GB2439212A

GB2439212A - Espagnolette locking system with deadbolt for a window or door

Info

Publication number: GB2439212A
Application number: GB0711486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giovanni Maria Laporta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2007-06-14
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-14
Also published as: GB2439212B; GB0711486D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an espagnolette locking system comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism including at least one locking pin 1 mounted on a slider 2, and operated by a handle engaging at 12 into a rotary driving member, such as a cam or pinion 11 or lever acting to convert the rotational handle movement to linear movement of the slider. The rotary driving member has integrally formed thereon or integrally assembled thereto a deadbolt 14 whereby the rotational movement of the rotary driving member simultaneously rotationally deploys the deadbolt 14 to engage in a keep. The mechanism can have means to indicate the state of the lock as well as means to produce a sound (such as a finger 19 engaging over teeth 20) as the mechanism is operated. Keep structures can be provided with camming ramps to engage centring pins on the slider, latches to engage further locking pins on the slider and biasing springs to increase door/window sealing. The slider can operate shoot bolt mechanisms and an additional bolt may be mounted adjacent and parallel to each shoot bolt to engage a further keep releasably attached to the shoot bolt keep. The additional bolt may be axially adjustable.

Description

I

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A WINDOW OR DOOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to locking systems such as are used, for example, in PVCu window assemblies having eurogrooves, and in particular espagnolette locking systems. The invention is, however, applicable for any type of window assembly and may be applied for locking of doors, notably including, for example, PVCu doors such as are used in conservatories.

Background to the Invention

Modern window locks as used on PVCu window assemblies generally come in one of two types, either having an espagnolette locking system or having a shoot-bolt system.

A common configuration of espagnolette mechanism is illustrated in Figure 1 and detailed in prior art patent applications such as GB2415461A, and comprises first and second bobbins (mushroom-headed locking pins) 1 mounted on a slider 2 carried behind a faceplate 3. The bobbins I extend through and are captive in slots in the slider 2. The slider 2 is driven by a handle mechanism, which may be cam-, or rack-, or lever-driven to convert rotational handle movement to linear slider movement. The slider 2 is moveable between a non-locking position (in which the handle 4 is generally perpendicular to the slider 2) and a locking position (in which the handle 4 lies generally parallel with the slider 2). Movement of the handle 4 from the non-locking position to the locking position (as indicated by arrow 5) drives the slider 2 in the direction of arrow 6, and opposite movement of the handle 4 drives the slider 2 in the opposite direction.

When installed to a window, the locking bobbins I project from the edge of the window sash 7 on which the handle 4 is located. When the window is closed and the handle 4 is turned to lock the window, the locking bobbins 1 will move in the same direction as each other and into locking engagement with respective striker plates that are fitted on the adjacent stile of the window frame.

Our UK patent GB 2362424 introduces a new type of espagnolette locking system as shown in Figure 2 that improves on the conventional espagnolette system by further having shoot-bolts operated by the handle driven espagnolette mechanism. The system has a shoot-bolt 8 at each end and which move in opposing directions to each other by their coupling to the espagnolette mechanism, one of the shoot bolts 8 having a coupling with gearing 10 to reverse its direction of movement relative to the movement of the espagnolette slider 2.

Locking mechanisms of this latter type provide a high level of security and are easily operated by the handle mechanism. Nevertheless, it is desirable to further enhance security and one general objective of the present invention is to provide an improved espagnolette system with enhanced security. A further objective is to provide an improved shootbolt system with enhanced security. A further objective is to, provide choice of type, number and/ or location of locking points to the user or installer for greater flexibility but suitably not increasing the dimensions of the central mechanism in so-doing and suitably with little extra cost. A further objective is to enhance closure sealing effectiveness.

It is also a further object of the present invention to provide an espagnolette locking system that provides a signal indicating the locking status of the mechanism to the user so that the user may know that the espagnolette mechanism is deploying reliably.

The present invention relates to locking systems for windows or doors. The terms sash and leaf are used interchangeably and may relate to a window or a door.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an espagnolette locking system comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, and operated by a handle having a rotary driving member, such as a cam or pinion or lever, coupled to the slider and, in use, to the handle to convert the rotational handle movement to linear movement of the slider, wherein the rotary driving member has integrally formed thereon or integrally assembled thereto a deadbolt whereby the rotational movement of the rotary driving member simultaneously rotationally deploys the deadbolt to engage in a keep.

Where the rotary driving member of the espagnolette mechanism is a pinion, preferably the gear teeth of the pinion are formed substantiaHy symmetrically on either side of the deadbolt. This further optimises compactness and stability of the integral rotary driving member and deadbolt.

Preferably the system comprises the espagnolette mechanism in combination with a said keep for the deadboft. Suitably the keep for the deadbolt is integrally formed or assembled with a corresponding keep recess or aperture for at least one locking pin of the espagnolette mechanism.

Particularly preferably the deadbolt keep is formed as a recess or aperture in an elongate moulding that has an apertured metal plate or recessed casting mounted thereto framing the recess or aperture. By using an apertured metal, e.g. steel, plate to frame and define the perimeter of the keep recess or aperture but otherwise forming the keep from a plastics moulding, the keep arrangement is of minimal cost while having the required strength.

Preferably the keep is formed as a unitary moulding of nylon, glass filled nylon (GFN) or similar tough plastics polymer. Preferably the at least one locking pin keep comprises a recess or aperture formed in the keep moulding.

In a further refinement to the keep, it suitably has not only the aforementioned (primary) deadbolt keep recess or aperture, but also a secondary deadbolt keep recess or aperture adjacent thereto and suitably substantially parallel with it, whereby the deadbolt may latch into that secondary keep recess or aperture for locking the window sash (or door leaf) in a night venting position. The secondary deadbolt keep recess or aperture is suitably provided with a sloping leading edge over which the closing window sash edge will pass to accommodate for the fact that most windows of this type have an eccentric hinging movement.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an espagnolette system that comprises an espagnolette locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, wherein the slider has formed thereon or coupled thereto a visual indicator component whereby movement of the visual indicator with the mechanism alters the extent to which the indicator is visible to the user in order to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the espagnolette mechanism. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the visual indicator is housed within a casing of the espagnolette mechanism, the casing having a window or aperture through which a part of the visual indicator may be viewed. This window or aperture may comprise an aperture proximate one end of the casing through which the visual indicator may emerge so that a part of the indicator that indicates unlocked state is visible when the slider moves to the unlocked position.

