GB2445155A

GB2445155A - Restrictor stay comprising arm with curved portion

Info

Publication number: GB2445155A
Application number: GB0620841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Haigh
Original assignee: LSH; Laird Security Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: LSH; Era Security Hardware Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-19
Filing date: 2006-10-19
Publication date: 2008-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-19
Also published as: GB0620841D0; GB2445155B

Abstract

A restrictor stay for controlling the opening movement of a door leaf (35) into to an out of a door frame (34) has an arm (10) pivotally connected at one end to a frame and pivotally connected at a second end pivotally carrying a slider (16) for sliding engagement with the flanges of a Eurogroove (36) on the door frame (34) to guide the slider (16) in sliding movement along the door leaf (35). The arm (10) has a curved configuration that allows the door leaf (35) to open 180{ relative to the door frame (34) without the arm (10) interfering with the door leaf (35). The Eurogroove (36) may carry a control member (23) that engages the slider (16) in two positions to hold the door leaf (35) in 90{ and 180{ open positions relative to the door frame (34). Moving from the first position to the second position may be achieved by applying increased force to the door leaf (35) to overcome the resistance provided by the control member (23).

Description

* 2445155

RESTRICTOR STAYS

The invention relates to restrictor stays.

A restrictor stay is mounted between a leaf and a frame, such as a door leaf and a door frame, to restrict the opening of the leaf relative to the frame. A restrictor stay includes an arm pivotally connected at a first end to the leaf and at a second end to the frame for pivoting and sliding movement relative to the frame.

It is a problem with such restrictor stays that the amount of opening movement permitted is limited due to interference between the arm and the leaf. In some cases, this requires the arm to be disengaged from the leaf in order to allow full opening movement of the leaf.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a restrictor stay comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement into and out of the frame, the arm including at least one curved portion to allow the leaf to pivot through I 80 relative to the frame without engaging the arm.

The sliding movement of the second end of the arm relative to the frame is usually achieved by providing a roller at said second end that engages in a groove in the frame or by fastening a rail to the frame and sliding the second end along the rail.

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According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a restrictor stay comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement into and out of the frame, the slider including a body having spaced side edge including respective grooves for engaging respective spaced flanges of a Eurogroove on the leaf.

In general, restrictor stays provide a single restricted opening which represents the limit of movement of the leaf relative to the frame. This can be a problem since, on occasions, it may be desired to hold the leaf in more than one position relative to the frame.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a restrictor stay comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement out of and into the frame, and a control member for mounting on said leaf for cooperation with the slider, the control member engaging the slider during sliding movement thereof to prevent movement of the slider in a direction in which the leaf is opening out of the frame, said engagement being released by increased opening force on the leaf to allow further opening movement of the leaf.

The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a restrictor stay, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a control member of the restrictor stay of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an underneath view of a slider of the restrictor stay of Figure Figure 4 is a side elevation, particularly in section of part of a door leaf and an associated frame showing the restrictor stay of Figures 1 to 3 connected between the door frame and the door leaf, Figure 5 is a view from beneath the door frame of Figure 4 showing the restrictor stay of Figures 1 to 4 mounted on the door frame, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the door frame and door leaf of Figures 4 and 5 with the restrictor stay of Figures 1 to 3 mounted between the door leaf and the door frame, Figure 7 is a cross-section through the slider of Figure 3 in engagement with the control member of Figure 2, Figure 8 is a view from above of part of the door leaf and door frame of Figures 4, 5 and 6 showing the door leaf held at 90 to the door frame by the restrictor stay, and Figure 9 is a similar view to Figure 8 but with the door leaf at 1800 to the door frame.

Referring first to Figure 1, the restrictor stay comprises an arm 10 formed of flat metal strip with parallel side edges. The arm 10 has a first end connected by a pivot 11 to a mounting 12. The mounting 12 is a generally rectangular plate having spaced fixing holes 13 and an extension 14. The second end of the arm carries a second pivot 15 connecting the second end of the arm 10 to an upper surface of one end of an elongate slider 16. The slider 16 is of generally U-shaped cross section with spaced side walls 17a, 17b. Each side wall 17a, 17b has an outer surface provided with an elongate U-shaped guide channel 18a, 18b. The purpose of these guide channels will be described below.

