[0001] The present invention concerns a fastener designed for fastening of a covering member
that protects the side members of roof window sash against weather conditions, said
fastener being mounted on rotary hinge of pivoting or dual action roof window sash.
[0002] On the external side the roof windows are equipped with covering members, usually
made of metal sheet and protecting the window frame and the sash against adverse effects
of weather conditions. In the case of windows with pivoting or dual-action sashes,
in which the rotation axis extends between the top member and the bottom member of
window frame, two covering members are used which are secured to the window side members,
one of them above and the other one below the sash rotation axis.
[0003] Most often, the side covering members are screw fastened and for this purpose they
have screw holes with the same spacing in all members. In the side members of a roof
window the holes for fastening screws which are located near the top member of a window
frame and the bottom member of a sash are usually drilled in fixed or sliding securing
sockets provided at both ends of the side members of a window, whereas near the sash
pivoting axis the holes for fastening screws are located in fasteners constituting
a part of the pivot hinge.
[0004] A hinge for a roof pivot window is known, also from the patent specification
WO/ 0131155, which consists of a part secured to a window frame and a part secured to window
sash. Each part of a hinge has a base plate with holes for fastening screws. Moreover,
each base plate has at one end a fastener with a screw hole for securing side covering
members near the pivot axis of a window sash. The fastener constitutes a monolithic
part of the base plate with fixed position.
[0005] Also, from patent specification
WO/ 2006002633 a hinge for a roof window with a pivot sash is known, which is equipped with two
fasteners having screw holes. One fastener is snap fastened in a holder formed as
the monolithic part of the base plate secured to a sash, and the other one is a monolithic
part of the hinge intermediate member which is riveted to the base plate fastened
to the side member of a window frame. The position of both fasteners with screw holes
is fixed relative to the base plates of the pivot hinge.
[0006] Even if the production regime is followed, it often happens that the hole spacing
in the side member of a window is not the same as the screw hole spacing in the covering
member. If the corresponding pairs of holes in window members and covering members
being connected together are not as coaxial as required, a fastening screw will be
screwed in at an angle other than 90°. This hinders assembly work and affects the
aesthetic qualities of joints between cover members and the side members of a window.
[0007] As the experience proves, fastening of cover members to side members of a window
by screws put into holes located in fixed positions causes problems during assembly.
[0008] The invention disclosed in patent specification
WO 2008010735 could solve the above problems, as it proposes to introduce to the hinge of roof
window with pivoting sash at least one fastener slidably fixed to the rectangular
arm. Such fastener has the hole perpendicular to the direction of its movement along
an arm in the hinge, and also has a supporting element parallel to the direction of
fastener movement. In this case, regardless the solution adopted, the second fastening
point of cover member has a fixed location relative to window sash. Despite advantages,
in this solution the uncontrolled movements of covering member can occur relative
to the window frame covering member which is installed in fixed position in upper
part of window frame, and cause leakages.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to eliminate this inconvenience by using the
pivoting or double-action roof window with the hinge equipped with a fastener connected
to it and put during assembly on the supporting arm with preferably rectangular profile
formed in the hinge close to the sash pivoting axis and snap-fixed after achieving
the required position. This fastener constitutes a base for connecting the external
covering member to the side member of window sash by using fastening means, usually
screws.
[0010] The fastener is composed of two functional parts, i.e. the base part and the movable
part. Both parts are connected and positioned relative to each other during assembly
with simultaneous positioning on the supporting arm. In base part and the movable
part the holes are provided which are coaxial in the closed position of the fastener,
thus forming the socket for elements that fasten the covering member. When the fastener
is mounted, the socket axis should be substantially perpendicular to the sash plane.
The hole in base part of the fastener is a through hole, whereas the hole in movable
part may be a blind one. However, it should be noted that hole depth must match the
length of screw used to fasten the covering member.
[0011] In the operating position the fastener must be precisely positioned against the supporting
arm, hence means for correct positioning of fastener's parts relative to each other
and correct positioning of the fastener relative to the supporting arm must be provided.
For this purpose, among other things, the snap-on mechanism is used, with the recess
preferably formed in the base part and the tongue located on the movable part. The
second fulcrum for the movable part being closed is created by the positioning assembly
consisting of the longitudinal holder formed in the base part of the fastener and
the tongue which enters the holder when the fastener is in closed position. Such supporting
method allows for free, but limited to a certain range, angular movement of movable
part around the axis passing through the bottom of the holder and substantially perpendicular
to the fastener's symmetry plane.
