GB2543475A

GB2543475A - Window or door locking system

Info

Publication number: GB2543475A
Application number: GB1514768.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Parker Alan; Stobson Daniel
Original assignee: EASYFIT HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: EASYFIT HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-19
Filing date: 2015-08-19
Publication date: 2017-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-19
Also published as: EP3133229A1; EP3133229B1; GB2543475B; GB201514768D0

Abstract

An adaptor for a window or door locking system, the adaptor having a base plate 160, a first and second cam 170 (180 Fig. 5), wherein the base plate is attached to an operation rod 140 of a shootbolt assembly having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second cams are arranged on the base plate, the first cam being arranged substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and the second cam being arranged out of line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly so that the window may be securely placed in both closed and night-vent positions. The two cams may be identical or differently shaped, for example different lengths or with a head. In use the two cams engage a double entry keep 80, with the second cam being located in the keeper for the first cam 81 when in the night vent position.

Description

Window or Door Locking System

The present invention relates to a window or door locking system and particularly to an adaptor for a window or door locking system.

Modern window sash frames are often made of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC). The uPVC may be extruded in a box form. The profile of the box form commonly includes a "Eurogroove", which is an industry standard groove in the profile of the window sash frame into which espagnolettes are fitted. Commonly shootbolt assemblies, a particular type of espagnolette, are used. Corresponding features, such as multipoint locks and hinge mechanisms may be fitted to the window frames, which may also be made of uPVC. Together the window sash frame and window frame form a uPVC window system. A typical modem window sash frame 12 and window frame 22, both of uPVC are shown in cross section in Figure 1 showing typical window system 10. The window frame 22 has an outwardly facing surface 23, an over rebate 25 with an internal seal 26 and a channel 28, into which multipoint locks are fitted (not shown) as described above. The window sash frame 12 has an outwardly facing surface 13 and an inwardly facing surface 14. The window sash frame 12 further has an over rebate 15 with external seal 16. A Euro groove 18 is provided in a lower surface of the window sash frame 12 for locating a shootbolt assembly (not shown) as described above.

The window sash frame 12 is hinged with respect to the window frame 22 so that the window may be positioned in an open position (approximately as shown) or a closed position, in which the Eurogroove 18 is opposite the channel 28.

In use, when the window sash frame 12 is closed against the window frame 22, the inwardly facing surface 14 of the window sash frame 12 contacts the internal seal 26 to provide a first seal and the external seal 16 of the over rebate 15 of the window sash frame 12 contacts the outwardly facing surface 23 of the window frame 22 to provide a second seal. This provides a weather-tight arrangement. A shootbolt assembly includes an operation rod which is moveable by a handle provided on the window sash. The operation rod includes a projection. Operation of the window handle moves the projection of the operation rod to engage or disengage with a first recess of a keep provided in the channel of the window frame. The engagement of the projection of the operation rod with the keep allows the sash to be securely locked when the window sash is in the closed position in the window frame. The arrangement may also allow the window sash to be left slightly ajar, in a so-called night-vent position. In the night-vent position, the projection of the operation rod is engaged in a second recess of the keep, the second recess of the keep being offset relative to the first recess in the direction in which the window is opened. A keep having a first and a second recess is known as a double entry keep.

Such uPVC window systems are replacing traditional wooden window systems. To provide the aesthetically pleasing effect seen in the traditional wooden window systems, the uPVC window systems have been designed without an over rebate 15. This results in the Eurogroove of the window sash frame being repositioned closer to the external edge of the window sash frame. This allows the external edge of the window sash frame to be flush with the external edge of the window frame. This design is known as a flush sash design. In such designs, the double entry keep provided in the window frame is misagligned with the Eurogroove 18 as will be described in more detail below.

