EP1314843A2

EP1314843A2 - Window assembly

Info

Publication number: EP1314843A2
Application number: EP02257977A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Broadhead; Mark Robbins; Margaret Ann Wood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-24
Filing date: 2002-11-20
Publication date: 2003-05-28
Also published as: GB0128209D0; EP1314843A3

Abstract

The window assembly 100 comprises a leaf 10 and a window frame 20. The window assembly includes a latch comprising retaining means and engagement means. Movement of the window from a first, closed position 115 in a first direction 111 causes relative movement between the engagement means and the retaining means which causes the engagement means to disengage with the retaining means in order to enable the leaf 10 to move in a second direction 121 towards a second, open position, 120. In between the first position and the second position 120, the leaf 10 locates in a third position 110 which is the position at which the latch has just enabled the leaf to be moved in the second direction 12 to the second position. The assembly also comprises biasing means to bias and urge the leaf 10 towards the second position 120. The assembly does not require the use of any significant force and also does not use any complicated latches which may be difficult for certain people to operate.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a window assembly, a latch for a closure assembly, a hopper window and a vehicle including a hopper window or a window assembly.

Background to the Invention

Closure assemblies such as window and door assemblies comprising a frame surrounding an aperture and a leaf arranged to move relative thereto in order to close the aperture are well known. Public transport vehicles such as trains and buses are often provided with window assemblies comprising a leaf having a top edge, a bottom edge substantially opposed thereto and first and second side edges interposed therebetween, and which is pivotally mounted to a frame by its bottom edge. The leaf is arranged to move between a closed position and an open position by pivoting about its bottom edge such that its upper edge moves into the vehicle. These window assemblies are referred to as hopper windows and are provided to allow ventilation of the vehicle.
Known hopper windows have several disadvantages. In particular many users find them difficult to operate. They are often provided with catches to retain the leaf in the closed position which must be manipulated by a user in order to release the leaf. To move the leaf into an open position the user also has to pull it towards themselves. This can be awkward particularly for elderly people who find it hard to operate the catch and pull the leaf towards themselves at the same time.
In addition the construction of known hopper windows results in catches and handles which spoil the aesthetic appearance of the window and consequently of the interior of a vehicle comprising the window. Furthermore, their construction may also create uncomfortable drafts for passengers sitting rearward of the window.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a window assembly comprising a leaf mounted to a frame, the leaf being arrangeable between a first position and a second position relative to the frame, the assembly having a latch in order to retain the leaf in the first position and to prevent movement of the leaf to the second position, wherein movement of the leaf in a first direction whilst in the first position causes the leaf to be releasable from the latch and for the leaf to be movable in a second direction to the second position.
Preferably, movement of the leaf from the second position in the first direction cause the latch to retain the leaf in the first position and to prevent movement of the leaf to the second position.
Preferably, the latch automatically retains and releases the leaf solely as a result of the movement of the leaf. Accordingly, the latch may not require any small locking mechanism which may be difficult for users to operate.
Preferably, the latch comprises retaining means for retaining engagement means.
Preferably, movement of the leaf in a first direction whilst in the first position causes movement of the engagement means relative to the retaining means which causes the engagement means to be releasable from the retaining means.
Preferably, in the first position, the leaf is restrained from moving in the second direction.
Preferably, the leaf is pivotally movable between the first position and the second position. Preferably, the leaf is pivotally moveable about an axis located along a bottom edge of the leaf.
Preferably, in the first position the leaf is in a closed position. Preferably, the leaf is locked to the window frame by the latch in the closed position.
Preferably, in the second position the leaf is in an open position.
Preferably, the leaf moves from the first position to the second position in a predominantly second direction. Preferably, the leaf moves from the first position to the second position by initially moving in a first direction and then in a second direction. Preferably, the leaf moves from the second position to the first position in a predominantly first direction. Preferably, the leaf moves from the second position to the first position by initially moving in a second direction and then in a first direction.
Preferably, the retaining means is provided on the window frame.
Preferably, the engagement means is provided on the leaf.
Preferably, the first direction is rotationally opposite to the second direction. For example, the first direction may be clockwise and the second direction may be anticlockwise or vice versa.
