GB2359588A

GB2359588A - Stay for a wing and frame construction

Info

Publication number: GB2359588A
Application number: GB0104222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry George Spinks; Garry Ratcliffe
Original assignee: WORCESTER PARSONS Ltd
Current assignee: WORCESTER PARSONS Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-23
Filing date: 2001-02-21
Publication date: 2001-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-21
Also published as: GB0104222D0; GB2359588B; GB0004150D0; IE20010155A1

Abstract

A stay 10 for a wing, the stay is mounted with respect to a frame and enabling a wing to be mounted between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the wing extends outwards from the frame adjacent a first side of the frame. The stay comprises a support member 11 which is fixed relative to the frame and a wing arm 18, a first linkage 20 pivotally connected to the wing arm 18 and to a first slider 22 which is slidable along the support member 11, a second linkage 23 pivotally connected to the wing arm 18 and a second slider 24 which is also slidable along support member 11, friction means acting between the first slider 22 and the support member 11 so that as the wing is moved from its fully closed position, the second slider 24 preferentially moves to allow the wing to be moved towards the fully open position, the wing being movable relative to the frame to overcome the frictional force of the friction means and to permit the first slider 22 to slide along the support towards the second slider 24 and thus enable the wing to be moved away from the first side of the frame to a position in which enhanced access to an exterior surface of the wing is provided. The wing may be moved either directly to the fully open position or directly to a second position which provides the enhanced access, in each case the wing being movable to the selected position without first being moved to the second position or the fully open position.

Description

2359588 Title: A Stay for a Wing and Frame Construction

Description of Invention

1 This invention relates to a stay for a wing and frame construction such as particularly but not exclusively, a window, although the invention may be applied to other wing and frame constructions.

Stays are known, for example from prior UK patent 2262308 which are used in pairs to enable the window casement to be moved between a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the window casement is received within a frame and a fully open position in which the window casement extends outwardly of the frame adjacent a first side of the frame for ventilation purposes. Such stays typically include a track which is fixed relative to the frame and a wing arm which is fixed relative to the window casement, a first linkage element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a first slider which is slidable along the track, and a second linkage element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a second slider which is slidable along the track.

In normal operation i.e. when it is desired to open the window casement for ventilation purposes, the first slider on each of the pair of stays is restrained from sliding along the track for example by a sprang catch or the like. To allow the window casement to be opened fully, so as to allow for egress through the window opening in an emergency, such stays are conventionally configured and positioned such that when the window casement is fully open, an edge of the wing lies close to a first side of the frame. Mlen it is desired to clean an exterior surface of the window casement, the sprung catch of each of the pair of stays may be released, so that the first sliders are released for sliding along their tracks so that window casement can be moved relative to the frame away from the first side of the frame.

"loot 2 Various proposals have been put forward to facilitate this operation. In GB 2262308 it is necessary to depress a sprung catch whilst moving the window casement to release the catch, which is a particularly difficult operation as both sprung catches of the pair of stays have to be released before the window casement can be moved to a convenient "easy clean" position for cleaning.

In GB2301621 there is proposed an arrangement in which the sprung catches of the first sliders are automatically released when the window casement is moved to a fully open position.

In each prior proposal, even when the sprung catches are released, it is difficult to move the window casement relative to the frame along the tracks to the easy clean position, because of the need simultaneously to move the window casement along two tracks by substantially the same amount to ensure that the window casement does not become mis-onented in the frame which can put a considerable strain on the stays. Such difficulty is caused primarily because during window casement movement to the easy clean position from the fully open position, both sliders are positioned close to one another along their respective tracks thus providing minimal stability, and both sliders are required to slide.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a stay for a wing which is mounted with respect to a frame, the stay enabling the wing to be moved between a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the wing is received within a frame and a fully open position in which the wing extends outwardly of the frame adjacent a first side of the frame, the stay including a support member which is fixed relative to the frame and a wing arm which is fixed relative to the wing, a first link-age element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a first slider which is slidable along the support member, and a second linkage element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a second slider which is slidable along the support member, friction means acting 3 between the first slider and the support member so that as the wing is moved from its fully closed position, the second slider preferentially moves to allow the wing to be moved towards the fully open position, the wing being movable relative to the frame when required to overcome the ffictional force of the friction means and to permit the first slider to slide along the support member towards the second slider and thus to enable the wing to be moved in the frame away from the first side of the frame.

In this position, enhanced access to an exterior surface of the wing is provided e.g. for cleaning purposes.

Thus utilising stays in accordance with the invention, a window casement may be moved to an easy clean position, without requiring sprung latches or the like to be manipulated to release the first sliders. Simply, the force of the friction means of the stay or stays, needs to be overcome.

