GB2102060A - Latch for reversible windows - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing a reversible closure, such as a window, comprises a retractable latch 1 having leading and trailing cam surfaces 2, 3 which is urged to protrude from a latch housing 5 secured to the edge of reversible window frame 4. A fixed outer frame 4a in which the frame 4 can be reversed by rotation has a keeper 9 adapted to receive the protruding portion of the latch 1. A latch release device (Fig. 3) for disengaging the latch 1 from the keeper 9 may comprise a latch release pad 12 slidably located in a housing 13 secured to the frame 4a. The pad 12 can be moved to disengage latch 1 from the keeper 9 by means of a plunger 15 biased by spring 18 to protrude from the frame 4a through a button housing 19. The inner end of plunger 15 cooperates with a cam surface 14 of the pad 12. The urged retraction of plunger 15 actuates the pad 12 which releases the latch 1 from the keeper 9. The provision of lead and trailing cam surfaces 2, 3 on the retractable latch 1 allows the moving edge of the window frame 4 to approach the fixed edge of the outer frame from either direction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for securing reversible closure members This invention relates to a device for securing a reversible closure member in at least one closed position within a fixed outer frame. The rotatable closure may be for example be a reversible light centrally pivoted within an outer frame. It is known to provide reversible lights where external access for cleaning or other purposes is difficult, as for instance in some large office buildings.

Reversible lights, in which the normally external glazed surface may be reversed to the interior for convenient access, are securable by conventional catches in only the normally closed position but are inoperative in the reversed position. For safety reasons it is desirable to provide a device capable of securing the light in its reversed position, and the device according to the present invention is particularly useful for that purpose.

More generally however, the device according to the present invention is suitable for securing a reversible closure member in either its normal or in its angularly reversed positions and in preferred forms the device may secure the closure member in both said positions, or alternatively may secure the closure member in one position and restrict the rotation of the closure member in one particular direction, when in the other position, as will be more fully described below.

In one aspect this invention consists in a device for securing a reversible closure member rotatably mounted within an outer frame comprising a catch retractably retained in a catch housing, and means for resiliently biasing the catch towards an extended position therefrom, the housing being disposable along the edge of the closure member, the catch having a leading and a trailing cam surface each of which, respectively, is cooperable with the frame in first and relatively reversed angular positions of the closure member to retract the catch, and a keeper, disposable along the edge of the frame, adapted to receive the catch in at least one of the said positions of the closure member, the keeper having a leading and a trailing abutment surface each being cooperable with a complementary abutment surface provided on the catch so as to prevent rotation of the closure member in either direction, and release means for retracting the catch from the keeper to permit rotation of the closure member.

A single catch and a single keeper may be provided for securing the closure member in one of its positions and there may be further provided a stop member disposable on the outer frame to receive the catch, the stop member being provided with an abutment surface cooperable with a complementary abutment surface provided on the catch to prevent the rotation of the closure member in one direction beyond the other said position.

In a further preferred form, the device may operate to secure the closure member, that is to prevent rotation of the closure member in either direction, whether it is in its normally closed or angularly reversed positions.

This may be effected by providing first and second keepers on the fixed outer frame, the first keeper retaining the catch in one of the said positions of the closure member, the second keeper retaining the catch in the angularly reversed position of the closure member.

Alternatively, the closure member may be secured in each of its said positions by providing first and second catches which, respectively, engage a single keeper, to secure the closure member in a first and an angularly reversed position.

Preferably, the catch is disposed in a catch housing adapted to be received in a recessed distal edge of the closure member. Preferably, the keeper is adapted to be received within a complementary recessed distal edge of the fixed outer frame.

In this preferred arrangement, the catch and keeper are inaccessible when the closure member is retained in its normally closed and angularly reversed positions. The release means may consist in a catch retractor disposed beneath the keeper, the catch retractor having an abutment surface for retracting the catch from its retained position in the keeper, and actuator means passing through the frame for actuating the catch retractor. The catch retractor may be slidably retained within a housing and provided with a cam surface cooperable a plunger extending transversely with respect to the sliding axis of the catch retractor, to provide accessible actuator means for actuating the catch retractor.

Alteratively, the catch may be retractably retained in a catch housing adapted to be secured to the marginal edge of the closure member, and the keeper may be adapted to be secured to the complementary marginal edge of the fixed frame member.

It will be clearly understood however that in this embodiment of the invention there will be one position, usually a reversed position of the closure member, in which the catch may be inaccessible from one side of the closure member. Since it would not be possible to actuate the catch in such circumstances it is not envisaged that the closure member would be secured in that position.

