GB2221495A

GB2221495A - A stay

Info

Publication number: GB2221495A
Application number: GB8913432A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Morgan Raine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-03
Filing date: 1989-06-12
Publication date: 1990-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-12
Also published as: GB2256897A; GB2256897B; GB9212832D0; GB2221495B; GB8913432D0

Abstract

In a casement stay, swivel affixed at 1, 2, 11 to the moveable frame and comprising an inverted channel arm 3, 4 of internal tee section coupled slidably, pivotally, and releasably to a rotatable post pin assembly 5, 13, 10 on the fixed frame the stay arm 3, 4 and its end remote from the pivot comprises releaseable fastening means suitably in the form of a two pronged pivotally mounted clasp 6, which co-operates with respective bracket keepers 8 and 9 on both the movable and fixed frames. Clasp 6 is securable by a key-operated lock pin 7 or a press button device to the adjacent stay arm portion 20. The stay arm 3, 4 is restrained in a plurality of positions by opening 25 selectively engaging pivot pin 10 which has a rotatable locking cam formation. The pin 10, 13 is inclined to the vertical and also is adjustable in height. A dumbell form of pivot pin 11, with respective threaded portions at each end and a reduced thickness shank there-between, provides a stay securing co-operation between swivel coupling 2 and bracket 1. <IMAGE>

Description

A STAY This invention relates to a stay, for application to casement windows of a kind normally hingedly mounted about a vertical or horizontal axis on a fixed window frame, to develop a casement window opening and closing movement relative to the fixed window frame.

Existing casement window stay arms are normally surface mounted to one end, on the casement window frame, by means of a stay bracket, incorporating a pivoted and hinged flexible coupling arrangement, to accommodate any stay swivelling movement induced by the action of casement window opening and closing.

Window frame surface mounted stay arms traditionally comprise a rigid form, with a handle shaped free end, incorporating holes spaced along the stay length, for engaging pin brackets affixed to the fixed window frame in casement window open and closed positions.

In side hung casement window circumstances, existing casement window furniture normally comprises a multiple fitment combination of a bottom casement edge surface mounted stay, with separate, surface mounted, lever handle/s to the opening edge, to provide a minimum of two separate closure securing points, and the leverage necessary for the tight closure purposes of window security, weather sealing and draught elimination.

Top hung casement windows are traditionally stay form secured to the casement window opening edge; the size of the casement window determining the. fitting requirement alternatives of one or two stay units, appropriately oriented left and right hand, to lever and secure the window tightly closed, with security normally being provided for by "add on" lock fitments.

The robust simplicity and convenience of these traditional surface mounted stay and lever handle forms of window furniture has been complicated and impaired, for both new construction and existing window installations, to the point of being a positive deterrent to normal window opening use, by the addition of separate unrelated window security locking fitments as "add on" separate fixtures, which, separately bracket affixed to the casement and fixed window frames, key lock together their separate component parts in window closed circumstances.

Some existing rigid stay designs have developed the traditional rigid window stay form arrangement to incorporate integral window closed and night vent locking, based, in some instances on a captive pivoted stay arrangement, otherwise by incorporating a stay end window closed locking catch means of engaging a separate casement window catch, and, dispensing with the traditional second fixed window frame stay pin means of window closed securing.

Currently, an alternative to the traditional rigid stay window open means of restraint, is the casement open lattice friction stay form affixed to, and concealed within, the casement window under side edge and a matching fixed window frame rebate, which combines with separate surface mounted traditional lever handle window closed securing means, located to the casement opening edge, to develop integral locking, normally incorporating a night venting facility.

Notably, existing and traditional casement window fitment means of casement window securing do not include an integral locking security facility for wider casement window opening, and, otherwise, have been developed around multiple location and fitment combinations of separate stays and lever handle/s, commonly with the provision of separate "add on" locking security fitments, to achieve and develop the required function, use and security facilities. Existing rigid stay forms, with or without integral stay end locking means are subject to window closed register malfunction hazards occasioned by timber window frame distortions developing in service.

According to the present invention there is provided All casement window furniture function, use and security facilities, irrespective of howsoever casement windows are sized, hung or handed, within a single lockable casement stay fixture unit embodiment, applied to the opening casement window edge, like doors, which is not subject to malfunction hazards occasioned by timber window frame distortions.

This lockable casement stay embodiment, retains the function and use convenience of the traditional rigid stay form, within a captive, horizontally pivoted, internally tee slotted rigid stay arrangement, incorporating otherwise; - Provision to the stay end, by pivoting attachment means, a two pronged clasp and lever handle arrangement for engaging brackets, or keepers, affixed separately to the fixed and casement window frame, when these are brought into window closed face contact. With the horizontally pivoted stay positioned parallel to the casement window frame, in these window closed circumstances, stay end lifting disengagement is prevented, by the provision of protuding lugs to the stay side for engaging an appropriately positioned port facility.

within the casement window bracket base plate.

