GB2119006A - Window fasteners - Google Patents

Abstract

The fastener comprises a pivotable bolt 11, and a striker plate assembly comprising a first part 19 provided with a striking surface with which the bolt 11 engages in order to secure the window in a fully closed position, and a second part 23 separately formed from the first part and comprising a recess 30 for receiving the bolt 11 in order to secure the window in a slightly open position. The two parts 19, 23 of the striker plate assembly are secured to a fixed window frame member 26 on opposite sides of the frame member by a screw or rivet passing through an opening in the frame member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to window fasteners The invention relates to window fasteners of the kind comprising a catch part, usually for attachment to the window sash, capable of being moved between a fastened position and an unfastened position, and a retaining device, usually for attachment to a fixed frame member of the window, with which the catch part engages in the fastened position.

It is known to provide window fasteners of this kind which are capable of latching the window both in a fully closed position and in a slightly open position in which the window may serve as a night vent, for example. For this purpose the fastener may comprise two retaining devices for selective engagement by the catch part.

Alternatively there may be provided a single retaining device different spaced portions of which may be selectively engaged by the catch part. The first type has the disadvantage that the two retaining devices must be separately mounted on the fixed window frame. Not only is this time consuming but there is also the possibility of inaccurate relative positioning of the two devices.

Although the second type has the advantage that only a single retaining device needs to be secured to the window frame, this device requires to be a comparatively large element in order to provide the two spaced locations for engagement by the catch part. The device is therefore comparatively unsightly. Furthermore, in such known arrangements a special form of catch part must normally be used for engagement with the two alternative portions of the retaining device and it is not possible to use a conventional form of catch part designed to engage in only a -singie fastening location.

The present invention sets out to provide an improved form of window fastener which may be used to provide a night vent but where the abovementioned disadvantages may be overcome.

According to the invention there is provided a window fastener comprising a catch part capable of being moved between a fastened position and an unfastened position, and a retaining device with which the catch part engages in the fastened position, the retaining device comprising a first part provided with a striking surface with which the catch part engages in order to latch the window in a fully closed position, a second part separately formed from the first part and comprising a recess for receiving the catch part of the fastener in order to latch the window in a slightly open position, and fastening means for securing the two parts of the retaining device together in spaced relationship, with said recess spaced from said striking surface, whereby the two parts of the retaining device may be secured to a fixed window frame member by being positioned on opposite sides of the frame member with part of said fastening means passing through an opening in the frame member.

The invention includes within its scope a method of mounting on a fixed window frame a window fastener of the kind referred to above, the method comprising forming the frame member with at least one opening therethrough, positioning the two parts of the retaining device on opposite sides of the frame member at the location of the opening, and securing the two parts together and to the frame member by passing the fastening means through the opening.

Thus, the fastening means serve not only to secure both parts of the retaining device to the window'frame but also locate the parts accurately with respect to one another. Furthermore, since the two parts of the retaining mechanism are, in use, located on opposite sides of the window frame member the striking surface on the first part may be located in the position which it would normally occupy if it were the sole part of the retaining device for engagement by the catch part, thus enabling a conventional form of catch part to be used with the retaining device.

The fastening means may comprise a screw the head of which engages one part of the retaining device and the threaded portion of which threadedly engages the other part of the device.

The screw may be a self-tapping screw.

Alternatively the fastening device may comprise a rivet.

Preferably the part of the retaining device which is engaged by the head of the screw or rivet is counter-bored so that the head of the screw or rivet is recessed. In this case the counterbore may be filled with a filler plug to cover the head and provide a substantially flush surface to the part.

Preferably it is the first part of the retaining device, provided with the striking surface, which is engaged by the head of the screw or rivet.

The aforementioned recess in the second part of the retaining device may be in the form of an open-topped channel which extends substantially parallel to the striking surface when the two parts are fastened together. The channel may also be open-ended.

Means may be provided on the first and/or on the second part of the retaining device to locate and/or secure the part to the fixed window frame member independently of the fastening means for securing the two parts together. For example, the part may be formed with one or more holes by means of which it may be screwed or riveted to the window frame member. Alternatively, the part may be integrally formed with one or more projecting locating pegs to be frictionally received within holes in the window frame member.

In any of the above arrangements the first and/or the second part of the retaining device may be formed from plastics material.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the window fastener attached to a window in the partly open, or night vent, position, Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the retaining device and window frame member, and Figure 3 is a vertical section through the retaining device and window frame member.

Referring to Figure 1, the window fastener 10 comprises a catch part 11 which is mounted on a base part 12 attached to an aluminium or plastics sash member 13 of a window 14 by means of rivets 1 5 (as shown) or screws. The catch part 11, and a cranked handle 1 6 connected thereto, are pivotally connected to a bridge portion 1 7 of the base part 12 by means of a pivot pin 18. The bridge portion 1 7 serves to space the catch part 11 from the sash member 13.