However a stop member, as previously described, may be disposed on the outer frame member to engage the catch, for example when the closure member is in a reversed position, to prevent the rotation of the closure member in one direction.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood two embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation is cross section of a first form of catch shown mounted on a recessed distal edge of a closure member in the form ofa light frame, a fragement of which is shown in crosssection; Figure 2 is a plan view of a keeper for receiving the catch illustrated in Figure 1 shown mounted on the complementary recessed distal edge of a fixed outer frame a fragment of which is illustrated in plan view; Figure 3 is an elevation, in cross section of a catch retractor for releasing the catch illustrated in Figure 1 from an engaged position in the keeper as illustrated in Figure 2;; Figure 4 is a plan view of a fragment of the fixed outer frame provided with a keeper as illustrated in Figure 2 and a catch retractor as illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an elevation in cross section of a stop member in position on the distal edge of the outer frame, a fragment of which is shown in cross section.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the stop member illustrated in Figure 5, also showing a fragment of the outer frame in plan view; Figure 7 is an elevation in cross section of a second form of catch and keeper arrangement; Figure 8 is a view from the direction VIlI-VIlI of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a side elevation of the catch illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 together with a side elevation of a keeper for receiving the catch arranged to be mounted on the complementary marginal edges of the closure member and outer frame respectively; and Figure 10 is a partial view from the direction X-X of Figure 9.

Referring to Figure 1, a catch (1) having leading and trailing cam surfaces (2) and (3) is restractably retained in the recessed distal edge of a rotatably mounted closure member in the form of light frame (4). The catch (1) may slide in housing (5) which is secured to frame (4) and has a flange (6) to abut the rim of the housing (5) to limit outward movement of the catch (1) therefrom. The catch is resilient biassed towards this position by means of a spring (7) disposed between the catch (1) and frame (4), to expose abutment surfaces (8).

Referring to Figure 2, the keeper (9) consists of a plate having a cruciform aperture 10 adapted to receive the catch (1). The peripheral edges of the aperture (10) form complementary abutment surfaces to the catch surfaces (8) when located therein to secure frame (4) against rotation in either direction.

Referring to Figure 3, the catch retractor consists in a release pad (12) slidably located in a housing (13) beneath the keeper (9). The pad (12) has a cam surface (14) which is cooperable with the inner end of a plunger (1 5) which extends through the side wall of the fixed outer frame (4a), constituting actuating means for the catch retractor. The outer end of the plunger (1 5) is fitted with a button (1 6) located within a button housing (17). A spring (1 8) is located in a recess formed on the inner side of the button and extends to seat against a flange (19) of the housing (17) so as to resiliently urge the plunger (15) outwardly.

Figure 5 and 6 illustrate a stop member which may be fitted to the outer frame (4a) opposite to the keeper (10) to restrict the rotation of frame (4) as will be more fully described below. The stop member consists in a plate (20) securable to the distal edge of frame (4a) and includes a concavely formed tongue (21) which underlies a slotted aperture (22).

In the embodiment as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 a reversible rectangular light frame (4), which is centrally pivoted within an outer fixed frame (4a) is provided along one distal recessed edge, with a catch assembly as illustrated in Figure 1. A complementary outer frame member is provided with a keeper as shown in Figure 2 and a catch retractor assembly as shown in Figure 3. As the frame (4) is rotated towards a fully closed position, for example towards a fully reversed position, one of the cam surfaces (2) or (3), depending upon the direction of rotation of frame (4) will strike the edge of the complementary outer frame (4a) to depress catch (1) within housing (5). As rotation continues, the catch (1) will enter the cruciform slot in keeper (9).The spring (7) urges urges catch (1) into the slot until the abutment surfaces (5) engage the complementary abutment surfaces (10) securing the catch and preventing the relative rotation of frame (4) in either direction. If the keeper is disposed to retain the catch in the reversed position of the frame (4), the frame is then retained in that position.

The catch retractor assembly is fitted so as to be accessible from the interior side of frame (4a), and the catch (1) may be released from the keeper (9) by pressing button (16) which lifts release pad (12) in housing (13). The upper surface of pad (12) is urged against the peak of catch (1) which projects through the cruciform slot in keeper (9) to disengage the abutment surfaces (5) and (10). The frame (4) may then be rotated to retract the catch further until it is completely released from the keeper. Frame (4) may than be rotated 1 800 until catch (1) enters stop (20, 21), which is possible from either rotational direction.

In one direction of rotation of frame (4) the frame stop member abutment surface (23) will engage the abutment surface (5) of catch (1) preventing rotation in that direction, which is preferably the direction in which frame (4) is normally rotated from its reversed to its normally closed position.

