GB2241531A - Espagnolette keep - Google Patents

Abstract

A keep 1, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar of a window or the like, comprising a first channel 5, having an open end 6 for receiving a locking pin such that the associated espagnolette bar is held in a closed position, and a second channel 7, having a respective open end for receiving the locking pin, inclined from its open end away from the first channel 5 to restrain the espagnolette bar in a partially open position and to urge the espagnolette bar towards its closed position when the locking pin is removed from the channel 7. Such a keep 1, in use, prevents an intruder from opening the window from outside, even when the window is being held in its ventilation position. <IMAGE>

Description

A KEEP This invention relates to a keep, or keeper, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar of an espagnolette fastening system.

Many different types of espagnolette fastening system are known, but the differences between such systems reside primarily either in the way in which the espagnolette bar is moved by the handle mechanism or in the manner in which the handle mechanism itself is locked. The keep, or keeper (as it is also sometimes known), is generally substantially the same in each of the known prior art systems. In contrast to this, the present invention provides a novel keep having specific features which are inventive over the known prior art.

It is known for a keep to include a channel, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar, which retains the associated window in its closed position. Such a locking channel extends substantially perpendicularly to the side of the keep, so that the window must be pulled fully closed before the locking pin engages the channel. It is also known for a keep to include a similar channel which is spaced from the locking channel such that the window may be held firmly yet slightly ajar to provide a degree of ventilation.

Although such prior art keeps successfully achieve their main objective of enabling a window to be kept slightly ajar, there is now a demand for a keep which provides enhanced protection against the window being opened completely by a person outside the room. In this regard, if the window is ajar, it invites burglars and the like to try to gain access into the room through the window. A keep according to the present invention is designed to make such access as difficult as possible.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a keep for an espagnolette locking system which prevents a window, held in a ventilating position, from being opened completely from outside.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a keep, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar, comprising a first channel, having an open end for receiving a locking pin such that the associated espagnolette bar is held in a closed position, and a second channel, having a respective open end for receiving the locking pin, inclined from its open end away from the first channel to restrain the espagnolette bar in a partially open position and to urge the espagnolette bar towards its closed position when the locking pin is removed from the channel.

Such a keep prevents a window or the like from being opened from outside because as the handle mechanism of the espagnolette system is turned, the window closes sufficiently to prevent the handle mechanism from being rotated far enough for the locking pin to be released from the keep.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second channel has a substantially constant width along its length.

Preferably, to facilitate the complete closing of the window, the first channel is inclined such that when the locking pin passes along the channel the espagnolette bar is urged towards its fully closed position. Furthermore, the first channel is preferably wider (e.g. up to 200 wider) at its open end than elsewhere along its length to facilitate the entry of a locking pin into the channel. To provide a smooth closing motion of the locking pin into the keep, the first channel preferably also tapers gently from its open end. This arrangement reduces the sideways force exerted by the keep on the espagnolette bar (and hence associated window) as the window is fully closed.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the first channel and the second channel may be inclined to each other at an angle of between 5 to 400, preferably 100 to 300, more preferably, 150 to 250, e.g. 200.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, a first channel and a second channel are provided in each side of the keep, such that the keep is symmetrical about a midplane between the two sides of the keep. This arrangement means that the keep can be used in conjunction with espagnolette locking systems wherein the locking pins are moved, during closing of a window, from either right to left or from left to right. The keep can be used in both situations due to its double-handed configuration.

To enable the keep to be readily attached to the frame of a window or the like, fastening holes are preferably provided in the keep body.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a keep, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar, comprising a fastening hole for receiving at least one fastener which can fix the keep to a window frame, wherein the hole is enlarged to enable the keep, during positioning thereof on a window frame, to be moved relative to a fastener, passing through the hole and engaging the window frame, such that location of the keep is facilitated.

Preferably the keep has three fastening holes in a row, although more or less holes could of course be provided.

The middle hole in the row of three holes is preferably elongated in a direction perpendicular to the row of holes.

It will be appreciated that if the first channel of the keep is inclined, such that when the locking pin passes along the channel the espagnolette bar is urged towards its fully closed position, and the keep has an enlarged fastening hole, the tightness of the window against its corresponding seal (mounted on the frame) may be readily adjusted due to the ability to move the keep sideways.

Indeed, after years of use, it may be necessary to improve the seal between the window and its corresponding frame.