- A stay secured night venting and wider window open locking facility, developed by the provision to the head of the fixed window frame pivot, of a freely rotateable stay pin, stay retention, ad cam lock arrangement, which, with key turning locking access through the stay pin holes, and normal window open pin engagement of the stay, provides a stay positioning and facility for the cam lock element to engage the stay internal wider cross tee slot section, and so prevent the stay's uplift release from its window open position engagement.

- Provision for wide window apperture opening by means of a stay underside porting configuration for the captive stay separation from, and orienting re-engagement with, the rotateable head to the fixed window frame pivot assembly.

- Provision of an antivibration screw threaded adaptor within the fixed window frame pivot and rotateable pin assembly, to develop a spanner key means of adjusting 'in situ', with the stay disengaged, of the rotateable pin head height for stay aligning adjustment, when required,- for reasons of accommodating dimensional changes in timber casement windows, misfitting or other abberations.

- Provision-of a lock anchorage extension form to the integral stay end clasp spigot, for engagement, by various alternative locking means, contained within the pivoted clasp lever handle, to develop lock securing against the lifting disengagement release of the two pronged, pivoted clasp form from the window brackets, or keepers, in window closed face contact.

- Provision, within a captive stay and otherwise normal rigid stay coupling pivot arrangement, of a "dumbell" form of stay end -horizontal pivot pin, which is screw is screwthreaded to develop a universally handed and captive "screw in" locking pin facility for window closed engagement of the stay with a - corresponding screw threaded hole in the stay bracket vertical face, to prevent the captive stay swivelling and the casement window being opened.

"Dumbell" locking pin handing and retention develops from screwing into a centre line inserted pin stop.

KEY'MAPLE 1 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1. Depicts in isometric view the locking casement window stay embodiment, in the casement window closed position, with certain portions of the stay configuration being broken away for clarity.

FIGURE 2. Depicts a detailed isometric view of the individual constituent component parts comprising the locking casement window stay assembly of the first embodiment.

FIGURE 3. Depicts an isometric underside view identifying FIG 2. component detail not otherwise discernable.

FIGURE 4. Depicts an isometric view of constituent components, also finished assembly, of the two pronged clasp lever handle side screw locking option, applicable as a second, and alternative means of window closed key locking securing of the stay.

FIGURE 5. Depicts an isometric view of constituent components, also finished assembly of the two pronged clasp lever handle, press button lock, key unlock, option, applicable as a third and alternative means of window closed locking securing of the stay.

FIGURE 6. Details in side and end view, also section, window closed securing and release means, developed with the two pronged pivoted clasp, when engaging window brackets ,or keepers, in window closed face contact; also the window closed stay end lug engagement of the port facility within the casement window bracket base plate.

FIGURE 7. Shows in plan and side view a "standard length" locking casement window stay, also a plan view illustrating a shorter stay length alternative for application to side hung casement windows and circum stances essentially requiring window open containment of the stay length within the window frame configuration.

FIGURE 8. Shows in section and view the rotateable stay pin, stay retention and cam lock arrangement, as applied to the internally tee slotted stay in casement open stay locked, and casement closed unlock circumstances.

FIGURE 9. Depicts an isometric view of the lockable stay securing open of a right hand side hung casement window.

FIGURE 10. Depicts isometric view of lockable stay securing open of a top hung casement window, with stay right hand oriented.

FIGURE 11. Illustrates stay end underside porting release circumstances from the rotatable pivot pin head affixed to the fixed window frame.

FIGURE 12. Illustrates stay end underside porting re-engagement circumstances with the rotateable pivot pin head affixed to the fixed window frame.

FIGURE 13. Illustrates both the short and standard length lockable stay application to a normal casement window configuration comprising two side hung casements left and right hung, with a central top hung casement.

FIGURE 14. Illustrates window open stay key locking securing in one of the alternative window open stay secured positions.

FIGURE 15. Illustrates the 'spanner key' means of 'in situ' adjusting, with the stay disengaged, of the rotatable pin head height.

FIGURE 16. Illustrates the 'twin' lockable high security short stay length option for large casement windows.

FIGURE 17. Shows in section and view the stay underside porting configuration and function.

FIGURE 18. Shows in component and assembly, section and view, the "dumbell" coupling lock and pivot pin arrangement which can be applied as a second window closed locking point to the lockable stay embodiment and alternatively to any captive pivoting stay arrangement.

Referring to the drawings FIGURES 1 to 17 the locking casement window stay comprises A stay configuration developed for application as a -single fitment, as depicted in FIGURES 1 and 9 to 15, to the opening edge of casement window of a kind normally hingedly mounted about a vertical or horizontal axis, and irrespective of howsoever the casement windows are hung and handed.

