GB2150190A - Locking arrangement for sliding-fitting window - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding and tilting window construction comprises an outer fixed frame and at least one sash frame 6 which incorporates locking means 13B engageable with the outer frame to lock the sash frame against tilting movement and an actuating member 40 selectively operable to effect sliding movement of the sash frame assembly relative to the outer frame or to actuate the locking means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sliding and tilting windows This invention relates to sliding or sash windows which comprise an outerframe and at least two glazed inner frames, at least one of which is slidable in the outerframe relativetotheotherinnerframeor frames. The slidably movable frame orframes in such window constructions will be referred to hereinafter as sash frames.

Thefixed innerframes and sash frames of such window constructions may be single or multiple glazed. At the presenttime double glazing is commonly employed but in some situations single glazing is preferredforcostorother reasons, and in extreme conditions three or more glass panes may be employed. For purposes of simplicity the term "glazing unit" will be used herein to embrace single, double or multiple glazing.

In high buildings it is difficult to gain access to the outsides of windows for cleaning purposes and it has therefore previously been proposed to construct windows such thattheirinnerglazed frames may pivot relative to the outerframe. A locking mechanism is necessarily provided to prevent pivoting or tilting of the frames during normal use but hitherto it has been necessary to provide apertures in the frame to enable access to the locking mechanism. Previously proposed tilting window constructions have therefore suffered from the drawback that unsightly apertures are visible on the innerframes and access to the tilt locking mechanism has been difficult.

It is an object ofthe present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

The invention provides a sash frame assembly for a window comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in an outerframe of a window for sliding and tilting movement relative thereto, locking means operable to lock said sash frame against tilting movement and an actuating member selectively operable to effect sliding movement of said frame and to actuate said locking means.

Preferably said locking meanscomprisesa locking mechanism disposed adjacent each of the upper or lower corners ofthe frame, there being an actuating member associated with each of said locking means.

Preferably also the or each said locking mechanism incorporates a locking member movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which it projects beyondtheframeforengagementwith an outer frame in use, said locking member also serving as a guide to maintain the sash frame in alignment with the outerframe during relative sliding movement. The locking member is preferably resiliently biased towards its extended locking position.

The invention also provides a sliding and tilting window construction comprising an outerframeand at least one sash frame assembly as aforesaid slidably and pivotally mounted in the outer frame.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Fig. lisa fragmentary perspective view of a vertically opening sliding sash window constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2isaverticalcross-sectionthroughthewindow construction shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section through the window construction; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing an upper corner of a sliding sash frame with compo nentsofthetilt release mechanism omitted to show the openings formed in the frame; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the corner shown in Fig 4; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components ofthe tilt release mechanism incorporated in the frame shown in Figs. 4 and 5;; Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section through an upper corner of a sash frame showing the tilt release mechanism; Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical cross-sections on the line A-A in Fig. 7 showing the tilt release mechanism in alternative positions of use; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-section showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings, the window comprises an outerframe Sin which upper and lower inner sash frames 6A and 6B are slidably mounted. The outer frame 5 is constructed from top, bottom and side frame members 7 formed by extrusion from plastics material and of identical cross-section. The frame members are mitred attheircorners and welded together so that all four sides of the frame are constructed from sections of the same extrusion.

Longitudinally extending tracks 8 formed in the outer edges of the frame members 7 and are adapted to receive fixing brackets (not shown) by means of which the frame may be secured in an opening in a wall or the like and, if required, drip deflectors, one of which is shown at 9 in Fig. 2. A similar drip deflector may befitted atthe upper edge ofthe upper frame member 7. Thetracks 8 may also be used to locate jointing pieces enablingtwo or moreframesto be connected together side-by-side.

The frame members 7 are of hollow construction and are provided with a pair of parallel longitudinal slots 10 in their inner edges leading to longitudinally extending compartments or recesses 11. When the frame members are used as side frame members, balance gear indicated at 12 is housed in the recesses 11 and connected to the sash frames 6A and 6B by connecting members 13 extending through the slots 10. The balance gear incorporates springs serving to balancetheweight of the sash frames as they are moved relativetothe main frame between open and closed positions.The frame members 7 also incorpo rate longitudinally extending tubular portions 14 which may be used as anchorage points for screws inserted through the ends of adjacentframe members in the event it is desired to interconnect the members at the corners of the frame by overlap or but-jointing instead of mitring and welding.