In this instance, the fasteners holding the keep firmly in position may be loosened or removed and the keep may be slid along the window frame to a new position, wherein the window in its closed position is urged more firmly against its corresponding frame due to the espagnolette bolt passing further along the inclined first channel. Once the new position of the keep has been established, the required fasteners may be replaced to hold the keep firmly in this position.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a keep according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side view taken along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an underside view of the keep of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of Figure 1.

With reference to the drawings, a keep 1 includes screw holes 2, 3, 4 for securing the keep 1 to a window frame or the like (not shown). The keep 1 is made of a strong and rigid material, such as a metal.

The screw holes 2, 3, 4 form a row of holes in which the middle hole 3 is enlarged, in a direction perpendicular to the row, to form effectively a slot. During fixing of the keep 1 to a window frame or the like, the keep can first be attached to the window frame by means of a screw passing through the hole/slot 3 before additional screws, passing through holes 2 and 4, finalise the position of the keep 1.

The fact that the hole/slot 3 is enlarged means that the desired position of the keep 1 can be finalised accurately, by adjusting the position of the keep relative to the screw passing through hole/slot 3, before holes are made in the window frame to receive the additional screws. Such an arrangement improves substantially the ease with which the keep can be positioned on a window frame.

The keep 1 includes a pair of channels 5 for receiving a locking pin (not shown) of a movable espagnolette bar (not shown) in a locking position. The end openings 6 of the first channel 5 are wider than the remainder of the locking channel 5 to facilitate the entry of a locking pin into the channel. The channel 5 also tapers gently from its open end to provide a smoother closing motion. In use, as the locking pin is drawn further into the first channel 5, the window associated with the pin and corresponding espagnolette bar is moved towards its fully closed position.

In this regard, the first channels 5 are angled such that the window is urged towards its closed position as the locking pin passes further along the channel 5.

The keep 1 further includes a pair of second channels 7 for receiving a locking pin such that the associated window is held slightly ajar for ventilation purposes. The second channels 7 are inclined to the first channels 5 at an angle of approximately 20 . Due to the inclination of the second channels 7, the window must close to a certain extent before the locking pin can be released from its corresponding channel 7. Accordingly, the window, when latched slightly ajar using a second channel 7, cannot be opened from outside of the window.

To achieve the above described aim of the invention, it will of course be appreciated that the first end 8 of the keep must be orientated towards the inside of the window, and the second end 9 must be positioned outside the first end to enable the window to be held ajar.

In the specific embodiment described here, the keep is moulded with recesses 10, 11, 12 therein to reduce the weight of the keep and to lower the cost of manufacture of the keep. If additional strength is required, however, the keep could, of course, be manufactured in solid form.

Fitting marks (not shown) are also provided on the keep 1 to assist in the placement of the keep 1 on a window frame. In this regard, during fitting, the espagnolette bar and associated locking pin are moved into the fully closed position and the position of the locking pin (which may be a mushroom pin or a straight pin or some other configuration) is marked on the window frame. The fitting mark on the keep 1 is then aligned with the mark on the window frame to ensure that the keep 1 is positioned correctly for perfect closing of the associated window.

Such fitting marks are, of course, well known in the art.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A keep, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar, comprising a first channel, having an open end for receiving a locking pin such that the associated espagnolette bar is held in a closed position, and a second channel, having a respective open end for receiving the locking pin, inclined from its open end away from the first channel to restrain the espagnolette bar in a partially open position and to urge the espagnolette bar towards its closed position when the locking pin is removed from the channel.

2. A keep as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second channel has a substantially constant width along its length.

3. A keep as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first channel is inclined such that when the locking pin passes along the channel the espagnolette bar is urged towards its fully closed position.

4. A keep as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first channel is wider at its open end than elsewhere and tapers gently along the channel.

5. A keep as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first channel and the second channel are inclined to each other at an angle of approximately 200.

6. A keep as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a first channel and a second channel are provided in each side of the keep, such that the keep is symmetrical about a mid-plane between the two sides of the keep.

7. A keep as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein fastening holes are provided to enable the keep to be securely fixed to a window frame.

8. A keep, for receiving a locking pin mounted on a movable espagnolette bar, comprising a fastening hole for receiving at least one fastener which can fix the keep to a window frame, wherein the hole is enlarged to enable the keep, during positioning thereof on a window frame, to be moved relative to a fastener, passing through the hole and engaging the window frame, such that location of the keep is facilitated.

9. A keep as claimed in claim 8 and as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A keep as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the keep has three fastening holes in a row, the middle hole being enlarged.

11. A keep as claimed in claim 10, wherein the middle hole is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the row of three holes.

12. A keep substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.