WO2002048495A1

WO2002048495A1 - Window opening mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2002048495A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/005536
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Arthur Albert Hickman; Robert Inglis Smith; Gordon David Mclean
Original assignee: Hickman James A A; Robert Inglis Smith; Gordon David Mclean
Priority date: 2000-12-12
Filing date: 2001-12-12
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: GB0030281D0; AU2002222214A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a sash and case window assembly (13) having a sliding sash (11, 12) slidably mounted in a case (19). The sash (11, 12) is supported on at least onespring balance (14, 15) extending longitudinally of a respective case jamb (17), via a tongue member (33) mounted on the sash (11, 12) and engaging in a respective recess (32) provided in a sliding shoe (22) connected to a movable part (21) of the spring balance (14, 15). The spring balance (14, 15) has a disengagement position for disengagement of the sash (11, 12) from a respective spring balance (14, 15) at one side. The assembly (13) is provided with a retaining device (38) for retaining the sliding shoe (22) at said side of the sash (11, 12), against movement thereof by the spring balance (14, 15) from the disengagement position. The other side of the sash (11, 12), to allow swinging open of the sash about an upright axis. The tongue member (33) is formed and arranged so as to be displaceable for disengagement from said sliding shoe (22) and re-engagement therewith to permit swinging open of the sash (11, 12) supported by the hinge (26).

Description

INDOW OPENING MECHANISM

The present invention relates to sash and case window assemblies in which a window sash may be rotated out from its normal position in the plane of the window for the purposes of cleaning of the window sash and the like.

In the sash and case type of window a sliding window sash is slidable up and down in the plane of the window for opening and closing of the window, with a counterbalance system used to hold the window sash in any desired position.

Traditionally this used to be in the form of counterweights suspended from ropes connected to the window sash, but now is generally in the form of a spring balance assembly housed within side jamb channels in the case at the side of the window sash.

Where such spring balances are used for counterbalancing of the sash window, some form of locking mechanism is used to retain the end of the movable part of the spring balance while the window sash is tilted down from its normal upright position, and a wide variety of locking mechanisms has been designed for this purpose. This type of sash and case window with window sashes rotating about a horizontal axis to tilt inwardly for cleaning etc, is normally referred to as a tilt sash window. Window sashes can, however, be quite heavy - especially where, as is often the case, they are double glazed - and thus their controlled movement can require significant strength which may be beyond many individuals who might need to clean their own windows. Even with stronger individuals, any momentary lσss of control over movement of such a heavy item can present a significant safety hazard. Thus whilst tilt sash windows meet official building control regulations relating to provision for cleaning of the external surfaces of a window above the ground floor from inside the building, some building control authorities have reservations concerning the safety aspects of tilting inwards fully glazed sashes. As each sash is tilted inwards it has to be supported in a horizontal position otherwise the glass may crack. These problems increase substantially with larger window sizes.

Although sash and case windows of the traditional type counterbalanced by counterweights were often arranged to be rotatable out of the window plane on hinges about vertical axis, this was not practical with spring balance counterbalanced windows, which were accordingly invariably rotated out of the window plane by tilting about a horizontal axis .

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages .

The present inventor has found that a sash and case window counterbalanced by a spring balance can be designed for opening by rotation on hinges about a vertical axis, by means of the use of a new mode of support of the sash.

The present inventions provides a sash and case window assembly having at least one sliding sash slidably mounted in a case, said at least one sliding sash being supported on at least one spring balance extending longitudinally of a respective case jamb, via at least one tongue member mounted on said at least one sash and engaging in a respective recess provided in a sliding shoe connected to a reciprocably displaceable part of a respective spring balance, for reciprocable movement longitudinally of the case jambs between positions for supporting said at least one sash in open and closed position positions thereof, and including a disengagement position for disengagement of said at least one sliding sash from a respective spring balance at one side, said assembly being provided with a retaining device for retaining the sliding shoe(s) provided at said at least one side of said at least one sash, against movement thereof by said spring balance, from said disengagement position, the other side of said at least one sash being provided with at least one hinge formed and arranged for swinging support of said at least one sash, to allow swinging open of said sash about an upright axis, said at least one tongue member being formed and arranged so as to be displaceable for disengagement from said sliding shoe(s) and re-engagement therewith to permit swinging open of said at least one sash supported by said at least one hinge.

