GB2448340A

GB2448340A - A resilient keep arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2448340A
Application number: GB0707017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Rogers; Neil Gokhale
Original assignee: Avocet Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: Avocet Hardware Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-12
Filing date: 2007-04-12
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Also published as: GB0707017D0

Abstract

A keep arrangement for a lock comprises a mounting part 36 for mounting the keep to a surface such as a window or a door frame. A slotted keep part 38 is provided for receiving a headed bolt 16 of a lock such as an espagnolette and is movable relative to the mounting part 36. Resilient members 40, such as compression springs are arranged between the mounting part 36 and the keep part 38. In figure 6b resilient members 40 accommodate changes in the spacing between the keep and mounting parts. In the figure 8 arrangement a keep part 62 slotted at 74 to receive headed bolts is located on a mounting part 50 and resilient members 78 allow sideways movement. The headed bolt can be resiliently mounted on a support pin and as shown in figure 11 a lock keep 104 comprises a body 106 defining a first pathway 112 for receiving a first bolt and a second pathway 114 for receiving a second, relatively movable, bolt. The bolt in pathway 116 can be moved into passages 118 or 120 to provide locking in full or partial closure positions and a supplementary locking member engaged by this bolt movement can secure the other bolt in pathway 112.

Description

I

A KEEP ARRANGEMENT, A LOCK KEEP A LOCKING APPARATUS, AND A BOLT ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to a keep arrangement, a lock keep, a locking apparatus and a belt arrangement, primarily for use in, although not exclusively limited to, locks for windows and doors in buildings.

Locking systems for modem windows and doors, particularly windows or doors having extruded frames, either in aluminium of PVC, generally fall into two categories: shoot bolts and espagnolettes. Shoot bolts operate by actuating a bolt, normally from the top and bottom of a door or window into apertures in the upper and lower parts of the frame. Espagnolettes function by moving a mushroom-headed bolt into a pathway in a keep plate on the frame of the door or window. Some systems combine both shoot bolt and an espagnolette arrangement.

One of the difficulties encountered in using the espagnolette systems is the large tolerances which are often present in closures, be they doors or windows of this nature. This can result in a wide range of positions when the mushroom-headed bolt encounters the keep plate. As a consequence, the shaft of the mushroom-headed bolt must be quite long and the clearance beneath the keep plate must also be quite deep.

In combination, this provides a locking arrangement with lots of play. That reduces the security of the lock and also affects the "feel" of the lock as it is closed. In some circumstances, for example if a window has been incorrectly fitted or after a period of use, the sash of the window can move to a sufficient extent that the bolt of the espagnolette strikes the keep on entry, preventing locking from taking place.

Moreover, due to variations in the way in which the peripheral closure seal, for example a window seal or a door seal is manufactured, a varying seal gap can occur on closure. This can cause the bolt of the espagnolette to be offset relative to the entrance to the keep. Again, this can either result in the bolt not entering the keep or alternatively for large stresses to be passed via the bolt into the handle arrangement as it rides along the edge of the pathway.

It is known, for example from British Patent Application No.2233025 to provide a keep that has an adjustment feature allowing for initial alignment of the keep position on installation, and indeed subsequently thereto.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved keep arrangement for a lock.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a keep arrangement for a lock comprising a mounting part for mounting the keep to a surface, a keep part for receiving a bolt of a lock, the keep part being movable relative to the mounting part and resilient means arranged between the mounting part and the keep part.

In that way, the keep part can float relative to the mounting part so as to accommodate variations in the position of the bolt on entry into the keep.

Further variations and improvements upon that aspect are shown in the dependent claims appended hereto from claims 2 to 21.

