GB2148384A

GB2148384A - Stays

Info

Publication number: GB2148384A
Application number: GB08327680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Ernest Douglas
Original assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1983-10-15
Filing date: 1983-10-15
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB8327680D0

Abstract

A friction stay comprises mounting plates connected by spaced links via friction pivot joints. The plates and links are formed by casting or moulding and have formations formed integrally therewith. As a result the number of separate components of the stay is reduced and manufacture and assembly is simplified. Examples of integral formations that may be provided include spigots 12,12' on a link for the friction pivot joints, a stop 24 on a mounting plate 2 for limiting pivotal movement of the stay parts, guides 23, 27 for controlling operation of the stay and strengthening ribs. Any number of formations may be provided and in any combination. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in stays This invention concerns improvements in stays, and in particular friction stays primarily, though not exclusively, for windows.

Friction stays for windows are adapted and arranged for mounting on the sash and associated fixed frame, usually one each side of the sash and frame, so that the sash is supported for frictionally restrained movement on and relative to the frame.

The sash may be hung for top, bottom or side opening with the frictional restraint to maintain the sash in an adjusted position being provided by the pivot joints.

The stay parts of known friction stays are formed as pressings and/or extrusions with the pivot joints being provided by rivets which are assembled to extend through the stay parts and are clinched to generate forces which, after clinching, provide the required frictional restraint in the joints.

In addition, the known friction stays usually include a stop to limit relative pivotal movement of the stay parts and hence the maximum opening of a sash mounted thereby. For certain applications the stay may include further components to modify and/or control operation in service, for example guide means for the sash. The stop and, where provided, further components are commonly formed separately, often as a plastics moulding, and secured to the stay part on assembly.

Thus it will be appreciated that the manufacture and assembly of the known friction stays is relatively complicated and time consuming requiring a high degree of accuracy to ensure the desired operation is obtained in use, all of which adds considerably to the cost of the finished stay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction stay the manufacture and assembly of which is simplified as compared with the known friction stays.

According to the present invention there is provided a friction stay comprising first and second mounting means adapted for attachment to first and second frame members respectively of which one frame member is fixed and the other frame member is movable relative thereto and link means connecting the first and second mounting means through one or more friction pivot joints which permit restrained pivotal movement of the members wherein at least one of the first and second mounting means and link means is formed as a casting or moulding and has formed integrally therewith a formation constituting an operative element of the stay.

By the present invention the number of separate components of the stay is reduced thereby simplifying manufacture and assembly.

The formation may replace any element which has previously been formed separately and secured to the mounting means or link means on assembly, for example the formation may comprise a spigot for a friction pivot joint or a stop or guide for controlling operation of the stay.

Preferred features of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a window stay according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a detailed section, to an enlarged scale, through one of the pivot joints of the stay shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the links of the stay shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame mounting plate of the stay shown in Figure 1.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a window stay 1 comprising a frame mounting plate 2 and a sash mounting plate 3 connected together by first and second links 4 and 5 respectively. The frame plate 2 and sash plate 3 are each provided with a series of longitudinally spaced countersunk holes 6 and 7 respectively by means of which they can be attached and secured to a fixed frame member (not shown) and sash (not shown) respectively by screws, rivets or the like (not shown). The link 4 is connected at each end to the mounting plates 2,3 by friction pivot joints 8,9 respectively. The second link 5 is longer than the first link 4 and is likewise connected at each end to the mounting plates 2,3 by friction pivot joints 10,11 at posiitions spaced from the pivot joints 8,9.The friction pivot joints 8,9,10,11 provide restrained pivotal movement of the sash relative to the fixed frame. Normally two stays are provided at opposite sides of the sash which may be hung for top, bottom or side opening.

Each friction pivot joint 8,9,10,11 is similar and one only, that between the arm 4 and frame plate 2, will now be described in detail, it being understood that the same description applies equally to the other joints.

As shown in Figure 2, the friction pivot joint 8 is provided by a hollow spigot 12 formed integrally with the link 4. The spigot 12 extends through an opening 13 formed in the frame plate and, as shown in dotted lines, is secured by a clinching operation to the projecting end. The opening 13 is countersunk to provide a recess 14 in the bottom side of the plate 2 for the clinched end. Nylon and steel washers 15 and 16 respectively prevent direct contact between the clinched end and the plate 2.

