GB2072740A

GB2072740A - Espagnolette fastening

Info

Publication number: GB2072740A
Application number: GB8108715A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GKN Crompton Ltd
Current assignee: Crompton Ltd
Priority date: 1980-03-22
Filing date: 1981-03-19
Publication date: 1981-10-07
Also published as: GB2072740B

Abstract

An espagnolette fastening for a casement window, with an espagnolette bar 10 for mounting on a sash frame and a control assembly 27 for mounting on the exterior of the sash frame and having a linearly movable output member 31 which extends through an aperture in the sash frame to engage the espagnolette bar. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Espagnolette This invention relates to espagnolette fastenings for windows. An espagnolette comprises, in a casement window, a bar lying along the edge of the opening sash of the window away from the hinges thereof and movable longitudinally by an appropriate mechanism, the bar having, at its ends or otherwise spaced along it, formations which are engage able with complementary formations on the window frame to hold the window shut.

It is usual to arrange for the espagnolette bar to be moved longitudinally by a handle which is moved by the user in a rotary sense. A crank mechanism, or rack and pinion arrangement, is then necessary to impart linear motion to the espagnolette bar. In modern casement windows where the sash frame is of material of slim cross-section, such a mechanism might not be capable of being accommodated within the sash frame.

The present invention provides, according to one aspect, a casement window sash assembly including a sash frame element, an espagnolette bar mounted on the sash frame element for movement longitudinally of it, and, mounted on the exterior of the sash frame element, a control assembly having an angularly movable input member and a linearly movable output member, the output member extending through an aperture in the sash frame element to engage the espagnolette bar for moving the latter longitudinally.

By separating the control assembly, with its means for converting angular to linear movement, from the espagnolette bar and disposing the former outside the sash frame element ratherthan within it, the espagnolette becomes suitable for application to window sashes made of relatively slim frame elements.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide an espagnolette fastener for a casement window, comprising: (i) an espagnolette bar, adapted to be mounted for longitudinal linear movement on a sash frame element and provided with at least two locking formations, (ii) a control assembly adapted to be mounted on the sash frame element and having an angulary movable input member, a linearly movable output member adapted to extend through the sash frame element and engage the espagnolette bar for moving the latter, and means connecting said input and output members, and (iii) at least two keepers adapted to be secured to the fixed frame of the window and with which said locking formations are engageable.

These and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an espagnolette fastening according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a section through part of the frame of a casement window, with the espagnolette fitted thereto.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the espagnolette.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of part of the espagnolette.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an espagnolette fastening which comprises an espagnolette bar 10 of elongate form which, when installed, lies within a shallow longitudinally extending groove 11 in the underside of a frame element 12 of the opening sash of a casement window. The espagnolette bar is supported for longitudinal sliding movement by spaced guide bushes 13 each of which extends through an individual elongated aperture 14 in the espagnolette bar and is held to the sash frame element by a screw 15. Locking pins 16 extend downwardly from the espagnolette bar, and two drive pins 17 extend upwardly from the bar at the centre thereof into a deeper groove 11a in the frame element.

When the window is closed, the sash frame element 12 seats against a fixed frame element 18 which presents, towards the sash frame, a stepped configuration with a vertical wall to which a sealing strip 19 is fitted to engage the sash frame, a horizontal wall 21 which defines a gap or open space 20 between itself and the part of the sash frame element in which the espagnolette bar lies, and another vertical wall 22 against which fits a downwardly depending part of the sash frame element 12. To the horizontal surface 21 are fitted three spaced keeper plates 23, at positions corresponding to the locking pins 16 depending from the espagnolette bar 10.

Each keeper plate presents an open side with a transversely extending groove 24 and two longitudinally extending grooves 25, 26 capable of receiving the locking pin.

When the espagnolette bar is in an appropriate position, each locking pin 16 on the espagnolette bar can enter the transverse groove in its respective locking plate, and, on longitudinal movement of the espagnolette bar in either direction, enter either the longitudinal groove 25 or the groove 26 to hold the sash in, respectively, either a fully closed position or a secure 'night vent' position.

The espagnolette bar is moved longitudinally of the sash frame element by a control assembly which is shown most clearly in Figure 3. This comprises a casing 27 which is secured to the exterior of the sash frame element and which mounts for angular movement a handle 28 which carries a pinion 29.

The pinion 29 engages with a rack 30 attached to a drive plate 31 which has adjacent its ends two apertures 32 engageable with the drive pins 17 on the espagnolette bar. The drive plate 31 extends through a slot 33 in the sash frame element to engage the drive pins 17. Thus angular movement of the handle 28 effects the linear movement of the espagnolette bar to engage or disengage the locking pins thereof with their respective keeper plates.

The espagnolette will normally be installed such thatthe position of handle 28 shown in Figure 3 cor responds to the central position of the espagnolette bar, i.e. in which the locking pins thereof are disen gageable from the keeper plates. Movement of the handle in either direction then will lock the window in either its fully closed or night vent position.

Because the control assembly with its rack and pinion mechanism is mounted externally of the sash frame, there is no requirement for a large groove or slot to be made in the sash frame. The espagnolette is thus suitable for windows with very slim frame elements. Further, the espagnolette is easily fitted to either vertically opening, or right or left hand horizontally opening windows since there is no limitation as to hand in its construction.

Although a rack and pinion mechanism has been illustrated for converting rotary movementofthe handle 28 to linear movement of the drive plate 31, it will be appreciated that other mechanisms, for example a crank arrangement, could be substituted for it. Further, the keeper plates 23 need not be provided with two longitudinal grooves to provide a fully closed and night vent position, but could merely provide for locking of the window in one position.

A suitable crank arrangement as referred ta above is illustrated in Figure 4. A housing 37 carries, for angular movement about an axis 38, a handle 39 with a crank arm 40 and pin 41. The pin 41 engages in a slot 42 in a member 43, which is movable longitudinally within the housing 37 in the directions shown by arrow 44. The member 43 has a drive plate 45 with apertures 46 for engagement with drive pins 17 on the espagnolette bar.

Claims

1. Acasementwindowsash assembly including a sash frame element, an espagnolette bar mounted on the sash frame element for movement longitudinally of it, and, mounted on the exterior of the sash frame element, a control assembly having an angularly movable input member and a linearly movable output member, the output member extending through an aperture in the sash frame element to engage the espagnolette bar for moving the latter longitudinally.

2. An espagnolette fastener for a casement window comprising: (i) an espagnolette bar, adapted to be mounted for longitudinal linear movement on a sash frame element and provided with at least two locking formations, (ii) a control assembly adapted to be mounted on the sash frame element and having an angularly movable input member, a linearly movable output member adapted to extend through the sash frame element and engage the espagnolette bar for mov ing the latter, and means connecting the input and output members for converting angular movement of the input member to linear movement of the out put member, and (iii) at least two keepers adapted to be secure to a fixed frame of the window and with which said lock ing formations are engageable.

3. An espagnolette according to claim 2 wherein said means in the control assembly for converting angular to linear movement comprises a rack and pinion mechanism.

4. An espagnolette according to Claim 2 wherein said means in the control assembly for converting angular to linear movement comprises a crank mechanism.

5. An espagnolettefastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6 A casement window sash assembly, substan tally as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.