In a preferred form of the present inventions there is provided a sash and case window assembly having at least one sliding sash slidably mounted in a case, said at least one sliding sash being supported on at least one spring balance extending longitudinally of a respective case jamb, via at least one tongue member mounted on said at least one sash and engaging in a respective recess provided in a sliding shoe connected to a reciprocably displaceable part of a respective spring balance, for reciprocable movement longitudinally of the case jambs between positions for supporting said at least one sash in open and closed position positions thereof, and including a disengagement position for disengagement of said at least one sliding sash from a respective spring balance at one side, said assembly being provided with a retaining device for retaining the sliding shoe(s) provided at said at least one side of said at least one sash, against movement thereof by said spring balance, from said disengagement position, the other side of said at least one sash being hingedly mounted on a respective sliding shoe(s) for swinging support of said at least one sash, said at least one tongue member being formed and arranged so as to be displaceable for disengagement from said sliding shoe(s) and re-engagement therewith to permit swinging open of said at least one sash hingedly supported on said at least one shoe.

Thus with a sash and case window assembly of the present invention the window sash can be rotated out of the plane of the window in a particularly easy and safe manner requiring minimal effort, while securely retaining the uncoupled spring balance in an extended disengagement position against retraction from the disengaged position until the window sash is fully restored to its normal operating position.

It will be appreciated that various kinds of spring balance may be used in accordance with the invention. So-called spiral balances are, though, particularly convenient. Normally a spring balance is provided at each side of the window sash to ensure smooth running of the sash.

Any kind of shoe retaining device may be used which will prevent retraction from the disengagement position. This may comprise a locking device which retains the shoe against any movement at all along the jamb. Such a locking device may comprise a moveable camming and/or wedging member which is forced into engagement with part of the jamb, usually one or more walls of a channel in the jamb in which the spring balance is disposed. The camming and/or wedging member preferably has a non-slip engagement surface, for example, a serrated surface. Advantageously said part of the jamb (e.g. wall of the channel provided therein) is provided with a non- slip surface in order to provide more positive and secure engagement thereof by the locking device. In general the non- slip surface comprises a roughened surface, and conveniently is in the form of a coating containing a particulate material, for example, of deck paint or the like as used for providing non-slip surfaces on steps, boat decks etc, which contains grit.

Alternatively, though, the shoe retaining device could simply comprise a retractable stop or the like for retaining the shoe against retraction by the spring balance from the disengagement position of the shoe - without necessarily preventing, for example, manual displacement of the shoe so as to further extend the spring balance.

The tongue member is conveniently in the form of the distal end portion of an elongate bolt member provided with a control member portion and mounted in a sliding bolt housing. Such a bolt member could be surface mounted, conveniently along a bottom edge and/or top edge of the sash. Preferably though the bolt member is mounted internally of the sash frame and is conveniently of the type operated by a splined key or the like which engages with a rack formed along an edge of the bolt ^■ member .

Whilst it would in principle be possible to use just one suitably large and strong hinge for each window sash, it would normally be desirable to have at least two, spaced apart, hinges, with one hinge proximal an upper edge portion and one proximal a lower edge portion of the window sash. Various forms of hinge may be used, for example with extended leaves in order to offset the pivotal axis of the hinge inwardly of the sash to carry the sash further around the jamb when it is swung open.

Where two or more spaced apart hinges are provided on a sash these are conveniently secured to respective portions of a single common shoe, although in principle there could be used separate shoes connected to different parts of the reciprocably displaceable part of the spring balance on which said sash is hingedly supported. Increased sash support may also be achieved by utilising a single longitudinally extended hinge, of the type generally known as a "piano hinge" in place of two or more separate spaced apart hinges . Where two or more sliding sashes mounted in offset planes are present and it is desired that they should both be swing-operable at a similar level, with the outer being operable through an angle of up to around 90° in order to maximise ease of access to its outer face, than, in order to avoid fouling of the inner sash by the outer sash, the hinge may be formed and arranged so that its hinging axis is offset inwardly of the sash so as to increase its opening angle substantially beyond 90° before said inner sash fouls the jambs or window opening surround. In one convenient form of embodiment there is simply used a hinge (s) with relatively wide leaves which project beyond the inner face of the sash.

