EP0575119A1

EP0575119A1 - Restrictor device for the opening movement of a window, door or the like

Info

Publication number: EP0575119A1
Application number: EP93304571A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arthur David Tippin; Peter James Harrison
Original assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1992-06-13
Filing date: 1993-06-11
Publication date: 1993-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-11
Also published as: GB2267728B; GB9212601D0; EP0575119B1; GB2267728A

Abstract

A restrictor device (1) for an opening wing (2) of a window, door or the like comprises a link (20) pivotally connected to a base plate (17) for securing to the wing (2) and an arm (9) pivotally connected to a mounting plate (6) for securing to a surrounding fixed frame (30). The arm (9) and link (20) are coupled to restrict opening of the wing (2) and can be uncoupled when the wing (2) is closed to release the restrictor device (1) allowing unrestricted opening of the wing (2). The mounting plate (6) and base plate (17) are located relative to each other on closing the wing (2) by co-operating formations (22,23;24,25) so as to align the uncoupled arm (9) and link (20) for automatic re-coupling to re-set the restrictor device (1).

Description

This invention relates to restrictor devices for windows, doors and like.
Windows and doors are commonly fitted with restrictor devices for reasons of safety and security. Such devices provide limited opening sufficient for ventilation and prevent unauthorised entry or accidental exit through the window.
The restrictor devices may provide a permanent connection but are preferably releasable to allow opening beyond the limit position when required with provision for automatic re-engagement to avoid manual re-setting.
Problems can arise when fitting such releasable restrictor devices if the components are misaligned causing the device to malfunction. In particular, the device may be difficult to release and/or may not re-engage automatically.
The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem.
According to the present invention we provide a releasable restrictor device for windows, doors and the like closures movable to open and close an opening in a surrounding frame, the device comprising retainer means for mounting on one of the closure and frame, latch means for mounting on the other of the closure and frame, means for releasably coupling the latch means and retainer means, and means for locating the latch means and retainer means relative to each other.
By this invention, the locating means is engageable to positively align the latch means and retainer means. In this way, the latch means and retainer means can be accurately positioned on the closure and frame thereby facilitating installation and ensuring safe, reliable operation of the restrictor device.
Advantageously, the locating means are provided by co-operating formations of respective mounting means for the latch means and retainer means.
Preferably, the co-operating formations comprise a lug, rib or like projection engageable with a slot, hole or like recess.
Conveniently, the latch means includes an arm pivotally and slidably connected to the mounting means and adapted to engage releasably the retainer means.
Advantageously, the arm is pivotally connected to a coupling pin of the retainer means and is slidable to a release position for disengaging the coupling pin.
Preferably, the arm is releasable only when the closure is closed and is conveniently biased by spring means for engagement with the coupling pin.
Advantageously, the arm has an inclined guide face for engagement by the coupling pin to displace the arm against the resilient biasing for automatic re-engagement with the coupling pin.
Preferably, the coupling pin is provided by a link pivotally connected to the mounting means and the co-operating formations of the mounting means provide stop faces to limit pivotal movement of the link.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention we provide a releasable restrictor device for a window, door or like closure movable to open and close an opening in a surrounding frame, the device comprising first and second mounting means for securing to the closure and frame respectively, an arm pivotally and slidably connected to one of the mounting means and releasably engageable with a coupling member connected to the other of the mounting means, and the mounting means having co-operating formations for locating the mounting means relative to each other.
Preferably, said one mounting means is of channel-section having at least one pair of slots in the opposed side walls engaged by a pair of lugs or like projections on the other said mounting means.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of part of a window shown secured in an open limit position by a restrictor device according to the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a side view, partly in section, showing the restrictor device when the window is in the open limit position;
FIGURE 3 is a side view, partly in section, showing the restrictor device when the window is closed;
FIGURE 4 is a side view, partly in section, similar to Figure 3 and showing the restrictor device in a release position; and
FIGURE 5 is a side view, partly in section, showing the restrictor device at the point of re-engaging.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, the restrictor device 1 is shown fitted to a window to control opening movement of the casement 2 relative to the surrounding fixed frame 3. The casement 2 may be mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to the fixed frame 3 and, when engaged, the restrictor device 1 prevents movement of the casement 2 beyond the limit position shown.
