NZ264895A - Window operator with a guided movable coupler sequentially linking an input drive to rotatable output drives for effecting pivoting and fastening of the window - Google Patents

Description

t ft A 9 r> ^ „ y ;v Priority Date(s):... IA.|.».A.\3.3 .15.V-U3J* Complete Specification Fifed: . Class: (6) .6P.SH:U}00vCA,.M»taH; Publication Date: 2LMjM.J9» P.O. Journal No: H&SQ* Patents Form No. 5 Our Refs JB203980 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION J^PATENT OFFICE We, i *10 NOV 1994 OPERATOR FOR AH OPENING WTNG l- -t— meced/fn HARDWARE & SYSTEMS PATENTS LIMITED, a British company, oj 100 Fetter Lane, London, United Kingdom EC4A 1HN hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0567526 -2- CVi / ('-"i r'r, & '3 4' 0 J This invention relates to operators for controlling pivotal movement of an opening wing of a window, door or like closure relative to a surrounding frame.

The present invention has for its object to prpvide an improved 5 operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure which additionally controls actuation of a fastening mechanism for securing the casement relative to the surrounding frame when closed.

It is a further preferred object of the invention to provide such improved operator which is of simple construction and is reliable in 10 operation whereby the pivotal movement of the wing and actuation of the fastening mechanism are controlled in sequence to prevent actuation of the fastening mechanism when the wing is open.

According to one aspect of the present invention an operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure comprises a drive mechanism 15 for controlling respectively pivotal movement of the wing relative to a surrounding frame and actuation of a fastening mechanism for securing the wing relative to the surrounding frame wherein the drive mechanism is adapted for operation of the fastening mechanism when the wing is closed.

Advantageously, the drive mechanism includes rotatable drive input 20 means, first and second rotatable drive output means controlling pivotal movement of the wing and operation of the fastening mechanism respectively, coupling means for transmitting rotation of the input means to the output means, and guide means for moving the coupling means to connect the input means to each output means in sequence.

With this arrangement of coupling means and guide means, the first output means is coupled for opening and closing the wing when the second output means is uncoupled with the fastening mechanism unlocked and the second output means is coupled for locking and unlocking the fastening mechanism when the first output means is uncoupled with the wing closed. 30 Preferably, the coupling means is rotatable with the input means and the guide means is arranged to move the coupling means radially to couple and uncouple the output means in the required sequence. For example, the guide means may have a cam profile engaged by the coupling means.

Advantageously, each output means has respective control means 35 with a curved part of fixed radius in which the coupling means can travel when the output means is uncoupled and a radial part in which the coupling means is received when the output means is coupled.

In one arrangement, the output means are coupled and uncoupled by common coupling means controlled by guide means associated with a casing in which the drive mechanism is housed. More preferably, each output means is coupled and uncoupled by respective coupling means controlled by guide means associated with the other output means.

Preferably, stop means is provided for blocking rotation of each output means when uncoupled from the input means with the blocking action being reversed in response to change-over of the drive connection between the input means and the output means.

Advantageously, the drive mechanism includes switch means arranged to co-act with the coupling means to reverse the stop means in response to movement of the coupling means to change-over the drive connection between the input means and the output means.

Preferably, actuator means is provided for rotating the input means in one direction for unlocking the fastening mechanism and opening the wing and in the opposite direction for closing the wing and locking the fastening mechanism.

Advantageously, the input means has a gear meshing with a worm gear of the actuator means that is rotatable in opposite directions for reversing the rotation of the input means. For example, the worm gear may be rotatable by a manually operable handle or by a motor or any other suitable means. Where provided, the handle is preferably foldable between an inoperative stored position and an operative extended position.

Preferably, indicator means is provided for providing a visual indication of the locked and unlocked conditions of the fastening mechanism.

