GB2498926A

GB2498926A - Restrictor assembly for a friction stay hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2498926A
Application number: GB1200193.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Thomas Parker; Paul King
Original assignee: EASYFIT HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: EASYFIT HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-06
Filing date: 2012-01-06
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-06
Also published as: GB2498926B; GB201200193D0

Abstract

The assembly for a window comprises an abutment 30 for location in the C-section channel (12 Fig. 1) of a friction stay hinge and a distance piece 40 having a first end 42 adapted to connect to the abutment, and a second end 44 adapted to contact a stop 18a in the channel to restrict the movement of a slider of the hinge. The distance piece may have a width greater than that of the opening of the channel, and may be adjustable in length. The distance piece may be connected to the abutment by either a screw, a rivet, an adhesive or by a snap fit. A second abutment may contact a stop in the channel and connect to the second end of the distance piece. The abutment may have a maximum depth no greater than that of the channel. Also claimed are a restrictor assembly kit and a method of assembling a restrictor assembly.

Description

1

Friction Stay Hinge Restrictor Assembly

The present invention relates to a friction stay hinge restrictor assembly and particularly to the provision of a restrictor assembly suitable for both factory fitting 5 and retro fitting to friction stay hinges.

Friction supporting stays comprising assemblies of pivotable links are known, for example as described in GB 2228766. When installed for use with windows, they can offer a large range of movement from closed to open. They are also suitable for 10 hinged doors and other kinds of hinged leaf. A slider is generally confined in a C-section channel and the channel has a travel stop for the slider. Typical legislation recommends the maximum opening of windows not used for emergency egress to be limited to not more than 100mm, for reasons of safety in use. The provision of this limited opening can be permanent and/or selective according to the needs of the user.

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Friction stay hinges are commonly provided with restrictor mechanisms such as the Nico Restricted Egress Hinge, the Securistyle Restricted Friction Hinge and that of US 2010/0071269 which discloses a slider incorporating a restrictor. This latter device, as disclosed, requires the C-section channel to have intermittent gaps in the 20 flanges and therefore is unsuitable for use in any C-section channel not already designed for the purpose.

The window of a building may be required to be brought into line with current legislation, and either a new friction stay hinge installation is required or, more 25 commonly, a tradesman is employed to come and fit some sort of restrictor. However, retro fitting with current off the shelf technology can be difficult given the different geometries encountered - there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Commonly bespoke methods invasive and potentially detrimental to the window hinges and frames must be employed, in addition to the greater complexity and time consuming nature of the 30 job and potential unreliability in use.

Furthermore, there is often an access problem, whereby it is impossible to currently fit such restrictors given the tight spaces encountered. For example, an

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attempt to fit a restrictor assembly according to the current art, requires the channel to be exposed by opening the window, however this region would typically not become exposed until the 100mm opening allowance had been exceeded. At smaller openings, the window channel is somewhat obscured by the pivotable links. Given that the angle 5 to which the window will open to provide a gap no bigger than 100mm is a function of the size of the window, this situation is exacerbated by windows having larger frame sizes.

The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.

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According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a window restrictor assembly to be fitted into a C-section channel of a window friction stay hinge to restrict the opening of a window, the restrictor assembly comprises an abutment and a distance piece, the abutment being adapted to fit in the C-section

15 channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel, the distance piece being adapted to fit in the C-section channel, the distance piece having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to couple to the abutment and the second end being adapted to contact the stop in the C-section channel.

20 The restrictor assembly thus comprises two components which are installed individually so as to overcome the problem of restricted access, and are subsequently coupled to provide a unitary device whereby the travel stop is advanced in the channel.

25 In a preferred embodiment the distance piece is also adapted to be located within the flanges of the C-section channel.

This arrangement ensures forces transmitted through the distance piece will not lead to buckling thereof. Additionally the ease with which the distance piece can

30 be dislodged from the C-section channel is reduced, for example, in the event of tampering.

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In another preferred embodiment the distance piece is adjustable in length and can be latched or locked out once a desired length is determined.

