GB2190704A - Window assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a kit of parts and a method, for modifying a window assembly of the kind which may selectively be locked or turned about a vertical axis (B,B') or tilted about a horizontal axis (A) depending upon the position of an operating handle (30), such that for successive positions of the handle (30) a locked-tilt-turn sequence is obtained instead of a conventional locked-turn-tilt sequence. The modifications described include, inter alia, a special keeper (26,29) for the bottom of the window, and a modified stay for the top of the window. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window assemblies This invention is concerned with improvements relating to window assemblies.

A conventional window assembly as is widely utilised, particularly overseas, comprises a handle mounted on a frame member of the window assembleforrotary movement about an axis, usually extending horizontally generally at right angles to the plane ofthe assembly, the handle being movable between a first position in which it extends vertically downwardly from its mounting, a second position in which it extends generally horizontally, and a third position in which it extends generally upwardly.

Movement of the handle operates mounting mechanism of the window assembly, in particularto move the mounting mechanism relative to a fixed hinge assembly, between a tilt position, in which the window assembly is free to move about a generally horizontal axis, usually passing through a lower edge portion ofthe window assembly, a swing position, in which the window assembly is free to move about a generally vertical axis, usually passing through a side edge portion ofthewindow assembly, and a locked position in which movement of the window assembly from its closed position is prevented.

Such a window assembly is hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified.

In a conventional window assembly ofthe kind specified, the mounting mechanism is constructed and arranged in a manner such thatswinging movement of the window assembly is permitted when the handle is in its second, horizontal position, and tilting movement of the window assembly is permitted when the handle is in its third, vertical position. Window assemblies comprising such mechanism have long been in use and are well proven and highly satisfactory, this sequence of operation being referred to hereinafter as the operation "in the first manner", and one such system is known as the "Roto".

However there is a desireforan alternative window assembly of the kind specified, in which when the handle is in its second, horizontal position the window assembly is capable of tilting movement, and when the handle assembly is in its third, vertical position, the window assembly is capable of swinging movement, this sequence of operation being referred to herein as "operation in the second manner".

On the face of itto provide such a system would involve a substantial re-design, incurring costs of new tooling, and this would cause significantly increased cost to such an alternative window assembly, particularly since unit sales may initially below.

According to this invention there is provided a kit of parts suitable for use in modifying a window assembly of the kind specified which operates in the first manner, to cause itto operate in an alternative manner.

In this way the desire set out above may be satisfied using mechanism which is readily available, without the need for substantial re-design ofthe mechanism and without the need for substantial tooling.

According to this invention there is also provided a method of affording a window assembly of the kind specified which operates in the second manner, in which parts of a window assembly of the kind specified and which operates in the first manner are modified so that it operates in the second manner.

The invention also provides, in such a kit of parts orfor use in such a method, a keeperforthe bottom of the window, the keeper comprising a portion for receiving a lug fixed on the movable window frame and a portion for receiving a lug movably carried on the movablewindowframe.

Said portions may be formed on separate parts which in use are mounted adjacentto each other, for example with adjacent extremities of the parts interfitting via tongue/groove formations thereon.

The invention also provides a method of affording such a keeper.

The invention further provides a modified stay for the top of a window, and a method of affording such a stay.

One embodiment ofthe invention will now be desscribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a window unit incorporating fittings embodying the invention,the view being cut-away where appropriate to showthe fittings, and an operating handle being in afirst (locking) position thereof; Figure2 is a view of portions of the fittings ofthe window unit of Figure 1, showing them in greater detail,thehandlestill being in said first position; fittingsatthetopofthewindowareshown atthetop ofthe drawing, fittings on a side edge of the window are shown on the left in the drawing, and fittings at the bottom of the window are shown at the bottom of the drawing;; Figure 3 is a view similarto Figure 2, but with the handle in a second position thereof, wherein tilting of a glazedframe ofthewindowabout a generally horizontal axis is permitted; Figure4isaviewsimilarto Figures 2 and 3, but with the handle in a third position thereofwherein swinging ofthe glazed frame about a generally vertical axis is permitted; Figures 5a and 5b show a stay used on the window before and after modification thereo for such use; Figures 6a and 6b show a side fitting before and after modification; Figure 7a shows a keeper prior to modification; and Figure 7b shows the keeper of Figure 7a, when modified, and a new keeper component associated therewith in the window unit.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a window unit 10 comprises a fixed outerframe 11, anda movableinnerframe 12 including glazing 13.

The lower right-hand corner (as seen in Figure 1) of the frame 12 is mounted on the corresponding corner ofthe frame 11 via a universal joint 14 affording generally orthogonal axes of movement designated A (generally horizontal) and B respectively. The axis B is defined by receipt of a rod 14a in a bore of atube 14bfixed on, and generally parallel to, a side edge ofthe frame 12.

