GB2240362A - Casement stay - Google Patents

Abstract

A window casement stay 1 has a bracket 3 for mounting on a casement and a stay arm 2 connected at one end to the bracket 3 by a releasable swivel pivot connection. The bracket 3 has an upstanding boss 8 received and retained in an opening 10 in a pivot block 4 by a pivot pin 12 engaging a circumferential groove 9 in the boss 8. The pivot block 4 is mounted between opposed side walls 14 of the stay arm 2 and the free ends of the pivot pin 12 are located and releasably secured in grooves 13 in the side walls by a removable U-shaped clip 15 enabling the stay arm 2 to be detached from the pivot block 4. In a second embodiment the boss has a flat by means of which the pivot pin can be introduced into the groove and enabling the integral stay arm and pivot block to be detached from the bracket. <IMAGE>

Description

CASEMENT STAY This invention relates to window casement stays for windows of the kind having a fixed frame and a casement hingedly mounted on the frame for opening and closing movement relative to the frame.

For such windows, the known casement stays generally comprise an arm pivotally connected at one end to a bracket for mounting on the casement and a peg plate for mounting on the frame for engagement by the arm in a closed position of the casement and in at least one open position of the casement.

In the closed position, the arm extends parallel to the shut face of the casement and is conventionally secured by dual engagement with the peg plate and a hook plate mounted on the casement or the frame for engagement with the free end of the arm.

The pivot connection between the end of the arm and the bracket is arranged to permit pivotal movement of the arm about two mutually perpendicular axes allowing the arm to be lifted clear of the peg plate and hook plate to release the stay and to be swung away from the casement for engagement with the peg plate to hold the casement in a selected open position.

Usually, the stay is mounted in position on the window in the factory when the window is assembled with the result that the stay, particularly the stay arm, may be damaged or broken during storage, transportation and installation of the window.

In the known stays, the arm is permanently connected to the bracket necessitating complete replacement of the stay arm and bracket when such damage or breakage occurs.

According to the present invention we provide a window casement stay comprising a bracket adapted for mounting on a frame member and a stay arm pivotally connected to the bracket wherein the pivotal connection is releasable enabling the stay arm to be detached from the bracket.

By this invention, the stay arm and bracket can be separated by releasing the pivotal connection allowing each part to be replaced individually.

Furthermore, where the stay is factory fitted to a window, the arm can be detached and kept safely whilst the window is stored, transported and installed and subsequently re-attached to the bracket when installation is complete. In this way, the risk of breakage or damage, in particular to the surface finish applied to the arm, is substantially eliminated.

Additionally, a range of arms of different styles and types, for example locking and non-locking, having different surface finishes may be provided for attachment to a common bracket. In this way, the stay can be matched to window style, decoration and furnishings as desired by simple selection and fitment of the appropriate arm.

Other features, benefits and advantages of the invented stay will be apparent from the following detailed description of two exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view showing the releasable pivot connection of a first embodiment of casement stay according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view showing the releasable pivot connection of a second embodiment of casement stay according to the present invention with the stay arm detached; and FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the bracket shown in Figure 2.

The first embodiment of window casement stay 1 shown in Figure 1 of the drawings includes a stay arm 2 of inverted channel-section (part only shown) connected at one end to a bracket 3 by a concealed swivel pivot connection including a pivot block 4.

The bracket 3 has a pair of lugs 5 each formed with a countersunk hole 6 for securing the bracket 3 by means of screws (not shown) to a horizontal frame member of a casement (not shown).

Upstanding from the base 7 of the bracket 3 is a cylindrical boss 8 spaced inwardly from the lugs 5 and formed with an annular groove 9 adjacent to the upper free end.

The pivot block 4 has a cylindrical hole 10 complementary to the boss 8 and a tangential bore 11 penetrating the wall of the hole 10. The boss 8 is received in the hole 10 and axially retained by a pivot pin 12 inserted into the bore 11 to engage the groove 9 permitting rotation of the pivot block 4 about the boss 8.

The pivot block 4 is received within the channelsection at the end of the arm 2 and the free ends of the pivot pin 12 project from opposed ends of the bore 11 and are received in a first pair of aligned grooves 13 formed in the opposed side walls 14 of the arm 2.

The free ends of the pivot pin 12 are retained in the inner ends of the grooves 13 by respective limbs 15a of a U-shaped retainer clip 15 which are inserted into a second pair of aligned grooves 16 formed in the opposed side walls 14 of the arm 2 and extending normal to the first pair of grooves 13.

The bight portion 15b of the clip 15 is bent to engage resiliently behind a transverse web 17 extending between the side walls 14 at the end of the arm to retain the clip 15 in position securing the ends of the pivot pin 12. In this way, the provision of holes in the opposed side walls of the arm 2 to locate the free ends of the pivot pin 12 is avoided thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the stay.