As opposed to the previous Eurogroove designs, the repositioned Eurogroove 18 has no over rebate 15 on the outwardly facing surface 13 of the window sash frame 12, therefore it is not possible to provide a hidden external seal 16 on the window sash frame 12 which would otherwise allow a night vent position. In the absence of the over rebate 15 the external seal 16 has to be positioned on the window sash frame 12 between the Eurogroove 18 and the outwardly facing surface 13 of the window sash frame 12. This causes a space constraint and typically the double entry keeps must be positioned further away from the outwardly facing surface 13 of the window sash frame 12. This has the effect that only one of the first and second recesses of the keep are available for use. The alternative solution is to locate the double entry keep at an external edge of the window sash frame 12, adjacent the outwardly facing surface 13 by providing a break in the external seal 16, however to do so severely impairs the weather resistance of the window system.

Thus the repositioning of the Eurogroove to provide for the flush sash design, has meant that it is not possible to provide double entry keeps with both first and second recesses available for use with shootbolt assembly, so that the window sash may be securely positioned in the night vent position, whilst also maintaining a weather resistant window system.

The invention aims to provide a window locking system which overcomes this problem.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adaptor for a window or door locking system, the adaptor comprising: a base plate; a first cam; and a second cam, wherein the base plate is adapted to be attached to an operation rod of a shootbolt assembly, the operation rod having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second cams are arranged on the base plate, the first cam being arranged substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and the second cam being arranged out of line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly.

The adaptor provides first and second cams which may be located within a keep provided in a window frame, such that the window may be securely positioned in the closed and night-vent positions.

The first and second cams may be substantially identical.

The first cam may be adjustable. Adjustment of the first cam allows for tolerances in the assembly of the window system to be taken into account. Adjustment of the first cam also allows for the compression of the external seal provided between the window sash and the window frame to be altered.

The second cam may be thinner that the first cam. Whilst the first cam may be adjustable, by making the second cam thinner than the first cam, tolerances in the assembly of the window system may be taken into account simply by providing a thinner second cam relative to the first cam.

The second cam may be taller that the first cam. The second cam is located in the recess of the keep when the window sash is in the night-vent position. In the night-vent position the sash is hinged away from the window frame, such that the adaptor base plate installed on the window sash frame is located slightly further away from the keep installed on the window frame as compared to the window closed position. A taller second cam takes account of this increase in span to ensure that the second cam is securely received within the recess of the keep.

The first cam may include a head. The second cam may include a head. The head on the cam substantially prevents the window sash from being lifted off the hinges, thereby increasing security.

The base plate may include an increase in height, for example by including a step between a portion of the base plate on which the first cam is arranged and a portion of the base plate on which the second cam is arranged. This feature also helps to account for the increase in span in the night-vent position. Furthermore, this feature prevents interference with the sash profile surface below the second cam when the base plate slides across the sash profile surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a window or door locking system comprising: a shootbolt assembly attachable to a window sash or a door leaf, the shootbolt assembly including an operation rod having a longitudinal axis; a window or door frame including a keep; an adaptor comprising a base plate, a first cam, and a second cam, wherein the base plate is adapted to be attached to the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and wherein the first and second cams are arranged on the base plate, the first cam being arranged substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and the second cam being arranged out of line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, wherein the first cam is engaged in the keep when the window sash or door leaf is in a closed position and the wherein the second cam is engaged in the keep when the window sash or door leaf is in a night-vent position.

The window or door locking system may include the adaptor as defined in the first aspect of the invention.

The shootbolt assembly may be bi-directional. This arrangement provides multiple locking contacts.

The adaptor may be attached to the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly in the comer of the window sash or door leaf.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a typical uPVC window system;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shootbolt assembly with the adaptor in an open position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a magnified view of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the shootbolt assembly with the adaptor in a closed position;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a magnified view of the shootbolt assembly of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a uPVC window system of flush sash design in a window closed position;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the uPVC window system of Figure 10 in a locked position;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the uPVC window system of Figure 10 in a locked position; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the uPVC window system of Figure 10 in a night-vent position. A shootbolt assembly 110 has a face plate 120, an operation rod 140 and an adaptor 160. Figures 2 to 5 show part of the shootbolt assembly 110 in a withdrawn condition. Figures 6 to 9 show the same part of the shootbolt assembly 110 in an extended condition.

