GB2560957A

GB2560957A - A drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window

Info

Publication number: GB2560957A
Application number: GB1705078.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carpenter Stuart
Original assignee: INGENIOUS LOCKS & HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: INGENIOUS LOCKS & HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2017-03-30
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Also published as: GB201705078D0

Abstract

A drive assembly having a housing including first and second opposing walls 36a, 36b to define a space in which an actuator device 42 is positioned and is configured for connection to an output member for operating the locking device. The actuator 42 is driven between first and second positions by a drive member, e.g spindle/rod (32, fig.3). At least one wall includes a guide formation 80 guiding movement of the drive member. Preferably the drive member is connected to a sliding handle, the drive member guided in a linear slot in the casing. The handle may be a recessed sliding handle (fig.8) Drive rod may be received in member 60 inserted in apertures 52 of a pair of opposing actuator plates 44a, 44b. A key cylinder lock may block movement of the actuator plates. Also claimed is a sliding handle.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window Abstract Title: A drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window (57) A drive assembly having a housing including first and second opposing walls 36a, 36b to define a space in which an actuator device 42 is positioned and is configured for connection to an output member for operating the locking device. The actuator 42 is driven between first and second positions by a drive member, e.g spindle/rod (32, fig.3). At least one wall includes a guide formation 80 guiding movement of the drive member. Preferably the drive member is connected to a sliding handle, the drive member guided in a linear slot in the casing. The handle may be a recessed sliding handle (fig.8) Drive rod may be received in member 60 inserted in apertures 52 of a pair of opposing actuator plates 44a, 44b. A key cylinder lock may block movement of the actuator plates. Also claimed is a sliding handle.

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Title: A drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window. In particular, the invention relates to a drive assembly for connection to an output member for operating the locking device.

It is known to provide a window or door in an opening of a frame and to provide the window or door with a handle assembly that can be operated to permit the window or door to be moved with respect to the frame. The handle assembly generally includes a locking member (e.g. in the form of a hook) that can be operated or moved, generally rotationally, between an unlocked condition in which movement of the door or window is permitted, and a locked condition in which movement of the window or door is inhibited. In the unlocked condition, the locking member is in a retracted position in a housing of the handle assembly and, in the locked condition, it is in an extended condition where it extends into a keep provided in the frame so as to prevent movement of the window or door. The locking member is often moveable between the locked and unlocked conditions through operation of a key cylinder coupled to the locking member.

In some cases, the door may be slidingly supported within a frame such that it is slid sidewards between open and closed positions. Such doors are commonly referred to as patio doors. In such cases, the locking member is generally hook shaped and, in its locked condition, engages with a transverse pin in the frame to prevent sideward movement of the door.

It is known to improve security by providing a pair of locking devices, each including a respective further locking member, at the same side of the door that the handle assembly is positioned and a pair of corresponding keeps in the frame. The locking devices are generally positioned at opposing ends of the door and the locking devices can be moved between locked and unlocked conditions by a drive assembly in the handle assembly.

The locking devices are typically connected to the handle assembly through respective output members, e.g. in the form of a rod. The output members are moveable by the drive assembly in an upward or downward direction to operate the further locking members and cause them to rotate between their unlocked and locked conditions respectively. Typically, the output members are moved through rotation of a handle of the handle assembly. A user may rotate the handle in a first direction to cause the locking members to rotate to their locked conditions and a second opposite direction to cause them to rotate to their unlocked conditions. When a user is locking the door or window, he may rotate the handle to place the locking devices into their locked conditions and then use a key to operate the key cylinder to rotate the locking member of the handle assembly to its locked condition.

In such arrangements, the key cylinder, once operated by the key into its locked condition, prevents further movement of the handle and thus prevents movement of the output members away from their locked conditions. This makes the window or door more secure because the locking member and the further locking members all need to be moved to their unlocked conditions before the door or window can be moved.

Generally, the output members described above are driven in a linear direction towards or away from the further locking devices in order to rotate the further locking members between their locked and unlocked conditions. In order to drive linear movement of the output members on rotation of the handle, the drive assembly includes a driving means which translates rotation of the handle into a linear movement of an actuating device which is coupled to the output members. The actuating device thus drives the output members in a corresponding linear fashion.