[0012] Additionally, in order to limit the movement and ensure correct positioning in the
direction perpendicular to the symmetry plane, the fastener in its movable part has
retaining strips shaped preferably parallel to each other and symmetrically with respect
to the plane perpendicular to the apparent axis of rotation of movable part relative
to the base part. During closing of the fastener these strips enter the retaining
sockets having the shape and dimensions corresponding to the shape and dimensions
of these retaining strips. In this solution the rotation of movable part relative
to the base part during screwing the fastening element into the socket is blocked.
When closed, such fastener constitutes a fully rigid body.
[0013] The fixed connection of the fastener to the supporting arm is ensured by using three
independent solutions described below.
[0014] Thanks to the suitably shaped walls of the base part and the movable part, the fastener
in its closed position defines a through channel extending in the direction parallel
to the axis of mutual rotation of the fastener parts. The dimensions and cross-sectional
shape of this channel reflect the dimensions and cross-sectional shape of the supporting
arm to which the fastener is fixed. In this solution the system with one degree of
freedom, i.e. movement along the supporting arm, is created.
[0015] It should be noted that for practical and geometrical reasons it is favourable when
the securing channel does not intersect with the recess provided for fastening element
used for fastening of the covering member. In order to enhance the precision of assembly
operations and to obtain better stiffness of the connection between the fastener and
supporting arm the additional positioning pair can be employed in the form of longitudinal
slot extending in the direction parallel to the direction of fastener's movement relative
to the securing arm and, as a second element of the positioning pair, the retaining
pin preferably located in the base member in such position that its sliding engagement
in the securing slot is possible.
[0016] The third positioning solution that fully blocks the fastener's movement relative
to the supporting arm is the assembly composed of retaining opening, preferably formed
in the supporting arm, and the retaining pin ensuring precise final positioning of
the fastener relative to the supporting arm and, consequently, to the window sash.
[0017] The base part and the movable part can be executed in the form of separate elements,
but for practical reasons and for convenience of assembly work it is advisable to
connect them together with elastic link. From practical and economical point of view
the most beneficial solution is that the base part, movable part and the connecting
link are made in the form of a single member.
[0018] The proposed embodiment of the invention is depicted in Fig. 1 where the fastener is shown in open position, together with
the hinge (1) of pivoting sash. Fig. 2 shows the fastener in closed position, seated
on the supporting arm (2) being the part of the hinge (1). In this position the fastener
is ready for engagement of fastening element, e.g. a screw. Figures 3a and 3b show,
in two different perspective views, the fastener in open position allowing for sliding
it onto the supporting arm (2). Fig. 4 shows the section of the open fastener along
its symmetry plane, whereas the Fig.5 shows similar section of closed fastener in
the position ready for screwing the fastening element in.
[0019] The fastener consists of two functional parts, i.e. the base part (3) and the movable
part (4). The base part (3) has a through hole (31), whereas a movable part (4) has
a blind hole (41). In closed position, both these holes are coaxial and form the socket
for fastening element securing the side covering element of window sash. In mounted
position of the fastener the axis of this socket should be substantially perpendicular
to the window sash plane. The socket depth, being the sum of the blind hole (31) and
the through hole (41) lengths, is matched to required length of fastening element
that fixes the side covering member of window sash.
[0020] For proper positioning of the base part (3) and movable part (4) relative to each
other, the fastener is equipped with snap-on mechanism consisting of the recess (32)
formed in the base part (3) and the tongue (42) formed in the movable part (4). As
the second point of support for movable part (4) the positioning assembly is employed
consisting of the longitudinal holder (33) formed in the base part (3) of the fastener
and the tongue (41) which enters the holder (33) when the fastener is closed. With
such supporting mechanism the movable part (4) can freely, but within a certain angular
range, rotate around the axis intersecting the bottom of the holder (33) and perpendicular
to the fastener's symmetry plane, until the fastener snaps on in the closed position.
In this closed position the movable part (4) is blocked in the base part (3) by latching
the tongue (43) in the recess (32) and entering the tongue (43) into the holder (33).
Additionally, for restricting the movement range and ensuring proper positioning in
the direction perpendicular to the symmetry plane, the movable part (4) of the fastener
has retaining strips (44) shaped preferably parallel to each other and symmetrically
with respect to the symmetry plane perpendicular to the apparent axis of rotation
of movable part (4) relative to the base part (3). During closing of the fastener
the retaining strips (44) enter the retaining sockets (34) having the shape and dimensions
substantially corresponding to the shape and dimensions of retaining strips (44).
In this solution the last degree of freedom of the movable part (4) relative to the
base part (3) is blocked, therefore the fastener parts cannot move relative to each
other during screwing the fastening element into the socket.
[0021] The precise and fixed connection of the fastener to the supporting arm (2) is ensured
by three mutually co-operating mechanisms described below.
