GB2105428A

GB2105428A - Improvements in or relating to a corner guide for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2105428A
Application number: GB8206450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ewald Kleine
Original assignee: Siegenia Frank KG
Current assignee: Siegenia Aubi KG
Priority date: 1981-03-05
Filing date: 1982-03-04
Publication date: 1983-03-23
Also published as: AT376477B; DE3108212A1; FR2501276A1; CH653738A5; FR2501276B1; DE8106157U1; DE3108212C2; GB2105428B; ATA546281A

Abstract

A corner guide 1 accommodating a flexible connector (18) for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like which have frame sections (2) formed with undercut shaped grooves (3) in which the drive rods are moving guided and which accommodate the corner guide. The corner guide (1) has two substantially perpendicular arms (7, 8), one of which (7) is narrower than the other, and is securable to the frame corner by lateral ledges or projections (9) on the one arm and by clamping members (23) which engage the other arm. There are two drive rod connectors (14, 38) which are guided one on each arm of the corner casing, the connectors being connected to the flexible connector (18), one of the connectors (14) also serving as a locking slide (21). The clamping members (23) locating the other casing arm (8) are embodied by the arms of a stirrup-shaped member (24), the latter arms being introducible into longitudinal channels (22) of the other casing arm (8) and into the undercut regions (4, 4') of the shaped groove (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a corner guide for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like This invention relates to a corner guide for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like.

It has been proposed to provide drive rod fittings on windows, doors, or the like to accommodate the drive rods which operatively interconnect an operating device, such as a handle at one location, with an operated item, such as a lock bolt or catch, at another location. Such drive rod fittings have been provided on windows, doors or the like having frame sections of metal or plastics or similar materials formed with undercut shaped grooves in which the drive rods are movingly guided. A typical fitting comprises a corner casing for an element which connects a horizontal drive rod with a vertical drive rod, the element being embodied by flexible tapes or bands or strips or the like. The corner casing has two arms and is secured to the frame corner by lateral ledges or projections extending from both sides of one arm and by clamping members which engage the other arm.Two drive rod connectors are provided which are guided, one on each arm of the corner casing and which are connected to the said flexible element. One of the connectors additionally serves as a locking slide. The two arms of the corner guide have different crosssectional heights from one another, the arm of least cross-sectional height serving as the guide for the drive rod connector which acts as locking slide, and also carrying the said lateral ledges or projections.

According to this invention there is provided a corner guide accommodating a flexible connector for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like which have frame sections of metal or plastics or similar materials, and which are formed with undercut shaped grooves in which the drive rods are movingly guided and which accommodate the corner guide; the corner guide having two substantially perpendicular arms, and being securable to the frame corner by lateral ledges or projections on one arm and by clamping members which engage the other arm; there being two drive rod connectors which are guided one on each arm of the corner casing, the connectors being connected by the flexible connector, one af the connectors also serving as a locking slide, the two arms of the corner guide having different crosssections from one another, one arm serving as the guide for a first drive rod connector and also carrying the said lateral ledges or projections, that region of said one arm which carries the lateral ledges or projections and which is adapted to extend into the opening region of a shaped groove in a frame being of less cross-sectional width than the opening region of the garment; the lateral ledges or projections each being formed with an upwardly open channel whose cross-section extends into the undercut region of the shaped groove and which receives, with a clearance for movement, an outwardly bent foot part of the locking slide, the said foot parts of the locking slide engaging inside the channels below the undercut regions of the shaped groove; the associated drive rod connector extending around three sides of the said one arm in its said region of less cross-sectional width; the said one casing arm being supported in the shaped groove, independently of the first drive rod connector and transversely of its direction of movement, by way of those parts of the lateral ledges or projections which form the outside boundaries of the channels, and the clamping means locating the other casing arm being embodied by the arms of a stirrup-shaped member, the latter arms being introducible into longitudinal channels of the other casing arm and into the undercut regions of the shaped groove.

The advantage is therefore provided that the casing arm having the lateral ledges or projections is securely located in the undercut groove, yet the drive rod connector associated with that arm is guided directly in the undercut groove of the frame section, so that in the operative region of the locking member frictional wear of the corner casing is avoided and clamping forces are kept away from the flexible connector element in such casing.

In one embodiment said one arm is relatively narrow, and said other arm is relatively wide.

