AU2013202103B2

AU2013202103B2 - A multipoint lock assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2013202103B2
Application number: AU2013202103A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Edward Donald Allen
Original assignee: ABRA ALUMINIUM Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ABRA ALUMINIUM Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-06
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-06
Also published as: AU2013202106B2; AU2013202103A1; AU2013202106A1

Abstract

A multipoint lock assembly (1) for a security screen door, the lock assembly (1) including: a main lock (3); 5 at least one remote lock (5,7); and a remote lock connector (9,11) for connecting the main lock (3) and the remote lock (5,7), the remote lock (5,7) including: a lock bolt (47), and a hook bolt (49) pivotally mounted to the lock bolt (47), the lock bolt (47) and hook bolt (49) being movable between a retracted unlocked 10 position and an extended locked position, the hook bolt (49) being moveable in response to movement of the lock bolt (47), wherein the lock bolt (47) moves towards its extended locked position before the hook bolt (49) commences movement to its extended lock position.

Description

A MULTIPOINT LOCK ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multipoint lock assembly for a swing or sliding door. The multipoint lock assembly according to the present invention is particularly suited for use in security screen doors. It will therefore be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that example application. It should however be understood that the invention is equally suitable for use with other types of doors.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Multipoint locking assemblies typically include a central lock and one or more remote locks which are spaced from the central lock with each remote lock being connected to the central lock by a connector which is typically in the form of a connecting metal rod. A multipoint lock provides a door with improved security by permitting the door to be locked at two or three spaced locations rather than the one, usually centrally located position.

Security screen doors typically have a frame made from extruded aluminium. As such doors are relatively light weight, they can generally be easily jemmied and bent to permit unauthorised entry. For this reason, in addition to a centrally located lock, these doors are commonly provided with two remote locks, one being positioned adjacent an upper end of the door and the other being positioned adjacent a lower end of the door. Each remote lock normally has a sliding lock bolt which engages with a striker or keeper located in the doorjamb.

In order to make unauthorised entry more difficult, attempts have been made to use hook bolts rather than sliding lock bolts. In this respect, it is generally much more difficult to jemmy a hook bolt out of its keeper than a sliding lock bolt. However, hook bolts are unfortunately problematic when used with swing doors as they have a tendency to not fully engage with the keeper. This usually occurs when the gap between the door and the door jamb is too large, for example greater than approximately 4mm. It would be desirable to provide a multipoint lock which overcomes or ameliorates the abovementioned problem.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or any other > country on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multipoint lock assembly for a security screen door. The lock assembly includes a main lock, at 1 least one remote lock, a remote lock connector for connecting the main lock and the remote lock. The remote lock includes a lock bolt, and a hook bolt pivotally mounted to the lock bolt. The lock bolt and hook bolt being movable between a retracted unlocked position and an extended locked position. The hook bolt being moveable in response to movement of the lock bolt, wherein the lock bolt moves towards its extended locked position before the hook bolt commences movement to its extended lock position.

Preferably, the hook bolt is pivotally mounted within a recess in the lock bolt. Further, the hook bolt may protrude from the lock bolt when in the extended position. In addition, an end of the lock bolt preferably protrudes from a front wall housing of the remote lock before the hook bolt commences pivotal movement to the extended position. In this respect, the lock bolt may extend approximately 15 mm to 20 mm before the hook bolt rotates and protrudes from the lock bolt. The recess preferably includes a sloped surface having a ledge which abuts with the hook bolt in the extended locked position. Further, in moving from the retracted to extended position the hook bolt can rotate due to gravity until a knob portion of the hook bolt abuts the ledge.

The lock bolt preferably undergoes linear motion when moving between the extended and retracted positions. Further, in moving the lock bolt from the extended to retracted position, the hook bolt can commence rotation under gravity to the retracted position when a leg portion of the hook bolt disengages with the front housing wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The description should not be considered as limiting any of the statements in the previous section. The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of the multipoint lock assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the main lock of the lock assembly illustrated in Figure 1, showing the main lock with one side of the lock housing removed, the attachment of the connecting rods to the drive member, and the housing of the main lock in a second orientation;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a portion of the drive member of the main lock illustrated in Figure 2, showing the first and second apertures for connection of the connecting rods;

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the first or top remote lock shown in the lock assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3a is a partial view of the remote lock and connecting rod illustrated in Figure 3 installed in a security screen door having a frame with an internal cavity;

Figure 3b is a rear end view of a portion of the main lock illustrated in

Figure 2, with the housing of the main lock in a first orientation to facilitate connection of a first end of the connecting rod of the first remote lock;

Figure 3c is a rear end view of a portion of the main lock illustrated in

Figure 2, with the housing of the main lock in a third orientation to facilitate connection of a first end of the connecting rod of the second remote lock;

