GB2325274A - A window stay security end cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A window friction stay has a track 10 to be fixed to a window frame and an elongate member 16, which forms part of a link arrangement, to be fixed to the window sash. When the window is closed, an angled end face 64 on the member 16 engages with an end cap 32 on the track. The end cap is fixed with the track to the window frame but also provides a lateral extension 47. The latter has a through opening in which is located a strengthened insert extending between the lateral extension and the window frame. The insert provides a pair of through holes for receiving fixing screws 62 which engage directly into the window frame to increase the difficulty for an unauthorised person attempting to force the end cap out of the track, in order to release the link arrangement for unauthorised opening of the window.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Window Supports This invention is concerned with apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, and is particularly concerned with window support apparatus wherein the window is pivotable about either a vertical or horizontal axis and the axis of pivoting of the window moves away from the window frame, so that when the window is opened, both sides thereof are accessible from one side of the window frame.

Such apparatus conventionally comprises a first member which mounts the window, and a link arrangemen-for pivotally mounting the first member on a track attached to the window frame. The track is normally secured to a respective window frame part by screws extending through mounting holes provided in the base of the track, and the track conventionally has a closure member at one end which is engaged by the respective end of a link when the arrangement is moved to the closed position, the engagement correctly aligning the link arrangement with the track and retaining the correct alignment in the closed position.

Unauthorised entry to premises in which the window is installed often involves an attempt to insert a tool between respective window frame parts in order to displace the closure member from the track and enable the link arrangement to be forcibly moved to its open position.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the security of such window support apparatus.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component, means pivotally mounting the first member on a second member which provides end means adapted to co-act with the first member in the closed position and which is adapted to be secured, together with the end means, to one frame part of the fixture opening and means for further securing the end means directly to said one frame part.

Preferably the end means comprises a part which is upstanding from the second member in use and which provides a surface profiled to co-act with a profiled end face on one end of the first member. The further securing means may comprise an extension of the upstanding part directed above and laterally outwardly of the second member to provide at least one fixing location for direct securing to said one frame part.

The fixing location may comprise a through aperture in the extension and the securing means may further comprise an insert for location in the through aperture to accommodate spacing between the extension and said one frame part, a through opening being provided in the insert for receiving a fixing to be secured to said one frame part. The through aperture may be an elongate aperture and the securing means may comprise an elongate insert providing two through openings for receiving respective fixings. Alternatively a pair of through apertures may be provided in the lateral extension and the securing means may comprise an insert for locating in each through aperture and for receiving a respective fixing. The or each fixing may be in the form of a screw.

The or each insert may be in the form of a bush having a required axial length to accommodate the spacing and having a head to overlie the upper end of the respective through aperture.

The end means may be formed as a unitary component and is preferably formed of a plastics material which can be die cast or injection moulded. The or each insert is preferably formed as a turned part and may be formed of plastics, steel or brass.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a window support apparatus shown in partly open position; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a component of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is top perspective view of an element associated with the component of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a window support apparatus in the form of a friction stay comprises an open topped track 10 having inturned walls 12, the track 10 being fixed on a lower horizontal part of a window frame (not shown) by means of any suitable fixing devices engaged through apertures 14 in the base of the track 10. A further track (not shown) is inverted and secured to a horizontal upper member of the window frame.

The window sash (not shown) is fixed at opposed edges to a respective elongate member 16 forming part of a link arrangement. The member 16, at a location intermediate of its ends, is pivotally mounted on one end of an elongate pivot member 18, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the track 10 towards one end thereof. Towards one end of the support member 16, the latter is pivotally mounted on one end of a link 22, the other end of the latter being pivotally mounted on a slider 24 which is located in the track 10.

The slider 24 also pivotally mounts one end of a further link 26, the other end of the link 26 being pivotally mounted on the pivot member 18. The latter is stepped along its length to provide a raised section 28 on which the link 26 is mounted, so as to provide clearance for the link 26 in the closed position.

At its other end, the track 10 is closed by a member 32. The latter has a mounting part 34 overlying an end part of the base of the track 10 below the walls 12 and extending at right angles from a part 36 which is upstanding from the track 10 in use to provide an end cap on the track 10. The part 36 has a recess 38 to one side thereof, side walls of the recess being defined at one side by an end wall 40 and at the other side by an internally profiled surface 42 for a purpose hereinafter described. The mounting part 34, towards the end thereof remote from the part 36, provides a through hole 44 through which a fixing device in the form of a screw or the like can locate and pass through the correspondingly aligned fixing hole 14 in the base 10.

