Patent Grant
11473337
The present invention relates to security systems and devices for windows and doors. The invention also relates to methods employing such systems or devices.
Detection systems that detect whether a door/window has been opened are available. Such detection systems include a magnet and a reed switch. The magnet is installed onto the leaf and the reed switch onto the frame, or vice versa. The reed switch is activated when the magnet is proximate to the reed switch (i.e. when the door/window is closed). A disadvantage with such systems is that they are only able to detect whether a leaf is open or closed, not how far the leaf has been opened. Security systems which improve upon existing reed switch systems for detecting whether a door/window has been opened and optionally monitor other attributes of the door/window and optionally offer other security features would be desirable.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for detecting the position of at least one moveable element of a window or door assembly, the system comprising:
The sensor can sense changes in the earth's magnetic field as the moveable element moves. For example, the sensor may be mounted to the moveable element. Alternatively the sensor can sense a reference magnetic field of a magnetic field generator, the sensor and magnetic field generator moving relative to one another as the moveable element moves.
The moveable element of a window or door may be an element such as a window/door leaf, a window/door handle, or a window/door locking element. The sensor is suitably configured to output signals associated with the measured magnetic field from the earth's magnetic field or generated by a reference magnetic field of at least one magnetic field generator. The sensor may for example output magnetic field values as output values. The processor means is configured to provide an output indicating the position of the moveable element relative to a support.
The processor means may be a microprocessor or electrical circuit means. The processor/electrical circuit means may be configured to provide an output indicating if the leaf is at the predetermined position.
By means of calibration of the system, the system is suitably able to detect and therefore indicate if the moveable element is in certain predetermined discrete positions. For example, if the moveable element is a door or window handle, the system, in normal mode, may be able to detect and indicate whether the handle is open or closed. In such an embodiment, if the sensor is located on the door/window frame, the sensor may also be able to detect and indicate the position of the door/window leaf that the handle is on, e.g. to detect whether it is closed, slightly open (e.g. a nightvent position) or more than slightly open etc.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for detecting the position of at least one moveable element of a window or door assembly, the system comprising:
Said at least one moveable element may be a window or door leaf, in which case the system may be used to detect the position of the leaf (i.e. open or closed etc). Said at least one moveable element may alternatively be an element which moves during operation of a latch mechanism associated with the window or door that allows opening and closing of the leaf. In this case, the system may be used to detect the position of the moveable element which moves during operation of the latch mechanism and therefore determine the status of the latch mechanism (i.e. secured or unsecured etc). The system may be configured to monitor the position of more than one different moveable element of a window or door assembly.
Preferably the system further comprises at least one magnetic field generator, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the moveable element in use and the other of the at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to a reference structure that the moveable element is moveable relative to.
In some embodiments one of the at least one magnetic field generator and the sensor may be mounted to a window/door frame and the other may be mounted to a window/door leaf, directly or indirectly. If mounted indirectly, they may be mounted to an element that is mounted to the leaf or frame for example. The reference structure may be any support structure that the moveable element moves relative to, such as the leaf, frame, a wall, or other suitable structure as may be suitable for the particular embodiment in question.
Preferably the system includes memory for storing output values provided by the at least one sensor. The system's memory can store one or more output values provided from the at least one sensor when the system is in the calibration mode or can store any reference value derived from the at least one output value.
Preferably said at least a first reference value is a function of the output value registered when said at least one moveable element is at said first predetermined position.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register as reference values an output value from the at least one sensor when said at least one moveable element is positioned at each of at least two different predetermined positions, and wherein the processor means is configured to establish calibration parameters, using the reference values, that correlate magnetic field output from the at least one sensor when the system is in the normal mode with a known position of the at least one moveable element and wherein in the normal mode the processor means is configured to provide an output indicating the position of the at least one moveable element.
The system's memory can store the output value from the at least one sensor in the calibration mode and/or the calibration parameters that are established from the reference values obtained when the moveable element is at the at least two different predetermined positions.
The predetermined positions that a window or door leaf as the moveable element can be registered in relative to the frame may be a closed position and a particular open position, such as a 45° open position (if it is a casement window) or the night-vent position (defined by a night vent keep mounted to the frame for receiving a locking element mounted to the leaf, in order to maintain the leaf at a position which is slightly open to allow ventilation).
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register as reference values an output value from the at least one sensor when the at least one moveable element is positioned at each of plurality of different predetermined positions, and wherein the processor means is configured to establish calibration parameters, using the reference values, that correlate magnetic field output from the at least one sensor when the system is in the normal mode with a known position of the at least one moveable element and wherein in the normal mode the processor means is configured to provide an output indicating the position of the at least one moveable element.
The system can be calibrated by moving the moveable element to a plurality of different predetermined positions when in the calibration mode and registering the output of the sensor at those positions to establish the calibration parameters.
Preferably the system further comprises a user interface
Preferably the user interface is configured for providing a signal to the processor means indicative of when the at least one moveable element is in a predetermined position. This facility is for use during the calibration mode in order to register the moveable element at the or each predetermined position. For example, when the system is in the calibration mode, the moveable element can be moved to a predetermined position and once in the predetermined position the user can cause a signal to be provided to the processor means indicative of when the moveable element is in the predetermined position via suitable interaction with the user interface. The user interface may be a switch means or a touch screen interface or the like and may be a device that is remote from the leaf and frame. The system may include wireless transmission means, such as RF transmission means, to allow transmission of the signal indicative of when the leaf is in a predetermined position from the user interface to the processor means.
Preferably the at least one moveable element is a leaf of a door or window, the leaf being moveable relative to a frame between closed and open positions, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the leaf and the other being mounted to the reference structure.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is at the closed position.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output value from the at least one sensor when the leaf is at a slightly open or night vent position.
The system may be further configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is at an open position, such as a position which is further open than the night vent position or when the leaf is open at a particular predetermined angle relative to the frame.
Preferably the system further comprises a handle assembly to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the handle assembly comprising a handle casing from which extends a handle grip wherein one of the at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor is mounted within the handle casing and the other of the at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor is mounted to the reference structure.
Mounting of the magnetic field generator or sensor within the handle casing provides a pre-defined location for that element on the leaf, which makes installing, including calibration, of the system easier.
Preferably the at least one moveable element is configured to move upon movement of a handle that is moveable between open and closed positions to allow opening and closing of a leaf of the window or door.
Preferably the moveable element is mounted to the leaf of the window or door. The moveable element may be the handle grip or it may be a locking drive rail of a locking mechanism such as an espagnolette locking mechanism for example.
Preferably the moveable element is a handle grip moveable between open and closed positions to allow opening and closing of a leaf of the window or door, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the handle grip in use and the other being mounted to the reference structure in use.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the handle is in a closed position.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the handle is in an open position.
Preferably the system further comprises a locking mechanism having a locking drive rail that can be driven between a locked position and an unlocked position, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the other being mounted to the reference structure in use.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the locking drive rail is in a locked position.
Preferably in the calibration mode the system is configured to register an output from the at least one sensor when the locking drive rail is in an unlocked position.
Preferably the moveable element is configured to be moveable in use within three coordinate axes. A magnetic field generator or sensor mounted to a leaf of a window or door may move within two coordinate axes as the leaf is opened and closed, however a magnetic field generator or sensor mounted to a moveable element on the leaf that is configured to move upon movement of a handle will move within three coordinate axes as the moveable element moves relative to the leaf and as the leaf itself moves. The moveable element may be a handle grip or locking drive rail for example. The system is configured to detect the position of the moveable element in three coordinate axes. For example, the sensor may be a three axis magnetometer.
Preferably wherein the processor is configured to use at least one value relating to a dimension of the leaf as an input in determining the position of the leaf.
Preferably the system is configured to allow a user to input at least one value relating to a dimension of the leaf. The system may include a user interface for inputting at least one dimension of the leaf or it may include a programming port for receiving an input relating to a dimension of the leaf. The user interface may include a data input interface. The data input interface may be a key pad or touch screen or other suitable interface. For a casement window, the dimension of the leaf from the hinged edge to the edge that engages the jamb may be input into the system for example. Input of such a dimension assists in extrapolating expected output values of the sensor when the leaf is at or near a fully open position, even if the leaf was not registered at such an extent of opening during the calibration process. This means that the same system can more easily be used with different sizes of leaf.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for calibrating a system for detecting the position of a moveable element of a door or window, the system comprising at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field, the at least one sensor being configured such that the sensed magnetic field changes as the moveable element moves, and processor means configured to receive signals associated with the sensed magnetic field from the sensor, the system being configured to operate in a calibration mode or a normal mode, the method comprising:
If the moveable element is not already in the predetermined position, prior to registering the output from the sensor, the moveable element should be moved to the predetermined position.
The above method may be for calibrating a system having any of the features as described above.
Preferably system further comprises a user interface for providing a signal to the processor means indicative of when the at least one moveable element is in a predetermined position, the method further comprising the step of using the user interface to provide a signal to the processor means indicative of when the at least one moveable element is at the first predetermined position in order to register the output from the at least one sensor.
Preferably the method further comprises the step of using the user interface to provide a signal to the processor means indicative of when the at least one moveable element is in a series of at least two predetermined positions to register the output from the at least one sensor in each predetermined position.
The method may be carried out for a plurality of predetermined positions.
Preferably the method comprises:
The method may further include registering an output from the at least one sensor when (d) the leaf is in a slightly open or nightvent position.