In a further related aspect, the present invention provides a locking system that comprises an espagnolette and! or shootbolt locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin or bolt on or coupled to a slider, wherein the slider has formed thereon or coupled thereto an indicator to indicate to the user the locked or unlocked state of the locking mechanism.

In an allied improvement to the visual indicator device, the present invention may provide a tactile indicator of full opening and closing and which suitably comprises a first component of the rotary driving member and a second component on a static part of the espagnolette mechanism housing, one of those two parts being relatively resiliently compressible and wherein the first and second parts come in to abutting engagement when the handle and espagnolette mechanism are at one extent of travel (fully open or fully closed) to provide compressive tactile confirmation of full opening or closure. Suitably, a pair of first or second components is provided whereby this compressive tactile confirmation of full opening or closure is provided at each of the full open and full closed states of the handle/espagnolette mechanism. In the preferred embodiment the arrangement comprises a static post on the housing of the espagnolette mechanism and a corresponding arcuate aperture through the drive member along which the post may travel as the drive member is rotated by the handle, and a pair of resilient-surfaced buffer posts at each extreme end of travel, the buffer posts being provided on the rotatable drive member at each opposing end of the arcuate aperture.

In addition to providing a visual and/or tactile indicator of opening and closure of the espagnolette mechanism/deadbelt, the apparatus may suitably further be adapted to provide an audible clicking indication of the opening or closing action by having a ratchet arrangement provided adjacent the rotary driving member whereby a leaf spring or other resilient member may be audibly flicked repeatedly by multiple associated ratchet teeth on the rotary drive member, or by a single ratchet tooth at each opposing end of travel to indicate completion of the locking or opening movement.

A further detailed improvement to the apparatus comprises provision of a gear anti-skip block in the espagnolette mechanism and which is positioned behind the front plate of the mechanism within an arched region of the espagnolette slide bar that is between the slide bar and the front plate and which otherwise overlies the pinion in a rack and pinion driven espagnolefte mechanism. This block prevents the pinion from slipping out of planar alignment with the rack part of the slider bar.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a locking system that comprises an espagnolefte and! or shootbolt locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin or bolt on or coupled to a slider, wherein the slider has formed thereon or coupled thereto an indicator to indicate to the user the locked or unlocked state of the locking mechanism.

In a yet further aspect the present invention provides a espagnolette locking system for a window or door comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism to be mounted to a window sash or door in use, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, the system further comprising a keep for said at least one locking pin of the espagnolette locking mechanism, the keep further being adapted to assist in centring the window sash or door, counteracting sag of the window sash or door, by having a ramp that serves to cam a centring pin on the window sash or door upwardly to thereby raise the window sash or door.

Suitably the espagnolette mechanism has a face plate that is to be fixed to the window sash or door in use and the centring pin projects from the face plate and preferably the keep has a recess or aperture to accommodate the centring pin when the locking system is closed into its locking state.

Suitably the centring pin has a head and the keep has a lip under which the head of the centring pin engages when the locking mechanism moves to the locking state.

Preferably the keep has a latch that is actuated by the closing/locking movement of the window or espagnolette mechanism to trap the centring pin or to trap a further pin that is carried on the window sash or door in use. Suitably the centring pin or further pin has a head under which the latch engages trapping the pin so that the window sash or door may not be jacked open.

Preferably the latch is driven into its latching state by a lever that extends into the keep recess for the locking pin, the lever being driven by the locking pin as the locking pin slides with the slider to co-operatively engage with the keep recess. Suitably the lever or the latch is resiliently biased to its state that corresponds to the retracted state of the latch.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an espagnolette locking system for a window or door comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism to be mounted to a window sash or door in use, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, the system further comprising a keep for said at least one locking pin of the espagnolette locking mechanism, wherein the keep has a latch that is actuated by the closing! locking movement of the window or espagnolette mechanism to trap a pin that is carried on the window sash or door in use.

In a further improvement to espagnolette locking systems, the present invention proposes to provide a resilient biasing device that in the espagnolette locking system of the first aspect of the invention is mounted within the keep for the deadbolt to urge the deadbolt against a side wall of the keep. By this means the window pane or door panel may be held in a more tight seating arrangement and seal more effectively against its seat on the window frame. The resilient biasing device urges the deadbolt against the side wall of its keep, urging it in the direction of the closing movement of the window or door.

Preferably, the resilient biasing device comprises a head portion that has a ramp whereby as the deadbolt rotates to its operative latching position it may ride up the ramp and thereby not be obstructed by the resilient biasing device. Preferably the head of the resilient biasing device is symmetrical, having a ramp on each end thereof so as to be mountable to right or left-hand opening windows or doors.

In a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a window or door latching mechanism and keep for the latching mechanism, the keep having therein a resilient biasing device to bias the latch against the side wall of the keep in the direction of closing movement of the door or window, thereby to provide a means of enhancing the sealing closure of the door or window.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a locking system for a window or door, for retaining a window/door leaf in a closed position comprising a shootbolt locking mechanism, the shootbolt mechanism comprising at least one shootbolt, at least one shootbolt unit attachable to the window/door leaf for housing the shootbolt, and at least one shootbolt keep in which the shootbolt is engageable, the shootbolt having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the shootbolt unit in the direction of its axis, the system further comprising at least one pin and a corresponding keep in which the pin is engageable, the pin extending, in use, parallel to the shootbolt axis.

