GB2498598A - Restrictor stay for a window with selectively moveable stop arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The stay 100 comprises a track 102 mountable on one of a window or frame and a link arrangement mounted on the other. The link arrangement includes a movable member 118 that slides along the track as the window is pivoted relative to the frame. A stop arrangement has in-use and out of use conditions to prevent or allow the movable member to slide beyond a predetermined position respectively. The stop arrangement may include a sprung stop member 120 located on the track and slidably movable between in-use and out of use conditions. The sprung stop member may automatically engage with a formation 122 in the track when the moveable member reaches the predetermined position. A disengagement arrangement may selectively prevent the sprung member from engaging with the formation in the track. Threaded fastening means (136 Fig. 7) may be used to retain the sprung member in a required position.

Description

Restrictor Stay for a Window This invention relates to a restrictor stay for a window.

Restrictor stays are widely used on openable windows, to prevent the windows from opening too wide, and to provide a certain amount of friction against opening and closing of the windows.

Window restrictor stays conventionally comprise a track mountable on a one of the window or frame with a link arrangement extending from the track to the other of the window or frame, to permit the window to pivot. The link arrangement will include at least one component slidably movable along the track as the window is opened or closed.

Conventionally a window stay will be provided on opposite sides of the window. For top hung windows a stay will be provided on each side of the window, whilst for side hung windows, a stay will be provided respectively at the top and bottom of the window.

In some window stays an automatic limiter is provided on the track.

This is particularly provided to provide protection against inadvertent opening of the window for instance by a child, beyond an initial amount. Such a limiter automatically prevents movement of a component along the track beyond a set point to limit the amount of opening. A release arrangement is provided to permit the limiter to be overidden and hence the window to be opened more fully. This may particularly be the case if the window is to function as a fire escape. Automatic limiters may be provided on one or both of a pair of window stays.

According to the present invention there is provided a restrictor stay for a window, the stay comprising a track mountable on one of an openable window or frame, a link arrangement extendible between the track and a mounting to the other of the window or frame, the link arrangement including a movable member slidably movable along the track as the window is pivotted relative to the frame, and a stop arrangement which is selectively movable between an out of use condition wherein the stop arrangement does not hinder movement of the movable member along the track, and an in use condition wherein the stop arrangement prevents movement of the movable member beyond a predetermined position, so as to prevent opening of the window beyond a predetermined amount.

The stop arrangement may include a release arrangement such that when in the in use condition, the stop arrangement can be temporarily released to permit the movable member to move beyond the predetermined position.

In first embodiments, the stop arrangement may include a stop member selectively movable between an out of use position wherein the movable member can pass the predetermined position, and an in use position wherein the stop member prevents movement of the movable member along the track beyond the predetermined position.

In some embodiments a sprung stop member automatically engages in a formation in the track when the movable member reaches the predeterniirted position.

The release arrangement may be provided by the sprung stop member being manually movable from engagement with the formation in the track when the movable member reaches the predetermined position.

The formation in a track may be a recess. The track may be in the form of a channel section with upper walls defining a reduced width upper opening, with the recess provided in a one of the upper walls of the channel section.

The stop arrangement may include a disengagement arrangement which in the out of use condition prevents the sprung member from engaging with the formation in the track.

In one embodiment of the disengagement arrangement, the sprung stop member is selectively movable between an in use position, in which position when the movable member reaches the predetermined position the sprung stop member engages in the formation in the track, and a second out of use position in which the sprung stop member is beyond the formation in the track when the stay is in a closed position, such that as a window is opened the sprung stop member moves further from the formation.

The stop arrangement may include a body slidably located in the track with the sprung stop member selectively mountable on the body in either an in use or cut of use position. Mounting formations may be proivded on the body and sprung stop member to provide selective mounting in the in use or out of use positions.

A hole may be provided on the body which is selectively alignable with a respective part of the mounting formation on the sprung stop member, with a fastening means engageable with the mounting formation and hole to retain the sprung stop means in a required position.

The mounting formation on the sprung stop member may comprise a pair of spaced openings.

Alternatively, the mounting formation on the sprung stop member may comprise a shaped opening permitting alignment of the body hole with a first or second part of the shaped opening to selectively respectively provide either the in use or out of use position of the sprung stop member.

The opening at the first part may be larger than the opening at the second part such that a different part of the fastening means can engage with the first part of the mounting formation.

The fastening means may include a threaded part and a head, at least part of which head is engageable with the first part of the mounting means.

