Lock For Sliding Door Or Window

Abstract

A lock for use with a sliding member such as a sliding door or window comprising first and second links pivotally interconnected adjacent their inner end portions. The outer ends of the links are pivotally connected to fixed structure and the sliding member, respectively. The links are movable to an overcenter position when the slidable member is in a closed position to thereby retain the slidable member in the closed position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sliding members such as sliding glass doors and windows are usually equipped with a standard releasable lock which retains the door or window in a locked position. Such doors and windows are, however, notoriously easy to open from the outside even though the standard lock is properly locked from the inside. Accordingly, there is a need for a lock for sliding doors and windows which will positively exclude unauthorized entry.

Many attempts have been made to provide such a lock, but each of these locks has numerous disadvantages such as being relatively expensive, complex, difficult to install, unsuited for retrofit on existing doors, difficult or inconvenient to release, and not usable with an outside opening door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lock for a sliding member such as a sliding glass door or window which positively prevents opening of the door or window from the outside without breaking of the door or window and which generally overcomes all of the disadvantages noted above with respect to prior art locks.

One feature of this invention is the use of a locking mechanism which acts between the sliding member and a fixed member and which locks automatically upon closing of the sliding member to prevent opening of the sliding member. The locking mechanism can advantageously take the form of an overcenter mechanism which is automatically moved to the overcenter or locked position by closing of the door. To unlock the lock, the overcenter mechanism is moved back through center, and thereafter the sliding member can be opened without interference from the lock.

The overcenter mechanism can be most advantageously operated if one end of the mechanism is affixed to the sliding member and the other end thereof is affixed to fixed structure. With this arrangement, movement of the sliding member to the closed position automatically moves the overcenter mechanism to the locked position and no special action is necessary on the part of the user to place the lock to the locked position.

The lock can be used with an outside opening door by merely mounting one end of the lock to fixed structure and the other end of the lock to any suitable flange on the outside opening door. Also, a single lock can be utilized to lock double sliding doors by positioning the lock between appropriate flanges or abutments on the two doors so that each door acts as fixed structure for the other.

The lock of this invention is readily adapted for installation on existing sliding doors or windows. According to the present invention, the lock is adhesively mounted on the sliding member and the fixed structure such as by double acting adhesive tape. This makes installation very simple and no drilling or defacing of the slidable member or fixed structure is required. If the lock is ever removed, no patching or repair work is necessary.

To make the lock more versatile, it can be provided with means for adjusting the length thereof. This permits the lock to accommodate structures with different distances between the sliding member and the fixed structure.

These concepts can be advantageously embodied in a lock which includes first and second links pivotally interconnected adjacent the inner end portions thereof and means for mounting the first and second links adjacent the outer end portions thereof to the slidable member and fixed structure, respectively. The links are movable to an overcenter position in response to movement of the slidable member to the closed position. The links are pivotally mounted to the slidable member and the fixed structure by first and second end elements pivotally connected to the first and second links, respectively, and by adhesive means for joining the end elements to the slidable member and fixed structure, respectively.

The variable length means can advantageously be embodied in one of the links. In one form of the invention, the variable length means includes inner and outer telescoping channels forming at least a portion of one of the links with the inner channel opening toward a leg of the outer channel and means on such leg of the outer channel for adhesively retaining the channels in a predetermined axial relationship. According to the second embodiment of the invention, the variable length means includes first and second threaded elements forming at least a portion of one of the links. If desired, a sleeve can be provided to conceal the threads to improve the appearance of the lock.

In order to provide ventilation, it may be necessary to leave a sliding glass door or window in a partially open position. However, it may also be desirable to lock the sliding glass door or window in the partially open position to prevent unauthorized entry. Prior art locks are generally not capable of performing this function.

A feature of the present invention is that the lock can be utilized to lock the sliding glass door or window in the closed or partially open positions. This concept can be implemented by providing an elongated structure which extends between the slidable member and the abutment member. The elongated structure includes first and second relatively movable elements and means for retaining such elements in extended or retracted positions with these positions corresponding respectively to the closed and partially open positions of the door. Of course, the door may be moved to the fully open position in the manner described hereinabove.

