A tool kit

Abstract

The invention, according to a first aspect, provides a tool kit 1 suitable for use in opening a door 40 or window locked closed by a failed multipoint lock, the tool kit 1 comprising at least a spreader tool 4 for opening a gap between a door and a door jamb and a striker tool 6a having a unique profile, for engaging with a locking pin of the lock and releasing the failed multipoint lock. The spreader tool 4 comprises a spreader plate 15 at a proximal end, the spreader plate 13 comprises a plate with a straight distal edge at the distal end of the spreader plate 13. The striker tool 6a comprises a striker plate 28 with a handle 29 at a proximal end. The striker plate 28 comprises a metal plate with a straight continuous or discontinuous distal edge at the distal end with a first fold line 30 located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line 31 located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line 30. The first and second fold lines 30,31 each run across a width of the striker plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the striker tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the striker plate and to define a distal portion 33 of the striker plate lying in a first plane. A proximal portion of the striker play lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion 34 of the striker plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes and which intermediate portion 34 is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion along the fold lines 30,31.

Description

The present invention relates to: a tool kit suitable for opening a door or window locked closed by a multipoint lock; to a striker tool of the tool kit; and to a method of opening a door having a multipoint lock using tools from the tool kit. Multipoint locks are commonly used on LIPVC doors and windows, but they may also used on other types of doors and windows. Multipoint locks normally comprise a plurality of locking elements which may be in the form of rollers, pins or hooks mounted to a bar located in the edge of the lock stile of a door or window, which locking elements engage with appropriately shaped slots or the like in the jamb of the door frame or window frame. The multipoint lock will almost always be positioned on the distal facing edge of the door or window, so that when the door or window is closed, access to the multipoint lock is prevented by the distal facing edge of the door or window, on which the lock is mounted, being secured against the doorjamb or window frame. As the principle of a multipoint lock is the same, regardless of whether it is fitted to a door or window, reference will only be made below to the example of a door. The actuation of a multipoint lock to lock a door may require a significantly large force, necessary to move all of the locking elements simultaneously. For example, a UPVC door may typically have four locking elements mounted to one or two locking bars set in the distal lock stile of the door, such that a force needs to be exerted on the locking bar, or bars, sufficient to simultaneously force all four locking elements into engagement with respective slots, or similar, to lock the door in place. In addition, the locking action may also correct any distortion within the door and the action may often also be arranged to compress, or further compress, seals to seal the door to the door frame. In view of the fairly significantly forces that may be required to operate a multipoint lock, it is common for these to be operated by the use of a door handle which acts as a lever and transfers forces through a linkage mechanism, such as a gearbox, to the bars on which the locking elements are mounted. A conventional cylinder lock and key arrangement may then also be provided to lock the handle or the gearbox and thus prevent unauthorised operation of the handle to subsequently open the door. The locking bar or bars of a multipoint locking system often run in a channel behind a metal faceplate. Over time oxidation of the bar and / or faceplate may increase the frictional forces that have to be overcome to lock the door or unlock the door. Similarly, the accumulation of dirt, or distortion or the door relative to the door frame may also increase the forces required to lock or unlock the door. The forces required to lock the door are normally greatest when the door is partially locked and approaches the fully locked position. Additionally, the forces required to unlock the door are normally greatest at the start of the unlocking procedure when the locking elements are still engaged with the doorjamb. Thus multipoint locks tend to fail with the door locked closed by the multipoint locks, with the failure of the multipoint lock typically occurring by the breakage of the linkage between the door handle and the locking bar, for example by the gearbox failing. When the door is locked closed access to the multipoint lock and locking elements is not possible from either side of the door. Thus, a locksmith attempting to open the door will normally attempt to use commonly available tools, such as screwdrivers and other flat bladed implements to gain access to and displace the locking elements. This may result in a number of attempts being required before a door is successfully unlocked and may often result in damage to one or more of: the locking elements, the face plate, the doorjamb, the lock stile; door seals; and to the immediately surrounding environment with any dropped tools potentially damaging flooring and other fabric adjacent to the door. It is the intention of the present invention to: provide a locksmith with an improved tool kit suitable for opening a door or window locked closed by a failed multipoint lock, to provide a striker tool suitable for use in such a tool kit; and to provide the locksmith with an improved method of opening a door having a multipoint lock using such a tool kit. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool kit suitable for opening a door or window locked closed by a multipoint lock, the tool kit comprising a spreader tool and a striker tool and wherein: the spreader tool comprises a spreader plate with a handle at a proximal end; the spreader plate comprises a metal plate with a straight distal edge at a distal end of the spreader plate; the striker tool comprises a striker plate with a handle at a proximal end; the striker plate comprises a metal plate with a straight continuous or discontinuous distal edge at a distal end with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line; the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the striker plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the striker tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the striker plate and to define a distal portion of the striker plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the striker plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the striker plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes and which