The espagnolette arrangement has been considered to be less secure than the shoot bolt arrangement. If very high levels of force are applied to the window or door, it is possible in some circumstances to move the door/window relative to the frame so as to remove the bolt from the pathway in the keep.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved lock keep.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a lock keep comprising a body defining a first pathway for receiving the first bolt, a second, separate pathway for receiving a second, separate bolt, the first pathway having an open end which allows a first bolt into the first pathway and a closed end which constrains the first bolt against movement in all but a first direction and the second pathway having an open end which allows a second bolt into the second pathway and a closed end which constrains the second bolt against movement in all but a second direction, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.

In that way, moving the closure relative to the closure frame will not allow an intruder to remove the bolt from the pathway of the keep.

Further advantageous features and improvements in relation to that aspect as set out in the claims at claims 23 to 28.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above features, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved locking apparatus for a closure.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a locking apparatus for a closure, the apparatus comprising a lock body, a lock bolt and a supplementary locking member, the lock body and the lock bolt being moveable relative to each other to change the condition of the locking apparatus between unlocked and locked conditions, the supplementary locking member being actuable by the bolt to supplement the locking condition of the apparatus.

In that way, normal operation of the lock additionally actuates the supplementary locking member.

In the case of the lock keep with the two bolt paths, actuation of one bolt along the bolt locking pathway part actuates the supplementary locking member to prevent removal of the first bolt along the first bolt pathway.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a bolt arrangement for an espagnolette apparatus comprising a mounting part fixable to the espagnolette apparatus, a bolt head mountable to the mounting part and a resilient member between the mounting part and the bolt head to allow the bolt head to deflect resiliently relative to the mounting part.

A keep arrangement, a lock keep and a locking apparatus will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig.1 is a side elevation of a prior art espagnolette, Fig.2 is a schematic perspective view of a prior art keep receiving the bolt of

the prior art espagnolette,

Figs.3a to 3c illustrate prior locking arrangements in a schematic, side elevation, Fig.4 is a schematic side elevation of a keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Fig.5 is a schematic side elevation of a alternative keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, Fig.6a to 6c are schematic side elevations of the keep arrangement of Fig.4 shown in various stages of locking as the bolt moves along the locking pathway, Figs.7a to 7c show the keep arrangement of Figs.4 and 6 with different clearances in the closure arrangement, Fig.8 is a further keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, Fig.9 is yet another keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, Fig. 10 is a further embodiment of a keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, Fig. 1 Oa is a perspective cut away view of a bolt arrangement in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a keep arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, a lock keep in accordance with the second aspect of the invention and also embodying a locking apparatus in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of a lock keep of the locking apparatus of Fig. 11, Fig.13 is a top plan view of the lock keep of Fig.12, Fig. 14 is a plan view of a supplementary locking member of the locking apparatus of Fig.1 1, Fig. 1 5a and 1 5b are, respectively, front and side elevations of an espagnolette arrangement of the locking apparatus of Figs.l1 to 14, Figs.16a to 16e illustrate the locking apparatus of Figs.1 1-15, viewed in plan from the top in varying stages from fully open to fully closed, Figs.17a to 17e show a similar sequence from below.

Fig.18 shows the lock plate part of the locking apparatus of Figs.! I to 17.

In Fig.1, a known espagnolette 10 is shown. The espagnolette 10 comprises a chassis 12 to which a face plate 14 is secured. The face plate 14 carries two bolts 16, 18 spaced apart either side of the chassis 12. The bolts 16, 18 are slidably mounted to the face plate 14. A chassis 12 carries an actuator mechanism 20, the operation of which is well known and will not be described here. The actuator mechanism 20 actuates the bolts 16, 18 to slide relative to the face plate 14. The bolts 16, 18 slide from an initial position indicated with A to a final position indicated by B. When the espagnolette 10 is mounted on, for example, a PVC window, the actuator mechanism 20 is connected to a handle (not shown) whereby actuation of the handle 20 actuates the actuator mechanism 20. When the window carrying the espagnolette is closed, the handle is turned, driving the actuator mechanism 20, which in turn causes the bolts 16, 18 to move from their position A to position B. Referring to Fig.2, a window (not shown) comprises a frame 22 to which a lock keep 24 is secured in known manner. The lock keep 24 comprises a plate 26 having depending walls 28, 30 and a base plate 32.

