GB2161201A - Fastening mechanism for doors or windows - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-point fastening mechanism for doors or windows has a plurality of catch members 16 positioned around the periphery of the door or sash for engagement with a corresponding plurality of keepers 9 on the fixed frame to secure the door or window in a closed position. The catch members 16 are mounted on a cable 18 extending around the periphery of the door or sash and the ends of the cable 18 are connected to a tensioner 22, 24, 26 for adjusting the tension of the cable 18. The catch members 16 are displaced simultaneously around the periphery of the door or sash in one direction to engage the keepers 9 and in the opposed direction to disengage the keepers 9 by an operating handle 17 mounted on the door or sash and coupled to the cable 18 by drive transmitting means 35. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening mechanism for doors or windows This invention concerns a fastening mechanism for doors or windows, in particular a fastening mechanism in which a plurality of fastening points are provided around the door or window to secure the hinged member (the door or sash) to the fixed frame.

It is already known to provide fastening devices in which several inter-connected bolts are mounted in a door or sash for bolting displacement into bolt recesses in the fixed frame. These multi-bolting devices are of complex construction requiring special installation in new windows or doorswherein allowance has to be made to enclose the mechanicai gearing and other parts connecting the bolts for displacing the rigid bolts in opposed directions to shoot out of the sash or door to engage within the bolt recesses in opposed sides of the fixed frame. Usually, such multi-bolting devices require large and bulky sections or profiles for the sash or door, and these are expensive whilst also undesirably reducing the glazed area of the sash or door.Some of the devices cannot be used in glazed doors or sashes because the drive gear has to be mounted in the centre because the bolts are thrown out in a radial direction from a common gear drive to which the bolts are connected.

In these multi-bolting devices, the bolts are rigid baits which have to be of a length to suit the overall dimensions of height and width of the door or window. This means that the installation of such devices may require extensive stocking of different lengths of bolts, and minor dimensional adjustments are usually required by cutting the bolts to length accurately on installation. It will be appreciated that such multi-bolting devices are costly and often not suitable for installation in replacement doors and windows which are not to any common standard of size.

It is already known to provide fastening devices for sliding doors or windows in which several bolting members are mounted to one side of the sash or frame for simultaneous fastening engagement with a keeper rail. However, these devices are usually only suitable for sliding doors or windows for fastening just one side to the jamb or frame. The bolting members are headed studs which are trapped and located in recesses in a slidable keeper rail. These fastening devices are not suitable for hinged doors or windows wherein it is desirable to fasten the hinged member at several positions around the frame.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fastening mechanism for hinged doors or windows in which a plurality of fastening points are provided around the hinged member avoiding the use of rigic bolts.

It is a further object this invention to provide a simple form of fastening device which is capable of application to a wide range of sizes of windows or doors with simple installation procedures.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a simple multi-point fastening device based on common components that can be selected for a wide range of sizes of doors or windows for assembly and installation.

According to this invention, we provide a fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising a fixed frame and a hinged member (the sash or door), thefastening mechanism comprising a plurality of keepers mounted on the fixed frame at spaced positions around the frame, a plurality of catch members mounted on the hinged member for engagement with each respective keeper on the fixed frame, the catch members being mounted for simultaneous limited sliding movement in a direction around the periphery of the hinged member for engagement or disengagement with the respective keepers, a common drive element extending around the periphery of the hinged member and connected to each of the catch members, and an operating handle coupled to the drive element through drive transmitting means to cause the drive element to move in one sense to slide all of the catch members into engagement with their respective keepers, and to move the drive element in the opposed sense to slide all of the catch members out of engagement with their respective keepers.

By this invention, there is a single drive element which extends around the periphery of the hinged member and this carries the plurality of catch members for their respective fastening engagement with the keepers mounted at aligned positions on the fixed frame. The catch members are moved simultaneously in the same sense either to engage or disengage the keepers. As will be understood, such a mechanism avoids the problems associated with multi-point bolting devices where the bolts have to be drive by suitable actuation means in at least two opposed directions.

Preferably, the drive element is flexible at least at those portions which extend around the corners of the hinged member. The drive element is conveniently a continuous cable extending around the periphery of the hinged rnember and of which the opposed ends are connected to the drive transmitting means associated with the handle.

By providing such a flexible form of drive, particularly a cable, this can be cut to the desired length for a particular size of hinged member whilst all of the other components can be common for all sizes of doors windows in which the invented fastening device is installed.

Each keeper is the same and is mounted on the fixed frame and is of channel shape having an open end facing and aligned with the respective one of the similar catch members mounted on the hinged member so that each catch member is slidably engaged within the channel of the respective aligned keeper on sliding movement of the catch members into the fastening position.

