AU2020204087B2 - A sliding window or door lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A SLIDING WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK A lock assembly (28) for a sliding window or sliding door (18), the assembly (28) including: a body (30) to be fixed to a first frame member (20); a lock tongue (42) mounted in the body (30) for movement in a predetermined direction (D 2) relative to the body (30) between an engaging position to engage a second frame member (26) to at least inhibit relative movement between the members (20, 26) in an opening direction (D 4), and a release position retracted inwardly of the body (30) from the engaging position to allow relative movement in said opening direction (D4) between the members (20, 26); an actuator (50) mounted in the body (30) and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator (50) being operatively associated with the tongue (42) to move the tongue (42) from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator (50) is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator (50) moving relative to the body (30) in an actuating direction (D 3) from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction (D3) being transverse relative to said predetermined direction (D2); and wherein the tongue (42) moves in said predetermined direction (D 2) along a tongue path that is generally linear, and said actuator (50) moves inwardly with respect to said body (30) when moving in said actuating direction (D 3). 2020204087 18 Jun 2020

Description

2020204087 18 Jun 2020

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),* A SLIDING WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to lock assemblies, and more particularly but not exclusively to lock assemblies employed in sliding windows or doors. 2020204087

Background

[0002] There are a variety of lock devices employed in sliding windows or doors to limit movement of the sliding window or door panel with respect to an opening. These lock devices have certain disadvantages in that many are difficult to install, are relatively bulky or complex.

Object

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

Summary of Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, the invention provides a lock assembly for a sliding window or sliding door, the assembly including: a body to be fixed to a first frame member; a lock tongue mounted in the body for movement in a predetermined direction relative to the body between an engaging position to engage a second frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first and second frame members in an opening direction, and a release position retracted inwardly of the body from the engaging position to allow relative movement in the opening direction between the first and second frame members; an actuator mounted in the body and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator being operatively associated with the tongue to move the tongue from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator moving relative to the body in an actuating direction from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction being transverse relative to the predetermined direction; and wherein

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the tongue moves in the predetermined direction along a tongue path that is generally linear, and the actuator moves inwardly with respect to the body when moving in the actuating direction.

[0005] The lock assembly further includes: a locking bar mounted in the body for movement in a bar direction between a locked position and an unlocked position, with the locking bar in the locked position engaging the 2020204087

tongue to prevent movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position, while when in the unlocked position, the locking bar permits movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position; and a lock mechanism operatively associated with the locking bar to move the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0006] Preferably, the bar direction is generally transverse relative to the predetermined direction and the actuating direction.

[0007] Preferably, the locking bar is a first locking bar, and the assembly includes a second locking bar, the second locking bar being coupled to the first locking bar so as to move therewith, with the second locking bar being provided to engage a further frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first frame member, and the second and third frame members.

[0008] Preferably, the second frame member includes a longitudinally extending groove, with at least a portion of the tongue configured to engage the groove when the tongue is in the engaging position.

[0009] In a second aspect, the invention provides a lock assembly for a sliding window or sliding door, the assembly including: a body to be fixed to a first frame member; a lock tongue mounted in the body for movement in a predetermined direction relative to the body between an engaging position to engage a second frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first and second frame members in an opening direction, and a release position retracted inwardly of the body from the engaging position to allow relative movement in the opening direction between the first and second frame members;

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an actuator mounted in the body and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator being operatively associated with the tongue to move the tongue from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator moving relative to the body in an actuating direction from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction being transverse relative to the predetermined direction; a locking bar mounted in the body for movement in a bar direction between a locked 2020204087

position and an unlocked position, with the bar direction being generally transverse to the actuating direction, with the locking bar in the locked position engaging the tongue to prevent movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position, while when in the unlocked position, the locking bar permits movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position; and a lock cylinder operatively associated with the locking bar to move the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions, with the lock cylinder including: a barrel having a rotational axis, with the barrel being moved angularly about the axis by a key; and a cam member mounted on the barrel so as to be moved thereby, with the cam member engaging the locking bar to cause movement thereof; and wherein the rotational axis is generally perpendicular to the actuating direction and parallel with the predetermined direction.

