DK201570488A1 - Opening restrictor with a gripping mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening restrictor for a window installed in an inclined roof, the roof window comprising a frame (2) and a sash (3) each having a top member, a bottom member and two side members (6, 7) defining a longitudinal direction, where the sash (3) is pivotably connected to the frame (2) so that a pivotal opening movement of the sash (3) in relation to the frame (2) moves the window from a closed position to an open position, and an opening restrictor (10; 110; 210), which is configured to assume an engaged condition, where a gripping mechanism (12; 112; 212) is engaging with a gripping element (13; 113; 213) provided on the sash (3), said engaged condition limiting the opening of the window, and a first disengaged condition, where the gripping element automatically engages with the gripping mechanism (12; 112; 212) of said frame.

Description

The present invention relates to an opening restrictor for a window installed in an inclined roof, said window comprising a frame and a sash each having a top member, a bottom member and two side members defining a longitudinal direction, where the sash is pivotably connected to the frame so that a pivotal opening movement of the sash in relation to the frame moves the sash from a ciosed position to an open position defining an open window as such. The opening restrictor comprising an arm rotatably connected to the frame and having a gripping mechanism, said opening restrictor being configured to assume an engaged condition, where the gripping mechanism is connected with a gripping eiement provided on the sash, said engaged condition limiting the opening of the window, and a first disengaged condition, where said gripping mechanism is in an inactive position where the gripping element automatically engages with the gripping mechanism.

Opening restrictors of this kind are well known to be installed in windows, where a limitation of the opening of the sash in relation to the frame is achieved. Conventionally, such limitation by an opening restrictor provides the possibility of locking the sash in a ventilation position leaving a free airflow into a room. Furthermore, conventional opening restrictors also provides a child safety mechanism preventing unintended opening of the window.

As known per se, opening restrictors are usually installed on the frame part of a window and comprises a gripping element having a gripping mechanism, where the gripping mechanism is configured to engage a stud provided on the sash part of the window. Thus, a pivotal opening movement of the sash in relation to the frame causes the stud to be restricted by the gripping mechanism of the opening restrictor. In this way the degree of opening of the sash in relation to the frame is limited by the gripping mechanism.

In order to provide a fully opened window, for example for cleaning of the window or for providing and increased airflow in the room, the opening restrictor is often manually disengaged from the engaged condition. This disengagement is achieved by a user actively acting on the gripping mechanism of the opening restrictor releasing the stud from the gripping mechanism thereby allowing the sash to be freely moved away from the frame. The manual act by a user leading to disengagement of the opening restrictor is not an obvious act for a child to comprehend, thereby preventing unintended opening by a child.

An opening restrictor of this kind is disclosed in GB2414513, where the opening restrictor is provided on a bottom part of the frame so that a slot provided in an arm of the opening restrictor engages a stud on the bottom part of the sash. The disengagement is achieved by a user acting on both the window sash and the arm of the opening restrictor at the same time. During a pivotal opening movement of the sash in relation to frame, the slot automatically engages with the stud on the sash so that the opening restrictor is automatically activated. Thus, the disengagement of the opening restrictor is provided by a two part act, where a user handles both the sash and the opening restrictor at the same time in order to release the opening restrictor from the sash to provide a fully opening thereof, in genera! the sash often needs to be pulled towards or away from the frame in order to release the opening restrictor from the engaged position, so that both the sash and the opening restrictor should be handled during disengagement of the opening restrictor. A closing movement of the sash in relation to the frame causes the stud to automatically engage the slot of the opening restrictor. Thus, the opening restrictor is as such always in an active position, and needs to be disengaged if a fully opening of the sash in relation to the frame is needed. The opening restrictor in general limits the airflow into the room due to the limited opening provided by the slot. In a room where children are not present more airflow for ventilating the room may be preferable, why a need for opening restrictors providing the option of occasional child safety is needed.

Well known opening restrictors are also often, as disclosed in for example GB2414S13, intended to restrict opening of windows installed in facades of buildings and may not be adapted in a proper manner to roof windows. Thus, there is a present need for opening restrictors suitable to be installed in an inclined roof window.