The upper plate 26 and one depending side wall 28 have a cutaway portion so as to define an elongate pathway 34. As can be seen in Fig.2, when the espagnolette is actuated by means of the window handle (now shown) which in turn actuates the actuator mechanism 20, the bolts 16, 18 move longitudinally of the face plate 14 from a position outside the keep 26, along the pathway 34 into a locked position at B. As can be seen in Fig.2, as the espagnolette is arranged on the sash part of the window and the keep 24 is arranged on the frame part, the bolt 16 has an initial position outside of the plane defined by the window frame 22. As the window is closed, the bolt 16 moves to position A and actuation of the handle (not shown) moves the bolt to position B. Figs.3a to 3c illustrate the problem with this type of arrangement. Due to the larger tolerance errors that apply to extruded door and window frames, there is often considerable variation in the position of the bolt A both in terms of its height above the frame and its position relative to the plane defined by the frame.

Because of that the espagnolette systems are prone to jamming either where the bolt is too high or is misaligned with the opening of the pathway into the top plate 26 of the keep 24.

As a consequence, the bolt 16 must have sufficient length to accommodate the tolerance problems. Also, the distance between the plate of the keep must be maintained at a certain minimum level to accommodate the tolerance issues. This leads to the problem that in many arrangements there is considerable play between the bolt and the plate, allowing an intruder to manipulate the closure so as to release the lock. As shown in Fig.3c, tolerance problems raised by extruded systems can lead to a jamming of the espagnolette where insufficient clearance is provided.

Fig.4 shows schematically, a keep arrangement in accordance with the invention.

The keep arrangement of Fig.4 comprises a mounting part 36 arranged to allow mounting of the keep arrangement to a window or door frame (not shown). In addition to the mounting part, the keep part 38 is similar in many respects to the keep 24 in Fig.2. It, too, comprises a top plate 26, opposite side walls 28, 30 depending from the top plate 26, the top plate 26 defining a path 34 for a bolt 16.

In the keep arrangement of Fig.4, resilient members 40, are arranged one at each corner of the mounting part 36.

The resilient members 40 comprise compression springs 42a, 42b. The coil spring 42a spaced from the open end of the pathway is longer than the coil spring 42b.

This tends to incline the surface of the top plate 26 down towards the open end of the bolt pathway 34.

The keep shown in Fig.5 is identical to the keep of Fig.4 except that one of the side wall 28 is shorter than the other side waIl 30 so as to create a natural incline down towards the open end of the bolt pathway 34.

In Fig.6, a keep identical in most respects to that shown in Figs.4 and 5 is shown and parts corresponding to Figs.4 and 5 carry the same reference numerals. In Fig.6, the mounting part 36 has a base surface 44 and an upper face 46 inclined relative to the base surface. The resilient means 40 comprise a coil spring 48, one at each corner of the mounting part 36. The coil springs 48 are of equal length.

The inclined upper face 46 of the mounting part 36 causes the keep part 38 to be inclined downwardly towards the open end of the bolt pathway 34.

As can be seen in Figs.6a to 6c, in the keep arrangement of the present invention, as the bolt 16 moves towards the bolt pathway 34, part of the bolt 16, or part of the closure (not shown) contacts the upper surface of the keep part 38. That, in turn, acts against the resilient means 40 to position the keep part relative to the bolt 16.

The bolt 16 then continues to slide along the bolt pathway 34. When the bolt 16 has reached its closed position, the resilient means 40 push the keep part 38 into firm contact with the underside of the bolt.

Fig.7a to 7c show the keep arrangement of Fig.6a to 6c with different levels of clearance due to varying seal gaps and closure tolerances. As can be seen, in each case, due to the spring biased nature of the keep part relative to the mounting part, the bolt is always correctly positioned in the bolt pathway 34.

