NZ330342A - Releasable restrictor device comprising a movable arm with engagement portion and removable key - Google Patents

Abstract

Typically arm 12 is slidable and pivotable relative to mounting 10. In normal use arm 12 is essentially captively attached to bracket 11. This bracket is typically fixed to a window sash so that a user can open a window only a predetermined amount limited by the travel of arm 12 which can slide and pivot relative to mounting 10. In order to open a window further a user rotates operator 35 which causes finger 30 to move member 29 which in turn via projection 28/slot 27 moves arm 12 so that sash bracket rivet 24 is adjacent to wide mouth portion 26 of arm 12. This allows full opening of the window.

Description

No: 330342 Date: 1 May 1998 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION We, INTERLOCK GROUP LIMITED a New Zealand company of Portsmouth Road, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- INTEUECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE | OFN.Z, apr 1999 l RECEIVED 2 TITLE OF THE INVENTION A RELEASABLE RESTRICTOR DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a releasable restrictor device.

For safety reasons or because of regulation there is often a requirement to be able to selectively restrict the degree to which a closure which is movably mounted in a fixed frame can open. Accordingly, it is known to provide a hardware fitting which can be mounted between a fixed frame and a closure such as a window or door, the fitting restricting the extent of movement of the window or door relative to the frame.

An example of such a fitting is to be found in our New Zealand patent specification 188689 which has been successfully marketed for many years under the trade mark SECURISTAY®. The SECURISTAY fitting provides an effective means of limiting the degree of opening of a window. The fitting can, however, be released so that the window can be opened to a wider extent for, say, cleaning purposes or to maximise ventilation.

In use, the SECURISTAY product is mounted to an external surface of the interior of the frame. Thus it is always SPEC1Q85 23 April, \999 3 3303 visible and can accordingly distract from the aesthetic appeal of the window.

An object of the present invention is to provide a releasable restrictor device which can be installed within a cavity between a frame and a closure movably mounted with the frame.

Broadly, according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a releasable restrictor device for releasably restricting the extent of movement of a closure movably mounted with a frame, the restrictor device including an arm coupled to a mounting adapted for mounting with the frame or closure, engagement means adapted for mounting respectively to the closure or frame as the case may be, the arm being movable relative to the frame during opening of the closure to limit the degree to which the closure can open, the arm having an engagement portion for engaging with the engagement means, said arm being capable of release movement relative to the mounting whereby said engagement portion disengages from said engagement means, there being provided movement inducing means for inducing said release movement and retainer means to hold said arm after release of the engagement portion from the engagement means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION intellectual property office of n.z.

SPEC 1085 - 2 nov 2000 received 23 Apri 1999 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the restrictor device, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the device shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the device showing the device during part of its movement to a position which restricts a closure to an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In the preferred form of the invention the device is arranged so that the mounting plate 10 is attachable to the frame with which the closure is movably mounted. A bracket 11 is mountable to the closure. As the present invention is particularly suited for installation within a cavity between the sash and the frame of a typical aluminium or upVC window the following description will relate to the device when used in conjunction with a window sash mounted with a window frame. Accordingly, bracket 11 will commonly be referred to as a sash bracket 11 * SPEC 1085 23 April, 1999 The frame plate 10 has a plurality of openings 13 whereby it can be fixed, using mechanical fasteners, to the window frame. As shown in Figure 1, the fastener openings 13 can be a single opening toward one end and an elongate opening to one side and toward the other end of the plate 10. An alternative is shown in Figure 3 where the single opening at one end of the plate is replaced by two separate openings.

Likewise, sash plate 11 is provided with openings 14 through which mechanical fasteners can pass to mount the sash bracket to the window sash.

An arm 12 locates in use between the frame plate 10 and the sash bracket 11. This arm 12 is mounted via a pivot 15 which is slidingly engaged in a slot 16 of a plate 17. The plate 17 locates within a similarly shaped recess 18 in the frame plate 10. The recess 18 is provided with a cut-out 19 to provide a clearance for movement of the head 15a of the rivet 15.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the head 15a of the rivet 15 can locate within cut-out 19. The shank of the rivet 15 extends through the slot 16 in plate 17 with a waisted or reduced diameter end 15b of the shank engaging through an opening 20 in arm 12. This waisted or reduced diameter end 15b is swaged over to thereby couple the arm 12 to SPECI085 23 April, 1999 6 the rivet 15. The shank of the rivet can thus slide in slot 16.