In light of the above it is the object of the present invention to provide an opening restrictor for a window of the type mentioned in the introduction which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages.

To meet this object the window according to the present invention is furthermore characterized in that the opening restrictor is configured to assume a second disengaged condition, where the gripping mechanism is positioned in an inactive position, where the opening restrictor is adapted to be manually handled for bringing the gripping mechanism into the active position of the first disengaged condition.

With this arrangement an opening restrictor suitable for use in an inclined roof window, while being provided with a child safety mechanism, that may be in an active or inactive position, is provided for. By active position should be understood the position in which the arm automatically engages with the stud during a pivotal movement of the sash in relation to the frame. By inactive position should be understood the position where the arm is in the second disengaged condition where the arm should be manually handled for bringing the arm into the first disengaged condition. In other words, the opening restrictor is configured to assume an “auto-on” position, i.e. the first disengaged condition, an “active” position, i.e. the engaged condition and an “off position”, i.e. the second disengaged condition. The second disengaged condition enables the sash to be pivoted away from the frame without any restrictions as to the opening angle in relation to the frame.

The manual handling of the opening restrictor from the active state to the inactive state, where the gripping mechanism does not automatically engage with the stud during use, provides the opening restrictor with the advantage that the opening restrictor and thus also the child safety mechanism can be fully inactivated. In rooms where children are only occasionally present it may be preferred to open the window without having to disengaging the safety mechanism prior to opening which is achieved by the opening restrictor of the present invention. The ease of use during opening of the window is therefore improved. When the gripping mechanism of the opening re strictor has been brought into the second disengaged condition, i.e. the inactive position, a user may simply pivot the sash from the frame to provide a fully open position of the sash without prior having to disengage the opening restrictor. The user may then if needed due to for example the presence of children manually handle the opening restrictor for bringing the gripping mechanism into the first disengaged condition, i.e. back to the active position.

Furthermore, the opening restrictor as disclosed, has the advantage that it is suitable for windows to be installed in inclined roofs. Known opening restrictors may not be suitable for use in roof windows since they are often installed such that they do not account for the roof pitch and thereby the opening angle of the window. This may cause improper solutions if trying to install existing opening restrictors in roof windows of the type mentioned herein. However, the opening restrictor of the present invention could be suitable for installation in fagade buildings. in the following the advantages of the invention will be described in more detail by means of examples of embodiments, with reference to the schematic drawings in which

Figs 1 to 3 show schematic illustrations of the general concept of the opening restrictor according to the invention, where Fig. 1 illustrates the first disengaged condition, Fig. 2 illustrates the second disengaged condition and Fig. 3 illustrates the engaged condition,

Figs 4 to 5 show a window comprising an opening restrictor according to the present invention, said opening restrictor illustrated in the engaged condition,

Fig. 6 shows a window according to Figs 4 and 5, the window being illustrated in a closed position, where the opening restrictor is not visible,

Fig. 7 shows the window of Fig. 6, where the window is in a partly open position and the opening restrictor is in the engaged condition,

Fig. 8 shows the window of Fig. 6, illustrating a user acting on the opening restrictor,

Fig. 9 shows the window of Fig. 6, where the window is in an open position with the opening restrictor in the position providing the first disengaged condition,

Fig. 10 shows the window of Fig, 6, where the window is in the open position and a user is acting on the opening restrictor,

Fig. 11 shows the window of Fig. 6, where the window is in an open position and the opening restrictor is in the second position providing the second disengaged condition,

Figs 12 and 13 shows a detailed perspective view of the opening restrictor of the embodiment in Figs. 6 to 11 seen from a front side and a back side, respectively,

Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of the opening restrictor according to the invention, said opening restrictor illustrated in a closed position of the window,

Fig. 15 shows the opening restrictor according to the embodiment of Fig.14, wherein the opening restrictor is provided in the engaged condition, initially referring to Figs 1 to 3, these figures are provided so as to illustrate schematically the different positions of the opening restrictor, according to the invention. Generally the opening restrictor is installed in a window, preferably a roof window 1 having a frame 2 and a sash 3 each comprising a top 8,9 and a bottom member 4, 5 and two side members 6, 7. The top, bottom and side members of the sash 3 and frame 2 together define a window plane in which a pane is installed.