Between the location of the fixing hole 44 and the part 36, the mounting part 34 has a raised section 46 having an extension 47 which extends laterally outwardly of one side of the mounting part 34 in a direction to said one side of the part 36. In use, the extension 47 extends laterally outwardly of the track 10 above the respective shoulder 12 but the section 46 terminates short of the opposed side of the mounting part 34 whereby to allow the latter to lie under the other respective shoulder 12. A supporting wall 48 extends between the part 36 and the outer edge of the extension 47. A through hole 50 is formed in the raised section 46 to align~with a respective fixing hole 14 whereby to assist in securing the end member 32, together with the track 10, to the window frame part.

The extension 47 also extends beyond the end of raised section 46 in a direction away from the part 36, and provides an elongate through opening 52.

Because the extension 47 is above the track 10, a spacing is defined between the underneath surface of the extension 47 and the window frame part. An insert 54 is provided to locate in the opening 52, the insert 54 having a head 56 dimensioned to overlie the upper edge of the opening 52 and a body 58 adapted to locate through the opening 52 and accommodate the spacing between the lateral extension and the window frame part. The insert 54 has a pair of through holes 60 for receiving fixing screws 62 which engage into the window frame part, and preferably to metal reinforcing thereof when the window frame part is formed of a profiled plastics member.

The end member 32 may be formed as a unitary component, for example as a die cast or injection moulded plastics component. The insert 54 may be formed of any suitable material providing the required strength, for example plastics, steel or brass. Preferably the insert 54 is formed as a turned part so as to reduce tooling costs, as inserts of different heights would be required to suit different window frame profiles.

In use, the support member can swing from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a closed position wherein the member 16 overlies the pivot member 18 and the links 22, 26, the latter in turn overlying the track 10. It will be appreciated that, in the closed position, the window supported by the link arrangement is also closed. When moving to the closed position, an angled end face 64 on the member 16 enters the end part 36 and interacts with the profiled surface 42, such interaction correctly positioning the window against the window frame.

The further securing of the end member 32 directly to the same window frame part as the track 10 increases the difficulty for an unauthorised person attempting to force the end member 32 out of the track in order to release the link arrangement for unauthorised opening of the window.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the lateral extension may provide two round through holes as an alternative to the elongate through hole, with an insert locating through each round hole. As a further alternative, the lateral extension may provide a single through fixing hole with an appropriate insert, provided the size of the respective screw is sufficient to provide the required resistance to unauthorised forcible opening of the window.

It will be appreciated that the end member 32 may have a configuration different from that described and shown, provided additional security is available by a further fixing directly into the window frame part on which the track 10 is mounted.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component, means pivotally mounting the first member on a second member which provides end means adapted to co-act with the first member in the closed position and which is adapted to be secured, together with the end means, to one frame part of the fixture opening, and means for further securing the end means directly to said one frame part.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end means comprises a part which is upstanding from the second member in use and which provides a surface profiled to co-act with a profiled end face on one end of the first member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the further securing means comprises an extension of the upstanding part directed above and laterally outwardly of the second member to provide at least one fixing location for direct securing to said one frame part.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing location comprises a through aperture in the extension and the securing means further comprises an insert for location in the through aperture to accommodate spacing between the extension and said one frame part, a through opening being provided in the insert for receiving a fixing to be secured to said one frame part.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the through aperture is an elongate aperture and the securing means comprises an elongate insert providing two through openings for receiving respective fixings.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing location comprises a pair of through apertures in the extension and the securing means comprises an insert for locating in each through aperture and for receiving a fixing.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the or each fixing is in the form of a screw.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the or each insert is in the form of a bush having a required axial length to accommodate the spacing and having a head to overlie the upper end of the respective through aperture.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end means is formed as a unitary component.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the unitary component is formed of a plastics material.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the unitary component is die cast.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the unitary component is injection moulded.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 8, or any of claims 9 to 12 when dependent on any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the or each insert is formed as a turned part.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the or each insert is formed of plastics, steel or brass.

15. Apparatus for supporting a component for movement between an open and a closed position in a fixture opening, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.