Preferably, the assembly comprises biasing means to bias the leaf towards the second position. The biasing means may comprise a spring and preferably comprises a torsion spring.
Preferably, the window assembly is a hopper window assembly.
Preferably, the assembly is arranged such that the leaf is movable to a third position. Preferably, the leaf is movable to the third position by movement of the leaf between the second position and the first position in which the leaf is locked. Preferably, the leaf is aligned with the first position on movement of the leaf from the second position to the third position prior to being locked in the first position.
Preferably, the leaf is resiliently biased by biasing means.
Preferably, the leaf may be moved from the second position to the first position by moving the leaf passed the first position and to the third position and then releasing the leaf such that the leaf is returned to the first position by the biasing means.
Preferably, the leaf is movable from the first position to the second position by pushing the leaf such that the leaf moves from the first position towards the third position in order for the retaining means to disengage the engagement means and the leaf is then returnable passed the first position towards, and preferably to, the second position by the biasing means.
The leaf may be pivotally moved by more than 10° and preferably more than 20° and more preferably by more than 25° between the first position and the second position. The leaf may be pivotally moved by less than 50° and preferably less than 40° and more preferably less than 35° between the first position and the second position.
The leaf may pivot through 10° and preferably less than 5° and more preferably less than 2° between the first position and the third position. The leaf may pivot through more than 0.1° and preferably more than 1° between the first position and the third position.
The engaging may comprise a striker. The retaining means may comprise a keep arranged to receive the striker.
Preferably, the assembly comprises two latches which may be substantially identical.
Preferably, the engaging means of the or each latch is mounted to the leaf in the region of a longitudinal edge of the leaf. Accordingly, first engaging means may be mounted on a first longitudinal edge of the leaf and second engaging means may be mounted to a second longitudinal side of the leaf. The or each latch may be mounted towards a first edge, and preferably the upper edge, of the leaf.
The leaf may be pivotally linked to the frame in a region of a second edge of the leaf, and preferably the lower edge of the leaf which may be substantially opposed to the first edge thereof.
Preferably, the leaf comprises a substantially planar member having first and second edges with third and fourth edges interposed therebetween.
The engaging means of a first latch may be mounted to the third edge of the leaf. The engaging means of a second latch may be mounted to the fourth edge of the leaf.
Preferably, the first edge comprises a top edge of the leaf, the second edge a bottom edge of the leaf and the third and fourth edges longitudinal side edges of the leaf.
Preferably, the leaf comprises a planar member.
Preferably, the leaf comprises a window. Preferably, the leaf comprises a frame work having at least one pane of glass located therein. Alternatively, the leaf may comprise a door.
Preferably, the engaging means comprises a body and an engagement member wherein the engagement member is movable relative to the leaf. Preferably, the engagement member is arranged for movement generally in the plane of the leaf.
The engagement member may be pivotally linked to the body and may be linked to the body by an arm.
Preferably, the retaining means defines a groove which engages the engagement member therein. Preferably, the groove initially extends in a first direction in order to receive the engagement member into the retaining means. Preferably, the groove extends in a second direction to release the engagement member from the retaining means. Preferably, the engagement member is arranged to be received in the groove and to move to an abutment region which defines the third position of the leaf the engagement member may then be arranged to move generally downwardly to a retaining region which defines the locked position of the leaf, the engagement member may then be arranged to move in a first direction to a guide region which guides the engagement member downwardly to a release region where the engagement member is releasable from the groove.
Preferably, the retaining means is arranged to receive the engagement member and to retain the engagement member and the leaf when the leaf is in the first position and to release the engagement member and the leaf from the first position when the engagement member is caused to move in the first direction.
Preferably, the groove comprises a receiving face arranged to received the engagement member and guide the engagement member towards a stop which prevents the engagement member moving further into the retaining means which defines the third position of the leaf. The stop may indicate to a user that the leaf is in a closed position and that the leaf no longer needs to be pushed.
Preferably, the retaining means comprises a retaining region arranged to receive the engagement member when the user stops pushing the leaf and the leaf is allowed to be returned towards the second position, and consequently the first position by the biasing means. The retaining region may be arranged to secure the engagement member in the first position of the leaf. The engagement member may be biased towards the retaining region such that the engagement member can only be released if the leaf is pushed towards the third position.
