GB2350861A - Clip fit end cap for the support track of a friction stay - Google Patents

Abstract

A stay (Fig 1, 2), for use with a vent, comprises a support track (Fig 1, 4), attached to the fixed frame of said vent, incorporating an end cap 16, fixed to said support track by clip fit means 30 and 32. Said end cap, in use, engages the end of one of the stay links (Fig 1, 24), when the vent is closed. Said end cap incorporates a tongue 20, for engagement with the end of the support track, said tongue carrying the clip fit means, for locking the end cap in place. The support track may have a C-shaped cross section, with one or more spaced apertures (Fig 4, 36 and 38) adjacent an end of said support track, wherein, said clip fit means, comprising one or more sprung studs, protruding from the tongue, may engage said spaced apertures, in a final locked position. Said end cap may further incorporate an end block 18, situated on the opposite side of the tongue to the sprung studs.

Description

2350861 STAYS This invention relates to stays, and more specifically to

end caps for friction stays and methods for attaching end caps to friction stays. More particularly, this invention relates to the above apparatus and methods for use with vents such as windows.

Windows, or the like, comprise a fixed frame to which a vent is attached by friction stays or hinges such that the vent can move from a closed position, in which it closes an opening in the fixed frame, to an open position. Various forms of stays are known for attaching the vent to a fixed frame.

In the past, simple butt hinges have been used to attach one vertical side of a vent to a fixed frame. As a result, such a vent is known as a side hung vent.

More recently, stays, such as four or six bar stays, have become known, which allow a vent to be moved in a chosen fashion, rather than simply pivoting about the axis of the butt hinges as in the past. As a result, vent frames having different sizes and profiles can be used, and this has given hse to a multitude of different types of windows. Further, a vent which gives the appearance of being Wside hung" will actually be supported by four or six bar hinges which are attached to the upper and lower horizontal parts of the vent frame.

Such stays can have, as both a functional and a safety feature, an end cap.

The end cap is a receptacle located at one end of the support track, the link within the stay which attaches to the fixed frame. The end cap is provided to receive the end point of one link in the arrangement of links in the four or six bar stay, typically the link attached to the vent, the vent arm. The purposes of this receptacle are to aid in aligning the vent arm with the support track during closure and when in the closed position, and to prevent the upward movement of the link and vent when the end point is located therein. This feature is a safeguard against forced entry gained by leverage applied between the vent and fixed frame.

2 In the past, separately constructed end caps such as those disclosed in GBA-2133074 have been attached to the support track of a friction stay by means of a rivet joining the track to a tongue portion of the end cap. An alternative method of attachment that has been used is "staking". Staking consists of crimping the sides of the support track and the end cap tongue together, thereby preventing dislocation of one from the other.

There is always a need for improvement in efficiency, labour and cost, in the manufacture of replacement windows. There is also a need for interchangeability of parts, allowing speedy replacement of worn items and thus ease of maintenance of the apparatus. Further, a method of attaching the end cap to a friction stay is required that will allow more consistent placement of the end cap in relation to the support track.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention aims to provide an improvement in the efficiency of assembly of friction stays, and a reduction in the cost of manufacture. In addition, the present invention aims to provide more consistent location and retention of the end cap on the support track of friction stays.

in accordance with the present invention there is provided a stay comprising a plurality of links for attaching a vent to a fixed frame such that the vent, in use, can move from a position closing an opening in the fixed frame to an open position, the stay further comprising an end point associated with one of the links and an end cap for receiving the end point when the hinge is closed, wherein the end cap is attached to the friction stay by clip fit means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein one of the links is a support track that may provide connection with a fixed frame.

3 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the cross-section of the support track is C-shaped. The cross-section may alternatively have different profiles, such as that of a flat piece of material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the support track is provided with one or more spaced apart apertures. One or more of the apertures may be located adjacent one end of the stay track. The apertures may be aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the support track, or otherwise. One aperture may be configured to receive the clip fit means, another may be configured to receive means for fastening the end cap and support track to a fixed frame.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the end cap further comprises an end block and support means. The end block may comprise a recess therein, the recess may be asymmetric, symmetrical, open, closed, or otherwise.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the support means comprises a support tongue.