Preferably the at least one moveable element is a leaf of a door or window, the leaf being moveable relative to a frame between closed and open positions, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the leaf and the other being mounted to the reference structure, the system further including a secondary detection system for detecting a status of the window or door and providing an output indicating the status.
Preferably the secondary detection system is configured to determine whether the leaf is in a status in which it can be freely opened from outside.
In other words the secondary detection system can provide an output to the system indicating whether the door or window is secure from the outside. For a door, this may be an indication as to whether the door is locked or unlocked. For a window that does not have a handle on the outside, this may be an indication as to whether the window handle is open or closed or whether a locking drive rail is latched in a locked position or unlatched in an unlocked position.
Preferably the system is configured to operate in a low power mode or a normal power mode. Whilst the system is in a low power mode the at least one sensor may cease from sensing magnetic field values or may sense magnetic field values less frequently than in a normal power mode. By converting the system to a low power mode if the secondary detection system indicates that the leaf is closed, the handle is closed, or the leaf latch is engaged for example, power can be saved. If the secondary detection system provides an output indicating that the leaf has been opened, the handle has been opened or the leaf latch is disengaged, then the sensor can be converted from a low power mode to a normal power mode. The system may be configured to convert from normal power mode to low power mode if the secondary detection system provides a predetermined output. Similarly the system may be configured to convert from low power mode to normal power mode if the secondary detection system provides a predetermined output. The system may also be configured to convert from low power mode to normal power mode if a door bell is rung, in which case the system includes means for receiving an input from the doorbell.
Preferably the secondary detection system detects whether the leaf is in an open or closed position and provides an output indicating whether the leaf is in an open or closed position, the processor means being configured to maintain the system in, or convert the system to, a low power mode if the secondary detection system indicates the leaf is in a closed position.
Preferably the system further comprises a handle assembly comprising a handle grip for actuating a latch mechanism to allow opening or closing of the leaf, wherein the secondary detection system detects whether the handle grip is in an open position or a closed position, the processor means being configured to maintain the system in or convert the system to a low power mode if the secondary detection system indicates the handle is in a closed position.
Preferably the secondary detection system comprises at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor for sensing the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic field generator, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and sensor being configured to be mounted such that it is moveable upon movement of the handle and the other of which is configured to be mounted such that it is non-moving upon movement of the handle.
The magnetic field generator and sensor of the secondary detection system may comprise the same magnetic field generator and sensor for determining the position of a leaf as the moveable element. Alternatively the system may have, for example, a pair of sensor and a magnet or a pair of magnets and a sensor arranged accordingly, one on the frame, one fixed relative to the leaf and one on a moveable element that moves upon movement of the handle.
Preferably one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor is mounted to the handle grip in use.
The other of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor may be mounted to the frame. Said one of the at least one magnetic field generator and sensor that is mounted to the handle is mounted at a location that is distanced from the handle pivot axis. In this way the magnetic field generator or sensor will rotate along an arc as the handle is rotated. The processor means may be configured to receive signals associated with the measured magnetic field from the sensor to determine whether the handle is in the closed position or open position. The sensor may be a magnetometer or other suitable sensor. Preferably the magnetic field generator is a magnet mounted to the handle and the sensor is a magnetometer mounted to the frame. Preferably the sensor is mounted in a housing that is mounted to the frame.
Preferably the handle assembly further comprises a spindle connected to the handle grip such that as the handle grip is rotated, the spindle rotates, the handle assembly further comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam being mounted around the spindle such that as the spindle rotates, the cam rotates, wherein the cam follower is moveable due to rotation of the cam, the cam follower comprising either said magnetic field generator or said sensor. Rotation of the handle causes rotation of the spindle, causing rotation of the cam mounted around the spindle, thereby causing the cam follower to move linearly. When the handle is in the closed position the cam follower is in a first position and when the handle is in the open position the cam follower is in a second position, linearly displaced from the first position. The handle assembly may be part of a system further comprising processor means configured to receive signals associated with the measured magnetic field from the sensor to determine whether the handle is in the closed position or open position. The sensor may be a magnetometer or other suitable sensor. Preferably the magnetic field generator is a magnet mounted in the base plate and the sensor is a magnetometer mounted to the frame. Preferably the sensor is mounted in a housing that is mounted to the frame.
Preferably the system further comprises a locking mechanism for the leaf, the locking mechanism comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail can be driven by movement of the handle between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the secondary detection system comprises a sensed element and a sensor for detecting the position of the sensed element, one of said sensed element and sensor being mounted to the locking drive rail in use. The other of the sensed element and sensor may be mounted to the frame.
Preferably said sensed element is a magnetic field generator and said sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. The system may include processor means configured to receive signals associated with the measured magnetic field from the secondary sensor to determine whether the locking drive rail is in the locked position or unlocked position. By monitoring the magnetic field measured by the sensor the system can provide an output as to whether the locking drive rail is in the locked position or unlocked position and therefore whether the handle is in an open position or a closed position (since movement of the locking drive rail is driven by movement of the handle). The sensor may be a magnetometer or reed switch or other suitable sensor. Preferably the magnetic field generator is a magnet mounted to the locking drive rail and the sensor is a magnetometer mounted to the frame. Preferably the sensor is mounted in a housing that is mounted to the frame.
Preferably the system further comprises a locking mechanism for the leaf, the locking mechanism comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail can be driven between a locked position and an unlocked position by movement of the handle, the locking mechanism further comprising a projection and a sensor for sensing the projection, one of which is mounted to the locking drive rail in use.
Preferably the projection is mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the sensor is mounted to the frame in use.
Preferably the sensor is a switch.
The sensor is suitably some sort of mechanical means for sensing the projection, such as a mechanical switch that is activated if the protrusion passes over the switch, for example a rocker switch that is caused to move to a first position by movement of the projection in a first direction and that is caused to move to a second position by movement of the projection in the other direction.
Preferably the window or door has a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the latch mechanism being moveable between a secured configuration and an unsecured configuration, the system further comprising at least one magnetic field generator, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being mounted to the leaf in use and the other being mounted to a reference structure that the leaf moves relative to in use, wherein in the calibration mode the system is configured to register a first output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is in the closed position and when the latch mechanism is in the unsecured configuration and a second output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is in the closed position and the latch mechanism is in the secured configuration.
It has been found that simply with a one of a magnetic field generator and sensor mounted somewhere on the leaf and the other mounted on a reference structure that the leaf moves relative to, that the system can be calibrated to indicate not only the position of the leaf (open or closed etc), but also to indicate whether the leaf is secured or unsecured relative to the frame (e.g. by a locking bolt that secures the leaf relative to the frame). By calibrating the system prior to use, the small change in position of the leaf relative to the reference structure between a secured configuration and an unsecured configuration can be detected.
Preferably the latch mechanism is operated using a handle assembly having a handle grip, the handle grip being moveable between a closed position, in which the latch mechanism is in its secured configuration, and an open position, in which the latch mechanism is in its unsecured configuration, and wherein in the calibration mode the system is configured to register a first output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is in the closed position and the handle is in the open position and a second output from the at least one sensor when the leaf is in the closed position and the handle is in the closed position. Following calibration, with a one of a magnetic field generator and sensor mounted somewhere on the leaf and the other mounted on a reference structure that the leaf moves relative to, it is possible to determine using the system whether the handle is open or closed, simply by monitoring the position of the leaf.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a detection assembly for a window or door, the window or door having a leaf and a frame, the leaf being moveable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, the window or door having a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the window or door including at least one moveable element which moves relative to a reference structure during operation of the latch mechanism, the assembly comprising:
Suitably one of the at least one sensed element and at least one sensor is configured to be moveable upon operation of the latch mechanism and the other is configured to be non-moving upon operation of the latch mechanism. The other of said sensed element and sensor that is configured to be non-moving upon movement of the latch mechanism is preferably configured to be mounted to a support that is fixed relative to the moveable element during operation of the latch mechanism such as the window/door frame or the window/door leaf. The assembly may be configured to detect the position of the moveable element within a continuous range of possible positions or to detect whether it is at at least one predetermined discrete position. For example, the assembly may be configured to detect whether the moveable element is at either of two positions. The term latch mechanism as used herein can refer to any mechanism involved in latching a leaf to a frame, which may include a holding means for holding a leaf relative to a frame such as latch, a lockable latch or a lock mechanism etc.
Preferably the sensed element is a magnetic field generator and the sensor is configured to sense the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic field generator.
The sensor is configured to output signals from which the position of the sensed element relative to the sensor can be derived. One of the at least one sensed element and at least one sensor may be mounted to a moveable element that is mounted to the leaf and the other may be mounted to the frame such that the position of the moveable element relative to the frame (when it is in close enough proximity to the frame) and also of the leaf can be detected.
Preferably the assembly further comprises processor means configured to receive output signals from the sensor, the processor being configured to determine a position of the moveable element.
The processor means may be configured to determine whether the moveable element is generally located at at least one particular position relative to the support, which can provide an indication as to the status of the latch mechanism (for example, as latched or unlatched).
Preferably one of the at least one sensed element and at least one sensor is configured for mounting to the leaf, the processor means being configured to determine a position of the moveable element relative to the reference structure, at least when the leaf is in the closed position, and the processor means also being configured to determine a position of the leaf relative to the frame.
