GB2251886A - Swivel joint for a stay arm - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinged joint, for example. a hinged joint of a window or door stay arm comprises a movable swivel joint which is fittable to a window which opens about a vertical axis, the joint having a first member (10) connected to a bracket (17) by a connecting member (16), such that the stay arm can swing over a range of positions in three dimensions and can maintain any of those positions rigidly by virtue of the intrinsic stiffness of the joint. The first member has a concave or convex portion with an elongate aperture (13) which receives the shank of the connecting member. <IMAGE>

Description

SWIVEL JOINT FOR A STAY ARN The invention relates to hinged joints and particularly although not exclusively, to a swivel joint for a stay arm assembly of a window or door.

Conventional windows, for example those of aluminium frame type which open about a vertical axis, generally have a stay arm fixed to a lower horizontal member of the frame to retain the window in an open or closed position.

Similarly, conventional windows which open about a horizontal axis have stay arm assemblies which are fitted to a vertical portion of the window frame.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a conventional window 1 is attached to a window frame about a vertical axis to open horizontally in an arc of movement away from a jamb 2 of the window frame. In U.K.

Patent Application No 90 11081.8, filed 17 May 1990 (published as GB A), in U.K. Patent Application No 91 03724.2, filed 22 February 1991 (published as GB A), and in U.K. Patent Application No 91 09680.0, filed 3 May 1991 (published as GB A), copies of the specifications of each of which are filed concurrently with this present specification, there are disclosed various stay arm assemblies having a stay arm 3 which is hingedly fixable to an openable window member 6 by a hinge 4. The stay arm passes through a ring 5 fixable to the window frame to restrain the window in an open or closed position.

Where such stay arm assemblies as above or conventional stay arm assemblies are fixed to a lower part of the window member 6 such that the member 6 opens in a horizontal arc, from a lower part of the window frame, then a conventional hinge for fixing the stay arm to the window member 6 is convenient, and the stay arm swings substantially only about a horizontal plane with a maximum arc of movement of around 1800 to 2000.

However, this type of fixing is inconvenient for conventional aluminium or UPVC type windows because adequate space is not available to fix the stay arm assembly in position.

Where a stay arm is fixed to a vertical part of the openable window member 6 opposite to an axis of opening of the window, as shown in position B of Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, then the stay arm travels in an arc of movement which has a vertical component as well as a horizontal component, as the window member 6 is opened.

Thus, if a conventional hinge is used to fix the stay arm to the window member 6 then such a conventional hinge must be of loose tolerance and have some degree of play in order to accommodate the full range of movement of the stay arm.

For a stay arm assembly mounted to the vertical part of the window member 6, when the stay arm is disengaged from the ring 5, then since there is a large amount of play in the hinge, the stay arm tends to drop vertically, and thus when closing the window the stay arm must be lifted to be re-threaded through the ring 5 in order to close the window. Thus, closing the window is cumbersome, and where an additional catch is provided in the window as is common, closing the window can require two handed operation.

In U.K. Patent Application No 91 00810.2, filed 15 January 1991 (published as GB A), and in U.K.

Patent Application No 91 03881.0, filed 25 February 1991 (published as GB A), copies of the specification of each of which are filed concurrently with this present specification, there are disclosed various stay arm assemblies which are fittable to a window between a closable member and a frame. Included in such stay arm assemblies are assemblies which comprise two interengaging members which are hingedly fixed to each other, and in which the members can move with a first component of movement about an axis of the hinge, and with a second component of movement substantially perpendicular to the first.

However, in each of the abovementioned stay assemblies, the respective hinges each have an appropriate amount of play to accommodate the arcuate movement of the openable window member with respect to the frame. With the above mentioned hinges, the presence of play may give rise to window rattle.

Specific embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an improved swivel joint for use in window or door frames.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable joint comprising: a first member having a concave or convex portion and having an elongate aperture positioned through said concave or convex portion; and a connecting member which passes through said aperture for connecting the concave or convex portion of said first member to a second member such that said first member is movable with respect to said connecting member with a limited translational movement and is pivotable about said connecting member.

Preferably, said connecting member comprises a head portion arranged to co-operate with a said concave portion of the first member and a shaft member which passes through the aperture and is attachable to said second member.