[0010] In a third aspect, the invention provides, in combination, the above lock assembly of the first or second aspects, and a sliding window or door panel including the first frame member, the panel including a glass sheet with a generally vertical edge portion, with the first frame member being attached to the edge portion so as to be upwardly extending, and wherein the panel is moved in an opening direction relative to the second frame member, and the actuator moves along a path which is generally horizontal and the tongue moves along a path which is generally horizontal.

[0011] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a sliding window or door assembly including: the above described lock assembly; a frame to be fixed to a supporting structure and surrounding an opening, the frame being of a generally square or rectangular configuration to as to provide a bottom sill, a top head, and a pair of upright side jambs extending between the sill and head;

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the first and second frame members mounted to the frame; a sliding window or door panel having a glass sheet with a generally vertical edge portion, with the first frame member being attached to the edge portion so as to be upwardly extending; and wherein the panel is moved in the opening direction relative to the second frame member, with the second locking bar configured to engage the head when the first locking bar is in the locked position. 2020204087

[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a lock assembly for a sliding window or sliding door, the assembly including: a body to be fixed to a first frame member; a lock tongue mounted in the body for movement in a predetermined direction relative to the body between an engaging position to engage a second frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the members in an opening direction, and a release position retracted inwardly of the body from the engaging position to allow relative movement in the opening direction between the members; an actuator mounted in the body and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator being operatively associated with the tongue to move the tongue from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator moving relative to the body in an actuating direction from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction being transverse relative to the predetermined direction; and wherein the body includes a rear wall to abut the first frame member, a front wall opposite the rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, with the first and second side walls extending generally transversely between the front and rear walls, with the first side wall configured to be spaced relative to the second frame member, and with the first side wall having a slot through which at least a portion of the tongue projects when the tongue is in the engaging position, and with the front wall having a hole to at least partially expose the actuator to the user such that the opening direction is generally normal to the exposed surface of the actuator.

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[0013] Preferably, the first frame member has a major surface, with the major surface being generally coplanar with the second side wall.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic part cutaway isometric view of a sliding window or door assembly according to an embodiment, shown with a panel of the assembly in an "unlocked" closed position;

[0016] FIG. 2 is another schematic part cutaway isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 1, shown with the panel in an open position;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a lock assembly of the assembly ofFIG.1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic rear isometric view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3, shown with a rear wall of the lock assembly removed;

[0019] FIG. 5 is another schematic rear isometric view of the lock assembly of FIG. 4, shown with a first locking bar in a locked position;

[0020] FIG. 6 is another schematic part cutaway isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 1, shown with the panel in a "locked" closed position;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic part cutaway isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 1, shown with a second locking bar of the assembly in an unlocked position relative to a top head;

[0022] FIG. 8 is another schematic part cutaway isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 7, shown with the second locking bar in a locked position relative to the top head;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

6 2020204087 18 Jun 2020

[0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line A-A of FIG. 10. FIG. 10.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic isometric view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3, shown with the second locking bar coupled to an adaptor of the lock assembly;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic partial parts exploded view of the lock assembly of FIG. 12; and

[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic part cutaway rear isometric view of the sliding window or door panel of FIG. 1, shown with the lock assembly partially detached from the panel.

Description of Embodiments

[0029] Referring firstly to FIGs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is schematically depicted a sliding window or door assembly 10 including a frame 12, a sliding window or door panel 18, a fixed sash 24, and a lock assembly 28. The frame 12 is fixed to a supporting structure (not shown) and surrounds an opening 14. The frame 12 is of a generally square or rectangular configuration so as to provide a bottom sill 16, a top head 17 (shown in FIGs 7 and 8), and a pair of upright side jambs (not shown) extending between the sill 16 and head 17.

[0030] The panel 18 is mounted to the frame 12 so as to be movable along a track 22 provided by the sill 16 between a closed position and an open position with respect to the opening 14. The panel 18 has a pair of glass sheets 21 with a generally vertical edge portion. A stile 20 formed from an extruded section is attached to the edge portion so as to be upwardly extending to hold the glass sheets 21 generally upright.

[0031] The sash 24 is fixed to the frame 12 and spaced from the panel 18. The sash 24 has a stile 26 formed from an extruded section and generally aligned with the stile 20 of the panel 18 when the panel 18 is in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 1). The panel 18 is moved in an opening direction D 4 relative to the stile 26.