Because the keep part is pre-positioned relative to the bolt then the shaft of the bolt can be made shorter than the shaft of prior art bolts as shown in Figs.1, 2, 3a and 3b.

Whilst prior art bolts tended to have a shaft length of approximately 8mm, the present invention allows that distance to be reduced to approximately 4mm-6mm, preferably 5mm. That, in turn, reduces the amount of play that exists in the lock when the bolt is received in the keep. Also, the resilient bias acting to pre-position the keep part relative to the bolt provides a more secure feeling on the handle for the user when actuating the bolt. Other length bolts may be applicable in different circumstances.

In fig.8, an alternative form of keep 48 comprises a mounting part 50 which is mounted to a frame 22 of a window or door (not shown). The mounting part 50 is I shaped in section, having a flat base 52, a central upstanding wall 54 and a cross-piece 56 so as to define two back-to-back channels 58,60 on opposite sides of the wall 54.

The base maybe shaped to suit profile used.

A keep part 62 comprises oppositely facing channel portions 64, 66 connected by a top plate 68. The channel portions are defined by the top plate 68, side walls 70 and a base part 72.

The keep part 62 is mounted relative to the base part such that the base parts 72 of the channel portions 64, 66 extend into the channels 58, 60 and the ends of the cross-piece 56 extend into the channel portions 64, 66.

The top plate 68 of the keep part 62 has four pathways 74 for bolts cut out therefrom. Counter-sunk screws 76 secure the mounting part 50 to the frame. The pathways 74 are arranged two at each end of the keep part. Although the bolt pathways 74 are shown as being potentially identical in the Fig.9 embodiment, it is envisaged that alternatively shaped or sized bolt pathways could be formed.

Resilient elements 78 in the form of strips of neoprene are arranged that the closed ends of the channels 58, 60, running longitudinally thereof.

When the sash of a window or door is closed into the frame 22 in the direction shown with an-ow S. bolts of an espagnolette arrangement should align with the entrance to at least one of the pathways 74. However, due to tolerance errors in the frame itself and due to varying seal gap and seal rigidity, the bolt can finish in a position where it is not fully aligned with the entrance to the pathway 74. In prior keeps that would have caused considerable difficulty because either the bolt would not have entered the pathway at all, rendering the latch unusable or to force it into a pathway considerable strain would be transmitted into the espagnolette, into the handle and even into the hinge or stay of the window or door.

In the present case, if the bolt is not fully aligned with the opening to pathway 74 then on movement of the bolt into the pathway, the keep part 62 moves relative to the mounting part 50 against the resilient bias of one of the resilient elements 78. The screw 76 which secure the mounting part to the frame have sufficient play to enable that corrective movement.

The alternative keep 48 shown in Fig.9 is similar in many respects to that shown in Fig.8 and parts corresponding to parts in Fig.8 carry the same reference numerals.

The alternative keep 48 is a simpler version of the keep shown in Fig.8. In Fig.9, the keep 48 comprises a mounting part 50 which carries a keep part 62 in the form of a plate 80. The plate 80 has pathways 74 defined for receiving a bolt. The mounting part 50 almost completely surrounds the plate 80 and the side edges of the plate 80 are received in channels 58, 60 in which lie resilient elements 78, again either in the form of a neoprene strip or in the form of a rubber bush.

The operation of the keep of Fig.9 is substantially similar to that of Fig.8 and will not be described in detail here.

Again, the keep 48 of Fig.! 0 is similar to that shown in Figs.8 and 9 and parts corresponding to parts in those figures carry the same reference numerals.

The primary difference between the keep 48 of Fig. 10 and of Figs.8 and 9 is that Fig. 10 accommodates a bolt having an enlarged head in the central channel 82 formed beneath the pathway 74. Also, the resilient element 78 is formed from flat strips, for example of rubber. Alternatively, a leaf spring arrangement may be received in the clearance between the mounting part 50 and the keep part 62.

Fig. I Oa shows an alternative solution to the problem of bolt misalignment with the bolt pathway.

