WO2009141447A1

WO2009141447A1 - Locking apparatus for a roof window

Info

Publication number: WO2009141447A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/056280
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Plunkett Coyle
Original assignee: Keystone Lintels Limited
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2009-05-25
Publication date: 2009-11-26
Also published as: EP2310592B1; PL2310592T3; EP2310592A1; GB0809241D0

Abstract

A window includes a sash (2) which is pivotally mounted to a window frame and has a ventilation passage between the interior and exterior of the window. The ventilation passage is closable by an adjustable ventilation flap (3) which is pivotally mounted to the interior of the sash (2) and is also connected to window locking mechanism (4). The flap (3) is provided with a separate locking means (10) that can be selectively set internally by a user and which provides locking control over opening and closing of the flaps. This prevents the flap (3) from being forced open from the exterior and moving locking mechanism (4) into an unlocked position thereby enabling sash (2) to be opened.

Description

LOCKING APPARATUS FOR A ROOF WINDOW

The present invention relates to a locking apparatus for an openable roof window of the type having a sash that is pivotally mounted to the window frame.

Such roof windows are commonly provided with a closable ventilation passage which extends between the exterior and interior sides of the window. When the sash is in a closed position within the frame, the opening on the interior side of the window is closable by means of a ventilation flap that is pivotally connected to a top member of the sash. In such roof windows, for example as disclosed in EP 1 070 181 B1 , the ventilation flap also serves to operate a locking mechanism for the window, the ventilation flap being operated in two stages. In a first stage, the ventilation passage is opened only, and in a second stage, further pivoting of the flap releases the window locking mechanism thus enabling the sash to pivot open relative to the window frame. With these windows, security is an issue when the windows are installed at exposed locations that are accessible to persons from the outside. When installed at such positions, the risk of burglary via. the window is a disadvantage and a major problem. Burglars seeking access through the windows have been known to operate the ventilation flap from the outside by using various tools or instruments formed by or having an elongate component that can be inserted through the ventilation passage. EP 0 969 178 discloses solutions to the problem of forced opening of the ventilation flap from the exterior. However these solutions rely upon placing burglary preventing or shielding members within or around the ventilation passage. While these shielding members may be made from metals or impact-proof materials they can still be breached by a determined person and do not actively prevent the ventilation flap from being opened. Furthermore, shielding members damaged by a person seeking access through the window from the outside as described previously can be costly and difficult to replace particularly when they are located within the ventilation passage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a window comprising a sash that is pivotally mounted to a window frame, the sash being provided with a ventilation passage between the interior and exterior of the window closable by an adjustable ventilation flap that is pivotally mounted to the interior of the sash, the passage being to provide ventilation through the sash when in a closed position within the frame, said ventilation flap being connected to the window locking mechanism, characterised in that the adjustable ventilation flap is further provided with locking means operable on said flap so that locking control over opening and closing of the flap can be selectively set internally by a user.

Conveniently, the ventilation flap locking means is a hinge lock that is slidably mountable to the ventilation flap within which it is slidably retained so that it is movable between an unlocked and a locked position.

Advantageously, the ventilation flap is provided with a hinge in the form of a substantially C-shaped channel section which is adapted to pivotally engage with at least one complementary hinge pin member provided on the sash so that the flap can pivotally move between an open and closed position.

Ideally, the C-shaped channel section is integrally formed with the ventilation flap body which is formed as an extended section.

Ideally, the hinge pin member comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate formation that projects outwardly from the window sash to which said member is mounted.

Conveniently, the hinge lock comprises a tab having a substantially cylindrical barrel segment which is adapted for mounting within the C-shaped channel section of the ventilation flap so that the lock is slidable along at least a portion of said channel section within which it is retained so that it may be moved between an unlocked and a locked position.

Advantageously, the substantially cylindrical barrel segment is provided on a raised formation on the hinge lock, the raised formation comprising an upper face and a lower face, the upper face in use being adapted to slidably engage with the underside of the hinge member and the lower face being adapted for slidable contact with a respective lower edge or lip of the C-shaped channel section of the ventilation flap when the hinge lock is advanced into a locked position.