Preferably the pin is mountable to the shootbolt unit and preferably is axially adjustable relative to the shootbolt unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for a window or door, the locking system comprising a shootbolt and/or espagnolette locking mechanism, the system further comprising at least one pin mountable to the window/door leaf, and a keep in which the pin is engageable, wherein the pin is axially adjustable relative to the leaf.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking system for a window or door, for retaining a window/door leaf in a closed position comprising a shootbolt locking mechanism, the shootbolt mechanism comprising at least one shootbolt and a shootbolt keep in which the shootbolt is engageable, the locking system further comprising a second keep for receiving the shootbolt and/or a pin, wherein the second keep is demountably attachable to the shootbolt keep.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate prior art arrangements of espagnolefte system. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 3 is an isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of espagnolette mechanism from the front right hand side of the mechanism; Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but with the espagnolette slider moved to its locking position and with the deadbolt accordingly also rotated to its locking position: Figure 5 is a view of the espagnolette mechanism in the state shown in Figure 4 but from the rear and to the left hand side; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the espagnolette system that differs from the first preferred embodiment in having four bobbins rather than two and the system being shown together with the respective keeps of the bobbins and deadbolt; Figure 7 is a frontal isometric view of a keep for the central pair of bobbins and the deadbolt; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but of an embodiment with further enhanced security features including shoot bolts at each end; Figure 9 is a plan view of a keep moulding for the shoot bolt of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an isometric view of one of the shoot bolt units end-on; Figure 11 is a frontal isometric view of the shoot bolt unit; Figure 12 comprises a series of three isometric views showing the motion of the handle, deadbolt and espagnolette mechanism between open and closed states and the changes in a visual indicator that is coupled to the slider of the espagnolette mechanism (the upper three images show the espagnolette and handle installed to the sash of a window); Figure 13 is an elevation view of the sash-mounted espagnolette mechanism showing the deadbolt deployed and the handle removed so that the window for viewing of the visual indicator is clearly seen; Figure 14 is an elevation view of the espagnolette system as shown in Figures 12 and 13; Figure 15 is a view corresponding to Figure 14 but with the handle removed; Figure 16 is a view corresponding to Figure 15 but with the casing of the espagnolette mechanism removed to illustrate the mounting of the visual indicator to the slider; Figure 17 is an isometric view from the rear of an espagnolette system similar to that of Figures 12 to 16 but with the visual indicator mounted to the slider externally of the espagnolette casing; Figure 18 is an isometric view from the rear of an audible signalling arrangement to provide an audible indication of the motion of the espagnolette; Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 7 but of a further improved keep having additional security features; Figure 20 is a rear side view of the keep of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 7 of two variants of the keep, the left-hand one of which shows the features of the Figure 19 embodiment as well, the difference of these keeps over the preceding ones being the provision of a biasing device within the keep for enhancing sealing shut or the window of a door: Figure 22 shows the keeps of Figure 21 in front elevation view; Figure 23A shows the keep of Figure 21 mounted in place and with the deadbolt being received into the keep as in use, illustrating how the biasing device urges the deadbolt against the side wall of the keep to enhance the seal of the window or door; and Figure 23B is a blown up view of Figure 22A and with part of the keep structure cut away to show the spring of the resilient biasing device.

Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view of an upper shootbolt unit with anti-hike pin, from the front right hand side of the unit; Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the shootbolt unit of Figure 24: Figure 26A is a front perspective view of a shootbolt unit with anti-hike pin, mounted on a window sash; Figure 268 is a front perspective view of a shootbolt keep including anti-hike pin keep, mounted on a window frame, with an anti-hike pin inserted in the keep; Figure 27A is an exploded perspective view of a lower shootbolt unit, shootbolt keep and anti-hike pin; Figure 27B is a perspective view of a night-vent plate; Figure 27C is a perspective view of a further night-vent plate; Figure 270 is a perspective view of a prior art shootbolt keep with integral night-vent keep; Figure 28A is an exploded plan view of a shootbolt keep and night-vent plate including an anti-hike pin keep; Figure 28B is a plan view of the night-vent plate of Fi9ure 27B; Figure 28C is a plan view of the night-vent plate of Figure 27C; Figure 28D is a plan view of the prior art shootbolt keep of Figure 27D; Figure 29 is a perspective view of the shootbolt keep, night-vent plate including anti-hike pin keep, night-vent plates and prior art shootbolt keep of Figures 28A, 28B, 28C and 280, placed on a window frame (but not installed on the frame).

DescnDtion of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 3 to 5, this shows the uninstalled espagnolette mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the invention and which, in common with the prior art discussed with reference to Figures 1 and 2, comprises first and second bobbins I mounted on a slider 2 carried by a face plate 3. The mechanism that drives this slider 2 to move in the direction of arrow 6 and hence move the bobbins 1 into engagement with their corresponding keeps, comprises a rack and pinion arrangement. This arrangement is one of the most popular rotary drive means for espagnolette mechanisms. The pinion 11 has a square aperture 12 therethrough to key to a square section of the shaft of a rotary handle and is not a full annular pinion gear but rather has the form of a quadrant/sector of such a pinion gear and carries on it a small number of large gear teeth ha to engage with a rack portion 13 that is formed on an arched central region of the slider 2. Pinion 11 is suitably formed as a steel casting.

Unlike a conventional espagnolette rotary drive pinion gear, the pinion gear 11 has a formation projecting from it that functions as a deadbolt 14. This deadbolt fonnation 14 is a substantially planar extension from the pinion gear 11 extending radially outwardly from the shaft aperture 12 and with the gear teeth ha being formed on its opposing faces in a substantially symmetrical arrangement As can be furthermore clearly seen from Figure 5, the rack portion 13 of the slider 2 has discontinuous rack teeth 1 3a, or rather there is a slot running the length of the rack 13 through which the deadbolt 14 may pass. The arrangement of the gear teeth 13a is, therefore, like the gear teeth I Ia of the pinion 11, in a symmetrical arrangement either side of the pin 14.

Since the housing cassette 15 that accommodates the rotary drive pinion 11 is relatively compact, one important advantage of the present invention is the maintenance of that compact footprint in the design of the pinion 11 with integral deadbolt 14. To further suit the fitment within a substantially standardised shape and size of housing 15 while maximising the size of the deadbolt 14, the deadbolt 14 as shown in the figure has a cut-out region 16 to nest alongside one of the screw turrets 17 by means of which the housing 15 is securely screwed in place to a window sash. Indeed, for maximal area of the planar surfaces of the deadbolts 14, the cut-out portion 16 suitably has therein a springloaded baffle 18 that fills the cut-out area 16 but which depresses into a cavity within the deadbolt 14 against the resilient return action of the spring when the deadbolt 14 is retracted back into the housing 15 to nest against the turret 17.

A gear anti-skip block 50 is positioned behind the front plate 3 of the mechanism within the arched region of the espagnolette slide bar 2 that defines the rack 13. This block 50 stabilises the assembly, preventing gear skipping / the pinion from slipping out of planar alignment with the rack part of the slider bar. This anti-skip block has a central slot axially aligned with the long axis of the slider 2 and through which the deadbolt 14 passes. This coincides with a corresponding aperture through the faceplate 3.