Providing a driving means for such conversion of rotational to linear movement within the handle assembly often requires a number of component parts and/or component parts which are complex to manufacture and/or costly. For example, the driving means may include a rack and pinion.

There is a need to provide a drive assembly which preferably ameliorates one or more of said requirements.

According to a first aspect of the present invention we provide a drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window, the drive assembly including:

a housing including first and second opposing walls in between which is defined a space;

an actuator device positioned in the space and which is connected or connectable to an output member for operating the locking device, wherein the actuator device is moveable by a drive member between:

a first position corresponding to a locked condition of the output member in which the locking device is locked, and a second position corresponding to an unlocked condition of the output member in which the locking device is unlocked, wherein one of the first and second walls includes a guiding formation in communication with the space for guiding movement of the drive member along a guide path to drive movement of the actuator device between its first and second positions.

The guiding formation may extend along an elongate axis of the housing.

The guiding formation may extend generally linearly along the one of the first or second walls such that the guiding formation constrains the drive member to move linearly.

The guiding formation may be an opening defined by the one of the first and second walls.

The guiding formation may be an aperture.

The guiding formation may be generally rectangular.

The actuator device may include a receiving formation for receiving the drive member and the receiving formation may be in communication with the guiding formation.

The guiding formation may be longer than the receiving formation along an elongate axis of the housing.

The receiving formation may include an opening for receiving the drive member therethrough.

The opening may be generally the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the drive member.

The actuator device may include a receiving member which defines the receiving formation.

The actuator device may include at least one actuator member which includes a formation for connection to the output member.

The receiving member may be drivingly connected to the at least one actuator member.

The actuator member may be generally planar.

The drive assembly may include a blocking member moveable by a lock between a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuator device and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuator device.

The first and I or second walls may include an opening for receiving a portion of a or the lock therethrough.

The lock may be of the key cylinder lock type.

The actuator device may move linearly between its first and second positions.

The actuator devices may move in a direction parallel to an elongate axis of the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention we provide a handle assembly for operating the drive assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, the handle assembly including:

a handle; and a plate for supporting the handle on a door or window, wherein the handle is slidably supported by the plate or slidably moveable relative thereto.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a handle assembly including:

a handle;

a drive member connected to the handle; and a drive assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention.

The handle assembly may include a plate for supporting the handle on a door or window.

The handle may be slidingly supported by the plate.

The plate may include a recess in which the handle is positioned.

The handle may be substantially or wholly contained within the recess.

Examples of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a door including a handle assembly embodying a drive assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of certain component parts shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of certain component parts shown in figure 1;

Figure 4 shows the drive assembly shown in figure 1 in exploded perspective view;

Figure 5a and figure 5b show certain component parts shown in figure 4 in a locked condition;

Figure 6a and figure 6b show certain component parts shown in figure 4 in an unlocked condition;

Figures 7a to 7c show certain component parts shown in figure 4 in various states of operation; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of certain component parts for use with the drive assembly shown in figure 4.

Referring to the figures, an embodiment of the present invention for use with a patio door will be described. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention as described below can be used with other types of door and/or a window in a manner that will be familiar to the skilled person, including any necessary modifications for their use therewith.

With reference to figure 1, this shows a door 10 slidably supported within an opening provided by a frame 12. The frame 12 also supports a fixed panel 14 positioned to one side thereof such that an access opening is defined between the panel 14 and part of the frame 12. Door 10 is positioned forwardly of the panel 14 so that it can slide with respect to the frame 12 and panel 14 to open and close the access opening. The door 10 includes a handle assembly 16 and locking devices 20, 20’ provided near a side 18 of the door 10 which moves into and out of abutment with the frame 12 when the door 10 is closed or opened. The handle assembly 16 is connected to the locking devices 20, 20’ by respective output members 22, 22’. Output members 22, 22’ are elongate members. In this embodiment, they are in the form of metal rods. Locking devices 20, 20’ are positioned within recesses of the door 10 near opposite ends of side 18. The output members 22, 22’ can be moved through operation of the handle assembly 16 to inhibit or permit movement of the door 10 relative to the frame 12.