The moveable element that moves relative to the reference structure during operation of the latch mechanism can move independently of the leaf and the leaf can move independently of the moveable element (if the latch mechanism is unlatched). If the moveable element is mounted to the leaf to move relative to the leaf during operation of the latch mechanism, the moveable element will move with the leaf when the leaf moves. The detection assembly is configured to determine the position of both the moveable element (at least when the leaf is in the closed position) and the leaf relative to the frame. The processor means is suitably configured to determine a position of the moveable element relative to the reference structure, at least when the leaf is in the closed position or when the leaf is in close proximity to the frame. Preferably the moveable element is configured to be moveable in use within three coordinate axes. Preferably the detection assembly is configured to detect at least a position of the moveable element in three coordinate axes. For example, the sensor may be a three axis magnetometer.
Preferably the moveable element moves in a first degree of freedom or set of degrees of freedom during operation of the latch mechanism and the moveable element moves in a second degree of freedom or set of degrees of freedom during opening and closing of the leaf, the processor being configured to detect the position of the moveable element within the first degree of freedom or set of degrees of freedom, at least when the leaf is closed, and also configured to detect the position of the moveable element within the second degree of freedom or set of degrees of freedom.
Preferably the moveable element is mounted to the leaf in use.
Preferably said at least one moveable element which moves during operation of the latch mechanism is a handle for actuating the latch mechanism, the handle having a handle grip which is mountable pivotally via a pivot axis to the leaf or frame such that it can be rotated about the pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, one of said at least one sensed element and sensor being configured for mounting to the handle grip in use.
One of said sensed element and sensor may be mounted to the handle grip and the other of said sensed element and sensor may be mounted to a reference structure such as the handle casing or the frame for example. Said one of the at least one sensed element and sensor that is mounted to the handle grip may be mounted at a location that is distanced from the handle pivot axis. In this way the sensed element or sensor will rotate along an arc as the handle is rotated. In this way the sensed element or sensor that is mounted to the handle grip will change position when the handle is rotated. The handle assembly may be part of a system further comprising processor means configured to receive output signals from the sensor to determine whether the handle is in the closed position or open position. The sensed element may be a magnetic field generator and the sensor may be configured to sense the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. In some embodiments the sensed element is a magnetic field generator such as a magnet and is mounted on the handle grip in use and the sensor is a magnetometer mounted to the frame in use. In such embodiments the sensor may be mounted in a housing that is mounted to the frame in use. In other embodiments the detection assembly is a mechanical switch built into the back plate of the handle, the switch being configured to actuate when the handle is opened and closed. The detection assembly is suitably configured to detect whether the handle grip is in an open or closed position.
Preferably the handle assembly is for actuating a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the handle assembly comprising a handle grip mountable pivotally via a pivot axis to the leaf or frame such that the handle grip can be rotated about the pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, the handle assembly comprising a detection assembly according any aspect described above, one of said at least one sensed element and sensor being mounted to the handle grip in use and the other being mounted to said reference structure.
Preferably the handle assembly is for actuating a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the handle assembly comprising a handle grip mountable pivotally via a pivot axis to the leaf or frame such that the handle can be rotated about the pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, the handle assembly comprising a detection assembly according any aspect described above, the handle assembly further comprising a spindle connected to the handle grip such that as the handle grip is rotated, the spindle rotates, the handle assembly further comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam being mounted around the spindle in use such that as the spindle rotates, the cam rotates, wherein the cam follower is moveable due to rotation of the cam, the cam follower comprising or having mounted thereto either said sensed element or said sensor.
Preferably the sensed element is a magnet and the sensor is a magnetometer or other sensor configured to sense the magnetic field generated by the sensed element.
Preferably one of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor is configured for mounting to a locking drive rail of a locking mechanism that is part of the latch mechanism and the other of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor is configured for mounting to the reference structure in use.
In some embodiments the reference structure that the other of the sensed element or sensor is mounted to in use is the frame. The locking drive rail is driven by movement of a handle of the window or door to move relative to the leaf longitudinally along the axis of the locking drive rail between locked and unlocked positions.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a door or window comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail is driven by movement of a handle, the locking mechanism further comprising a detection assembly according to any aspect of the detection assembly as described above, one of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor being mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the other of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor being mounted to the reference structure in use.
Preferably the locking drive rail has locking pins connected thereto in use. The locking pins are carried by the locking drive rail to move linearly as the locking drive rail moves. Alternatively or in addition to the locking pins the locking drive rail may have other elements for latching the window or door to the frame when the locking drive rail is in its locked position such as one or more latch, deadbolt, mushroom headed cam, or hook.
Preferably said at least one sensed element is a magnetic field generator and said at least one sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.
The locking drive rail preferably has an elongate axis, the locking drive rail being moveable parallel with its axis in use between a locked position and an unlocked position, the sensor being configured to detect movement of the sensed element as one of the sensed element and sensor moves back and forth along the locking drive rail axis during operating of the locking mechanism.
Preferably said at least one moveable element which moves during operation of the latch mechanism is a holding means, the holding means being moveable between a secured position and an unsecured position, one of said at least one sensed element and sensor being configured for mounting to the holding means in use. A magnet is suitably built into the holding means. The locking mechanism can be used as part of a monitoring system, incorporating a processor which is configured to receive output signals from the sensor, to monitor if the holding means is in its unsecured position or has been thrown.
Preferably said holding means is adapted for cooperating with a keep in use to secure the leaf to the frame.
Preferably said holding means is a locking bolt for cooperating with a keep in use to secure the leaf to the frame.
Preferably the holding means comprises a recess for mounting said at least one sensed element or sensor therein. Suitably the recess is shaped and sized to receive the sensed element.
Preferably the detection assembly further comprises a holding means moveable between a secured position and an unsecured position, one of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor being mounted to the holding means in use and the other of said at least one sensed element and at least one sensor being mounted to the reference structure in use.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a holding means for use with a detection assembly as described above wherein the holding means comprises a recess for receiving said at least one sensed element or sensor.
Preferably the holding means has a sensed element or sensor mounted in said recess.
Preferably said latch mechanism comprises a keep and a holding means for cooperating with the keep to secure the leaf to the frame, the holding means being moveable between an unsecured position and a secured position, the keep comprising a recess for receiving the holding means when the holding means is in the secured position, wherein said moveable element is arranged in or over the keep such that the moveable element is caused to move from a first position to a second position when the holding means is moved from an unsecured position to a secured position, and wherein one of said at least one sensed element and sensor is configured for mounting to the moveable element of the keep in use. By monitoring the position of the moveable element associated with the keep, the status of the holding means (secured or unsecured) can be determined.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a keep for a door or window, the door or window having a leaf and a frame, the door or window having a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, the latch mechanism comprising a holding means for cooperating with the keep to secure the leaf to the frame, the holding means being moveable between an unsecured position and a secured position, the keep comprising a recess for receiving the holding means when the holding means is in the secured position, the keep further comprising a moveable element which is moveable between a first position and a second position and sensing means for sensing whether the moveable element is in at least one of the first position or the second position, the moveable element being caused to move from the first position to the second position when the holding means moves from the unsecured position to the secured position.
The location of the moveable element when it is in the second position may vary, for example depending on how far into the keep the holding means extends when in its secured position, which may vary depending on thermal expansion or contraction of the leaf for example.
In preferred embodiments the keep has a keep housing, the recess being in the keep housing.
Preferably the moveable element is biased towards the first position.
Preferably the moveable element is biased towards the first position by at least one spring.
In preferred embodiments said at least one spring is a compression spring. Suitably the spring is a helical compression spring.
Preferably the moveable element is configured to move away from the leaf as it moves from its first position to its second position.
Preferably the moveable element comprises a plate, the plate being located within the recess in the keep in use.
Preferably the sensing means comprises one of a sensed element and sensor for detecting at least one position of the sensed element, wherein the other of the sensed element and sensor is mounted to a reference structure such that the position of the moveable element relative to the reference structure can be detected. The reference structure may be the frame of the leaf or a wall close to the leaf for example.
Preferably the keep further comprises a detection assembly as described above.
Preferably said sensed element or sensor is configured for mounting to the moveable element of the keep. The sensed element is preferably a magnetic field generator mounted to the moveable element of the keep in use, such that the magnetic field generator is carried by the moveable element as it moves.
Preferably the sensing means comprises a switch for detecting at least one position of the moveable element.
Preferably the switch is a push switch. The push switch is suitably activated when the moveable element is in its second position. The switch is preferably a momentary switch that only remains activated while the switch is being pushed by the moveable element.
Preferably the switch comprises first and second resilient armatures that contact one another when the moveable element is in its second position. The first and second resilient armatures of the switch preferably each extend outwards from a switch base when the moveable element is in its first position and allow for the armatures to contact one another to activate the switch when the moveable element is within a range of continuous positions, to allow for variability in the location of the moveable element when in its second position (e.g. to account for thermal expansion/contraction in the door assembly).
Preferably the recess of the keep has a base, the switch being mounted to the base of the recess in use.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a keep for use with a detection assembly as described above.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for detecting a position of at least one moveable element of a window or door as described above, the window or door having a leaf and a frame, the leaf being moveable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position, the window or door having a latch mechanism to allow opening and closing of the leaf, said moveable element moving relative to a reference structure during operation of the latch mechanism, the system further comprising a detection assembly, handle assembly or locking mechanism as described above, wherein said at least one sensed element is a magnetic field generator and said at least one sensor is configured for sensing a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic field generator, one of said at least one magnetic field generator and at least one sensor being configured for mounting to the at least one moveable element, the other being configured for mounting to the reference structure such that the position of the moveable element relative to the reference structure can be detected,
Suitably any suitable aspect of the detection assembly as described above can be combined with the system for detecting a position of at least one moveable element of a window or door as described above.
