Opening restrictor

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an opening restrictor which may be used, for example, to restrict the degree to which a window or a door can be opened. However, the restrictor may be used in other applications where the opening of a substantially planar closure is to be restricted.

[0002] Window restrictors are used to restrict the degree to which a window can be opened in order to prevent persons falling through the window opening. Such window restrictors are generally releasable, or otherwise constructed, in order to allow the window to be opened fully when required, for example for cleaning purposes. A problem with known window restrictors is that they are mounted separately from other window furniture which increases overall cost, increases the number of fixing holes that require to be drilled in the window and/or its frame, and also detracts from the appearance of the window and its furniture.

[0003] US4027908 describes a chain lock for doors in which a first chain end anchor is placed behind an angle retainer which embraces a square corner of the adjacent door frame and is further connected by a serrated clamping plate in a plane perpendicular to the first chain anchor. The opposite chain end anchor is received in a slot of a retainer plate which similarly embraces a corner of the swinging door and is further held securely by an extension which is locked to an adjacent interior portion of a door lock cylinder housing assembly.

[0004] DE3614031 discloses a door chain for securing closed or slightly open doors, especially apartment doors, with a fixing device assigned to one chain end and to be attached to the door and with a holding device which is assigned to the other chain end and which is to be attached at a fixed location. For a high level of security and to avoid fastening holes, the fixing device is designed as a lug fastened to the corresponding chain end and provided for slipping over the door latch.

[0005] FR2424394 discloses a safety device for doors comprising a cylindrical housing going through the door, a locking pin to be locked in the housing and a chain, one end of which is locked to the pin and the other end being attached to the door frame. The housing is attached to the door by two flanges, one on each side of the door, the spacing of which is adjustable.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opening restrictor which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the above disadvantages.

[0007] According to the present invention there is provided an opening restrictor comprising a body portion, a securing means and connecting means secured to the securing means and adapted to be releasably secured to the body portion, the body portion being provided with openings for receiving fasteners for securing the body portion to a frame of an opening and including releasable locking means for releasably securing the connecting means to the body portion, and the securing means being adapted to be secured to an opening member mounted to the frame between the opening member and means for controlling opening and closing of the opening member, whereby opening of the opening member is restricted when the connecting means is secured to the body portion and is unrestricted when the connecting means is released from the body portion, wherein the body portion is formed with a lateral opening dimensioned to receive a plug of the connecting means such that when the connecting means is secured to the body portion the plug extends across one of the openings.

[0008] The securing means may comprise a substantially planar elongate portion adapted to be mounted between the opening member and the means for controlling opening and closing of the opening member, the elongate portion being provided with apertures for the passage of fastening means for the controlling means, and with a portion adapted to extend away from the opening member, for example substantially at right angles thereto, for securing an end of the connecting means.

[0009] The connecting means may comprise a flexible cable, for example of coated wire. The connecting means may be provided at that end region thereof that is releasably secured to the body portion with a profiled portion, for example in the form of an annular recess formed around the periphery of the connecting means, for releasably engaging with the body portion. The connecting means may be provided at that end thereof that is releasably secured to the body portion with a rounded end portion to facilitate insertion of the end of the connecting means into the body portion.

[0010] The body portion may include a securing lever pivotably mounted within the body portion and having an end which is movable between a first position in which the connecting means is secured within an opening in the body portion and a second position in which the connecting means can be withdrawn from the body portion. An end portion of the securing lever may be chamfered to facilitate insertion of the connecting means into the body portion. Biasing means may be provided for biasing the securing lever to the first position. The biasing means may comprise a tongue of resilient material extending from a supporting sheet, the tongue engaging with the securing lever. The biasing means may be mounted within the body portion by means of screw fasteners. The screw fasteners may be in hollow cylindrical form and may be secured in openings passing through the body portion, whereby fastenings for securing the body portion to the frame are able to pass through the openings and through the hollow cylindrical screw fasteners. A base plate may be provided between the biasing means and the hollow cylindrical screw fasteners. The locking means may be movable in its unlocked condition so as to urge the securing lever against the biasing means so as to move the securing lever to its second position.

[0011] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of one embodiment of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of the opening restrictor shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a securing bracket forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified securing bracket forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plug for use with a cable forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a body forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a securing lever forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a biasing spring forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a back plate forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention;

Figure 10 is an elevational view of a hollow cylindrical fastener forming part of an opening restrictor according to the present invention; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the securing lever shown in Figure 7.