Preferably, the retaining means comprises a second stop arranged to abut the engagement member when the engagement member has been pushed clear of the retaining region due to the leaf being moved towards the third position. The second stop may indicate to a user that the latch has released the leaf and that the leaf will move towards the second position when the pushing force is released from the leaf.
The retaining means may further comprise a guide surface to guide the engagement member out of the retaining means once the engagement member has been released by the retainer.
Preferably, the receiving face comprises a ramped surface arranged to cause the engagement member to move upwards as it moves into the retaining means. Preferably, the engagement member moves downwards as the leaf moves from the third position to the first position. Preferably, the engagement member moves downwards as the leaf moves from the first position towards the third position before the leaf then moves towards the second position. The retaining means may be arranged such that gravity guides the engagement member into the vertical position. Preferably, the first stop and/or the second stop and/or the retaining region comprises a ramped surface to guide the engagement member.
Preferably, the retaining means comprises a housing having a moveable member housed therein. Preferably, the retaining means further comprises a first fixed member which may be integral with the housing. Preferably, the retaining means further comprises a second fixed member which may be integral with the housing. At least a part of the moveable member may be held between the first and second fixed members.
Preferably, an inner face of the housing defines the first stop and/or the second stop and/or the guide surface. Preferably, the housing defines the groove.
Preferably, the moveable member comprises part of the receiving surface.
Preferably, the first fixed member and/or the second fixed member comprises part of the receiving surface and/or the retainer.
The moveable member may be arranged such that a part of the movable member abuts the guide surface in order to guide the engagement member into the retaining means towards the first stop by the receiving surface when the engagement member first enters the retaining means. The moveable member may be arranged to move such that as the engagement member is guided out of the retaining means and approaches the rear of the receiving surface of the moveable member the engagement member causes the moveable member to move such that exit of the engagement member is not prevented. Preferably, once the engagement member has exited the retaining means the moveable member returns to its original position in which the movable member abuts the guide surface.
Preferably, the moveable member comprises a resiliently deformable flexible material. Preferably, the moveable member is arranged to flex out of the way of the engagement member when approached from the rear of the receiving surface. Preferably, the moveable member is arranged to abut the guide surface and retain its configuration when the engagement member engages the front of the engagement surface thereof.
Alternatively, the moveable member may comprise a rigid member. The moveable member may be pivotally linked to the housing and/or the first and/or second fixed member. The moveable member may be arranged to pivot out of the way of the engagement member when approached from the rear of the engagement surface.
Preferably, the hinge comprises a first member and a second member arranged for pivotal movement relative to each other. Preferably, the first member is housed substantially within the second member. The first member may be attached to the leaf. Preferably, the first member forms part of the lower edge of the leaf. The second member may be attached to the frame. Preferably, the second member forms part of the frame.
An outer surface of the first hinge member may be arranged to co-operate with an inner surface of the second hinge member.
The first hinge member and the second hinge member may comprise substantially arcuate faces arranged to slidably move relative to each other.
The first hinge member and the second hinge member may comprise stops arranged to engage each another and define the second position of the leaf.
The hinge may extend for substantially the entire length of the bottom edge of the leaf.
Preferably, the hinge includes biasing means to urge the leaf towards the second position. Preferably, the hinge includes biasing means to urge the leaf in the second direction. Preferably, the biasing means comprised at least one spring. The biasing means may comprise two springs. A first spring may locate adjacent to a first longitudinal end of the leaf and a second spring may locate adjacent to a second longitudinal end of the leaf. Preferably, the or each spring comprises a torsion spring.
Preferably, the hinge includes damper means to control the opening action of the leaf.
Preferably, the frame comprises baffle means arranged to deflect the flow of air as it passes through the aperture defined by the frame when the leaf is in the second position.
