GB2024299A - Locks - Google Patents

Abstract

A key-operated lock for use with sliding panels such as patio doors, specially those having relatively small cross-section metal frames has a sliding bolt (16) which is moved by rotation of a key-operated cylinder lock barrel (17). The barrel has an eccentrically mounted peg (22) parallel to its rotational axis and engaging in a cam track means (21) on an extension (20) of the bolt (16) within the housing (11). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lock for sliding panels This invention relates to a lock for sliding panels.

It was particularly devised for use with glazed slid- ing patio doors or glazed window panels but can be applied to other sliding panels such as doors for rooms, wardrobes, cupboards and to sliding panel covers for hatchways.

With the widespread advent of patio doors and other large sliding glazed panels, particular problems have been encountered in producing simple, unobtrusive and inexpensive locking arrangements capable of use with such panels where the thickness of the metal or wooden frame is reduced to a minimum compared with the amount of glazing.

Where metal frames are used, it is necessary to ensure that any lock or bolt can readily be fitted without too much alteration of the frame being required. Where any such alteration is required, it is preferable that this should consist only in the drilling of one or more circular holes.

Although a conventional sliding bolt could be used to render a patio door or sliding window panel secure from the inside, such a bolt could readily be opened and access be gained through the panel by cutting or breaking through the glass adjacent the bolt and releasing it. Thus, to prevent unauthorised access, it is desirable to provide some form of key operated lock.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key operated lock which fulfils some or all of these requirements.

According to the invention there is provided a key operated lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising a housing adapted to be secured to a fixed member adjacent the panel; a cylinder lock barrel mounted in the housing and adapted to be rotated about its axis by a compatible key; a projection rotating in unison with the barrel and being mounted eccentrically with respect to and parallel to the barrel axis; a bolt means mounted at least partly within the housing and constrained for linear sliding movement between an extended and a withdrawn position, the bolt means comprising a bolt and an integral extension, the extension having a cam track means engaged by said projection and so arranged that rotation of the cylinder and simultaneous arcuate movement of the projection causes sliding movement of the bolt means relative to the housing between the extended and withdrawn positions whereby the bolt may be engaged with and disengaged from a suitable abutment of a sliding panel.

The cam track means may comprise a slot, recess or opening in which said projection is received or may comprise a projecting rib, flange or the like against which the projection abuts.

The cam track means and projection may cooperate in one or both directions of rotation of the cylinder lock barrel. Where they co-operate in one direction only, spring return means may be provided.

The extension may comprise a plate. The plate or a body of which it forms part may co-operate with the interior of the housing to constrain the bolt means for linear sliding movement relative thereto.

Alternatively or in addition, the bolt may extend from the housing via an opening affording only sliding clearance.

The cam track means may be arcuate.

The bolt may be circular in cross-section.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an underneath plan view of a lock embodying the invention, with the bottom plate removed, the lock being in a withdrawn or unlocked condition, FIGURE 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the lock shown in an extended or locked condition, FIGURE 3 is a small scale perspective view of the lock shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring firstly to Figure 3 of the drawings, a lock is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a housing 11 which can be secured by screws 12 to a track 13 of a sliding panel such as a patio door, sliding window or the like. The housing 11 comprises an upper part 14 and a lower part 15, each part having a semicircular cut-out arranged so that the cut-outs cooperate to provide a clearance hole for a bolt 16 which can be seen projecting from the housing 11 in Figure 3.

The upper part 14 has a raised central boss which receives a conventional barrel 17 of a cylinder lock, more correctly referred to as a cylinder pin tumbler lock, operable by a compatible key inserted through the keyhole 18.

Figures 1 and 2 show the lock in underneath plan view with the lower part 15 of the housing 11 removed.

The upper part 14 of the housing defines a rectangular space in which there is slidably mounted a bolt means generally indicated at 19. The bolt means comprises the cylindrical bolt 16 referred to above and an integrally formed extension 20 which is in the form of a U-shaped bracket slidably received within the rectangular housing 14. However, the extension could equally well be in the form of a plate although the U-shaped bracket is preferred since this conforms to the internal cross-section of the housing and is therefore constrained for linear sliding movement. It will be observed that the bolt 16 is also constrained within the opening of the casing, for sliding movement.

The extension 20 has a slot 21 which is of some whatarcuateform and which forms a cam track means adapted to cause the bolt means to slide, as constrained by the housing 11, between a withdrawn position as shown in Figure 1 and an extended position as shown in Figure 2.

