FIELD

This invention relates to a window stay.

BACKGROUND A window may have a window sash which moves relative to a window frame to allow the window to be opened.

Window stays (also known as window stay hinges or friction stays) are well known in the window industry. Typically, a window stay connects the window sash to the window frame, and acts as a hinge so that the window may be opened and closed. Often a window stay will include a frame plate configured to attach to the window frame, a sash plate configured to attach to the window sash, and a number of arms pivotally connected between the frame plate and the sash plate. Window stays are available in many different configurations depending on the type of window and type of opening mechanism required. In some window stays, there may be a carriage that is able to slide on the frame plate. One or more of the arms may be connected to the carriage as opposed to connected to the frame plate directly. The carriage may then slide as part of the opening mechanism of the window.

The sash may need to be moved to a cleaning or egress position. Achieving this movement requires that the opening positions of the stay be adjustable during operation.

It is an object to provide an alternative window stay, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY

According to one example embodiment there is provided a window stay comprising: a carriage configured to slide on a frame plate; and an element having at least one friction pivot joint, wherein frictional force between the carriages and the frame plate is less than total frictional force exerted by the friction pivot joints.

According to a further example embodiment there is provided a window stay having an egress mode and/or a cleaning mode, the window stay comprising: a frame plate configured to attach to a window frame; a sash plate configured to attach to a window sash; a first carriage configured to slide on the frame plate; a short arm connecting the first carriage to the sash plate; a second carriage configured to slide on the frame plate; a long arm connecting the second carriage to the sash plate; and a plurality of riveted friction pivot joints, the plurality of riveted friction pivot joints connecting the sash plate, short arm, long arm, and first and second carriages, wherein frictional force between the carriages and the frame plate is less than total frictional force exerted by the friction pivot joints.

According to a yet further example embodiment there is provided a window stay comprising: a first carriage configured to slide on a frame plate; a second carriage configured to slide on the frame plate; first and second carriage engaging members; and a selector configured to slide on the frame plate wherein in a first position the selector positions the first carriage engaging member to limit movement of the first carriage and positions the second carriage engaging member such that the second carriage engaging member does not limit movement of the second carriage and in a second position the selector positions the first carriage engagement member such that the first carriage engaging member does not limit movement of the first carriage and positions the second carriage engagement member to limit movement of the second carriage. According to a still further example embodiment there is provided a window stay having an egress mode and/or a cleaning mode, the window stay comprising: a frame plate configured to attach to a window frame; a sash plate configured to attach to a window sash; a first carriage configured to slide on the frame plate; a short arm connecting the first carriage to the sash plate; a second carriage configured to slide on the frame plate; a long arm connecting the second carriage to the sash plate; first and second carriage engaging members; and a selector configured to slide on the frame plate wherein in a first position the selector positions the first carriage engaging member to limit movement of the first carriage and positions the second carriage engaging member such that the second carriage engaging member does not limit movement of the second carriage and in a second position the selector positions the first carriage engagement member such that the first carriage engaging member does not limit movement of the first carriage and positions the second carriage engagement member to limit movement of the second carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a window stay in a fully closed position;

Figure 2A shows the window stay of Figure 1 in a fully closed position;

Figure 2B shows a partially transparent view of the window stay of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross section of the window stay of Figures 2A and 2B through the line A;

Figure 4 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 1 in a first state;

Figure 5 shows a view of window stay of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a partially transparent view of the window stay of Figure 4;

Figure 7 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 1 in a second state;

Figure 8 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 1 in a third state;

Figure 9 shows a view the window stay of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a partially transparent view of the window stay of Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 1 in a fourth state;

Figure 12A shows a view the window stay of Figure 11;

Figure 12B shows a partially transparent view of the window stay of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows an isometric view of a further embodiment of a window stay in a fully closed position;

Figure 14 shows a view of the window stay of Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows a cross section of the window stay of Figure 14 through the line A;

Figure 16 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 13 in a first state; Figure 17 shows a view of the window stay of Figure 16;

Figure 18 shows a cross section of the window stay of Figure 17 through the line A;

Figure 19 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure IB in a second state;

Figure 20 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 13 in a third state;

Figure 21 shows a view the window stay of Figure 20;

Figure 22 shows a cross section of the window stay of Figure 21 through the line A;

Figure 23 shows an isometric view the window stay of Figure 13 in a fourth state and cleaning position;

Figure 24 shows an exploded view the window stay of Figure 13; and Figure 24 shows a view the window stay of Figure 13 in a transition mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, a window stay has a frame plate for attachment to a window frame and a sash plate for attachment to a window sash. The sash plate is connected to the frame plate via a carriage movable along the frame plate. This provides a window stay in which the location of a window sash relative to the window frame can be adjusted.

