LOCK

Abstract: There is disclosed an espagnolette type lock comprising: a lateral bolt which is extended laterally from a leaf by key operation; and first and second vertical bolts extending vertically in the leaf and abutting upper and lower faces of said lateral bolt respectively, the second vertical bolt being retained against the lower face of said lateral bolt by resilient means; wherein the lateral bolt comprises upper and lower shaped pieces having inclined leading edges positioned laterally so that lateral extension of the lateral bolt from the leaf drives the first and second vertical bolts into retaining slots positioned in a frame.

Description: LOCK This invention relates to a locking device, in particular to an espagnolette type device, more particularly still to an espagnolette type device driven by a mortise lock. It is highly desirable, for security purposes, to provide a plurality of locking bolts for a door, window or the like. One way of achieving this objective is to fit a plurality of locking devices, each requiring a separate key. However, such an arrangement is inconvenient because of the time taken to lock and unlock the individual locking devices. One solution to this problem is to employ an espagnolette type device wherein the operation of a single component - for example, a handle or a mortise lock - causes bolts to be positioned in securing positions at the top and bottom of the door or window in question. Prior art mechanisms, such as described in, for example, EP 0 509 217 and EP 0 070 576, typically utilise a mechanism for driving the bolts which relies upon fairly complicated internal latch type arrangements. The present invention provides a simplified espagnolette type arrangement, with particular reference to mortise locks. According to the invention there is provided an espagnolette type lock comprising : a lateral bolt which is extended laterally from a leaf by key operation; and first and second vertical bolts extending vertically in the leaf and abutting upper and lower faces of said lateral bolt respectively, the second vertical bolt being retained against the lower face of said lateral bolt by resilient return means; wherein the lateral bolt comprises upper and lower shaped pieces having inclined leading edges positioned laterally so that lateral extension of the lateral bolt from the leaf drives the first and second vertical bolts into retaining slots positioned in a frame. The espagnolette type lock may be used to lock a door, window or a compartment contained within a frame. The lateral bolt may form part of a mortise lock. The shaped pieces may be inclined at approximately 45° to the horizontal. The resilient return means may comprise a spring. Each vertical bolt may be provided with a wheel, said wheel abutting the lateral bolt. The vertical bolts may comprise steel, nylon and/or brass rods. An espagnolette type lock according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :- Figure 1 is a cross sectional side view of a lock of a first embodiment in a locked position; Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view of a lock of the first embodiment in an unlocked position; Figure 3 is a partially cut away elevation of a lock of the first embodiment in a locked position; Figure 4 is a cross sectional side view of a lock of a second embodiment; Figure 5 is an elevation of a lock of the second embodiment; and Figure 6 is a view of the top portion of a lock of the second embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 show an espagnolette type lock comprising: a lateral bolt 12 which is extended laterally from the leaf 18 by key operation; and first and second vertical bolts 14, 16 extending vertically in the leaf 18 and abutting upper 12a and lower 12b faces of said lateral bolt 12 respectively, the second vertical bolt 16 being retained against the lower face 12b of said lateral bolt 12 by resilient return means 20; wherein the lateral bolt 12 comprises upper and lower shaped pieces 22, 24 having inclined leading edges 22a, 24a positioned laterally so that the lateral extension of the lateral bolt 12 from the leaf 18 drives the first and second vertical bolts 14, 16 into retaining slots (not shown) positioned in the frame. The espagnolette type lock of Figures 1 to 3 is used to lock a door 10. However, locks of the present type can be used also to lock windows or, indeed any type of compartment contained within a frame. An example of such a compartment is a cash box disposed within a structure such as a fruit machine, arcade video game or a pool table. Advantageously, the lateral bolt 12 forms part of a mortise lock having a key hole 26. For simplicity of presentation the internal mechanism of the mortise lock is not shown in Figures 1 to 3. The shaped pieces 22, 24 are inclined at approximately 45 ° to the horizontal, although it is understood that the invention is not limited to such angle of inclination. Indeed, in general, the shallower the angle of inclination the more reliably and smoothly the vertical bolts 14, 16 are driven. However, this is offset by the fact that, for a given lateral length of travel, shallower angles of inclination result in smaller vertical travel for the vertical bolts 14, 16. An angle of inclination of around 45° from the horizontal appears to represent an acceptable compromise. The resilient return means 20 is a spring, positioned towards the lower edge of the leaf. The spring ensures that the second vertical bolt 16 abuts the lateral bolt 12 at all times. The first vertical bolt 14 may also be provided with a spring 28, positioned towards the upper edge of the leaf. The vertical bolts 14, 16 are provided with wheels 14a, 16a, said wheels 14a, 16a abutting the lateral bolt 12. The purpose of the wheels is to produce a smooth and free vertical bolt driving action. Excessive horizontal motion of the vertical bolts 14, 16 may result in jamming of the device. The vertical bolts 14, 16 are stainless steel rods. The shaped pieces 22, 24 may be integral with the rectangular 'slab' portion of the lateral bolt 12. Alternatively, it is possible to adapt a conventional mortise lock to produce a lock of the present invention by fitting shaped pieces to the mortise bolt and installing vertical bolts into the door leaf. Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the lock arrangement in an unlocked state. To lock the arrangement the key is positioned in the keyhole 26 and turned, causing the lateral bolt 12 to locate in the frame in the usual manner. The accompanying lateral translational of the shaping pieces 22. 24 drives the first and second vertical bolts 14. 16 upwards and downwards, respectively, forcing the ends 14b, 16b thereof out of the leaf 18. The extent of this upward and downward motion is sufficient to securely position the ends 14b, 16b of vertical bolts 14, 16 in retaining slots (not shown) positioned in the frame. Typically, the lateral translation of the lateral bolt 12 upon locking is CJ 15mm which, with shaping pieces 22, 24 inclined at 45° to the horizontal, produces up to 15mm vertical translation of the vertical bolts 14, 16. Figures 1 and 3 show the lock arrangement in a locked state. Figures 4 to 6 show another embodiment of an espagnolette type lock which, due to its physical dimensions, is suitable for use as a sash window lock. However, it is understood that use in the other applications described above, i.e. in doors and compartments, and also in casement windows, is also within the scope of the invention. The espagnolette type lock comprises a brass lateral bolt 40 having upper and lower shaped pieces 42, 44 integral therewith. The lateral bolt 40 is driven by a three lever lock system 46 (shown - semi schematically - in Figure 4 only) which produces a lateral translation of the lateral bolt 40 upon locking of 12 mm. The three lever lock 46 and lateral bolt 40 are contained within a stainless steel casing 48 having nylon bushes 50, 52 through which the vertical bolts 54, 56 are driven. The vertical bolts 54, 56 are (in vicinity of the bushes 50, 52) fabricated in nylon, and have an outer diameter of 6 mm. The width W and height H of the casing 48 are 34 mm and 72 mm, respectively. The physical dimensions of the espagnolette type lock render it suitable for use with sash windows. The use of nylon bushes 50, 52 and nylon vertical bolts 54, 56 permits smooth translation of said bolts 54, 56. It is also possible to provide impacting components such as the shaped pieces and the vertical bolts with a polymeric coating in order to reduce abrasion. Figures 5 and 6 depict the mechanism by which the vertical bolts 54, 56 are retained in the frame (not shown). In addition to the 6 mm OD nylon rods, the vertical bolts 54, 56 further comprise brass rods 58, 60. The brass rods comprise locating portions 58a, 60a, having an inner bore into which the respective nylon rods locate. Advantageously, the diameter of the inner bore is slightly larger than the OD of the nylon rod, i.e. the inner bore diameter can be 7 mm when the OD of the nylon rod is 6 mm. In this manner, an attempt by a thief to use a blade, such as a hacksaw, to cut through the brass rods 58, 60 will be thwarted because of the free rotation of the brass rods 58, 60 about the nylon rods. The brass rods 58, 60 further comprise elongate portions 58b, 60b, of smaller OD than the locating portions 58a, 60a, thereby conveniently housing springs 62, 64. The brass rods 58, 60 reciprocate through self-tapping brass bushes 66, 68 which are conveniently located in the sash. When the sash is locked, the brass rods 58, 60 are driven by the action of the shaped pieces 42, 44, via the movement of the nylon rods, into self-tapping brass bushes 70, 72 which are conveniently located in a frame. Advantageously, the ID of the bushes 70, 72 is somewhat larger than the OD of the brass rods 58, 60 - for example, 15 mm vs 10 mm. In this way, any moderate misalignment of sash and frame occurring over time is corrected for. It will be apparent from the foregoing that numerous materials and configurations are suitable for the purpose of reducing the invention to practice. An advantage of locks of the present invention is that a single key turning operation results in locking at three, well separated locations. A further advantage is that the driving mechanism is very simple and inexpensive, in contrast to prior art mechanisms which rely on rather complicated latch type arrangements. A further advantage still is that conventional mortise locks may be readily adapted to produce a lock of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An espagnolette type lock comprising : a lateral bolt which is extended laterally from a leaf by key operation; and first and second vertical bolts extending vertically in the leaf and abutting upper and lower faces of said lateral bolt respectively, the second vertical bolt being retained against the lower face of said lateral bolt by resilient means; wherein the lateral bolt comprises upper and lower shaped pieces having inclined leading edges positioned laterally so that lateral extension of the lateral bolt from the leaf drives the first and second vertical bolts into retaining slots positioned in a frame. 2. A lock according to claim 1 used to lock a door. 3. A lock according to claim 1 used to lock a window. 4. A lock according to claim 1 used to lock a compartment contained within a frame. 5. A lock according to any of the previous claims in which the lateral bolt forms part of a mortise lock. 6. A lock according to any of the previous claims in which the shaped pieces are inclined at approximately 45° to the horizontal. 7. A lock according to any of the previous claims in which the resilient return means comprises a spring. 8. A lock according to any of the previous claims in which each vertical bolt is provided with a wheel, the wheel abutting the lateral bolt. 9. A lock according to any of the previous claims in which the vertical bolts comprise steel, nylon and/or brass rods.

Inventors: MURRAY BRIAN, MURRAY, BRIAN
Applicants: MURRAY BRIAN, MURRAY, BRIAN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E05C9
IPC codes: E05C9