The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

Each ofthe sash frames 6A and 6B is formed from top, botton and side frame members 15, all ofthe same cross-section and formed from plastics material by extrusion. The frame members are mitred at their corners and secured together by welding. Because of the construction of the sash frames this can be effected priorto glazing oftheframes. Each ofthe frame members 15 comprises a base portion 16 and an upstanding abutment portion 17 againstwhich an edge of a glazing unit 18 abuts. Pre-formed resilient sealing members 19 are engaged in retainingformations in the abutment portion 17 and press against the surface of the glazing unittoform a weather-tightseal.

The glazing unit is retained in position by removable glazing beads 20 formed by extrusion from plastics material and having barbed locking projections 21 which engage with complementary projections 22 on the frame members. Pre4ormedsealing strips 23 are engaged with retaining formations on the beads 20 and press againstthe adjacent surface of the glazing unit 18 when the glazing beads are engaged with the frame.Thus after assembly oftheframe and welding togetherofthe corners in a water-tight manner, the sealing strips 19 are engaged with the abutment portion 17 oftheframe,the glazing unit 18 is placed in position and the glazing beads 20 fitted with the sealing strips 23 are engaged with the projections 22 on the frame thus completing glazing oftheframe.

The lower end of each sash frame is pivotally connected to the associated balance gear 12 by the connecting members 13 which are pivotally located in guide blocks 13A slidably mounted in the channels 11 and forming part ofthe balance gear. At its upper end each corner of the sash frame is provided with a laterally extending guide member 13B (Fig 1) which engages in the associated slot 10 to guide and stabilize the frame during opening and closing movement. The guide member 13B may be fixedly mounted in the recess 25 after location ofthe sash frame in the outer frame or may be slidably mounted for lateral movement between an extended position in which it engages in the slot 10 and a retracted position in which it is withdrawn clear of the slot 10 and releases the upper end of sash frame enabling itto be pivotted abouttheconnecting members 13.The guide blocks 13A are arranged to expand and lock themselves within the recesses 11 when the sash frame is tilted out of its vertical position. The upper sash frame 6A is similarly mounted for both sliding and tilting movement relative to the main frame 5.

The outer edges of the frame members 15 are provided with longitudinally extending channels 24 which may accommodate brush seals (not shown) and between which is a central channel 25. Because the same frame members are used to form all four sides oftheframe, these channels would be visible at the top ofthe lower sash frame and the underside of the upper sash frame unless suitably cloaked. For this purpose a detachable cover member 26 is provided having resilient projections 27 engageable in the associated channels 24 in orderto coverthe exposed edges ofthefrarne members and provide a neat appearance. The cover member 26 is provided with a vertically directed extension 29 which extends over the edge of the associated frame member 15 and terminates in a tapering sealing portion 30.At the upper end of the lower and inner sash frame 6B the cover member 26 is fitted so that the extension 29 extends overthe outer surface of the frame. On the upper and outer sash frame 6A the cover member is fitted so that the extension 29 extends over the inner face. The extensions 29 are so arranged thatwhen the sash frames are both in their closed positions the tapering seal portions 30 overlap and abut one anotherthus providing a weather seal between the two frames. A locking member31 is fitted to secure the frames together in their closed positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the same frame member7 is used to construct all foursides ofthe outer frame 5, the slots 10 would appear as horizontal openings in the bottom frame member unless suitably cloaked. Forthis purpose a detachable cover piece 35 is provided for fitting to the upper surface ofthe lowerframe member 7. Downwardly directed resilient projections 36 are provided on the cover piece 35 and engage with opposite edges ofthe respective slots 10 to retain the cover piece in position on the lower frame member. The cover piece comprises an outer cover portion 37 forming a sill having a sloping upper surface which mates with an abutment portion 7Aon the frame member7. The cover piece 35 also incorporates a recessed channel or track 38 extending parallel to the cover portion 37.The channel 38 is dimensioned to accommodate the lower edge of the bottom sash frame 6B and duetothe recessing of the channel a weather-proof seal and a pleasing appearance are provided when the lower sash frame 6B is in its closed position. Thus the lower frame member7 may besimplyandquicklymodified to provide the sill 37 and channel 38 by simply clipping the cover piece 35 into engagement with slots 10.

