GB2586314A

GB2586314A - Window system

Info

Publication number: GB2586314A
Application number: GB2007118.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hurdman Wayne; Taylor Carl
Original assignee: Gt Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Gt Windows Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-14
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Also published as: GB201906823D0; GB202007118D0

Abstract

A window latch arrangement suitable for a dummy or vent sash window comprising a hook 26 and tongue 28, and a secondary retainer arrangement comprising interengageable components 24 which may be ramped teeth. The toothed components ratchet to retain the sash in place. Alternatively, the secondary arrangement is a pair of latches (32, fig 6) with respective keepers (30, fig 7). To unlock the arrangement, force is applied to the sash frame 12 from inside to disengage the teeth or laterally deflect the latches. A tool may then be used from inside the building to manipulate the tongue and unlock the fixing. Several of the apparatus may be used on a given window and the components may be place on either the frame 14 or the sash.

Description

WINDOW SYSTEM

This invention relates to a window system for installation in a building, and in particular to a window system of the type including a sash frame that, in normal use, is intended to remain in a closed position, but in which the sash frame can occasionally be moved to an open position, for example to allow replacement of a glazing panel or the like thereof.

There are a number of applications in which it is desirable to include, in a window system, such a so-called dummy sash, that is to say a sash frame that, in use, is normally closed but which can be moved very occasionally to an open position to allow, for example, replacement of a glazing panel thereof. The use of such a dummy sash allows improved matching between vent parts of a window system that are intended to be opened, in use, and parts of the system that are intended to be normally closed. One form of dummy sash scheme is described in EP2078814.

In the arrangement of EP2078814, in order to move the dummy sash to an open position, a tool is inserted between the frame of the dummy sash and the fixed window frame, the tool being used to disengage a latch arrangement to allow the dummy sash to be moved to its open condition.

It is increasingly common to provide window system in which a face of the frame of a sash is substantially flush with a part of the fixed window frame. In such a system, a dummy sash or the like will also be substantially flush with the fixed window frame, and so the use of an arrangement of the type described in EP2078814 is inappropriate, there not being a region of the window in which a tool can be readily inserted between the dummy sash frame and the fixed window frame to allow disengagement of a latch arrangement. It is an object of the invention to provide a window in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known arrangements are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a window system comprising a fixed frame and a moveable sash frame, moveable relative to the fixed frame, a latch arrangement whereby the sash frame can be secured to the fixed frame, to resist opening movement of the sash frame, the latch arrangement comprising a hook element attached to one of the sash frame and the fixed frame and cooperable with a tongue attached to the other of the sash frame and the fixed frame, engagement between the tongue and the hook element resisting opening movement, and disengagement thereof allowing the sash frame to be moved towards an open position, and an auxiliary retainer arrangement comprising interengageable retainer components attached to the fixed frame and the sash frame cooperable with one another to retain the sash frame in a fully closed position.

The fixed frame and the sash frame are preferably shaped to define a void within which the latch arrangement is located, access to the void being restricted or prevented when the movable sash frame occupies its closed position by the cooperation between the fixed frame and the sash frame and/or parts associated and moveable therewith. Movement of the sash frame, upon release of the auxiliary retainer arrangement, permits access to the void and to the latch arrangement located therein, and so permits release of the latch arrangement and movement of the sash frame to a fully open position.

The retainer components preferably comprise a keep associated with one of the fixed frame and the sash frame, and a latch member associated with the other of the fixed frame and the sash frame, the latch member and the keep being engageable with one another to retain the sash frame in a closed position. The latch member is preferably deflectable to a released position in which movement of the sash frame may occur. Deflection of the latch member may occur as a result of cooperation between faces of the latch member and the keep upon the application of a predetermined load to the sash frame. The deflection conveniently occurs in a lateral direction. The latch member is conveniently of resilient form, deflecting back to its original position when no longer in contact with the keep.