This arrangement allows the restrictor assembly to be sized appropriately to 5 limit the opening of any size of window.

In a preferred embodiment the connection of the distance piece to the abutment is by one of a screw, a rivet and an adhesive.

10 Attachment of the distance piece by a screw or a rivet or an adhesive prevents the disassembly of the restrictor assembly by hand.

In an alternate embodiment the connection of the distance piece to the abutment is a snap fit. The connection of the distance piece to the abutment may also 15 be repeatably releasable.

This arrangement allows the connection to be completed where access to the abutment is limited after it has been installed. By ensuring that the connection is repeatably releasable, any error in installation and therefore need for re-installation, 20 change of length, or removal of the restrictor assembly altogether can be performed simply. Additionally, buildings with mixed usage, which may therefore have differing requirements on maximum allowable gaps, would benefit from having a restrictor assembly that can be installed and demounted repeatably.

25 In a preferred embodiment the abutment is generally planar and rectangular in form, having two clipped rounded corners, diagonally opposite.

In a preferred embodiment the depth of the abutment is such that it fits under the flanges of the C-section channel, whilst the protrusions extend orthogonally away 30 from the C-section channel. The protrusions may terminate within the depth of C-

section channel, or alternatively extend beyond the upper limit of the flanges of the C-section channel, depending on the arrangement of the pivotable links.

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The clipped corners and the protrusions facilitate pivoting of the abutment under the flanges of the channel for retention thereof The abutment may be pivoted by levering a tool between the protrusions of the abutment, for example.

5 Preferably the abutment is sized to snap into an installed condition with opposite rectangular edges aligned tangentially with the flanges of the channel.

This arrangement allows the fitment of the abutment in the C-section channel without the need to disassemble the friction stay hinges, or have access to either end 10 of the C-section channel.

Further, the abutment will not interfere with the pivoting of the links. Once fitted into the C-section channel, the coupling of the abutment and the distance piece to form one unitary component prevents further pivoting of the abutment such that it 15 could become dislodged from the flanges of the C-section channel.

The abutment may also be made of one of polythene, ABS, and nylon.

In an alternate embodiment, there is provided a second abutment of similar 20 form, also being adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel and being adapted to contact the travel stop in the C-section channel, the second end of the distance piece being adapted to couple to the second abutment.

25 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a window restrictor assembly in a C-section channel of a window friction stay hinge to restrict the opening of a window, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting an abutment into a C-section channel of a friction stay hinge, pivoting the 30 abutment under the flanges, sliding the abutment into the desired location, selecting a distance piece of appropriate length, inserting the distance piece into the C-section channel and feeding the distance piece longitudinally along the channel until the first

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end couples with the abutment and the second end is in contact with the stop of the C-section channel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a window 5 restrictor assembly kit, the window restrictor assembly to be fitted into a C-section channel of a window friction stay hinge to restrict the opening of a window, the restrictor assembly comprises an abutment and a distance piece, the abutment being adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel, the distance piece being adapted to fit in the C-section channel, the 10 distance piece having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to couple to the abutment and the second end being adapted to contact the stop in the C-section channel.

In an alternate embodiment, there is provided a second abutment, also being 15 adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel and being adapted to contact the travel stop in the C-section channel, the second end of the distance piece being adapted to couple to the second abutment.

20 In an alternate embodiment tooling is provided in the kit to aid assembly and disassembly of the restrictor assembly.

In an alternate embodiment, the kit may contain numerous abutment pieces and/or numerous distance pieces, the abutment pieces and distance pieces being of 25 varying sizes.

This provision allows the fitment of the restrictor assembly to a variety of window sizes.

30 Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic of the friction hinge assembly in a partially open position.

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Figure 2 shows the friction hinge assembly of Fig. 1 in a closed position.

Figure 3 shows a section view I -1 of the friction hinge assembly of Fig. 1.

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Figure 4 shows a schematic of the abutment piece when viewed from above.

Figure 5 shows a schematic of the abutment piece when viewed on its upper end.