Preferably, the frame comprises a first baffle and may comprise first and second baffles. The leaf may be mounted to the frame between the baffles. The retaining means of the or each latch may be mounted to the or each baffle.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch for a closure assembly, the latch comprising retaining means for retaining engagement means in a retained position therein, the engagement means being movable relative to the retaining means in an entry direction in which the engagement means enters the retaining means in order to be retained therein and an exit direction in which the engagement means is released from the retaining means, wherein movement of the engagement means relative to the retaining means from the retained position in the entry direction causes the engagement means to be releasable from the retaining means in the exit direction relative to the retaining means.
Preferably, the assembly comprises a window or door assembly. Alternatively, the assembly may comprise one or more drawers.
Preferably, the hinge comprises a damper to control movement of the members relative to one another.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hopper window comprising a window mounted in a window frame, the window being openable to an open position to a first side of the window frame and the window being lockable relative to the window frame in a closed position in which movement of the window to the open position to the first side of the window frame is prevented wherein movement of the window away from the first side of the window frame whilst the window is locked enables the window to be movable to open position to the first side of the window frame.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising at least one window assembly wherein the window assembly is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising at least one hopper window wherein the hopper window is in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.
The vehicle may be a bus or a coach. The vehicle may comprise a train or tram carriage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1a is a perspective view of a window assembly in a first position.
Figure 1b is a side schematic view of the window assembly in three positions.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a window assembly in a second position.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the window assembly of Figure 1 in partial cross section.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a hinge.
Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the hinge of Figure 4.
Figures 6a and 6b are end elevational views of the hinge of Figure 4 in first and second positions respectively with the damper removed.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the striker of a latch.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the striker of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a keep of a latch.
Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a keep of a latch showing the position of a bail of a striker during operation of the latch.
Figure 11 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of retaining means.
Figure 12 is a front view of another embodiment of retaining means.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As shown in Figures 1a and 1b the window assembly 100 comprises a leaf 10 and a frame or window frame 20. The leaf comprises a planar member having a frame work for retaining a window pane or panes therein. The assembly comprises mounting means in order to mount the leaf in the window frame 20. The window assembly further includes a latch comprising retaining means and engagement means. The engagement means engages in the retaining means in order to retain and lock the window in the window frame. Movement of the window from a first, closed, position 115 in a first direction 111 causes relative movement between the engagement means and the retaining means which causes the engagement means to disengage with the retaining means in order to enable the leaf 10 to move in a second direction 121 towards a second, open, position 120. In between the first position 115 and the second position 120, the leaf 10 locates in a third position 110 which is the position at which the latch has just enabled the leaf to be moved in the second direction 12 to the second position. The engagement means is preferably located in the leaf 10 and the retaining means is preferably located in the window frame 20.
The assembly also comprises biasing means to bias and urge the leaf 10 towards the second position 120. Accordingly, in use, from the closed position 115, an upper region of the leaf 10 is pushed in a first direction 111 in order for the retaining means to move relative to the engaging means. Once at a critical position (the third position 110) where the window cannot be pushed any further, the pushing force is released from the leaf 10 in order for the biasing means to move the leaf 10 in the second direction 121 to a second position 120. The assembly comprises limiters to restrict the movement of the leaf 10 in the second direction 121 and to retain the leaf 10 in the second position 120. In order to close the window the leaf 10 is again pushed in the first direction 111until it can be pushed no further. The pushing force is then released and the leaf 10 moves in the second direction 121 and is retained in a closed position 115. Accordingly, the assembly does not require the use of any significant force and also does not use any complicated latches which may be difficult for certain people to operate.
The assembly will now be described in more detail.
As shown in Figures 1a, 1b 2 and 3, a window assembly 100 comprises a leaf 10 housed within a frame 20. The leaf 10 comprises a bottom edge 11 about which it is pivotally linked to the frame 20 by a hinge 30. The hinge 30 comprises first and second hinge members 31, 32. The first hinge member 31 comprises a part of the bottom edge 11 of the leaf 10 having a substantially cylindrical form. The second hinge member 32 comprises a part of the frame 20 defining a substantially "C" shaped channel arranged to receive and retain the first hinge member 31.
The first hinge member 31 defines an outwardly facing curved or arcuate surface that extends longitudinally along the bottom edge 11 of the leaf 10. The second hinge member 32 defines an inwardly facing curved or arcuate surface in order to co-operate with the curved surface of the first hinge member 31.
