NL2016132B1

NL2016132B1 - Window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame.

Info

Publication number: NL2016132B1
Application number: NL2016132A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Koelman Marcel; Van Zeist Albertus
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Nederland B V
Priority date: 2016-01-21
Filing date: 2016-01-21
Publication date: 2017-07-25

Abstract

The invention relates to a window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame, wherein the window stay comprises a first arm and a second arm that are foldably interconnected about a fold axis, wherein the first arm and the second arm are positionable to extend in a release plane so that the first arm and the second arm are foldable about the fold axis, wherein the window stay is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the first arm to the second arm, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking member at the first arm and a second locking member at the second arm, wherein the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm and the second arm fold.

Description

Window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame. NL 1026858 C2 discloses a window stay to lock a window to a frame. The window stay comprises a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to each other via a pivot axis, the ends of the first and second arms also being pivotally connected to a first mounting part and a second mounting part, respectively. The arms are also rotatably connected to the mounting parts so that they can be rotated between an open position and a closed position when they are folded together. The first and second arms are provided with locking means which are moved by a slider from a release position into a blocking position in order to secure the arms together in the closed position, and vice versa to allow the arms to move to the open position. The slider is actuated by a lock that is arranged to be operated by a key.

The known window stay is typically used to lock a transom window which is in a relatively high position, e.g. above a door, that is difficult to reach. Inserting and operating a small key in a small lock at such a height can be difficult, if not impossible for some users. In addition, the key can get lost, leaving the window stay inoperable .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame, wherein the ease of use of the window stay can be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a window stay for locking a window wing with respect to a window frame, wherein the window stay comprises a first mounting member and a second mounting member for mounting the window stay to the window wing and the window frame, respectively, wherein the window stay further comprises a first arm that is hingably connected to the first mounting member about a first hinge axis and a second arm that is hingably connected to the second mounting member about a second hinge axis, wherein the first arm and the second arm are foldably interconnected about a fold axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first arm and the second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are positionable to extend in a release plane in which the first hinge axis, the second hinge axis and the fold axis are parallel so that the first arm and the second arm are foldable about the fold axis from an open position to a closed position in a closing direction to close the window wing and from the closed position to an open position in an opening direction to open the window wing with respect to the window frame, wherein the window stay is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the first arm to the second arm in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking member at the first arm and a second locking member at the second arm, wherein the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm and the second arm fold in the closing direction towards the closed position.

The automatic engagement can prevent or stop a subsequent folding-out of the arms in the opening direction. This feature can significantly improve the ease of use of the window stay over the known window stays of the prior art, in particular in high positions, for example at a transom window. The user can simply manually close the window wing using the window stay, thereby automatically locking the window stay without further manual operations, tools or keys.

In an embodiment the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage each other as a result of the relative movement of first arm with respect to the second arm in the closing direction. Hence, simply folding-in the window stay is sufficient to automatically lock the window stay.

In an embodiment one of the first locking member and the second locking member is biased to engage the other of the first locking member and the second locking member in the closed position of the first arm and the second arm. The biasing can assist or provide the biasing force for automatic engagement between the locking members. The biasing locking member can be a resiliently flexible locking member that exerts a biasing force on the other locking member. Alternatively, a separate biasing member can be used, as will be discussed in one of the embodiments below.

In an embodiment the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm and the second arm move in the closing direction into the closing position. The engagement can thus be affected at the closing position, thereby locking the window stay in said closing position.

In an embodiment thereof the first locking member is arranged to move past the second locking member in the closing direction when the first arm and the second arm fold from the open position into the closed position, wherein the second locking member is arranged to stop movement of the first locking member in the opening direction. The second locking member can thus prevent folding-out of the first arm with respect to the second arm in the opening direction.

In a further embodiment thereof one of the first locking member and the second locking member is displaceable by the other locking member when the first locking member moves along the second locking member in the closing direction. The displacement can allow the locking members to pass each other in the closing direction.

In an embodiment the locking mechanism further comprises a release member that is arranged to terminate the engagement between the first locking member and the second locking member. After termination of the engagement, the arms can be folded-out again in the opening direction towards the open position. The window stay can thus be unlocked by the release member.

In an embodiment thereof the release member is a manually operable release member, in particular a release member from the group comprising a button, a lever, a knob or a switch. Hence, no tools and/or keys are required to operate the release member. This can further improve the ease of use of the window stay.