As can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5, a tactile sensor signalling arrangement may be provided within the espagnolette mechanism to tell the user when the mechanism is properly at its fully locked or fully unlocked positions. This arrangement comprises a steel pin 40 that is fixed on the espagnolette housing 15 projecting up through an arcuate slot 41 through the body of the combined pinion 1 1/deadbolt 14. Accordingly, the static pin 41 does not interfere with rotary movement of the pinion 11/deadbolt 14.

However, as the pinion I 1/deadbolt 14 reaches each opposing extreme of movement (locked or unlocked), it presses up against a respective one of a pair of resiliently surfaced buffer pins 42 on the unitary pinion! deadbolt 11,14 adjacent the ends of the arcuate slot 41. Those latter pins 42 suitably are of nylon and resiliently surfaced by having rubber sleeves! covers.

In a further improvement to the espagnolette device, an audible signalling facility is provided mounted within the housing 15 to provide a clicking signal indicating the opening or closing action of the espagnolette mechanism. This audible signalling device comprises a short ratchet length 20 fixed internally within the housing 15 and against which a leaf spring 19 presses. The leaf spring 19 is mounted to the slider 2 so that it reciprocates longitudinally with the slider 2 and will cause the leaf spring 19 to generate a clicking sound as it passes over each of the serrated teeth of the sounding ratchet 20.

Turning now to Figures 6 and 7, these show the keeps for the espagnolette system and for the deadbolt. As shown in Figure 6, there are three keep units, the first of which is a central keep moulding 21 that is most clearly shown in Figures 7. The central keep moulding 21 is a plastics moulding that is suitably of glass filled nylon and which defines four separate keep recesses or apertures. The central keep moulding 21 is elongate and of a form corresponding to the slider 2 and having a respective keep recess 22 proximate each end thereof to receive and cooperatively engage with the respective bobbins I that are closest to the espagnolette drive mechanism. In addition to the keep aperture/recesses 22 for the bobbins 1, the central moulding 21 also has therein a central aperture/recess 23 that is adapted to serve as a keep for the deadbolt 14. The bolt keep 23 is reinforced around its perimeter by the provision of a steel rectangular frame-shaped steel plate 24.

In addition to the recess 23 for the deadbolt, there is a further aperture 25 to receive the deadbolt 14 that is substantially parallel with the main deadbolt keep aperture 23 and which serves as a night ventilation keep. Since the night ventilation keep aperture 25 is necessarily at a position in the closure path of the window that is ahead of the main keep 23 and the window does not close in a simple arcing movement, the leading edge 26 for the night ventilation keep 25 has a slope to it.

In addition to the central keep moulding 21, the system as illustrated in Figure 6 further has a pair of terminal keep units 27, suitably cast of zinc alloy, at each end to receive the secondary/terminal bobbins I at each opposing end of the slider 2. The secondary keep units 27 are each shown as having four bobbin keep recesses 28 to provide flexibility in fitment to the stile of the window.

Turning to Figures 8 to 11, these show a yet further enhanced espagnolette system similar to that of Figure 6 but in which a pair of shoot bolt units 8' are provided, one at each end of the slider 2. A corresponding keep 29 is provided for each of the shoot bolt units 8'. Each shoot bolt unit 8', as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, has three protuberances to engage with corresponding keep recesses/apertures of the corresponding keep mouldings 29.

The three protuberances on the terminal shoot bolt unit 8' comprise aprimary terminal protuberance 30 that has a mushroom-like shape and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the slider 2 to engage with the primary keep aperture 31 in the keep moulding 29. A second protuberance 32 which also is substantially mushroom shaped, projects from the end of the shoot bolt unit 8' and its mushroom profile extends in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the slider 2. This arrangement of the protuberances 30, 32 with their mushroom heads/broadened portions lying in the different planes, gives the locking mechanism additional security against attempts to dislodge the window by force, e.g. by use of a jemmy.

A third protuberance 33 is provided extending from one side (leading edge face) of the shoot bolt unit 8' and this projects from the leading edge face of the window sash and engages in a corresponding recess 34 in the terminal keep moulding 29 that, in use, extends along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slider 2 and with the protuberance 33 being moveable by movement of the slider 2 to engage into the corresponding recess/slot 34 of the terminal keep 29. This yet further enhances security.

Turning now to Figures 12 to 17, these figures all illustrate the provision of a visual indicator device to tell the user when the espagnolette mechanism/locking mechanism is in the locked state and when it is in the unlocked state. Indeed, as illustrated, the device is colour coded to also show when the mechanism is in the transitional state between unlocked (open) and locked (closed) states. The visual indicator device comprises a body 35 that is suitably a plastics moulding and is elongate and extends parallel to the direction of the slider 2 and is coupled to the slider 2. A band at one end of the body 35 is colour coded yellow to correspond to the closed/locked state of the espagnolette mechanism, while a band at or near the other end of the body 35 is colour coded green to correspond to the unlocked/open state of the espagnolette mechanism, and an intermediate band is colour coded white to indicate transition of the espagnolette mechanism between open and closed states.

As can be seen from Figure 14 to 16, the indicator body 35 is accommodated substantially wholly within the casing / housing 15 of the espagnolette mechanism.

The body 35 is substantially fully retracted into the housing 15 while the mechanism is in Its closed/locked state. The only part of the indicator body 35 that is exposed and visible is the band at the end of the body 35 that is colour coded yellow to indicate that the assembly is in the locked state. As the handle is raised slider 2 shifts downwardly and the white intermediate portion of the body 35 emerges from within the casing 15 and is visible through a viewing window 36 formed by the installer in the window sash.

Finally, as the handle approaches its full open position the green colour coded part of the body 35 emerges to become visible through the window 36. As can be seen from Figure 16, the indicator body 35 is coupled to the slider 2 by a pin 37.

The indicator viewing window 36 is simple to install, being merely drilled into the frame member of the window sash a fixed distance from the hole drilled for the handle shaft.

An eye shaped cover sheet 36a of Perspex or similar may be provided as part of the system to prevent ingress of moisture through the aperture 36 and is adapted to friction fit in place.

