A STAY FOR HINGEDLY MOUNTING AN OPENABLE CLOSURE MEMBER

The invention relates to a stay for hingedly mounting an openable closure member and particularly to, although not exclusively limited to, a stay for hingedly mounting a window to a window frame.

Friction stays for hingedly mounting windows to window frames are known and generally comprise a track which is attached to the frame, a vent arm to which the window is mounted and a linkage mechanism connecting the two together to allow the vent arm to move from a closed position which is substantially parallel with the track and an open position in which it extends at a non-zero angle to the track. The track generally includes an end cap or end formation against which one end of the vent arm slides on closing. The end cap can be formed as part of the track or may comprise a separate cap part inserted into the track.

The window frame and the window surround often have face seals which extend around their periphery to form a weather tight seal for the window when closed. Some windows are made with seals which are attached after the frame or surround is assembled and others are inserted on manufacture of the frame or surround. It has been found that those seals perform differently from one another. That difference in performance can cause a difference in seal gap from typically 3mm to, typically, 6mm but as much as 8mm. That, in turn, leads to problems of assembly. If the assembler sets up the stay for a 3mm seal gap and the seal gap is 6mm, tremendous force is required to close the window fully and that is transmitted, for example, into the end cap, resulting in increased wear and often failure of the end cap. If the assembler sets up the stay for a 6mm seal gap and a 3mm seal gap window is used, the weather tight seal provided by the face seal will be compromised.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved stay for hingedly mounting an openable closure member.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a stay for hingedly mounting an openable closure member comprising an elongate track member having an end cap at one end thereof, a first link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the track member at a point on the track member spaced from the end cap, a closure support arm pivotally connected to the other end of the first link member at a position intermediate the ends of the closure support arm, a carriage slidably retained by the track member between the end cap and the first link member pivot point, a second link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the carriage and at the other end thereof to a point on the first link member between its ends, a third link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the carriage and at the other end thereof to a point on the closure support arm adjacent one end thereof and a nose portion formed at the end of the closure support arm adjacent the third link member connection, the first, second and third link members, the carriage and the closure support arm acting as a five bar link mechanism to enable the closure support arm to move from a closed position to an opened position, a contact surface, defined by the end cap, with which the nose portion makes contact as the closure support arm moves from the opened to the closed position, a lost motion mechanism configured such that one or more of the nose portion, the contact surface and the one end of the third link member is arranged to be deflected from an initial position resiliency upon contact between the contact surface and the nose portion and to resile to the initial position when contact is broken so as to provide lost motion between the end of the closure support arm and the end cap.

In that way, the assembler does not need to be concerned with the seal gap used by the windows as the lost motion mechanism will accommodate any changes in closure geometry.

One or more of the nose portion, the contact surface and the one end of the third link member may be arranged to be deflected from an initial position resiliently upon contact between the contact surface and the nose portion and to resile to the initial position when contact is broken so as to provide lost motion between the end of the closure support arm and the end cap.

The contact surface may comprise a body defining the contact surface and resilient biasing means biasing the body toward the initial position. The resilient biasing means preferably comprises a spring or a piece of resilient material such as elastomeric material, foamed material, gel or the like.

Preferably, the contact surface is formed from resilient material. In that case, the contact surface may be defined by a separate piece retained in the end cap. The separate piece is preferably made from spring steel. The separate piece is preferably inserted after moulding into the end cap. Alternatively, the piece may be insert moulded.

Alternatively, the contact surface is formed integrally with the end cap, the end cap having outer walls having a first wall thickness, the contact surface being defined by a wall having a second wall thickness, the second wall thickness being less than the first wall thickness whereby the contact surface resiles on contact with the nose portion and the outer walls do not.

Preferably, the nose portion is resilient. The nose portion may be formed from a resilient material, such as an elastomer. The nose portion may be formed as a spiral spring. The nose portion may be mounted on the closure support arm for movement against a resilient bias. The resilient bias is preferably provided by a tension or compression spring, an elastomeric, foamed or gel material bush, or other suitable resilient member.