The system can optionally be used to determine the position of both the leaf and the moveable element that moves during operation of the latch mechanism (at least when it is in close enough proximity to the sensor), the calibration mode allowing the system to be fine-tuned such that it is sensitive enough to determine the position of the moveable element which moves during operation of the latch mechanism, even if the movement of the movement is small.
In some embodiments one of the magnetic field generator and sensor is configured for mounting to the moveable element and the other is configured for mounting to the frame, and the moveable element is on the leaf (for example the moveable element may be a handle grip or locking drive rail of a locking mechanism). The sensor is able to detect the position of the moveable element relative to the leaf (when the leaf is in close enough proximity to the sensor) whereby the status of the latch mechanism can be determined (for example as latched or unlatched) and is able to detect the position of the leaf.
In other embodiments the system may have more than one magnetic field generator or more than one sensor. For example, the system may have a first magnetic field generator mounted to the moveable element, the moveable element being on the leaf, a second magnetic field generator mounted to the frame and a sensor mounted to the leaf such that the sensor can detect relative movement between the sensor and the first magnetic field generator and between the sensor and the second magnetic field generator. Alternatively the system may have a first sensor mounted to the moveable element, the moveable element being on the leaf, a second sensor mounted to the frame and a magnetic field generator mounted to the leaf such that the sensors can detect relative movement between the magnetic field generator and the first sensor and between the magnetic field generator and the second sensor.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a door or window comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail can be driven by movement of a handle for the door or window, the locking mechanism further comprising a magnetic field generator mounted on the locking drive rail in use.
Typically the locking mechanism will be configured such that the locking drive rail is moved linearly upwards by movement of the handle to a locked position. In such systems friction should maintain the locking drive rail in the locked position, however the weight of the system may cause the locking drive rail to drop out of the locked position, towards the unlocked position. The inventor has discovered that where a magnet is mounted on the locking drive rail (for example as the magnetic field generator in a sensor system of the present invention or otherwise), it has an advantage of retaining the locking drive rail in the unlocked position via magnetic attraction between the magnet and other ferrous parts of the window/door system, preventing the locking drive rail from dropping under gravity.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a door or window comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail can be driven by movement of a handle, the locking mechanism further comprising a projection and a sensor for sensing the projection, one of which is mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the other of which is mounted to a reference structure in use.
Preferably the sensed element is a projection and the sensor is configured for sensing at least one position of the projection, one of the projection and sensor being mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the other of which is mounted to the reference structure in use.
Preferably the projection is mounted to the locking drive rail in use and the sensor is mounted to the frame in use.
Preferably the sensor is a switch.
Preferably the locking drive rail has an elongate axis, the locking drive rail being moveable parallel with its axis in use between a locked position and an unlocked position, the sensor being configured to detect movement of the projection back and forth along the locking drive rail axis.
Preferably the sensor is configured to detect movement of the projection upon opening or closing of the leaf.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a locking mechanism for a door or window, the locking mechanism comprising a locking drive rail and a drive mechanism whereby the locking drive rail can be driven by movement of a handle between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism further comprising first and second pairs of interengageable mating elements, the first pair being configured to engage when the locking drive rail is in a locked position and the second pair being configured to engage when the locking drive rail is in an unlocked position.
The engagement of the first pair of interengageable mating elements with one another when the locking drive rail is in the locked position and similarly for the second pair when the locking drive rail is in the unlocked position provides a tactile indicator to the user that the locking drive rail is in its respective positions as the user can feel when the respective pairs of mating elements are engaged/disengaged.
Preferably the first and second pairs of interengageable mating elements each comprise mating elements that are configured to engage releasably via a snap-fit action.
Preferably each of the first and second pairs of interengageable mating elements comprises a male element and a female element, one of which is fixed relative to the leaf or frame and the other of which moves with the locking drive rail as the locking drive rail moves between its locked and unlocked positions.
Preferably each male element is barbed and each corresponding female element is correspondingly shaped to receive a barbed male element.
Preferably the locking mechanism further comprises a block mounted to or integral with the locking drive rail in use, the block having first and second ends at opposite ends of a block axis, the block being arranged in use with the block axis parallel with the elongate axis of the locking drive rail, the block having an element of the first pair of interengageable mating elements disposed at one of the first and second ends of the block and an element of the second pair of interengageable mating elements disposed at the other of the first and second ends of the block, the locking mechanism further comprising the other element of each pair of interengageable mating elements fixed relative to the leaf or frame and distanced from one another by a predetermined distance such that the first pair of interengageable mating elements engage when the locking drive rail is in the locked position and the second pair of interengageable mating elements engage when the locking drive rail is in the unlocked position.
Preferably the locking mechanism further comprises a casing to house the drive mechanism for the locking drive rail and wherein the interengageable mating elements which are fixed relative to the frame or leaf are mounted to or integral with casing for the drive mechanism.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cylinder lock comprising:
Cylinder locks are known which typically have a cam that is actuated by a lock driving member which drives the cam and thereby actuates a locking bolt or other locking mechanism for locking a door or other leaf. Two examples of common lock cylinders are the “Euro Profile cylinder” and the “Scandinavian Oval cylinder”. The lock driving member which drives the cam may be a key operated mechanism or a thumbturn mechanism. A drawback with existing cylinder locks is that it is difficult to determine whether the lock is in the locked or unlocked state without manually trying to open the leaf that the cylinder lock is mounted to.
The first rotatable lock driving member may be a cylindrical lock drum or plug. The cylinder lock has a first locked condition in which rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member has caused the first cam to put the locking mechanism into a locked state and a first unlocked condition in which rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member has caused the first cam to put the locking mechanism into an unlocked state. The lock status indicating means indicates whether the lock is in the first locked condition or first unlocked condition. In other words, the lock status indicating means can indicate the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock following operation of the first cam by the first rotatable lock driving member. It is common for people, when they are indoors, to wonder whether their doors with cylinder locks are locked or not, as they can be closed but unlocked and there is typically no way to determine if the lock is in the locked state or not without manually trying to open the door handle. For example, at night it is important to check external doors are locked or when leaving the house through the main door, a person may wish to check that other doors are locked before they leave the house.
The cylinder lock may be for use with a multipoint locking mechanism for a window or door. The cylinder lock embodying the invention can be retro-filled to any door/window to operate an existing lock mechanism such as a multi-point lock mechanism and also can be integrated into door/window production without modification to door preparation. Additional lock status indicating means can be provided in the handle which is mounted onto the door/window.
Preferably the second cam is spaced apart from the first cam along the axis of the cylinder lock.
Preferably the second cam comprises a radially projecting protrusion.
The radial projecting protrusion may be a lever. The first cam also comprises a radially projecting lever arm which operates a locking mechanism on rotation of the first cam (i.e. locking and unlocking of the locking mechanism is controlled via rotation of the first cam).
Preferably the second cam comprises a body portion and a radially projecting protrusion extending from the body portion.
Preferably the body portion of the second cam is C-shaped.
Preferably the body portion of the second cam is adapted to be mounted around the first rotatable lock driving member.
Where the body portion of the second cam is C-shaped it may be attachable to the cylindrical body of the first rotatable lock driving member via snap action.
Preferably the cylinder lock further comprises a first rotatable lock driving member mounted in the first bore.
The first rotatable lock driving member is suitably operatively connectable in use to the first cam and operatively connected in use to the second cam. The first rotatable lock driving member may be a cylindrical lock drum or plug that can be removed/replaced when servicing the cylinder lock.
Preferably the cylinder lock housing has a second bore for receiving a second rotatable lock driving member for rotation within the second bore.
In this case the cylinder lock is a double cylinder lock wherein the lock can be operated from either side of the leaf. The first bore for receiving the first rotatable lock driving member is at one end of the housing and the second bore for receiving the second rotatable lock driving member is at the other end of the housing. The first cam is co-axial with and connectable to the second rotatable lock driving member for rotation therewith, such that the second rotatable lock driving member can also drive the first cam.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a lock assembly comprising a cylinder lock according to any aspect described above, the lock assembly further comprising lock status indicating means operatively associated with the second cam for indicating the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock.
Preferably the lock assembly is adapted such that at least part of the lock status indicating means is visible in use to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock.
Preferably the lock status indicating means comprises a cam follower which is moveable due to movement of the second cam.
The cam follower preferably converts rotary movement of the second cam to linear movement.
Preferably a portion of the cam follower is visible in use, whereby movement of the second cam causes the portion of the cam follower which is visible to alter in order to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock.
Preferably the cam follower comprises at least a locked indicium and an unlocked indicium thereon, the assembly being adapted such that the locked indicium is visible when the cylinder lock is in a locked state and the unlocked indicium is visible when the cylinder is in an unlocked state.
The locked indicium can be one colour and the unlocked indicium may be another colour. Suitably the locked indicium is exposed through a viewing aperture of the lock assembly when the cylinder lock is in a locked state and the unlocked indicium is exposed through the viewing aperture when the cylinder is in an unlocked state.
Preferably the cam follower comprises a body having a recess therein, the recess having opposing inner sides, whereby movement of the rotatable lock driving member to a locked state causes the protrusion of the second cam to engage one side, displacing the cam follower such that the locked indicium is exposed and whereby movement of the rotatable lock driving member to an unlocked state causes the protrusion of the second cam to engage the other side of the recess in the body, displacing the cam follower such that the unlocked indicium is exposed.