The clip 15 is releasable by means of a suitable tool, for example a screw driver, inserted to disengage the bight portion 15b anabling the clip 15 to be withdrawn and the arm 2 to be detached from the pivot block 4 and bracket 2.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, a second embodiment of casement stay is shown, like reference numerals in the series 100 being used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.

In this second embodiment, the pivot block 104 is received within the channel-section arm 102 and is connected to the arm 102 by engagement of the opposed ends of the pivot pin 112 in aligned holes formed in the opposed side walls 114. On assembly, the ends of the pivot pin 112 are formed to prevent removal of the pin 112 so as to secure permanently the stay arm 102 and pivot block 104.

The upstanding boss 108 of the bracket 103 is formed at the free end with a transverse flat 151 communicating with the groove 109 on the side of the boss 108 remote from the attachment lugs 105.

The pivot block 104 is mounted on the boss 108 by aligning the flat 151 and pivot pin 112 to seat the pivot pin 112 in the groove 109 followed by rotation of the pivot block 104 to trap and retain the pin 112 in the groove 109.

The pivot block 104 is rotatable to re-align the flat 151 with the pin 112 to enable the pivot block 104 to be removed from the boss 108 thereby detaching the arm 102 from the bracket 103.

By forming the flat .151 on the side of the boss 108 remote from the lugs 105 it is ensured that the stay arm 102 can only be detached by lifting the arm 102 to extend substantially parallel to the boss 108 and then rotating the arm 102 and block 104 to align the flat 151 and pin 112. As shown in Figure 2, such alignment is only obtained when the underside of the arm 102 is facing towards the lugs 105. In use, such a position corresponds to the underside of the stay arm 102 facing the glazing mounted in the casement and would not be chosen for normal operation of the stay thereby reducing the risk of accidental release of the arm.

As will now be appreciated from the foregoing description of two exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a casement stay in which the pivot connection permits pivotal movement of the arm relative to the bracket about two mutually perpendicular axes defined by the pivot pin and boss in conventional manner for engagement of the arm by one or more fittings to hold the casement in selected closed and open positions relative to a fixed frame but which is releasable to enable the arm to be detached from the bracket if required.

Finally, although the invention has been described with reference to a concealed swivel pivot connection it will be appreciated that the invention has application to other types and constructions of pivot connection between a stay arm and bracket as well as to different types and styles of stay arm and bracket to which any suitable surface finish may be applied as desired.

Claims (17)

Claims:

1. A window casement stay comprising a bracket adapted for mounting on a frame member and a stay arm pivotally connected to the bracket wherein the pivotal connection is releasable enabling the stay arm to be detached from the bracket.

2. A window stay according to Claim 1 wherein the stay arm is connected to a pivot block for pivotal movement about a first axis, and the pivot block is connected to the bracket for pivotal movement about a second axis, the first and second axes being mutually perpendicular.

3. A window stay according to Claim 2 wherein the pivotal connection between the stay arm and the pivot block is releasable for detaching the stay arm from the bracket.

4. A window stay according to Claim 3 wherein the pivot block is pivotally mounted between opposed side walls of the stay arm and is secured by a releasable clip.

5. A window stay according to Claim 4 wherein the pivot block is connected to the stay arm by a pivot pin arranged to extend transversely between the opposed side walls of the stay arm and releasably secured by the clip.

6. A window stay according to Claim 5 wherein the opposed side walls of the stay arm have opposed first grooves for locating the free ends of the pivot pin and opposed second grooves for receiving the clip to trap and retain the free ends of the pivot pin in the first grooves.

7. A window stay according to Claim 6 wherein the first grooves extend from the underside of the stay arm and the second grooves extend from the end of the stay arm substantially normal to and intersecting the first grooves intermediate the ends thereof.

8. A window stay according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the clip is of U-shape having a bight portion connecting a pair of limbs for respective engagement with the second grooves.

9. A window stay according to Claim 8 wherein the clip is releasably secured by engagement of the bight portion with a transverse web of the stay arm.

10. A window stay according to any one of Claims 5 to 9 wherein the bracket has a boss received in an opening in the pivot block and the pivot pin is engageable with a circumferential groove formed in the boss to trap and retain the boss in the opening.

11. A window stay according to Claim 2 wherein the pivotal connection between the pivot block and the bracket is releasable for detaching the stay arm from the bracket.

12. A window stay according to Claim 11 wherein the bracket has a boss with a flat for alignment with a chordal portion of an opening in the pivot block for locating releasably the boss in the opening, and a part circumferential groove for reception of the chordal portion on relative rotation of the boss and pivot block to trap and retain the boss in the opening.

13. A window stay according to Claim 12 wherein the flat is formed on the side of the boss remote from a frame member to which the bracket is secured in use.

14. A window stay according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein the pivot block is connected to the stay arm by a pivot pin arranged to extend transversely between opposed side walls of the stay arm.

15. A window stay according to Claim 14 wherein the chordal portion of the opening is provided by the pivot pin.

16. A window casement stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A window casement stay substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.