The range of lost motion provided by the lost motion mechanism may be from 1 to 8mm, preferably 2 to 4mm, most preferably around 3mm.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a stay for hingedly mounting an openable closure member comprising an elongate track member having an end cap at one end thereof, a first link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the track member at a point on the track member spaced from the end cap, a closure support arm pivotally connected to the other end of the first link member at a position intermediate the ends of the closure support arm, a carriage slidably retained by the track member between the end cap and the first link member pivot point, a second link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the carriage and at the other end thereof to a point on the first link member between its ends, a third link member pivotally connected at one end thereof to the carriage and at the other end thereof to a point on the closure support arm adjacent one end thereof and a nose portion formed at the end of the closure support arm adjacent the third link member connection, the first, second and third link members, the carriage and the closure support arm acting as a five bar link mechanism to enable the closure support arm to move from a closed position to an opened position, a contact surface, defined by the end cap, with

which the nose portion makes contact as the closure support arm moves from the opened to the closed position, an adjustment mechanism configured such that one or more of the nose portion, the contact surface and the one end of the third link member is arranged to be moved from an initial position to an operating position such that the one or more of the nose portion, the contact surface and the one end of the third link member remains in the operating position when the closure support arm is moved from the closed position to the open position.

hi that way, the possibility of damage to the stay can be reduced as the adjustment mechanism will accommodate any changes in closure geometry.

Preferably the one or more of the nose portion, the contact surface and the one end of the third link member is arranged to be moved from an initial position to an operating position upon initial movement of the closure support arm from the open position to the closed position. Therefore, the assembler need not be concerned with manual adjustment of the stay as the relevant component will automatically adjust and remain in the correct position upon first use in situ.

A stay will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.1 is a side elevation of a friction stay in open configuration in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. Ia is a section along line I-I in Fig. 1 showing the track member and carriage only,

Fig.lb is a perspective view of the friction stay of Fig.l,

Fig. Ic is a perspective view of the nose portion of the friction stay of Fig.l,

Fig. Id is a perspective view of an alternative nose portion in accordance with the present invention.

Fig.2 is a side elevation of the friction stay of Fig. 1 in a semi-closed configuration, Fig.3 is a side elevation of the friction stay of Fig. 1 in a closed configuration, Fig.3a is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig 1 in a closed state and a tight seal condition,

Fig.3b is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig 1 in a closed state and an intermediate seal condition, and

Fig.3c is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig 1 in a closed state and a wide seal condition.

Fig.4 is a side section of part of a second friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.5 is a side elevation of part of a third friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.6 is a side elevation of part of the friction stay of Fig.5,

Fig.7 is a perspective view of part of a fourth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.8 is a side section of part of the friction stay of Fig.7,

Fig.9 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.7,

Fig.10 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.7,

Fig.11 is a side section of part of a fifth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.12 is a side section of part of a sixth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.13 is a perspective view of part of a seventh friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.14 is a side section view of part of an eighth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.15 is a side section view of part of a ninth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.16 is a side section view of part of a tenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.17 is a perspective view of part of an eleventh friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.18 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.17,

Fig.19 is a side section view of part of a twelfth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.20 is a side section view of part of a thirteenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.21 is a side section view of part of a fourteenth friction stay in an open condition in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.22 is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig.21 in a semi-closed position,

Fig.23 is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig.21 in a closed position,

Fig.24 is a perspective view of part of a fifteenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.25 is a side view of part of the friction stay of Fig.24,

Fig.26 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.24,

Fig.27 is a side view of part of the friction stay of Fig.24,

Fig.28 is a side view of part of a sixteenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.29 is a side view of a part of a seventeenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.30 is a side view of a part of an eighteenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.31 is a side section view of part of a nineteenth friction stay in accordance with the present invention in an open position,

Fig.32 is a side section view of the friction stay of Fig.31 in a closed position,

Fig.33 is a side section view of part of a twentieth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.34 is a side section view of part of a twenty-first friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.35 is a side section view of part of a twenty-second friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.36 is a side section view of part of a twenty-third friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.37 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.36,

Fig.38 is a side section view of part of a twenty-fourth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.39 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.38,

Fig.40 is a side section view of part of a twenty-fifth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.41 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.40,

Fig.42 is a side section view of part of a twenty-sixth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.43 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.42,

Fig. 44 is a side section view of part of a twenty-seventh friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.45 is a perspective view of part of the friction stay of Fig.44,

Fig.46 is a perspective view of a part of a twenty-eighth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.47 is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig. 46,

Fig.48 is a perspective view of a part of a twenty-eighth friction stay of Fig.46.