The face plate 120 is of known design and has a first end 122 and a second end 124. The face plate 120 has a first side 126 and a second side 128. The face plate 120 includes circular apertures 130 for fasteners used to attach the face plate 120 to a window sash as will be explained in more detail below. The second end 124 is bent towards the first side 126 at a right angle bend 132. At the right angle bend 132 is a rectangular recess 134. Adjacent the right angel bend 132 is slot 138. Adjacent the second end 124, the face plate 120 includes an out-of-plane bend 136 which acts as an interlocking feature with the window sash as will be explained in more detail below.

The operation rod 140 is also of known design and has a first end 142 and a second end 144. The first end 142 is pointed. The operation rod 140 has a first side 146 and a second side 148. The operation rod 140 has a longitudinal axis X which extends between the first and second ends 142, 144.

The adaptor 160 has a base plate 162, a first cam 170, a second cam 180 and a fastener 190. The base plate 162 is substantially triangular in plan with two rounded comers. A first portion 164 is separated from a second portion 166 by step 168. The first portion defines a first circular aperture for receiving the first cam 170 and a second circular aperture for receiving the fastener 190. The second portion defines a third circular aperture for receiving the second cam 180.

The first cam 170 has a substantially cylindrical body with an eccentricity and a flanged head 172. The first cam 170 is arranged on the first portion 164 of the base plate 162. The flanged head 172 includes a centrally defined recess 174 for a torque device. The first cam 170 is adjustable with respect to the first portion 164 of the base plate 162. The first cam 170 may be pivoted via a torque device to vary the height at which the first cam 170 extends from the base plate 162. The eccentricity of the body of the first cam 170 means pivoting of the first cam 170 by a torque device also varies the distance of the first cam 170 from the longitudinal axis X of the operation rod 140. This has the effect of decreasing or increasing the compression of an external seal positioned on the sash between the Eurogroove and the external edge of the window sash frame, when the first cam 170 is located in a recess of a keep provided on the window frame as will be described in more detail below.

The second cam 180 has a cylindrical body. The second cam 180 is arranged on the second portion 166 of the base plate 162. The diameter of the cylindrical body of the second cam 180 is less than the diameter of the cylindrical body of the first cam 170 such that the second cam 180 is thinner than the first cam 170. In an alternate embodiment (not shown) the second cam 180 has a flanged head in a similar manner to the first cam 170 flanged head 172. In a further alternate embodiment (not shown) the cylindrical body of the second cam 180 is longer that the cylindrical body of the first cam 170 such that the second cam 180 is taller than the first cam 170. In a further alternate embodiment (not shown) the first and second cams 170, 180 are identical.

The shootbolt assembly 110 is assembled in a window sash as follows. The first side 126 of the face plate 120 faces towards a window sash and the second side 128 faces away from the window sash. The first side 146 of the operation rod 140 faces towards the window sash and the second side 148 faces towards the first side 126 of the face plate 120. The operation rod 140 therefore sits between the face plate 120 and the window sash. The face plate 120 is attached to the window sash using fasteners passing through circular apertures 130. The operation rod 140 is slidably moveable with respect to the face plate 120 along longitudinal axis X, between the withdrawn condition shown in Figures 2 to 5 and the extended condition shown in Figures 6 to 9. The adaptor 160 is attached to the operation rod 140 by fastener 190 passing through slot 138 of the face plate 120. The adaptor 160 is arranged one the second side 128 of the face plate 120. The adaptor 160 is therefore slidably moveable with respect to the face plate 120 along longitudinal axis X. As the adaptor 160 is attached to the operation rod 140 by fastener 190, the first cam 170 extends from the first portion 164 of base plate 162 substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis X and the second cam 180 extends from the second portion 166 of base plate 162 out of line with the longitudinal axis X.

The shootbolt assembly 110 is operated in a window as follows. A window sash incorporating the shootbolt assembly 110 is hingeably mounted in a window frame. The window sash has three positions. In first position, the window closed position, the portion of the frame of the window sash opposite the hinge is flush with the window frame. In the second position, the window night vent position, at least a portion of the frame of the window sash opposite the hinge overlaps with the plane defined by the window frame. In the third position, the window open position, the portion of the frame of the window sash opposite the hinge is out of line with the plane defined by the window frame.

