GB2217778A

GB2217778A - A window stay

Info

Publication number: GB2217778A
Application number: GB8908328A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Percival Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-04-13
Filing date: 1989-04-13
Publication date: 1989-11-01
Also published as: NZ224244A; GB8908328D0; AU3278489A

Abstract

A window stay for use in mounting a window sash to a window frame comprises a lower arm 2 and an upper arm 1 pivotally connecting a frame mounting member 3 to a sash mounting member 5. The upper arm 1 has a sliding pivot connection 6 to the sash mounting member 5. A control arm 7 extends between the lower arm 2 and the upper arm 1. The upper end of the sash mounting member 5 has a cut-out 9 adapted to engage a pillar 8 on the frame mounting member for a 'full-in' effect on closing. An arm 23 carries a protrusion 24 engaging in a slot 25 to limit the opening angle of the stay. The pivots 4, 4a are friction pivots. Such pivots may include a rotatable button 16 with non-uniform wall thickness between a shoulder 13 and bushing 15 so that rotation of the button adjusts the relative positions of the arms 11, 12. <IMAGE>

Description

My present invention comprises a stay for a window or the like.

A variety of forms of window stay are known. The four bar window stay the subject of New Zealand patent No.

144922/146130/146886, for example, has over the last almost two decades proved particularly successful in its basic and subsequently refined forms, in many countries of the world.

The success of the patent 144992/14 6130/146886 four bar stay has derived inter alia from its simplicity of construction, the stagy comprising long life sealed in friction bearings and having no externally exposed and thus damage prone moving parts, and from the stays operation whereby a window sash is in use lifted out of the window aperture, enabling the provision of a peripheral sealing flange about the entire sash whilst still facilitating access for cleaning.

There is a general reçuirement with window stays to reduce the size of the cavity between the window sash and frame of the window within which the stay is contained when the window is closed, on either side of the window in awning applications and at the top and bottom of the window in casement applications. The patent 144922/146130/146886 four bar stay suffers to an extent from the disadvantage that the back to front cavity dimension required to accommodate the stay is enlarged by the requirement that the arms of the stay not be fully parallel or closed when the window sash is fully drawn into the window frame or, due to the geometry of the stay, there will be difficulties in reopening the stay in it. correct operation.

It is also a requlrement for window stays that they comprise a minimum of externally exposed moving partEl, and mechanically sliding pivot and track arrangements as are employed in pantograph-type window stays are disadvantageous as they are prone with time to clogging with grit, causing sticking of the mechanism, particularly at the fully open position, increased wear and tear, and so forth.The geometry of window stays should also be such that a strong negative pressure or 'pull in' is provided at the top of the stay/window during closing, as is desired, and a window stay should desirably provide for the removal of the top of the peripheral flange from the window early in the opening operation with such an action or movement as to avoid the tendency to dislodge or 'roll out' the sealing rubber or plastic weatherstrip that surrounds the window aperture.

Further, a window stay should possess a high degree of inherent strength and should not be prone to flexing and bending particularly in a casement application for example.

One design parameter is that if the arms of the stay are formed of a size to overcome this and provide the required strength, the stay may then be too bulky to fit within a standard size window stay cavity.

My present invention provided an improved or at least alternative form of window stay that provides for a reduced front to back cavity dimension requirement so that stays having a reduced cavity size requirement than with conventional four bar type stays may be formed, but which stay still possesses at least a number of the advanta of the four bar type stay referred to.

In broad terms the invention may be stated to comprise a window stay for use in mounting a window sash to a window frame, comprising a lower arm pivotally connected at its proximal end to a frame mounting member (as herein defined) adapted to be secured to the frame of a window and at its distal end to a sash mounting member (as herein defined) adapted to be secured to the sash of the window, an upper arm pivotally connected at its proximal end to the frame mounting member at a point spaced from the mounting of the.proximal end of the lower arm and'at its distal end in a limited sliding pivot connection to the sash mounting member at a point spaced from the mounting of the distal end of the lower arm, and an intermediate control arm extending between the lower arm and the upper arm and pivotally connected to the lower arm and the upper arm at points spaced from the ends thereof for coupled movement of the lower and upper arms during opening and closing of the stay, and wherein the frame mounting member at or towards the upper end thereof and an upper end of the sash mounting member beyond said limited sliding pivot connection with said upper arm are formed to engage and cooperate with one another to direct movement of the stay during the initial part of opening and the last part of closing thereof.