Preferably there is used a retaining device which is automatically engaged upon disengagement of the tongue member (s) from the sliding shoe(s) of the spring balance. In one preferred form of the invention the sliding shoe comprises a support body having slidably mounted therein a laterally displaceable member with a tongue-engaging portion such as an aperture or inclined portion, for camming inter-engagement therewith. The laterally displaceable member is displaceable between a retracted tongue-engaging, position and a laterally protruding, retaining device - engaging, position, being biased from the former position to the latter position by a resilient biasing device (e.g. a leaf or coil spring) . The tongue member and tongue-engaging portion are formed and arranged for a camming inter-engagement so that when the laterally displaceable member is in its retaining device engaging position, the tongue member can progressively push against and laterally displace said laterally displaceable member towards its retracted position in which the tongue is fully deployed. In order to ensure that the shoe and retaining device are correctly aligned for inter-engagement when it is required to hinge open the sash window, there is advantageously provided a sash support device movable between a stowed position in which it permits unrestricted vertical displacement of the sash, and a deployed position in which it supports the sash at a predetermined, partly open, vertical position. Preferably the sash support device comprises a pivotally mounted arm movable between a deployed position in which it projects laterally underneath the sash and a stowed position in which it extends clear of the sash face to allow free movement of the sash. Conveniently the sash support device is formed and arranged so as to be automatically deployable when the sash is raised. This has the further advantage of providing protection against injury to someone having fingers or a hand underneath the sash when there is a spring balance failure, by preventing the sash from fully closing.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of the upper and lower sashes and part of the jambs of a sash and case window assembly of the invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the assembly of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 & 4 are detail horizontal sections through part of two modified embodiments;

Figs 5 & 6 are partial front and side sectional elevations of a further embodiment with an alternative form of retaining device arrangement; Figs 7 & 8 are front and side elevations of the embodiment of

Figs 5 & 6 showing a sash support device thereof;

Figs 9 & 10 are detail horizontal sections at different levels through uPVC case sections and adjacent parts of the sash, of a further embodiment;

Figs 11 & 12 are detail vertical elevations showing operation of the retaining device of the embodiment of Figs 9 & 10;

Figs 13 & 14 are detail front and side elevations showing a shoe of the embodiment of Figs 9 & 10; Figs 15 to 17 are schematic partly sectioned detail elevations of a yet further embodiment with a staggered action bolt mecha ism;

Fig. 18 is a schematic detail horizontal section of a still further embodiment with a spring action latch bolt mechanism; Fig. 19 is a schematic partly sectioned detail elevation of a yet further embodiment with a dead bolt mechanism;

Fig. 20 is a schematic partly sectioned detail elevations of a yet further embodiment with a staggered action bolt mechanism; and Figs 21 & 22 are detail elevation and horizontal section views of yet another form of retaining device arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows upper and lower window sashes 11, 12 of a sash and case window assembly 13. The window sashes 11, 12 are suspended from respective spiral type spring balances 14, 15 mounted in channel sections 16 in the jambs 17, 18 of the window case 19 (see Fig. 2) .

In more detail each spring balance 14, 15 has an elongate upper housing portion 20 fixed to the jambs 17, from which extends telescopically downwards a movable portion 21 (see Fig. 4) . The movable portion 21 of each spring balance 14 is secured to a sliding shoe 22 (see Figs 2 & 3) which extends substantially for the full height of the respective sash 11 and 12, via a lug 23.

At one jamb 17 the sliding shoes 22 are provided with insert strips 24 of metal or other strong material (see also Fig. 3) via which are secured one leaf 25 of respective sash support hinges 26, the other leaf 27 of which is secured to the sash 11, 12. The latter leaf 27 has optional extension portions 28 which are continued around the top and bottom edges 29, 30 of the sashes in order to provide stronger support to the sash. The sliding shoes 22 at the other jamb 18 each have at least one pair of closely spaced apart inserts 31 secured thereto for defining therebetween a recess 32 into which may be received the projecting distal end 33 of a bolt member 34 which is retractable inside a recess 35 in the interior of the sash frame 36. The bolt member 34 is of the kind having a rack along its underside for driven engagement with a splined key (not shown) insertable into a transversely extending keyhole 37.