With reference to Figure 10, a bottom corner of the window frame is provided with a double entry keep 80 defining a first recess 81 and a second recess 82. The first recess 81 aligned with the first cam 170 when the window sash is in a closed position. The second recess 82 is aligned with the second cam 180 when the window sash is in the closed position. The window frame is further provided with an end stop 90 defining an end stop recess 91. The end stop recess 91 is aligned with the longitudinal axis X, when the window sash is in a closed position. A similar arrangement is provided in the upper comer of the window frame. A handle provided on the window sash operates the shootbolt assembly 110 such that the operation rod is withdrawn through the rectangular recess 134 as shown in Figure 5 when the handle is moved to an open position. Similarly, the operation rod 140 is extended through the rectangular recess 134 as shown in Figure 9 when the handle is moved to a closed position.

With reference to Figures 10 to 12, to lock the window in the window closed position, longitudinal displacement of the operation rod 140 to extend the first end 142 through the rectangular recess 134 results in the first end 142 locating in the end stop recess 91 of the end stop of the window frame providing a first locking contact. At the same time, the first cam 170 is displaced longitudinally into the first recess 81 in the keep 80, and the second cam 180 is displaced longitudinally into the second recess 82 in the keep 80, providing a second and a third locking contact.

Three further locking contacts are provided when the window system uses a bidirectional locking system, as the operation rod 140 of a second part of the shootbolt assembly 110 extends toward the upper comer of the window frame.

To open the window from the window closed position, longitudinal displacement of the operation rod 140 to withdraw the first end 142 through the rectangular recess 134 of the window frame removing the first locking contact. At the same time, the first and second cams 170, 180 are displaced longitudinally out of the first and second recesses 81, 82 in the keep 80, removing second and third locking contacts. The window sash may therefore be opened.

With reference to Figure 13, to lock the window in the night-vent position, the window sash must be aligned with the window frame such that the second cam 180 is in line with the first recess 81 in the keep 80. Then, longitudinal displacement of the operation rod 140 results in the second cam 180 being displaced longitudinally into the first recess 81 in the keep 80, providing a first locking contact. A further locking contact is provided when the window system uses a bi-directional locking system, as the operation rod 140 extends toward the upper comer of the window frame.

The above description refers to a window sash, fitting within a window frame. It will be clear to the skilled person that a door leaf, fitting within a door frames is equally within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. An adaptor for a window or door locking system, the adaptor comprising: a base plate; a first cam; and a second cam, wherein the base plate is adapted to be attached to an operation rod of a shootbolt assembly, the operation rod having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second cams are arranged on the base plate, the first cam being arranged substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and the second cam being arranged out of line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly.

2. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cams are substantially identical.

3. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first cam is adjustable.

4. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the second cam is thinner that the first cam.

5. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the second cam is taller that the first cam.

6. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first cam includes a head.

7. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to any preceding claim, wherein the second cam includes a head.

8. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to claim 1, wherein the base plate includes an increase in height between a portion of the base plate on which the first cam is arranged and a portion of the base plate on which the second cam is arranged.

9. An adaptor for a window or door locking system according to claim 8, wherein the increase in height is provided by a step in the base plate.

10. A window or door locking system comprising: a shootbolt assembly attachable to a window sash or a door leaf, the shootbolt assembly including an operation rod having a longitudinal axis; a window or door frame including a keep; an adaptor comprising a base plate, a first cam, and a second cam, wherein the base plate is adapted to be attached to the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and wherein the first and second cams are arranged on the base plate, the first cam being arranged substantially in-line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, and the second cam being arranged out of line with the longitudinal axis of the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly, wherein the first cam is engaged in the keep when the window sash or door leaf is in a closed position and the wherein the second cam is engaged in the keep when the window sash or door leaf is in a night-vent position.

11. A window or door locking system according to claim 10, including the adaptor as defined in any of claim 2 to 10.

12. A window or door locking system according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the shootbolt assembly is bi-directional.

13. A window or door locking system according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the adaptor is attached to the operation rod of the shootbolt assembly in the comer of the window sash or door leaf.

14. An adaptor for a window or door locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 13.

15. A window or door locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 13.