The retainer components may alternatively take the form of ramped, toothed components which interengage, in use, in a ratchet like manner to retain the sash frame in the fully closed position. In use, the application of a load to the sash frame urging the sash frame in an opening direction can, if large enough, overcome the auxiliary retainer and allow limited movement of the sash frame. However, the latch arrangement prevents full opening of the sash frame, thus maintaining the window system in a secure substantially closed condition. The part opening of the sash frame in this manner then allows a suitable tool to be used to disengage the hook element and the tongue to allow full opening of the sash frame. The orientation of the system is conveniently such that the introduction of the tool must be undertaken from inside the building in which the window system is fitted, so that opening of the sash frame can only be undertaken by authorised personnel from within the building. The security of the window system is thus not compromised.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be used with sash frames of the type that, in use, are flush with the fixed window frame, the restricted, partial opening of the sash frame as permitted by the auxiliary retainer resulting in the formation of a region into which the tool can be inserted to allow release of the latch arrangement.

The latch arrangement is conveniently of the type that automatically latches upon closing of the sash frame.

The hook element and one of the retainer components are preferably formed as a single component, referred to herein as a first component. Similarly, the tongue and the other of the retainer components are preferably formed as a single component, referred to herein as a second component. The latch arrangement and auxiliary retainer are thus formed by a first component and a respective second component, referred to herein as a matching pair. A plurality of such matching pairs may be provided between the fixed frame and the sash frame, if required.

The invention further relates to a first component as set out hereinbefore, and to a second component as set out hereinbefore, and to a matching pair as set out hereinbefore.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views through a window system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in a closed condition; Figure 3 is a view illustrating the window system part way through the process of opening thereof; Figures 4 and 5 are views illustrating the components of the system of Figures 1 to 3; and Figures 6 to 8 are views illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, part of a window system 10 is illustrated, the window system 10 comprising a fixed window frame 12 and a moveable sash frame 14. In the arrangement shown, the window frame 12 and sash frame 14 take the form of assemblies of PVCU extrusions. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not restricted in this regard, and the window and sash frames 12, 14 could be of, for example, aluminium or wooden form. The precise design of the window and sash frames 12, 14 is not of relevance to the invention, and may vary from the form shown. In the arrangement shown, an outer face 14a of the moveable sash frame 14 is flush with an outer face 12a of the fixed frame 12, and an inner face 14b of the moveable sash frame 14 overhangs part of the inner face 12b of the fixed window frame 12, to give the appearance that the sash frame 14 is fixed and not intended to open, and to provide the window system 10 with an appealing, clean-lines appearance.

With the fixed window frame 12 and moveable sash frame 14 in the closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a void 16 is formed therebetween within which a lock arrangement 18 is located to allow the moveable sash frame 14 to be secured to the fixed window frame 12, to prevent or restrict unauthorised opening movement thereof. As described below, the lock arrangement 18 forms a latch arrangement and an auxiliary retainer, the auxiliary retainer retaining the sash frame 14 in its fully closed position, and the latch arrangement preventing or resisting unauthorised movement of the sash frame 14 to a fully open position.

The lock arrangement 18 comprises a first component 20 and a second component 22. The first component 20 is secured to the sash frame 14, and the second component 22 is secured to the fixed window frame 12. Each of the components 20, 22 takes the form of a moulded plastics component 20a, 22a shaped to define ramped regions 20b, 22b that, in use, face towards one another, the ramped regions 20b, 22b being formed with a series of interengaging ratchet like teeth 24. The first component 20 further comprises a metallic hook element 26 of a resilient steel material or the like, the hook element 26 being formed with an opening 26a. The shape of the hook element 26 is such that it projects beneath the level of the ramped region 20b. The second component 22 further comprises a tongue 28 of metallic form which, at least in part, is angled upwardly so as to project above the level of the ramped region 22b.

As shown, each component 20, 22 conveniently includes a pair of ramped regions with the hook element and tongue located therebetween.

In normal use, with the sash frame 14 occupying it fully closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the teeth 24 of the ramped regions 20b, 22b interengage with one another and serve to retain the moveable sash frame 14 in its fully closed position, and so act as an auxiliary retainer. As illustrated, in this position, seals and the like located between the moveable sash frame 14 and the fixed frame 12 cooperate with one another to form a good weathertight seal between these parts of the window system. The shapes of the fixed frame 12 and the sash frame 14 are such that access to the void 16 and the lock arrangement 18 located therein is not permitted when the sash frame 14 is in this position. The tongue 28 projects through the opening 26a formed in the hook element 26, but is spaced from an end of the opening 26a.

