Pivoting & locking device for a window or door sash

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed for slidable window or door sash for retaining the window or door sash (100) in engagement with the frame when pivoted out of planar alignment with the frame. The device comprises a slide block (102) slidably mounted within the frame and pivotally connected to the sash by the eccentric hinge connection (114). Means (124 - 126) are provided for selectively locking the slide block (102) to the frame, while permitting the sash to pivot from the frame, the locking means comprising a spring loaded rod (124) mounted in an aperture (116) in the slidable block (102) and engageable with an aperture in the frame under the bias of the spring (130). The rod (124) may be lifted out of engagement with the detect aperture in the frame against the spring bias by a rotatable finger tab (126) rinding on sloping cam surfaces (120a,120b) on the block (102), thereby enabling the block to slide along the frame.

Description: This invention relates to a pivoting and locking device for a slidable window or door. More particularly, it relates to a pivoting and locking device for retaining the sash of a horizontally slidabbly window or door in engagement with the frame while being pivoted out of planar alignment from the frame. It is customary in vertically slidable window sash and frame construction that some means be provided for releasing the sash from the frame while maintaining one end of the sash secured. The sash can then be pivoted inwardly to permit washing of the outer surface of the window pane without creating a serious hazard. In the case of horizontally slidable windows or doors, however, a sash that is disconnected from the frame and pivoted along one side may drop out of the top-track of the frame as the weight of the window or door sash may not then be fully supported in the vertical position. The applicant has now created a device which is attachable at the trailing end of the sash, at the bottom and the top thereof, so that the sash can be pivoted inwardly from the frame and yet be secured in the frame at both the upper and lower end. US Patent US-A-4 222 201 discloses a pivoting and locking device according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 hereof. According to the present invention there is provided a pivoting and locking device for use in locking the sash of a horizontally slidable window or door to the frame, said device comprising: a) a slide block slidably mountable within the frame of the slidable window or door; b) pivoting means for interconnecting said slide block to the sash and permitting said sash to pivot out of planar alignment with said frame; c) an opening formed through said slide block with a lock engaging rod axially aligned therein, said lock engaging rod being spring biased within said opening whereby the leading end of said rod is engageable within a predetermined aperture located in said frame; and d) a gripping tab connected to the other end of said rod for retracting and axially disengaging the rod from said aperture; characterised in that: said through opening is arranged such that in use it is spaced from said sash; and a support pillar is provided on said slide block for receiving said tab and retaining said retracted rod in such disengagement. Said opening through said slide block is preferably a vertical opening; and said lock engaging rod is preferably vertically or horizontally axially aligned therein. In a preferred embodiment, the pivoting means for interconnecting the slide block and sash includes a pinion pivotally seated in a hole formed through the slide block, said pinion having a distal end with a peripheral recess formed in the distal end and having a length such that the peripheral recess in the distal end of the pinion extends through the slide block, and locking means for removably engaging said peripheral recess and abutting the slide block whereby the pivoting means lockingly interconnects the slide block to the sash. The locking means preferably comprise a clip plate having a bevelled slot formed therein for frictionally engaging the pinion recess, and having a flange for abutment against the sash. The locking device of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a horizontally slidable sash pivoted out of planar alignment from a window frame of the prior art with the sash further shown in broken perspective outline when one pivot end becomes disconnected; Figure 2 is a partial front elevation of a window of door sash and frame incorporating the device of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the said device in locking engagement with the window of door frame; Figure 5 is a cross sectional side elevation of the said device in locking disengagement with the window or door frame; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective of a section of the window of door frame; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a transverse section through the slide block and window of door frame shown in Figure 7. Referring to the drawings Figure 1 shows a window 10 consisting of a frame 12 with a window sash 14 horizontally slidable therein. The window sash is capable of being released from the frame track at one end and pivoted inwardly on pivot arms 16a and 16b so that the outside surface of the window panne can be easily cleaned. This is a conventional pivoting means for a window sash as used in the prior art. As can be seen in broken outline of sash, 14, the weight of the sash is not fully supported at its upper end in this construction and pivot arm 16a is slidable out of the upper frame track (not shown). The entire sash can drop out of the frame therby breaking the window or injuring the cleaner. This hazard is overcome by incorporating the device 100 of the present invention at the pivoting junction between the sash and frame. Such a device is shown at the upper and lower corners of the trailing end of the window or door sash in Figure 2. A detailed construction of the device is shown in Figure 3. This includes a slide block 102 having dimensions contoured to fit within the bottom and top sliding track 134 of the frame shown in more detail in Figure 6. The upper surfadce of slide block 102 includes an arcuate indentation 104 with a cavity 106 located