The head of the mounting means may be extendable through the first part of the shaped opening, but not the second part. A larger part may be provided on the head of the mounting means on the opposite side of a smaller part of the bead to the threaded part, which larger part is too large to extend through the first part of the shaped opening.

A formation, which may be in the form of an opening, may be provided on the sprung stop member to facilitate movement thereof relative to the body.

In a further embodiment of the disengagement arrangement the movable member includes a body slidably located in the track, which body mounts the sprung stop member and a restraining member, the restraining member being selectively movable between an in use position in which the sprung stop member can engage with the formation in the track, and an out of use position, in which the restraining member engages with the sprung stop member to prevent the sprung stop member engaging with the formation in the track.

The restraining member may be slidably movable relative to the movable member between the in use and out of use positions.

Locking means may be provided for selectively retaining the restraining member in a required one of the in use or out of use positions, and the locking

S

means may also mount a part of the link arrangement to the movable member.

In a still further embodiment of the disengagement arrangement an abutment member may be provided on a part of the link arrangement, which abutment member is selectively mountable in either an in use position in which position the abutment member is clear of the sprung stop member when said member reaches the formation in the track, and an out of use position in which the abutment member engages with the sprung stop member when the sprung stop member is at the formation in the track, so as to prevent the sprung stop member engaging in the formation.

The abutment member may be slidably movable along the part of the link arrangement between the in use and out of use positions, and retaining means, which may comprise a fastening member, may be provided for selectively retaining the abutment member in either the in use or out of use positions.

The abutment member may be configured so as to pass closely over the sprung stop member as said member reaches the formation in the track to prevent the sprung stop member springing upwardly into the formation.

In a further configuration of this engagement arrangement, the disengagement arrangement is configured to selectively prevent access to the formation in the track, and where the formation is a recess, the disengagement arrangement may substantially fill the recess.

The stop member may be located on the track, and slidably movable along the track between in use and out of use positions. The stop member may be configured so as to be lockably mountable on the track, in the in use position, the out of use position, or a required one of the in use or out of use positions.

An engagement part may be provided on the movable member which is engageable with the stop member when the latter is in the in use position.

The engagement part may include a recess which can receive a projection on the stop member to restrain movement of the movable member beyond the predetermined position. The recess and/or projection may have inclined faces to facilitate location of the projection in the recess.

The movable member may include a body slidably located in the track with the engagement part extending therefrom, and the engagement part may be formed of a sprung material.

The stop member may comprise a body slidably located in the track, with the projection extending from the body. The stop member may also include a location member with a pair of formations thereon, each respectively engageable with a formation on the track in a one of the in use or out of use position.

The stop member formations may comprise openings, which may be engageable with an upstanding projection in the track, which projection may surround an opening, such that a fastening means may extend through the openings in the stop member and track to lock the stop member in a respective one of the in use or out of use positions.

The release arrangement may be provided by the engagement part being sprung or flexible such that it can be manually disengaged from the stop member.

In a further alternative embodiment the stay is arranged such that the stop member can be lowered in the track so as not to be engageable with the movable member in the out of use condition.

In a still further embodiment of the disengagement arrangement, the disengagement arrangement may raise the sprung stop member to prevent engagement with the formation of the track.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a plan view of an existing window stay which is not according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a partially cut away diagrammatic side view of part of a first window stay according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a component of the stay of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further component of the stay of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a further component of the stay of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a generally similar view to Fig. 1 but of a second window stay according to the invention; Figs. 7 and B are respectively diagrammatic cross sectional side views of part of the stay of Fig. 6 in first and second conditions; and Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are respectively top, side and a view from beneath of a component usable with the stay of Fig. 6.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a conventional window stay which is not according to the invention, but is shown for explanatory purposes. The window stay of Fig. 1 includes an open topped track 10 having inturned upper walls 12. The track can be fixed on a window frame, or alternatively on a window, by means of screws or other fixings engaging through apertures 14 in the base of the track 10. A similar stay will be provided on the other side or other end of the window.

The other of the window or frame is pivotally fixed to an elongate member 16 at a far end thereof. The member 16 at a location intermediate of its ends, is pivotally mounted to one end of an elongate pivot member 18, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the track 10 towards one end thereof.

At the end of the track remote from the pivot member 18, the other end of the support member 16 is pivotally mounted to a link 20, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a slider 22 slidably located in the track 10. The slider 22 also pivotally mounts one end of a further link 24 which is pivotally mounted at an opposite end to an intermediate point on the pivot member 18.