[0012] The opening restrictor shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body portion 1 which is releasably connected to a securing bracket 3 by way of a connecting means 5, for example in the form of a cable. The securing bracket 3 as illustrated comprises a window handle bracket which is secured to an opening window (not shown), although a bracket in the form of a door handle plate can be used with a door.

[0013] The securing bracket 3 is made, for example, of stainless steel and includes a substantially planar elongate portion 7 which in use is positioned between an opening member, such as a door or window, and a conventional means, such as a window handle or a door handle, for controlling opening and closing of the opening member. The elongate portion of the securing bracket is provided with apertures 9 to allow the passage of fasteners provided for the window or door handle. Thus no additional fasteners are required to secure the cable 3 to the opening member, while the cable is secured to the opening member in an effective and aesthetically pleasing manner. The securing bracket 3 also includes a portion 11 which extends in a direction away from the opening member, for example substantially at right angles as illustrated. The portion 11 is attached to the elongate portion 7 and is provided with an aperture 13 (shown more clearly in Figure 3). An alternative configuration of securing bracket, for example for use with a door handle mounting, is shown in Figure 4.

[0014] The cable 5 may include a length of conventional flexible steel cable provided with a covering of plastics material. A plug 15 is secured, for example by crimping, to one end of the length of cable and may be made, for example, of stainless steel. The plug 15 is then made captive through the aperture 13 in the bracket portion 11. Ideally, in use the head of the plug 15 is positioned close to part of the opening control means, ideally a non-moving part thereof, so as to restrict access to the plug 15 to minimise the likelihood of tampering. A further plug 17 is secured to the other end of the length of cable, for example by crimping, for releasably securing to the body portion 1. The further plug 17, shown in detail in Figure 5, is formed with a profiled portion 19 and a rounded end 20, which enable the further plug 17 to be releasably secured to the body portion. As illustrated, the profiled portion 19 comprises an annular recess formed around the periphery of the plug 17.

[0015] The body portion 1 includes a body 21 (shown in more detail in Figure 6), for example of die-cast aluminium, into which a lock 23 is secured. The body 21 is formed with two openings 25, 27 for receiving conventional fasteners (not shown) for securing the body portion 1 to a frame of an opening, such as a window frame or door frame, for example. The outer ends of the openings 25, 27 are provided with caps 29, 31, for example of Nylon, which are ideally profiled to match the profile of the body 21. The caps 29, 31 inhibit access to the fasteners and prevent tampering therewith.

[0016] The body 21 is also formed with a lateral opening 33 dimensioned to receive the further plug 17 of the cable 5. A securing lever 35 is pivotally mounted within the body 21 and extends across an opening 37 in which the lock 23 is received. As shown in more detail in Figure 7, the securing lever is formed with an aperture 39 in one end region thereof for mounting the lever in a pivotable manner by way on a securing pin 41, and is formed at the other end thereof with an engaging portion 43 for engaging with the profiled portion 19 of the further plug 17. An outer edge of the engaging portion 43 is formed with a chamfer 45 such that insertion of the rounded end 20 of the further plug 17 causes the lever 35 to pivot from a first position to a second position and to allow the plug 17 into the lateral opening 33. The lever 35 then returns to the first position under the influence of a biasing spring 47 so as to lock the further plug in the body portion 1.

[0017] An alternative securing lever is shown in Figure 11 and functions in essentially the same manner as the securing lever of Figure 7.

[0018] The biasing spring 47 is shown in more detail in Figure 8 and comprises a sheet 49 of resilient material, such as spring steel, formed with a tongue 51 at an angle to the remainder of the sheet and directed towards the securing lever 35 so as to bias the engaging portion 43 into the profiled portion 19 of the further plug 17. The biasing spring 47 is maintained in position in the body 21 by means of a back plate 53 (shown in Figure 9) which is secured in place by two hollow cylindrical screw fasteners 55 (shown in Figure 10) which engage in the openings 25, 27, while allowing screw fasteners for securing the body portion 1 to pass therethrough.

[0019] In use of the opening restrictor according to the present invention, a key (not shown) is used to unlock the lock 23. In the unlocked configuration, a body of the lock can be depressed into the body 21 and is biased to return to an extended position. When the body of the lock is depressed into the body 21, the lever 35 is pivoted to displace the engaging portion 43 out of the lateral opening 33 so as to disengage from the profiled portion 19 of the further plug 17. This allows the further plug 17 to be released from the body portion 1 and allows the window, door or the like to be opened fully. In the locked configuration, the body of the lock cannot be depressed into the body 21 and the further plug 17, if present in the lateral opening 33, cannot be removed, therefore restricting opening of the window, door or the like.