Another feature of this invention is that the door can be moved from the partially open position to the closed position without applying significant tension forces to the adhesive mounting means or whatever other mounting means may be utilized. To accomplish this, the first and second elements are preferably mounted for relatively free sliding movement from the retracted position to the extended position. To implement this, the elements are preferably telescopically mounted. Thus, in the retracted position, the first and second elements are prevented from being further retracted, but are freely extendible to the extended position.

The first and second elements are automatically locked in the extended position by locking means in response to movement of the elements to the extended position. The locking means must be manually released.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawing .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view partially in section of a lock constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention installed in a typical sliding glass door assembly.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the lock and adjacent structure of the sliding glass door assembly.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lock and adjacent structure of the sliding glass door assembly.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 6--6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing how the lock of this invention can be installed on the double sliding door construction wherein one of the doors is an outside opening door.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view partially in section of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view partially in section of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention with the door being shown in the closed position.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the lock in the closed position.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 11 with the door being locked in the partially open position.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken generally along line 13--13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken generally along line 14--14 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken generally along line 15--15 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a lock 11 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and acting between a sliding glass door 13 and suitable fixed structure 15 such as the door jamb or adjacent wall structure. The door 13 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 1. The door 13 is movable in the direction of the arrow a to an open position when the lock 11 is in the released position.

The door 13 may be of conventional construction and has a handle 17 which faces the interior of the construction defined by the wall structure 15. The door 13 slides in a conventional track (not shown) on the inside of an associated glass panel 19 and is therefore an inside opening door. The glass panel 19 may be suitably mounted on the wall structure 15 in a conventional manner.

The end surface of the door 13 opposite the handle 17 constitutes an abutment 21. Similarly, the wall structure 15 defines an abutment 23 which is spaced from and confronts the abutment 21. The lock 11 in the locked position thereof is longitudinally rigid and acts between the abutments 21 and 23 to permit movement of the door 13 from the closed position to the open position.

The lock 11 generally comprises a pair of links 25 and 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3) pivotably connected by a rivet 29 adjacent their inner end portions and end elements 31 and 33 pivotally connected to the links 25 and 27, respectively. The link 27 comprises two link sections 35 and 37.

As shown in FIG. 5, the link 25 and the link section 35 are of channel shaped cross section. The link 25 has legs or flanges 39 integrally joined by a web 41, and the link section 35 has parallel legs or flanges 43 integrally joined by a web 45. The link section 35 opens downwardly and the link 25 opens toward one of the legs 43. The rivet 29 projects through the legs 43 and the web 41 to join the link 25 and the link section 35 for pivotal movement in a predetermined plane.

As shown in FIG. 4, the end element 31 is in the form of a relatively short channel and includes spaced parallel legs 47 integrally joined by a web 49. A rivet 51 or other suitable means extends through the legs 47 and the web 41 to pivotally connect the end element 31 and the link 25 for pivotal movement.

The end element 31 is mounted on the abutment 21 by a double acting adhesive tape 53. One face of the tape 53 is adhered to the web 49 and the other face of the tape 53 is adhered to the abutment 21. Prior to installation of the lock 11, the tape 53 may be adhered to the web 49 and the opposite face of the tape may be covered by a removable protective backing which is removed just prior to mounting of the end element 31 on the abutment 21.

The end element 33 is identical to the end element 31 and is mounted on the wall structure 15 by double acting adhesive tape substantially as shown in FIG. 4. The end element 33 is pivotally mounted on the link section 37 by a rivet 55 or a similar element.

As shown in FIG. 6, the link section 37 is of channel shaped cross section and includes spaced parallel flanges 57 integrally joined by a web 59. The link section 37 is telescopingly received within the link section 35 with the web 59 slidably contacting one of the flanges 43. The link section 37 opens toward the other of the flanges 43 of the link section 35. A screw 61 passes through such other flange 43 and engages the web 59. The upper flange 57 as viewed in FIG. 6 engages the web 35.

The link sections 35 and 37 and the screw 61 constitute variable length means for adjusting the overall length of the lock 11. By loosening of the screw 61, the link sections 35 and 37 may be telescoped or moved axially relative to each other to adjust the length of the lock 11. When the desired length has been obtained, the screw 61 is tightened to tightly force the web 59 against the flange 43 to prevent further telescoping movement of the link sections 35 and 37.

