EP1825091B1

EP1825091B1 - A sash window tilt restrictor arm arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP1825091B1
Application number: EP05820973A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keith Braid Harold
Original assignee: Clearview Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Clearview Windows Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-17
Filing date: 2005-12-19
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-19
Also published as: DE602005011049D1; EP1825091A1; ES2317339T3; WO2006100418A1; GB0427685D0; ATE414205T1; GB2421267A

Abstract

A tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) for restraining tilting of a tilting slidable sash (2,4) of a sash window (10). The tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) comprises an elongate arm (22), a frame mounting arrangement (20) to pivotally attach a first end of the arm (22) to a window frame (1,6,8) of the sash window, and a sash mounting arrangement (20) adapted to pivotally attach a second end of the arm (22) to the sash (2,4). The sash mounting arrangement (21) comprises a pin (30) projecting from the second end of the arm (22) and having a distal end comprising an enlarged head (33). The pin (30) and enlarged head (33) are in use locatable and retained in an elongate slot (32) having an enlarged access entry portion (38) dimensioned to allow for insertion and removal of the enlarged head (33) from the engagement within the slot (32). This provides a sash mounting arrangement (21) is simply and easily detachably engaged and attached to the sash (2,4) without requiring screws or other fixings.

Description

The present invention relates to sash windows, and in particular a sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly for restraining tilting of a tilting slidable sash window.
Sash windows typically comprise a pair of window sashes located and supported within vertical channels in side jambs of a window frame. The window sashes are arranged to vertically slide within the window frame to allow for opening of the window. A counterbalance mechanism is provided to counterbalance the weight of the window sashes and allow easier vertical sliding of the window sashes. More modern sash windows are also arranged such that the window sashes can also be tilted out of the window frame about a horizontal axis typically along or towards the bottom edge of the window sashes. Such tilting of the window sashes is provided to allow maintenance access, and in particular allow for easier cleaning of the windows with the window sashes generally being arranged to tilt inwards.
In such arrangements tilt restrictor arms (sometimes referred to as tilt stays) are typically provided in order to support the weight of the window sashes when tilted from the window frame, and prevent window sashes from completely tilting out of the window frame. One end of the tilt restrictor arm is located and engaged in the window jamb channel and the other end of the tilt restrictor arm is attached to the sash part way along the side of the sash and at a position spaced from the pivot bar and axis about which the window tilts. In order to allow for tilting of the window at least one of the ends of the tilt restrictor arm is slidably engaged with the respective window jamb and/or window sash such that whilst it is retained it can slide along the length of the window sash/jamb.
Whilst conventional tilt restrictor arm arrangements function adequately and prevent excessive tilting of the window sashes, such arrangements can be improved in particular in terms of ease of assembly and attachment to the window and restrictor, as well as in terms of providing improved operation of the window sashes. Specifically conventional tilt restrictor arms can be fiddley and difficult to attach to the window sashes and/or window jamb and such arrangements can be relatively difficult to install and/or cause difficulties when installing the window sashes in particular during replacement of the window sashes within the window frame. Furthermore whilst it is generally desirable to restrict the titling of the window sashes, in certain circumstances, for example during replacement or in an emergency, it can be desirable to allow for further tilting and/or removal of the sashes.
Various tilt stay arrangements are well known in particular for conventional casement type windows are described for example in:- GB 355,396 ; DE 3302354 ; EP 0,499,708 ; GB 428,105 ; DE 1759963 ; EP 0,383,003 ; GB 2,309,484 ; GB 2,259,947 ; GB 2,145,151 ; US 3,728,820 ; WO 00/49258 ; and EP 0,833,028 . Casement windows are however very different to sash windows, and due to the difference in operation sash windows and stays for sash windows are subject to entirely operational, and constructional requirements. In particular sash windows are required to primarily slide within the frame with the titling and stays only being an ancillary feature that should not impede the primary sliding of the sash window. Installation and fitment of sash windows is also very different to that of a casement window.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved sash window tilt restrictor arm arrangement which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.
According to the present invention there is provided a an improved sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly as described accompanying claim 1. There is also provided a sash window assembly as described in accompanying claim 14, and including such a sash window tilt restrictor arm.
Such an arrangement allows easy and simple disengagement of the tilt restrictor arm from the sash to allow for wider tilting opening of the sashes, if required, and also easier removal/installation of the sashes.
The sash mounting arrangement preferably comprises a pin projecting from the second end of the arm and having a distal end of the pin comprising an enlarged head. The pin and enlarged head being in use locatable and retained in an elongate slot having an enlarged access entry portion along the length of the slot dimensioned to allow for insertion and removal of the enlarged head from the engagement within the slot. The elongate slot preferably has a stepped profile with walls defining a shoulder surface upon which the enlarged head is engaged and retained.
This provides a simple and easy detachable attachment of the tilt restrictor arm to the sash avoiding the use of screws or other fixings which require the use of tools.
The elongate slot may be defined in the sash. Alternatively the tilt sash assembly may further comprise a sash mounting bracket attachable to the sash frame and within which the elongate slot is defined. The sash mounting bracket is preferably located within a channel defined in a sash frame. The sash mounting bracket may also further comprise at least one locating lug which projects from the sash mounting bracket and is engagable within an aperture or recess defined in the sash frame. The distal end of the at least one locating lug preferably has an angled profile.
The frame mounting comprises a frame mounting block adapted to be slidably located within a channel defined in the window frame and pivotally attached to the first end of the arm.
The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a sash window and showing the sashes in their tilted configuration;
Figure 2 is a exploded perspective illustration of the sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view, on section Y-Y shown in Figure 4, through a window jamb side frame and window sash incorporating a tilt restrictor arm assembly of figure 2, with the sash in its normal vertical orientation;
Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view on section X-X of Figure 3, through the sash frame and sash mounting of the sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly showing the sash mounting of the tilt restrictor arm; and
Figure 5 is a more detailed view of a sash mounting bracket of the tilt restrictor arm assembly.