In Fig.lOa a bolt 16 is shown on an espagnolette 10. The bolt is shown partially cut away for clarity. The bolt 16 comprises a bolt shaft 84 which is mounted at its lower end to an actuator plate 86 of the espagnolette 10. The bolt shaft 84 extends upwardly from the actuator plate 86 through a slot 88 in face plate 14 of the espagnolette.

The shaft 84 has an annular groove 90 which carries an annular rubber bush 92. A bolt cap 94 comprises a stepped hollow cylindrical body 96 which steps down in diameter from the first diameter part 96a to a second, smaller diameter part 96b.

The larger diameter part 96a has a diameter which is sufficient to ride along the upper surface of the face plate 14. Most preferably, the diameter 96a is approximately equal to the width of the espagnolette face plate 14. The smaller diameter part 96b has an annular groove formed on the inner surface thereof and receives an outer annular part of the bush 92 so that the cap 94 is carried in a resilient fashion by the shaft 84.

In that way, if the bolt 16 of Fig.lOa encounters difficulty on entry into the pathway 74 in the keep, the cap part can deflect resiliently relative to the shaft 84 which should provide sufficient play to allow the bolt 16 to travel into the pathway 74 smoothly.

Turning to Fig. 11, the keep arrangement, a lock keep and a locking arrangement are shown.

In Fig.!!, a lock keep arrangement 100 comprises a mounting part 102 and a keep part 104 mounted to the mounting part.

Although not shown in Fig.1 1, the keep part 104 is mounted to the mounting part 102 in similar fashion to the mounting of the keep part 38 to the mounting part 36 of Figs.5-7. In other words, a compression coil spring is arranged at each corner of the keep part 104 so that the keep part 104 is movable towards and away from the mounting part 102 against a resilient bias.

The keep part 104 comprises a keep plate 106 with depending front and rear walls 108, 110. The transition from plate 106 to wall 108 is radiused. Guide slots 121a, 121b are cut into the rear wall 110 as shown in Fig.13.

The plate 106 has two bolt pathways 112, 114 cut out therefrom.

The first bolt pathway 112 extends from the front wall 108 in a straight line from an open end 112a to a closed end 1 12b towards the rear wall 110. At the closed end I 12b, a bolt in that position is prevented from moving either in the direction of the rear waIl 110, or from side-to-side but the bolt is free to move towards the open end 1 12a of the pathway 112.

The second pathway 114 comprises an open end 1 14a in the front waIl 108, and a closed end 114b adjacent the rear wall 110. The pathway 114 comprises an entry path part 116, a closure path part 118 and a night vent path part 120. The entry path part 116 extends from the open end 114a towards the rear wall 110. The closure path part 118 extends from the inner end of the entry path 116 generally at right angles to the entry path 116 towards the other pathway 112, generally parallel with the rear wall 110. The night vent path part 120 extends parallel to the closure path 118 but extends from an intermediate pathway of the entry path part 116.

When a bolt is received in the closed end I 14b of the pathway 114, it is constrained against movement in the direction of the first pathway 112 by the closed end and restrained against movement from front to back of the device by virtue of the walls of the pathway 114. The only direction in which the bolt could move is back along the closure path part 118 towards the entry path part 116.

Thus, it can be appreciated that bolts received in the two pathways provide a secure lock, as all possible degrees of freedom are constrained against movement.

Figs. 12 and 13 show the plate 106 in top and bottom plan views. In those views it can be seen clearly that the open mouth ends 112a, 114a of the pathways 112, 114 are flared outwardly so as to facilitate receiving bolts. It will be noted that the keep plate 106 of Figs. 12 and 13 is oppositely handed to that of Fig. 11.

Fig.14 shows a supplementary locking member 122. The supplementary locking member 122 comprises a locking head 124, a neck part 126 having a bolt drive surface 128 and a shoulder portion 130 which acts as a rail. At one end of the shoulder portion 130 there is an upstanding blocking part 132. Guide fingers 134, 136 extend downwardly from the shoulder portion 130 from the end carrying the upstanding part 132 and front beneath the neck 126 respectively. The function of the supplementary locking element 122 will be described in detail below in relation to Figs.16 and 17.

