AU2003203786A1 - A Lock for a Casement Window - Google Patents

Description

A LOCK FOR A CASEMENT WINDOW FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a casement window lock and is particularly directed to a lock having a lock barrel where the lock barrel cannot be operated until the lock is in close proximity to the striker plate.

BACKGROUND ART A casement window is a window that is hinged between an open position and a closed position. It is well known to use a latch or a lock to retain the window in the closed position. Many types of latches or locks are known and an example is described in Australian patent 696958.

A disadvantage with a casement window latches that the latch cannot be locked in position and an intruder can break the glass to unlatch the window to gain entry into the room. Therefore, it is known to have casement window locks that use a lock barrel operated by a key and which can lock the window against being opened. A disadvantage with these locks is that the lock barrel can be operated when the window is open to lock the [ever handle against movement. Another disadvantage with many casement locks and latches is that is left-hand and right-hand latches are required to cater for left-hand and right-hand opening windows.

It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these publications form part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a casement window lock that can prevent the lock barrel from being operated unless the lock is in close proximity to the striker plate. It is a further object of the invention to provide a lock for a casement window which may at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a lock for a casement window, the lock having: a lock base,

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a lock barrel which has a pin, the lock barrel being rotatable between a first unlocking position where the operating lever (see below) can move between its latched position and its unlatched position, and a second locking position where the operating lever is locked into the latched position, a locking slide which is movable between a striker engaging position and a striker free position and which is moved between these positions by the operating lever, a deadlock controlling member which is movable between a first position where the member prevents rotation of the lock barrel at least in one direction, and a free position where the lock barrel can rotate in the at least one direction, an actuator member adapted to contact the striker as the window is closed, the actuator member operating the deadlock controlling member to move the deadlock controlling member from the first position to the free position, and, a operating lever which can be manipulated by a person between a latched position and an unlatched position, the operating lever preventing the lock barrel from rotating in the at least one direction when the operating lever is in the unlatched position.

Briefly, when the window is in an open position, and the window striker does not contact the actuator member of the lock, the operating lever is free to move between its latched an unlatched position, but the lock barrel cannot rotate. When the window is closed and the window striker contacts the actuator member, the deadlock controlling member is moved out of the way such that the lock barrel can rotate in one direction, but the lock barrel is still prevented from doing so by the operating lever. Only when the operating lever has been moved to the latched position, is the lock barrel now free to rotate to the deadlock in position to prevent the operating lever from moving back to the unlatched position. Only a key inserted into the barrel can now allow the window lock to be operated.

The lock is particularly suited for casement windows, but no express limitation is meant thereby and there may be circumstances where the lock can be used for windows or doors other than casement windows.

The lock base typically comprises a moulded or cast housing on which the various lock components can be supported/attached and the like.

Typically, the lock base is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan. The lock base may have an end wall that is substantially continuous. Various mouldings, apertures, slots, grooves, recesses and the like may form part of the lock base to assist in attaching/supporting etc the various lock components. Typically, a cover member is attached to the lock base to form an enclosed lock body.

The lock has a lock barrel. The lock barrel (also called a cylinder barrel) is typically of conventional design. The lock barrel usually has a barrel body, an outer end face formed with a key slot to allow a key to pass into the barrel body, and an inner end face which has an extending pin/protrusion/projection.

The lock has a locking slide. The locking slide can move between a position where it engages with the striker to hold the striker to the lock, and a free position where the window can be opened. Typically, the locking slide slides or reciprocates between the engaging position and the free position. However, it is envisaged that the locking slide can also adopt a degree of rocking or rotating action to move between the engaging position and the free position. The locking slide may comprise a base portion and a striker contacting portion. The base portion may be substantially flat, and the striker contacting portion can extend outwardly from the base portion and typically extends substantially at right angles from the base portion. The locking slide, and particularly the base portion may be provided with means to cooperate with the operating lever such that the operating lever can move the locking slide between the engaging position and the free position. The means may comprise an aperture in the base member that cooperates with a pin or other type of projection on the operating lever or vice versa. Of course, other types of means are envisaged.

The lock has at least one deadlock controlling member. The deadlock controlling member can move between a first position where it prevents rotation of the lock barrel, and a free position where the barrel can rotate. Suitably, the lock is provided with a pair of such members. This can allow the lock to be used in a right-handed and left-handed manner. The member may slide between its positions. Suitably, the member comprises a relatively small body that can slide on the lock base. The body may be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan but can also be disklike or have an irregular shape. The member may be biased into the first position. The bias may be provided by a biasing means that may comprise a spring. The member typically includes a projection. The projection can assist in the operational attachment of the deadlock controlling member to the actuator member. The projection may comprise a small button, protrusion or pin which extends upwardly from the body of the member.