The recess may be a notch. Suitably movement of the rotatable lock driving member to a locked state causes the protrusion of the second cam to engage one side of the recess in the cam follower, displacing the cam follower such that the locked indicium is exposed through the viewing aperture and whereby movement of the rotatable lock driving member to an unlocked state causes the protrusion of the second cam to engage the other side of the recess in the cam follower, displacing the cam follower such that the unlocked indicium is exposed through the viewing aperture.
Preferably the lock assembly further comprises a cover plate which can be mounted on a window or door, the cover plate having a viewing aperture through which the lock status indicating means is visible in use to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock.
The cover plate may also have an opening for the cylinder lock. A portion of the cam follower may be visible through the viewing aperture in use, whereby movement of the second cam causes the portion of the body which is visible through the viewing aperture to alter in order to visually indicate the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock.
Preferably the cam follower is slidably coupled to part of the lock assembly.
The cam follower is preferably a slider. The body is coupled to the plate by a fixing which is received in an elongate slot in the body, the axis of the slot being parallel with the direction of sliding of the body as it moves between indicating a locked and unlocked state.
Preferably the lock status indicating means includes sensor means for sensing direction of movement of the second cam. Using such embodiments, if a person is about to leave the house by the front door, but wants to check if the back door, in another room, is locked, they do not need to manually go to the back door, but can check its status on a user interface for example.
Preferably the sensor means comprises a direction switch configured to output a first detection signal corresponding to a first movement direction of the second cam and a second detection signal corresponding to a second movement direction of the second cam.
Preferably the sensor means comprises first and second sensors, each of the sensors adapted to sense the movement of the second cam as it moves past the respective sensor, the first and second sensors being arranged adjacent one another such that when the second cam rotates in a clockwise direction the first sensor and then the second sensor will sense the second cam sequentially and when the second cam rotates in an anticlockwise direction, the second sensor then the first sensor will sense the second cam sequentially.
Preferably the lock assembly further comprising processor means adapted to provide an output indicating the direction of rotation of the second cam.
The processor means preferably provides an output indicating the direction of rotation of the second cam based on determining whether it passes the first switch followed by the second switch or vice versa. The direction of rotation of the second cam indicates whether the first rotatable lock driving member is rotating to lock or unlock the locking mechanism, thus indicating the locked or unlocked state. The processor means can be configured to generate a lock status signal that indicates whether the lock is in the locked or unlocked state. The assembly may include wireless transmission means, such as RF transmission means, to send the lock status signal to receiver means that is operatively associated with user display means for displaying the lock status to a user.
Preferably the sensor means comprises first and second switches.
The switches may be mechanical switches that are activated if the second cam rotates over the switch, for example rocker switches which are activated by engagement of the second cam with the switch as the second cam is rotated. The sensors may alternatively employ alternative means for sensing movement of the second cam, such as magnetic means.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cylinder lock comprising:
In use the ball bearing engages with the detent which is adjacent the ball bearing, depending on the rotational position of the first rotatable lock driving member. When the first rotatable lock driving member is rotated, it rotates relative to the ball bearing such that the ball bearing is forced to engage in successive adjacent detents of the plurality of detents as the first rotatable lock driving member is rotated. This provides an audible sound, such as an audible click sound, as the first rotatable lock driving member is rotated which indicates to the user that the lock is being driven. As well as an audible sound, there may also be a tactile sensation caused by the ball bearing engaging with successive adjacent detents of the plurality of detents. The biased engagement of the ball bearing with a detent on the outside of the first rotatable lock driving member may also deter undesired rotation of the locking driving member.
Preferably the first rotatable lock driving member has a plurality of detents arranged radially around its outside, the cylinder lock further comprising a first ball bearing which is arranged to be biased into engagement with one of the plurality of detents on the outside of the first rotatable lock driving member.
Preferably the ball bearing is biased by a spring which urges the ball bearing towards the first rotatable lock driving member. The detents are preferably recessed areas in the outside surface of the first rotatable lock driving member shaped to receive the ball bearing therein.
Preferably each detent is an elongate channel having an axis parallel with the rotational axis of the first rotatable lock driving member. The first rotatable lock driving member is therefore easy to install for alignment with the ball bearing.
Preferably the first rotatable lock driving member is configured to receive a key for rotating the first rotatable lock driving member.
Preferably the first rotatable lock driving member includes a projecting knob. The projecting knob allows for thumb turn operation
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system, detection assembly, handle assembly, or locking mechanism according to any aspect as described above further comprising a cylinder lock or lock assembly according to any aspect as described above.
In the various systems, assemblies and locking mechanisms of the present invention, the at least one magnetic field generator is preferably a magnet. The magnetic field generator may be a permanent magnet. Alternatively the magnetic field generator may be an electromagnet. Preferably a magnetic field generator housing is provided receiving said at least one magnetic field generator, the magnetic field generator housing being mountable to the at least one moveable element or a reference structure. The at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field is preferably a magnetometer. A sensor housing for receiving said at least one sensor is preferably provided, the sensor housing being mountable to the at least one moveable element or a reference structure. The sensor housing may also house further components such as at least one of a battery, wireless communication means, processor means. Processor means is preferably provided. Preferably the processor means is configured to determine the position of the moveable element. Such embodiments are preferably configured to generate an output indicating the position of the at least one moveable element. Wireless transmission means are preferably provided to send the output signal to receiver means associated with a status indicator means. The user interface may have user display means and/or other means for signalling an output to the user, such as an alarm. A user interface is preferably provided. A comprising a memory is preferably provided. The electronic systems, assemblies and mechanisms herein are preferably is battery powered but alternatively may be mains powered.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a handle assembly for a window or door, the handle assembly comprising
The stop member suitably prevents turning of the handle grip in its opening direction. The push button mounted to the casing is depressed directly by the user in order to effect movement of the stop member from its blocking position to its non-blocking position. The handle assembly may be for actuating a latch of a door to allow opening and closing of the door, the handle being moveable between a closed position in which the latch maintains the door in a closed position and an open position in which the latch is unlatched to allow opening of the door. The handle is rotatably mounted to the casing in use.
Preferably the push button or at least part of the push button is integral with the stop member.
Preferably the push button is operatively coupled to the stop member.
Preferably the assembly further comprises a protruding member extending from the handle, the protruding member being engageable with the stop member when the stop member is in its blocking position, thereby preventing the handle from rotating from its closed position to its open position.
Preferably the protruding member is a pin extending from the handle.
Preferably the protruding member extends from the handle and through an aperture in the casing.
Preferably the stop member includes a recess, the recess being engageable with an element of the handle assembly that moves as the handle grip is moved between its closed and open positions when the stop member is in its blocking position, and the recess of the stop member being displaced from engagement with said element when the stop member is in its non-blocking position.
Preferably the recess is shaped to engage with the protruding member.
Preferably the handle assembly further comprises a spindle that is rotated on rotation of the handle grip, the spindle having a cut-out portion of smaller diameter than a blockable portion of the spindle between the cut-out portion and the door or window when installed therein, the recess aligning with the blockable portion of the spindle when the stop member is in the blocking position, the recess being shaped to receive the blockable portion of the spindle therein and to prevent rotation of the spindle by engagement of the blockable region of the spindle with the recess, the recess aligning with the cut-out portion of the spindle when the stop member is in the non-blocking position, the cut-out portion being shaped such that the spindle is rotatable when the recess is aligned with the cut-out portion.
Preferably the stop member moves to a recessed position relative to the handle as it moves from its blocking position to its non-blocking position.
Preferably the stop member is moveable translationally between its blocking and non-blocking positions.
Preferably the assembly further comprises biasing means arranged to bias the stop member towards the blocking position.
Preferably the biasing means comprises a spring.
Preferably the handle assembly comprises a cylinder lock or lock assembly according to any aspect of the cylinder lock/lock assembly invention described above.
References herein to sensing the position of a moveable element may refer to determining of the position of the moveable element among one, two or more discrete positions. For example, two or more discrete positions may correspond to closed and open positions of a leaf or handle, or of locked and unlocked positions of a locking mechanism that the moveable element is part of.
References herein to mounting of any first element to any second element encompass direct or indirect mounting (e.g. the mounting of the first element to a third element which is mounted to the second element).
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present embodiments represent currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only. Common features between the assemblies of the different figures are referenced by common reference numerals.
Calibration Mode
Referring to various of the figures, a system for detecting the position of a moveable element of a door or window will be described. The system in
Referring to
The system is configured to operate in a calibration mode and a normal mode. The system is operated in calibration mode initially when setting up the system.
After the user has placed the leaf in the first predetermined position, at 302 the user provides an indication to the processor 24 via the user interface 23 that the leaf has been placed into the first predetermined position. Alternatively the indication that the leaf is in the predetermined position may be automatically determined by the system by determining that the magnetic field sensed by the magnetometer has been stable for a predetermined time period. At 303, the processor 24 then records one or more properties of the magnetic field produced by the magnet 31 as sensed by the magnetometer 22 and stores at least one of the properties or values derived therefrom in a memory 25. At 304-306, after the system has registered the leaf in the first predetermined position the steps repeat in relation to a second predetermined position as shown in
The leaf may be moved and registered in a series of different predetermined positions as part of the process of calibrating the system. For example, a hinged leaf may be registered in the closed position, a night vent/slightly open position and a 90 degree open position etc. The processor uses the output signals recorded by the magnetometer at each predetermined position to establish calibration parameters that can then be used when the system is operating in normal mode following calibration to correlate the magnetic field output from the magnetometer when the system is in the normal mode with a known position of the leaf.
