FIELD

This relates to a lock assembly for a sliding panel, such as a sliding door or a sliding window. BACKGROUND

Sliding panels, such as doors or windows, often have a lock assembly which allows the panel to be latched closed. This can allow the panel to be retained in a closed position until a handle is operated. In some cases, the lock assembly may allow the use of a key to lock and unlock the lock assembly. SUMMARY

I n a first example embodiment, there is provided a lock assembly for a sliding panel, the lock assembly comprising: a body; a handle movable laterally relative to the body; one or more beaks movable longitudinally relative to the body; wherein lateral movement of the handle from an engaged position to a release position causes the one or more beaks to move longitudinally from an engaged position to a release position.

I n a second example embodiment, there is provided a lock assembly for a sliding panel, the lock assembly comprising: a body; a faceplate; and a boot latch at one end of the body, the boot latch moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position; wherein the boot latch is configured such that, in the engaged position, the boot latch retains the lock assembly within a recess of a panel, and in the disengaged position, the boot latch does not retain the lock assembly within the recess; and wherein the faceplate has a cut-out configured to allow access to the boot latch when the lock assembly is retained in the recess. I n a third example embodiment, there is provided a beak carriage for a lock assembly for a sliding panel, the beak carriage comprising: a channel configured to receive a portion of a beak; a chamber having a first end open into the channel; a locking member retained within the chamber, such that at the first end of the chamber, the locking member is located partly within the channel; and a retainer having a locking position in which, when a beak is inserted into the channel, the retainer retains the locking member at the end of the chamber such that the locking member retains the beak within the channel.

I n a fourth example embodiment, there is provided a lock assembly for a sliding panel, the lock assembly comprising: a body; one or more beaks pivotable relative to the body between an engaged position and a release position; a handle movable laterally relative to the body between an engaged position and a release position, wherein if the one or more beaks are in the engaged position, moving the handle from the engaged position to the release position causes the one or more beaks to move from the engaged position to the release position; and a beak retainer configured to retain the beaks in a storage position; wherein when the beaks are in a storage position, moving the handle into the release position causes the beaks to move from the storage position to the release position and/or the engaged position.

I n a fifth example embodiment, there is provided a lock assembly for a sliding panel, comprising: a body; and a faceplate; wherein the lock assembly is configured such that at least one of: the faceplate has a depth of less than about 4mm above a face of a panel when the lock assembly is installed in the panel; the depth of the body located within the panel is less than about 21mm when the lock assembly is installed in the panel; and the width of the body is less than about 24mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is described by way of example with reference to the drawings, which show some embodiments of the invention. However, these are provided for illustration only. The invention is not limited to the particular details of the drawings and the corresponding description. Figure 1 shows a first isometric view of lock assembly according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the lock assembly.

Figure 3 shows an external view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode. Figure 4 shows an internal front view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode.

Figure 5 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode.

Figure 6 shows an external view of the lock assembly in the release mode.

Figure 7 shows an internal front view of the lock assembly in the release mode.

Figure 8 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the release mode. Figure 9 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode with the lock cylinder locked.

Figure 10 shows a first stage of installation of a beak into a beak carriage.

Figure 11 shows a second stage of installation of the beak into the beak carriage.

Figure 12 shows a third stage of installation of the beak into the beak carriage. Figure 13 shows the beak installed into the beak carriage.

Figure 14 shows a first stage of installation of a lock assembly into a recess in a panel.

Figure 15 shows a second stage of installation of the lock assembly into the recess. Figure 16 shows a lock assembly installed into the recess. Figure 17 shows a lock assembly being uninstalled from the recess.

Figure 18 shows a sectional view of the lock assembly being uninstalled from the recess. Figure 19 shows a partial isometric view of a lock assembly according to a second embodiment in a storage mode.

Figure 20 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the storage mode.

Figure 21 shows a partial isometric view of the lock assembly moving out of the storage mode.

Figure 22 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly moving out of the storage mode.

Figure 23 shows a partial isometric view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode. Figure 24 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the engaged mode. Figure 25 shows a partial isometric view of the lock assembly in the release mode. Figure 26 shows an internal rear view of the lock assembly in the release mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a lock assembly for a sliding panel.

The lock assembly 100 has a body 101 and a faceplate 102. These may be connectable to one another, for example using fasteners (such as rivets, clips, or screws) or an adhesive. Alternatively, the body 101 and the faceplate 102 may be integrally formed.