FIGURE 16 depicts an alternative large casement window high security option of a twin lockable stay fitting arrangement.

The casement stay comprises a rigid stay arm 3,4 mounted on the casement window bracket affixing member 1, by pivot pin 11 attachment means, to a swivel pivot coupling 2 connection, which is appropriately centre line located on the casement bracket to develop, in a known manner, a universal coupling arrangement for the stay arm 3,4 mounting on the casement bracket 1 member.

The casement stay arm 3,4 as depicted in FIGURE 2, has been developed in a composite form, from a stay casing 3, generally of a "U" shape or channel section, with the channel opening to the underside, into which an internally tee slotted channel section 4 is inserted and affixed, to matching pin hole 25 centres, and secured by rivetting or other normal means, to develop this composite stay 3,4 channel section form, opening to the underside, and incorporating, by this internal tee slot means, provision for a captive, pivoting assembly arrangement of the stay arm 3,4.

Alternatively the stay arm 3,4 internal tee slot form 4 can be formed integrally as one member, within the stay casing 3, by pressure die casting or other normal production means.

Te diameter pin holes 25 may vary as regards number and centre positioning, according to the stay arm length and required configuration determination, these diameter pin holes 25 being pierced through to the cross tee of the internal tee slot form 4 and otherwise located to the centreline of the channel base of the stay arm form 3,4.

As best shown in FIGURE 2 the end of the stay arm 3,4 incorporates a spigot form 22 wliich is further extended to form a lock anchorage point 20; the cdmposite element 20,22 being depicted integrally formed with the stay casing 3.

Alternatively this composite element 20,22 can be developed as a separate fitment fixture member for final assembly application to the end of stay arm 3,4.

FIGURES 2 and 3 depict protuding lugs 23, formed integrally to the end and sides of the stay casing 3. FIGURE 4 identifies an alternative protuding side lug arrangement, by developing an alternative lock anchorage 20 form to include this protuding side lug facility within the configuration of the lock anchorage 20 housing.

FIGURES 2 and 3 depict a two pronged clasp lever handle member 6, incorporating horizontally centred diameter holes, matching the spigot 22 circumstance, for its pivoting attachment, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 6, to the stay end spigot by means of pivot pin 12.

Within the upper face of the handle element of the two pronged clasp member 6 is provided a through and flange recessed hole 27, for the locating assembly incorporation, and flange bearing, of a locking pin 7, which is otherwise centre line positioned for its locking engagement with the lock housing 20 element, when the lever handle two pronged clasp member 6 is depressed to the bottom limit of its pivoting arc.

A combination of locking pin 7 end pointing with appropriate diameter tolerance clearance provision for the screw down locking pin 7 arrangement, depicted in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6, and the alternative grooved pin, side locking pin arrangement depicted in FIGURE 4, develops the means of presenting these locking pin 7 embodiments for locking positioning engagement with the lock housing 20 element within this pivoting lever handle two pronged clasp 6 arcing configuration. These screw down, and grooved pin, diameter locking pin 7 embodiment alternatives, are both otherwise retained, to the underside, by normal press fit diameter lockwasher securing means, for which receiving space provision is made within the upper face, diameter recessed element of the lock anchorage point 20.

For the press button locking pin 7 embodiment alternative, FIGURE 5, the arcing of lever handle clasp 6 is not a consideration which applies, the square lock pin 7 securing and locking develops in the press button locking embodiment from a spring pawl 16,17 facility, developed horizontally to the centre line underside face within the clasp lever handle 6 element, for engaging, at one time, one of the vertical two position stop facilities provided within the corresponding face of the lock pin 7; which otherwise incorporates a downwards travel flanging stop to the thumb press head element.

FIGURES 1, 3, and 17 identify the stay underside porting facility 26, located to end of the captive stay from 3,4, which provides for the stay arm, casement window open, disengagement from, and slide orienting re-engagement to, the stay captivation facility FIGURE 8, ref H-H, incorporated as a diameter flange within the multiform head of the rotateable and locking pivot pin 10.

The pivot assembly identified in FIGURES 1, 2 and 8, affixed to the fixed window frame, develops the stay arm 3,4 means of pivoting, captivation, and stay pin hole 25 securing of the casement window open key locked, or unlocked as required. This pivot assembly 5, 10, 13, comprises, an integral diameter spigot and bracket facility 5, which provides the bracket base plate means for affixing to the fixed window frame at an inwards inclined angle. The spigot element of bracket 5 incorporates an internally screw threaded spigot bore for receiving a height adjuster sleeve adaptor 13, which is externally anti-vibration screw threaded, and incorporates spanner adjuster flats to opposing faces. The height adjuster 13 member has a plain diameter bore, sized for locating in this pivoting assembly, the shank element K-K FIGURE 8, of the rotateable lock pin 10.This rotateable lock pin 10 otherwise is retained within this pivoting assembly, either by means of a diameter headed retaining locking screw 14 insertion into the internally screw threaded end of the lock pin shank K-K, or alternatively, by end rivetting of the shank K-K.