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[0032] With particular reference to FIG. 3, the lock assembly 28 includes a cuboidal body 30 generally elongated in a vertical direction Di. The body 30 includes a front wall 32, a rear wall 34 opposite the front wall 32, a first side wall 36 (shown in FIGs. 12 and 13) and a second side wall 38 opposite the first side wall 36. The side walls 36, 38 extend generally transversely between the front and rear walls 32, 34. The front wall 32, rear wall 34 and side walls 36, 38 surround an interior 40 of the body 30. The rear wall 34 is configured to abut the stile 20 when the lock assembly 28 is mounted to the stile 20, whilst the first side wall 36 is spaced relative to the sash 24. In this arrangement, both the front wall 32 and the second side wall 38 are exposed to a user.

[0033] The lock assembly 28 includes a lock tongue 42 located in the interior 40 for movement in a predetermined direction D 2 along a tongue path that is generally linear relative to the body 30 between an engaging position and a release position. The direction D 2 is generally horizontal and transverse of the direction Di. With particular reference to FIGs. 11 and 12, in the engaging position, a portion 43 of the tongue 42 extends through a slot 37 formed on the side wall 36 to engage a longitudinal groove 27 formed on the stile 26 to at least inhibit relative movement between the stiles 20, 26 in the opening direction D4 . In the release position, the tongue 42 is retracted inwardly of the body 30 from the engaging position away from the groove 27 to allow relative movement in the opening direction D 4 between the stiles 20, 26.

[0034] With particular reference to FIGs. 4 and 5, a pair of helical springs 44 are positioned within the interior 40 and arranged with one end of each of the springs 44 engaging the side wall 38 and with the other end of each of the springs 44 received within spring mountings 45 of the tongue 42 to urge the tongue 42 to the engaging position in the predetermined direction D 2 . An abutment surface 46 is located in the interior 40 and positioned adjacent the first side wall 36. A flange 47 extending from the tongue 42 is configured to abut the surface 46 to limit movement of the tongue 42 in the direction D 2 beyond a predetermined position defined by the surface 46. A pair of guide rails 48 project from the tongue 42 and cooperate with a guide protrusion 49 formed on the rear wall 34 to limit movement of the tongue 42 in a plane generally coincident with the direction Di.

[0035] The lock assembly 28 also includes an actuator in the form of a push button 50 mounted in the body 30 and partially exposed through an opening 33 on the front wall 32. In this way, the opening direction D 4 is generally normal to the exposed surface of the button 50. The button 50

2020204087 18 Jun 2020

is pressed inwardly by the user to move the button 50 in an actuating direction D 3 from a rest position to an activated position. The button 50 has a plurality of rotating cams 52 extending from opposing transverse edges of the button 50. The rotating cams 52 engage respective cam surfaces 54 on the tongue 42 to move the tongue 42 from the engaging position to the release position (against the bias of the springs 44) when the button 50 is moved from the rest position to the activated position. The actuating direction D 3 is generally transverse to the directions Di and D 2, but parallel with the opening direction D 4

.

[0036] The lock assembly 28 further includes a first locking bar 56 mounted in the body 30 for movement in a bar direction that is generally parallel with the direction Di from an unlocked position to a locked position. The bar 56 is generally elongated in the direction Di and abuts the first side wall 36 and the surface 46 so as to be guided in its movement along the direction Di. The bar 56 has a passage 58 to permit movement of the tongue 42 to the release position when the bar 56 is in the unlocked position. When the bar 56 is in the locked position, a notch 60 of the bar 56 receives part of the portion 43 of the tongue 42 to prevent movement of the tongue 42 from the engaging position to the release position, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] A locking bar adaptor 62 is fitted within an upper end of the body 30. The adaptor 62 mates with the bar 56 via complementary cut-outs 64 located at one end of the bar 56 and at a bottom portion 65 of the adaptor 62. The adaptor 62 has a top portion 66 configured to be fixed (such as with a screw) within an end of a second locking bar 68 formed of an extruded section, as shown in FIG. 13. In this way, the bar 68 is coupled to the bar 56 via the adaptor 62 so as to move therewith. With particular reference to FIGs. 7 and 8, an end portion 70 of the bar 68 is configured to engage with a stopper 72 fixed to the head 17 to at least inhibit relative movement between the stile 20, and the stile 26 and head 17. A mounting bracket 74 is attached to a lower end of the body 30 for mounting the body 30 to the stile 20.

