GB2405442A

GB2405442A - Window opening restraint

Info

Publication number: GB2405442A
Application number: GB0320334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Perry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-29
Filing date: 2003-08-29
Publication date: 2005-03-02
Also published as: GB0320334D0

Abstract

A window opening restraint comprising an elongate flexible restraint member 2, a first end 3 of which is connected to a first base 4, and a second end 5 of which is connected to a second base 6, in which the first base can be fitted to a static portion of a window, or a surrounding wall in use, and the second base can be fitted to an opening portion of a window in use, and in which the restraint member can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first base and the second base. Each base is formed as a housing (fig. 5) in which locking members 36 can be biassed to retain a head 33 of the restraint member 2. A key-operated locking device can be used to withdraw the members 36 to release the head 33. The restraint can be applied to other window/frame arrangements.

Description

Window Opening Restraint This invention relates to a novel window opening

restraint, which can be used with different types of window structure.

Windows can open in a variety of ways, for example by means of a hinge along one side, alone the top, or by means of a sash arrangement. In some circumstances it is desired to limit the opening capacity of a window for safety reasons. However, due to the differences in window designs, specific restraining systems have to be provided for each different type of window structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a single restraining system which can be used with any window.

In an emergency windows may need to be fully opened to provide a means of entry or escape. Therefore, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a restraining system which can be readily released.

Therefore, according to the present invention a window opening restraint comprises an elongate flexible restraint member, a first end of which is connected to a first base, and a second end of which is connected to a second base, in which the first base can be fitted to a static portion of a window, or a surrounding wall in use, and the second base can be fitted to an opening portion of a window in use, and in which the restraint member can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first base and the second base.

In a preferred construction the first base and the second base can be mounted at any rotation in a first plane which is substantially parallel to the window frame, on a static portion of a window or a surrounding wall, and an opening portion of a window respectively.

It will be appreciated that because the restraint member can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first base and the second base, the first base 1! and the second base can also be mounted at any rotation in a second plane which is substantially orthogonal to the window frame.

Therefore, the first and second bases can be mounted onto structures which do not extend through the first plane, for example a window sill, window aperture side wall or any side section of an opening frame.

The first and second base can comprise a first and second housing, inside which is provided a first and second restraint member mounting. The mounting can be any structure which holds the restraint member securely, but which allows it to freely rotate on its longitudinal axis. In a preferred construction a flange portion is provided at the first and second end of the restraint member, which is adapted to co- operate with a flange housing provided in the mounting.

The first base or the second base can be provided with a releasable flange housing, which can comprise a flange housing one side of which is defined by two spring loaded locking members, which can be opened by means of a key, to thereby release the flange portion therefrom.

The flange portion, or the locking members can be provided with tapered surfaces, such that the flange portion can be pushed into the flange housing without the need to open the locking members with the key.

The flexible restraint member can be constructed from any flexible material, for example metal wire or a plastics material.

The invention can be performed in various ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a first window with a window opening restraint according to the present invention fitted to it, in a first arrangement; Figure 2 is a front view of the window as shown in Figure 1, in a second arrangement; Figure 3 is a front view of a second window with a window restraint according to the present invention fitted to it, in a first arrangement; Figure 4 is a front view of the window as shown in Figure 3, in a second arrangement; and, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional top view of parts of the window opening restraint as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

In Figure 1 a window opening restraint 1 comprises an elongate flexible restraint member 2, a first end 3 of which is connected to a first base, in the form of first housing 4, and a second end 5 of which is connected to a second base, in the form of second housing 6.

The first housing 4 is fitted to a static portion of a window, or a surrounding wall in use, in the form of window aperture side wall 7. The second base 6 is fitted to an opening portion of a window in use, in the form of opening window frame 8.

The restraint member 2 can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first housing 4 and the second housing 5, as described below.

In Figure 1, the window opening restraint 1 is fitted to a first window, generally designated 9. First window 9 comprises a window frame 10, to which is mounted opening window frame 8 by means of hinges 11. A latch 12 comprising a rotatable latch handle 13 provided on the opening window frame 8, and a latch housing 14 provided on the window frame 10, is provided to secure the window 9 in the closed position as shown in Figure 1. A sill 15 is provided at the base of the window 9.

The window opening restraint 1 has been fitted to first window 9, with the first housing 4 at a perpendicular orientation to the second housing 6. In Figure 1 a side of the first housing 4 is visible, and the top of the second housing 6 is visible.

In other words, the second housing 6 is mounted parallel to a first plane passing through the window frame, and the first housing 4 is mounted in a second plane normal to the first plane.

This arrangement is possible because the restraint member 2 is flexible, and can rotate freely on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first and second housings 4 and 6.

In Figure 1 the restraint member 2 is hanging loosely from the first and second housings 4 and 6.

The first window 9 can be opened as shown in Figure 2. The latch handle 13 is released from the latch housing 14, and the opening window frame 8 can be rotated on hinges 11. However, the opening capacity of the first window 9 is restricted to the position as shown in Figure 2 by the window opening restraint 1.

The restraint member 2 holds the first and second housings 4 and 6 together, and the first window 9 cannot be opened any further.

It will be appreciated that the restraint member 2 may rotate on its longitudinal axis when the first window 9 is moved from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. The free rotation of the first end 3 and the second end 5 of the restraint member 2 provides a smooth operation of the window opening restraint 1, and does not place any twisting forces on the restraint member 2.