Locking devices 20, 20’ are identical in this embodiment, but may not be in other embodiments. The locking devices 20, 20’ each have a pair of locking members 20a, 20a’ receivable by respective keeps (not shown) in the frame

12. The locking members 20a, 20a’ can be moved, in this embodiment rotated, between a locked condition, in which they are positioned in their keeps, and an unlocked condition in which they are not. In embodiments, only one locking device may be provided. Such devices are well known in the prior art and so a further detailed description thereof is not required.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, these show the handle assembly 16 and a drive assembly 26 thereof for moving the output members 22, 22’ respectively. In this embodiment, drive assembly 26 is made entirely from metal component parts. In other embodiments, one or more of the component parts may be made from any suitable material of the required rigidity. Handle assembly 16 includes first and second handles 28a, 28b. Handles 28a, 28b are identical and are generally rectangular in shape. The handles 28a, 28b, when fitted, are positioned on respective opposite sides of the door 10. Each handle 28a, 28b is slidingly supported on respective door plates 30a, 30b which are mounted to the exterior surfaces of the door 10. The handles 28a, 28b can be moved upwardly to place the locking devices 20, 20’ into their locked conditions and downwardly to place the locking devices 20, 20’ into their unlocked conditions.

The handle assembly 16 includes a drive member 32 for operating the drive assembly 26. A door facing portion of each handle 28a, 28b includes a formation 25a, 25b for receiving respective end parts of the drive member 32. The formations 25a, 25b are of the same shape (square in this embodiment) as the cross-section of the drive member 32 to create a fixed or steadfast connection therebetween. The handles 28a, 28b are thus operatively coupled to the drive member 32 such that movement of the handles 28a, 28b causes a corresponding movement of the drive member 32 in the same direction.

Movement of the drive member 32 operates the drive assembly 26 to drive movement of the output members 22, 22’ and place the locking devices, 20,

20’ into a locked or an unlocked condition. For ease of reference, the output members 22, 22’ will be denoted as being in a locked condition or an unlocked condition which corresponds to the output members 22, 22’ having placed the locking devices 20, 20’ into their locked or unlocked conditions respectively. This does not necessarily mean that the output members 22, 22’ are inhibited from movement (or not) when in either of the locked or unlocked conditions.

Drive assembly 26 includes a housing 34 which, in use, is positioned in a recess of the door 10. Housing 34 has an elongate axis A. The housing 34 includes first and second opposing walls 36a, 36b connected by a side wall 38 to define a space S. The housing 34 is open along one of its sides which, in use, faces the frame 12. Drive assembly 26 includes an actuator device 42 positioned in the space S. The actuator device 42 is adapted for connection to the output members 22, 22’. When connected, the drive member 32 extends between and through the first and second walls 36a, 36b. The actuator device 42 is moveable by the drive member 32 between a first position corresponding to the locked condition of the output members 22, 22’ and a second position corresponding to the unlocked condition of the output members 22, 22’.

First and second walls 36a, 36b are coupled together through coupling members 40a, 40b which are positioned at respective ends of the housing 34 within the space S. The coupling members 40a, 40b are blocks which are fixed to the first and second walls 36a, 36b by studs.

First and second walls 36a, 36b are largely identical in their main operative features and so only the first wall 36a will be described in detail here. The first wall 36a includes a guiding formation 80 in communication with the space S. The guiding formation 80 receives and guides movement of the drive member 32 along a guide path P such that the drive member 32 is guided to drive movement of the actuator device 42 between its first and second positions. The guiding formation 80 is generally elongate and extends parallel to axis A.

In this embodiment, guiding formation 80 is an opening configured as a rectangular aperture but it may have other shapes or configurations in embodiments.

The first wall 36a includes a further formation 82 positioned below guiding formation 80 in the form of an aperture for receiving a portion of a key cylinder 72 (not shown in figure 4) therethrough so as to support the key cylinder 72 with respect to the drive assembly 26.

The actuator device 42 is positioned generally centrally of the housing 34 and is supported for movement relative thereto. The actuator device 42 is moveable by the drive member 32 between a first position in which the output members 22, 22’ and the locking devices 20, 20’ are in their locked conditions and a second position in which the output members 22, 22’ and locking devices 20, 20’ are in their unlocked conditions.

In more detail, the actuator device 42 includes first and second actuator members 44a, 44b. The actuator members 44a, 44b are positioned adjacent respective first and second walls 36a, 36b.

In this embodiment, the actuator members 44a, 44b are identical and for brevity, only features of one of the actuator members 44a will be described. In other embodiments the actuator members 44a, 44b may not be identical.

