GB2206371A

GB2206371A - Espagnolette mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2206371A
Application number: GB08706577A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Len Belcher
Original assignee: Crompton Ltd
Current assignee: Crompton Ltd
Priority date: 1987-03-17
Filing date: 1987-03-17
Publication date: 1989-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2007-03-17
Also published as: GB2206371B; GB8706577D0

Abstract

The mechanism for fastening a movable panel e.g. a door/window frame 10 in a rebate 12 of a fixed frame with face 13 of the panel against rebate surface 12a has carried by panel 10 two fastening members e.g. slotted members or as shown pegs 14 movable by a device e.g. a handle 17 in a direction parallel to the plane of face 13 between fastened and unfastened positions. A bar 20 is carried on the rebate surface 12b and includes two pegs or as shown slots 26, the bar being mounted for movement by the fastening member 14, as they move from the unfastened to the fastened position with the panel 10 closed into the rebate 12, the pegs, in said movement engaging respective said slots, and the bar being guided to move both in a direction parallel to the direction of said fastening member movement and in a direction towards rebate surface 12a to draw the panel against rebate surface 12a. In the embodiment shown with pegs 14 on the panel the pegs at the end of their movement engage in respective slots 21 in blocks 19 fixed to rebate surface 12b beneath bar 20. The blocks 19 have bosses 27 projecting through respective cam slots 22 provided in the bar 20 to control the movement of the bar 20 as specified above. One or two springs 25 are provided to urge bar 20 towards its extended position. The bar 20 can be arranged to pivot to pick-up pegs on a skewed movable frame. <IMAGE>

Description

ESPAGNOLETTE MECHANTSM The invention relates to espagnolette mechanisms for locking a movable panel in a rebate of a co-operating fixed frame for example for locking a hinged movable window/door frame in a fixed frame.

One known form of espagnolette mechanism comprises two fastening members, such as pegs, carried on the panel and movable by a locking device in a direction parallel to the plane of said panel face between unlocked and locked positions. When the panel is closed into the rebate and the fastening members are moved from the unlocked to the locked position, the fastening members engage respective further fastening members, such as keepers, fixed on the other rebate surface. This engagement prevents the panel being opened out of the rebate.

In order to draw the face of the panel against the one rebate surface, (which may be required in order to make a seal between the face and the rebate surface), the further fastening members have to be positioned close to the angle between the rebate surfaces and the panel pulled manually into the rebate. This can make locking of the window/door difficult.

According to the invention, there is provided an espagnolette mechanism for locking a movable panel in a rebate of a co-operating fixed frame with the face of the panel against one rebate surface, the mechanism comprising two fastening members carried on an edge of the panel and movable, by a locking device in å direction parallel to the plane of said panel face, between unlocked and locked positions, a bar carried on the other rebate surface and including two further fastening members, the bar being mounted for movement by the first-mentioned fastening members, as the first-mentioned fastening members are moved from the unlocked to the locked position with the panel closed into the rebate, the first-mentioned fastening members, in said movement, engaging with respective further members and the bar being guided to move both in a direction parallel to the direction of said movement of said first-mentioned fastening members and in a direction towards said one rebate surface to draw the panel against said one rebate surface.

In this way, the fastening members engage the further fastening members before the face of the panel is tight against the one rebate surface. The locking of the first-mentioned fastening members causes the panel to be drawn against the one rebate surface.

Preferably, the bar is biassed by at least one spring to move in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the bar by said first-mentioned fastening members, so that the bar moves to an extended position for engagement with said first-mentioned fastening members when said first-mentioned fastening members are moved from the locked to the unlocked position.

It is a further disadvantage of known espagnolette mechanisms that they can be difficult to lock if the panel is skewed relative to the frame, because the fastening members may not be able to be properly engaged on locking movement of the first-mentioned members.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bar may be mounted for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the length thereof and intermediate the ends thereof, so that, when the first-mentioned fastening members are skewed relative to the further fastening members with closure of the panel into the rebate causing one of said first-mentioned fastening members to engage the bar before the other of said first-mentioned fastening members, said one first-mentioned fastening member pivots the bar until the bar engages the other of said first-mentioned fastening members, the movement of the bar, on subsequent movement of the first-mentioned fastening members from the unlocked to the locked position, twisting the panel until the panel face is parallel to said one rebate surface.