The support tongue includes clip fit means. Further, the support tongue is preferably slidably engageable with the support track. Alternatively, the support means may be configured as a receptacle, or the like, to receive a flat support track member, for example.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein. the clip fit means comprises one or more sprung studs protruding from the tongue. Preferably the studs are substantially cylindrical, however they may take on other profiles.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the stud or studs protrude from the tongue in the 4 plane perpendicular to the tongue. Protrusion is downwardly from the underneath surface of the tongue.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the apertures within the support track are located so that they engage with the sprung studs of the end cap tongue when the end cap and support track are fully connected, thereby locking the end cap and support track together.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the studs are formed integrally with the end cap tongue in order that they allow the end cap tongue to slide along the stay track towards a position where the studs will engage within the apertures in the support track. The studs are also formed to prevent movement from the engaged position, once reached.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein each stud is tapered, the degree of protrusion from the tongue increasing from the minimum point where the stud connects with the tongue, to the maximum point diametrically opposite.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the engagement of the studs with the support track apertures may be broken by the application of pressure against the spring force of the studs, in co-operation with the application of a sliding force, in a direction to disengage the end cap from the support track.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the stud spring force is provided by the material properties of the connection between the studs and the end cap tongue. Alternatively, the spring force may be provided by other means such as a coil or strip of metal or otherwise.

According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a friction stay, wherein the end cap is manufactured as a plastics moulding. As would be expected, the end cap may be created from materials other than plastic, such as lightweight and strong alloys.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of retaining an end cap in a support track of a friction stay comprising:

inserting an end cap, a tongue of which has an outside cross-sectional shape substantially identical to the inside cross-sectional shape of the support track, into the support track; causing the activation of a clip fit means; and positioning the clip fit means to lock the end cap in place.

Preferably the step of activating the clip fit means comprises:

applying a force to the end cap causing a least protuberant part of a sprung stud to abut the edge of the support track, the force, in combination with the configuration of the stud and support track, causing the stud to recede into the tongue;and sliding the tongue along the support track until the stud is located substantially above an aperture where the spring force of the connection between stud and tongue causes the stud to return to its natural position, therefore protruding from the tongue into the aperture, thereby releasably securing the tongue in that position, and wherein in that position an end block of the end cap abuts the end of the support track.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a friction stay incorporating the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of an end cap according to the present invention; 6 Figure 3 shows a side sectional view of the end cap of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an end cap according to the present invention in a position for location within a support track; and Figure 5 shows a view of an end cap located within a support track 5 according to the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a friction stay 2 comprises a C-section support track 4, a first link 6, a second link 8, a third link 10, a fourth link 12 and a vent arm 14. The third link 10 is pivotally attached to the support track 4. The first link 6 and second link 8 are pivotally attached to a sliding block 15. The sliding block 15 has an 1-shaped cross-section and is configured to slide along the support track 4 whilst providing friction therebetween to oppose free movement. The first link 6 and third link 10 are also pivotally mounted to the vent arm 14, whilst second link 8 is also pivotally attached to third link 10. Fourth link 12 is pivotally attached between second link 8 and vent arm 14. The orientation of the links 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, vent arm 14, and support track 4 is such that vent arm 14 may be moved from a position overlying support track 4 to an open position inclined to support track 4.

Friction stay 2 also includes an end cap 16 comprising an end block 18 and a tongue 20. There is formed, within end block 18, an asymmetric recess 22. End cap 16 is attached to support track 4 as will be described later.

Vent arm 14 comprises an end point 24 which communicates with end cap 16 during closure of the stay 2 and whilst stay 2 is in the closed position. End cap 16 and asymmetric recess 22, within end block 18, assist in pulling in the end point 24 of vent arm 14 during closure of the stay 2.

Friction stay 2 further includes a rubbing block 28 located between support track 4 and third link 10. Rubbing block 28 serves the purpose of preventing third link 10 dropping, under the weight of a vent attached to vent arm 14, to a position where the pivotal joint between third link 10 and second link 8 may become snagged on support track 4.

7 Referring to Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawing, the end cap and its relation with, and attachment to, support track 4 will be described hereinafter.