Figures 1 to 12 illustrates a stay according to an embodiment.

The window stay has a frame plate 100 which is attached to a window frame, for example using fasteners 510 (such as screws or rivets) through fixing holes. A sash plate 120 is attached to a window sash. The sash plate 120 is connected to the frame plate 100 by a short arm 150 and a long arm 160. The short arm 150 is connected to the frame plate 100 by a sash carriage 370 and fixed to the sash plate 120 by fixture 581. The short arm 150 is fixed to the sash carriage 370 by a fixture 582.

The fixtures 581 and fixture 582 are pivot points, in that the short arm 150 pivots relative to the sash carriage 370 and the sash plate 120 by rotating about fixture 581 and fixture 582 respectively. The long arm 160 is connected to the frame plate 100 by long arm carriage 380 and attached to the sash plate 120 by fixture 584. The long arm 160 is attached to the long arm carriage 380 by a fixture 586. Fixtures

584 and 586 are pivot points in that the long arm 160 pivots relative to the frame plate 100 and the sash plate 120 by rotating about fixture 584 and fixture 586 respectively.

The sash plate 120 can therefore move relative to the frame plate 100. This allows the window sash to move relative to the window frame.

A support arm 130 may be connected to the frame plate 100 by sash carriage 370 and attached to the long arm 160 by fixture 585. The support arm 130 is attached to the sash carriage 370 by a fixture 583. Fixtures 583 and 585 are pivot points in that the support arm 130 pivots relative to the frame plate 100 and the long arm 160 by rotating about fixture 583 and fixture 585 respectively.

The carriages 370, 380 are made from a material such that they have low friction and slide easily on the frame plate 100. The carriages may be made of a low friction plastic or other suitable material.

Alternatively, the carriages 370, 380 may be lubricated such that the lubricated interface between the carriages 370, 380 and the frame plate 100 has low friction. The carriages 370, 380 are located on frame plate 100 and are movable between the ends 101,102 of the frame plate 100. The frame plate 100 has a channel 110 along which the carriages 370, 380 move.

The longitudinal position of the carriages 370, 380 on the frame plate 100 is limited by the selector 600 and selector engaging slots 621, 622.

The fixtures 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586 maybe pivot joints such as friction pivot joints such as friction rivet joints s. Some of the friction pivot joints may be high friction rivet joints. The number and specification of the friction pivot joints being such that the frictional force between the carriages 370, 380 and the frame plate 100 is less than the total frictional force exerted by the friction pivot joints 581,

582, 583, 584, 585, 586.

It may be that only one of the friction pivot joints 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586 is a high friction joint however it may be that a number and possibly all the friction pivot joints are high friction joints. Thus, the friction needed by the stay is generated via the friction pivot joints 581,

582, 583, 584, 585, 586 rather than the carriages 370, 380 of previous designs.

Use

Figures 4 to 12 show the window stay in various states corresponding to use.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the window stay in a first state in which the selector 600 is in the egress position. The selector 600 is limited from moving by slot 621. Slot

621 also provides in use an indication to a user of the position the selector 600 is in. The sash plate 120 is located such that the window sash may open in a normal open position but may move to the second state. In the first state the position and movement of the sash carriage 370 is limited by selector 600. Long arm carriage 180 is free of selector 600 and may move longitudinally along the frame plate 100 away from the long arm end 102 of the frame plate 100.

Longitudinal movement of the long arm carriage 380 is however limited by the attachment of the long arm carriage 380 by fixture 586 to the long arm 160 which is in turn connected to the sash plate 120 and support arm 130 by fixtures 584 and 585 respectively.

