AU2021221630A1 - Lock with securable retainer for sliding panels and installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising: a retainer configured to move; and a stop moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the stop being configured to secure, in the engaged position, the retainer against 5 movement in the engaged position and to allow, in the disengaged position, the retainer movement. A method for installing a lock in a sliding panel, the method comprising: moving a retainer of the lock in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding panel; moving the retainer; and securing the retainer against movement relative to the sliding panel. 140 148 2/7 102 144 100 150 146 142 160 102 180 FIG. 2

Description

140 148 2/7 102 144 100

150 146

142

160

102

180

FIG. 2

LOCK WITH SECURABLE RETAINER FOR SLIDING PANELS AND INSTALLATION METHOD FIELD

[0001] This relates to a lock with a securable retainer for a sliding panel, such as

a sliding door or a sliding window, and an installation method for such a lock.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sliding panels, such as sliding doors or sliding windows, often have a lock which allows the panel to be closed (e.g. via a latch). This can allow the panel to

be retained in a closed position until an actuator (usually a hand-operable part) is operated. In some cases, the lock may allow the use of a keyto lock and unlock the

lock.

SUMMARY

[0003] In a first example embodiment, there is provided a lockfor a sliding panel, the lock comprising: a body configured to be installed inside an extrusion of the sliding panel; a faceplate configured to contact the extrusion; a retainer configured

to move relative to the faceplate in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and a stop moveable between an engaged position and a

disengaged position, the stop being configured to secure, in the engaged position, the retainer against movement relative to the faceplate in the engaged position

and to allow, in the disengaged position, the retainer movement relative to the face plate.

[0004] In a second example embodiment, there is provided a method for

installing a lock in a sliding panel, the method comprising: placing a first end of the lock inside a cut-out in an extrusion of the sliding panel; contacting an edge of the

cut-out with a first contact surface of a second end of the lock; moving a retainer of the lock in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction of

the sliding panel; contacting an edge of the cut-out with a second contact surface of the second end of the lock; moving the retainer in a second direction opposite the first direction; and securing the retainer against movement relative to the sliding panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] The description is framed by way of example with reference to the

drawings which show certain embodiments. However, these drawings are provided for illustration only, and do not exhaustively set out all embodiments.

[0006] Figure 1 shows an example lock in a first perspective.

[0007] Figure 2 shows the example lock in a second perspective.

[0008] Figure 3 shows a cross section A-A of the example lock.

[0009] Figure 4 is an example method for installing the example lock.

[0010] Figure 5 shows the example lock in a first stage of the example method.

[0011] Figure 6 shows the example lock in a second stage of the example method.

[0012] Figure 7 shows the example lock in a third stage of the example method.

[0013] Figure 8 shows the example lock in a fourth stage of the example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Locks for sliding panels such as doors or windows may be installed in a sash and may latch to a strike (or multiple strikes) in a corresponding frame using

one or more latching members, such as beaks. In the latched state, the latching members can engage with the strike to restrict movement of the sliding panel (and

therefore preventing the sliding panel from opening. Changing the lock from the latched state to the unlatched state causes the latching member to disengage the

strike, thereby allowing the sliding panel to move relative to the strike (and

therefore allowing the window to open). In an example embodiment, a lock is biased towards the latched state and can be changed to the unlatched state by a

user pulling a handle of the lock in an unlatching direction.

[0015] In an example embodiment, the sliding panel comprises a sash form of

one or more extruded members (for example, there may be four extruded members forming a rectangular sash). A lock is installed in an extrusion of the sash

of the sliding window (such as the lock stile), and a strike corresponding to the lock

is installed in a frame of the sliding panel. The extrusion of the sash is hollow and comprises a cut-out into which a portion of the lock can be located during

installation.

[0016] An example method of installing such a lock embodying the invention is

also described below.

Lock

[0017] Figures 1, 2, and 3 show an example lock.