In a further embodiment thereof the window stay is provided with a grip for manually folding the first arm and the second arm, wherein the release member is provided at, near or in the grip. By providing the release member near the grip, the user can manually control the grip and simultaneously operate the release member. Thus, the window stay can be unlocked and folded-out in the opening direction without taking the hand of the grip.

In an alternative embodiment including the biased locking member, the locking mechanism comprises a biasing member for biasing said biased locking member. The biasing member can be a separate part, e.g. a spring or a leaf spring, that can exert or transmit a biasing force onto the biased locking member. By using a biasing member, the biased locking member itself can be relatively rigid.

In an embodiment thereof the locking mechanism further comprises a release member that is arranged to terminate the engagement between the first locking member and the second locking member by at least partially counteracting the biasing member. By at least partially counteracting the biasing member, the biasing force exerted on the biased locking member can be reduced, rendering it movable out of engagement from the other locking member.

In an embodiment thereof the biasing member biases the release member with a biasing force, wherein the biasing force is transmitted via the release member onto the biased locking member. The release member can thus counter the biasing member and simultaneously interact with the biased locking member, e.g. for displacing said biased locking member against the bias from the biasing member.

In a particular embodiment of the invention the locking mechanism further comprises a blocking member that is arranged to block the aforementioned release member from counteracting the bias. By blocking the release member, the window stay is additionally locked against terminating the engagement between the locking members.

In an embodiment thereof the blocking member is operable in a manner different to the release member, wherein the blocking member is preferably key-operated or tool-operated. By designing the blocking member to be tool or key operable only, the blocking member can function as an additional lock to prevent accidental or unauthorized disengagement of locking members, e.g. as a child safety feature .

In an embodiment in combination with any of the aforementioned embodiments relating to the biasing member, the first locking member comprises a locking pin that is biased in a biasing direction, wherein the second locking member is formed as a locking slot for receiving said locking pin, wherein the slot comprises a displacement section that extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction for displacing the locking pin in a direction opposite to the biasing direction when the first locking member moves along the second locking member in the closing direction and a trapping section at the end of the displacement section in the closing direction for trapping the locking pin in the biasing direction. The displacement section and the trapping section together form a corner or hook in the locking slot, which can effectively and/or automatically trap the locking pin once the locking pin has passed the transition or corner from the displacement section into the trapping section.

In an embodiment thereof the release member is provided with an actuator slot for receiving the locking pin, wherein the actuator slot extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction in a direction opposite to the obliqueness of the locking slot for displacing the locking pin in a direction opposite to the biasing direction simultaneously with the release member counteracting the bias of the biasing member. The actuator slot can force the locking pin into a position in which it can be released from the trapping section back into the displacement section.

In a further embodiment of the invention the first arm is swivable with respect to the first mounting member about a first swivel axis perpendicular to the first hinge axis and wherein the second arm is swivable with respect to the second mounting member about a second swivel axis perpendicular to the second hinge axis, wherein the first swivel axis and the second swivel axis are arranged to be aligned when the first arm and the second arm are in the closed position so that the first arm and the second arm together are swivable about the aligned swivel axes between the closed position in the release plane and a retaining position in a retaining plane perpendicular to the release plane. In the retaining position, the hinge axes of the respective arms are perpendicular to each other and the window stay can not be folded out towards the open position .

In an embodiment thereof the window stay further comprises a retaining mechanism for retaining the first arm and the second arm in the retaining plane. The retaining mechanism can prevent that the arms swivel from the retaining plane towards the release plane, thereby providing additional security to the window stay.

In a further embodiment thereof the retaining mechanism comprises a first retaining member at the first arm or the second arm and a second retaining member that is arranged to be mounted to the window frame or the window wing, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm and the second arm swivel into the retaining position. The automatic retaining of the window stay in the retaining position can further improve the ease of use of the window stay. Similarly to the locking mechanism, the retaining mechanism does not require tools and/or keys to automatically retain the window stay.

In a further embodiment thereof the first retaining member and the second retaining member are arranged to engage each other as a result of the relative movement of first arm and the second arm with respect to the second retaining member. Preferably, one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member is biased to engage the other of the first retaining member and the second retaining member in the retaining position. The retaining mechanism can thus automatically retain the window stay in the retaining position much like the locking mechanism retains the window stay in the closed position.

