EP3339545A1

EP3339545A1 - Fitting assembly for window

Info

Publication number: EP3339545A1
Application number: EP16205667.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Johnson
Original assignee: MILA BESLAG AS
Current assignee: MILA BESLAG AS
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2018-06-27

Abstract

A fitting assembly for releasably locking a sash to a window frame for a top-hung window comprises a first fitting portion (10), a second fitting portion (11), and a locking mechanism. The first fitting portion (10) is for attachment to a window frame, the second fitting portion (11) is for attachment to a sash, and the locking mechanism is for locking the first fitting portion to the second fitting portion, thereby locking the sash to the window frame. The locking mechanism comprises an opening (54) for receiving a pin (55) that projects from the second fitting portion (11), a locking element (52), and at least one groove (62) leading to the opening (54). The locking element (52) is slidable along the groove (62) and into a recess (58) of the pin (55) in order to lock the pin (55) within the opening (54), and the locking element (52) comprises a planar surface.

Description

The present invention is related to a fitting assembly for a window, and in particular to a fitting assembly for releasably locking a sash to a window frame for a top-hung window.
In conventional top-hung windows, the upper end of the window sash may be fitted at left and right sides of the upper end of the sash to side members of a window frame by a fitting that can be rotated about a horizontal axis to open and close the window.
During the mounting of the sash to the window frame, it is often necessary to make adjustments to the frame or the fitting in order that the sash fits correctly within the window frame. The process of mounting the sash to the window frame therefore typically involves attaching the sash to the frame, removing if adjustments are necessary, and then reattaching after adjustments have been made.
A typical top-hung window fitting assembly comprises a first fitting member for attachment to the window frame, a second fitting member for attachment to the sash, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the second fitting member to the first fitting member. Disadvantages arise in typical window fitting assemblies in that it is difficult to release the locking mechanism and thereby remove the sash from the window frame. Furthermore, the locking mechanism is prone to damage after repeated attachment and removal of the sash and the fitting assembly can be damaged under the weight of the window and can often collapse. Additionally, the sash and frame are typically fixed together before being fitted to a building; any finishing required around the frame after the sash and frame have been fitted to the building may result in damage to the sash. It is therefore desirable to provide a fitting assembly wherein the sash may be easily removed from the window frame, which is resistant to damage through repeated attachment and removal of the sash to the window frame, and wherein the sash may be easily attached to the frame after the frame has been fitted to a building.
According to the present invention there is provided a fitting assembly as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description which follows.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fitting assembly for a window comprising a first fitting portion for attachment to a window frame, a second fitting portion for attachment to a window sash, and a locking mechanism for locking the second fitting portion to the first fitting portion, the locking mechanism comprising an opening for receiving a pin that projects from the second fitting portion, a locking element, and at least one groove leading to the opening wherein the locking element is slidable along the groove and into a recess of the pin in order to lock the pin within the opening, and wherein the locking element comprises a planar surface.
The planar surface may be an upper or lower surface of the locking element. The locking element may comprise upper and lower planar surfaces. The feature of the locking element comprising planar surfaces is advantageous because a leg of the locking element may easily slide along the groove. The locking element may be substantially flat, and this provides a stronger locking element than other designs of locking element that are rounded wires. The locking element is therefore more resistant to being bent or otherwise damaged when repeatedly slid along the channel to lock and release the pin to and from the opening. In use, the window frame may be fitted to a building first, and the sash easily fitted later. This may help to avoid damage to the sash if any work is done around the window frame after fitting the window frame to a building.
The locking mechanism may be movable between a first configuration, in which the second fitting portion is locked to the first fitting portion, and a second configuration, in which the second fitting portion is releasable from the first fitting portion.
The pin may be a cylindrical pivot and the recess may be a circumferential recess. The locking element may comprise at least one leg which may be slidable along the groove and into the recess. When the at least one leg is in the recess, the pivot may be rotatably retained within the hole. When the leg is removed from the recess, the pivot may be releasable from the hole.
The second fitting member may comprise a sash bar and a support bar. The support bar may be pivotably attached to the sash bar, preferably at a first end of the support bar. The pin may project from the support bar, preferably at a second end of the support bar.
The second fitting portion may comprise an upstand bar. The upstand bar may be substantially perpendicular to the sash bar. The upstand bar may be attachable to a top edge of a sash and the sash bar may be attachable to a side edge of a sash. The width of the upstand bar may be generally the same as the width of the sash bar. The upstand bar may comprise two holes for receiving fittings for attachment to a sash. At least one of the holes may be offset from a central axis of the upstand bar.
The sash bar and/or the support bar and/or the upstand bar may have a rounded end.
The at least one leg of the locking element may have a rectangular cross-section. The groove may have a rectangular section. The locking element may comprise two legs and the locking mechanism may comprise two grooves. Where two grooves are provided they may be spaced to opposite sides of the pin, preferably an opposite side of a rail. The locking element may be substantially U-shaped, with a cross-bar joining the two legs at a first end of the two legs. The two legs may be substantially parallel to each other.
The grooves and the opening may be provided in a retaining portion which may be attachable to the first fitting portion.
