GB2333122A

GB2333122A - Window stay with latch for selective locking

Info

Publication number: GB2333122A
Application number: GB9800364A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Philip Lanaway
Original assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-09
Filing date: 1998-01-09
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-09
Also published as: GB9800364D0; GB2333122B

Abstract

In a stay of the type having a track with links connected to the track through at least one slider, there is provided on each slider a latching component whereby the stay may be moved to a selected open position by releasing a selected latching component. The latch component may be resilient and biased in a direction away from the base of the track and into engagement with the retaining walls of the track, and may have two parts formed at an angle to one another but retained in a substantially planar condition to provide resilience. The latch component comprises a body part preferably of moulded plastics with legs overlying the walls of the track and functioning as spacers, and a latching clip (62) mounted on the body part preferably made of stainless steel. Shoulders (68) engage with cutouts (86,88, figure 1) in the retaining walls when the latch is in its locked position. Manual pressure on the latching strip disengages the shoulders (68) from the cutouts to allow movement of the slider to a further open position. The shoulders may have an angled end to facilitate latching engagement.

Description

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

Such apparatus conventionally comprises a link arrangement having a first link which mounts the window and which is pivotally mounted on a track having a closure member at one end. The closure member is engaged by the respective end of the first 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.

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 link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component and second and third members for pivotally mounting the first member on A fourth member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening1 each of the second and third members being pivotally mounted on means which is slidably located on the fourth member and which provides a latching component, whereby the link arrangement can be moved to an open position by releasing a selected latching component.

Preferably the fourth member comprises a track which is generally of U-shape with the legs being inwardly turned at their free ends to form retaining walls, each of the slidable means being located in the track, the latching component provided by each of the slidable means, by being resilient and so profiled, being biased in a direction away from the base of the track towards the mouth of the U and into engagement with the retaining walls, and means on the retaining walls engageable by the latching components, whereby selected release of the engagement of the latter with the retaining walls is effected by manual pressure being applied thereto in a direction towards the base of the track against the biasing force.

Preferably also, when the link arrangement is in the closed position, one of the latching components is removed from the latching eItgagement with the retaining walls whereby, without manual pressure being applied to either of the latching components, the link arrangement can be moved to a first open position in which said one latching component moves into latching engagement with the retaining walls, thereby preventing further opening movement without the application of manual pressure to a selected latching component.

Each latching component may comprise a latching strip which may be formed of a moulded plastics material. Each strip have at least two body parts, formed at an angle relative to one another, whereby to impart resilience to the strip when the latter, in use, is retained in a substantially planar condition.

Each strip may also provide lateral legs which are adapted to overlie the respective track walls and function as spacers.

Each of the latching components may further comprise a latching clip which is mounted on the respective latching strip, each clip preferably being formed of stainless steel. Each clip may be formed of two body parts extending at an angle relative to one another, one of the body parts being adapted to be mounted on the respective latching strip. Each clip further provides lateral shoulders which may be profiled to have a plurality of faces angled relative to one another for controlled movement of the shoulders into latching engagement with the track walls. Free end edges of the shoulders are preferably angled towards the other end of the latching clip to facilitate latching engagement.

According to the present invention there is also provided 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 at least one second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a fourth member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening, the second member being pivotally mounted on means which is slidably located on the fourth member and which provides a latching component, whereby the link arrangement can be moved to an open position by release of the latching component, the latter comprising a latching element which is biased to a non-planar condition, whereby to impart resilience to the latching element when the latter is retained in a substantially planar condition.

Preferably the latching element is formed of a moulded plastics material and may have at least two body parts, formed at an angle relative to one another.

Preferably also the latching component may comprise a further latching element which is mounted on the first latching element, the further element preferably being formed of stainless steel. The further element may be formed of two body parts extending at an angle relative to one another, one of the body parts being adapted to be mounted on the first latching element.

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 shown in partly open position; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of part of a latching component of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the component part of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of another part of the latching component of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a side view of the component part of Fig. 4.

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 fixed on a lower horizontal part of a window frame (not shown) by means of any suitable fixing devices engaged through apertures 14 in the base of the track 10. A further track (not shown) is inverted and secured to a horizontal upper member of the window frame.

The window sash (not shown) is fixed at 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 mour;ted on one end of an elongate pivot member 18, the other end of which is pivotally counted on a slider 19 which is slidably located in the track 10 towards one end thereof. The support member 16 at one end 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 the link 24 being pivotally mounted on the pivot member 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 slider 19, the track 10 is closed by a member 20. The latter is mounted on the track 10 by any suitable means and overlies the track end, being of the same width as the track 10.