To facilitate overcoming the frictional force of the friction means, a restraining means may be provided which may selectively be applied between the second slider and the support member thus to restrain movement of the second slider along the support member beyond an intermediate open position so that continued opening movement of the wing beyond the intermediate open position overcomes the frictional force of the friction means so that the first slider slides along the support member.

This provides considerable advantage over the prior art arrangements described above because the wing may be moved away from the first side of the frame without requiring the wing first to be moved to a fully open position. Moreover, when sliding movement of the second slider is restrained, the first and second sliders remain spaced apart as the wing is moved away from the first side of the frame providing maximum stability for the window casement in the frame as the wing is moved.

In one embodiment the restraining means includes a catch member mounted on the support member, which, when the wing is opened to a position 4 intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions, where the second slider is aligned with the catch member, the catch member may be applied to engage the second slider.

Thus once the wing has been opened to the intermediate position, the restraining means may be applied with the wing at rest thus avoiding having to move the wing whilst disengaging a sprung catch, as in the prior art arrangements. Provided that the restraining means may be applied when the wing is opened only a small amount, it will be appreciated that the first slider may slide for a considerable distance along the support member towards the second slider, to provide maximum access to the exterior surface of the wing.

Conveniently the restraining means is automatically releasable as the wing is moved back towards its fully closed position.

Any desired friction means which allows the second slider to move preferentially to the first slider during at least initial wing opening to the intermediate position may be employed. For example, the support member or the first slider may have at least one recess and the first slider or support member respectively may include at least one projecting element, the projecting element being receivable in the recess and being moved out of the recess when sufficient force is applied to the wing to overcome the frictional force.

Although the projecting element may be urged by resilient means into the recess, such that the force of the resilient means is overcome when sufficient force is applied, preferably the first slider is resiliently deformable to permit the projecting formation to be moved out of the recess, as sufficient force is applied.

In each case the support member may include a track having a re-entrant channel along which the first and second sliders may slide.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a window or door construction including a fi-ame adapted to be fixed relative to an aperture of a building and a wing mounted with respect to the frame by means of a pair of stays according to the first or second aspects of the invention.

The frame may include first and second opposite sides, and third and fourth opposite sides, the stays being provided on the third and fourth opposite sides, and the wing being movable in the frame when the first sliders slide along their respective support members so that the wing moves along the third and fourth sides of the frame away from a first side thereof to permit of enhanced access to an outside surface of the wing between the wing and the first side of the frame.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention a method of operating a wing which is mounted with respect to a frame by a stay, for movement of the wing relative to the frame, the method including moving the wing from a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the wing is received within the frame and selecting to move the wing either a) directly to a fully open position in which the wing extends outwardly of the frame and provides a maximum opening through the frame, or b) directly to a second position in which enhanced access to an exterior surface of the wing is provided, and moving the wing to the selected position without moving the wing first to the second position or fully open position respectively.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustrative view of a stay in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the stay of figure 1 shown in a fully open position.

Referring to the drawings a stay 10 includes a support member 11 which in this example is a re-entrant channel, having a base 14, a pair of longitudinally extending side flanges 15a, 15b, and intumed lips 16a, 16b at the free edges of the side flanges 15a, 15b.

6 The stay 10 further includes a wing arm 18, and between the support member 11 and the wing arm 18, there is a linkage arrangement which permits the wing arm 18 to be moved relative to the support member 11.

A first linkage element or thmst link 20 is pivotally connected at one end to the wing arm 18, adjacent one end of the wing arm 18, and at the other end to a first slider 22 which is slidable along the support member 11 in the reentrant channel thereof. A second linkage element or control link 23 extends between and is pivotally connected to a generally mid position of, the wing arm 18 and at the other end thereof the control link 23 is pivotally connected to a second slider 24 which also is slidable along the support member 11 in the reentrant channel thereof.

The linkage arrangement includes a brace element 25 which is pivotally connected at one end to the control link 23, and at the other end is pivotally connected to the first slider 22, and a reinforcing link 26 which is pivotally connected at one end to the brace element 25, and at the other end thereof to the wing arm 18, between the points of connection of the thrust link 20 and the control link 23 to the wing arm 18.

1 In use, the support member 11 is fixed relative to a frame provided for example in an aperture of a building, whilst the wing arm 18 is fixed relative to a window casement, door or other wing, most typically, a window casement. The linkage geometry permits the window casement or to be moved between a fully open position as indicated in figure 2 in which the first slider 22 is positioned towards one end of the support member 11 and the second slider 24 has been moved along the support member 11 towards the first slider 22 to the full extent permitted by the linkage arrangement.