Fig.49 is a perspective view of a part of a twenty-ninth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.50 is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig. 46 along L-L of Fig.49, Fig.51 is a side section view of a part of a thirtieth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.52 is a perspective view of a part of a thirty-first friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.53 is a side section view of a part of a thirty-second friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.54a is a side section view of a part of a thirty-third friction stay in accordance with the present invention in a semi-open state,

Fig.54b is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig. 54a in a closed state, Fig.55a is a side section view of a part of a thirty-fourth friction stay in accordance with the present invention in a semi-open state,

Fig.55b is a side section view of part of the friction stay of Fig. 55a in a closed state, Fig.56a is a side section view of a part of a thirty-fifth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.56b is a perspective view of a part of the friction stay of figure 56a,

Fig.57 is a side section view of a part of a thirty-sixth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.58a is a side section view of a part of a thirty-seventh friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.58b is a side perspective view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 58a,

Fig.59 is a section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 58a,

Fig.60a is a side section view of a part of a thirty-eighth friction stay in accordance with the present invention in a tight seal condition,

Fig.60b is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 60a in an intermediate seal condition,

Fig.60c is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 60a in an wide seal condition,

Fig.61 is a side section view of a part of a thirty-ninth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.62a is a side section view of a part of a fortieth friction stay in accordance with the present invention in a semi-open state,

Fig.62b is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig 62a in a closed state, Fig.63a is a side section view of a part of a forty- first friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.63b is a side section view of a part of a forty-second friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.63c is a side section view of a part of a forty-third friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.64a is a side elevation of a part of a forty-fourth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.64b is a side elevation of a part of the friction stay of Fig 64a in a semi-open state,

Fig.64c is a side elevation of a part of the friction stay of Fig 64a in a closed state and a tight seal condition,

Fig.64d is a side elevation of a part of the friction stay of Fig 64a in a closed state and a wide seal condition,

Fig.65a is a perspective view of a part of a forty-fifth friction stay in accordance with the present invention,

Fig.65b is an exploded perspective view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 65a,

Fig.65c is a side elevation of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 65a in an initial position,

Fig.65d is a side elevation of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 65a in an actuated position.

Fig.66a is a side section view of a part of a forty-fourth friction stay in accordance with the present invention in an initial condition,

Fig.66b is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 66a in a semi-closed state as installed,

Fig.66c is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 66a in a tight seal condition,

Fig.66d is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 66a in an intermediate seal condition,

Fig.66e is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 66a in a wide seal condition, and

Fig.66f is a side section view of a part of the friction stay of Fig. 66a moving from a closed position to an open position.

A stay for hingedly mounting an openable closure member in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention is shown in Figs.1-3, and is generally indicated at 10.

The stay 10 comprises an elongate track member 12, a first link member 14, a second link member 16, and a third link member 18, a closure support arm 20 (commonly known in the relevant art as a vent arm), a carriage 22 and an end cap 24.

Referring to Fig. Ia, the elongate track member 12 is of 'C'-section profile and comprises a first end surface 122 and a second end surface 124 at either end of a wall 120 and a first return flange 126 and second return flange 128 extending from the ends of the surfaces 122 and 124 respectively. Elongate track member 12 also comprises fixing slots 130 and a stopper 132. Elongate track member 12 has a first end 134 and a second end 136, and a circular hole 138 proximate the second end 136.

The first link member 14 comprises an elongate flat rod 140, with a first semi-circular end 142 and a second semi-circular end 144. The elongate rod 140 has a step 146 two-thirds of the way along its length, with height equal to the thickness of the elongate rod 140. The elongate rod 140 has a first circular hole 148 proximate the first semi-circular end 162, a

second circular hole 150 proximate the second circular end 144 and a third circular hole 152 proximate the step 146, between said step 150 and the first circular hole 148.

The second link member 16 comprises an elongate flat rod 160, with a first semicircular end 162 and a second semi-circular end 164. The elongate rod 160 has a first circular hole 166 proximate the first semi-circular end 162, a second circular hole 168 proximate the second circular end 164.

The third link member 18 comprises an elongate flat rod 180, with a first semicircular end 182 and a second semi-circular end 184. The elongate rod 180 has a first circular hole 186 proximate the first semi-circular end 182, a second circular hole 188 proximate the second circular end 184.

The vent arm 20 comprises an elongate flat rod 200 and a separate nose portion 202.

The elongate rod 200 has a semi-circular first end 204 and an oblique, flat second end 206. The elongate rod 200 also has fixing slots 208 and circular fixing holes 210 therethrough and proximate both ends. The elongate rod 200 has a first circular hole 212 approximately one-third along its length from the oblique, flat second end 206, and a second circular hole 214 proximate the oblique, flat second end 206.

The separate nose portion 202 comprises a flat section 216 with a circular hole 218 therethrough. The flat section 216 has an oblique, curved first end 201 which protrudes in a perpendicular fashion away from the plane of the flat section 216 and a flat second end 203. An alternative separate nose portion 205 is shown in figure Id, whereby an alternative curved

first end 290 extends further onto an alternative flat section 291 in order to provide extra resilience during contact. A corresponding alternative elongate flat rod (not shown) would reflect this profile. Furthermore, a pin 292 projects from the alternative flat section 291 to provide extra anchorage to the alternative flat section (not shown) which comprises a corresponding hole feature.

