GB2374899A - Stays - Google Patents

Abstract

A stay includes a hinge mechanism 11 and a track 12. The hinge mechanism includes a strut 13, which is pivotally connected to the track 11 at 14. A slider 15 slides along the track 12 during normal opening operation of the stay, until the slider engages a stop 16 in the track bed 17. Improved closing of the hinge mechanism is provided by an end cap assembly 24 on one end of the track 12. The assembly includes a lateral guide 26, defining a ramp 27 which extends towards an opening 28 formed in an end cap 25. The opening 28 defines a cam path 29 that is designed and shaped to enhance the final pivoting of the hinge mechanism 11 to ensure that an arm 22 carried on the hinge mechanism 11, moves fully into its closed position.

Description

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Stays This invention relates to hinges in the form of stays, such as side hung window stays.

As is explained in our co-pending Application No.

0026865.6 which will be published on 9th May 2001 as GB 2356018, there is a need for restrictor stays which can be opened sufficiently to allow for cleaning and emergency exits. A particularly convenient arrangement is described in our above British Patent Application, in which the normally fixed pivot of one of the hinge elements, which links a load carrying arm to a track member, can be broken out so that it may slide within the track member. On closing the "fixed" pivot can be re-secured relative to the track member. However, it has been found that when a window is closed with the stay in the broken out condition, one end of the load carrying arm can pass by an end cap, which is provided on the track member to enhance proper closing of the window. If this occurs, then the window cannot be shut properly.

Whilst this problem has been identified particularly in connection with the above mentioned stay, it'can also occur in other geometries and stay configurations.

The invention consists in a stay comprising an arm for supporting a load, a track member, hinge elements for connecting the arm to the track for movement between a first position in which the arm overlies the track and a

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second outward position in which it extends at an angle to the track, and an end cap, at one end of the track, having a cam surface for engaging an end of the arm on movement towards the second position to urge the stay into the second position characterised in that the stay further includes a lateral guide extending beside the track for engaging the one end of the arm and guiding that end to the cam surface.

This provision of a lateral guide extending beyond the width of the track is contrary to the design approach which has been adopted for many decades, where the end cap has always sat within the confines of the track member.

The lateral guide may be connect to or form part of the end cap. An integral design makes for a stronger construction, but a two part design has the advantage that the guide can be mounted on either side of the end cap and hence only one set of mouldings is needed to provide end caps for stays of either hand.

Preferably the guide is in the form of a ramp extending in the direction of movement, towards the second position, of the one of the arm. It may form an'acute or an obtuse angle with the track. Additionally or alternatively the guide may include a leg or strut for engaging a window frame to resist deflection of the guide by the one end of the arm.

The invention includes the combination, of the above

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defined stay and a stay as defined in any one of the claims of British Patent Application 0026865.6.

Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood it includes any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and specific embodiments will now be described,. by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from above and to one side of a window stay; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the end cap of Figure one; Figure 3 is a view of an alternative form of end cap; and Figures 4 to 6 show corresponding views of an alternative embodiment wherein the end cap defines an'acute'angle ramp.

A stay is generally indicated at 10 and includes a hinge mechanism generally indicated at 11 and a track 12.

The hinge mechanism includes a strut 13, which is pivotally connected to the track 11 at 14, and a slider 15 which slides along the track 12 during normal opening operation of the stay, until the slider engages a stop 16 in the track bed 17. This limits the normal opening of the window. The strut pivot is formed on an end piece 18 which is engaged in one end of the track member 11. The end piece 18 is formed of two portions 19 and 20. Portion 20

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carries the pivot 14 and is in the form of a further slider, whilst portion 19 is fixed to the track member 11 by a rivet 21. If extended opening of the stay is required, the portions 19 and 20 can be separated by applying an opening force above a predetermined level and this is the condition indicated in Figure 1.

As is well known the hinge mechanism 11 carries an arm 22 for carrying a window or the like. The arm 22 has a shaped nose at one end 23. An end cap assembly 24 is provided at one end of the track member 12 and consists of a generally conventional end cap 25 and a lateral guide 26.

The guide 26 defines a ramp 27 which extends towards an opening 28 formed in the end cap 25 to receive the end 23 of arm 22. The opening 28 defines a cam path 29 that is designed and shaped to enhance the final pivoting of the hinge mechanism 11 to ensure that the arm 22 moves fully into its closed position. The action of the cam 29 is well understood in the art.

However, what is new is the provision of the lateral extension 26, which is designed to capture the end 23 if, as the result of any changes in the geometry of the stay 10 the end 23 is likely to miss the opening 28. When the nose 23 engages the ramp 27 it is led towards the opening 28 to engage the cam path 29. It will be understood that the extension would work equally well with many other designs of end cap. The extension 26 is provided with a rearwardly

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leg or strut 30, which is dimension to engage a window frame and thus provide stability for the extension 26.

As can best be seen in Figure 2 the end cap 24 is provided with an edge groove for receiving a co-operating formation 32 on the guide 26. Preferably they are a snap fit, one with the other. Alternatively the cap 24 and guide 26 can be formed as in integral unit as. illustrated in Figure 3. Preferably, in either case, the end cap and guide are formed of moulded plastics.

Figures 4 to 6 show corresponding views for an alternative form of extension 30a and end cap 24a which the ramp 26 forms an acute angle with the track 12. This arrangement is particularly useful where the entry into the end cap is near its outer edge.

Claims (7)

1. Claims 1. A stay comprising an arm for supporting a load, a track, a hinge element for connecting the arm to the track for movement between a first position in which-the arm overlies the track and a second outward position in which it extends at an angle to the track, and an end cap, at one end of the track, having a cam surface for engaging an end of the arm on movement towards the second position to urge the stay into the second position characterised in that the stay further includes a lateral guide extending beside the track for engaging the one end of the arm and guiding that end to the cam surface.
2. 2. A stay as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lateral guide is connected to or forms part of the end cap.
3. 3. A stay as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the guide is in the form of a ramp extending in the direction of movement towards the second position of the one end of the arm.
4. 4. A stay as claimed in claim 3 wherein the ramp forms an acute or obtuse angle with the track.
5. 5. A stay as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims wherein the guide include a leg or strut for engaging a window frame to resist deflection of the guide by the one end of the arm.
6. 6. A stay as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims and incorporating the features of any of the claims of

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   British Patent Application No. 0026865.6.
7. 7. A stay substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.