Advantageously, the first drive rod connector, which can act as a locking slide, can be pushed, transversely of its plane of displacement, on to the said one arm and is releasably connectable to a projection on the flexible connector, the projection projecting through an elongate slot in the outside of the said one casing arm; and the said one arm being introducible, together with the pushed-on connector, into the undercut shaped groove of the sash frame.

Preferably the foot parts of the connector are each bounded at the top by a groove whose width is slightly greater than the thickness of the hooked web bounding the undercut groove.

This leads to the further advantageous possibility of using the drive rod connector serving as a locking slide on its own, i.e., if a corner guide is missing.

To ensure lasting reliable securing of a corner guide as described above in the undercut grooves at a frame corner, it is preferred that longitudinal channels in the side surfaces of the other casing arm co-operate with the undercut zones of the shaped groove to bound a space which is substantially L- or Z-shaped and into which the clamping members, which are of a corresponding cross-sectional shape, can be driven lengthwise.

Consequently, only the space still available in the fitting zone of the corner guide inside the undercut groove is needed to secure the two casing arms in such groove.

Advantageously in this case, the longitudinal channels extend from the corner of the corner casing over some of the length of the other arm thereof and each such channel has near its rearward end a sawtoothed latching cam having a relatively shallowly-inclined front flank and a steeply inclined rear flank, the clamping members each having at their corresponding end a matching recess. The point is that when the clamping members have been driven right home they engage firmly with the corner casing and thus opposite accidental release of the securing in practical use.

Very conveniently, the other casing arm is open lengthwise on the inside and has two substantially E-section side walls arranged in laterally opposed relationship to one another, and the grooves between the outer E-arms and the inner E-arms receive a substantially cruciform drive rod connector whose outside surface is received flush in the longitudinal opening in the other casing arm. The drive rod connector then has reliable guidance in the casing without being affected by vertical or horizontal transverse forces, but the flexible connector element does not experience transverse forces nor does the casing have to extend all the way round the total cross-section of the drive rod connector.To ensure that the larger casing arm, which is open on the inside, does not open up laterally, the casing is supported reliably in the undercut groove by the clamping member which engages the outside of the casing.

To ensure a reliable connection of the flexible connector in the casing guide channel both to drive rod connector which is directly connected to one end of the flexible connector and also the coupling cam at its other end for the second drive rod connector, it is preferred that both an elongate slot in the outside of the said one casing arm and also an elongate slot in the inside of the other casing arm extend as far as an arcuate region of the guide channel for the flexible connector; and said arcuate region is formed, in its guide surface determined by the internal radius, with crossgrooves as lubricant pockets. The transverse grooves reduce the frictional area of the flexible connector in the arcuate region of the guide channel when the flexible connector is forced by tension to bear on the guide surface determined by the inside radius.

It may often be convenient if the said other casing arm is formed in its side surfaces with longitudinal cross-sectional restrictions which start from its free end and whose height corresponds to the internal cross-sectional height of the undercut groove and which bound on either side thereof spaces into which the tines of a forked terminal part of the adjacent drive rod can be introduced.

The invention also relates to a window door or the like incorporating such a corner guide.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, from above and from the front, of part of a corner guide assembly in accordance with the invention with parts thereof exploded away, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, from above and from the rear, of part of the guide assembly of Figure 1, with parts thereof exploded away; FIGURE 3 is a section through the corner guide of Figures 1 and 2 on the line Ill-Ill to an enlarged scale, and after the guide has been fitted into an undercut shaped groove of a frame section of a window or the like;; FIGURE 4 is a section through the corner guide of Figures 1 and 2 on the line lV-IV to an enlarged scale, after the corner guide has been fitted in the undercut shaped groove of the frame section; FIGURE 5 is a section through the corner guide of Figures 1 and 2 on the line V-V to an enlarged scale, after the guide has been fitted in the undercut shaped groove of the frame section; FIGURE 6 is a view to an enlarged scale, and with some parts broken away, looking in the direction of an arrow VI of Figure 1; and FIGURE 7 is a side view to an enlarged scale of the corner region of the corner guide, the view being in the direction of an arrow VII of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 shows a corner guide 1 for drive rod fittings of windows, doors or the like whose frame sections are formed of metal or plastics or similar substances. A drive rod fitting is a fitting which has an operating device, such as a handle or the like, at one position on a window or the like, activation of which operates a movable part, such as a locking bar or the like at another position on the window. A drive rod passes from the handle to the movable part within the frame of the sash or casement of the window. The corner guide is provided to accommodate the guide rod (or to accommodate to a movable member that operatively interconnects two guide rod sections) in the corner region between a vertical part of the sash or casement frame and a horizontal part of the sash or casement frame.

