Bi-Fold Door Two-Point Lock with Tensioning Disk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bi-fold door locks face challenges in securing shoot bolts in their extended position and maintaining handle stability, especially when the handle is mounted on one side, leading to potential spindle shifting and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A two-point lock design with a central lock body, rotatable spindle follower, and biasing pads that maintain the spindle in stable rest positions, coupled with shoot bolt arms moving in opposite directions via a driver mechanism, and a locking member to secure shoot bolts in their extended position, preventing unauthorized opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is mounted on only one side of the door to leave the exterior side unobstructed, then the aesthetic appearance and space utilization are improved, but the spindle becomes unsupported and prone to shifting within the lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tensioning disk as an intermediary component between the spindle follower and the lock casing. This tensioning disk applies radial biasing force to the spindle follower, maintaining it in centered engagement with the spindle. This mediator component compensates for the lack of external support from a missing handle, preventing spindle shifting while allowing single-sided handle mounting for aesthetic purposes.
2Ease of operation
If conventional single-sided handle mounting is used, then the exterior side remains unobstructed, but the spindle shifts and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning disk provides continuous feedback force on the spindle follower, maintaining it in the correct centered position relative to the spindle. This feedback mechanism ensures that the shoot bolt arms remain properly aligned and engaged, preventing security failures due to spindle shifting, while allowing the convenient single-sided handle configuration.
3Strength
If the shoot bolts are locked in extended position with a locking member, then security against force and vandalism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is pre-positioned within the lock body and simply needs to be engaged with the shoot bolt arm to lock it in the extended position. This preliminary positioning reduces the complexity of the locking mechanism, as the locking member doesn't need to be actively controlled during normal operation - it merely needs to be engageable when the shoot bolts are in their secure extended position, providing enhanced security with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A two point lock for securing bi-folding windows and doors in which upper and lower shoot bolt arms move in opposite directions from a central lock body upon rotation of a handle. When the arms are in their mutually extended positions, a sliding detent locking member engages the upper shoot bolt arm to secure the window or door in the closed position. The central lock body includes a rotating driver for the shoot bolt arms that is supported at both ends and is maintained in two different positions by interaction with the curved contact faces of a set of biasing pads.