The opening 13 is bounded on the top side of the plate 2 by an annular boss 17 formed integrally with the plate 2 A nylon washer 18 acts between confronting part annular, part frusto-conical shaped surfaces 19 and 20 of the link 4 and boss 17 respectively to prevent direct contact therebetween. The nylon washers 15,18 provide the required frictional restraint to pivotal movement under the forces generated by the clinching operation and are prevented from extruding radially outwards by the sides of the recess 14 and abutments 21 and 22 formed integrally with the link 4 and boss 17 respectively.

As will be understood the link 4 has formed inte grally therewith a second spigot 12', similar to the spigot 12, which provides the friction pivot joint 10 between the link 4 and the sash plate 3 and, as shown in Figure 3, the spigots 12,12' are provided one at each end of the link and on opposite sides thereof. The link 5 is likewise provided with two spigots, similar to the spigots 12,12', which provide the friction pivot joints 10,11.

Referring now to Figure 4, the frame plate 2 has formed integrally therewith an arcuate flange 23 which extends partly around the boss 17 of the friction pivot joint 8 and terminates in a stop 24.

The flange 23 provides support for the link 4 during pivotal movement thereof and the stop 24 has an inclined abutment face 25 engageable with the link 4 to limit such pivotal movement. Also formed integrally with the frame plate 2 are a plurality of parallel, straight ribs 26 which provide inclined ramp surfaces 27 to lift the sash of a side hung window into position on closing.

The plates 2,3 and links 4,5 may be formed of any metal or plastics material having the required strength and weathering characteristics, using either casting or moulding techniques. For example the stay parts 2,3,4,5 may comprise zinc pressure die castings.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that by casting or moulding the stay parts with integral formations the number of individual components of the stay is reduced thereby simplifying manufacture and assembly. Another advantage of casting or moulding the stay parts is that they can be made to any required shape in a single operation, and in particular local variations in shape can be easily produced. This is not possible when the same parts are made by either extrusion, where a uniform cross-section is produced, or pressing, where separate shaping operations are required for each local variation in shape.

Furthermore it will be recognised that the inventive concept of using formations formed integrally with the stay parts to replace components formed separately and secured to the stay parts has application to stays in which the construction and arrangement of the stay parts is different to that above-described. For example, the number and size of links and their pivot connections may be altered to provide any desired operation. The frame and/or sash mounting plate(s) may be replaced by separate mounting brackets for each friction pivot joint.

It will also be apparent that any number and combination of integral formations may be provided as desired, for example any of the above-described formations may be used singly. Other formations, such as strengthening ribs etc. may be formed integrally with the stay parts and the invention includes all possible formations and combinations thereof.

Additionally, whilst the above-described embodiment has the integral spigots on the links these could be formed on the mounting plates/brackets and the corresponding openings formed in the links. Alternatively one or more of the links may have a combination of spigot(s) and opening(s) with the mounting plates/brackets having opening(s)/spigot(s) for co-operation therewith. The spigots may be of any suitable shape as may the other integral formations. The mounting plates brackets and/or links may have a coating of plastics material at least in the region of the pivot joints to avoid the use of washers. Alternatively the spigots may have a coating of plastics material and/or plastics coated metal washers may be provided.

Finally it will be understood that whilst the invented stay has been described with particular reference to its application to a fixed frame and sash it may be used to control movement between any two members mounted for relative pivotal or hinged movement.

Claims

1. A friction stay comprising first and second mounting means adapted for attachment to first and second frame members respectively of which one frame member is fixed and the other frame member is movable relative thereto and link means connecting the first and second mounting means through one or more friction pivot joints which permit restrained pivotal movement of the members wherein at least one of the first and second mounting means and link means is formed as a casting or moulding and has formed integrally therewith a formation constituting an operative element of the stay.

2. A friction stay according to claim 1 wherein the formation comprises a spigot for the or each friction pivot joint.

3. A friction stay according to claim I wherein the formation comprises a stop for limiting pivotal movement of the members.

4. A friction stay according to claim I wherein the formation comprises a guide for controlling operation of the stay.

5. A friction stay according to claim 1 wherein the formation comprises a strengthening rib.

6. A friction stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.