GB2381820A

GB2381820A - Lockable window assembly for supporting tilting pane

Info

Publication number: GB2381820A
Application number: GB0127196A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Munn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-13
Filing date: 2001-11-13
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-13
Also published as: GB0127196D0; GB2381820B

Abstract

A window assembly comprises a window pane 4 pivotably mounted within a frame 2 and a releasable locking mechanism 6 to allow the locking of the window pane in a closed configuration or opened and supported in an open configuration. The locking mechanism comprises a support member (14, Fig 3a), which may take the form of a cylindrical roller, and a locking member which may be a pin (12, Fig 3a) located inside the support member. The support member is pivotally attached to the frame to allow movement between two positions, including securing the window pane closed and also supporting the window pane open. The locking member is moveable in an axial direction of the support member between a locking position when it engages the frame and an open position when it allows pivotal movement of the support member relative to the frame between its two positions. Hook and loop material 21 may be used to form a hinge between the lower edge of the pane and the bottom of the frame. The window pane is not limited to glass.

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a window assembly, especially (though not exclusively) for installation in narrowboats, caravans and portable buildings.

Narrowboats are one example of a structure for living and/or travelling in which, owing to its nature, typical location and dimensions, often demands special design criteria of its windows. For instance, the windows need to be readily openable for ventilation purposes, but they need to open inwardly, and not too far, because of outside safety implications and the limited internal space available. It is also important for security reasons that the windows can be easily and securely locked closed. This is especially true of narrowboats, which are particularly vulnerable owing to their proximity to canal towpaths. These same criteria also apply to other often transiently located structures such as caravans and portable buildings.

Furthermore, it is common in the above sorts of structures that window panes need to be replaced or changed from time to time, for example as a result of breakage, or to substitute a metal or tough plastics plate instead of the typical glass window pane during

times (e. g. , winter) when the structure may be unoccupied for long periods.

Known types of window assembly that are normally found in the above types of structures fail to meet all or most of the above often conflicting criteria.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a window assembly which overcomes or at least ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a window assembly comprising frame, a window pane pivotably mounted within the frame so as to be openable or closable relative thereto, and at least one releasable locking mechanism selectively operable for locking the window pane in a closed configuration or allowing the window pane to be opened and supported in an open configuration, wherein the or each locking mechanism comprises: a support member pivotally attached to the frame so as to be movable between a first position for securing the window pane closed when in its closed configuration and a second position for supporting the window pane open when in its open configuration; and

a locking member movable in an axial direction of the support member between a locking position in which it engages the frame and an open position in which it allows pivotal movement of the support member relative to the frame between its first and second positions.

Thus the present invention provides a locking mechanism which on the one hand allows the window pane to be securely locked shut relative to the frame, yet also allows it to be hinged open and safely supported in that position without protruding too far out of the plane of the frame. Furthermore, the locking mechanism itself can be contained within the width of the frame when the window is closed, thereby avoiding protrusion of the mechanism into the interior space of the structure in this configuration. Because the support member is not connected to the window pane, the widow pane may be removable from the frame when in the open configuration simply by sliding the window pane out of the frame.

The locking member may be in the form of a locking pin which may be located within the support member.

Two such locking mechanisms may be provided, one on each side of the frame. This is desirable because the window

pane is ideally mounted in the frame such that it pivots about its lower edge.

The support member of the locking mechanism may be in the form of a cylindrical roller, for example of moulded plastics material, whose cylindrical outer surface abuts the window pane in both its open and closed configurations. The support roller may be mounted (for example with a screw or bolt fixing, optionally so as still to be rotatable) on one end of a pivot arm, the other end of which is attached to the frame such as to be pivotable generally perpendicularly with respect to, that is in and out of, the plane of the frame.

The locking pin may be contained within a central bore of the support roller, and may be axially movable therein between its locked and open positions.

When the pin is to be put into its locked position, the pin may be moved in the direction of the adjacent side of the frame so as to protrude from the end of the support roller and into a hole or recess which is formed in that adjacent side of the frame. In this configuration, pivoting of the support roller about its frame mounting (via the pivot arm) is prevented, thereby locking it in position. Thus, with the window pane closed and lying in

the plane of the frame with the support roller abutting it, the window is locked against opening.