Should it be required to move the sash frame 14 to an open condition, then a load is applied to the sash frame 14 from within the building in which the window system 10 is installed, pushing the sash frame 14 in the opening direction. Opening movement is resisted by the interengagement between the teeth 24, but if a sufficiently large load is applied then the sash frame 14 will be able to lift slightly, allowing the teeth 24 to ride over one another with the result that the sash frame 14 is no longer retained in its fully closed position by the auxiliary retainer, but rather is free to undertake limited opening movement. During such opening movement, the hook element 26 will move to a position in which the tongue 28 reaches an end of the opening 26a, as shown in Figure 3, at which point further movement of the sash frame 14 will be prevented. The sash frame 14 is thus still latched by the latch arrangement in a substantially closed condition, and so building security is maintained.

Once the position shown in Figure 3 has been reached, it will be apparent that the void 16 is exposed and can be accessed from within the building in which the window system 10 is installed. From within the building, a suitable tool made be introduced between the sash frame 14 and the fixed frame 12, into the void 16, such that the tool engages the hook element 26. By appropriate manipulation of the tool, the hook element 26 can be displaced upwardly, lifting the hook element 26 so that it no longer cooperates with the tongue 28, releasing the latch arrangement, after which the sash frame 14 can be moved to a fully open position.

When, subsequently, the sash frame 14 is returned to its fully closed position, the lock arrangement 18 will automatically reengage to secure and retain the sash frame 14 in its fully closed position.

It will be appreciated that the design of the lock arrangement 18 is such that it comprises a latch arrangement made up of the tongue 28 and hook element 26 which interengage with one another to resist opening movement, securely locking the sash frame 14 against unauthorised opening movement, and an auxiliary retainer made up of the interengaging toothed ramps 20b, 22b which retains the sash frame 14 in its fully closed position.

Should someone attempt to gain unauthorised access to the building by, from the exterior of the building, attempting to move the sash frame 14 to its open position, whilst they may be able to apply a sufficiently large load to the sash frame 14 to overcome the auxiliary retainer to achieve some initial opening movement, once the hook element 26 and tongue 28 engage one another, further opening movement is resisted by the latch arrangement. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shapes of the components 20, 22 are conveniently such that access to the hook element 26 and tongue 28 from the exterior of the building as may be required if an attempt is made to gain unauthorised access to the building is blocked by parts of the components 20, 22.

It will be appreciated that, in essence, the invention relates to a lock arrangement that comprises a retainer for retaining a sash in a closed position, and a latch that is operable, after an initial passage of movement of the sash, to restrict further movement of the sash frame, the initial passage of movement of the sash being sufficient to allow authorised personnel to release the latch to allow full opening of the sash.

Depending upon the size of the sash frame to be secured, several pairs of components 20, 22 may be provided around parts of the frame.

Turning to Figures 6 to 8, an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The embodiment of Figures 6 to 8 is, in many ways, similar to that of Figures 1 to 5, and only the significant differences therebetween are described herein in detail. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

In the arrangement of Figures 1 to 5, the auxiliary retainer arrangement is defined by retainer components in the form of ramped regions 20b, 22b provided with ratchet like teeth 24 which interengage and restrict opening movement of the sash frame 14. In the arrangement of Figure 6 to 8, the auxiliary retainer arrangement instead takes the form of retainer components in the form of a pair of keeps 30 and respective deflectable latch members 32. The first component 20 is of two-piece, steel form, shaped to define the hook element 26, and also to include projections defining the keeps 30, each of which includes a recess 30a located in a side thereof.

The second component 22 is of two piece form comprising a plastics material moulding to which a metallic material element is secured. The metallic material element defines the tongue 28. The plastics material moulding defines projections which serve as guides, aiding in ensuring that, upon closing movement, the hook element 26 is properly guided and positioned relative to the tongue 28 to ensure that correct locking of the sash frame 14 in position occurs. They also serve to obscure side access to the hook element 26. The moulding further defines the pair of latch members 32. Each latch member 32 includes a head 32a receivable within the recess 30a of the associated keep 30, when the sash frame 14 occupies its closed position, and a flexible stem 32b. The flexible stem 32b is designed to allow deflection of the head 32a in the lateral direction, out of the respective recess 30a, this being advantageous as the dimensions of the void 16 are such that there is typically plenty of space to accommodate flexing in this direction.

