GB2086460A - Windows and window frames and means for securing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to windows or window frames, particularly in or for sealed unit double-glazed replacement windows, of the kind wherein an inner frame (2) is mounted within an outer frame (1) by means of side mounted friction hinges interposed between said frames adjacent the top of the inner frame (2) and having a handle (7) pivotally mounted on the bottom frame member (8) of the inner frame (2), the handle (7) comprising a catch portion (10) adapted to engage a reaction pad (12) mounted on the outer frame (1) adjacent the handle to secure the inner frame (2) in its closed position. The invention provides means for preventing lateral movement of the lower end of the inner frame (2) relative to the outer frame (1) and/or for preventing dislodgement of the catch portion (10) from the reaction pad (12). The means comprises a pin 13 in Fig 1, a rib 16 in Fig 3 a spring 19, Fig 4, or blocks 21, 23 Figs 5-7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Windows and window frames and means for securing This invention relates to windows and window frames and to means for securing same.

A commonly used type of window or window frame, particularly in or for sealed unit doubleglazed replacement windows, comprises an outer frame and at least one inner frame, the or each inner frame being hingedly connected within the outer frame by means of side mounted friction hinges which are interposed between the inner and outer frames and which are located at or near the top of the inner frame. The inner frame is generally securable in its closed position by means of a window catch comprising a handle which is pivotally mounted on a lowerframe member of the inner frame and which has a catch portion integral therewith which is engageable with a reaction pad mounted on an adjacent member of the outer frame.

That surface of the reaction pad with which the catch portion engages is formed as a cam surface which inclines away from the inner frame so that as the catch portion is moved into engagement therewith by actuation of the handle the inner frame will be pulled more tightly closed. Such windows or window frames will hereinafter be referred to as "windows or window frames of the kind described".

Windows of the kind described, particularly when glazed with sealed unit double glazing, have generally been regarded as providing a reasonably high degree of security against unwanted access from the exterior. It has now been found, however, that windows of the kind described are, in fact, extremely insecure and can be quickly and easily opened from the outside with only a minimum of tools. Such windows are insecure because there is enough play in the friction hinges which hingedlyconnectthe inner frame within the outer frame as to enable the lower end of the inner frame to be moved laterally from side to side by an amount sufficient to gradually dislodge the catch portion of the window catch from said reaction pad, the dislodgement of the catch portion being facilitated by the aforesaid cam surface of the reaction pad.

The object of the present invention is to increase the security of windows of the kind described.

The present invention provides, in or for a window or window frame of the kind described, means for preventing lateral movement of the inner frame relative to the outer frame andlor for preventing dislodgement of said catch portion.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure lisa fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment of a window according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the window of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a window according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another embodiment of a window according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment, and Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary perspective views of a yet further embodiment.

The window illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an outer frame 1 and an inner frame 2 which in the illustrated embodiment are both formed from a suitable aluminium alloy but which could, if desired, be formed from other suitable materials such as steel or a suitable plastics material. The inner frame 2 is glazed with a sealed double glazing unit 3 comprising panes of glass 4 separated by a spacer 5 and sealed within the frame 2 by means of a sealing mastic 6. Although not shown in the drawings, the inner frame 2 is a rectangular frame which is hinged at its top within the outer frame 1 by means of side mounted friction hinges.The inner frame 2 is securable in its closed position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by means of a window catch comprising a handle 7 pivotally mounted on the bottom frame member 8 of the inner frame 2 by a pivot pin 9 and having integral therewith a catch portion 10 adapted to engage a cam surface 11 of a reaction pad 12 mounted on the outer frame 1 adjacent the window catch. To prevent lateral movement of the bottom of the inner frame 2 relative to the outer frame 1 which might dislodge the catch portion 10 from the reaction pad 12, a peg or pin 13 is mounted on the outer frame 1 at a point which is overlapped by the inner frame 2 and a cooperating aperture 14 is provided in the inner frame 2so that when the inner frame 2 is in its closed position the peg or pin 13 engages in the aperture 14.The peg or pin 13 preferably has a rounded or tapered outer end 15 which will provide a lead-in to the aperture 14.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, in which like parts have been given like reference numerals, the cam surface 11 of the reaction pad 12 has an upstanding rib 16 thereon over which the catch portion 10 is forced when it is moved to its illustrated closed position and which prevents the catch portion 10 from being dislodged even if the innerframe 2 is moved laterally relative to the outerframe 1. The rib 16, which may be about 1 mm. in height, may be formed integrally with the reaction pad 12 or may be provided on a separate member, e.g., a spring member, which can be mounted on or secured to the reaction pad 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, in which again like parts have been given like reference numerals, the integral catch portion 10 of the window catch is replaced by a latch member 17 which is pivotable about a retaining pin 18 and which is urged by a helical compression spring 19 into engagement with a recess 20 formed in the reaction pad 12. A manually actuatable plunger 21 is provided for pivotally moving the latch member 17 against the bias of the spring 19 to release the latch member from its engagement with the recess 20 and so allow release of the window catch when it is desired to open the window. If desired the plunger 21 may incorporate a barrel or other suitable lock, e.g., which is actuable by a key, for locking the window in the closed position.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment comprising a pair of alignment blocks 21 (only one of which is shown) of right-angle cross-section which are securable by means of an adhesive layer 22 to opposite sides of the inner frame 2 in the angle between inner frame portions 2a, 2b.

Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment comprising a pair of alignment blocks 23 (only one of which is shown) which are of channel form and which are a push fit over the inner margins of opposed frame portions 24 of the outer frame 1.

The alignment blocks 21 or 23 may be formed, e.g., moulded or extruded, from a suitable synthetic plastics material and serve to reduce the play between the inner frame 2 and the outer frame 1 so as to prevent dislodgement ofthe catch portion 10. The gap between the inner frame 2 and outer frame 1 is usually of the order of 5mm. although it may vary a bit from this and if desired alignment blocks of different thickness to suit gaps of different sizes may be provided.

Claims (17)

1. In or for a window or window frame of the kind described, means for preventing lateral movement of the lower end of the inner frame relative to the outer frame andlor for preventing dislodgement of said catch portion.

2. Means according to claim 1, comprising a peg or pin mounted on the outer frame at a point which is overlapped by the inner frame and a cooperating aperture in the inner frame, said peg or pin engaging in said aperture when the inner frame is in its closed position to prevent lateral movement of the lower end of the inner frame relative to the outer frame.

3. Means according to claim 2, wherein said peg or pin has a rounded ortapered outer end providing a lead-in to said aperture.

4. Means according to claim 1, comprising an upstanding rib on the cam surface of said reaction pad past which said catch portion has to be forced when the handle is operated to move the catch portion to its closed position and which prevents the catch portion being dislodged by lateral movement of the lower end of the inner frame relative to the outer frame.

5. Means according to claim 4, wherein said upstanding rib extends transversely of said cam surface and has a height of substantially 1 mum.

6. Means according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said rib is integral with said reaction pad.

7. Means according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said rib is provided on a spring member mounted on or secured to the reaction pad.

8. Means according to claim 1, comprising locking means for locking said handle against rotation when the catch portion is in its closed position, said locking means being manually releasable to enable the handle to be rotated to release the catch portion and enable the inner frame to be hinged open.

9. Means according to claim 8, wherein said locking means comprises a spring-loaded latch member adapted to make locking engagement with a fixed part adjacent the handle.

10. Means according to claim 9, wherein said catch portion comprises the spring-loaded latch and wherein a recess is provided in said reaction pad with which the latch can engage to lock the handle in the closed position.

11. Means acccording to claim 10, wherein said latch is in the form of an elongate member which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, one being engageable in said recess and the other end being engaged by a spring which urges said one end towards said recess.

12. Means according to claim 11, wherein a manually operable plunger is provided for moving said other end of the latch against the bias of said spring to release said one end of the latch from said recess.

13. Means according to claim 12, wherein said plunger incorporates a key-actuated locking mechanism which when locked prevents depression of said plunger.

14. Means according to claim 1, comprising alignment blocks which are attached or attachable to the inner or outer frame adjacent the lower end thereof and which serve to reduce the play between the inner frame and the outer frame and so prevent lateral movement of the lower end of the inner frame relative to the outer frame.

15. Means according to claim 14, wherein said alignment blocks are of right-angle cross-section, one limb of each block being adhesively secured or securable to one of said frames so that the other limb extends between the inner and outer frames.

16. Means according to claim 14, wherein said alignment blocks are of channel form and are a push fit over the inner margins of opposed frame portions of the outer frame.

17. Means according to claim 14, 15, or 16, wherein said alignment blocks are formed from synthetic plastics material.