CATCH FOR CATCHING A LOCKING ELEMENT

Abstract

 The invention relates to a catch for catching a locking element in a catching direction, wherein the catch comprises a correction member for correcting misalignment between the locking element and the catch, wherein the correction member comprises a first leg, a second leg and a biasing portion that resiliently connects the first leg to the second leg, wherein the biasing portion is arranged to bias the first leg in a first correcting direction towards the locking element about a biasing axis that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction, wherein the catch further comprises a restriction element that is arranged for allowing movement of the first leg in a first flexing direction opposite to the first correcting direction while restricting movement of the second leg in said first flexing direction.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention relates to a catch for catching a locking element, in particular a lock latch or a bolt of a lock assembly that has been fitted to a wing of a door or a window that is susceptive to warping.

[0002] NL 1037972 C discloses a catch with a receiving member for clampingly receiving a latch. The receiving member is rotatable with respect to the rest of the catch. The catch is further provided with biasing means for biasing the receiving member to a neutral position. When the catch and the latch are misaligned, the biasing means will bias the receiving member back into the neutral position, causing the latter to exert a corrective force onto the latch. With the known catch, misalignment between a latch of a lock and the catch due to miscalculations, deformations, wear of parts, setting of the frame, weather or use, can be corrected.

[0003] A disadvantage of the known catch is that the dimensions of its receiving member are carefully chosen for clampingly receiving a specific latch. Hence, when the catch is used with a slightly different latch or when the misalignment of the latch is or becomes considerable, the latch will no longer fit into the narrowly dimensioned receiving member. A further disadvantage of the known latch is that its corrective force is only applied with respect to the neutral position. The catch can not be adjusted or influence the corrective force that is applied onto the latch.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a catch for catching a locking element, wherein the adaptability and/or adjustability of the catch with respect 4to the latch can be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a catch for catching a locking element, wherein the catch comprises a catch body that is arranged to be mounted to a frame for or a stile of a window or a door, wherein the catch body comprises a first side and a second side extending in a longitudinal direction of and on opposite sides of the catch body, and a receiving opening between the first side and the second side, wherein the catch body defines a receiving space for receiving the locking element through the receiving opening in a catching direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the catch further comprises a correction member for correcting misalignment between the locking element and the catch, wherein the correction member comprises a first leg that is arranged to extend in the receiving space between the locking element and the first side, a second leg that is arranged to extend in the receiving space between the locking element and the second side and a biasing portion that resiliently connects the first leg to the second leg, wherein the biasing portion is arranged to bias the first leg in a first correcting direction towards the locking element about a biasing axis that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction, wherein the catch further comprises a restriction element that is arranged for allowing movement of the first leg in a first flexing direction opposite to the first correcting direction while restricting movement of the second leg in said first flexing direction.

[0006] By holding one of the legs while the other leg is flexed, the distance between the legs increases or the legs can be spread apart. This allows for locking elements of different sizes, types or degrees of misalignment to be received into the catch according to the invention. The flexed leg can exert a corrective force onto said locking element with respect to the restricted other leg.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment the biasing portion is located at or near a first end of the catch body in the longitudinal direction and wherein the restriction element is located at or near a second end of the catch body, opposite to the first end, in the longitudinal direction. Hence, the legs can extend from the biasing portion at the first end towards the restriction element at the second end. The length of the legs between the biasing portion and the restriction element can increase the corrective force that can be applied onto the locking element.

[0008] In an embodiment the restriction element is arranged for restricting movement of the second leg in said first flexing direction at half or less than half of the distance, and preferably at a quarter or less than a quarter of the distance between the first side and the second side. Thus, the second leg can be retained halfway or less than halfway while the first leg can move further in the first flexing direction, thereby allow the legs to move apart. Restricting the second leg to a quarter of the distance further allows the first leg to move even further (the remaining distance). The further the legs are moved apart, the more the biasing portion will bias the legs to move back together, thereby effectively increasing the corrective force being exerted onto the locking element.

