GB2475507A

GB2475507A - Adjustable window espagnolette mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2475507A
Application number: GB0920307A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rajnikant Mistry; Ian Andrew Searle; Martin James Rowsell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-20
Filing date: 2009-11-20
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: GB0920307D0

Abstract

A window espagnolette mechanism has a toothed operating member with a drive formation 18 for rotation by a handle (20 Fig 1) and a rack 14 which is engaged by the teeth 15 of the operating member so that rotation of the operating member slides the rack 14 linearly. An actuating member 11 is connected to the rack 14 and carries latch means for engagement with complementary latch means on an associated fixed window. The rack 14 is moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member 11 whilst remaining operatively connected therewith in order to vary the distance between the axis of rotation of the operating member and the actuating member, The actuating member may be provided with two perpendicularly extending posts 12a/b at each end of the rack, the rack 14 being moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member 11 between the posts 12a/b whilst remaining in driving connection with the posts so that linear movement of the rack continues to slide the actuating member.

Description

WINDOW ESPAGNOLETTE MECHANISM

This invention relates to window espagnolette mechanisms in which a window sash mounted rotatable handle slides a sash mounted rod which carries latches which engage co-operating latch formations on the associated fixed window frame to lock the window relative to the frame.

Such espagnolette mechanisms are well known and are frequently used in modern windows when the mechanism is recessed into the sash frame. These mechanisms are manufactured in a range of sizes which are categorised by the distance of the axis of rotation of the handle from the edge of the sash frame. This causes problems for workers who specialise in window repairs as they need to carry a range of different size espagnolettes when they visit a customer to make a repair as they will not know what size espagnolette is fitted to the window which requires repair. Also it requires a window manufacturer to carry stocks of different size espagnolettes in order to be able to offer a wide range of window sizes and styles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an espagnolette mechanism which addresses the above problem.

Thus according to the present invention there is provided window espagnolette mechanism comprising a toothed operating member with a drive formation for rotation by a handle, a rack engaging the teeth of the operating member so that rotation of the operating member slides the rack linearly, and an actuating member connected with the rack for carrying latch means for engagement with complementary latch means on an associated surrounding fixed window frame, the rack being moveably perpendicularly relative to the actuating member whilst remaining operatively connected therewith in order to vary the perpendicular distance between the axis of rotation of the operating member and the actuating member.

Such an arrangement enables the espagnolette mechanism to be used in a range of different sized and styled windows.

Preferably the actuating member is provided with two posts which extend perpendicular thereto one at each end of the rack, the rack being moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member between the posts whilst remaining in driving connection with the posts so that linear movement of the rack continues to slide the actuating member.

The operating member may be supported for rotation in a housing which is moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member and the rack also moves perpendicularly with the housing.

Conveniently the rack may engage one or more slots in the housing which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the rack so that the rack moves perpendicularly with the housing.

The housing may be split into two halves in a plane which extends parallel to the direction of movement of the rack.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an espagnolette mechanism in accordance with the present invention mounted on part of a window sash; Figures 2 and 3 shows perspective views of part of an espagnolette mechanism in accordance with the present invention taken in opposite directions; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the complete housing of the espagnolette mechanism of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 shows a cross-section through a window sash and frame fitted with the espagnolette of Figures 2 and 3, and Figure 6 shows details of an actuating member which forms part of the espagnolette of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings an espagnolette mechanism 10 in accordance with the present invention has a flexible actuating member 11 with a pair of posts 12 mounted on a plate 13 secured to member 11. Between posts 12 a rack 14 with teeth 15 is provided which can move perpendicular to member 11 as indicated by arrow A. Rack 14 is engaged by an operating member in the form of a toothed quadrant 16 which is supported for rotation from a housing 17 of the mechanism. Quadrant 16 is provided with a square drive formation 18 which is engaged by a shaft 19 of an associated handle 20. Thus rotation of handle 20 counter clockwise as indicated by arrow B causes the quadrant 16 to be similarly rotated so that the teeth 21 of quadrant 16 which are in engagement with the teeth 15 of rack 14 slide the rack 14 and hence the actuating member 11 to the right as indicated by the arrows C thus operating the espagnolette mechanism as will be described in more detail below.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 the mechanism housing is in two parts 17a and 17b. Part 17a includes hollow bosses 22 which are received in openings 23 in housing part 17b and housing part 17a also includes tangs 24 which are received in openings 25 in housing part I 7b to hold the two parts of the housing together. The holes 22a provided through bosses 22 are used to secure the housing in a recess in the sash 27 of the window using bolts or screws which also secure the associated handle 20 to the sash via handle plate 36.