To move the locking mechanism into the first configuration, the locking element may be slidable along the groove toward the opening such that a part of the locking element enters part of the recess of the pin. To move the locking mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration, the locking element may be slidable along the groove away from the opening such that the part of the locking element in the recess leaves the recess.
The retaining portion may comprise means for inhibiting movement of the locking element from the first configuration to the second configuration and/or from the second configuration to the first configuration. This is beneficial because it may help to keep the second fitting portion secured to the first fitting portion. The means for inhibiting movement of the locking element may be a ramp. The ramp may project from an upper surface of the retaining portion. The ramp may comprise a first surface which abuts a part of the locking element, preventing the locking element from sliding along the at least one groove away from the opening. The ramp may be a double ramp, comprising a second surface which abuts a part of the locking element, preventing the locking element from sliding along the at least one groove towards the opening. The double ramp may have a generally M-shaped profiled. The locking element may be resilient and may be slidable over the ramp if sufficient force is applied to the locking element, preferably to the cross-bar of the U-shaped locking element.
The locking element may comprise means for inhibiting separation of the locking element from the retaining portion, particularly when the locking mechanism is in the second configuration. This may be beneficial because it will avoid the locking element from falling away from the fitting assembly when it is removed from the hole and potentially being lost.
The retaining portion and the locking element may comprise complementary engagement formations for inhibiting separation of the locking element from the engagement portion. The locking element may comprise a projection which projects from the at least one leg of the locking element and the retaining portion may comprise a projection which projects from the at least one groove of the retaining portion. Preferably, the locking element comprises an opposing pair of projections, with each projection projecting inwardly from one leg of the two legs in a direction toward the other leg of the two legs. Preferably, the retaining portion may comprises a complementary pair of projections, a first projection projecting from a first groove and a second projection projecting from a second groove. The locking element projections may engage the retaining portion projections as the legs of the locking element slide along the grooves of the retaining portion, and may prevent the locking element from sliding further along the grooves. The at least one leg of the locking element may be resilient. If a force is applied to the locking element, preferably to the cross-bar of the locking element, the locking element projections may be forced apart such that the locking element projections slide over the retaining portion projections and the legs may slide further along the grooves toward the hole in the retaining portion. Similarly, if the locking element slides along the grooves in a direction away from the opening, the retaining portion projections may engage the locking element projections to prevent the clip from sliding further along the grooves. If a force is applied to the locking element, preferably to the cross-bar of the locking element, the locking element projections may be forced apart, away from the retaining portion projections, and the locking element projections may slide over the retaining portion projections. The locking element projections and the retaining portion projections prevent the locking element from separating completely from the fitting assembly, thereby providing an ease of use of the fitting assembly and allowing a single person to fit the window.
The first fitting portion may comprise a rail and a sliding member which may be adapted to slide along the rail. The second fitting portion may be attachable to the sliding member. Preferably, an end of the sash bar may be attachable to the sliding member. The retaining portion may be slidably attachable to the first fitting portion. The retaining portion may be slidable along the rail in order to adjust the position of the retaining portion as desired. The retaining portion may comprise means for adjusting the retaining portion to a desired position on the rail and may comprise means for fixing the retaining portion in a desired position on the rail. The means for adjusting the retaining position of the retaining portion may be an eccentric cam. The means for fixing the position of the retaining portion may be a grub screw. This provides a simple way to adjust and fix the position of the retaining portion.
The first fitting portion may comprise a mount for the retaining portion to be held on the rail. The retaining portion may be held on the rail by means of the eccentric cam, which may be provided in a hole of the mount. The eccentric cam may be rotatable within the hole, which is preferably a rectangular hole with a length that is the same as the diameter of the cam. Rotation of the cam may cause the retaining portion to slide along the rail relative to the mount. The mount may be fixed to the rail. The mount may comprise a plate which may be positioned over a part of the retaining portion. The rectangular hole may be provided in the plate, with the cam projecting from a top surface of the retaining portion through the rectangular hole. The retaining portion may comprise an opening for the grub screw for fixing the position of the retaining portion. The opening for the grub screw may be provided on the top surface of the retaining portion and may extend through the retaining portion towards a bottom surface of the retaining portion. The opening for the grub screw may be provided adjacent the mount plate such that the mount plate does not cover the opening for the screw. The mount plate may comprise a cut-away portion for access to the grub screw. The position of the retaining portion may therefore be easily fixed in place by using a screwdriver to tighten the grub screw.
At least a part of the fitting assembly may be formed of zinc. The retaining portion may formed of zinc.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a first side perspective view of a fitting assembly according to an example of the invention;
Figure 2 is a second side view of the fitting assembly;
Figure 3 is perspective view of a retaining portion of the fitting assembly in isolation;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a locking element of the fitting assembly in isolation; and
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part of the fitting assembly.

