GB2422634A

GB2422634A - Window catch with snapping locking member

Info

Publication number: GB2422634A
Application number: GB0502001A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Carpenter
Original assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Current assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-01
Filing date: 2005-02-01
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Also published as: GB0502001D0; GB2422634A8

Abstract

A catch for a window comprising a striker member 11 for attachment to a first window component, and a catch member 10 arranged for attachment to a second window member. When the catch member 10 is moved adjacent to the striker member 11, a locking member 18 snaps into engagement with the striker member 11. The catch member 18 having components 15 17 operable to move the locking member 18 into a position in which it is constrained from snapping into locking engagement with the striker member 11. These components may comprise a handle 15, and a barrel lock 17. The catch can be operated to ensure that the associated locking member is constrained from snapping into locking engagement with the associated striker member. This means not if the window comprises two or more catches, each catch can be operated individually such that both hands can be used to operate the window.

Description

CATCHES

The invention relates to a catch and particularly to a window catch.

Various types of catch are known, to secure a vertically sliding window, for example a sash window, either with respect to a fixed member such as a surrounding frame, or with respect to another window. For example, it is common practice to have an upper window which can slide downwardly and a lower window which can slide upwardly. If both windows are closed with respect to a surrounding frame, and then the two windows are secured together with a catch, this makes them more secure against unauthorised entry from outside.

Many catches include a threaded member on one window which can be screwed into a threaded boss on the other window, or a snib, for example in the form of a projection on one window which can be moved into engagement with a recess on the other window.

The invention seeks to provide a window catch which provides greater security than known window catches.

The invention provides a catch for a window, the catch comprising a striker member for attachment to a first window component, and a catch member arranged for attachment to a second window member which is movable with respect to the first window member, the catch may be being such that when it is moved adjacent to the striker member, a locking member snaps into engagement with the striker member, the catch member having means operable to move the locking member into a position in which it is constrained from snapping into locking engagement with the striker member.

The attachment may include a key operated lock, operable to retain the catch in a locked position.

The catch member may have a manually rotatable portion which, in one position, permits the locking member to snap into engagement with the striker member, and, in another position, constrains the locking member against snapping into locking engagement with the striker member.

The rotatable member may be operable by means of a lever.

The catch member may be formed in two parts, which are assembled around a barrel lock.

The invention includes a window fitted with a catch according to the invention.

Preferably the window is fitted with two or more, spaced apart catches according to the invention.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of catch according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the catch, shown in the locked position; Figure 3 and 4 are perspective views from different angles, as the catch is opened; Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the handle part of the catch; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing how a top part of the handle engages with a lock barrel; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but from the underside; Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views showing how the lock barrel engages with a bottom part of the handle; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the striker part of the catch; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the entire catch; and Figure 12 is a perspective view shown how a lock stop of the catch cooperates with the handle base of the catch.

The catch shown in the figures comprises two components, a handle 10 and a striker 11. In use, the components are respectively attached, using counter sunk holes 12, between two portions of a sash window (not shown). In the condition shown in Figures 1 and 2, the components are locked together, with the handle fully overlapping the striker, and in this position the two portions of the sash window are locked together and cannot move with respect to one another, to open the window.

The handle has a top part 13 and a bottom part 14. These are shown separated in Figure 5 for clarity, but in use these parts are riveted together.

The handle top part 13 has an operating lever 15 and Figures 3 and 4 show how the operating lever 15 can be used to rotate the handle on a handle base 16, gradually moving the handle into a position in which it does not overlap the striker 11. Once the handle has been rotated completely clear of the striker, then one part of the sash window can be moved relatively to the other, to open the window.

In this embodiment of the invention, the catch can be locked, using a barrel lock 17, so that the catch cannot be opened without a key.

As will be described in more detail below, the catch also has a spring loaded feature such that when the handle is moved back into the locked position shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lock stop 18 snaps into position in a slot 19 in the handle base 16 to hold the handle in the locked position.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that the spring loading can be overridden, as will be described in more detail below.