In an embodiment thereof, combined with any of the aforementioned embodiments including the release member, the release member is arranged to at least partially counteract the bias acting on the biased retaining member. The release member can thus also be used to disengage the retaining members.

In an embodiment thereof the release member is arranged to at least partially counteract the bias acting on the biased retaining member simultaneously with counteracting the bias acting on the biased locking member. The release member can thus be operated in the same way for disengaging both the locking mechanism and the retaining mechanism. The release member may be pressed once for disengaging the retaining members in the retaining position and a second time for disengaging the locking members in the closed position. Alternatively, the release member may be pressed continuously from disengaging the retaining members up to disengaging the locking members.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause an added manufacturing device or a 3D-printer to print the previously discussed window stay. This allows for the window stay according to the invention to be printed.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows an isometric view of the window stay according to a first embodiment of the invention, in an open position; figure 2 shows an isometric view of the window stay according to figure 1, in a closed position; figure 3 shows an isometric view of the window stay according to figure 1, in a retaining position; figure 4 shows a cross sectional side view of the window stay according to the line IV - IV in figure 1; figures 5-7 show intermediate steps of the window stay according to figure 4 moving from the open position as shown in figure 1 towards the closed position as shown in figure 2; figure 8 shows a cross sectional side view of the window stay according to the line VIII - VIII in figure 2; figure 9 shows a cross section side view of the window stay in the closed position, ready for release towards the open position; figures 10A and 10B show cross sections of the window stay according to figure 2, revealing a blocking member for blocking the operation of the window stay; figure 11 shows an exploded view of window stay according to figure 2; figure 12 shows a cross sectional side view of an alternative window stay according to a second embodiment of the invention; and figure 13 shows a top view of the alternative window stay according to figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-9 show a window lock or window stay 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, for opening and locking a window wing 91 with respect to a window frame 92. The window wing 91 can be glass panel with a window sash or just the glass panel. The window stay 1 according to the invention is particularly useful in combination with a window wing 91 and a window frame 92 of a window that is located at a relatively high, difficult to reach position, e.g. a transom window.

The window stay 1 is shown in an open position in figure 1, for opening the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 92. Figure 2 shows the same window stay 2 in the closed position, for closing the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 91. In both figure 1 and figure 2, the window stay 1 is located or extends in a release plane PI. In the release plane PI, the window stay 1 is foldable from the open position towards the closed position in a closing direction D1 and from the closed position towards the open position in an opening direction D2 opposite to the closing direction D1. In figure 3, the window stay 1 is shown in a retaining position in a retaining plane P2 that extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the release plane PI. The window stay 1 is swivable in a retaining direction D3 from the closed position towards the retaining position and in a release direction D4 opposite to the retaining direction D3 from the retaining position towards the closed position. The window stay 1 is locked in the retaining position against folding out. Thus, in the retaining plane P2, the window stay 1 retains or locks the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 92.

As best seen in the open position of the window stay 1 in figure 1, the window stay 1 comprises a conventional first mounting member 2 and a conventional second mounting member 3 which are arranged to be mounted or attached to the window wing 91 and the window frame 92, respectively. The first mounting member 2 and the second mounting member 3 are mounted in a manner known per se to the window wing 91 and the window frame 92, respectively, in oppositely located and/or mutually facing mounting positions. In particular, the window stay 1 is mounted between the window wing 91 and the window frame 92 at a position opposite to the location where the window wing 91 is hinged to the window frame 92 (not shown).

The window stay 1 comprises a first elongate arm 4 that extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction L. The first elongate arm 4 is hingably connected or coupled to the first mounting member 2 so as to be rotatable or hingable about a first hinge axis HI between the open position and the closed position. In addition, the first arm 4 is swivable with respect to the first mounting member 3 about a first swivel axis SI between the closed position and the retaining position. The first swivel axis SI extends perpendicular to the first hinge axis HI. The window stay 1 further comprises an elongate or longitudinally extending second arm 5 that is hingably connected or coupled to the second mounting member 3 so as to be rotatable or hingable about a second hinge axis H2 between open position and the closed position. In addition, the second arm 5 is swivable with respect to the second mounting member 3 about a second swivel axis S2 between the closed position and the retaining position. The second swivel axis S2 extends perpendicular to the second hinge axis H2.