In use, when the sash frame 14 occupies its closed position, the heads 32a of the latch members 32 are received within the recesses 30a of the keeps 30, and the cooperation therebetween serves to retain the sash frame 14 in its fully closed position. The location of the tongue 28 within the opening of the hook element 26 prevents movement of the sash frame 14 to a fully open position and so maintains building security.

When it is desired to move the sash frame 14 to its open position, a relatively large load is applied to the sash frame 14 pushing the sash frame 14 in the opening direction. Upon the application of a large enough load, the latch members 32 will deflect laterally to retract the heads 32a from the recesses 30a, thereby allowing limited or restricted movement of the sash frame 14 in the opening direction. The tongue 28 is still located within the opening of the hook element 26, and so it will be understood that such movement is restricted and so building security is maintained. This position is shown in Figure 8. The movement is large enough, however, to allow access to the void 16 from within the building and, as described hereinbefore in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, a tool may then be used to lift the hook element 26 and so disengage the lock arrangement and allow full opening of the sash frame 14.

It will be appreciated that as with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, upon returning the sash frame 14 to its fully closed position, the latch arrangement and auxiliary retainer will reengage to retain and secure the sash frame 14 in its closed position.

The design of the first component 20, which is of two piece steel or other metallic form, is such that interference with, damage to, or release of the latch arrangement from the exterior of the building is resisted, and so the system is of good security.

It will be appreciated that although specific embodiments of the invention are described hereinbefore and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example, the auxiliary retainer may be defined by toothed ramp formations that are differently orientated to those shown, or the keep and latch elements may be orientated differently to those illustrated. Furthermore, whilst the invention is particularly suited to use with flush framed windows, the invention is not restricted in this regard and may be employed with other styles of window frame.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A window system comprising a fixed frame and a moveable sash frame, moveable relative to the fixed frame, a latch arrangement whereby the sash frame can be secured to the S fixed frame, to resist opening movement of the sash frame, the latch arrangement comprising a hook element attached to one of the sash frame and the fixed frame and cooperable with a tongue attached to the other of the sash frame and the fixed frame, engagement between the tongue and the hook element resisting opening movement, and disengagement thereof allowing the sash frame to be moved towards an open position, and an auxiliary retainer arrangement comprising interengageable retainer components attached to the fixed frame and the sash frame cooperable with one another to retain the sash frame in a fully closed position.
2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the fixed frame and the sash frame are shaped to define a void within which the latch arrangement is located, access to the void being restricted or prevented when the movable sash frame occupies its closed position by the cooperation between the fixed frame and the sash frame and/or parts associated and moveable therewith.
3. A system according to Claim 2, wherein movement of the sash frame, upon release of the auxiliary retainer arrangement and whilst the latch arrangement is still engaged, permits access to the void and to the latch arrangement located therein, and so permits release of the latch arrangement and movement of the sash frame to a fully open position.
4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retainer components comprise a keep associated with one of the fixed frame and the sash frame, and a latch member associated with the other of the fixed frame and the sash frame, the latch member and the keep being engageable with one another to retain the sash frame in the closed position.
5. A system according to Claim 4, wherein the latch member is deflectable to a released position in which movement of the sash frame may occur.
6. A system according to Claim 5, wherein deflection of the latch member occurs as a result of cooperation between faces of the latch member and the keep upon the application of a predetermined load to the sash frame.
7. A system according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the deflection occurs in a lateral direction.
8. A system according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the latch member is of resilient form, deflecting back to its original position when no longer in contact with the keep.
9. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the retainer components take the form of ramped, toothed components which interengage, in use, in a ratchet like manner to retain the sash frame in the fully closed position.
10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the orientation of the lock arrangement is such that the introduction of a tool to engage the hook element must be undertaken from inside the building in which the window system is fitted.
11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sash frame is of the type that, in use, is flush with the fixed window frame.
12. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the latch arrangement automatically latches upon closing of the sash frame.
13. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hook element and one of the retainer components are formed as a single, first component.
14. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue and the other S of the retainer components are formed as a single, second component.