After calibration, the user may cause the system to enter a normal mode via the user interface or this may occur automatically after the calibration steps have been completed. In the normal mode the processor 24 periodically determines one or more magnetic field properties sensed by the magnetometer 22 and compares it or them to the values/calibration parameters stored in the memory to determine the position of the leaf 12. The processor 24 is configured to provide an output indicating the position of the leaf 12. This output can be provided to the user via a status indicator 26 (which may be the user interface 23 for example). The output indicating the position of the leaf may be transmitted to the user interface via the wireless transmission means. The position status indicated by the system may not be an exact position, but may be a general indication or position, e.g. the system may indicate that the leaf is closed, in night-vent position or open (open being any further open than the night-vent position), an indication that the leaf is positioned within certain ranges of position and/or an indication as to which of certain discrete positions the leaf is positioned at.
Referring to
In other embodiments the magnet may be housed within the handle casing 40 and the magnetometer may be configured for mounting on the frame 11. A sensor unit 50 that may be used for mounting on the frame for embodiments in which the magnet is in the handle assembly 10 and the magnetometer is mounted to the frame is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In prior art detection systems that use a magnet and reed switch to detect whether a window or door leaf is closed or open, it is possible to tamper with the detection system by placing a magnet in proximity to the reed switch. While the magnet is adjacent the reed switch, the reed switch will provide an output indicating that the leaf is closed, even if the leaf has been opened. In the present system, by means of the system for calibration by registering the leaf at at least one, preferably two or three different positions, this resists tampering of the kind described. The present system is finely tuned during calibration to differentiate different magnetometer readings and ascribe a corresponding leaf position to different magnetometer readings, and a benefit of the present system is that placement of a magnet near the magnetometer will not cause the system to indicate that the leaf is closed, as the system will only indicate that the leaf is closed if the magnetometer output is within a predetermined range of the output registered during calibration. The present system has improved resistance to tampering. Furthermore, as the system can be calibrated to register the magnetometer readings when the leaf is at certain predetermined positions, if a magnet is placed in proximity to the magnetometer, the magnetometer reading will not correspond to any of the expected outputs corresponding to various leaf positions and therefore the system can be configured to recognise that the system is being tampered with and to provide a warning signal indicating possible tampering with the leaf.
In some embodiments the system may include a vibration sensor such as an accelerometer. The vibration sensor senses any vibration imparted to the support that the vibration sensor is mounted to and causes an alarm (e.g. an audible alarm or visual indication of some sort) to be operated if vibration over a predetermined threshold is sensed. This provides a warning of a possible intruder or tampering with the leaf.
When the leaf position detection system (i.e. for a window or a door) is in normal mode, it may be configured to operate in a low power mode or a normal power mode. In the low power mode the magnetometer may cease from sensing magnetic field parameters or may sense magnetic field parameters less frequently than in the normal power mode. The system preferably includes a secondary detection system (in addition to the primary detection means for detecting the position of the leaf using the magnetometer 22, 53 and magnet 31, 13), the output of the secondary detection system being usable to determine which power mode to operate the system in: low power mode or normal power mode. The secondary detection system may detect whether the handle is closed or that the leaf latch is engaged; if so, the system can be converted to, or maintained in, the low power mode to save power. An indication of whether the handle is closed or whether the leaf latch is in a locked state is a secondary indication that the leaf is closed and therefore power can be saved by refraining from monitoring the leaf position using the magnetometer as often. If the secondary detection system detects that the handle has been opened or that the leaf latch has been moved to an unlocked state, then the secondary detection system can provide an output to the system accordingly, in response to which the system may convert to normal power mode. Various means for windows and doors will be described, which are useful as a secondary detection system and which are also useful independently as part of an overall security monitoring system.
By means of the calibration mode, a system having one of a sensed element and sensor on the leaf and the other on the frame or other suitable reference structure that the leaf moves relative to, can be calibrated to determine not only whether the leaf is open or closed, but also to determine whether the leaf is secured or unsecured relative to the frame. In many door or window assemblies the leaf or frame has an elongate seal that is arranged to be compressed between the leaf and the frame when the leaf is in the closed position. When a holding means, such as a locking bolt, on the leaf or the frame is extended from an unsecured position into a secured position wherein it extends into a keep on the other of the leaf or the frame, this further compresses the seal, bringing the leaf closer to the frame. The position of the leaf relative to the reference structure changes slightly as the holding means moves between in the secured position and the unsecured position and these two different positions of the leaf can be detected using the sensed element and sensor. The system can therefore be calibrated to determine whether a latch mechanism is in a secured configuration or an unsecured configuration.
In order to calibrate the system in order to determine whether a latch mechanism is in a secured configuration or an unsecured configuration, with the system in calibration mode the user is prompted by the system to position the leaf in the closed position with the latch mechanism in the unsecured configuration. Once the door or window assembly is in this configuration the user provides an indication to the processor via the user interface that the assembly has been placed into a first predetermined configuration. The processor then records one or more properties of the magnetic field produced by the magnet as sensed by the magnetometer. After the system has registered the assembly with the leaf closed and the latch mechanism in an unsecured configuration, the steps are repeated but with the leaf closed and the latch mechanism in a secured configuration. This establishes calibration parameters that can be used when the system is operating in normal mode following calibration to correlate the magnetic field output from the magnetometer when the system is in the normal mode to accurately determine the position of the leaf relative to the reference structure and therefore to determine, with the leaf closed, whether a latch mechanism is in a secured configuration or an unsecured configuration. For example, for a window assembly, the system can be calibrated to determine whether, when the window leaf is closed, the handle is open (with pins on the drive rail unsecured in their corresponding keeps) or closed (with pins on the drive rail secured in their corresponding keeps). The calibration steps can of course be carried out in a different order (i.e. registering the leaf in a secured configuration and then registering it in an unsecured configuration). By providing a system that is configured to be calibrated in this way, it is possible to determine whether the leaf is secured to the frame or not, without a separate detection system separately monitoring the means for securing the leaf to the frame.
Magnet in Handle to Activate Sensor Switch
Referring to
The cam 160 is a rotary cam mounted around the spindle 142 and within the base plate 143 such that as the spindle 142 is rotated by movement of the handle grip 141, the cam 160 rotates. The cam 160 is generally egg/pear shaped with a broad curved end and a narrow curved end. The cam 160 is mounted around the spindle 142 with its rotational axis closer to the broad curved end of the cam 160. The cam 160 has a longitudinal axis A between its broad curved end and its narrow curved end. The cam follower 161 is located adjacent to the cam 160 and the cam follower 161 projects into a linear guide channel 163 formed in a cover plate 145 that is arranged between the base plate 143 and the sash when assembled. The cam follower 161 is movable back and forth along the guide channel 163 between a first position and a second position. When the handle grip 141 is in the closed position as shown in
Instead of being magnetic, the cam follower 161 may comprise a moveable magnetometer and a magnet may be mounted non-movably to the frame or sash.
The magnetometer in this embodiment and in other embodiments described herein is preferably a three axis magnetometer that is able to detect the position of the corresponding magnet in three coordinate axes. The three axis magnetometer will therefore output the sensed X, Y, and Z components of the magnetic flux vector present at the magnetometer. This allows the magnetometer to detect the relative position of the magnet in two coordinate axes as the leaf is opened and closed and also in a third coordinate axis as the handle is moved. The magnetometer can sense the direction that a magnet has moved in the particular coordinate axes. Therefore, a single magnetometer can be mounted to a central frame post for example to monitor the position of magnets associated with left and right hand window handles on left and right hand windows.
The magnet 113, 161 mounted to the handle assembly in the embodiments of
In slightly modified embodiments the system may have more than one magnet or more than one magnetometer for use in detecting the position of the leaf and the handle (or other moveable element that moves when the leaf latch is operated). For example, the system may have a first magnet mounted to a moveable part of the handle, a second magnet mounted to the frame and a magnetometer mounted to the leaf such that the magnetometer can detect relative movement between the magnetometer and the first magnet and between the magnetometer and the second magnet. Alternatively the system may have a first magnetometer mounted to a moveable part of the handle, a second magnetometer mounted to the frame and a magnet mounted to the leaf such that the magnetometers can detect relative movement between the magnet and the first magnetometer and between the magnet and the second magnetometer.
Magnet in Locking Drive Rail to Activate Sensor Switch
Referring to
As the handle grip 141 is moved from a closed position as shown in
The assembly 110 can optionally be calibrated as described above in relation to the handle assembly 140. The assembly 110 can be used, as described above in relation to the handle assembly 140, to detect the position of not only the locking drive rail, but also of the leaf that the locking drive rail is mounted to.
Magnet/Sensor in Locking Bolt
Referring to
The locking assembly 410 further comprises a sensed element and a sensor for sensing the sensed element, one of said sensed element and sensor being mounted to the locking bolt 470 in use. In this embodiment the sensed element is a magnet 472 and the magnet 472 is mounted to the locking bolt 470. The sensor is a magnetometer which is mounted with other electronic components such as a battery or means for connection to a power source on a PCB in a sensor unit 450. The sensor unit 450 is for mounting to the door frame (not shown) or other suitable reference structure that the locking bolt moves relative to when it is moving between its locked and unlocked positions. The sensor unit 450 may for example be built in the door frame (i.e. hidden in the door frame) or mounted on the door frame. The locking bolt 470 has a recess shaped and sized to receive the magnet 472. In other embodiments the magnet 472 may be fully housed within (i.e. hidden) in the locking bolt 470.
