GB2185779A

GB2185779A - Stay

Info

Publication number: GB2185779A
Application number: GB08601847A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Ernest Douglas
Original assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Current assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Priority date: 1986-01-25
Filing date: 1986-01-25
Publication date: 1987-07-29
Also published as: GB8601847D0; GB2185779B

Abstract

A casement stay 1 incorporates a manually operable catch 19, mounted on the stay bar 4 for engagement with an upstanding peg 16 of the peg plate 11 to secure the stay bar 4 against upward pivotal movement, to disengage the peg 16 in the closed position of the casement 3. The catch 19 comprises an actuator 20 mounted on the top face 21 of the stay bar 4 and a retainer 22 positioned in a longitudinally extending recess 5 in the underside of the stay bar 4 and connected to the actuator 20 by connecting member 23 extending through a slot 24 in the top face 21. The retainer 22 has forked arms 33,34 defining an opening 35 and the actuator 20 is manually slidable in the closed position of the casement 3 between an inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 in which the retainer 22 and peg 16 are disengaged and an operative position in which the peg shank 17 is received in the opening 35 and upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 is prevented by the engagement of the fork arms 33,34 with the underside of the enlarged peg head 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Stay This invention relates to stays for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto and in particular, though not exclusively, to casement stays.

Known casement stays comprise an elongate stay bar pivotally mounted on the casement and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes or sockets for selective engagement with an upstanding peg of a peg plate mounted on the fixed frame to secure the casement in any one of a range of open positions.

In the closed position, the stay bar engages the peg and is held alongside and substantially parallel to the shut face of the casement by engagement with a hook plate mounted on the casement or fixed frame at a position spaced from the peg plate towards the free end of the stay bar. Alternatively, the peg plate and hook plate may be combined in a single plate having two spaced apart upstanding pegs.

A disadvantage of such known stays is that the stay can easily be released in the closed position by upward pivotal movement of the stay bar. In particular the stay may be released by "rattling" or "joggling" the casement from the outside. This is undesirable from both safety and security aspects.

To overcome this problem it is already known to secure the stay bar against upward pivotal movement in the closed position of the casement by means of a security device.

Numerous types of security device have been proposed but these often require special installation, are difficult to operate and are bulky and unsightly spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the stay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stay, in particular a casement stay, which overcomes at least some of the problems and disadvantages afore-mentioned.

According to the present invention there is provided a stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto, the stay comprising an elongate stay bar pivotally connected at one end to a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the inner face of the closure member and a manually operable catch mounted on the stay bar for sliding movement between operative and inoperative positions, the catch comprising an actuator arranged on the outer surface of the stay bar for sliding movement between the operative and inoperative positions and a retainer positioned on the underside of the stay bar and connected to the actuator for engagement and disengagement with an abutment on one of the closure member and fixed frame in the operative and inoperative positions respectively whereby the stay bar is secured against upward pivotal movement in the operative position by the engagement of the retainer and abutment.

By the present invention, installation of the stay is facilitated by the provision of the catch on the stay bar. In this way the problems encountered in the mounting and alignment of a separate security device are avoided in a simple and effective manner.

Preferably the stay bar has a longitudinally extending recess in the underside in which the retainer is positioned. For example the stay bar may be of channel-section.

By this arrangement, the retainer is concealed within the stay bar and only the actuator is visible resulting in a neat and compact construction which does not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the stay.

Additionally, operation of the catch by the user sliging the actuator is both simple and inherently safe since the engagement of the retainer and abutment is hidden within the stay bar precluding entrapment of the user's fingers or clothing.

Advantageously the catch includes means to retain the catch in each of the operative and inoperative positions. Preferably the retainer means comprises a flexible plate provided with spaced apart ribs for selective engagement with a groove in the stay bar. Conveniently the plate is located in a cavity in the underside of the actuator and the ribs engage a transverse groove in the outer surface of the stay bar.

By such arrangement, the ribs engage the groove with a snap-action to retain positively the catch in the selected position and automatically dis-engage the groove on manual displacement of the actuator to slide the catch to the other position.

In this way disengagement of the catch by "rattling" or "joggling" the closure member from the outside is precluded.

Conveniently the operative and inoperative positions are defined by respective stops on the stay bar. Preferably the stops are provided by the opposed ends of a slot in the stay bar through which the catch extends to connect the actuator and retainer.

Acvantageously the catch is detachably mounted on the stay bar. In this way manufacture and assembly of the stay is facilitated by allowing any desired surface finish to be applied to the stay bar and/or catch prior to fitment of the catch so that a uniform finish over the entire surface is obtained. This is particularly useful if the stay bar and catch are made of different materials and/or if different surface finishes are required on the stay bar and catch.