As detailed in FIGURE 8 the configuration of the rotateable lock pin 10 comprises; - A normal diameter stay pin head element F-F, which is otherwise internally shaped to its diameter centre line to receive a key spigot form; which is inserted through the stay pin hole 25 access, when the casement window is stay secured open, to key turn the lock pin 10 to the lock position.

- A diameter stay captivation facility H-H for captivating the stay arm 3,4 in a sliding engagement within the stay arm internal cross tee element 4. The underside face of this integrally formed diameter captivation facility H-H is normally radiused, to reduce the tolerance provision necessary for maintdinlng a sliding engagement in casement window open upwards angling of the stay arm 3,4, as shown in FIGURE 12, the stay arm upwards angling being more acute on smaller sizes of windows. Some offset to the stay arm upwards angling develops additionally from the inwards angling arrangement of the stay pivot assembly 5, 13, 10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 8, stay.arm captivation can be developed by press fitting a separate diameter washer H-H into a diameter groove G-G, formed to the base of pin head F-F, with the groove G-G dimensioned to permit angling of the diameter washer H-H within the groove G-G; - A locking cam section I-I, dimensioned in one axis to slide within the stem of the stay tee slot, and otherwised dimensioned at a 90 degrees right angle to the first axis, to engage, when the window is stay secured open at a stay pin hole 25 location, the cross tee element of the stay internal tee slot 4; - A quadrant cam facility J-J, of equal axis dimensioned to slide within the stem of stay tee slot 4, and otherwise provide a facility for limiting to 90 degrees the key turning of the rotateable lock pin 10;; - A locking pin shank spindle K-K freely pivoting within the bore of the height adjuster 13, located otherwise by the underside face of the quadrant cam J-J and bearing on the height adjuster 13; - Otherwise, the means of shank spindle K-K end securing against withdrawal have to develop the required tolerance clearance to the ends of the height adjuster 13, necessary for the free pivoting condition of the locking pin 10.

FIGURES 2, 4 and 6 identify the form, location, and the interrelated functions of the casement window bracket or keeper 8, and the fixed window frame bracket or keeper 9, which, by the action of window closing, developed by the inwards pivoting, sliding, and levering action of the stay arm 3,4 on the window frame affixed pivot assembly 5, 13, 10, brings these window bracket keepers 8 and 9 into face contact, and positioned for their securing engagement by the inner faces of the two pronged fork element of the lever handle clasp 6 which is separately developed by the action of depressing this pivoted lever handle clasp 6 to stop, coincidentally with sideways hand pressure positioning to stop of the stay.

The stay arm 3,4 is secured from any window closed uplifting release by the inner positioned stay side lug 23 engaging according to handing, one of the two port 19 holes developed, and appropriately positioned, within the base plate element of the casement window bracket or keeper 8.

A tight window closure circumstance for eliminating the element of play within the stay assembly moving parts and providing at the pivot point, as well as the stay end, for a matching compression of the normal fixed window frame sealing cushion insert, is developed from the combined action of the pivoting stay arm 3,4 on the inwards inclination of the pivot point assembly 5, 13, 10, together with the levering force applied by the stay end tight window closure facility of the two pronged lever handle clasp 6 engaging window bracket keepers 8 and 9.

Hitherto, service refitting of rigid stay arm casement window bracket fixing means has been necessary to offset the malfunctioning, of the separate rigid stay arm and fitments register, which develops from inherent timber window frame expansion or contraction distortions, and which develop significantly and variably, particularly in new construction supply, in up, down and sideways movements of the casement window frame in relation to-the fixed window f-rame.

This variable timber window frame circumstance has hitherto inhibited incorporating reliable means of integral rigid stay locking, which has resulted in the current subsubstantial recourse to the inconvenient 'add on' window locks, applied to the traditional rigid stay form, or separately affixed to the window frames, and otherwise by the key locking facility substantially applied to the separate lever handles.

The locking stay embodiment herein described provides a comprehensive offset to these timber window frame dimensional variables in service by the facilities incorporated within the locking stay configuration namely - As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 8, and 15, a stay height adjuster facility 13, for key spanner 18 adjustment 'in situ', with stay arm 3,4 disengaged, which can be conveniently applied as required, and in time measured in seconds, for the correction of any stay arm 3,4 vertical aligning malfunction.

This stay height stay pin adjuster 13 facility could alternatively be applied to advantage to most: traditional stay window fitment configurations.

- As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, 15, and 6, the window closed key locking securing facilities are wholly contained within the pivoted stay end configuration, comprising the locking pin 7 contained within two pronged lever handle clasp 6, and this assembly pivot pin 12 attachment to the spigot and lock housing 20,22 element, developing key locking configuration which is not subject to any external variables.