[0009] In an embodiment the first leg is resiliently flexible with respect to the biasing portion about the biasing axis. The first leg can thus be flexed or bent with respect to the biasing portion to generate a corrective force onto the locking element.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment the biasing portion is arranged to bias the second leg in a second correcting direction towards the locking element about the biasing axis, wherein the restriction element is further arranged for allowing movement of the second leg in a second flexing direction opposite to the second correcting direction while restricting movement of the first leg in said second flexing direction. As both legs are biased, misalignment of the locking element in either flexing direction can be corrected by biasing the respective leg to exert a corrective force onto the locking element in the respective correcting direction.

[0011] In an embodiment thereof the restriction element is arranged for restricting movement of the first leg in said second flexing direction at half or less than half, and preferably at a quarter or less than a quarter of the distance between the first side and the second side. Thus, the first leg can be retained halfway or less than halfway while the second leg can move further in the second flexing direction, thereby allow the legs to move apart. Restricting the first leg to a quarter of the distance further allows the second leg to move even further (the remaining distance). The further the legs are moved apart, the more the biasing portion will bias the legs to move back together, thereby effectively increasing the corrective force being exerted onto the locking element.

[0012] In an embodiment the second leg is resiliently flexible with respect to the biasing portion about the biasing axis. The first leg can thus be flexed or bent with respect to the biasing portion to generate a corrective force onto the locking element.

[0013] In an embodiment the restriction element comprises a first blocking portion that is arranged in a first blocking position between the first side and the second side, wherein the first leg and the second leg are arranged to be on opposite sides of the first blocking portion, wherein the first leg is movable only from the first blocking position towards the first side and wherein the second leg is movable only from the first blocking position towards the second side. The legs can thus effectively be separated to move in isolated movement ranges on opposite sides of the first blocking position.

[0014] In an embodiment thereof the first blocking position is adjustable with respect to the first side and the second side. By adjusting the first blocking position, the range of movement of the first leg and the second leg relative to said first blocking position can be adjusted. The greater the flexing range in one of the flexing directions, the greater the corrective force that can be exerted by one of the legs on the locking element.

[0015] In a further embodiment thereof the first blocking position is at less than half of the distance between the first side and the second side, wherein the restriction element is reversible about a first reversing axis that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction between a first orientation in which the first blocking position is closest to the first side and a second orientation in which the first blocking position is closest to the second side. In each orientation, one leg has a larger flexing range than the other leg. By reversing the restriction element, the user can choose which leg has the greatest flexing range. In this way, the catch can be easily adjusted depending on the amount and/or direction of misalignment of the locking element with respect to the catch.

[0016] In a further embodiment thereof the restriction element further comprises a restriction body with a first slot for guiding the movement of the first leg from the first blocking position towards the first side and a second slot for guiding the movement of the second leg from the first blocking position towards the second side. This can prevent that the legs change slots during use.

[0017] In an embodiment thereof the restriction element comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first blocking portion, the first slot and the second slot are arranged in the first section, wherein restriction element comprises a second blocking portion, a third slot and a fourth slot in the second section, wherein the restriction element is reversible about a second reversing axis that extends perpendicular to the first reversing axis between a third orientation in which the first section interacts with the first leg and the second leg and a fourth orientation in which the second section interacts with the first leg and the second leg. By reversing the restriction element about the second reversing axis, the user can choose between different configurations of the first and second blocking portion, depending on the amount and/or direction of misalignment of the locking element with respect to the catch.

[0018] In an embodiment thereof the second blocking portion is arranged in a second blocking position between the first side and the second side that is at a different distance from the first side than the first blocking position. Thus, by reversing the restriction element about the second reversing axis, the user can choose between different blocking positions, depending on the amount and/or direction of misalignment of the locking element with respect to the catch.

[0019] In an embodiment the correction member and/or the restriction element are removable from the catch body. The correction member and/or the restriction element can be replaced by alternative correction members and/or the restriction elements depending on the desired characteristics of said components, e.g. biasing force, blocking positions and the like. For example, when the misalignment exceeds a certain threshold, a 'standard' correction member can be replaced by a stronger one in an attempt to correct the misalignment.

