Field of the invention The object of the present invention is a dual-mode tilting/swinging roof window with a tilt pivot located at the top member of the window frame, and a swing pivot in the midsection of the window sash, positioned close to the glazed surface and not changing its position at some ranges of the opening angles of the sash, and the window allows only one selected mode to be used at each time the window is opened: the swing or the tilt mode.

Background of the invention A dual-mode tilting/swinging roof window is known, with a tilt pivot located at the top member of the window frame, and a swing pivot in the midsection of the window sash, positioned close to the glazed surface and not changing its position at some ranges of the opening angles of the sash, equipped on both sides with symmetrical locking systems, which, alternatively, after selection of the operating mode on one side of the window, lock either the swing mode while allowing the tilt mode, or lock the tilt mode while allowing the swing mode, simultaneously on both sides of the window. The window is secured against simultaneous operation in both modes. The window has a frame and a sash mounted in it via intermediate arms. The upper ends of the intermediate arms are pivotally mounted in the side members of the window frame, very close to the upper cross member, and the sash is pivotally mounted in its midsection with the bottom ends of the intermediate arms. The locking system, positioned on each side of the window, comprises a shift mechanism and two catch systems, which, alternatively, lock the intermediate arms with the window frame while unlocking the sash from the intermediate arms, which prevents the window from being tilted and enables its rotation, or lock the sash with the intermediate arms while unlocking the intermediate arms from the window frame, thus preventing rotation of the sash and enabling its tilt mode.

The window's operating mode is selected on one side of the window, suitable for the user, with a switch, constituting an integral part of the locking system, or with a two-position pre-selector. The window can be alternatively equipped with the switch or the pre-selector. The switch is set in position corresponαing io me desired operating mode when the window is closed, which results in switching the locking system to the other operating mode, which also takes place when the window is closed. The pre-selector is set in desired position when the window is open but switching the locking system to the other operating mode takes place after the window is closed. Both the switches and the pre-selectors located on both sides of the window are so coupled, that a change in a position of a switch or a pre-selector on one side of the window involves a change in the position of its corresponding element on the other side of the window and both locking systems are automatically switched to the desired operating mode, selected by switch or pre-selector.

The locking systems, controlled by pre-selectors, allow one selected mode to be used, while preventing the possibility of simultaneously using the other mode, provided the elements of the locking systems on both sides of the window, moving together with the intermediate arms and the sash, approach the frame close enough for the locking systems on both sides of the window to switch to the other mode and lock the appropriate catch systems while the window is closed. If, however, the frame is first approached by the elements of the locking system on one side of the window, which can be caused by the force being applied asymmetrically, only the locking system on one side of the window will switch to the other mode, whereas the other locking system will be still ready to operate in its earlier mode. If, at that point, the window is not closed by turning the handle, but re-opened, on one side the window will be ready to operate in the mode selected by the pre-selector, while on the other side it will be ready to continue operating in the earlier mode. If, however, the window is completely closed, proper functioning of the locking systems will be restored, as the frame will be approached by the catch system, which has not changed its operating mode so far, allowing these catch system to switch to the other mode. After the window is re-opened, it will operate in the mode selected by the pre-selector.

Disclosure of the invention The object of this invention is to eliminate this unwelcome possibility, and this goal has • been accomplished by changing the design of the system so that it alternatively prevents the window from operating in one mode, while making available the other one, so that the window will change its operating mode only it the so-far locked catch systems on both sides of the window are simultaneously unlocked, at the time when the so-far unlocked catch systems on both sides of the window are simultaneously locked.

The dual-mode tilting/swinging roof window according to this invention, has a frame and a sash set in it via intermediate arms, whose upper ends are pivotally mounted to the side members of the frame, close to its top member, and the sash is pivotally connected, in its midsection, with the bottom ends of the intermediate arms, and the tilt pivot does not change its position when the window is tilted, and the swing pivot does not change its position at some ranges of the opening angles of the sash and is positioned close to the glazed surface.

The window is equipped with a locking system which on one side of the sash, called the active side, has two catch systems coupled with each other, alternatively locking one operating mode and making available the other one, and a mechanism shifting these systems, and a pre-selector of the window's operating mode co-operating with the shifting mechanism; whereas on the other side, called the passive side, the window has two catch systems coupled with each other, also alternatively locking one mode of the window while making available the other one, and a control mechanism, which allows the locking systems to switch modes only when it is possible to switch to the other mode simultaneously on both sides of the window. The catch systems locking the intermediate arms with the sash, positioned on the window's active and passive sides, are so coupled, that if the system is switched to the other mode on one side of the window, this forces the corresponding system on the other side of the window to switch to the other mode as well.