The cam track means afforded by the slot 21 cooperates with a projection or peg 22 which is caused to move by rotation of the barrel 17 of the cylinder lock. The peg 22 is mounted eccentrically with res peck to the axis 23 of the barrel and hence moves in an arcuate path. The peg 22 can be mounted in any suitable manner provided that it is lateraliy displaced from the axis 23 and rotates in unison with the bar rel. For example, a lobed plate 24 may be rigidly secured to the end of the barrel and the peg may project from the plate generally parallel to the barrel axis.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the lock is shown with the bolt 16 in the withdrawn condition and the peg 22 lies at one end of the arcuate slot which provides the cam track. Rotation of the barrel of the lock by means of a compatible key causes the peg 22 firstly to move along the slot 21 and subsequently, by cam engagement with the slot border, to force the bolt means 19 towards the left hand side as shown in the drawings, finally bringing the bolt means into the condition shown in Figure 2 where the bolt 16 projects fully from the housing. The arrangement of the peg and slot is such that, when the Figure 2 extended condition has been reached by the bolt, the key can be withdrawn from the barrel 17 of the cylinder lock, leaving the bolt extended, in locking engagement with a suitable abutment provided on a sliding panel which is to be locked.

As applied to a patio sliding door for example, a suitable hole is drilled in the door frame, just above ground level adjacent the track on the inner side of the door. The hole is of a size sufficient to receive the circular cross-section bolt 16 as a sliding fit. With the door in a closed condition, and the bolt of the lock in the extended condition, the bolt is presented to the hole and this ensures the correct positioning of the lock. The housing is then secured to a rigid surface such as the floor or a lower track of the door.

It will be appreciated that, by provision of holes at suitable positions, windows for example can be locked partly open.

The lock can be modified in various ways within the scope of the invention. Firstly, it is possible to provide the cam track in an alternative form, for example by using an arcuate border of the extension, or a recess rather than a slot along which the peg travels. If the border of the extension itself is used to co-operate with the peg, it might be necessary to include a return spring to return the bolt to the withdrawn condition when the lock is being unlocked whereas with the arrangement described above the action is positive in both directions of rotation.

In a further alternative form, the extension may carry a projecting rib against which the peg abuts or the peg itself could be replaced by a forked or chan nel shaped projection capable of running in engagement with a rib or flange on the extension. In this case, it might be necessary to arrange that the thus adapted projection should be rotatable on its own axis in order to ensure smooth action.

Claims (13)

1. A key-operated lock for a sliding panel, the lock comprising a housing adapted to be secured to a fixed member adjacent the panel; a cylinder lock barrel mounted in the housing and adapted to be rotated about its axis by a compatible key; a projection rotating in unison with the barrel and being mounted eccentrically with respect to and parallel to the barrel axis; a bolt means mounted at least partly within the housing and constrained for linear sliding movement between an extended and a withdrawn position, the bolt means comprising a bolt and an integral extension, the extension having a cam track means engaged by said projection and so arranged that rotation of the cylinder and simultaneous arcuate movement of the projection cause sliding movement of the bolt means relative to the housing between the extended and withdrawn positions, whereby the bolt may be engaged with and disengaged from a suitable abutment of the sliding panel.

2. A lock according to Claim 1 wherein the cam track means comprise a slot, recess or opening in which said projection is received.

3. A lock according to Claim 1 wherein the cam track means comprise a projecting rib or flange against which the projection abuts.

4. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the cam track means and projection cooperate in both directions of rotation of the cylinder lock barrel.

5. A lock according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the cam track means and projection cooperate in one direction of rotation of the cylinder lock barrel only.

6. A lock according to Claim 5 wherein spring return means are provided to return the bolt means on rotation of the cylinder lock barrel in the opposite direction to said one direction.

7. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the extension comprises a plate.

8. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the extension co-operates with the interior of the housing to constrain the bolt means for linear sliding movement relative thereto.

9. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the bolt extends from the housing via an opening affording only sliding clearance to constrain the bolt for linear sliding movement.

10. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the cam track means are arcuate.

11. A lock according to any preceding claim wherein the bolt is circular in cross-section taken perpendicularto its direction of sliding movement.

12. A key-operated lock for a sliding panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A key-operated lock having any novel feature or combination of features set out in the associated description.