The present invention relates to a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock.

Multipoint locks comprise a lock, provided with transmission elements that are functionally associated with shootbolts arranged at a distance from the lock proper (generally above and/or below it). Shootbolts are components that, when actuated by the transmission elements of the main lock, cause the extraction (or the retraction) of respective latches that engage in corresponding cavities of the jamb facing them. In some cases, the shootbolts can also comprise spring latches (elements kept protruding from the body of the shootbolt by way of elastic means, which can be retracted by virtue of the action of the key in the lock and/or by virtue of the action of the opening handle that is functionally associated with the main lock).

The configuration described for multipoint locks therefore makes it possible to hold the door leaf of installation to the corresponding jamb in multiple positions (at the main lock and at the shootbolts that are present) thus increasing security against attempts at forced entry.

The use is known of shootbolts that comprise a pair of hook-shaped latches that engage in the corresponding seat (conveniently shaped) of the jamb in order to prevent attempts at forced entry based on forcing their retraction. In fact the hook-shaped portions widen with respect to the opening of the seat in the jamb in which they access the seat proper and then engage, at least partially, in internal recesses of the seat, abutting on respective undercuts.

In this case the forced retraction of one of the two latches (by forcing it to perform a reverse travel until it exits completely from the seat and retracts into the body of the shootbolt, for the purposes of forced entry) implies the entrainment inside the body also of the other latch (which is mechanically coupled to it).

Therefore it is possible, for an ill-intentioned individual, to attack a shootbolt of this type, for the purposes of forced entry, with the possibility of obtaining the simultaneous retraction of the two latches.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock that is protected against attempts at forcing perpetrated on the respective latches.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock with hook-shaped latches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock that is low cost, easily and practically implemented and safely applied.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock, comprising an external box-like body and two hook-shaped latches that can rotate about a respective pin for fixing to the box-like body, said latches being functionally associated with an actuation slide which in turn is integral with an actuation rod of a main lock, characterized in that the pivoting pin of a first latch is arranged proximate to the external face of said box-like body and to the region of entry of the actuation rod of the main lock, the pin of the second latch being arranged proximate to the external face of said box-like body and to the portion opposite the region of entry of the rod, said slide comprising a first end for coupling to said actuation rod, an abutment tooth for a shoulder of said first latch, a straight section and elements for coupling to said second latch, said first latch comprising a recess proximate to said shoulder for the entry of said tooth of said slide, in the event the first latch is forced to retract in order to break and enter, with consequent temporary decoupling of said first latch from said slide and maintenance of the second latch in the extraction configuration, and vice versa.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the security shootbolt for a multipoint lock according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock according to the invention, with latches extracted;

Figure 2 is a side view of the shootbolt of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the shootbolt of Figure 1 , with latches retracted;

Figure 4 is a side view of the shootbolt of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the shootbolt of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is an exploded side view of the shootbolt of Figure 5.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a security shootbolt for a multipoint lock.

The security shootbolt 1 comprises a box-like external body 2 and two hook-shaped latches 3, 4.

The latches 3 and 4 can rotate about a respective pin 5 and 6 for fixing to the box-like body 2.

The latches 3 and 4 are functionally associated with an actuation slide 7 which is in turn integral with an actuation rod 8 of a main lock.

The pin 5 for pivoting a first latch 3 is arranged proximate to the external face 9 of the box-like body 2 and of the region 10 of entry of the actuation rod 8 of the main lock.

The pin 6 of the second latch 4 is arranged proximate to the external face 9 of the box-like body 2 and to the portion 11 opposite the region 10 of entry of the rod 8.

The slide 7 comprises a first end 12 for coupling to the actuation rod 8: in particular such end can comprise a seat 13 for the accommodation of the head 14 of the rod 8; the head 14 can be locked in the seat 13 by way of further components or by way of mechanically closing the end 12 with consequent pressing of the walls of the seat 13 onto the head 14 of the rod 8.

The slide 7 further comprises an abutment tooth 15 for a shoulder 16 of the first latch 3.

Downstream of the tooth 15, the slide comprises a straight section 17 and elements 18 for coupling to the second latch 4.

The first latch 3 comprises a recess 19, proximate to the shoulder 16, for the entry, or more correctly the temporary accommodation, of the tooth 15 of the slide 7, in the event the first latch 3 is forced to retract in order to break and enter.