The window is intended to be built into a surface, which is inclined with respect to horizontal. At a position between the top and centre or at the top of the window, there is a hinge connection between the frame 2 and sash 3. The sash 3 is openable with respect to the frame 2, as the sash 3 may be moved from a closed position, in which e.g. the sash side member is substantially parallel with the frame side member, to an open position, in which the sash side member forms an angle with the frame side members.

As illustrated the opening restrictor 10 is rotatably 17 connected to a part of the frame 2 and comprises an arm 11 having a gripping mechanism 12. The opening restrictor 10, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is configured to assume an engaged condition, where the gripping mechanism 12 is engaging with a gripping element 13 provided on the sash 3, so as to limit the opening of the window.

Furthermore as illustrated in Fig. 1, the gripping mechanism of the opening restrictor is in the first disengaged condition of the opening restrictor configured to extend in a first direction A and in the further second disengaged condition extending in an opposite second direction 3 of the first disengaged condition, substantially along the longitudinal direction and preferably said first A and second B direction forms an angle of substantially 180°. Thus, the opening restrictor is through the gripping mechanism of the arm 11 configured to assume a first disengaged condition, where the gripping mechanism 12 is in a first position A, where the gripping element 13 of the sash 3 automatically engages with the gripping mechanism 12 during a closure of the window, thus creating an “auto-on” condition.

In order to fully deactivate the opening restrictor without having to dismount the elements of the restrictor, the opening restrictor 10 is as illustrated in Fig. 2, configured to assume the further, second disengaged condition, where the gripping mechanism 12 is positioned in the second position B, where the opening restrictor 10 is adapted to be manually handled for bringing the gripping mechanism 12 into the first position A of the first disengaged condition. Thus, bringing the opening restrictor from the position A in Fig. 1 to the position B in Fig. 2, where the opening restrictor is in an “off’ condition, requires a user handling the opening restrictor.

The opening restrictor may in other words assume an “on" position, i.e. the engaged condition, an “auto-on”-position corresponding to the first disengaged condition, where it may engage automatically, with a gripping element 13 provided on the sash, or in an “off-position, where the opening restrictor does not engage with the gripping element 13, i.e. the second disengaged condition. In this way the opening restrictor 10 can only be handled so as to be moved between the first disengaged condition and the second dis engaged condition when the window is at least slightly open. This provides the effect that children and/or adults cannot activate or inactivate the opening restrictor when the window is in the closed position.

Furthermore, a dismounting of the element of the opening restrictor is not necessary in order to deactivate the opening restrictor, which is most often the case with known opening restrictors leaving behind unwanted mounting holes from for example screws. A more detailed embodiment of the opening restrictor is illustrated in Figs 4 to 5. Here it is seen how the opening restrictor is arranged at a part of the side member 6 of the frame 2. In more detail the opening restrictor 110 is in this embodiment connected to the side frame member 6 at a position where it is hidden in a space 130 provided between the frame 2 and sash 3. This resulting in that the opening restrictor 110 is not visible in the dosed position of the window as illustrated in Figs 6 and 14 for different embodiments of the invention. In this way the opening restrictor can only be handled so as to be moved between the first disengaged condition of for example Figs 1 and 9, and the further second disengaged condition of for example Figs 2 and 11, when the window is at least slightly open. This provides the effect that children and/or adults cannot activate or inactivate the opening restrictor when the window is in the closed position.

In one embodiment, especially illustrated in Figs 4 to 13, the gripping mechanism is provided as a slot 112 and the gripping element is provided as the stud 27 on said sash, to be explained in more detail in the following.