A further advantage of detachably mounting the catch is that, in service, a damaged catch can be removed and a replacement fitted without requiring replacement of the complete stay bar.

Preferably the catch comprises a unitary body extending through the slot in the stay bar and retained by a circlip encircling the body and engaging the stay bar.

Conveniently, the circlip is shaped to frictionally engage the catch. Such frictional engagement may be sufficient to hold the catch in any adjusted position and may be used in addition to or in place of the flexible plate above-described.

Preferably the catch is arranged for engagement with the abutment to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar in the closed position of the closure member in which the stay bar lies alongside and substantially parallel to the shut face of the closure member.

Conveniently the abutment is received in an opening in the retainer in the operative position and the abutment and retainer have formations which interlock in the operative position to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar.

Advantageously the abutment comprises an upstanding peg of either a peg plate adapted for mounting on the fixed frame or a hook plate adapted for mounting on the fixed frame or the closure member.

Where the abutment comprises the upstanding peg of the peg plate, the stay bar is conveniently provided with an oversize socket in the underside in which the peg is received in both the closed position and a partially open "night vent" position for engagement by the catch to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar in both positions.

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 perspective view of a first embodiment of stay according to the present invention in combination with part of a casement window, the window being shown closed and the stay catch in the inoperative position; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the stay catch of Fig. 1 in the operative position; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of stay according to the present invention in combination with part of a casement window, the window being shown closed and the stay catch in the operative position; Figure 4 is a plan view, similar to Fig. 3, with the window being shown in a partially open "night vent" position and the stay catch in the operative position;; Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section and to an enlarged scale, showing the stay catch of Fig. 3 in the operative position; Figure 6 is a side view, similar to Fig. 5, showing the stay catch in the inoperative position; Figure 7 is a side view, partly in section, of part of a third embodiment of stay according to the present invention with the stay catch being shown in the inoperative position; Figure 8 is a part section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; Figure 9 is a view, similar to Fig. 7, showing the stay catch in the operative position; Figure 10 is a part section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; Figure ii is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a fourth embodiment of stay according to the present invention with the stay catch being shown in the inoperative position; and Figure 12 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 11, showing the stay catch in the operative position.

In the following description of four exemplary embodiments of stay according to the present invention, like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a stay 1 according to the present invention in combination with part of a casement window comprising a fixed frame 2 and a glazed casement 3 mounted on the frame by hinges (not shown) for outward movement relative to the frame 2 about a horizontal hinge axis at the top of the casement 3. The frame 2 and casement 3 are both of timber construction but other materials such as metal, plastics and metal/plastics composites may be used in addition to or in place of timber.

The stay 1 includes an elongate stay bar 4 of channel section defining a longitudinally extending recess 5 in the underside in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sockets 6 are provided. The stay bar 4 is pivotally connected at one end to a mounting plate 7 secured to the inner face 8 of the casement 3 by screws 9 and the other end is cranked to form a handle grip 10 for operation of the stay 1 by the user.

The stay 1 further includes a peg plate 11 secured by screws 12 to the top face 13 of the fixed frame 2 adjacent to the pivotal connection of the stay bar 4 and, a hook plate 14 secured by screws 15 to the inner face 8 of the casement 3 at a position spaced from the peg plate 11 towards the free end of the stay bar 4.

The peg plate 11 has an upstanding peg 16 comprising a cylindrical shank 17 and an enlarged head 18. The head 18 is selectively engageable in and substantially complementary to the sockets 6 in the underside of the stay bar 4 to hold firmly the casement 2 in a closed position (Figs. 1 and 2) or a desired one of a range of open positions.

The hook plate 14 has an upstanding peg (not shown) which, in the closed position of the casement 3, is received in the underside of the stay bar 4 to hold the stay bar 4 alongside and substantially parallel to the shut inner face 8 of the casement 3.

To prevent release of the stay 1 in the closed position of the casement 3 by upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a manually operable catch 19 slidably mounted on the stay bar 4 for engagement and disengagement with the peg 16 in operative (Fig. 2) and inoperative (Fig. 1) positions of the catch 19 respectively.

The catch 19 includes an actuator 20 mounted on the top face 21 of the stay bar 4 by means of which the catch 19 is manually moved between the operative and inoperative positions, for example by finger pressure applied to the opposed ends of the actuator 20 which are suitably shaped for the purpose.

Positioned in the underside of the stay bar 4 for engagement and disengagement with the peg 16 is a retainer 22 connected to the actuator 20 by a connecting member 23 extending through an elongate slot 24 in the top face 21 of the stay bar 4. The connecting member may provide a permanent join between the actuator 20 and retainer 22 on assembly but more preferably is releasable to permit disassembly for removal and replacement of the catch 19.