[0020] In an embodiment the biasing portion is rotatable with respect to the catch body about the biasing axis. By rotating the biasing portion about the biasing axis, the user can set the biasing portion to a different angle with respect to the catch body, thereby changing the neutral position of the legs. In particular in combination with the embodiments that include an off-center blocking position, biasing portion can be rotated slightly to point the legs towards the off-center blocking position. The leg with the greatest flexing range can subsequently be moved further outwards relative to the other leg, thereby increasing the corrective force that can be applied onto the locking element.

[0021] In an embodiment the first leg, the second leg and the biasing portion are integrally formed or formed as a single piece. Said piece can be easily taken out and/or inserted into the catch body.

[0022] In an embodiment the first leg, the second leg and the biasing portion form a torsion spring or a U-spring. The legs of the torsion spring or a U-spring can effectively exert a corrective force onto the locking element.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment the first leg, the second leg and the biasing portion form a leaf spring. The leaf spring can be more compact because of its relative flat, rectangular cross section. Consequently, the catch body can be designed to be more compact.

[0024] In an embodiment the catch body is a strike box, wherein the first side and the second side of the catch body are formed by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, respectively, of the strike box. The correction member can thus be fitted in the receiving space formed between the sidewalls of said strike box.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment the catch body is a strike plate, wherein the first side and the second side of the catch body are formed by a first side edge and a second side edge, respectively, of the strike plate. The correction member can thus extend in the receiving space behind the strike plate in the catching direction.

[0026] In an embodiment thereof the catch is provided with holding means at the strike plate for retaining the correction member to the back of the strike plate in the catching direction. These holding means can prevent that correction member detaches from the strike plate.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause an added-manufacturing device or a 3D printer to print a catch according to any one of the preceding claims. This allows for the catch according to the invention to be printed.

[0028] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a door wing with a three-point lock system comprising three locking elements in the door wing and a corresponding number of catches according to the invention in the door frame;

figure 2 shows a partial cross-section of the door and the door frame according to line II-II in figure 1;

figure 3 shows an isometric view of a catch provided in a jamb of the door frame;

figure 4 shows an exploded view of the catch as shown in figure 3, exposing a correction member and a restriction element;

figure 5 shows an isometric view of the catch of figure 4 without its strike plate;

figures 6A, 6B and 6C show front views of the catch of figure 5 interacting with a locking element in three different alignments;

figure 7 shows an isometric view of an alternative catch according to a second embodiment of the invention;

figure 8 shows an isometric view of an alternative restriction element according to a third embodiment of the invention;

figure 9 shows an isometric view of a further alternative restriction element according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

figures 10A and 10B show the restriction element of figure 8 interacting with the correction member of figure 5 in two different orientations;

figures 11A, 11B and 11C show the alternative restriction element of figure 9 interacting with the correction member of figure 5 in three different orientations; and

figure 12 shows an alternative catch according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Figure 1 shows a door wing 1 that is rotatably mounted in a door frame 2 by means of hinges 21 at a hinging side 22 of the door frame 2, to rotate into an open and closed position with respect to a closing side 23 of the door frame 2. In an alternative embodiment, the closing side 23 can also be a stile of an adjacent door of a so-called 'double door'. The door wing 1 is provided with a plurality of locking assembly 31, 32, 33 that together form a multi-point lock system 3. In this exemplary embodiment the lock system 3 comprises three lock assemblies 31, 32, 33 that are distributed over the height of the door wing 1 in a bottom, center and top position, respectively. Each locking assembly 31, 32, 33 has a locking element 34 that is extendable towards the door frame 2. The door frame 2 is provided with a plurality of catches 4 directly opposite to the locking elements 34 to receive and retain said locking elements 34 when the door wing 1 is closed with respect to the door frame 2.

[0031] In this exemplary embodiment, the locking element 34 is a hook bolt. Alternatively, the locking element 34 can be a lock latch, a latch bolt, a dead bolt or another suitable locking element that is arranged to be received in the catch 4.