Figure 17 shows a variant of the indicator device design, where the indicator device body 35' is coupled to the slider 2 outside of the espagnolette mechanism housing 15.

With reference to Figure 18, this shows an audible signalling device in the espagnolette mechanism of alternative form to that shown in the preceding embodiments, and where the ratchet part to generate the clicking sounds is present on! adjacent to the rotary drive member/pinion 11.

Turning now to Figures 19 and 20, these show a yet further preferred embodiment of the keep of the invention and which embodies two further aspects of the invention.

The keep shown in Figures 19 and 20 is similar to that shown in Figure 7 but incorporates additional operational and security features. Like the keep of Figure 7, this suitably comprises a keep moulding 21' of glass filled nylon or other suitable material. Common features between the keep of Figure 19 and that of Figure 7 are referenced by common reference numerals.

The keep shown in Figures 19 and 20 is modified to provide two new operational features/security functions. Firstly, it will be seen that the upper one of the two keep recesses 22 that receive one of the mushroom-shaped projections/bobbins I is provided with a spring-loaded lever 40 that extends across the upper end of the recess 22. This lever 40 is forced back, against the resilient biasing action of the return spring 41, by the bobbin 1 moving up that leg of the recess 22 as the window handle is moved to the locking position. This lever 40 is thus automatically shifted upwardly as the espagnolette bobbins I are being moved to their locking position in the recesses 22 of the keep moulding 21'. Coupled to the other end of lever 40 (suitably formed contiguously as a single piece of metal) is a latching component 42 that is adapted to latch over and lock in place the head of a further bobbin 44 that inserts into a further recess 43 just beyond the recess 22. This further bobbin 44 may alternatively be referred to as anti-jack lug, rod or pin since its role is to prevent a burglar seeking to prise the window open in a jacking manner. The anti-jack bobbin 44 is mounted to the face plate 3 of the espagnolette mechanism and not to the slider 2.

In Figures 19 and 20 a pair of such bobbins 44a,b are shown and with only the uppermost bobbin 44 being trapped in use by the anti- jacking latch 42. The lowermost bobbin 44b may alternatively be referred to as centring pin 44b and functions instead to centre the window sash and espagnolette mechanism relative to the keep 21', counteracting any tendency of the window sash to sag under its own weight. It will be seen that unlike the moulding of Figure 7, the moulding in the embodiment of Figures 19 and 20 has a portion 45 that projects towards the leading edge of the window sash and which defines a ramp shoulder 45a that the lowermost bobbin 44 will run along as the window sash is being shut, if the sash has sagged, thereby camming the window sash back upwardly to re-centre it into position to close propeily against the keep 21.

The lower bobbin 44b is accommodated into a lower recess 46 in the keep 21 which optionally may be modified to define a shoulder to hold the head of the lower bobbin 44 if desired. The upper bobbin 44 that is latched in place by the lever-operated latching member 42 may also facilitate the centring action since, as will be seen from Figure 19, the recess 43 for that upper bobbin 44 also has a ramped entry mouth with a ramp shoulder 43a similar to ramp 45a of the lower protrusion 45.

The central keep 23 for the dead bolt is formed as a heat-treated high grade strengthened steel dead lock plate. As can be seen from the rear view in Figure 20, the plate 23 incorporating the keep is cast or otherwise fabricated to have upper and lower mounting wings 23a, 23b with screw apertures by means of which the steel keep may be robustly secured to the frame of the window. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 may also have a similar construction. A further feature apparent in the drawings is a strengthening cam support bridge 47 adjacent a recess 22 for one of the espagnolette bobbins I and which braces the lip of the recess 22 against torsional or other bending forces.

Turning now to FIgures 21 to 23, these show modifications to the keep that enhance the sealing closure of the window or door in a manner that may be referred to as self regulating sealing. Within the keep recess 23 that receives the deadbolt in use there is provided a resilient biasing device 55 that is mounted in one side wall of the recess 23 facing the opposing side wall and biased towards it. As can be seen in Figure 238, the resilient biasing device 55 is biased towards the opposing side wall of the main recess 23 by a leaf spring 51 or other suitable resilient biasing means. As can also be seen from Figures 23A and 238, the resilient biasing device 50 presses against the deadbolt 14 and presses it against the opposing side wall of the recess 23, thereby effectively urging the window or door on which the handle mechanism with deadbolt 14 is mounted against the window frame seat, providing enhanced sealing of the window or door shut against the frame seat. This resilient biasing device helps to counteract any reduction of effectiveness of seal with age of the window as a result of give/slackening of the supportive mountings of the window.

Since the deadbolt 14 co-acts with the keep recess 23 in a rotary manner, the resilient biasing device 55 is configured to have a ramp-shaped form of a head part 55a that cc-acts against the deadbolt 14, thereby avoiding any obstruction of the rotary movement of the deadbolt 14. In the illustrated embodiments, the head 55a of the resilient biasing device/sealing regulating device is formed substantially symmetrical with a ramp on each leading edge such that it may be used in a right or left hand fitting on right or left handed window latches avoiding the need for engineering of a different keep structure to suit the different handedness of the windows.

Figures 24 to 29 show a further improved locking system comprising a shootbolt locking mechanism. A typical shootbolt arrangement consists of a drive mechanism adapted to drive a pair of bolts in opposite directions along a channel formed in one edge of the window, opposite from the window's hinge, into respective keeps formed in the window frame. The shootbolt mechanism comprises a pair of shootbolt units 8", one at each end of a drive mechanism (not shown). Each shootbolt unit 8 comprises a shootbolt housing or plate which is mountable to the window sash and a shootbolt which is movable axially relative to the shootbolt housing or plate. Similar to the shootbolt unit of Figures 10 and 11, each shootbolt unit 8" includes a shootbolt comprising three protuberances 30, 32, 33 which are movable axially relative to the shootbolt unit 8" (although the shootbolt is shown having three protuberances, a shootbolt having one or more protuberances could be used). A corresponding keep 60, mounted to the window frame, is provided for the shootbolt unit 8" (see Figures 266 and 27A). First and second protuberances 30 and 32 extend longitudinally, and engage in a primary keep aperture 61 in the keep moulding 60. The third protuberance 33, projecting from the leading edge face of the window sash, engages in a corresponding secondary recess 62 in the terminal keep moulding 60.

