EP1377715B1

EP1377715B1 - A locking device for a ventilating window

Info

Publication number: EP1377715B1
Application number: EP02761874A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Christian Blumensaadt
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2001-04-11
Filing date: 2002-04-09
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-09
Also published as: ATE454512T1; CN1502001A; DE60234998D1; ES2339105T3; CN1217075C; WO2002084043A1; EP1377715A1

Abstract

In a locking assembly for a ventilating window comprising a locking control mechanism connected with an operator member (4) via an actuator slide (13) release of locking engagement between movable and stationary locking members (11, 7) may be blocked by blocking means (26) acting on the locking control mechanism and/or the actuator slide (13). The blocking means (26) is selectively operable by user operated means functionally integrated with the operator member (4) for displacement between a blocking condition, in which the slide (13) is blocked against displacement from an intermediate locking position to a first end position, and a non-blocking condition, in which the slide (13) is freely displaceable by operation of the operator member (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a locking assembly for a ventilating window having a sash arranged to be openable with respect to a main frame by pivotal movement about a pivot axis parallel to a pair of opposed sash members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a well known design, as disclosed e.g. in DK-C-114,046 , such a locking assembly comprises a strike plate with at least one stationary locking member secured to a main frame member opposite one of said pair of sash members and a casing secured to said one sash member opposite the strike plate. At least one pawl member is arranged in the casing to be movable between a locking position, in which it is in locking engagement with the stationary locking member and an unlocked position, in which it is released from said locking engagement to allow opening of the window.
A locking control mechanism arranged in the casing to control the movement of the pawl between the locking and unlocked positions is connected with an operator member accessible from the inside of the window via at least one actuator slide displaceable in guide means in the casing from a first end position defining the unlocked position of the pawl member to a second end position defining the locking position of the pawl member and vice versa via an intermediate position, and spring means is provided in the casing to act on the pawl member to force it to its locking position in the intermediate position of the slide.
The operator member is connected with the slide to occupy three distinct positions corresponding to the end positions and the intermediate position of the slide.
A locking assembly of this kind is conventionally used in roof windows, e.g. the well-known VELUX^® windows produced by the applicant. In such roof windows ventilation in the closed position of the sash with respect to the main frame may be provided for by means of an air flow passage formed between the sash member, to which the casing of the locking assembly is secured, and the opposite main frame member. A pivotal cover member connected with this sash member to open and close the air flow passage in the locked position of the sash with respect to the main frame forms the operator member for the actuator slide of the locking assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In view of the fact that in order to provide for air flow between the external and internal side of the window structure such a ventilation passage is open also to the external side of the window, although the external opening is hidden behind an external top cover member, a certain risk exists for unauthorised operation of the actuator slide of the locking mechanism or the cover member for the air flow passage in the locked position of the sash with respect to the main frame, whereby access may be provided to the interior of the building, in which the window is installed. Typically, attempts of such unauthorised operation may involve non-destructive introduction of a rigid instrument from the outside through the ventilation passage to push the actuator slide or the cover member towards the position, in which the locking of the sash with respect to the main frame is released.
To counteract this risk various blocking mechanisms for prevention of unauthorised operation of the cover member has been proposed in the prior art.
From DE-C-43 28 330 a blocking member is known comprising a key-operated cylinder lock secured in one of the main frame members perpendicular to the pivot axis in a position opposite one end of the cover member. By key operation the cylinder of this locking member is moved by a spring load from a retracted position, in which it allows for opening of the sash, to a projecting position in which it blocks opening of the sash. Disadvantages of this solution are that the arrangement of the additional locking member on the inside of a main frame member will detract from the intended aesthetic appearance of the window and that operation of the locking member requires a separate key, which may get lost.
From WO 99/10610 and WO 99/51832 it is known to arrange a blocking member preventing introduction of a rigid instrument from the outside in the ventilation passage itself either in the form of an insert box having at least two wall members providing a labyrinth-shaped ventilation passage or by securing a blocking plate member to the main frame member limiting the ventilation passage. Although these solutions avoid the disadvantages mentioned above by providing the blocking effect without any requirement of user operation they add significantly to complexity and costs in the production and/or installation of the window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a locking assembly for a ventilating window of the kind defined, in which effective blocking against unauthorised opening of the sash with respect to the main frame is provided by relatively simple and inexpensive blocking means.