[0018] Lock 100 comprises a body 102 and a faceplate 104. Body 102 and

faceplate 104 could be separate pieces connectable to one another, for example

via fasteners, which may be one or more of screws, rivets, and bolts. Alternatively or additionally, body 102 and faceplate 104 have a snap-fit or friction-fit

connection. Alternatively, body 102 and faceplate 104 are integrally formed.

[0019] Lock 100 may be installed in a sliding panel such as a window or a door. When installed, body 102 may be located in a cut-out in the extrusion of a sash of the panel, and faceplate 104 may be disposed across the top of the cut-out.

[0020] Lock 100 comprises a handle 110. Handle 110 is mounted so as to slide relative to the rest of lock 100. When a user pulls handle 110 in an unlatching

direction (which is preferably the direction in which the panel opens), handle 110

slides in the unlatching direction relative to faceplate 104. In one example embodiment, the sliding movement of handle 110 is selectively enabled and

disabled by a separate mechanism, which may be a keyed mechanism. Such a keyed mechanism may be a lock cylinder having a corresponding key. The lock

cylinder may be provided at apertures 108.1 or 108.2 in faceplate 104. In some embodiments (including the illustrative example shown in the drawings), the lock cylinder is omitted. A plug 112 may be located in one or both of apertures 108.1 and 108.2 if a corresponding lock cylinder is not provided.

[0021] Lock 100 comprises a latching member 120. Latching member 120 may

be a hook bolt comprising an arm and a beak. Latching member 120 is configured

to move between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, latching member 120 extends out of body 102 and the corresponding

extrusion in which the lock is installed. This allows latching member 120 to engage a strike in use. In the unlatched position, latching member 120 is disengaged from

the strike so as to allow movement of the sliding panel on which lock 100 is installed. When lock 100 is in the latched state, latching member 120 is in the

latched position. When lock 100 is in the unlatched state, latching member 120 is in the unlatched position. Latching member 120 may be rotatably mounted on a

boss to allow latching member 120 to rotate between the latched and unlatched

positions.

[0022] Lock 110 may comprise a second latching member 130. The second

latching member 130 may be substantially structurally similar to latching member 120. However, the second latching member 130 may be arranged in an opposing

orientation to that of latching member 120. Latching member 120 and the second latching member 130 may therefore be configured to counterrotate.

[0023] Lock 110 additionally comprises a retainer 140. Retainer 140 is preferably disposed at a top or bottom end of the lock 100 when lock 100 is in a vertical

orientation. In this context, vertical referstothe axis substantially perpendicularto

the sliding direction of handle 110, which may also be the sliding direction of the sliding panel. Retainer 140 is biased by a biasing member 150, such that vertical

movement of retainer 140 relative to faceplate 104 can cause biasing member 150 to deform. Biasing member 150 may be a helical spring in contact with retainer

140.

[0024] Retainer 140 may comprise two arms 142 facing opposite one another

and a shoulder 144 adjoining the two arms 142. The two arms 142 need not be identical to one another. In one example embodiment, the two arms 142 and shoulder 144 are integral with one another.

[0025] Shoulder 144 comprises a first contact surface 146 distal faceplate 102

and a second contact surface 148 proximate faceplate 102. Contact surfaces 146

and 148 meet at a peak. Contact surfaces 146 and 148 are inclined, such that the gradient of the contact surfaces is not on a plane perpendicular to the direction of

installation of the lock 100 into an extrusion. Contact surfaces 146 and 148 have opposite gradients. That is, if contact surface 146 were considered upwards

sloping as shown in Figure 2, then contact surface 148 would be downwards sloping. Contact surfaces 146 and 148 may converge at an edge such that they

form a substantially chevron profile. A force applied at first contact surface 146 that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical may cause retainer 140 to move

vertically relative to the faceplate 104.

[0026] In an example embodiment, shoulder 144 comprises multiple sets of contact surfaces. For example, as shown in Figure 2, shoulder 144 may comprise a

set of first contact surfaces and a set of second contact surfaces separated by a substantially flat surface. There may be two contact surfaces in a set of contact

surfaces. Providing more than one set of contact surfaces may have the advantage of better load spreading.