A further link pivotally connects between the member 16 and the link 24.

The stay includes a stop arrangement in the form of a sprung strip 30 extending from the slider 22, which strip 30 has profiled end parts 32 which are selectively locatable in cut outs 34 provided in the track walls 12 intermediate of the length of the track 10 to automatically prevent opening cf the stay beyond a required amount. The stop arrangement can be released by pushing down on the strip 30 to release the end parts 32 from the cut outs 34, and the stay can then be furthered opened.

Such stays have been found to work satisfactorily, but is not always appropriate nor convenient to have the automatic stop arrangement as described.

Figs. 2 to 5 show part of a first window stay 40 according to the invention. The stay 40 is of the egress type which permits the window to be opened sufficiently to serve as an emergency exit. With such stays the pivotal linkage to the track equivalent to the slider 22 in Fig. 1 is fixed, and the pivotal linking of the pivot member 18 to the track is to a slider 42 which can move along the track 44.

The slider 42 has an engagement part 46 in the form of a profiled length of sprung steel, which is mounted at one end by holes 48 on top of the remainder of the slider 42. An upstanding recess 50 is provided towards the left hand end of the engagement part 46 as shown in the drawings, and is provided by an upwardly extending inclined wall 52 with side walls 54. An opening 56 is provided at the left hand end of the recess 50. The left hand end 58 of the engagement part 46 curves gently upwardly.

A stop member 60 is provided at the left hand end of the track 44 which corresponds in position to the lower end ol the track as shown in Fig. 1. The stop member 60 comprises a slider part 62 which is engageable in the track 44. A wedge shape projection 64 is provided on top of the slider part 62, and the projection 64 tapers downwardly to the right hand side as shown in the drawings. The projection 64 is of a size to fit within the recess 50.

A sprung steel strip 66 extends from the left hand of the slider part 62.

Longitudinally spaced openings 68 are provided on the strip 66, and the left hand end 70 of the strip 66 curves gently upwardly, to the left hand end 58 of the engagement part 46, to facilitate movement of the stop member 60.

Adjacent the end of the track 44 an upstanding annular projection 72 is provided surrounding a hale 74 which can be used to mount the track 44 to a window or frame. The projection 72 is of a size to engage in either of the openings 68.

The stop member 60 is slidably movable between out of use and in use positions. In the out of use position the opening 68 nearest the projection 64 locates the annular projection 72. If required the stop member 60 can be locked in this position by an appropriate screw extending through the opening 68 and engaging in the hole 74.

The slider part 62 can be slid towards the engagement part 46 to an in use position. In the in use position the opening 68 furthest from the projection 64 engages over the annular projection, and again this can be retained in place with an appropriate screw passing through the respective opening 68 and hole 74 if required.

With the slider part 62 in an in use condition, and with the window and stay 40 closed, the recess 50 will be slightly to the left of the projection 64. As the window and hence stay 40 is opened, the engagement part 46 will move towards the right until the recess 50 receives the projection 64. As the engagement part 46 is sprung it can ride over the projection 64, until the recess 50 drops thereover. Engagement of the projection 64 in the recess 50 will prevent automatically the engagement part 46 and hence slider 42. Thus the window can only open to a small predetermined amount. To release the slider 42, the left hand end of the engagement part 46 can be lifted upwards by for instance a person's finger, to disengage the recess 50 from the projection 64. The window can then be further opened with the slider moving further to the right.

The stop member 60 can be slid to the out of use condition with the opening 68 nearest the projection 64 locating the annular projection 72. In this position the stop member 60 will be clear to the left of the engagement part 56, thereby permitting the window to be opened unhindered by the stop member 60, to a full extent.

There is thus described a window stay with an automatic restrictor arrangement which can be in an operating condition to provide protection for instance against inadvertent opening of a window by a child. The stay can readily be moved to a condition where the restrictor part is non operative for instance where no child protection is required, and to readily permit full opening of the window. The stay readily permits the automatic restriction to be brought into an in use or out of use condition as required, and the stop member can be locked into a required condition with a screw passing through the respective opening and hole in the track.

Figs. 6 to 8 show a second window stay 100 according to the invention.

The stay 100 includes an open topped track 102 having inturned upper walls 104. The track 102 can be fixed on a window frame, or alternatively on a window, with the other of the window or frame being pivotally fixed to an elongate member 106 at the far end thereof.