According to another aspect of the present invention an operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure comprises a drive mechanism for controlling pivotal movement of the wing relative to a surrounding frame and optionally actuation of a fastening mechanism for securing the wing relative to the surrounding frame when the wing is closed wherein the drive mechanism is operable by a handle foldable between an inoperative or stored position and an operative or extended position.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-FIGURE 1 is a transverse section through a casement window fitted with a first embodiment of a window operator according to the present invention; 5 FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of part of the outer frame of the window shown in Figure 1 depicting a detail of the locking mechanism; FIGURE 3 is a part section, to an enlarged scale, on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with parts of the window shown in outline; FIGURE 4 shows the engagement of a keeper and bolting member of the 10 locking mechanism with parts of the window shown in outline; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of the keeper shown in Figure 4; FIGURE 6 is an exploded isometric view of the operator shown in Figure 1; FIGURES 7A.7B and 7C are plan views showing the relative positions of 15 component parts of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 6 with the window closed and locked; FIGURES 8A.8B and 8C are plan views similar to Figures 7A.7B and 7C showing the relative positions of the component parts of the drive mechanism with the window closed and unlocked; FIGURES 9A.9B and 9C are plan views similar to Figures 7A,7B and 7C showing the relative positions of the component parts of the drive mechanism with the window open and unlocked; FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a window operator according to the invention with a folding handle shown in the stored position; 25 FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the operator shown in Figure 10 with the handle shown in the operative position; FIGURE 12 is an exploded isometric view of a folding handle shown in Figures 10 and 11; FIGURE 13 is a part vertical section showing a modification to the drive mechanism; FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 13 with parts removed to show the link between the follower pin and stop member; FIGURE 15 is an exploded isometric view of a third embodiment of window operator according to the invention showing the component parts of the drive 35 mechanism; 2 6 4 8 9 5 FIGURES 16A.16B.16C and 16D are plan views showing the relative positions of the component parts of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 15 with the window closed and locked; FIGURES 17A.17B.17C and 17D are plan views similar to Figures 5 16A,16B,16C and 16D showing the relative positions of the component parts of the drive mechanism with the window closed and unlocked; and FIGURES 18A.18B.18C and 18D are plan views similar to Figures 16A,16B,16C and 16D showing the relative positions of the component parts of the drive mechanism with the window open and 10 unlocked.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, the operator 1 is shown in a window comprising a casement 2 supported at the top and bottom in a surrounding outer fixed frame 3 by a pair of stays 4 (one only shown) for pivotal movement about a vertical axis on one side. The 15 illustrated window is of timber construction but this is not essential and other materials may be used such as metal or plastics as will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

Each stay 4 is similar and comprises a pair of mounting plates 5,6 secured respectively to the casement 2 and fixed frame 3. The mounting 20 plate 5 is pivotally connected at one end to a shoe 7 slidably mounted on the mounting plate 6, and a link 8 extends between and is pivotally connected to the end of the mounting plate 6 remote from the shoe 7 and to the mounting plate 5 intermediate its ends.

The mounting plate 5 and link 8 are aligned with and overlie the 25 mounting plate 6 within the rebate 9 between the casement 2 and frame 3 when the casement 2 is closed as shown in Figure 3. When the casement 2 is fully open, the mounting plate 5 extends substantially normal to the mounting plate 6 and the link 8 extends at an angle thereto as shown in Figure 2.

The construction of the stays 4 is not an essential part of the invention and other types of stay or hinge may be used to support the casement 2 in the fixed frame 3 for pivotal movement as will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

The operator 1 has a casing 10 located in a through slot 11 formed in 35 an upstand 12 of the sill 13 of the fixed frame 3. A manually rotatable handle 14 is mounted on a shaft 15 that extends outwardly of the casing 10 ? 6 4 8 g 5f and operates a drive mechanism 16 housed in the casing 10. The handle 14 is releasably secured to the shaft 15 by a grub screw (not shown) allowing the handle 14 to be detached if required. Irt a modification (not shown) the handle 14 may be replaced by a motor for driven rotation of the shaft 15. o A link 17 extends between and is pivotally connected to a bracket 18 secured to the lower corner edge of the casement 2 on the hinge side and to an operating arm 19 of the drive mechanism 16. The drive mechanism 16 is operable to convert rotation of the handle 14 into swinging movement of the operating arm 19 to open or close the casement 2.