Washers 21 are preferably provided either side of the plate 17 to separate the head 15a of the washer 15 from the plate 17 and likewise the arm 12 from plate 17.

Plate 17 includes openings 22 which align with openings 23 in recess 18 to enable the passage of mechanical fasteners (not shown) for not only mounting the plate 17 within the recess 18 but also for further fixed attachment of the frame plate 10 to the window frame.

A rivet or stud 24 is coupled to sash plate 11. An inclined open ended slot 25 is provided toward the distal end of arm 12. The arm 12 can be engaged with sash plate 11 by locating slot 25 on rivet or stud 24. The arm 12 can thus pivot about the axis of rivet or stud 24. The open ended slot 25 is provided with a divergent mouth 26 for the purpose which will hereinafter be identified.

Extending inwardly from the other side edge of arm 12 is an inclined open ended slot 27. The slot 27 is located between opening 20 and slot 25 but nearer to the latter.

As can be seen in Figure 1/ a protrusion 28 on the end of a restrictor 29 is engageable within slot 27. Figure 1 also shows that the restrictor 29 locates on the frame SPEC 1085 23 April, 1999 7 plate 10 and is held at the end opposite to protrusion 28 by a finger 30. This finger 30 is profiled to fit within a slot 31 formed in the restrictor 29. Finger 30 is also formed as part of a release slide 32 which is engaged within housing 33 of the frame plate 10. An opening 34 in housing 33 enables finger 30 to project out of the housing 33 as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Housing 33 also mounts a removable key or operating element 35. This key 35 has an external knob or key head 36 and a shaft 37. The shaft 37 is rotatably mounted within a recess 38 of curved cross section in the housing 33. A cover plate 39 is mountable to the underside of the housing 33 to capture both the shaft 37 and slide release 32 in position within the housing 33.

As can be seen in Figure 2, a substantially half round portion 40 is provided with cover plate 39. When the cover plate 39 is in place portion 40 combines with curved recess 38 to form a bore within which shaft 37 is rotatably engageable.

The distal end of shaft 37 is provided with a toothed gear profile 41 which in use engages with a rack 42 in the slide release 32. Thus rotation of shaft 37 translates into rectilinear sliding movement of release slide 32.

SPEC 1085 23 April 1999 8 To further describe the invention, reference will be made to the restrictor device in use with a window construction.

The frame plate 10 and sash bracket 11 are mounted as previously described to the frame and sash respectively of the window. As shown in Figure 1, the arm 12 is coupled at its distal end via slot 25 to the rivet or stud 24 projecting from sash bracket 11. Figure 1 shows the restrictor device when the window is in the fully closed position.

Figure 3, however, shows the restrictor device as the window commences its opening movement. It will be observed that protrusion 28 has released from slot 27. As the window continues its opening movement the rivet 15 slides along slot 16 until it reaches the opposite end of slot 16. This prevents any further movement of the arm and hence any further movement of the window sash. The extent by which the window sash can be opened is thus limited by the restricted movement of rivet 15 in slot 16.

If, however, opening of the window to a greater extent is required (say, for cleaning or unrestricted ventilation) the user inserts key 35 into bore 38/40. When the window is in the closed position, the head 36 of key 35 can be turned. The protruding element 41 on the end of the SPEC'1085 23 April, 1999 9 shaft 37 of the key is offset from the rotational axis of the shaft 37. Consequently, rotational movement of the shaft 37 translates (because of movement of protruding element 41 in elongate slot 42) into a longitudinal sliding movement of release slide 32 within housing 33. The sliding movement of release slide 32 is achievable because finger 30 can move within the elongate opening 34.

The sliding movement of the release slide 32 causes restrictor 29 to move longitudinally The inter engagement of protrusion 28 in slot 27 in turn causes a sliding movement of arm 12. The resultant relative movement between the rivet or stud 24 and arm 25 causes the rivet or stud 24 to take up a position adjacent mouth 26 of slot 25. Upon this movement having taken place the window sash can be pushed open which causes the sash bracket 11 to move away from the arm 12, the arm being held against movement with the sash bracket 11 by the restrictor 29. The sash can thus be moved to a fully open position or indeed any position beyond the open position as normally restricted by arm 12 when it is coupled with sash bracket 11.