laterally of and offset from the center of block 102. A pivot hinge 108 mounted on sash 14 includes a mating pinion 110 for axial insertion into and rotation within cavity 106. Hinge 108 is secured to sash 14 by means of a vertical hinge plate 107 that is fixed to sash 14 by screws depicted by numeral 109. Pinion 110 is secured to and off-set laterally from the vertical hinge plate 107 by rotor arm 114. When pinion 110 is axially mounted withing cavity 106, sash 14 may be pivoted with respect to slide block 102. Arcuate indentation 104 permits the swing of the rotor arm 114 during pivoting. It will be understood that hinge plate 107 is sufficiently spaced above arm 114 so that the sash rides above the upper surface of slide block 102 and is allowed to pivot within the arc defined by the arcuate indentation 104. This pivoting construction allows sash 114 to pivot outward and away from the slide block and accompanying window frame without hinderance. Slide block 102 includes a vertical opening 116 at one end of said block and spaced from the mounted sash. A pair of diametrically opposed arcuate ramps or pillars 118a and 118b are spaced apart on opposite sides of opening 116. These include upwardly ring top surfaces or ramp surfaces 120a and 120b respectively which are positioned in opposite elevation for purporses to be explained below. The pillars include retaining notches 122a and 122b at the upper ends of the respective ramps. A lock engaging rod 124 is mounted withing vertical opening 116 and is axially slidable therewithin. Rod 124 includes a gripping tab 126 at the upper end and a retaining collar 128 fitted at the lower end to restrain compression spring 130 coaxially around the shaft of rod 124. The inner flange 129 of retaining collar 128 is secured by a snap-fit into the retaining groove 132 of the rod. The assembly of the various elements and their interaction is shown with particular reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is an end cross-section showing sliding block 102 slidably mounted within track 134 of a window or door frame 12. In figure 4, the leading end of rod 124 is shown axially located in block opening 116 in the down position where it is locked into a frame aperture 136 located at the base of track 134. In this position, the gripping tab 126 has been turned to be free of pillars 118 so that compression spring 130 biases the rod into the fully extended down position. To effect release of rod 124 from aperture 136, the rod is drawn upwardly against the force of the compression spring 130 by rotation of gripping tab 126 on the rising ramps 120a and 120b respectively of pillars 118a and 118b. The pillars hold the tab and attached rod out of aperture 136 so that slide block 102 is then allowed to freely slide within track 134. When rod 124 is thus held in the upright position, spring 130 is compressed and ready to direct the rod downwardly again should the gripping tabs be released. In Figure 6, a cross-section of window or door frame 12 is shown containing an outer frame 12a and an inner frame 12b to provide mounting for slide blocks for outer and inner sashes respectively. Each of said outer and inner window or door frames include a track 134 with a series of one or more frame apertures 136. The mounted window sashes are horizontally slid within the respective frames, carrying their attached pivoting and locking device along with them. The engaging rod in each device is then manually released to slide downwardly into one of the predetermined apertures 136 along the travel path of the sash. The sash is thus held at the pivot point while it is otherwise released to pivot in along the vertical axis of one side of the sash when the sash is released from the frame. Although the description has proceeded with reference to a vertical rod engagement between rod 124 and aperture 136, it will be understood that the rod can be horizontally aligned to engage one or more apertures formed in the side walls of the frame. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which pivot hinge 208 mounted on a sash by means of connectors such as screws (not shown) passing through holes 209 has a pinion 210 for axial insertion through and rotation within hole 206. Pinion 210 is secured to an off-set laterally from the vertical hinge plate 207 by rotor arm 214. Pinion 210 is of sufficient length to pass through hole 206 whereby distal end 216 having a peripheral recess 218 extends past surface 220 of slide block 222, as shown more clearly in Figure 8. Clip plate 224 having a tapered slot 226 with enlargement 228 has a width sufficient to allow clip plate 224 to slide in guided travel between opposed walls 230, 232 of slide block 222 to align slot 226 with pinion 210 whereby slot enlargement 228 receives pinion recess 218 in a snap-fit relationship. Upstanding flange 234 abuts end 236 of slide block 222 and allows removal of clip plate 224 by prying the clip plate away from the end 236 of the slide block 222. Clip plate 224 abuts against surface 220 of slide block 222 to join the slide block to the window or door sash and prevent accidental withdrawal of pinion 210 from the slide block. Slide block 222 preferably has bevelled sides 240, 242 for ease of insertion into the corners of door or window frame 12. The pivoting and locking device of the present invention is mounted at the top and bottom corners of the trailing end of a slidable window or door sash in the manner shown more particularly in Figure 2. When the sash is normally fitted into position on the frame, the respective upper and lower lock engaging rods are normally held in their retracted position with their axial springs compressed in the manner shown in Figure 5. The gripping tab is held in position on the opposed pillars to hold the leading end of the rod out of contact with the window or door frame track and any aperture that might be located in that area. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3, the opposed pillars 118a and 118b include upwardly rising ramps 120a and 120b respectively. When the rod is in the retracted position of Figure 5, the bottom surfaces of the ends of gripping tab 126 rest in retaining notches 122a and 122b. In such retracted position, the sash is freely slidable within the window of door frame and carries the sliding blocks of the devices along with it. When a window, for example, is to be washed on its outer surface, the sash is slid along the frame to a point where the lock engaging rods 124 are released from the retaining notches 122 and rotated so that gripping tabs 126 slide down along the ramps allowing rods 124 to be extended axially into locking engagement with apertures 136, as viewed in Figure 4, as sash 14 continues to be slid along the frame to lock the window sash in place along its trailing side. The window sash is otherwise disengaged from the frame in a conventional manner, at its other end, so that it swings inwardly to make the surface of the glass readily available for washing. When washing has been completed, the sash is fitted back into the frame and the locking rods disconnected from their respective apertures by rotating the gripping tabs in the opposite direction. This causes the engaging tabs to slide up the ramp surfaces of the opposed pillars until they contact the retaining notches at the upper end, as viewed in Figure 5, whereby rods 124 are retracted from engagement with the frame so that the sash is once again freely slidable within the track of the frame. It will be understood that various modifications can be made, especially in the embodiment described above, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A pivoting and locking device for use in locking the sash of a horizontally slidable window or door to the frame, said device comprising: a) a slide block (102) slidably mountable within the frame (12) of the slidable window or door (14); b) pivoting means (106,110) for interconnecting said slide block (102) to the sash (14) and permitting said sash to pivot out of planar alignment with said frame; c) an opening (116) formed through said slide block (102) with a lock engaging rod (124) axially aligned therein, said lock engaging rod being spring biased (130) within said opening (116) whereby the leading end (128) of said rod is engageable within a predetermined aperture (136) located in said frame; and d) a gripping tab (126) connected to the other end of said rod (124) for retracting and axially disengaging the rod from said aperture (136); characterised in that: said through opening (116) is arranged such that in use it is spaced from said sash (14); and a support pillar (118a,118b) is provided on said slide block (102) for receiving said tab (126) and retaining said retracted rod (124) in such disengagement. A device according to claim 1, wherein said support pillar comprises a pair of pillars (118a,118b) on diametrically opposed sides of said slide block opening (116) with a slot therebetween which accommodates the tab (126) on the lock engaging rod (124) when the rod is engaged with said aperture (136) in the frame (12). A device according to claim 2, wherein each of said pillars (118a,118b) has an upper surface (120a,120b) of predetermined rising elevation whereby axial rotation of said gripping tab (126) in one direction will cause the tab to ride up on said upper surfaces and thereby axially withdraw the rod (124) within said opening (116) and axial rotation of said tab (126) in the opposite direction will permit said rod (124) to axially descend in said opening (116) thereby respectively to disengage and engage the distal end (128) of the rod (124) from the aperture (136) in the frame (12). A device according to claim 3, wherein each of said opposed pillars (118a,118b) includes a tab engaging surface (122a,122b) at the upper end of said upper surface (120a,120b) for retaining said tab (126) and maintaining said rod (124) in a retracted position within said opening (116) and disengaged from the aperture (136) in the frame (12). A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said lock engaging rod (124) is spring based within said opening (116) by means of a compression spring (130) mounted in said opening and axially aligned around said rod (124) between the slide block (102) and a retaining collar (128) at the leading end thereof. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said pivoting means (106,110) includes a pivot hinge (108) comprising a pinion (110) for engaging an opening (106) on the upper surface of said slide block (103), said opening (106) being axially off-set on said slide block (102), a hinge plate (107) securable to the sash (14), and a rotor arm (114), joining said pinion (110) and hinge plate (107), whereby said sash (14) can be pivoted out of alignment with said frame (12) by rotation of said pinion (110) in said opening (106). A device according to claim 6, wherein said slide block (102) has an arcuate indentation (104) formed on the upper surface around said opening (106) and which accommodates the swinging movement of the rotor arm (114) during pivoting of the sash (14). A device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said pinion (210) has a distal end (216) with a peripheral recess (218) formed therein and a length such that the peripheral recess (218) in the distal end (216) of the pinion (110) extends through the opening (206) in the slide block (222), and locking means (224) are provided for engaging said peripheral recess (218) when the pinion is engaged in said opening (206), thereby to secure the pinion (210) to the slide block (222) and lockingly interconnecting the slide block (222) to the sash (14). A device according to claim 8, wherein said locking means (224) comprises a plate having a bevelled slot (226) formed therein for frictionally engaging the pinion recess (218) and having an upstanding flange (234) for abutment against the sash (14). A slide sash window or door assembly comprising a frame providing upper and lower tracks and at least one sash slidably mounted in said track for sliding movement therealong, and being pivotably moveable into and out of the plane of said frame, said sash or sashes being mounted in said tracks by means of pivoting and locking devices secured to the top and bottom of the sash and slidably engaging in said tracks and lockable therein, wherein said pivoting and locking devices are as hereinbefore defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Inventors: HARBOM JOHN, SKJODT ALLAN, HARBOM, JOHN, SKJODT, ALLAN
Applicants: PLASTMO LTD, PLASTMO LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E05D15
IPC codes: E05D15, E06B3