[0020] When the further plug 17 is not present in the lateral opening 33, the window, door or the like can be opened in an unrestricted manner. However, the further plug 17 can be inserted into the lateral opening 33 irrespective of whether the lock 23 is in its locked or unlocked configuration. In either configuration, the rounded end 20 of the further plug 17 contacts the chamfer 45 of the engaging portion 43 of the securing lever 35 and pivots the securing lever 35 to allow the further plug 17 to enter the lateral opening 33 until the engaging portion 43 engages with the profiled portion 19 to retain the further plug in the lateral opening. If the lock 23 is in its unlocked configuration the lock body can be depressed to release the further plug 17, but if key has been used to move the lock to its locked configuration the lock body cannot be depressed and the further plug 17, and therefore the cable 5, is locked to the body portion 1.

Claims

1. An opening restrictor comprising a body portion (1), a securing means (3) and connecting means (5) secured to the securing means and adapted to be releasably secured to the body portion, the body portion being provided with openings (25, 27) for receiving fasteners for securing the body portion to a frame of an opening and including releasable locking means (23) for releasably securing the connecting means to the body portion, and the securing means being adapted to be secured to an opening member mounted to the frame between the opening member and means for controlling opening and closing of the opening member, whereby opening of the opening member is restricted when the connecting means is secured to the body portion and is unrestricted when the connecting means is released from the body portion, characterised in that the body portion (1) is formed with a lateral opening (33) dimensioned to receive a plug (17) of the connecting means (5) such that when the connecting means is secured to the body portion the plug extends across one of the openings (27).

2. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means includes a substantially planar elongate portion (7) adapted to be mounted between the opening member and the means for controlling opening and closing of the opening member, the elongate portion being provided with apertures (9) for the passage of fastening means for the controlling means, and with a portion (11) adapted to extend away from the opening member for securing an end of the connecting means (5).

3. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portion (11) of the elongate portion (7) extends away from the opening member substantially at right angles thereto.

4. An opening restrictor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (5) comprises a flexible cable.

5. An opening restrictor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (5) is provided, at that end region thereof that is releasably secured to the body portion (1), with a profiled portion for releasably engaging with the body portion.

6. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the profiled portion is in the form of an annular recess formed around the periphery of the connecting means (5).

7. An opening restrictor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means (5) is provided at that end thereof that is releasably secured to the body portion (1) with a rounded end portion (20) to facilitate insertion of the end of the connecting means into the body portion.

8. An opening restrictor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion (1) includes a securing lever (35) pivotably mounted within the body portion and having an end which is movable between a first position in which the connecting means (5) is secured within an opening (33) in the body portion and a second position in which the connecting means can be withdrawn from the body portion.

9. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 8, wherein an end portion of the securing lever (35) is chamfered (45) to facilitate insertion of the connecting means (5) into the body portion.

10. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein biasing means (47) is provided for biasing the securing lever (35) to the first position.

11. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the biasing means (47) comprises a tongue (51) of resilient material extending from a supporting sheet (49), the tongue engaging with the securing lever (35).

12. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the biasing means (47) is mounted within the body portion (1) by means of screw fasteners.

13. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 12, wherein the screw fasteners are in hollow cylindrical form and are secured in openings (25, 27) passing through the body portion (1), whereby fastenings for securing the body portion to the frame are able to pass through the openings and through the hollow cylindrical screw fasteners.

14. An opening restrictor as claimed in claim 13, wherein a base plate (53) is provided between the biasing means (47) and the hollow cylindrical screw fasteners.

15. An opening restrictor as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the locking means (23) is movable in its unlocked condition so as to urge the securing lever (35) against the biasing means (47) so as to move the securing lever to its second position.