Figs.15a and 15b show an espagnolette arrangement. Parts corresponding to parts in Fig.1 carry the same reference numerals. In Fig.15, the espagnolette 10 comprises a chassis 12 to which a face plate 14 is secured. The face plate 14 carries a first bolt 16 which is fixed to the face plate. Slots 88 are formed in the face plate 14.

Slots 88 are arranged on either side of the chassis 12. A slide plate 138 is arranged between the chassis 12 and the face plate 14 and can be driven by an actuator mechanism 20 received in the chassis 12 to slide relative to the face plate 14. Bolts 18 are fixed to opposite ends of the slide plate 138 and project through the slots 88 in the face plate 14. Actuation of the actuating mechanism 20 causes the slide plate 138 to slide relative to the face plate 14, which in turn moves the bolts 18 along the slots 88 from one end thereof to the other.

The supplementary locking element is mounted in slidable fashion underneath the keep plate 106 as shown in Fig.! 6a.

As can be seen in Fig.16a, the supplementary locking element is arranged under the lock plate 106 so that the guide fingers, 134, 136 are received in guide slots 12 Ia, b. The neck 126 extends in a direction away from the rear wall 110 towards the front waIl 108 and the lock head 124 lies in an area beneath the space between the two pathways 112, 114.

The dimensions of the supplementary locking element and shape thereof are chosen so that when the guide fingers 134, 136 abut the upper end of the guide slots 121a, 121b as viewed in Fig.16a, the lock head 124 closes off the night vent path part 120.

Although not absolutely necessary, the supplementary locking element 122 is biased by means of a spring 140, which spring is a compression coil spring extending between the mounting part 102 and the shoulder portion 130 of the supplementary locking element.

Fig.16a is a plan view of the lock assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the third aspect of the invention.

Whilst the closure on which the locking arrangement is mounted is not shown, the mounting part 102 and keep plate 106 would tend to be mounted on the frame of the closure, for example the window frame and the espagnolette 10 would tend to be mounted on the closure member itself, for example on the sash of the window.

Neither of those features are shown for the sake of clarity. Moreover, in Fig. 1 6b to 16e redundant features of the espagnolette 10 are omitted for the sake of clarity. The items retained are the bolts 16, 18 and the slot 88.

On closing the, e.g. window, the bolt 16 of the espagnolette 10 is received in the opening 11 2a of the pathway 112 and the bolt 18 is received in the opening 11 4a of the pathway 114. The default position of the supplementary element 122 prevents the bolt 18 from inadvertently entering the night vent path part 120.

Upon full closure of the window (see Fig. I 6c), the bolt 16 has travelled along the length of the pathway 112 to the closed end 11 2b and the bolt 18 is at the inner end of the entry path part 116 of the pathway 114.

Upon actuation of the window handle, the actuator mechanism 120 causes the slide plate 138 to slide relative to the face plate 14 of the espagnolette 10 which, in turn, causes the bolt 18 to begin to move away from the end of the slot 88 towards the opposite ends thereof. As shown in Fig. I 6b, the bolt 18 moves along the slot 88 in the face plate 14 and also moves along the closure path 118 of the pathway 114 in the keep plate 116. About half way along its travel, the bolt 18 abuts the drive surface 128 of the neck 126 of the supplementary locking element 122. This position is shown in Fig. I 6d.

Continued actuation of the handle causes the bolt to continue its travel along the slot 88 and the closure path 118 which causes the supplementary locking element 122 to slide relative to the plate 106 against the action of the spring 140. The guide fingers 134, 136 slide along the guide slots 121a, 121b until they abut the lower end of the slots as shown in Fig.! 6e. In that position, the bolt 18 has travelled towards the opposite end of the slot 88 and abuts the closed end I 14b of the second pathway 114.

