GB2228767A

GB2228767A - Opener for flap or window

Info

Publication number: GB2228767A
Application number: GB9001829A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Alfred Harold Cann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-18
Filing date: 1990-01-26
Publication date: 1990-09-05
Also published as: GB8903716D0; GB9001829D0

Abstract

Lever 32 is pivoted about frame pivot 34 to pivot a flap, or a window 20, via pivotal link 26. Lever 32 may be pivoted by a hooked rod, by a cord and pulley, or by link 40 moved by link 44 pivoted at 46 via hand knob 52. Link pivots 38, 42, 46 may be aligned in the opened and closed positions, and one of these pivots may have an eccentric for lever adjustment. To lock the window in any desired position, knob 52 may be screw-tightened, or pivot 42 may be extended by a spring to engage one of a number of holes. More than one lever 32 may be moved by a link 40. <IMAGE>

Description

A WINDOW OPENER AND STAY The present invention relates to openers and stays for closures, and in particular to openers and stays for casement windows.

Casement windows of the top hung, or fanlight type are often provided for ventilation purposes in kitchens and bathrooms, and the normal method for opening and staying the windows has a disadvantage when sited above a sink or wash-hand basin due to the difficulty in reaching the operating system. Where friction stays are used as hinges, there are additional difficulties due to the stiffness of the hinge mechanism.

The present invention attempts to overcome those disadvantages by providing a mechanism which is conveniently accessible for operational use, and also provides for security in the fully closed and open positions of the windows. Additionally, the mechanism is arranged such that a considerable mechanical advantage is obtained which enables the window to be operated with facility.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an opening and closing system for a closure member hingedly mounted within a fixed frame therefor, wherein there is provided a lever having at least two arms, one arm being pivotally connected by a link to a pivot point on part of the closure member, and a second arm being rockable about a pivot point on part of the fixed frame, whereby locking of the lever in one direction causes opening of the closure member and rocking in the opposite direction causes closing of the closure member.

In one aspect, the lever is pivotally connected tn a second link which depends downwardly therefrom and is pivotally connected at its end remote from the lever to one end of a further link which is pivotable at its other end about a pivot point on part of the fixed frame.

Preferably, the respective axes of the pivots of the downwardly depending link and the further link are arranged to lie substantially along the same longitudinal centre line when the closure member is in either its fully closed or its maximum opened positions.

At least one of the pivot points may be provided by a screw-threaded pin, and a knob or nut, whereby tightening of the knob or nut is effective in locking the closure member in a fixed position relative to the fixed framework.

The closure member may be a casement window, which may be hinged about a horizontal axis or, alternatively, about a vertical axis.

Other aspects of the invention will become clear from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the present invention showing a window in its closed position; Figure 2 shows the window in an open position; Figure 3 is an end view showing part of the mechanism of the invention seen in figures 1 and 2.

As seen in figures 1 and 2 a fixed window frame 10 has vertical side members 12 and horizontal bars 14, 16, 18.

A fanlight or casement window 20 is pivotable about a hinge 22 between an open and a shut position.

A lug 24 is fixed to the lower part of the casement window 20 and a link 26 is pivoted at one of its ends to that lug by means of a pivot pin 28. The other end of the link 26 is pivoted by means of a pivot pin 30 to one arm 31 of a three-armed lever 32, a second arm 33 of which is pivoted at its end by means of a pivot pin 34 to a lug 36 on the horizontal bar 16.

The third arm 35 of the lever 32 has a pivot pin 38 and the uppermost end of a link 40 is pivoted two that pin. The link 40 depends downwardly to be pivotally connected by means of a pin 42 to one end of a short arm 44, the other end of which is pivotable by means of a spigot 46 which has a bearing in a hole 48 in a lug 50 secured to the horizontal bar 18. The pin 42 has fixed conveniently thereto a knob 52.

As seen clearly in figure 1, when the window is closed, the axes of the pivot pins 38, 46 and 42, are substantially in alignment or in a position where the pivot 42 is slightly nearer to the bar 18 than shown. In that position, any attempt to force the window open from the outside would only succeed in jamming the arm 44 in the position close to the window frame 12 than before.

As seen in figure 2, the window 20 is opened by rotating the arm 44 through approximately 1800 about the spigot 46 so that the axis of the pins 38, 42 and 46 are substantially in alignment.

Means may be provided to retain the arm 44 in any desired position to control the degree by which the window is opened. For example, a plate (not shown) may have a series of holes formed therein on a pitch circle equal. to the distance between Ille axes of the pivots 42 and 46, and the pin 42 may extend outwardly from the arm 44 to locate with a selected one of these holes. A spring arrangement would d be provided to enable the pin 42 to be withdrawn from the selected hole in the plate for adjustment.

Alternatively, as shown in figure 3, the pin 42 and knob 52 can be screw-threaded and the knob may be tightened to hold the arm 44 in any intermediate open position.

In the fully open position, the axis of the pin 42 is preferably out of alignment with the axes of the pins 38 and 46, and is somewhat nearer to the framework 12.

To close the window, the arm 44 is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in figure 2 back to its position as seen in figures 1 and 3.

Fine adjustment to the lever and linkage system may be provided by means of, for example, an eccentric arrangement in conjunction with one or more of the pivots 38, 42 or 46.

Although the above description refers particularly to a casement window, the invention is also suitable for a hinged ventilator flap or any type of closure, for example a flap for a dove-cote or pigeon loft.

If desired, the links 40 and lug 50 may be omitted and lever 32 may be operated by means of a hooked rod or pole or by means of a cord arranged to pass from the lever at the point 38 around a suitable pulley above the lever at ceiling level or adjacent the cross-bar 14, and downwardly towards the lower cross-bar 18. The locking facility of the main embodiment would not then be present.

For narrow width windows, it may be convenient for the mechanism as described to be sited on one side only of the window and framework. For wider windows a preferred arrangement may be to augment the opening and closing additionally from a second position. In one such arrangement, the link 40 and arm 44 may be provided at one side of the window whilst levers 32 and links 26 and associated mechanisms and pivots may be provided on either side of the window, and cross braced together to enable the opening mechanism 40, 44 to effectively actuate both levers 32 and links 26 on either side of the window.

Claims

Claim 1. An opening and closing system for a closure member hingedly mounted within a fixed frame therefor, wherein there is provided a lever having at least two arms, one arm being pivotally connected by a link to a pivot point on part of the closure member, and a second arm being rockable about a pivot point on part of the fixed frame, whereby rocking of the lever in one direction causes opening of the closure member and rocking in the opposite direction causes closing of the closure member.
Claim 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the lever is pivotally connected to a second link which depends downwardly therefrom and is pivotally connected at its end remote from the lever, to one end of a further link which is pivotable at its other end about a pivot point located on part of the fixed frame whereby rocking of the further link is effective in opening the closure member and rocking in the opposite direction causes closing of the closure member.
Claim 3. A system according to claim 2 whereby the respective axes of the pivots of the downwardly depending link and the further link are arranged to lie substantially along the same longitudinal centre line when the closure member is in either its fully closed or its maximum opened positions.
Claim 4. A system according to claims 2 or 3 wherein at least one of the pivot points is provided by a screw-threaded pin and a knob or nut, whereby tightening of the knob or nut is effective in locking the closure member in a fixed position relative to the fixed frame.
Claim 5. A system as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the closure member is a casement window.
Claim 6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the window is hinged about the horizontal axis.
Claim 7. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the window is hinged about a vertical axis.
Claim 8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the lever is rocked about its pivot point by means of a rod or pole.