The elongate member 106 is connected to the track 102 by three pivotted links 108, 110 and 112. The first and shortest of the links 106 which is to the left hand end as shown in Fig. 6, pivotally mounts to a mounting 114 provided on top of the track 102 towards the left hand end as shown in Fig. 6.

The link 110 pivotally connects part way along to a further link 116. One end of the link 116 is pivotally mounted to the mounting 114, whilst the other end of the further link 116 is pivotally mounted to the link 112. The link 112 is pivotally mounted at its end furthest from the elongate member 106 is to a slider 118, which is slidably located on the track 102.

A stop arrangement in the form of a sprung strip 120 is mounted on the slider 118. The sprung strip 120 is selectively locatable in a cut out 122 in the upper wall 104 of the track 102, to restrain movement of the stay 100. The cut out 122 is to the right hand side of the middle of the track 102 as shown in Fig. 6.

The sprung strip 120 is slidably mounted on the slider 116, and is selectively movable in a direction away from the cut out 122 to an in use condition as shown in Fig. 7, and is slidably movable towards the cut out 122 to an out of use position as shown in Fig. 8.

The slider 118 has a body 124 slidably located in the track 102. The body 124 pivotally mounts by a pin 126, the link 112. A threaded opening 128 is also provided in the body 124 towards the right hand end as shown in Figs. 6to8.

The sprung strip 120 includes a plate 130 which is slidably mounted on top of the body 124. A slot 132 is provided in the plate 130 to receive the pin 126 extending threrethrough. A key hole shaped opening 134 is provided towards the right hand end as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, of the plate 130, and is alignable with the opening 128.

The opening 134 has a wider part at the right hand end as shown in Figs. 6 to 8. A bolt 136 is extendable through the opening 134 to engage in the opening 128. The bolt 136 has a shank 138 and a head 140. A lower smaller portion 142 of the head is of a size to slidingly engage in the wide part of the opening 134, whilst being too large to engage in the narrower part of the opening 134.

To retain the sprung strip 120 in the in use position, the bolt 136 extends through the narrower part of the opening 134, with the head portion 142 engaging against the plate 130. In this position as the stay 100 and any window attached thereto is opened, as the slider 118 moves to the left as shown in the drawings, it will automatically engage in the cut out 122 to prevent further opening of the stay 100.

To overcome this prevention to further opening, it will be necessary to press the sprung strip 120 downwardly such that it passes below the cut out 122. A marked area 144 is provided on the sprung strip 120 to indicate where the sprung strip 120 should be pressed to cause this release.

If it is not required to automatically prevent opening of the stay 100 S beyond a predetermined amount, the bolt 136 can be loosened and the plate and hence sprung strip 120 slid to the left as shown in Figs. 6 to 8. The bolt 136 can then be tightened, such that the head portion 142 engages in the wider part of the opening 134. In this position the respective engagement part of the sprung strip 120 which may otherwise engage in the cut out 122, is just to the left of the cut out 122 even when the stay 100 is fully closed.

Accordingly as the stay 100 is opened the sprung strip 120 will move further away from the cut out 122.

At the far right hand end as shown in Figs. 6 to 8 of the plate 130, a transverse slot 146 is provided. The slot 146 facilitates sliding movement of the plate 130 relative to the body 124. Figs. 9 to 11 show a tool 148 usable to move the sprung strip 120 between in use and out of use positions. The tool 148 has a cylindrical body 150, with a projection 152 on an upper end which is of a size to fit in the slot 146 to facilitate movement thereof. A hollow hexagonal head 154 is provided at the opposite end of the body 150. The head 154 is of a size to engage with the bolt head 140 to permit tightening and loosening thereof.

There is thus described a further window stay where an automatic restrictor arrangement can readily be moved between in use and out of use conditions. In most respects the stay is of conventional construction and can thus be expensively manufactured for long term operation.

A number of other different arrangements can be provided to provide selective automatic restriction, and different types of arrangements may be required for different types of window stays. For instance an arrangement could be provided wherein the stop member can be selectively lowered into the track, as well as perhaps being longitudinally slid.

Where a stop member is provided which is engageable within a formation such as a cut out in the track, the stop member could be selectively movable to an out of use condition by raising thereof.

In a further embodiment where for instance a recess is provided in the track which receives one or more projections, as for instance is shown in the stay of Fig. 1, a member may be provided to permit selective closing or covering of the formation or gap in the track to disengage the automatic limiter.