Each of the sliders 19, 22, for example formed of a plastics material, has an elongate body having a central upstanding section presenting respective side shoulders which lie in the track 10 below the respective walls 12. Through the upstanding section of the slider 19 there are formed two longitudinally spaced holes, one for mounting of the pivot member 18 by a rivet 32, and the other for mounting one end of an elongate latching strip 34, as hereinafter described. An internally threaded hole is also formed in the upstanding section to receive a conventional friction screw. Through the upstanding section of the slider 22 there are formed two longitudinally spaced holes for mounting of the links 20, 24 by respective rivets 36, 38. The rivet 38 also mounts one end of an elongate latching strip 40 between the slider 22 and the link 24. An internally threaded hole is formed in the section 32 to receive a conventional friction screw. Each of the upstanding sections of the sliders 19, 22 has a reduced height area within which is located the mounting for the respective latching strip 34, 40.

Each of the latching strips 34, 40 is preferably formed of a moulded plastics material. Each strip (Figs. 2 and 3) has a first body part 42 of a width at one end 44 substantially the width of the upstanding slider section and locates on the reduced height area of the latter, presenting a through hole 46 in alignment with the respective mounting hole in the respective slider, whereby the strip 34 is riveted to the slider 19 and the strip 40 is riveted to the slider 22 below the link 24. The body part 42 has a section 48 of increased width towards the other end, thereby presenting respective laterally extending legs 50 which overlie the respective walls 12 of the track and function as spacers to maintain the respective links above the track 10 when the window stay is in a closed position.

Each latching strip has a further elongate body part 52 substantially the width of the end section 44 of the body part 42. A first section 54 of the other body part acijacent the first body part is moulded to extend at a first angle, for example 60, relative thereto, and a second section 54 of the further body part is moulded at an angle relative to the first section in the same direction, whereby to impart resilience to the strip when the latter, in use, retained in a substantially planar condition. The body part 52 provides lateral lips 58 extending from the lower surface thereof and dimensioned to be able to locate in the track 10 below the track walls 12. The body part 52 also has a downwardly projecting spigot 60 towards the free end thereof beyond the lateral lips 58 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Each of the latching strips 34, 40 mounts a respective elongate latching clip 62 (Figs. 4 and 5), preferably formed of a one-piece component of stainless steel. Each clip 62 has a first body part 64 of a width substantially that of the width of the body part 52 of the latching strip, a countersunk hole 66 being provided through the body part 64 whereby the respective latching strip can be connected thereto by crimping of the respective spigot 60 in the hole 66. At each side of the body part 52, extending laterally therefrom and also extending longitudinally beyond the free end thereof, there is formed a side shoulder 68 profiled for a purpose hereinafter described. Each shoulder 68 presents an upper face in four sections 7()-76. In a direction from a location towards the other end of the body part 64, the first section 70 is upwardly angled relative to the plane of the body part 64, from a location near to the lower surface of the latter, to its upper surface. The second section 72 is co-planar with the upper surface of the body part 64. The third section 74 is upwardly angled from the upper surface of the body part 64 to the fourth section 76 which is parallel to, but spaced from, the upper surface of the body part 64. Each shoulder 68 presents a pair of lower surface sections, a first 78 being upwardly angled from the lower surface of the body part 64, and the second 80 being parallel to but spaced above the lower surface of the body part 64. An outer end edge 81 of each shoulder, connecting the upper face section 76 and the lower face section 80 is angled rearwardly relative to the body part 64.

A further body part 82 extends rearwardly from the body part 64 and is downwardly angled relative thereto. The body part 82 has a width less than the body part 64 and at its free end is formed with respective laterally extending flanges 84.

At each of a pair of locations intermediate of the ends of the track 10, the respective walls 12 are profiled at aligned locations by way of cut-outs 86, 88 (Fig. 1). When each latching strip 34, 40 mounts its latching clip 62 and is mounted on its respective slider in the track 10 towards the other, the latching strip is retained in a substantially planar condition by the track walls 12 engaging with the shoulders 68, whereby the strip is biased in a direction outwardly of the track 10. The biasing of the latching strips effectively biases the latching shoulders 68 of the respective latching clips 62 also outwardly of the track 10 so that, when the free ends of the latching strips 34, 40 locate below the respective cut-outs 86, 88, the latching shoulders 68 move upwardly through the cut-outs 86, 88 until the end edges 81, partly extending above the walls 12, move into latching engagement therewith. This prevents further movement of the respective latching strip 34, 40 along the track 10 towards the other latching strip, until manual pressure is applied to the selected strip against the biasing force to move the latching shoulders 68 back into the track 10 below the level of the walls 12, whereupon further movement of the strip is possible.

The resilience of the latching strips 34, 40 provides clearance above the fixing devices which engage through the apertures 14 in the base of the track 10 to mount the latter on the respective part of the window frame. The latching clips 34, 40 provide longitudinal stiffness. The profile of the latching shoulders 68, together with the angled end edges 81, provides a sufficient length of edge for positive latching engagement, ensuring that such engagement cannot be removed without manual pressure being applied to the strip. The profile enables the required positive location in one direction only.