- As shown in FIGURES 1, 7, 8, 13, and 16, the accommodation of the horizontal movement of the timber window frameS relative to each other develop from the combination of the pivot pin 10 sliding engagement with the captive stay 3,4, the appropriate horizontal dimensional tolerance provision within the sizing of the port 19 element of the casement window bracket keeper 8, together with the slideable, window closed, engagement contact of the two pronged fork element of the pivoted lever handle clasp 6 with window bracket keepers 8 and 9.

EXAMPLE 2 A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings FIGURES 1 - 18.

FIGURE 18 identifies, within this captive pivoting rigid stay arm arrangement and with the casement window fastened closet a means of providing a co-operating engagement between the stay arm 3,4 and the casement bracket 1, to prevent the swivelling of the swivel pivot coupling 2, and develop by this means a key locking securing of the casement window from opening.

As shown in FIGURE 18, the means of co-operating between the stay arm 3,4 and the pivot bracket 1, comprises a dumbell form of pivot pin 11 having a respective threaded portion at each end with a reduced-thickness shank there between, which is carried by the screw threaded pivot of the stay arm 3,4 to provide the means of stay arm 3,4 pivoting attachment to swivel pivot coupling 2.

The centre line stop pin 28 intrusion within. the pivot bore 29element of the swivel coupling 2, with appropriate length dimensioning of the reduced shank portion of the dumbell pin 11, related to the stay arm 3,4 overall width and the diameter of stop pin 29, develops the means of limiting the travel of the dumbell pin 11, stop to stop, to a stay arm side flush positioning location, for handing and stay engaF,ment positioning circumstances. The vertical element of the casement bracket 1 incorporates a screw threaded port 30 located to the swivel coupling 2 and the stay 3,4 pivot centre lines, to develop window closed, stay side, dumbell pin 11 end positioning contact with, and to the centre line of this screw threaded port 30.

This dumbell pin 11 stop to stop arrangement, as said, with the casement fastened closed, is such that, by rotating the dumbell pin 11 element, by means of inserting a key 18 spigot into a pin end key hole 31, and rotating in a direction appropriate to the handing orientation of the stay arm, the dumbell pin 11 will engage the screw threaded port 30 element of the casement frame affixed stay bracket 1.

Unscrewing the dumbell pin 11 outwards to stop and releasing other stay fastening means reverts the stay arm 3,4 to a window opening pivot sliding condition.

This dumbell pin 11 stay securing means can be applied to alternative rigid stay arrangements incorporating stay end casement fastening means with retention of stay uplifting, as well as to the locking stay embodiment FIGURES 1 - 18 where it can be applied either as an additional means of locking stay arm securing or alternatively as the only securing means.

To open the casement window Embodiment FIGURES 1 - 17 - Utilise Icey 18, to key turn, unlock release, the locking pin 7 located within the handle element of the two pronged clasp member 6, from its engagemellt with the stay arm integral lock housing element 20; Uplift the pivoted two pronged clasp member 6 from the horizontal to the vertical position, which disengages the two pronged fork element of the clasp 6 member from the window closed engagement with the window bracket Iteeper members 8 and 9 respectively affixed to the moveable and fixed window frames.

- lii lunging tlie casement window open the captive stay arm 3,4 sideways pivoting actioii extracts tlle stay side lug 23 from its engagement with the port 19 element of tlle window bracket keeper 8 member.

- Tjie captive stay 3,4 is slidably positioned to the selected casement'window apperture opening where it secures the casement window open, by depressing tlie stay 3,4 to limit to engage one of the stay pin holes 25, with the pin head F-F of the pivot lock pin 10 arrangement.

- Iii this said casement secured open circumstance the user has the option to key lock secure tie window open.

Iiiserting the key 18 spigot, through the stay pin hole 25 access, into the Itey hole formed within the pin head F-F element, and turning the locking pin 10 through 90 degrees, engages tile cam element I-I of this lock pin 10, with the stay arm 3,4 internal cross tee slot 4, which prevents the stay being uplifted released from the pin head F-F engagement.

Casement window closing arid casement window closed key locking securing requires tile preceding stepSsin conjunction with this lockable stay device automatic function,being executed in the reverse order.

- Tight wiiidow closed compression of any sealing strip insert and a strong window closed securing circumstance develops from the distance separated pivot and stay end securing, with elimination of any slackness at the pivot point by tlie captive stay arm 3,4 levering action on the inwardly inclined pivot pin assembly 5, 10, 13, combined with the stay arm end two pronged clasp 6 engagement of window bracket keepers 8 and 9.