The first arm 4 and the second arm 5 are foldably interconnected so as to be foldable with respect to each other about a fold axis F. The fold axis F extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4. The first arm 4 and the second arm 5 are positionable in the release plane PI, as shown in figures 1 and 2, meaning that the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 and/or their respective longitudinal directions extend in the release plane PI. In said release plane PI the first hinge axis Hi, the second hinge axis H2 and the fold axis F are parallel or substantially parallel to each other so as to allow folding of the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 with respect to each other about the fold axis F in the closing direction D1 and the opening direction D2. In the open position, the arms 4, 5 are folded-out in the opening direction D2 to open the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 92. In the closed position, the arms 4, 5 are folded-in in the closing direction D1 to close the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 92. In the open position, the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 and/or their respective longitudinal directions are in line or substantially in line with each other. In other words, the second arm 5 is longitudinally aligned or aligned in extension of the first arm 4. In the closed position and/or the retaining position, the second arm 5 is located, received and/or accommodated inside the first arm 4.

As shown in figures 2, 3 and 8, the swivel axes SI, S2 are aligned, in-line or collinear in a manner known per se when the arms 4, 5 are in the closed position and/or the retaining position to allow swiveling of said arms 4, 5 between the release plane PI and the retaining plane P2.

As best seen in the exploded view of figure 11, the first arm 4 comprises an arm body 40 with a top wall 41, a first sidewall 42 and a second sidewall 43 forming a substantially U-shaped cross section that is open at the bottom (not shown). The first sidewall 42 is longer than the second sidewall 43 at the location of the first swivel axis SI to block swiveling of the first arm 4 from the retaining plane P2 beyond the release plane PI. The second arm 5 similarly comprises an arm body 50, a bottom wall 51, a first sidewall 52 and a second sidewall 53 forming a substantially U-shaped cross section that is open at the side that face upwards in the closed position and downwards in the open position. The open bottom of the arm body 40 of the first arm 4 is arranged for receiving the arm body 50 of the second arm 5 in the closed position. The arm body 50 of the second arm 5 is narrower than the arm body 40 of the first arm 4 and thus fits inside the arm body 40 of the first arm 4.

As further shown in figure 11, the window stay 1 comprises a locking mechanism 6 for locking the first arm 4 to the second arm 5 in the closed position of figure 2. The locking mechanism 6 comprises a first locking member 61 at the first arm 4. The first locking member 61 is provided with or formed by a carriage or slider 62 that is slidably arranged or received within the arm body 40 of the first arm 4 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm. In particular, the arm body 40 is provided with mutually facing flanges (not shown) at the sidewalls 42, 43 extending at, near or along the open bottom end of the U-shaped cross section of the arm body 40, to enclose the first locking member 61 inside the arm body 40. The first locking member 61 comprises a locking pin 63 that is attached or coupled to the slider 62. The locking pin 63 is movable together with the slider 62 in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4. The locking pin 63 extends transversely, laterally or perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4 between the sidewalls 42, 43 of the first arm 4. The locking pin 63 is arranged to intersect with both sidewalls 52, 53 of the second arm 5 in the closed position. The first locking member 61 further comprises an abutment surface 64 with a function that will be described in more detail later in this description.

The locking mechanism 6 further comprises a second locking member 65 at the second arm 5 that is arranged for engaging the first locking member 61. The second locking member 65 is provided with or formed by a first locking slot 66 in the first sidewall 52 and a second locking slot 67 in the second sidewall 53 of the second arm 5. The first slot 66 and the second slot 67 are identical or substantially identical to each other. Each locking slot 66, 67 comprises a displacement channel or section 68 that is open at the side of the second arm 5 that faces away from the bottom wall 51. The displacement section 68 extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction D1 and is arranged for receiving and displacing the locking pin 63 with respect to the first arm 4 in the longitudinal direction L when the first arm 4 folds towards the second arm 5 in the closing direction Dl. The displacement section 68 ends or merges in a trapping channel or section 69 for trapping the locking pin 63 against movement in the opening direction D2. The displacement section 68 and the trapping section 69 together form a corner or hook 60 in each slot 66, 67.