[0038] The lock assembly 28 further includes a lock cylinder 76 located within a through-hole 78 formed on the second side wall 38. The lock cylinder 76 includes a barrel 80 having a rotational axis 81. The barrel 80 is moved angularly about the axis 81 by a key (not shown). The axis 81 is generally perpendicular to the actuating direction D 3 and parallel with the direction D 2 , as shown in FIG. 3. A lock pin 82 of the barrel 80 cooperates with a slit 84 formed on a barrel mounting surface 86 of the rear wall 34. The barrel 80 includes an end protrusion 88 movable with the barrel 80 to move a barrel adaptor 90. At the end extremity of the barrel

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adaptor 90 is a cam member 91 which engages a cam recess 92 formed at the other end of the bar 56 to move the bar 56 between the locked and unlocked positions upon rotation of the barrel 80. It will be appreciated that more than one cam recess 92 may be provided to configure the bar 56 for use in left and right-handed sliding windows or doors.

[0039] In the locked position, the bar 56 is generally extended upwardly by movement in direction Di thereby spacing the adaptor 62 from the interior 40 (as shown in FIG. 5) and in turn positioning the end portion 70 of the bar 68 for engagement with the stopper 72 (as shown in FIG. 8). In the unlocked position, the adaptor 62 is partially received within the interior 40 so that upper edges of the walls 32, 34, 36 and 38 engage a rim 63 extending around a mid-portion of the adaptor 62, as shown in FIG. 4. In this unlocked position, the bar 68 is moved downwardly relative to the locked position thereby allowing the end portion 70 to clear the stopper 72, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 38 and a side wall of the bar 68 are generally co-planar with a major surface or exposed face of the stile 20 of the panel 18. The front wall 32 is also generally co-planar with an exposed front wall of the bar 68. This arrangement imparts a generally integrated look to the assembly 10.

[0041] In operation of the above described lock assembly 10, when the panel 18 is in the closed position, the user may insert the key into the lock cylinder 76 to move the barrel 80 in a first angular direction about the axis 81 to move the bar 56 to the locked position thereby extending the bar 68 for engagement with the stopper 72 and to engage the notch 60 with the portion 43, effectively "deadlocking" the panel 18. To "unlock" the panel 18 to allow the panel 18 to be slidably moved along the track 22, the user moves the barrel 80 in a second angular direction about the axis 81 opposite the first angular direction to move the bar 56 to the unlocked position. The user may then press the button 50 so that the portion 43 of the tongue 42 disengages the groove 27 to allow the user to slide the panel 18 to the open position.

[0042] In another embodiment, it will be appreciated that the adaptor 62 and the bar 68 may be absent such that the lock assembly 28 is used as a latch only. In this alternative embodiment, a spring-loaded friction pad 94 is provided on the rear wall 34 to provide friction and therefore resistance between the lock assembly 28 and the stile 20 so that the lock assembly 28 is held in

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place on the stile 20. The user may adjust the position of the lock assembly 28 relative to the stile 20 as desired by sliding the lock assembly 28 upwardly or downwardly along the stile 20.

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[0043] Item List Di vertical direction 50 push button D2 horizontal direction 52 rotating cams D3 actuating direction 54 54 camsurfaces cam surfaces D4 opening direction 56 56 first locking bar

sliding window or door assembly 58 passage 12 12 frame frame 60 60 notch notch

14 14 opening 62 62 locking bar adaptor 16 16 bottom sill bottom sill 63 63 rim rim

17 17 top head 64 64 cut-outs 18 18 sliding window or door panel 65 65 bottom portion

stile 66 top portion 21 21 glass sheets 68 68 second locking bar 22 22 track track 70 70 end portion 24 24 sash sash 72 72 stopper 26 26 stile stile 74 74 mounting bracket 27 27 groove 76 76 lock cylinder 28 28 lock assembly 78 78 through-hole

body 80 80 barrel barrel

32 32 front wall front wall 81 81 rotational axis rotational axis 33 33 opening 82 82 lock pin 34 34 rear wall rear wall 84 84 slit slit