Figure 7 shows the window stay in a second state, suitable for a person to egress via the window frame in which the selector 600 is again in the egress position. The sash plate 120 is open such that the window sash is located substantially at 90 degrees to the window frame. The sash plate 120 is substantially at 90 degrees to the frame plate 100. The sash plate 120 is at one end of the frame plate 100 thus opening the window sash from the window frame sufficiently to allow a person to egress.

As in the first state, in the second state the position of the sash carriage 370 is limited by selector 600. The long arm carriage 380 is not prevented by selector 600 from moving away from the long arm end 102 of the frame plate 100. The window sash carriage 370 has moved towards the sash plate end 101 of the frame plate 100. This has occurred as selector 600 allows some movement of the sash carriage 370 longitudinally towards the sash plate end 101 of the frame plate 100.

Figure 8 shows the window stay in a third state in which the selector 600 is in the cleaning position. The selector 600 is limited from moving by slot 622. Slot 622 also provides in use an indication to a user of the position the selector 600 is in.

The sash plate 120 is open such that the window sash may open in a normal open position but the sash plate 120 and window sash may move to a fourth state. In the third state the position of the sash carriage 370 is not constrained to the window sash end of the frame plate by the selector 600. In the third state the position of the long arm carriage 380 is limited by selector 600. Selector 600 allows limited movement of the long arm carriage 380 longitudinally relative to the sash plate end 101 of the frame plate 100.

Figures 11, 12A and 12B show the window stay in a fourth state, suitable for a person to clean the window sash. The selector 600 as in the third state is in cleaning mode. The sash plate 120 is open such that the window sash is located substantially at 90 degrees to the window frame. The sash plate 120 in the fourth state is longitudinally located near the middle of the frame plate 100 and therefore allows a person access to both side of the window sash for cleaning. The sash plate 120 is substantially at 90 degrees to the frame plate 100.

As in the third state, in the fourth state the position of the long arm carriage 380 is limited by selector 600 from moving towards the sash plate end 101 of the frame plate 100.

As the sash carriage 370 is free of engaging member 602, the window sash carriage 370 has moved towards the long arm end 102 of the frame plate 100. The long end carriage 380 has moved only a limited distance as the long arm carriage 380 is constrained by the selector 600.

The transition between egress and cleaning modes can occur when the window sash and therefore the sash plate 120 is partially closed. In the transition position the selector 600 can be moved from or to either the sash plate end 101 of the frame plate 100 or from or two the long arm end 102 of the frame plate 100.

Assuming the selector starts in egress mode with the selector 600 located in slot 621 the selector is moved along the frame plate 100 and locates in slot 622. In doing so the selector 600 moves from restraining the sash carriage 370 to restraining the long arm carriage 380.

Figures IB to 25 illustrates a stay according to a further embodiment. The window stay has a frame plate 1300 which is attached to a window frame, for example using fasteners 1510 (such as screws or rivets) through fixing holes 1520. Countersinks may be provided about fixing holes 1520. A sash plate 1320 is attached to a window sash. The sash plate 1320 is connected to the frame plate 1300 by a short arm 1350 and a long arm 1360. The short arm 1350 is connected to the frame plate 1300 by a sash carriage 1370 and fixed to the sash plate 1320 by fixture 1581. The short arm 1350 is fixed to the sash carriage 1370 by a fixture 1582.

The fixtures 1581 and fixture 1582 are pivot points in that the short arm 1350 pivots relative to the carriage 1370 and the sash plate 1320 by rotating about fixture 1581 and fixture 1582 respectively. The long arm 1360 is connected to the frame plate 1300 by long arm carriage 1380 and attached to the sash plate 1320 by fixture 1584. The log arm 1360 is attached to the long arm carriage 1380 by a fixture 1586. Fixtures 1584 and 1586 are pivot points in that the long arm 1360 pivots relative to the frame plate 1300 and the sash plate 1320 by rotating about fixture 1584 and fixture 1586 respectively.

The sash plate 1320 can therefore move relative to the frame plate 1300. This allows the window sash to move relative to the window frame.