In ordertofacilitatesliding movement of the sash frames 6A and 6B, handles 40 are provided at the upper corners of each ofthe sash frames. The handles 40 also serve to actuate a tilt release mechanism shown in Figs. 4to 9 which enables the guide members 13Bto be withdrawn from the slots 10 in the outer frame 5,thereby enabling the sash frames to be pivoted abouttheconnecting members 13 at their lowerendstotilttheframes out of the plane of the main frame 5 and enable access to be gained to the outer surfaces of the glazing units for cleaning purposes.

In orderto accommodatethetilt release mechanism the upper corners of each ofthe sash frames are modified by the provision of apertures shown in Figs 4 and 5. A rectangular aperture 41 is provided in the central channel 25 and circular holes 42 to receive mounting screws are provided at each side ofthe aperture 41. In addition an elongated slot 43 is provided in thefrontface ofthe upper frame member 15 in alignment with the aperture 41.The handle 40 is provided with a projecting shank44which passes through the slot 43 and engages in an aperture 45 in an abutment portion 46 of the slidable guide member 13B. The shank 44 is secured to the guide member by a screw (not shown) inserted through complementary apertures 47 and 48 in the shank 44 and guide member 13B respectively. The length of the slot 43 is such that it is concealed by the handle 40 in both the extended and retracted positions ofthe guide member 1 38.

A detachable cover plate 49 is adapted to be received within the central channel 25 and secured to the frame by means of screws (not shown) inserted through apertures 50 in the cover plate into engagementwith apertures 51 (Figs 8 and 9) in the frame members 15. The screw nea rest to the corner of the frame passes through a slot 52 in the guide member 13B which allows the latterto slide relative to the frame between extended and retracted positions defined by abutment of the portions 46 of the guide member 1 3B with the respective ends of the aperture 41 in the frame member.The underside of the cover plate 49 is recessed to accommodate the guide member 13B and a spring 53 is located between an abutment 54 (Figs 8 and 9) on the underside of the cover plate 49 and the inner end of the guide member 13B.Thespring 53 serves to urgethe guide member into its extended position in which it projects beyond the side frame member 15 and engages in the slot 10 in the side member 7 of the outer frame 5. Asimilar arrangement is provided at each of the top corners of both sash frames 6A and 6B save that in the case of the upper sash frame 6Athe handles 40 are inverted as shown in Fig. 2.

In orderto slide the sash frames relative to the outer frame 5 the handles 40 are pushed upwards or downwards and the balance gear holds the sash frames in any desired vertically adjusted position relative to the frame 5. In orderto release the sash frames for tilting relative to the outer frame 5 the handles 40 on each sash frame are simultaneously moved inwardly to retract the guide members I 3B from the slots 10 at opposite sides of the frame 5 and therebypermitthesash frame to pivot about the connecting members 13. In ordertotiltthe lower sash frame it is necessary to lift it clear of the track 38 in the frame 5, following which it may be released and pivoted inwardlyto enable access to the outer surface ofthe glazing unitforcleaning purposes.Due to expansion oftheguide blocks 13A on tilting of the sash frame, the frame may be tilted in any vertical position provided the lower frame member is clear of the channel 38. The upper sash frame may only be tilted following tilting of the lower sash frame, but may be adjusted to any desired vertical position prior to actuation of the tilt release mechanism by inward movement of the handles 40.

Fig. 10 shows an arrangement in which the same outerframe houses a single glazed fixed frame only.

The outer frame is constructed from frame members 7 the same as those employed in the embodiment shown in Figs 1 to 3 and the fixed frame is located at the outer region of the outer frame in contact with the abutments 7A on the frame members 7. The inner slots 10 in the frame members 7 are covered by detachable cover members 60 provided with flexible projections 61 which engage with the edges of the slots 10 and retain the cover members in position.

Flexible lip portions 62 on the cover members 60 contact the adjacent surfaces of the fixed frame to form a seal and present a neat appearance. The fixed window frame is constructed from frame components 15the same as those utilised in Figs. 1 to 3, but in this instance a modified glazing bead 64 is fitted which projects for a greater distance towards the fixed abutment 17, to engage the single pane glazing unit 65. The glazing bead is also provided with a sloping uppersurface 66 and an upwardly directed lip 67 which form a channel orgutter68forcollection of condensation. Collected condensation may be allowed to evaporate or can be wiped away. Alternatively drain holes (not shown) may be provided to channel the condensation to the outside of the frame.

