A spacer for a lock system

Abstract

A spacer 2 configured to space a side wall 103 of a keeper 10 from a retaining member such as a latch or bolt 112. The spacer may be configured to mount to the keeper preferably providing low co-effic

Description

FIELD Disclosed is a spacer for a lock system, the spacer acting to inhibit a retaining member such as a bolt from rubbing against a wall of a keep in use, a lock system including the spacer, a keep including the spacer, and a retaining member including the spacer. BACKGROUND Lock systems are commonly used to secure a leaf, such as a door or window, with respect to a frame. Such lock systems typically include a retaining member, such as a latch or bolt, housed in the leaf. The retaining member is extendable to mate with a keep in the frame, thereby securing the leaf to the frame and preventing the opening of the leaf. The retaining member is retractable to allow the leaf to be opened. A problem with known lock systems is that, over time, the leaf and / or frame can warp or sag, leading to misalignment of the retaining member with the keep. This can cause the retaining member to rub against a wall of the keep as it is extended and / or retracted, which can make it difficult to extend and retract the retaining member (e.g. to lock or unlock a door or window). The disclosed technology aims to alleviate problems associated with the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Disclosed is a lock system, including: a retaining member; a keep including a side wall; and a spacer configured to space the retaining member from the side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. The retaining member may be a bolt or latch. The spacer may be configured to abut at least one of the retaining member or the side wall in order to space the retaining member from the side wall. The spacer may comprise a ridge configured to abut the retaining member or side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. The ridge may be an elongate ridge and the elongation may extend from a front opening of the keep toward a rear wall of the keep when the retaining member mates with the keep. The side wall may include a slot, and the ridge may be configured to extend through the slot to abut the retaining member in use. In use, a contact area between the spacer and the retaining member or side wall may be smaller than a contact area between the retaining member and side wall in the absence of the spacer. A contact surface of the spacer for contacting the retaining member or side wall may be non-metallic. The contact surface may be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. The spacer may be self-lubricating. The spacer may comprise a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. A coefficient of friction nRK between the retaining member and the side wall may be greater than a coefficient of friction p.SK between the spacer and the side wall under the same conditions, or ij.rk may be greater than a coefficient of friction between the spacer and the retaining member under the same conditions. The spacer may be releasably attachable to the retaining member or keep. The spacer may comprise at least one attachment point for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer to the retaining member or keep releasably. The spacer may be configured to attach releasably to the keep or retaining member via a snap fit. The spacer may be attached to the keep, and the retaining member may include a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep, or the spacer may be attached to the retaining member, and the side wall may include a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep. The non-metallic portion may be self-lubricating. The non-metallic portion may comprise a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. The retaining member may be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. Also disclosed is a spacer configured to space a retaining member from a side wall of a keep in a lock system when the retaining member mates with the keep. The retaining member may be a bolt or latch. The spacer may be configured to abut at least one of the retaining member or the side wall in order to space the retaining member from the side wall. The spacer may comprise a ridge configured to abut the retaining member or side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. The ridge may be an elongate ridge and the elongation may extend from a front opening of the keep toward a rear wall of the keep when the retaining member mates with the keep. The ridge may be configured to abut the retaining member and to extend through the side wall. In use, a contact area between the spacer and the retaining member or side wall may be smaller than a contact area between the retaining member and side wall in the absence of the spacer. A contact surface of the spacer for contacting the retaining member or side wall may be non-metallic. The contact surface may be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. The spacer may be self-lubricating. The spacer may comprise a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. The spacer may be releasably attachable to the retaining member or keep. The spacer may comprise at least one attachment point for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer to the retaining member or keep releasably. The spacer may be configured to attach releasably to the keep or retaining member via a snap fit. Also disclosed is a keep for use with a retaining member, the keep including a spacer as above. The side wall of the keep may include a slot, and the spacer may include a ridge, and the ridge may extend through the slot into a chamber defined by the keep. Also disclosed is a retaining member for use with a keep, the retaining member including a spacer as above. 