GB2333123A

GB2333123A - Stay with adjustable pivot to improve seal

Info

Publication number: GB2333123A
Application number: GB9800365A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Philip Lanaway
Original assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: DGS HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-09
Filing date: 1998-01-09
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-09
Also published as: GB9800365D0; GB2333123B

Abstract

In a window stay of the type having a track with a profiled end and links connected to the track through a fixed pivot and a slider respectively, the fixed pivot is formed by a unitary element including a lower part (44) to locate in a hole of the track, a cam part (48) located closely in a hole in the link and whose axis is offset relative to that of the part (44), a locking part (50) and an operating part (52) which has a groove (54, figure 3). The part (50) has upstanding projections which engage in grooves in a cover to lock the element in a desired position. Rotating the element (42) so that the large area of the cam part (48) moves towards the profiled end moves the link towards the profiled end, improving the sealing of the fixture upon closure.

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 opening1 and is particularly concerned with window support apparatus wherein the window is pivotable about either a vertical or a horizontal axis and the axis of pivoting of the window moves away from the window frame, so that when the window is open, both sides thereof are accessible from one side of the window frame.

In the closed position of the window in the window frame, the window engages against one seal on the window frame and also provides itself a further seal for engagement against the window frame. The apparatus in question conventionally comprises a link arrangement having a first link which mounts the window and which is pivotally mounted on a track mounted on the window frame. Incorrect fitting of the link arrangement can have the effect of making the seals ineffective. Also, the seals can become ineffective through wear.

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 opening1 the apparatus comprising a link arrangement having a first member for mounting the component, a second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a third member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening and comprising a track, and a fourth member which pivotally mounts the first member on means which is slidably located in the track, and means at the pivot location of the second member on the track for adjusting the spacing between a profiled end means on the track and the pivot location, the adjusting means comprising a unitary element which so engages with the second member that, on movement of the component into the closed position, adjustment of the element is able to control movement of the first member towards the profiled end means, and thereby control movement of the first member across the track together with movement of the component into the fixture opening.

Preferably the adjusting element pivotally mounts the second member on the track. The adjusting element may comprise a first part for extending through an opening in the second member to be rotatably secured in an opening in the track, and a cam part locating in the second member opening which is enlarged relative to the track opening. The cam part may be circular with an axis offset relative to axis of the adjusting element. The adjusting element may further comprise a locking part providing means engageable with a cover whereby to retain the element in any required position. The adjusting element may further provide an operating part adapted to be manually operated whereby to effect rotation of the element and therefore the cam part.

The cover for the element preferably overlies the latter but exposes the operating part. The cover is preferably formed to be resilient and may be moulded from a plastics material. Means may be provided for retaining the cover on the second member.

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 side view, partly in section, of an adjusting element of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the element of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the element of Fig. 2, in more detail; Fig. 5 is a side view of the element of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a cover of the apparatus; and Fig. 7 is a sectional side view on A-A of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, a window support apparatus in the form of a friction stay comprises an open topped track 10 having inturned upper 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.

The slider 24 has an internally threaded hole to receive a conventional friction screw 30, by means of which the slider 24 and thus the stay remains by friction in any position to which the slider 24 is moved by opening of the window.

At the other end of the track 10, the latter is closed by a member 32 which has a mounting section overlying an end part of the base of the track 10 below the walls 12. The member 32 is formed as a composite of metal and plastics with the mounting section having a plastics part 36 presenting a through opening aligned with one of the apertures 14 in the base of the track 10, and an overlying metal part 38 extending only part way along the length of the mounting part 34. A fixing hole 40 is formed through the mounting part 34 at the metal part 38, the underlying plastics part 36, and through the base of the track 10.

The metal part 38 is integrally formed with a part upstanding from the track 10 to define an arcuate cam surface (not shown) for a purpose hereinafter described. The member 32 also provides an upstanding plastics part located behind the metal part, integrally formed with the plastics part 36 and, above the cam surface providing a cap extending thereover.

At the pivot location for the pivot member 18 on the track 10, the base of the latter has a hole pierced therethrough. Pivot member 18 is also formed with a through hole at the end to be mounted on the track 10, the diameter of the pivot member hole being greater than the diameter of the track hole.

A unitary component 42 (Figs 2 and 3) defines four parts, a lower part 44, of circular configuration and of a diameter to locate closely within the hole in the track 10, being formed with an internal cavity 46 opening onto its lower end, whereby to provide the part 44 with a lower annular edge for a purpose hereinafter described. Above the part 44 there is provided a cam part 48 of circular configuration and of a diameter to locate closely within the hole in the pivot member 18. However, the axis of the cam part 48 is offset in relation to the axis of the lower part 44, the parts 44, 48 meeting at a location on their respective outer peripheries.

The component 42 also provides a locking part 50 above the cam part 48, the part 50 being circular and of a diameter greater than that of the cam part 48 and on the same axis as the latter. The component 42 is completed by an upper operating part 52 which is circular and of a diameter less than that of the cam part 48 but on the same axis thereof. The operating part 52 has a groove 54 formed in its upper face on a diameter thereof.