The casement 2 is provided on the side remote from the hinge axis with a pair of spaced apart keepers 20 for co-operating with corresponding spaced apart bolting members 21 of an elongate lock bar 22 slidably mounted on the opposed side of the fixed frame 3 to secure the casement 2 in the closed position. The number and position of the keepers 20 and 15 bolting members 21 is not an essential part of the invention and may be altered to suit different window sizes as will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

The lock bar 22 is connected by a linkage 23 including a flexible metal strip 24 extending around the bottom corner edge of the fixed frame 3 20 to a locking arm 25 of the drive mechanism 16. The drive mechanism 16 is operable to convert rotation of the handle 14 into swinging movement of the arm 25 to engage or disengage the bolting members 21 and keepers 20.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, each keeper 20 has a flat base 26 with holes 26a at each end by means of which the keeper 20-is secured to 25 the casement 2 by fixing screws (not shown). Each keeper 20 also has an abutment face 27 that is engaged by the associated bolting member 21 to secure the casement 2 closed with an inclined ramp face 28 at each end. The bolting member 21 is co-operable with one of these ramp faces 28 to exert a pull-in force on the casement 2 and, where provided, compress a 30 resilient sealing strip (not shown) to provide a weathertight seal in the closed position. By the provision of a ramp face 28 at each end, the keeper 20 is non-handed.

The fastening mechanism is not an essential part of the invention and may be of any suitable type coupled to the locking arm 25 for securing the 35 casement 2 relative to the fixed frame 3 on one or more sides as will be familiar to those skilled in the art. ^§489 Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, the casing 10 comprises a rectangular base plate 29 on which shaft 15 is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis and a cover plate 30 riveted or otherwise secured to the base plate 29. The base plate 29 is provided with a series of holes 31 for fixing 5 screws (not shown) by means of which the casing 10 is secured to the sill 13.

The drive mechanism 16 includes a drive input member being a pinion 32 rotatable about a fixed pin 33 secured at opposite ends in respective aligned holes 34 in the base plate 29 and cover plate 30 of the casing 10. 10 The pinion 32 meshes with a worm 35 at the inner end of the shaft 15 and is rotatable in clockwise and counter clockwise directions by rotation of the handle 14 in opposite senses.

The drive mechanism 16 further includes first and second drive output members being an operating plate 36 and a locking plate 37 respectively 15 rotatable about the fixed pin 33 on opposite sides of the pinion 32. The operating arm 19 is integral with the operating plate 36 and extends outwardly of the casing 10 for pivotal connection to the link 17 via a hole 38 at the outer end. The locking arm 25 is integral with the locking plate 37 and extends outwardly of the casing 10 for pivotal connection to linkage 23 20 via a hole 39 at the outer end.

The base plate 29 and cover plate 30 are provided on the inside of the casing 10 with respective aligned cam grooves 40. Each groove 40 defines at one end a first cam groove portion 40a of fixed radius about the axis of the pin 33 and, at the other end, a second cam groove portion 40b of 25 larger fixed radius about the axis of the pin 33 with an angled cam groove portion 40c connecting the first and second cam groove portions 40a,40b.

The pinion 32 has a radial recess 41 at the periphery in which an enlarged centre portion 42a of a follower pin 42 is received. One end portion 42b of the follower pin 42 extends through a control slot 43 30 formed in the operating plate 36 and is located in the cam groove 40 formed in the base plate 29. The control slot 43 has a curved part 43a of fixed radius equal to that of the first cam groove portion 40a and terminates at one end in a radially outwardly extending pocket 43b.

The other end portion 42c of the follower pin 42 extends through a 35 control slot 44 formed in the locking plate 37 and is located in the cam 2f / qos £. v -f o # q groove 40 formed in the cover plate 30. The control slot 44 has a curved part 44a of fixed radius equal to that of the second cam groove portion 40b and terminates at one end in a radially inwardly directed pocket 44b.

Figures 7A.7B and 7C show the relative arrangement of the pinion 5 32, operating plate 36, locking plate 37 and follower pin 42 with the casement 2 closed and the bolting members 21 engaging the keepers 20 to secure the casement 2 relative to the frame 3. In this condition, the follower pin 42 is located in the first cam groove portion 40a with the end portion 42c located in the pocket 44b of slot 44 to couple the locking plate 37 to the 10 pinion 32 and the other end portion 42b located in the curved part 43a of slot 43 to uncouple the operator plate 36 from the pinion 32.