The number of keepers mounted on the fixed frame and the number of catch members can be selected to provide sufficient numbers of fastening points in the door or window depending upon the overall size and fastening requirements. As each keeper and catch member is the same with only one common drive element and drive transmission associated with the one operating handle, the invented fastener can applied and installed for any desired size of door or window by selecting the required numbers of common keepers and catch members.

Each catch member is mounted for sliding movement relative to the hinged member, and each catch member may include a base plate located in a slide channel extending around the periphery of the hinged member. The slide channel may be an integral part of a metal or metal/plastics section employed for the hinged member, or the slide channel may be a section secured to the periphery of the hinged member.

Preferably, the drive element is confined in a peripheral groove formed in the hinged member.

The peripheral groove of the hinged member may be integral with the metal or other section used for the hinged member, or the groove may be formed in a section secured to the periphery of the hinged member. In either case, it is desirable that the drive element is guided at each corner by corner guide blocks having a groove in which the drive element is located for the flexible movement around each corner.

The integral formation of the slide channel and groove may be designed in an extruded section or profile. The use of a separate section secured to the periphery of the hinged member is preferred for use with doors or windows in which the frame material is timber.

Conveniently, the drive transmitting means comprises a pinion for rotation by the operating handle, and the pinion engages a rack to which the drive element is connected for reciprocating movement with the rack. Means for connecting the drive element to the rack preferably includes a tensioner for pulling the drive element into the correcttension around the peripheryofthe hinged member The operating handle may have a locking device associated therewith to secure the operating handle against inadvertent movement.

Other special features and advantages of the invented fastening mechanism will be referred to later herein.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a window from the outside with the top hung sash being shown in the open position depicting the general arrangement of a fastening mechanism; FIGURE2 is a perspective view of the component parts of the mechanism omitting the frame and sash of the window, the mechanism is depicted in the "unfastened" position; FIGURE3 is a schematic partly sectioned view depicting the assembled installation of the keeper and catch member of the mechanism in the window; FIGURE4 is an enlarged detail exploded view of the catch member of the mechanism; FIGURE 5 is an inside scrap view of the bottom rail of the sash depicting the connection between the operating handle and the mechanism;; FIGURE6 is a detail exploded view of the operating handle for the mechanism; and FIGURE 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the mechanism installed in a timber window.

With reference to Figure 1, the fastening mechanism is first described with reference to a window 1 mounted in a timber frame 2. The window 1 comprises a rectangular outer frame 3 fixed in known manner to the timber frame 2, and a sash 4 is mounted on the frame 3 by a pair of frictional stays 5 for top hinging movement. The form of the stays 5 is not material to this invention butthese kind of friction stays are commonly used for windows of the projecting top hung and projecting side hung kinds.

The invention may be applied to windows or doors having other forms of hinges.

The window 1 is depicted as typical of a replacement window fabricated from extruded profiles to suit an existing opening. The frame 3 has an outer peripheral flange 6 arranged to extend over the timber frame 2 and an inner peripheral flange 7 which extends inwardly of the opening to provide a stop for engagement by the sash 4 when in the closed position. The frame 3 is assembled from lengths of material such as extruded aluminium or plastic of common section, and the corners may include cleats or reinforcements or the like. In the section used for the frame 3, a web 8 extends between the outer and inner flanges 6,7 and this provides the depth of rebate into which the sash 4 is received in the closed position.

At spaced apart positions around the frame 3 there are keepers 9 mounted on the web 8. Each keeper 9 is similar and comprises a body with upstanding side walls 10 that define a channel of which the base is secured to the web 8 so that the side walls 10 extend lengthwise of the web 8. One end of the channel is closed by an end wall 11. Each of the keepers 9 is aligned with the open end of each channel extending in the same sense around the frame and projecting into the rebate.

The sash 4 is also assembled from lengths of material such as extruded aluminium or plastic of common hollow or semi-hollow section and the corners may include cleats or reinforcements in known manner. The sash 4 has an outer wall 12 forming a front flange of which the outer periphery is arranged to extend over the flange 6 of the fixed frame 3. The sash 4 mounts a glazing panel 13 and has an inner wall 14 arranged to close on the inner flange 7 of the fixed frame 3. A web 15 extends between the outer and inner walls 12, 14 and is arranged to lie within the frame rebate when the sash is closed.

At positions around the sash 4which are aligned with the keepers 9, there are catch members 16 projecting through the web 15 for respective engagement with the keepers 9. The catch members 16 are arranged for simultaneous sliding movement relative to the sash 4 in the same sense under the control of an operating handle 17 mounted on the bottom rail of the sash.