Rotation of the frame (4) in the opposite direction causes the catch (1) to retract as it follows the concave surface of tongue (21 ) until it is released from the stop member.

The embodiment as described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 6 may also be arranged to secure a rotatable closure member in both its normal and in its fully reversed angular positions.

Thus for example, the outer frame (4a) may be provided with two keepers as illustrated in Figure 2 each being provided with a catch retractor assembly as illustrated in Figure 3. The first keeper may be arranged to secure the catch when the frame is in the normally closed position, and the second arranged to secure the frame in a fully reversed position.

Alternatively, the outer frame (4a) may be provided with a single keeper and catch retractor assembly and the reversible light frame (4) provided with two catch assemblies as illustrated in Figure 1. In this arrangement the first catch is retained in the keeper in the normally closed position of frame 4 and the second catch is retained in the keeper in the fully reversed position.

Referring to Figures 7 to 10 a catch (24) having leading and trailing cam surfaces (25) and (26) respectively is retractably disposed in a catch housing (27) adapted to be attached to the marginal edge of a fully rotatable light frame, not shown. A return spring (33) resiliently biases the catch towards a projecting position and is provided with catch retractor (28) pivoted at pivot (29) to housing (27). The retractor (28) has a curved limb portion (30) cooperating with a spindle (31) projecting from catch (24). The keeper (32) is adapted to be mounted on the complementary marginal edge of the fixed outer frame, not shown, and is formed with a cruciform recess adapted to receive the similarly formed head of the catch (24).

The catch and keeper arrangement as illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 may be disposed as shown to secure a fully reversible light in the reversed position and the frame may be provided with a conventional catch for securing the light frame in the normally closed position. The fixed frame may however, be further provided with a stop member, as more fully described above with reference to Figures 5 and 6, to limit the rotation of the frame in one direction. Thus, for example, where the catch and keeper arrangement as illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 is used for the purpose of securing a horizontally pivoted light in a fully reversed position, a stop member may be disposed on the fixed frame to prevent the outward rotation of the lower half of the frame when in the normally closed position, by the engagement of the catch with the stop member.

To retract the catch (24) from its engaged position in the keeper (32) as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 the catch retractor (28) may be rotated about pivot (29) causing limb (30) to bear on spindle (31) to retract catch (24) against the tension of the return spring (33). The engagement of the catch (24) with keeper (32) is similar to that already described with reference to the first embodiment, and will not be described further.

Claims (10)

1. A device for securing a reversible closure member rotatably mounted within an outer frame comprising a catch retractably retained in a catch housing, and means for resiliently biassing the catch towards an extended position therefrom, the housing being disposable along the edge of the closure member, the catch having a leading and a trailing cam surface each of which, respectively, is cooperable with the outer frame in first and relatively reversed angular positions of the closure member to retract the catch, and a keeper disposable along the edge of the frame adapted to receive the catch in at least one of the said positions of the closure member, the keeper having a leading and a trailing abutment surface each being cooperable with a complementary abutment surface provided on the catch so as to prevent rotation of the closure member in either direction, and release means for retracting the catch from the keeper to permit rotation of the closure member.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the device has a single catch and a single keeper for securing the closure member in one of the said positions, there is further provided, for limiting the rotation of the closure member to the other said position, a stop member disposable on the frame to receive the catch, the stop member being provided with an abutment surface cooperable with a complementary abutment surface provided on the catch to prevent a rotation of the closure member beyond the other said position.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein first and second keepers are provided whereby the closure member may be releasably secured in first, and relatively reversed, angular positions respectively.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein first and second catches are provided whereby the closure member may be releasably secured in first and relatively reversed angular positions respectively.

5. A device as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the catch is adapted to be received within a recessed distal edge portion of the closure member.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 in which the release means consists in a catch retractor disposed beneath the keeper the catch retractor having an abutment surface for retracting the catch from its retained position in the keeper, and actuator means for actuating the catch retractor.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the catch retractor is slidably retained in a housing beneath the keeper, the catch retractor having a cam surface co-operable with a plunger extending transversely with respect to the sliding axis of the catch retractor to provide actuator means for actuating the catch retractor.

8. A device as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein the catch is retractably retained in a catch housing adapted to be secured to the marginal edge of the reversible closure member and a keeper is adapted to be secured to the complementary marginal edge of the frame member.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the release means consists in a catch retractor pivotably mounted on the catch housing, the retractor having a concave abutment surface cooperable with an abutment surface provided on the catch whereby a rotation of the retractor retracts the catch from its engaged position in the keeper.

10. Any device or assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1--6 or Figures 7 to 10.