GB2451103A - Window restraint comprising fixed plate and moving retainer connected by a pin - Google Patents

Abstract

A window restraint comprises a fixed plate and moving retainer, wherein a pin connects the fixed plate and moving retainer. It may be fixed in two places at the top corners of opening lights and windows can still be opened and closed as normal. The pin may be welded and may slide through a slot provided in the fixed plate and be restrained by means of a shoulder provided on the pin. The moving retainer may be a plate that clips around the glazed portion of the opening window which prevents it falling in the event that one or both hinges fail. Even after hinge failure, the window may be opened and closed with relative ease. The restraint may be used for W20 and W40 type steel windows and may overcome the danger of falling windows if old corroded hinges fail or shear off the window.

Description

Patent Application

Description

Title: W20 Window Hinge Failure Restraint.

Background

W20 steel windows are used on many post war buildings within the UK and in particular are very common on Scola Type II constructed buildings. A large proportion of these windows are of the top-hung, open-out' variety.

Many of these have been installed for several decades and the steel hinge pins, which are susceptible to corrosion, are now at the end of their expected life and are at risk of failure. In such instances, if hinges fail, a glazed casement can simply fall from the building. Even a relatively small casement can weigh several tens of kilograms and this could have fatal results if falling in a public place.

Whilst it is possible to replace the hinge pins, or indeed the whole hinge on these windows, it can lead to an inordinate amount of expense. Often the windows are at high level and the hinge can only be replaced from externally, necessitating erection of scaffolding. Sometimes fascia cladding obscures the hinges meaning all this has to be removed first to gain access.

For replacing a low cost hinge, particularly as part of a preventative maintenance programme, the expense can be prohibitive.

The W20 Window Hinge Failure Restraint is a small device, constructed from mild steel or stainless steel which can be fitted to existing W20 windows in-situ and from inside the building. The device is fitted internally to each top corner of the opening window (two devices should be fitted per opener, one of each hand).

Should the original hinge subsequently fail, the device will prevent the window from falling or dangling on one hinge at the risk of falling or breaking the glass. The device does not inhibit normal operation of the window prior to hinge failures, and if the hinges should fail it is still possible to open and close the window.

Key features The W20 Window I-tinge Failure Restraint is a small device of which one part mounts onto the fixed frame of the window and the other to the glazing rebate of the opening casement. It can be fixed in minutes using relatively straightforward tools. z

A slotted flat plate is fixed (using rivets or screws) to the window's fixed frame through which a restraining pin slides. The restraining pin is welded to the moving part of the restraint which clips around the opening frame of the window and is then bonded into the glazing rebate.

Mounting of the moving part is facilitated by serrated teeth on the leading edges which assist with embedding into old putty or glazing compounds which have solidified due to age. The moving plate is restrained by the shouldered pin which cannot pass through the slot in the fixed plate.

The key feature of the device is that, in the event if hinge failure, the (falling) opening frame is restrained and aided by gravity which acts to drive the frame deeper into the restraining device, further increasing safety.

Drawings: The drawings show a left hand device, the right hand is constructed identically but of the other hand.

There are three views on the drawings, an assembly drawing showing the device assembled and a drawing should the device mounted on a typical window.

Figure 1 shows the fixed plate which is the part of the device fixed to the fixed window frame.

Figure 2 shows the moving plate which is the part of the device fixed to the opening casement of the window.

Figure 3 shows the restraining pin which is welded to the moving plate in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows the two parts assembled together as a welded construction.

Figure 5 shows two devices mounted on a typical window.

The restraints can be manufactured to different sizes to accommodate from the smallest to the largest existing opening light.

The example shown in the drawings is one of the smaller sizes, and the larger sizes are of identical construction but with larger dimensions. Of particular importance is the glazing rebate channel (in the example Figure 2 is shown as 9mm wide). This is manufactured to suit the particular size of existing glazing section for that application. 2' 3

Claims (5)

Claims W20 Window Hinge Failure Restraint.

1. The W20 Window Hinge Failure Restraint consists of a fixed plate and moving retainer joined by means of a welded pin and constructed from mild steel or stainless steel

2. The fixed plate fixes to the static part of the window frame and the moving plate clips around and is bonded to the glazing rebate of the opening window.

3. The welded pin slides through the slotted fixed plate when the window is opened but is captive by the shoulder on the end of the pin.

4. The moving plate clips around a horizontal and vertical member of the opening window frame at each top corner aided by the serrations embedded in the glazing compound.

5. The whole unit acting together prevents the opening window falling to earth in the event of hinge failure.