In the window stay of the invention at least a number and preferably each of the pivot joints between the arms and window frame or sash and arms to other arms is of a suitable friction pivot joint construction.

Preferably such a friction pivot joint between two components such as two arms, or an arm and a frame or sash mounting member, comprises an aperture in a first of the components, an annular shoulder surrounding and projecting from the periphery of said aperture, an aperture in the second component whereby said second component is located about said shoulder, a bushing of a suitable self-lubricating and wear-resistant material interposed between said shoulder and said component to prevent direct contact therebetween, and a fixing means for fixing the joint and applying friction creating pressure thereto extending through the joint and fixed beneath said shoulder or in the said first aperture.

The stay of my invention is suitable for use in both awning and casement applications. The geometry of the stay is such that it provides for good pull in at the top of the stay during closing. The sash mounting point the stay may be properly spaced apart giving good sash stability when the sash is open and the stay possesses a high degree of inherent strength.

A preferred form of the stay of the invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view of the preferred jorm window era from one side in its fully extended or open position, Fig. 2 is an end view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 of the stay in its closed position, Fig. 3 is a view of the top part of the stay showing positions of movement of the stay between its open and closed positions, Fig. 4 is a crosslsectional view of a preferred form of friction pivot joint, Fig. 5 is a cross-ssstional view of a type of the preferred form of friction pivot joint of Fig. 4 which provides for adjustment of centres in the joint, and Fig. 6 is a view of a part of the preferred form window stay of Figs 1-3 from the other side to that of Fig.

1.

The preferred form stay illustrated in Figs 1 to 3 is suitably formed from stainless steel. If the stay is formed of stainless steel or a like material the required strength for each of the arms may be achieved with components of lesser dimensions so that the overall bulk of the stay is reduced.

The stay comprises an upper arm 1 and a lower arm 2. The proximal ends of the upper and lower aYE d 2 are pivotally connected to a frame mounting member comprising a frame plate 3 for securing to the frame of a window, preferably by way of suitable friction pivot joints 4 as will be further described, at points spaced from each other. The distal end of the lower arm 2 is pivotally connected to a sash mounting member comprising a sash plate 5 for securing to the sash of the window by way of a similar friction pivot joint 4.The distal end of the upper arm 1 is pivotally connected to the sash plate 5, at a point spaced from the connection of the lower arm 2, by way of a form of friction pivot joint connection indicated at 4a including slotted aperture 6, shown within the joint in phantom outline in Fig. 1, allowing for limited sliding movement between the arm 1 and sash plate 5, as shown. An intermediate arm 7, termed a control arm, extends between the lower drm 2 and the upper arm 1 and is pivotally connected to each at points spaced from the ends thereof, by friction pivot joints 4 as shown.

The frame mounting member 3 at or towards the upper end thereof and and upper end 5a of the ash mounting member beyond the limited sliding pivot connection 4 are formed to engage and cooperate with one another as will be described. In the preferred form shown the top part 5a of the sash plate is formed with an open generally U-shaped cut out 9 directed inwardly towards the frame plate at an angle as shown and a laterally extending pillar 8 is provided on a top part of the frame plate 3. The pillar 8 and cut-out g are so formed and positioned that during the initial part of the opening movement of the stay from its fully closed position and the last part of the closing movement of the stay from after opening the cut-out 9 will engage the pillar 8 to direct movement of the stay.The pillar 8 preferably carries a rotating sleeve 8a to prevent scoring of the pillar with use over time.

Each of.the frame and sash plates 3 and 5 may be provided with suitable mounting holes whereby the stay may be mounted to a window frame and sash in use. When the bearings 4 employed are of the preferred form type described herein the frame and sash plates 3 and 5 can additionally or alternatively be secured to the frame and sash by euews or like fasteners passing through the bearings themselves.

This is advantageous, particularly in casement window applications, as the frame plate is secured to the frame at the same point that loads are applied so that deformation of the frame plate is minimised.

In use the stay can be moved from its fully extended or open position, shown in Fig. 1 in hard outline, wherein the sash bar 5 and a sash mounted thereto extends at an angle to the window aperture, to or towards its closed position (or vice versa) by pulling (or pushing) on handles suitably mounted to the window sash as is known in the art.