The leaf 10 is arranged to move between a first, closed, position as shown by Figures 1a and a second, open, position as shown by Figure 2.
As shown in Figures 5, 6a and 6b the first and second hinge members 31,32 each comprise an abutment 33,34 respectively arranged to engage with each other when the leaf 10 is in the second position and to prevent it opening further than the second position. The leaf 10 is arranged such that the leaf rotates or pivots substantially through an angle of 30° as the leaf moves between the first position and the second position.
The hinge 30 further comprises biasing means in the form of a spring or a torsion spring 40. A first end 41 of the torsion spring 40 being engaged with the first hinge member 31 and a second end 42 being with the second hinge member 32. The torsion spring 40 is arranged such that it biases the leaf 10 toward the second, open, position.
The hinge 30 further comprises a rotary damper 50 at either end thereof arranged to resist the biasing force of the torsion spring 40 to control and decrease the opening speed of the leaf 10.
As shown in Figure 2, the frame 20 comprises baffle means in the form of baffles 21,22 arranged to locate adjacent to or abut the ends of the hinge members 31,32 and thus hide said ends from view. The baffles 21,22 also deflect the flow of air into a vehicle comprising the window assembly 100 when the leaf 10 is in the second position.
As shown in Figures 3, 7 and 8, the window assembly 100 comprises latches each comprising a retaining means 60 or keep and engagement means 70 in the form of an engagement member 71 or stirker. The retaining means 60 and engagement means 70 of each latch are substantially identical with the first latch being a mirror image of the second latch.
The engagement means 70 of each latch are mounted to the longitudinal edges 12,13 of the leaf 10 in the region of the top edge 14 thereof. The retaining means 60 of the latches are mounted to the baffles 21,22 of the frame in corresponding positions.
The retaining means 60 of each latch is arranged to receive the engagement member 71 as the leaf 10 is pushed towards and passed the first position into a third position. Once the operator stops pushing the leaf 10, the leaf 10 is returned towards the first position by the biasing effect of the springs 40 and the leaf is retained in the first position due to the engagement of the engagement member 71 and retaining means 60 of each latch. The leaf 10 can be released from the first position by being pushed towards the third position whereupon the retaining means 60 of each latch releases the engagement member 71 from locking engagement. The leaf can then be returned towards the second position by the biasing effect of the springs 40.
As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the engagement member 71 of each latch is mounted on an arm 72 by which the engagement member 71 is pivotally linked to a body 73 which is mounted to the leaf 10. The body 73 may alternatively comprise an integral part of the leaf 10 defining a mounting point for the arm 72. The arm 72 and engagement member 71 are linked to the body 73 such that the engagement member 71 may move relative thereto in a substantially vertical direction. The engagement member may thus be caused to move between an upper position 71a and a lower position 71b due to the effects of gravity.
As shown by Figures 9 and 10, the retaining means 60 comprises a body 61 housing a moveable member 62 mounted between first and second fixed members 63,64. The moveable member 62 comprises a flexible, resiliently deformable material. The term movable is defined to incorporate flexible in which a part of the member may flex.
The moveable member 62 and first and second fixed members 63,64 are arranged to define a ramped engagement surface 65 which first contacts the engagement member 71 as the engagement member 71 enters the retaining means 60. Thus, when the engagement member 71 initially enters the retaining means 60 the moveable member 62 is in the position indicated by 62a of Figure 10 and the engagement member 71 is in the position indicated by 71b of Figure 7. After the engagement member 71 enters the retaining means 60 the engagement member 71 is in position 1 shown in Figure 10 relative to the retaining means 60. As the leaf 10 is pushed towards the first position the engagement member 71 is guided towards the upward position 71a until it reaches position 2 relative to the keep. When the engagement member 71 is in position 2 the leaf 10 lies just before the first, closed position.
The leaf 10 is then pushed passed the first position causing the engagement member 71 to move further into the retaining means 60 whereupon engagement member abuts a ramped surface 81 of the housing 61 arranged to guide the engagement member onto a shelf portion 82 which co-operates with the ramped surface 81 to define a first stop 66 for the engagement member 71. The engagement member 71 is thus retained in position 3 which corresponds to the third, closed, position of the leaf 10 until the user or operator stops pushing the leaf 10 whereupon the leaf 10 is returned towards the closed position by the spring 40.