[0032] Ideally, the locking elements 34 and the respective catches 4 are accurately mounted directly opposite to each other in a catching direction K, as shown in figure 2. Thus, each locking element 34 may be accurately received in the corresponding catch 4. However, as a result of inaccurate placement and/or deformation of the door wing 1 and/or the door frame 2 over time, the alignment of the lock assemblies 31, 32, 33 with their respective catches 4 may become less accurate. The amount of misalignment may differ for each lock assembly 31, 32, 33, in particular in case of warping. While the central locking element 34 and catch 4 combination may still be aligned, the top and/or bottom combination may already be misaligned considerably. The catch 4 according to the invention intends to at least partially correct and/or counteract said misalignment.

[0033] As shown in figure 3, the catch 4 comprises a catch body 40 that is mounted in a door jamb 24 at the closing side 23 of the door frame 2. Alternatively, the door jamb 24 can be replaced by a stile of an adjacent door in the case of a so-called 'double door'. The catch body 40 is elongate and/or has a longitudinal direction L that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the door jamb 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the catch 4 is mounted such that the longitudinal direction L is substantially vertical. The door jamb 24 is provided with a suitable pocket (not shown) for receiving said catch body 40. The catch 4 further comprises a cover plate, a front plate or a strike plate 41 at the outside of catch body 40 lying flush or substantially flush with the door jamb 24. In use, the strike plate 41 faces towards and is located opposite to the locking element 34 in the catching direction K. The catch 4 is provided with a rectangular receiving passage or opening 42 in the strike plate 41 for receiving the locking element 34 into the catch 4 in the catching direction K. As shown in figure 3, the catching direction K is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0034] As best seen in figure 4, the catch body 40 comprises a first side or sidewall 43 and a second side or sidewall 44, both extending parallel to or in the longitudinal direction L of the catch body 40 on opposite sides of said catch body 40. The first sidewall 43 and the second sidewall 44 define a receiving space 50 inside the catch body 40 for receiving the locking element 34. The receiving opening 42 is located directly in front of the receiving space 50 in the catching direction K for providing access to the receiving space 50.

[0035] As shown in figure 5, the catch 4 comprises a correction member 6 extending in the receiving space 50 behind the receiving opening 42 in the catching direction K. The correction member 6 is arranged to correct misalignments between the locking element 34 and the catch 4 in a first correcting direction A or a second correcting direction B opposite to the first correcting direction A. Both correcting directions A, B are transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the catch 4 and the catching direction K. The correction member 6 comprises a first leg 61, a second leg 62 and a biasing portion 63 that biases the first leg 61 to move towards the second leg 62 in the first biasing direction A and that biases the second leg 62 to move towards the first leg 61 in the second biasing direction B. The biasing portion 63 forms a resilient bridge between or resiliently interconnects the first leg 61 and the second leg 62. Depending on the misalignment of the locking element 34 with respect to the catch 4, either the first leg 61 or the second leg 62 is arranged to forcefully abut the locking element 34 in the first correcting direction A or the second correcting direction B, respectively.

[0036] In this example, the first leg 61, the second leg 62 and the biasing portion 63 forms a single, integral, unbroken or monolithic piece. The first leg 61, the second leg 62 and/or the biasing portion 63 are made of a resilient material, e.g. metal. In particular, the first leg 61 is resiliently flexible with respect to the biasing portion 63 in a first flexing direction C opposite to the first correcting direction A and the second leg 62 is resiliently flexible with respect to the biasing portion 63 in a second flexing direction D opposite to the second correcting direction B. Preferably, the first leg 61, the second leg 62 and the biasing portion 63 form a spring, more in particular a 'V' or 'U' shaped torsion spring, that is compressible in the respective correcting directions A, B about a biasing axis S at or near the biasing portion 63. In this example the biasing axis S extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction K.