The pivotal axes defined by the rivets 29, 51 and 55 are substantially parallel so that the links 25 and 27 pivot in the same plane which is a vertical plane in the embodiment illustrated. In the locked position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pivotal axis defined by the rivet 29 lies beneath (as viewed in FIG. 3) a line drawn between the pivotal axes defined by the rivets 51 and 55. Thus, the links 25 and 27 are in an overcenter position when the door 13 is in a closed position. Stop means are provided to prevent further overcenter movement, i.e., further movement of the rivet 29 beneath the line between the rivets 51 and 55. Such stop means in the embodiment illustrated is provided by the contact which occurs between the web 45 and the upper leg 39 of the link 25 in a region 63 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, any effort to move the door 13 in the direction of the arrow a in FIG. 1 will result in a force which tends to move the links 25 and 27 further overcenter. However, such further overcenter movement is prevented by the contact between the webs 41 and 45, and accordingly, the lock 11 positively prevents opening of the door 13.

To install the lock 11, the screw 61 is loosened and the link sections 35 and 37 are axially adjusted so that the lock 11 extends between the fixed wall structure 15 and the abutment 21 when the door 13 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Next, the removable backing discussed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4 is removed from the double acting tape 53 on the end elements 31 and 33. The end elements 31 and 33 are then adhesively secured to the abutments 21 and 23, respectively. Preferably the links 25 and 27 are of substantially equal lengths and the end elements 31 and 33 are preferably in the same horizontal plane, although this is not required.

The end elements 31 and 33 can be adhesively mounted on the abutments 21 and 23, respectively, with the door 13 in any position. With the end elements 31 and 33 so mounted, movement of the door 13 along the path between its open and closed position drives the links 25 and 27. For example, with the door 13 open, the links 25 and 27 are pivoted toward vertical positions. In the fully open position the link 25 is partially received within the link 27. By sliding the door 13 to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the links are automatically moved to the overcenter position. In the embodiment illustrated gravity will also assist movement of the links 25 and 27 to the overcenter position. With the links in the overcenter or locked position, the door cannot be opened. In order to open the door, it is necessary to manually elevate the links 25 and 27 at the rivet 29 so that it lies above a line drawn between the rivets 51 and 55. When this has been done, the door 13 can be easily opened.

It can be seen, therefore, that the lock 11 can be easily and quickly installed without drilling of any holes. In addition, the lock 11 locks automatically in response to movement of the door 13 to the closed position. The length adjustment feature shown in FIG. 6 permits the lock 11 to be adapted for use on different size door constructions and to accommodate for variation in tolerances.

FIG. 7 shows how the lock 11 may be utilized to simultaneously lock double sliding doors. FIG. 7 shown sliding glass doors 71 and 73 mounted in a wall structure 75 and slidable toward each other in the direction of the arrows A and B, respectively, in FIG. 7. The door 71 has an end surface defining an abutment 77 and the door 73 has a flange defining an abutment 79. The lock 11 described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 2-6 extends between the abutments 77 and 79 to prevent opening of either of the doors 71 and 73. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the abutment 77 defines fixed structure for the door 73 and the abutment 79 defines fixed structure for the door 71. Of course, by moving the lock 11 out of the overcenter position shown in FIG. 3, both of the doors 71 and 73 can be opened.

FIG. 8 shows a lock 11a which is identical to the lock 11 except as expressly noted herein. The lock 11a includes a link 25a and end elements 31a and 31b all of which are identical to the corresponding elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lock 11a also includes a link 27a which includes a link section 35a which is identical to the link section 35. An internally threaded sleeve 81 is rigidly mounted by a rivet 83 within the link section 35a. An externally threaded stud 85 is receivable within the sleeve 81, and a tubular fitting 87 is suitably secured to the outer end of the stud as by a rivet 55a which also pivotally connects the fitting 87 to the end element 33a. The lock 11a is adhesively mounted on abutments 21a and 23a substantially as described above.

The lock 11a is basically identical to the lock 11 except that different means are provided for adjusting the length of the lock 11a. With the lock 11a, length adjustment is provided by turning the stud 85 relative to the sleeve 81 so that the screw threads vary the length of the lock 11a.