Furthermore, referring to the embodiment of Figs 4 to 13, however without being limited thereto, the movement of the window 1 from the closed position of Fig. 6 to the partly open position of Fig. 7 is illustrated. Here the opening restrictor 110 becomes activated in that the slot 112 in the arm 111 of the opening restrictor engages a stud 27 illustrated in Fig. 4 on the side sash member 7. This results in the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 being rotated about an axis substantially parallel with the hinge axis, which hinge axis is substantially parallel with the top and bottom members of the sash and frame. The opening restrictor 110 is in this way rotated in the direction of opening of the sash 3 so that the stud 27 provided on the side sash member 7 slides in the slot 112 of the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110. The degree of opening of the sash 3 is thereby limited by the length of the slot 112 in the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110.

Coming from the partly open position of Fig. 7 to the fuily open position of the sash, where the arm 111 is in a position where the opening restrictor 101 is in the disengaged condition, is achieved by a user 20 manually handling the opening restrictor 110. The user 20 manually exerts a force on the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 in a direction towards the side frame member to which is it attached.. The act of the user 20 is illustrated in Fig. 8, where the user 20 pushes the arm 111 towards the side frame member 6, which causes the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 to disengage the stud 27 on the side sash member 7 from the slot 112. The gravitational forces and the inclination of the roof in which the window is installed, will then automatically allow the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 to fall to a position at the side frame member so as to rest at a flange part of the side frame member. In this way the arm 111 extends parallel with the longitudinal direction of the frame member. Furthermore, the flange part together with the normal construction of the sash provides for the hidden space, in which the opening restrictor in the closed position of the window is hidden.

In this first disengaged condition of Fig. 9, the arm 111 is arranged in a position where the slot 112 of the arm 111 is parallel with the frame side member. The frame side member substantially defines a longitudinal direction extending between the bottom frame member and the top frame member. In the first disengaged condition the arm 111 of the opening restrictor extends in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, where in the further second disengaged condition the arm 111 is arranged in an opposite direction of the first disengaged condition. By this arrangement, the slot 112 of the opening restrictor 110 automatically engages with the stud during closure of the window. In the position illustrated in Fig. 8, the opening restrictor is therefore still in the active position despite being disengaged from the stud.

The inactive position, i.e. the second disengaged condition of the opening restrictor 110 is achieved by the steps iliustrated in the Figs 9 to 11. When coming from the first disengaged condition of the opening restrictor 110 iiiustrated in Fig. 9 to the second disengaged condition of Fig. 11, the user 20 as iliustrated in Fig. 10 sinrtpiy manuaiiy rotates the opening restrictor 110 so that the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 is moved from the position in which it may engage the stud 27 on the side sash member 7. The arm 111 comprising the gripping mechanism is arranged so that the gripping mechanism is brought into the second disengaged condition by a 180 degree rotation of said arm 111. Thus, the arm 111 is turned upside down in reiation to the position of the arm in the first disengaged condition. With upside down should be understood that the arm is arranged in an opposite direction of the position of the arm in the first disengaged position as previously described.

In the second disengaged condition iiiustrated in Fig. 11, the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 is hidden by the space provided between the side sash member 7 and the side frame member 6, when the window is dosed. In this way the opening restrictor in the second disengaged condition cannot be moved to the active position without firstly opening the window. A manuaiiy handling of the opening restrictor is therefore necessary to obtain the first disengaged condition, in which the opening restrictor is in the active position.

Going from the second disengaged condition, where the opening restrictor does not engage the stud on the side sash member to the active position of the opening restrictor, is simply done by a user manually rotating the arm of the opening restrictor back to the first disengaged condition.

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13 an embodiment of the opening restrictor 110 of the present invention is illustrated in more detail. As iliustrated in the figures, the arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 is made out of a substantially flat piece of material having a first end 121 and an opposing second end 122, where the ends are interconnected by two opposing side portions 113, 114 of substantially equal lengths.

The flat piece of material constituted by the arm 111 could be made from metal, plastic or any other suitable material.

The shape of the arm 111 is illustrated as oval, but could also be rectangular or any other suitable geometrical shape.

The arm 111 of the opening restrictor 110 has a back side 115 and a front side 116, where the back side 115 should be interpreted as being the side intended to face towards the side frame member 6 to which it is installed. For installation of the arm 111 to the side frame member 6, the arm 111 is provided with an attachment portion 117 provided in the first end 121 of the arm 111, wherein the attachment portion is configured to constitute a rotary joint and is adapted to receive a fastening element. Thus, the attachment portion provides for a rotational movement of the opening restrictor upon a force acting on said arm 111.