The first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 fold-in from the open position towards and/or into the closed position in the closing direction D1. In particular, the first locking member 61 is arranged to move past the second locking member 65 in the closing direction D1 when the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 fold-in from the open position as shown in figure 1 into the closed position as shown in figure 2. The second locking member 65 is subsequently arranged to stop movement of the first locking member 61 in the opening direction D2. In particular, the boundary or contour of the trapping section 69 forms a stopping surface that contacts and stops the locking pin 63 of the first locking member 61 when the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 move in the opening direction D2.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the window stay 1 is provided with a grip 7 at the distal and/or opposite end of the first arm 4 with respect to the first mounting member 2. The grip 7 is ergonomically designed to allow a user to manually fold in or fold out the arms 4, 5 between the closed position and the open position.

As shown in figure 8, the window stay 1 is provided with a biasing member 71 and a release member 72. The biasing member 71 is arranged to bias one of the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 (hereafter 'the biased locking member') with a biasing force A to engage the other of the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 (hereafter 'the unbiased locking member') in a biasing direction B. In this exemplary embodiment, the biasing member 71 is formed by a leaf spring inside the grip 7 that biasing the release member 72 with respect to the grip 7. The biasing force A is indirectly transmitted onto the first locking member 61 via the release member 72. It will however be apparent to one skilled in the art that the biasing member 71 may also be arranged elsewhere in the window stay 1. The biasing member 71 merely needs to operationally acts on and/or transmit the biasing force A onto the biased locking member

61, 65. In this exemplary embodiment, the biasing force A acts on the first locking member 61 in a biasing direction B parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4.

The release member 72 is arranged in a position to counteract the biasing force A of the biasing member 71 and/or to terminate the engagement between the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65, thereby releasing the window stay 1 and allowing the window stay 1 to be folded out from the closed position to the open position. In this exemplary embodiment, the release member 72 is arranged in, at or near the grip 7. The release member 72 is provided with a lever body 73 with a manually operable pressing member 74 at one end of the lever body 73, near the grip 7, and an actuator member 75 at the opposite end of the lever body 73, extending towards and/or up to the first locking member 61. The lever body 73 is pivotable about fold axis F. The biasing member 71 is arranged between the grip 7 and the release member 72 and biases the pressing member 74 of said release member 72 with the biasing force A to pivot at least partially out of the grip 7 or into an at least partially protruding position with respect to the grip 7 (see arrow N) . Hence, the pressing member 74 is easily reachable and operable, like a button, by a user. The release member 72 can be pivoted inwards manually by pressing it (see arrow M) . The incorporation of the release member 72 into the grip 7 further ensures that after release, the window stay 1 can instantly be folded-out by manually gripping the grip 7.

As best seen in figure 8, the actuator member 75 comprises an actuator slot 76. The actuator slot 76 extends obliquely with respect to the closing direction D1 at an opposite angle or contra to the displacement slots 68 of the second locking member 65. Hence, when the actuator member 75 is manually pivoted inwards about the fold axis F by pressing the pressing member 74 into the grip 7 (see arrow M) , the actuator slot 7 6 is arranged to contact and displace the locking pin 63 of the first locking member 61 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction B acting thereon, to move the locking pin 63 out of the trapping section 69.

Figures 1-4 and 11 show a blocking member 8 for blocking the operation of the window stay 1. As best seen in figure 11, the blocking member 8 comprises a control body 80 that can be rotated in a rotational direction R between a blocking and an unblocking. The blocking member 8 is rotatably mounted to a hole in one of the sidewalls 42, 43 of the first arm 4 with the control body 80 located on the outside of the arm body 40 of the first arm 4. The control body 80 is not ergonomically designed or adapted for manual operation. Preferably, the control body 80 is arranged for rotation by a tool, e.g. a screw driver, a key or a coin that fits in to a control slot 81 at the control body 80. At the inside of first arm 4, opposite to the control body 80, the blocking member 8 is provided with a blocking body 82, in this example an eccentric blocking body 82, that is rotatable by the external control body 80 between an unblocking position as shown in figure 10A and a blocking position as shown in figure 10B. In the unblocking position, the blocking body 82 is spaced apart from the abutment surface 64 of the first locking member 61, while in the blocking position, the blocking body 82 is arranged to be in direct abutment or to restrict the movement of the first locking member 61 in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4 to an extent that the first locking member 61 can not be disengaged from the second locking member 65. In particular, the blocking body 82 prevents that the locking pin 63 is moved out of the trapping sections 69 of the locking slots 66, 67.

The operation of the window stay 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention will be elucidated in the description hereafter with reference to figures 1-9 and figures 10A and 10B.