5 The retaining member may include a slot, and the spacer may include a ridge, and the ridge may extend through the slot to abut the side wall in use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In orderthatthe present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 5 which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lock system embodying the present disclosure, including a transparent portion to illustrate internal features; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lock system embodying the present disclosure, including a 10 transparent portion to illustrate internal features; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lock system embodying the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a cross section of a lock system embodying the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a cross section of the part of Fig. 4 indicated with broken lines; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spacer embodying the present disclosure; and 15 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a spacer and keep embodying the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed is a spacer 2 for a lock system 1 (see Figs. 1-7). The lock system 1 may include a keep 10 and a retaining member 112, which may be part of a lock assembly 11. The retaining member 112 may mate with the keep 10 to secure a leaf 3 with respect to a frame 4 (see e.g. Fig. 4). The spacer 2 may be configured to space the retaining member 112 from a side wall of the keep 10, and this spacing may be performed when the retaining member 112 mates with the keep 10. The spacer 2 may be configured to abut at least one of the retaining member 112 or the side wall in order to space the retaining member 112 from the side wall. The spacer 2 may, therefore, have a contact surface for contacting (e.g. abutting) the retaining member 112 or the side wall. The spacer 2 may include a main body 23, which may be generally planar (see e.g. Fig. 6). The spacer 2 may include a ridge 21, and may include a plurality of ridges 21, such as two ridges 21, as illustrated in Fig. 6, for example. The ridge 21 may protrude from the main body 23, and may protrude from the main body 23 in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the main body 23. The ridge 21 may be an elongate ridge 21, and the elongation of the ridge 21 may extend from a front opening 101 of the keep 10 toward a rear wall 102 of the keep 10 in use. The ridge 21 may extend across a width of the spacer 2, for example. The ridge 21 may be configured to abut the retaining member 112 or the side wall when the retaining member 112 mates with the keep 10. The ridge 21 may include a proximal part adjacent the main body 23 which has a generally square or rectangular cross-section. The ridge 21 may include a distal part that is distant from the main body 23 and which has an at least partially circular (e.g. semi-circular) cross section. The ridge 21 may define the contact surface for abutting the retaining member 112 or the side wall, and the contact surface may be curved. For example, the contact surface may have a semi-circular cross section. The spacer 2 may include a groove 24, and may include a plurality of grooves 24. For example, the spacer 2 may include three grooves 24, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The groove 24 may be defined in the main body 23. The groove 24 may define a recess in the main body 23, for example. The groove 24 may be a generally linear groove 24. The groove 24 may extend in a direction parallel to the elongate ridge 21, for example. The groove 24 may extend from a front opening 101 of the keep 10 toward a rear wall 102 of the keep 10 in use. The groove 24 may extend across a width of the spacer 2, for example. In versions in which there are a plurality of grooves 24, the grooves 24 may run parallel to each other. A groove 24 may be located opposite each ridge 21 (e.g. a groove 24 may be formed in the main body 23 in a surface of the main body 23 facing away from the ridge 21). The groove 24 may, therefore, be located underneath the ridge 21. In versions in which there are a plurality of grooves 24, a central groove 24 may be provided. One or more outer grooves 24 may be provided. For example, two outer grooves 24 may be provided, one on each side of the central groove 24. The central groove 24 may be wider than the outer grooves 24. The central groove 24 may not oppose a ridge 21. In other words, there may be no ridge 21 above the central groove 24. The grooves 24 may be formed such that the spacer 2 fits into a frame 4 associated with the keep 10. For example, the frame 4 may include one or more ridges or protrusions, and the grooves 24 may be configured to align with such ridges in the frame 4 in use. Thus, the spacer 2 may be configured to fit into a frame 4 associated with the keep 10 in use. The spacer 2 may be releasably attachable to the retaining member 112 or the keep 10. The spacer 2 may include one or more attachment points 2. For example, the spacer 2 may include three attachment points as illustrated in Fig. 6. The attachment point 22 may be provided on a flange, for example. The flange may extend perpendicular to the main body 23. The flange may extend from an end of the main body 23 adjacent a rear wall 102 of the keep 10 in use. The attachment point 22 may be for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer 2 to the retaining member 112 or the keep 10 releasably. The attachment point 22 may include an aperture 22 configured to receive the securing member, for example. The spacer 2 may attach releasably to the keep 10 or retaining member 112 via a snap fit. For example, the keep 10 or retaining member 112 may include a protrusion configured to snap into the attachment point 22. The contact surface of the spacer 2 may be non-metallic. The spacer 2, or at least the contact surface thereof, may be self-lubricating. For example, the spacer 2 may comprise a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. The spacer 2 may, therefore, be formed from a self-lubricating material. In some versions at least the ridge 21 may be formed from a self-lubricating material, or the or each ridge 21 may be coated with a self-lubricating material, such as a solid lubricant. The base substrate may comprise one or more polymers, such as natural or synthetic rubber, or a plastics material, for example. In use, the contact surface of the spacer 2 may rub against the retaining member 112 or the side wall of the keep 10. The contact surface of the spacer 2 may therefore abrade in use, and this may release the lubricant embedded in the spacer 2. . Advantageously, therefore, the spacer 2 may maintain lubrication without the need for frequent maintenance (e.g. to apply a liquid lubricant). Suitable self-lubricating materials are commercially available. In some versions the coefficient of friction (static and / or kinetic) between the spacer 2 and the retaining member 112, or between the spacer 2 and the side wall of the keep 10, is lower than the corresponding coefficient of friction between the retaining member 112 and the side wall of the keep 10, under the same conditions. It will be appreciated that the particular conditions chosen to determine the coefficients of friction are not important, provided that the same conditions are used for each. The conditions chosen to determine the coefficients of friction may be representative of the conditions experienced by the spacer 2, retaining member 112, and / or side wall of the keep 10 in use, for example. The spacer 2 may therefore be formed from a material, or be coated with a material, having a lower coefficient of friction compared to either the retaining member 112 or the side wall of the keep 10, and this may be a lower coefficient of friction with respect to the other of the retaining member 112 or the side wall of the keep 10. In other words, the coefficient of friction between the retaining member 112 and the side wall of the keep 10 may be defined as iiRK, the coefficient of friction between the spacer 2 and the retaining member 112 may be defined as nSR, and the coefficient of friction between the spacer 2 and the side wall of the keep 10 may be defined as [iSK. The coefficients of friction may be either static or kinetic, provided the same type of coefficient (static or kinetic) is used for all of nRK, {iSK, and nSR. The spacer 2 may be such that nRK >uSK and / or nRK >nSR. For example, the spacer 2 may be formed from, or at least partially coated with, a fluoropolymer, such as one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The contact surface of the spacer 2 may, in particular, be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer, such as one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The contact surface may be fully coated with fluoropolymer in some versions. In some versions the spacer 2 may be formed from a glass-filled nylon substrate. The glass-filled nylon substrate may be uncoated or may be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer, such as one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The glass-filled nylon substrate may be fully coated with fluoropolymer in some versions. The keep 10 may define a chamber 100 for receiving the retaining member 112 (see e.g. Fig. 5). The mating of the retaining member 112 with the keep 10 may therefore comprise the reception of the retaining member 112 in the chamber 100. The keep may include a front opening 101, a rear wall 102, a first side wall 102, a second side wall 104, a top side wall 109a, and / or a bottom side wall 109b. The chamber 100 may be defined by the rear wall 102, first side wall 102, second side wall 104, top side wall 109a, and / or bottom side wall 109b. The chamber 100 may be sized to receive the retaining member 112. In use, the top side wall 109a may be oriented toward a top end of the keep 10, and the bottom side wall 109b may be oriented toward a bottom end of the keep 10. The keep 10 may receive the retaining member 112 through the front opening 101 in use such that the retaining member 112 mates with the keep 10. The keep 10 may include a slot 105 ora plurality of slots 105, such as two slots 105 as illustrated in Fig. 7. The or each slot 105 may be formed in a side wall of the keep 10 such as the first side wall 103. The or each slot 105 may be configured to receive a corresponding ridge 21 of the spacer 2, such that the ridge 21 extends through the slot 105 into the chamber 100. The or each slot 105 may extend in a direction running from the front opening 101 of the keep 10 towards the rear wall 102 of the keep 10. The keep 10 may include a lip 107. The lip 107 may extend laterally from a front face of the keep 10. The lip 107 may be configured to engage the retaining member 112 to force the retaining member from an extended configuration to a retracted configuration (e.g. as the leaf 4 is moved from an open position to a closed position). For example, the retaining member 112 may be a latch 112, and the lip 107 may be configured to engage the latch 112 as the leaf 4 is closed to force the latch to a retracted configuration. The latch 112 may then return to an extended configuration once past the lip 107 such that the latch 112 mates with the keep 10 (i.e. is received in the chamber 100). The keep 10 may include an adjustment point 108 for adjusting the position of the keep 10 once installed in the frame 3. The keep 10 may include two adjustment points 108 as illustrated in Fig. 7, for example. A first adjustment point 108 may be located towards a top end of the keep 10 in use and a second adjustment point 108 may be located towards a bottom end of the keep 10 in use. In such manner, the upper and lower ends of the keep 10 may be adjusted once installed in the frame 3 to allow the keep to be aligned with the retaining member 112. The keep 10 may include an attachment point 106 for attaching the keep 10 to the frame 3. The attachment point 106 may include an aperture for receiving a securing member such as a screw, for example. The keep 10 may include two attachment points 106 as illustrated in Fig. 7, for example. A first attachment point 106 may be located towards a top end of the keep 10 in use and a second attachment point 106 may be located towards a bottom end of the keep 10 in use. In such manner, the keep 10 may be attached to the frame 3. The lock assembly 11 may include a lock housing 110 (see e.g. Fig. 2). The lock housing 110 may house one or more locking components as is known in the art. For example the lock housing 110 may include a keyway, lock cylinder, one or more gears or gearboxes, and the like to enable the retaining member 112 to be moved between the extended and retracted configurations. The lock assembly 11 may include a faceplate 111, and the retaining member 112 may extend through the faceplate 111 in the extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the retaining member 112 may not extend through the faceplate 111, and may be substantially entirely housed