IE84266B1 - Friction stay - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A friction stay comprises a channel (10), a first slide (12) moveable along the channel (10), a second slide (14) moveable along the channel (10), a linkage arrangement connected to the first and second slides (12, 14), the linkage arrangement being further connected to a moveable support arm (28), a retainer member (22) associated with the channel (10), and a snap fit coupling between the second slide (14) and the retainer member (22) and operable to restrict movement of the second slide (14) such that, when the snap fit coupling is engaged, the friction stay operates in an egress mode, release of the snap fit couplin g permitting operation of the friction stay in an easy- clean mode.

Description

FRICTION STAY This invention relates to a friction stay for use with a moveable window or the like to allow the moveable part of the window or the like to be moved between an open condition and a closed condition, supporting the window frame, and holding the window when the window is in its open condition to avoid undesirable movement thereof.

A wide range of friction stay designs are known. Typically, a {notion stay comprises a charmel within which a friction slide is moveable. A linkage arrangement is provided, the linkage arrangement including at least one link ' component which is pivotally mounted upon the slide. The linkage arrangement is connected to an arm upon which or to which a part of a moveable window frame or the like is secured in use. The nature of the linkage arrangement is such as to allow the arm to move between a closed position in which it overlies the channel, and an opening position in which it extends generally perpendicularly to the channel.

In one type of friction stay, the friction slide is located, when the stay is in its closed position, at the end of the channel closest to the hinged side of the window. This type of friction stay has the advantage that, as the window is moved towards its open position, a space is formed between the frame of the moveable window and the fixed window frame through which access may be gained to allow cleaning of the exterior of the window to be undertaken. A friction stay of this design is sometimes referred to as an easy-clean friction stay. One disadvantage of this type of friction stay is that, when the window is in its liilly open position, the dimensions of the window opening which can be used for the purpose of an emergency exit are somewhat restricted.

Friction stay designs are available in which the hinged side of the moveable window frame stays close to the fixed window frame throughout the range of movement pennitted by the friction stay, thereby increasing the dimensions of the window opening which can be used for emergency exit purposes. In this type of fiiction stay, the moveable slide is located, when the friction stay is in its closed position, at the end of the channel remote from the ‘ hinged side of the window. Such a friction stay design does not have the ability to fiinction as an easy-clean fiiction stay.

Combined easy-clean/egress fiiction stays are available. Typically, these friction stays default to the easy-clean condition. In an emergency situation, someone needing to escape through the window may not be aware that the friction stay can be operated in an egress mode, or may not be aware how to operate the stay in this manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a friction stay of relatively simple and co nvcnient form, the fiiction stay being capable of operation in both an easy-clean mode and in an egress mode, and defaulting to the egress mode of the operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a friction stay for use with a moveable window having an egress mode and an easy-clean mode, the friction stay comprising a channel, a first slide moveable along the channel, a second slide moveable i. ' -. _.‘_ along the channel, a linkage arrangement comiected to the first and second slides, the linkage arrangement being further connected to a moveable support arm, a retainer member associated with the channel, and a snap fit coupling between the second slide and the retainer member and operable to restrict movement of the second slide such that, when the snap fit coupling is engaged, the friction stay operates in the egress mode, release of the snap fit coupling pemiitting operation of the friction stay in the easy-clean mode, the snap fit coupling, when engaged, permitting limited relative movement to occur between the second slide and the retainer member.

Conveniently, when the fi'iction stay is in a closed condition, the snap fit coupling is engaged.

It will be appreciated that such a design has the advantage that, if used in the easy- clean mode, subsequent closure of the window returns the friction stay to its default, egress mode of operation.

The first slide preferably includes a friction arrangement adapted to hold a window against undesirable movement, in use. A similar friction arrangement may also be associated with the second slide but typically this will not be necessary.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating part of a fiiction stay in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of several components of the friction stay of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the friction stay of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings the friction stay comprises an elongate channel 10 that serves as a guide, guiding slide movement of a first slide 12 and a second slide 14. The first slide I2 is a friction slide, a conventional adjustable friction screw airangement 16 being provided. The second slide 14 is provided with an integral projection 18 that temiinates with an enlarged head 20.

A retainer member 22 is secured to one end of the channel l0 as shown in Figure 1. The retainer member 22 includes an arm 24 adapted to be received within the channel 10, the arm 24 being provided with a recess 26 ' shaped to receive the head 20 in a snap fit manner. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the recess 26 includes a pair of inwardly projecting lips 28 which serve to assist in retention of the head 20 within the recess 26.

The projection 18 and recess 26 are both of sufficient length in the axial direction of the channel 10 to allow a restricted amount of movement of the second slide l4 within the channel 10 without removing the head 20 from the recess 26.