Conveniently, when the hinge lock is slidably advanced into a locked position, the raised formation moves into a barring position between the hinge pin member and the ventilation flap hinge with the respective upper and lower faces of the raised formation acting as a stop against which the underside of the hinge pin member and the lower edge or lip of the C-shaped channel abuts, respectively, thereby locking the hinge and preventing the flap from being pivotally moved.

Ideally, the raised formation projects substantially obliquely from the hinge lock tab so that in use, the tab projects outwardly from the sash and below the ventilation flap so that it extends into proximity to the ventilation flap handle and thereby within convenient reach of a user.

Advantageously, the tab is further provided with a raised finger grip so that the hinge lock can be readily moved between locked and unlocked positions by the user.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, a locking means for a roof window in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a roof window of the prior art, the window being shown in a closed position;

Figure 2a is a front elevation of a portion of a window in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the window of Figure 2;

Figure 2c is a detailed view of a hinge lock in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3a shows the rear view of a ventilation flap of a window in accordance with the invention and with a hinge lock shown in a locked position;

Figure 3b shows the rear view of a ventilation flap of a window in accordance with the invention with the hinge lock shown in an unlocked position;

Figure 4 is a detailed isometric view of the hinge lock; and

Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating alternative locking means in accordance with the invention. An example of a known openable roof window is show in a closed position in Figure 1. The window comprises a main window frame 1 and a sash 2 pivotally mounted therein. A ventilation flap 3, which is provided with a handle 3a, is pivotally mounted to the sash 2 and connects to a main window locking mechanism 4 so that the window may be held shut. A ventilation passage 5, which is closed by ventilation flap 3, extends between the exterior of the window and the interior of the window where flap 3 is located. Flap 3 is movable from a first closed position, shown in solid lines, to an open position, shown in dashed lines, in which the ventilation passage is opened and the sash continues to be locked. Further downward pivoting of flap 3 about pivot 6 in the direction of arrow A releases the window locking mechanism 4 and sash 2 can pivot open in the direction of arrow B

Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, the window of the invention comprises locking means 10 which act on ventilation flap 3 thereby preventing it from being forced open from its reverse side by a person on the exterior and moved into an unlocked position thereby enabling sash 2 to be opened. In the Figure 2b, which is a cross-section in the direction A- A indicated in Figure 2a, ventilation flap 3 is shown having an extruded body section 31 having an integrally formed, substantially C-shaped channel section 32 having a lower edge or lip 33 and which acts as a hinge adapted to pivotally engage with complementary formations 40a provided on a hinge pin member 40 so that flap 3 can be pivotally moved between open and closed positions. Formations 40a comprise substantially cylindrical segments which project outwardly from sash 2 when pin member 40 is in place such that a portion of the underside of said pin member is exposed.

To prevent ventilation flap 3 from being opened by a person on the exterior side of the window there is provided a flap locking device in the form of a hinge lock 10 as shown in detail in Figure 4. Hinge lock 10 comprises a tab 10a having a substantially cylindrical barrel segment 11 which is slidably retained within a portion 35 of the channel defined by a C-shaped channel section 32 of flap 3 into which it is mounted so that it can be slidably moved between locked and unlocked positions within the channel as shown in Figures 3a and 3b, respectively.

As shown in Figure 4, barrel segment 1 1 is located on a raised formation 12 having an upper face 13 and a lower face 14 which in use contact hinge pin member 40 and substantially C-shaped channel section 32 respectively, lower face 14 maintaining contact with the lower edge or lip 33 of channel section 32 throughout the full range of sliding motion. Referring to Figures 2b, 2c, 3a and 3b, the use of hinge lock 10 to prevent pivotal motion of ventilation flap 3 will now be described in greater detail. For clarity, hinge pin members

40 are not shown in Figures 3a and 3b. As hinge lock 10 is moved from an unlocked position (Figure 3b) to a locked position (Figure 3a) within portion 35 of substantially C- shaped channel 32, upper face 13 of hinge, lock 10 is slidably advanced into abutment with the exposed underside of hinge pin member 40 (Figures 2b and 2c). In such a configuration, raised formation 12 is in a barring position between hinge pin member 40 and lower lip 33 of C-shaped channel 32 thereby preventing the hinge assembly from rotating and thus retaining ventilation flap 3 in a locked shut position.