The lock has an actuator member. The actuator member typically engages against the striker as the window is closed. The actuator member may be substantially plate like in configuration. Suitably, the actuator is mounted for pivoting or rocking movement relative to the lock base. The actuator may be provided with at least one leading edge which extends forwardly of the remainder of the actuator and which is designed to have the initial contact with the striker. The leading edge may comprise a rounded portion. Suitably, a pair of such leading edges is provided to allow the lock to be used as a left-handed lock and a right-handed lock. The actuator member can operate the deadlock controlling member to move the deadlock controlling member from the first position to the free position. In one form, the actuator is provided with an opening that can at least partially capture the small button protrusion or pin on the deadlock controlling member. Of course, other types of operational attachment means are envisaged. For instance, the actuator may be provided with a projection that engages in a recess in the deadlock controlling member. Shoulders and abutments may be provided to provide the operational attachment between the actuator member and the deadlock controlling member.

The lock contains an operating lever. The operating lever can move between a latched position and an unlatched position. The operating lever may be mounted for pivoting movement relative to the lock base. The operating lever may contain means to prevent the lock barrel from rotating in the at least one direction when the operating lever is in the unlatched position.

The means may comprise a projection on the-operating lever that prevents movement of the pin on the lock barrel and therefore prevents rotation of the lock barrel. Other types of means are envisaged to prevent the lock barrel from rotating when the operating lever is in the unlatched position. For instance, the means may comprise an edge, an abutment and the like which can engage against the pin of the lock barrel. Suitably, the projection is provided with a recess or channel adapted to accommodate the pin of the lock barrel. By trapping the pin in this manner, there is a reduced likelihood of the pin being moved inadvertently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrate the various components of the lock.

Figure 2. Illustrates the lock in the opened position.

Figure 3. Illustrates the lock in the partially closed position.

Figure 4. Illustrates the lock in the latched position.

Figure 5. Illustrates the lock in the locked position BEST MODE Referring Initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a lock according to an embodiment of the invention. Briefly, the lock comprises a lock base 11, an operating lever 12, a locking slide 13, a lock barrel 14, a pair of deadlock controlling members 15, a spring 16, a actuator member 17, a screw 18 which attaches the actuator member for rocking movement relative to the lock base 11, a striker 20, and a cover plate 21.

The lock base 11 is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan and houses the various lock components. The lock base may be made of plastics, metal, composite materials and the like.

The lock base 11 has a hollow cylindrical housing portion 22 that accommodates lock barrel 14. The lock barrel 14 is positioned inside portion 22. Cover plate 21 is provided with an opening 23 through which lock barrel 14 can be accessed. The lock base 11 contains small upstanding walls 24 that function as guides to a pair of deadlock controlling members Deadlock controlling members 15 sit within walls 24 and can slide relative to the lock base. Members 15 sit adjacent the inner face of lock barrel 14. The lock barrel 14 has an extending pin 25 that extends outwardly from the inner face (this being entirely conventional) and members 15 are positioned relative to lock barrel 14 such that the pin extends alongside one or both of members Thus, as long as members 15 are in the first position close to the lock barrel), the pin on the lock barrel cannot move and therefore the rock barrel cannot rotate.

The deadlock controlling members 15 comprise small squat substantially rectangular bodies having a smooth bottom wall to allow the members to slide towards and away from lock barrel 14. Each member has an upwardly extending pin 26 on the top wall of each member that allows members 15 to engage with actuator member 17 as will be described in greater detail below. Members 15 are biased towards their first position (this being the position where the members are closest to lock barrel 14 and therefore prevents the pin of the lock barrel from rotating) by a biasing means in the form of spring 16. Spring 16 is a small strip spring that is configured to bias the two members 15 into the first position.

Above members 15 is positioned the actuator member 17.