As a result, on rotation of the handle 14 to rotate the pinion 32 in a clockwise direction, the locking plate 37 rotates with the pinion 32 to swing the locking arm 25 to pull the linkage 23 and slide the lock bar 22 in a 15 direction to disengage the bolting members 21 from the keepers 20. Simultaneously, the operating plate 36 remains stationary to keep the window closed.

When the follower pin 42 reaches the angled cam groove portion 40c, the pocket 44b is aligned with the pocket 43b and the pin 42 is displaced 20 radially outwards in the recess 41 to an intermediate position between the pockets 43b,44b as shown in Figures 8A,8B and 8C.

On continued rotation of the handle 14 to rotate the pinion 32 in the clockwise direction, the follower pin 42 moves into the second cam groove portion 40b in which the end portion 42c of the follower pin 42 is located in 25 the curved part 44a of slot 44 and the other end portion 42b engages the pocket 43b of slot 43 so that the operating plate 36 is coupled to the pinion 32 and the locking plate 37 is uncoupled.

As a result, the operating plate 36 rotates with the pinion 32 to swing the operating arm 19 to pull the hinge side of the casement 2 to open the 30 window. Simultaneously, the locking plate 37 remains stationary to keep the lock bar 22 with the bolting members 21 in the unfastened release position. The window is closed and the bolting members 21 engaged with the keepers 20 to secure the casement 2 closed by rotating the handle in the opposite anticlockwise direction to reverse the above operating sequence. 35 To ensure that the operating arm 19 and locking arm 25 are actuated in the correct sequence, a stop member 45 is provided with angularly offset 9 ^ « P- £ ^ h h & 0 lugs 46 and 47 arranged respectively to extend on opposite sides of the pinion 32 for holding the operating plate 36 and locking plate 37 stationary when uncoupled from the pinion 32.

The stop member 45 is rotatably mounted on a post 48 extending 5 between the base plate 29 nru cover plate 30 for limited angular movement between end positions defined by respective engagement of the lugs 46 and 47 with opposite sides of a triangular seating 49.

In on^ end or :tion, lug 46 is engageable with a flat 36a at the periphery of *in© opt,ding plate 36 to hold the operating plate 36 stationary 10 when uncoupSe-J from the pinion 32, and the lug 47 is clear of the periphery of the locking plate 37 to allow rotation of the locking plate 37 with the pinion 32.

In the other end position, the lug 47 is engageable with a flat 37a at the periphery of the locking plate 37 to hold the locking plate 37 stationary 15 when uncoupled from the pinion 32, and the lug 46 is clear of the periphery of the operating plate 36 to allow rotation of the operating plate 36 with the pinion 32.

The stop member 45 flips automatically between the end positions to reverse the blocking action of lugs 46,47 as the follower pin 42 moves 20 through the inclined cam groove portion 40c connecting the first and second cam groove portions 40a,40b. In this way, the operating plate 36 and locking plate 37 are prevented from being displaced when uncoupled from the pinion 32 by any force applied to the link 17 or linkage 23.

To provide a visible indication to the user of the position of the 25 locking plate 37, an indicator plate 50 is mounted on the pin 33 for rotation with the locking plate 37 and has a triangular formation 51 visible through a window 52 in the cover plate 30 of the casing 10.

Location of the formation 51 at one end of the window 52 corresponds to the angular position of the locking plate 37 in which the lock bar 22 is in 30 the fastened position, and location of the formation 51 at the other end of the window 52 corresponds to the angular position of the locking plate 37 in which the lock bar 22 is in the unfastened position.

In this way, the user can tell if the bolting members 21 are engaged with the keepers 20 to secure the casement 2 when the window is closed by 35 the position of the formation 51 in the window 52. £ 8 4 8 9 To prevent excessive force being applied to the drive mechanism when the window is closed and fastened, one side of the seating 49 provides a stop face 49a for the operating arm 19 and a projecting lug 53 integral with the locking plate 37.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the drive mechanism 16 can be assembled on either side of the shaft 15 by the provision of two sets of aligned cam grooves 40. In this way, the operator can be adapted for pivotal movement of the casement 2 about a vertical axis on either the right or left hand side using common components. This is not essential however and one set of 10 aligned cam grooves 40 may be omitted.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 12, a second embodiment of window operator is shown in which like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the manually operable handle 114 is pivotal 15 between a folded or stored position shown in Figure 10 when not in use and an extended or operative position shown in Figure 11.