The window's operating modes can be switched only when both pairs of the catch system, on both the active and passive sides, reach readiness for switching, which takes place when both sides of the sash approach the window frame close enough, and the systems will switch modes after the window is closed. Each time after the window is opened, the locking system allows the use of only one mode selected by the pre-selector, while completely eliminating the possibility of activating the other mode at the same time. Description of the drawings An embodiment of the window is presented in the drawing, wherein fig. 1 shows schematically parts of the window with the fitting and elements of the locking system on the active side, and fig. 2 on the passive side; fig. 3 shows an exploded view of elements of the window fitting and the elements of the locking system on the active side, and fig. 4 on the passive side; fig. 5 shows an axonometric view of elements of the roof window in the tilt mode on the active side, and fig. 6 on the passive side; and fig. 7 shows an axonometric view of elements of the roof window in the swing mode.

Embodiment A dual function tilt/swing roof window has frame 1 with the fitting 2 along its side members and sash 3, connected on both sides with intermediate arms 4A and 4B. Intermediate arms 4A and 4B are at one end pivotally connected, relative to tilt pivot 5, with fitting 2 of frame 1 by means of fixing elements M and screws W. Tilt pivot 5 is located at the upper member of frame 1. Sash 3 is pivotally connected, relative to swing pivot 6, with the other ends of intermediate arms 4A and 4B. Swing pivot 6 is located in the midsection of sash 3. When the window is closed both intermediate arms 4A and 4B are positioned parallel to do the side members of frame 1 and sash 3.

Along intermediate arm 4A, on the window's side called the active side, elements of the shift mechanism are mounted, comprising strips 7 and 8 which can slide against each other and against arm 4A, and rotary element 9 with spindle 10, with recess 11 and pin 12, set at a considerable distance from tilt pivot 5. Strip 7 has catches 13 and 14 at its ends, and pin 15 in its midsection. Strip 8 has catch 16 at the end closer to tilt pivot 5, pin 17 at the other end, and catch 18 in the midsection. Strips 7 and 8 are connected by spring 19 affixed between catches 14 and 16. Strip 7 is also connected with intermediate arm 4A by spring 20, affixed between catch 13 on strip 7 and catch 21 on intermediate arm 4A.

Along intermediate arm 4A, slidable strip 22 is set, having pins 23A and 24A at its ends, catch 25 and recess 26 near pin 24A, positioned on the side closer to swing pivot 6, and having oblong slot 27 on the side closer to tilt pivot 5. Strip 22 is connected with strip 8 by spring 28 affixed to catches 1b and 2b. Kecess Zb co¬ operates with pin 17 on strip 8, and opening 27 co-operates with pin 15 on strip 7. Arm 4A has also oblong slots 29 and 3OA, co-operating with pins, 17 and 24A respectively, and oval opening 31. Elements of the locking system set on intermediate arm 4A are covered by cover PA, while pins 15 and 23A pass through it, and cover PA provides access to switch 35 of pre-selector 33 set on frame 1.

On the side member of frame 1 , on the active side of the window, close to swing pivot 6, element 32A of the catch system is set, which locks intermediate arm 4A with frame 1 ; and two-position pre-selector 33 with bumper 34 and switch 35. Element 32A has recess 36A with locking element 37A, co-operating with pin 24A on strip 22, and oval opening 38 providing access to switch 35 of pre-selector 33. Opening 31 in intermediate arm 4A plays the same role, when the window operates in the swing mode.

Along intermediate arm 4B, on the side of the window called the passive side, strips 39 and 40 are mounted, which can slide against each other and against arm 4B. Strip 40 has catch 41 at its end closer to tilt pivot 5, and pin 42 at the other end, and pin 43 between them, and is connected with arm 4B by spring 44 affixed between catch 41 on strip 40 and catch 45 on intermediate arm 4B. Strip 39 has pins 23B and 24B at its ends and between them recess 46 in the upper edge, and two oblong slots 47 and 48, which co-operate with pins 42 and 43, respectively, on strip 40. On intermediate arm 4B, control mechanism 49 is set, with spring 50. The mechanism has spindle 51 and pin 52 co-operating with recess 46 in strip 39, and pin 53. Arm 4B has also oblong slots 3OB and 54 co-operating with pins 24B and 52, respectively. Elements of the locking system set on intermediate arm 4B are covered by cover PB, with pins 23B and 43 passing through it.

On the side member .of frame 1 , on the passive side of the window, near swing pivot 6, element 32B of the catch system is set, which locks intermediate arm 4B with frame 1 , having recess 36B with locking element 37B, co-operating with pin 24B on strip 39, and bumper 55 co-operating with pin 53 on control mechanism 49. On both sides of the window, on the side members ot sash 3, near tilt pivot 5, element 56 is set, which is a component of the system locking sash 3 with intermediate arms 4A and 4B, and fork 57 and toothed element 58. One arm of fork 57 has swing pivot 59, and the other arm has rack 60 co-operating with rotary toothed element 58. Pins of toothed elements 58 positioned on both sides of sash 3 are coupled via rod 61. Element 56 has in its upper part recess 62 with locking element 63, which, together with fork 57, co-operates on the active side with pin 23A, and on the passive side co-operates with pin 23B. Element 56 has a wedge- shaped surface 64 on the side closer to swing pivot 6, which becomes narrow at the top, and is rounded at the bottom, along which slides pin 15 on the active side of the window, and pin 43 on the passive side.