In such fully open position the window casement extends generally at right angles to the frame, and this is a usual position to which the window casement is moved for ventilation purposes. It will be appreciated though that an edge of a window casement to which the wing arm 18 is fixed, the position 7 of which is indicated by the arrow A, will be located close to an adjacent side of the frame, the position of which is indicated by arrow B. Hence there is insufficient space between the window casement edge position A and the frame position B to enable an exterior surface (the position of which is indicated by line S in figure 2) of the window casement to be cleaned.

The first slider 22 is made of a resiliently deformable material such as a suitable plastic, and is provided with a weakened region indicated at 30 in an end thereof. Each of the side flanges 15a, 15b of the support track 11, or at least one of the side flanges 15a, 15b, is provided with a projecting element which extends inwardly of the re-entrant channel and is received in a corresponding recess in the or the respective side edge of the first slider 22. The projecting element or elements may conveniently be provided by stamping and/or perforating the side flange or flanges 15a, 15b.

The recess or recesses in the side edges of the first slider 22 may be provided during moulding.

The projecting formation or formations and the recess or recesses provide friction between the first slider 22 and the support member 11 which, as the window casement is opened for ventilation purposes, which will tend to cause the second slider 24 preferentially to move along the support member 11 towards the fully open position. However, this frictional force may be overcome by providing sufficient force to the window casement when it is desired to move the window casement to a position for easy cleaning of the exterior surface S thereof, as the first slider 22 will deform resiliently to allow the projecting formation of formations to move out of the or the respective recess when desired. Thus there is no catch or the like which restrains movement of the first slider 22 along the support member 11, but such movement is deterred by the frictional force being applied being greater than the force required to move the second slider 24 along the support member 11.

8 The stay 10 includes a restraining means 32 which is provided on the support member 11 towards the end thereof remote from the first slider 22. The restraining means includes a resilient catch member 34 which is secured relative to the support member 11 at one end thereof, as indicated at 35. The other end of the resilient catch member 34 includes a projecting formation 36 which biased away from the support member 11 by the material and/or construction of the resilient catch member 34. The resilient catch member 34 is adapted to co-operate with the second slider 24 when the second slider 24 is appropriately aligned with the resilient catch member 34, once the window casement has been opened a small amount to a position intermediate the fully open position indicated in figure 2, and a fully closed position in which the window casement is received in the frame with the wing arm 18 at least partially overlying the support member 11. Thus the second slider 24 may be held and prevented from moving along the support member 11 as the window casement continues to be opened beyond the intermediate position.

The second slider 24 has a receiving formation 38, into which, when a part of the receiving formation 38 is aligned with the corresponding projecting formation 36 of the restraining member 34, may receive the projecting formation 36, when the resilient member 34 is depressed to move the projecting formation 36 towards the receiving formation 38. The part of the receiving formation 38 is very slightly smaller than the width of the projecting formation 36, and thus the projecting formation 37 has to be forcibly received in the receiving formation 38, which may be permitted due to the inherent resilience of the material from which the second slider 24 is made.

With the formations 36, 38 thus engaged, it will be appreciated that as the window casement continues to be opened beyond the intermediate position, the frictional force imposed on the first slider 22 by the friction means will be overcome and as a result the first slider 22 will slide along the support member 11 towards the second slider 24. Thus an increasing space will be provided 9 between the position A of the edge of the window casement and the position B of the side of the frame, so that ready access to the exterior surface S of the window casement is provided.

Moreover, over the majority of the movement of the window casement whilst the second slider 24 movement is restrained, the first 22 and second 24 sliders will be spaced apart to a maximum degree thus providing maximum stabilisation for the window casement.

When it is desired to close the window casement, or at least to return the window casement to a normal ventilating position, the window casement is closed. The first slider 22 will thus return to the position where the ffiction means may act between the first slider 22 and the support member 11. At the same time, or as this position is reached, the second slider 24 will be constrained to move in an opposite direction until a wide part of the receiving formation is moved into alignment with the projecting formation 36 or the restraining member 34, and as a result, the projecting member 36 may be removed from the receiving formation 338 by virtue of the resilient biasing of the member 34, and so the resilient member 34 will be released, thus allowing the second slider 24 to slide along the support member 11 in preference to the first slider 22 during any subsequent opening of the window casement for ventilation purposes.