Rack 14 also includes a projection 26 which engages a slot 26a in housing part 17a which allows the rack to slide in direction C relative to the housing 17a but which ensures that when housing 17 is moved in the direction of arrow A relative to actuating member lithe rack also moves in direction A between posts 12 whilst maintaining the driving connection between the handle 20 and the actuating member 11.

The movement of housing 17 and rack 14 in direction A is limited by ears 12a on posts 12 which are eventually contacted by rack 14.

As is conventional, actuating member 11 is provided at spaced locations along its length with twopiece slide mounting blocks 28 held in slots 29 (see Figure 6) to mount the actuating member in the customary sash grove using screws 30 extending through holes 31 in blocks 28. Actuating member 11 also carries latch formations in the form of mushroom cams 32 which are secured to the actuating member 11 via holes 33 and rivets 34. Thus when the actuating member 11 is rotated by handle 20 the cams 32 can either be engaged or disengaged from grooves 35 in striker plates 36 screwed to the surrounding window frame 37.

The espagnolette mechanism can conveniently be provided with actuating members of a standard length with slots 29 and holes 33 at spaced locations. These standard length actuating members can then be cropped down to the length required for each particular frame either on site or at the factory.

As will be appreciated, the ability of housing 17 (and thus handle 20) to move in direction A at right angles to actuating member 11 allows espagnolettes in accordance with the present invention to accommodate window sashes on which the handle pivot axis is located at a range of distances (typically X to Y mms) from the edge of the sash thus removing the problem discussed above for window repairers and manufacturers.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A window espagnolette mechanism comprising -toothed operating member with a drive formation for rotation by a handle, -a rack engaging by the teeth of the operating member so that rotation of the operating member slides the rack linearly, and -an actuating member connected with the rack for carrying latch means for engagement with complementary latch means on an associated surrounding fixed window, the rack being perpendicularly relative to the actuating member whilst remaining operatively connected therewith in order to vary the perpendicular distance between the axis of rotation of the operating member and the actuating member.
2) An espagnolette according to claim 1 in which the actuating member is provided with two posts which extend perpendicular thereto one at each end of the rack, the rack being moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member between the posts whilst remaining in driving connection with the posts so that linear movement of the rack continues to slide the actuating member.
3) An espagnolette according to claim 1 or 2 in which the operating member is supported for rotation in a housing which is moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member and the rack also moves perpendicularly with the housing.
4) An espagnolette according to claim 3 in which the rack engages one or more slots in the housing which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the rack so that the rack moves perpendicularly with the housing.
5) An espagnolette according to claim 3 or 4 in which the housing is split into two halves in a plane which extends parallel to the direction of movement of the rack.
6) An espagnolette according to any one of claims I to 5 in which the actuating member is provided with slots at spaced locations thereon through which the actuating member can be secured to the associated window sash.
7) An espagnolette according to any one of claims I to 6 in which the actuating member is provided with holes at spaced locations along the member through which latch formations can be secured to the actuating member.
8) A window espagnolette mechanism constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1) A window espagnolette mechanism comprising -toothed operating member with a drive formation for rotation by a handle, -a rack engaging the teeth of the operating member so that rotation of the operating member slides the rack linearly, and -an actuating member connected with the rack for carrying latch means for engagement with complementary latch means on an associated surrounding fixed window, the rack being moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member whilst remaining operatively connected therewith in order to vary the perpendicular distance between the axis of rotation of the operating member and the actuating member. * *2) An espagnolette according to claim 1 in which the actuating member is provided with two posts which extend perpendicular thereto one at each end of the rack, the rack being moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating ** S*I* * member between the posts whilst remaining in driving connection with the : posts so that linear movement of the rack continues to slide the actuating **** member.3) An espagnolette according to claim 1 or 2 in which the operating member is supported for rotation in a housing which is moveable perpendicularly relative to the actuating member and the rack also moves perpendicularly with the housing.4) An espagnolette according to claim 3 in which the rack engages one or more slots in the housing which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the rack so that the rack moves perpendicularly with the housing.5) An espagnolette according to claim 3 or 4 in which the housing is split into two halves in a plane which extends parallel to the direction of movement of the rack.6) An espagnolette according to any one of claims I to 5 in which the actuating member is provided with slots at spaced locations thereon through which the actuating member can be secured to the associated window sash.7) An espagnolette according to any one of claims I to 6 in which the actuating member is provided with holes at spaced locations along the member through which latch formations can be secured to the actuating member.8) A window espagnolette mechanism constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.