[0022] Thanks to the suitably shaped walls of the base part and the movable part, the fastener
in its closed position defines a through channel (5) extending in the direction parallel
to the axis of mutual rotation of the fastener parts during closing and perpendicular
to the axis of blind hole (41). The dimensions and cross-sectional shape of channel
(5) reflect the dimensions and rectangular cross-sectional shape of the supporting
arm (2) to which the fastener is fixed. The channel (5) has three fixed walls formed
in the base part (3), i.e. the base wall (51), the bottom wall (52), and top wall
(53). The bottom wall (52) and top wall (53) are located symmetrically and perpendicularly
to the base wall (51). In the presented exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
closing wall (54) is partially, in the area perpendicularly adjacent to the bottom
wall (52) and the upper wall (53), formed in the base part (3).
[0023] In such arrangement upon sliding the fastener onto supporting arm (2) the system
with one degree of freedom is created, i.e. the movement along the supporting arm
(2), regardless the position of movable part (4). In closed position of the fastener
the closing wall (54) complements the periphery of the channel (5), ensuring better
stiffness of the fastener and therefore better resistance against deformation. The
channel (5) does not intersect with the socket for fastening elements.
[0024] To enhance precision of assembly and to obtain more stiff connection of the fastener
with supporting arm (2), the longitudinally extending slot (21) is cut out in the
supporting arm in the direction parallel to the direction of fastener's movement relative
to the supporting arm (2).
[0025] The fastener is positioned relative to the base member (3) by the pin (34) formed
on the base wall (51) and slidably engaging into the slot (21). The length of the
slot (21) defines the extreme position of the fastener on the supporting arm (2).
In this position it is possible to employ a third positioning set that ensures full
blocking of fastener's movement relative to the supporting arm. This set is composed
of the retaining opening (22) made in the supporting arm (2) and the retaining pin
(35). During closing of the fastener, the retaining pin (35) gets in the retaining
opening (22), thus ensuring the precise final positioning of the fastener relative
to the supporting arm and, in consequence, to the window sash.
[0026] The base part (3) and the movable part (4) are connected together by flexible link
(6) that allows for easy tilting of one element relative to the other in the fastener
symmetry plane. All three elements being the parts of the fastener form a solid part
which can be easily produced by using injection moulding technique; this is a feature
important for keeping the production costs low.
1. The fastener for connecting the external member covering the pivoting or double action
sash of the roof window with the side member of the sash, wherein nearby the sash
pivoting axis the fastener is equipped with supporting arm preferably having a rectangular
cross-sectional shape and designed for accepting the fastener during assembly, characterized in that the fastener has two functional parts, i.e. the base part (3) and the movable part
(4), which are connected together during assembly and positioning on the supporting
arm (2).
2. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that the through hole (31) is made in the base part (3), and the blind hole (41) is made
in the movable part (4), and both holes in closed position of the fastener are coaxial
and define the socket for elements used for fastening the covering member.
3. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the supporting arm (2) has the retaining opening (22) and the fastener has the retaining
pin (35) which ensures precise final positioning of the fastener relative to the supporting
arm (2).
4. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the base part (3) and the movable part (4) are connected together by flexible link (6).
5. The fastener according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastener is executed in the form of a monolithic member consisting of the base
part (3), the movable part (4) and the flexible link (6) connecting both these parts
together.
6. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that in the closed position of the fastener the base part (3) and the movable part (4)
are connected together by the latch formed in them and consisting of the recess (32)
and the tongue (42) and by the positioning set consisting of the longitudinal holder
(33) and the tongue (43).
7. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable part (4) has retaining strips (44) preferably parallel to each other
and both perpendicular to the apparent axis of rotation of the movable part (4) in
relation to the base part (2).
8. The fastener according to claim 7, characterized in that the base part (3) has symmetrically arranged retaining sockets (34), wherein the
shape and dimensions of the retaining sockets reflect the shape and dimensions of
retaining strips and the retaining sockets (34) block the movement of the movable
part (4) relative to the base part (3) at the time when the fastening element is screwed
in the socket defined by the through hole (31) and the blind hole (41).
9. The fastener according to claim 2 characterized in that in the closed position of the fastener the base wall (51), the bottom wall (52),
and the top wall (53) of the base part (3), together with the closing wall (54) of
the movable part (4), define the through channel (5) having the cross-sectional shape
and dimensions mating with cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the supporting
arm (2) which enters the channel (5), and the channel (5) does not intersect with
the socket defined by the through hole (31) and the blind hole (41) and provided for
the elements used for fastening the covering member.
10. The fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the supporting arm (2) has the longitudinal slot (21) extending in the direction
same as the direction of the through channel (5), and the fastener is equipped with
the pin (51) located in such position that it can go into the slot (21).