The carriage 22 comprises a sliding member 220 and grub screw 222. Sliding member 220 is 'T' -shaped in section and comprises a first circular hole 224 and a second circular hole 226 therethrough, proximate its centre. The grub screw 222 passes through a threaded hole 228 in the sliding member 220.

The end cap 24 comprises an open box section 240 and a protruding finger section 242. The open box section comprises back wall 244, top wall 245 and side walls 246. The wall of open box section 240 facing the top wall 245 is constructed from a first end 248 of the finger section 242. The finger section 242 has a 'T'-shaped cross-section. Box section 240 also comprises a resilient member 250 constructed from a deformed piece of metal, for example spring steel, in an open loop in the shape of a 'D' where the curved part defines a contact surface 252.

As shown in Figs.1- Ib, end cap 24 is inserted into the first end 134 of the elongate track member 12 such that the 'T'-section of the finger section 242 and the 'C'-section of the elongate member 12 mate. The finger section 242 outer dimensions are slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the elongate member 12 and the two components are crimped together.

The 'T'-section sliding member 220 of carriage 22 is slideably mounted into the elongate track member 12 as seen in Fig. Ia. The return flanges 126 and 128 of the elongate track member 12 abut the top of the sliding member 220 and prevent dislocation from the elongate track member 12. Grub screw 222 can be tightened to increase the reaction force between return flanges 126 and 128 of the elongate track member 12 and the sliding member 220 and therefore increase the friction force necessary to slide sliding member 220 along the track member 12.

The first link member 14 is pivotably attached to the elongate track member 12 via a rivet 30 such that first link member 14 sits on the open part of the 'C'-section elongate track member 12. The rivet 30 passes through the second circular hole 150 of the first link member 14 and the circular hole 138 of elongate track member 12.

The second link member 16 is pivotably attached to the carriage 22 via a rivet 32. The rivet 32 passes through the first circular hole 166 of second link member 16 and the second circular hole 226 of carriage 22. The second link member 16 is also pivotably attached to the first link member 14 via a rivet 34. The rivet 34 passes through the third circular hole 152 of the first link member and the second circular hole 168 of the second link member 16.

The third link member 18 is pivotably attached to the carriage 22 by a rivet 36. The rivet 36 passes through the first circular hole 186 of the third track member 18 and the first circular hole of the carriage 22. The third link member 18 is also pivotably attached to the vent arm 20 via a rivet 38. The rivet 38 passes through the second circular hole 188 of the third link member 18 and the second circular hole 214 of the vent arm 20.

The vent arm 20 is pivotably attached to the first link member 14 via a rivet 38. The rivet 38 passes through the first circular hole 212 of the vent arm 20, the first circular hole 148 of the first link member 14 and the circular hole 218 of separate nose portion 202. Separate nose portion 202 is fixably oriented with respect to elongate rod 200 by an abutment of curved first end 201 and the oblique, flat second end 206 of elongate rod 200, as shown in Fig. Ib.

Arrangement in this manner forms a five-bar link mechanism comprising the first, second and third link members as well as the closure support arm and the portion of the carriage between the rivets 32 and 36. Motion of the five-bar link mechanism is demonstrated in Figs.l, Ib, 2 and 3 whereby the mechanism moved from an open position (Fig. 1, Ib), to a semi-closed configuration (Fig. 2) to a closed position (Fig. 3). It will be appreciated that as a closure force (denoted by arrow 'F') is applied, the vent arm 20 simultaneously rotates in a clockwise fashion and displaces towards the first end 134 of elongate track member 12.

As the vent arm 20 moves, the separate nose portion 202 enters open box section 240 of end cap 24 and contacts contact surface 252 of resilient member 250, as seen in Fig. 2. Continued movement of vent arm 20 pushes separate nose portion 202 against contact surface 252 such that resilient member 250 resiliently deflects until the vent arm 20 reaches a closed position. In the closed position, separate nose portion 202 and the contact surface 252 may be in full engagement, as in Fig. 3, in partial engagement or alternatively engagement between them may have been broken. It is to be understood that engagement need only be

made at some point between the open and closed position of the stay 10, and it is within the scope of this invention that engagement may be broken by the time the stay 10 is in the

closed position.