Figure 6 and 7 show how the barrel lock 17 fits within the handle, so as to be rotatable within the handle. A lip 17a on the barrel lock 17 retains the barrel lock within the handle once the two handle parts have been riveted together around the barrel lock.

The barrel lock 17 also has an inwardly projecting tongue 17b which is designed to cooperate with a slot 1 3a within the handle top part 13. When the tongue 17b is out of register with the slot 13a, the barrel lock 17 cannot move in its axial direction. However, when the barrel lock 17 is rotated into a position in which the tongue 17b is in register with the slot 13a, the lock barrel can be pushed manually inwardly.

Figures 8 and 9 show the barrel lock 17 engaging with the handle bottom part 14.

The purpose of arranging for the barrel lock 17 to move in its axial direction is to control the position of the lock stop 18.

As best seen in Figure 11, the lock stock 18 has a downwardly protruding tongue I 8a. Figure 11 is an exploded view but in the assembled condition, the tongue 18a projects downwardly through a slot 14a in the handle bottom part 14.

In normal use, in the locked position, the lock stop 14 is urged by a compression spring (not shown) to the left, as viewed in Figure 11, and this causes the tongue 18a to engage in a slot 16a in the handle base 16. This retains the handle part in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, even if the barrel lock has not been locked with the key, and even pressure on the lever will not rotate the catch through the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 into the open position. This provides a limited degree of security.

When it is desired to move the handle through the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, into the open position, in order to open the window, all that is necessary is to depress the barrel lock 17 with the thumb, and then pull on the lever 15 with the fingers. When the barrel lock 17 is in its own unlocked condition, the tongue I 7b is in register with the slot I 3a in the handle part and pushing on the lock barrel pushes against the lock stock 18, moving the lock stop against the action of the compression spring, and once the tongue I 8a on the lock stock 18 has moved out of the slot 16a on the handle base 16, finger pressure on the lever 15 causes the catch to move into the open position. While the catch remains in the open condition, the lock stock 18 cannot move back into re- engagement with the slot 16a in the handle base.

This means that if a single person wishes to open a large window, which is closed by two or more catches according to this embodiment, the user does not have to operate more than one catch simultaneously, which can be difficult or impossible, particularly if the catches are spread wide apart. Each catch can be operated in turn as described by depressing the barrel lock 17 and then pulling on the lever 15 to rotate the handle part.

When it is desired to close the window again, each handle part can be rotated in the opposite direction, to bring the catch back into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this position, the lock stop snaps back into its locking position, under the action of the spring.

In the position best described, and shown in Figures 1 and 2, added security can be brought into play by turning a key to lock the barrel 17 in its own locking position.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s).

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A catch for a window, the catch comprising a striker member for attachment to a first window component, and a catch member arranged for attachment to a second window member which is movable with respect to the first window member, the catch member being such that when it is moved adjacent to the striker member, a locking member snaps into engagement with the striker member, the catch member having means operable to move the locking member into a position in which it is constrained from snapping into io locking engagement with the striker member.

2. A catch as claimed in Claim 1, including a key operated lock, operable to retain the catch in a locked position. * S. * S S S...

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3. A catch as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the catch member has S...

a manually rotatable portion which, in one position, permits the locking member to snap into engagement with the striker member, and, in another position, constrains the locking member against snapping into locking engagement with the striker member.

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4. A catch as claimed in Claim 3, in which the rotatable member is operable by means of a lever.

5. A catch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the catch member is formed in two parts, which are assembled around a barrel lock.

6. A catch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locking member is spring loaded.

7. A catch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including an inwardly projecting tongue arranged to co-operate with a slot.

8. A catch constructed and arranged substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A window fitted with a catch as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

10. A window fitted with at least two spaced apart catches, each as claimed in any one of claims I to 8. * ** * * S S... S... * S I...

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