intermediate portion is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion along the fold lines; and wherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 50mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion is between 18 and 27mm. A tool kit in accordance with the present invention provides both a spreader tool for first separating a lock stile from a doorjamb, or equivalent component, to which the lock stile is held in place by a multipoint lock, to permit a separate striker plate of a striker tool to be inserted, which is specifically dimensioned to engage with a pin, or similar, of the multipoint lock. This permits the spreader tool to then be removed, releasing stresses on the door, before striking the striker plate to move the pin, or similar, vertically to release the multipoint lock. This has the advantage that it assists in releasing the multipoint lock because at the time the striker plate of the striker tool is struck, the additional frictional forces on the multipoint lock introduced by the action of the spreader tool will have been reduced as a result of the removal of that tool and the door substantially adopting a naturally closed position, where the stresses on the elements of the multipoint lock are at a minimum. In addition to the above, the side profile of the striker plate of the striker tool acts to retain the striker tool in place between the lock stile and doorjamb even when the handle of the striker tool is released, greatly assisting the user while he removes the spreader tool and picks up a hammer or similar with which to strike the striker tool. Preferably the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm. This enables the striker tool to engage with a locking pin of an inward opening door where the locking pin is offset towards the inside edge of the door or the lock stile. However, the length is not sufficient to prevent insertion of the striker plate due to it extending to the seal on an inside edge of the door. As an alternative to the above, the distal portion of the striker plate may have a shorter length of between 20 and 30 mm. This enables it to reach the locking pin or similar of a multipoint lock fitted to an outward opening door, with the shorter length making it easier to insert the striker tool. Preferably, the tool kit comprises a first striker tool having a distal portion with a length between 35 and 45 mm and a second striker tool having a distal portion having length between 20 and 30 mm, so that a user may select a suitable striker tool depending on whether they are attempting to open an inward opening door or an outward opening door. Preferably, the distal portion of the or each striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of between 6 and 16mm and extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections. The provision of a slot enables the slot to be positioned over the locking pin, or similar, which provides the advantage that once so positioned, without repositioning the striker tool, the striker tool can be struck by a hammer vertically upwards or vertically downwards, if it is not known which direction will release the locking pins. This may also be of great assistance where the locking pins are seized in position, for example because of corrosion between the associated locking bar and facia plates. Here gentle alternate upward and downward blows to the striker tool may be rapidly applied to try and free the locking pins. The slot also has the advantage that if the user releases the striker tool, the striker tool will be retained in place, first by its profile maintaining it in a substantially horizontal position and secondly by the slot preventing the striker tool sliding down between the door and doorjamb. Preferably, the slot extends to within less than 5 mm of the first fold line so that, if necessary, the striker tool can be inserted such that the locking pin is nested up against the intermediate portion of the striker tool to maximise the force exerted on the striker tool by any given blow to the striker tool. Preferably, the striker plate of the striker tool has parallel sided edges that are between 40 and 70 mm apart. The parallel sided edges make it easier to correctly strike the striker tool with a hammer and this also maintains the strength of the tool along its length, with the 40 and 70 mm range making it relatively easy to insert and manoeuvre whilst providing significant strength in a vertical plane, when inserted, to transmit to a locking pin the impact of the received hammer blows. Preferably, the spreader plate has a width far in excess of that of the striker plate of the striker tool and preferably the width of the spreader plate, at its distal edge, is between 100 and 200 mm. This spreads the load exerted on a door and doorjamb both of which may be constructed of extruded UPVC, with the width of the spreader plate being between 100 and 200 mm greatly reducing the risk of damage to the door or doorjamb as a result of compressing the material of the door or doorjamb. Preferably the spreader plate of the spreader tool has a step running transversely across the width of the spreader plate to define a planer distal portion having a length between the distal edge and the step of between 60 and 100mm. The step, in use provides a clearance to accommodate any mouldings that may protrude from the front face of the door. However, the planar distal portion having a length between 60 and 100mm enables it to extend sufficiently far between a door and doorjamb to enable it separate an inward opening door from a doorjamb, by an amount sufficient to permit a striker tool to be inserted. Preferably the distal edge, (leading edge) of the spreader plate is chamfered to assist in its insertion between the door and the doorjamb. Such a spreader tool may be particularly advantageous for use in opening an inward opening door. As an alternative to the above, the spreader plate may comprise a metal plate with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line; the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; and wherein the length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40 mm. A spreader plate as recited above has been found to be particularly advantageous in displacing a locked outward opening door from a doorjamb, in order to permit a striker tool be inserted to engage with a locking pin of a multipoint lock. This is because the spreader plate has a distal portion which is relatively small, enabling it to enter a small gap between the doorjamb and the lock stile of the door and to then engage with the edge of the doorjamb. The outward opening spreader tool may then be used as a lever against the distal edge of the doorjamb to cause further displacement of the lock stile of the door, away from the doorjamb to permit the striker tool to be inserted between the doorjamb and the lock style of the door. Preferably, the tool kit in accordance with the present invention comprises both of the above described spreader