The engagement member 71 thus moves towards and into engagement with a ramped surface 83 of the first fixed member 63 which guides the engagement member towards a shelf portion 84 which co-operates with the ramped surface 83 to define a retaining region or a retainer 67 for the engagement member 71. The engagement member is then retained in position 4 which corresponds to the first, closed, position of the leaf 10, until a user or operator pushes the leaf 10 towards the third position.
As the leaf 10 is moved towards the third position the engagement member 71 reaches position 5 in which the engagement member 71 engages a ramped surface 85 of the housing 61 below the shelf portion 82 of the housing 61 and the engagement member 71 is guided towards a guide surface 69 of the housing 61 which cooperates with the ramped surface 85 to define a second stop 68. The engagement member 71 is thus held in position 6 until the user or operator stops pushing the leaf 10.
Once the user or operator releases the leaf 10 the leaf 10 is moved towards the second position by the or each spring 40. The engagement member 71 is then guided by the guide surface 69 passed position 7 towards the exit of the retaining means 60. As the engagement member 71 reaches the rear surface of the moveable member 62, the engagement member 71 causes movable member 62 to flex from position 62a to position 62b (shown by dashed lines in Figure 10) such that the engagement member 71 opens up the exit path for the engagement member 71. The engagement member 71 thus moves through position 8 and exits the retaining means 60. Once the engagement member 71 is clear of the moveable member 62, the movable member 62 returns to the starting configuration 62a such that the movable member 62 is arranged to guide the engagement member 71 into position 1 when the leaf 10 is once again pushed towards the first position.
As shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12, another embodiment of retaining means of a latch comprises a housing 90 having a movable member 92 located therein. The movable member 92 is pivotally mounted to the housing through a pin 94. The movable member provides a ramped surface 95 to guide the engagement member upwards and into the housing 90. The movable member comprises an abutment surface 96 which the engagement member will abut as the engagement member travels out of the housing 90. The pin is arranged such that the abutment of the engagement member against the abutment surface pivots the movable member and the engagement member moves out of the housing. The pin is arranged such that once the engagement member has travelled out of the housing, the movable member will pivot back naturally to the original starting position in which the movable member provides a ramped surface. The movable member may pivot about the pin or both the movable member and the pin may move relative to the housing.
The window assemblies of the present invention may have particularly simple operation, only ever being required to be pushed by a user to both open and close the window, and having no catches which require strenuous manual manipulation.
The window assembly is a hopper window assembly. The hopper window assembly is for use in vehicles and particularly in buses or coaches or train carriages or tram carriages. Accordingly, the hopper window is for use in passenger vehicles and in particular commuter vehicles for transporting people.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

A window assembly comprising a leaf mounted to a frame, the leaf being arrangeable between a first position and a second position relative to the frame, the assembly having a latch in order to retain the leaf in the first position and to prevent movement of the leaf to the second position, wherein movement of the leaf in a first direction whilst in the first position causes the leaf to be releasable from the latch and for the leaf to be movable in a second direction to the second position.
A window assembly according to claim 1 in which movement of the leaf from the second position in the first direction cause the latch to retain the leaf in the first position and to prevent movement of the leaf to the second position.
A window assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the latch automatically retains and releases the leaf solely as a result of the movement of the leaf.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which the latch comprises retaining means for retaining engagement means wherein movement of the leaf in a first direction whilst in the first position causes movement of the engagement means relative to the retaining means which causes the engagement means to be releasable from the retaining means.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which, in the first position, the leaf is restrained from moving in the second direction.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which the leaf is pivotally movable between the first position and the second position about an axis located along a bottom edge of the leaf.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which in the first position the leaf is in a closed position and the leaf is locked to the window frame by the latch in the closed position and in the second position the leaf is in an open position.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which the leaf moves from the first position to the second position in a predominantly second direction and the leaf moves from the first position to the second position by initially moving in a first direction and then in a second direction.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which, the assembly comprises biasing means to bias the leaf towards the second position.
A window assembly according to any preceding claim in which the window assembly is a hopper window assembly.