In use, the stay 10 is attached to a closure frame (such as a window frame) via attachment means such as bolts through the fixing slots 130 of the elongate track member 12. Furthermore, the closure (such as a window) is attached to vent arm 20 via fixing slots 208 and fixing holes 210. In this manner the closure may be moved relative to the closure frame and the stay will control the path of the closure until it is substantially parallel with the closure frame, at which point the vent arm 20 will be parallel to the elongate track member 12.

The nature of the five-bar link mechanism means that for a short period in moving from the closed (figure 3) to the semi-open (figure 2) position the vent arm 20 is capable of remaining substantially parallel to the elongate track member 12. This is useful in accommodating different seal widths.

Referring to figures 3 and 3a, the stay 10 is in a closed position and 'tight' seal condition; i.e. The seal is of a minimum design thickness and the resilient member 250 is not significantly compressed. The vent arm 20 is parallel to and coincident with the elongate track member 12.

Turning to figure 3b, the stay 10 is in a closed position and an intermediate seal condition, whereby the seal is slightly wider than the tight seal condition. In this instance, rather than having to apply excessive force in compressing the seal and making the vent arm

20 coincident with the elongate track member 12, the vent arm may assume a position substantially parallel to, but not coincident with, the elongate track member 12. The lost motion between the vent arm 20 and the elongate track member 12 is taken up by the compression of the resilient member 250.

Turning to figure 3c, the stay 10 is in a closed position and an wide seal condition, whereby the seal is much wider than the tight seal condition. It will be observed that the vent arm remains substantially parallel to the elongate track member 12 and the lost motion between the vent arm 20 and the elongate track member 12 is taken up by further compression of the resilient member 250.

In Fig.4, the resilient member 500 is of a different shape; providing slightly different resilient properties to the resilient member 250 of Fig. 1.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the separate nose portion 502 is pivotably and resiliency mounted to elongate rod 504 via torsional spring 503, thus providing the required deformation and resilience. The separate nose portion 502 in Fig.6 is shown in the displaced state.

In Figs. 7-10, a moulded plastic end cap 506 has a resilient section 508 which is able to deform against the nose portion (not shown) in a similar manner to the springs of Figs.l and 4.

In Fig.l l, a 'V-shaped metal spring 510 has a resilient member 512 at its apex, providing extra resilient force over that of the spring material.

In Fig.12, a spring 514 is moulded into the back wall 516 of end cap 518 to provide the required deformation and resilient action. The spring 514 is mounted such that it deforms both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the elongate track member 519.

In Fig.13, an elastomeric or foam block 520 with a contact surface member 522 is inserted into end cap 524 and secured with pin 526. Thus, upon contact between the nose portion (not shown) and the contact surface member 522 the elastomeric or foam block 520 resiliently deforms.

hi Fig.14, a similar arrangement is shown to that in Fig. 13, but with part of the end cap 526 deformed to form the contact surface member 528.

In Fig.15, a similar arrangement is shown to that of Fig. 13, though with a larger contact surface member 530.

In Fig.16, an assembled version of Fig. 13 is shown, with a smaller elastomeric or foam block 532 and contact surface member 534.

In Figs.17 and 18, deformation and resilience is provided longitudinally relative to an elongate track member 536 using a linear spring 538 and a contact block 540.

In Figs.19 and 20, torsional springs 542 and 544 are used to provide resilient deformation. In the case of Fig. 19 the torsional spring 542 is mounted to the vent arm 546 whereas in Fig. 20 the torsional spring 544 is mounted via a pin 548 to an end cap 550.

In Figs.21-23 a similar device is shown to that of Figs.17 and 18 wherein a contact block 552 is contoured to aid insertion of nose portion 554. Fig.21 shows the device in an open condition, Fig.22 in a semi-closed position and Fig.23 in a fully closed position.

In Figs.24-27 a vent arm 556 is shown with a pivotably attached nose portion 558. Nose portion 558 comprises pin 560 which is moveable within a slot 562 of vent arm 564 from the position shown in Fig.25 to that shown in Fig.27. The mechanical interaction between the nose portion 558 and the end cap (not shown) acts to return the nose portion 558 to the initial Fig.25 position.

In Fig.28 a resilient member 566 is similar to that of Figs.1 and 4 but in the shape of a 'W. The nose portion 568 of the vent arm 569 is shaped to be received within the 'W shaped resilient member 566.

In Figs.29 and 30 two further embodiments of the resilient member 566 are shown.

In Figs.31 and 32 a contoured nose portion 570 is shown (similar to that of Fig.28), but received in a linearly actuable contact surface member 572 connected to end cap 574 via spring 576. Fig.32 shows the spring in a compressed state when the stay is in a closed position. The nose portion may have an elastomeric tip like a rubber tip.