As seen in Figure 3, the under surface of the slider 16 is provided with a rib 37 formed with four spaced V-shaped projections 38 extending laterally of the rib 37. The function of the rib 37 and projections 38 will be described below.

The arm 18 is formed by a first curved portion 20 leading to a straight portion 21 followed by a second curved portion 22. The second curved portion 22 is longer than the first curved portion 20 and longer than the straight portion 21.

All three portions lie to the same side of an imaginary line extending normal to and through the axis of the first pivot 11 and the axis of the second pivot 15.

The second curved portion 23 includes the point on the arm 10 spaced furthest from this imaginary line.

The restrictor stay also includes a control member 23 seen in more detail in Figure 2. The control member 23, which may be moulded from a plastics

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material, is elongate and includes a mounting block 24 at one end provided with fixing holes 25. From the mounting block 24, there is next a first ramp portion 26 followed by a locating portion 27, a second ramp 28 angled oppositely to the first ramp 26, a first base portion 29, a third ramp 30 angled similarly to the first ramp 26, a second locating portion 31, a fourth ramp 32 angled similarly to the second ramp 28 and, finally, a second base portion 33.

Each locating portion 26, 3 1 is formed by three parallel depressions 39 spaced by two domed portions 40. The function of these parts will be described below.

The restrictor arm described above with reference to the drawings is to be connected between a door leaf 35 and a door frame 34 seen in Figures 5, 6 and 7. The door leaf 35 and the door frame 34 are formed from generally rectangular extruded section and the door leaf 35 is pivotably mounted in the door frame 34 by hinges 41 (see Figures 8 and 9) for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a closed position in which the leaf 35 is within the frame 34 and an open position at which the leaf 35 is out of the frame 34. The restrictor stay described above with reference to the drawings is mounted between an edge surface 42 (see Figure 5) of the frame 34 and an adjacent but spaced edge surface 43 of the leaf 35 with the surfaces lying in respective planes normal to the pivot axis of the leaf 35 on the frame 34.

The leaf surface includes a Eurogroove 36 which is a standard U-shaped profile having a base 44 and spaced side waIls 45. A longitudinal flange 46 projects inwardly from each side wall at a position between the base and the surface 43 and lying in a plane generally normal to the plane of the side wall and parallel to the base. The two flanges 46 are spaced by a gap.

The restrictor stay is fixed to the frame surface 42 using the mounting 12 with screws extending through the fixing holes 13 into the frame 34. At the leaf 35, the control member 23 is connected to the base of the Eurogroove 36 using screws extending through the fixing holes 25 (see Figures 8 and 9). The ramps 26, 28, 30 and 32 and the locating portions 26, 3 1 thus extend successively along the length of the Eurogroove 36. The control member 23 is located towards the hinge-end of the leaf surface 43 (see Figures 8 and 9). The slider 16 is engaged with the flanges on the Eurogroove 36, with each flange extending into a respective guide channel 18a, 18b on the slider 16 as seen in Figure 5.

The relative positions of these parts will also be apparent from the operation of the device.

The restrictor stay operates as follows. When the door leaf 35 is closed into the door frame 34, the arm 10 is located in the space between the door frame surface and the door leaf surface (see Figures 4 and 5). As the door leaf 35 is opened out of the door frame 34, the arm 10 pivots about the first pivot 11 on the frame and also pivots about the second pivot 15 on the slider 16. In addition, the slider 16 slides along the Eurogroove 36 being guided by the flanges 46.

After a predetermined opening movement of, say, 90, the rib 37 on slider 16 engages the fourth ramp 32 and depresses the third and fourth ramps 30, 32 and the second locating part 31. As seen in Figure 7, in this position, the projection 38 on the rib 37 engages in the respective depressions 40 on the control

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member 23. In the absence of increased opening force, or if the opening force is removed, this holds the leaf 35 in this open position.