According to the invention a locking assembly for a ventilating window is provided, having a sash arranged to be openable with respect to a main frame by pivotal movement about a pivot axis parallel to a pair of opposed sash members, said locking assembly comprising a strike plate with at least one stationary locking member secured to a main frame member opposite one of said pair of sash members and a casing secured to said one sash member opposite the strike plate, at least one pawl member arranged in said casing to be movable between a locking position, in which it is in locking engagement with said stationary locking member and an unlocked position, in which it is released from said locking engagement to allow opening of the window, a locking control mechanism arranged in said casing to control the movement of the pawl between said locking and unlocked positions, said locking control mechanism being operable by an operator member accessible from the inside of the window via at least one actuator slide displaceable in guide means in the casing from a first end position defining the unlocked position of the pawl member to a second end position defining the locking position of the pawl member and vice versa via an intermediate position, spring means in the casing acting on the pawl member to force it to its locking position in said intermediate position of the slide, the operator member being connected with the slide to occupy three distinct positions corresponding to the end positions and the intermediate position of the slide, and is characterised in that blocking means is arranged in said casing to act on the locking control mechanism and/or the actuator slide, said blocking means being selectively operable by user operated means functionally integrated with said operator member for displacement between a blocking condition, in which the slide is prevented from displacement from the intermediate locking position to said first end position, and an non-blocking condition, in which the slide is freely displaceable in said guide means by operation of the operator member.
By the incorporation of the blocking means directly in the casing of the locking assembly the need for installation of a blocking member in the ventilation passage, which inherently may affect the air flow through the passage, is avoided and the blocking function can be implemented by relatively simple and inexpensive mechanical means.
In a preferred embodiment, the blocking function may be implemented, as stated in dependent claim 2, by a relatively simple modification of the conventional locking mechanism for a roof window disclosed in DK-C-114,046 . In case of manual operation of the pivotal cover member of this embodiment the operating means for selective operation of said blocking member between its inoperative and operative positions may preferably be provided on a front side of said cover member and be connected with the blocking member by flexible connecting means, such as a bowden-cable.
In case of electrical operation of a window with such a locking assembly also the blocking means will preferably be electrically operated, e.g. by remote control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following preferred and advantageous embodiments of the locking assembly according to the invention will be further elaborated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the upper part of a ventilating roof window incorporating a first embodiment of the locking assembly of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematically plan view of the locking assembly sown in fig. 1 illustrating the functional co-operation between stationary locking members secured to the main frame and movable pawl members arranged in a casing of the locking assembly;
Fig. 3 is a schematically plan view of the components of the locking assembly arranged in the casing thereof in an unlocked position;
Figs. 4 and 5 are schematically plan views in the direction of arrow IV,V in fig. 1 of the components of the locking assembly in a locking position with blocking means as provided by the invention assuming a blocking position and a non-blocking position, respectively;
Figs. 6 and 7 show the window part illustrated in fig. 1 from the inner and outer side of the window, respectively;
Fig. 8 is a schematically plan view of an alternative embodiment of the blocking mechanism; and
Fig. 9 illustrates various phases of the operation of the blocking mechanism in fig. 8

DETAILLED DESCRIPTION

In fig. 1 reference numerals 1 and 2 denote a top member of the main frame of a roof window and the top member of a pane supporting sash arranged in the main frame to be openable with respect thereto by pivotal movement about a pivot axis (not illustrated) parallel to top members 1 and 2.