With reference now to all the Figures, the restrictor device 1 essentially comprises latch means 4 and retainer means 5 for mounting on the casement 2 and frame 3. In this embodiment, the latch means 4 is shown secured to the frame 3 and the retainer means 5 secured to the casement 2 but it will be understood that this is not essential and the components may be reversed.
The latch means 4 includes an elongate mounting plate 6 of channel-section closed at each end and provided with transverse through holes 7,8 by means of which it is secured to the frame 3 by screws (not shown) or other suitable fasteners.
An elongate arm 9 is pivotally connected at one end to a pivot block 10 and the other end is shaped to form a hook 11 having an angled guide face 12 at the free end.
The pivot block 10 projects through a slot 13 formed in the base wall 14 of the mounting plate 6 and is biased to one end of the slot 13 by a spring 15.
An actuating button 16 is mounted on the projecting portion of the pivot block 10 to overlie the slot 13 and conceal the spring 15.
The retainer means 5 includes a base plate 17 having a pair of through holes 18,19 by means of which it is secured to the casement 2 by screws (not shown) or other suitable fasteners.
A link 20 is pivotally connected to the base plate 17 at one end and has a transverse coupling pin 21 at the other end for engagement with the hook 11 to pivotally connect the latch means 4 and retainer means 5.
The latch means 4 and retainer means 5 are mounted on the frame 3 and casement 2 so that, with the window closed, the arm 9 lies adjacent to the base wall 14 of the mounting plate 6 and the link 20 is received within the channel-section with the coupling pin 21 located behind the free end of the hook 11 as shown in Figure 3.
On opening the window, the coupling pin 21 is trapped and retained by the hook 11 to restrict opening of the casement 2 to the limit position shown in Figures 1 and 2.
To open the casement 2 beyond the limit position, the actuating button 16 is manually slidable with the window closed to displace the pivot block 10 and arm 9 against the biasing of the spring 15 to a release position in which the coupling pin 21 is spaced above the free end of the hook 11 as shown in Figure 4 so that, on opening the window, the link 20 is disengaged allowing unrestricted opening movement of the casement 2.
On releasing the actuating button 16, the pivot block 10 and arm 9 are returned to their original positions under the biasing of the spring 15 such that, on closing the window, the coupling pin 21 is aligned with and engages the angled guide face 12 at the free end of the hook 11 as shown in Figure 5.
This engagement causes the arm 9 to be displaced against the biasing of the spring 15 so that the coupling pin 21 rides over the free end of the hook 11 whereupon the arm 9 is displaced by the spring force to locate the coupling pin 21 behind the free end of the hook 11 when the window is fully closed as shown in Figure 3.
In this way, the restrictor device 1 is automatically re-engaged and movement of the casement 2 is restricted to the open limit position when the window is next opened.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that accurate alignment of the components is important for correct operation of the restrictor device 1, in particular to obtain automatic re-engagement of the arm 9 and coupling pin 21.
For such alignment, the mounting plate 6 is provided with two pairs of aligned slots 22,23 in the opposed side walls and the base plate 17 is provided with two pairs of aligned lugs 24,25 on opposed sides that are received in the slots 22,23 when the window is closed as shown in Figure 3. To assist entry of the lugs 24,25 the slots 22,23 are provided with inclined ramp faces 26,27.
In the closed position of the window, the base plate 17 is located between the side walls of the mounting plate 6 with the channel-section being closed by the shut face of the casement 2 preventing access to the interior of the mounting plate 6 in which the link 20 and arm 9 are housed. With this arrangement, only the mounting plate 6 is visible when the window is closed so that installation of the restrictor device 1 does not detract from the aesthetics of the window.
One pair of lugs 24 is longer than the other pair of lugs 25 and the corresponding slots 22,23 are sized to match. The longer lugs 24 provide stop faces 28 engaged by the link 20 in the open limit position of the casement as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and are engageable with the slots 22 as the window is closed to align the base 17 with the mounting plate 6 as shown in Figure 5.
The shorter lugs 25 provide stop faces 29 engaged by the link 20 when released to position the link 20 for re-engagement with the hook 11 as shown in Figure 5, and are engageable with the slots 23 when the window is closed.
It will be appreciated that the invented restrictor device is of simple construction with co-operating formations to ensure accurate location of the components to facilitate installation and reliable operation.
The retainer means may be of any suitable construction for engagement with the hook of the latch means. For example, the pivotal link may be replaced by a fixed link.
It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to windows and that the restrictor device may be used to limit opening movement of a door or other closure mounted for hinged, pivotal or sliding movement relative to a surrounding frame.
According to another aspect of the invention we provide a releasable restrictor device for a window, door or like closure movable to open and close an opening in a surrounding frame, the device comprising first and second mounting means for securing to the closure and frame respectively, an arm pivotally connected to one of the mounting means and engageable with a coupling member pivotally connected to the other of the mounting means, and one of the arm and coupling member being slidable for disengaging the arm and coupling member.