In general terms, each keeper9 and catch member 16 are arranged to be inter-engaged by sliding movement of the catch member 16 into the channel of the aligned keeper 9 to fasten the sash at several positions around the periphery to prevent hinging movement of the sash. The sash 4 is unfastened by simultaneous sliding movement of the catch members out of the respective keepers. The operating handle 17 is connected to a common drive arrangement to be described later by which all of the catch members 16 are moved on rotation of the handle 17.

The detailed construction of the mechanism will now be described with reference to other Figures of the drawings.

With reference to Figure 2 this shows only the main component parts ofthe mechanism arranged in their relative positions in the window installation with the arrows depicting the direction of movement for fastening. Each of the catch members 16 is secured to a drive cable 18 extending around the periphery of the sash. The cable 18 is arranged for movement relative to the sash with the cable being located in corner guide blocks 19 that each have a groove 20 seating the cable. Each guide block 19 is located at a corner of the sash and preferably is of a low friction material to facilitate smooth sliding movement of the cable 18.

As shown best in Figure 5, the ends of the cable 18 are connected through a bridge member 21 having one lug 22 to which one cable end is secured by a grub screw 23. The brige member 21 has another lug 24 in which is mounted a tensioner bolt 25 coupled to a cable clamp 26 to which the end of the cable is secured in alignment with the other end.

The tensioner bolt 25 is in threaded engagement with the cable clamp 26 and on rotation of the bolt 25, the correct tension for the cable may be applied during assembly.

The bridge member 21 is mounted on a slide block 27 which is arranged to be slid in the direction of the cable 18 to move the cable in either sense.

The slide block 27 is engaged by a rack 28 having a dependent drive arm 29 which is received in a complementary recess formed in the slide block 27 remote from the bridge member 21.

With reference also to Figure 6, the rack 28 is arranged to be displaced by a pinion 30 which is turned on rotation of the handle 17. The handle 17 has a spindle 31 which extends from the handle boss 32 through a cover plate 34 of a housing 35 in which the rack 28 extends in engagement with the pinion 30. The spindle 31 has a flat 36 with the central opening 37 through the pinion being of complementary D-shape for locating the pinion on the spindle 31 for rotation therewith. The cover plate 34 is secured to the housing 35 by hollow lugs 38 projecting from the underside of the cover plate and which engage in the bores of bosses 39 in the housing. The free ends of the lugs 38 are secured to the back of the housing by spinning over the ends or by a circlip (not shown).Clearance is provided in the housing for sliding movement of the rack 28 and rotation of the pinion 30. A spring washer 40 is mounted on the spindle 31 to hold the pinion 30 in place, and the extreme end of the spindle projecting through the back of the housing may be spun over or may have a circlip or the like (not shown) mounted thereon to prevent axial movement of the handle and to retain it on the housing.

For securing the handle 17 and housing assembly to the sash by means of screws, rivets or like fasteners (not shown) through holes 41,42 are provided in the cover plate and housing respectively.

In addition, to permit the locking of the handle in the fastened position to prevent inadvertent use and for security, there is a special locking arrangement comprised in the handle assembly. A pin 43 is mounted in the cover plate 34 to project upwardly in the path of movement of the handle boss 32. In the handle boss there is a barrel member 44 mounted by a transverse steel pin 44 for rotation in an internal bore in the boss 32 opening to a recess 45 in the underside of the boss. The barrel 44 is arranged to be rotated by a key operated cylinder lock 46 which is also mounted in the handle boss with the key hole 47 opening to the front. When the handle is in the fastened position as shown in Figure 6, then the pin 43 is aligned with the barrel 44 and received within the hollow interior.On rotation of the barrel 43 by the cylinder lock, the barrel is rotated so that the lateral entry 48 formed in the barrel is displaced to trap the pin within the barrel and to prevent pivotal movement of the handle. On unlocking the cylinder 46, the barrel 44 is returned to a position in which the lateral entry 48 is aligned with the pin 43 allowing the handle to be turned with the pin passing clear of the barrel through the lateral entry 48.