When the pin is to be put into its open position, the pin may be moved in the opposite direction so that the pin is retracted from the hole or recess in the frame. The support roller can therefore now pivot about its mounting on the frame, allowing the window pane to be opened. At the limit of the pivoting movement out of the plane of the frame, the support roller, still abutting the window pane, then acts as a support for the open window pane, inhibiting further opening movement.

The locking pin may be spring biased within the support roller into its normally locked position. Retraction of the pin may be achieved by interconnecting the locking pin and the support roller such that a user, by pulling the support member in a direction away from the frame withdraws the locking pin axially from engagement with the frame.

Alternatively, the locking pin may be unbiased and be movable between its two positions simply by sliding or, more preferably, by itself having a screw-threaded portion, so that the pin is simply screwable into and out of its locking position.

As a further alternative, the pin may be axially mounted within the support roller and provided with a bayonettype fixing.

On occasions when it may be desired to remove a window pane from the assembly, it may be difficult to do so. In this situation, removal of the pane can be hampered by the presence of the one or more locking mechanisms. In certain embodiments, therefore, it may be preferable that the one or more locking mechanisms are removable from the assembly. This may be achieved by mounting the support roller on the locking pin by means of a key and keyway arrangement. Thus, if or when desired, the support roller can be simply removed from the pivot arm by unscrewing it, thereby leaving no obstruction to removal of the window pane from the frame.

The window pane may be mounted in the frame of the assembly simply by its lower edge resting in a channel section formed in the lower side of the frame. The upwardly extending walls of the channel hold the window pane in place and simultaneously allow it to be pivotable about its lower edge. If desired the channel may contain one or more inserts such as strips of cushioning (for example rubber) material to assist the locating of the pane against the internal edge of the frame and creating

a temporary, yet reasonably secure, hinge. Alternatively or additionally, positional stability of the pane may be assisted by employing a hook and loop material between the lower edge of the pane and the bottom of the frame to create a temporary, yet reasonably secure, hinge.

The window pane fitted into the frame of the assembly of the invention will usually be of glass or rigid plastics material, or may even be a double-glazed sheet.

Alternatively, however, when the circumstances demand it, an opaque solid metal or plastics security plate may be fitted instead of the normal window pane, or even a flyscreen could be fitted instead. (It is to be understood therefore that the term"window pane"as used herein in the context of the invention encompasses such alternatives to conventional transparent window panes.) The locking/release mechanism makes the task of changing the window pane particularly quick and easy, unlike conventional window assemblies.

Since it will generally be convenient for the window pane of the assembly of the invention to fit flush with the sides of the frame when closed, the frame may be provided with one or more respective cut-out sections or recesses at the locations of the locking mechanisms, in order to

allow for and accommodate the pivoting movement of the respective locking mechanisms.

The frame of the window assembly of the invention may be mounted in the wall or skin of a structure by any suitable means. Conventional screw fixings may of course be used, but more preferred for security reasons is for the frame to be to formed as an extruded section (eg. of metal) with a peripheral flange for abutting the exterior of the skin of the structure and defining a locking channel therebehind for extending through the aperture in the skin and into the interior of the structure. This locking channel may be shaped for receiving any suitable number of appropriately shaped locking (or clamping) clips, which are insertable into the locking channel from within the structure to clamp, in combination with threaded fasteners, the frame in place, that is with the skin of the structure clamped between the exterior flange and the internal clips by way of the threaded fasteners.

This arrangement provides for a particularly secure fixing of the frame within the aperture in the skin of the structure because no fastening means is accessible from the exterior of the structure.

The window assembly of this invention is especially applicable to installation in narrowboats, where the

criteria of window openability in possibly confined spaces, yet closed window security when needed, together with easy interchangeability of window panes (or plates) when desired, are particularly prominent. However, the window assembly of the invention is equally applicable to other structures where at least some such criteria also exist, for example in caravans, mobile homes and portable buildings.