- As shown in FIGURES 1, 3, 17, the stay end underside porting 26 facility, provides the means for the captive stay release from, and re-engagement with, tlie pivot pin assembly 5, 10,'13, as depicted in FIGURES 11 and 12, for wide window npperture opening beyond the stay length limits. By opening tlie casement wiiidow to tlle limit of the stay arm it can be uplifted disengaged and, by the reverse action, be re-engaged with the stay ceptivation element H-H of the pivot lock pin 10.

Alien disengaged from the stay arm, tlie freely pivoting lock pin 10 can develop a random orientation, and is restored to the stay integral sliding orientation by tile underside porting 26 shaping within the stay arm, turning the lock pin by tlle stay window closing sliding action.

- As shown in FIGURE 15 the means of adjusting the height of the lock pin 10 in relation to the fixed window frame, for correcting any vertical misalignment of the captive stay arm, requires first window open disengage ment of the stay arm, as said, when the fork spanner element, incorporated to the head of key form 18, can be spanner applied to the opposing flat facilities on the antivibration screw threaded adjuster sleeve 13, which, by normal clockwise screw turning, lowers the height of the rotating pivot pin assembly 10, 13, 14 within the threaded bore of the pivot bracket 5 spigot element. Reverse anticlockwise turning raises the height of the rotating pivot pin assembly 10, 13,;14 and with the resetting completed the stay arm is re-engaged.

For fixing and fitting the locking casement stay embodiments incorporate integral facilities for either handing fixing, with right or left hand orientation positioning being obtained by pivoting the stay arm on the stay bracket coupling pivot assembly through 180 degrees from stop to stop according to the handing orientation required.

correct fixing and fitting, without recourse to template means, develops firstly, from the provision within all bracket base plate affixing forms, for aligning in fitting on the junction line of the fixed and moveable window frames, secondly from window frame centering of the stay length, and developing from this point, the correct fitting relationships of the four constituent fixing assemblies by a specific sequencing fixing of the assemblies.

- For marking up screw fixing locations and screw fixing screw driver access, appropriate intermediate window open and closing is necessary, as the screws are essentially concealed from removal access in the stay secured window closed circumstances.

Claims

1. A stay, such as a casement window stay, of the kind comprising a stay arm which, in use, acts between fixed and moveable framers, or the like, of a wing such as a window, wherein the arm is provided with releasable fastening means, which at least when the wing is in it's closed position, is capable of co-operating with both the fixed frame and the moveable frame, to prevent or constrain movement of the wing.

2. A stay according to Claim 1. wherein the stay arm is pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket or the like, by which the arm may be mounted on one of the frames, and wherein the fastening means is provided at a location spaced from the pivot.

3. A stay according to Claim 2. wherein the fastening means is provided at or near an end of the stay arm remote from the pivot.

4. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means is in the form of a clasp have two tongues or prongs which, in use of the fastening means, co-operate with the respective frames.

5. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the co-operation of the fastening means with the frames occurs by way of window bracket keepers mounted on the respective frames.

6. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means is angularly moveable between inoperative and operative positions thereof.

7. A stay according to any one of one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means is hand operated.

8. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stay arm, in the wing-closed position, co-operates with one of the frames, in such a way as to provide a "base" or foothold against which forces involved in utilisation of the fastening may act.

9. A stay according to Claim 8. wherein said co-operation with said one of the frames occurs by way of a lug.

10. A stay according to Claim 8. wherein the lug is chamfered to facilitate achievement of correct alignment between the stay and the frame or frames.

11. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising securing means which, when the fastening means is operative, may be utilised for releaseably securing the fastening means in it's operative position.

12. A stay according to Claim 11. wherein the securing means comprises a rotateable element.

13. A stay according to Claim 12. wherein the rotateable element comprises a screw-threaded element which may be used to secure the fastening means to an adjacent portion of the arm.

14. A stay according to Claim 11. wherein the securing means comprises a square lock pin element, flanged to the headsused to secure the fastening means to an adjacent portion of the arm, and retained otherwise, as well as in the fastening position, by a spring pawl mechanism contained within the clasp form.

15. A stay according to Claim 11. wherein the securing means comprises a diameter and grooved catch pin element, used to secure the fastening means to an adjacent portion of the arm, by its engagement with screw threaded elements positioned to both sides of the adjacent portion of the arm, and at a right angle co-operation with the groove contained within the catch pin element.

16. A stay according to any one of Claims 11. to 15. wherein the securing means is key operated.

17. A stay according to any one of Claims 8. to 16. wherein said co-operation with said one of the frames occurs' by way of a lug formed within the portion of the arm adjacent to the fastening means.

18. A stay, such as a casement window stay, comprising an elongate stay arm which may typically be pivotally mounted on the moveable frame or the like of a wing such as a window, the stay arm being coupled slidably to a stay post or pin typically mounted on the fixed frame of the wing, and means being provided for restraining or preventing movement of the arm relative to the post or pin for at least one position of the arm.