The temporary accommodation of the tooth 15 in the recess 19 results in the temporary decoupling of the first latch 3 from the slide 7 (because the latch 3 is rotatable about its pin 5, retracting inside the box-like body 2, without the slide 7 undergoing any translation) and this ensures that the second latch 4 is kept in the extraction configuration, thus ensuring the locking in the closed position of the door leaf in which the shootbolt 1 is installed.

The elements 18 for coupling to the second latch 4 of the slide 7 comprise a meshing rack 17a for a gearwheel 20 which is pivoted (according to an axis 21 ) on the box-like body 2 and which meshes with a toothing 22 of the second latch 4.

The gearwheel 20 comprises toothed sectors 23, 24 interspersed by sectors 25 with a substantially circular smooth profile.

A first toothed sector 23 is contoured to mesh with the rack 17a and a second toothed sector 24 is contoured to mesh with the toothing 22 of the second latch 4.

The slide 7 comprises an abutment protrusion 26 for an appendage 27 of the second latch 4.

The protrusion 26 is arranged on the straight section 17 of the slide 7, upstream of the elements 18 for coupling to the second latch 4.

According to an embodiment of undoubted applicative interest, the recess 19 is interposed between the shoulder 16 and the pin 5 of the first latch 3.

In such case, the recess 19 will be constituted by a substantially circular concavity: the purpose of the radiused progression of the concavity is to facilitate the sliding of the tooth 15, without its becoming jammed.

The box-like body 2 comprises a plate 28 on its external face 9: the plate 28 can be coupled to the edge of the door leaf of installation of the shootbolt 1.

The plate 28 comprises at least one slot 28a, 28b for the passage of the latches 3, 4.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the slot 28a can accommodate the latch 3 and the slot 28b can accommodate the latch 4, in the configuration in which the latches 3 and 4 are protruding from the box-like body 2.

Therefore, if an attempt at forcing is made, in which one of the two latches 3, 4 is forced to rotate in reverse in order to make it reenter the boxlike body 2, there will be no corresponding retraction of the other latch 4, 3 which will remain protruding, thus ensuring the correct closing of the door leaf of installation of the shootbolt 1.

In fact, in the accompanying Figures 1 and 2 it can be clearly seen that the latches 3 and 4 are supported by the slide 7 in the configuration of full extraction (protrusion): the abutment tooth 15 of the slide 7 will allow the resting of the shoulder 16, thus preventing its retraction; the abutment protrusion 26 of the slide 7 will allow the resting of the appendage 27, thus preventing its retraction.

Even if there is a slight retraction of the rod 8, the recess 19 will be facing and proximate to the abutment 15, and therefore the retraction of the first latch 3 can occur without it entraining the second latch 4 as well, seeing that such retraction movement will not in fact in any way be transmitted to the slide 7. The present invention also extends its protection to a multipoint lock of the type comprising a main lock to which is coupled at least one security shootbolt 1 of the type described previously.

The shootbolt 1 will be mechanically coupled to the main lock by way of a respective actuation rod 8 of the main lock (which will need to be of the type suitable for operating actuation rods 8 for shootbolts).

More specifically, the multipoint lock according to the invention can comprise two separate shootbolts 1 : a first shootbolt 1 will be arranged above the main lock and a second shootbolt 1 will be arranged below the main lock.

The lock will comprise an upper actuation rod 8, which is functionally associated with the first shootbolt 1 , and a lower actuation rod 8, which is functionally associated with the second shootbolt 1.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, by providing a security shootbolt 1 for multipoint locks that is protected against attempts at forcing carried out on the respective latches 3, 4: in fact the forced retraction of one of the two latches 3 or 4 does not result in the entrainment of the other latch 4 or 3 as well.

Any attempt at forcing is therefore heavily obstructed, since it can be effective only if the retraction is simultaneously forced of both latches 3 and 4.

Conveniently the security shootbolt 1 according to the invention is provided with hook-shaped latches 3 and 4 and this ensures the exceptional security of their locking in place when they are in the extracted configuration.

Positively the present invention envisages the production of a security shootbolt 1 for multipoint locks that is easily and practically implemented and which is low cost.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.