The invention relates to an espagnolette assembly, window assembly and door assembly for detecting displacement of an espagnolette rod.

BACKGROUND

Espagnolettes are used in both windows and doors. An espagnolette comprises one or more espagnolette rods allowing the window or door to be secured at an end of the espagnolette rod(s). This structure provides improved stability and security when securing the window or door.

However, it may be beneficial to detect a status of the espagnolette. For instance, is the espagnolette in a locked state or in an open state? At present there are no convenient solutions for detecting the state of an espagnolette.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide to detect displacement of an espagnolette rod to thereby determine the state of an espagnolette.

According to a first aspect, it is provided an espagnolette assembly configured to allow detection of displacement of an espagnolette rod. The espagnolette assembly comprises: an espagnolette rod arranged move longitudinally; an inductive proximity sensor for installation in a proximity of the espagnolette rod; and wherein the espagnolette rod comprises , in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction, a non-uniform metallic mass provided in the form of a recess, enabling the inductive proximity sensor to detect longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod. Optionally, more than one recess can be provided.

The espagnolette rod may exhibits a non-uniform cross section in a plane being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the espagnolette rod.

The espagnolette rod may comprise at least one protrusion.

The espagnolette rod may comprises at least through hole. The espagnolette rod may be formed by different sections of materials with different responses to oscillating magnetic fields.

According to a second aspect, it is provided a window assembly comprising a window sash, a window frame and the espagnolette assembly according to the first aspect.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in the window sash.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in the window frame.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in or by a striking plate of the window frame, whereby protrusions of the espagnolette rod can engage with the striking plate.

According to a first aspect, it is provided a door assembly comprising a door leaf, a door frame and the espagnolette assembly according to the first aspect.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in the door leaf.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in the door frame.

The inductive proximity sensor may be provided in or by a striking plate of the door frame whereby protrusions of the espagnolette rod can engage with the striking plate.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig l is a schematic drawing illustrating a window assembly comprising an espagnolette;

Fig 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a door assembly comprising an espagnolette;

Fig 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly comprising an espagnolette rod with a recess;

Fig 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly comprising an espagnolette rod with a protrusion;

Figs 5A-B are schematic drawings illustrating an espagnolette assembly comprising an espagnolette rod with a through-hole; and

Fig 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly comprising an espagnolette rod formed of different materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

Fig 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a window assembly 20 comprising an espagnolette. The window assembly 20 comprises a window frame 22 and a window sash 21, which houses the glass of the window. The window sash 21 is moveable (e.g. rotatable and/or displaceable) in relation to the window frame 22 to allow the window to open. Optionally, the window sash 21 is rotatable in two ways, e.g. both along one side and along the bottom. The window sash 21 comprises an espagnolette comprising an espagnolette rod 3 which can move longitudinally, i.e. along the y-axis in this example. It is to be noted that longitudinal here defines the major dimension of the espagnolette, and is unrelated to horizontal, vertical, or any other direction with regard to direction of gravity. The displacement of the espagnolette rod 3 can e.g. be triggered by a handle (not shown), lever or other user controllable mechanism. The espagnolette rod 3 can be made of metal, e.g. stainless steel, aluminium, iron, etc., or a combination of different materials, also including non-metals, e.g. polymers. The espagnolette can engage, directly or indirectly, using at least one end of the espagnolette bar with the window frame 22. Optionally, there are two espagnolette rods which synchronously move outwards towards, or inwards from, the window frame 22, allowing simultaneous engagement with the window frame at both longitudinal ends of the espagnolette (in this example).

In proximity to the espagnolette rod(s) 3, an inductive proximity sensor 10 is provided. The inductive proximity sensor 10 detects changes in metallic mass in its proximity. This can e.g. be implemented by transmitting an energy pulse using an antenna and measuring the response. Metal material, for instance, absorbs more of the energy due e.g. to Eddy currents and detuning of the oscillating magnetic field, than wood. Also, a greater amount of metal material in the proximity absorbs more of the energy than a smaller amount of metal material. The energy pulse can be transmitted at regular intervals, e.g. every second. A sliding window is used to form an average of

measurements for a certain number of measurements, e.g. 10 measurements. A significant deviation from this sliding window average can thus be detected, i.e. a change in metallic mass is thereby detected. When there are two espagnolette rods 3, it is still sufficient with a single inductive proximity sensor 10 since both espagnolette rods 3 move synchronously.

It is to be noted that the inductive proximity sensor can also be used for purposes of detecting a break-in attempt. The normal distance, as indicated by the inductive proximity sensor, to the espagnolette rod 3 is then a basis for the sliding window average. If an attacker attempts to fool the system by placing another piece of metal, this would almost certainly deviate sufficiently for this to be detected. In this way, tampering with the detection can be determined, e.g. tampering to fool the sensor that a window is closed when it in fact is open.

The espagnolette rod 3 has, in a direction transverse to its longitudinal direction, i.e. in the x-z plane in this example, a non-uniform cross section, resulting in a non-uniform metallic mass. This non-uniform cross-section is achieved in the form of a recess. Optionally, more than one recess is provided. In this way, the inductive proximity sensor 10 is able to detect longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod(s) 3. When the

espagnolette rod 3 moves, this changes the metallic mass in the proximity of the inductive proximity sensor 10, which allows the inductive proximity sensor 10 to detect the displaced espagnolette rod, since the metallic mass in its proximity has now changed.