[0027] At an end of lock 100 opposite retainer 140, there may be provided one or more teeth 180 to guide the positioning of lock 100 in an extrusion. Additionally,

teeth 180 may provide for a friction-fit connection with the extrusion. In another

embodiment, teeth 180 may be replaced byfemale members configured to receive complementary male members in the extrusion.

[0028] Lock 110 comprises a stop 160 positioned below retainer 140 and configured to move relative to faceplate 102 between an engaged position and a

disengaged position. In the engaged position, stop 160 is configured to engage an arm 142 and secure retainer 140 against downwards motion. In the disengaged

position, stop 160 is configured to allow vertical descent of retainer 140 as it is not in the retainer's path of movement. In one example embodiment, stop 160 is a grub screw configured to move in and out of a threaded bore in body 102. The grub screw may be removed from lock 110. Alternatively, a limiter may be provided for limiting how far the grub screw can move out of the threaded bore. This may be preferable as it can prevent the grub screw from becoming lost due to complete detachment from the lock.

[0029] Stop 160 may be configured to be driven by a driver. In the embodiment shown, the head of the grub screw is a hexagonal interface, and sothe driverwould

be an Allen key. However, the interface need not be hexagonal.

[0030] While the drawings show only a single stop 160, there may additionally

be provided a second stop on the side opposite the side occupied by stop 160. That is, there may be provided a stop configured to engage each of the two arms 142.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, stop 160 is a spring-loaded button. Stop

160 is moveable between the engaged and disengaged positions by a user actuating the button. When the button is depressed, stop 160 is in the disengaged

position. When the button is released, stop 160 is in the engaged position and obstructs retainer 140's path of movement.

[0032] Stop 160 is made of a sufficiently rigid material so as to not flex under a compressive force exerted by retainer 140. Non-limitingly, the sufficiently rigid

material may be a metal (ora metal alloy) ora rigid plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

Installation

[0033] Figure 4 shows and example method 700 for installing the above lock into a corresponding extrusion. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate the sequence of state changes

that result from method 700 using a window extrusion 190 as an example. In the drawings, lock 100 is depicted to be moving from the right of the page to the left

of the page (into extrusion 190).

[0034] At step 702, a first end of the lock is first placed through a cut-out in the

extrusion. This may be facilitated by teeth located at the first end of the lock, such as teeth 180. A user may use such features to guide the positioning of the lock. In

some cases, the first end may be retained against movement relative to the sliding

panel through a friction-fit, a snap-fit, one or more fasteners, or any combination of these. Stop 160 is in the disengaged position. In an example embodiment where

stop 160 is a grub screw, this may mean that stop 160 is sufficiently buried inside a threaded bore such that its head does not impede movement of retainer 140.

[0035] At step 704, a second end of the lock distal the first end is pressed against the edge of a cut-out in the extrusion. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, edge

of the cut-out abuts first contact surface 146. A force applied by a userto push lock 100 into extrusion 190 will cause retainer 140 to move downwards relative to

extrusion 190 (and faceplate 104), causing biasing member 150 to deform and

consequently exert an upward force on retainer 140. Lock 100 will rotate about the first end into the cut-out.

[0036] The state shown in Figure 6 is reached when the edge of the cut-out abuts the first contact surface 146 at the peak. At this stage, retainer 140 stops its

descent as lock 100 continues to be pushed through the cut-out. Instead, retainer 140 begins to ascend due to the upward force applied by biasing member 150. This

is because the edge of the cut-out has moved to the second contact surface 148, which has a gradient opposite to that of the first contact surface, and retainer 140

is free to ascend inside the extrusion. At this point, lock 100 may be pulled further

into extrusion 190 through operation of biasing member 150 returning to its rest state. This may occur even in the absence of further force from a user, and

therefore may result in the lock being substantially snap-fit into the extrusion.