Actuator member 17 comprises a flat plate. The plate is formed with a central aperture 27 to attach the plate to the lock base 11 via a pivot boss 28. Screw 18 secures the actuator to the pivot boss 28. The attachment allows actuator member 17 to pivot or rock about screw 18. Actuator member 17 is formed with a pair of spaced apart forwardly extending nose portions 29, 30. These nose portions form the first contact between striker 20 and the lock. The lock and the striker are positioned such that the striker contacts either of the nose portions. As the striker pushes against one of the nose portions, the actuator mechanism will pivot or turn about screw 18. This will push one of the deadlock controlling members 15 forwardly and away from engagement with the pin on lock barrel 14 The lock barrel can now rotate in one direction without the pin on the lock barrel striking one of the deadlocking members (however the lock barrel is still prevented from rotating by lever 12 as will be described in greater detail below). If the striker pushes against the other nose portion, the actuator mechanism will pivot or turn about screw 18 in the other direction and which will push the other deadlocking member 15 forwardly.

This arrangement allows the lock to be used as a left-handed lock or a righthanded lock without requiring any modification to the lock components.

Striker 20 is latched against the lock by the locking slide 13.

Locking slide 13 slides inside the lock between a position where it engages with the striker to hold the striker to the lock, and a free position where the window, door etc can be opened. Locking slide 13, consists of a base portion which is substantially flat and is somewhat rectangular when viewed in plan. Extending upwardly from base portion 30 is a striker contacting portion 31. Striker contacting portion 31 comprises a short extending semicircular projection. In use, the semicircular surface of the striker contacting portion 31 engages with striker 20 and acts as a ramp to pull the striker hard up against the lock. Base portion 30 is provided with a means to cooperate with the operating lever 12. In the embodiment, the means comprises an aperture 32 into which a pin or button 33 on the lever 12 can pass. Rotation of lever 12 will then cause locking slide 13 to reciprocate or slide between its locking and unlocking positions.

The lock is operated by lever 12. The lever 12 can be manipulated by a person's hand, finger and the like. The lever 12 consists of an elongate rigid lever member. The lever is provided with an aperture 34 which cooperates with a drive pin (not illustrated) to pivotally attach lever 12 to the lock base. Lever 12 includes an integrally formed button 33 which engages in aperture 32 on slide 13 to cause slide 13 to reciprocate. Finally, lever 12 includes a small rectangular protrusion 35 the function of which is to prevent barrel 14 from rotating until such time as lever 12 is in the locked position. This will be described in greater detail below. Protrusion 35 has a formed recess 35A which is designed to trap pin 25 of the lock barrel 14. The advantage of this arrangement is that inadvertent unlocking of the lock due to the pin 25 moving away from engagement with protrusion 35 is reduced. A pair of such protrusions 35 is provided on each side of lever 12 to allow the lock to be used as a right-handed lock and a left-handed lock.

The operation of the lock will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring initially to figure 2, this is the position of the lock components in the open position and before the window or door is closed.

Lever 12 is in the open position. The deadlock controlling members 15 are in the first (pushed forwardly) position where the members are pushed by spring 16. The lock barrel 14 has its pin 25 trapped between the deadlock controlling members and therefore the lock barrel cannot rotate. The locking slide 13 is in the striker free position where the striker contacting portion 31 is towards one side of the lock.

Referring to figure 3, in this position the striker 20 (which is attached to a window door etc) has been pushed to engage with the lock.

This action causes the actuator member 17 to pivot in the direction of the arrow. Actuator member 17 has two elongate openings 38, 39 which trap and engage the small pins 26 which are on the top of each deadlock controlling member 15. As actuator member 17 is rotated as illustrated in figure 3, it pushes the uppermost deadlock controlling member forwardly (see arrow 39) and against the bias of spring 16. By pushing deadlock controlling member forwardly, the deadlock controlling member is pushed away from pin 25 of lock barrel 14 which frees lock barrel 14 to rotate in one direction (but this rotation is still prevented by the small protrusion 35 on lever 12 as will be described in greater detail below). Rotation in the other direction however is prevented by the other deadlock controlling member which has not been pushed forwardly. Similarly, if striker 20 pushes against the other nose portion of actuator member 17 this action will cause the lower deadlock controlling member to move forwardly and 3 the pin of lock barrel 14 to rotate in the other direction.