As the locking bolt 470 is moved from its unlocked position to its locked position, the magnet 472 also moves. The magnetometer in the sensor housing 450 senses the magnetic field generated by the magnet 472 attached to the locking bolt 470. The magnetic field properties sensed by the magnetometer will differ depending on the position of the magnet 472 attached to the locking bolt 470 and the sensed magnetic field properties can be used as a basis for determining whether the locking bolt 470 is in a locked or unlocked position. Communications means such as RF transmission means or other wireless communications means in the sensor unit 450 transmit the output from the magnetometer to a user interface and/or allow it to be used as an input signal in a wider monitoring system.
The locking mechanism 460 can optionally be calibrated as described above in relation to the handle assembly 140. In other words, the system can be calibrated in a system calibration mode to register the locked and unlocked positions of the locking bolt 470 as predetermined positions for the locking bolt 470 to aid in determining their positions during the normal mode of the detection system. When the system is in calibration mode the user is prompted by the system to position the locking bolt in the locked position and is prompted to provide an indication to the system that the leaf is in the locked position. The system then records the magnetic field properties with the magnet 472 at that predetermined position. These calibration steps are also carried out with the locking bolt 470 in the unlocked position. Alternatively the calibration steps can be carried out with the locking bolt in the unlocked position first and then the locked position, as the ordering of calibration in the different predetermined positions does not matter.
The magnetometer in the sensor unit can be used not only to monitor whether the locking bolt is locked or unlocked, but also to monitor the position of the leaf, since the magnet 472 on the locking bolt is carried by the leaf and will change position as the leaf is opened and closed.
Magnet/Sensor in Keep
Referring to
Referring to
The locking assembly 510 also includes sensing means for sensing whether the moveable element is in the first position or the second position. In a first embodiment relating to keep 580, the locking assembly 510 has a sensed element and a sensor for sensing the sensed element, one of said sensed element and sensor being mounted to the plate 585 in use. In this embodiment the sensed element is a magnet 572 and the magnet 572 is mounted to the plate 585. The sensor is a magnetometer which is mounted with other electronic components such as a battery or means for connection to a power source in a sensor unit 550, like sensor unit 450 in the previous embodiment. The sensor unit 550 may be mounted to any suitable reference structure that the plate 585 is moveable relative to, such as the door frame. The plate 585 has an outer surface 585a that faces away from the frame and an under surface 585b opposing the outer surface 585a. The magnet 572 is mounted in a recessed area 585c in the under surface 585b, although it may be mounted at any suitable location on the plate 585. The recessed area 585c is shaped and sized to receive the magnet 572. The magnet 572 may be affixed to the plate 585 using any suitable fixing means such as screw means or glue.
As the locking bolt 570 is moved from its unlocked to its locked position, the locking bolt 570 pushes the plate 585 from its first position as shown in
The locking mechanism 560 can optionally be calibrated as described above in relation to the locking bolt 470. In other words, the system can be calibrated in a system calibration mode to register the first and second positions of the plate 585 as predetermined positions for the plate 585 to aid in determining their positions during the normal mode of the detection system. When the system is in calibration mode the user is prompted by the system to position the locking bolt 570 in the locked position (wherein the plate 585 will be in the second position) and the user is prompted to provide an indication to the system that the leaf is in the locked configuration. The system then records the magnetic field properties with the magnet 572 at that predetermined position. These calibration steps are also carried out with the locking bolt 570 in the unlocked position and the plate 585 in the first position. The calibration steps could of course be carried out in the reverse order, with the system being registered in its unlocked configuration first, then the locked configuration.
In a further embodiment relating to keep 580 also shown in
Enlarged views of the switch 590 are shown in
As the locking bolt 570 is moved from its unlocked position to its locked position, the locking bolt 570 pushes the plate 585 from its first position as shown in
The sensing circuit may be associated with communication means for transmitting the output from the switch 590 as an input in a wider monitoring system.
The first and second moveable armatures 591, 592 allow for the switch 590 to be activated when the plate 585 is at a range of continuous positions, to allow for variability in the location of the plate 585 when in its second position (e.g. to account for thermal expansion/contraction in the door assembly). The plate 585 may push merely the second armature 592 into contact with the first armature 591, or may push both the first and second armatures 592, 591 towards the body 593, but in both cases, if the first armature 592 is moved by a minimum amount, the first and second armatures 591, 592 will contact one another, completing the circuit, allowing for detection that the locking bolt 570 has been moved to the locked position.
The keep 580 may include more than one switch 590, e.g. two switches, instead of just one switch 590. In embodiments with two switches, both switches are activated when the plate 585 is in its second position.
Anti Lock and Handle Drop (SAG)
The friction in the lock assembly 110 should maintain the locking drive rail 170 in its locked position, however the weight of the system may cause the locking drive rail to drop out of the locked position towards the unlocked position. The magnet 172 mounted to move with the locking drive rail 170 such that it moves up and down the faceplate 176 has a further advantage of retaining the locking drive rail 170 in the locked position via magnetic attraction between the magnet 172 and the faceplate 176 or other ferrous parts of the window system, preventing the locking drive rail 170 from dropping under gravity. The magnet 172 may therefore may be advantageously mounted to the locking drive rail 170 in a lock assembly 110 for the anti-drop effect without the use of a corresponding sensor (e.g. magnetometer) unit for sensing position of the magnet.
Drive Pin to Activate Sensor Switch
Alternative apparatus for determining whether a window or door leaf is open/closed or locked/unlocked will now be described.
Referring to
Referring to
Anti-Skip Block and Lock and Clip
Referring to
The block 180 is an anti-skip block that stabilises the assembly, preventing gear skipping/the pinion from slipping out of planar arrangement with the rack part 178 of the locking drive rail 170. The pinion housing 179 has a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis running between which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the locking drive rail 170 when the assembly is assembled. The pinion housing 179 has first and second male drive barbed elements 181,182 projecting from it, spaced apart from one another and pointing towards each other and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pinion housing 179. The block 180 has corresponding first and second female recesses 183,184 disposed on the first and second ends of the block 180 respectively. Each female recess 183,184 is shaped to receive a male drive barbed element 181,182 therein. The assembly is arranged such that when the locking drive rail is in the locked position, the first recess 183 (the upper recess) on the block 180 engages the corresponding upper male element 181 on the pinion housing 179 and when the locking drive rail is in the unlocked position the second recess 184 (the lower recess) on the block 180 engages the corresponding lower make element 182 on the pinion housing 179. Engagement of the corresponding male and female elements is via the male drive barbed element being received in the corresponding recess via a snap-fit action. A small amount of additional force is needed compared to a conventional locking assembly to put the locking drive rail into the locked position or to move it out of the locked position (and similarly for the unlocked position) due to the snap fit engagement of the corresponding male and female elements on the block 180 and pinion housing 179. The user is able to feel via the handle grip 141 once the block 180 has been put into engagement with the pinion housing 179 in the locked or in the unlocked position and this provides a tactile indication to the user that the locking mechanism has been moved fully into its locked or unlocked position.
Instead of having recesses in its first and second ends, the block 180 may have male barbed elements projecting longitudinally from its first and second ends, in which case the pinion housing 179 will have female recesses arranged on it to receive the male barbed elements of the block 180. Instead of having interengaging elements for engaging with corresponding elements on the block 180 disposed on the pinion housing 179, they may be disposed elsewhere on the sash or mounted to the sash in some other way. Other interengaging clips may be employed instead of male barbed elements and corresponding recesses.
Euro Cylinder Smart Trigger (Manual and Electronic)
Referring to
Referring to
The cylinder lock has a mounting hole 65 provided in a transverse direction through the cylinder lock 60 to receive securing means, such as a bolt, to secure the cylinder lock to a leaf to which it is to be installed.
The cylinder lock 60 includes a first cam 66 co-axial with and connectable to the first rotatable lock driving member 63 for rotation therewith. The first cam 66 has a generally cylindrical body 66a and has a radially projecting protrusion as a cam lever 66b. Rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member 63 causes the first cam 66 to rotate, thereby actuating a locking bolt/latch (not shown) or other locking mechanism for locking the leaf. The first cam 66 is located partway between the internal end 60b and the external end 60a of the cylinder lock 60, preferably about midway between.
The cylinder lock 60 further includes a second cam 68, which is co-axial with and connected to the first rotatable lock driving member 63 such that rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member 63 drives rotation of the second cam 68. The second cam 68 has a C-shaped body portion 68a and a radially projecting protrusion 68b. The C-shaped body portion 68a of the second cam 68 is received around the first rotatable lock driving member 63 when assembled. It will be understood that the body portion 68a of the second cam 68 may be shaped other than a C-shape, but in the particular lock cylinder shown in the figures the C-shape body portion 68a allows the second cam 68 to be attachable to the first rotatable lock driving member 63 via a snap action, allowing the second cam 68 to be easily installed and removed from the cylinder lock 60, such that it can be provided as an optional feature for the lock assembly. In the particular cylinder lock shown in the figures, the second cam 68 is located between the first cam 66 and the internal end 60b of the cylinder lock, but it may be located between the first cam 66 and the external end 60a of the cylinder lock.