It will be appreciated thatthe outerframe may also be employed in a window having a fixed frame and one or more sash frames, or a single sash frame and one ormorefixed innerframes dependent on requirements.Thefixed and sash frames maybe single, double or multiple glazed as desired.

Windows constructed in accordance with the arrangements described above have several advantages over traditional sliding sash windows. Both the outerframe and the sash frames are constructed from identical top, bottom and side frame components which maythus all be cut from a common extrusion.

This avoids the production of several components of different section and considerably simplifies manu factureand assembly of the frames. Moreoverthe frame members are secured togetheratthe corners of the frame by welding which produces a weather-tight seal and which is rendered possible in the case ofthe sash frames by the use of detachable glazing beads or strips to retain the glazing units in position. This is particularly advantageous compared with traditional sash windows which are glazed by removal of one side of the frame and which give rise to considerable problems in the event ofthe glazing unit being broken.

Adaptation ofthe common frame members to enable their use atthetop, bottom or side of the frame is readily effected by clip-on components formed from plastics material by extrusion and which can therefore be cut to suitable lengths dependent on varying circumstances. The cover memberforfitting to the bottom of the outerframe member enables good weather sealing to be readily attained by virtue of the provision of the recessed track and sloping sill portions while providing a pleasing internal and external appearance. The exposed edges of the sash frames in addition to being covered by clip-on cover members are automatically provided with overlapping sealing members due to the provision of the combined cover and sealing components.Moreover by virtue ofthefactthatthese components can be fitted to the frame members in different position, both frames can be provided with covers and sealing members using section cutfrom the same extrusion.

Both the inner and outerframes also have the usual benefits associated with plastics construction and in particular are not susceptible to rotting or tarnishing and do not require painting or other maintenance.

Afurther advantage arises from the provision of the combined lifting handles and tilt locking actuators 40.

These enable the combined functions of sliding the sash frames between their open and closed positions and actuating the tilt lock mechanism to be performed by a single member while presenting a neat appearance to the finished frame.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example while the arrangement described in Figs. 1 to 3 incorporates two innerframes, three or more innerframes may be incorporated, any one or more of which may be slidable. Moreover while the drawings illustrate arrangements in which the sash frames slide vertically,they may be arranged to slide horizontally. The innerframes, whether fixed frames or sash frames, may be single, double or multiple glazed as desired depandent on requirements. In a further modification the tilt locking mechanism may be actuated by rotary ratherthan linearmovementofthe lifting handles.

Claims (12)

1. Asash frame assemblyfora window compris- ing a frame adapted to be mounted in an outerframe ofawindowforslidingandtilting movement relative thereto, locking meansoperableto lock said sash frame againsttilting movement and an actuating member selectively operableto effectsliding movement of said frame and to actuate said locking means.

2. A sash frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a locking mechanism disposed adjacent each ofthe upper or lower corners of the frame, there being an actuating member associated with each of said locking means.

3. A sash frame assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the or each said locking mechanism incorporates a locking member movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which it projects beyond the frame for engagement with an outerframe in use, said locking member also serving as a guide to maintain the sash frame in alignmentwith the outer frame during relative sliding movement.

4. A sash frame assembly according to claim 3 wherein the or each said locking member is slidably located in a recess in a horizontal edge oftheframe.

5. A sash frame assembly according to claim 4 wherein the or each said actuating member comprises a handle incorporating a shank portion slidably mounted in a slot in the frame and connected to the associated locking member.

6. A sash frame assembly according to claim 5 wherein the handle extends overand conceals said slot in both the extended and retracted positions.

7. Asash frame assembly according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein said locking member is resiliently biased towards its extended locking position.

8. A sash frame assemblyforawindowsubstan- tally as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 to 9 ofthe accompanying drawings.

9. A sliding and tilting window construction comprising an outerframe and at least one sash frame assembly according to any preceding claim slidably and pivotally mounted in the outerframe.

10. A sliding and tilting window construction comprising an outerfixed frameand at leastone sash frame assembly mounted in the outerframefor sliding and tilting movement relative thereto, said sash frame assembly incorporating locking means engageable with said outer frame to lock said sash frame assembly against tilting movement relative to said outerframe, and an actuating member selectively operable to effect sliding movement of said sash frame assembly relative to said outer frame and to actuate said locking means.

11. A sliding and tilting window construction substantially as herein before described with refer enceto the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or notwithin the scope of or relating to the same invention as any ofthe preceding claims.