Referring to figure 4, lever 12 can now be rotated in the direction of the arrow. This rotation causes the locking slide 13 to slide downwardly in the direction of the arrow and specifically causes the striker contacting portion 31 to ride up along the rear face of arcuate portion 37 on striker 12. As the portion 37 is arcuate, and the striker contacting portion has a semicircular front face, this contact causes the striker and the lock to be pulled together quite tightly. The window is now latched but is not locked. Lever 12 can be rotated in the other direction to free striker 20 from the striker contacting portion on locking slide 13 to allow the window to be opened. Importantly, as lever 12 move from the position illustrated in figure 3 to the position illustrated in figure 4 (the latched position), the small protrusion 35 on lever 12 (see figure 1) swings away from engagement with pin 25 on lock barrel 14. This means that lock barrel 14 can now be rotated. Upon rotation of lock barrel 14, pin 25 is rotated to engage behind the same protrusion 35. This means that lever 12 is now locked in the position illustrated in figure 4 and figure and cannot be rotated to be open position illustrated in figure 3. The window is now locked. To unlock the window, lock barrel 14 must be rotated in the other direction such that pin 25 does not engage behind protrusion 35. Lever 12 can then be rotated back to be free position illustrated in figure 3. When the lever 12 is in this position, protrusion 35 is now located to prevent the lock barrel from rotating.

The lock is non handed so that in the case of the striker being mounted on the other side of the lock unit, the actuator member will rotate in the opposite manner and the other deadlock controlling member is operated to allow the lock barrel to turn in the other direction.

The lock unit allows a window to be latched or locked. The lock cylinder cannot be operated until such time as striker 20 frees the deadlock controlling member and lever 12 is rotated to the latched position.

It should be appreciated the various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A lock for a casement window, the lock having a lock base, a lock barrel, an operating lever which can be manipulated by a person between a latched position and an unlatched position, the operating lever preventing the lock barrel from rotating in the at least one direction when the operating lever is in the unlatched position, the lock barrel having a pin, the lock barrel being rotatable between a first unlocking position where the operating lever can move between its latched position and its unlatched position, and a second locking position where the operating lever is locked into the latched position, a locking slide which is movable between a striker engaging position and a striker free position and which is moved between these positions by the operating lever, a deadlock controlling member which is movable between a first position where the member prevents rotation of the lock barrel at least in one direction, and a free position where the lock barrel can rotate in the at least one direction, and an actuator member adapted to contact the striker as the window is closed, the actuator member operating the deadlock controlling member to move the deadlock controlling member from the first position to the free position.

2. The lock for a casement window according to claim 1 wherein the lock base comprises a moulded or cast housing on which the various lock components can be supported or attached.

3. The lock for a casement window according to claim 2 wherein the lock base further comprises mouldings, apertures, slots, grooves, or recesses to assist in attaching/supporting the various lock components.

4. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a cover member is attached to the lock base to form an enclosed lock body.

The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock barrel has a barrel body, an outer end face formed with a key slot to allow a key to pass into the barrel body, and an inner end face which has an extending pin/protrusion/projection.

6. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking slide slides or reciprocates between the engaging position and the free position.

7. The lock for a casement window according to any one of claims 1 to wherein the locking slide adopts a rocking or rotating action to move between the engaging position and the free position.

8. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking slide comprises a base portion and a striker contacting portion, the base portion being substantially flat, and the striker contacting portion extending outwardly from the base portion substantially at right angles from the base portion.

9. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base portion is provided with means to cooperate with the operating lever such that the operating lever can move the locking slide between the engaging position and the free position, the means comprising an aperture in the base member that cooperates with a pin or other type of projection on the operating lever or vice versa.

10. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock is provided with a pair of deadlock controlling members allowing the lock to be used in a right-handed and left-handed manner.

11. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deadlock controlling member is biased into the first position by a biasing means.

12. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the deadlock controlling member includes a projection which extends upwardly from the body of the member.

13. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator member is substantially plate like in configuration and is mounted for pivoting or rocking movement relative to the lock base.

14. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding 12 claims wherein the actuator member is provided with at least one leading edge which extends forwardly of the remainder of the actuator and which is designed to have initial contact with the striker.

The lock for a casement window according to claim 14 wherein a pair of leading edges are provided to allow the lock to be used as a left-handed lock and a right-handed lock.

16. The lock for a casement window according to claim 12 wherein the actuator member is provided with an opening that can at least partially capture the projection on the deadlock controlling member.

17. The lock for a casement window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the operating lever includes means to prevent the lock barrel from rotating in at least one direction when the operating lever is in the unlatched position.

18. The lock for a casement window according to claim 17 wherein the means comprises a projection on the operating lever that prevents movement of the pin on the lock barrel and therefore prevents rotation of the lock barrel.

19. The lock for a casement window according to claim 18 wherein the projection is provided with a recess or channel adapted to accommodate the pin of the lock barrel.

20. A lock for a casement window substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 17 th day of April 2003 Lockwood Security Products Pty Limited By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.