GB2460893A

GB2460893A - Window Stay with locking position and easy-clean position

Info

Publication number: GB2460893A
Application number: GB0811105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Dolman
Original assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-18
Filing date: 2008-06-18
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: GB0811105D0

Abstract

A stay arrangement 10 has a sash arm 12 and a frame track 18. The track 18 carries two carriages 20, 22 which can slide along the track 18, the first of which 20 can be constrained by a locking arrangement. A pivot linkage 23 connects the sash arm 12 to the carriage members 20, 22 so that the window is movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, when the first carriage 20 is locked, and an alternative open position by releasing the locking arrangement, and moving at least the first carriage member 20 along the track 18. The alternative open position allows access to the outside face of the window for cleaning. Cam surfaces 68, 70 are provided in the vicinity of the second carriage 22 to engage as the sash arm 12 moves towards the closed position, at least when the first carriage 20 is away from its locked position. The engagement of the cam surfaces 68, 70 acts to drive both carriages 20, 22 along the track 18 as the sash arm 12 continues to move toward the closed position, to return the first carriage 20 to the locked position.

Description

Stay Arrangement The present invention relates to stay arrangements.

Stay arrangements are commonly used for mounting window sashes and door sashes. For example, window sashes, whether side opening or top opening, are commonly mounted in a window frame by means of a window stay arrangement which allows the sash to open and close. Similarly, door sashes are commonly mounted in a door frame by means of a door stay arrangement which allows the door sash to open and close. Window and door stay arrangements are subject to a number of design constraints, some of which are conflicting. For example, a window should be able to open as widely as possible, to allow emergency egress, but this usually limits access to the outer surface for cleaning.

IS Arrangements have been proposed for resolving these conflicting constraints.

One example is illustrated in British patent GB 2262308 (Securistyle Limited).

Examples of the present invention provide a stay arrangement comprising: a track member for attachment to a sash frame; a sash member for attachment to a sash; first and second carriage members which, in use, are able to move along the track member; a releasable locking arrangement operable to lock the first carriage * member against movement along the track member; a pivot linkage connecting the sash member to the carriage members, the * sash member being movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, when the locking arrangement is locked, and to an alternative open position by releasing the locking arrangement and moving at least the first carriage member along the track member; and wherein cam surfaces are provided for engagement as the sash member moves toward the closed position, at least when the first carriage member is away from its locked position, the engagement of the cam surfaces acting to drive both carriages along the track member as the sash member continues to move toward the closed position, to return the first carriage member to the locked position.

The cam surfaces may drive the carriage members as the sash member and the track member come into alignment. Movement of the sash member relative to the track member may create relative movement of the cam surfaces.

A first cam surface may be pivotally mounted on the second carriage member. A second cam surface may be fixed relative to the track member. The pivot linkage may include a link member pivotally mounted on the second carriage member and having a formation which acts as one of the cam surfaces. The link member may have an extension beyond the pivotal mounting to the second carriage member, the extension providing the said one of the cam surfaces.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. la, lb and ic show a sash arrangement in a fully closed, intermediate, and fully open position, respectively; Figs. 2a and 2b are enlarged sections along the lines a-a and b-b of Fig. ib, respectively; and Fig. 2c corresponds with Fig. 2b, showing the locking arrangement released; Fig. 2d is a side elevation on an enlarged scale, of a shuttle; Figs. 3a and 3b show an intermediate and an alternative fully open position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of an end of the track of the sash arrangement; and Figs. 5a, 5b and 5c are plan views corresponding with Fig. 4, showing the sash arrangement in conditions corresponding with Figs. Ia, 3a and 3b, respectively.

Principal Components and Connections Reference to figure 1, and particularly figure 1 b, allows the principal components of the illustrated stay arrangement, and the connections between them, to be described.

The stay arrangement 10 includes a sash arm 12 which is fixed, upon installation, to a sash indicated at 14. The sash 14 is to be mounted for opening and closing in a frame indicated at 16, by means of the stay arrangement 10.

The track 18 is mounted, in use, to the frame 16. The track 18 carries first and second carriages 20, 22 which can slide along the track 18, subject to constraints to be described, as the sash 14 moves relative to the frame 16.

A pivot linkage 23 connects the sash arm 12 to the carriage members 20, 22 50 that the sash 14 is movable between a fully open position (figure ic) and a fully closed position (figure la), when the first carriage 20 is locked, and an alternative open position (figure 3b) by releasing a locking arrangement to be described, and moving at least the first carriage member 20 along the track 18.