plates, providing the user with an appropriate spreader plate depending on whether they are attempting to open an outward opening door or an inward opening door. The tool kit may advantageously further comprise a door scotia guard to protect the edges of a door, the door scotia guard being in the form of a shaped metal plate having a width of between 150 and 300mm and having a profile in a length direction, perpendicular to the width direction, to define a planer distal portion, an intermediate portion and a handle portion, the intermediate portion being joined to the distal portion by a fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the intermediate portion comprising a planer section extending from the fold line to a radiused section having a radius of between 3 and 10mm to form with the distal portion a trough, with the intermediate portion extending to join the handle portion. Such a scotia guard may protect the edges of either a door or doorjamb from the forces applied by other tools and acts to spread forces applied by other tools to larger areas of the door and / or doorjamb. It further provides a sliding point for other tools, thus reducing damage to the door or door jamb which may otherwise result from friction between the other tools and the door or doorjamb. The tool kit may advantageously further comprise a lever having a lever plate with a handle at a proximal end, the lever plate comprising a flat metal plate having a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lever plate of between 50 and 100mm, the lever plate having a hooked distal end with a straight distal edge. Such a tool may be useful to make an initial opening between an outward opening door and a doorjamb, to permit a spreader tool for an outward opening door to be inserted. The tool kit may advantageously further comprise two or more wedges which these may be used to hold the door in a displaced position relative to a door jamb after operation of a first tool and until a subsequent tool is inserted. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a striker tool comprising a striker plate with a handle at a proximal end wherein: the striker plate comprises a metal plate with a straight distal edge at a distal end and with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and with a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line; the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the striker plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the striker tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the striker plate and to define a distal portion of the striker plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the striker plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to, but offset from, the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the striker plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion; the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm or between 20 and 30mm; the height of the intermediate portion is between 18 and 27mm; and the distal portion of the striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of between 6 and 16mm extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections. Such a tool is particularly advantageous in opening a door with a failed multipoint lock and could potentially be used in combination with a tool other than one of the above described spreader tools. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a spreader tool comprising a metal spreader plate with a handle at a proximal end, wherein: the spreader plate comprising a plate with a straight distal edge with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line; the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; and wherein the length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40mm. As explained above with respect to the spreader tool of the tool kit, a spreader tool having the dimensions recited above has been found to be particularly advantageous in displacing a locked outward opening door from a door jamb, in order to permit a striker tool be inserted to engage with a locking pin of a multipoint lock. This is because the spreader plate has a distal portion which is relatively small, enabling it to enter a small gap between the doorjamb and the lock stile of the door and to then engage with the edge of the door jamb. The outward opening spreader tool may then be used as a lever against the distal edge of the doorjamb to cause further displacement of the lock stile of the door, away from the doorjamb to permit the striker tool to be inserted between the door jamb and the lock style of the door. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of opening a door having a multipoint lock using a tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the spreader plate of a spreader tool between a lock stile of a door and a doorjamb or an adjoining door and levering the door to displace the lock stile to a displaced position away from the doorjamb or adjoining door; holding the lock stile in the displaced position; inserting the striker plate of a striker tool and locating the distal portion vertically against one engaging point of the multipoint lock; using the spreader tool to permit the door to resile to, or towards, its natural position and striking the striker plate vertically to displace the engagement point vertically to release the multipoint lock. Such a method may open a door with a failed multipoint lock in a more reliable manner than known methods and is likely to cause less damage to undamaged components of the door or to the doorjamb than known methods. The method may comprise opening an inward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm. The method may comprise opening an inward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a spreader tool which has a step running transversely across the width of the spreader plate to define a planer distal portion having a length between the distal edge and the step of between 60 and 100mm. The method may comprise opening an outward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 30mm. The method may comprise opening an outward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a spreader tool which has a spreader plate comprising a metal plate with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line, wherein: the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; and the length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40mm. The method may comprise selecting a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of at least 6 and 16mm extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections and wherein the step of inserting the striker plate of the striker tool and locating the distal portion vertically against one engaging point of the multipoint lock comprises engaging the one engaging point in the slot. The method may comprise opening an outward opening door, the method further comprising the steps of: first inserting a lever between the lock stile of the door and the