The stay in its closed position is shown in phantom outline in Fig. 1, and the movement of the control arm/upper arm, control arm/lower arm, and sash plate/lower arm pivot joints is as indicated by broken lines. The movement of the sliding pivot connection 4a between the upper arm and the sash plate which occurs during operation of the stay, and between the cut-out 9 in the sash plate and the pillar 8 on the frame plate, is shown in Fig. 3 in which the joint 4a is shown in cross-section. During opening and closing movement the control or intermediate connecting arm 7 coupling the lower and upper arms 2 and 1 will give correct general operation of the stay.During the last part of the closing movement of the stay the engagement of the cut-out 9 against the pillar s will ensure that as the stay is closed the top of the stay is properly moved to its fully closed position so that good pull in is provided. During opening of the stay the engagement of the cut-out 9 against the pillar 8 will ensure correct relative movement of the parts of the stay as the arms initially begin to move.

Initially in movement of the stay from its fully open to its closed position, pulling on a sash mounted to the stay will cause the sash mounting plate to pivot in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 1, about the pivot joint 4 at the distal end of the lower arm 2, and the upper arm 1 to pivot upwardly in the direction of arrow C with the sliding pivot connection 4a moving as apparent from Fig. 3; the pivot 4a which is fixed relative to the sash plate in the preferred form (but the reverse may be the case) moves from the bottom end to the top end of the slot 6 in the first part of the closing movement .Subsequently further movement of the sash/sash mounting member will cause the lower arm 2 to pivot inwardly about its proximal end towards the frame mounting member 3 and the control arm 7 to move in a similar fas ion, pivoting about its lower end pivot joint, in a combined opening scissor action, until all the arms and the sash plate lie parallel and adjacent the frame plate when the stay is fully closed. During the second part of the closing movement of the stay the pivot 4a moves back from the top end of the slot 6 to the bottom end again. In opening of the stay the above movement is reversed.

The stay of the invention may close up fully so that the arms and plates of the stay are parallel when the stay is closed so that the back to front cavity dimension is, all other factors being equal, reduced, The stay comprises a minimum of externally moving parts such as sliding tracks or the like. In addition the sash mounting points of the arms of the stay are properly spaced apart so that the stay stably mounts a window sash. The stay provides a lifting out' of the window sash type op6fAtion similar to that of the patent 144922/146130/146886 stay, so that the sealing strip extending about the window aperture is not tended to be dislodged, and enabling full cleaning access. The stay provides good 'pull in' during final closing.

A preferred form of friction pivot joint is shown in Fig. 4 which may be employed for the pivot joints 4 between the components of the window stay except the distal end of the upper arm 1 and the sash plate. A first component such as a frame or sash plate or first arm is indicated at 11. A second component is indicated at 12. An annular shoulder 13 is formed on the component 11 and the shoulder 13 surrounds and projects from the periphery of an aperture therein as shown. The component 12 comprises an aperture whereby the component 12 is located about the shoulder 13. A bushing 15 shaped as shown and formed of a suitable self-lubricating and wear resistant material such as nylon or the like is interposed therebetween so that there is no metal to metal contact between the components 11 and 12.A fixing means or button 16 extends through the joint is fixed beneath the shoulder 13 to fix the joint and apply friction creating pressure thereto so that a friction pivot is provided.

The button comprises top portion 16a extending generally radially and of a peripheral flange like formation which extends over the second component 12 via the bushing 13 as shown, and a body portion 16b of a generally cylindrical formation which extends through the joint and the shoulder or displacement and which is engaged beneath the shoulder 13 by crimping or the like from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in F1g. 2. The body portion 16b of the button preferably comprises an enlarged lower peripheral rim part 16c which is engaged beneath the shoulder 13.The engagement of the button 16 into the joint and crimping of the rim portion lffc thereof is so effected as to cause friction creating pressure to be applied to the joint to the extent desired.

In the limited sliding pivot connection 4a of the preferred form of stay shown in Figs 1 to 3 the construction of a preferred form friction pivot joint described may be employed except that the second aperture in the component 12, which would be the sash plate 5, is lengthwise enlarged to form the slot 6. Alternatively, as is shown in Figs 1 and 2, the foint could comprise a conventional rivet type joint where a rivet having a head at one end extends through the slot 6 in the arm 5, through the aperture in the arm 1, and'is closed at its other end to close the joint.