Claims

A releasable restrictor device for an opening wing (2) of a window, door or the like characterised by retainer means (5) for mounting on one of the wing (2) and a surrounding frame (3), latch means (4) for mounting on the other of the wing (2) and frame (3), means (9,20) for releasably coupling the latch means (4) and retainer means (5), and means (22,23;24,25) for locating the latch means (4) and retainer means (5) relative to each other.
A restrictor device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the latch means (4) includes a pivotal arm (9) and the retainer means (5) has a coupling member (20) releasably connected to the arm (9).
A restrictor device according to Claim 2 characterised in that- the latch means (4) includes manually operable means (16) for moving the arm (9) from a rest position (Figure 3) to a release position (Figure 4) for releasing the coupling member (20).
A restrictor device according to Claim 3 characterised in that means (15) is provided for resiliently biassing the arm (9) to the rest position, and the arm (9) and coupling member (20) are co-operable following release of the coupling member (20), to move the arm (9) against the resilient biassing to the release position for automatically re-engaging the arm (9) and coupling member (20) to re-set the device on closing the wing (2).
A restrictor device according to Claim 4 characterised in that the arm (9) has a hook (11) defining a slot in which a coupling pin (21) of the coupling member (20) is received to connect the arm (9) and coupling member (20), and the slot has an opening for passage of the coupling pin (21) to release the coupling member (20) when the arm (9) is moved to the release position by the manually operable means (16).
A restrictor device according to Claim 5 characterised in that the hook (9) has a guide face (12) co-operable with the coupling pin (21) following release of the coupling member (20) to move the arm (9) against the resilient biassing to the release position for passage of the coupling pin (21) through the opening to re-set the device on closing the wing (2).
A restrictor device according to any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the locating means (22,23;24,25) are provided by cooperating formations (22,23;24,25) of respective mounting members (6,17) of the latch means (4) and retainer means (5).
A restrictor device according to Claim 7 characterised in that the cooperating formations (22,23;24,25) comprise at least one projection (24,25) on one mounting member (6,17) that is received in a recess (22,23) in the other mounting member (6,17) on closing the wing (2) to align the mounting members (6,17).
A restrictor device according to Claim 8 characterised in that the mounting member (6) of the latch means (4) comprises a channel-section plate (6) provided with recesses (22,23) in the opposed sidewalls arranged to receive aligned projections (24,25) on the mounting member (17) of the retainer means (5).
A restrictor device according to Claim 9 when dependent on any one of Claims 2 to 6 characterised in that the arm (9) and coupling member (20) are housed between the opposed sidewalls of the channel-section plate (6) when the wing (2) is closed.
A restrictor device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 characterised in that coupling member (20) comprises a pivotal link (20) connected to the mounting member (17) for movement between end positions, and the projections (24,25) provide stops to locate the link (20) in the end positions.
A releasable restrictor device for an opening wing (2) of a window, door or the like characterised by respective mounting means (6,17) for securing to the wing (2) and a surrounding frame (3), one of the mounting means (17) having a coupling member (20) and the other mounting means (6) having a pivotal arm (9) releasably engageable with the coupling member (20), and the mounting means (6,17) having co-operating formations (22,23;24,25) for locating the mounting means (6,17) relative to each other.