A frame 2 of a sash or casement is only partly shown in Figures 3 to 5, which show part of the sash periphery where there is an undercut shaped groove 3 bounded by two spaced-apart bent or hooked webs 4 of the frame section 2, the webs being disposed so that the hooked portions thereof face in towards to one another to define the undercut groove 3.

Figure 3 shows the horizontal member 2' of the sash frame and Figures 4 and 5 show the corresponding upright member 2" of the sash frame. The two members 2', 2" co-operate to form, in a conventional manner (not shown) a sash corner at whose apex line the webs 4 bounding the undercut groove 3 are so spaced apart from one another, e.g. by a diagonal cut, that in this zone the undercut zones of the undercut groove 3 are open.

The groove 3 of the sash sections 2 serves to receive, with provision for longitudinal movement, drive rods (not shown) in such a manner that the same are located in the central or open zone 5 of the groove (Figure 5). A corner casing 6 of the corner guide 1 is secured by means of two arms 7, 8 which form the casing in the grooves 3 of the two frame members that define the corner of the sash or casement.

To secure the casing 6 in the grooves 3 of the sash, the casing arm 7 has laterally extending ledges or projections 9, each comprising a web extending laterally to the respective side of the arm, and flush with the innermost surface of the arm (i.e. the surface that faces the other arm) each web terminating with an outwardly directed rectangular sectioned bead. The said ledges or projections 9 can be pushed in longitudinally from the opened corner region into the groove 3, and so the arm 8 can be introduced, transversely of its length into groove 3, of the upright sash member 2".

As will be appreciated more readily from Figures 3 to 5, the two arms 7, 8 of casing 6 have different cross-sectional heights, arm 7 being smaller in this respect than arm 8. The arm 7 is also narrower than the arm 8.

The entire cross-section of arm 7 is received inside the respective groove 3 whereas a relatively flat flange zone 10 of the arm 8 bears, outside the respective groove 3, on the outside surfaces of the facing terminal parts 4' of the webs 4 (Figures 4 and 5).

That part of the lower casing arm 7 which extends into the central or open zone 5 of groove 3 of the sash member 2' has a narrower crosssectional width 11 than that of the zone 5, so that a longitudinal gap 12 is left on either side of the arm 7 between that part of the arm 7 having the cross-sectional width 11 and the opposed inwardly directed terminal portions of the webs 4 that define the width of the zone 5. Each of the two ledges or projections 9 which extend laterally from the arm 7 serves to define an upwardly open channel 13 whose width extends from the edge of the part of the arm with the cross-sectional width 11 as far as the undercut zone of the groove 3 i.e., to a position under the terminal parts 4' of the members 4.

A drive rod connector 14 which is adapted to provide a connection to a drive rod section accommodated within the channel 3 of the frame member 2' can be pushed, in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the arm, on to casing arm 7. During this pushing-on process two respective spaced apart outwardly directed bent foot parts 1 5 of the connector 14 pass on either side of the part of the arm with the crosssectional width 11 and are thus located within the channels 1 3 in the members 9. The connector 14 engages positively by way of an aperture 1 6 formed therein with a protrusion 1 7 which is disposed on a flexible connector 1 8 provided in the corner guide 1.The protrusion 1 7 projects from an elongate slot 1 9 in the inside of arm 7, and extends through the aperture 1 6.

The drive rod connector 14 can then be introduced, together with the arm 7, lengthwise into the groove 3 of the horizontal sash frame member 2' so that its bent foot parts 1 5 extend through the longitudinal gaps 12 and engage below the undercut regions of the grooves - i.e., below the terminal portion 4' of the webs 4 - as can be seen in Figure 3. The bent foot parts 1 5 substantially abut the ledges or projections 9 which extend from the casing arm 7.

Each foot part 1 5 of connector 14 together with the main body of the connector define a groove 20 whose width is just greater than the thickness of the end portions 4' of the webs 4; consequently, the connector 14 can be guided on its own - i.e., if a corner guide 1 is absent - in the groove 3. This feature is particularly useful when the connector 14 also serves as a locking slide 21 which co-operates with a matching element on the window frame or with a windowoperating mechanism disposed between the fixed window frame and the sash.