The moulded plastic friction stay end cap 16 may be lockingly attached to the support track 4 of various prior art friction stays, such as those disclosed in GB

2320519, WO 98/18299, GB-2314376 and GB-2313403 for example, by means of the novel and inventive clip fit in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show automatic clip fit means 30. Clip fit means 30 comprises a protruding stud of circular cross-section located within tongue 20.

Stud 30 protrudes downwardly in the vertical plane and is formed in fashion such that it is a component part of tongue 20. Typically the stud is a moulded component of the molded end cap and is located along the central longitudinal axis of the tongue 20. Connection 32 between tongue 20 and stud 30 is as follows.

A horse shoe shaped section of tongue 20, around stud 30, is absent, thus leaving stud 30 isolated from tongue 20 around its circumference, with the exception of a small area designated at the leading edge of the tongue 20, i.e. that edge of tongue 20 furthest from end block 18. The connection 32 between stud 30 and tongue 20 allows stud 30 to move substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the tongue 20, pivoting around connection 32. The properties of the material from which end cap 16 is manufactured provide resistance to this movement, thereby creating a spring effect. The spring effect opposes deformation of connection 32 and thus movement of the stud 30. In addition, stud 20 is diametrically tapered upon its protruding surface. The location of least protrusion being at the connection 32 between tongue 20 and stud 30, the location of most protrusion, therefore, being diametrically opposite. Stud 30 is substantially level with connection 32 at its least protuberant location. Stud 30 is configured so that, when withdrawn, it will not protrude above support track 4 and engage any of the links 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 of stay 2. As such, the thickness of stud 30 is less than the overall thickness of tongue 20.

8 Tongue 20 further comprises an aperture 34 in line with stud 30, and located further toward the leading edge of the tongue 20. The outside cross-section of tongue 20 substantially corresponds to the inside crosssection of support track 4. The upper surface of tongue 20 is rebated from the leading edge to a position substantially adjacent end block 18. The rebate forms a groove of width less than that of tongue 20, but greater than that of stud 30 and aperture 34.

It may be seen from Figures 4 and 5 that support track 4 has a C-shaped cross-section. Apertures 36 and 38 are located in the base-portion 40 of support track 4. Apertures 36 and 38 are located along the central longitudinal axis of support track 4, at the end closest to the relative pivot between vent arm 14 and support track 4. The location of aperture 38 is such that R coincides with the location of stud 30 when tongue 20 is fully engaged with support track 4. Similarly, the location of aperture 36 is such that it coincides with aperture 34 when tongue 20 is engaged with support track 4, to its full extent. Apertures 34 and 36 are thus positioned to allow a screw to pass therethrough in order to fasten both support track 4 and end cap 16 to a fixed frame. Apertures 34 and 36 also allow the support track 4 and end cap 16 to be correctly positioned, and thus the whole of support track 4 to be correctly positioned, on the frame before final fastening. Stud 30 is of a size to enable it to slot comfortably into aperture 38, when fully engaged. Typically, the outside cross-section of stud 30 will be substantially equivalent to the inside cross-section of aperture 38.

Attachment of the end cap 16 to support track 4 is described hereinafter.

Tongue 20 of end cap 16 is placed so that its tapered leading edge is located within the C-shaped cross-section of support track 4. End cap 16 is oriented so that end block 18 protrudes upwardly and stud 30 protrudes downwardly in the vertical plane, the bottom surface of tongue 20 being in contact with base portion 40 of support track 4.

As a force is applied to end cap 16 in order to move tongue 20 further into the C-shaped support track 4, the tongue 20 slides deeper into support track 4.

9 This sliding motion continues until stud 30 reaches support track end 42. At this stage, an increase of force is required in order to move tongue 20 further into support track 4.

As the force is increased, the least protuberant leading edge of stud 30 is forced into the end of support track 4. The increase in taper of the surface of stud causes the connection 32 to deform allowing the stud 30 to pivot away from the surface of the base portion 40 of support track 4. As the stud 30 pivots away from the base surface, the tongue 20 moves deeper into support track 4 causing the stud 3 0 to pivot further. This continues until stud 30 is completely within support track 4.