The opposed ends of the slot 24 provide stops 25,26 engageable by the connecting member 23 to limit sliding movement of the catch 19 and define the operative and inoperative positions of the catch 19.

Located over the connecting member 23 and received in a cavity 27 in the underside of the actuator 20 is a flexible plate 28 formed on the underside at each end with respective ribs 29,30 extending transversely to the direction of sliding movement of the catch 19. The ribs 29,30 are selectively engageable in a transversely extending groove 31 formed in the top face 21 of the stay bar 4 to hold the catch 19 in each of the operative an inoperative positions.

The retainer 22 comprises a block 32 having forked arms 33,34 defining a U-shaped opening 35 in the end facing the peg 16. The opening 35 is narrower than the head 18 of the peg 16 but wider than the cylindrical shank 17.

In the closed position of the casement 3, the shank 1 7 is aligned with the opening 35 in the inoperative position of the catch 19 shown in Fig. 1 in which upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 to release the stay 1 is permitted and, is received within the opening 35 in the operative position shown in Fig. 2 in which upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 to release the stay 1 is prevented by engagement of the arms 33,34 with the underside of the head 18.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of a stay 1 according to the present invention in combination with part of a casement window.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment above-described in that the stay bar 4 may be secured against upward pivotal movement to release the stay 1 in both the closed position of the casement 3 (Fig. 3) and a partially open "night vent" position (Fig. 4) in which the inner face 8 of the casement 3 is spaced a small distance from the fixed frame 2 to provide a narrow gap 36 sufficient for ventilation purposes whilst preventing unauthorised access from the outside.

More specifically, the stay bar 4 has an oversize elliptical blind socket 37 in the underside in which the peg 16 is received in each of the closed and night vent positions for engagement and disengagement by the catch 19.

The construction and operation of the catch 19 is substantially the same as that described above in connection with the first embodiment except that the peg 16 is substantially cylindrical and has an annular groove 38 below the head 18 which is aligned with the opening 35 in the retainer 22 in the inoperative position (Fig. 6) and in which the arms 33,34 of the retainer 22 are received in the operative position (Figs. 3,4 and 5).

The arms 33,34 are provided with ramp surfaces 39,40 respectively engageable with the underside of the head 18 to exert a downward force on the stay bar 4 and hold firmly the stay bar 4 in the operative position.

In the night vent position, the stay bar 4 extends at an angle to the inner face 8 of the casement 3 precluding engagement with the hook plate 14 and, to hold the stay bar 4 in the night vent position, the peg plate 11 has a second upstanding peg 41 which engages the side of the stay bar 4 facing the casement 3 in the night vent position and which is received in an oversize rectangular socket 42 in the underside of the stay bar 4 in the closed position of the casement 3.

To avoid damage to the external surface finish of the stay bar 4 through such engagement, the actuator 20 has dependent flanges 43,44 which overlie the sides of the stay bar 4 in this region and the peg 41 engages the flange 43 facing the casement 3 in the night vent position.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a third embodiment of stay 1 according to the present invention.

This embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments above-described in that the catch 19 is positioned to engage the hook plate 14 to secure the stay bar 4 against upward pivotal movement to release the stay 1 in the closed position of the casement (not shown).

The catch 19 comprises a unitary body 45 providing the actuator 20 mounted on the top face 21 of the stay bar 4 and the retainer 22 positioned in the underside of the stay bar 4.

The catch 19 is fitted to the stay bar 4 by inserting the retainer 22 through the slot 24 in the top face 21 of the stay bar 4 and is secured in the slot 24 by a circlip 46 located in a neck portion 47 of the body 45 and engaging the underside of the stay bar 4. The circlip 46 is releasable to permit disassembly for removal and replacement of the catch 19.

The opposed ends of the slot 24 provide the stops 25,26 engageable by the neck portion 47 to limit sliding movement of the catch 19 and define the inoperative (Figs. 7 and 8) and operative (Figs. 9 and 10) positions of the catch 19.

The circlip 46 is shaped to apply a friction force to the neck portion 47 sufficient to hold the catch 19 in any adjusted position. Alternatively or in addition to such frictional force, the catch 19 may include a flexible plate provided with ribs for selective engagement in a groove in the stay bar to retain the catch in each of the operative and inoperative positions as described in the previous embodiments.

The retainer 22 is of channel section open to the underneath of the stay bar 4 and the hook plate 14 has an upstanding peg 48 of rectangular section received within the channel section in the closed position of the casement.

