GB2295645A

GB2295645A - Stay

Info

Publication number: GB2295645A
Application number: GB9524782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive James Smith
Original assignee: Euromond Ltd
Current assignee: Euromond Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-02
Filing date: 1995-12-04
Publication date: 1996-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-04
Also published as: GB9524782D0; GB2295645B

Abstract

In a stay for connecting a closure to a frame having an arm 13 connected to a base member 11 by a linkage 14, 15, 16 that constrains the arm to movement between a closed position in which the arm overlies the base member and an open position where the arm is to one side of the member and is at an angle to the member, a link 16 connected to a slider 19 which runs in the base member 11 is provided with an extension 24 carrying a locking member 25 which, after a limited degree of opening movement of the arm, engages the base member to prevent further opening movement. The locking member is movable relative to the slider 19, for instance by manual pivoting of a tongue 34, to disengage the locking member from the base member and allow continued opening movement. The locking member may ride over a cam 40 to re-engage automatically on return movement. <IMAGE>

Description

STAYS The invention relates to stays and in particular to stays for connecting a closure to a frame to allow the closure to be closed into and opened out of the frame. An example of such a closure and frame is a window sash and a window frame.

Such stays comprise a base member for connection to the frame and an arm for connection to the closure. A linkage connects the arm to the base member and constrains the arm to swinging movement relative to the base member in a plane parallel to the plane of the base member. The movement is from a closed position in which the arm overlies the base member and an open position in which the arm is to one side of the base member and angled relative to the base member. The linkage includes at least one member pivotally connected at one end to the arm and at the other end to a slider mounted in the base member for sliding movement therealong on movement of the arm.

A stay of this kind is shown in GB-A-2247914.

There can be a requirement with stays of this kind to restrict the permitted opening movement. This may be necessary in a window to prevent the leaf being opened to such an extent as to allow a child to climb out of the window. On the other hand, it is not possible simply to have a fixed limited opening - since it may be necessary to permit wider opening to allow egress in the case of emergency or to allow cleaning or painting.

According to the invention, there is provided a stay for connecting a closure to a frame comprising a base member for connection to the frame, an arm for connection to the closure and a linkage connecting the arm to the base member and constraining the arm to swinging movement relative to the base member in a plane parallel to the plane of the base member between a closed position in which the arm overlies the base member and an open position in which the arm is to one side of the base member and angled relative to the base member, the linkage including at least one member pivotally connected at one end to the arm and at the other end to a slider mounted in the base member for sliding movement therealong on movement of the arm, the slider carrying a locking member which, as the arm is moved away from the closed position, engages the base member to prevent continued opening movement of the arm, the locking member being movable relative to the slider to disengage from the stop and allow continued opening movement of the arm.

In this way, the engagement of the locking member can be used to limit the opening movement to prevent egress by a child. However, by disengaging the locking member continued opening movement is possible for emergency exit, painting or cleaning.

The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a window stay, with an arm of the stay in a partially open position and with the slider including a slider extension and a locking member, Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the slider extension of the stay of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross section of the slider extension of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a side elevation of the slider extension of Figures 2 and 3, Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the locking member of the slider of Figure 1, Figure 6 is an end elevation of the locking member of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a side elevation of the locking member of Figures 5 and 6, Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of the slide extension of Figures 3 to 5 carrying the locking members of Figures 6 to 8 and mounted in a base member of the stay of Figure 1 with the locking member engaging a stop of the base member, Figure 9 is a similar view to Figure 8 but showing the locking member released from the stop, and Figure 10 is a similar view to Figures 8 and 9 but showing the locking member riding over the stop member, Figure 11 is a perspective view of a part of a base member of a first modified form of the stay of Figures 1 to 10 showing a latching member engaging only guides of a base member, Figure 12 is a plan view from above of a part of the base member of Figure 11 showing a fixing hole, Figure 13 is a plan view of a spring for use in a second modified form of the stay of Figures 1 to 11 or Figures 12 and 13, and Figure 14 is a side elevation of the spring of Figure 12.