FIG. 9 shows a lock 11b which embodies different means for accomplishing length adjustment. The lock 11b is identical to the lock 11 except in the respects specifically noted herein. Thus, the lock 11b includes a link 25b and end elements 31b and 33b which are identical to the corresponding elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lock 11b also includes a link 27b which is pivotally connected by a rivet 29b to the link 25b. The link 27b includes a link section 35b in the form of an internally threaded tube and a threaded stud 85b which is received within the link sections 35b. A rivet 55b interconnects the end element 33b, a fitting 87b and the stud 85b. The connection permits the link 27b to pivot about the rivet 55b relative to the end element 33b. The fitting 87b is spaced radially of the stud 85b to define an annular clearance space 89 of sufficient size to readily accommodate the adjacent end portion of the link section 35b. Thus, the fitting 87 and the link section 35b cooperate to conceal the stud 85b and the threads thereon during normal use of the lock 11b. The end elements 31b and 33b are adhesively secured to abutments 21b and 23b, respectively, substantially as described above. Length adjustment is provided by turning of the stud 85 relative to the link section 35 b.

FIGS. 10-15 show a lock 11c which is capable of locking the sliding door 13c in either a closed or partially open position. The lock 11c is identical to the lock 11 except as specifically shown or described herein and portions of the lock 11c corresponding to portion of the lock 11 are designated by corresponding reference numerals followed by the letter a.

The lock 11c includes a link 25c and end portions or end elements 31c and 33c which are identical to the corresponding elements of the lock 11. The end elements 31c and 33c are adhesively attached to the member 13c and the wall structure 15c as described in connection with FIG. 1. The lock 11c includes a link 27c the inner end of which is pivotally connected to the inner end of the link 25c by a rivet 29c. The link 27c includes a link section or element 35c and a link section or element 37c.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the link section 35c is a downwardly opening channel and the link section 37 is a laterally opening channel. The link sections 35c and 37c are mounted for relatively free telescoping movement by one or more screws 61c. Complete withdrawal of the link section 37c from the link section 35c is prevented by stop members 91 (FIGS. 11 and 13) and 93 (FIGS. 11 and 14) riveted to the link sections 37c and 35c, respectively.

A latch 95 (FIGS. 10, 11 and 15) is carried by the link section 37. The latch 95 has a channel section 97 and a locking finger 99. The finger 99 is relatively resilient and projects from the channel section 97 toward an end portion of the link section 35c which defines a shoulder 107. A spacer 107a elevates the finger 99 with the end portion of the finger being bent downwardly so it can contact the shoulder 107. Although the spacer 107a could take other forms, in the embodiment illustrated, it is one leg of an axially short, slotted channel which is clamped between the link section 37c and the channel section 97.

The relative axial position of the latch 95 and the link section 37c is adjustable by a screw 101 which extends through opposed axially extending slots 103 and 105 in the legs of the channel section 97 and through the web of the link section 37c. By loosening of the screw 101, the relative axial position of the latch 95 relative to the link section 37c can be adjusted to thereby adjust the overall length of the lock 11c.

The lock 11c can be operated in the same manner as the lock 11 except for length adjustment. In addition, the lock 11c has the additional feature of being able to lock the door 13c in either of the closed or partially open positions.

With the door 13c in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the finger 99 engages the shoulder 107 so that the lock 11c cannot be shortened in response to a compressive load such as may be applied by someone attempting to move the door 13c to the left as viewed in FIGS. 10 and 11 toward the open position. Of course, the links 25c and 27c are in the overcenter position as described hereinabove with reference to the lock 11.

To move the door 13c to the partially open position, the finger 99 is manually elevated to permit the top surface 108 of the link section 35c to be received therebelow. This permits the link section 37c to telescope within the link section 35c to shorten the overall length of the lock 11c until the shoulder 107 strikes a shoulder 109 on the channel section 97 as shown in FIG. 12. The lock 11c now forms a rigid link against compressive loads between the fixed structure 15c and the door 13c. Thus, the door 13c is locked in a partially open position in the sense that it cannot be opened further.

However, the door is not locked against movement from the partially open position of FIG. 12 to the closed position of FIGS. 10 and 11. If the door 13c is moved from the partially open position of FIG. 12 to the closed position of FIGS. 10 and 11, the inherent resilience of the finger 99 will cause the finger to snap downwardly to engage the shoulder 107 thereby automatically lock the lock 11c in the extended position in response to movement of the door 13c to the closed position.