Actuator member 44a is generally planar. The actuator member 44a is formed as a plate member. The actuator member 44a is linearly moveable in a direction generally parallel to its elongate axis A. The actuator member 44a has a main portion 50a and a pair of arms 46a, 48a which respectively extend in opposite directions away from the main portion 50a. Distal portions of arms 46a, 48a, in this example, each include a transversely (i.e. transverse to the elongate axis A) extending recess 49a, 51a at a bottom side thereof which is positioned adjacent the open side of the housing 34. The recesses 49a, 51a permit connection with respective ends of the respective output members 22, 22’. Arm 48a includes a recess 53a at a top side thereof positioned adjacent a blocking member 84 for engagement with a projection 87a thereof when the blocking member 84 is in its blocking condition so as to inhibit movement of the actuator member 44a.

The actuator member 44a includes an opening 52a provided in the main portion 50a. The actuator member 44a includes a formation 56a to one side of the main portion 50a. In this embodiment, formation 56a is a recess and extends generally parallel to axis A. The function of formation 56a will be described in more detail below.

The actuator device 42 includes a receiving member 58 positioned between the actuator members 44a, 44b for receiving the drive member 32 and drivingly connecting the actuator members 44a, 44b to the drive member 32. In other embodiments, there may be no receiving member 58 and the drive member 32 may be directly coupled to one or both of the actuator members 44a, 44b.

Blocking member 84 (see figure 5b) is positioned above the key cylinder 72. Key cylinder 72 has a moveable actuator portion 74 which is operatively coupled to the blocking member 84 to move the blocking member 84 between a first, locked, position in which it blocks movement of the actuator device 42 and a second, unlocked, position in which it permits movement of the actuator device 42.

The blocking member 84 is a generally rectangular block. A first end 84a of the blocking member 84 includes a downwardly extending formation 85 for engagement with the key cylinder 72. A second end 84b opposite to the first end 84a has projections 87a, 87b on its respective side surfaces which extend through respective slots 86a, 86b in the first and second walls 36a, 36b. Slots 86a, 86b extend transversely to axis A. In its first (locked) position, projections 87a, 87b of the blocking member 84 engage with the actuator device 42 to prevent movement thereof as will be described. The slots 86a, 86b guide movement of blocking member 84 in a generally linear direction which is transverse, in this example perpendicular, to the elongate axis A.

The blocking member 84 includes a central passage which opens onto the first end 84a to receive a cam member 88 which is moveably supported therein. The cam member 88 has cam formations 90a, 90b on its respective side surfaces which are generally triangular in shape. Cam formations 90a, 90b extend through formations 92a, 92b provided on respective first and second walls 36a, 36b. Formations 92a, 92b are identical apertures. Each aperture has first and second tooth-shaped portions for receiving the cam formations 90a, 90b therein. The portions are spaced apart from each other and connected by a central curved portion.

When the blocking member 84 is moved between its first and second positions the cam member 88 traverses between respective ends of formations 92a, 92b.

Receiving member 58 includes a receiving formation 60 through which the drive member 32 extends. In this embodiment, receiving member 58 is a generally square block and the receiving formation 60 is a passage that is square-shaped in cross-section. The receiving formation 60 terminates in openings at respective sides of the receiving member 58. In embodiments, the receiving formation 60 may be configured differently. The receiving member 58 may be coupled to the drive member 32 by other means so that movement of the drive member 32 causes a corresponding movement of the receiving member 58.

In this embodiment, the receiving member 58 includes projections 94a, 94b on its respective sides in the form of lips which extend around the inner surfaces of the respective openings of the receiving formation 60. Projections 94a, 94b extend through and around the respective openings 52a, 52b so as to couple the receiving member 58 with the actuator members 44a, 44b such that movement of the receiving member 58 causes a corresponding movement of the actuator members 44a, 44b. In embodiments, the receiving member 58 may be coupled to the actuator members 44a, 44b by other means as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

The drive assembly 26 includes a latch member 70 at an end of the housing 34. In this embodiment, it is positioned near the upper end of the drive assembly 26 when fitted to the door 10. Latch member is positioned in the space defined between the first and second actuator members 44a, 44b. The latch member 70 is generally rectangular in shape and has a free distal end which may extend through the open side of the housing 34. The latch member 70 includes a blocking formation 95 at its other end. The blocking formation 95 includes transversely extending pins 96a, 96b. Pins 96a, 96b extend through respective slots 98a, 98b in the first and second walls 36a, 36b. Slots 98a, 98b extend transversely of the axis A to guide movement of the latch member 70 between an extended state in which it extends out of the housing 34 and a retracted state in which it is wholly contained within the housing 34. A biasing means (not shown) biases the latch member 70 to its extended state.