Between opposing sides of main frame and sash top members 1 and 2 a clearance 3 is provided for arrangement of a locking assembly, by which the sash may be locked with respect to the main frame in the closed position of the sash. The clearance 3 forms in addition a ventilation passage allowing air flow between the internal and external sides of the window in the closed position of the sash by operation of a cover member 4 that extends throughout the width of the sash and is connected with the sash top member 2 at the internal side of the window for pivotal movement between a closed position illustrated in solid lines and a ventilating position illustrated in dot-and-dash lines. As explained in more detail below the cover member is further linked with the locking assembly for the operation thereof.
In the illustrated embodiment the cover member 4 is provided with a handle 5 for manual operation.
The locking assembly comprises a strike plate 6 secured to the underside of the main frame top member 1. As shown in fig. 2 the strike plate 6 is provided at either end with a downwards directed projecting flap member 7, said flap members being arranged in symmetry with respect to a symmetry plane S illustrated by a dashed line in fig. 2 forming a pair of stationary locking members. Between the two flap members 7 two further downwards directed flap 8 members form abutments for the locking mechanism to be described in more detail below.
The locking assembly further comprises a casing including a base plate 9 secured to the upper side of the sash top member 2 and a circumferential downwards directed edge wall 10. In the casing thus provided two movable pawl members 11 are pivotally suspended in symmetry with respect to the symmetry plane S to be movable between a locking position illustrated in fig. 2 and an unlocked position illustrated in fig. 3. Through a pair of circular tracks 12 formed in the base plate 9 in symmetry with respect to the symmetry plane S the pawl members 11 project out of the casing for engagement with the stationary locking members 7 and abutment members 8 of the strike plate 6.
The pawl members 11 are connected by separate locking control mechanisms with a common actuator slide 13 which is guided in guide means formed by a track 14 provided in the base plate 9 of the casing to extend in the symmetry plane S.
In each locking control mechanism first and second link arms 15 and 16 form a link joint. The first link arm 15 is bent at one end to form the upwards projecting pawl member 11 and is suspended at the other end for pivotal movement about a stationary pin 17 in the casing. The second arm 16 is pivotally connected at one end with the first link arm 15 by means of a pin 18 and is pivotally connected at the other end with the actuator slide 13 by means of a pin 19.
As shown in figs 1 and 3 the common actuator slide 13 is further connected with one end of an operator arm 20, the other end of which is pivotally connected with the cover member 4 by a suitable hinge member 21.
For each locking control mechanism a spring load is provided by means or a curved spring member 22 having a main portion positioned in a cut-out 23 in the second link arm 16 and projecting leg portions 24 and 24' engaging a pin member 25 secured to the base plate 9 and the pivot pin 18 connecting arms 15 and 16, respectively.
The function of the locking assembly so far described for locking and unlocking the sash with respect to the main frame is as follows.
In the unlocked position illustrated in fig. 3 the two pawl members 11 are located at the innermost ends of the circular tracks 12 and may pass freely in the direction of opening or closing the sash between the stationary locking members 7 secured to the main frame to allow opening of the sash with respect to the main frame. In this position the link joint is stretched with the first and second link arms 15 and 16 in substantially linear extension of each other, whereby the pawl members 11 will be prevented from displacement in their respective tracks 12 towards their locking positions in engagement with the stationary locking members 7.
By movement of the sash in the closing direction the pawl members 11 thus released from any locking engagement will abut against the abutment flaps 8 of the strike plate 6 resulting in initial pivotal movement of each first link arm 15 about the stationary pin 17, Thereby, the first and second arms 15 and 16 of each link joints will be brought out of their positions in linear extension of each other and, in result, the pawl members 11 may be brought to their respective locking positions in engagement with locking members 7 as shown in fig. 4 by inwards movement of the actuator slide 13 caused by inwards movement of the cover member 4 from its open position shown in dot-and-dash lines in fig. 1.
In the locking position shown in figs 4 and 5 the first and second arms 15 and 16 of each link joint extend substantially in L-shape with the second arms 16 of the two link joints in substantially linear extension of each other. In this position of the locking control mechanisms the actuator slide 13 may be moved further inwards in the guide track 14 to a second end position as illustrated in figs. 1 and 2.