In the control arm to upper and lower arm pivot connections the pivot joints may additionally include a suitable brass or other metal insert if found necessary.

Fig. 5 shows a type of the preferred form of friction pivot joint which provides for adjustment of centres in the joint In Fig. 5 the reference numerals used in Fig. 4 indicate like components in Fig. 5. The button 16 however comprises an annular projection 16d from the underside of the top portion 16a of the button as shown, which surrounds the shoulder 13. The thickness of the walls of the annular projection 16d varies around the button so that as a result the exterior of the projection 16d is out of round in relation to the centre of the button and the shoulder 13, and the aperture in the arm 12. Adjustment of the position of the arm 12 in relation to the arm 11 may thus be achieved by rotation of the button 16, to alter the relative centres of the joint.The joint 4 between the lower arm 2 and the frame plate 3 may be in the stay of the invention formed as a joint of this type. Manufacturing variations in the stay may be compensated for within a range adjustment of the joint.

It is preferred but not essential that the preferred form of friction pivot joint described in the stay of the invention be employed as such joints can be formed without difficulty from stainless steel enabling the entire stay to be formed of reduced thickness components whilst still possessing the required strength, and thus weight savings to be achieved and enabling a five bar stay of the invention to be provided that can still be accommodated within a standard thirteen millimetre stack dimension window frame stay cavity. Another advantage of the preferred pivot joint type is that when used it enables the stay components to be pressed together with all of the pivot joints of the stay being fixed, in a single pressing operation. his is an important advantage from a manufacturing point of view.

Another advantage of the preferred from pivot joints is < that because they include a central aperture the joints in the frame and sash mounting plates can be 'screwed through with mounting screws, as well as the mounting holes 4. The stay is then secured to the frame and sash of the window at the same point that loads are applied by the stay arms, particularly in casement applications, so that distortion of the. frame and sash mounting plates is minimised.

The stay of the invention may also incorporate a limited angle opening device. Referring to the Figs 1 and 6, the sash plate 5 comprises an extending end 5a. In Fig.

1 the stay is shown in the position to which it may be fully opened with the device disengaged in hard outline, and is shown to the fUll extant ef epening poreibls witb the limited angle opening device of the invention engaged in generally phantom outline, but with the bottom part of the stay incorporating the device of the invention shown in hard outline. The device comprises an arm 23 pivotally coupled at one end to the extending end 5a of the frame plate S of the stay. The other end of the arm 23 comprises a protrusion 24 which extends laterally towards the stay frame plate 31.

The stay frame plate 31 comprises a longitudinal slot 25 oriented as shown formed therein. The frame plate surrounding the slot is raised slightly from the plane of the major part of the frame plate as indicated at 25a, to accommodate the head of the protrusion 24 behind the slot when the device is engaged. The protrusion 24 comprises an enlarged head 24a which is shaped as shown so that overall in the preferred form device the protrusion 24 is in the general form of a T shaped pin.

The arrangement is such that when the stay is nearly closed the orientation of the protrusion 24 and particularly the head 24t thereof is such that it aligns with the longitudinal axis of the slot 25, so that only when the stay is in this nearly closed position may the protrusion be entered into or removed from the slot 25 to engage or disengage the device respectively. When entered into the slot 2f, during subsequent opening and cloying of the stay the protrusion slides within the slot. The arm 23 thus linked to the frame plate 3 when the device is so engaged serves to limit the possible angle of opening of the stay. When the protrusion 24 is disengaged from the slot 25 the stay may operate in its normal manner.When the device l's not desired to be used the are 22 1e preferably moved to the position shown at 23a in Fig. 1. The device may not be disengaged at open positions of the stay due to the orientation of the protrusion in relation to the slot 25 in anything other than the nearly closed position, as will be apparent from Fig. 6 which shows the lower part of the stay with the preferred form device of the invention from the other side to Fig. 1. The device thus described is difficult for children, for example, to disengage since it is only possible to do this with the window in its nearly closed position. in addition the device is unobtrusive and not readily visible in appearance.

