U.S. patent number 3,698,754 [Application Number 05/085,456] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-17 for lock for sliding door or window.
This patent grant is currently assigned to PM Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lamoine E. Means.
United States Patent |
3,698,754 |
Means |
October 17, 1972 |
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.
Inventors: |
Means; Lamoine E. (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Assignee: |
PM Products, Inc. (Newport
Beach, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22191729 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/085,456 |
Filed: |
October 30, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
292/262;
292/DIG.46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
65/0888 (20130101); Y10S 292/46 (20130101); Y10T
292/28 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/08 (20060101); E05c 017/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;292/262,338,259,263,DIG.46 ;49/124,329,330,354,356,449,450 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wolfe; Robert L.
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.
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.
* * * * *