Referring first to Figure 1, the friction stay comprises an elongate base member 10 of channel cross-section with parallel guides 11 extending along side edges of a base surface of the base member 10. Each guide 11 has a wall lia and a flange lib.

The base member 10 is provided with a stop 39 punched out of the base surface of the member. Each flange llb of each guide 11 is provided with a cut-out llc aligned with the stop 39.

A linkage, indicated generally at 12, is carried by the base member 10 and includes an arm 13, a longer link 14 and an intermediate link 15 and a shorter link 16.

The longer link 14 has one end connected to the base member 10 by a fixed pivot located against adjacent one end of the base member 10. The other end of the longer link 14 is connected to the arm 13 by a pivot 18 located intermediate the ends of the arm 13.

The intermediate link 15 and the shorter link 16 are both connected to a slider 19. Both links 15,16 are pivotable about respective spaced parallel pivot axes 20,21 on the slider 19. The other end of the intermediate link 15 is pivotally connected to the longer link 14 intermediate the ends of the longer link 14. The other end of the shorter link is pivotally connected to the arm 13 adjacent an end of the arm 13.

The end of the arm 13 adjacent the slider is provided with a V-shaped projection 33.

The slider 19 forms part of the linkage and comprises a block of generally rectangular cross-section whose sides locate in, and are guided by, the guides 11 of the base member 10. Thus the slider 19 is constrained for sliding movement along the base member. The end of the slider 19 remote from the end of the arm 13 is provided with a dovetail 41 connected to a slide extension 24 described in more detail below.

In use, the arm 13 is movable from the open position shown in Figure 1 to a closed position in which the arm 13 overlies the base member 10. During this movement, the slider 19 moves along the base member 10 towards the end of the base member 10, (to the right as shown in Figure 1). When the arm 13 overlies the base member 10, the projection 33 at the end of the arm 13 is received in a correspondingly shaped end cap 22 provided at the end of the base member 10.

The arm 13 can be moved from this closed position back to the open position.

The modification to this stay now to be described is to limit the opening movement of the arm 13. The modification involves the use of the slide extension 24 shown in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and a locking member 25 shown in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Referring first to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the slide extension 24 is formed from an elongate strip of metal (such as aluminium) having an upper surface 26 and a lower surface 27 provided with a central channel 28. Of course, it could be made by moulding or die casting. Two guide members 29 are provided with a guide member 29 extending along a respective one of the side edges of the extension 24. The guide members 29 project below the lower surface 27. The dimensions of the guide members 29 and the width of the slide extension 24 is such that the guide members 29 are received in respective guides 11 of the base member 10 of the stay to allow the slide extension 24 to slide along the base member 10 guided by the guides 11.

At one end, the slide extension 24 is formed with a dovetail shaped recess 30. A slot 31 extends through the slide extension 24 at a position spaced inwardly of the other end of the extension 24. The slot 31 extends normal to the length of the slide extension 24 and has a depth such that it emerges at the lower surface 27. The upper surface 26 of the slide extension 24 is domed between the dovetail 30 and the slot 31 but is flat between the slot 31 and the opposite end (see Figures 3 and 4). The purpose of this will be described below.

The locking member 25, shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, is formed from a strip of spring steel. The locking member 25 has a generally rectangular body 32 provided along one edge with a plate 33 that projects from the body in a plane normal to the plane of the body. The plate 33 has an upper portion 33a that is the same width as the width between the side walls 11a of the guides 11. This is connected to a lower portion 33b by two inwardly directed steps 33c so that the lower portion 33b is narrower than the upper portion 33a. The side edges of the lower portion 33b converge towards the lower edge of this portion 33b and the lower edge itself has a concave cut-out, both for a purpose to be described below.The opposite edge of the body 32 is provided with a flange from which projects a tongue 34 having a first portion 35 lying in a plane parallel to but spaced from the plane of the body 32 and a second portion 36 lying in a plane parallel and generally coincident to the plane of the body 32, in the disposition of the locking member shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The two portions 35,36 are connected by a ramp portion 37.