19. A stay as claimed in Claim 18. wherein the stay post or pin mounted on the fixed frame of the wing is inclined from the vertical, away from, and at an angle to, the window frame, to eliminate any slackness at the pivot and develop tight window closure compression of any window sealing strip provision.

20. A stay as claimed in Claims 18. and 19. wherein the stay post or pin, mounted on the fixed frame of the wing, incorporates means of adjusting the head height of the post or pin, in relation to the fixed frame of the wing, for the purpose of offsetting vertical misalignment of the stay, howsoever caused, which otherwise could prevent casement closed stay engagement.

21. A stay according to Claims 18. - 20. wherein the stay arm is of inverted-- channel cross-section, having a main web and side walls, the side walls having inwardly directed lower edges or portions, defining an essentially T - cross-section channel, and the stay post or pin comprises a shank carrying an enlarged head, the head being captive or substantially captive in the channel, and the main web of the arm being perforated such that in at least one such position of the arm, access may be gained to the head, through a perforation to permit rotation of the head between an orientation wherein sliding of the bar is permitted in a direction longitudinal of the bar, and an orientation wherein the head co-operates with the bar to prevent such sliding.

22. A stay according to Claim 21. wherein the head comprises a cam surface for effecting prevention of such sliding.

23. A stay according to Claim 22. wherein the head comprises a further cam surface operative to prevent unintended jamming during normal longitudinal sliding of the arm, and otherwise develop the correct orientation release conditions for the cam surface effecting prevention of sliding.

24. A stay according to Claim 18. wherein the stay arm comprises a plurality of formations disposed in succession along the stay arm, which formations may be selectively engaged by means on or associated with the stay post or pin, to restrain the arm in any of a corresponding plurality of positions.

25. A stay according to any one of Claims 18. to 24. wherein the restraining means is key operated.

26. A stay, such as a casement window stay, comprising a stay arm pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket or the like by which the arm may typically be mounted on a frame of a wing such as a window, comprising means of co-operating between the arm and the pivot bracket to prevent the stay arm pivoting and the casement window opening.

27. A stay according to Claim 26. wherein said means is carried by the arm.

28. A stay according to Claim 26. or Claim 27. wherein said means comprises a rotateable element.

29. A stay according to Claim 28. wherein said element is screw threaded.

30. A stay according to any one of Claims 26. - 29. wherein said means is accessible from either side of the stay arm permitting the arm to be two handed.

31. A stay according to Claim 30. where dependent upon Claim 29. -wherein said element is of dumbell form, having a respective threaded portion at each end with a reduced-thickness shank portion therebetween the pivot being disposed adjacent to the shank, such that by rotating the element in opposite directions the element may be brought to bear upon the pivot in opposite senses, to secure the pivot in an appropriate direction.

32. A stay according to any one of Claims 26. - 31. wherein said adjustable means is key operated.

33. A stay according to any one of Claims 1. to 32. wherein the means of casement window fastening and securing, slidably and horizontally-wise, co-operate with one another, to accommodate size changes within both the fixed and moveable frames, such as may commonly occur with timber window frames, which alter the casement closed positioning of the moveable window frame in relation to the fixed window frame, to offset which would otherwise require window frame repositioning/reaffixing of the constituent stay assembly members.

34. Any novel feature or novel combination or features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings FIGURES 1 to 18.

34. A stay according to any two or more of the preceding claims.

35. A stay substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

36. Any novel feature or novel combination or features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings FIGURES 1 to 18.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A stay, such as a casement window stay, of the kind comprising a stay arm which, in use, acts between fixed and moveable frames or the like, of a wing such as a window wherein the stay arm is pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket or the like, by which the arm may be mounted on one of the frames, and wherein the fastening means is provided at a location spaced from the pivot.

2. A stay according to Claim 1. wherein the fastening means is provided at or near an end of the stay arm remote from the pivot.

3. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means, in the form of an angularly moveable hand operated clasp, has two tongues or prongs which, in use of the fastening means, co-operate with the respective frames.

4. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the co-operation of the fastening means with the frames, between the inoperative and operative positions thereof and in the wing closed position, occurs by way of window bracket keepers mounted on the respective frames, in such a way as to provide a "base" or foothold against which forces involved in utilisation of the fastening may act.

5. A stay according to Claim 4. wherein said co-operation of the stay with said one of the frames occurs by way of a stay lug protrusion formed within the portion of the arm adjacent to the fastening means.

6. A stay according to Claim 5. wherein the stay lug is chamfered to facilitate achievement of correct alignment between the stay and the frame or frames.

7. A stay according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an integral stay end securing means which, when the fastening means is operative may be utilised for releaseably securing the fastening means in its operative position.

8. A stay according to Claim 7. wherein the securing means comprises a rotatable element contained optionally within the clasp form or stay end form.