In order to prevent upward displacement of the shoe 22 by the reciprocably moveable part 21 of the spring balance 14, 15 when the bolt 34 is disengaged therefrom in the disengagement position of the sash 11, 12, the jamb 18 is provided with a retaining device 38. In more detail a generally ϋ- or C- shaped UPVC or metal channel section 39 used to mount a said balance 14, 15 inside thereof, within a wooden jamb body 40, has at one side 41 a grub screw 42 which can be screwed in and out between a normally retracted position and a deployed position as shown in Fig. 2 where it projects above part of the upper edge 43 of the shoe 22 so as to act as a stop which is engaged by said upper edge 43 preventing upward movement of the movable part 21 of the spring balance 15 when the sash 11 is disengaged from the shoe 22. In normal use of the window, the bolt members 34 are deployed so that the distal ends 33 thereof are captively engaged with the shoes 22 and the sashes can be slid up and down whilst being supported by the spring balances 14, 15 in the normal way. When it is desired to gain access to the outside 44 of the sashes 14, 15 the inner sash 11 is positioned at a height corresponding to its disengagement position, and the grub screw 42 screwed out partly so as to project across the upper edge 43 of the shoe 22 and provide a stop therefor. The bolt member 34 can then be retracted and the sash 11 swung open inwardly on its hinges 26 supported -on the shoe 22 supported on the spring balance 15 at that side of the sash 11. The process can then be repeated with the upper sash 12.

Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment in which the hinge 26 has extended width leaves 25, 27 projecting inwardly beyond the inner face 45 of the lower sash 11 so that the pivot 46 of the hinge is offset inwardly of the sash inner face 45 so that when the sash 11 is swung open it can clear the jamb 17 and open out through an angle of up to 180°, thereby allowing the upper sash 12 to be swung open to a greater degree.

Fig. 4 shows a further modified embodiment with a similar objective. In this case part 47 of the jamb 17 is hingedly connected 48 to the rest 49 of the jamb 17 so that it can be swung out of the way of the sash 11 when it is swung open.

Furthermore it may be noted that the present invention is equally applicable to sash and case windows of wholly timber construction; with timber sashes and performed UPVC case liners; substantially wholly UPVC (or the like) construction; aluminium section construction etc. Where UPVC is used then this may advantageously be reinforced with timber, steel, or other suitable material, inserts.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment with a modified spring balance retaining system in which instead of the manually engagable retaining device 38 of Fig. 4, there is used an automatically engagable one. In more detail, the tongue comprises a key operated bolt 50 somewhat similar to that of Fig. 4.

The bolt 38 can be any shape section such as circular, square, rectangular or combinations thereof. In this case, though, the retaining device comprises a fixed stop in the form of a grub screw 51 which is engaged by a projecting part 52 of the spring balance shoe 53.

In more detail, the shoe 53 comprises a support body 54 having slidably mounted therein a laterally displaceable member 55 including said projecting part 52 and having a tongue receiving aperture 56. The laterally displaceable member 55 is displaceable between a retracted tongue-engaging, position and a laterally protruding, retaining device engaging, position (see Fig. 6A) , being biased from the former position to the latter position by a coil spring 57. The tongue member bolt 50 and aperture 56 are formed and arranged for camming inter-engagement so that when the laterally displaceable member 55 is in its stop engaging position (see Fig. 6A) the tongue member bolt 50 can progressively enter the aperture 56 and laterally displace the laterally displaceable member 55 forwards its retracted position in which the tongue bolt 50 is fully engaged therewith. In its retaining device engaging position, the displaceable member 55 engages the underside 58 of a stop member in the form of a fixed grub screw 59. Fig. 7 shows a suitable sash support device 60 provided to ensure that the shoe 53 and retaining device 55, 59 (see Figs. 5 and 6) are correctly aligned for inter-engagement when it is required to hinge open the sash window 61. The sash support device 60 is movable between a stowed position in which it permits unrestricted vertical displacement of the sash 61, and a deployed position in which it supports the sash 61 at a predetermined, partly open, vertical position. The sash support device 60 comprises a pivotally mounted arm 62 movable between a deployed position in which is projects laterally underneath the sash 61 as shown in Fig. 7, and a stowed position in which it extends vertically clear of the sash plane to allow free movement of the sash 61. The sash support device arm 62 is mounted so as to lean against the face 63 of the sash 61 so that when the sash is raised above it, the arm 62 falls down so as to be automatically deployed.