[0037] As shown in figure 6A, the catch body 40, at a first end 51 thereof in the longitudinal direction L, comprises a rotation section 45 for receiving the biasing portion 63. In particular, the rotation section 45 comprises a cylindrical body 46 concentric to the biasing axis S. The biasing portion 63 is fitted around said cylindrical body 46. In this exemplary embodiment, the biasing portion 63 is formed as a semicircular part that concentrically fits around the cylindrical body 46 such that the biasing portion 63 is rotatable about the cylindrical body with respect to the biasing axis S. As a result, the correction member 6 in its entirety can be rotated to a certain degree about said biasing axis S. The advantage of this rotation will become more clear in the alternative embodiments of the invention, which will be discussed later in this description.

[0038] As further shown in figure 6A, the both legs 61, 62 extend from the biasing portion 63 at the first end 51 of the catch body 40 alongside the locking element 34 towards the second end 52 of the catch body 40 in the longitudinal direction L. The first leg 61 is arranged to extend in the receiving space 50 between the locking element 34 and the first sidewall 43 and the second leg 62 is arranged to extend in the receiving space 50 between the locking element 34 and the second sidewall 44. Both legs 61, 62 are biased so as to converge towards each other in a direction away from the biasing portion 63. In this example, both legs 61, 62 are biased into a biased or neutral position in which they extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction L when they are not in abutment with the locking element 34. As such, the legs 61, 62 at least partially extend across the receiving opening 42 in the cover plate 41. In said biased or neutral positions, the legs 61, 62 may intersect with the path of the locking element 34, in particular when the locking element 34 is misaligned in any of the flexing direction C, D.

[0039] As shown in figures 4 and 5, the catch 4 further comprises a restriction element 7 that is arranged for allowing movement of the first leg 61 in the first flexing direction C while restricting movement of the second leg 62 in said first flexing direction C. Likewise, the restriction element 7 is arranged for allowing movement of the second leg 62 in the second flexing direction D while restricting movement of the first leg 61 in said second flexing direction D. By retaining or holding one of the two legs 61, 62 while the other of the two legs 61, 62 is displaced by the locking element 34, the leg 61, 62 that is not retained by the restriction element 7 can exert a corrective force onto the locking element 34 in its respective correcting direction A, B, relative to the other restricted and/or stationary leg 61, 62. The legs 61, 62 can be displaced by the locking element 34 out of their respective biased or neutral positions towards, parallel to and/or into contact with the respective sidewalls 43, 44.

[0040] As shown in figure 5, the restriction element 7 is located at or near the second end 52 of the catch body 40, opposite to biasing portion 63 at or near the first end 51 of the catch body 40. As such, the restriction element 7 is capable of restricting the free ends of the legs 61, 62 at a side of the locking element 34 opposite to the side of the locking element 34 that faces the biasing portion 63.

[0041] As best seen in figure 4, the restriction element 7 comprises a restriction body 70, preferably a plate-like restriction body 70, with a first slot 71 for receiving a free end of the first leg 61, a second slot 72 for receiving a free end of the second leg 62 and a blocking portion 73 restricting movement of the first leg 61 beyond the first slot 71 and for restricting movement of the second leg 62 beyond the second slot 72. In particular, the blocking portion 73 is arranged in a blocking position X at or near approximately half or in the center of the distance between the first sidewall 43 and the second sidewall 44. The first leg 61 is movable in the first flexing direction C from the blocking position X towards the first sidewall 43 and back again in the first correcting direction A. The second leg 62 is movable in the second flexing direction D from the blocking position towards the second sidewall 44 and back again in the second correcting direction B. The slots 71, 72 are arranged for guiding said movements and for preventing that the legs 61, 62 changes slots during use. The slots 71, 72 extend parallel or substantially parallel to the respective correcting directions A, B.

[0042] Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the previously discussed catch 4 interacting with a locking element 34 in three different alignments.

[0043] Figure 6A shows the situation in which the locking element 34 is properly aligned with the catch 4. The locking element 34 passes between both legs 61, 62 without displacing them or only displacing them slightly and equally in the opposite flexing directions C, D. No significant corrective force is applied to the locking element 34.