The attachment portion 117 is in the embodiment shown in Figs 12 and 13 illustrated as a groove extending towards the backside 115 of the arm 111 and provided in the first end 121 of the arm 111. The groove has a rounded shape and is provided with an attachment hole 118, provided for receiving an attachment element, such as a screw or similar attachment means for installation on the side frame member 6. The attachment portion could be oval, rectangular, triangular or any other suitable shape. Providing the attachment portion 117 as a groove extending towards the back side 115 of the arm 111 has the effect that it creates a distance between the side frame member 6 and the slot 112 of the arm 111. This results in that the stud, i.e. also to be understood as being the gripping element on the sash has room to be engaged in a slidable manner in the slot 112, i.e. the gripping mechanism, even in the closed position of the window.

In more detail the slot 112 is in the embodiment shown extending from the second end 122 towards the first end 121.

The slot 112 is illustrated in the form of an oval or oblong hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm 111. The circumferential of the hole is substantially formed by the two side portions 114, 113 of the arm 111, The side portions is defined as the upper side portion 114 and the lower side portion 113, where the lower side portion 113 is intended to rest on a part of the side frame member 6 and faces towards the interior of the room when the arm 111 is in the position of the first disengaged condition. The upper side portion 114 is in the first disengaged condition intended to face the exterior of the room.

In the further second disengaged condition the lower side portion 113 is thus intended to face the exterior of the room, where as the upper side portion 114 is intended to face the interior of the room, as illustrated in Fig. 11.

The arm 111 of the opening restrictor is furthermore provided with planar depression 120 and a bulge 119, where the planar depression 120 and bulge 119 is provided on opposite sides of the arm 111.

In more detail, on a part of the lower side portion 113, the arm 111 is provided with the planar depression 120 formed substantially as a u-shaped groove. The planar depression extends towards the back side 115 of the arm 111 and is intended to be provided as a handling element, so that a user may handle the opening restrictor without getting the fingers caught in the window during handling of the opening restrictor.

The opposite upper side portion 114 of the arm 111 is in a similar manner provided with a bulge 119, the depth of the bulge extending in the direction towards the backside 115 of the arm 111.

The dimensions of the arm 111 is so that the length of the slot 112 is substantially half the length of the arm 111 and the width of the slot 112 is substantially 1/3 of the width of the arm 111.

Furthermore the u-shaped groove 120 of the lower side portion 113 constitutes substantially 1/3 of the length of the slot 112 and is arranged at a distance closer to the second end 122 than to the first end 121 within the length of the slot 112.

The bulge 119 of the upper side portion 114 constitutes substantially 1/6 of the length of the slot 112 and is arranged at a distance closer to the first end 121 than to the second end 122 within the length of the slot 112,

The depth of the u-shaped grove and/or the bulge should be no more than the space provided between the frame and sash when the window is closed. In this way the opening restrictor may always fit into the space between the sash and frame in the closed position of the window so that it is hidden and cannot be handled without an opening of the window.

Referring now to Figs 14 and 15 another embodiment of the opening restrictor 210 according to the invention is illustrated.

In this embodiment the gripping mechanism 212 is provided on a second arm 240 rotatable connected to the arm 211 of said opening restrictor 210. The arm 211 should be regarded as a first arm, and the opening restrictor of this embodiment, thus comprises two separate arms, wherein the second arm 240 comprises the gripping mechanism 212. The first arm 211 is in a similar manner as in the previous described embodiment, connected to the frame by a connection point 217, around which the first arm rotates upon opening and closing of the window.