Outer edge regions of the frame 12 partially overlie inner edge regions of the frame 11, the frame 12 being of such thickness that a substantial portion of its thickness is nonetheless received in a region bounded bytheframe 11, in the Figure 1 configuration ofthetwoframes.

The top right-hand corner (see Figure 1) ofthe frame 12 is pivotally connected to the corresponding corneroftheframe 11 via a hinge 16affording a generally vertical axis B'.

The frame 12 is connected to the hinge 16 via a stay 15 extending from the hinge 1 6to a sliding/pivoting connection 17 between a downwardiy depending enlarged-head stud on the stay 15 and a slot in a slotted strip 18 on an upwardly facing edge ofthe frame 12. A link 19 extends between the stay 15 and the strip 18, being pivotally connected adjacent its opposite ends to said stay and said strip respectively.

In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the axis B' is substantially collinearwith the axis B. Sliding strip 20 carrying a pair of lugs 21,1,21 risoperative to determine whether or notthe stay 15 is allowed to pivot relative to the frame 12, according to whether or not either of the lugs 21 ris 21 ris received by either of two keepers 25 25 r provided on the stay 15.

Multi-point locking is provided between the left-hand edge ofthe frame 12, and the frame 11 via receipt of lugs 22 in respective inverted-U-shaped keepers 23 provided on the frame 11. The lugs 22 are all carried by a vertically movable strip 24 mounted on the frame 12 and move in unison with the strip 24.

The frame 11 is provided on an upwardly facing inner edge thereof with a keeper 26 which, in Figure 1, receives a lug 27 carried by a movable strip 28 mounted on the frame 12. Another keeper 29 on the frame 11, adjacent to the keeper 26, receives an enlarged (inverted-dome-shaped) head of a lug 29a fixed to theframe 12.

The strips 20,24 and 28 are connected end-to-end via flexible corner-located connections, so thatthey move, or remain stationary, in unison under action of a rotatable handle 30. The handle 30 drives the strip 24 via a conventional mechanism (not shown).

Referring now also to Figure 2, in the first position ofthe handle shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lug 21 ris received bythe keeper 25 r, so preventing relative pivoting movement between the stay 15 and the frame 12.

The lugs 22 received in the keepers 23 preventthe left-hand side ofthe frame 13from moving forwardly (or rearwardly) relative to the frame 11, and the lug 27, by being received in the keeper 26, prevents forward (or rearward) movement of the lower edge oftheframe 12 relativeto theframe 11. Thus in this configuration,theframe 12 is substantially immovable relative to the frame 11. For convenience, the position ofthe handle illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is referred to herein as the "locking" position.

Ifthe handle 30 is now moved through 90" orso anti-clockwise, to a second position thereof (generally horizontal) the strips 20,24 and 28 move (linearly but in an anti-clockwise sense) by a predetermined amount to the positions shown in Figure 3.

For this second handle position, although the lug 27 has moved to the right, it is still within the keeper 26, so the lower edge oftheframe 12 still cannot move forwardly or rearwardly relativetotheframe 11.

However, both ofthe lugs 211,21 rnow lie in a space between the keepers 251,25 r, so thatthe frame 12 can now move relative to the stay 15, and the lugs 22 are now clear of keepers 23, thereby permitting the frame 12 to be tilted forwardly, generally about the axis Awhich, if projected, would extend generally along a bottom edge of the frame 12.

Such tilting is ultimately limited by the stay 15, when the aforementioned downwardly depending stud reaches the right-extremity ofthe slot in the strip 18. The link 19 provides additional strength.

The head 29a, within the keeper 29, may in some cases bear some of the weight of the window when tilting, but in any event prevents the frame 12 from being inadvertently displaced upwardly, at its bottom edge, relative to the frame 11.

If the handle 30 is nowturned through a further 90" or so anti-clockwise, to a third position thereof (generally vertically upwards), the strips 20,24,28 move further in an anti-clockwise sense by a further predetermined amount, to the positions shown in Figure 4. Forthis third handle position, the lug 211 has been received in the keeper 25 1, so that the stay 15 cannot now pivot relative to the frame 12, butthe lugs 22 are even further from the keepers 23 than in Figure3, and furthermorethe lug 27 is no longer constrained by the keeper 26. Thus, forthis handle position, the frame 12 may be turned freely about a vertical axis defined by the axes B, B'.The keeper 29 has an open front, and so does not hinder forward motion of the lug 29a and therefore does not constrain such turning oftheframe 12.

Although not illustrated, a device for preventing unintentional tilting of the frame 12 during such turning (e.g. a safety catch acting between the stay 15 and the frame 11 which becomes operative when it no longer engages the frame 11) may be provided.