This security locking construction comprised in the handle assembly is not essential and may be omitted if desired or an alternative form of locking device may be incorporated in the handle.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, each catch member 16 is the same and comprises a base plate 50 of rectangular shape in plan which is dimensioned for sliding movement relative to the sash section. In this exemplary sash section, the base plate 50 is slidably received in a cleat channel 51 formed in the section of the sash 4 and in which channel 51 the sections of the sash are joined or reinforced at each corner by suitable cleats (not shown). The catch member 16 further comprises a head 52 mounted on or integral with a carrier 53. A through bore 54 extending in the direction of movement of the catch member 16 is formed in the carrier through which the cable 18 extends in the installation. The base plate 50 has an opening 55 which is complementary in shape to the crosssection of the carrier 53.The carrier has two opposed base flanges 56 and these two flanges locate and seat in a lengthwise groove 57 formed in the base plate 50. The carrier 53 is also formed with two nibs 58, one on each side adjacent each flange 56 and of which only one is shown in Figure 4. The opening 55 in the base plate 50 includes cut-out portions 59 complementary to the nibs 58.

The head 52 which is for engagement with the keeper is formed with a threaded bore 60 extending transverse to and opening into the bore 54through which the cable extends. The bore 60 is arranged to receive a grub screw 61 which, when the cable is received within the bore 54, can be tightened to secure the catch member 16 to the cable.

In the installation, the section of the sash 4 is formed with a piercing 62 at each position where the catch member 16 is to project into the rebate to engage with a keeper 9. Each piercing 62 has a dimension in the direction of movement of the cable 18 which is approximately twice the length of the head 52 of the catch member 16 to allow for the lengthwise ciearance between the head 52 and the keeper 9 for full engagement and disengagement of the head with the keeper.

In the exemplary section shown for the sash 4, there is a peripheral groove 63 opening to the outer web of the sash section, and the cable 18 is arranged to extend along and around the sash frame in this groove 63 with the groove 63 being contiguous with the groove 20 formed in each corner guide block 19.

The corner guide blocks 19 have two arms extending normal to each other, and each arm is received in a respective free end of the groove 63 at each corner of the sash. Accordingly, in this particular arrangement the cable is confined within the peripheral grooves of the sash section and the corner blocks.

The fastening mechanism as has just been described is installed during assembly of the window and the method will now be described in general terms bearing in mind that the various window sections are first cut to the prescribed size.

The keepers 9 are mounted on the fixed frame sections at the desired locations, and the number of keepers and spacing around the frame will be selected in accordance with the size and number of fastening points required. As previously explained, each of the keepers 9 is mounted so that all of the keeper channels are open in the same sense around the fixed frame.

The sash sections are formed with the piercings 62 at the required positions and before the sash sections are joined together at their ends to form the corners of the sash, the base plates 50 of the catch members 16 are inserted in the cleat channel 51.

Thereafter, the sash sections can be joined as convenient to form the sash frame. The carrier 53 with the head 52 of the catch member 16 is located on the respective base plate 50 with the head projecting through the respective piercing 62. The corner guide blocks 19 are inserted in the corner portions of the groove 63. The sash is mounted on the frame 3 by hinges or stays 5. The operating handle 17 together with the housing 35 is secured to the bottom rail section of the sash by screws or rivets (not shown after an opening has been formed as necessary in the section of the bottom rail of the sash through which the two lugs of the bridge member 21 extend into the groove 63 along which the cable will extend.

Once the foregoing steps have been completed, then the cable 18 can be offered to the sash frame and cut to the approximate length. The cable is then fed by one end along the peripheral groove 63, through each bore 54 in the catch members 16 and around the groove 20 of each corner guide block 19.

One end of the cable is secured to the lug 22 by the grub screw 23 and the other end of the cable is secured to the cable clamp 26 associated with the tensioner bolt 25. The cable is thereby coupled to the operating handle and the correct length and tension of the cable can be adjusted.

After each catch member has been loosely coupled in the respective positions around the sash to the cable, then final adjustments can be made by locating each carrier accurately in position with respect to the aligned keepers, and then the final clamping of the catch members by the grub screws 61 to the cable can be completed.

Following this final assembly, the installation of the fastening mechanism for the window is completed, and as will be appreciated, the same steps are employed irrespective of the size of the window. The fastening mechanism comprises common parts with the selected numbers of keepers and catch members, four corner guide blocks, and a single handle. The cable can be supplied in long lengths of which it is only necessary to cut the required length.

As aforementioned, in this embodiment the fastening mechanism is suitable for use with a window fabricated from extruded sections of a typical profile. The invention can be applied to windows or doors having extruded sections of different profile. The shape of the base plate of the catch member may be varied and the crosssectional shape of the corner guide blocks may be changed to suit. However, it should be borne in mind that in any window or door system, the profiles which are used are conventionally laid down by the manufacturer, and it is from these profiles that the wide range of sizes of windows and/ or doors are fabricated. Accordingly, once the component parts of the fastening mechanism have been designed or selected for a specified profile, those components will be suitable for all uses of that profile.