The shootbolt unit 8" further includes an anti-hike pin or bobbin 65 extending parallel to the axes of the shootbolt protuberances. The pin 65 is a mushroom-headed pin, having an enlarged head portion 66 and a cylindrical shaft 67. The lower portion of the shaft, furthest from the head portion 66, has an outer screw thread. The shootbolt unit 8" includes a corresponding threaded bore 68 in which the pIn 65 is threadedly secured.

The threaded bore 68 is located between two screw turrets 69A, 698 by means of which the shootbolt unit 8" is securely screwed in place to the window sash.

On closing the window, the pin 65 inserts into a corresponding anti-hike pin keep 70, mounted on the window frame. The anti-hike pin keep 70 comprises a lip under which the head portion 66 of the pin 65 is retained when the window is closed. The pin 65 may be referred to as an anti-hike pin or bobbin, since its role is to prevent a burglar from pnsing the window open by hiking it in an axial direction, parallel with the axis of the shootbolt protuberances.

The anti-hike pin 65 may be formed integrally with the shootbolt unit 8" as unitary piece or moulding. Alternatively the distance between the head portion 66 of the anti-hike pin and the shootbolt unit 8" can be adjusted, by screwing the pin 65 into or out of the threaded bore 68. This effectively allows the extension of the anti-hike pin 65 relative to the edge of the window sash to be adjusted. Alternate means for adjusting the extension of the anti-hike pin 65 other than a screw thread may of course be used.

Over time, the window sash may sag on its hinges under its own weight and/or the sash may deform slightly. Deformation of the sash may occur, for example, if the glass was not packed sufficiently weH when installed in the PVCu frame. This deformation or sagging would cause the pin 65 to become misaligned with its keep 70, preventing the window from closing properly. An advantage of using a pin 65 with adjustable extension is that the height of the pin head 66 relative to the window sash can be adjusted to maintain the pin 65 in alignment with its corresponding keep 70, even if the sash has deformed or sagged.

The anti-hike pin keep 70 may be formed integrally with the shootbolt keep 60 as a unitary moulding. Alternatively the anti-hike pin keep 70 and shootbolt keep 60 may comprise individual, separate units, which are each mounted to the window frame separately.

In a preferred embodiment the anti-hike pin keep 70 is removably mountable to the shootbolt keep 60. Figure 28A shows an exploded view of the separate shootbolt keep 60 and anti-hike pin keep 70. The anti-hike pin keep 70 comprises a plate including a slotted recess 71 for receiving the anti-hike pin 65. The plate includes first and second apertures 72, 73, one on either side of the slotted recess 71, for receiving a screw or other fixing for securing the plate to the window frame. The face of the shootbolt keep which is directed towards the shootbolt unit 8 in use (the front face) has a recessed area 74 which is shaped to correspond to the perimeter shape of a side edge of the anti-hike keep plate 70. The depth of the recessed area 74 is such that, when placed on recessed area 74 of the shootbolt keep 60, the surface of the anti-hike plate 70 is flush with the non-recessed front surface of the shootbolt keep 60. The shootbolt keep includes an aperture 75 for receiving a screw or other fixing for securing it to the window frame. The anti-hike keep plate 70 is placed on the shootbolt keep 60 and located so that the first aperture 73 coincides with the aperture 75 of the shootbolt keep 70. A first screw can then be placed in aperture 72 and a second screw through both apertures 73 and 75, to secure the shootbolt keep 60 and anti-hike plate 70 to the window frame.

Referring to Figure 28A the anti-hike plate 70 comprises an extension portion 76, the recessed area 74 of the shootbolt keep including a corresponding shaped extension 77.

The extension portion 76 of the anti-hike plate 70 has an enlarged part (in the embodiment shown in the Figures, the enlarged part has the shape of an arrowhead).

The shaped extension portion 76 aids in locating the anti-hike plate on the front face of the shootbolt keep 60, so that the screw holes 73, 75 on the respective keeps are aligned.

An advantage of the anti-hike pin and anti-hike pin keep of the present invention is that they can be optionally installed at a later date, after installation of the window and shootbolt lock mechanism, without removing or altering the shootbolt lock mechanism.

The anti-hike pin 65 can simply be mounted to each shootboft unit via the threaded bore on the shootbolt unit and the anti-hike pin keep 70 is mounted to the shootbolt keep and secured. Finally the anti-hike pin 65 can be adjusted to the correct extension. The user can therefore choose to have anti-hike pin and keep as an optional security feature.

When an anti-hike pin is not installed in the threaded bore 68, a blank cap 78 can be inserted in the mouth of the bore to prevent any objects entering and blocking the bore (see Figure 24).

A grommet 79 of resilient material may be placed in the mouth of the threaded bore 68, or around the anti-hike pin shaft 67, before the anti-hike pin 65 is inserted in the bore 78, such that the grommet 79 protrudes above the mouth of the bore 68. The grommet 79 prevents the anti-hike pin keep 70 from rubbing against shootbolt unit 8" during closing of the window.

The anti-hike pin 65 may include a grommet 79 made of resilient material mounted around the threaded shaft of the pin. The grommet 78 ensures a resilient engagement between the pin 65 and the recessed slot in the anti-hike keep 70 when the pin 65 is inserted in the slot.

The anti-hike pin may of course be used with a window or door having a shootbolt locking mechanism combined with an espagnolette locking mechanism, or a window/door having an espagnolette locking mechanism only. The anti-hike pin can be mounted to a face plate mounted on the edge of the window sash, rather than to the shootbolt unit, for example if using an espagnolette locking mechanism only.

Referring to Figures 26 to 29, a further improvement to the shootbolt mechanism will now be described. In addition to the primary aperture in the shootbolt keep for receiving the shootbolt, often a further aperture is provided, substantially parallel with the primary keep aperture1 which serves as a night ventilation keep. A standard shootboft keep is shown in Figure 27D and 28D, having a primary keep aperture 31 for receiving the shootbolt protuberances 30, 32 and a night ventilation aperture 34 parallel to the primary keep aperture 31. formed as a single unit or moulding.

In a preferred embodiment the night-vent keep is removably mountable to the shootbolt keep 60. Referring to Figure 28C or 28B, a plate 80 is provided comprising an oblong shaped keep aperture 81, dimensioned to receive the shootbolt protuberances 30, 32.

