GB2282180A

GB2282180A - A window fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2282180A
Application number: GB9418182A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuard Horwood
Original assignee: Interlock Hardware Developments Ltd
Current assignee: Interlock Hardware Developments Ltd
Priority date: 1993-09-10
Filing date: 1994-09-09
Publication date: 1995-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-09
Also published as: GB9418182D0; GB2282180B; NZ247790A

Abstract

For the correct location of a window sash (S) in a window frame (F) a window fitting comprises a keep (14) which is mountable to the frame (F) and a retainer (15) which is mountable with the sash (S). The retainer (15) has a boss (26) which during the final closing stages of the sash (S) in frame (F) engages in an open ended recess (17) in the keep (14). The recess (17) is of a tapering configuration leading to a throat (18) in which the boss (26) engages as the sash (S) finally closes in the frame (F). The retainer (15) guides a sliding bar 12 which carries headed bolts (30) for engagement with keep slots (19) as part of a window fastening. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW FITTINGS This invention relates to improvements in window fittings.

A projected hung window is one where the sash is moved outwardly from the frame as the window is opened. The window can be casement or awning hung. As the sash is moved back into the closed position there are a number of factors which can result in the sash failing to centralise or be correctly positioned in the frame.

Furthermore when the sash is locked in the frame by an espagnolette locking mechanism the action of the mechanism can cause the sash to be pushed over in the frame away from its central position. This can lead to problems with incorrect sealing of the sash with the frame, binding of the sash in the frame, damage to hinging or stay components and the like.

The fitting according to the present invention has thus been particularly developed for use with a projected hung window to overcome the problem of the sash failing to correctly position or centralise in the frame when it moves into a closed position.

Furthermore the fitting of the present invention has particular application to windows which are locked closed by an espagnolette locking mechanism where racking of the sash can occur when the espagnolette mechanism is operated.

Broadly the invention consists of a window fitting comprising a retainer adapted for mounting with the sash of a window and a keep adapted for mounting with the frame of a window, said retainer having an engagement portion which during final closing of the sash engages within a receiving portion of the keep said receiving portion tapering to a throat in which the engagement portion locates upon the sash reaching a closed position.

In the preferred form of the invention a plurality of retainers are provided each adapted for engagement in a respective elongated slot of an espagnolette locking bar whereby the retainers can mount the locking bar to the window sash. At least one of said retainers is engageable with a said keep. Preferably the keep includes an open ended slot arrangement into which a follower of the locking bar can engage when the locking bar is moved to a locking position.

In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of two retainers in combination with an espagnolette locking bar showing the relationship between same and a keep as a sash approaches its final closed position in a window frame, Figure 2 is a section on A-A of Figure 1 with the retainer, locking bar and keep located with the sash and frame respectively of a window, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the components shown in their relationship when the sash is in the closed but not locked position, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the sash closer to its fully closed position in the frame, Figure 5 is a section on B-B of Figure 3 showing the sash in the fully closed but not locked position, Figure 6 is a section C-C of Figure 3 with the locking bar in the locked position, and Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 6 but showing a modified form of the keep.

Referring firstly to Figure 2 of the drawings there is shown in section a window frame F and a sash S with the sash approaching its fully closed position. Carried on sash S is a gearbox housing 10 of an espagnolette locking mechanism with an operating handle 11 projecting from the gearbox housing 10. Projecting downwardly from housing 10 is finger 13 which engages in the locking bar 12 of the espagnolette mechanism.

Mounted with frame F is one but preferably two or more keeps 14. The locking bar 12 is mounted to sash S by a plurality of retainers 15.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings the or each keep 14 has a transversely positioned recess 16 the side walls 17 of which converge to a curved throat 18. Recess 16 is open ended and open topped as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2.

A pair of longitudinally aligned open ended slots 19 are provided in the keep 14. Slots 19 have overhangs 20 (see Figure 5) and in the floor 21 of each slot 19 is an elongate aperture 22. Mechanical fastenings (not shown) can pass through apertures 22 to fixedly mount keep 14 in position on frame F.

Retainer 15 (as more particularly shown in Figure 1) consists of a generally rectangular shaped mounting base 23 from which extends a spigot 24. A flange 25 projects from spigot 24 and a boss 26 extends from flange 25. A headed fastener 27 located within boss 26 extends through a bore passing through flange 25, spigot 24 and base 23 such as to be engageable in sash S in order to mount the retainer with the sash.

The locking bar 12 has a plurality of elongate slots 28 and a retainer 15 is engaged with each slot 28. As the shape and the dimensions of base portion 23 are less than at least the width of slot 28 the base 23 can be inserted through slot 28 and the retainer then rotated 90 so as to assume the position shown in Figure 1. As a consequence lock bar 12 is located in a sliding arrangement between the surfaces of base 23 and flange 25 of each retainer 15. In this manner locking bar 12 is slidingly retained on sash S by the retainers 15.

Extending from lock bar 12 are a plurality of rollers or followers 29 (see eg Figure 5) these rollers or followers being configured and positioned such that when sash S is in the fully closed position the locking bar 12 can slide and thereby move rollers 29 into a respective open ended slot 19 of keep 14.

The diameter of boss 26 is slightly less than the diameter of the throat 18 of slot 16. The distance between walls 17 of slot 16 at the edge of retainer 14 are, however, greater than the diameter of boss 26.

Thus as sash S moves toward the closed position (Figure 4) boss 26 moves between walls 17 of slot 16.