The position and length of the arm 62 ensures that when the sash 61 is lifted upwards the arm 62 drops with gravity and is held in a horizontal deployed position by a grub screw 64. The sash 61, when lowered onto the drop arm 62 provides the correct lining up position for the retaining device components 55, 59 to engage (see Fig. 6A) . To retract the arm 62 the sash 61 is lifted upwards and a knurled end portion 65 of the drop arm 62 which is slightly proud of the case 66 can be rotated upwards and the sash 61 closed downwards.

The correct lining up of the top sash may be achieved by stop cover plates at the bottom of the extrusions which is a standard fitting on nearly all spiral balanced windows whilst each sash can have one or two locking fitments. There is also provided a retaining fitment 66 which is a standard fitment on spiral balanced windows either timber as described or wholly UPVC sometimes referred to as a Tilt a Sash. The retaining fitment 66 comprises a spring biased slidably mounted member which is urged against part of the spiral spring balance to hold the top 67 of the sash 61 in alignment vertically.

Fig. 9 shows use of the invention with a wholly UPVC sliding sash window case 70. In this embodiment the lower and upper sashes 71, 72 are mounted on the case 70 by hinges 73.

One leaf 73a of each hinge 73 is fixed to the sash 71, 72, by screws 74 for easy removal. This enables the case 70 to be fitted into position in a building and the sashes 71, 72 fitted afterwards greatly simplifying the installation and handling weights. The other hinge leaf 75 is fixed to a preformed metal section shoe 76 by machine screws 77 for easy removal as before. The preformed metal section shoe 76 is normally the same length as the leaf hinge 75 and performs the same function as the sliding channel shoe 21 in the timber sash of Fig. 1, which enables the sashes 71, 72 to perform their function of sliding upwards and downwards supported by spiral spring balances 78. The bottom of each spiral spring balance 78 is attached via hooks 79 to a separate preformed metal section shoe portion located below the bottom hinge 73 (normally each sash is mounted on at least two vertically spaced apart hinges 73) .

Fig. 10 shows a sash retaining device 80 suitable for use with the UPVC sliding sash window of 70 of Fig. 9. The bottom sash 71 has a bolt locking arrangement in which the tongue bolt 81 can be operated by means of a key through an aperture 82 in the face 83 of the sash stile 84 or by a handle (not shown) . The tongue bolt 81 shown in the bottom sash 71 extending into inter-engagement with the shoe 85 of the spring balance 78. In more detail the sliding shoe 85 comprises a support body 86 having slidably mounted therein a laterally displaceable member 87 with an inclined tongue-engagable portion 88. The laterally displaceable member 87 is displaceable between a retracted tongue-engaging, position (bottom sash 71) and a laterally protruding, retaining device engaging position (upper sash 72), being biased from the formed position to the latter position by a set of small diameter coil springs 89.

The tongue bolt 81 and inclined portion 88 are formed and arranged for camming inter-engagement so that when laterally displaceable member 87 is in its retaining device-engaging position, the tongue bolt 81 can engage and progressively push back the inclined portion 88 of the displaceable member 87 and laterally displace said laterally displaceable member 87 towards its retracted position in which the tongue bolt 81 is fully deployed (see Fig. 12).