Referring to Figure 1, a sash window 10 comprises a window frame 1 including vertical side frame jamb members 6,8, and a pair of sashes 2,4 vertically slidably located within the window frame 1. The sashes 2,4 are disposed generally vertically in an overlapping arrangement with the sashes 2,4 disposed closely adjacent to each other and in operation sliding one behind the other. The vertical window jamb members 6,8 each define double vertically extending window jamb channels 12,14, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, for the respective sashes 2,4. The window jamb channels 12,14 of the double channel section in each window jamb 6,8 are disposed side by side adjacent to and along the length of the window side jambs 6,8 adjacent to the lateral side of the respective sashes 2,4. These window jamb channels 12,14 have an open part which faces the respective lateral sides of the sashes 2,4. The window frame 1, and window side jambs 6,8 are typically fabricated from extruded UPVC sections which are joined together, although other materials for example metal, Aluminium or wood may be used.
Each sash 2,4 is engaged and supported in the window frame by a pair of pivot bars (not shown) located towards the lower part of the sashes 2,4. The pivot bars extend and project laterally from the sides of the sashes 2,4. Pairs of tilt latches (not shown) for each sash 2,4 are located towards the upper part of the sashes 2,4 and similarly project laterally from the sides of the sashes 2,4. The distal ends of the tilt latches and pivot bars are engaged within the respective window jamb channels 12,14 thereby slidably locating the sashes 2,4 within the window frame 1. Counterbalance arrangements (not shown) to counterbalance the weight of the sashes 2,4 and make vertical sliding of the sashes 2,4 easier are mounted and located within the jamb channels 12,14 and attach to the sashes 2,4, and typically to the pivot bars. Specifically the pivot bars may be engaged in sash shoes slidably mounted in the window jamb channels 12,14 and connected to the counterbalance arrangements and specifically one end of the coil springs. Such counterbalance arrangements typically comprise one or more coiled springs and are well known in the art for example being described in UK published patent applications GB2369644 , and GB2380758 , or US patent numbers US6412144 , US6393661 , US5365630 which also generally describe such sash windows.
The tilt latches are laterally retractable with respect to the sashes 2,4 such that the distal ends of the tilt latches can be withdrawn from the window frame jamb channels 12,14. Such withdrawal, in use, allows the upper part of the sashes 2,4 to be disengaged from the window frame 1 allowing the sashes 2,4 to be tilted and pivoted about the pivot bars and a horizontal axis through the lower edge of the sashes 2,4 as illustrated in Figure 1.
A pair of tilt restrictor arm assemblies 16 for each sash 2,4 connect and extend between the window frame jambs 6,8 and side frames 3,5 of the sashes 2,4 to restrict and prevent excessive tilting of the sashes 2,4 and support the sashes 2,4 in a tilted position. With the sashes 2,4 in such a tilted positions, typically tilted inwardly into a building, the outer surface of the sashes 2,4 and window 10 can be easily cleaned and/or other maintenance of the sashes 2,4 and sash window 10 can more easily be carried out. The tilt restrictor arm assemblies 16 in particular mean that the sashes 2,4 do not need to be manually supported when tilted. The tilt restrictor arm assemblies 16, when the sashes 2,4 are in the vertical normal orientation lie parallel to the sides and along the side frames 3,5 of the sashes 2,4 and slide vertically with sashes 2,4. Specifically and in this embodiment a window jamb end of the tilt restrictor arm assembly 16 is slidably located and engaged within the window jamb channel 12,14 by a frame mounting arrangement 20, whilst the sash end of the tilt restrictor arm assembly 16 is pivotally attached to the sash side frame 3,5 by a sash mounting arrangement 21 as will be described further below. During tilting and pivoting of the sashes 2,4 the tilt restrictor arms 16 pivot about the respective connections and mounting arrangements 20,21 to the window jambs 6,8 and sashes 2,4.
As such the sash window 10 described above is generally conventional.
Referring now in more detail to the tilt restrictor arm assembly 16 in accordance with the present invention, this is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 5. It will however be appreciated that certain elements of the sash window 10 have been omitted from figures 3 and 4 in the interests of clarity and that the illustrations are not necessarily to scale.
As shown in Figure 2, the tilt restrictor arm assembly 16 comprises an elongated arm member 22. The window jamb frame mounting arrangement 20 comprises a jamb frame mounting block 50 which is pivotally attached to one end of the arm 22 by for example a rivet 52. The window jamb channels 12, 14 are sub-divided by dividing walls or flanges 19 as shown in Figure 3 to define a counterbalance chamber 17 within which the counterbalance assembly (not shown) is located, and tilt restrictor arm mounting channel 15. The frame mounting block 50 is sized and dimensioned to slidably locate within the tilt restrictor arm mounting chamber 15 such that whilst it can slide vertically within the chamber 15 and channel 12,14 it is securely located therein. The mounting block 50 may be installed within this chamber 15 through an enlarged axis opening defined part way along the window jamb channel 12,14. Alternatively the mounting block 50 may be inserted into the channel chamber 15 from one end prior to assembly of the window frame 1.