[0037] Eventually, faceplate 102 (obscured by extrusion 190 in the drawings)

comes into contact with extrusion 190 once the edge of the cut-out has moved sufficiently down along the second contact surface 148. By this point, body 102, any latching members 120 and/or 130, retainer 140, and stop 160 will already be substantially within the extrusion. This is the state shown in Figure 7.

[0038] Consequently, at step 704, the installation process first advances from the

state shown in Figure 5 to the intermediary state shown in Figure 6, and then to

the state shown in Figure 7.

[0039] At step 706, stop 160 is moved to the engaged position. This may occur, as an example, by a user unfastening a grub screw (for example by passing a driver through an aperture in the sliding panel) so as to move the grub screw outwards

into the path of movement of retainer 140. Stop 160 secures retainer 140 against downwards movement relative to the sliding panel since retainer 140 would

engage stop 160 and be stopped. This is the state shown in Figure 8.

[0040] At the conclusion of step 706, retainer 140 is therefore substantially

prevented from being moved downwards relative to the rest of lock 100. Such a

securable retainer may more firmly retain lock 100 in extrusion 190: since retainer 140 cannot be moved downwards, lock 100 may only be moved destructively. This

can avoid lock 100 becoming dislodged from extrusion 190, for example accidentally through excessively strong operation, and therefore may improve

security.

Interpretation

[0041] The discussion of any existing technology should not be construed as an admission that such technology forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0042] The term "comprises" and other grammatical forms is intended to have

ana inclusive meaning unless otherwise specified. That is, they should be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components, and possibly of other non-specified

components or elements.

[0043] The present invention has been illustrated by the description of some

embodiments. Where embodiments have been described in detail, it should not be taken to restrict or limit the scope of the claims to those details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details of the illustrate examples shown and described. Accordingly, modifications may be

made to the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general

inventive concept.

Claims (16)

1. A lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising:

a body configured to be installed inside an extrusion of the sliding panel;

a faceplate configured to contact the extrusion;

a retainer configured to move relative to the faceplate in a second direction

substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and

a stop moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the stop being configured to secure, in the engaged position, the retainer

against movement relative to the faceplate in the engaged position and to allow, in the disengaged position, the retainer movement relative to the face

plate.

2. The lock of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a first inclined contact surface distal the faceplate and a second inclined contact surface proximate the

faceplate.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the first inclined contact surface and the second

inclined contact surface have opposite gradients.

4. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retainer is configured to

contact an edge of a cut-out in the extrusion at the first contact surface.

5. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retainer is configured to

contact an edge of a cut-out in the extrusion at the second contact surface.

6. The lock of claim 5, wherein the retainer is configured to contact the sliding

panel at the first contact surface before contacting the sliding panel at the second

contact surface during installation.

7. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retainer is biased in a third

direction opposite to the second direction.

8. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stop is a grub screw

configured to be received in a threaded bore in the body.

9. The lock of claim 8, wherein moving the stop from the disengaged position to the engaged position comprises unfastening the grub screw.

10. The lock of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sliding panel is a sliding window.

11. A method for installing a lock in a sliding panel, the method comprising:

placing a first end of the lock inside a cut-out in an extrusion of the sliding panel;

contacting an edge of the cut-out with a first contact surface of a second end

ofthelock;

moving a retainer of the lock in a first direction substantially perpendicular

to a sliding direction of the sliding panel;

contacting an edge of the cut-out with a second contact surface of the second end ofthe lock;

moving the retainer in a second direction opposite the first direction; and

securing the retainer against movement relative to the sliding panel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein securing the retainer against movement relative to the sliding panel comprises moving a stop into an engaged position to

engage the retainer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the stop in the engaged position is in the path of movement of the retainer.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein moving the retainer

against movement relative to the sliding panel comprises unfastening a grub screw.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein unfastening a grub screw comprises

passing a driver through an aperture in the sliding panel.

16. The method of any one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising deforming a biasing memberafter moving a retainerof the lockin a firstdirection substantially

perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding panel.