Thereby, in the locking position the cover member 4 may be moved between the closed position shown in solid lines in fig. 1 and an intermediate ventilating position as shown in dot-and-dash lines, in which the ventilation passage 3 between the main frame and sash top members 1 and 2 is open for air flow between the external and internal sides of the window.
According to the invention a blocking mechanism is provided in the casing of the locking assembly to prevent movement of the pawl members 11 out of their respective locking engagement with the stationary locking members 7 of the strike plate 6 in the locking position illustrated in fig. 4. In the embodiment shown the blocking mechanism comprises a blocking member 26 arranged in the casing for pivotal movement about a stationary pin member 27 between a blocking position as shown in fig. 4 and a released position as shown in fig. 5.
The blocking member 26 is formed with an upper edge 26a for engagement with the second link arm 16 of one of the link joints and with a generally curved or V-shaped lower edge comprising edge parts 26b and 26c defining the position of the blocking member 26 in the blocking and non-blocking positions, respectively by abutment against the wall 10 of the casing.
In the blocking position in fig. 4 defined by abutment of the edge part 26b against the casing wall 10 the upper edge 26a of the blocking member 26 engages the second link arm 16 of one of the link joints to prevent movement of this arm out of its position in substantially linear extension of the second link arm 16 of the other link joint.
In the non-blocking or released position in fig. 5 defined by abutment of the edge part 26c of the lower edge against the casing wall 10 the blocking member is disengaged from the second link arm 16 to allow movement of both link joints toward the unlocked position shown in fig. 3.
The movement of the blocking member 26 between the blocking position and the released position may be effected as illustrated in figs. 6 and 7 by manual operation of a blocking operator 28 provided on the front side of the cover member 4. The blocking operator 28 may as shown in fig. 6 be a relatively simple slide member that can be displaced by linear movement between two distinct positions corresponding to the blocking position and the released position, respectively, of the blocking member 26. As shown in fig. 7 the blocking operator 28 may be connected with the blocking member 26 through a flexible connecting member such as bowden-cable 28' extending partly through the cover member 4 in the longitudinal direction thereof, partly through the ventilation passage.
In the alternative embodiment shown in figs. 8 and 9 the blocking mechanism comprises a cam member 29 connected with the actuator slide 13' guided in the guide track 14' for linear movement between first and second end positions via an intermediate position in the same way as explained above for the embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 to 7.
The plan view in fig. 8 shows part of the upper side of the base plate 9' of the casing of the locking assembly and as illustrated the blocking mechanism further comprises a generally L-shaped blocking pawl member 30 arranged for movement about a stationary pin 31 secured to the base plate 9' and engaging curved circumferential edges of a mainly triangular cut-out 32 formed in the pawl member 30 to define respective end parts 33 and 34 engaging the pin 31 in a blocking position and a released position, respectively, of the pawl member 30 with respect to the cam member 29.
For engagement with an end part 35 of the cam member 29 having a substantially circular curvature in the above-mentioned second end position and the intermediate position of the actuator slide 13' the pawl member 30 is formed in the side edge of a longer leg 36 facing the cam member 29 with a first engagement part 38 and in the corner between the longer leg 36 and the shorter leg 37 with a second engagement part 38, respectively, each with a curvature matching the curvature of the end part 35 of the cam member 29.
The pawl member 30 is biased towards engagement of the respective engagement parts 38 and 39 with the end part 35 of the cam member 29 by spring means comprising a pressure spring 40 having one end secured to a stationary point 41 on the base plate 9', whereas the other end is connected with the pawl member 30 in a point of attack 42 substantially midway between the end parts 33 and 34 of the cut-out 32.
Thereby, in the second end position of the actuator slide 13', in which the pin 31 is engaged by the end part 33 of the cut-out 32 the spring force from pressure spring 40 will be transferred to the first engagement part 38 in the side edge of the longer leg 36 of the pawl member, whereas in the intermediate position of the actuator slide 13', in which the pin 31 is engaged by the end part 34 of the cut-out 32, the spring force from the pressure spring 40 is transferred to the second engagement part 39 at the corner between the longer and shorter legs 36 and 37.