In Figs.33 and 34 two similar spiral torsional springs 578 and 580 are shown respectively. The shape of vent arm nose potions 582 and 584 differ.

In Fig.35 a spiral spring 586 is shown similar to those in Figs.33 and 34 but with a return portion 588 to provide higher longitudinal resilience.

In Figs.36 and 37, a spiral metal spring 590 has a resilience determined by the size of the cut-out 594.

In Figs.38 and 39, a similar spiral metal spring 596 is shown having a cut-out 598 but also legs 590 which locate the spring 596 within end cap 600.

In Figs.40 and 41 a nose portion 602 is pivotably mounted on a vent arm 604 and mounted against resilient member 606 attached to a vent arm tab 608. The nose portion 602 is able to resiliently move upon insertion into contoured end cap 610.

hi Figs.42 and 43 a nose piece 612 is slideably mounted on a vent arm 614 against the resilience of spring 616. The nose portion 612 is then able to resiliently move upon insertion into contoured end cap 610.

Li Figs.44 and 45 a device similar to that of Figs.42 and 43 is shown wherein the spring 620 is mounted transversely and the nose portion 622 can move slideably in a transverse direction. The nose portion 622 is then able to resiliently move upon insertion into contoured end cap 624.

In Figs. 46 - 48, a resilient insert 630 is configured to be mounted in an end cap 632. Resilient insert 630 is formed from a single piece of resilient material such as steel and is U- shaped in cross-section comprising a cantilever section 634 and a fixed section 636. The fixed section 636 is a flat extension of one arm of a U-shape defined by the cantilever section

634 and comprises an indicator tab 638 projecting from one end thereof. The fixed section 636 also comprises a punched tab 640, raised at an angle relative to the fixed section 636 and facing the cantilever section 634. Alternatively, the punched part may project without being sheared from the fixed section.

End cap 632 is in the shape of a box, with a single open face 642. A back face 644 is opposite to the open face 642 and comprises a punched end cap tab 646, projecting inwardly of the end cap 632 and at an angle relative to the back face 644. Upon assembly, resilient insert 630 is 'snap-fitted' or frictionally fitted into end cap 632 in the direction indicated by arrow T in Figs. 47 and 48. Upon insertion the slot formed by the punched tab 640 interacts with the punched end cap tab 646 such that the resilient insert 630 is fixably located within the end cap 632. The correct location of the end cap 632 is confirmed by visual inspection of the indicator tab 638 as is should be clearly visible in the hole left by the punched tab 640, as indicated in Fig.48.

In Figs. 49 - 50, a stay 701 comprises an end cap 700 packed with a soft material 702 such as silicone. A blade 704 mounted on a nose portion 704 of a vent arm 706 such that upon closure of the stay 701 the blade 704 cuts into the soft material 702 to form a groove suitable for opening and closing. The stay 701 is therefore "self-setting" and creates a groove in the soft material 702 suitable for the seal thickness used. Additionally, the material may provide some resilient force upon vent arm 706 to stabilise it in the closed position.

Fig. 51 shows a stay 711 similar to stay 711 in which a soft material 712 is shaped so as to make insertion of blade 714 easier (the soft material is able to deform into a gap 716).

Fig. 52 shows an end cap 720 formed as a single piece and able to be assembled to elongate track member 722. The end cap 720 comprises a base portion 724 for partial insertion into the elongate track member 722, an upright portion 726 perpendicular to the base portion 724 and a resilient arm 728 configured to resile a nose portion of a vent arm (not shown) in a similar manner to resilient member 250 of stay 10.

Fig. 53 shows a stay 730 comprising an end cap 732 containing a leaf spring 734. The leaf spring 734 is rotationally constrained at a back wall 733 of the end cap 732. As such the leaf spring is able to resile a vent arm 736 Advantageously the vent arm mechanism may be mounted on either side of an elongate track member 738 (for example in order to provide left and right hand configurations of the stay 730) as the leaf spring 734 will operate to resile the vent arm 736 in either configuration.

Figs. 54a - 54b show a stay 740 comprising an end cap 742 with a torsional spring 744 mounted to a back wall 746 via a torsional spring fixed end 748. A torsional spring free end 750 is able to resile a vent arm 752 upon closure of the stay 740 as shown in figure 54b as the torsional spring 744 is wound.

Figs. 55a - 55b show a stay 760 which operates in a similar manner to the stay 740 except that spring 762 is attached to a side wall 766 of end cap 768 via fixed end 770. A free end 772 of spring 762 is able to resile the closure of a vent arm 764 as it is separated from the fixed end 770.

