GB2212554A

GB2212554A - Fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2212554A
Application number: GB8827142A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Ernest Douglas; Nigel Philip Shenton
Original assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Current assignee: HASP INT Ltd
Priority date: 1987-11-20
Filing date: 1988-11-21
Publication date: 1989-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2008-11-21
Also published as: GB2212554B; GB8827142D0

Abstract

The fastener for a window casement or door leaf comprises an operating member 1, e.g. a lever handle, mounted for pivotal movement on an elongate base member 2 by means of a spigot 6 on member 1 which is received within a bore 9 of circular cross-section and retained by retaining means provided by peripheral surface portions of the spigot 6 and surface portions of member 2 which co-operate and interact (directly or indirectly) wholly within a space lying betwen a pair of notional boundary planes B1, B2 which each extend parallel to both a medial longitudinal plane M of base member 2 and parallel to the longitudinal axis a of bore 9 and which also extend tangentially to bore 9 at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, the planes B1, B2 being spaced apart by a distance no greater than the maximum diameter of the bore 9. In the embodiment of Figure 2, bore 9 is tapered and a top-hat bush 8 provides a bearing between spigot 6 and bore 9 as well as a spacer between handle 1 and base plate 2. Assembly is secured by causing spigot 6 and bush 8 to expand to taper in bore 9. Leaf spring 10 is provided to retain a square spindle 11 received in recess 7 in spigot 6 and by means of which a bolting mechanism such as an espagnolette bolt is operated. In the embodiment of Figures 4,5 spigot (16) is screw-threaded to base plate (2), and other assembly means are illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8, 9. A spindle need not be provided where the handle has a lug or tongue to engage a keeper. <IMAGE>

Description

CASEMENT FASTENER This invention relates to casement fasteners in which an operating member, such as for example a lever handle, is pivotally mounted for angular movement on a separate base member. The base member of such casement fasteners is generally a plate-like member that is fixed in use to a frame part or profile of the casement window or door in connection with which the fastener is used, and the invention is particularly concerned with casement fasteners of this kind wherein the base member or base plate has an elongate form with a relatively narrow width and wherein the operating member is pivotally mounted by means of a spigot portion that is received in a bore of circular cross-section in the base member or base plate, this spigot portion being retained in place by associated retaining means serving to secure the parts together.

In casement fasteners of this kind the spigot on the operating member or handle is commonly required to connect to an operating spindle of non-circular or nonround cross-section, as for example a square crosssection, and this spindle may need to have different lengths to suit different types of fastening means. For this purpose the spigot is generally provided with an axially extending recess of complementary non-circular cross-section adapted to receive the end of such operating spindle. However, many known arrangements for assembling operating members such as lever handles, especially where it is necessary to accommodate and retain an operating spindle of square or other noncircular cross-section, have required the use of wide base plates and/or complicated and costly retaining means.

More particularly, many casement fasteners commonly available incorporate operating handles provided with recesses to receive square or non-round spindles in projecting bosses constituting spigots which enter a hole or bore in a base plate to permit subsequent rotation, but it is necessary to spin, peen or swage the rims of such bosses or spigots outwardly to displace enough material in the manner of a rivet to retain and secure the handle to the base. Given the established, long practice requirement for such spindles to be about 7 to 8 mm square or about 10-12 mm diagonally, it follows that the base plate must be wide enough to accommodate a spindle of that size and allow also for space taken up by this peening or swaging operation.However the dimensions of profiles of modern windows, particularly those made from extruded plastics, demand base plates of 16 mm maximum width in most instances.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide casement fasteners which include improved assembly means enabling the operating members or handles more readily to be secured to base members of narrow width whilst still permitting conventional sizes of noncircular or square cross-section operating spindles to be operatively connected to the operating member or handle component.