Ansprüche

1. Öffnungsbegrenzer, der einen Gehäuseabschnitt (1), ein Befestigungsmittel (3) und ein Verbindungsmittel (5) umfasst, das an dem Befestigungsmittel befestigt und zum lösbaren Befestigen an dem Gehäuseabschnitt ausgelegt ist, wobei der Gehäuseabschnitt mit Öffnungen (25, 27) zum Aufnehmen von Befestigungsmitteln zum Befestigen des Gehäuseabschnitts an einem Rahmen einer Öffnung versehen ist und lösbare Verriegelungsmittel (23) zum lösbaren Befestigen der Verbindungsmittel an dem Gehäuseabschnitt aufweist, und wobei das Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen an einem Gehäuseelement ausgelegt ist, das an dem Rahmen zwischen dem Öffnungselement und Mitteln zum Steuern des Öffnens und Schließens des Öffnungselements montiert ist, so dass das Öffnen des Öffnungselements begrenzt ist, wenn das Verbindungsmittel am Gehäuseabschnitt befestigt ist, und unbegrenzt ist, wenn das Verbindungsmittel vom Gehäuseabschnitt gelöst ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Gehäuseabschnitt (1) mit einer lateralen Öffnung (33) ausgebildet ist, die so dimensioniert ist, dass sie einen Steckbolzen (17) des Verbindungsmittels (5) aufnimmt, so dass der Steckbolzen, wenn das Verbindungsmittel am Gehäuseabschnitt befestigt ist, über eine der Öffnungen (27) verläuft.

2. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Befestigungsmittel einen im Wesentlichen planaren länglichen Abschnitt (7) aufweist, ausgelegt zum Montieren zwischen dem Öffnungselement und dem Mittel zum Steuern des Öffnens und Schließens des Öffnungselements, wobei der längliche Abschnitt mit Löchern (9) für die Passage von Befestigungsmitteln für das Steuermittel und mit einem Abschnitt (11) versehen ist, der so ausgelegt ist, dass er sich von dem Öffnungselement weg erstreckt, um ein Ende des Verbindungsmittels (5) zu befestigen.

3. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 2, wobei sich der Abschnitt (11) des länglichen Abschnitts (7) von dem Öffnungselement im Wesentlichen im rechten Winkel dazu weg erstreckt.

4. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach einem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei das Verbindungsmittel (5) ein flexibles Kabel umfasst.

5. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach einem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei das Verbindungsmittel (5) in der Endregion davon, die lösbar am Gehäuseabschnitt (1) befestigt ist, mit einem profilierten Abschnitt zum lösbaren Eingreifen in den Gehäuseabschnitt versehen ist.

6. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 5, wobei der profilierte Abschnitt in Form einer ringförmigen Aussparung vorliegt, die um die Peripherie des Verbindungsmittels (5) herum ausgebildet ist.

7. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach einem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei das Verbindungsmittel (5) an dem Ende davon, das lösbar am Gehäuseabschnitt (1) befestigt ist, mit einem abgerundeten Endabschnitt (20) versehen ist, der das Einführen des Endes des Verbindungsmittels in den Gehäuseabschnitt erleichtert.

8. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach einem vorherigen Anspruch, wobei der Gehäuseabschnitt (1) einen Befestigungshebel (35) aufweist, der schwenkbar im Gehäuseabschnitt montiert ist und ein Ende hat, das zwischen einer ersten Position, in der das Verbindungsmittel (5) in einer Öffnung (33) im Gehäuseabschnitt befestigt ist, und einer zweiten Position beweglich ist, in der das Verbindungsmittel aus dem Gehäuseabschnitt herausgezogen werden kann.

9. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 8, wobei ein Endabschnitt des Befestigungshebels (35) abgeschrägt (45) ist, um das Einführen des Verbindungsmittels (5) in den Gehäuseabschnitt zu erleichtern.

10. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei ein Vorspannmittel (47) zum Vorspannen des Sicherheitshebels (35) in die erste Position vorgesehen ist.

11. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Vorspannmittel (47) eine Zunge (51) aus einem elastischen Material umfasst, die sich von einer Tragplatte (49) erstreckt, wobei die Zunge in den Sicherheitshebel (35) eingreift.

12. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei das Vorspannmittel (47) mit Schraubbefestigungsmitteln im Gehäuseabschnitt (1) montiert ist.

13. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Schraubbefestigungsmittel eine hohlzylindrische Form haben und in durch den Gehäuseabschnitt (1) passierenden Öffnungen (25, 27) befestigt sind, so dass Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen des Gehäuseabschnitts am Rahmen durch die Öffnungen und durch die hohlzylindrischen Schraubbefestigungsmittel passieren können.

14. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach Anspruch 13, wobei eine Basisplatte (53) zwischen dem Vorspannungsmittel (47) und den hohlzylindrischen Schraubbefestigungsmitteln vorgesehen ist.