The night-vent plate 81 further includes an aperture 83, for receiving a screw or other fixing for securing the plate to the window frame.

The outer perimeter of the night-vent plate 80 is shaped to correspond to the shape of the recessed area 74 of the front face of the shootbolt keep 60. The depth of the recessed area 74 is such that when placed on the recessed area 74 of the shootbolt keep 60. the surface of night-vent plate 80 is flush with the non-recessed front surface of the shootbolt keep 60. When the night-vent plate 81 is placed on the shootbolt keep 60, the screw aperture 83 coincides with the screw aperture 75 of the shootbolt keep 60. A screw or other fixing can then be placed in apertures 75, 83. to secure the shootbolt keep 60 and night-vent keep 80 to the window frame.

An advantage of the removably mountable night-vent plate 80 is that it can be optionally installed later, after installation of the window and shootbolt lock mechanism, without removing or altering the shootbolt mechanism. The night-vent plate 81 is simply mounted to the shootbolt keep 60 and secured using a screw.

Night-vent keeps having different night-vent spacing can be provided. Referring to Figure 28C, the spacing d between the night-vent keep aperture 81 and the edge of the night-vent plate 80 which engages the shootbolt keep 60 in use and is longer than that of in the plate 80 of Figure 28B.

Another advantage of the night-vent plate 80 described is that it reduces the number of different parts that a window supplier would be required to keep in stock. When using shootbolt keeps with integral night-vent keeps, the supplier would need to stock a range of keeps to fit shootbolts of different shapes/sizes, and for each shootbolt size, keeps would need to be stocked having a range of two or more different night-vent spacings.

In contrast, the modular system of the present invention is designed such that any of the night-vent keeps having different night- vent spacings can be fitted to any of the shootbolt keeps for different sized shootbofts. Window suppliers would therefore not need to keep as many different parts in stock.

An anti-hike pin keep 70 and night-vent keep 80 can be formed integrally in a single plate (such a plate is shown in Figures 27A and 28A). A plate, removably mountable to the shootbolt keep 60, comprising an anti-hike pin keep but no night-vent keep, could of course be provided.

For the embodiments shown in Figures 24 to 29, preferably the shootbolt keep would be made of glass filled nylon, and the night-vent keep would preferably be made of steel.

The removably mountable night-vent may of course be used with a window or door having a shootbolt locking mechanism combined with an espagnolette locking mechanism.

Although described above with respect to specified embodiments, the present invention may be embodied in numerous different ways as embraced within the claims that follow.

Claims

Claims 1. An espagnolette locking system comprising an espagnolette

locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, and operated by a handle having a rotary driving member, such as a cam or pinion or lever, coupled to the slider and, in use, to the handle to convert the rotational handle movement to linear movement of the slider, wherein the rotary driving member has integrally formed thereon or integrally assembled thereto a deadbolt whereby the rotational movement of the rotary driving member simultaneously rotationally deploys the deadbolt to engage in a keep.

2. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rotary driving member of the espagnolette mechanism is a pinion and the gear teeth of the pinion are formed substantially symmetrically on either side of the deadbolt.

3. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the system comprises the espagnolette mechanism in combination with a said keep for the deadbolt and the keep for the deadbolt is integrally formed or assembled with a corresponding keep recess or aperture for at least one locking pin of the espagnolette mechanism.

4. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the system comprises the espagnotette mechanism in combination with a said keep for the deadbolt wherein the deadbolt keep is formed as a recess or aperture in an elongate plastics moulding that has an apertured metal plate mounted thereto framing the recess or aperture.

5. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the keep is formed as a unitary moulding of nylon, glass filled nylon (GFN) or similar tough plastics polymer and the at least one locking pin keep comprises a recess or aperture formed in the keep moulding.

6. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the keep has not only the said deadbolt keep recess or aperture, but also a secondary deadbolt keep recess or aperture adjacent thereto and suitably substantially parallel with it, whereby the deadbolt may latch into that secondary keep recess or aperture for locking the window sash (or door leaf) in a night venting position.

7. An espagnolette locking system that comprises an espagnolette locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, wherein the slider has formed thereon or coupled thereto an indicator to indicate to the user the locked or unlocked state of the espagnolette mechanism.

8. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator device whereby movement of the visual indicator with the mechanism alters the extent to which the indicator is visible to the user in order to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the espagnolette mechanism.

9. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the visual indicator is housed within a casing of the espagnolette mechanism, the casing having a window or aperture through which a part of the visual indicator may be viewed.

10. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein the indicator or a further said indicator is a tactile indicator of full opening and closing and which comprises a first component on the rotary driving member and a second component on a static part of the espagnolette mechanism housing, one of those two parts being relatively resiliently compressible and wherein the first and second parts come in to abutting engagement when the handle and espagnolette mechanism are at one extent of travel (fully open or fully closed) to provide compressive tactile confirmation of full opening or closure.

11. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the second component comprises a static post on the housing of the espagnolette mechanism and a corresponding arcuate aperture through the drive member along which the post may travel as the drive member is rotated by the handle, and the second component comprises a resilient-surfaced buffer post at the end of travel, the buffer post being provided on the rotatable drive member at the end of the arcuate aperture.

12. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein there is a said second component at each opposing end of travel.

13. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 12. wherein the indicator or a further said indicator is a tactile indicator of full opening and closing and which comprises an audible clicking indication of the opening or closing action by having a ratchet arrangement provided adjacent the rotary driving member whereby a leaf spring or other resilient member may be audibly flicked repeatedly by muftiple associated ratchet teeth on the rotary drive member, or by a single ratchet tooth at each opposing end of travel to indicate completion of the locking or opening movement.

14. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising a gear anti-skip block in the espagnolette mechanism and which is positioned behind the front plate of the mechanism within an arched region of the espagnolette slide bar that is between the slide bar and the front plate and which otheiwise overlies the pinion in a rack and pinion driven espagnolette mechanism.

15. An espagnolette locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.

16. A locking system that comprises an espagnolette and! or shootbolt locking mechanism, the mechanism including at least one locking pin or bolt on or coupled to a slider, wherein the slider has formed thereon or coupled thereto an indicator to indicate to the user the locked or unlocked state of the locking mechanism.

17. A locking system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator device whereby movement of the visual indicator with the mechanism alters the extent to which the indicator is visible to the user in order to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the locking mechanism.