In a still further embodiment, a slidable member may be provided on a slider body, which slidable member is selectively movable between an in use position where automatic restriction opening of a window occurs, and an out of use condition where no automatic restraining takes place. In the out of use condition the slidable member engages against a sprung strip to prevent the sprung strip entering a cut out in the track.

In a still further arrangement, an abutment member is provided on a one of the linkages, and the abutment member is slidable along the linkage between an in use and out of use position. Locking means may be provided for retaining the abutment member in a required in use or out of use position.

In the in use position automatic restraining of opening of the window will occur. If however the abutment member is moved to an out of use position, it will be configured such that as a sprung strip is about to reach a cut out, the abutment member will engage with the sprung strip to push the strip downwardly such that it cannot engage in the cut out.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the stay may take a different form. Any combination of the above described features may be provided. The engagement part and/or stop parts may take a different form.

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 (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A restrictor stay for a window, the stay comprising a track mountable on one of an openable window or frame, a link arrangement extendible between the track and a mounting to the other of the window or frame, the link arrangement including a movable member slidably movable along the track as the window is pivotted relative to the frame, and a stop arrangement which is selectively movable between an out of use condition wherein the stop arrangement does not hinder movement of the movable member along the track, and an in use condition wherein the stop arrangement prevents movement of the movable member beyond a predetermined position, so as to prevent opening of the window beyond a predetermined amount.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A restrictor stay according to claim 1, in which the stop arrangement includes a release arrangement such that when in the in use condition, the stop arrangement can be temporarily released to permit the movable member to move beyond the predetermined position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A restrictor stay according I to claims 1 or 2, in which the stop arrangement includes a stop member selectively movable between an out of use position wherein the movable member can pass the predetermined position, and an in use position wherein the stop member prevents movement of the movable member along the track beyond the predetermined position.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A restrictor stay according to any of the preceding claims, in which a sprung stop member automatically engages in a formation in the track when the movable member reaches the predetermined position.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A restrictor stay according to claim 4, in which the release arrangement is provided by the sprung stop member being manually movable from engagement with the formation in the track when the movable member reaches the predetermined position.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A restrictor stay according to claims 4or 5, in which the formation in the track is a recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A restrictor stay according to claim 6, in which the track may be in the farm of a channel section with upper walls defining a reduced width upper opening, with the recess provided in a one of the upper walls of the channel section.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 4 to 7, in which the stop arrangement includes a disengagement arrangement which in the out of use condition prevents the sprung member from engaging with the formation in the track.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A restrictor stay according to claim 8, in which in the disengagement arrangement, the sprung stop member is selectively movable between an in use position, in which position when the movable member reaches the predetermined position the sprung stop member engages in the formation in the track, and a second out of use position in which the sprung stop member * 20 is beyond the formation in the track when the stay is in a closed position, such that as a window is opened the sprung stop member moves further from the formation. * S.</claim-text> <claim-text>* 10. A restrictor stay according to any of the preceding claims, in which the stop arrangement includes a body slidably located in the track with the sprung stop member selectively mountable on the body in either an in ue or out of *5s** * use position. *5*S * . ****</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A restrictor stay according to claim 10, in which mounting formations are provided on the body and sprung stop member to provide selective mounting in the in use or out of use positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A restrictor stay according to claim 11, in which a hole is provided on the body which is selectively alignable with a respective part of the mounting formation on the sprung stop member, with a fastening means engageable with the mounting formation ?nd hole to retain the sprung stop means in a required position.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A restrictor stay according to claims 11 or 12, in which the mounting formation on the sprung stop member comprise a pair of spaced openings.</claim-text> <claim-text>14: A restrictor stay according to claims 11 or 12, in which the mounting formation on the sprung stop member comprises a shaped opening permitting alignment of the body hole with a first or second part of the shaped opening to selectively respectively provide either the in use or out of use position of the sprung stop member.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A restrictor stay according to claim 14, in which the opening at the first part is larger than the opening at the second.part such that a different part of the fastening means can engage with the first part of the mounting formation.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 12 to 15, in which the fastening means includes a threaded part and a head, at least part of which head is engageable with the first part of the mounting formation. * . . * *.