GB2284014A

GB2284014A - Window friction stay

Info

Publication number: GB2284014A
Application number: GB9423482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Philip Lanaway
Original assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 1993-11-20
Filing date: 1994-11-21
Publication date: 1995-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-21
Also published as: GB2284014B; GB9323908D0; GB9423482D0

Abstract

A window friction stay has a link arrangement (16 - 28) pivotally mounted on a track (10), the track (10) and a vent arm (16) of the link arrangement being adapted to be secured respectively to a window frame and a window sash. In the closed position of the link arrangement, an end face (62) of the vent arm (16) enters a closure member (30) and the other end of the vent arm (16) locates against an abutment face (58) of an abutment (50). The closure member (30) provides a spigot (42) which locates in a complementary aperture in an adjacent window frame part. The provision of the spigot (42) and the abutment (50) helps prevent forced opening of the window. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Window Supports This invention is concerned with apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, and is particularly concerned with window support apparatus wherein the window is pivotable about either a vertical or horizontal axis and the axis of pivoting of the window moves away from the window frame, so that when the window is opened, both sides thereof are accessible from one side of the window frame.

Such apparatus conventionally comprises a first member which mounts the window, and a link arrangement for pivotally mounting the first member on a track attached to the window frame. The track is normally secured to a respective window frame part by screws extending through mounting holes provided in the base of the track, and the track conventionally has a closure member at one end which is engaged by the respective end of a link when the arrangement is moved to the closed position, the engagement correctly aligning the link arrangement with the track and retaining the correct alignment in the closed position.

Unauthorised entry to premises in which the window is installed often involves an attempt to insert a tool between respective window frame parts in order to displace the closure member from the track and enable the link arrangement to be forcibly moved to its open position.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the security of such window support apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a tint -wrrangement having a first member for mounting the component and a second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a third member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening and comprising a track, and a fourth member for pivotally mounting the first member on means which are slidably located in the track, and means for restraining movement of the first member in a direction along the track, when the component is in the closed position.

The present invention also provides apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component, and a second member providing end means adapted to co-act with the first member in the closed position, the end means having an extending part adapted to co-act with an adjacent part of the fixture opening whereby to restrict unauthorised access to the end means when the component is in the closed position.

Preferably the restraining means comprises an abutment member and means for securing the same to the track at a predetermined spacing from profiled end means on the track whereby, on movement into the closed position, one end of the first member interacts with the profiled end means and the other end of the first member moves into an abutting relation with the abutment member. The latter may be secured by fixings engageable through the track into the fixture opening, and the abutment member may also be provided with a spigot engageable in a complementary aperture in a frame part of the fixture opening.

Preferably also there is provided means for adjusting the position of the abutment member to vary the spacing between the latter and the profiled end means, and thereby control the interaction between the first member and the profiled end means, and consequently control movement of the first member laterally over the track together with movement of the component into the closed position.

The profiled end means is preferably provided with a spigot extending outwardly of the track for engagement in a complementary aperture in a frame part of the fixture opening. The profiled end means may have a two part form, for example a first part in the form of a metal pressing and a second part in the form of a plastics moulding which is integrally formed with the spigot. The second part may be moulded from acetal.

Alternatively, the profiled end means may comprise a unitary component.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a window support apparatus according to the invention and shown in partly open position; Fig. 2 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 1 but with the window support apparatus shown in a closed position; and Fig. 3 is a side view of part of the track closure member of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, a window support apparatus in the form of a friction stay comprises an open topped track 10 having inturned upper walls 12, the track 10 being adapted to be fixed on a lower horizontal part of a window frame (not shown) by means of any suitable fixing devices engaged through apertures in the base of the track 10 as hereinafter described. A further track (not shown) is inverted and secured to a horizontal upper part of the window frame.

A window sash (not shown) is fixed at each of opposed edges to a respective elongate member 16 forming part of a link arrangement. The member 16, at a location intermediate of its ends is pivotally mounted on one end of an elongate link 18, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the track 10 towards one end thereof as hereinafter described. At one end the support member 16 is pivotally mounted on one end of a link 20, the other end of the latter being pivotally mounted on a slider 22 which is slidably located in the track 10. The slider 22 also pivotally mounts one end of a further link 24, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the link 18. The latter is stepped along its length to provide a raised section 26 on which the link 24 is mounted, so as to provide clearance for the link 24 in the closed position.A further link 28 is pivotally connected between the member 16 and the link 24.

At the end remote from the mounting for the pivot member 18, the track 10 is closed by a profiled end member 30. In the described embodiment, the latter has a two part form, a first part of which is formed from a metal pressing and has a support section 32 of planar form locating in the respective end of the track 10 to overlie the base thereof below the upper walls 12. The support section 32, outwardly of the end of the track 10, is turned through 900 to define an upstanding section 34 (Fig. 3) which has a through aperture for a purpose hereinafter described. The section 34 is also formed on one side with a lug 36.

The second part of the end member 30 is preferably formed of a moulded plastics material such as acetal and has a planar section 38 overlying part of the support section 32 between the walls 12 of the track 10 but leaving exposed a through aperture 40 in the support section 32 which aligns with an aperture in the base of the track 10. The moulded part also has an upstanding section which locates on the upstanding section 34, and which, on one side, has a spigot 42 projecting through the aperture in the section 34, and, on the opposed side, is open to an internal angled cam surface (not shown) below a top 46. The lug 36 locates in a complementary recess in the respective side of the moulded part.