The roof window is in the tilt mode, when pre-selector 33 is shifted towards swing pivot 6. Then, pins 23A and 23B are positioned under locking elements 63 of elements 56 and they lock sash 3 with intermediate arms 4A and 4B, and pins 24A and 24B coupled with them with strips 22 and 39, freely move in recesses 36A and 36B. After the window is opened, intermediate arms 4A and 4B move together with sash 3.

To switch the window from the tilt mode to the swing mode, switch 35 of pre¬ selector 33 should be shifted towards tilt pivot 5 while the window is open. Then, on the active side, during closing of the window, pin 12 of rotary element 9 will meet bumper 34 of pre-selector 33 on its way, and will make element 9 rotate about pin 10, and recess 11 co-operating with pin 17 will move strip 8 towards tilt pivot 5. This will put under tension springs 19 and 28, which tend to move strips 7 and 22 towards tilt pivot 5. Strip 7 will not move towards tilt pivot 5 as long as pin 15 rests on the wedge-shaped surface 64 of element 56, and strip 22 will not change its position as long as fork 57 does not rotate under the pressure of pin 23A. Consequently, the active side of the window is in the state of readiness to switch modes of the locking system, but the modes will be switched only when it is possible to switch modes of the catch systems on the passive side of the window.

On the other hand, on the passive side, fork 57 is locked by pin 24B on strip 39 blocked by pin 52 of control mechanism 49, which rests in recess 46. But when intermediate arm 4B reaches frame 1 and the window is closed, pin 53 will rest on bumper 55, a pin 52 will leave recess 46, and strip ay, together with τorκ ϋ/ on tne passive side, will be ready to move. Only then strip 22, by the action of expanded spring 28, will move towards tilt pivot 5 and pin 23A will rotate fork 57 on the active side, and will also move strip 39 on the passive side via a kinematic chain composed of elements 57, 58, 60, 61 and 57 and pin 24B. By shifting strips 22 and 39, which couple pin 23A with pin 24A, and pin 23B with 24B, towards tilt pivot 5, pin 24A will get under locking element 37A, and pin 24B will get under locking element 37B and intermediate arms 4A and 4B will be locked with frame 1 , whereas pins 23A and 23B will automatically slide from under locking elements 63 and unlock sash 3 from intermediate arms 4A and 4B. After the window is opened, it will operate in the swing mode. To prevent strips 22 and 39 from shifting spontaneously during opening of the window, the strips are kept in the desired position by springs 20 and 44, affecting strips 22 and 39 via strips 7 and 40 and pins 15 and 43, co-operating with oblong slots 27 and 48.

During closing of the window operating in the swing mode, pins 15 and 43 slide along wedge-shaped surfaces 64 of elements 56 and move strips 7 and 40 towards swing pivot 6. The change in the position of strip 40 does not have any effect on the passive side, as pins 42 and 43 move freely in oblong slots 47 and 48 in strip 39. On the active side, strip 7 travelling towards the swing pivot puts spring 19 under tension, which pulls strip 8 similarly towards swing pivot 6. Strip 8 is kept in a fixed position, because pin 12 of element 9 rests on bumper 34, and then recess 11 , via pin 17, keeps strip 8 in the position shifted towards tilt pivot 5.

To come back to the tilt mode, one should, while the window is open, move switch 35 of pre-selector 33 towards swing pivot 6. On the passive side, intermediate arm 4B is still locked with frame 1 , pin 53 of control mechanism 49 rests on bumper 55, and pin 52 is outside recess 46, and strip 39 is ready to be moved.

During closing of the window, on the active side of the window, pin 15 slides along the wedge-shaped surface 64 of element 56 and puts spring 19 under tension, which pulls strip 8 towards swing pivot 6. As pin 12 of element 9 does not meet bumper 34 of pre-selector 33 on its way, strip 8 is no longer locked by recess 11 in element 9, which co-operates with pin 17 on strip 8. In spite of that, strip 8 will not move towards swing pivot 6, because the movement oτ pin i / is now iimneα oy recess 26 in strip 22, and strip 22 cannot move towards swing pivot 6, as long as pin 23A travels in recess 62 of element 56. But when pin 23A gets into position under locking element 63 in element 56, which takes place on closing the window, strip 22, as a result of pin 17 applying pressure to recess 26, will move towards swing pivot 6 and pin 23A will get under locking element 63. Pin 23A, when moving to the position under locking element 63, exerts force onto fork 57 on the active side and changes its position, and via a kinematic chain composed of elements 57, 58, 60 and 61 also changes the position of fork 57 on the passive side. Fork 57 on the passive side, when exerting pressure on pin 23B, moves strip 39 towards swing pivot 6. The locking systems on both sides of the window switch their modes. Now pins 23A and 23B lock sash 3 with intermediate arms 4A and 4B, whereas pins 24A and 24B travel freely in recesses 36A and 36B. After re¬ opening, the window will be ready to operation in the tilt mode.