Thus, the present invention also relates to a structure such as a narrowboat, or a land vehicle (eg. a caravan or mobile home), or a portable building, having fitted to an aperture thereof at least one window assembly as defined hereinabove.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view, looking in a direction which would be from within a structure incorporating the window, of one embodiment of a window assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly of Figure 1 taken along the line II-II in Figure 1 and showing the window in its open configuration ; Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism of the window assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 (b) is a schematic sketch showing in exploded cross-section the components of the locking mechanism of Figure 3 (a); Figures 4 (a) and (b) are, respectively, a cross-sectional view and an end view of a modified locking collar of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 3 ; Figures 5 (a) and (b) are, respectively, a cross-sectional and an end view of a modified support roller of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a frame of the window assembly; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of Figure 6 in position mounted within the wall of a structure such as a narrowboat.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the window assembly is referred to generally as 1. The window assembly 1 includes a frame 2, which is preferably of extruded metal, for example aluminium or aluminium alloy, and a window pane 4 of glass or suitable plastics material mounted within the frame. he frame 2 is generally Tshaped in cross section (best shown in Figures 6 and 7) and the window pane 4 is supported by a lower edge section 36 of the frame 2 so as to be pivotable out of the plane of the frame about a lower edge of the pane.

Mounted on either side of the frame 2, preferably between the median line of the frame and its top, for example about a quarter or a third of the way up, are a pair of locking mechanisms 6 which selectively allow the window pane 4 to be securely locked with respect to the frame 2, or opened and supported in its open position.

The function and position of the locking mechanisms 6 when supporting the window pane 4 in its open position are more clearly shown in Figure 2. The lower edge of the window pane 4 is supported and held in place in the lower edge section 36 of the frame 2 by one or more rubber cushioning mouldings 20 and is optionally hinged in a detachable manner to the lower edge section with narrow strips of hook and loop fastening material 21 (such as that sold under the Registered Trade Mark

VELCRO). A cut-out 22 may be provided in the frame to facilitate operation of the locking mechanism 6 and a strip 23 of fibre material may be provided between the pane 4 and the frame 2. Further a drainage hole or slot 46 may be provided in the lower side of the frame to allow drainage of water, such as rain or spray, which may, for example, run down the pane 4. The internal face of the frame may be provided with a layer 47 of one component of hook and loop material (such as that sold under the Registered Trade Mark VELCRO) which enables a fly screen (not shown) or the like to be removable attached to the frame.

The structural components of each of the locking mechanisms 6 is shown in Figures 3 (a) and (b). The locking mechanism 6 comprises a cylindrical support roller 14 mounted on a pivot arm 8. The support roller 14 is preferably of moulded plastics material, for example glass-filled nylon, and (as seen most clearly in Figure 2) abuts and supports (or locks closed, as the case may be) the window pane 4. If desired there may be provided foam (or other soft material) support pads between the support roller and the window pane (but these are not shown in the figures). The pivot arm 8 (which may be, for example, of metal or tough plastics material) is pivotally attached to the frame 2 by for example a

threaded screw or any other known equivalent means (as Figure 2 illustrates). The support roller 14 is mounted on the lower end of the pivot arm 8 via a locking collar 10.

A locking pin 12 is mounted in the central bore of the support roller 14. The pin 12 has an outer end portion 12a which in use engages a respective locking hole 3 formed in the adjacent side of the frame (see Figures 1 and 2). The opposite, inner, end portion 12b of the pin 12 carries on it a spring 16, which by its abutment against inner bearing surfaces 14b of the support roller, biases the pin 12 into its normally locking position, as shown in Figure 3 (a), with the locking end portion 12a of the pin protruding into the corresponding locking hole 3 in the frame 2. The locking pin 12 is secured to the support roller 14 by means of a threaded screw 18 (Figure 3 (a), although it is not shown in Figure 3 (b)) to enable the support roller 14 to be readily grasped and pulled against the force of the spring to release the pin from its locking position.

Figures 4 and 5 show a modified form of the locking

collar component 10 (here referred to as 10') and support roller 14 (here referred to as 14'). These modified components are provided with a key and keyway

arrangement, which allows them to be jointly rotatable.