When the connector 1 4 is fitted together with a corner guide 1 , this feature ensures that the connector 14 is guided by way of its parts 1 5 within the longitudinal gaps 12 and the channel 13 without jamming and, therefore, in a readily movable manner in the groove 3.

The vertical casing arm 8 is provided in each of its two side surfaces with a longitudinal channel 22 which starts from the corner and which cooperates with the undercut regions -- i.e. below the terminal portions 4' of the webs 4 - to bound a substantially Z-shaped or L-shaped space in the groove 3. Correspondingly Z-shaped or L-shaped clamping members 23 can be inserted lengthwise into each such space, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The clamping members 23, which are the terminal parts of a U-shaped stirrup 24 (Figure 2), provide reliable positive clamping of the casing arm 8 in groove 3 in sash frame member 2'.

In order that the member 23 may be located reliably in their operative position without having to have a longitudinally conical shape, each channel 22 is formed near its rearward end with a saw-toothed cam 25 which can be seen in Figures 1 and 6. The cam 25 has a gently inclined front flank 26 and a steeply inclined rear flank 27 and is adapted to co-operate operatively with a matching recess 28 which is formed on the inside surface of the free end of the respective member 23. An advantage of this feature is that the clamping members 23 run up on to the cams 25 before reaching their fully "home" end position. The forces required to drive in the members 23 therefore increase only for a brief period and virtually at the end of the driving-in operation, so that manipulation of the clamping members is greatly facilitated.

An advantage of this is that the members 23 are received substantially completely in the groove 3 and only the web of the stirrup 24 remains outside the groove 3 in the corner zone of the casing 6, but not to such an extent as to be inconvenient.

The flexible connector 18, which is made of spring steel strips or bands or tapes or the like, moves in a guide channel 29 in the casing arm 7; channel 29 is embodied by two grooves 29', 29" which are contiguous with the slot 19 and which each extend around three sides of a respective longitudinal edge of the flexible connector 1 8.

There is a similar guide channel 30 in casing arm 8 for the flexible connector 18, channel 30 being defined by two grooves 30', 30" which are disposed in a laterally opposed relationship to one another and which engage positively around the longitudinal edges of the flexible connector 1 8 on three sides. The channels 29, 30 extend rectilinearly in the arms 7, 8 and at the corner of casing 6 communicate with one another by way of an arcuate portion 31, as shown in Figure 7. The guide surface 32, determined by the outer radius, of the arcuate portion 31, is smooth throughout its whole length but guide surface 33, determined by the inner radius, is formed with cross-grooves 34 which reduce the area of frictional engagement with the flexible connector 1 8. The flexible connector 1 8 is stressed in tension.The crossgrooves 34 can also be used as pockets for a lubricant.

The casing arm 8 is formed on its inside surface with an elongate slot 35 which extends to its channel 30; the side surfaces of slot 35 are formed with grooves 36', 36" to give casing arm 8 two substantially E-section side walls 37 disposed in laterally opposed relationship to one another.

The flexible connector 1 8 extends through the grooves 30', 30" between the outer and middle E-arms, while a substantially cruciform drive rod connector 38 is guided in the grooves 36', 36" between the middle and inner E-arms. As can be seen in Figure 4, the connector 38 is secured, by way of its outside surface, to the flexible connector 1 8 and is, for instance, fixedly riveted thereto. The inside surface of the connector 38 is flush with the inside surface of arm 8 in slot 35, as can be seen Figures 4 and 5.

To reduce undesired wearing transverse forces in the connection zone between the connector 38 and the flexible connector 18, the connector 38 engages positively, by way of its side elongate ledges 39', 39" (but with provision for longitudinal movement) in the grooves 36', 36" in the side walls of slot 35.

The casing arm 8 can also be formed, in its side surfaces, with cross-sectional restrictions 40', 40" which start from its free end, as can be seen in Figures 1,2,5 and 6. The height of the restrictions 40', 40" corresponds to the internal crosssectional height of the groove 3, thus giving rise therein to lateral spaces which can be seen in Figure 5.

The latter spaces are convenient in cases in which the drive rod adjacent the arm 8 has a bifurcated extension going beyond the region of connection to the connector 38 and the tines or prongs of this forked terminal part can be moved into the spaces laterally adjacent casing arm 8 in order to improve guiding.