The locking part 48 is formed around its periphery with a plurality of spaced upstanding projections 56, pressed out of the material of the part 50, and each presenting an upwardly facing arcuate surface for a purpose hereinafter described. The projections 56 are shown in Figs 4 and 5 of the drawings but are not shown in Figs 1 and 2 for reasons of clarity.

To position the component 42, the lower part 44 is passed through the opening in the pivot member 18 from above and through the opening in the track 10, and is then connected to the latter by riveting, so that the component 42 is rotatably secured relative to the track 10 without any additional fixings being required. The cam part 48, in the secured position of the component 42, locates in the hole in the pivot member 18, with the part 50 overlying the latter.

A cover member 58 (Figs 6 and 7), preferably formed of a moulded plastics material, is located on the upper surface of the pivot member 18 and is adapted to overlie the component 42 whereby to provide a resilient protective cover for the latter. The cover member 58 has a first through hole 60 having an upwardly facing recess 62 of increased diameter, whereby to receive a friction screw (not shown) to retain the cover member 58 on the pivot member 18.

The cover member 58 further has a through opening 64 providing an upwardly opening circular section 66 of a diameter whereby the operating part 52 of the component 42 can locate closely therein. The opening 64 presents a downwardly opening circular recess 68 of a diameter which is greater than that of the upper section 66 and which can closely locate therein the locking part 50 of the component 42. An annular shoulder 70, defined between the section 66 and the recess 68 of the through opening 64, is formed with a plurality of equally spaced radial grooves 72 adapted to cooperate with the projections 56 on the upper face of the locking part 50 of the component 42. When the cover member 58 overlies the component 42, the operating part 52 with its groove 54 is accessible to enable an operator to engage a screwdriver or the like in the groove 54, while the engagement between the projections 56 and the grooves 70 retains the component 42 in a desired position.

In use, the support member 16 may be swung from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a closed position wherein the support 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. Conventionally, one part of the window closes against a seal on a part of the window frame, while another part of the window provides a seal which also closes on another part of the window frame.

Assuming the friction stays correctly positioned on the window and window frame, and that the window seals are fully effective, the component 42 can be positioned with the large area of the cam part 48, which extends to one side of the part 44, extending in a direction away from the end member 32. While the support member 16 is swung to its closed position, an angled end face 74 on the support member 16 enters the end member 32 and interacts with the upstanding cam surface 44 to correctly position the window against the window frame.

In the event of inaccurate fitting of the window stay, or wear of the window seals, the sealing of the window may be, or become, less effective than is desired. In order to move the window into closer engagement with the window frame, the component 42 is manually rotated by engaging a screwdriver or the like in the groove 54 so that the large area of the cam part 48 is rotated to extend towards the end member 32. Rotation of the cam part 48 in the opening in the pivot member 18 obliges the latter, on closure of the window, to move further towards the end member 32 and thereby force the slider 24 and the support member 16 to move further towards the end member 32. The consequent increased pressure of the end face 74 against the upstanding cam surface of the end member 32 causes additional lateral movement of the support member 16 in the direction of closing, and therefore additional pressure of the window against the window frame to improve sealing.

It will be appreciated that the component 42 can be rotated to any of a number of positions wherein respective ones of the projections 56 engage in respective ones of the grooves 72, thereby providing a considerable amount of adjustment. The engagement of the projections 56 in the grooves 72 functions as effectively as a ratchet arrangement whereby to effectively lock the component 42 in any rotated position and prevent any tendency of the component 42 to return to its "rest" position by the resilience of the seals.

There is thus provided an effective arrangement to compensate for inaccurate fitting or wear of window seals, which is relatively simple in manufacture and operation.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the invention is not restricted to the window stay as specifically described and shown.

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

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, a second member for pivotally mounting the first member on a third member, the latter being adapted to be secured to the fixture opening and comprising a track, and a fourth member which pivotally mounts the first member on means which is slidably located in the track, and means at the pivot location of the second member on the track for adjusting the spacing between a profiled end means on the track and the pivot location, the adjusting means comprising a unitary element which so engages with the second member that, on movement of the component into the closed position, adjustment of the element is able to control movement of the first member towards the profiled end means, and thereby control movement of the first member across the track together with movement of the component into the fixture opening.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting element pivotally mounts the second member on the track.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjusting element comprises a first part for extending through an opening in the second member to be rotatably secured in an opening in the track, and a cam part locating in the second member opening which is enlarged relative to the track opening.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cam part is circular with an axis offset relative to axis of the adjusting element.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the adjusting element provides an operating part adapted to be manually operated whereby to effect rotation of the element and therefore the cam part.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting element comprises a locking part providing means engageable with a cover whereby to retain the element in any required position.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, when dependent on claim 5, wherein the cover for the element overlies the latter but exposes the operating part.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cover is formed to be resilient.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cover is moulded from a plastics material.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein means is provided for retaining the cover on the second member.
11. 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.
12. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.