The locking member 25 also includes two spring arms 38.

Each spring arm 38 extends alongside one side edge of the tongue 34 so that each spring arm 38 extends in a direction generally parallel to the length of the tongue 34. Each spring arm 38 has a hooked free end.

The slide extension 24 is connected to the slider 19 by engagement of the dovetail 41 on the slider 19 with the dovetail recess 30 on the slide extension 24 as seen in Figure 1. The slide extension 24 thus slides with the slider 19 in the base member 10. Of course, the connection need not be via a dovetail; it could be by any suitable connection.

The locking member 25 is engaged with the slide extension 24 by passing the plate 33 through the slot 31 in the guide extension 24 and through the slots 11g in the flanges 11L, with the body 32 of the locking member 25 overlying the upper surface 26 of the slide extension 24 and the tongue 35 and the spring arms 38 projecting from the end of the slide extension 24.

The spring arms 38 are so arranged that they engage in respective guides 11 in the base member 10 with the hooked ends running on the base surface.

This disposition is shown schematically in Figure 8.

The arm 13 can be moved from the closed position in which it overlies the base member 10 by a limited amount (for example 13 ) without significant movement of the slider 19 and the slide extension 24. Any movement there may be is accommodated by movement of the plate 33 in the slots llc and 31.

If the tongue 34 is depressed, the locking member 25 will, as seen in Figure 9, pivot about the end of the side extension 24 about an axis normal to the length of the slider 19 to lift the plate 33 relative to the slots llc,31. The arrangement is such that, even at maximum depression of the tongue 34, the plate 33 does not leave the slot 31 entirely but that, in that position, the steps 33c are aligned with the flanges llb. At the same time, this pivoting movement stresses the spring arms 38 such that the spring arms 38 tend to resist this pivoting movement.

When the locking member 25 is in this position, the arm 13 can continue its opening movement, with the plate 33 passing over the stop 39. Once it has passed over the stop 39, the tongue 34 can be released and the steps 33c will ride on respective flanges 11b with the lower plate portion 33b being disposed between the flanges llb. The locking member 25 will be pushed by engagement with the end of the domed upper surface 26.

On return movement from this further opening movement, the plate portion 33b projecting through the slot 31 will engage a rear ramp surface 40 provided on the stop 39. This will cam the lower edge of the plate 33 upwardly so lifting the steps 33c off their respective flanges llb, at the same time further stressing the spring arms 38 and pivoting the locking member 25 about the end of the slide extension 24. This will allow the plate 33 to pass over the stop 39 and, once this has occurred, the spring force provided by the arms 38 will return the locking member 25 to its unstressed position with the upper plate portion 33a passing through the flange slots llc so that the lower plate portion can engage behind the stop 39.

The converging side edges of the lower plate portion 33b ensure that the locking member is centred in this movement.

It will be appreciated that there are a large number of modifications that can be made to the arrangement described above with reference to the drawings. The slide extension 24 could be of any convenient length. Indeed, the locking member 25 need not be carried by a slide extension 24 that is separate from the slider 19; the slider 19 could simply be provided with a lengthened portion shaped as the slide extension 24. As described above, the stop 39 and the ramp surface 40 are provided by a single formation on the base member 10. They could be formed by separate parts.

The spring force on the locking member 25 need not be provided by spring arms; it could be provided by any suitable spring force. The engagement between the locking member 25 and the stop 39 need not be by means of a plate 33 projecting through a slot 31; it could be by, for example, engagement of a pin in a recess.