The fastening mechanism of this invention can also be employed with windows or doors of timber construction, and a suitable schematic embodiment is depicted in Figure 7 to which reference will now be made.

In known manner the window comprises a timber cill section 70 and at required locations along the cill and other sections of the fixed frame (not shown), keepers 71 are secured by screws 72. Each keeper 71 is similar to the keepers 9 as previously described.

The sash section 73 mounts a carrier rail 74 which may be a suitable metal or rigid strong plastics extrusion secured to the sash by screws 75 and located in the existing rebate 76 extending around the periphery of the sash. The carrier rail 74 provides a channel 77 in which the catch member 16 of similar design to that aforedescribed is mounted with the base plate 50 being slidably received in the channel. The rail is provided with openings (not shown) through which the head of the catch member extends for aligned engagement with the keepers mounted on the fixed frame. The carrier rail 74 also provides a groove 78 along which the cable 18 extends in the same manner as previously described.Similarly, an operating handle 17 is mounted on the sash with the housing enclosing a pinion and rack drive coupled to the cable through a slot pierced through the sash section at the required place.

The operation of the fastening mechanism is the same as described previously, and the advantage of using common components for a wide range of sizes of timber windows or doors applies as before.

The use and fixing of the carrier rail to the timber sash section can be incorporated in the manufacturing stages or, for timber windows and doors enables the fastening mechanism to be applied to existing windows and doors in situ.

The fastening mechanism as described can be modified if required to use a part flexible drive element instead of a continuous flexible cable drive around the entire periphery of the sash or door. The drive element can comprise short lengths of flexible cable for extending around each corner with the straight sections along each side of the sash or door being constituted by short rods to each end of which an end of the corner lengths of cable is attached.

The means for transmitting drive to the drive element can also be varied, and intermediate gearing could be incorporated to give a mechanical advantage to the user when operating the handle.

As will be appreciated, the underlying concept of the invented fastening mechanism is to provide a window or door manufacturer with a basic kit of simple parts that can be selected and used for a diverse range of window and/or door designs and sizes. The invented mechanism enables accurate fixing and fastening, and it is possible to service the mechanism when installed, even to replacing the cable. Other merits and advantages of the invented mechanism will be understood by those skilled in this art.

Claims (16)

1. A fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising a fixed frame and a hinged member (the sash or door), the fastening mechanism comprising a plurality of keepers mounted on the fixed frame at spaced positions around the frame, a plurality of catch members mounted on the hinged member for engagement with each respective keeper on the fixed frame, the catch members being mounted for simultaneous limited sliding movement in a direction around the periphery of the hinged member for engagement or disengagement with the respective keepers, a common drive element extending around the periphery of the hinged member and connected to each of the catch members, and an operating handle coupled to the drive element through drive transmitting means to cause the drive element to move in one sense to slide all of the catch members into engagement with their respective keepers, and to move the drive element in the opposed sense to slide all of the catch members out of engagement with their respective keepers.

2. Afastening mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the drive element is flexible at least at those portions which extend around the corners of the hinged member.

3. Afastening mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the drive element comprises a continuous cable extending around the periphery of the hinged member and of which the opposed ends are connected to the drive transmitting means associated with the handle.

4. A fastening mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the drive transmitting means includes a tensioner for adjusting the tension of the cable.

5. A fastening mechanism according to claim 4 wherein one end of the cable is fixedly connected to the tensioner and the other end is connected to an adjustable bolt.

6. Afastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive element is confined in a groove extending around the periphery of the hinged member.

7. Afastening mechanism according to claim 6 wherein the drive element is located and guided at each corner of the hinged member by a guide block positioned in the peripheral groove around the hinged member.

8. Afastening mechanism according to claim 7 wherein each guide block is made of low friction material.

9. A fastening mechanism according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein each guide block has a groove contiguous with the peripheral groove around the hinged member.

10. Afastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each catch member is located and guided on the hinged member for said limited sliding movement.

11. Afastening mechanism according to claim 10 wherein each catch member has a base plate and the hinged member has a channel in which the base plate is slidably received.

12. Afastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each catch member is mounted on and adjustable lengthwise of the drive element.

13. Afastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive transmitting means comprises a rack to which the drive element is connected and a pinion engageable with the rack and rotatable by the operating handle for reciprocating the rack and drive element.

14. A fastening mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle includes a locking device.

15. A fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising a fixed frame and a hinged member (the sash or daor) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A fastening mechanism for a door or window of the kind comprising a fixed frame and a hinged member (the sash or door) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 7 ofthe accompanying drawings.