AU2002211125B2 - A restrictor device - Google Patents

Description

WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 TITLE OF INVENTION A RESTRICTOR DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a restrictor device.

There is an increasing international requirement for devices to restrict the opening of hinged windows, for child safety and to provide a deterrent to unauthorized entry. Restricted openings are typically specified as a maximum clear opening at the lock side of a side hung sash or at the bottom of a top hung sash.

Some manufacturers have incorporated restrictor mechanisms into friction stays. These result in complex mechanisms that compromise the strength of both the stay and the window restrictor. When the restrictor is built into the stay the angle of opening is fixed. Thus for windows of varying widths the clear opening varies. The restrictor has a reduced ability to resist the sash being forced open because of its position on the window that provides a mechanical disadvantage. In addition there is a multiplication of forces within the stay resulting in higher loads on the components.

The limited space within the stay to locate additional WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 2 components also means that the restricting elements are small and weak.

Most restrictors are stand-alone devices that are placed at the lock side of a side-hung sash or at the bottom of mullion of a top hung sash. This location has a number of advantages.

It provides the required opening distance regardless of the width of the sash. It also provides the required opening distance regardless of the width of the sash. It also provides a stronger installation as the restrictor is placed at the position where the highest opening forces are applied and is therefore at no mechanical disadvantage.

Many users require the convenience of a releasable restrictor so that the window can be opened fully for maximum ventilation when required. The release mechanism must be child proof and resistant to manipulation from the outside when the sash is open.

Many restrictors are fitted to the exposed surfaces of the sash and frame. Such fittings are often unsightly and can interfere with curtains and drapes. Restrictors fitted into the cavity are more aesthetically pleasing but the release WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 3 mechanisms require either a hole through the frame, or operation from within the cavity that can pose a risk of injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a restrictor device which can be incorporated with a window without additional exposed hardware.

Broadly in one aspect the invention consists of a restrictor device including a restrictor arm, the arm pivotally coupled at one end to a frame mounting in a window cavity, a first engagement means mountable with a sash within the window cavity, the other end of the arm having second engagement means, a window fastener for latching the window sash in a closed position in the frame, the window fastener being coupled to the first engagement means with the first and second engagement means being interengaged when the sash is latched in the closed position by the window fastener, the window fastener having a handle which is selectably movable to a first position where the window can be opened but the first and second engagement means remain interengaged and a second WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 4 position where the window can be opened and the first and second engagement means are disengaged.

In a preferred form of the invention the first engagement means is mounted with a multipoint mechanism operable by the window fastener. The first engagement means can be a pin mounted with an operating member of the multipoint mechanism.

Preferably the arm is articulated and said other end is hook shaped. Preferably the arm is formed in two pieces, one pivotally coupled to the other with the pivot coupling permitting a degree of relative sliding movement between the parts. The part having the hook shaped end is provided with an open ended slot in which a projection from the frame mounting is engageable.

Preferably the window fastener includes a switch means operable to restrict movement of the handle to said first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the restrictor arm associated with a frame mounting, WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the arm in the position when restricting a sash to a restricted degree of opening, Figure 3 is an elevation view of the restrictor arm as shown in Figure 1 in relation to a part of a multipoint mechanism associated with the window sash, Figure 4 is a plan view of the window fastener, and Figure 5 is a further view of the window fastener showing the fastener restricted to the aforementioned first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOIDMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

In the following more detailed description of the invention the embodiment is described as the preferred form where the restrictor device incorporates as part of its operating mechanism a window multipoint locking mechanism. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 6 restrictor device according to the present invention could equally be a stand alone unit not reliant on a multipoint locking mechanism.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown the arm 10 of the restrictor device. The arm 10 includes a pivot arm 11 and engagement arm 12 which are coupled together by a pivot pin 13. In the illustrated arrangement the pivot pin 13 is fixed to the pivot arm 11. The engagement arm 12 includes an elongate opening 14 through which the pivot pin 13 engages.

This permits relative pivotal movement between arms 11 and 12 as well as relative sliding movement as will hereinafter become apparent.

The other end of the pivot arm 11 is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 15 to a frame mounting plate 16. As illustrated, plate 16 has openings 17 to enable mechanical fasteners to pass therethrough and mount the plate 16 to a surface of the window frame within the cavity which exists between the frame and the window sash when the sash is in the closed position.

In an alternative and preferred embodiment frame plate 16 would be formed as part of a mounting plate for a roller of a 7 window multipoint locking mechanism. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the correct positioning of the multipoint roller will ensure correct positioning of the frame plate 16 of the restrictor device as well as keeping to a minimum any additional installation operation to install the restrictor device.

It is envisaged that because the mounting plate for the multipoint roller will need to be slightly longer to accommodate the mounting of the restrictor arm 10, a further aperture for a mechanical fastener would be required on the multipoint roller mounting.

The engagement arm 12 includes an open ended slot 18. When the restrictor arm is in the position which it takes up when the window sash is in the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 3) the pivot pin 15 is engaged in slot 18. The inner end of slot 18 has an enlarged portion 19 into which the shank of the pivot pin 15 engages when the restrictor arm is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3.

The distal end of engagement arm 12 has a hook shape portion This is formed by an elongate slot 21 which at its open WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 8 end communicates with mouth 22. An engagement pin 23 which is mounted with the multipoint locking bar associated with the window sash is engageable through mouth 22 and into slot 21 as will hereinafter become apparent.

Multipoint locking systems for hinged projected windows typically have a locking bar that slides in a channel formed in the sash extrusion. A number of rollers or pins protrude from the locking bar and these engage in the keepers attached to the window frame extrusion. The locking bar is driven by a drive unit that is mounted within the sash extrusion. The drive unit is in turn driven by a handle assembly mounted on the inside face of the sash extrusion. In some forms the drive unit is integral with the handle.

As illustrated in Figure 4 the handle assembly can consist of a mounting base 24 to which the handle 25 is pivotally coupled. The handle 25 is movable from a closed position to an open position, the latter being shown in dotted detail in Figure 4.

Apertures 26 are formed in mounting base 24 to enable the mounting base to be attached to the sash extrusion.

WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 9 According to the present invention however, an arrangement is provided whereby the handle 25 can also be selectively moved to an open restricted position which is the position shown in dotted detail in Figure 5. To this end, a switch 27 is incorporated in the mounting base 24. In Figure 4 the switch 27 is shown in the disengaged position which enables the handle to be moved from the closed position to the open position. However, Figure 5 shows the switch 27 engaged which restricts movement of the handle 25 from the open position to the open restricted position.

As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5 the handle assembly has a selectable stop 28. With the switch 27 in the disengaged position as shown in Figure 4 the beak 29 is clear of the stop 28 thereby enabling full rotation of the handle between the closed and open positions. However, as shown in Figure 5 with the switch in the engaged position the beak 29 is contacted by the stop 28 which only permits the handle 25 to move to the open restricted position. It will be appreciated that visually it is evident whether the handle 25 is in the fully open position or the open restricted position as a consequence of its angular displacement relative to the mounting base 24.

WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 Figure 3 illustrates the position of the restrictor arm when the sash is in the fully closed position. In this position and with the handle 25 in the closed position, the restrictor engagement pin 23 is located at the end of slot 21 while the multipoint rollers R (only one being shown in Figure 3) will be located at the end of a slot S in the keep K.

When the handle 25 is moved to the fully open position (Figure 4) the multipoint roller will have moved to position R' while equally the restrictor engagement pin 23 will have moved to position 23'. It will therefore be adjacent mouth 22.

Therefore as the window is moved into the open position the multipoint roller and the restrictor pin 23 will both move clear of the respective keep K and restrictor arm 10. The window sash can therefore be open to its full opening extent.

However, if due to the switch 27 being in the engaged position the handle 25 can only move to the open restricted position (Figure 5) the restrictor engagement pin will move only to position This occurs because the extent of movement of handle 25 is not sufficient to move the multipoint locking bar to a position where the restrictor engagement pin 23 clears WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 11 the slot 21 in arm 12. However, such movement is sufficient to move the multipoint roller to position which is clear of the mouth of the keep K. Consequently, the window can be opened but the restrictor engagement pin 23 remains within slot 21 and thereby as a consequence of the window opening moves along slot 21 to contact the end of the slot and thereby pulls the restrictor arm into the position shown in Figure 2.

This restricts the window to the restricted open position.

If it is required that the window be open to an unrestricted open position the window can be returned to the closed position, the switch 27 disengaged and the handle then moved to the fully open position (Figure 4).

The frame mounting plate 16 has an integral stop or upstand Stop 30 ensures that the restrictor arm 10 re-engages when the sash is closed and the restrictor disengaged and in the parked position. If the handle 25 rotates as the sash is closed and the engagement pin 23 is not aligned with opening 22 to slot 21, then the engagement pin 23 will engage with the ramp 31 at the mouth 22. The stop 30 restricts rotation of the arms 11 and 12 and causes the engagement arm 12 to lift onto the engagement pin 23.

WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 12 The present invention therefore provides a releasable restrictor which can be installed in a window system without any additional exposed hardware. This arises because the restrictor arm and its mount is located within the cavity between the sash and the frame and the selector for selecting whether or not the restrictor operates to restrict the opening of the window is formed as part of the handle which would normally be associated with the window. Furthermore, no additional machining operations on the window frame or sash are required except possibly for one or two drillings in the frame extrusion for mounting of the mounting plate 16.

With the selector switch 27 in the engaged position, operation of the handle will always be such that the window sash can only move to its restricted open position.

The invention is open to modification as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the restrictor device could be incorporated separate from a multipoint locking system. In such an arrangement the handle assembly could be one of a type which physically couples the sash to the frame in say a wedge locking arrangement or a pivotal flap WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233 13 which overlaps with the frame. The handle would be coupled to a sliding member associated with the sash which would carry the engagement pin. By restricting the extent of rotation of the handle the pin would thereby be moved over to the disengagement position or a position where it remained engaged with the restrictor arm A further modification could be the incorporation of an actuator so that when the handle is in a fully open position is moved back to the closed position, it automatically causes the switch 27 to move into an engaged position. This would ensure that when the window is next opened it will only open to a restricted extent. This would ensure that the safety and security aspects of the restrictor device are optimised.

Claims (7)

1. A restrictor device including a restrictor arm, the arm pivotally coupled at one end to a frame mounting in a window cavity, a first engagement means mountable with a sash within the window cavity, the other end of the arm having second engagement means, a window fastener for latching the window sash in a closed position in the frame, the window fastener being coupled to the first engagement means with the first and second engagement means being interengaged when the sash is latched in the closed position by the window fastener, the window fastener having a handle which is selectably movable to a first position where the window can be opened but the first and second engagement means remain interengaged and a second position where the window can be opened and the first and second engagement means are disengaged.

2. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first engagement means is mounted with a multipoint mechanism operable by the window fastener. WO 02/33204 PCT/NZ01/00233

3. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first engagement means is a pin mounted with a lock member of the multipoint mechanism.

4. A restrictor device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arm is articulated and said other end is hooked shaped.

A restrictor device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the arm is formed in two parts one pivotally coupled to the other with a pivot coupling permitting a degree of relative sliding movement between the parts.

6. A restrictor device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the part having the hooked shaped end is provided with an open ended slot in which a projection from the frame mounting is engageable.

7. A restrictor device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a switch means operable to restrict movement of the handle to said first position.