As best shown in Figure 12, the handle 114 comprises an elongate arm 152 of channel-section connected at one end to a mounting block 153 by a transverse pivot pin 154 extending through the block 153 with opposite 20 ends of the pivot pin 154 being secured in aligned holes 155 in opposed sidewalls 1 56 of the arm.

The block 153 has a blind recess 153a of square cross-section in which the worm shaft 115 is received and the other end of the arm 152 is provided with a knob 157 on the underside.

In the stored position, the arm 152 extends substantially normal to the worm shaft 115 with the knob 157 facing inwards so that the handle 114 lies adjacent to the casing 110 providing a very compact arrangement when the handle 114 is not in use.

This is particularly useful for windows fitted with a blind as the 30 handle 114 can be folded to the stored position so as not to interfere with the operation of the blind. In addition, the handle 114 lies within the overall width of the window frame in the stored position allowing windows to be stacked for storage and transportation without damaging the handle 114.

In the operative position, the arm 152 extends away from the 35 casing 110 at an angle to the worm shaft 115 with the knob 157 facing outwards for gripping by the user to rotate the handle 114. 2 5 4 8 3 5 The handle 114 is located in each position by engagement with respective transverse ribs 158,159 at opposite ends of the block 153 and, in the folded position, the block 153 is flush with the exposed outer surface of the arm 152 providing a neat finish.

The casing 110 houses a drive mechanism similar to that of the first embodiment above-described and rotation of the operating handle 114 is transmitted via worm shaft 115 to the drive mechanism for sequentially controlling actuation of the locking arm 125 and operating arm 119 as above-described.

The locking arm 125 is shown in the fastened position in Figure 10 with the casement closed and in the unfastened position in Figure 11 prior to opening the casement with a visible indication of each condition being provided by the position of the indicator formation 151 in the window 152.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14 a modification to the drive 15 mechanism is shown in which like reference numerals in the series 200 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.

In this modification of the drive mechanism, the lower end 242a. of the follower pin 242 extends through an arcuate slot 260 in a switch plate 261 located in an oversize recess 262 in the base plate 229 below the operating 20 plate 236.

The switch plate 261 has an elongate hole 263 of elliptical shape through which the fixed pin 233 extends and an upturned lug 264 received in a slot 265 of stop member 245 mounted for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the pin 233.

The switch plate 261 is laterally displaceable within the recess 262 in response to radial movement of the follower pin 242 for pivoting the stop member 245 to reverse the blocking action of lugs 246,247 simultaneously with changeover of the drive connection from the locking plate 237 to the operating plate 236 and vice versa.

Figures 13 and 14 show the position of the stop member 245 during the changeover in which both the locking plate 237 and operating plate 236 are blocked by engagement of the lugs 246 an 247 respectively. As a result, both plates 236,237 are positively located during the changeover so as to prevent malfunction of the drive mechanism even if the direction of 35 rotation of the operating handle is reversed. £6489 Referring now to Figures 15 to 18, a third embodiment of window operator is shown in which like reference numerals in the series 300 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the previous embodiments.

In this embodiment, the cam grooves 40 in the base plate 29 and 5 cover 30 of the casing 10 of the previous embodiments are replaced by cam slots 340' and 340" in the operating plate 336 and locking plate 337.

Each of these cam slots 340',340" is associated with the control slot 343,344 in the other plate by respective follower pins 342',342". These follower pins 342',342" extend through respective radial recesses 341',341" 10 in the pinion 332 and aligned holes 366',366" in switch plate 361 sandwiched between the pinion 332 and locking plate 337.

The switch plate 361 is rotatable with the pinion 332 and has an oversize central aperture 367 through which the pin 333 extends with clearance to allow radial movement of the switch plate 361 relative to the 15 pinion 332 in response to radial displacement of the follower pins 342',342" by the cam slots 340',340H.

The switch plate 361 also has a peripheral cam nose 368 that is arranged to actuate stop member 345 to block selectively the operating plate 336 and locking plate 337 in response to radial movement of the switch 20 plate 361.