Preferably said head portion is a disc having a diameter in the range 10 to 18 mm.

Preferably said elongate slot has a length in the range 5 mm to 15 mm.

Preferably, said elongate slot has a width in the range 3 mm to 7 mm.

Preferably said elongate slot has a ratio of length to width in the range of 1.9:1 to 2.1:1.

Preferably, said head diameter has a ratio to a length of a said concave portion in the range 1:1.4 to 1:1.6.

Preferably, said first member has an upper concave surface and a lower convex surface, said upper and lower surfaces arranged substantially concentrically.

Preferably, said upper concave and said lower convex surface are separated from each other by a distance in the range of 1 to 3 mm.

Said shaft member may be movably attached to said second member.

Said connecting member may be a bolt, rivet, screw or retaining plug.

Preferably, said translational movement is about a first plane and said pivotal movement is about a second plane, said first and second planes being substantially perpendicular to each other.

Said first member may have a bearing surface which remains in contact with the second member during a said movement.

Preferably, said bearing surface is a convex surface.

Said second member may have a concave bearing surface arranged to co-operate with said convex bearing surface.

Said moveable joint may further comprise one or more insert members arranged to movably maintain said first member in a fixed relationship to said second member or to said connecting member.

A said insert member may be arranged to urge said first member towards said second member.

A said insert member may be interposed between said connecting member and said first member.

A said insert member may be interposed between said first and second members.

A said insert member may be a resilient means.

A said insert member may further comprise one or more bearing surfaces for bearing against said first and/or second members and/or said connecting member.

Preferably, said insert member is one or more of the following; a spring washer or insert, a nylon, plastics or rubber washer or insert.

Preferably, said first member is a stay arm.

Said second member may be a stay arm.

Said second member may be a support bracket.

Said second member may be a frame or jamb of a door or window.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stay arm assembly comprising: a stay arm; a retainer for retaining the stay arm in at least one desired position; a ring which passes around the stay arm and engages the retainer so as to allow limited sliding movement of the stay arm with respect to the retainer and the ring; releasable locking means for locking the ring on the retainer and being releasable to allow the ring to be disengaged from the retainer to permit extended movement of the stay arm with respect to the retainer; and a moveable joint for connecting the stay arm to a first support member, said joint arranged to allow a translational movement of the stay arm with respect to said support member and a pivotal movement of said stay arm with respect to said support member.

Preferably, where said stay arm is disengaged from said ring, the stay arm is maintainable by said swivel joint in a position in relation to said support member in which said stay arm is aligned to re-engage said ring upon closure of the stay arm to the ring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stay arm assembly comprising; a stay arm having two fixing points adapted to be secured respectively to a closure member and to a frame in which the closure member is mounted for movement between open and closed positions, one of said points comprising an inter-engaging espagnolette stud and aperture which are relatively movable such that they may be selectively engaged and disengaged, and are so arranged that they may be so relatively moved only when they are in a predetermined juxtaposition corresponding to the closure member being in a second position in its frame, or nearly so; and a movable joint according to the aforementioned first aspect of the present invention.

The invention includes a stay arm comprising a first stay arm piece movably connected to a second stay arm piece by a movable joint according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, said first and second stay arm pieces are movable in relation to each other from an initial position to a first position and are maintainable in said first position by said movable joint.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which; Figure 1 shows possible fixing locations for a stay arm assembly on a conventional window and window frame; Figure 2 shows a swivel joint according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows the swivel joint of Figure 2, in cross sectional view in a first position; and Figure 4 shows the swivel joint of Figure 2 in crosssectional view in a second position.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, a swivel joint comprises a first member 10 having an end 11 at which a concave indentation 12 having an elongate slot 13 is provided. The joint further comprises a connecting member 14 having a head portion 15 and a shaft portion 16 for connecting the first member to a second, supporting member 17. The first member 10 has a convex bearing surface 18 which slides over the support member 17.

The first member 10 is movable with respect to the support member 17 along a first line of movement indicated generally as parallel to the lines A-A' as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, and is capable of movement in a second line of movement in which the first member rotates about the connecting member 14.