A support arm 1330 may be connected to the frame plate 1300 by sash carriage 1370 and attached to the long arm 1360 by fixture 1585. The support arm 1330 is attached to the sash carriage 1370 by a fixture 1583. Fixtures 1583 and 1585 are pivot points in that the support arm 1330 pivots relative to the frame plate 1300 and the long arm 1360 by rotating about fixture 1583 and fixture 1585 respectively. The carriages 1670, 1680 are made from a material such that they have low friction and slide easily on the frame plate 1300. The carriages may be made of a low friction plastic or other suitable material. Alternatively the carriages 1670, 1680 may be lubricated such that the lubricated interface between the carriages 1670, 1680 and the frame plate 1300 has low friction.

The carriages 1370, 1380 are located on frame plate 1300 and are movable between ends 1301,1302 of the frame plate 1300. The frame plate 1300 is 'h' shaped and has two elongated parallel channels 1311, 1312 in which the 'c' shaped carriages 1370, 1380 slide. A further parallel selector channel 1310 in the frame plate 1300 contains an elongated selector 1620.

The longitudinal position of the carriages 1370, 1380 on the frame plate 1300 is limited by the selector 1620 and carriage engaging members 1601, 1602 respectively. The carriage engaging members 1601, 1602 may be a sphere. The sphere may for example be a ball bearing. The carriage engaging members 1601, 1602 may also be a double ended bullet shaped or a double ended spring plunger.

The carriage engaging members 1601, 1602 are each located in a slot or hole 1611, 1612 in the selector 1620 and move when the selector 1620 is moved in the selector channel 1310.

An adjustment plate 1306 is also located in the selector channel 1310. The position of the adjustment plate 1306 is limited by an adjustment member 1305. By rotating the adjustment member 1305 the adjustment plate 1306 is able to move longitudinally in the selector channel 1310 of the frame plate 1300.

Alternative adjustment devices may be used such as a screw that is loosened and tighten to allow the adjustment plate 1306 to move.

The adjustment plate 1320 is movable to move the selector 1620 which in turn is operating to limit the position the carriages 1370, 1380. The position of the carriages 1370, 1380 limits the position of the sash plate 1320. Thus, the position of the window frame relative to the frame plate 1300 may be adjusted by moving the adjustment plate 1320.

For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that adjusting the position of the window frame relative to the window sash in this context does not mean adjusting the position by opening the window (that is, by moving the window stay between a closed and open position).

The fixtures 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586 may pivotal joint such as friction pivot joints such as friction rivet joints. Some of the friction rivet joints may be high friction rivet joints. The number and specification of the friction rivet joints being such that the frictional force between the carriages 1670, 1680 and the frame plate 1300 is less than the total frictional force exerted by the friction pivot joints 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586.

It may be that only one of the friction rivet joints is a high friction rivet joint however it may be that a number and possibly all the friction rivet joints are high friction joints.

Thus, the friction need by the stay is generated via the friction pivot joints 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586 rather than the carriages 1670, 1680 of previous designs.

Use

Figures 16 to 23 show the window stay in various states corresponding to use.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show the window stay in a first state in which the selector 1620 is in the egress position. The sash plate 1320 is open such that the window sash may open in a normal open position but may move to the second state. In the first state the position of the sash carriage 1370 is limited by carriage engaging member 1602. Carriage engaging member 1602 protrudes through hole 1612 into an indent 1375 in the sash carriage 1370. The indent 1375 is elongated to allow limited movement of the sash carriage 1370 longitudinally relative to the carriage engaging member 1602 and also to allow the selector 1620 to move between cleaning and egress modes.

Long arm carriage 1380 is free of carriage engaging member 1601 and may move longitudinally along the frame plate 1300 unconstrained by carriage engaging member 1601. In this state, carriage engaging member 1601 protrudes into hole 1621 and therefore does not protrude into an indent 1385 in the long arm carriage 1380.

Longitudinal movement of the long arm carriage 1380 is however limited by the attachment of the carriage 1380 by fixture 1586 to the long arm 1360 which is in turn connected to the sash plate 1320 and support arm 1330 by fixtures 1584 and 1585 respectively.