doorjamb or the adjoining door and levering the door to displace the lock stile to a first position away from the doorjamb or adjoining door, but not as far as to the displaced position, the lever being smaller than the spreader tool and having a lever plate with a handle at a proximal end, the lever plate comprising a flat metal plate having a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lever plate of between 50 and 100mm; and then inserting a scotia guard over an edge of the door frame, if the door is an inward opening door, or the edge of a weather strip of the lock stile of the door if the door is an outward opening door, the door scotia guard being in the form of a shaped metal plate having a width of between 150 and 300mm and having a profile in a length direction, perpendicular to the width direction, to define a planer distal portion, an intermediate portion and a handle portion, the intermediate portion being joined to the distal portion by a fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the intermediate portion comprising a planer section extending from the fold line to a radiused section having a radius of between 3 and 10mm to form with the distal portion a trough, with the intermediate portion extending to join the handle portion. Embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates the components of a tool kit in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2A shows to an enlarged scale a scotia guard of the tool kit of Figure 1; Figure 2B provides the dimensions of the scotia guard of Figure 2A; Figure 3A shows to an enlarged scale a spreader tool of the tool kit of Figure 1 for an inward opening door; Figure 3B provides the dimensions of the spreader tool of Figure 3A; Figure 4A shows to an enlarged scale a spreader tool of the tool kit of Figure 1 for an outward opening door; Figure 4B provides the dimensions of the spreader tool of Figure 4A; Figure 5A shows to an enlarged scale a striker tool of the tool kit of Figure 1 for an inward opening door; Figure 5B provides the dimensions of the striker tool of Figure 5B; Figure 6A shows to an enlarged scale a striker tool of the tool kit of Figure 1 for an outward opening door; Figure 6B provides the dimensions of the striker tool of Figure 6A; Figure 7A shows to an enlarged scale a lever of the tool kit of Figure 1; Figure 7B provides the dimensions of the lever of Figure 7A; Figure 8A is a perspective view of a section of a locked inward opening door; Figure 8B is a plan view of Figure 8A; Figure 8C shows to an enlarged scale the inset of Figure 8B; Figures 9Ato 12C are four sets of figures, each corresponding respectively to Figures 8A to 8C, with each set illustrating a different stage of a method of releasing the locked door of Figures 8A to 8C, using tools from the tool kit of Figure 1; Figure 13A is a perspective view of a section of locked outward opening door; Figure 13B is a plan view of Figure 13A; Figure 13C shows to an enlarged scale the inset of Figure 13B; and Figures 14Ato 17C are four sets of figures, each corresponding respectively to Figures 8Ato 8C, with each set illustrating a different stage of a method of releasing the locked door of Figures 13Ato 13C, using tools from the tool kit of Figure 1. Referring now to Figure 1, here there is illustrated a set of tools, indicated generally as 1, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention. The set of tools 1 comprises a scotia guard 2, two wedges 3, a spreader tool 4 for an inward opening door (hereinafter referred to as an “inward opening spreader”), a spreader tool 5 for an outward opening door (hereinafter referred to as an “outward opening spreader”), a striker tool 6a for an inward opening door (hereinafter referred to as an “inward opening striker”); a striker tool 6b for an outward opening door (hereinafter referred to as an “outward opening striker”); and a lever 7. Referring to Figure 2A, here the scotia guard 2 of Figure 1 is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 2B. This is formed from a relatively stiff metal plate to have the profile shown and this is used to protect either the edge of a door or the edge of a doorjamb. The profile defines a handle 8 on a proximal portion and a curved intermediate portion 9 joined to a flat distal portion 10 along fold line 11, to form a trough 12. The trough 12 is shaped to fit over the edge of a door jamb or the edge of a door, as will be described subsequently with reference to Figures 9A to 11C. The dimensions given in Figure 2B are given by way of example only and other dimensions may be appropriate where doors of a certain style are commonly encountered which necessitate different dimensions, but the width of the scotia guard will typically be between 150 and 300 mm. Referring to Figure 3A, here the inward opening spreader 4 of Figure 1 is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 3B. The inward opening spreader 4 comprises a metal spreader plate 13 welded to a stem 14 of a handle 15, the handle 15 further comprises a proximal portion 16 and an intermediate portion 17 joining the proximal portion 16 to the stem 14. The intermediate portion 17 can be exchanged for one of a different length depending on the preference of the user. The spreader plate 13 has a distal chamfered edge 18 and a step 19 running transversely across the width of the spreader plate 13, to provide a clearance to accommodate any mouldings extending from the front face of the door. As mentioned, the dimensions may vary but the length of a distal portion 20 of the spreader plate, between the chamfered edge 18 and the step 19, is preferably between 60 and 100mm. The inward opening spreader 4 of Figures 3A and 3B may be used to prise open an inward opening door, as explained later with reference to Figures 10Ato 11C. Referring to Figure 4A, here the outer opening spreader 5 of Figure 1 is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 4B. The outer opening spreader 5 comprises a metal spreader plate 21 and a handle 22, again having a proximal portion 23, an intermediate portion 24 (the length of which may be selected in dependence on preference of a user) and a stem 25 welded to the spreader plate 21, to secure the handle 22 to the spreader plate 21. Again, the dimensions given in Figure 4B for the spreader plate 21 are given by way of example only, but the length of a distal portion 26, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the outward opening spreader 5, will preferably be between 3 and 10 mm with the height of the raised step 27 preferably being between 18 and 40 mm. The outward opening spreader 5 of Figures 4A and 4B may be used to prise open an outward opening door, as described below with reference to Figures 16A to 16C. Referring to Figure 5A, here the striker tool 6a of Figure 1 for an inward opening door is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 5B. The inward opening striker 6a comprises a metal striker plate 28 with a handle 29 at its proximal end. The striker plate 28 has first