In use, the support member 16 may be swung from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a closed position wherein the support member 16 overlies the pivot member 18 and the links 20, 24, the latter in turn overlying the track 10. It will be appreciated that in the closed position the window support by the link arrangement is also closed. The side walls 12 o the track 10 may be indented upwardly at locations other than adjoining the cut-outs 86, 88. This can be of advantage in friction stays which are intended to be hung on vertical side members of a window frame, as these additional indents would raise the link 24, preventing fouling of the latch.

The angular extent of opening of the window is initially limited by movement of the end of the latching strip 40 to the location of the cut-outs 88 in the walls 12. The angling of the end edges 81 of the latching shoulders 68 enables smooth movement of the free end of the strip 40 upwardly through the cut-outs 88 until there is latching engagement between the end edges 81 and the edges of the cut-outs 88. Further normal opening of the window is achieved by the user pressing on the latching strip 40 to move the latter back into the track 10. The window can be retained in any desired angular position, principally due to friction engagement between the slider 22 and the track 10.

To provide for better access through the window, the latter can be opened from its other side by removing the latching engagement of the shoulders 68 of the latching strip 34 in the cut-outs 86. This is achieved by the user pressing on the latching strip 34 to move the latching shoulders 68 back into the track 10. Again the window can be retained in any desired angular position, principally due to friction engagement between the slider 19 and the track 10.

It will be appreciated that the plastics latching strips may be made of any suitable colour, for example to clearly identify the parts to which manual pressure has to be applied. Also appropriate marking could be incorporated on the strips.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example only one of the latching arrangements may be provided, depending on the intended function of the friction stay. Also the configuration of the components of the link arrangement and the construction of the latching strips and latching clips may differ from that described and shown.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

aim.c 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 second and third members for pivotally mounting the first member on a fourth member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening, each of the second and third members being pivotally mounted on means which is slidably located on the fourth member and which provides a latching component, whereby the link arrangement can be moved to a selected open position by releasing a selected latching component.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fourth member comprises a track which is generally of U-shape with the legs being inwardly turned at their free ends to form retaining walls, each of the slidable means being located in the track, the latching component provided by each of the slidable means, by being resilient and so profiled, being biased in a direction away frnm the base of the track towards the mouth of the U and into engagement with the retaining walls.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein means on the retaining walls are engageable by the latching components, whereby selected release of the engagement of the latter with the retaining walls is effected by manual pressure being applied thereto in a direction towards the base of the track against the biasing force.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, when the link arrangement is in the closed position, one of the latching components is removed from the latching engagement with the retaining walls whereby, without manual pressure being applied to either of the latching components, the link arrangement can be moved to a first open position in which said one latching component moves into latching engagement with the retaining walls, thereby preventing further opening movement without the application of manual pressure to a selected latching component.
5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each latching component comprises a latching strip which is formed of a moulded plastics material.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each strip has at least two body parts1 formed at an angle relative to one another, whereby to impart resilience to the strip when the latter, in use, is retained in a substantially planar condition.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each strip provides lateral legs which are adapted to overlie the respective track walls and function as spacers.
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein each of the latching components comprises a latching clip which is mounted on the respective latching strip.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each clip is formed of stainless steel.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each clip is formed of two body parts extending at an angle relative to one another, one of the body parts being adapted to be mounted on the respective latching strip.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein each clip provides lateral shoulders which are profiled to have a plurality of faces angled relative to one another for controlled movement of the shoulders into latching engagement with the track walls.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein free end edges of the shoulders are angled towards the other end of the latching clip to facilitate latching engagement.
13. 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 at least one second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a fourth member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening, the second member being pivotally mounted on means which is slidably located on the fourth member and which provides a latching component, whereby the link arrangement can be moved to an open position by release of the latching component, the latter comprising a latching element which is biased to a nonplanar condition, whereby to impart resilience to the latching element when the latter is retained in a substantially planar condition.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the latching element is a latching strip which is formed of a moulded plastics material.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the fourth member comprises a track which is generally of U-shape with the legs being inwardly turned at free ends to form retaining walls, the slidable means being located in the track and the latching element being biased in a direction away from the base of the track towards the mouth of the U and into engagement with the retaining walls.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the strip has at least two body parts, formed at an angle relative to one another, whereby to impart resilience to the strip when the latter, in use, is retained in a substantially planar condition.
17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the strip provides lateral legs which are adapted to overlie the respective track walls and function as spacers.
18. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the latching component comprises a latching clip which is mounted on the latching strip.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the clip is formed of stainless steel.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the clip is formed of two body parts extending at an angle relative to one another, one of the body parts being adapted to be mounted on the respective latching strip.
21. Apparatus according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the clip provides lateral shoulders which are profiled to have a plurality of faces angled relative to one another for controlled movement of the shoulders into latching engagement with the track walls.
22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein free end edges of the shoulders are angled towards the other end of the latching clip to facilitate latching engagement.
23. 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.
24. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.