Figures 4-6 show the steps of folding the arms 4, 5 of the window stay 1 about the folding axis F from the open position, as shown in figure 1, to the closed position, as shown in figure 2.

In particular, figure 4 shows the situation in which the first arm 4 and the second arm 5 are in-line with each other in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4 to open the window wing 91 with respect to the window frame 92. The first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 are not engaged to each other. The window stay 1 can thus be freely folded-in at any moment. The release member 72 is biased by the biasing member 71 to protrude out of the grip 7. The grip 7 may now be manually pulled in the closing direction D1 upwards and away from the window wing 91 to start the folding-in of the window stay 1.

Figure 5 shows the situation after the arms 4, 5 of the window stay 1 have been folded-in considerably in the closing direction D1 with respect to the situation as shown in figure 4. The first locking member 61 at the first arm 4 and the second locking member 65 at the second arm 5 are however still spaced apart and do not engage each other. It will however be apparent that upon further folding-in of the arms 4, 5 in the closing direction Dl, the slots 66, 67 of the second locking member 65 are aligned with the locking pin 63 of the first locking member 61 to receive said locking pin 63 in the closing direction Dl.

Figure 6 shows the situation after the arms 4, 5 of the window stay 1 have been folded-in further in the closing direction Dl until the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 have come into contact with each other. In particular, the locking pin 63 has come into direct contact and/or abutment with the contour or boundary of the displacement sections 68 of both slots 66, 67. When the first arm 4 is moved further in the closing direction Dl relative to the second arm 5, the obliquely extending displacements sections 68 will force the locking pin 63, and the slidable carriage 62 associated therewith, to slide in the longitudinal direction L through the first arm 4 in the direction of obliqueness of the displacement sections 68. The relative movement of the first arm 4 with respect to the second arm 5 and the associated displacement of the carriage 62 and the locking pin 63 counteracts the biasing direction B of the biasing member 71 that acts via the release member 72 on the locking pin 63.

Figure 7 shows the situation after the arms 4, 5 of the window stay 1 have been folded-in further and the locking pin 63 has moved further down the oblique displacement sections 68 of the slots 66, 67 in the closing direction D1. As a result, the locking pin 63, and the slidable carriage 62 associated therewith, have been displaced further against the biasing direction B in the longitudinal direction L through the first arm 4. The locking pin 63 is almost able to pass the transition, corner or hook 60 between the displacement sections 68 and the trapping sections 69 of the slots 66, 67 in the closing direction D1. In this exemplary embodiment, the as a result of the displacement of the locking pin 63 and the interaction thereof with the actuator slot 76 in the release member 72, the release member 72 pivots about the folding axis F, causing the oppositely located manually controllable member 74 to pivot inwards into the grip 7 (see arrow M).

Figure 8 shows the situation after the arms 4, 5 of the window stay 1 have been fully folded-in in the closing direction D1 into the closed position. Because of the relative movement of the first arm 4 with respect to the second arm 5, the locking pin 63 has passed around the transition, corner or hook 60 between the displacement sections 68 and the trapping sections 69 of the slots 66, 67 in the closing direction D1. When the locking pin 63 entered the trapping sections 69 of the respective slots 66, 67, the biasing direction B biased the locking pin 63 to move into said trapping sections 69, thereby trapping and/or locking the locking pin 63 in said trapping sections 69. The second locking member 65 now prevents or stops the first locking member 61 from moving in the opposite opening direction D2. The first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 have thus been automatically engaged to each other by folding-in the arms 4, 5 towards and/or into the closed position.

As shown in figure 9, the locking pin 63 may again be moved against the biasing direction B by manually pressing the pressing member 74 in the inward direction M. This pivots the lever body 73 of the release member 72 about the folding axis F such that the actuator slot 7 6 displaces the locking pin 63 out of the trapping sections 69 of the respective slots 66, 67 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction B. Once the locking pin 63 is sufficiently displaced out of the trapping sections 69 and into alignment with the displacement sections 68 in the opening direction D2, the first arm 4 can be folded-out in said opening direction D2 with respect to the second arm 5, thereby disengaging the first locking member 61 from the second locking member 65. The window stay 1 is now released and foldable towards the open position.