In this way the locking assembly can be simply detached from the arm 8 by unscrewing the locking assembly in the event that the locking mechanism should obstruct removal of the window pane. Note here that now the modified bearing surfaces which retain the spring are now those referred to as 14b'on the modified locking collar 10'.

Although any conventional means, such as an adhesive, may be used for mounting the window assembly 1 into an aperture in the wall or skin 50 of a structure, for example a narrowboat, a caravan, motor home or portable building, it is generally better for security reasons to use the means illustrated by way of example in Figures 6 and 7. The frame 2 is formed as an extruded section 30 with an outwardly protruding flange 32 and a locking channel 34 defined therebehind. The main channel section 36 of the frame, which carries and supports the lower edge of the window pane 4, also accommodates one or more cushioning rubber mouldings 20 (anchored in place via upstanding lugs 42). Once the frame assembly has been inserted through the skin/wall aperture from the outside, a number of suitably shaped locking clips 60 are clipped into the locking channel 34 so as to bear against the skin/wall adjacent the aperture and thereby clamp the frame to the aperture mouth by way of a threaded fastener

62. Thus, since the threaded fasteners 62 are on the inside of the structure the fixing is more secure against tampering and forced removal than many conventional fixings of conventional window assemblies.

As illustrated also by way of example in Figure 7, the frame may have provided in its internally facing side in the region against which the pane 4 will abut a strip 23 of fibre material to act as a cushion between the frame 2 and the pane 4. Likewise there may be also provided, mounted in its own seating channel on the internal lower side of the frame, adjacent but spaced a short distance from, the window pane an upwardly extending overflow plate 40 to direct excess water out through the drainage hole or slot 46 (shown in Figure 2).

It will be appreciated that the above description of preferred features and embodiments of the invention has been by way of non-limiting example, and various modifications may be made from what has been specifically described and illustrated whilst remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A window assembly comprising frame, a window pane pivotably mounted within the frame so as to be openable or closable relative thereto, and at least one releasable locking mechanism selectively operable for locking the window pane in a closed configuration or allowing the window pane to be opened and supported in an open configuration, wherein the or each locking mechanism comprises : a support member pivotally attached to the frame so as to be movable between a first position for securing the window pane closed when in its closed configuration and a second position for supporting the window pane open when in its open configuration; and a locking member movable in an axial direction of the support member between a locking position in which it engages the frame and an open position in which it allows pivotal movement of the support member relative to the frame between its first and second positions.
2. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member is in the form of a locking pin.

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3. A window assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking pin is located within the support member.
4. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two locking mechanisms are provided, one on each side of the frame.
5. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support member of the locking mechanism is in the form of a cylindrical roller, whose cylindrical outer surface abuts the window pane in both its open and closed configurations.
6. A window assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cylindrical roller is made of moulded plastics material.
7. A window assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the cylindrical roller is mounted on one end of a pivot arm, the other end of which is attached to the frame such as to be pivotable generally perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the frame.
8. A window assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the roller is rotatable on the pivot arm.

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9. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is contained within a central bore of the support member.
10. A window assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking member is axially movable in the bore between its locked and open positions.
11. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is spring biased within the support member into its normally locked position.
12. A window assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the locking member and the support member are interconnected such that movement of the support member in a direction away from the frame withdraws the locking member axially from engagement with the frame.
13. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are removable from the assembly.
14. A window assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are removable from the assembly by mounting the support member on the locking member by means of a key and keyway arrangement.

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15. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the window pane is mounted in the frame of the assembly by its lower edge resting in a channel section formed in the lower side of the frame.
16. A window assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the channel contains one or more inserts such as strips of cushioning material to assist the locating of the pane against the internal edge of the frame.
17. A window assembly as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein a hook and loop material is employed the lower edge of the pane and the bottom of the frame to create a hinge.
18. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim and including a mounting frame formed as an extruded section with a peripheral flange for abutting the exterior of a skin of a structure and defining a locking channel therebehind for extending through an aperture in the skin and into an interior of the structure.
19. A window assembly as claimed in claim 18 and including a plurality of shaped locking clips insertable into the locking channel from within the structure to

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clamp, in combination with threaded fasteners, the frame in place.

20 A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.