The supplementary locking element is moved so that the lock head 124 blocks off the pathway 112, which prevents the bolt 16 from moving back along the first pathway 112 from the closed end towards the open end.

Upon opening of the window, the handle is actuated in reverse to push the bolt 18 back along the slot 88, travelling away from the closed end 114b of the second pathway along the closure path 118 to the end of the entry path 116. The spring 140 assists in the return of the supplementary locking element although absent that biasing feature, the bolt 18 can contact the upstanding portion 132 on the shoulder portion 130 to push the supplementary locking element back into position.

In another aspect, the spring is omitted.

Fig.17a-e show the same process from beneath the keep plate.

Although not shown in Figs. 16 and 17, as the espagnoLette 10 passes over the radiused part of the front wall 108, the plate 106 is deflected against the action of the springs 40 so as to correctly align the plate 106 in relation to the bolts 16, 18, in similar fashion to that shown in Figs.5 to7.

In Fig. 18, the locking plate is shown in a vertical installation. The tapered leading in part to the pathway helps to lift the sash (not shown) into the correct orientation as the bolt rides along the lower face thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A keep arrangement for a lock comprising a mounting part for

mounting the keep to a surface, a keep part for receiving a bolt of a lock, the keep part being movable relative to the mounting part and resilient means arranged between the mounting part and the keep part.
2. A keep arrangement according to claim I in which the keep part is movable towards and away from the mounting part.
3. A keep arrangement according to claim I or 2 in which the keep part is resiliently biased away from the mounting part.
4. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the keep part defines a pathway for a bolt, the pathway having an open end and a closed end.
5. A keep arrangement according to claim 4 in which the open end is flared outwardly to facilitate reception of a bolt of a lock.
6. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the keep part is inclined relative to the mounting part.
7. A keep arrangement according to claim 6, in which the mounting part has a base and an upper face, the resilient means being mounted between the upper face and the keep part.
8. A keep arrangement according to claim 7 in which the upper face is inclined relative to the base.
9. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the resilient means comprises first resilient means having a first length and second resilient means having a second, different length.
10. A keep arrangement according to any of claims 1-8 in which the resilient means comprises two resilient means of the same length.
11. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the keep arrangement is arranged in a lock, the lock further comprising a bolt arrangement, whereby a bolt arrangement has a surface arranged to contact the keep part to move the keep relative to the mounting part so as to preposition the keep part for entry of the bolt.
12. A keep arrangement according to claim 11 in which the surface of the bolt arrangement prepositions the keep in the direction towards and away from the mounting part.
13. A keep arrangement according to any of claims 1-10, in which the keep arrangement is arranged in a lock in a closure, the lock comprising a bolt arrangement, the closure having a closure frame and a closure member, the keep arrangement being mounted on one of the closure frame or closure member and the bolt arrangement being mounted on the other of the closure frame or closure member, the part of the closure on which the bolt arrangement is mounted having a surface which is arranged to contact the keep part so as to move the keep part relative to the mounting part to preposition the keep part for entry of the bolt.
14. A keep arrangement according to claim 13 in which the surface of the closure prepositions the keep part in the direction towards and away from the mounting part.
15. A keep arrangement according to claim 13 for 14 in which the keep arrangement is mounted on the closure frame or on a closure member in such a way so as to be inclined relative to the surface which prepositions the keep part on contact between the surface and the keep part.
16. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the keep part defines a kepp part plane and the mounting part defines a mounting part plane, the keep part plane and mounting part planes being spaced apart and substantially parallel with each other and the keep part is movable in the keep part plane relative to the mounting part.
17. A keep arrangement according to claim 16, in which the resilient means biases the keep part to a middle position relative to the mounting part.
18. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the resilient means comprises one or more of a spring such as a coil spring or leaf spring or a resilient member, such as a rubber bush or a neoprene strip.
19. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim arranged in a lock arrangement, the lock arrangement comprising a bolt, the bolt being movable from an unlocked position to a locked position relative to the keep part and the keep part as being movable transverse to the direction of the movement of the bolt.
20. A keep arrangement according to claim 17, the keep arrangement forming part of a locking arrangement which comprises a bolt movable from unlocked to locked conditions, whereby the locking arrangement is arranged on the closure, the closure comprising a closure member and a closure frame, the bolt being movable in the plane defined by the closure member and closure frame when closed and the keep part is movable relative to the mounting part in and out of the plane.
21. A keep arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the keep part is movable both towards and away from the mounting part and in which the keep part defines a keep part plane and the mounting part defines a mounting part plane, the keep part plane and mounting part planes being spaced apart and substantially parallel with each other and the keep part is movable in the keep part plane relative to the mounting part.
22. A lock keep comprising a body defining a first pathway for receiving the first bolt, a second, separate pathway for receiving a second, separate bolt, the first pathway having an open end which allows a first bolt into the first pathway and a closed end which constrains the first bolt against movement in all but a first direction and the second pathway having an open end which allows a second bolt into the second pathway and a closed end which constrains the second bolt against movement in all but a second direction, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.
23. A lock keep according to claim 22 in which the first pathway is straight and the second pathway comprises a bolt entry path part and a bolt locking path part transverse to the bolt entry path part.
24. A lock keep according to claim 22 or 23 in which one or both pathways have a night vent bolt path part formed between the open end and the closed end to provide an intermediate night vent position of the bolt.
25. A lock keep according to any of claims 22-24, having a keep arrangement with any of the features of claims 1-20.
26. A lock keep according to any of claims 22-25, the lock keep being arranged in a lock in a closure, the closure comprising a closure member and a closure frame, the lock comprising a lock keep and a bolt arrangement, the lock keep being arranged on one of the closure member or closure frame and the bolt arrangement being arranged on the other of the closure member and closure frame.
27. A lock keep according to claim 26 in which the lock keep is fixed relative to the part of the closure on which it is mounted and the bolt is movable relative to the part of the closure on which it is mounted so as to effect movement along the pathway.
28. A lock keep according to claim 27 in which the bolt arrangement is fixed relative to the part of the closure on which it is mounted and the lock keep is movable relative to the part of the closure on which it is mounted so as to effect movement of the bolt along the pathway.
29. A locking apparatus for a closure, the apparatus comprising a lock body, a lock bolt and a supplementary locking member, the lock body and the lock bolt being moveable relative to each other to change the condition of the locking apparatus between unlocked and locked conditions, the supplementary locking member being actuable by the bolt to supplement the locking condition of the apparatus.
30. A locking apparatus according to claim 29 in which the lock body defines two lock paths, two lock bolts being provided, whereby movement of one bolt actuates the supplementary locking member to supplement the locking condition of the other bolt.
31. A locking apparatus according to claim 29 or 30 including a lock keep having the features of claim 21 whereby the supplementary locking member closes off the first direction to prevent removal of the bolt along the first pathway.
32. A locking apparatus comprising a keep arrangement having any of the features of claims I to 27.
33. A locking apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the keep arrangement comprises a keep part and a mounting part, the keep part being movable relative to the mounting part and the resilient means arranged between the keep part and the mounting part, the keep part comprising a plate having a cutaway part defining a pathway for a bolt, the keep part movable towards and away from the mounting part and the resilient means resiliently biasing the keep part away from the mounting part, the locking apparatus further comprising a bolt, the bolt having a shaft and a head, the shaft running along the pathway and the head sliding under the plate, in use.
34. A locking apparatus according to claim 33, in which the shaft has a length 4mm- 6mm, most preferably 5mm.
35. A bolt arrangement for an espagnolette apparatus comprising a mounting part fixable to the espagnolette apparatus, a bolt head mountable to the mounting part and a resilient member between the mounting part and the bolt head to allow the bolt head to deflect resiliently relative to the mounting part.