36 36 first first side side wall wall 86 86 barrel mounting surface 37 37 slot 88 88 protrusion 38 38 second side wall second side wall 90 90 barrel adaptor

interior interior 91 91 cam member cam member 42 42 lock tongue 92 92 camrecess cam recess 43 43 portion of tongue 94 94 spring-loaded friction pad 44 44 helical springs

spring mountings 46 46 abutmentsurface abutment surface

47 47 flange 48 48 guide rails 49 49 guide protrusion

Claims (7)

1. A lock assembly for a sliding window or sliding door, the assembly including: a body to be fixed to a first frame member; a lock tongue mounted in the body for movement in a predetermined direction relative to the body between an engaging position to engage a second frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first and second frame members in an opening direction, and a 2020204087

release position retracted inwardly of the body from the engaging position to allow relative movement in said opening direction between the first and second frame members; an actuator mounted in the body and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator being operatively associated with the tongue to move the tongue from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator moving relative to the body in an actuating direction from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction being transverse relative to said predetermined direction; and wherein the tongue moves in said predetermined direction along a tongue path that is generally linear, and said actuator moves inwardly with respect to said body when moving in said actuating direction, the lock assembly further including: a locking bar mounted in the body for movement in a bar direction between a locked position and an unlocked position, with the locking bar in said locked position engaging the tongue to prevent movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position, while when in the unlocked position, the locking bar permits movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position; and a lock mechanism operatively associated with the locking bar to move the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the bar direction is generally transverse relative to said predetermined direction and said actuating direction.

3. The lock assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the locking bar is a first locking bar, and the assembly includes a second locking bar, the second locking bar being coupled to the first locking bar so as to move therewith, with the second locking bar being provided to engage a

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third frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first frame member, and the second and third frame members.

4. The lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second frame member includes a longitudinally extending groove, with at least a portion of the tongue configured to engage the groove when the tongue is in the engaging position. 2020204087

5. A lock assembly for a sliding window or sliding door, the assembly including: a body to be fixed to a first frame member; a lock tongue mounted in the body for movement in a predetermined direction relative to the body between an engaging position to engage a second frame member to at least inhibit relative movement between the first and second frame members in an opening direction, and a release position retracted inwardly of the body from the engaging position to allow relative movement in said opening direction between the first and second frame members; an actuator mounted in the body and moved by a user from a rest position to an activated position, the actuator being operatively associated with the tongue to move the tongue from the engaging position to the release position when the actuator is moved from the rest position to the activated position, with the actuator moving relative to the body in an actuating direction from the rest position to the activated position, the actuating direction being transverse relative to said predetermined direction; a locking bar mounted in the body for movement in a bar direction between a locked position and an unlocked position, with the bar direction being generally transverse to said actuating direction, with the locking bar in said locked position engaging the tongue to prevent movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position, while when in the unlocked position, the locking bar permits movement of the tongue from the engaging position to the release position; and a lock cylinder operatively associated with the locking bar to move the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions, with the lock cylinder including: a barrel having a rotational axis, with the barrel being moved angularly about the axis by a key; and a cam member mounted on the barrel so as to be moved thereby, with the cam member engaging the locking bar to cause movement thereof; and wherein said rotational axis is generally perpendicular to said actuating direction and parallel with said predetermined direction.

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6. In combination, the lock assembly of any one of the preceding claims, and a sliding window or door panel including the first frame member, the panel including a glass sheet with a generally vertical edge portion, with the first frame member being attached to the edge portion so as to be upwardly extending, and wherein the panel is moved in an opening direction relative to the second frame member, and the actuator moves along a path which is generally horizontal and the tongue moves along a path which is generally horizontal. 2020204087

7. A sliding window or door assembly including: the lock assembly of claim 3; a frame to be fixed to a supporting structure and surrounding an opening, said frame being of a generally square or rectangular configuration to as to provide a bottom sill, a top head, and a pair of upright side jambs extending between the sill and head; the first and second frame members mounted to the frame; a sliding window or door panel having a glass sheet with a generally vertical edge portion, with said first frame member being attached to said edge portion so as to be upwardly extending; and wherein said panel is moved in said opening direction relative to said second frame member, with said second locking bar configured to engage said head when said first locking bar is in said locked position.

Architectural Window Systems Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON

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