The other end of the tilt restrictor arm assembly 16, and sash mounting arrangement 21, is arranged and adapted to releasably attach the tilt restrictor arm 22 to the sash 2,4, and allow the tilt restrictor arm 22 to pivot relative to the sash 2,4. In addition, and preferably, the sash mounting arrangement 21 also provides and allows a limited degree of relative slidable movement of the tilt restrictor arm 22 relative to the sash 2,4. Such limited sliding allows for easier tilting of the sash 2,4.
Specifically, and as illustrated in this embodiment, the sash mounting arrangement 21 comprises a mounting pin 30 which projects from an end of the arm 22 and is detachably engaged and located in a tilt restrictor arm sash mounting bracket 18 which is attached and fixedly secured to the window sash side frame 3,5 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and described further below. The tilt restrictor arm sash mounting bracket 18 includes and elongate slot 32 defined therein. The elongate slot 32 has a stepped cross section and comprises a first section 34 having a first width W₁ and a second section 36 overlying the first sections and having a second width W₂ greater than the first width W₁ with a flat shoulder surface 40 defined between the two sections. The mounting pin 30 comprises a shaft portion 31 with an enlarged head 33 at the distal end of the shaft portion 31 and pin 30.
An enlarged keyhole aperture 38 is defined through the tilt restrictor arm sash mounting bracket 18 part way along the length of the elongate slot 32 enlarging the width of the first section 34 of the elongate slot 32 in the region of the keyhole aperture 38. The width W₁ of the first section 34 corresponds to the width/diameter of the shaft 31 of the pin 30 whilst the width W₂ of the second section 36 corresponds to the width/diameter of the enlarged head 33. The keyhole aperture 38 generally corresponds to the shape and size of the enlarged head 33 such that the enlarged head 33 and pin 30 can be inserted through the keyhole aperture 38 and be located within the elongate slot 32. Once inserted into the slot 32, the enlarged head of the pin 30 is then located and retained within in the second section of the slot 32 by the shoulder surface 40 which abuts against the underside of the enlarged head 33 once the pin 30 is slid along the slot 32. To remove the pin 30 from the slot, and detach the arm 22 from the tilt restrictor arm sash mounting bracket 18, the pin 30 is slid with the slot 32 until the enlarged head 33 is aligned with the keyhole aperture 38 at which point the pin 30 can be withdrawn from the slot 32 through the keyhole aperture 38. The pin 30 is accordingly releasably and detachably engaged and located within an elongate slot 32.
By sizing the keyhole aperture 38 such that it closely corresponds to the enlarged head 33 and requires careful alignment of the head with the aperture 38 for removal, reduces the risk of inadvertent accidental disengagement of the pin 30 from the slot 32. In addition by disposing the keyhole aperture 38 part way along the slot 32, and away from the ends of the slot and/or where in use the pin 30 may generally be located, accidental alignment of the enlarged head 33 with the aperture 38 and disengagement of the pin 30 from the slot is further prevented. In an alternative embodiment and variation, a plug (not shown) may be inserted and fitted into the keyhole aperture 38. The plug may completely, or partially closes off the keyhole aperture 38 thereby preventing the enlarged head 33 from being removed from the aperture 38. The plug thereby more securely prevents inadvertent removal of the pin 30 form the slot through the keyhole aperture 38. With such a plug the keyhole aperture 38 is typically located at one end of the slot 32, beyond the normal movement of the pin 30 within the slot 32 since the plug may prevent movement of the pin 30 beyond the plug. If however the plug only partially fills the aperture 38 such that the slot 32 continues through the plug then there is no restriction on the positioning of the aperture 38 and plug.
The tilt restrictor arm sash mounting bracket 18 is attached and fixedly secured to the sash 2,4 within a channel section 24 defined along the sash side frames 3,5. A pair of locating lugs 42 project from the mounting bracket 18 and engage and locate within corresponding locating apertures 44 defined in a rear wall 25 of the channel section 24 of the sash side frames 3,5 to locate the mounting bracket 18 longitudinally along the channel 24 and sash 2,4. Front walls 26 defining the channel section 24 retain the mounting bracket 18 and lugs within the channel 24. The mounting bracket 18 may be inserted and fitted within the channel 24 either through an enlarged access opening (not shown) or alternatively is simply slid into the open end of the channel 24. Such an enlarged access opening may be an existing