[0044] Figures 6B and 6C show two cases of misalignment of the locking element 34 with respect to the catch 4. In particular, figure 6B shows the situation in which the locking element 34 is offset with respect to the catch 4 in the first flexing direction C, thereby displacing the first leg 61 in said first flexing direction C against the bias of the biasing portion 63. While the first leg 61 is in abutment with the locking element 34, the second leg 62 is not. Instead the second leg 62 has remained or come into abutment with the blocking portion 73 of the restriction element 7 and is prevented from moving further in said first flexing direction C. Hence, the first leg 61 and the second leg 62 are spread apart about the biasing axis S at the biasing portion 63. The first leg 61 is biased to return in the first correcting direction A and - when it is not allowed to do so - builds up a corrective force that is exerted onto the locking element 34 in said first correcting direction A. Similarly, in the situation as shown in figure 6C, the second leg 62 is displaced by the locking element 34 in the second flexing direction D while the first leg 61 is retained in said second flexing direction D, resulting in the second leg 62 exerting a corrective force onto the locking element 34 in the second correcting direction B.

[0045] Figure 7 shows an alternative catch 104 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative catch 104 differs from the previously discussed catch 4 in that its correction member 106 is formed as a leaf spring. In particular, the correction member 106 again has a first leg 161, a second leg 162 and a biasing portion 163. However, unlike the rod or wire-like shape of the correction member 6 in figure 5, the correction member 106 of figure 7 has a substantially flat or plate-like body with a substantially rectangular cross section. The free ends of the legs 161, 162 are tapered and/or dimensioned to fit into the respective slots 71, 72 of the restriction element 7. The rotation section 145 is adapted accordingly to receive and allow rotation of the flat biasing portion 163 about the biasing axis S.

[0046] In the previously discussed embodiments, the restriction element 7 is preferably removable from the catch 4 together with the respective correction member 6, 106 and repositionable and/or replaceable by another restriction element. Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative restriction element 207 and a further alternative restriction element 307 according to a third and fourth embodiment, respectively, of the invention.

[0047] As shown in figure 8, the alternative restriction element 207 comprises a restriction body 270 with first slot 271 and a second slot 272 for receiving and/or guiding the free end of the first leg 61 and the free end of the second leg 62, respectively. Like the previously discussed restriction element 7, the alternative restriction element 207 is also provided with a blocking portion 273 at a blocking position X between the first sidewall 43 (not shown) and the second sidewall 44 (not shown). However, said blocking portion 273 is located at a different or offset position with respect to the central position of the blocking portion 73 in figures 5 and 7. In particular, the blocking portion 273 is located at a quarter or less of the distance between the first sidewall 43 (not shown) and the second sidewall 44 (not shown). Accordingly, in the situation as shown in figure 8, the second leg 62 in the relatively small or short second slot 272 can move only slightly or not at all between the blocking portion 273 and the second sidewall 44 (not shown). However, the first slot 271 is relatively long and gives the first leg 61 significantly more space to move in the first flexing direction C.

[0048] The restriction element 207 can be taken out or removed of the catch body 40 and is subsequently reversible about a first reversing axis R1 that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction K. Hence, the restriction body 270 can be reversed over 180 degrees between an orientation, as shown in figure 10A, in which the blocking position X is closest to the second sidewall 44 (not shown) for allowing a greater flexing range of the first leg 61 in the first flexing direction C and a reversed orientation, as shown in figure 10B, in which the blocking position X is closest to the first sidewall 43 (not shown) for allowing a greater flexing range of the second leg 62 in the second flexing direction D. The blocking position X is thus adjustable relative to the sidewalls 43, 44 to adjust the range of movement of the legs 61, 62. The greater the flexing range in one of the flexing directions C, D, the greater the corrective force that can be exerted by one of the legs 61, 62 on the locking element 34. The alternative restriction element 207 can thus be used effectively in a situation in which the locking element 34 and the catch 4 are clearly and/or significantly misaligned in one of the flexing directions C, D only.

[0049] As follows from figures 5 and 7, the correction member 6, 106 can be rotated accordingly about biasing axis S at the respective rotation sections 45, 145 to align the legs 61, 62, 161, 162 towards or with the offset blocking positions X. By rotating the correction member 6, 106 in its entirety about the biasing axis S, the neutral or biased positions of the legs 61, 62, 161, 162 can be adjusted to match or lie close to the new blocking positions X.