Cam surfaces, to be described below, are provided in the vicinity of the second carriage 22 to engage as the sash arm 12 moves towards the closed position, at least when the first carriage 20 is away from its locked position. The engagement of the cam surfaces acts to drive both carriages 20, 22 along the track 18 as the sash arm 12 continues to move toward the closed position, to return the first carriage 20 to the locked position.

In more detail, the pivot linkage 23 has a first intermediate arm 24 and a second intermediate arm 26. The first intermediate arm 24 is pivotally connected at 28 to the second carriage 22, to the sash arm 12 at 30 and to the second intermediate member 26 at 32. It is to be noted that the pivot 32 is positioned between the pivots 28 and 30. The second intermediate arm 26 is pivotally connected at 34 to the first carriage 20, at 36 to the sash arm 12 and, as has been described, at 32 to the first intermediate arm 24. It is to be noted that the pivot 36 is located between the pivots 32, 34, and is free to slide along a slot 37.

Further details of the manner in which the linkages move will be described below.

At this stage, it is sufficient to note that in the egress operation illustrated in figure 1, the first carriage 20 is locked at a position which is fixed relative to the track 18. Consequently, the pivot 34 remains fixed relative to the track 18. However, the second carriage 22, and thus the pivot 28, are free to move along the track 18 as the sash arm 12 moves between the fully closed position (figure la) and the fully open position (figure ic), through the intermediate position (figure ib).

During the alternative easy-clean operation (figure 3), the second carriage 22, and thus the pivot 34, are free to move along the track 18 as the sash arm 12 moves between the fully closed position (figure la) and an alternative open position (figure 3b).

Locking arrangement for first carriage The releasable locking arrangement operable to lock the first carriage 20 against movement along the track 18 can now be described.

The track 18 is a shallow channel section with sidewalls 38 and peripheral lips 40, which are turned out. Lips 21 extend from the first carriage 20 to reach around the lips 40 and walls 38, to retain the carriage 20 on the track 18, but allowing it to slide along the track. A similar arrangement of lips mounts the second carriage 22 on the track 18. In an alternative arrangement, the lips 40 may turn in, to hold the carriages captive in the track 18.

A leaf spring 42 is mounted under the first carriage 20 (figure 2b) and can engage behind steps 46 cut in the walls 38 of the track 18, when the first carriage is at its locked position at the end of the track 18. This is the position illustrated in figure la. This prevents the first carriage 20 moving from this position, unless the leaf spring 42 is deflected upwardly, to disengage the steps 46.

Consequently, the leaf spring 42 and steps 46 form a releasable locking arrangement which locks the first carriage 20 at the position shown in figure 1, but is releasable by deflecting the leaf spring 42.

The locking arrangement can be released by using a shuttle 48 (see particularly Fig. 2d). The shuttle 54 can slide between the first carriage 20 and the track 18, but is constrained to a range of positions relative to the first carriage 20, by a pip 49 carried by the shuttle 4.8 and running in a slot 50 in the first carriage 20. The shuttle 48 has a lip 51 which faces the spring 42 and can be pushed under the upturned free edge 52 of the spring 42, in order to lift the spring 42 clear of the steps 46, thereby releasing the lock. Fig. 2d shows the spring 42 lifted clear of the steps 46, by introducing the shuttle 48 in the direction of the arrow 48a.

Movement of the shuttle 48, relative to the first carriage 20 may be achieved by manually engaging the pip 49 through the slot 50, or (as shown) the shuttle 48 may have a rear portion 53 clear of the first carriage 20 to provide a finger grip.

In the illustrated example, the leading face of the second carriage 22 is shaped to avoid engaging the shuttle 48 if the second carriage 22 approaches the first carriage 20. In an alternative arrangement, the second carriage 22 may be able to engage and push the shuttle 48, to release the first carriage 20.

* Many other arrangements for releasably locking the first carriage 20 against movement along the track 18 could be envisaged and implemented.

* 5 Egess Operation During normal operation, when the sash is in the closed position (figure 1 a), and is to be opened, the stay arrangement 10 begins to move from the closed position (figure 1 a). Initially, the sash arm 12 lies in alignment along the track 18. As the stay arrangement moves, engagement of the leaf spring 42 with the steps 46 locks the first carriage 20 against movement. Accordingly, it is the second carriage 22 which begins to move as the sash is opened. Eventually, the intermediate position (figure ib) is reached. The second carriage 22 has moved some way along the track 18, toward the first carriage 20.

IS

Commonly, a sash is not opened through a full 90Â° sweep, during normal use, but only to an intermediate position, such as that shown in figure lb. Thus, during most normal use, the second carriage 22 will not reach the first carriage 20. If the sash is closed once again, the second carriage 22 moves back along the track 18 toward its original position, while the first carriage 20 remains locked.

