Bolt arrangement

Abstract

A bolt arrangement. The arrangement comprises an elongate body and an elongate bolt member selectively movable longitudinally in the body so as to in a closed position extend outwardly from a first end of the body to be engageable against an item or formation to provide closing. A closure member is provided at the second end of the body to close the body, and which closure member provides an opening through which the bolt member is slidably movable, out of the second end of the body.

Description

[0001] This invention concerns a bolt arrangement, and particularly but not exclusively a bolt arrangement usable on gates, and for instance to permit adjustment of variable width gates.

[0002] Bolt arrangements usable for instance to close gates, are required to provide long term operation, often in conditions where they will be open to the elements, and may also encounter dirt and other substances particularly from animals. Furthermore if animals have access to such arrangements they can tamper with them. It is a desire for such arrangements to be easy to operate, rugged, essentially tamper proof to animals, and also relatively inexpensive.

[0003] FR 2 922 934 A1 discloses (abstract): "The latch has a body in which a bolt slides between a retracted position and a deployed position for cooperating with a striking plate. An end of the bolt and the striking plate respectively include a relief and a blocking notch for blocking the bolt in translation after a rotational movement. The notch receives the relief during sliding of the bolt, and a space is provided at the back of the notch for authorizing rotation of the relief up to the notch. Two sliding bearings ... are placed between the bolt and the body." Additionally, US 4,167,281 discloses a bolt arrangement in which a locking member is provided to prevent retraction of the elongate bolt member.

[0004] According to the invention there is provided a bolt arrangement, the arrangement comprising an elongate body and an elongate bolt member selectively movable longitudinally in the body so as to in a closed position extend outwardly from a first end of the body to be engageable against an item or formation to provide closing, a closure member being provided at a second end of the body to close the body, and which closure member provides an opening through which the bolt member is slidably movable, out of the second end of the body, wherein the closure member comprises a cylindrical guide part which extends into the body from the opening to slidingly guide the bolt member; and a a locking member being provided to prevent the bolt member moving to an open position, wherein the body and closure member extend beyond the second end of the bolt member when in a closed position, and an opening is provided in the body and closure member through which the locking member can extend so as to prevent the bolt member being moved to extend out of the second end of the body.

[0005] The closure member may be a snap fit in the second end of the body. A plurality of openings may be provided in the body towards the second end, and formations may be provided on the closure member which snap fit into respective openings in the body. The formations may be in the form of fingers, and at least three fingers on the closure member and respective openings in the body, may be provided.

[0006] The closure member may have an outer sleeve which slidingly fits inside the body, and an inner sleeve which provides the guide part.

[0007] The snap fit formations may be provided on the outer sleeve.

[0008] The closure member may include a flange which fits on the outside of the second end of the body.

[0009] The flange may have substantially the same outer diameter as the body to be a flush fit against the end of the body.

[0010] The bolt member may be resiliently urged outwardly from the body to the closed position. A resilient member engageable against the bolt member may be provided in the body, which resilient member may be in the form of a spring, and the bolt member may extend through the spring.

[0011] The resilient member may be engageable against an inner end of the closure member guide part.

[0012] A handle member may extend from the bolt member through an opening in the body to permit manual control of the bolt member. Formations may be provided on the body with which the handle member is selectively engageable to retain the bolt member in a closed and / or an open position.

[0013] A further opening may be provided in the body to permit any liquid to drain therefrom, and the further opening may be opposite the opening through which the handle member extends.

[0014] The closure member may be made of a plastics material, may be made of a resilient material, and may be made of HDPE.

[0015] The locking member may be selectively locatable across the through hole in the closure member of the second end of the body. The locking member may be automatically movable to a locked position by gravity.

[0016] In one arrangement a further closure member is provided at the first end of the body.

[0017] A pair of aligned openings may be provided in diametrically opposite sides of the body and closure member such that a locking member can extend through the body and closure member.

[0018] More than one pair of aligned openings may be provided in diametrically opposite sides of the body and closure member, and a vertically aligned pair of aligned openings may be provided, and / or a horizontally aligned pair of aligned openings may be provided.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of a first bolt arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic part sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a smaller part of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing two arrangements according to Fig. 1 in use; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a component of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the component of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic rear view of the component of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic front view of the component of Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of the component of Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view of the component of Fig. 6; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic partially exploded view of a second arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic side view of the arrangement of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic partially cross sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 12; Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic exploded view of a third bolt arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic exploded view of part of the arrangement of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 16 in use; Fig. 19 is a partially cut away side view of the arrangement of Fig. 16; Fig. 20 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 19; and Figs. 21 and 22 are respectively diagrammatic front and rear perspective views of a component of the arrangement of Fig. 1.