and second fold lines 30 and 31 which define a proximal portion of the striker plate 28, a distal portion 33 and an intermediate portion 34. The distal portion 33 has a slot 35 extending to almost the second fold line 31. The dimensions provided in Figure 5B are given by way of example only and these may be varied, however the length of the distal portion 33 of the striker plate 28, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the inward opening striker tool 6a, will be between 20 and 50 mm and preferably between 35 and 45mm. The purpose of the inward opening striker tool 6a of Figure 5 is described later with reference to Figures 12Ato 12C. Referring to Figure 6A, here the striker tool 6b of Figure 1, for an outward opening door, is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 6B. The outward opening striker 6b comprises a metal striker plate 36 with a handle 37 at a proximal end and is similar to the inward opening striker 6a described above. However, the outward opening striker 6b differs from the inward opening striker 6a in that, the distal portion 38 of the striker plate 36 is shorter, preferably between 20 and 30 mm. The function of the outward opening striker 6b of Figure 6A is described later with reference to Figures 17Ato 17C. Referring to Figure 7A, here the lever 7 of Figure 1 is shown to an enlarged scale, with example dimensions provided in Figure 7B. The lever 7 comprises a metal lever plate 39 having a hooked distal end 39a and a handle at a proximal end. Although the dimensions given in Figure 7B are provided by way of example only, the lever plate is smaller than the spreader plate of either the inward opening spreader 4 or the outward opening spreader 5, with the width of the lever plate 39 preferably being between 50 and 100 mm. The purpose of the lever plate is described later with reference to Figures 14Ato 15C. Two methods in accordance with the present invention will now be described, the methods each using at least some of the tools of the tool kit of Figure 1 to open a failed multipoint lock in the lock stile of a door, which is locking the door to a doorjamb. However, each method is equally applicable to multipoint locks in different applications, for example to multipoint locks that secure one door to an adjacent door, or that secure a window to an adjacent window or window frame. The methods are particularly applicable to releasing multipoint locks located in the lock stile of a door fabricated from extruded UPVC sections, or such similar materials, and thus the methods are described below with reference to such a door. A first method, for releasing a failed multipoint lock in an inward opening door, will is described here with reference to Figures 8Ato 12C. Referring first to Figure 8A, here there is illustrated a perspective view of a section of a door 40 with a lock stile 41 of the door 40 secured to a door jamb 42 affixed to the wall 43 of a building by a multipoint lock located in a distal facing edge of the lock stile 41, securing the lock stile to the doorjamb 42. The door 40 is inward opening and is viewed in Figure 8Afrom the outside, the side that would normally be approached by a locksmith to release the failed multipoint lock. Figure 8B is a plan view of Figure 8A and Figure 8C shows, to an enlarged scale, the inset 44 of Figure 8B. With reference to Figure 8C, the lock stile 41 of the door 40 is seen locked to doorjamb 42. In the distal facing edge of the lock stile 41 is located the multipoint lock comprising a gearbox 45 attached to door handles (not shown) for transferring forces exerted on the door handles to a locking bar 46, to cause the locking bar 46 to be raised or lowered, the locking bar 46 is secured in a distal facing face of the lock stile 41 by faceplate 47. A number of locking elements, in this example in the form of locking pins 48 (only one of which can be seen), extend through the faceplate 47 to the locking bar 46 and are raised and lowered by the locking bar 46. Locking elements may take various forms and may be in the form of hooks, straight pins, rollers or may have domed heads in the shape of mushrooms, all of which are arranged to engage with some sort of slot or bar in a locking plate 49, secured to the doorjamb 42. To prevent draughts, the doorjamb 42 has a sealing portion 49 and the door has a similar weather strip or sealing portion 50, which overlap the lock stile 41 of the door 40 and the doorjamb 42, respectively. When a multipoint lock fails, the multipoint lock can normally be released by driving one of the locking pins 48 either vertically upwards or vertically downwards, with the locking bar 46 then driving all the locking pins 48 either vertically upwards or downwards out of engagement with the locking plate 49, permitting the door to then be opened. However, direct access to the locking pins 48 is prevented by the sealing portion 49 of the doorjamb 42. In order to unlock the door 40 shown in Figures 8A to 8C, two or more of the tools illustrated in Figure 1 may be used and the method is described below with reference to Figures 9Ato 12C, which show four sets of views corresponding to those of Figures 8A to 8C at four different stages of the method. With reference to Figures 9Ato 9C, the scotia guard 2, previously described with reference to Figure 2A, is shown inserted over the sealing portion 49, or nose, of the doorjamb 42, with the flat distal portion 10 of the scotia guard 2 sliding in between the sealing portion 49 and the lock stile 41 of the door 40. This provides protection for the doorjamb 42. Next, as shown in Figures 10Ato 10C, the distal portion 20 of the inner opening spreader 4 is slid along the outer face of the lock stile 41 of the door 40, between the outer face of the lock stile 41 and the sealing portion 49 of the door jamb 42. As shown in Figures 11Ato 11C, the handle 15 of the inward opening spreader 4 is then pulled outwards, away from the door 40, urging the lock stile 41 away from the sealing portion 49 of the doorjamb 42, as shown most clearly in Figure 11C. This action of the inward opening spreader 4 also causes the lock stile 41 to move towards the proximal hinged side of the door, the extruded portions of the door permitting some compression. Additionally, the lock stile may be free to flex, particularly in the case where the door has a glass panel, compressing the rubbers between the lock stile and the glass panel and between the glass panel and the hinge stile of the door 40. In Figure 11C it may appear that the pin 48 of the multipoint lock has already separated from the locking plate 49, which is not shown in Figure 11C. This is not the case because the construction of both the doorjamb 42 and lock stile 41 permit significant flexing and distortion of those components, even though the locking pins 48 remain fixed to the locking plate 49. However, this is difficult to illustrate in the figures, which can only illustrate the principles schematically. With the lock stile 41 displaced to the position shown in