Figures 16A,16B,16C and 16D show the relative arrangement of the components parts of the drive mechanism when the operator 301 is fitted in a window in which the casement is closed and locked relative to the surrounding frame by a suitable multi-point fastening mechanism as 25 described in the previous embodiments.

In this condition, the locking plate 337 is coupled to the pinion 332 by engagement of the follower pin 342" in the pocket 344b of control slot 344 In the locking plate 337 as shown in Figure 16C and the operating plate 336 is uncoupled from the pinion 332 by engagement of the follower pin 342' in the 30 curved part 343a of control slot 343 in the operating plate 336 as shown in Figure 16B.

As a result, on rotation of the drive shaft 315 to rotate the pinion 332 in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure 16A, the casement is unlocked by rotation of the locking plate 337 with the pinion 332 to swing the locking 35 arm 325 to release the fastening mechanism. At the same time, the operating plate 336 is held stationary by engagement of lug 346 on stop 264 8 member 345 with abutment shoulder 336a on the operating plate 336 as shown in Figure 16B to keep the casement closed.

On reaching the closed and unlocked condition, the profile of the cam slots 340',340" is such that the follower pin 342" is displaced out of the 5 pocket 344b into the curved part 344a of the control slot 344 in the locking plate 337 to uncouple the locking plate 337 from the pinion 332 as shown in Figure 17C and the follower pin 342' is displaced into the pocket 343b at the end of the control slot 343 in the locking plate 337 to couple the operating plate 336 to the pinion 332 as shown in Figure 17B.

This changeover is accommodated by radial movement of the follower pins 342',342" in the radial recesses 341',342" in the pinion 332. This radial movement is transmitted to the switch plate 361 to rotate the stop member 345 so that lug 346 disengages abutment shoulder 336a on the operating plate 336 and lug 347 engages abutment shoulder 337a on the 15 locking plate 337 to reverse the blocking action of the stop member 345 as shown in Figure 18C.

As a result, on continued rotation of the drive shaft 315 to rotate the pinion 332 in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 18A, the casement is opened by rotation of the operating plate 336 with the pinion 332 to swing 20 the operating arm 319 to pull the hinge side of the casement and the locking plate 337 is held stationary to keep the fastening mechanism in the unlocked position.

The casement is closed and the fastening mechanism re-engaged to lock the casement when closed by rotating the drive shaft 315 in the 25 opposite anticlockwise direction to reverse the above operating sequence.

For assembly purposes, the stop member 345 is provided with a holding spring 369 to maintain the assembled position of the components of the drive mechanism for installation of the operator and to prevent malfunction of the operator in service.

To facilitate installation, an eccentric bush (not shown) may be located in the hole 338 in the operating arm 319 so that the pivot connection to the link controlling pivotal movement of the casement can be adjusted if required during installation by rotating the bush to ensure that the casement is closed when the fastening mechanism is operated.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments, the dual functions of pivoting and securing the casement are 2 6 4 8 9 5 controlled in sequence to lock and unlock the fastening mechanism when the casement is closed and to open and close the casement when the fastening mechanism is unlocked. The drive plate assembly for achieving this is of simple, compact construction and is reliable in operation to prevent 5 actuation of the fastening mechanism when the casement is open.

It will be understood that the invented operator has application to windows in which the casement is mounted for pivotal movement about either a vertical axis as described or a horizontal axis. For example, the casement may be supported by a pair of stays on opposite sides for pivotal 10 movement about a horizontal axis at the top, bottom or centre.

It will also be appreciated that the invented operator has application to other types of closures having an opening wing supported for pivotal movement in a surrounding frame such as doors.

Claims (22)

-15- 264895 What we claim is:

1. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure has a drive mechanism for controlling respectively pivotal movement of the wing relative to a surrounding frame and actuation of a fastening mechanism for securing the wing relative to the surrounding frame when the wing is closed wherein the drive mechanism comprises rotatable drive input means, first and second rotatable drive output means controlling pivotal movement of the wing and operation of the fastening mechanism respectively, coupling means for transmitting rotation of the input means to the output means, and guide means for moving the coupling means to connect the input means to each output means in sequence whereby the first output means is coupled for opening and closing the wing when the second output means is uncoupled with the fastening mechanism unlocked and the second output means is coupled for locking and unlocking the fastening mechanism when the first output means is uncoupled with the wing closed.