The lock assembly 100 is intended to be inserted into a recess in a sliding panel. When installed, the faceplate 102 may be less than about 4mm from the face of the panel, and the depth of the body 101 may be less than about 21mm within the panel. In addition, the width of the body may be less than about 24mm. This allows the lock assembly to be installed within a relatively narrow sash or extrusion of a panel.

A seat 103 is formed in the faceplate 102. The seat 103 defines a recess with two open faces. A first open face is oriented towards a user of the lock assembly. A second open face is oriented towards the direction in which the panel slides when it opens.

A handle 110 is engaged in the seat 103. The handle 110 has a recess 111 for receiving a user's fingers. The recess 111 is open in the same direction as the first open face of the seat 103. The depth of the recess 111 in which a user's fingers are inserted may be at least 9.5mm. In some cases, the recess 111 is deeper than the faceplate 102, and therefore is located partly within the body 101.

I n a neutral position, the handle 110 is accommodated within the seat 103 and may appear continuous with faceplate 102. A user can slide the handle 110 towards the second open face of the seat 103 to operate the lock assembly and release the sliding panel. In this way, the sliding panel can slide from a closed position to an open position in substantially the same direction that the handle 110 slides.

The faceplate 102 has a pair of lock cylinder apertures 104 at either end. A lock cylinder 120 is accessible through one of the lock cylinder apertures 104. The lock cylinder 120 may be locked to prevent the handle from being actuated. A plug 105 is provided in the other lock cylinder aperture 104 to avoid having an open hole.

A latch aperture 106 is provided in the body 101. The latch aperture 106 allows the passage of one or more beaks 130. This is described below with reference to Figures 3 to 9.

I n some embodiments, a cut-out 107 is provided in the faceplate 102. The cut-out 107 allows a releasing device 174 to be inserted to uninstall the lock assembly from a panel. This is described below with reference to Figures 14 to 18.

Operation

The lock assembly 100 can move between engaged and release positions. In an engaged position, the beaks 130 are positioned to engage with a frame (such as a keeper in a window frame or a strike in a door frame). If a user tries to slide the panel, the beaks pull against the frame. This retains the panel from sliding away from the frame, and therefore prevents the panel from opening. If a user pulls on the handle 110, the lock assembly 100 enters the release position. In the release position, the beaks 130 are moved to not engage with the frame. This allows the panel to slide away from the frame, and therefore allows the panel to open. Figures 3 to 5 show the lock assembly 100 in an engaged position.

The beaks 130 are in an engaged position. This allows the beaks 130 to engage a portion of a frame. For example, each beak 130 may be positioned so that a strike of the frame is aligned with a contact face 131 of each respective beak 130.

The beaks 130 may be complementary, such that the beaks 130 move in opposing directions to engage with the frame. For example, a first of the beaks 130 may be oriented to move downwards into the engaged position, and a second of the beaks 130 may be oriented to move upwards into the engaged position. This provides an anti-lift function to prevent the panel being lifted to disengage the beaks 130.

The beaks 130 may have a chamfered outer face 132 aligned with the contact face 131. If the lock assembly is in the engaged position while the panel is being closed, a strike of the frame will contact the chamfered outer face 132 of each beak 130. This causes the beaks to move towards the release position sufficiently for the strike to pass. The beaks 130 are biased, via a beak carriage bias 141, to then snap back towards to the engaged position when the strike is past the respective contact face 131. This provides an auto-latch function to allow the panel to be closed without a user operating the handle 110.

While the beaks 130 are shown as substantially L-shaped, any style of latching member may be used. Accordingly, "beak" has a broad meaning of any mechanism which interacts with a frame to retain a sliding panel in place. Each beak 130 is attached to a beak carriage 140. An example of attaching a beak 130 to a beak carriage 140 is shown in Figures 10 to 13. Each beak carriage 140 is movable between an engaged position (corresponding to the beak 130 being in the engaged position) and a release position (corresponding to the beak 130 being in the release position) along a longitudinal axis of the lock assembly 100. A beak carriage bias 141 (such as a spring) biases the beak carriage 141 towards the engaged position.

The handle 110 is in communication with a pair of locking plates 150. This occurs through a pin 112 at each end of the handle 110 sitting within a corresponding channel 151 of each locking plate 150, such that a single pin 112 may sit in two channels 151. When the handle 110 is in the neutral (engaged) position, each locking plate 150 is in a corresponding engaged position. The pin 112 is located in an end of the channels 151 nearer to the beaks 130. An abutment block 152 of each locking plate 150 is located relatively far from the top and bottom of the lock assembly.