When the key 35 is released a spring (not shown) biases the release slide 32 back to its normal rest position. The key 35 can then be removed.

SPEC 1085 23 April, 1999 When the window is closed the rivet or stud 24 enters the mouth 26 and moves into the confines of slot 25. The arm 12 is therefore automatically re-engaged with the sash bracket 11 upon the window closing. Consequently, when the window is next opened the window sash will only be able to move to its restricted position unless, once again, the key 35 is inserted and rotated.

In the preferred form of the invention the key is removable. In an alternative configuration, however, a permanent turn knob or push button could be used.

The present invention thus provides a releasable restrictor device which is of compact construction enabling it to be installed within the cavity between the sash and frame of a typical window construction such as an aluminium or uPVC window. Therefore, the restrictor device is not readily apparent except for principally the opening for key 35.

A user, therefore, has in a very simple manner the option of selecting opening of the window to its restricted extent of opening or to a far greater degree of opening. However, in the event that the greater degree of opening is selected the window will, upon closing, automatically result in the restrictor device re-latching thereby preventing opening beyond the restricted extent of opening unless the key is once again activated.

SPECI085 23 April, 1999 11

Claims (22)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 330342

1. A releasable restrictor device for releasably restricting the extent of movement of a closure movably mounted with a frame, the restrictor device including an arm coupled to a mounting adapted for mounting with the frame or closure, engagement means adapted for mounting respectively to the closure or frame as the case may be, the arm being movable relative to the frame during opening of the closure to limit the degree to which the closure can open, the arm having an engagement portion for engaging with the engagement means, said arm being capable of release movement relative to the mounting whereby said engagement portion disengages from said engagement means, there being provided movement inducing means for inducing said release movement and retainer means to hold said arm after release of the engagement portion from the engagement means.

2. A releasable restrictor device for releasably restricting the extent of movement of a closure movably mounted with a frame, the restrictor device including an arm coupled to a mounting adapted for mounting within and to the frame, engagement means adapted for mounting to the closure, the arm being movable relative to the frame mounting during opening of the closure to limit the degree to which intellectual property office of nx - 2 nov 2000 Rr ~ rivpj 23 April 1999 12 33034 the closure can open, movement means for moving the arm to release it from the engagement means when the closure is in a closed position, and retainer means for retaining the arm when released from the engagement means in a position for the arm to reengage with the engagement means upon the closure resuming a closed position.

3. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the arm is coupled to the mounting by a sliding pivot, the full extent of sliding movement thereof determining the limit to which the closure can open.

4. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the movement means imparts a movement which causes movement of the sliding pivot for part of the full extent of sliding movement.

5. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 further including operating means operable externally of the frame to cause the movement means to move said arm.

6. A restrictor device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said engagement portion includes an open ended slot which is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the arm. intellectual property office of n2. - 2 nov 2000 received SPEC1085 April 1999 13

7. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the slot has a divergent mouth at its open end.

8. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arm is pivotally mounted by pivot means at a position remote from the engagement portion, said pivot means being slidingly movable relative to the mounting.

9. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pivot means is a headed rivet slidingly engaged in a guide means.

10. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the guide means is a slotted plate engaged by location means of the mounting.

11. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the slotted plate is fixable in position with the r location means by fixing means for fixing the mounting to the frame or closure.

12. A restrictor device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the retainer means includes a coupling means for releasable coupling of the arm with the retainer means. SPEC1085 23 April, 1999 14

13. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the coupling means is a protrusion engageable within a slotted recess of the arm, the protrusion and slotted recess being separable when the restrictor device is operative to restrict the extent of the relative movement of the frame and closure.

14. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the retainer means is mounted by a release member.

15. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the release member is movably located on the mounting.

16. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the release member is a slider and is located within a housing on the mounting.

17. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the release member includes a finger which is engaged with the retainer means.

18. The restrictor device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the movement inducing means includes operating means external of the mounting. SPEC 1085 23 April, 1999 15

19. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the movement inducing means is removable from the mounting.

20. The restrictor device as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the movement inducing means includes a shaft which can be rotated, the shaft being coupled to the release member to induce a sliding movement in the release member.

21. The restrictor device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein there is provided biasing means to bias a spring to the release member.

22. A restrictor device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. INTERLOCK GROUP LIMITED By its Attorney DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES pel intellectual property office of n.z. -2 MOV 2000 received 23 April 1999