Figure 4 is a view of the remote lock shown in Figure 3 with a portion of the remote lock housing removed;

Figure 5 is a view of the remote lock shown in Figure 4 with the lock member shown in phantom view to illustrate the arrangement of the hook bolt within the lock member;

Figure 6 is a side view of the second or bottom remote lock shown in the lock assembly of Figure 1 with the lock member and hook bolt in an extended position;

Figure 7 is a view of the remote lock shown in Figure 6 with a portion of the remote lock housing removed; and

Figure 8 is a view of the remote lock shown in Figure 7 with the lock member shown in phantom view.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the accompanying drawings there is shown a multipoint lock assembly 1 for a security screen door having a frame 2 with an internal cavity 4. The lock assembly 1 includes a central or main lock 3, a first remote lock 5 and a second remote lock 7 which are each connected to the main lock 3 by a first and second remote lock connector 9, 11 respectively. The remote lock connectors 9, 11 each preferably include a rigid link member and one or more support sleeves 35. Each rigid link member is preferably in the form of a metal connecting rod 13. The first and second remote locks 5, 7 are preferably mounted towards the top and bottom of the door, respectively.

The connecting rod 13 of the first remote lock connector 9 has a first end 15 which is attachable to a drive member 17 of the main lock 3. The drive member 17 is slidably mounted within a housing 18 of the main lock 3. A second end 19 of the connecting rod 13 of the first remote lock connector 9 attaches to an actuator arm 21 of the first remote lock 5. In this regard, the actuator arm 21 has a slot 23 into which the second end 19 of the connecting rod 13 may be located. Similarly, the first end 15 is connectable to a first aperture 25 in the drive member 17 to thereby secure the connecting rod 13 to the drive member 17.

As can be best seen in Figures 2 and 2a, the first aperture 25 in the drive member 17 includes cut-out portions 27 on opposing sides of the first aperture 25. The cut-out portions 27 are sized and spaced apart to permit the first end 15 of the connecting rod 13 to fit through the first aperture 25 when aligned with the cut-out portions 27. In this regard the first end 15 of the connecting rod 15 is sized and shaped to fit into the first aperture 25 when the first end 15 is aligned with the cut-out portions 27. In order to align the first end 15 with the cut-out portions 27, the main lock 3 or alternatively the connecting rod 13 must be rotated to enable the first end 15 to be manoeuvred into the first aperture 25. The cut-out portions 27 in the first aperture 25 are positioned on the drive member 7 such that the main lock 3 is required to be at a first orientation, as shown in Figure 3b, in which the housing 18 of the main lock 3 is at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod 13, in order for the first end 15 to fit through the first aperture 25. Once the first end 15 has been inserted into the first aperture 25, the main lock 3 can be moved to a second orientation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the housing 18 of the main lock 3 is in alignment with the connecting rods 13.

The connecting rod 13 of the second remote lock connector 11 attaches to the drive member 17 in a similar manner to the connecting rod 13 of the first remote lock connector 9. In this respect, the drive member 17 includes a second aperture 29 into which a first end 31 of the connecting rod 13 of the second remote lock connector 11 may be located. The second aperture 29 is preferably of similar shape to the first aperture 25 in the drive member 17. In this regard, the second aperture 29 also includes cut-out portions 27 on opposing sides of the second aperture 29. However, as can be seen in Figure 2a, the second aperture 29 is orientated such that the cut-out portions 27 in the second aperture 29 lie at a different angle to the cut-out portions 27 of the first aperture 25. In this respect, the cut-out portions 27 of the second aperture 29 are at an angle of 90° with respect to the cut-out portions 27 in the first aperture 25. As a result, in order for the first end 31 of the connecting rod 13 of the second remote lock connector 11 to be aligned with the cut-out portions 27, the main lock 3 must be orientated differently to when attaching the first end 15 of the first remote lock connector 9 to the first aperture 25. In this regard, the main lock 3 is required to be at a third orientation, as shown in Figure 3c, in which the housing 18 of the main lock 3 is at an angle of approximately 90° with respect the position of the main lock 3 in the first orientation, as shown in Figure 3b.

The second end 33 of the connecting rod 13 of the second remote lock connector 11 attaches to the second remote lock 7 in a similar manner to the connection of the second end 19 of the first remote lock connector 9 to the actuator arm 21 of the first remote lock 5. In this respect, the second remote lock 7 includes an actuator arm 21 having a slot 23 therein into which the second end 33 of the second remote lock connector 11 can be located. The slots 23 in the first and second remote locks 5, 7 are similar in shape to the first and second apertures 25, 29 in the drive member 17. Similarly, the second ends 19, 33 of both connecting rods 13 are similar in shape to their opposed first ends 15, 31.