The upper end of the peg 48 is formed with a longitudinal rib 49 providing an enlarged head 50 and the mouth of the retainer 22 has a first part 51 which is wider than the head 50 and a second part 52 formed with inwardly directed lips 53,54 which is narrower than the head 50.

In the closed position of the casement, the head 50 is aligned with the first part 51 in the inoperative position of the catch 19 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in which upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 to release the stay 1 is permitted and, is aligned with the second part 52 in the operative position of the catch 19 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in which upward pivotal movement of the stay bar 4 to release the stay 1 is prevented by engagement of the lip 53 with the underside of the rib 49.

Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown a fourth embodiment of stay 1 according to the present invention.

This embodiment differs from the third embodiment above-described in that the retainer 22 is of rectangular section and the peg 48 has a notch 55 in one end for engagement and disengagement by the base wall 56 of the retainer 22 in the operative (Fig. 12) and inoperative (Fig. 11) positions of the catch 19.

As shown, the peg 48 has a second notch 57 in the opposed end so as to be suitable for both right and left hand fixing of the stay bar 4.

As will now be appreciated, the present invention provides a stay 1 in which the stay bar 4 has a catch 19 engageable with an abutment provided by an upstanding peg 16,48 of the peg plate 11 or hook plate 14 to secure the stay bar 4 against upward pivotal movement to release the stay 1 in the closed position of the casement.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described, for example the catch and abutment may have any suitable formations which interlock to preclude upward pivotal movement of the stay bar in the operative position of the catch.

The length and shape of the stay bar and the number and spacing of the sockets for securing the stay bar in selected open positions may be chosen as required. In place of sockets, the stay bar may have through holes for securing the stay bar in selected open positions.

The stay bar, peg plate, hook plate and catch may be constructed from any suitable materials such as metals, alloys, plastics and composites thereof, to which surface finishes may be applied to meet all requirements.

The peg plate and hook plate may be combined in a single plate having aligned and spaced apart pegs in known manner.

Finally, it will be understood that the invention has application to all types and constructions of casement window having a casement mounted for hinged or pivotal movement about a horizontal or vertical axis as well as to other kinds of closure member, for example doors, mounted for opening/closing movement relative to a fixed frame.

Claims

1. A stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto, the stay comprising an elongate stay bar pivotally connected at one end to a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the iner face of the closure member and a manually operable catch mounted on the stay bar for sliding movement between operative and inoperative positions, the catch comprising an actuator arranged on the outer surface of the stay bar for sliding movement.

between the operative and inoperative positions and a retainer positioned on the underside of the stay bar and connected to the actuator for engagement and disengagement with an abutment on one of the closure member and fixed frame in the operative and inoperative positions respectively, whereby the stay bar is secured against upward pivotal movement in the operative position by the engagement of the retainer and abutment.

2. A stay according to claim 1 wherein the stay bar has a longitudinally extending recess in the underside in which the retainer is positioned.

3. A stay according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the catch includes means to retain the catch in each of the operative and inoperative positions.

4. A stay according to claim 3 wherein the retainer means comprises a flexible plate provided with spaced apart ribs for selective engagement with a groove in the stay bar.

5. A stay according to claim 4 wherein the plate is located in a cavity in the underside of the actuator.

6. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the catch is detachably mounted on the stay bar.

7. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the operative and inoperative positions are defined by respective stops on the stay bar.

8. A stay according to claim 7 wherein the stops are provided by the opposed ends of a slot in the stay bar through which the catch extends to connect the actuator and retainer.

9. A stay according to claim 8 wherein the slot is formed in the top face of the stay bar and extends in the direction of the length of the stay bar.

10. A stay according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the catch is releasably secured in the slot by a circlip.

11. A stay according to claim 10 wherein the circlip is shaped to apply a frictional force to the catch to hold the catch in any adjusted position.

12. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the catch comprises a unitary body.

13. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the abutment and retainer have formations which interlock in the operative position to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar.

14. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retainer is engageable with the abutment to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar in the closed position of the closure member.

15. A stay according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the retainer is engageable with the abutment to prevent upward pivotal movement of the stay bar in each of the closed and position and a partially open "night vent" position.

16. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherin the abutment comprises an upstanding peg adapted to be mounted on the fixed frame.

17. A stay according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the abutment comprises an upstanding peg adapted to be mounted on the closure member.

18. A stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto substantially as hereinbefore described with Figs. 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A stay for use with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a closure member mounted on a fixed frame for opening/closing movement relative thereto.

23. The combination according to claim 21 wherein the closure member is mounted for hinging movement about a horizontal or a vertical axis.

24. The combination according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the closure member comprises a glazed casement and the abutment comprises an upstanding peg of a peg plate or a hook plate.