A fitting assembly comprises a first fitting portion 10 and a second fitting portion 11, which comprises a sash bar 12, and a support bar 14, as shown in figures 1 and 2. The first fitting portion 10 is for attachment to a frame of a window, and the sash bar 12 is for attachment to a window sash. A first end 16 of the sash bar 12 is pivotably mounted to the first fitting portion 10; the support bar 14 is pivotably attached to the sash bar 12 at a first end 18 of the support bar 14, and is pivotably attached to the first fitting portion 10 at a second end 20 of the support bar 14. The second fitting portion 11 comprises an upstand bar 22, which is upstanding relative to the sash bar 12 and is provided toward the first end 16 of the sash bar 12 and is for attaching to an upper edge of a window sash. The sash bar 12 and the upstand bar 22 comprise openings for attachment to a sash. The upstand bar openings 24 are axially offset from each other, to provide a stronger attachment to a window sash, because alignment along a wood grain direction is avoided with the offset openings 24.
The first fitting portion 10 comprises a rail 26, and the first end 16 of the sash bar 12 is slidable along the rail 26. The first fitting portion 10 comprises a sliding portion 28 which can slide along part of the length of the rail 26. The width of the part of the sliding portion 28 that sits within the rail 26 is larger than the width between lips 30 that extend inwardly from either side of the rail 26 at an upper surface of the rail 26, such that the sliding portion 28 is retained within the rail.
In use, when the window is in a closed position, the sash bar 12, support bar 14 and first fitting portion 10 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, with the sash bar 12 lying on top of the support bar 14, and both lying above the first fitting portion 10. As the window is opened, the angle between the support bar 14 and the first fitting portion 10 and the angle between the sash bar 12 and the first fitting portion 10 both increase and the first end 16 of the sash bar 12 slides along the rail 26 on the sliding portion 28.
The first end 16 of the sash bar 12 is connected to the sliding portion 28 by means of a flat-sided rod 32 that extends through a rounded opening with a slot-shaped entry point at a distal end of the sliding portion 28. The rod 32 is shaped such that at a first orientation, for example when the sash bar 12 is perpendicular to the rail 36, the flat sides of the rod 32 may slide into the slot-shaped entry point of the opening, but when the sash bar 12 is rotated relative to the first fitting portion 10, for example such that the angle between the sash bar 12 and the first fitting portion 10 is an oblique angle, the flat sides of the rod 32 are not aligned with the slot-shaped entry point and the rod 32 is secured within the opening and the sash bar 12 is thereby secured to the sliding portion 28.
The first fitting portion 10 comprises a retaining portion 34, shown in isolation in figure 3, that forms part of a locking mechanism for releasably locking the second fitting portion to the first fitting portion 10. The retaining portion 34 is positioned on the rail 26 at a distance separated from the sliding portion 28 to allow movement thereof. The retaining portion 34 is attached to the rail 26 by means of a mount 36 which is fixed to the rail by an attachment 38, as shown in figure 5. The mount 36 comprises a top plate 38 which sits on top of the lips 30 of the rail 26, with a portion of the retaining portion 34 fitted in the rail 26 beneath the plate 38. The plate 38 comprises a rectangular opening 40. An eccentric cam 42 is provided in the rectangular opening, the diameter of the cam 42 being approximately the same as the length of the rectangular opening 40. The cam 42 is rotatably fitted to the retaining portion 34 such that rotation of the eccentric cam 42 causes the retaining portion 34 to slide along the rail 26 relative to the mount 36. The retaining portion 34 can therefore be adjusted to a desired position on the rail 26. The fitting assembly comprises a grub screw 44 in an opening 46 of the retaining portion 34 for fixing the retaining portion to the rail 26 at the desired position. The screw 44 is provided at a position between the end of the plate 38 and the pivot point 48 connecting the support bar 14 to the retaining portion 34, and there is provided a semi-circular cut-away portion 50 in the plate 38 to provide easy access to the screw 44.
The support bar 14 is pivotably mounted to the retaining portion 34, such when the retaining portion 34 is fixed to the rail 26 by the screw 44 and the support bar 14 is pivoted around the pivot point 48, the sash bar 12 slides along the rail 26 on the sliding portion 28.
The locking mechanism, comprising the retaining portion 34 and a locking element 52, is for locking the support bar 14 to the first fitting portion 10, thereby retaining the second fitting portion 11 to the first fitting portion 10. The retaining portion 34 comprises a hole 54 for receiving a pivot 55 that projects from the support bar 14 at the pivot point 48. The hole 54 extends into the retaining portion 34 from a surface of a raised portion 60 of the retaining portion 34. The pivot fits within the hole 54 and may fit with a friction fit. An opening 56 (see Figure 2) is also provided in the rail 26 such that the pivot 55 may extend through the hole 54 in the retaining portion to the opening 56 in the rail 26. The opening 56 in the rail is larger than the diameter of the pivot 55, in the direction of the length of the rail 26, in order to allow the retaining portion 34 with the pivot to slide along the rail 26 when adjusting the position of the retaining portion 34 as described above.