When the tongue bolt 81 is withdrawn from its retaining device engaging position this allows the laterally displaceable member 87 to be forced back by springs 89 to move laterally under small fixed UPVC blocks 91 spaced apart along the case and be held against the underside 92 thereof, by the upwards tension of the spiral balance shown. Whilst it is preferable to open the sashes at a given height the use of a series of spaced apart blocks 91 will ensure that should the tongue bolt 81 be withdrawn at other than a normal predetermined height, the laterally displaceable member 87 will automatically lock under the next higher block 91. (When the tongue bolt 81 is fully engaged to disable the retaining device 87, 91 to enable the sashes 71, 72 to operate properly, the tongue bolt 81 is also located over the front section of the locking or receiving mechanism. Whilst the tongue bolt 81 is in its locked position, the front section is always held under the lower section of the tongue bolt 81, by the tension of the spiral balances . Alternatively instead of the protruding blocks 91, there could be provided recesses 93 in part of the case structure 94 into which the protruding portions 95 of the laterally displaceable members 87, are received.

Figs . 13 and 14 show in more detail the retaining device 87 , 91 and shoe 85 relation. The retaining device 87, 91 is located towards the upper end 96 of the shoe 85 and a set of springs 89 are fixed to the rear side 97 of laterally displaceable member 87. The free ends 98 of the springs 89 are located to act against part 99 of the shoe 85. The opening in the shoe 85 is wedge shaped 100 to facilitate easy movement of the laterally displaceable member 87. The shoe 85 has one side flange 101 narrower than the other side flange 102 to allow the first flange 101 to bypass the block 91 (see Fig. 12) . The spiral spring attachment hooks 79 are attached at the bottom of the shoe 85 by screws 1.03 (or bolts or rivets or suchlike) and provide an anchor to which the spiral balances are hooked or fitted.

Figs. 15 to 17 show a staggered action dual bolt mechanism 104 for greater security. In this case the inclined camming portion 105 is provided only at an upper portion 106 of laterally displaceable member 107. When the two, upper and lower, bolts 108, 109 of the dual bolt mechanism 104 are withdrawn or unlocked by operation trough the keyhole 110, the upper bolt 108 withdraws slightly ahead of the lower bolt 109. Fig. 16 shows upper bolt 108 partially withdrawn and with further withdrawal allows the camming portion 105 of laterally displaceable member 107 to clear the upper bolt 108 permitting laterally displaceable member 107 to be pushed into its retaining position. Lower bolt 109 holds its position in engagement with shoe 111 until the laterally displaceable member 107 is fully engaged in its blocking position engaging the case 112. The delay in lower bolt 109 following the withdrawal action of upper bolt 108 is only momentary. This very slight delay in the withdrawing action of lower bolt 109 ensures that the laterally displaceable member 107 is in the blocking position before the tension in the spiral balances pulls the shoe upwards. This will prevent any accelerated upward movement by the spiral spring balances which can cause damage when slamming shut into the spiral balance case. Fig.

17 shows both bolts 108, 109 in the fully retracted position.

Fig. 18 shows yet another form of retaining device mechanism 113. In this case the tip 114 of the tongue bolt or snib 115 is angled. This enables the tongue bolt 115 to be forced to retract as the angled tip 114 contacts the case 116 when the sash 117 is being swung closed in a similar fashion to a door with a Yale lock. When the angled tip 114 of the bolt 115 slides towards the retaining device 118 it will automatically slip into a hole or slot 119 in the laterally displaceable member 120. The hole or slot 119 is positioned to ensure that when angled tip 114 of the bolt slides into the hole or slot 119 because of the spring loading on the bolt 115 it will contract the lighter pressure springs 121 biasing the laterally displaceable member 120 whereby the latter will be retracted from under the blocking section 122 allowing the sashes to operate in a normal manner. As shown in Fig. 19 a recess 123 is provided in the face 124 of the sash stile 125 to contain a flush handle 126 which can operate through the access slot 127 by means of a spindle or suchlike similarly as with a Yale type lock.

Fig. 20 shows yet another staggered action double bolt mechanism 128 in a partly retracted condition. An upper bolt 129 has a rack portion 130 in driven engagement with a pinion 131 around a central spindle 132 to which an operating handle can be connected, and which also has connected to it an elongate lever 133 whose distal end 134 abuts a pin 135 on a lower bolt 136. A return spring 137 acts between one end 138 of the lower bolt 136 and a casing 139 of the bolt mechanism 5128. When the central spindle 132 is turned, the upper bolt 129 is retracted much more quickly than the lower bolt 136 due to the effective differential gearing of the driving inter- engagement of the pinion 131 and the lever 133 with the respective bolts 129, 136, thereby providing the staggered 0 bolt action.

