GB2366587A

GB2366587A - Window security device

Info

Publication number: GB2366587A
Application number: GB0022299A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Wilkinson; Paul Lake; Andrew Sumner
Original assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-12
Filing date: 2000-09-12
Publication date: 2002-03-13
Also published as: GB0022299D0

Abstract

A sash window securing means is described comprising a pair of devices which interengage when the window is closed to prevent the sash being forced away from the frame by for example the insertion of a blade between the frame and an edge region of the sash which overlies the frame, levering the sash away from the frame. One of the devices is secured to the frame, figure 2, and the other to the sash, figure 1. Each device includes a ledge 13, 27, which when the window is closed will engage the ledge of the other device if the sash is urged away from the frame. The sash mounted device 12 includes a body section 18 having a ridge 20 along one face thereof and the sash is formed with a parallel sided groove 44 at the entrance thereto, the ridge 20 having a flat face which upon being brought into engagement with the underside of one of the jaws 46, 48 will prevent rotation of the body section 18 in the groove in one sense. The device is insertable into the groove 44 by tilting it so that the ridges can slip below one of the jaws 46, 48 after which it may be rotated until the ridge engages the underside of the jaw and a pin, rivet or screw may be used to prevent further rotation of the body section of the device in the groove. A second ridge can be provided on the other side of the body section and the ridge forming members may be retractable and/or deformable to facilitate insertion. A barbed connector is preferred.

Description

2366587 Improvements relating to window securing devices

Field of invention

This invention concerns devices for securing windows, particularly sash windows which are mounted for pivoting about a complex hinge assembly.

Background to the invention

Such hinge assemblies can allow the edge of the sash close to the hinge to be levered away from the frame by means of a screwdriver or similar tool. It has been proposed to provide a pair of features on the sash and frame which interengage when the window is in its closed position to prevent the sash being forced away from the frame.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of construction of such features to assist in retaining them in place and prevent movement of the interengaging elements so allowing the latter to become disengaged and allow the sash to be levered away from the frame.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an alternative and improved material from which to make such interengaging features.

Summary of the inventio

According to one aspect of the present invention a window securing means comprises a pair of security devices as aforesaid one of which is adapted to be secured to a window frame and the other of which is adapted to be secured to the edge of a sash which in its closed condition occupies the frame and includes a region overlying the frame, and which in that condition positions a ledge on one of the devices to lie behind a cooperating ledge on the other device, so that if the sash is forced away from the frame as by inserting the blade of a tool such as a screwdriver between the overlying part of the sash and the frame and levering the sash away from the frame, the ledges become engaged and restrict further outward movement of the sash away from the frame, wherein the device which is to be attached to the sash is adapted to be fitted within a parallel sided groove formed along an edge of the sash, having a pair of parallel jaws along its length defining a reduced width entrance to the groove, and further includes a body se ction having a ridge along one edge thereof which after the body section has been inserted into the groove engages the underside of one of the jaws, to locate and retain the body section in the groove and prevent further rotation in that direction; Conveniently engagement with the jaws is achieved by rotating the body section and locking means is fitted to prevent rotation thereof. The locking means may be at least one screw or rivet or pin.

Preferably the body section cross sectional shape permits it to pass through the reduced width entrance by tilting the device about its elongate axis.

A second ridge may be provided on the opposite side of the body section parallel to the first ridge for engaging the underside of the other jaw in the groove.

Preferably either the first or second ridges are formed from elongate members retracted into the body section to allow the latter to be inserted between the jaws of the groove.

If desired both ridges may be formed by separate elongate members which are both retractable into the body section to permit the latter to enter the groove between the two jaws.

The or each of the elongate ridge members may be adapted to spring out below the jaw or jaws to hold the body section in place in the groove.

Spring means may be provided forcing a retractable elongate ridge-forming member in an outward sense out of the body section.

In an alternative arrangement two ridges are provided on opposite sides of the body section each having a wedge shaped cross section which terminates in a perpendicular end face for engaging below a jaw to form a so-called fir tree connector.

Preferably the material from which the ridges are formed is sufficiently resilient as to allow the body section to be pushed between the two jaws defining the reduced width entrance to the groove until the wedge shaped ridges can spring back to their normal shape and size once they are beyond the reduced width entrance formed by the two jaws, whereupon the perpendicular end faces of the ridges engage the undersides of the two jaws to retain the device in place.

The devices are preferably formed from glass filled Nylon (Trademark).

Any fixed ridge may be formed integrally with the body section.

Preferably a groove is formed in the body section to accommodate at least part of the thickness of a retractable ridge-forming member to be fitted therein, to allow the latter to move into the body section to permit the device to enter the groove in the sash.

The devices are preferably formed by injection moulding.