10 Figure 6 shows a schematic of a friction stay hinge restrictor assembly located in a C-section channel.

Figure 7 shows a schematic of the friction hinge assembly of Fig. 1 in a partially open position with the friction stay hinge restrictor assembly located therein.

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A typical friction stay hinge assembly 10 for supporting the opening of a window, for example (see Figs.l and 2) comprises an elongate channel 12 for attachment to the frame of a building (not shown), an anchor piece 16, a slider 14 and a number of stays 20, 22, 24, 26, interconnected to a mounting piece 25, from which a 20 window (not shown) is hung.

Fig.3 is a section through the channel 12 of the friction stay hinge assembly 10 of Fig. 1. The section is taken approximately at line I-I in Fig.l. The channel has a C-section, with inwardly facing flanges 13 and numerous stops 18, 19 which consist of 25 raised sections punched up through the centre of the base of the channel 12.

Referring back to Fig.l, anchor piece 16 is shaped to be received within the channel 12 and retained therein be virtue of the inwardly facing flanges 13. The anchor piece 16 is longitudinally retained within the channel 12 between two stops, 30 an upper anchor stop 19a and a lower anchor stop 19b. The terms upper and lower refer to the friction stay hinge assembly 10 as orientated in Fig. 1. Also in the channel is the slider 14, which is free to move longitudinally along the channel between an upper slider stop 18a and a lower slider stop 18b.

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The arrangement of stays 20, 22, 24, 26, in Fig.l governs the movement of the slider 14. Two pivots 28 allow pivoting of stays 22 and 26 about the anchor piece 16, whilst a further pivot 28 on stay 22 allows pivoting of stay 24. Stay 20 is connected to 5 a pivot 28 on the slider and further by another pivot 28 to stay 22. The second ends of the stays 20, 24, 26 are joined to a mounting piece 25 which is attached to the window (not shown).

In an open, or partially open window as shown in Fig.l the slider moves away 10 from the lower slider stop 18b towards the upper slider stop 18a. When it reaches the upper slider stop 18a the window is at its maximum opening. Alternatively, as the window is closed, the slider 14 moves back along the channel 12 towards the lower slider stop 18b, as shown in Fig.2 Hence it is the movement between the upper slider stop 18a and lower slider stop 18b which allows the window to open and close, and 15 the position of the slider 14 between the lower slider stop 18b and the upper slider stop 18a is proportional to the amount the window is open.

As shown in Fig.2, when the window is closed the stays 20, 22, 24, 26 and mounting piece 25 are aligned to the channel 12. As such there is only a small gap 20 between the channel and stays 20, 22 and 26.

An abutment 30 (see Fig.4) consists of a generally planar rectangular block with two, diagonally opposite corners clipped off so that they are rounded corners 32. Two protrusions 34, 36 extend orthogonally from its top surface 31. The protrusions 25 34, 36 are positioned towards the undipped corners. Fig.5 shows a view on the upper end 33 of the abutment 30 of Fig.4, an opening 38 is approximately centred on the upper end 33.

In Fig. 6 the abutment 30 of Figs.4 and 5 has been located in the friction stay 30 hinge assembly 10 of Fig.l. The stays have been removed for clarity. The abutment is sized so that it can be slotted between the gap between the two flanges 13 of the channel 12 and subsequently pivoted through approximately 45 degrees or until an over centre snap, thanks to the clipped rounded corners 32 presenting a reduced lateral

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extent of the abutment 30, so that it is located under the flanges 13 of the channel 12 and with the opening 38 facing the upper slider stop 18a. The protrusions 34, 36 are clear of the inwardly facing flanges 13 of the channel 12. A distance piece 40 has first end 42 and second end 44. The first end 42 is located in the opening 38 of the 5 abutment 30 and the second end 44 is located against the upper slider stop 18a of the channel 12 such that the distance piece runs in the channel 12 from the abutment 30 to the upper slider stop 18a. Together the abutment 30 and distance piece comprise the restrictor assembly 50. The restrictor assembly 50 has the effect of reducing the maximum longitudinal travel of the slider 14 and therefore the amount to which the 10 window will open.