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A restrictor stay according to claim 16, in which the head of the 25 fastening means is extendable through the first part of the shaped opening, but not the second part. * .</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A restrictor stay according to claims 16 or 17, in which a larger part is provided on the head of the fastening means on the opposite side of a smaller part of the head to the threaded part, which larger part is too large to extend through the first part of the shaped opening.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 4 to 18, in which a formation is provided on the sprung stop member to facilitate movement thereof relative to the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A restrictor stay according to claim 19, in which the formation is in the form of an opening 21. A restrictor stay according to claim 8, in which in the disengagement arrangement the movable member includes a body slidably located in the track, which body mounts the sprung stop member and a restraining member, the restraining member being selectively movable between an in use position in which the sprung stop member can engage with the formation in the track, and an out of use position, in which the restraining member engages with the sprung stop member to prevent the sprung stop member engaging with the formation in the track.22. A restrictor stay according to claim 21, in which the restraining member is slidably movable relative to the movable member between the in use and out of use positions.23. A restrictor stay according to claims 21 or 22, in which locking means are provided for selectively retaining the restraining member in a required one of the in use or out of use positions, * . 24. A restrictor stay according to claim 23, in which the locking means also mounts a part of the link arrangement to the movable member. * .25. A restrictor stay according to claim 8, in which in the disengagement arrangement an abutment member is provided on a part of the link arrangement, which abutment member is seectively mountable in efther an in use position in which position the abutment member is clear of the sprung stop member when said member reaches the formation in the track, and an out of use position in which the abutment member engages with the sprung stop member when the sprung stop member is at the formation in the track, so as td prevent the sprung stop member engaging in the formation.26. A restrictor stay according to claim 25, in which the abutment member is slidably movable along the part of the link arrangement between the in use and out of use positions, 27. A restrictor stay according to claims 24 or 25, in which retaining means is provided for selectively retaining the abutment member in either the in use or out of use positions.28. A restrictor stay according to claim 27, in which the retaining means comprises a fastening member.29. A restrictor stay according to. any of claims 25 to 28, in which the abutment member is configured so as to pass closely over the sprung stop member as said member reaches the formation in. the track to prevent the sprung stop member springing upwardly into the formation.30. A restrictor stay according to claim 8, in which the disengagement arrangement is configured to selectively prevent access to the formation in the track, and where the formation is a recess, the disengagement arrangement may substantially fill the recess.* 31. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the stop ****.* * member is located on the track, and slidably movable along the track between in use and out of use positions. S...oooC.ø 32. A restrictor stay according to claim 31, in which the stop member is configured so as to be lockably mountable on the track, in them use position, the out of use position, or a required one of the in use or out of use positions.33. A restrictor stay according to claims 31 or 32, in which an engagement part is provided on the movable member which is engageable with the stop member when the latter is in the in use position.34. A restrictor stay according to claim 33, in which the engagement part includes a recess which can receive a projection on the stop member to restrain movement of the movable member beyond the predetermined position.35. A restrictor stay according to claim 34, in which the recess and/or projection have inclined faces to facilitate location of the projection in the recess.36. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 33 to 35, in. which the movable member includes a body slidably located in the track with the engagement pad extending therefrom, 37. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 33 to 36, in which the engagement part is formed of a sprung material.38. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 35 to 37, in which the stop member comprises a body slidably located in the track, with the projection extending from the body. :25* " 39. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 31 to 38, in which the stop *****.* member includes a location member with a pair of formations thereon, each respectively engageable with a formation on the track in a one of the in use or out of use position.40. A restrictor stay according to claim 39, in which the stop member formations comprise openings.41. A restrictor stay according to claim 40, in which the openings are engageable with an upstanding projection in the track.42. A restrictor stay according to claim 41, in which the projection surrounds an opening such that a fastening means extends through the openings in the stop member and track to lock the stop member, in a respective one of the in use or out of use positions.43. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 33 to 42, in which the release arrangement is provided by the engagement part being sprung or flexible such that it can be manually disengaged from the stop member.44. A restrictor stay according to any of claims 31 to 43, in which the stay is arranged Such that the stop member can be lowered in the track so as not to be engageable with the movable member in the out of use condition.44. A restrictor stay according to claim 8, in which the disengagement' arrangement raises the sprung stop member to prevent engagement with the formation of the track.45. A restrictor stay substantially as hereinbefore described and with **.! reference to Figs. ito 5 the accompanying drawings.* ...** * * *. : 25 46. A restrictor stay substantially as hereinbefore described and with * reference to Figs. 6 to ii the accompanying drawings. **.** * .47. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject mailer **** disclosed herein? whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.</claim-text>