GB2247275A

GB2247275A - An adjustable fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2247275A
Application number: GB9018633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ben John Emerson
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 1990-08-24
Filing date: 1990-08-24
Publication date: 1992-02-26
Also published as: GB9018633D0

Abstract

An adjustable fitting comprising a first means 3 for enabling the fitting to be rotatably fixed in a desired position, a second means 4, 5 for receiving, in use, a fixing means 12 and an adjuster 6 which, in use, is rotatable about the fixing means 12, wherein the adjuster 6 includes a camming portion 8, which bears against the second means 5, such that when the adjuster 6 is rotated about the fixing means 12 the position of the fitting is altered. Due to the inclusion of the adjuster 6, the position of the fitting, which may be used in a window locking system or in many other applications, can be readily adjusted in an accurate fashion. <IMAGE>

Description

AN ADJUSTABLE FITTING This invention relates to fittings which require minor positional adjustment after initial installation, and specifically to an adjustable fitting for use in a window locking system. The invention is, however, applicable to many other fields of use.

When a new window frame is mounted on a link assembly and attached to a support frame, it is necessary to align a locking bolt and associated keep of the window locking mechanism so that the window can be satisfactorily locked when closed. The bolt (or keep) is fixed permanently in position on one frame, while the associated keep (or bolt) is movably mounted on the other frame.

When the new window frame is initially set in position, the bolt and keep are mounted so that, as the window is locked, the bolt freely enters the keep with the required amount of pull-in. However, during use of the window and "settling" of the system, it is possible that the relative positions of the bolt and keep in the closed arrangement will change. Hence, after a period of time, such as six months, it may be necessary to adjust the fixed position of the bolt or keep so that the locking mechanism is perfectly aligned once again.

According to the prior art, the permanently fitted part of the locking mechanism is held in position by two screws passing through grooves in the fitting. When the fitting requires positional adjustment, one of the screws is released slightly so that the fitting can be manoeuvered into its new position before the screw is tightened down again. Although minor adjustment of the fitting is usually all that is necessary, this can be difficult to achieve because a large force, which is often necessary to move the fitting, results in excessive movement when the fitting does finally move. Hence, it would be far more practical and convenient if the fitting could be adjusted positionally in a controlled manner, and this is what the present invention aims to achieve.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable fitting comprising a first means for enabling the fitting to be rotatably fixed in a desired position, a second means for receiving, in use, a fixing means and an adjuster which, in use, is rotatable about the fixing means, wherein the adjuster includes a camming portion which bears against the second means such that when the adjuster is rotated about the fixing means the position of the fitting is altered in a controlled manner.

Preferably the second means comprises a recess for accommodating the adjuster and an aperture, through which the fixing means passes, in use, communicating with the recess.

Preferably the adjuster includes a hole through which the fixing means passes, in use, and a channel extending substantially radially from the axis of the hole to facilitate rotation of the adjuster.

In a preferred embodiment, the hole is countersunk to receive a head of the fixing means.

The first means may comprise a hole for receiving a screw threaded fixing means. Such a hole is preferably countersunk.

In an alternative embodiment, the first means may include an adjuster similar to that housed in the second means.

The adjustable fitting may be adapted to be used as a keep for a window locking system. Alternatively, the adjustable fitting may include an active portion for engaging a recess, such as in a keep, of a window locking system. Other uses of an adjustable fitting according to the present invention can of course be envisaged.

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 an adjustable fitting according to the present invention, wherein the adjuster is separated from the remainder of the fitting; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the adjustable fitting of Figure 1 with the adjuster in its functional position; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the fitting, in use, with the adjuster turned through 900 compared to its position shown in Figure 2.

With reference to the drawings, an adjustable fitting, which may be a male portion of a window locking system as shown, comprises a body portion 1 and an active portion 2 formed integrally therewith. The body portion includes a countersunk hole 3 through which a screw 11 (see figure 3) or other fixing means may pass to attach the fitting to a support (not shown). The body portion 1 also includes an aperture 4 through which a second fixing means, such as a screw 12 (see figure 3), can pass. This aperture 4 is larger than the hole 3 so that the position of the fitting, relative to the screw 12 which passes through the aperture 4, can be varied.

The aperture 4 opens out into a recess 5 in the body 1 which accommodates an adjuster 6. The adjuster 6 has a hole 7 therethrough which is aligned with the aperture 4, and through which the screw 12 passes, in use. The hole 7 passing through the adjuster 6 is countersunk to accommodate the head of the screw 12 during use.

The hole 7 of the adjuster 6 is off-centre, so that the adjuster effectively includes a camming portion 8 which bears against the wall of the recess 5.

To fix the fitting in position, it is simply necessary to insert a screw 11 through hole 3 and to fix it to the support. A second screw 12 is.then fitted through the adjuster 6 and the aperture 4 and screwed into the support also. If the screws 11, 12 are tightened, the fitting 6 bears firmly against the bottom of the recess 5 and holds the fitting in position. Then, when the fitting position is to be adjusted, it is simply necessary to release slightly the screw 12, which passes through the adjuster 6, so that the adjuster can be turned. The adjuster 6 is then rotated around the screw 12 so that the camming portion 8 bears against the wall of the recess 5, thus causing the fitting to rotate about the axis of the screw 11. The screw 12 is then tightened down again so that the fitting cannot move.

The adjuster 6 includes a channel 9, extending radially out from the axis of hole 7, into which the head of a screwdriver (not shown) or other tool may be applied to help with the rotation of the adjuster 6.

As can be appreciated, by virtue of the inclusion of the adjuster 6 in the fitting, minor positional alteration of the active portion 2 of the fitting can be readily achieved in an accurate fashion.

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

Claims

1. An adjustable fitting comprising a first means for enabling the fitting to be rotatably fixed in a desired position; a second means for receiving, in use, a fixing means; and an adjuster which, in use, is rotatable about the fixing means, wherein the adjuster includes a camming portion which bears against the second means such that when the adjuster is rotated about the fixing means the position of the fitting is altered in a controlled manner.

2. A fitting as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises a recess for accommodating the adjuster and an aperture, through which the fixing means passes, in use, communicating with the recess.

3. A fitting as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjuster includes a hole through which the fixing means passes, in use, and a channel extending substantially radially from the axis of the hole to facilitate rotation of the adjuster.

4. A fitting as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hole is countersunk to receive a head of the fixing means during use.

5. A fitting as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first means comprises a second hole for receiving a screw threaded fixing means.

6. An adjustable fitting as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second hole is coutersunk.

7. An adjustable fitting according to any preceding claim, which includes an active portion for engaging a corresponding active portion of a window locking system.

8. An adjustable fitting as claimed in claim 7, which is a keep for a window locking system.

9. An adjustable fitting as claimed in claim 7, which is a bolt for a window locking system.

10. An adjustable fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.