18. A locking system as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein the visual indicator is housed within a casing of the locking mechanism, the casing having a window or aperture through which a part of the visual indicator may be viewed.

19. An espagnolette locking system for a window or door comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism to be mounted to a window sash or door in use, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, the system further comprising a keep for said at least one locking pin of the espagnolette locking mechanism, the keep further being adapted to assist in centring the window sash or door, counteracting sag of the window sash or door, by having a ramp that serves to cam a centring pin on the window sash or door upwardly to thereby raise the window sash or door.

20. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the espagnolette mechanism has a face plate that is to be fixed to the window sash or door in use and the centring pin projects from the face plate.

21. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 19 or 20. wherein the keep has a recess or aperture to accommodate the centring pin when the locking system is closed into its locking state.

22. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the centring pin has a head and the keep has a lip under which the head of the centring pin engages when the locking mechanism moves to the locking state.

23. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 19, 20, 21 or 22, wherein the keep has a latch that is actuated by the closing! locking movement of the window or espagnolette mechanism to trap the centring pin or a further pin that is carried on the window sash or door in use.

24. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the centring pin or a further pin has a head under which the latch engages trapping the pin so that the window sash or door may not be jacked open.

25. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the latch is driven into its latching state by a lever that extends into the keep recess for the locking pin, the lever being driven by the locking pin as the locking pin slides with the slider to co-operatively engage with the keep recess.

26. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the lever or the latch is resiliently biased to its state that corresponds to the retracted state of the latch.

27. An espagnolette locking system for a window or door comprising an espagnolette locking mechanism to be mounted to a window sash or door in use, the mechanism including at least one locking pin mounted on a slider, the system further comprising a keep for said at least one locking pin of the espagnolette locking mechanism, wherein the keep has a latch that is actuated by the closing/locking movement of the window or espagnolette mechanism to trap a pin that is carried on the window sash or door in use.

28. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a resilient biasing device mounted within the keep for the deadbolt to urge the deadbolt against a side wall of the keep in the direction of the closing movement of the window or door.

29. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the resilient biasing device comprises a head portion that has a ramp whereby as the deadbolt rotates to its operative latching position it may ride up the ramp and thereby not be obstructed by the resilient biasing device.

30. An espagnolette locking system as claimed in Claim 29, wherein the head of the resilient biasing device is symmetrical, having a ramp on each end thereof so as to be mountable to the frame of a right or left-hand opening window or door.

31. A window or door latching mechanism and keep for the latching mechanism, the keep having therein a resilient biasing device to bias the latch against the side wall of the keep in the direction of closing movement of the door or window, thereby to provide a means of enhancing the sealing closure of the door or window.

32. A locking system for a window or door, for retaining a window/door leaf in a closed position comprising a shootbolt locking mechanism, the shootbolt mechanism comprising at least one shootbolt, at least one shootbolt unit attachable to the window/door leaf for housing the shootbolt, and at least one shootbolt keep in which the shootbolt is engageable, the shootbolt having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the shootbolt unit in the direction of its axis, the system further comprising at least one pin and a corresponding keep in which the pin is engageable, the pin extending, in use, parallel to the shootbolt axis.

33. A locking system as claimed in claim 32 wherein the pin is mountable to the shootbolt unit.

34. A locking system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the pin is axially adjustable relative to the shootbolt unit.

35. A locking system as claimed in claim 34 wherein the pin is screw threadedly adjustable relative to the shootbolt unit.

36. A locking system as claimed in claim 32, 33, 34 or 35 wherein the pin is demountable from the shootbolt unit.

37. A locking system as claimed in claim 32, 33, 34, 35 or 36 wherein the corresponding keep in which the pin is engageable has a recess or aperture to accommodate the pin when the locking system is in the closed state.

38. A locking system as claimed in claim 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 or 37 wherein the pin comprises a head portion and the corresponding keep comprises a lip under which the head portion of the pin is engageable.

39. A locking system for a window or door, the locking system comprising a shootbolt and/or espagnolette locking mechanism, the system further comprising at least one pin mountable to the window/door leaf, and a keep in which the pin is engageable, wherein the pin is axially adjustable relative to the leaf.

40. A locking system for a window or door, for retaining a window/door leaf in a closed position comprising a shootbolt locking mechanism, the shootbolt mechanism comprising at least one shootbolt and a shootbolt keep in which the shootbolt is engageable, the locking system further comprising a second keep for receiving the shootbolt and/or a pin, wherein the second keep is demountably attachable to the shootbolt keep.

41. A locking system as claimed in claim 40 the locking system further comprising at least one pin mountable to the window/door leaf and which is engageable in the second keep.

42. A locking system according to claim 40 comprising a shootbolt unit, mountable to the leaf for housing the shootbolt, the shootbolt being movable longitudinally relative to the shootbolt unit, wherein the pin is adjustably mountable to the shootbolt unit.

43. A locking system as claimed in claim 42 wherein the pin is screw threadedly adjustable relative to the shootbolt unit.

44. A locking system as claimed in claim 41, 42 or 43 wherein the pin comprises a head portion and the second keep comprises a lip under which the head portion of the pin is engageable.

45. A locking system as claimed in claim 41, 42, 43 or 44 wherein the second keep comprises a first recess or aperture, to accommodate, the pin when the locking system is in a closed state, and a second recess or aperture adjacent to the shootbolt keep and suitably substantially parallel with it, whereby the shootbolt may latch into the second keep for locking the window sash/door leaf in a night venting position.

46. A locking system as claimed in claim 40 wherein the second keep is adjacent to the shootbolt keep and suitably substantially parallel with it, whereby the shootbolt may latch into the second keep for locking the window sash/door leaf in a night venting position.

47. A locking system as claimed in claim 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 or 46 wherein the shootbolt keep has a recessed area in which a first portion of the second keep is receivable1 a second portion of the second keep extending laterally away from the shootbolt keep.

48. A locking system as claimed in claim 47 wherein the depth of the recessed area is such that, when mounted on the shootbolt keep, a top surface of the second keep is flush with a top surface of the shootbolt keep.

49. A locking system according to any of claims 32 to 48 further comprising an espagnolette mechanism operatively connected to the shootbolt mechanism.

50. A locking system for a window or door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.