Figures 11A to 11C, one or more wedges 3 can be inserted into the gap between the lock stile 41 and the sealing portion 49 of the doorjamb 42, as shown in Figures 12Ato 12C. Alternatively, the lock stile 41 could be held in place by continuing to apply an appropriate force to the inward opening spreader 4. Either technique permits the inward opening striker 6a of Figures 5A and 5B to be inserted, as shown in Figures 12Ato 12C. The inward opening striker 6a, as described with reference to Figure 5A, has a longer distal portion 33 than the distal portion 38 of the outward opening striker 6b of Figure 6A. As most clearly seen from Figure 12C, this permits the inward opening striker to reach the locking pin 48, which is positioned off centre in the lock stile 41, towards the inside face of the lock stile 41. The inward opening striker 6a is manoeuvred such as to accommodate the locking pin 48 in the slot 35 in the distal portion 33 of the inward opening striker 6a. It will be appreciated from a study of Figures 12A and 12C that the geometry of the inward opening striker 6a, relative to that of the gap between the locking stile 41 of the door 40 and the doorjamb 42, acts to retain the inward opening striker in the position shown in Figure 12A, even when the handle of the inward opening striker 6a is released. This leaves the user free to remove the wedges 3, if this is desirable, or to pick up a hammer to subsequently strike the metal striker plate 28 of the inward opening striker 6a to drive the striker plate 28 either vertically upwards or downwards, to release the locking pins 48 from the locking plate 49, not shown in Figures 12Ato 12C, which then releases the door. Before striking the striker plate, removing the wedges 3 may significantly reduce the frictional forces on the multipoint lock and particularly those on the locking pins 48, by permitting the door 40 to again close until it is almost in contact with the doorjamb 42. This permits the locking pins to be released far more easily than would otherwise be the case and this may significantly reduce the possibility of damaging otherwise undamaged components of the door 40 and doorjamb 42. This advantage results from the particular side profile of the metal striker plate 28. A method for opening an outward opening door, from the outside, using two or more of the tools of the set of tools illustrated in Figure 1, will now be described with reference to Figures 13Ato 17C. With reference to Figure 13A, this shows an outward opening door 51 closed against a doorjamb 52 secured to wall 53. Figure 13B is a plan view of Figure 13Aand Figure 13C shows to an enlarged scale the inset 54 of Figure 13B. As with the previously described embodiment, as most clearly seen from Figure 13C, the door 51 comprises a lock stile 55 having a sealing portion 56, with the doorjamb 52 also having a sealing portion 57, which prevents access to a multipoint lock. The multipoint lock, in the same manner as the previous embodiment described above, comprises a plurality of locking pins 58 mounted on a locking bar 59 secured behind faceplate 60, so that all of the locking pins 58 move up and down together with the locking bar 59, to engage with slots or similar apertures in lock plate 61, secured to the doorjamb 52. The method of releasing the locking pins 58 of the multipoint lock will now be described with reference to Figures 13Ato 17C. Similarly to the previous method the scotia guard 2, illustrated in Figure 2A, could first be fitted over the sealing portion 56 of the door 52 to protect the sealing portion 56, although for clarity the scotia guard 2 is not shown in any of Figures 14Ato 17C. With regard to Figures 13Ato 13C, in the case of an outward opening door as illustrated in these figures, it is seen that it will not be possible to insert the inward opening spreader tool 4 in the manner described in the previous method. This is because the wall 53 restricts sideways access along the front face of the doorjamb 52, between the doorjamb 52 and the sealing portion 56 of the door 51. To address this, the lever 7 of Figures 7A and 7B may be used to initially create a small gap between the door jamb 52 and sealing portion 56 of the door 51, by inserting the hooked distal end 39a of the lever plate 39 of the lever 7 between the doorjamb 52 and sealing portion 56, as most clearly seen in Figure 14C. This subsequently permits the sealing portion 56 to be levered away from the doorjamb 52 until it adopts the position illustrated in Figures 15Ato 15C. The lock stile 55 and doorjamb 52 can be held relative to each other in the position shown in Figures 15Ato 15B by the lever 7, as the outward opening spreader 5 of Figures 4A and 4B is also inserted into the now opened gap at a position vertically adjacent to the lever 7. Alternatively, as described with reference to Figures 16Ato 16C, one or more wedges 3 may be inserted to maintain the gap while the outward opening spreader 5 is inserted as most clearly shown in Figure 16C. As can be seen from Figure 16C, the outward opening spreader 5, as described in detail previously with reference to Figure 4Aand 4B, has a metal spreader plate 21 having a profile that enables the distal portion 26, which is relatively small, to enter the gap between the doorjamb 52 and the lock stile 55 of the door 51. The distal portion 26 of the metal spreader plate 21 may then engage with the edge of the doorjamb 52. Subsequent clockwise rotation (as shown in Figure 16C) of the outward opening spreader 5 will cause further displacement of the lock stile 55 of the door 51, away from the door jamb 52, to the position shown in Figures 17Ato 17C as the sealing portion 56 of the lock stile 55 of the door 51 act a fulcrum for intermediate portion 27 of the spreader plate 21. Again, this position may be maintained by applying continued pressure on the outward opening spreader 5, or alternatively, as shown in Figures 16Ato 16C, the wedges 3 may be inserted, or further inserted, to maintain the gap between the doorjamb and the sealing portion 56 of the lock stile 55. This permits the metal striker plate 36 of the outward opening striker 6b, previously described with reference to Figures 6Aand 6B, to be inserted, as shown in Figures 17Ato 17C, with the slot 38a in the distal portion 38 engaging with one of the locking pins 58. The wedges 3 may then be removed and the edge of the metal striker plate 36 may then be struck with a hammer, to cause all the locking pins 58 to be displaced vertically and to thus release the door 51 from the doorjamb 52, permitting the door to then be opened. It will be noted here that the profile of the striker plate 36 of the outward opening striker 6b provides the same advantages as previously described with reference to the striker plate 28 of the inward opening striker 6a of Figures 5A and 5 5B. Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that many modifications to the tool kit, tools and methods may be made which may fall within the scope of the io following claims.