According to the present invention a casement fastener of the kind in which an operating member, such as for example a lever handle, is pivotally mounted for angular movement on a separate base member by means of a spigot on the operating member that is received within a bore of circular cross-section in said base member and retained in place by associated retaining means effective to secure the operating member to said base member is characterised in that said base member has a slim elongate form and said retaining means is provided by peripheral surface portions of said spigot and by surface portions of said base member that are arranged operatively to cooperate and interact with each other wholly within a volumetric space lying between a pair of notional boundary planes which each extend parallel to both a medial longitudinal plane of said base member and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bore in said base member and which also extend tangentially to said bore at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, said notional boundary planes being spaced apart in opposed parallel relationship by a distance which is no greater than the maximum diameter of said bore. At least in preferred embodiments the actual assembly means employed is such that only a minimum displacement or no displacement of material is needed to secure the operating member whilst still providing a recess of sufficient size to receive a conventional square or nonround spindle.

By the instant invention, the operating member or handle can be retained within the base plate to withstand the operating forces to be met for example when used with a spindle to operate an espagnolette bolt, or when used with a wedge or striking plate as a face-fixed fastener, and the width of the base plate need be no greater than the 16 mm requirement mentioned.

Several embodiments of casement fastener according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a general perspective view of a casement fastener comprising a fastener operating handle assembly mounted on a window casement or door leaf; FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the assembly of a fastener according to the present invention showing the components of the assembly; FIGURE 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the embodiment of FIGURE 2 showing the handle component assembled to the base plate component and a fastener operating spindle inserted in place;; FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of fastener assembly according to the present invention in which there is an alternative configuration of the boss or spigot in the handle component and showing its mating configuration in the base plate; FIGURE 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the assembly of the components shown in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a third embodiment of fastener assembly, according to the present invention, having a further configuration of the handle boss or spigot and showing also a spindle with splines formed at its corners at a predetermined distance from one end; FIGURE 7 is a side view, partly in section, of the assembly of the components shown in FIGURE 6;; FIGURE 8 is .an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of fastener assembly according to the present invention having another configuration of the handle component and having a base plate which includes two half bearing elements and two retention leaf-springs; FIGURE 9 is a side view, partly in section, of the assembly of the components shown in FIGURE 8; and FIGURE 10 is an explanatory diagram.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a casement fastener comprising a first part being a lever handle 1 mounted on a second part being a base plate 2 of rectangular boxlike form for pivotal movement about a pivot through which the two parts are secured together. The base plate 2 is provided with countersunk holes 3 by which it is mounted on the stile of a sash frame for example by screws 4. The casement fastener, in known manner, is arranged to receive a non-round, e.g. square crosssection, spindle by means of which a bolting mechanism (not shown) is operated. On the handle 1 is an integral boss or spigot 6 in which is formed a non-round (shown as square) recess which penetrates, for preference, the handle itself as shown in FIGURE 3. There is a bush 8, preferably of plastics material and of top-hat configuration, which is passed over the spigot 6 before being assembled to the base plate 2 via a round hole or bore 9 in the base plate 2 so as to provide a bearing between spigot 6 and bore 9 as well as a spacer between the handle 1 and the base plate 2. The interior surface of the round hole or bore 9 in base plate 2 has a tapered configuration whose wider diameter opens to the underside of base plate 2. When the handle 1 has been assembled to base plate 2 as described a conically shaped tool is entered into the recess 7 to cause the spigot 6 and the bush 8 to expand to conform to the taper in the bore 9 to secure the assembly of handle 1 to the base plate 2 as shown in FIGURE 3.By this means a minimal displacement of material of the spigot or boss 6 is required and the arrangement is very suitable for base plates of slim elongate form having a maximum width not greater than about 16mm.

During assembly, a shaped leaf spring 10 is then placed in a recess at the back of the base plate 2 partly surrounding bosses formed around the fixing screw holes 3 but allowing sufficient movement for it to flex The non-round spindle, of the required length, can then be inserted into recess 7 by forcing apart the legs of the leaf spring 10 by which it is gripped.