Figs. 56a - 56b show a stay 780 comprising a stiff end cap 782 attached to an elongate track member 784, and a vent arm 786 comprising a resilient nose portion 788. The resilient

nose portion 788 comprises a body 790 and a resilient region 792 (see Fig. 56b). The lost motion function of stay 780 is provided by resilient deformation of the resilient region 792. The resilient region 792 is created by forming indentations and / or through-holes in the nose portion 788 in order to lower its stiffness. Alternatively, lower stiffness materials may be used for the resilient region 792.

Fig. 57 shows a stay 800 substantially similar to the stay 780, however a resilient region 802 is provided in an end cap 804 rather than the nose portion 788 of the vent arm 786. A vent arm 806 of the stay 800 comprises a stiff nose portion 808. It should be noted that lost motion may be provided for by a combination of a resilient nose portion and resilient end cap.

Figs. 58 - 60c show a stay 820 in which the lost motion is accounted for. at a further carriage 822 upon which a first link member 824 (substantially similar to first link member 14) is pivotably mounted. Stay 820 comprises a stiff end cap 826 mounted to an elongate track member 832 and nose potion 828 that do not need to provide any resilience. In order to allow a vent arm 830 to adopt a range of positions parallel to the elongate track member 832 (similarly to that shown in Figs. 3a - 3c), the further carriage 822 is slideable in the elongate track member (in a similar manner to carriage 22 of stay 10).

It will be understood that the lower down the elongate track member 832 the further carriage 822 is, the less the engagement will be between the nose portion 828 and the end cap 826 in the closed position (see Figs. 60a - 60c), and the further away from the elongate track member 832 the vent arm 830 may be in order to be in a closed position. Therefore a range

of seal sizes can be accommodated by sliding the further carriage 822 within the elongate track member 832.

The further carriage 822 may be fixed within the elongate track member 832 once the appropriate position for the seal size has been determined by screw 834.

Fig. 61 shows a stay 840 comprising a stiff end cap 842. A vent arm 844 comprises a spring 846 configured to provide the lost motion feature of the stay 840.

Figs. 62a - 62b show a stay 850 comprising a stiff end cap 852. A vent arm 854 comprises a cam 856 eccentrically mounted about a cam pin 858. The cam 856 is torsionally resiliently biased into the position shown in Fig. 62a such that engagement with the stiff end cap upon stay closure as shown in Fig. 62b provides a lost motion resilient force on the vent arm 854.

Figs. 63a - 63c show various methods of providing lost motion features by adjusting the various components of stays 860, 870 and 880. As in stay 820, lost motion is set by determining the ideal position of the components) for the relevant seal and adjusting appropriately. As such no resilient members are necessary.

Fig. 63a shows an adjustable end cap 862 of stay 860 comprising a wedge member 864 mounted on a pair of pins 866 which are able to slide relative to the end cap 862. The wedge member 864 is biased to the left of Fig. 63a by springs 868. The wedge member 864 comprises a threaded hole (not shown) into which a bolt 869 is inserted. The bolt head is

positioned on the exterior of the end cap 862 such that rotation thereof causes the wedge member 864 to move to the right or left of Fig. 63a as desired.

Fig. 63b shows an adjustable vent arm 872 nose portion 874 of stay 870. A bolt 876 secures the nose portion 874 to the vent arm 872 via a slot 878 such that the nose portion 874 may be moved vertically with respect to the vent arm 872 (for example, to the position shown in broken lines).

Fig. 63c shows an adjustable end cap 882 of stay 880. A bolt 884 secures the end cap 882 to a via a slot 888 in the end cap 882 such that the end cap 882 may be moved vertically with respect to the elongate track member 886.

Figs. 64a - 64d show a stay 900 substantially similar to stay 820 in that it comprises a further carriage 902 to which a first arm 903 is pivotably attached (instead of directly to the elongate track member 12 as seen in stay 10). However, instead of being manually adjustable via a screw as in stay 820, the further carriage is connected to a spring 904, which abuts a spring abutment 906.

Therefore, upon closure of the vent arm 908 to a tight seal condition as shown in figure 64c, the spring 906 is hardly compressed as the seal does not offer significant resistance to closure. However, if a wider seal is used, as in Figure 64d, the resistance of the seal compression forces as a user closes the vent arm 908 results in a force acting in direction X in Fig. 64b upon the further carriage 902 and thus compressing the spring 904. This allows the vent arm 908 to move into a position parallel but not coincident with an elongate track

member 910 such that the stay 900 is in a closed position but the extra seal width is accounted for.

It will be understood that the spring 906 could alternatively directly act upon the vent arm 908.