For complete opening of the door 13c, it is necessary to manually elevate the links 25c and 27c at the rivet 29c in the manner described hereinabove with reference to the lock 11. This can be accomplished with the link section 37c extended as shown in FIG. 11 or retracted as shown in FIG. 12.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A lock for use between an abutment member and a slidable member of the type movable along a path between an open position and a closed position comprising:

a first link having inner and outer end portions;

a first end element;

adhesive means for mounting said first end element to one of said members;

means for mounting said first link adjacent the outer end portion thereof on said first end element for pivotal movement in a predetermined plane about a first pivotal axis;

a second link having inner and outer end portions;

a second end element;

adhesive means for attaching the second end element to the other of said members;

means for mounting the second link on the second end element adjacent the outer end portion thereof for pivotal movement in said plane about a second pivotal axis;

means for pivotally interconnecting said links adjacent the inner end portions thereof for pivotal movement in said plane about a third pivotal axis;

said links being movable to an overcenter position;

stop means for limiting the amount of overcenter movement of said links whereby said links and said stop means define an overcenter mechanism, said links being movable to the overcenter position when the sliding member is in the closed position; and

means for adjusting the length of at least one of said links.

2. A lock as defined in claim 1 wherein said first link includes a first channel and said second link includes second and third channels, said means for adjusting the length including means for mounting said second and third channels in telescoping relationship and means for retaining said second and third channels in any one of a plurality of relative axial positions.

3. A lock as defined in claim 2 wherein said first channel is partially received in said second channel and is pivotally connected thereto by said means for interconnecting, said third link being slidably receivable in said second channel, said means for retaining includes a threaded member engageable with said second and third channels to provide infinite length adjustment.

4. A lock as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said end elements is channel-shaped and includes a pair of legs joined by a web, said legs of said first and second end elements being pivotally attached to said first and second links, respectively.

5. A lock as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting includes first and second threaded elements forming at least a portion of one of said links and sleeve means to conceal the threads of said threaded elements during normal use of the lock and even when the adjusting means is extended.

6. A lock for use between an abutment member and a slidable member of the type movable along a path between an open position and a closed position comprising:

an end element of generally channel-shaped cross section and including a pair of legs and a web joining said legs;

adhesive means on said web for mounting said end element of one of said members;

an elongated structure of sufficient length to extend between said members, said elongated structure having first and second end portions;

means for mounting said elongated structure on said legs of said end element adjacent said first end portion for pivotal movement between an extended position in which the sliding member is in said closed position and said second end portion lies closely adjacent an abutment on said other member and a retracted position;

said elongated structure including first and second channels mounted in telescoping relationship to thereby permit varying the overall length of said lock;

means including a threaded member for retaining said channels in any one of an infinite of different positions whereby the overall length of the lock can be varied;

said elongated structure being longitudinally rigid at least in said extended position to thereby hold the sliding member in the closed position; and

said elongated structure being pivotable relative to the end element to the retracted position whereby the sliding member is movable to the open position.

7. A lock for use between an abutment member and a slidable member of the type movable along a path from a closed position through a partially open position to an open position comprising:

an elongated structure of sufficient length to extend between said members;

means for mounting said one end of the elongated structure on one of said members for pivotal movement, said elongated structure being pitotable so that it extends between said members when the slidable member is in the closed position to prevent opening thereof, said elongated structure being pivotable to allow movement of said slidable member to said open position;

said elongated structure including a first element and a second element and means for mounting said first element on said second element for generally axial telescoping movement relative to said second element between an extended position and a retracted position to thereby vary the length of said elongated structure;

a latch mounted on said first element, said latch including a resilient finger and a shoulder; and

said second element including a shoulder, said finger being engageable with the shoulder on the second element to define said extended position whereby the lock can hold the slidable member in the closed position and said finger being movable to allow said sliding member to open until said shoulders engage to thereby define said retracted position whereby said lock can hold the slidable member in the partially open position.

8. A lock as defined in claim 6 wherein said elongated structure includes first and second links, said second link including first and second elements, means for pivotally connecting said links adjacent the inner ends thereof.