Each pin 112 is also in communication with a pair of actuator arms 160 pivotally mounted in the body 101. Each actuator arm 160 has a finger 161 configured to sit in a chamber 142 in a respective beak carriage 140.

The chambers 142 are sufficiently sized to allow the beak carriages 140 to move into the release position without the actuator arm 160 pivoting. This allows the auto-latching function to occur without the actuator arm 160, and consequently the handle 110, being actuated.

Figures 6 to 8 show the lock assembly 100 in a release position. This occurs by a user pulling laterally on the handle 110. The movement of the handle 110 between the engaged position and the release position may be less than 5mm, and may be about 3mm.

As the handle 110 moves laterally, each pin 112 moves to the other end of the channels 151. The locking plates 150 are configured to restrain the movement of the pins 112 (and thus the handle 110) to a linear path (or at least a substantially linear path). This movement causes the corresponding actuator arm 160 to pivot. The finger 161 moves away from the beaks 130. Because the finger 161 sits within a chamber 142 of a respective beak carriage 140, the finger 161 resists the bias of beak carriage bias 141 and moves the beak carriages 140 longitudinally relative to the body 101. The beaks 130 therefore move longitudinally into the release position. If the beaks 130 are adjacent the strike of a frame, the beaks 130 release the strike.

I n addition, the movement of the pins 112 through the diagonal channels 151 causes the locking plates 150 to move in opposing directions longitudinally through the body 101. As a result, an abutment block 152 of each locking plate 150 is located relatively near the top and bottom of the lock assembly.

When a user releases the handle 110, the beak carriage biases 141 causes each beak carriage 140 to revert to the engaged position. This also causes the corresponding beak 130 to revert to the engaged position. Moreover, the actuator arm 160 is urged back to the engaged position through the finger 161 connecting with the chamber 142. This causes the locking plates 150 and the handle 110 to each move back to their respective engaged positions.

I n this manner, the lock assembly tends to revert to the engaged position absent user interaction. This, together with the auto-latch function, allows a userto easily close and latch the panel. Lock

A lock cylinder 120 is provided at one end of the lock assembly. The lock cylinder has a boss 121. The lock cylinder 120 has locked mode and an unlocked mode. When a user inserts and turns a suitable key, the boss 121 rotates around the lock cylinder 120 between a locked position corresponding to the locked mode of the lock cylinder 120 and an unlocked position corresponding to the unlocked mode of the lock cylinder 120. In some cases, a thumb turn or snib may be provided to avoid the need for a key. Figures 5 and 8 show the lock cylinder 120 in the unlocked mode. In this position, the boss 121 is located so as to not contact either abutment block 152. The lock cylinder 120 in the unlocked mode therefore does not affect the operation of the lock assembly 100. Figure 9 shows the lock cylinder 120 in the locked mode. This occurs from the user rotating the key around 180° when the lock assembly 100 is in the engaged mode.

I n this mode, the boss 121 in the locked position is aligned with one of the abutment blocks 152. If a user attempts to pull the handle 110, this causes the locking plates 150 to attempt to move towards their release positions. The abutment block 152 of one of the locking plates 150 abuts the boss 121. This impedes further movement of locking plate 150, and consequently further movement of handle 110. The lock cylinder 120 can therefore lock the handle 110 such that the handle 110 cannot be operated until the lock cylinder 120 is unlocked. Because there are two abutment blocks 152, the lock cylinder may be provided in the lock cylinder aperture at either end of the lock assembly. This allows the handedness of the lock assembly 100 to be adjusted by moving the lock cylinder 120 and plug 105 without the need for re-assembling other internal components.

However, the beaks 130 and beak carriages 140 can move into their release position without causing movement of the locking plates 150 or the handle 110. Therefore, even if the lock cylinder 120 is locked, the panel could still be slid closed such that the beaks 130 auto-latch.

Beaks

Figures 10 to 13 show an example embodiment for mounting a beak 130 within a beak carriage 140.

The beak carriage 140 has a channel 143 for receiving a shaft 133 of a beak 130. One side of the channel 143 may be shaped to complement a side of the shaft 133. For example, one side of the channel 143 may have a series of rounded tabs 144 along one side of the channel 143 which may fit into a first series of rounded notches 134 along the side of the shaft 133.