The inductive proximity sensor 10 is configured to detect relatively fast changes in metallic mass. This can e.g. be achieved using a sliding window of samples which are considered. In this way, if a response to the oscillating field drifts e.g. due to changes in atmospheric humidity, such changes of response to the oscillating field are sufficiently slow not to affect the determination of displacement of the espagnolette rod. No calibration of the sensor device is then needed.

The displacement detection can be used to determine if the espagnolette rod 3 is in an open position or in a locked position.

The inductive proximity sensor 10 can be provided in a position where the espagnolette rod engages in the window frame. Specifically, there inductive proximity sensor can be provided in or by one or more of striking plates 12 in the window frame 22, with which a protrusion of the espagnolette rod 3 can engage.

When the inductive proximity sensor is provided in the striking plate, someone can attempt to fool the system regarding the state of the espagnolette. However, this can be detected by the inductive proximity sensor since it is virtually impossible for such a person to provide an environment which is identical to the environment detected by the inductive proximity sensor when the espagnolette is present.

Optionally, when the inductive proximity sensor is provided in the window frame, an open/closed state of the window can be detected using a separate sensor, e.g. a magnetic field sensor. This allows the detection of when the window is closed, and also that the espagnolette is bolted.

In other words, the inductive proximity sensor to can be provided in the window frame 22, as long as the inductive proximity sensor to is capable of detecting changes in metallic mass of the espagnolette rod as it moves longitudinally.

Fig 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a door assembly 30 comprising an espagnolette. The door assembly 30 comprises a door leaf 31 and a door frame 32, as well as an espagnolette rod 3 and a corresponding inductive proximity sensor 10. The espagnolette function of the door assembly 30 corresponds to what is described above for the window assembly 20 with reference go Fig 1.

Fig 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly 1 comprising an espagnolette rod 3 with a recess 40. The recess 40 is provided in a longitudinal position of the espagnolette rod 3 to be in proximity to the inductive proximity sensor 10 when the espagnolette rod 3 is operational. When the espagnolette rod 3 moves longitudinally (in the y-direction in this example), the inductive proximity sensor 10 detects the change in metallic mass in the most proximate part of the espagnolette rod due to the mass of material varying (by the inductive proximity sensor 10) with the longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod 3. The recess is a cost-effective way of achieving the non-uniform metallic mass, which enables the detection of longitudinal displacement. The recess can e.g. be provided by milling the espagnolette. Hence, compared to protrusions, the recess is Fig 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly l comprising an espagnolette rod 3 with a protrusion 41. The protrusion 41 is provided in a longitudinal position of the espagnolette rod 3 to be in proximity to the inductive proximity sensor 10 when the espagnolette rod 3 is operational. When the espagnolette rod 3 moves longitudinally (in the y- direction in this example), the inductive proximity sensor 10 detects the change in metallic mass in the most proximate part of the espagnolette rod due to the mass of material varying (by the inductive proximity sensor 10) with the longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod 3. The protraction

41 can e.g. be used for the espagnolette to engage with a corresponding striking plate in a window frame or door frame.

Figs 5A-B are schematic drawings illustrating an espagnolette assembly 1 comprising an espagnolette rod 3 with a through-hole 42. The through-hole

42 is provided in a longitudinal position of the espagnolette rod 3 to be in proximity to the inductive proximity sensor 10 when the espagnolette rod 3 is operational. In Fig 5A, the through-hole 42 can be seen in its proximity to the inductive proximity sensor 10. In Fig 5B, the through hole 42 can be seen from another perspective where the integrity of the espagnolette rod 3 can be seen. When the espagnolette rod 3 moves longitudinally (in the y-direction in this example), the inductive proximity sensor 10 detects the change in metallic mass in the most proximate part of the espagnolette rod due to the mass of material varying (by the inductive proximity sensor 10) with the longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod 3.

Fig 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating an espagnolette assembly 1 comprising an espagnolette rod 3 formed by different sections na-c of materials with different metallic mass. The border between materials of different metallic mass is provided in a longitudinal position of the espagnolette rod 3 to be in proximity to the inductive proximity sensor 10 when the espagnolette rod 3 is operational. Here, the espagnolette rod comprises a first section 11a, a second section 11b, and a third section 11c. The three sections na-c are displaced longitudinally. The second section 11b has a different metallic mass compared to the two other sections 11a, 11c. For instance, the second section 11b can be made of metal, while the other sections 11a, 11c are made of polymer material. When the espagnolette rod 3 moves longitudinally (in the y-direction in this example), the inductive proximity sensor 10 detects the change in metallic mass in the most proximate part of the espagnolette rod due to the varying metallic mass of the material by the inductive proximity sensor 10, which varies with the longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod 3.

Using the embodiments presented herein, longitudinal displacement of the espagnolette rod can be detected. This can be used to determine the position and state (e.g. bolted or not bolted) of the espagnolette rod.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.