The pivot 55 is generally cylindrical and comprises a circumferential recess at around midway of the length of the pivot 55. The retaining portion 34 comprises two grooves 62 for receiving legs 64 of the locking element. The grooves 62 extend from either side of the hole 54 along sides of the raised portion 60 towards an end of the raised portion 60.
The locking element 52 is a U-shaped plate with a cross-bar 66 and two legs 64 extending in the same direction from either end of the cross-bar 66. The two legs 64 are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the diameter of the main cylindrical body of the pivot 55, but greater than the diameter of the part of the pivot 55 in the circumferential recess 58. The distance between the grooves 62 in the raised portion 60 of the retaining portion 34 corresponds to the distance between the legs 64 of the locking element 52. The legs 64 each have a rectangular cross-section; the upper surface 68 and lower surface of the locking element 52 are substantially planar.
When the pivot 55 is inserted into the hole 54 in the retaining portion 34 and the locking mechanism is in a first configuration in which the legs 64 of the locking element 52 are positioned in the grooves 62 and the recess 58 of the pivot 55, the support bar 14 is locked to the first fitting portion 10. The legs 64 extend as chords across opposing parts of the recess 58 of the pivot 55, thereby preventing the pivot 55 from being removed from the hole 54. When the locking mechanism is in a second configuration, in which the legs 64 of the locking element 52 do not extend across opposing parts of the recess of the pivot 55 or across the hole 54, the pivot 55 may be inserted into the hole 54 and may be removed from the hole 54. To remove the pivot 55 from the hole 54, the support bar 14 may be pulled away from the first fitting element 10, pulling the pivot 55 through the hole 54. In embodiments in which the pivot fits into the hole in a friction fit, an applied force may be required to overcome the friction and remove the pivot from the hole. Similarly, an applied force may be required to overcome the friction and to insert the pivot into the hole.
The locking mechanism comprises a ramp 72 for securing the locking element 52 to the retaining portion 34 in the first configuration. The ramp 72 is a double ramp with an M-shaped profile that projects from a top surface of the retaining portion 34, adjacent the raised portion 60. The distance between the end of the raised portion 60 and a first end 74 of the ramp 60 is slightly greater than the width of the cross-bar 66 of the U-shaped locking element 52, from the outer surface 75 of the cross-bar to the inner surface 76 of the cross-bar 66. The height of the first end 74 of the ramp 72 is greater than the thickness of the locking element 52. When the locking element 52 is fully fitted in the recess of the pivot 55 to lock the pivot 55 within the hole 54, the first end 74 of the ramp 72 prevents the locking element 52 from sliding along the grooves 62 in a direction away from the hole 54. Similarly, when the locking mechanism is in the second configuration, a second end 76 of the ramp 72 may prevent the locking element 52 from moving beyond the ramp towards the hole 54.
The locking element 52 is resilient and may be flexible under a sufficient applied force. When it is desirable to release the pivot 55 from the hole 54 in the retaining portion 34, a force must be applied to the inner surface 76 of the cross-bar 66 of the locking element 52 in order to push the cross-bar 66 over the ramp 72. Similarly, when it is desirable to move the locking element 52 from the second configuration into the first configuration, a force must be applied to the outer surface 75 of the cross-bar 66 in order to push the cross-bar 66 over the second end 76 of the ramp 72.
The retaining portion 34 and locking element 52 also comprise complementary engagement projections for preventing the locking element 52 from separating completely from the retaining portion 34 when in an unlocked position in the second configuration. A pair of projections 78 is provided at the ends of the grooves 62 of the retaining portion 34, which engages with a pair of projections 80 on the locking element 52. The retaining portion projections 78 are provided at the opposite end of the grooves 62 to the hole 54. The locking element projections 80 are provided on inner surfaces 82 of the legs 64, with a first projection projecting from a first of the legs towards a second projection projecting from the second of the legs. When the locking element 52 slides along the grooves 62 in a direction away from the hole 54 and over the ramp 72, the locking element projections 80 abut the retaining portion projections 78, preventing the locking element from sliding any further along the grooves 62. In order to slide the locking element 62 further along the grooves 62 to remove the locking element 52 from the retaining portion 34, a force must be applied to the cross-bar 66 of the locking element 52 in order to force the locking element projections 80 to slide past the retaining portion projections 78. The legs 64 of the locking element 52 are resilient in order that the legs 64 may move apart slightly for the locking element projections 80 to slide past the retaining portion projections 78.
The invention described above is advantageous, because the locking element is sufficiently robust to be removed with a screwdriver or other readily available tool, instead of a specialist tool as required by the prior art.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