In this position the leaf spring 10 offers two advantages. It retains the spindle 11 against dislodgement by slamming, and it provides a positive position in both the open and closed alignments of the lever handle 1 turning through 90 degrees, since it grips the flat sides of spindle 11 in both positions whether in left or right hand operation.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of the method or means of assembly in accordance with the invention. In this case a male thread is cast or moulded on boss or spigot 16 which is integral with the handle 1 and a female thread is formed in the hole or bore 19 in base plate 2. The top-hat bush 8 of the first embodiment is replaced by a flat plastic washer 18. Assembly is achieved by screwing the handle 1 to the base plate 2.

Again the use of a shaped leaf spring 10 retains the advantages already described. The screwing method produces, in addition, a mechanical advantage in that, on closing, the sash is forced against any weatherseal between it and the frame by the screwing action of the assembly.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show yet a further embodiment of the method or means of assembly in which the boss or spigot 26 on the handle 1 is formed with slots 13 at the corners for a limited depth of recess 7. This is intended to be used with a non-round operating spindle 11 formed with protrusions 12 at its corners that are of a length and at a distance from one end as to conform with the slots 13 in spigot 26 but having a thickness greater than the slots 13. The hole or bore 9 is tapered as described in FIGURE 3 and when the spindle 11 is inserted under pressure into the handle and base plate assembly, the protrusions 12 cause the bush 8 and the portions of the boss 26 between the slots 13 to deform and expand to fill the tapered hole 19, thereby to secure the handle 1 to the base plate 2.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show yet a further embodiment of the method of assembly in which the boss or spigot 36 of the handle 1 has an annular groove 14 formed in its peripheral surface. The base plate 2 in this case comprises a hollow box-like body defining a recess, bounded by faces 20, that receives bearing block components 16,16.

The spigot 36 of handle 1 is passed through a wavy washer 38 before entering the hole or bore 39 in the base plate body 2. Thereafter the two half bearing block 16,16, formed, preferably of plastic material and having tapered ends 17, are inserted. The tapered ends 17 of the half bearings 16 induce the half bearings to close on to boss or spigot 36, arcuate recesses in the inner ends thereof providing a continuation of the bore 39. Two flat springs 15 are then inserted so that concave recesses in their inner ends coincide with and engage the groove 14 in the spigot 26. On being pressed flat the springs 15 impinge in the recesses 19 in the base plate 2 and, the inner ends becoming trapped within groove 14 of the boss 26, these spring elements 15 also bear against surface portions of the recesses 19 and retain the handle 1 to the base plate 2.When the fastener is attached to the sash, fixing screws, passing through the holes 21 in the leaf springs 15, further secure the assembly.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the casement fastener operating handle above described, and although the spigot of the handle has been described as being designed to accept the end of a non-circular cross-section or non-round operating spindle, such spindle need not be provided in all cases, as for example where the fastener handle is provided with a lug or tongue to engage against a wedge plate or keeper.

The assembly may also be formed with a gap between the handle and the base plate to receive a wedge and a recess may be provided in the side faces of the handle to engage that wedge in a partly open position, for example a night ventilation position of the fastener.

It will, however, be noted that in all the embodiments described, in order to retain and secure the handle in place on the base plate, peripheral surface portions of the boss or spigot on the handle and surface portions of the base operatively cooperate and interact with each other, either directly or indirectly, wholly within a volumetric space lying between a pair of notional boundary planes which each extend parallel to both a medial longitudinal plane of the base member and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore in said base member and which also extend tangentially to that bore at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, these notional boundary planes being spaced apart in opposed parallel relationship by a distance which is no greater than the maximum diameter of the bore. This is illustrated in the diagram of Figure 10 which represents, in outline, a rear view of the rectangular base plate 2 having a central bore 9, 19 or 39, for receiving the spigot of the handle component and having screw fixing holes 3 as previously described. In this diagram, broken lines B1 and B2 represent the two notional boundary planes referred to, M is the medial longitudinal plane of the base plate 2, a is the longitudinal axis of the bore 9, 19 or 39, and d indicates the maximum diameter of this bore In at least the first, second and third embodiments herein described, the above-mentioned volumetric space is further reduced to a cylindrical form which extends coaxially with the bore 9 or 19 and which has a diameter equal to the maximum diameter d of this bore