One modification is shown in Figures 11 and 12. In this modification, the stop 39 is eliminated. Instead, the cut outs lic in the flanges 11b extend down the walls lla of the guides 11. In addition, a fixing hole 42 is provided in the base member 10 adjacent the cut-outs llc. A hole (not shown) is provided in the slide extension 24 to allow access to the fixing hole 42. The stay modified in this way operates as described above except that the locking member 25 engages only the guides 11. The extra depth of the cut-outs llc provides extra support for the locking member 25 and a screw passed through the fixing hole 42 resists any tendency of the base member 10 to lift under load. The cut-out in the lower edge of the lower plate portion 33b allows the plate to ride over screw heads in the base member 10.

A second modification will now be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In this modification, the spring arms 38 on the locking member 25 are eliminated. The spring force on the locking member 25 is provided by the spring shown in Figure 13. This spring 43 is formed from a continuous piece of spring wire with two side-by-side U-shaped portions 44 inter-connected by a connecting portion 45 extending between respective ends of a first of the limbs 46 of the U-shaped portions 44. These limbs 46 are shorter than the second limbs 47 of the U-shaped portions and these second limbs 48 are upwardly splayed (see Figure 13) with upturned ends.

In use, the second limbs 47 engage in respective guides 11 of the base member 10 and the inter-connected first limbs 46 engage under the tongue 34 to urge the tongue 34 out of the base member 10.

The stay modified in this way operates as described above with the spring 43 moving along the base member 10 with the locking member 25.

Claims

1. A stay for connecting a closure to a frame comprising a base member for connection to the frame, an arm for connection to the closure and a linkage connecting the arm to the base member and constraining the arm to swinging movement relative to the base member in a plane parallel to the plane of the base member between a closed position in which the arm overlies the base member and an open position in which the arm is to one side of the base member and angled relative to the base member, the linkage including at least one member pivotally connected at one end to the arm and at the other end to a slider mounted in the base member for sliding movement therealong on movement of the arm, the slider carrying a locking member which, as the arm is moved away from the closed position, engages the base member to prevent continued opening movement of the arm, the locking member being movable relative to the slider to disengage from the stop and allow continued opening movement of the arm.

2. A stay according to claim 1 wherein the locking member is spring biased into said base member-engaging position, the locking member being movable against said spring bias to allow said disengagement.

3. A stay according to claim 2 wherein the locking member is pivotable about an axis normal to the length of the slider to allow said disengagement.

4. A stay according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the locking member includes a part which can be pressed by a finger to move the locking member out of said stop-engaging position.

5. A stay according to claim 4 wherein the locking member is carried by the slider at an end thereof, the locking member comprising a body having one end overlying said end of the slider with the remainder of the body projecting therefrom, said overlying end including a base member-engaging portion and the projecting portion including the pressable part.

6. A stay according to claim 5 wherein the slider includes a transverse slot extending from an upper surface thereof to said channel, the base member-engaging portion comprising a plate extending through said slot to engage the base member and being movable into said slot to said disengaged position.

7. A stay according to claim 6 wherein the base member carries a pair of spaced parallel guides, extending along a respective side edge of the base member and each guide including a flange spaced from and overlying the base member, each guide including a slot, the plate having a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion with spaced steps therebetween, the wider upper portion extending into said guide slots to engage the locking member with the base member, movement of the plate into the slider slot aligning the steps with the flanges so that the steps slide along the flanges on continued opening movement of the arm.

8. A stay according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the projecting portion includes means acting between the base member and the locking member to provide said spring bias.

9. A stay according to claim 8 wherein said means comprise a pair of arms extending from said projecting portion and running in respective channels provided along respective side edges of the base member, pressing of the pressable part flexing said arms to provide said spring bias.

10. A stay according to claim 8 wherein said means comprise a spring formed from spring wire and acting between the base member and the locking member.

11. A stay according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the locking member is carried on a portion of the slider that is separable from the remainder of the slider.

12. A stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 or to Figures 1 to 10 as modified by Figures 11 and 12 or Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.