The sash and frame are typically formed from UPVC, typically from extruded profile of UPVC.

The groove may be formed especially for the purpose by gouging or otherwise removing material from the sash to form the device receiving groove.

Alternatively and more preferably where at least the sash is formed from extruded UPVC material, the groove in the sash is formed as part of the extrusion process.

Preferably the so-called Euro-groove in the sash profile may be utilised to house the body section of the sash mounted device.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig I is a perspective view of a sash mounted security device incorporating the invention, Fig 2 is a perspective view of a frame mounted device, for co-operating with the sash mounted device, Fig 3 is a reverse view of the device shown in Fig 1, Fig 4 is a reverse view of the device shown in Fig 2, and Fig 5 is a cross section through an extruded UPVC sash profile and shows the Eurogroove.

Figs 1 and 2 show the two parts of a window securing arrangement embodying the invention. Thus the part generally designated 10 is fitted to the inside of a window frame (not shown) and the part 12 is fitted in a groove in the sash of the window (not shown in Figs I and 2) but which will be described more fully in relation to Fig 5. The part 10 is fitted to an upper edge of the frame which extends between the two sides of the frame which carry the hinges near the upper ends thereof.

The part 10 includes an upstand 11 the upper edge of which is formed with a ridge 13 which defines a flat surface 14 below one edge of the ridge. This can better be seen in Fig 4 which is a reverse view of the component shown in Fig 2.

The upstand 11 is integrally formed as by injection moulding, with a baseplate 15 which has two screw holes 17, 19 by which it can be secured to the window frame.

The co-operating part 12 shown in Fig 1 and Fig 3 is fitted to the upper edge of the sash which is hinged to the frame and comprises a body section 18 having a pair of opposed lips 21, 23 along opposite parallel edges of the upper surface 24 and a rib 20 extending from one of the sides of the body section 18. This engages below a ridge in a groove (to be described) within which the body section 18 of the component is fitted to secure it to the upper edge of a window sash. By appropriately positioning the device along the sash, it will be juxtaposed with the corresponding component 10 fitted to the window frame, within which the sash fits when closed.

The body section 18 includes a pair of openings 26, 28 through which screws (not shown) can be fitted to secure the component to the window sash.

As with the other component shown in Figs 2 and 4, the body section includes an upstand 25 along the upper edge of which is formed a ridge 27 similar to the ridge 13 on the upstand 11 of component 10. The ridge 27 overhangs the upstand on one face thereof to define a surface 16 similar to surface 14 in Fig 1. By suitably positioning the components 10 and 12 along theyespective upper edges of the window frame and window sash, surface 16 will protrude below the surface 14 when the sash is pivoted into its closed position relative to the frame. Typically a clearance of 1 or 2min exists between the two opposed surfaces 14, 16 when the sash is in its closed condition.

If the sash is opened in the normal way, the tilting action of the window causes the ridge 27 to move freely from below the ridge 13 without the surfaces 14, 16 coming into contact.

If any attempt is made to force the sash away from the frame by pushing a screwdriver or like bladed tool between the sash and the frame, the part 12 attached to the frame is lifted so that the surface 16 engages with the surface 14 on the part 10. Thereafter the sash is prevented from being moved any further away from the frame, thus preventing forced entry by this means.

Fig 3 shows the surface 16 formed by the overhang of the ridge 27 along the crown of the upstand 25.

Fig 3 also shows how the opposite face of the body section 18 from the one carrying the rib 20, curves smoothly as at 27 so as to merge with the flat base 30. This curved section enables the body section 18 to be fitted into a groove as will be described in relation to Fig 5.

The groove into which the sash mounted component is to be fitted is shown in the cross section of the extruded UPVC profile of the sash shown in Fig 5. The profile includes an outer sash edge 32 and an inner section 34 which is of reduced width relative to the edge 32, so that the latter provides a flange 36 for overlying the frame when the sash is closed, and an inner flange which overlies the edge of a double glazed unit (not shown) fitted therebelow by means of a seal/bead (not shown) fitted into the groove 40 and a glazing bead secured in the slot 42.

The sash mounted part of the two part security device of the invention is fitted into the groove 44 on the opposite side of the inner profile section 34.

The groove 44 includes a reduced width entrance defined by opposed parallel lips 46, 48 and the body section 18 of the device 12 is fitted therein by rotating the device 12 approximately 45' about its longitudinal axis so that ridge 20 can be located below lip 46, and after lowering the device into the groove, rotating the body section about its longitudinal axis through 450 in the opposite sense to which it was rotated to allow it to be introduced into the groove.