A fitting assembly for a window comprising a first fitting portion for attachment to a window frame, a second fitting portion for attachment to a window sash, and a locking mechanism for locking the second fitting portion to the first fitting portion, the locking mechanism comprising an opening for receiving a pin that projects from the second fitting portion, a locking element, and at least one groove leading to the opening wherein the locking element is slidable along the groove and into a recess of the pin in order to lock the pin within the opening, and wherein the locking element comprises a planar surface.
A fitting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one leg of the locking element has a rectangular cross-section.
A fitting assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one groove is provided in a retaining portion of the locking mechanism.
A fitting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the retaining portion comprises means for inhibiting movement of the locking element from a first configuration wherein the pin is locked within the opening to a second configuration wherein the pin is releasable from the opening.
A fitting assembly according to claim 4, wherein the means for inhibiting movement is a ramp which projects from a surface of the retaining portion.
A fitting assembly according to claim 5, wherein the ramp is a double ramp for inhibiting movement of the locking element from the second configuration to the first configuration.
A fitting assembly according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the locking element is resilient such that when a sufficient force is applied to the locking element, the locking element is capable of sliding over the ramp.
A fitting assembly according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the locking element comprises means for inhibiting separation of the locking element from the retaining portion.
A fitting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the retaining portion and the locking element comprise complementary engagement formations for inhibiting separation of the locking element from the engagement portion.
A fitting assembly according to claim 9, wherein the locking element comprises a projection which projects from the at least one leg of the locking element and the retaining portion comprises a projection which projects from the at least one groove of the retaining portion, wherein the locking element projection engages the retaining portion projection as the locking element slide along the grooves of the retaining portion, and engagement of the projections inhibits the locking element from sliding further along the grooves.
A fitting assembly according to any of claims 3 to 10, wherein the first fitting portion comprises a rail and the retaining portion is slidable along the rail, the first fitting portion and retaining portion comprising means for adjusting the position of the retaining portion on the rail and the fitting assembly comprising means for fixing the retaining portion in a fixed position on the rail.
A fitting assembly according to claim 11, wherein the fitting assembly comprises a grub screw which extends through the retaining portion for contacting the rail to fix the retaining portion in a fixed position on the rail.
A fitting assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second fitting portion comprises an upstanding bar and a sash bar, the width of the upstanding bar being the same as the width of the sash bar.
A fitting assembly according to claim 13, wherein the upstanding bar comprises two openings for receiving fittings for attachment to a sash and wherein at least one of the openings is offset from a central axis of the upstanding bar.