Not applicable.
The present invention relates to a reach out lock, such as for a two or four panel sliding patio door system.
Reach out locks are commonly used to lock sliding glass doors. Reach out locks typically include a hook which extends to lockingly engage a keeper latch. The hook must be properly aligned with the keeper latch in order to properly engage the keeper latch. While they are properly aligned following initial installation, over time the sliding doors may settle, resulting in misalignment. Once sufficiently misaligned, users might think they have locked the doors, unaware that in fact the hook has not actually engaged the keeper latch.
a is a front view of a keeper of a first embodiment of a reach out lock according to the present invention;
b is an exposed, side view of the keeper aligned with a lock mechanism of the reach out lock of
a is a front view of a keeper of a second embodiment of a reach out lock according to the present invention;
b is an exposed, side view of the keeper aligned with a lock mechanism of the reach out lock of
a and 8b are respective lower and upper views of the locking plate of the lock mechanism of
a and 9b are respective lower and upper views of the anti-activation pin of the lock mechanism of
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
A first embodiment of a reach out lock 10, as for locking a sliding door (not shown), is illustrated in
The reach out lock 10 comprises a keeper 12 having a keeper latch 14 and a keeper faceplate 16. An adjustment screw 18 is provided to permit horizontal adjustment of the keeper 14. The keeper faceplate 16 has a keeper faceplate aperture 20 disposed below an alignment marking 21.
The reach out lock 10 further includes a locking mechanism 22 contained within a housing 23. The housing is closed with a conventional cover plate (not shown). The locking mechanism 22 has a hook mechanism 24 comprising a hook 26 and a drive gear 28 fixedly coupled to the hook 26. The hook 26 is movable between an extended position, as illustrated in
The locking mechanism 22 further includes a user operable crank mechanism 30 comprising a crank 32 and a link gear 34. The link gear 34 is coupled to the drive gear 28. The crank 32 typically includes an external, user-operable actuator (not shown), which a user utilizes to lock, or unlock, the sliding doors.
The locking mechanism 22 further includes an anti-activation mechanism 36. The anti-activation mechanism 36 is provided to prevent a user from extending the hook 26 to the extended position, both when the sliding door is not in its closed position, as well as when the locking mechanism 22 has become mis-aligned relative to the keeper 12.
The anti-activation mechanism 36 includes an anti-activation pin 38 which is outwardly biased by a spring 40. The pin 38 is movable between an outward position, as illustrated in
When the door is closed, and the keeper 12 and locking mechanism 22 are properly aligned, the pin 38 will engage the keeper faceplate 16, forcing the pin 38 to its inward position, and permitting rotation of the crank 32 and extension of the hook 26 to its extended, or locking, position.
There are two circumstances when the pin 38 is in its outward position and the lock plate 42 engages the crank 32 to prevent rotation of the crank 32. The first circumstance is when the sliding doors are not closed. In such a case, one cannot accidentally “lock” the sliding door, potentially damaging the door later when the door is subsequently closed.
The second circumstance is when the door on which the locking mechanism 22 is installed has settled a certain amount relative to the structure on which the keeper 12 is installed. In such an instance, when the door is closed, the pin 38 will extend through the keeper faceplate aperture 20, remaining in the outward position, and preventing extension of the hook 26 to its extended, or locking, position. The keeper faceplate aperture 20 is positioned on the faceplate such that the pin 38 will enter the aperture when the locking mechanism 22 has settled to the point that the hook 26 will not adequately engage the keeper 14.
The alignment marking 21 on the keeper faceplate 16 is provided for aligning the pin 38, and thus the locking mechanism 22, with the keeper 12.
A second embodiment of a reach out lock 10′ is illustrated in
The first primary difference is the length of the anti-activation pin, which is longer in the second embodiment of the reach out lock 10′. The pin 38′ was elongated so that the lock 10′ can be operated before the weather seal is contacted. This allows the mechanical advantage of the lock 10′ to be used to compress the weather seal while locking the door instead of pushing and holding the door against the weather seal and then locking the door. An additional benefit from the elongated pin 38′ is that when the door is being adjusted in the field, the alignment between the alignment marking 21 on the keeper and the nose of the pin 38′ is visible so it is easier for a home owner to attain optimal adjustment.
The second significant difference is the lock plate 42 and the anti-activation pin 38. In the second embodiment, the lock plate 42′ is formed of zinc and includes an integral pivot pin 43′. The pivot pin 43′ is shown in greater detail in
A keeper 12″ for a reach out lock 10′″ to be used on a four panel system is illustrated in
While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications may come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 10/994,444, filed Nov. 22, 2004, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, and upon which a claim of priority is based.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080030028 A1 | Feb 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10994444 | Nov 2004 | US |
Child | 11767671 | US |