within the lock housing 110. The retaining member 112 may be or include a bolt or latch, such as a deadbolt or latchbolt, for example. The retaining member 112 may, as described, be movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A key may be required to move the retaining member 112 between the extended and retracted configurations in some versions. In some versions the retaining member 112 may be biased towards the extended configuration, for example by a spring. In some versions the retaining member 112 may be an auto-fire bolt or latch, which is configured to return to the extended configuration whenever the leaf 4 is closed. The retaining member 112 may, therefore, mate with the keep 10 when the leaf 4 is closed, without requiring any additional user input (e.g. by turning a key), in some versions. The retaining member 112 may generally be formed from metal. In some versions, the retaining member may include a non-metallic portion 112a. The non-metallic portion 112a may be configured to bear against the spacer 2 when the retaining member 112 mates with the keep 10. The non-metallic portion may be formed from a polymer such as a plastics material, for example. In some versions the non-metallic portion may be formed from a self-lubricating material or may be coated with a self-lubricating material. The non-metallic portion may therefore include a solid lubricant, which may be embedded in the retaining member 112 or may be coated on a surface of the retaining member 112, for example. In some versions the retaining member 112 may be at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer, such as one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and the coated portion may be configured to bear against the spacer 2 when the retaining member 112 mates with the keep 10. In the illustrated embodiments the spacer 2 is attached to the keep 10, but it will be appreciated that the spacer 2 could instead be attached to the retaining member 112 in a similar manner to achieve similar benefits. Similarly, the non-metallic portion 112a of the retaining member 112 could instead be provided on the keep 10 (e.g. on the first wall 103 of the keep 10). The leaf 4 may include a door or window. Examples of doors and windows include wooden doors, composite doors, wooden windows, and uPVC windows. The leaf 4 may be attached to the frame 3, and the attachment may be by one or more hinges, for example. Thus, the leaf 4 may be movable with respect to the frame 3, and may in particular be movable between an open position and a closed position. The leaf 4 may include a recess to receive the lock housing 110. The faceplate 111 may be attached to an edge of the leaf 4. The frame 3 may be a wooden or plastics frame, such as a uPVC frame, for example. The frame 3 may include a recess to receive the keep 10. The keep 10 may be attached to the frame 3 by one or more securing members such as screws. The lip 107 of the keep 10 may extend past an edge of the frame 3 in order to engage the retaining member 112 and to prevent the retaining member 112 from contacting the frame 3. The operation of the disclosed spacer 2 will now be described. In use, the spacer 2 may be attached to the keep 10. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the main body 23 of the spacer 2 may abut an external surface of the first wall 103. The attachment point or points 22 may receive (and may each receive) a securing member to attach the spacer 2 to the keep 10. The securing member or members may extend from the keep 10 in some versions, and may extend from an external surface of the rear wall 102. With the spacer 2 attached to the keep 10, the or each ridge 21 may extend through the or each slot 105 into the chamber 100. Thus, the or each ridge 21 may be configured to abut the retaining member 112 in use. In use, therefore, the main body 23 may abut an external surface of the keep 10, such as the external surface of the first wall 103, and the or each ridge 21 may extend through the slot or slots 105 into the chamber 100. The retaining member 112 may mate with the keep 10. When mated with the keep 10, the retaining member may abut the spacer 2. The spacer 2 may, therefore, space the retaining member 112 from a side wall of the keep 10. Depending on the positioning of the spacer 2, i.e. the side wall to which the spacer 2 is attached, the spacer 2 may space the retaining member 112 from any of the side walls of the keep 10. In the illustrated examples, the spacer 2 spaces the retaining member 112 from the first side wall 103. In other versions, the spacer 2 may space the retaining member 112 from the bottom side wall 109b, for example, and the bottom side wall 109b may therefore include one or more slots configured to receive the ridge or ridges 21 of the spacer 2. The abutment of the spacer 2 with the retaining member 112 may define a contact area between the spacer 2 and the retaining member 112. The contact area may be limited to the contact surface of the or each ridge 21. Thus, the contact area between the spacer and the retaining member 112 may be relatively small. In the absence of the spacer 2, the retaining member 112 may abut a side wall, such as the first side wall 103, of the keep 10 when mated with the keep 10. As the retaining member 112 is moved between the extended and retracted configurations, therefore, the retaining member 112 may rub against the side wall of the keep. This rubbing action may inhibit movement of the retaining member and make the movement of the retaining member 112 between the extended and retracted configurations. Without the spacer 2 present, the contact area between the retaining member 112 and the side wall of the keep 10 may be larger than the contact area between the spacer 2 and the retaining member 112. Thus, the spacer 2 may reduce the contact area of the retaining member 112, thereby reducing friction and assisting the movement of the retaining member 112. Additionally, as described, the spacer 2 may include a self-lubricating material to assist movement of the retaining member 112, and the retaining member 112 may include a non-metallic portion 112a configured to abut the spacer 2. Accordingly, in the disclosed technology, metal-on-metal contact may be reduced. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein. Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure. Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents. REPRESENTATIVE FEATURES Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of the specification. 1. A lock system, including: a retaining member; a keep including a side wall; and a spacer configured to space the retaining member from the side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. 2. A lock system according to clause 1, wherein the retaining member is a bolt or latch. 3. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer is configured to abut at least one of the retaining member or the side wall in order to space the retaining member from the side wall. 4. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer comprises a ridge configured to abut the retaining member or side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. 5. A lock system according to clause 4, wherein the ridge is an elongate ridge and the elongation extends from a front opening of the keep toward a rear wall of the keep when the retaining member mates with the keep. 6. A lock system according to any of clauses 4-5, wherein the side wall includes a slot, and the ridge is configured to extend through the slot to abut the retaining member in use. 7. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein, in use, a contact area between the spacer and the retaining member or side wall is smaller than a contact area between the retaining member and side wall in the absence of the spacer. 8. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein a contact surface of the spacer for contacting the retaining member or side wall is non-metallic. 9. A lock system according to clause 8, wherein the contact surface is at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. 10. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer is self-lubricating. 11. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer comprises a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. 12. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein a coefficient of friction nRK between the retaining member and the side wall is greater than a coefficient of friction fiSK between the spacer and the side wall under the same conditions, or wherein nRK is greater than a coefficient of friction nSR between the spacer and the retaining member under the same conditions. 13. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer is releasably attachable to the retaining member or keep. 14. A lock system according to clause 13, wherein the spacer comprises at least one attachment point for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer to the retaining member or keep releasably. 15. A lock system according to any of clauses 13-14, wherein the spacer is configured to attach releasably to the keep or retaining member via a snap fit. 16. A lock system according to any preceding clause, wherein the spacer is attached to the keep, and wherein the retaining member includes a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep, or wherein the spacer is attached to the retaining member, and wherein the side wall includes a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep. 17. A lock system according to clause 16, wherein the non-metallic portion is self-lubricating. 18. A lock system according to clause 17, wherein the non-metallic portion comprises a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. 19. A lock system according to clause 16, wherein the retaining member is at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. 20. A spacer configured to space a retaining member from a side wall of a keep in a lock system when the retaining member mates with the keep. 21. A spacer according to clause 20, wherein the retaining member is a bolt or latch. 22. A spacer according to any of clauses 20-21, wherein the spacer is configured to abut at least one of the retaining member or the side wall in order to space the retaining member from the side wall. 23. A spacer according to clause 22, comprising a ridge configured to abut the retaining member or side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep. 24. A spacer according to clause 23, wherein the ridge is an elongate ridge and the elongation extends from a front opening of the keep toward a rear wall of the keep when the retaining member mates with the keep. 25. A spacer according to clause 23 or 24, wherein the ridge is configured to abut the retaining member and to extend through the side wall. 26. A spacer according to any of clauses 20-25, wherein, in use, a contact area between the spacer and the retaining member or side wall is smaller than a contact area between the retaining member and side wall in the absence of the spacer. 27. A spacer according to any of clauses 20-26, wherein a contact surface of the spacer for contacting the retaining member or side wall is non-metallic. 28. A spacer according to clause 27, wherein the contact surface is at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer. 29. A spacer according to any of clauses 20-28, wherein the spacer is self-lubricating. 30. A spacer according to clause 29, wherein the spacer comprises a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate. 31. A spacer according to any of clauses 20-30, wherein the spacer is releasably attachable to the retaining member or keep. 32. A spacer according to clause 31, comprising at least one attachment point for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer to the retaining member or keep releasably. 33. A spacer according to clause 31 or 32, wherein the spacer is configured to attach releasably to the keep or retaining member via a snap fit, 34. A keep for use with a retaining member, the keep including a spacer according to any of clauses 20-33. 35. A keep according to clause 34, wherein the side wall includes a slot, and the spacer includes a ridge, and the ridge extends through the slot into a chamber defined by the keep. 36. A retaining member for use with a keep, the retaining member including a spacer according to any of clauses 20-33. 37. A retaining member according to clause 36, wherein the retaining member includes a slot, and the spacer includes a ridge, and the ridge extends through the slot to abut the side wall in use.