The first member 10, being for example a stay arm of a window, preferably has a width of around 13 to 14 mm, and a depth of about 5 to 8 mm. The concave portion 12 is preferably of a length of around 15.4 mm, and the slot 13 has a width of 5 mm and length 9.5 mm. A thickness of the concave portion 12, which is concentric with the convex bearing surface 18, is around 2 mm. The head 15 of the connecting member 14 is advantageously of a diameter of around 9.5 mm and the shaft 16 of the connecting member is advantageously of a dimension chosen to allow smooth passage of the shaft through the slot 13, without any significant looseness due to play between the sides of the shaft and sides of the slot 13.

The underside of the head 15 of the connecting member 14 may be shaped in a convex manner, in order to provide smooth co-operation with the concave surface 12. An insert member such as a nylon bush may be provided between the head 15 and the concave surface 12.

In each case, the tolerances of the component parts, ie of the concave surface 12, the slot 13, the connecting member 14, and an aperture in the support member 17, are selected such that the first member is movable with respect to the support member and connecting member on application of moderate force, but the first member is not movable under its own weight with respect to the support member 17, there being sufficient friction between the members to support the first member in any of its range of possible positions with respect to the second member.

Thus, where the swivel joint is deployed in an arrangement as illustrated with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, in which a stay arm is supported on a closure member (eg the window member 6) of a window or door, and a retaining ring is attached to a jamb of a frame of the window or door, where the stay arm is disengaged from the ring, the stay arm will maintain its horizontal or otherwise attitude with respect to the closure member as the closure member opens outwardly, and upon closing of the closure member, the stay arm will return to align with the retaining ring, in the meantime being held in fixed relation to the closure member by the friction in the swivel joint.

Furthermore, an insert may be provided between the first member 10 and the support member 17 to provide a bearing surface between the two members. The material of the insert is selected from known materials to provide an adequate amount of friction to provide smooth movement operation in conjunction with the function of maintaining the first member in a desired position. The insert between the head 15 and the concave surface 23 may also aid in the movement of the member, and the material of this insert is chosen accordingly. The inserts are advantageously Belville washers, spring washers, or nylon or plastics bushes or washers.

In order to overcome the friction of the swivel joint whilst opening a window, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the rotational movement about the connecting member 14 may aid in overcoming friction between the connecting member, the support bracket 17 and the first member 10 along the translational line of movement parallel to the line A-A'.

Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to the single embodiment shown in the foregoing description, but may encompass a stay assembly as disclosed in any one or more the above mentioned Patent applications, in conjunction with a joint in accordance with the abovementioned first aspect of the present invention,or with any other of the features disclosed within this specification.

The connecting member 14 may be rotatable with respect to the support member 17.

The support member 17 may have a concave bearing surface for co-operating with the convex bearing surface of the first member 10. The concave bearing surface is suitably of an equal or greater radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the convex bearing surface of the first member 10.

Specific embodiments of the present invention may thus provide a swivel joint for a window stay which alleviates the problem of window rattle caused by joints having an amount of play, and may provide jointing for a window stay assembly which enables smooth opening and closing of a window.

Specific embodiments of the present invention may also provide a jointing for a stay assembly in which components of the stay assembly may have self aligning engagement and disengagement during opening or closing operation of the window.

Whilst the above discussion relates primarily to windows and window frames, it will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that the above described specific embodiments will be equally applicable to other types of windows or to doors.

The readers attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

The reader's attention is also directed to the subject-matter contained in the following U.K. patent applications, Nos. 90 11081.8; 91 03724.2; 91 09680.0; 91 00810.2 and 91 03881.0, copies of the specifications of which are filed concurrently with this present specification.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (30)

1. A movable joint comprising: a first member having a concave or convex portion said concave or convex portion having an elongate aperture extending therethrough; and a connecting member which passes through said aperture said connecting member being arranged to connect the concave or convex portion of said first member to a second member such that said first member is movable with respect to said connecting member with a limited translational movement, said first member being pivotable about said connecting member.

2. A movable joint according to claim 1, in which said first member is pivotable about an axis which is perpendicular to a plane tangential to a line of the translational movement.

3. A movable joint according to claim 1 or 2, in which said connecting member comprises a head portion arranged to co-operate with said concave or convex portion of the first member, and comprises a shaft member which passes through the aperture and is attachable to a second member.