As can be seen in Figure 1, both the slot 1 9 in the outside of arm 7 and also the slot 35 in the inside surface of arm 8 extend to the arcuate guide channel part 31. Consequently, during assembly of the corner guide 1 the free ends of the flexible connector 1 8 can be moved so far out of the ends of the casing arms 7 and 8 as to be able to be riveted without difficulty to the end of the connector 38 and to the cam 17 for the connector 14. When the corner guide 1 is used in practice, however, both ends of the flexible connector 1 8 remain entirely within the casing 6 so that the flexible connector 18 is given reliable support in the guide channel 29-31 against shear and tension.

Claims

1. A corner guide accommodating a flexible connector for drive rod fittings on windows, doors or the like which have frame sections of metal or plastics or similar materials, and which are formed with undercut shaped grooves in which the drive rods are movingly guided and which accommodate the corner guide; the corner guide having two substantially perpendicular arms, and being securable to the frame corner by lateral ledges or projections on one arm and by clamping members which engage the other arm; there being two drive rod connectors which are guided one on each arm of the corner casing, the connectors being connected to the flexible connector, one of the connectors also serving as a locking slide, the two arms of the corner guide having different cross-sections from one another, one arm serving as the guide for a first drive rod connector and also carrying the said lateral ledges or projections, that region of said one arm which carries the lateral ledges or projections and which is adapted to extend into the opening region of a shaped groove in a frame being of less cross-sectional width than the opening region of the groove; the lateral ledges or projections each being formed with an upwardly open channel whose cross-section extends into the undercut region of the shaped groove and which receives, with a clearance for movement, an outwardly bent foot part of the locking slide, the said foot parts of the locking slide engaging inside the channels below the undercut regions of the shaped groove; the associated drive rod connector extending around three sides of the said one arm in its said region of less cross-sectional width; the said one casing arm being supported in the shaped groove, independently of the first drive rod connector and transversely of its direction of movement, by way of those parts of the lateral ledges or projections which form the outside boundaries of the channels, and the clamping means locating the other casing arm being embodied by the arms of a stirrup-shaped member, the latter arms being introducible into longitudinal channels of the other casing arm and into the undercut regions of the shaped groove.

2. A corner guide according to claim 1, wherein the first drive rod connector can be pushed, transversely of its plane of displacement, on to the said one casing arm and is releasably connectable to a projection on the flexible connector, the projection projecting through an elongate slot in the outside of the said one casing arm; and the said one arm being introducible, together with the pushed-on connector, into the undercut shaped groove of the sash frame.

3. A corner guide according to either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the foot parts of the connector are each bounded at the top by a groove whose width is slightly greater than the thickness of the hooked web bounding the undercut groove.

4. A corner guide according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein longitudinal channels in the side surfaces of the other casing arm co-operate with the undercut zones of the shaped groove to bound a space which is substantially L- or shaped and into which the clamping members, which are of a corresponding cross-sectional shape, can be driven lengthwise.

5. A corner guide according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the longitudinal channels extend from the corner of the corner casing over some of the length of the other arm thereof and each such channel has near its rearward end a sawtoothed latching cam having a relatively shallowly-inclined front flank and a steeply inclined rear flank, the clamping members each having at their corresponding end a matching recess.

6. A corner guide according to any one claims 1 to 5, wherein the other casing arm is open lengthwise on the inside and has two substantially E-section side walls arranged in laterally opposed relationship to one another, the grooves between the outer E-arms and the middle E-arms receiving the flexible connecting member while the grooves between the middle E-arms and the inner E-arms receive a substantially cruciform drive rod connector whose outside surface engage the flexible connecting member and whose inside surface is received flush in the longitudinal opening in the other casing arm.

7. A corner guide according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein both an elongate slot in the outside of the said one casing arm and also an elongate slot in the inside of the other casing arm extend as far as an arcuate region of the guide channel for the flexible connector; and said arcuate region is formed, in its guide surface determined by the internal radius, with crossgrooves as lubricant pockets.

8. A corner guide according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the other casing arm is formed on its side surfaces with longitudinal cross-sectional restrictions which start from its free end and whose height corresponds to the internal crosssectional height of the undercut groove and which bound on either side thereof spaces into which the tines of a forked terminal part of the adjacent drive rod can be introduced.

9. A corner guide substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 0. A window, door or the like incorporating a corner guide according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.