[0050] As shown in figure 9, the further alternative restriction element 307 combines both previously discussed embodiments of the restriction element 7, 207 in a single restriction body with a first section 370 and a second section 380. The first section 370 resembles the restriction element 7 as shown in figures 5 and 7 and - as such - comprises a first slot 371, a second slot 372 and a first blocking portion 373 in a central first blocking position X1. The second section 380 resembles the alternative restriction member 207 according to figure 8 and - as such - comprises a third slot 381, a fourth slot 382 and a second blocking portion 383 in an off-center second blocking position X2.

[0051] The further alternative restriction element 307 can be taken out of the catch body 40 and can subsequently be reversed about a first reversing axis R1 that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction K and a second reversing axis R2 that extends perpendicular to the first reversing axis R1. By reversing the further alternative restriction element 307 about the second reversing axis R2 over 180 degrees, one can choose between two orientations in which the first section 370 and the second section 380 alternately interacting with the legs 61, 62. In particular, in the situation as shown in figure 11A, the first section 370 is located above or in front of the second section 380 in the catching direction K, while in the situation as shown in figures 11B and 11C, the second section 380 is located above or in front of the first section 370 in the catching direction K. By reversing the further alternative restriction element 307 about the first reversing axis R1 over 180 degrees, one can choose between the different off-center blocking positions X2 of the second section 380 relative to the sidewalls 43, 44 (not shown).

[0052] Figure 12 shows a further alternative catch 404 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The further alternative catch 404 differs from the previously discussed embodiments in that the catch 404 is provided with holding means 445, 407 for retaining and/or mounting the correction member 6 to the back of the strike plate 441. The strike plate 441 alone thus forms the catch body 440 with a receiving opening 442, a first side edge 443 and a second side edge 444. Said strike plate 441 can be mounted onto a standard catch body (not shown) or can be mounted directly onto the door jamb 24 in front of pocket. The receiving space 450 of the catch 404 is thus formed by the free space located behind the receiving opening 442 in the catching direction K.

[0053] As shown in figure 12, the holding means 445, 407 are formed by a rotation section 445 at one end 451 of the strike plate 441 and restriction element 407 at the other end 452 of the strike plate 441. The rotation section 445 comprises a cylindrical body 446, similar to the previously discussed embodiments, for holding the biasing portion 63 of the correction member 6. The restriction element 407 is arranged for restricting movement of one of the legs 61, while allowing the other leg 62 to move in a similar way to the previously discussed restriction elements 7, 207, 307. The restriction element 407 may be a simple protrusion that forms the blocking portion 473 at a fixed blocking position X. Optionally, the rotation section 445 and/or the restriction element 407 may additionally comprise respective flanges 447, 474 for retaining the correction member 6 against the back of the strike plate 441 in the catching direction K. At the restriction element 407, the flange 474 defines the first slot 471 and the second slot 472 for guiding the movement of the legs 61, 62 on opposite sides of the blocking portion 473.

[0054] Preferably, the strike plate 441 and the holding means 445, 407 forms a single, monolithic or integral piece.

[0055] In summary, the invention relates to a catch 4, 104 for catching a locking element 34 in a catching direction K, wherein the catch 4, 104 comprises a correction member 6, 106 for correcting misalignment between the locking element 34 and the catch 4, 104, wherein the correction member 6, 106 comprises a first leg 61, 161, a second leg 62, 162 and a biasing portion 63, 163 that resiliently connects the first leg 61, 161 to the second leg 62, 162, wherein the biasing portion 63, 163 is arranged to bias the first leg 61, 161 in a first correcting direction A towards the locking element 34 about a biasing axis S that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction K, wherein the catch 4, 104 further comprises a restriction element 7, 207, 307 that is arranged for allowing movement of the first leg 61, 161 in a first flexing direction C opposite to the first correcting direction A while restricting movement of the second leg 62, 162 in said first flexing direction C.