In the example shown in the drawings, the control link 23 includes a nib element 40. When the window casement is moved to the intermediate position and the projecting formation 36 of the resilient member 3)4 and the receiving formation 38 of the second slider 24 are in co-operation, as the window casement is continued to be moved with second slider 24 sliding movement restrained, the nib element 40 will overlie a tongue 41 of the projecting formation 36 of the resilient member 34 to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of the projecting formation 36 and the receiving formation 38 of the second slider 24 e.g. as the window casement position is adjusted at the other side thereof to enable the projecting and receiving formations 36, 38 of the opposite stay to be brought into aligrunent. Otherwise the nib element 40 will not interfere with the normal sliding movement of the second slider 24 Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, an alternative friction means to that described may be provided for ensuring that the second slider 24 moves in preference to the first slider 22 during normal opening of the window casement, for ventilation purposes, such as a rubbing block or the like mounted in the channel of the support member 11, or a projecting element provided in the base 12 of the channel.

1 Whereas the linkage geometry described lends itself particularly for use in a stay in accordance with the invention, other linkage geometries are no doubt possible.

The stay 10 described would of course be one of a pair of stays which preferably are both stays in accord ' ance with the invention. The stays may preferably be provided at the top and bottom of a window casement or other wing, so that the wing opens and closes normally about a generally upright axis or axes. The frame may thus have four sides, with a pair of the stays 10 provided at each of two opposite sides (e.g. the top and bottom), and access to the exterior surface S of the wing for cleaning purposes for example, being obtained between one of the remaining frame sides closest to the upright axis or axes, and the adjacent edge of the window casement or other wing.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A stay for a wing which the stay is mounted with respect to a frame, the stay enabling the wing to be moved between a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the wing is received within a frame and a fully open position in which the wing extends outwardly of the frame adjacent a fiffst side of the frame, the stay including a support member which is fixed relative to the frame and a wing arm which is fixed relative to the wing, a first linkage element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a first slider which is slidable along the support member, and a second linkage element pivotally connected to the wing arm and to a second slider which is slidable along the support member, friction means acting between the first slider and the support member so that as the wing is moved from its fully closed position, the second slider preferentially moves to allow the wing to be moved towards the fully open position, the wing being movable relative to the frame when required to overcome the frictional force of the friction means and to permit the first slider to slide along the support member towards the second slider and thus to enable the wing to be moved in the frame away from the first side of the frame to a position in which enhanced access to an exterior surface of the wing is provided.

2. A stay according to claim 1 characterised in that a restraining means is provided which may selectively be applied between the second slider and the support member thus to restrain movement of the second slider along the support member beyond an intermediate open position so that continued opening movement of the wing overcomes the frictional force of the friction means so that the first slider slides along the support member.

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3. A stay according to claim 2 characterised in that the restraining means includes a catch member mounted on the support member, which, when the wing is opened to a position intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions, where the second slider is aligned with the catch member, the catch member may be applied to engage the second slider.

4. A stay according to claim 2 or claim 3 characterised in that the restraining means is automatically releasable as the wing is moved towards its fully closed position.

5. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the friction means includes in the support member or the first slider at least one recess and the first slider or support member respectively includes at least one projecting element, the projecting element being receivable in the recess and being moved out of the recess when sufficient force is applied to the wing to overcome the frictional force.

6. A stay according to claim 5 characterised in that the first slider is resiliently deformable to permit the projecting formation to be moved out of the recess, as sufficient force is applied.

7. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the support member includes a track including a re-entrant channel along which the first and second sliders may slide.

8. A stay for mounting a wing with respect to a frame, the stay enabling the wing to be moved selectively from a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the wing is received within a frame, either a) directly to a fully open position in which the wing extends outwardly of the frame and 13 provides a maximum opening through the frame, or b) directly to a second position in which enhanced access to an exterior surface of the wing is provided, in each case the wing being moveable to the selected position without the wing first being moved to the second position or fully open position respectively.

9. A stay for a wing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A window or door construction including a frame adapted to be fixed relative to an aperture of a building and a wing mounted with respect to the frame by means of a pair of stays according to any one of the preceding claims.

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11. A construction according to claim 10 characterised in that the frame includes first and second opposite sides, and third and fourth opposite sides, the stays being provided on the third and fourth opposite sides, and the wing being movable in the frame when the first sliders slide along their respective support members so that the wing moves along the third and fourth sides of the frame away from a first side thereof to permit of enhanced access to an outside surface of the wing between the wing and the first side of the frame.

12. A method of operating a wing which is mounted with respect to a frame by a stay, for movement of the wing relative to the frame, the method including moving the wing from a fully closed position in which at least a substantial portion of the wing is received within the frame and selecting to move the wing either a) directly to a fully open position in which the wing extends outwardly of the frame and provides a maximum opening through the frame, or b) directly to a second position in which enhanced access to an exterior surface of the 14 wing is provided, and moving the wing to the selected position without moving the wing first to the second position or fully open position respectively.

13. A method according to Claim 12 in which the stay is in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 10.

14. A method of operating a wing substantially as hereinbefore described within reference to the accompanying drawings.

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