In fig. 9 the respective positions of the cam member 29 and the blocking pawl member 30 in the second end position and the intermediate position of the actuator slide 13' corresponding to the closed position and the intermediate ventilating position of the cover member are shown at a) and b). As will appear, the engagement of cam member 29 with the second engagement part 39 provided at the corner between the longer and shorter legs 36 and 37 of the pawl member will prevent movement of the actuator slide 13' in the direction of release of the locking engagement between the movable pawl members and stationary locking members of the locking assembly.
As illustrated at c) and d) in fig. 9, movement of the actuator slide 13' from the intermediate position shown at b) in the direction of release of the locking engagement will be possible, however, by initial short movement of the actuator slide 13', by operation of the cover member for the ventilation passage, in the direction towards the second end position shown at a). Thereby, the end part 35 of the cam member 29 will engage a projecting cam part 43 of the side edge of the longer leg 36 of the pawl member 30 between the first and second engagement parts 38 and 39 and the pawl member 30 will be displaced by movement in two directions with respect to the pin 31. In result, the cam member 29 may as shown at d) pass under the end of the shorter leg 37 of the pawl member 30.
As will appear from a), c) and d) in fig. 9 counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the pawl member 30 with respect to the pin 30 is limited by a stationary pin 44 secured to the base plate 9' to be engaged by the side edge of the longer leg 36 facing away from the cam member 29, a recess 45 being formed in this side edge to enable a lifting movement of the pawl member 30 sufficient to allow passage of the cam member 29 under the shorter leg 37 of the pawl member 30.
Whereas the invention has been explained in the foregoing with reference to a locking assembly designed for manual operation of the cover member for the ventilation passage electrical operation of the blocking mechanism may easily be implemented both in the embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 to 7 and in the alternative embodiment shown in figs. 8 and 9.
Thus, in the embodiment of figs. 1 to 7 the pivotal movement of the blocking member between the blocking position and the non-blocking position may be effected by use of a solenoid or a small electric motor as drive means connected with the blocking member by a suitable transmission.
In the alternative embodiment in figs. 8 and 9 the sequence of movements of the actuator slide may be effected by electrical operation of the cover member by means of a conventional electrical operator such as a chain operator, which can be programmed to implement the various phases of movement of the cover member and the actuator slide connected therewith.
In both cases, electrical operation of the blocking mechanism may be accomplished by use of a remote control as well known in the art for control of the sash movement of a ventilating window.

Claims

A locking assembly for a ventilating window having a sash arranged to be openable with respect to a main frame by pivotal movement about a pivot axis parallel to a pair of opposed sash members, said locking assembly comprising a strike plate (6) with at least one stationary locking member (7) secured to a main frame member (1) opposite one of said pair of sash members (2) and a casing secured to said one sash member (2) opposite the strike plate (6), at least one pawl member (11) arranged in said casing to be movable between a locking position, in which it is in locking engagement with said stationary locking member (7) and an unlocked position, in which it is released from said locking engagement to allow opening of the window, a locking control mechanism arranged in said casing to control the movement of the pawl (11) between said locking and unlocked positions, said locking control mechanism being operable by an operator member (4) accessible from the inside of the window via at least one actuator slide (13; 13') displaceable in guide means (14, 14')in the casing from a first end position defining the unlocked position of the pawl member (11) to a second end position defining the locking position of the pawl member (11) and vice versa via an intermediate position, spring means (22) in the casing acting on the pawl member (11) to force it to its locking position in said intermediate position of the slide (13), the operator member (4) being connected with the slide (13; 13') to occupy three distinct positions corresponding to the end positions and the intermediate position of the slide (13; 13'), characterized in that blocking means (26; 29, 30)is arranged in said casing to act on the locking control mechanism and/or the actuator slide (13;13'), said blocking means being selectively operable by user operated means (28; 4) functionally integrated with said operator member (4) for displacement between a blocking condition, in which the slide (13, 13') is prevented from displacement from the intermediate locking position to said first end position, and a non-blocking condition, in which the slide (13; 13')is freely displaceable in said guide means (14; 14') by operation of the operator member (4).
A locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising two stationary locking members (11) arranged in symmetry on the strike plate (6) with respect to a symmetry plane (S) normal to the pivot axis and two pawl members (11) pivotally suspended in the casing and connected with a common actuator slide (13) displaceable in the guide means (14) in opposite directions in said symmetry plane (S) by separate locking control mechanisms, each forming a link joint of first and second pivotally interconnected link arms (15, 16), the first arm (15) being suspended for pivotal movement about a stationary point (17) in said casing and the second arm (16) being pivotally connected with the actuator slide (13; 13') with a geometry such that in the first end position of the actuator slide (13, 13') the link joint is stretched ) with the first and second arms (15, 16) extending substantially in linear extension of each other, whereas in the locking position of the pawl member (11) a substantially stretched connection is formed of the second arm (16) of one link joint with the second arm (16) of the other link joint, abutting means (8) being provided at the strike plate (6) to initiate release of the stretched condition of each link joint and movement of the pawl members (11) towards their locking position by abutment of the pawl members (11) against said abutting means (8) during closing of the sash with respect to the main frame, characterized in that said blocking means comprises a blocking member (26) arranged for pivotal movement in said casing between an inoperative position and an operative blocking position, in which it acts on the second arm (16) of one of said link joints, when said second arm (16) forms said substantially stretched connection with the second arm (16) of the other link joint, to prevent movement of said second arm (16) towards its substantially stretched condition with the first link arm (15) of the same link joint.
A locking assembly as claimed in claim 2 for a ventilating window, in which an air flow passage (3) is formed between said sash member (2) and said opposite main frame member (1) and a pivotal cover member (4) is connected with said one sash member (2) to open and close said ventilation passage (3) in the locked position of the sash with respect to the main frame, said cover member (4) forming the operator member for said actuator slide (13) of the locking assembly, characterized in that operating means (28) for selective operation of said blocking member (26) between its inoperative and operative positions is provided on a front side of said cover member (4) and is connected with the blocking member (26) by flexible connecting means (28').
A locking assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said flexible connecting means (28') comprises a bowden-cable.
A locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said blocking means comprises a cam member (29) provided on said actuator slide (13') and a blocking pawl member (30) arranged in the casing for pivotal movement about a stationary pin (31) as well as limited lateral movement with respect to said pin in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of displacement of the actuator slide (13'), said pawl member (30) being formed with first and second engagement parts (38, 39) for engagement with said cam member (29) in said second end position and said intermediate position of the actuator slide (13'), respectively further, spring means (40) acting on said pawl member (30) to bias said engagement parts (38, 39) thereof towards engagement with said cam member (29) with a point of attack (42) such that in said second end position of the actuator slide (13') the spring force is transferred to said first engagement part (38), whereas in said intermediate position of the actuator slide (13') the spring force is transferred to said second engagement part (39) to provide spring force assisted engagement thereof with the cam member (29) to prevent movement of the actuator slide (13') towards said first end position, said first and second engagement parts (38, 39) of the pawl member being separated by a cam part (43), by abutment against which the cam member (29) will, by limited movement of the actuator slide (13') from the intermediate position towards the second end position, act on the pawl member (30) to transfer the spring force back to the first engagement part (38) and release the engagement of the second engagement part (39) with the cam member (29).
A locking assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking means (26, 29) is operated by electrical operator means.
A locking assembly as claimed in claims 2 and 6 for a ventilating window, in which an air flow passage (3) is formed between said sash member (2) and said opposite main frame member (1) and a pivotal cover member (4) is connected with said one sash member (2) to open and close said ventilation passage (3) in the locked position of the sash with respect to the main frame, said cover member (4) forming the operator member for said actuator slide (13) of the locking assembly, characterized in that the electrical operator means (26) comprises separate electrical drive means connected with the blocking mechanism.
A locking assembly as claimed in claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the electrical operator means comprises a programmed electrical operator for operation of said actuator slide (13')-
A locking assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the elctrical operator means includes remote control means.