GB2365053A

GB2365053A - Security device to resist forced opening of a window

Info

Publication number: GB2365053A
Application number: GB0014367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yurek Adrian Wronski
Original assignee: Cotswold Architectural Products Ltd
Current assignee: Cotswold Architectural Products Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-14
Filing date: 2000-06-14
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-14
Also published as: GB0014367D0; GB2365053B

Abstract

A security device 10 comprises a first element 11 attached to one of a window or frame, and a second element 12 attached to the other of the window or frame. One of the elements has a deflectable projection 22, whilst the other element has a recess 16 into which the projection 22 is guided as the window is closed. The projection may be spring loaded. When engaged in the recess the projection effectively locks the window so as to resist forced opening. The projection may be guided into the recess by a cam path 15 on the other element. The device may be fitted to a window assembly comprising a window, a frame and a window stay.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A Device for Resisting Forced Opening of a Window This invention relates to devices for resisting forced opening of windows.

The most usual practice these days is to mount windows in frames on stays, which are sometimes known as friction hinges. These function extremely well in allowing the window to be opened and closed within a frame, but over the years it has been found that they can be jemmied open, particularly by applying inward pressure on the frame adjacent the corner nearest the end cap of the stay. There have been many proposals for "security stays" which are designed to resist such an attack, but they tend to constitute a somewhat expensive solution. As an alternative, a device has been supplied, which is constituted by two identical metal elements, each of which has a base for connecting to the frame or window edge, a curved projection extending outwardly from the base and a barb on the free edge of the projection. The elements are mounted respectivel.y on the window frame and window edge so that the projections curve in opposite senses. When an attempt is made to force the window the projections are moved relatively together and the barbs engage to lock up the window. However, due to the path that the edge of the window follows, whilst closing, the elements have to be mounted such that there is a significant space between them in the closed position or else the projection on the window edge will hit the projection on the window frame as closing

of the window takes place. The result is that a burglar may be able to force the window sufficiently to spring the nose of the window stay out of its end cap and in doing so remove most of the protection provided by the stay itself and also allow sufficient room for the window to be levered elsewhere.

The present invention consists in a device for resisting opening of a window comprising a first element for attachment to one of a window or frame, a second element for attachment to the other of the window or frame wherein one of the elements has a projection and the other element has a recess or opening for receiving the projection in the closed position of the window such that engagement of the projection with the other element will resist forced opening wherein the projection is deflectable by the other element towards the one element prior to entering the recess as the window is closed.

It is preferred that the projection is spring loaded for movement at least partially into the one element, but alternatively it may be resilient or deflectable in a direction to allow closing, but not in a direction to allow opening. It will be understood that with the projection being deflectable the problem of engagement between the projection and the element on the window frame is removed and so in the rest position the two Lements can be intimately engaged.

It is particularly preferred that the other element is

formed with a cam surface for deflecting the projection and the cam surface may be in the form of an incline plane.

Indeed, the elements may be formed with oppositely sensed incline planes for engagement on closing of the window in the sense to urge the window against the frame.

Each element may include a base for attachment to the window or to the frame.

From another aspect the invention consists in a window assembly including a window in the frame and a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims with the elements mounted on respective ones of the window and frame.

It is preferred that the one element is mounted on the window.

Where the window is mounted by a window stay of the type having a nose that closes in or against an end cap, the one or other of the elements may be located adjacent the corner of the frame nearest the end cap.

Although the invention has been defined above, it is to be understood it includes any inventive combination of the future set out above or in the following description.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device for resisting forced opening of a window; Figure 2 is a section along the line AA in figure 1 and Figure 3 is a scrap view of a window assembly showing the

device mounted therein with the window in its closed position.

A device for resisting forced opening of a window is generally indicated at 10 in Figure 1. The device comprises a first element 11, which is most conveniently mounting on the window frame and the second element 12 which is most conveniently for mounting on the edge of window. However, as has already been indicated, the positions of the elements can be reversed.

The element 11 comprises a base 13 and an upstanding portion 14, which defines an incline plane 15, an opening or recess 16 extends through both the portion 14 and the base 13.

The other or second element 12 has a base 17 and an upstanding portion 18 which defines an incline plane 19 and a flat upper surface 20. An opening 21 is defined along part of the boundary between the surfaces 19 and 20 for receiving a projection 22 which is spring loaded by spring 23. The projection 22 has a lip 23 to retain it in the opening 21.

In use the element 11 is mounted on a window frame 24, whilst the element 12 is mounted on the edge of a window 25. The two elements are located so that as the window 25 approaches the frame 24 the projection 22 is engaged on the incline surface 15 of the element 11 causing it to be cammed, at least partially, into the opening 21, until it reaches the bottom of the plane 15, whereupon it springs

into the opening 16, as shown in Figure 3. In this position it intimately engages the element 11, without any play, and so provides a good resistance to forced opening of the window 25.

It is particularly preferred that the device 10 is located near the nose or end cap of the window stay (not shown) which supports the window 25. Thus, conveniently, when, as is usual, the end cap is located on one member of a frame adjacent to corner of the frame, the device 10 is located on the other member forming the corner immediately adjacent the corner.

It will be noted that the spring 23 acts between the window 25 and the projection 22. This arrangement makes for particularly simple manufacture and assembly. By making the spring 23 a friction fit in the projection 22 and the device can be sold fully assembled.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for resisting forced opening of a window comprising a first element for attachment to one of a window or frame, a second element for attachment to the other of the window or frame wherein one of the elements has a projection and the other element has a recess or opening for receiving the projection in the closed position of the window such that engagement of the projection with the other element will resist forced opening wherein the projection is deflectable by the other element towards the one element prior to entering the recess as the window is closed.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the projection is spring loaded for movement at least partially into the one element.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the other element is formed with a cam path for deflecting the projection.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cam path forms part of an inclined plane.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims wherein the elements are formed with oppositely sensed inclined plane for engagement on closing of the window in a sense to urge the window against the frame.
6. A device as claimed wherein each element includes a base for attachment to the window or the frame.
7. A device substantially as herein before described with

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reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A window assembly including a window and a frame and a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 further including a window stay of the type having a nose that closes in or against an end cap for supporting the window in the frame wherein one element is located adjacent the corner of frame nearest the end cap.