The second arm 240 comprises a first end 241 and a second end 242, wherein the first end 241 comprising a gripping part 244, preferably in the form of a groove. The groove, or any other suitable shape such as a hook or the like, is arranged at the end 241 of the second arm 240 so to be able to engage a stud, i.e. the gripping element 213 on the sash. The opening restrictor of this embodiment is also configured to assume an engaged condition as illustrated in Fig, 15 and a first disengaged condition as illustrated in Fig. 14, in which condition the first and second arm 211,240 is hidden in a space 230 provided between the frame 2 and sash 3,

In order to obtain the further second disengaged condition the first and second arm 211, 240 is connected through a connection joint 243. By a 180° rotation of the second arm 240 around said connection joint 243, the first end 241 of the second arm 240 is brought into the second disengaged condition (not illustrated). Referring to Fig. 15, this would result in the second end 242 of the second arm 240 to be rotated such that the second end 242 points towards the bottom part of the window, and the first end 241 pointing towards the top part of the window.

The embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15 thus have the same functioning as the previous described, however with a substantiaiiy different construction.

The invention should not be regarded as being limited to the embodiments described in the above, but various modifications may be carried out.

Claims (11)

1. Opening restrictor for a window installed in an inclined roof, said window comprising a frame (2) and a sash (3) each having a top member, a bottom member and two side members (6, 7) defining a longitudinal direction, where the sash (3) is pivotably connected to the frame (2) so that a pivotal opening movement of the sash (3) in relation to the frame (2) moves the sash from a closed position to an open position, and said opening restrictor (10; 110; 210) comprising an arm (11; 111; 211) rotatably connected to the frame (2) and having a gripping mechanism (12; 112; 212), said opening restrictor being configured to assume an engaged condition, where the gripping mechanism (12; 112; 212) is connected with a gripping eiement (13; 113; 213) provided on the sash (3), said engaged condition limiting the opening of the window, and a first disengaged condition, where said gripping mechanism is in an active position where said gripping element (13; 113; 213) automatically engages with the gripping mechanism (12; 112; 212), characterized in that the opening restrictor (10; 110; 210) is configured to assume a second disengaged condition, where the gripping mechanism is in an inactive position, where the opening restrictor is adapted to be manually handled for bringing the gripping mechanism into the active position of the first disengaged condition.

2. Opening restrictor according to claim 1, wherein the arm (11; 111; 211) of the opening restrictor (10; 110; 210) is connected to one of the side frame members (6), such that said arm in the first disengaged condition is hidden in a space (130; 230) provided between the frame (2) and sash (3) leaving said opening restrictor (10; 110; 210) invisible in the closed position of said sash.

3. Opening restrictor according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the gripping mechanism in the first disengaged condition of the opening restrictor (10; 110; 210) extends in a first direction (A) and in the further second disengaged condition extends in an opposite second direction (B) of the first disengaged condition substantially along the longitudinal direction, preferably said first (A) and second direction (B) forms an angle of substantially 180°.

4. Opening restrictor according to any one of the previous claims wherein the arm (11; 111; 211) is provided with an attachment portion (17; 117; 217), said attachment portion being configured to constitute a rotary joint and adapted to receive a fastening element.

5. Opening restrictor according to claim 4, wherein said attachment portion (117) is provided as a groove in said arm (111), the depth of said groove extending towards a backside (115) of the at least one arm (111).

6. Opening restrictor for a window according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the gripping mechanism (12, 112) is provided as a slot (112), the length of said slot (112) being substantially half the length of the arm (111) and the width of the slot (112) being substantially 1/3 of the width of the arm (111).

7. Opening restrictor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the arm (111) is provided with a planar depression (120) and a bulge (119), where said planar depression (120) and bulge (119) is provided on opposite sides of the arm (111).

8. Opening restrictor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said gripping mechanism is brought into the second disengaged condition by a 180° rotation of said at least one arm (111).

9. Opening restrictor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said gripping mechanism (212) is provided on a second arm (240) rotatably connected to said arm (212) of said opening restrictor (210).

10. Opening restrictor according to claim 9, wherein said second arm (240) comprises a first end (241) and a second end (242), said first end (241) comprising a gripping part, preferably in the form of a groove.

11. Opening restrictor according to claim 10, wherein said arm and said second arm is connected through a connection joint (243) such that a 180° rotation of said second arm (240) around said connection joint (243) brings said first end (241) of said second arm (240) into said second disengaged condition, Awapatent A/S