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A casement fastener of the kind in which an operating member, such as for example a lever handle, is pivotally mounted for angular movement on a separate base member by means of a spigot on the operating member that is received within a bore of circular cross-section in said base member and retained in place by associated retaining means effective to secure the operating member to said base member, characterised in that said base member has a slim elongate form and said retaining means is provided by peripheral surface portions of said spigot and by surface portions of said base member that are arranged operatively to cooperate and interact with each other wholly within a volumetric space lying between a pair of notional boundary planes which each extend parallel to both a medial longitudinal plane of said base member and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bore in said base member and which also extend tangentially to said bore at opposite ends of a diameter thereof, said notional boundary planes being spaced apart in opposed parallel relationship by a distance which is no greater than the maximum diameter of said bore.
2. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the volumetric space within which said peripheral surface portions of the spigot and said surface portions of the base member operatively cooperate and interact with each other can be regarded as being of a cylindrical form which extends co-axially with the bore in the base member and which has a diameter equal to the maximum diameter of said bore.
3. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the surface portions of the base member which operatively cooperate and interact with said peripheral surface portions of the spigot on the operating member are portions of the interior surface of said bore in the base member.
4. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the spigot on the operating member is provided with an axially extending recess of non-circular crosssection for receiving an end of a fastener operating spindle having a complementary non-circular crosssection.
5. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the base member is fitted with a leaf spring element adapted to bear against flat faces on a said operating spindle fitted to the spigot of the operating member thereby to provide a positive retaining pressure effective to restrain angular movement of the spindle when set in respective open and closed positions of the fastener.
6. A casement fastener as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the interior surface of said bore in the base member has a tapered configuration and the peripheral surface of the spigot on the operating member is provided with a complementary tapering configuration formed during initial assembly by expanding the material of said spigot after first inserting the spigot into said bore in an unexpanded condition.
7. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the spigot on the operating member is formed with a plurality of open-ended longitudinal slots adapted to facilitate the expansion and splaying out of the outer end of the spigot after being inserted into the tapering bore of the base member during assembly.
8. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the operating member is fitted to an operating spindle provided with lateral projections or protrusions adapted to engage said slots in the spigot during assembly thereby, under applied pressure, to expand the spigot into engagement with the tapering interior surface of the bore in the base member.
9. A casement fastener as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a separate bush element is fitted in the bore in the base member to provide a bearing for the spigot on said operating member.
10. A casement fastener as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the interior surface of said bore in the base member is formed with a screw thread and the peripheral surface of the spigot on the operating member is provided with a complementary screw thread which engages directly with the thread in the bore.
11. A casement fastener as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 10, wherein the base member is a one-piece part of substantially rectangular form.
12. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said peripheral surface portions of the spigot on the operating member operatively co-operate and interact indirectly with said surface portions of said base member through separate intermediate retaining means.
13. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said peripheral surface portions of the spigot are provided by an annular groove adjacent the free outer end thereof and said separate intermediate retaining means comprises a pair of resilient strips adapted to seat within the base member against surface portions at the rear thereof either side of the spigot and to engage at their inner ends within the annular groove in the spigot.
14. A casement fastener as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the base member has a composite construction and comprises a hollow rectangular box-like part and a pair of separate insert members fitted therein, the bore that receives the spigot of the operating member extending through both the rectangular box-like part and through said insert members.
15. A casement fastener as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the spigot on the operating member is provided with an axially extending recess of non-circular cross-section for receiving an end of a fastener operating spindle having a complementary non-circular cross-section.
16. A casement fastener as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the operating member is fitted with a spindle of non-circular cross-section having a maximum cross-sectional dimension of at least about lOmm and wherein the elongate base member has a maximum width which is not greater than about 16mm.
17. A casement fastener substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, Figs. 1, 6 and 7, or Figs. 1, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.