Accordingly, the sash can be repeatedly opened and closed between these positions, in the manner described, with the second carriage 22 moving and the first carriage 20 remaining locked by the spring 42.

* In an emergency situation, in which emergency egress is required, the sash can be opened further, to the fully open position of Fig ic, in which the sash has swept through 90Â°. It can be seen that because the first carriage 20 is locked at the end of the track 18, the sash 14 opens to a position at the end of the track 18 (figure 3c), so that the area of the frame 16 available for emergency egress is maximised. In particular, it is not reduced at all by movement of the first carriage 22 along the track 18, from the locked position.

Opening for Easy-Clean Operation * Having described egress operation, easy-clean operation can now be described, 5: particularly with reference to figs 3a and 3b.

* Easy-clean operation requires the locking arrangement of the spring 42 and * steps 46 to be released. The manner in which this is done will depend on the nature of the locking arrangement and its release mechanism. In the example illustrated, the locking arrangement can conveniently be released by first partly or fully opening the sash 14 in the manner just described, to the intermediate position of figure lb or the fully open position of figure ic, thereby exposing the first carriage 20 and allowing the shuttle 51 to be manuall/ manipulated to lift the leaf spring 42 from the steps 46. Is

* The first carriage 20 is now free to move away from the locked position (figure 1 a). Accordingly, the sash 14 can be opened to the alternative open position of figure 3b, by moving both carriage members 20, 22 along the track 18.

Alternatively, the sash 14 may be closed after the locking arrangement is released, and then re-opened. This returns the second carriage 22 to theend of *the track 18, and then draws the first carriage 20 along the track 18, to the intermediate position of figure 3a and then the alternative open position of figure 3b. Either way, there is now a gap between the sash 14 and the end of the track 18, allowing access to the outer face of the sash 14, for example for cleaning.

Closing Operation An explanation of the manner in which the sash 14 is closed from the open position of figure 1 c or the alternative open position of figure 3b, to the closed * 30 position of figure 1 a, requires an explanation of additional features in the vicinity of the second carriage 22. These are illustrated in figures 4 and 5.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a molding 60 which is fixed to the track 18 at the end of the track 18 at which the second carriage 22 is located when the sash 14 is fully * closed.

The molding 60 has a first level 62 which provides an abutment surface 64 in three parts, for abutment with a complimentary three-part surface on the facing end 65 of the second carriage 22.

The molding 60 has a second level 66 which provides a cam surface 68. A second cam surface 70 is pivotally mounted on the second carriage 22. In this example, the second cam surface 70 is provided by an extension 72 of the first intermediate arm 24. The first intermediate arm 24 is pivotally connected with* the second carriage 22 at 28 and consequently, the extension 72 is pivotally mounted on the second carriage 22. The extension 72 extends beyond the pivotal mounting 28 and the edge of the extension 72 provides the second cam surface 70. As the sash 14 moves relative to the frame 16, the first intermediate arm 24 turns around the pivot 28 and consequently, the second cam surface 70 pivots relative to the second carriage 22. However, the molding 60 is fixed on the track 18, so that the first cam surface 68 does not move as the sash 14 is opened or closed. Accordingly, movement of the sash arm 12 relative to the track 18 creates relative movement of the cam surfaces 68, 70.

When the sash 14 is away from the fully closed position and is moved toward the closed position, the second carriage 22 may initially be away from the molding 60 (see figure ib, for example). In particular, the second carriage 22 will be away from the molding 60, if the first carriage 20 is locked. Initial movement therefore moves the second carriage 22 along the track 18 toward the molding 60. If the first carriage 20 is locked, the fully closed position is reached before the second carriage 22 reaches the abutment surface 64. No engagement takes place between the second carriage 22 and the molding 60. This can be seen in figure 4, which shows a gap 74 between the second carriage 22 and the abutment surface 64.

In the event that the first carriage 20 was not locked when closing began, and was away from its locked position, initial movement will again include movement of the second carriage 22 along the track 18 toward the molding 60. Since the first carriage 20 is away from its locked position, the second carriage 22 may reach the vicinity of the molding 60 before the first carriage 20 has returned to its locked position. In that situation, the sash arm 12 will still be at an intermediate position, not in alignment with the track 18. Since the first carriage 20 is further down the track, the second carriage 22 is able to move far enough to abut the surface 64, stopping further movement of the second carriage 22 away from the first carriage 20. As the sash 14 continues to close, further carriage movement is for the first carriage 20 to move away from the second carriage 22, toward the locked position.

The shape of the first cam surface 68 is such that, at this stage, the surfaces 68, have not come into engagement.