Claims

1. A lock system, including:a retaining member;a keep including a side wall; anda spacer configured to space the retaining member from the side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep.

2. A lock system according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is a bolt or latch.

3. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer is configured to abut at least one of the retaining member or the side wall in order to space the retaining member from the side wall.

4. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer comprises a ridge configured to abut the retaining member or side wall when the retaining member mates with the keep.

5. A lock system according to claim 4, wherein the ridge is an elongate ridge and the elongation extends from a front opening of the keep toward a rear wall of the keep when the retaining member mates with the keep.

6. A lock system according to any of claims 4-5, wherein the side wall includes a slot, and the ridge is configured to extend through the slot to abut the retaining member in use.

7. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, a contact area between the spacer and the retaining member or side wall is smaller than a contact area between the retaining member and side wall in the absence of the spacer.

8. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein a contact surface of the spacer for contacting the retaining member or side wall is non-metallic.

9. A lock system according to claim 8, wherein the contact surface is at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer.

10. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer is self-lubricating.

11. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer comprises a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate.

12. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein a coefficient of friction ^RK between the retaining member and the side wall is greater than a coefficient of friction [iSK between the spacer and the side wall under the same conditions, or wherein nRK is greater than a coefficient of friction nSR between the spacer and the retaining member under the same conditions.

13. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer is releasably attachable to the retaining member or keep.

14. A lock system according to claim 13, wherein the spacer comprises at least one attachment point for receiving a securing member to attach the spacer to the retaining member or keep releasably.

15. A lock system according to any of claims 13-14, wherein the spacer is configured to attach releasably to the keep or retaining member via a snap fit.

16. A lock system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer is attached to the keep, and wherein the retaining member includes a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep, or wherein the spacer is attached to the retaining member, and wherein the side wall includes a non-metallic portion configured to bear against the spacer when the retaining member mates with the keep.

17. A lock system according to claim 16, wherein the non-metallic portion is self-lubricating.

18. A lock system according to claim 17, wherein the non-metallic portion comprises a solid lubricant embedded in a base substrate.

19. A lock system according to claim 16, wherein the retaining member is at least partially coated with a fluoropolymer.

20. A spacer configured to space a retaining member from a side wall of a keep in a lock system when the retaining member mates with the keep.

21. A keep for use with a retaining member, the keep including a spacer according to claim 20.

22. A keep according to claim 21, wherein the side wall includes a slot, and the spacer includes a ridge, and the ridge extends through the slot into a chamber defined by the keep.

23. A retaining member for use with a keep, the retaining member including a spacer according to claim 20.

24. A retaining member according to claim 23, wherein the retaining member includes a slot, and 5 the spacer includes a ridge, and the ridge extends through the slot to abut the side wall in use.

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