GB2496592A - Window handle assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A window handle fitting 10 is provided for use with an espagnolette type window closure, said window handle fitting 10 comprising: a window plate 12; a handle 14 movable, e.g. pivotal, relative to the window plate 12; a spindle 16 receivable in the handle 14; and a magnet 18 for retaining the spindle 16 in said handle 14. The magnet 18 retains the spindle 16 securely in easily detachable manner so it can be replaced.

Description

Window Handle This invention relates to handles for windows, in particular to handles for hollow frame windows having an espagnolette.

Window handles for use with windows are well known. Hollow frame windows, for example those constructed from uPVC, aluminium, or steel extrusions or hollow wood frames typically are fitted with espagnolette type closure devices with a single handle driving multiple closure points via the espagnolette. Window handles for these types of closures have a spindle, often of a square cross section, that extends therefrom. The spindle extends into the window frame where in interfaces with the espagnolette to drive it.

Known window closures have the spindle permanently attached to the handle, often through a press fit or other means, for example an expansion fit. This ensures that the spindle is firmly retained. As the frame into which the spindle is being inserted is hollow and of varying depth if the handle was merely loosely placed in the handle it would have the ability to move about and, depending on its length, possibly fall out of the handle, hence the need use of fixed spindles. Handles for these types of window are generally available in a variety of spindle lengths to suit different window profiles.

One problem associated with the prior art handles is that as the spindle is securely fixed, for example by press fitting or force fitting in the factory, if for any reason it needs to have its length altered then this can be a major problem. Reasons for needing to change the spindle length may include the. customer ordering the wrong part for the window or, for example, if a manufacturer produces a large batch to a particular customised spindle length and the order is then cancelled eth manufacturer is then left with a large number of handles that they will find hard to sell.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide an improved window handle.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a window handle fitting for use with an espagnolette type window closure said window handle fitting comprising: a window plate; a handle movable relative said window plate; a spindle receivable in said handle; and a magnet for retaining said spindle in said handle As the magnet retains the spindle in the handle it can be, if desired, removed therefrom. This results in a product with a separable handle and spindle. The spindle preferably will have an outer dimension such that it is closely housed in the handle but has no mechanical connection thereto.

The handle is preferably rotatable relative to said window plate and the window plate is provided with means for, in use, attaching said window plate to a window frame. This prevents the window plate from rotating when the handle is rotated. The means may include through holes in the window plate by which it can be screwed to the window frame.

The window plate has a front side and a back side, said back side arranged adjacent a window frame in use, and wherein said spindle extends from said backside.

The handle comprises a recess therein for receiving said magnet, preferably the recess also receives said spindle. Alternatively it is anticipated that the magnet may be received in one recess in the handle and the spindle received in another recess in the handle, the magnet recess being located adjacent the handle recess.

The magnet is preferably of a sufficient strength so as to prevent the spindle from fatling from the handle under the influence of gravity. The magnet may be retained in said handle by mechanical or adhesive means, in a preferred arrangement the magnet is retained in said handle by means of a push fit.

Preferably the handle comprises a non ferrous material and the spindle comprises a ferrous material.

According to the invention there is also provided a window having a window handle fitting of the invention and an espagnolette, the spindle of the window handle fitting interfacing with the espagnolefte so that rotation of the handle causes a movement of the espagnolette Preferably the cross section of the spindle mates with a recess in the espagnorefte mechanism so that it mates therewith.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a window handle filling of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side section view through the handle, magnet and spindle of the invention; and Figure 3 shows a top section view through the window handle fitting of the invention attached to a window frame.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a window handle fitting 10 is shown comprising a window plate 12, a handle 14 movable relative to the window plate 12, a spindle 16 receivable in the handle 14, and a permanent magnet 18 for retaining the spindle 16 in the handle 14.

The handle and window plate are made of metal castings, generally of a non-ferrous metal or alloy, for example zinc, aluminium, copper, brass etc. which may be plated or painted to give them a durable surface finish. The window plate 12 is provided with two holes 20 by which the window plate 12 may be attached to a window frame, The handle 14 is rotatable relative to the window plate 12.

The handle 14 is provided with a recess 22 therein that receives the magnet 18 and spindle 16. The recess and spindle are shaped such that rotation of the handle 14 causes rotation of the spindle 16. This may be achieved by interlocking geometries of the spindle 16 and recess 22, Preferably the spindle 16 and recess 22 both have a square cross section. As can be seen the recess has a section 24 of reduced dimension at its inner end. This section receives the magnet 18 which is retained therein. The magnet may be retained in the recess by means of an adhesive but is preferably push lifted into the section 24. When the spindle 16 is inserted into the recess 22 it has a close fit thereto but the relative dimensions of the recess 22 and spindle 16 are such that the spindle 16 can be removed from the recess 22.