The blocking formation 95 of the latch member 70 is configured to abut against the main portions 50a, 50b in its extended state to prevent axial movement of the actuator members 44a, 44b to their first positions. In its retracted state, the blocking formation 95 is spaced away from the main portions 50a, 50b and permits movement of the actuator members 44a, 44b.

Operation of the handle assembly 16 will now be described with reference to figures 5a -5b, 6a - 6b and figures 7a to 7c. Figures 5a, 5b show the drive assembly 26 in its locked condition. In this position, the handles 28a, 28b are in their uppermost positions, the door 10 is closed and the locking devices 20, 20’ are in their locked conditions so as to lock against their respective keeps in the frame 12 to prevent movement of the door 10 relative thereto.

The keep for drive assembly 26 includes a strike plate (not shown) which pushes against the latch member 70 when the door 10 is closed such that the latch member 70 is urged against the biasing means into its retracted state. The latch member 70 is not therefore in engagement with the actuator members 44a, 44b.

The blocking member 84 is in engagement with arms 48a, 48b to block axial movement of the actuator members 44a, 44b. Hence, the handles 28a, 28b, which are coupled to the actuator members 44a, 44b, cannot be moved.

In order to open the door 10, the user must first operate the key cylinder 72 using a key to move blocking member 84 to its unlocked position. Movement of the blocking member 84 at different stages of this operation is shown in figures 7a to 7c.

On movement of the key, moveable actuator portion 74 rotates in a clockwise direction to engage the formation 86 to move the blocking member 84 towards its unlocked position whilst causing the cam member 88 to move upwardly and then downwardly as it traverses formations 92a, 92b. Once the key has been fully operated, the blocking member 84 is in its unlocked condition shown in Figure 7c.

The user may now urge handle 28a downwardly to move the locking devices 20, 20’ to their unlocked conditions. Moving the handle 28a downwardly effects movement of the drive member 32 to operate the drive assembly 26 by moving actuator device 42. In more detail, the drive member 32 urges movement of the receiving member 58 downwardly which also effects movement of the actuator members 44a, 44b. The output members 20, 20’ are thus moved by the actuator members 44a, 44b. Output member 20 moves downwardly to a retracted state and the output member 20’ is moved upwardly to an extended state.

Such movement of the output members 20, 20’ causes a corresponding movement of the locking devices 20, 20’ to their unlocked states. The door 10 is now free for movement by the user to an open condition. When the door is moved to its open condition, the latch member 70 is no longer in contact with the strike plate and is moved by its biasing member to its extended state. In this position, shown in figures 6a, 6b the latch member 20 is in engagement with respective sides of main parts 50a, 50b such that if the user were to try to move the handle 28a upwardly to its locked condition, the latch member 70 would block the movement thereof and thus prevent inadvertent activation of the locking devices 20a, 20’. Such activation might otherwise damage the frame if the user tried to close the door 10 with the locking devices 20, 20’ in their locked condition.

In order for the user to return the door 10 to its closed condition and lock the door 10, the user first slides the door 10 closed so that the latch member 70 is moved to its retracted state. The user then slides the handle 28a in an upward direction which effects movement of the drive member 32 to operate the drive assembly 26 to move the locking devices 22, 22’ to their locked conditions. The manner of this operation will be readily understood as it simply involves the reverse of the above described operation of the actuator device 42 to move the locking devices 22, 22’ to their unlocked conditions.

Once the movement is complete, the user operates the key in the key cylinder 72 to effect movement of the blocking member 84 to its blocking condition such that the actuating device 42 cannot be moved by any of the handles 28a, 28b. Thus movement of the locking devices 22, 22’ to their unlocked conditions cannot be effected.