A locking member 145, such as a spherical ball-bearing, moves within a chamber 146 in the beak carriage 140. The chamber 146 has a first opening into the channel 143 which allows a part of the locking member 145 to intrude into the channel

143. The chamber 146 also has a second opening into a retainer channel 147, which allows a part of the locking member 145 to intrude into the retainer channel 147. However, the first and second openings are shaped and/or sized so that the locking member 145 cannot fall out of the chamber 146. The chamber 146 may have a height less than the diameter of the locking member 145, such that the locking member 145 must intrude into at least one of the channel 143 and the retainer channel 147.

The locking member 145 complements a second series of notches 135 on the side of the shaft opposite the first series of notches 134. Figure 10 shows the shaft 133 first being inserted into the channel 143. The locking member 145 sits partly within the channel 143, and the end of the shaft 133 abuts the locking member 145.

Figure 11 shows further movement of shaft 133 into the channel 143. The crests between the notches of the second series of notches 135 force the locking member 145 to move within the chamber 146 out of the channel 143. The locking member 145 therefore does not impede movement of the shaft 133 through the channel 143.

Figure 12 shows further movement of shaft 133 into the channel 143. The interaction between the first series of notches 134 and the tabs 144 tend to cause the shaft 133 to enter predefined positions in which the first series of notches 134 and tabs 144 are coupled. In these positions, the locking member 145 sits within one of the second series of notches 135. This may be enough to temporarily mount the beak 130 within the beak carriage 140. Figure 13 shows a permanent mounting of the beak 130 within the beak carriage 140. A retainer 148, such as a grub screw, may be driven through the retainer channel 147 into a locking position. This prevents the locking member 145 from sitting in the retainer channel 147. Due to the size of the chamber 146, the locking member 145 is forced into the channel 143. This causes the locking member 145 to couple with one of the second series of notches 135.

If the locking member 145 is not fully inside one of the second series of notches 135, the crests between the notches 135 tend to cause the locking member 145 to move into one of the notches 135.

This mounts the beak 130 to the beak carriage 140. An attempted movement of the shaft 133 relative to the channel 143 would cause the locking member 145 to be moved towards the retainer channel 147. However, the retainer 148 prevents the locking member 145 from moving entirely out of the channel 143, and thus from the shaft 133 moving out of the channel 143.

To remove the beaks 130, the retainer 148 can be retracted. The user can then pull on the beak 130 to remove it from the from the beak carriage 140. This presents a simple method of installing and uninstalling beaks.

Installation

The lock assembly is installed in a recess in a panel. For example, this may be the sash of a window or an extrusion in a door. One approach for the installation and uninstallation is shown in Figures 14 to 17.

The lock assembly has a boot latch 170 at one end and a pivot 171 at the opposing end. The boot latch 170 is biased outwards (for example, due to its construction from a resilient material) in an engaged position but may be temporarily moved inwards towards the body 101 into a disengaged position.

Figure 14 shows a first stage of installation. The end of the body 101 with the pivot

171 is first installed into the recess so that a lip of the recess is received in a groove

172 between the pivot 171 and the faceplate 102. Figure 15 shows a second stage of installation in which the end of the body 101 with the boot latch 170 is pivoted towards the recess. This causes a lip of the recess to contact a ramped contact face 175 of the boot latch 170. As the lock assembly is pushed into the recess, the lip forces the boot latch 170 to move inwards towards the disengaged position. When the lip moves into a groove 173 between the boot latch 170 and the face plate 102, the boot latch 170 springs outwards into the engaged position.

Figure 16 shows a completed installation. The lock assembly is retained in the recess by the boot latch 170 and the pivot 171. The groove 172 and groove 173 may be shaped to pull the faceplate 102 flush against the outside face of the panel.

Figure 17 shows an uninstallation of the lock assembly. This occurs by depressing the boot latch 170 and prying the lock assembly from the recess. A releasing device 174, such as a thin metal sheet, can be slid into the cut-out 107 in the faceplate 102. This contacts the boot latch 170 and moves the boot latch inwards. While maintaining this force, the user pivots the releasing device 174 upwards which pops the end of the lock assembly from the recess. The lock assembly can then be removed.