The spindle is made of a ferrous material so that when it is inserted into the recess 22 magnetic fields created by the magnet 16 attract the spindle to the magnet so as to retain it adjacent thereto. The strength of the magnetic bond retaining the spindle 16 will depend upon the spindle material and the magnet Strength.

Alternatively the spindle could be manufactured substantially of a non ferrous material and have a section of ferrous material towards its end that is inserted into the recess, the two sections could for example be screwed together. This would prevent the end of the spindle that is inserted into the espagnolette mechanism from being magnetically charged which may, for example, result in a buiJd up of ferrous based materials on the espagnolene over time which may increase wear.

The magnet 18 is chosen to have a strength sufficient that it can retain the spindle 6 therein against the force of gravity such than when handling the window handle fitting prior to installation the spindle 16 does not accidentally come out of the recess 22.

Referring now to Figure 3 a cross section through the handle and a window frame 26 is shown. The window frame 26 is made of a hollow extrusion and may be of uPVC, aluminium or another suitable material as described above. The spindle 16 extends into the frame 26 and terminates in the hollow centre thereof. The spindle passes into a mechanism 28 which converts rotary motion of the spindle 16 to linear motion of the espagnolette 30. Such mechanisms and espagnolette arrangements are well known in the art. The espagnolette 30 drives at least one closure mechanisms 32 at a location offset from the window handle fitting 10.

The present invention has the advantage that the spindle 16 can easily and readily be removed from the handle 14, in contrast to the prior art. Further more the magnet 18 retains the spindle in the handle so that it does not fail therefrom The handle of the present invention may therefore be easily handled as a complete item prior to attachment to a window frame without the parts becoming readily separated.

Furthermore the present invention retains the spindle therein so that when assembled the spindle will not work its way loose and Potentially become detached from the handle when assembled into the frame by, for example, moving to the right in Figure 3 within the recess of the window frame. A further advantage is in the manufacturing of the present invention the handle complete with magnet may be manufactured as a standard part and then an appropriate sized spindle, assembled to make the final product. If therefore the handle fittings with a non standard handle are required the only custom part required is the spindle which, as the spindle is a piece of straight metal, usually cut for bar stock, can be quickly and econornicafly produced, therefore improving manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore if an order of custom products are cancelled it is a relatively simple and quick process to replace the spindles with a different size spindle.

Furthermore the standardisatfon of the handle part and the removable spindle greatly benefit inventory control where a common handle part, which represents the majority of the value of the fitting is common across all spindle ranges and can quickly and easily be dispatched with spindles of the required length. This avoids the need to carry stock of all the different sizes of the old type fittings with their integral spindle, thereby enabling a reduction in total stock volumes of the high value part and increasing the turnover of these parts.

Modifications to the invention described above,, for example choice of materials etc wilJ be apparent to the person skilled in the art within the scope of the invention which is defined by the attached claims.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>BCLAIMS: 1 A window handle fitting for use with an espagnolette type window closure, said window handle fitting comprising: a window plate; a handle movable relative said window plate; a spindle receivable in said handle; and a magnet for retaining said spindle in said handle.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 The Window handle fitting according to claim 1 wherein said handle is rotatable relative to said window plate 3 The window handle fitting according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said window plate is provided with means for, in use, attaching said window plate to a window frame.4 The window handle fitting according to any preceding claim wherein the window plate has a front side and a back side, said back side arranged adjacent a window frame in use, and wherein said spindle extends from said backside.The window handle fitting according to any previous claim wherein said handle comprises a recess therein for receiving said magnet.6 The window handle fitting according to claim 5 wherein said recess also receives said spindle.7 The window handle fitting according to any previous claim wherein the magnet is of a sufficient strength so as to prevent the spindle from falling from the handle under the influence of gravity.8 The window handle fitting according to any previous claim wherein the magnet is retained in said handle by mechanical or adhesive means 9 The window handle fitting according to claim 8 wherein the magnet is retained in said handle by means of a push fit.The Window handle fitting according to any previous claim wherein the handle comprises a non ferrous material and the Spindle comprises a ferrous materiaJ.11 The window handle fitting according to claim 10 wherein the spindle comprises a two part construction having a ferrous section and a non ferrous section, the ferrous section being Positioned at the end that is received in the handle.12 The window handle lifting substantially as described herein.13 A window having a window handle fitting according to any one of the previous claims and an espagnotette, the spindle of said window handle fitting interfacing with said espagnolette so that rotation of said handle causes a movement of said espagnolette.</claim-text>