The elongate link 18 is pivotally mounted on the track 10 indirectly by way of an abutment component 48.

The latter provides an abutment 50 substantially centrally between a mounting part 52 for the link 18 and a securing part 54. Each of the mounting part 52 and a securing part 54 is provided with side shoulders (not shown) whereby to locate in the track 10 with the upper walls 12 thereof locating over the shoulders. The securing part 54 is provided with a pair of through apertures 56 which are aligned with through apertures in the base of the track 10. The abutment 50 stands proud of the track 10 with respective sides overlying the walls 12 thereof, and provides an abutment face 58 for a purpose hereinafter described.

In use, the track 10 is fixed on the lower horizontal part of the window frame by means of screws engaging through the apertures 40, 56 and the aligned apertures in the base of the track 10. A further screw can be fixed through an aperture 60 in the track 10 intermediate of the ends thereof. When secured, the spigot 42 of the end closure 30 locates in a complementary aperture formed in the adjacent window frame part. The abutment 50 may also be provided with a spigot which extends downwardly through the track 10 to locate in a complementary aperture formed in the adjacent window frame part.

The support member 16 may be swung from the posi tion shown in Fig. 1 to the closed position in Fig. 2 wherein the member 16 overlies the pivot member 18 and the links 20, 24, 28, the latter in turn overlying the track 10. It will be appreciated that, in a closed position, the window supported by the link arrangement is also closed, while the window with the link arrangement can be moved to the open position as shown in Fig. 1 or further, to enable both sides of the window to be accessible from the one side of the window frame.

When moving to the closed position, an angled end face 62 of the elongate member 16 enters the closure member 30 and interacts with the cam surface thereof to correctly position the window against the window frame in a conventional manner.

In the closed position, the end of the support member 16 remote from the angled end face 62 locates against the abutment face 58 of the abutment 50. The member 16 may be provided with an end part 64, for example of a moulded plastics material, presenting a wear face 66 for engagement with the abutment face 58.

The use of the spigot 42 limits unauthorised access to the closure member 30, and the material of the spigot is at least as strong as the material of the window frame.

The profile of the closure member 30 also limits unauthorised access, while the provision of the abutment 50 substantially increases the difficulty of an unauthorised person attempting to displace the closure member 30 from the track 10 so as to release the link arrangement for movement. The abutment 50 prevents forced movement of the member 16 away from the closure member 30 which could otherwise facilitate movement of the link arrangement.

There is therefore provided an effective method of providing additional security without any complex manufacturing being required.

In the event of an inaccurate fitting of the window stay, or wear of the window seals, the sealing of the window may be, or become, less effective than is desired. In order to move the window into closer engagement with the window frame, which also enhances security, the abutment 50 may be of a different configuration, whereby to be adjustable in position relative to the closure member 30. Appropriate adjustment can oblige the slider 22 to move towards the closure member 30, and the consequent increased pressure of the end face 62 against the cam surface of the end member 30 causes additional lateral movement of the support member 16 in the direction of closing, and therefore additional pressure of the window against the window frame to improve sealing.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the configuration of the end closure member and the abutment may differ from that described and shown. It is also to be appreciated that the closure member and abutment may be utilised with designs of link arrangement other than that described and shown.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component and a second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a third member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening and comprising a track, and a fourth member for pivotally mounting the first member on means which are slidably located in the track, and means for restraining movement of the first member in a direction along the track, when the component is in the closed position.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the restraining means comprises an abutment member and means for securing the same to the track at a predetermined spacing from profiled end means on the track whereby, on movement into the closed position, one end of the first member interacts within the profiled end means and the other end of the first member moves into an abutting relation with the abutment member.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the abutment member is secured by fixings engageable through the track into the fixture opening.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the abutment member is provided with a spigot engageable in a complementary aperture in a frame part of the fixture opening.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein there is provided means for adjusting the position of the abutment member to vary the spacing between the latter and the profiled end means, and thereby control the interaction between the first member and the profiled end means, and consequently control movement of the first member laterally over the track together with movement of the component into the closed position.

6. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the profiled end means is provided with a spigot extending outwardly of the track for engagement in a complementary aperture in a frame part of the fixture opening.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the profiled end means is in two part form, means securing a first part to the track, and a second part providing the spigot.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the first part is in the form of a metal pressing and the second part is in the form of a plastics moulding which is integrally formed with the spigot.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the second part is moulded from acetal.

10. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the profiled means comprises a unitary component.

11. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component and a second member providing end means adapted to co-act with the first member in the closed position, the end means having an extending part adapted to co-act with an adjacent part of the fixture opening whereby to restrict unauthorised access to the end means when the component is in the closed position.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the extending part of the end means is a spigot extending outwardly of the track for engagement in a complementary aperture in the adjacent part of the fixture opening.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the end means is in two part form, means securing a first part to the second member, and a second part providing the extending part.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein first part is in the form of a metal pressing and the second part is in the form of a plastics moulding which is integrally formed with the spigot.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein the second part is moulded from acetal.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the end means comprises a unitary component.

17. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.