15. Öffnungsbegrenzer nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 14, wobei das Verriegelungsmittel (23) in seinem entriegelten Zustand bewegt werden kann, um den Befestigungshebel (35) gegen das Vorspannmittel (47) zu drücken, um den Befestigungshebel in seine zweite Position zu bewegen.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture comprenant une portion de corps (1), un moyen de fixation (3) et un moyen de connexion (5) fixé au moyen de fixation et adapté à être fixé de manière amovible à la portion de corps, la portion de corps étant pourvue d'ouvertures (25, 27) pour recevoir des dispositifs d'attache pour fixer la portion de corps à un cadre d'une ouverture et incluant des moyens de verrouillage amovibles (23) pour fixer de manière amovible le moyen de connexion à la portion de corps, et le moyen de fixation étant adapté à être fixé à un élément d'ouverture monté sur le cadre entre l'élément d'ouverture et des moyens pour commander l'ouverture et la fermeture de l'élément d'ouverture, moyennant quoi l'ouverture de l'élément d'ouverture est limitée lorsque le moyen de connexion est fixé à la portion de corps et est illimitée lorsque le moyen de connexion est libéré de la portion de corps, caractérisé en ce que la portion de corps (1) est formée d'une ouverture latérale (33) dimensionnée pour recevoir un bouchon (17) du moyen de connexion (5) de sorte que lorsque le moyen de connexion est fixé à la portion de corps, le bouchon s'étend en travers d'une des ouvertures (27).

2. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le moyen de fixation inclut une portion allongée essentiellement plane (7) adaptée à être montée entre l'élément d'ouverture et les moyens pour commander l'ouverture et la fermeture de l'élément d'ouverture, la portion allongée étant pourvue d'ouvertures (9) pour le passage de moyens d'attache pour les moyens de commande et d'une portion (11) adaptée à s'étendre à l'écart de l'élément d'ouverture pour fixer une extrémité du moyen de connexion (5).

3. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la portion (11) de la portion allongée (7) s'étend à l'écart de l'élément d'ouverture essentiellement à des angles droits de celui-ci.

4. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le moyen de connexion (5) comprend un câble flexible.

5. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le moyen de connexion (5) est pourvu, au niveau de la région d'extrémité de celui-ci qui est fixée de manière amovible à la portion de corps (1), d'une portion profilée pour l'engagement amovible avec la portion de corps.

6. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la portion profilée est sous la forme d'un retrait annulaire formé autour de la périphérie du moyen de connexion (5).

7. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le moyen de connexion (5) est pourvu, à l'extrémité de celui-ci qui est fixée de manière amovible à la portion de corps (1), d'une portion d'extrémité arrondie (20) pour faciliter l'insertion de l'extrémité du moyen de connexion dans la portion de corps.

8. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la portion de corps (1) inclut un levier de fixation (35) monté à pivotement au sein de la portion de corps et ayant une extrémité qui est mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le moyen de connexion (5) est fixé au sein d'une ouverture (33) dans la portion de corps et une seconde position dans laquelle le moyen de connexion peut être retiré de la portion de corps.

9. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 8, dans lequel une portion d'extrémité du levier de fixation (35) est chanfreinée (45) pour faciliter l'insertion du moyen de connexion (5) dans la portion de corps.

10. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 8 ou 9, dans lequel des moyens d'inclinaison (47) sont prévus pour incliner le levier de fixation (35) vers la première position.

11. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 10, dans lequel les moyens d'inclinaison (47) comprennent une languette (51) de matériau élastique s'étendant depuis une feuille de support (49), la languette s'engageant avec le levier de fixation (35).

12. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 10 ou 11, dans lequel les moyens d'inclinaison (47) sont montés au sein de la portion de corps (1) au moyen de dispositifs d'attache à vis.

13. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 12, dans lequel les dispositifs d'attache à vis sont sous forme cylindrique creuse et sont fixés dans des ouvertures (25, 27) passant à travers la portion de corps (1), moyennant quoi des pièces d'attache pour fixer la portion de corps au cadre sont capables de passer à travers les ouvertures et à travers les dispositifs d'attache à vis cylindriques creux.

14. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon la revendication 13, dans lequel une plaque de base (53) est prévue entre les moyens d'inclinaison (47) et les dispositifs d'attache à vis cylindriques creux.

15. Dispositif de restriction d'ouverture selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, dans lequel les moyens de verrouillage (23) sont mobiles dans leur condition déverrouillée de manière à pousser le levier de fixation (35) contre les moyens d'inclinaison (47) de manière à déplacer le levier de fixation vers sa seconde position.

Drawing