As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 2a, the tab 10a of hinge lock 10 is provided with a raised finger grip 15 that allows the lock to be easily advanced between locked and unlocked positions within C-shaped channel 32. Tab 10a is further provided with symbols or other suitable indicator means which advise a user of the correct direction the hinge locking device must be moved in order to effect locking and unlocking of the hinge.

Referring now to Figure 5, in an alternative arrangement, ventilation flap 3 may be locked closed by means of a locking bolt or bolts 60 provided on an upper part of sash 2 and which can be placed in locking engagement with said flap. As an alternative to, or in conjunction with, locking bolt 60, locking bolt or bolts 61 which engage with flap 2 at a position proximate hinge 6 may be provided to effect the locking closed of said flap.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the on going description and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described therein, which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred or example embodiments thereof.

Claims

1. A window comprising a sash that is pivotally mounted to a window frame, the sash being provided with a ventilation passage between the interior and exterior of the window closable by an adjustable ventilation flap that is pivotally mounted to the interior of the sash, the passage being to provide ventilation through the sash when in a closed position within the frame, said ventilation flap being connected to the window locking mechanism, characterised in that the adjustable ventilation flap is further provided with locking means operable on said flap so that locking control over opening and closing of the flap can be selectively set internally by a user.

2. A window as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the ventilation flap locking means is a hinge lock that is slidably mountable to the ventilation flap within which it is slidably retained so that it is movable between an unlocked and a locked position.

3. A window as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the ventilation flap is provided with a hinge in the form of a substantially C-shaped channel section which is adapted to pivotally engage with at least one complementary hinge pin member provided on the sash so that the flap can pivotally move between an open and closed position.

4. A window as claimed in Claim 3, in which the C-shaped channel section is integrally formed with the ventilation flap body which is formed as an extended section.

5. A window as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which the hinge pin member comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate formation that projects outwardly from the window sash to which said member is mounted.

6. A window as claimed in Claim 3, in which the hinge lock comprises a tab having a substantially cylindrical barrel segment which is adapted for mounting within the C-shaped channel section of the ventilation flap so that the lock is slidable along at least a portion of said channel section within which it is retained so that it may be moved between an unlocked and a locked position.

7. A window as claimed in Claim 6, in which the substantially cylindrical barrel segment is provided on a raised formation on the hinge lock, the raised formation comprising an upper face and a lower face, the upper face in use being adapted to slidably engage with the underside of the hinge member and the lower face being adapted for slidable contact with a respective lower edge or lip of the C-shaped channel section of the ventilation flap when the hinge lock is advanced into a locked position.

8. A window as claimed in Claim 7, in which when the hinge lock is slidably advanced into a locked position, the raised formation moves into a barring position between the hinge pin member and the ventilation flap hinge with the respective upper and lower faces of the raised formation acting as a stop against which the underside of the hinge pin member and the lower edge or lip of the C-shaped channel abuts, respectively, thereby locking the hinge and preventing the flap from being pivotally moved.

9. A window as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, in which the raised formation projects substantially obliquely from the hinge lock tab so that in use, the tab projects outwardly from the sash and below the ventilation flap so that it extends into proximity to the ventilation flap handle and thereby within convenient reach of a user.

10. A window as claimed in Claim 9, in which the tab is further provided with a raised finger grip so that the hinge lock can be readily moved between locked and unlocked positions by the user.

1 1. A window with a locking means substantially in accordance with either of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2a to 5 of the accompanying drawings.