[0020] Figs. 1 to 11 show a first bolt arrangement 10 suitable for use for instance for fastening farm gates or the like. The apparatus 10 comprises a cylindrical housing 12 which is open at each end. Three substantially equispaced openings 14 are provided spaced circumferentially around the housing 12 a short distance from the rear end 16 thereof. A profiled opening 18 is provided on an upper side as shown in Fig. 1 of the housing 12 towards the front end 20. The profiled opening 18 defines a circumferentially extending recess 22. A further opening 24 may be provided in the opposite side of the housing 12 to the profiled opening 18, to permit any fluids to drain from the housing 12.

[0021] A bolt member 26 of a smaller diameter than the housing 12 coaxially locates in the housing 12 and is selectively extendible from each end 16, 20 thereof. An operating handle member 28 is mountable extending radially from the bolt member 26 substantially midway along the length thereof. The handle member 28 comprises a threaded shaft 30 which can threadingly engage in a hole 32 in the bolt member 26, with a profiled handle part 34 extending upwardly from the shaft 30, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0022] A compression spring 36 locates around a rear part of the bolt member 26, and is engageable at a front end against the handle member 28.

[0023] A closure member 38 made of a plastics material such as HDPE, locates in the rear end 16 of the housing 12. The closure member 38 has a rear flange 40 of the same diameter as the housing 12, so as to be engageable flush against the rear end 16 thereof. Three sprung fingers 42 are provided on the closure member 38 which are a snap fit in the three spaced openings 14 in the housing 12.

[0024] The closure member 38 comprises an outer sleeve 44 extending from the flange 40, and the sprung fingers 42 are formed by n shaped cut outs 46 towards the rear end of the outer sleeve 44, with a projection 48 provided on the outer sleeve inside each n shape cut out 46 which diverges outwardly towards the cut out 46. This provides three sprung fingers 42, resilient by virtue of the n shape cut outs 46, such that the fingers 42 can be pushed in as the closure member 38 is pushed into the rear end 16 of the housing 12, but when the fingers 42 locate over a respective opening 14 the fingers 42 will be urged outwardly to provide a snap fit in the openings 14 and thus retain the closure member 38 in place closing the rear end 16 of the housing 12.

[0025] An inner sleeve 50 also extends from the flange 40 and surrounds an opening 52 through the flange 40. The inner sleeve 50 extends for part way along the length of the outer sleeve 44, and the bolt member 26 is a sliding fit in the inner sleeve 50 and hence opening 52 in the flange 40.

[0026] The apparatus 10 can thus be assembled by locating the closure member 38 with the spring 36 engaging against the end of the inner sleeve 50, in the rear end 16 of the housing 12. The bolt member 26 can then be slid from the open end 20 and the handle member 28 attached to the bolt member 26.

[0027] The spring 36 will urge the apparatus to a closed condition, with the bolt member 26 extending outwardly of the front end 20 of the housing 12, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. To move the bolt member 26 into an open position the handle member 28 is slid rearwardly and then rotated to locate in the recess 22, where it will be retained.

[0028] As can be seen in Fig. 5, more than one such apparatus 10 may be provided, and Fig. 5 illustrates that the apparatus 10 can be provided either way up. The apparatus 10 can be used in a gate or can be used for instance for mounting together telescopic components in a required orientation.

[0029] The apparatus 10 can readily be mounted together and provide for long term maintenance free operation. The closure member 38 can readily be pushed into place as indicated, and be retained except when specifically required to be removed. The outer sleeve 44 provides for robust and straightforward mounting in the housing 12, whilst the inner sleeve 50 provides a bearing for the bolt member 26 as it slides through the housing 12, and also bears any forces which may be applied to the bolt member 26, and particularly to the proximal end thereof. The inner and outer sleeves 50, 44 also retain the spring in position and aligned, as it is compressed as the bolt member 26 is opened

[0030] Figs. 12 to 15 show a generally similar second arrangement 60, but in this instance a closure member 62 is provided at each end of the housing 64, obviously with appropriate openings 66 in the housing 64 to receive the sprung fingers 42 at each end. In this instance the housing 64 can be directly mounted to a cross member 68 or other beam as indicated. In this instance the closure members 62 also provide a bearing for the bolt member 70 at the front of the housing 64.

