Lock mechanism

A lock having a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism comprising:

• a control element arranged for rotation about an axis between an active position and an inactive position, the control element including a control head having at least one axially extending projection, the lock mechanism further comprising a lock element that is axially aligned with the control element and includes a lock element head, the lock element head having at least one axially extending projection, the projection(s) of the control head and the projection(s) of the lock element head arranged such that in the active position, the lock element and control element are held apart by the projections and in the inactive position, the projections can mesh together to permit axial movement of the lock element relative to the control element;
• the lock element comprising a lock bolt at one end, opposed the lock element head, for engaging a keep of the lock and withdrawal means for withdrawing the lock element when the control element is in the inactive position.

A locking system for securing doors or windows of a building, the locking system incorporating a controller and at least one lock mechanism, each lock mechanism comprising:

• a control element arranged for rotation about an axis between an active position and an inactive position, the control element including a control head having at least one axially extending projection, the lock mechanism further comprising a lock element that is axially aligned with the control element and includes a lock element head, the lock element head having at least one axially extending projection, the projection(s) of the control head and the projection(s) of the lock element head arranged such that in the active position, the lock element and control element are held apart by the projections and in the inactive position, the projections can mesh together to permit axial movement of the lock element relative to the control element;
• the controller being adapted to control each lock mechanism.