The curved surface 22 (see Fig 3) allows for this reverse rotation, which is completed when the rib 20 is forced into contact with the underside of lip 46. The flat base 30 of the body section 18 rests against the base 50 of the groove. In that position, screws (not shown) can be pushed through the openings 26, 28 and screwed into and through the base 52 of the groove and into the extruded groove 54 on the reverse of the base 52.

Although not shown, a second rib may be provided on the opposite side face of the body section 18, adapted to fit below the lip 48 when the body section 18 has been located in the groove 44. To enable the second rib to pass. the lip 48, it may be formed from a material which will flex in a direction opposite to the movement of the device into the groove, but which when below the lip 48 will resiliently spring back into its outwardly protruding state so that it becomes secured below the lip 48.

Alternatively this second rib may be received in a slot in the face of the body section, with spring means between it and the base of the slot, so that whereas the rib can be forced fully into the slot to enable it to pass the lip 48, once therebelow, it will spring outwardly so as to protrude partly from the slot (and be partly retained within the slot) to prevent the body section 18 from leaving the groove 44.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the two ribs are formed from resilient material and each have a wedge shape in cross section, and each presents an inclined surface to the lip below which it is to be retained, and a generally perpendicular face which will engage the underside of the co-operating lip once the rib has been forced therebelow, so as to form a so-called fir tree connection.

C974.00/A

Claims

1. A sash window securing means comprising a pair of security devices one of which is adapted to be secured to a window frame and the other of which is adapted to be secured to the edge of a sash which in its closed condition occupies the frame and includes a region which overlies the frame, and which in that condition positions a ledge on one of the devices to lie behind a co-operating ledge on the other device, so that if the sash is forced away from the frame, the ledges become engaged and restrict further outward movement of the sash away from the frame, wherein the device which is to be attached to the sash is adapted to be fitted within a parallel sided grove formed along an edge of the sash having a pair of parallel jaws along its length defining a reduced width entrance to the groove and further includes a body section having a ridge along one edge thereof which after the body section has been inserted into the groove engages with the underside of one of the jaws, to locate and retain the body section in the groove and prevent further rotation in that direction,

2. A sash securing means as claimed in claim I wherein the ridge is brought into engagement with the jaw by rotating the device and locking means is fitted to secure the body section in the groove and prevent rotation thereof.

3. A sash securing means as claimed in claim I or wherein the locking means comprises at least one screw or rivet or pin.

4. A sash securing means as claimed in claims 1 or 3 wherein the body section cross sectional shape permits it to pass through the reduced width entrance by tilting the device about its elongate axis.

5. A sash securing means as claimed in any of claims I to 4 which includes a second ridge on the opposite side of the body section parallel to the first ridge for engaging the underside of the other jaw in the groove.

6. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first or second ridges are formed from elongate members at least one of which is retractable into the body section to allow the latter to be inserted between the jaws defining the reduced width entrance to the groove.

7. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 6 wherein both ridge-forming members are retractable into the body section to permit the latter to enter the groove between the two jaws and the or each ridge-forming member(s) is/are adapted to spring out below a jaw or jaws to hold the body section in place in the groove.

8. A sash securing means as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein spring means is provided forcing the or each retractable ridge-forming member in an outward sense out of the body section.

9. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 5 wherein two ridges are provided on opposite sides of the body section each having a wedge shaped cross section which terminates in a perpendicular end face for engaging below a jaw to form a so-called fir tree connector.

10. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one of the ridges is retractable or formed from resiliently deformable material to permit the body section to be inserted between the jaws of the groove.

11. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 10 wherein both ridges are formed from a material which is sufficiently resilient as to allow the body section to be pushed between the two jaws defining the reduced width entrance to the groove until the wedge shaped ridges can spring back to their normal shape and size once they are beyond the two jaws whereupon the perpendicular end faces of the ridges engage the undersides of the two jaws to retain the device in place.

12. A sash securing means as claimed in -claim I I wherein the ridge or ridges is/are formed integrally with the body section of the relevant device.

13. A sash securing means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein a grove is formed in the body section member to accommodate at least part of the thickness of a ridgeforming member to allow the latter to move into the body section to permit the device to enter the groove in the sash.

14. A sash securing mans as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the two devices are formed from glass filled Nylon (Trademark).

15. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 14 wherein the devices are formed by injection moulding.

16. A sash securing means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the sash and frame are formed from UPVC.

17. A sash securing means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 wherein the groove is formed especially for the purpose by gouging or otherwise removing material from the sash to form the device receiving groove therein.

18. A sash securing means as claimed in any of claims I to 16 wherein at least the sash is formed from lengths of extruded UPVC material and the groove in the sash is formed as part of the extrusion process.

19. A sash securing means as claimed in claim 18 wherein the device receiving groove in the sash profile is a so-called Euro-groove.

20. A sash securing means which includes devices for mounting on sash and window frame constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.