[0031] Figs. 16 to 22 show a generally similar third arrangement 100, except as described below. In this instance the closure members 102 are longer and a space 104 is provided between the sprung fingers 106 and the rear flange 108. Also in this instance four equispaced sprung fingers 106 are provided. In the space 104 four equispaced holes 110 are provided through the closure member, thereby providing two pairs of diametrically opposite through holes.

[0032] The housing 112 also extends for a similar greater extent from the equispaced openings 116 which receive the sprung fingers 106, to the rear end 120 to accommodate the closure member 102. Four equispaced holes 118 are provided in the housing 112 towards the rear end 120 so as to be alignable with the holes 110 through the closure member 102.

[0033] In practice this means that, in accordance with the invention, a member can be provided extending through a pair of the diametrically opposite holes 118 in the housing 112 and thus holes 110 in the closure member 102 so as to prevent the bolt member 122 from extending out of the rear end 120 of the housing 112, thereby locking the arrangement 100 in a closed condition. As can be seen in Fig. 18 a padlock 124 could be provided extending through the holes 110, 118 to thereby lock the arrangement 100 and hence a gate upon which the arrangement 100 is mounted, closed. Alternatively an elongate member could for instance be provided extending between the two horizontally aligned holes 110, 118 to prevent inadvertent opening of the arrangement 100 and hence a gate, but not providing locking. Such an arrangement could help to prevent inadvertent opening by animals or perhaps children.

[0034] There are thus described bolt arrangements which provide for a number of advantageous features. The closure members can be readily and inexpensively manufactured, with appropriate size closure members being chosen for different sizes of housings. The same size housings can be used with different bolt diameters by using different closure members with appropriate size inner sleeves.

[0035] The closure members provide significant advantages in readily closing the housing in a snap fit but being removable if necessary for any maintenance. The closure members also provide bearings to support the bolt member and also retain the spring in required positions.

[0036] Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. For instance the housing and / or handle members may take a different form. A different number or type of sprung fingers could be provided on the closure members. A different spring or other resilient member could be used as required.

Claims

1. A bolt arrangement (10), the arrangement comprising: an elongate body (12); and an elongate bolt member (26) selectively movable longitudinally in the body so as to in a closed position extend outwardly from a first end of the body to be engageable against an item or formation to provide closing, a closure member (38) being provided at a second end (16) of the body to close the body, which closure member provides an opening (52) through which the bolt member is slidably movable, out of the second end of the body, wherein the closure member comprises a cylindrical guide part (44) which extends into the body from the opening to slidingly guide the bolt member; and a locking member being provided to prevent the bolt member moving to an open position, wherein the body and closure member extend beyond the second end of the bolt member when in a closed position, and an opening (110,118) is provided in the body and closure member through which the locking member can extend so as to prevent the bolt member being moved to extend out of the second end of the body.

2. A bolt arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure member is a snap fit in the second end of the body, wherein a plurality of openings (66) are provided in the body towards the second end, and formations (48) are provided on the closure member which snap fit into respective openings in the body and the formations are in the form of fingers (42).

3. A bolt arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least three fingers (42) on the closure member and respective openings in the body are provided4. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closure member has an outer sleeve (44) which slidingly fits inside the body, and an inner sleeve (50) which provides the guide part.

5. A bolt arrangement as claimed in claim 4, when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the snap fit formations are provided on the outer sleeve.

6. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closure member includes a flange which fits on the outside of the second end of the body, wherein the flange has substantially the same outer diameter as the body to be a flush fit against the end of the body.

7. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an opening (24) is provided in the body to permit any liquid to drain therefrom8. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is selectively locatable across the through hole in the closure member of the second end of the body.

9. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member may be automatically movable to a locked position by gravity.

10. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a further closure member is provided at the first end of the body.

11. A bolt arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pair of aligned openings are (118) provided in diametrically opposite sides of the body and closure member such that the locking member can extend through the body and closure member.

12. A bolt arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein more than one pair of aligned openings (118) are provided in diametrically opposite sides of the body and closure member.

13. A bolt arrangement as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein a vertically aligned pair of aligned openings are provided, and / or a horizontally aligned pair of aligned openings are (118) provided.

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