2. An operator according to Claim 1 wherein the coupling means is rotatable with the input means and the guide means is arranged to move the coupling means radially to couple and uncouple the output means in the required sequence.

3. An operator according to Claim 2 wherein the guide means has a cam profile engaged by the coupling means.

4. An operator according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein each output means has respective control means with a curved part of fixed radius in which the coupling means can travel when the output means is uncoupled and a radial part in which the coupling means is received when the output means is coupled.

5. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the output means are coupled and uncoupled by common coupling means controlled by guide means associated with a casing in which the drive mechanism is housed.

6. An operator according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein each output means is coupled and uncoupled by respective coupling means controlled by guide means associated with the other output means.

7. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein stop means is provided for blocking rotation of each output means when uncoupled from the input means with the blocking action being reversed in -16- 2 6 4 8 response to change-over of the drive connection between the input means and the output means.

8. An operator according to Claim 7 wherein the drive mechanism includes switch means arranged to co-act with the coupling means to reverse 5 the stop means in response to movement of the coupling means to changeover the drive connection between the input means and the output means.

9. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein actuator means is provided for rotating the input means in one direction for unlocking the fastening mechanism and opening the wing and in the opposite 10 direction for closing the wing and locking the fastening mechanism.

10. An operator according to Claim 9 wherein the actuator means has a worm gear meshing with a gear of the input means and the worm gear is rotatable in opposite directions for reversing the rotation of the input means.

11. An operator according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein a manually 15 operable handle is provided for rotating the actuator means.

12. An operator according to Claim 11 wherein the handle is foldable between an inoperative stored position and an operative extended position.

13. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a plurality of spaced apart bolting members 20 arranged to co-operate with a corresponding plurality of spaced apart keepers in a locked condition of the fastening mechanism.

14. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein indicator means is provided for showing the locked and unlocked conditions of the fastening mechanism. 25

15. An operator according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the input means and output means comprise an assembly of rotatable drive plates having a common axis of rotation.

16. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure has a drive mechanism for controlling respectively pivotal movement of the wing 30 relative to a surrounding frame and actuation of a fastening mechanism for securing the wing relative to the surrounding frame when the wing is closed wherein the drive mechanism comprises drive input means, first and second drive output means controlling pivotal movement of the wing and operation of the fastening mechanism respectively, actuator means for rotating the 35 drive means in one direction to unlock the fastening mechanism and open the wing and in the opposite direction to close the wing and lock the ^84895 fastening mechanism, coupling means for transmitting rotation of the input means to the output means, guide means for moving the coupling means to connect the input means to each the output means in sequence whereby the first output means is coupled for opening and closing the wing when the second output means is uncoupled with the fastening mechanism unlocked and the second output means is coupled for locking and unlocking the fastening mechanism when the first output means is uncoupled with the wing closed, and indicator means for providing a visual indication of the locked and unlocked conditions of the fastening mechanism.

17. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 10 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

19. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figures 13 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.

20. An operator for an opening wing of a window, door or like closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 15 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A window, door or like closure provided with an operator according to any one of the preceding Claims for opening and closing a movable wing supported for pivotal movement in a surrounding frame and for operating a fastening mechanism to secure releasably the wing relative to the frame when closed.

22. A window, door or like closure comprising a movable wing supported for pivotal movement in a surrounding frame and an operator mounted on the frame for opening and closing the wing and operating a fastening mechanism to secure releasably the wing relative to the frame when closed, the operator comprising a casing housing a drive mechanism including drive input means, irst and second drive output means controlling pivotal movement of the wing and operation of the fastening mechanism respectively, actuator means for rotating the drive input means, coupling means for transmitting rotation of the input means to the output means, -18- guide means for moving the coupling means to connect the input means to ' each the output means in sequence, stop means for blocking each the output means when disconnected from the input means, and switch means for reversing the blocking action of the stop means in response to changeover of the drive connection. HARDWARE & SYSTEMS PATENTS By its Attorneys BALDWIN SON & CAREY latent office 10 NOV 1994