Euro Cylinder Smart Trigger Locking Status (Manual)
The second cam 68 is a lock status indicator cam adapted to be operatively associated with lock status indicating means for indicating the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock, as will be further described. Referring to
Referring to
The indicator slider 80 is configured to convert rotary motion of the second cam 68 to linear movement of the indicator slider 80 to switch the indicia that is visible through the viewing aperture 84, depending on the lock status. The indicator slider 80 has a body portion 80a with a recess 80b therein. In this embodiment the recess 80b has opposing inner sides 85, 86 which slant outward from one another toward the edge of the indicator slider 80, forming V-shaped inner sides. The elongate slot 83 has a longitudinal axis which is parallel with the direction of sliding of the indicator slider. The recess 80b may be other shapes than V-shaped.
The movement of the first rotatable lock driving member 63 from an unlocked condition to a locked condition and vice versa causes the second cam 68 to rotate, which causes the indicator slider 80 to translate linearly in one direction or the other, depending on the direction of rotation of the indicator slider. In operation, as the first rotatable lock driving member 63 is rotated to convert the lock from a locked to unlocked condition, the second cam 68 is rotated clockwise and the second cam 68 engages a first inner side 85 of the recess 80b, which causes the indicator slider 80 to slide to the right, when viewed from the internal side of the door, as shown in
The slider 80 has a pair of notches 87 on either side such that the translational movement of the slider 80 from side to side is not impeded by fixings that are present in the handle assembly as required for other parts of the assembly.
Euro Cylinder Smart Trigger Locking Status (Electronic)
Alternatively or in addition to the purely mechanical lock status indicating means provided by the indicator slider 80, the assembly may have electronic lock status indicating means. An advantage of electronic lock status indicating means is that the lock status can be transmitted to a remote user display means such as a user interface, such that a user can check the lock status remotely. The electronic lock status indicating means can also be used as a secondary detection system for interacting with the leaf position detection means described above, the output of the electronic lock status means being an input for controlling the power mode of the leaf position detection means for example. The embodiment shown in the
In the embodiment shown in
Based on the activation of the switches in the order first switch 91 then second switch 92, an output is generated indicating the lock as in the unlocked status. As the first rotatable lock driving member 63 is rotated to convert the lock from an unlocked to a locked condition, the second cam 68 is rotated anticlockwise and the second cam 68 engages the second switch 92 and then the first switch 91 and an output is generated indicating the lock as in the locked status.
Referring to
The lock cylinder shown in the figures is a double cylinder lock, but it may alternatively be a single cylinder lock. With the double cylinder lock shown in the figures, the lock can be operated from either side of the leaf. The lock housing 61 has a second bore (not visible in the figures) at the opposite end of the housing 61 from the first bore 62 for receiving a second rotatable lock driving member. The second rotatable lock driving member is co-axial with and connectable in use to the first cam 66, such that the second rotatable lock driving member can drive the first cam. In order to provide the ability for the first cam 66 to be operated from both sides of the leaf, the first cam 66 is selectively connected to the first and second rotatable lock driving members by a clutch. Such clutches are known in the art and are typically slidable along the cylinder between a position in which a load path is formed between the first cam 66 and the first rotatable lock driving member 63 and an alternative position in which a load path is formed between the first cam 66 and the second rotatable lock driving member.
In the present lock cylinder 60 the second cam 68 is not connected in use to the second rotatable lock driving member such that the second cam 68 will only be rotated by rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member 63, not by rotation of the second rotatable lock driving member. However it will be understood that the second cam 28 may be connected in use to the second rotatable lock driving member such that the second cam 68 will be rotated by rotation of the second rotatable lock driving member as well as by rotation of the first rotatable lock driving member. In the present lock cylinder 60 the first rotatable lock driving member 63 with second cam 68 connected thereto is mounted in the internal end 60b of the lock, so that the lock status indicating means will indicate the locked or unlocked status of the first rotatable lock driving member 63 which is on the internal side of the leaf so that the user can easily see the locked/unlocked status of the first rotatable lock driving member when they are indoors. The housing 61 may be a single housing with first and second bores for receiving the first and second rotatable lock driving members or it may be a housing formed of two housing parts which are connectable to one another by suitable connection means. Either way, the first cam 66 is received in a central gap in the housing 61, preferably midway between the ends of the housing 61 and between the first and second bores for receiving the first and second rotatable lock driving members. In embodiments where the lock cylinder is a single cylinder lock with a single rotatable lock driving member, the first cam 66 may be near the end of the housing remote from the means for user activation of the rotatable lock driving member (i.e. remote from the key hole or thumbturn mechanism).
The second cam 68 can be mounted at any point along the barrel of the first rotatable lock driving member 63 and the housing 61 includes a gap to accommodate the second cam 68. If a mechanical lock status indicator means is employed with visible lock status indicator, then the second cam 68 is preferably located nearer to the end where it would be desirable to check the lock status from (i.e. the internal side of an external door) than to the other end of the lock housing so that the lock status indicating means can be easily viewed.
The double cylinder lock of the present embodiment may include a third cam (not shown in the figures), co-axial with and connected to the second rotatable lock driving member for rotation therewith, the third cam being a lock status indicator cam adapted to be operatively associated with second lock status indicating means for indicating the locked or unlocked state of the cylinder lock following operation of the first cam by the second rotatable lock driving member.
The incorporation of a second cam as a lock status indicator cam into a standard profile cylinder lock has a benefit that a cylinder lock incorporating lock status indicator means can be retrofitted in existing door/handle assemblies. The cylinder locks of the present invention can be provided in different predetermined lengths to match different standardised door widths.
Euro Cylinder Operational Sensor
Referring to
Lock Child Safety Latch and Lock NIB
A child security latch for the handle assembly 10 will now be described referring to
Referring to
The handle grip 41 is pivotally mounted to the casing 40 via a nose portion 44 which is received by the casing 40. The handle grip 41 is moveable between a closed position (as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The stop member 70 with integral push button 46 is mounted between the inner cover plate 40b and a push button retainer plate 71 which is fixed to the inner cover plate 40b using suitable fixings, which in this embodiment are screws 77. Between the push button retainer plate 71 and the door is a back plate 94. Extending from the inner side of the push button 46 is a short cylindrical protrusion 72 around which a coil spring 73 is received in order to bias the push button 46 (and hence also the stop member 70) away from the push button retainer plate 71. When the push button 46 is in its normal position, biased away from the door, the stop member 70, which is integral with the push button 46, is in a blocking position, as the stop member 70 is positioned in the path that the pin 48 would travel if the handle were moved from its closed position to an open position, thus preventing the handle from being moved from its closed position to an open position. The push button 46 may be depressed by the user, moving it translationally to a recess position, thus moving the stop member 70 to a non-blocking position, wherein it is depressed relative to the handle casing 40 sufficiently to move the stop member 70 out of the path of travel of the pin 48. The stop member's 70 blocking position is shown in
When the handle assembly 10 is assembled and the handle grip 41 is in its closed position as shown in
The handle may be biased in its closed position such that it is urged to return to its closed position when force on the handle is removed. Alternatively, the handle may require force to return it from an open position to the closed position. As the handle is moved from an open position back to its closed position, the pin 48 will travel back along the arcuate pin slot 49, away from the door jamb. Once the handle grip 41 reaches the closed position, the stop member 70 will return to its blocking position, due to the action of the biasing spring 73.
The handle assembly 10 inhibits children from being able to open the door to which it is installed as, unlike normal internal doors, the handle requires the button 46 to be depressed in order to be able to move the handle away from the closed position. Therefore, a child expecting the handle to operate like a normal internal door handle will be unable to open the door, even if the door is not locked. The handle assembly secondary function is to prevent the door from accidentally shutting close.
In an alternative embodiment shown in
Like the previous embodiment, the stop member 270 has a normal position, biased away from the door and a recessed position that it is moved to when the push button 246 is depressed by a user. When the stop member 270 is in its normal position, the square cross-section of the part of the spindle 242 between the casing 240 and the cut-out portion 242a of the spindle is received in the recess 270a of the stop member 270 and the upright sides of the recess 270a block the spindle 242 from rotating, thus preventing the handle from being moved from its closed position to an open position (the normal position of the stop member 270 is therefore a blocking position). When the push button 242 is depressed by the user, it moves translationally towards the door, moving stop member 270 to a non-blocking position in which the recess 270a of the stop member 270 aligns with the cut-out portion 242a of the spindle. The small diameter of the spindle 242 at the cut-out portion 242 is free to rotate within the recess 270a and the handle can therefore be moved from its closed to its open position whilst the push button 246 is being depressed by the user. In this embodiment, the handle can only be moved whilst the push button 246 is being depressed. This inhibits children from being able to open the door, even if it is unlocked.
It will be understood that the various handle assemblies described herein can be mounted to a leaf or a frame to allow opening and closing of the leaf relative to the frame, although more commonly a handle assembly will be mounted to the leaf. It will be understood that the various locking assemblies including locking drive rails can be mounted such that locking drive rail is slidably mounted to the leaf or to the frame, although more commonly a locking drive rail will be mounted to the leaf.
Various of the window and door security features disclosed herein can be used in combination with one another as appropriate. It should be noted that embodiments of the inventions have been described invention have been described herein by way of example only, and that modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. It should be further noted that each of the many advantageous features described above may be employed in isolation, or in combination with any one or more other features.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1616246 | Sep 2016 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2017/052845 | 9/22/2017 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018/055398 | 3/29/2018 | WO | A |
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| 20190234110 A1 | Aug 2019 | US |