In this way, skew in the panel does not prevent engagement of the fastening members and skewing of the panel is removed on locking to allow proper sealing of the panel against the rebate.

The bar may be provided with two cam slots which engage with bosses mounted on said other rebate surface to guide the bar in said movement.

Each cam slot may comprise a cam edge disposed at an angle to the length of the bar, the cam edge engaging the associated boss and moving therealong during said movement of the bar by said first-mentioned fastening members to guide the bar in said movement.

Each cam slot may also include a slot extending in the direction of the length of the bar, the associated boss entering said slot towards the end of the movement of the first-mentioned fastening members to the locked position, so that the bar moves in a direction parallel to the one rebate surface towards the end of said movement.

Where the bar is pivotable, each cam slot preferably includes a cut-out to allow each cam slot to move relatively to the associated boss on pivoting of the bar.

The first-mentioned fastening members may be slotted members and the further fastening members pegs carried on the bar which engage in the slots when locked.

Alternatively, the first-mentioned fastening members may be pegs and the further fastening members may be slots provided in the bar and in which the pegs engage when locked.

In this latter case, two keepers may be provided beneath the bar fixed to said other rebate surface, the pegs engaging the keepers towards the end of the movement into said locked position.

In the latter case also, the pegs may be provided with undercut heads for engaging beneath the bar.

Where keepers are provided, the keepers may be provided with undercuts beneath which the undercut heads of the pegs engage.

The following is a more detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a window including a hinged movable window frame closing into a fixed frame, Figure 2 is a schematic view of an edge of the hinged window frame of Figure 1 showing a handle and pegs of an espagnolette mechanism, Figure 3 is a plan view of a rebate in the fixed window frame of Figure 1 showing two keepers and a bar of the espagnolette mechanism of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 but showing the pegs of Figure 2 just engaging in slots of the bar of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a similar view to Figures 3 and 4 but showing the pegs of the espagnolette mechanism engaged in slots of the bar and of the keepers.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the espagnolette mechanism is fixed to a window in which a glazed movable frame 10 is hinged at one side in a fixed frame 11. The fixed frame 11 includes a rebate 12 with one rebate surface 12a normal to the other rebate surface 12b.

When the movable frame 10 is closed into the fixed frame 11, the outer edge of the movable frame is received in the rebate 12 with a front face 13 of the movable frame being against one rebate surface 12a.

Referring next to Figure 2, the espagnolette mechanism is fitted to those edges of the movable frame 10 and the fixed frame 11 which are opposite to the hinged edges.

The espagnolette mechanism comprises, on the movable frame 10, two pegs 14 which project from a side edge 15 of the movable frame 10 (see.Fig. 2). Each peg 14 has an undercut head 14a.

In the position shown in Figure 2, the pegs 14 are in an unlocked position. The pegs 14 are movable downwards in respective slots 16 ,to a locked position, by rotation of a handle 17 in the direction of the arrow 18 in Figure 2. Reverse movement of the handle 17 reverses the direction of movement of the pegs 14 and moves them from the locked position to the unlocked position shown in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that the pegs 14 may be moved other than by rotation of a handle. They may be moved by a different form of handle or by a key or any other suitable locking mechanism.

Tn the rebate, the espagnolette mechanism comprises two blocks 19 and a bar 20 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5).

The blocks 19 are fixed to the rebate surface 12b which is parallel to the side edge 15 of the movable frame 10 (as seen in Fig. 2). Each block is generally rectangular in plan and is provided, in an edge of the block extending normal to the one rebate surface 12a, with a slot 21. The slots 21 are equidistantly spaced from the rebate surface 12a and the spacing of the slots 21 along the rebate surface 12b is the same as the spacing of the pegs 14. Each slot 21 is provided with an undercut 21a (Fig.3) around its upper edge, for a purpose to be described below.

A boss 27 (Fig.3) projects from each block 19. The bar 20 is carried on the blocks 19 with bosses 27 projecting through respective cam slots 22 provided in the bar 20.

Thus, the bar 20 overlies the blocks 19 Retaining washers 27a are provided on the bosses 27 to hold the bar 20 on the blocks 19.