If the sash is slightly off centre or out of position relative to the opening in the frame F the external wall surface of boss 26 will come into engagement with one of walls 17 of slot 16. The interaction caused by this engagement causes the sash to be moved laterally until boss 26 comes to final rest in throat 18 whereupon the sash will have been correctly positioned or centralised in frame F. The positioning of boss 26 in throat 18 of keep 14 is more particularly shown in Figures 3 and 6 of the drawings.

Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that when the sash S is in the fully closed position roller 29 is aligned with slot 19. Consequently upon handle 11 being operated a driving force from finger 13 causes locking bar 12 to move longitudinally thereby causing roller 29 to move into slot 19 with a resultant locking of the sash against outward movement. Roller 29 has an enlarged head portion 30 which engages beneath overhangs 20 of slot 19 as can be more particularly seen in Figure 5. Thus the sash cannot be moved away from the keeps to release rollers 29 therefrom and overcome the effects of the locking mechanism.

As a consequence of boss 26 being located within throat 18 movement of the locking bar 12 to effect the interengagement of roller 29 in slot 19 cannot apply a sideways movement to the sash which will move the sash away from its centralised position. The interengagement of boss 26 with throat 18 of slot 16 counteracts any sideways movement to the sash. This also prevents the sash being moved sideways in an effort to overcome the locking effect of the locking mechanism.

It will be appreciated that in order for sash S to be opened the locking bar 12 is moved in a reverse direction so as to release roller 29 from slot 19. Thereupon the sash can be opened in the normal manner.

If a retainer 15 becomes misaligned (ie. it rotates on fastener 27) this will not adversely affect the correct engagement of boss 26 in slot 16. This is due to the substantially symmetrical shape of boss 26 and the curved throat 18 of slot 16. Thus even if a retainer 15 becomes misaligned from the position as shown in the drawings the correct inter-engagement with keep 14 will still be achieved.

In Figure 7 of the drawings a modified form of keep 14 is illustrated. In this form the keep has a secondary slot 19' into which roller 29 can engage so that the sash S can be locked in a slightly open position to enable the sash to be locked in a venting position.

The boss 26 could be replaced by some other form of projection. For example, it could be a projection of substantially v shaped cross section thereby presenting a substantially arrow shaped projection engageable in a v shaped recess in the keep. This, however, is believed to be a less preferred form of the fitting because if the retainer does move about the axis of fastener 27 correct alignment of the projection with the V shaped recess cannot be assured. Thus some means of retaining the retainer in correct alignment will be required.

The fitting according to the present invention therefore provides a means of centralising or correctly positioning a sash in a frame as the sash moves to the closed position. Furthermore the fitting prevents the sash from being moved from its correct centralised closed position as a consequence of the locking action of an espagnolette locking mechanism. Also sideways movement of the locked sash to gain unauthorised access by overcoming the interengagement of the rollers in the keeps is prevented.

Claims

1. A window fitting comprising a retainer adapted for mounting with the sash of a window and a keep adapted for mounting with the frame of a window, said retainer having an engagement portion which during final closing of the sash engages within a receiving portion of the keep said receiving portion tapering to a throat in which the engagement portion locates upon the sash reaching a closed position in the frame.

2. The window fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of retainers are provided each adapted for engagement in a respective elongate slot of an espagnolette locking bar whereby the retainers can mount the locking bar to the window sash.

3. The window fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of retainers are provided each adapted for slidingly retaining an espagnolette locking bar to the window sash.

4. The window fitting as claimed is claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one of said retainers is engageable with a said keep.

5. The window fitting as claimed any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the keep includes an open ended slot arrangement into which a follower of the locking bar can engage when the locking bar is moved to a locking position.

6. The window fitting as claimed in claim S wherein the open ended slot includes at least one projection which is interengageable with a part of the follower to prevent the follower being forced from the slot in a direction other than that in which the follower normally moves into and from the slot.

7. The window fitting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement portion of the retainer presents a curved peripheral surface to said receiving portion as it moves into said receiving portion.

8. The window fitting as claimed in claim 7 wherein the throat is of a curved shape which substantially corresponds to that of said curved peripheral surface of the retainer.

9. The window fitting as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the locking bar slidingly locates between a pair of opposed surfaces of the retainer.

10. The window fitting as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the follower is a roller which is rotatable about an axis normal to the direction of sliding movement of said locking bar.

11. The window fitting as claimed in claims 5, 6 and 10 wherein the keep includes a second slot arrangement into which a follower can be selectively engaged

12. A window fitting substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A window comprising a frame and a sash mounted therewith to be movable between open and closed positions there being a plurality of retainers mounted with said sash each said retainer having an engagement portion, at least one keep mounted with said window frame and having a receiving portion which tapers toward a throat, said keep being positioned such that as the sash moves to the closed position the engagement portion enters the receiving portion and becomes located in the throat thereof.

14. A window as claimed in claim 13 wherein said retainers slidingly mount an espagnolette locking bar.

15. A window as claimed in claim 14 wherein the keep includes follower engagement means to receive a follower mounted with the locking bar upon the locking bar being slidingly moved by an operator mounted with the sash, when said sash is in a closed or partially closed position in the frame.

16. A window as claimed in claim 15 wherein the follower engagement means and follower included interlocking means which prevents the follower from being moved from the follower engagement means other than in the direction of movement of the follower caused by said sliding movement of the locking bar.

17. A window substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.