Thus, the window unit 10, with the above-described fittings, is such that the handle 30 is movable from a first position thereof two a second position thereof, and thence to a third position thereof, wherein the first position correspondsto locking ofthe frame 12 relative to the frame 11 ,the second position permits tilting of the frame 12 relative to the frame 11, and the third position permits turning, about a generally vertical axis, of the frame 12 relative to the frame 11. This sequence is fully reversible: for example, if the window is initially open with the handle in the third position, the frame 12may be turned about the axis B, B' until it is again fully in contactwith the frame 11, and the handle30 may be moved alltheway backtothe second position thereof, whereupon the frame 12 will be able to undergo tilting movement, orthe handle 30 could be moved all the way backto its first position, in order to secu re/lock the frame 12 relative to the frame 11.

Moreover, the fittings of the unit 10 comprise lugs and keepers modified from those of an existing "Roto" system, and may be regarded as constituting a cost-effective and advantageous adaptation ofthat system. Of course, the fittings for the unit 10 could be constructed from scratch if desired.

Regarding modification ofthe "Roto" components, it should first be noted that the basic Roto components are such that in the second position of the handle 30, Roto would permitturning oftheframe 12 about the axis B, B', and in thethird handle position, Roto would permittilting ofthe frame 12.

As illustrated in Figure 5a,thestay 15, as initially provided by "Roto", comprises a long keeper25r, the keeper 25 r being of sufficient length to keep the lug 21 rip the right-hand keeper 25 r not only forthe first handle position, but also for the second handle position, to prevent pivoting of the stay 15 relative to the frame 12 during turning oftheframe 12.The original keeper25ris machined so asto remove approximately half of its lug-receiving length, the resultant keeper 25 rsuited to the present application being shown in Figure 5b,sothatescape ofthe lug 21 rfromthe modified keeper 25 rwill be permitted for the second handle position.However, the roto stay is also such that in the second handle position, the lug 21 becomes captive in the keeper 251. Thus for the present application, the left-hand keeper 25 lis moved slightly to the left (a new rivet hole is provided) of its original position to prevent such captivity, but such that the lug 21 Istill becomes captive in the keeper 25/forthethird handle position. The modified position for the keeper 25 /is shown in Figure Sb.

Figures 6a and 6b show a modification to a side-locking component, by substantially removing a projection 31 from that component. The projection 31, if not removed, would interfere with the lowermost ofthe keepers 23. The lowermost ofthe lugs 22 is connected to the strip 24 through a slot in said side-locking component (strips 20,24,28 are in fact each in several pieces, but such conventional details have generally been omitted here for the sake of clarity). An arcuate portion 32 associated with said component is a conventional part of a corner connector/guide acting between the strips 24 and 28.

Figure 7a shows a conventional keeper 290 from which the keeper 29 is obtained. In the Roto system, in the third handle position, the lug 27 must be constrained against forward and rearwardly movement. Such constraint is not required in the present application, and so walls 291 which would cause such constraint are machined off. The keeper 290 is further machined at its opposite end, to reduce its size.

The resultant keeper 29 is shown in Figure 7b, which also shows the keeper 26. Adjacent extremities ofthe keepers 26 and 29 interfit via tongue/groove formations, which assist in maintaining them in their correct relative orientations. The keeper 26 is made especiallyforthe present application, and has a long slot which keeps the lug 27 captive for both the first and second handle positions. If desired, the combination of the keepers 26 and 29 may be regarded or constructed as one keeper having portions 26 and 29.

Thus it may be seen that this conversion from the "Roto" system, which fundamentally alters the sequence of permitted movements for the frame 12, may be achieved by ingenious, but nonetheless relatively small, modifications to the Roto components, and provision only of a small number (viz two) of new components. The devised conversion is surprisingly straight-forward and cost effective to carry out, and yet solves a problem which beforehand had been perceived as requiring the design of a fundamentally completely new system.

The frames 11 and 12 illustrated are formed from "U.P.V.C." material, but the invention is also applicable where other materials are involved.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, orthe following claims, orthe accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms orin terms of a meansfor performingthe disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (11)

1. A kit of parts suitable for use in modifying a window assembly of the kind specified which operates in the first manner, to cause itto operate in an alternative manner.

2. A method of affording a window assembly of the kind specified which operates in the second manner, in which parts of a window assembly ofthe kind specified and which operates in the first manner are modified sothatitoperatesinthesecond manner.

3. In a kit of parts in accordance with Claim 1,or for use in a method in accordance with Claim 2, a keeperforthe bottom ofthe window, the keeper comprising a portion for receiving a lug fixed on the movable window frame and a portion for receiving a lug movably carried on the movable window frame.

4. A keeper according to Claim 3 wherein said portions are formed on separate parts which in use are mounted adjacent to each other.

5. A keeper according to Claim 4wherein, when the parts are mounted, adjacent extremities of the parts interfit via tongue/groove formations thereon.

6. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

7. Amethodofaffording awindowassemblyof the kind specified which operates in the second manner, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or, as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of affording a keeper in accordance with anyone of Claims 3to 5 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7a and 7b of the accompanying drawings.

9. Astayforthe top of a window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in,the accompanying drawings.

10. Amethodofaffording a stay according to Claim 9, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the acccompanying drawings.