The embodiments described provide advantages over the prior art. The user simply moves the handle in a linear direction to effect the corresponding linear movement of the actuator device 42 which in turn effects movement the output members 20, 20’. There is no requirement for any rotation of the handle and the associated mechanism for converting any such rotational movement into a linear movement to effect movement of the output members. Thus, the embodiments described can be simpler and/or more economical to manufacture and/or less likely to fail in comparison to the prior art.

Fig. 8 shows a handle 100 and door plate 102 for mounting the handle 100 to a door according to an embodiment of the invention for use with the drive assembly 26 described. The door plate 102 defines a generally rectangular elongate recess 104 in which the handle 100 is positioned for linear movement therein between its locked and unlocked conditions. The handle 100 is wholly contained within the door plate 102, i.e. it lies flush with the outwardly facing surface of the door plate 102. The handle 100 includes a user graspable portion 106 in the form of a recess.

It will be appreciated that the handle 100 can be connected to the drive member 32 for use with the drive assembly 26 previously described to operate the drive assembly 26 in the same way.

In the embodiments described, advantageously, the position of the handle, i.e. whether it is positioned upwardly or downwardly, is a readily understood visual indication of whether the locking devices are in their locked conditions. In prior art designs having rotational handles, no such visual indication is possible because the handles are generally in the same position regardless of whether the locking devices are in their locked or unlocked conditions.

In embodiments, the drive assembly may be configured to only operate a single locking device I output member. In embodiments, the actuator device may be a single actuator member.

In embodiments, the drive member may consist of a plurality of component parts. In embodiments one of said parts or a portion of the drive member may be received in the guiding formation and guiding thereby. In embodiments, part of the drive member may be provided by the handle.

In embodiments, the guiding formation for the drive member may not extend parallel to the elongate axis of the housing. The guiding formation may extend transversely to the elongate axis. In such embodiments, the drive member and I or receiving member may have co-operating cam surfaces such that the transverse movement of the drive member is translated to effect movement of the receiving member parallel to the elongate axis A.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof

Claims

1. A drive assembly for a locking device of a door or window, the drive assembly including:

2. A drive assembly according to claim 1 wherein the guiding formation extends along an elongate axis of the housing.

3. A drive assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the guiding formation extends generally linearly along the one of the first or second walls such that the guiding formation constrains the drive member to move linearly.

4. A drive assembly according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the guiding formation is an opening defined by the one of the first and second walls.

5. A drive assembly according to claim 4 wherein the guiding formation is an aperture.

6. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guiding formation is generally rectangular.

7. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator device includes a receiving formation for receiving the drive member and wherein the receiving formation is in communication with the guiding formation.

8. A drive assembly according to claim 7 wherein the guiding formation is longer than the receiving formation along an elongate axis of the housing.

9. A drive assembly according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the receiving formation includes an opening for receiving the drive member therethrough.

10. A drive assembly according to claim 9 wherein the opening is generally the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the drive member.

11. A drive assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the actuator device includes a receiving member which defines the receiving formation.

12. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator device includes at least one actuator member which includes a formation for connection to the output member.

13. A drive assembly according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 11 wherein the receiving member is drivingly connected to the at least one actuator member.

14. A drive assembly according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the actuator member is generally planar.

15. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim including a blocking member moveable by a lock between a first position in which it blocks movement of the actuator device and a second position in which it permits movement of the actuator device.

16. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the first and / or second walls include an opening for receiving a portion of a or the lock therethrough.

17. A drive assembly according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the lock is of the key cylinder lock type.

18. A drive assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator device moves linearly between its first and second positions.

19. A drive assembly according to claim 18 wherein the actuator devices moves in a direction parallel to an elongate axis of the housing.

20. A handle assembly for operating the drive assembly according to any preceding claim, the handle assembly including:

21 .A handle assembly including: a handle;

a drive member connected to the handle; and a drive assembly according to any preceding claim connected to the drive member.

22. A handle assembly according to claim 21 including a plate for supporting the handle on a door or window.

5

23. A handle assembly according to claim 22 wherein the handle is slidingly supported by the plate or slidably moveable relative thereto.

24. A handle assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the plate includes a recess in which the handle is positioned.

25. A handle assembly according to claim 24 wherein the handle is substantially or wholly contained within the recess.

26. A door or window including a drive assembly or handle assembly 15 according to any preceding claim.

27. A drive assembly or handle assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1705078.2 Examiner: Ben Munns