In Fig. 7 an extreme case is shown whereby the restrictor assembly 50 has been fitted to a window to restrict its opening, and the windows geometry is such that the stays only pivot a small amount before the maximum opening is achieved. In this 15 case the stay tend to overlap the channel such that there is limited space to insert the restrictor assembly 50.

The gap 100 between the line A at the lower edge of the slider 14 and the line B at the upper edge of the lower slider stop 18b represents the maximum travel of the 20 slider and therefore the opening of the window to achieve a maximum opening of 100mm at any point.

Although the description has concentrated on a restrictor assembly for friction hinge stays for a window, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the 25 present invention could be applied to any closure using friction hinge stays. The orientation of the hinge openings has no impact on the effectiveness of the present invention, the present invention also being scaleable so as to be equally useful for heavy duty friction hinges which often feature a wider channel.

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Claims

Claims

1. A restrictor assembly for the C-section channel of a friction stay hinge, and comprising;

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an abutment, and

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a distance piece,

the abutment adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel,

the distance piece adapted to fit in the C-section channel,

the distance piece having a first end and a second end,

the first end adapted to provide a connection to the abutment,

the second end adapted to contact a stop in the C-section channel, such that the movement of a slider of a friction stay disposed in the C-section channel is restricted.

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2. A restrictor assembly according to claim 1, in which the distance piece has a width greater than that of the opening of the C-section channel.

3. A restrictor assembly according to claims 1 and 2, in which the distance piece is

4. A restrictor assembly according to claim 3, in which the adjustable length distance piece can be locked at a desired extension.

25 5. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the connection of the distance piece to the abutment is by one of a screw, a rivet and an adhesive.

6. A restrictor assembly according to claim 1 to 4, in which the connection of the 30 distance piece to the abutment is a snap fit.

7. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the connection and realease of the distance piece to the abutment is repeatable.

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adjustable in length.

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8. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the abutment piece is rectangular in form, having two clipped rounded corners, diagonally opposite.

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9. A restrictor assembly according to claim 8, in which the abutment piece has two protrusions extending from its top surface.

10. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, which comprises a

10 second abutment, the second abutment adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel, further adapted to contact a stop in the C-section channel and connect to the second end of the distance piece.

15 11. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the abutment piece is constructed from one of polythene, ABS, and nylon.

12. A restrictor assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the abutment has a maximum depth no greater than the depth of the C-section channel.

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13. A window restrictor assembly kit, the window restrictor assembly to be fitted into a C-section channel of a window friction stay hinge to restrict the opening of a window, the restrictor assembly kit comprises an abutment and a distance piece, the abutment being adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is

25 located within the flanges of the C-section channel, the distance piece being adapted to fit in the C-section channel, the distance piece having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to couple to the abutment and the second end being adapted to contact the stop in the C-section channel.

30 14.

A window restrictor assembly kit according to claim 13, with a second abutment, also being adapted to fit in the C-section channel such that it is located within the flanges of the C-section channel and being adapted to contact the

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travel stop in the C-section channel, the second end of the distance piece being adapted to couple to the second abutment.

15. A window restrictor assembly kit according to claims 13 or 14, wherein tooling is provided in the kit to aid assembly and disassembly of the restrictor assembly.

16. A window restrictor assembly kit according to claims 13 or 14 or 15, wherein the kit contains numerous abutment pieces and/or numerous distance pieces, the abutment pieces and distance pieces being of varying sizes.

17. A method of assembling a window restrictor assembly in a C-section channel of a window friction stay hinge to restrict the opening of a window, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting an abutment into a C-section channel of a friction stay hinge,

pivoting the abutment under the flanges,

sliding the abutment into the desired location,

selecting a distance piece of appropriate length,

inserting the distance piece into the C-section channel and feeding the distance piece longitudinally along the channel until the first end couples with the abutment and the second end is in contact with the stop of the C-section channel.

18. A restrictor assembly according to the figures 4 to 7.

19. A window with a restrictor assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12.