4. A movable joint according to claim 3, in which said shaft member is movably attached to said second member.

5. A movable joint according to claims 3 or 4, wherein said head portion is a substantially disc-shaped member.

6. A movable joint according to claim 5, in which said disc-shaped member has a diameter in the range 5mm to 40mm.

7. A movable joint according to claim 6, in which said diameter has a ratio to a length of a said co-operating portion in the range 1:1.4 to 1:1.6.

8. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which said elongate aperture has a length in the range 5mm to 25mm.

9. A movable joint according to claim 8, in which said elongate aperture has a width in the range 3mm to 14mm.

10. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which said elongate aperture has a ratio of length to width in the range of 1.9:1 to 2.1:1.

11. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which said first member has an upper concave surface and a lower convex surface separated from each other by a distance in the range of lmm to 3mm.

12. A movable joint according to claim 11, in which said upper and lower surfaces are arranged substantially concentrically to each other.

13. A movable joint according to any one of claims 3 to 12, in which said first member has a bearing surface which remains in contact with the second member during a said movement.

14. A movable joint according to claim 13, in which said bearing surface is a convex surface.

15. A movable joint according to claim 14, in which said second member has a concave bearing surface arranged to co-operate with said convex bearing surface.

16. A movable joint according to any one of claims 3 to 15, further comprising at least one insert member arranged to movably maintain said first member in a fixed relationship to said second member or to said connecting member.

17. A movable joint according to claim 16, in which a said insert member is arranged to urge said first member towards said second member.

18. A movable joint according to claim 16 or 17, in which a said insert member is interposed between said connecting member and said first member.

19. A movable joint according to claim 16, 17 or 18, in which a said insert member is interposed between said first and second members.

20. A movable joint according to any one of claims 16 to 19, in which a said insert member is a resilient member.

21. A movable joint according to any one of claims 16 to 20 in which a said insert member comprises one or more bearing surfaces for bearing against said first and/or second members and/or said connecting member.

22. A movable joint according to any one of claims 16 to 21, in which a said insert member is one or more of the following; a spring washer, a nylon, plastics or rubber washer.

23. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 22, in which said first member is a stay arm.

24. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 23, in which said second member is a support bracket or a stay arm

25. A movable joint according to any one of claims 1 to 23, in which said second member is a frame or jamb of a door or window.

26. A stay arm assembly comprising: a stay arm; a retainer for retaining the stay arm in at least one desired position; a ring which passes around the stay arm and engages the retainer so as to allow limited sliding movement of the stay arm with respect to the retainer and the ring; releasable locking means for locking the ring on the retainer and being releasable to allow the ring to be disengaged from the retainer to permit extended movement of the stay arm with respect to the retainer; and a moveable joint for connecting the stay arm to a first support member, said joint arranged to allow a translational movement of the stay arm with respect to said support member and a pivotal movement of said stay arm with respect to said support member.

27. A stay arm assembly according to claim 26, adapted such that, where said stay arm is disengaged from said ring, the stay arm is maintainable by said swivel joint in a position in relation to said support member in which said stay arm is aligned to re-engage said ring upon closure of the stay arm to the ring.

28. A stay arm assembly comprising; a stay arm having two fixing points adapted to be secured respectively to a closure member and to a frame in which the closure member is mounted for movement of the closure member between open and closed positions, one of said points comprising an inter-engaging espagnolette stud and aperture which are relatively movable such that they may be selectively engaged and disengaged, and are so arranged that they may be so relatively moved only when they are in a predetermined juxtaposition corresponding to the closure member being in a second position in its frame, or nearly so; and a movable joint comprising a first member having a concave or convex portion, said concave or convex portion having an elongate aperture extending therethrough; and a connecting member which passes through said aperture, said connecting member being arranged to connect the concave or convex portion of said first member to a second member such that said first member is movable with respect to said connecting member with a limited translational -movement,- said first member being pivotable about said connecting m ember.

29 A stay arm comprising a first stay arm piece movably connected to a second stay arm piece by a movable joint according to ariy one of claims 1 to 23 or claim 25.

30. A movable joint substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.