At this stage, movement relative to support track 4 continues until the trailing edge of stud 30 reaches the leading edge of aperture 38. The leading edge of aperture 38 being the edge closest to end block 18. Further movement into support track 4 causes stud 30 to more over aperture 38, as base portion 40 recedes from beneath stud 30, the spring effect caused by the deformation of connection 32 causes stud 30 to spring back with a snap-fit into its natural position.

Hence, when the base portion 40 has receded totally, stud 30 is located within aperture 38 of support track 4. End cap 16 is now locked in place because the most protuberant edge of stud 30 now abuts the inside of aperture 38. The aperture and stud are arranged so that when such a connection is made therebetween, the end block 18 abuts the end of the support track 4.

In order to remove end cap 16, a force must be applied to stud 30 in order to deform connection 32, thus countering its natural spring force and allowing the most protuberant edge of stud 30 to move out of aperture 38 enabling end cap 16 to slide away from and out of support track 4. The force applied must be sufficient to completely lift the most protuberant edge of stud 30 out of aperture 38. When the motion of tongue 20, relative to support track 4, is such that the two components are being disconnected, the leading and trailing edges are the opposite edges to when movement is such that the components are being connected.

Although the invention has been described as consisting of a moulded plastic end cap, many other materials would be suitable for such a purpose. Also, although the invention has been described as being used in combination with a six bar stay, it may be used in combination with other stays, such as four bar stays, etc.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made 10 within the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIM

   I. A stay comprising a plurality of links for attaching a vent to a fixed frame such that the vent, in use, can move from a position closing an opening in the fixed frame to an open position, the hinge further comprising an end point associated with one of the links and an end cap for receiving the end point when the hinge is closed, wherein the end cap is attached to the stay by clip fit means.
2. 2. A stay as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the links is a support track for connection with a fixed frame.
3. 3. A stay as claimed claim 2, wherein the cross-section of the support track is C-shaped.
4. 4. A stay as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the support track is provided with one or more spaced apart apertures adjacent an end of the support track.
5. 5. A stay as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end cap further comprises an end block and support means.
6. 6. A stay as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support means comprise a support tongue and clip fit means thereon, the tongue being slidably engagable with a support track.
7. 7. A stay as claimed in claim 6, wherein the clip fit means comprise one or more sprung studs.
8. 8. A stay as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stud or studs protrude from the tongue in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto.
9. 9. A stay as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stud or studs protrude from the surface of the tongue opposite that from which the end block protrudes.

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10. 10. A stay as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein one or more support track apertures, when the tongue is fully engaged with the stay track, are located so as to be engagable with the one or more sprung studs, thereby locking the end cap and support track together.
11. 11. A stay as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the one or more studs are formed integrally with the tongue to allow a sliding motion along the stay track, towards an engaged position therewith, and prevent movement from said engaged position.
12. 12. A stay as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein each stud is tapered, the degree of protrusion from the tongue increasing from the minimum point where the stud connects with the tongue, to the maximum point diametrically opposite.
13. 13. A stay as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein the engagement of the one or more studs with the support track apertures may be broken by the application of pressure against the natural spring force of the one or more studs in co-operation with the application of a sliding force in a direction to disengage the end cap from the support track. 20
14. 14. A stay as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the stud spring force is provided by the material properties of the connection between the studs and the tongue.
15. 15. A stay as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the end cap is a plastics molding.
16. 16. A method of retaining an end cap in the support track of a stay comprising: inserting an end cap, a tongue of which has an outside crosssectional shape substantially identical to the inside cross-sectional shape of a support track, into a support track; causing the activation of a clip fit means; and positioning the clip fit means to lock the end cap in place.

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17. 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of activating the clip fit means comprises: applying a force to the end cap causing a least protuberant part of a sprung stud to abut the edge of the support track, the force, in combination with the configuration of the stud and support track, causing the stud to recede into the support track; and sliding the tongue further along the support track until the stud is located substantially above an aperture where the spring force of the connector between stud and tongue causes the stud to return to its natural position, therefore protruding from the tongue into the aperture, releasably securing the tongue in that position, and wherein, in such a position, an end block of the end cap abuts the end of the support track.
18. 18. A stay as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
19. 19. A stay end cap and stay track as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
20. 20. A method of attaching an end cap to a stay support track as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.