Figure 19 shows the window stay in a second state, suitable for a person to egress via the window frame in which the selector 1620 is again in the egress position. The sash plate 1320 is open such that the window sash is located substantially at 90 degrees to the window frame and therefore the window sash is at one end of the frame plate 1300 thus opening the window sash from the window frame sufficiently to allow a person to egress. The sash plate 1320 is substantially at 90 degrees to the frame plate 1300.

As in the first state, in the second state the position of the sash carriage 1370 is limited by carriage engaging member 1602. The long arm carriage is not limited by carriage engaging member 1601. The window sash carriage 1370 has moved towards the sash end 1301 of the frame plate 1300. This has occurred as indent 1375 is elongated and allows some movement of the sash carriage 1370 longitudinally relative to the carriage engaging member 1602. As the long arm carriage 1B80 is free of carriage engaging member 1601, the long arm carriage 1380 is free to move longitudinally along the frame plate 1300 towards the sash end 1301 of the frame plate 1300 unconstrained by carriage engaging member 1601. Figure 20 shows the window stay in a third state in which the selector 1620 is in the cleaning position.

The sash plate 1320 is open such that the window sash may open in a normal open position but the sash plate 1320 and window stay may move to a fourth state. In the third state the position of the sash carriage 1370 is not limited by carriage engaging member 1602. Carriage engaging member 1602 protrudes through hole

1622 and therefore does not protrude into indent 1375 in the sash carriage 1370.

In the third state the position of the long arm carriage 1380 is limited by carriage engaging member 1601. Carriage engaging member 1601 protrudes through hole 1611 into an indent 1385 in the long arm carriage 1380. The indent 1385 is elongated to allow limited movement of the long arm carriage 1380 longitudinally relative to the carriage engaging member 1601 and also to allow the selector 1620 to move between cleaning and egress modes.

Figures 20, 21 and 22 show the window stay in a fourth state, suitable for a person to clean the window sash. The selector 1620 as in the third state is in cleaning mode. The sash plate 1320 is open such that the window sash is located substantially at 90 degrees to the window frame. The sash plate 1320 in the fourth state is longitudinally connected near the middle of the frame plate 1300 and therefore allows a person access to both side of the window sash for cleaning. The sash plate 1320 is substantially at 90 degrees to the frame plate 1300. As in the third state, in the fourth state the position of the long arm carriage 1B80 is limited by carriage engaging member 1601 and the position of the sash carriage 1370 is not limited by carriage engaging member 1602.

As the sash carriage 1370 is free of carriage engaging member 1602, the window sash carriage 1370 has moved towards the long arm end 1302 of the frame plate 1300. The log long carriage 1380 has not moved as the long arm carriage 1380 is constrained by the carriage engaging member 1601.

The transition between egress and cleaning modes can occur when the window sash and therefore the sash plate 1320 is partially closed. This position can be seen in Figure 25.

In the transition position the long arm carriage 1380 whether or not it is limited by carriage engaging member 1601 will locate on the frame plate 1300 such that the indent 1385 is located over hole 1611, likewise the sash carriage 1370 whether or not it is limited by carriage engaging member 1602 will locate on the frame plate 1300 such that the indent 1375 is located over hole 1612. In the transition position the selector 1620 can be move from or to either the sash end 1301 of the frame plate 1300 or from or two the long arm end 1302 of the frame plate 1300.

Assuming the selector starts in egress mode with the carriage engaging member 1602 protruding from hole 1612 into intent 1375 as the selector 1620 moves toward the long arm end 1302 of the frame plate 1300 carriage engaging member 1602 moves towards the long arm end 1302. The carriage engaging member 1602 moves from hole 1612 into hole 1622 in the frame plate 1300. At the same time, carriage engaging member 1601 moves from hole 1621 and protrudes from hole 1611 into indent 1385 in long arm carriage 1380.

Thus, from egress mode in which movement of the sash carriage 1670 is constrained and movement of the long arm carriage 1680 is unconstrained, the selector 1620 has moved to a position in which movement of the long arm carriage 1680 is constrained and movement of the sash carriage 1670 is unconstrained by the carriage engaging members 1601, 1602.

Interpretation While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, this should not be taken to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", "comprises", and "comprising" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - that is, they will be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components which the use directly references, and possibly also of other non-specified components or elements.