Figs. 65a - 65d show a stay 920 substantially similar to stay 900 with the exception that the resilient bias at the end of a first arm 922 is provided for via a cam arrangement 924.

The cam arrangement 924 comprises a cam member 926 with a cam pin 928 defining a cam rotation axis 930. The cam member 926 is rotatably mounted into hole 932 of the first arm 922. The cam pin 928 is rotatably mounted to an end stop 934 of an elongate track member 936. The cam pin is biased into a neutral position by an o-spring 938.

Therefore the first arm 922 is able to be translated relative to the elongate track member 936 against the bias of o-spring 938. As shown in Figs. 65c and 65d the first arm 922 can move as the cam member 926 rotates in the hole 932 and about the cam rotation axis 930.

Figs. 66a - 66f show a stay 950 comprising an end cap 952 with a punched recess 954 forming a support arm 956 inside the end cap 952. An adjustment member 958 comprising a base portion 960 and a lever arm 962 is inserted into the end cap 952 such that the base portion 960 is held in place between the support arm 956 and the body of the end cap 952. The lever arm 962 thus forms a cantilever about the point at which the base portion 960 and lever arm 962 meet.

The end cap 952 is mounted on an elongate track member 964 in a similar manner to stay 10, for example. In the closed position when the stay 950 is uninstalled (i.e. there is no seal resisting the closure of the stay 950) as shown in Fig. 66a, a nose portion 966 of a vent arm 968 is just in contact, or very close to the lever arm 962.

The adjustment member 958 is configured to plastically deform upon movement of the lever arm 962 such that the lever arm 962 does not resile to the position shown in Fig. 66a once it has been moved. This may be achieved with appropriate selection of materials with the desired mechanical properties (for example, metals) and / or choice of the dimensions of the adjustment member 958. The adjustment member 958 may also be formed with weakening features at the point at which the base portion 960 and lever arm 962 meet such that the lever arm does not resile.

In this manner, the stay 950 adjusts itself upon first use depending on the thickness of the closure seal (not shown). Figs. 66c - 66e show increasing thicknesses of seal and it can be seen that as the seal thickness increases, the nose portion rotates the lever arm 962 by increasing extents.

Fig. 66f shows the stay 950 opening after being first closed to an intermediate seal position (as per Fig. 66d) and it can be seen that the lever arm 962 has not resiled to its initial position, rather it has stayed in the position appropriate to the seal thickness due to the plastic deformation of adjustment member 958.

All of the above embodiments provide a function to allow the hinge to be used in assemblies with varying closure geometry. For example, the seal gap on modern window

frames can vary quite substantially from 1.5mm to 6mm depending upon the method of manufacture. By using the stay according to the present invention, the differing seal gaps, and the effect on closing function that they create, can be accommodated. If the seal gap is 3mm the nose portion will contact the contact surface and slide along it until the vent arm lies in the closed position of the friction stay. If the seal gap is 6mm, that will tend to force the nose longitudinally in the direction of the track into the end cap, which, in a device with a non-moveable component, would result in damage under the increased forces undergone during closure. In the present invention, that additional motion is taken up either by movement of the contact surface, by movement of the resilient nose, by movement of the further carriage (i.e. The pivotable mount between the first link member and the elongate track member) or any combination of these. This movement may be provided resiliently, such that the stay may "self adjust" to the seal gap in use every time the stay is moved to a closed position, non-resiliently or plastically, such that upon the first closure of the stay the relevant component moves but does not resile or via manual adjustment methods which selectively allow the relevant component to be moved to account for the appropriate seal gap. hi previous friction stay systems, the stay would need to be fitted to the closure differently, requiring substantial know how on the part of the assembler or, if incorrectly fitted, the stay may break upon closure. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages.

hi the closed position (e.g. Fig. 3), the vent arm need not be parallel to the elongate track member for the device to operate. The closed position is defined as the position at which a desirable seal is made between the closure and the closure frame. It is entirely possible for the closure to be assembled such that a satisfactory seal is made between the closure and frame when the vent arm is not parallel with the track. For example, for a vertical closure with hinges at the top, a friction stay according to the present invention at

each side and a latch at the bottom, it is possible for the latch and the hinges to be slightly misaligned such that the bottom edge of the window has a lower closed seal gap that the top. This could occur due to either manufacturing tolerances or by design, and would result in the vent arm adopting a closed position between that shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Similarly, the misalignment may be reversed, such that the top edge of the window has a slightly smaller seal gap than the bottom, in which case the vent arm would be able to 'overshoot' past the position shown in Fig. 3 to be non-parallel with the track member. In either condition, the device would still function for a range of nominal seal gaps.