The fastener further comprises a retaining device mounted on the fixed window frame 20 and comprising a first part in the form of a striking plate 19 and a second part in the form of a slotted block 23. Both the plate 1 9 and the block 23 may be moulded from plastics material.

As best seen in Figure 3, the window frame member 20 is an aluminium extrusion of conventional form, mounted in a wooden surround 24, and comprises an upper web 25 and a front upstanding flange 26 in which is mounted a wool pile 27 to provide a seal between the internal surface of the flange 26 and the external surface of the sash frame member 1 3 when the window is closed.

The striking plate 19 is located on the external surface of the flange 26. Fastening means, in the form of a self-tapping retaining screw 28, passes through a hole in the plate 19, through a registering hole in the flange 26 and threadedly engages a hole in the block 23, which rests on the web 25. Thus the retaining screw 28 clamps the two parts 19 and 23 firmly together and to the flange 26. The hole in the plate 1 9 through which the screw passes is counterbored, and the counterbore is filled with a plastics plug 29 to provide a flush surface to the plate.

As best seen in Figure 1, the plate 1 9 is provided with a striking surface 21 in front of which the catch part 11 engages in conventional manner to latch the window in the fully closed position. The striking surface 21 incorporates ramp surfaces 22 at each end.

The block 23 is provided in its upper surface with a channel-shaped open-topped and openended slot 30, substantially parallel to the striking surface 21, for receiving the catch member 11 in order to latch the window in a slightly open position, as shown in Figure 1.

It will thus be seen that the arrangement provides a simple and convenient fixing for both parts of the retaining device and the arrangement is such that, although the fastener can adopt a fully closed or slightly open position, the portion of the fastener mounted on the window sash 13 may be of conventional form and may be of the same design as in a fastener not provided with a night vent arrangement, in which case the catch member would cooperate only with a striking plate, corresponding to the plate 19, mounted on the external surface of the fixed window frame member.

Although the described arrangement may be sufficient to secure and locate both parts of the retaining device, additional fastening and/or retaining means may be provided if desired. For example, the rear surface of the striking plate 1 9 may be integrally formed with rearwardly projecting pegs which engage within locating holes in the flange 26. Also, the block 23 may be formed with holes, as indicated at 31 in Figure 2, by means of which the part 23 may, if desired, be screwed to the horizontal web 25 of the window frame member.

Although the two parts of the retaining device are described as being secured together by a selftapping screw 28, it will be appreciated that other forms of fastening device could be employed, such as rivets, conventional screws, bolts, or snap fasteners, the only essential requirement being that the fastening element should be of such a kind as to be capable of passing through an opening in the flange 26 of the window frame member.

Although the fastener is shown as being mounted on horizontal window frame members, it may equally well be mounted on vertical frame members.

Claims (14)

1. A window fastener comprising a catch part capable of being moved between a fastened position and an unfastened position, and a retaining device with which the catch part engages in the fastened position, the retaining device comprising a first part provided with a striking surface with which the catch part engages in order to latch the window in a fully closed position, a second part separately formed from the first part and comprising a recess for receiving the catch part of the fastener in order to latch the window in a slightly open position, and fastening means for securing the two parts of the retaining device together in spaced relationship, with said recess spaced from said striking surface, whereby the two parts of the retaining device may be secured to a fixed window frame member by being positioned on opposite sides of the frame member with part of said fastening means passing through an opening in the frame member.

2. A window fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a screw the head of which engages one part of the retaining device and the threaded portion of which threadedly engages the other part of the device.

3. A window fastener according to claim 2, wherein the screw is a self-tapping screw.

4. A window fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a rivet.

5. A window fastener according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the part of the retaining device which is engaged by the head of the screw or rivet is counterbored so that the head of the screw or rivet is recessed.

6. A window fastener according to claim 5, wherein the counterbore is filled with a filler plug to cover the head and provide a substantially flush surface to the part.

7. A window fastener according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein it is the first part of the retaining device, provided with the striking surface, which is engaged by the head of the screw or rivet

8. A window fastener according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aforementioned recess in the second part of the retaining device is in the form of an open-topped channel which extends substantially parallel to the striking surface when the two parts are fastened together.

9. A window fastener according to claim 8, wherein the channel is open-ended.

10. A window fastener according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein means are provided on the first and/or on the second part of the retaining device to locate and/or secure the part to the fixed window frame member independently of the fastening means for securing the two parts together.

11. A window fastener according to claim 10, wherein said part or parts is or are formed with one or more holes by means of which it or they may be screwed or riveted to the window frame member.

12. A window fastener according to claim 10, wherein said part or parts is or are integrally formed with one or more projecting locating pegs to be frictionally received within holes in the window frame member.

13. A window fastener according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first and/or the second part of the retaining device is formed from plastics material.

14. A method of mounting on a fixed window frame a window fastener according to any of the preceding claims, comprising forming the frame member with at least one opening therethrough, positioning the two parts of the retaining device on opposite sides of the frame member at the location of the opening, and securing the two parts together and to the frame member by passing the fastening means through the opening.

1 5. A window fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.