GB2106578A

GB2106578A - Closure assembly for door or window

Info

Publication number: GB2106578A
Application number: GB08225922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Norman Searl
Original assignee: Gkn Crompton Ltd
Current assignee: Crompton Ltd
Priority date: 1981-09-19
Filing date: 1982-09-10
Publication date: 1983-04-13
Also published as: GB2106578B

Abstract

In the closure assembly guide means for correcting misalignment comprise guide grooves 19 and keeper plate 8 fixed to a window or door frame and complementary guided members 18 with a ramp-like leading edge fixed to the opening element. During closure of the opening element, guide surfaces on the guide member and guided member co-operate to guide the opening element into its correct position as the opening element approaches the closed position in the case of misalignment between the opening element and frame member. The closure comprises a locking pin 6 and bar 3 which may be moved longitudinally by handle 13 into either of two grooves 10, 11 in the keeper plate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Guide means for a window or door assembly This invention relates to guide means for a window or door assembly, operable to guide an opening element of the window or door assembly relative to a fixed frame thereof.

A window or a door assembly can have its opening element held in a closed position by, for example, an espagnolette fixed to the opening element and engagable with the fixed frame of the window or door. For satisfactory operation of an espagnolette, it is necessary to ensure accurate alignment between the opening element and fixed frame. It is also necessary for satisfactory operation of sealing formations for weatherproofing a window or door that the opening element occupies an accurately defined position relative to the fixed frame when in its closed position.

Misalignment may be caused by the weight of the window or door acting upon the hinges associated with it. Further causes of such misalignment may be due to thermal expansion of one part with respect to another or the warping of one or all of the window or door elements, particularly if made of wood.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or reduce the problem of potential lack of accurate alignment of the movable part relative to the fixed part of a window or door assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided guide means for a window or door assembly, operable to guide an opening element of the window or door assembly relative to a fixed frame thereof, the guide means comprising; at least one guided member adapted to be secured to the opening element and at least one guide member adapted to be secured to the fixed frame, said guide and guided members having complementary formations which engage when the opening element is closed, to position said element within the frame, and guide surfaces which co-operate as said opening element approaches the closed position, to bring said formations into inter-engagement in the case of misalignment therebetween.

The guide surfaces may be formed on the or each guide member and may comprise ramps which engage with the or each guided member in the case of misalignment therebetween.

The invention also provides a window or door assembly having guide means as above defined.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a closure assembly for a window, and Figure 2 shows a further view of part of the closure assembly of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an espagnolette fastening shown generally at 1 which comprises an espagnolette bar 2 of elongate form and which, when installed, lies within a shallow longitudinally extending groove (not shown) in the underside of a window frame element (shown schematically in phantom) of the operating sash of a casement window. The espagnolette bar 2 is supported for longitudinal sliding movement by spaced guide bushes 3, each of which extends through an individual elongate aperture 4 in the espagnolette bar 2 and is held to the sash frame by a complementary screw 5. A locking pin 6 projects downwardly from the espagnolette bar, and two drive pins 7 extend upwardly from the bar at the centre thereof into a deeper groove in the window frame.

When the window is closed, the sash frame element seats against a fixed frame element (also shown in phantom) which presents, towards the sash frame, a stepped configuration with a vertical wall to which a sealing strip may be fitted and a horizontal surface onto which is fitted a keeper plate 8, at a position corresponding to that of the locking pin 6, depending from the espagnolette bar 2. The keeper plate presents recess opening 9 of a cross-section corresponding substantially to that of the locking pin 6 and is further provided with two longitudinally extending grooves 10 and 11, each capable of separately receiving the locking pin 6.

When the espagnolette bar 2 is in an appropriate position, the locking pin 6 on the espagnolette bar 2 can enter the opening 9 and, on longitudinal movement of the espagnolette bar in either direction, enter either the longitudinal groove 10 or the groove 11 to hold the sash in, respectively, either a fully closed position or a secure "night vent" position.