This allows for a simple process of installation and deinstallation without the need for separate fasteners or making further holes in the panel. Storage mode

A second embodiment of the lock assembly is shown in Figures 19 to 26. This is similar to the first embodiment of the lock assembly shown in Figures 1 to 9 and 14 to 18.

The lock assembly 200 is the same as the lock assembly 100, except for the differences expressly noted. Common features are therefore omitted.

Beaks 130 are replaced by beaks 230. Beaks 230 are pivotally connected to the lock assembly 200 at pins 231. Each beak 230 has a protruding foot 232 at the end opposite the contact face and a transversely protruding shoulder 233 approximately mid-way between the contact face and the foot 232.

A beak retainer 240 is positioned between the beaks 230. The beak retainer 240 has two retaining plates 241 which are biased away from each other by a spring 242 or other bias means.

A handle 210 is similar to handle 110, except with the addition of a first post 211 and a second post 212 corresponding to each beak 230.

The lock assembly 200 has a storage mode in which the beaks 230 are in a storage position. In the storage position, the beaks 230 are located substantially or entirely within the lock assembly 200.

Figures 19 and 20 show the lock assembly 200 with the beaks 230 in the storage position. The foot 232 of each beak abuts a respective retaining plate 241 of the beak retainer 240. The feet 232 are over-centre relative to the retaining plates 241. The longitudinal urging of the retaining plates 241 therefore urges the beaks 230 away from rotating out of the lock assembly 200 and retains the beaks 230 in their storage position.

The first posts 211 are aligned with each shoulder 233. The first posts 211 resist the urging of the retaining plates 241. The first posts 211 may, at least partly, limit the beaks 230 rotation into the lock assembly 200. The storage mode provides a more compact profile, and so may be useful when the lock assembly 200 is being installed or transported.

To release the beaks 230 from the storage mode, a user pulls on the handle 210.

Figures 21 and 22 show the lock assembly 200 after the handle 210 has been pulled while the beaks 230 were in the storage mode. The lateral movement of the handle 210 causes the first posts 211 to pull against the shoulder 233 of each beak 230. This causes the beaks 230 to rotate partly away from the storage position such that the feet 232 push against the retaining plates 241. This overcomes the bias of the spring 242, and forces the retaining plates 241 to move closer to one another. When the handle has been fully pulled, the feet 232 are rotated so as to no longer be over-centre relative to the retaining plates 241. The urging of the retaining plates 241 therefore causes the beaks 230 to rotate out of the lock assembly 200 into a release position (while the handle is being held) and then into an engaged position in which the beaks 230 can engage with the strike of a frame (once the handle is released).

Figures 23 and 24 show the lock assembly 200 with the beaks 230 in the engaged position. The retaining plates 241 are urged away from one another by spring 242. This causes the beaks 230 to be in the engaged position. The second posts 212 are positioned to abut each shoulder 233.

I n use, the beaks 230 can be moved to a release position by a user pulling on the handle 210. Figures 25 and 26 show the lock assembly 200 with the beaks 230 in the release position after the handle 210 has been pulled. The lateral movement of the handle 210 causes the second posts 212 to pull against the shoulders 233. This causes rotation of the beaks 230 such that the contact faces of the beaks move away from one another. This moves the beaks 230 into the release position in which the beaks 230 do not hold the strike of a frame.

Once the handle is released, the retaining plates 241 are urged outwards, causing the beaks 230 to revert to the engaged position.

The beaks 230 can move from the engaged position towards the release position independently of the handle 210. That is, similar to beaks 130, if the panel is slid closed with the beaks 230 in the engaged positions, the beaks 230 are temporarily forced into the release position through contact with a chamfered outer face, and then revert to the engaged position once the strike is engaged by the beaks 230. The lock assembly 200 therefore has an auto-latch function. The beaks 230 can move from the engaged position or release position back to the storage position. This can occur by a user pushing the beaks 230 into the lock assembly 200. This causes the feet 232 to force the retaining plates 241 inwards until the feet 232 are over-centre, putting the beaks 230 in a storage mode. Interpretation

The discussion of any existing technology should not be construed as an admission that such technology forms part of the common general knowledge.

The term "comprises" and other grammatical forms is intended to have an inclusive meaning unless otherwise noted. That is, they should be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components, and possibly of other non-specified components or elements.

The present invention has been illustrated by the description of some embodiments. While these embodiments have been described in detail, this should not be taken to restrict or limit the scope of the claims to those details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details of the illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, modifications may be made to the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.