feature of the sash channel 24 provided part way along the length of the channel 24. Alternatively an access opening, sized to the size of the mounting bracket 18, may be subsequently machined into the sash 2,4 and channel 24, removing respective localised portions of the front 26 to allow for retrofitting of the mounting bracket 18 and restrictor 16 to existing sashes. The mounting bracket 18 is then slid longitudinally along the channel 24 until the locating lugs 42 locate and engage within the locating apertures 44 in the channel rear wall 25. In this embodiment the sash frame 3,5 and in particular front walls 26 and/or the channel rear wall 25 defining the channel 24 have a degree of resilience, and the mounting bracket 18 is dimensioned to substantially fill the channel section 24. Accordingly the front walls 26, and/or the channel rear wall 25, to bow and deform with the distal ends of the locating lugs 42 abutting the rear wall 25 of the channel 24 as the mounting bracket 18 is fitted within and slid along the channel 24. Once the locating lugs 44 engage and fit in the locating apertures/recesses 44, the resilience of the front walls 26, and/or the channel rear wall 25, urges mounting bracket 18 against the rear wall 25 and the locating lugs 42 into the locating holes 44 such that the locating lugs 42 are retained in the locating apertures 44. It will be appreciated that whilst a pair of locating lugs 42 are preferably used, as shown in this embodiment, in alternative embodiments only one lug 42, or more lugs 42 may be used.
To enable the mounting bracket 18 to be removed, if required, the distal end of the locating lugs 42 preferably have an angled end surface 46. The angling of the distal end surface 46 and of the locating lug 42 is arranged such that the locating lug 42 engages the aperture 44 and resists movement of the mounting bracket 18 under normal loading which is predominantly applied in use in one direction (downwards as shown in figure 4). Under such normal loading a projecting edge surface 45 of the locating lug 42 engages and abuts against the walls of the aperture and resist movement. However if the mounting bracket 18 is moved in a removal direction (upwards as shown in figure 4) the locating lug 42 extracts itself from the locating aperture 44 with the edge of the aperture 44 then sliding over the angled surface 46 and urging the front walls 26, and/or the channel rear wall 25, to bow and deform outwards against their resilience.
In further alternative embodiments the sash side frames 3,5 may be substantially rigid. In such cases the locating lugs 42 are configured to resiliently deform to allow for fitment of the mounting bracket 18 within the channel 24. Alternatively the locating lugs 42 may be configured to be resiliently retractable into the mounting bracket 18. It will also be appreciated that whilst the use of such locating lugs 42 and fitment of the mounting bracket 18 within a channel 24 in the sash frame 3,5 provides and simple and convenient means for attaching and fitting the mounting bracket 18 to the sash side frame 3,5, the mounting bracket 18 could be attached in other ways. In addition in a yet further embodiment the mounting bracket 18 may be integral with the sashes 2,4, and sash side frames 3,5. Indeed in a yet further alternative embodiment the elongate slot 32, and enlarged keyhole aperture 38, could be directly machined or otherwise formed, within the sash frame 3,5.
The releasable and detachable attachment of the tilt restrictor arm 22 to the sashes 2,4 provided by the described tilt restrictor arm assembly 16 is much simpler and quicker to fit the previous conventional arrangements. In particular no additional fixings (screws), and no tools, are required to fit and attach the tilt restrictor arm 22 to the sashes 2,4. The tilt restrictor arm 22 is straightforwardly and simply attachable and also detachable from the window sash simply by sliding and aligning the respective mounting pins 30 with the respective keyhole aperture 38, and flexing the tilt restrictor arm arms 22 slightly laterally outwards to allow for the pin 30 to be removed from the elongate slot and thereby detach the arm 22 from the window sash 2,4. This arrangement can be contrasted with prior conventional arrangements in which the tilt restrictor arms are either permanently affixed or attached using screws or other similar attachments which are cumbersome to remove and fit and require the use of tools, for example a screwdriver.
The simple releasable and detachable attachment of the tilt restrictor arm 22 to the sashes 2,4 also allows the tilt arm 22 to more simply and easily be detached from the sashes 2,4 to allow the sashes 2,4 to be further titled and provide an increased opening for example to provide easier emergency escape through the window, and also provide increased and better maintenance access, as well as allowing for easier removal and/or installation of the sashes 2,4. Specifically when the tilt restrictor arms 16 are detached from the sashes 2,4 this allows the sashes 2,4 to be fully tilted (typically horizontally) such that the pivot bars are aligned with openings and can be removed from engagement in the sash shoes which typically retain them in the window jamb channels 12,14 allowing the sashes 2,4 to then be removed from the window 1.