As shown in figures 10A and 10B, the blocking body 82 of the blocking member 8 can be rotated (arrow R) into a blocking position in which the carriage 62 is no longer slidable into a position in which the locking pin 63 becomes aligned with the displacement channels 68 of the respective slots 66, 67. Hence, in the blocking position of the blocking member 8 as shown in figure 10B, the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 can not be disengaged and the manual release of the window stay 1 as shown in figure 9 is prevented or not possible. By designing the blocking member 8 to be tool or key operable only, the blocking member 8 can function as an additional lock to prevent accidental or unauthorized disengagement of the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65, e.g. as a child safety feature.

Figures 12 and 13 show an alternative window stay 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative window stay 101 differs from the window stay 1 of figures 1-9 in that it comprises a retaining mechanism 110 for retaining the first arm 4 and the second arm 105 in the retaining position in the retaining plane P2. Like the previously discussed locking mechanism 6, the retaining mechanism 110 comprises a first retaining member 111 at the first arm 4 or the second arm 105 and a second retaining member 115 that is associated, directly or indirectly, with the window wing 91 or the window frame 92. In this exemplary embodiment, the first retaining member 111 is a retaining pin 112 that extends through an aperture in the bottom wall 51 of the second arm 105 towards an alternative second mounting member 103. The alternative second mounting member 103 comprises a swivel section 131 that is arranged to mount the alternative window stay 101 to the window frame 92 at or near the second swivel axis S2 and a retaining section 132 that extends alongside the second arm 105 up to the position of and/or intersecting with the retaining pin 112. At the location of the retaining pin 112, the second retaining member 115 is provided with a retaining slot 133 that extends in the retaining section 132 of the alternative second mounting member 103. The retaining slot 133 is arranged for receiving the retaining pin 112 of the first retaining member 111 when the first arm 4 and the second arm 105 move into the retaining position. In particular, the retaining slot 133 is similar to the locking slots 66, 67 of the first embodiment of the invention, comprising a similar displacement section and trapping section interacting in the same way with the retaining pin 112 as the locking slots 66, 67 interact with the locking pin 63.

Preferably, the first retaining member 111 and the second retaining member 115 are disengaged simultaneously with the disengaging of the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 by manually operating the release member 72. In particular, it can be observed in figure 10A that locking pin 63 and the retaining pin 112 are fixedly mounted to or form part of the same carriage 62 and thus simultaneously slide in the longitudinal direction L of the first arm 4 upon operation of the release member 72. The release member 72 may be pressed once for disengaging the retaining members 111, 115 in the retaining position and a second time for disengaging the locking members 61, 65 in the closed position. Alternatively, the release member 72 may be pressed continuously from disengaging the retaining members 111, 115 up to disengaging the locking members 61, 65.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the second retaining member 115 can also be mounted to the window frame 92 separately from a second mounting member. In such case, the second mounting member does not have to extend up to the first retaining member 111 and can therefore be more like the second mounting member 3 in figures 1-9. Alternatively, the second retaining member 115 can be mounted to the window wing 91, in which case the window wing 91 retains the alternative window stay 101 in the retaining plane P2 while the window stay at the same time prevents the window wing 91 from opening with respect to the window frame 92.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

In summary, the invention relates to a window stay 1, 101 for locking a window wing 91 with respect to a window frame 92, wherein the window stay 1, 101 comprises a first arm 4 and a second arm 5, 105 that are foldably interconnected about a fold axis F, wherein the first arm 4 and the second arm 5, 105 are positionable to extend in a release plane PI so that the first arm 4 and the second arm 5, 105 are foldable about the fold axis F, wherein the window stay 1, 101 is provided with a locking mechanism 6, 106 for locking the first arm 4 to the second arm 5, 105, wherein the locking mechanism 6, 106 comprises a first locking member 61, 161 at the first arm 4 and a second locking member 65 at the second arm 5, 105, wherein the first locking member 61 and the second locking member 65 are arranged to engage each other automatically when the first arm 4 and the second arm 5, 105 fold.