The first and second remote lock connectors 9,11 include a plurality of support sleeves 35 which are positioned at spaced locations along the length of each connecting rod 13. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the support sieeve 35 includes a plurality of radially extending projections 37 having outer ends 39. The outer ends 39 provide the support sleeve 35 with an abutment surface which can engage with side walls of the internal cavity 4 within the frame 2 of the security screen door, as shown in Figure 3a. The projections 37 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod 13. Each support sleeve 35 further includes a central hub 41 which has a passageway therethrough through which the connecting rod 13 is located. When the connecting rods 13 and associated support sleeves 35 are located within the frame 2 of the security screen door, the support sleeves 35 effectively prevent the connecting rods 13 from engaging with the side walls of the frame 2. In addition, as the projections 37 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rods 13 frictional contact between the side walls of the frame 2 and the outer ends 39 of the projections 37 is minimised when the connecting rods 13 move back and forth along their longitudinal axis during operation of the remote locks 5, 7. This ensures that the support sleeves 35 are able to perform there required function of constraining movement of the connecting rods 13 perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, whilst at the same time not inhibit axial motion of the connecting rods 13 during operation of the remote locks 5, 7.

As can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the first remote lock 5 includes an actuator arm 21 which is pivotally mounted about a pivot point 43. One end of the actuator arm 21 has a slot 23 located therein for connection to a connecting rod 13. An opposite end of the actuator arm 21 engages in a guide channel 45 located in a sliding lock bolt 47. The remote lock 5 further includes a hook bolt 49 which is pivotally mounted within a recess 55 located in the lock bolt 47. The second remote lock 7 is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The second remote lock 7 is of the same construction as the first remote lock 5 and like reference numerals are used to identify equivalent features to that shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The sliding lock bolt 47 and hook bolt 49 are movable between an extended locked position, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, and a retracted unlocked position, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In moving the lock bolt 47 from the retracted to extended positions, the hook bolt 49 is able to rotate about a pivot point 53 due to gravity until a knob portion 57 of the hook bolt 49 abuts against a ledge 59 in a sloped surface 51 located within the recess 55 in the lock bolt 47. The hook bolt 49 is positioned with respect to the lock bolt 47 such that the sliding lock bolt 47 begins to move to the extended position before the hook bolt 49 commences rotation. In this respect, in moving from the retracted to extended position, the lock bolt 47 extends from the door approximately 15-20 mm before the hook bolt 49 begins to rotate and protrude from one side of the lock bolt 47. This is particularly advantageous when the multipoint lock assembly 1 is used on a swing door having a gap of up to approximately 6-7 mm between the door and the doorjamb. Having the lock bolt 47 extend approximately 15-20mm before the hook bolt 49 protrudes from the lock bolt 47 ensures that the gap between the swing door and door jamb is crossed by the lock bolt 47 before the hook bolt 49 pivots. As a result, the hook bolt 49 is able to pivot to the extended locked position, behind the striker plate or in the keeper on the door jamb, without the pivotal movement being impeded by the striker plate.

In moving the lock bolt 47 from the extended to retracted position, the hook bolt 49 is able to commence rotation under gravity to a retracted position when a leg portion 61 of the hook bolt 49 disengages with a front housing wall 63 of the remote lock.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments should not be considered to limit the present invention but rather should be construed broadly. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION AREAS FOLLOWS

1. A multipoint lock assembly for a security screen door, the lock assembly including: a main lock; at least one remote lock; and a remote lock connector for connecting the main lock and the remote lock, the remote lock including: a lock bolt, and a hook bolt pivotally mounted to the lock bolt, the lock bolt and hook bolt being movable between a retracted unlocked position and an extended locked position, the hook bolt being moveable in response to movement of the lock bolt, wherein the lock bolt moves towards its extended locked position before the hook bolt commences movement to its extended lock position.
2. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook bolt is pivotally mounted within a recess in the lock bolt.
3. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the hook bolt protrudes from the lock bolt when in the extended position.
4. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein an end of the lock bolt protrudes from a front wall housing of the remote lock before the hook bolt commences pivotal movement to the extended position.
5. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the lock bolt extends approximately 15 mm to 20 mm before the hook bolt rotates and protrudes from the lock bolt.
6. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the recess includes a sloped surface having a ledge which abuts with the hook bolt in the extended locked position.
7. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein in moving from the retracted to extended position the hook bolt rotates due to gravity until a knob portion of the hook bolt abuts the ledge.
8. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lock bolt undergoes linear motion when moving between the extended and retracted positions.
9. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein in moving the lock bolt from the extended to retracted position, the hook bolt commences rotation under gravity to the retracted position when a leg portion of the hook bolt disengages with the front housing wall.
10. A multipoint lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 3a and 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.