As the first carriage 20 continues to move toward the locked position, and shortly * before the first carriage 20 reaches the locked position, a prominence 76 on the cam surface 70 turns sufficiently around the pivot 28 to engage the cam surface 68. Further movement toward the closed position causes the prominence 76 to press on the surface 68. This drives the second carriage 22 along the track 18, away from the molding 60 and toward the other end of the track 18 (figure 5a).

Consequently, the first carriage 20 is also driven further toward its locked position, by the action of the prominence 76, and in addition to movement arising from the increasing separation of the carriages 20, 22.

As has been noted above, the separation of the carriages 20, 22, when the sash arm 12 and track 18 are in alignment, is less than the separation of the abutment surface 64 from the locked position of the first carriage 20. Accordingly, it is the action of the cam surfaces 68, 70 which completes the movement of the first carriage 20 back to its locked position. Abutment between the second carriage 22 and the abutment surface 64 cannot achieve this, because the abutment surface 64 is too far away from the locked position. This is clear from the gap 74 illustrated in figure 6. Instead, a second action takes place, driven by the cam surfaces 68, 70. This second cam action drives both carriages along the track 18 as the sash 14 continues to move toward the closed position. Consequently, the second cam action causes the first carriage member 20 to return to the locked position.

Figure 5c illustrates a further starting point, corresponding with the easy-clean position of figure 3b. The second carriage 22 is already at the molding 60.

Closing begins by moving the first carriage away, toward its locked position, IS which it cannot reach until the second cam action has occurred.

In the final approach of the first carriage 20 to its locked position, the relationship between the position of the carriage 20 along the track 18, and the angle of the sash arm 12 relative to the track 18, is determined solely by the cam action just described, and thus by the shapes of the cam surfaces 68, 70. As the fully closed position is approached, relatively little linear movement of the carriages 20, 22 along the track 18 arises from the action of the pivot linkage 23, because the sash arm 12 and track 18 are close to being in alignment. By contrast, the cam surfaces 68, 70 can be shaped to ensure that a significant linear movement of the first carriage 20, toward its locked position, results from the final approach of the sash arm 12 into alignment with the track 18. Appropriate design of the * cam surfaces 68, 70 is expected to ensure that the first carriage 20 is driven home in a positive manner to its locked position, thus ensuring that the locked position is reached and the locking arrangement is securely reengaged. For example, it is expected that manufacturing tolerances arising within the mechanism, particularly within the pivot linkage 23, can be accommodated in this manner without prejudicing the secure relocation of the first carriage 20, and re-engagement of the locking arrangement.

It is therefore to be understood that the cam surface shapes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described above, represent only one example.

Many other shapes could be devised, according to the required relationship between movement of the first carriage 20, and movement of the sash arm 12.

* Many variations the modifications can be made to the arrangements described above and illustrated on the drawings, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, many alternative arrangements for the pivot linkage 23 can be devised and used. Many other arrangements for securing the carriages 29, 22 on the track 18 can be used. Alternative locking arrangements can be used. Alternative cam arrangements can be used and can be located elsewhere IS in the arrangement.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A stay arrangement comprising: a track member for attachment to a sash frame; a sash member for attachment to a sash; first and second carriage members which, in use, are able to move along the track member; a releasable locking arrangement operable to lock the first carriage I 0 member against movement along the track member; a pivot linkage connecting the sash member to the carriage members, the sash member being movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position, when the locking arrangement is locked, and to an alternative open position by releasing the locking arrangement and moving at least the first I 5 carriage member along the track member; and wherein cam surfaces are provided for engagement as the sash member moves toward the closed position, at least when the first carriage member is away from its locked position, the engagement of the cam surfaces acting to drive both carriages along the track member as the sash member continues to move toward the closed position, to return the first carriage member S..... : to the locked position. * S **e*

* ..
2. A stay arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cam surfaces drive S...the carriage members as the sash member and the track member come into alignment. S. * . * S..
3. A stay arrangement according to claim 1' or 2, wherein movement of the sash member relative to the track member creates relative movement of the cam surfaces.
4. A stay arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein a first cam surface is pivotally mounted on the second carriage member.
5. A stay arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein a second cam surface is fixed relative to the track member.
6. A stay arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot linkage includes a link member pivotally mounted on the second carriage member and having a formation which acts as one of the cam surfaces.
7. A stay arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the link member has an extension beyond the pivotal mounting to the second carriage member, the extension providing the said one of the cam surfaces.
8. A stay arrangement substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.IS
9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. * * * S. * S... * . * *a * S * *S..S * r * . .*sa*.SS