Claims

1. A tool kit suitable for opening a door or window locked closed by a multipoint lock, the tool kit comprising a spreader tool and a striker tool and wherein:the spreader tool comprises a spreader plate with a handle at a proximal end;the spreader plate comprises a plate with a straight distal edge at a distal end of the spreader plate;the striker tool comprises a striker plate with a handle at a proximal end;the striker plate comprises a metal plate with a straight continuous or discontinuous distal edge at a distal end with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line;the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the striker plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the striker tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the striker plate and to define a distal portion of the striker plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the striker plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the striker plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes and which intermediate portion is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion along the fold lines; andwherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 50mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion is between 18 and 27mm.

2. A tool kit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm.

3. A tool kit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 30mm.

4. A tool kit as claimed in Claim 1 having a first striker tool as recited in Claim 1 and a second striker tool as recited in Claim 1, wherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate of the first striker tool, in the direction of its longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm and wherein the length of the distal portion of the striker plate of the second striker tool, in the direction of its longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 30mm.

5. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the distal portion of the or each striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of between 6mm and 16mm extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections.

6. A tool kit as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the slot extends to within less than 5mm of the first fold line.

7. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the, or each, striker plate has parallel side edges that are between 40 and 70mm apart in the width direction.

8. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spreader plate has a width at its distal edge of between 100 and 200mm.

9. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spreader plate has a step running transversely across the width of the spreader plate to define a planer distal portion having a length between the distal edge and the step of between 60mm and 100mm.

10. A tool kit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein: the spreader plate comprises a metal plate with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and asecond fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line;the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; andwherein the length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40mm.

11. A tool kit as claimed in Claim 10 the tool kit further comprising a second spreader tool having a spreader plate with a handle attached to a proximal end, which spreader plate has a width at a distal edge of between 100 and 200mm, a step running transversely across the width of the spreader plate to define a planer distal portion having a length between the distal edge and the step of between 60 and 100mm in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the second spreader tool and wherein the distal edge of the spreader plate is chamfered.

12. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a door scotia guard to protect the edges of a door, the door scotia guard being in the form of a shaped metal plate having a width of between 150 and 300mm and having a profile in a length direction, perpendicular to the width direction, to define a planer distal portion, an intermediate portion and a handle portion, the intermediate portion being joined to the distal portion by a fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the intermediate portion comprising a planer section extending from the fold line to a radiused section having a radius of between 3 and10mm to form with the distal portion a trough, with the intermediate portion extending to join the handle portion.

13. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a lever having a lever plate with a handle at a proximal end, the lever plate comprising a flat metal plate having a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lever plate of between 50 and 100mm, the lever plate having a hooked distal end with a straight distal edge.

14. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising two wedges.

15. A tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spreader plate is ametal spreader plate.

16. A striker tool comprising a striker plate with a handle at a proximal end,wherein:the striker plate comprises a metal plate with a straight distal edge at a distal end and with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and with a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line;the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the striker plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the striker tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the striker plate and to define a distal portion of the striker plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the striker plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to, but offset from, the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the striker plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion;the length of the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm or between 20 and 30mm;the height of the intermediate portion is between 18 and 27mm; andthe distal portion of the striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of between 6 and 16mm extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections.

17. A spreader tool comprising a metal spreader plate with a handle at a proximal end, wherein:the spreader plate comprising a plate with a straight distal edge with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line;the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; andwherein the length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40mm.

18. A method of opening a door having a multipoint lock using a tool kit as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the spreader plate of a spreader tool between a lock stile of a door and a doorjamb or an adjoining door and levering the door to displace the lock stile to a displaced position away from the doorjamb or adjoining door;holding the lock stile in the displaced position;inserting the striker plate of a striker tool and locating the distal portion vertically against one engaging point of the multipoint lock;using the spreader tool to permit the door to resile to or towards its natural position and striking the striker plate vertically to displace the engagement point vertically to release the multipoint lock.

19. The method of Claim 18 of opening an inward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 35 and 45mm.

20. The method of Claim 18 or 19 of opening an inward opening door from the outside comprising selecting and using a spreader tool which has a step running transversely across the width of the spreader plate to define a planer distal portion having a length between the distal edge and the step of between 60 and 100mm.

21. The method of Claim 18 of opening an outward opening door from the outside, the method comprising selecting and using a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is between 20 and 30mm.

22. The method of Claim 18 or 21 of opening an outward opening door from the outside comprising selecting and using a spreader tool which has a spreader plate comprising a metal plate with a first fold line located proximal of the distal edge and substantially parallel to the distal edge and a second fold line located proximal of the first fold line and substantially parallel to both the distal edge and the first fold line, wherein:the first and second fold lines each run across a width of the spreader plate perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, with each fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees such as to form a step in the spreader plate and to define a distal portion of the spreader plate lying in a first plane, a proximal portion of the spreader plate lying in a second plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first plane, and an intermediate portion of the spreader plate in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first and secondplanes of the spreader plate and which is joined to both the distal portion and the proximal portion of the spreader plate; andthe length of the distal portion of the spreader plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spreader tool, is between 3 and 10mm and wherein the height of the intermediate portion of the spreader plate is between 18 and 40mm.

23. The method of any one of Claims 18 to 22 comprising selecting a striker tool wherein the distal portion of the striker plate has a parallel sided slot in it having a width of between 6 to 16 mm extending back from the distal edge of the striker plate to divide the distal edge into two sections and wherein the step of inserting the striker plate of the striker tool and locating the distal portion vertically against one engaging point of the multipoint lock comprises engaging the one engaging point in the slot.

24. The method of any one of Claims 18 to 23, further comprising the steps of: first inserting a lever between the lock stile of the door and the doorjamb or the adjoining door and levering the door to displace the lock stile to a first position away from the doorjamb or adjoining door, but not as far as to the displaced position, the lever being smaller than the spreader tool and having a lever plate with a handle at a proximal end, the lever plate comprising a flat metal plate having a width in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lever plate of between 50 and 100mm; and then inserting a scotia guard over an edge of the door frame, if the door is an inward opening door, or the edge of a weather strip of the lock stile of the door if the door is an outward opening door, the door scotia guard being in the form of a shaped metal plate having a width of between 150 and 300mm and having a profile in a length direction, perpendicular to the width direction, to define a planer distal portion, an intermediate portion and a handle portion, the intermediate portion being joined to the distal portion by a fold line subtending an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the intermediate portion comprising a planer section extending from the fold line to a radiused section having a radius of between 3 and 10mm to form with the distal portion a trough, with the intermediate portion extending to join the handle portion.

25. The method of any one of Claims 18 to 24 wherein the method of holding the lock stile in the displaced position comprises inserting wedges and then removing the spreader tool.

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