The window can be closed by reversal of the above described procedure.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 is not the only way the window opening restraint 1 can be fitted to the first window 9. In particular, the first housing 4 could be fitted to the frame 10 or the sill 15. In addition, the second housing 6 can be fitted to any part of the opening window frame 8. It will also be appreciated that while first window 9 opens inwardly by means of hinges 11 down one side, the window opening restraint 1 can operate in substantially the same manner if fitted to a window which opens outwardly, or any window which is hinged from the top or the bottom.

In Figures 3 and 4 a second window 20 is a sash window comprising a frame 21, a first sliding window panel 22 and a second sliding window panel 23. The second window 20 is provided with conventional internal weights and pulleys (not shown), to assist the movement of the window panels 22 and 23 up and down. A sill 26 is provided at the bottom of the second window 20.

A window opening restraint identical to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 is fitted to second window 20, and all the same reference numerals as used.

The first housing 4 has been fitted to the upper surface 24, of the first window panel 22, and the second housing 6 (not visible in Figure 3) has been fitted to the upper surface of second window panel frame base member 25. Therefore, when the second window 20 is closed as shown in Figure 3, the first and second housings 4 and 6 are adjacent one another.

The second window 20 can be opened as shown in Figure 4. The first window panel 22 has been slid upwards through tracks (not shown) provided in the window frame 21. However, the opening capacity of the second window 20 is restricted to the position as shown in Figure 4 by the window opening restraint 1.

The restraint member 2 holds the first and second housings 4 and 6 together, and the second window 20 cannot be opened any further.

Again, it Will be appreciated that the restraint member 2 may rotate on its longitudinal axis when the second window 20 is moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4. The free rotation of the first end 3 and the second end 5 of the restraint member 2 provides a smooth operation of the window opening restraint 1, and does not place any twisting forces on the restraint member 2.

It will also be appreciated that the window restraint member 1 will also restrict the downward travel of the second window panel 23 in the same manner as described above. Further, if both the first and second window panels 22 and 23 are opened simultaneously, the maximum opening area will be the same as shown in Figure 1, only it will be divided between the top and the bottom of the second window 20.

It will be further appreciated that the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 is not the only way the window opening restraint 1 can be fitted to the second window 20. In particular, the first housing 4 could be fitted to the frame 21, the sill 26, or any window aperture side walls surrounding the second window 20. In addition, the second housing 6 can be fitted to any part of one of the window panels 22 or 23.

With such an arrangement the movement of only one window panel 22 or 23 would be restricted, but a second window opening restraint 1 could be fitted in a similar manner to the other window panel 22 or 23.

It will also be appreciated that while window panels 22 and 23 of the second window 20 slide up and down, the window opening restraint 1 can operate in substantially the same manner if fitted to a window with panels which slide from one side to another.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional top view of the first housing 4. The first housing 4 is provided with a restraint member mounting, generally designated 30, and is further provided with apertures 31, through which screws 32 can pass to fit the first housing 4 to a window surface, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

As also shown in Figure 5, the first end 3 of the restraint member 2 is provided with a head 33 with a flange portion 34, which is adapted to cooperate with the mounting 30, as described below.

The mounting 30 comprises a flange housing defined by a base portion 35 and two locking members 36, which are mounted on springs 37. A keyoperated locking members release mechanism (not shown) is provided, the rotation of which by the key forces the locking members 36 against the springs 37, and allows the head 33 to be removed from the mounting 30.

To dispose the head 33 in the mounting, tapered head surface 38 is placed against tapered locking member surfaces 39, and pressure is applied. This results in the locking members 36 being pushed against their springs 37, until the tapered head surface 38 has passed the tapered locking member surfaces 39, and flat locking member surfaces 40 are forced against flat head surface 41 by the springs 37, which holds the head 33 in the mounting 30.

It will be appreciated that the head 33 can rotated freely on its longitudinal axis inside the mounting, which allows the window opening restraint 1 to operate as described above.

The second housing 6 is provided with a similar internal construction to the first housing 1, except that the mounting comprises a single body and no release mechanism is provided.

Thus a window opening restraint is provided which can be used with any window design, and which can be readily released in the event of an emergency, and readily re-connected if desired afterwards. l

Claims

Claims 1. A window opening restraint comprising an elongate flexible

restraint member, a first end of which is connected to a first base, and a second end of which is connected to a second base, in which the first base can be fitted to a static portion of a window, or a surrounding wall in use, and the second base can be fitted to an opening portion of a window in use, and in which the restraint member can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis in relation to the first base and the second base.
2. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 1 in which the first base comprises a first housing provided with a first restraint member mounting, to which a first end of the restraint member can be releasably mounted.
3. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 2 in which the second base comprises a second housing provided with a second restraint member mounting to which a second end of the restraint member is mounted.
4. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 3 in which the first end and the second end of the restraint member are provided with a flange portion extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the restraint member, and the first and second restraint member mountings comprise a flange socket adapted to co-operate with said flange portion such that the restraint member can freely rotate on its longitudinal axis.
5. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 4 in which the flange socket of the first restraint member mounting is defined by a base portion and two spring loaded locking members.
6. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 5 in which the locking members can be operated by means of a key.
7. A window opening restraint as claimed in Claim 6 in which the locking members are provided with a tapered outward facing surface, and the flange portion of the first end of the restraint member is provided with a co-operating tapered surface, such that pushing the flange of the first end of the restraint member against the locking members opens the locking members.
8. A window opening restraint substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.