The end of the channel 10 remote from the retainer member 22 is closed by an end stop 30.

As shown in Figure 3, a linkage arrangement is provided, the linkage arrangement comprising a first link member 32 pivotally mounted to the first slide 12, a second link member 34 pivotally mounted at one endto the second slide l4, the second link member 34 further being pivotally connected, at its other end, to the first link member 32 at a point part way between the ends thereof, and a third link member 36 pivotally mounted to the second slide l4.

A window support arm 38 is pivotally mounted upon the ends of the first and third link members 32, 36. The design of the linkage arrangement is such as to allow the window support arm 38 to be moveable between a closed position in which is overlies the channel 10 and a fully open position in which is extends generally perpendicularly to the channel 10. ln its closed position, the end of the window support arm 38 closest to the retainer member 22, or a component secured to the end of the window support arm 38, is received within a housing 40 forming part of the retainer member 22 to restrict lateral movement of that part of the window support arm 38. Similarly, a suitably shaped locking projection (not shown) which is secured to the window support arm 38 lies within a housing 42 located adjacent the housing 40.

In use, the channel 10 is secured to a fixed window frame, the window support arm 38 being used to support the frame of a moveable window or vent associated with the fixed frame.

In its usual, egress, mode of operation, the initial movement of the moveable part of the window frame and the window support arm 38 results in a small amount of movement of the second slide 14 as pennitted by the nature of the snap fit coupling between the second slide and the retainer member.

This movement allows a degree of disengagement of the end of the window support arm 38 from the housing 40. Once the second slide 14 has moved to a position in which the head 20 thereof engages the lips 28, further movement of the second slide 14 is prevented and further movement of the window support arm 38 results in movement of the first slide 12 towards the second slide 14. As a result, as the friction stay is moved from its closed position to its fully open position, the “hinged side” of the moveable window frame supported by the friction stay remains adjacent the corresponding part of the associated fixed window frame. The dimensions of the part of the window opening which can be used for emergency exit purposes can thus be maximised.

If it is desired to use the friction stay in its easy-clean mode of ' operation then, once the window is at least partially open, -a lateral force is applied to the window fi'ame of the moveable part of the window to force the head 20 out of the recess 26. Once the head 20 has been released from the recess 26, it will be appreciated that both of the slides 12, 14 are free to move thus the moveable part of the window can be moved laterally relative to the fixed part of the frame to form an opening between the hinged side of the moveable frame and the associated part of the fixed frame, thereby allowing access to be gained to the outside of the moveable part of the window, for example for cleaning purposes.

Subsequent movement of the window back towards its closed position will result in the first slide moving to the position shown in Figure 1 in which it engages the end stop 30. If the friction stay has been operated in its easy- clean mode of operation, then this position may be reached before the second slide 14 reaches the position shown in Figure l, and the final part of the movement of the window will result in the head 20 being forced back into the recess 26 thereby ensuring that, during subsequent operation of the friction stay, operation in the egress mode will take place.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the specific arrangement illustrated, but rather that the invention includes within its scope a number of modifications and alternatives to the arrangement described and illustrated. By way of example only, the friction stay may be modified to incorporate a number of security features, and the relative dimensions of a number of the components used in the friction stay may be changed, if desired.

Claims (7)

1. A friction stay for use with a moveable window having an egress mode and an easy- clean mode, the friction stay comprising a channel, a first slide moveable along the channel, a second slide moveable along the channel, a linkage arrangement connected to the first and second slides, the linkage a.rrangement being finther connected to a moveable support arm, a retainer member associated with the channel, and a snap fit coupling between the second slide and the retainer member and operable to restrict movement of the second slide such that, when the snap fit coupling is engaged, the fiiction stay operates in the egress mode,» release of the snap fiticoupling permittingioperation of the friction stay in the easy§clean mode, the snap fit coupling, when engaged, permitting limited relative movement to occur between the second slide and the retainer member.

2. A fiiction stay according to Claim 1, wherein when the friction stay is in a closed condition, the snap fit coupling is engaged.

3. A friction stay according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first slide includes a friction arrangement adapted to hold a window against undesirable movement, in use.

4. A friction stay according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the snap fit coupling comprises a projection associated with one of the second slide and the retainer 9 I member, the projection having an enlarged head, the head being receivable within a recess of re-entrant form provided in the other of the second slide and the retainer member.

5. A friction stay according to Claim 4, wherein the recess is elongate and the projection is of sufficient length to allow the head to slide within the recess.

6. A fi'iction stay according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the projection is provided on the second slide and the recess is provided in the retainer member.

7. A fiiction stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.