The espagnolette bar 2 is moved longitudinally of the sash frame element by a control assembly comprising a casing 12 which is secured to the exterior of the sash frame and which mounts for angular movement a window handle 13 which in turn may connect with a rack and pinion assembly within the casing 12, the rack and pinion assembly itself being attached to a drive plate 14.

The drive plate 14 has adjacent its ends, two apertures 1 5 engageable with the drive pins 7 on the espagnolette bar 2. The drive plate 14 extends through a slot (not shown) in the sash frame element to engage the drive pins 7. Thus, angular movement of the handle 13 effects linear movement of the espagnolette bar 2 to engage or disengage the locking pin 6 in an appropriate groove 10 or 11 in the keeper plate 8.

Two guided members 18 are rigidly secured to the sash frame element adjacent the centre thereof, by further screws 5 which pass through bushes 1 7. Bushes 17 extend through elongate apertures 1 6 in the espagnolette bar 2 and space the guided members 18 from the sash frame element so that the espagnolette bar remains able to move longitudinally. The guided members 18 co-operate with grooves 19 in the keeper plate 8, to guide the sash relative to the fixed frame element of the window.

Each guided member 18 has a protruberance 20 of cross-section corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the grooves 1 9, when the guided member 18 is engaged therewith. Each protruberance 20 is provided with ramp-like leading edges 21,22 and 23.

At the opening of each of the transverse grooves 1 9 on the keeper plate 8 there are provided further ramp-like surfaces 24, 25 and 26 of angle corresponding substantially to those ramp surfaces on each guided member 18.

In normal operation, it will be apparent that the locking pin 6, attached via espagnolette bar 2 to the movable window sash, is accurately aligned with the opening 9 on the fixed keeper plate 8, the ramp surfaces on either the guided member or keeper plate will not come into contact and are thus effectively redundant. However, should misalignment of the movable sash frame occur due to drop of the window or relative movement of the movable window frame element with respect to the fixed window frame element, it will be apparent that at least one of the ramp surfaces on the keeper plate 8 will act as a guide member to a corresponding guided member 1 8 and ensures re-alignment during closure of the window.

In practice, any misalignment that does occur will be catered for by the guide elements and it is accordingly envisaged that periodic adjustments to compensate for such misalignment will not be required, except in the case of major misalignment.

A further advantage of a guide assembly as described above is that by ensuring that the movable window sash is always locked into its correctly aligned position when the window is closed or the "night vent" option is taken, any misalignments that may be inherent in the structure are not aggravated.

Keeper plates may also be provided in which the locking formations 10 and 1 for use with an appropriate espagnolette locking pin 6, are not required and such keeper plates may be spaced along the leading edge of the fixed frame member. Also, the or each keeper plate may be fixed to the movable frame of a window or door whilst the corresponding guided member is mounted on a fixed frame.

The or each keeper plate and corresponding guided member may conveniently be manufactured as plastics mouldings or may alternatively be machined from any suitable material in any conventional manner.

Claims

1. Guide means for a window or door assembly, operable to guide an opening element of the window or door assembly relative to a fixed frame thereof, the guide means comprising: at least one guided member adapted to be secured to the opening element and at least one guide member adapted to be secured to the fixed frame, said guide and guided members having complementary formations which engaged when the opening element is closed, to position said element within the frame, and guide surfaces which co-operate as said opening element approaches the closed position, to bring said formations into inter-engagement in the case of misalignment therebetween.

2. Guide means as claimed in Claim 1 in which said guide surfaces on the or each guide member comprise ramps to engage each guided member in case of misalignment.

3. Guide means according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which said guide surfaces are formed on the or each guided member and comrise ramps which engage with the or each guide member in case of misalignment.

4. Guide means according to any one of the preceding claims incorporated in an espagnolette fastening for the window or door assembly and comprising a keeper plate which constitutes at least one of said guide members.

5. A window or door assembly comprising a fixed frame and an opening element and guide means according to any one of the preceding claims, with said at least one guide member secured to the fixed frame and said at least one guide member secured to the opening element.

6. Guide means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.