Claims

A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) for restraining tilting of a tilting slidable sash (2,4) of a sash window (10), the tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) comprises an elongate arm (22), a frame mounting arrangement (20) to pivotally attach a first end of the arm (22) to a window frame (1,6,8) of the sash window (10), and a sash mounting arrangement (21) adapted to pivotally attach a second end of the arm (22) to the sash (2,4); wherein the frame mounting arrangement (20) comprises a frame mounting block (50) pivotally attached to the first end of the arm (22) and adapted to be slidably located within a channel (12,14) defined in the window frame (1,6,8) such that the tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) is slidably mountable within the channel (12,14) and to the window frame (1,6,8); and wherein the sash mounting arrangement (21) detachably engages and attaches the second end of the arm (22) to the sash (2,4).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sash mounting arrangement (21) slidably attaches the second end of the arm (22) to the sash (2,4).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the sash mounting arrangement (21) comprises a pin (30) projecting from the second end of the arm (22) and having a distal end of the pin comprising an enlarged head (33), the pin (30) and enlarged head (33) being in use locatable and retained in an elongate slot (32) having an enlarged access entry portion (38) along the length of the slot (32) dimensioned to allow for insertion and removal of the enlarged head (33) from the engagement within the slot (32).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elongate slot (32) has a stepped profile with walls defining a shoulder surface (40) upon which the enlarged head (33) is engaged and retained.
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which the elongate slot (32) is defined in the sash (2,4).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 further comprising a sash mounting bracket (18) attachable to the sash frame (3,5) and within which the elongate slot (32) is defined.
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 6 in which the sash mounting bracket (18) is located within a channel (24) defined in a sash frame (3,5).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 7 in which the sash mounting bracket (18) further comprises at least one locating lug (42) which projects from the sash mounting bracket (18) and is engagable within an aperture or recess (44) defined in the sash frame (3,5).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claim 8 in which a distal end (46) of the at least one locating lug (42) has an angled profile.
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in claims 8 or 9 comprising a pair of locating lugs (42).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 10 wherein the enlarged access entry portion (38) is located part way along the length of the elongate slot (32).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 11 further comprising a plug which is configured to be fitted into the enlarged access entry portion (38) and completely or at least partially close off the enlarged access entry portion (38).
A sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) as claimed in any preceding claim in which the frame mounting block (50) is rivetted to the arm (22).
A sash window assembly (10) comprising:
a window frame (1) including at least one side frame jamb (6,8) having a channel (12,14) defined therein;

at least one sash (2,4) slidably and pivotally located within the window frame (1) such that it can slide within the window frame (10) and tilt out of the window frame (1); and

at least one sash window tilt restrictor arm assembly (16) of any preceding claim, wherein the frame mounting arrangement (20) is located within said channel (12,14) in the window frame (1), and the sash mounting arrangement (21) is detachably engaged and attached to the at least one sash (2,4).