The foregoing describes my invention including a preferred form thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A, window stay for use in mounting a window sash to

a window frame, comprising a lower arm pivotally connected at its proximal end to a frame mounting member (ae herein defined) adapted to be secured to the frame of a window and at its distal end to a sash mounting member (as herein defined) adapted to be secured to the sash of the window, an upper arm pivotally connected at its proximal end to the frame mounting member at a point spaced from the mounting of the proximal end of the lower arm and at its distal end in a limited sliding pivot connection to the sash mounting member at a point spaced from the mounting of the distal end of the lower arm, and an intermediate control arm extending between the lower arm and the upper arm and pivotally connected to the lower arm and the upper arm at points spaced from the ends thereof for coupled movement of the lower and upper arms during opening and closing of the stay, and wherein the frame mounting member at or towards the upper end thereof and an upper end of the sash mounting member beyond said limited sliding pivot connection with said upper arm are formed to engage and cooperate with one another to direct movement of the stay during the initial part of opening and the last part of closing thereof.

2. A window stay as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said frame mounting member and sash mounting member engage and cooperate to assist in providing 'pull in' of the top of the sash of the window towards the top of the window frame during closing of the stay.

3. A window stay as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the frame mounting member and the sash mounting member contacts the other thereof through a laterally extending pillar provided on said member and wherein an open u-shapel cut-out facing said pillar is provided on the other of said members.

4. A window stay as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pillar is provided on the frame mounting member and the U-shaped cut-out is provided in the upper end of the sash mounting member.

5. A window stay as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the intermediate control arm is pivotally connected to the upper arm at a point generally intermediate of the length thereof.

6. A window stay as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the intermediate control arm is pivotally connected to the lower arm at a point spaced further from the proximal end thereof than from the distal end.

7. A-window-stay as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the intermediate control arm is connected to the upper arm at a point that is laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis of the upper arm towards the lower arm.

8. A window stay as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the lower arm is greater than the length of the upper arm.

9. A window stay as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the connection points of the lower and upper arms to the frame mounting member is greater than the distance between the connection points of the lower and upper arm to the sash mounting member.

10. A window stay as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of the said pivotal connections comprise a friction pivot joint.

11. A window stay as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the friction pivot joints between two components such as two arms or an arm and the frame or sash mounting members, except the distal and of the upper arm and the sash mounting member, comprises an aperture in a first of the components, an annular shoulder surrounding and projecting from the periphery of the first aperture, an aperture in the second of the components whereby the second component is located about the shoulder, a bushing of a suitable self-lubricating and wear-resistant material interposed between the shoulder and second component to prevent direct contact therebetween, and a fixing means for fixing the joint and applying friction - creating pressure thereto extending through the joint and fixed beneath the shoulder or in the first aperture.

12. A window stay as claimed in claim 11, wherein said limited sliding pivot connection between the distal end of the upper arm and the sash mounting member comprises a said friction pivot joint formed with said second aperture as a slotted aperture.

13. A window stay as claimed in either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the fixing means for each said friction pivot joint comprises a body portion engaged beneath the shoulder or in the aperture and a top portion extending over the alflYL out the second aperture.

14. A window stay as claimed in claim 12, wherein the body portion is of a generally cylindrical formation and the top portion is of a generally peripheral flange like formation.

15. A window stay as claimed in either of claims 12 and 13, wherein the bushing extends between the first component and the second component, the internal surface of the second aperture and the shoulder, and the second component and the fixing means top portion.

16. A window stay as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pivot joints comprise a central axial aperture whereby a stay securing fastener may extend through same.

17. A window stay as claimed in claim 15, wherein an out of round annular projection depends from the underside of the fixing means top portion between said second aperture and said shoulder, whereby adjustment of the relative positions of the two jointed components may be effected by rotation of the fixing means in the joint.

18. A window stay as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, incorporating a limited angle opening device comprising an arm connected at one end to a part of the window stay which moves outwardly in relation to the stay frame plate in opening of the stay, a lateral protrusion on the other end of said arm, and a slot in the stay frame plate into which said protrusion may be engaged, the interaction between the protrusion and the slot being such that once engaged into the slot the protrusion may only be disengaged therefrom when the stay approaches its closed position, and the length of the arm being such that when the protrusion is locked into the slot the stay may be opened only to a limited extent.

19. A window stay substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A window stay substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings and including friction pivot joints substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 3.