The cam slots 22 and the bosses 27 allow the bar 20 to move relative to the blocks 19 between an extended position (seen in Figs. 3 and 4) and a retracted position (seen in Fig.5). This movement is controlled by the shape of the cam slots 22.

Each cam slot 22 includes an end slot 23 having parallel side walls 23a, 23b extending parallel to the length of the bar 20. The inner side wall 23a joins an angled edge 24 extending towards the rebate surface 12a. The end of the angled edge and the outer side wall 23b are joined by an end edge 23c (Fig.5), so that these walls define a cut-out therebetween.

A tensioned coil spring 25 is connected between one block 19 and the bar 20 and tends to urge the bar 20 to the extended position. In this position, the bosses 27 are received in the angle between the angled edge 24 and the end edge 23c of the associated cam slot 22. A second spring may be used to increase the tension.

The bar 20 also includes two slots 26 which, as seen in Figure 5, are in register with the slots 21 in the blocks 19 when the bar 20 is in the retracted position, but are, when the bar 20 is in the extended position, spaced in front of and to one side of the slots 21 in the blocks 19 (see Figs. 3 and 4).

In operation, the movable frame 10 is closed into the fixed frame 11 with the handle 17 and the pegs 14 in the extended position shown in Figure 2. The bar 20 is in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The handle 17 is then rotated to move the pegs 14 from the unlocked position shown in Figure 2 towards the locked position. This movement causes the pegs 14 to enter the slots 26 in the extended bar 20 (see Fig.4).

Continued movement of the pegs 14 towards the locked position causes the bar 20 to move with the pegs 14.

This causes the angled edges 24 to bear against the bosses 27 and to slide relatively to the bosses 27. To prevent wear, the bosses 27 can be fitted with a brass roller sleeve (not shown) against which the edge 24 bears. This causes the bar 20 to move both in a direction parallel to the direction of peg movement, and in a direction towards the rebate surface 12a. This movement, and the engagement of the pegs 14 with the slots, draws the face 13 of the movable window frame 10 towards the face 12a of the rebate. The force of this movement is transmitted by the bar 20 through the bosses 27 to the frame 11.

As the pegs 14 reach their locked position, the bosses 27 enter the slots 23 of the cam slots 22 and the bar 20 and the pegs 14 move parallel to the rebate surface 12a until the pegs 14 engage in the slots 21 in the blocks 19.

In this position, the movable frame 10 is locked in the fixed frame 11 both by the bar 20 and the blocks 19.

The undercut heads 14a of the pegs 14 engage beneath the undercuts in the slots 21 in the blocks 19 and this resists the forced opening of the movable window frame 10 by a jemmy.

In this way, the pegs 14 engage the bar 20 before the face 13 of the movable frame 10 is in engagement with the rebate surface 12a. This makes locking of the window easier and allows the face 13 to be drawn tightly against the rebate surface 12a.

If the movable frame 10 is skewed slightly relative to the frame (i.e. the plane of the face 13 is angled relative to the plane of the rebate surface 12a), then the presence of the bar 20 will right the skew before the window is locked. This is achieved in the following way.

The presence of skew causes the pegs 14 also to be skewed. This means that a first of the pegs 14 will contact an inner edge 26a of one of the slots 26 in the bar 20 before the second peg 14. The cut-outs in the cam slots 22 allow the contacted end of the bar 20 to pivot relatively to the opposite end i.e. it allows the bar 20 to skew. This skewing will continue until the second peg 14 is received in the associated slot 26.

As the bar 20 is moved from the extended to the retracted position, on locking of the window, the boss 27 associated with the first peg 14 will not contact the associated angled edge 24 (because the boss 27 will be in the cut-out). However, the boss 27 associated with the second peg 14 will engage the associated angled edge 24 and the movement of the bar 20 will cause reverse skewing on the bar 20 until that boss 27 is received in the associated slot 23, when the bar will be parallel to the rebate surface 12a. This reverse skewing will cause the two pegs 14 to be realigned (so that the frame is twisted back with the face 13 parallel to the rebate surface 12b) and the pegs 14 move into engagement with the slots 21 in the blocks 19. The force of this movement is again transmitted through the bosses 27 to the frame 11.