It is possible, however, by applying sufficient force to the door leaf 35, to force the slider 16 to pass the second locating part 31 to continue opening movement of the door leaf 35 relative to the door frame 34. The control member 23 will flex to allow the rub 37 t pass over the locating part 31. This continues until the slider 16 engages the second ramp 28 which, with the first ramp 26 and the first locating part 27 is depressed by this engagement to allow the rib 37 to engage with the first locating portion 29 as described above to resist further opening movement of the door leaf relative to the door frame 34. This might be arranged to occur at, say, 180 (see Figure 29). The door leaf 35 cannot be further opened because the slider 16 then engages the mounting block 24.

During the opening movement of the door leaf 35 relative to the door frame from 90 to 180, the curved shape of the arm 10 prevents contact between the arm 10 and the door leaf, so allowing opening movement to 180 without the need to release the arm 10 from the leaf 35. This is seen in Figures 8 and 9.

It will be appreciated that this arrangement has many advantages. It allows the door leaf 35 to be held relative to the door frame 34 in a number of positions.

It also requires no special parts to provide the sliding movement between the restrictor stay and the door leaf 35; utilising the existing flanges on the Eurogroove 36. In addition, the provision in the arm 10 of the curved sections allows 180 opening without interference with the door leaf 35 and thus the need to disengage the arm 10 from the door leaf 35.

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It will be appreciated that there are a number of modifications that can be made to the arrangement. There need not be two "parking" positions of the door leaf relative to the door frame; there could be one or three or more provided by respective locating parts. The bent arm could be used separately from the Eurogroove engagement and separately from the control member. The control member need not restrict the slider with the use of ramps and locating portions as described above; any suitable combination operating in this way could be used.

Claims

1. A restrictor stay comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement into and out of the frame, the arm including at least one curved portion to allow the leaf to pivot through 1800 relative to the frame without engaging the arm.

2. A restrictor stay according to claim I wherein the first end of the arm is pivotally connected to a mounting block for fixed connected to the frame.

3. A restrictor stay according to claim 1 or claim 2 herein the arm comprises, starting from said first end, a portion curving in a first sense followed by a straight portion, followed by a second portion curving in a said first sense and terminating at said second end.

4. A restrictor stay according to claim 3 wherein said portions all lie to one side of a line normal to the pivot axis at said first end and the pivot axis at said second end and extending between said axis.

5. A restrictor stay according to claim 4 wherein said second curved portion includes the part of the arm having the maximum spacing from said line.

6. A restrictor stay according to anyone of claims 3 to 5 wherein said second curved portion is longer than said first curved portion. e

7. A restrictor stay according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the second curved portion is longer than the straight portion.

8. A restrictor stay comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement into and out of the frame, the slider including a body having spaced side edge including respective grooves for engaging respective spaced flanges of a Eurogroove on the leaf.

9. A restrictor stay according to claim 8 wherein the slider is elongate, the second end of the arm being pivotally connected to an end of the slider.

10. A restrictor stay according to claim 8 or claim 9 and to any one of claims Ito 7.

11. A frame / leaf combination in which the leaf is pivotably mounted in the frame for opening and closing movement out of the and into the frame, a restrictor stay according to claim 8 or claim 10 being connected between the frame and the leaf, the leaf including a Eurogroove and the slider engaging and being guided by flanges of the Eurogroove.

12. A restrictor comprising an arm having a first end for pivotal connection to a frame and a second end carrying a pivotable slider for sliding engagement with a leaf pivotally mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement out of and into the frame, and a control member for mounting on said leaf for cooperation with the slider, the control member engaging the slider at a

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position during sliding movement thereof to prevent movement of the slider in a direction in which the leaf is opening out of the frame, said engagement being released by increased opening force on the leaf to allow further opening movement of the leaf.

13. A restrictor stay according to claim 12 wherein the control member includes a formation that engages said slider in said position, the slider resiliently deforming said formation in said position, said resilient deformation providing a force tending to hold the slider in said position.

14. A restrictor stay according to claim 13 wherein the formation comprises two ramps interconnected by a locating member the ramps being deformable on contact with the slider.

15. A restrictor stay according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the slider in formation includes at least one projection and the locating member includes at least one depression, the at least one projection is received in the at least one depression to hold the slider in said position.

16. A restrictor stay according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the slider is engageable with the control member at two or more positions to prevent movement of the slider.

17. A restrictor stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.