Claims

1. Catch for catching a locking element, wherein the catch comprises a catch body that is arranged to be mounted to a frame for or a stile of a window or a door, wherein the catch body comprises a first side and a second side extending in a longitudinal direction of and on opposite sides of the catch body, and a receiving opening between the first side and the second side, wherein the catch body defines a receiving space for receiving the locking element through the receiving opening in a catching direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the catch further comprises a correction member for correcting misalignment between the locking element and the catch, wherein the correction member comprises a first leg that is arranged to extend in the receiving space between the locking element and the first side, a second leg that is arranged to extend in the receiving space between the locking element and the second side and a biasing portion that resiliently connects the first leg to the second leg, wherein the biasing portion is arranged to bias the first leg in a first correcting direction towards the locking element about a biasing axis that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction, wherein the catch further comprises a restriction element that is arranged for allowing movement of the first leg in a first flexing direction opposite to the first correcting direction while restricting movement of the second leg in said first flexing direction.

2. Catch according to claim 1, wherein the biasing portion is located at or near a first end of the catch body in the longitudinal direction and wherein the restriction element is located at or near a second end of the catch body, opposite to the first end, in the longitudinal direction.

3. Catch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restriction element is arranged for restricting movement of the second leg in said first flexing direction at half or less than half, and preferably at a quarter or less than a quarter of the distance between the first side and the second side.

4. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg and/or the second leg are resiliently flexible with respect to the biasing portion about the biasing axis.

5. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing portion is arranged to bias the second leg in a second correcting direction towards the locking element about the biasing axis, wherein the restriction element is further arranged for allowing movement of the second leg in a second flexing direction opposite to the second correcting direction while restricting movement of the first leg in said second flexing direction, preferably wherein the restriction element is arranged for restricting movement of the first leg in said second flexing direction at half or less than half, and more preferably at a quarter or less than a quarter of the distance between the first side and the second side.

6. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction element comprises a first blocking portion that is arranged in a first blocking position between the first side and the second side, wherein the first leg and the second leg are arranged to be on opposite sides of the first blocking portion, wherein the first leg is movable only from the first blocking position towards the first side and wherein the second leg is movable only from the first blocking position towards the second side, preferably wherein the first blocking position is adjustable with respect to the first side and the second side, more preferably wherein the first blocking position is at less than half of the distance between the first side and the second side, wherein the restriction element is reversible about a first reversing axis that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the catching direction between a first orientation in which the first blocking position is closest to the first side and a second orientation in which the first blocking position is closest to the second side.

7. Catch according to claim 6, wherein the restriction element further comprises a restriction body with a first slot for guiding the movement of the first leg from the first blocking position towards the first side and a second slot for guiding the movement of the second leg from the first blocking position towards the second side.

8. Catch according to claim 7, wherein the restriction element comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first blocking portion, the first slot and the second slot are arranged in the first section, wherein restriction element comprises a second blocking portion, a third slot and a fourth slot in the second section, wherein the restriction element is reversible about a second reversing axis that extends perpendicular to the first reversing axis between a third orientation in which the first section interacts with the first leg and the second leg and a fourth orientation in which the second section interacts with the first leg and the second leg, preferably wherein the second blocking portion is arranged in a second blocking position between the first side and the second side that is at a different distance from the first side than the first blocking position.

9. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the correction member and/or the restriction element are removable from the catch body.

10. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing portion is rotatable with respect to the catch body about the biasing axis.

11. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the biasing portion are integrally formed or formed as a single piece.

12. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the biasing portion form a torsion spring, a U-spring or a leaf spring.

13. Catch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the catch body is a strike box, wherein the first side and the second side of the catch body are formed by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, respectively, of the strike box.

14. Catch according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the catch body is a strike plate, wherein the first side and the second side of the catch body are formed by a first side edge and a second side edge, respectively, of the strike plate, preferably wherein the catch is provided with holding means at the strike plate for retaining the correction member to the back of the strike plate in the catching direction.

15. Computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause an added-manufacturing device or a 3D printer to print a catch according to any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing