additional bolt

11. An espagnolette bolting system substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.