Thus, the skewing of the frame is reversed to ensure that the frame fits tightly within the associated rebate. In addition, this skewing force is distributed between both bosses 27.

As shown in Figure 4, in order to assist this pivoting, the bar 20 may be provided with an angled slot 28 engaging a fixed pin 29 projecting from the rebate surface 12b. The pin 29 thus provides a fixed axis about which the bar 20 can be pivoted by a peg 14, when the pegs 14 are skewed.

It will be appreciated that a seal may be provided between the face 13 and the rebate surface 12a so that the drawing together of the frame 10 and the rebate surface 12a makes the seal.

It will also be appreciated that the blocks are not essential. The pegs 14 could be retained simply by the slots 26 in the bar 20, with the locking mechanism holding the bar 29 in the retracted position.

It will also be appreciated that the cut-outs need not be provided. The bar 20 would, in this case, only draw the movable frame 10 into the rebate 12 without skewing to accommodate a skewed frame 10.

It will be further appreciated that the pegs 14 could be mounted on the bar 20 and slots be provided on the movable frame 10 which are movable between unlocked and locked positions.

Although the espagnolette mechanism described above with reference to the drawings is fitted to a side hung window, it will be appreciated that it may be fitted to a top hung window or a door or to any other movable panel closing into a fixed frame.

Claims

1. An espagnolette mechanism for locking a movable panel in a rebate of a co-operating fixed frame with the face of the panel against one rebate surface, the mechanism comprising two fastening members carried on an edge of the panel and movable by a locking device in a direction parallel to the plane of said panel face, between unlocked and locked positions, a bar carried on the other rebate surface and including two further fastening members, the bar being mounted for movement by the first-mentioned fastening members, as the first-mentioned fastening members are moved from the unlocked to the locked position with the panel closed into the rebate, the first-mentioned fastening members, in said movement, engaging with respective further members and the bar being guided to move both in a direction parallel to the direction of said movement of said first-mentioned fastening members and in a direction towards said one rebate surface to draw the panel against said one rebate surface.

2. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the bar is biassed by at least one spring to move in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the bar by said first-mentioned fastening members, so that the bar moves to an extended position for engagement with said first-mentioned fastening members when said first-mentioned fastening members are moved from the locked to the unlocked position.

3. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bar is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the length thereof and intermediate the ends thereof, so that, when the first-mentioned fastening members are skewed relative to the further fastening members with closure of the panel into the rebate causing one of said first-mentioned fastening members to engage the bar before the other of said first-mentioned fastening members, said one first-mentioned fastening member pivots the bar until the bar engages the other of said first-mentioned fastening members, the movement of the bar, on subsequent movement of the first-mentioned fastening members from the unlocked to the locked position, twisting the panel until the panel face is parallel to said one rebate surface.

4. An espagnolette mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the bar is provided with two cam slots which engage with bosses mounted on said other rebate surface to guide the bar in said movement.

5. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 4 wherein each cam slot comprises a cam edge disposed at an angle to the length of the bar, the cam edge engaging the associated boss and moving therealong during said movement of the bar by said first-mentioned fastening members to guide the bar in said movement.

6. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 5 wherein each cam slot includes a slot extending in the direction of the length of the bar, the associated boss entering said slot towards the end of the movement of the first-mentioned fastening members to the locked position, so that the bar moves in a direction parallel to the one rebate surface towards the end of said movement.

7. An espagnolette mechanism according te claim 5 when dependent on claim 3 wherein each cam slot preferably includes a cut-out to allow each cam slot to move relatively to the associated boss on pivoting of the bar.

8. An espagnolette mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first-mentioned fastening members are slotted members and the further fastening members pegs carried on the bar which engage in the slots when locked.

9. An espagnolette mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first-mentioned fastening members are pegs and the further fastening members may be slots provided in the bar and in which the pegs engage when locked.

10. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the pegs are provided with undercut heads for engaging beneath the bar.

11. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein two keepers are provided beneath the bar fixed to said other rebate surface, the pegs engaging the keepers towards the end of the movement into said locked position.

12. An espagnolette mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the keepers are provided with undercuts beneath which the undercut heads of the pegs engage.

13. An espagnolette mechanis substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.