9. A stay according to Claim 8. wherein the securing means comprises a rotatable element.

10. A stay according to Claim 9. wherein the rotatable element comprises a screw threaded element which may be used to secure the fastening means to an adjacent portion of the arm.

11. A stay according to Claim 7. wherein the securing means comprising a square lockpin element, flanged to the head, is used to secure the fastening means to an adjacent portion of the arm and retained otherwise, as well as in the fastening position by a spring pawl mechanism contained within the clasp form.

12. A stay according to any one of Claims 7. to 11. wherein the securing means is key operated.

13. A stay, such as a casement window stay, comprising an elongate stay arm which may typically be pivotally mounted on the moveable frame or the like of a wing such as a window, the stay arm being coupled slidably to a stay post or pin typically mounted on the fixed frame of the wing, and means being provided for restraining or preventing movement of the arm relative to the post or pin for at least one position of the arm.

14. A stay as claimed in Claim 13. wherein the stay post or pin mounted on the fixed frame of the wing is inclined from the vertical, away from, and at an angle to, the window frame, to eliminate any slackness at the pivot and develop tight window closure compression of any window sealing strip provision.

15. A stay as claimed in Claims 13. and 14. wherein the stay post or pin, mounted on the fixed frame of the wing, incorporates means of adjusting the head height of the post or pin, in relation to the fixed frame of the wing, for the purpose of offsetting vertical misalignment of the stay, howsoever caused, which otherwise could prevent casement closed stay engagement.

i6. A stay according to Claims 13. - 15. wherein the stay arm is of inverted channel cross-section, having a main web and side walls, the side walls having inwardly directed lower edges or portions, defining an essentially T - cross section channel, and the stay post or pin comprises a shank carrying an enlarged head, the head being captive or substantially captive in the channel, and the main web of the arm being perforated such that in at least one such position of the arm, access may be gained to the head, through a perforation to permit rotation of the head between an orientation wherein sliding of the bar is permitted in a direction longitudinal of the bar, and an orientation wherein the head co-operates with the bar to prevent such sliding.

17. A stay according to Claim 16. wherein the head comprises a cam surface for effecting prevention of such sliding.

18. A stay according to Claim 17. wherein the head comprises a further cam surface operative to prevent unintended jamming during normal longitudinal sliding of the arm, and otherwise develop the correct orientation release conditions for the cam surface effecting prevention of sliding.

19. A stay according to Claim 13. wherein the stay arm comprises a plurality of formations disposed in succession along the stay arm, which formations may be selectively engaged by means on or associated with the stay post or pin, to restrain the arm in any of a corresponding plurality of positions.

20. A stay according to any one of Claims 13. to 19. wherein the restraining means is key operated.

21. A stay according to any one of the Claims 13. to 20.

wherein underside stay arm perforation, in at least one position, of the inwardly directed lower edges of the T - corss-section channel provides the means for hand lifting release of the stay from it's sliding and captive engagement with the enlarged head of the post pivot pin.

22. A stay according to Claim 21. wherein the underside arm perforation provides the means of re-engaging the arm with the enlarged head of the pivot post pin.

23. A stay according to Claim 21. wherein the underside arm perforation is asymmetrical in form and otherwise cavitated, to provide, by the stay sliding action, the means of orientating to the slide position the asymmetrical cam surface element of the enlarged head of the post pivot pin.

24. A stay, such as a casement window stay, comprising a stay arm pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket or the like by which the arm may typically be mounted on a frame of a wing such as a window, comprising means of co-operating between the arm and the pivot bracket to prevent the stay arm pivoting and the casement window opening.

25. A stay according to Claim 24. wherein said means is carried by the arm.

26. A stay according to Claim 24. or Claim 25. wherein said means comprises a rotatable element.

27. A stay according to Claim 28. wherein said element is screw threaded.

28. A stay according to any one of Claims 24. - 27. wherein said means is accessible from either side of the stay arm permitting the arm to be two handed.

29. A stay according to Claim 28. where dependent upon Claim

27. wherein said element is of a dumbbell form, having a respective threaded portion at each end with a reduced-thickenss shank portion there between the pivot being disposed adjacent to the shank, such that by rotating the element in opposite directions the element may be brought to bear upon the pivot in opposite senses, to secure the pivot in an appropriate direction.

30. A stay according to any one claims 24. - 29. wherein said adjustable means is key operated.

31. A stay according to any one of Claims 1. to 32. wherein the combination means of casement window fastening and securing, slidably horizontally-wise, adjustably vertical wise, co-operate with one another, to accommodate distortion and size changes within both the fixed and moveable frames, such as may commonly occur with timber window frames, which alter the casement closed position of the moveable window frame in relation to the fixed window frame, the offsetting of which would otherwise require window frame repositioning/reaffixing of the constituent stay assembly members.

32. A stay according to any two or more of the preceding claims.

33. A stay substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.