Claims

A window ejector for locking a window wing relative to a window frame, the window ejector comprising a first mounting part and a second mounting part for attaching the window ejector to the window sash and the window frame, respectively, the window ejector further comprising a first arm pivotally is connected to the first mounting part about a first pivot axis and a second arm which is pivotally connected to the second mounting part about a second pivot axis, the first arm and the second arm being foldably connected to each other about a folding axis perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first arm and second arm, wherein the first arm and the second arm are positionable to extend into a release surface in which the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis, and the folding axis are parallel such that the first arm and the second arm are foldable around the folding axis from an open position to one closed position in a closing direction to close the window sash and from the closed position to an open position in an opening direction to open the window sash with respect to the window frame, wherein the window expander is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the first arm to the second arm in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking member at the first arm and a second locking member at the second arm, the first locking member and the second locking member being arranged to automatically engage each other when the first arm and the folding the second arm in the closing direction in the direction of the closed position.

A window expander according to claim 1, wherein the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged to engage with each other as a result of the relative movement of the first arm relative to the second arm in the closing direction.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the first locking member and the second locking member is preloaded to engage the other of the first locking member and the second locking member in the closed position of the first arm and the second arm.

A window expander according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking part and the second locking part are arranged to automatically engage each other when the first arm and the second arm move in the closing direction into the closed position.

The window expander according to claim 4, wherein the first locking member is arranged to move past the second locking member in the closing direction when the first arm and the second arm fold from the open position to the closed position, the second locking member being arranged to stop movement of the first locking member in the opening direction.

The window expander according to claim 5, wherein one of the first locking member and the second locking member is movable through the other locking member when the first locking member moves along the second locking member in the closing direction.

The window expander according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release part which is arranged to end the engagement between the first locking part and the second locking part.

A window expander according to claim 9, wherein the release part is a manually operable release part, in particular a release part from the group comprising a push button, an arm, a button or a switch.

A window expander according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the window expander is provided with a grip part for manually folding the first arm and the second arm, the release part being provided at, near or in the grip part.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a preloaded member for preloading the preloaded locking member.

The window expander according to claim 10, wherein the preloaded member is a spring or leaf spring.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release member adapted to terminate engagement between the first locking member and the second locking member by at least partially counteracting the preloaded member.

A window ejector as claimed in claim 12, wherein the preloaded portion preloads the release portion with a preload force, the preload force being transmitted via the release portion to the preloaded locking member.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a blocking part which is arranged to block that the release part counteracts the preload.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the blocking part is operable in a manner other than the release part, wherein the blocking part is preferably key-operated or tool-operated.

A window ejector as claimed in any one of claims 10-15, wherein the first locking member comprises a locking pin that is preloaded in a preload direction, the second locking member being formed as a locking slot for receiving the locking pin, the slot comprising a displacement portion inclined extends with respect to the closing direction for moving the locking pin in a direction opposite to the pre-loading direction when the first locking member moves along the second locking member in the closing direction and a locking portion at the end of the moving portion in the closing direction for locking the locking pin in the pre-load direction.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 16, wherein the release portion is provided with an actuator slot for receiving the locking pin, the actuator slot extending obliquely to the closing direction in a direction opposite to the inclination of the locking slot for displacing the locking pin in a direction opposite to the pre-loading direction simultaneously with counteracting the pre-loading part of the pre-loading part by the release part.

A window expander according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm is pivotable relative to the first mounting member about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis and wherein the second arm is pivotable relative to the second mounting member perpendicular to the second pivot axis second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are arranged to be aligned when the first arm and the second arm are in the closed position such that the first arm and the second arm are pivotable together about the aligned pivot axes between the closed position in the release face and a holding position in a holding face perpendicular to the release face.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 18, wherein the window ejector further comprises a holding mechanism for holding the first arm and the second arm in the holding surface.

A window ejector as claimed in claim 19, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first holding part at the first arm or the second arm and a second holding part adapted to be attached to the window frame or window sash, the first holding part and the second holding part being arranged to automatically engage with each other when the first arm and the second arm pivot into the holding position.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are adapted to engage with each other as a result of the relative movement of the first arm and the second arm relative to the second retaining member.

The window ejector as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein one of the first holding member and the second holding member is preloaded to engage the other of the first holding member and the second holding member in the holding position.

A window ejector according to claim 22, when dependent on any of claims 7-9 or when dependent on any of claims 12-15, wherein the release member is arranged to at least partially counteract the preload acting on the preloaded retaining member.

The window ejector according to claim 23, wherein the release portion is arranged to at least partially counteract the preload acting on the preloaded retaining member simultaneously with counteracting the preload operating on the preloaded locking member.

A computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions adapted to cause an added manufacturing device or a 3D printer to print a window ejector according to any one of the preceding claims.