Figs. 21 and 22 show yet another form of retaining device arrangement 140. In this case a projecting bolt tip 141 is used to laterally displace a laterally displaceable member 142 5 on the shoe 143 as the sash 144 is swung back from a hinged open position to a hinged closed position, by engaging a projection 145 provided on the laterally displaceable member 142, thereby withdrawing an end portion 146 of the laterally displaceable member 142 from spring balance retaining 0 engagement with a recess 147 provided in part of the window case 148. Raised sections 149 are provided to guide the bolt tip 141 into alignment with the projection 145. As before springs 150 are provided for biasing the laterally displaceable member 142 towards its spring balance retaining 5 engagement position.

Claims

1. A sash and case window assembly having at least one sliding sash slidably mounted in a case, said at least one sliding sash being supported on at least one spring balance extending longitudinally of a respective case jamb, via at least one tongue member mounted on said at least one sash and engaging in a respective recess provided in a sliding shoe connected to a reciprocably displaceable part of a respective spring balance, for reciprocable movement longitudinally of the cas.e jambs between positions for supporting said at least one sash in open and closed position positions thereof, and including a disengagement position for disengagement of said at least one sliding sash from a respective spring balance at one side, said assembly being provided with a retaining device for retaining the sliding shoe(s) provided at said at least one side of said at least one sash, against movement thereof by said spring balance, from said disengagement position, the other side of said at least one sash being provided with at least one hinge formed and arranged for swinging support of said at least one sash, to allow swinging open of said sash about an upright axis, said at least one tongue member being formed and arranged so as to be displaceable for disengagement from said sliding shoe(s) and re-engagement therewith to permit swinging open of said at least one sash supported by said at least one hinge.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein is provided a sash support device movable between a stowed position in which it permits unrestricted vertical displacement of the sash, and a deployed position in which it supports the sash at a predetermined, partly open, vertical position.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the sash support device comprises a pivotally mounted arm movable between a deployed position in which it projects laterally underneath the sash and a stowed position in which it extends clear of the sash plane to allow free movement of the sash.

54. An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the sash support device is formed and arranged so as to be automatically deployable when the sash is raised.

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein 0 the retaining device is formed and arranged so as to be automatically engagable upon disengagement of the tongue member from the sliding shoe.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the sliding shoe 5 comprises a support body having slidably mounted therein a laterally displaceable member with a tongue-engaging portion, for camming inter-engagement therewith, said laterally displaceable member being displaceable between a retracted tongue-engaging, position and a laterally protruding, 0 retaining device-engaging, position.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said laterally displaceable member is biased from its retracted tongue- engaging, position towards its laterally protruding, retaining 5 device-engaging, position by a resilient biasing device.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the tongue member and tongue-engaging portion are formed and arranged for a camming inter-engagement so that when the 0 laterally displaceable member is in its retaining device- engaging position, the tongue member can progressively push against and laterally displace said laterally displaceable member forwards its retracted position in which the tongue is fully deployed.

9. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the sliding shoe comprises a support body having slidably mounted therein a laterally displaceable member with a tongue-engaging

5 projection, for driven inter-engagement with the tongue in a projecting position thereof as the sash is swung closed, with said laterally displaceable member being displaceable between a retracted tongue-engaging, position and a laterally protruding, retaining device-engaging, position. 10

10. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the case is provided with at least one stop and/or keeper for engagement by the displaceable member in its laterally protruding, retaining device-engaging, position.

15

11. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said tongue member comprises a resiliently biased latch bolt.

12. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein 20 said tongue member comprises a key-operated dead bolt.

13. An assembly according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said bolt has independently movable staggered action bolt portions formed and arranged for momentarily maintaining engagement

25 with the shoe following disengagement of the retaining device.

14. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the case is of uPVC section construction.

3015. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the sash is of uPVC section construction.