The present invention relates to a roof window with a locking assembly configured for releasably locking the sash to the frame in the closed position of the roof window, wherein in the closed position of the roof window a space is formed between the top sash member and the top frame member, and wherein a top unit extends between the top sash member and top frame member, said top unit, top sash member, and top frame member forming a closed compartment, wherein the locking assembly is contained within said closed compartment.

Windows for installation in an inclined roof surface come in fixed or openable variations. Openable roof windows include the type hinged at or near the middle (generally designated "pivoting roof windows") allowing the sash to rotate around a centre axis near the middle of the sash. Such openable windows allow access to the exterior side of the pane for maintenance purposes and require operating means for opening and/or for providing ventilation of the window. Openable windows comprise a sash that can be locked to the frame by means of a locking and/or ventilation assembly. Applicant's earlier applications Nos. WO 02/084043 A1, EP 1 801 333 A1, WO 2012/034558 A1, and EP 2 796 656 A1 show and describe variants of such a locking and/or ventilation assembly.

Fixed windows are simpler in structure and appearance because they lack the operating means required in openable windows. It is often desired to install a combination of openable and fixed roof windows in a single room because one or two openable windows are most often sufficient to provide the desired ventilation. However, fixed windows come with the undesired disadvantage that their exterior cannot be maintained from inside the room leaving it complicated to fix potential damages to the window.

Users and window installers are therefore left to choose between an openable window with visible operating means or a fixed window where the exterior cannot easily be accessed.

With this background it is an object of the present invention to provide a roof window with an accessible exterior without any visible operating means.

This is achieved with a roof window of the kind mentioned in the introduction which further comprises the features of the characterising portion of claim 1.

By the provision of a service-lever, occasional operation of the window may be performed, and the service-lever may so to say constitute the operating means for the locking assembly and may be considered as forming part of the locking assembly. Operation of the locking assembly is thus made possible in case service is to be carried out, while at the same time, the service-lever fulfils no function during everyday use. Consequently, the service-lever may be designed in a flexible way.

The term "service-lever" is to be interpreted broadly, and may be formed by any component suitable for obtaining the functionality aimed at, i.e. locking and unlocking of the sash relative to the frame. The service-lever may take any suitable form and be configured for linear motion in one or more dimensions, motion along a curve, rotational motion, or a combination of movement patterns. The service-lever may be configured to operate mechanical or electronic locking means.

Preferably, the servicer-lever is provided as a separate component releasably connected to other components of the locking assembly by means of mechanical connection means, such as a bolt. In this way, a simple, yet mechanically reliable connection is easily established, facilitating manufacture of the locking assembly as well as allowing a user to activate the locking assembly by manual handling of the service-lever.

In one embodiment, the locking assembly comprises a sash lock part and a frame lock part, and the sash lock part comprises engagement means configured to cooperate with the frame lock part and with slidable member via a locking control mechanism, the slidable member being movable between a first and a second position in a substantially longitudinally extending track. Such a locking assembly is structurally simple and operation of the service-lever as part of the locking assembly is immediately apparent and logical.

In a further development of the above-mentioned embodiments, the service-lever is releasably connected to the slidable member forming part of the other components of the locking assembly. The service-lever is then able to activate the other components of the locking assembly via the readily accessible slidable member.

To allow for easy access and at the same time facilitate the required travel of the slidable member to lock and unlock the locking assembly, the service-lever is preferably formed as an elongate component comprising a body portion and a head portion separated by a neck portion, the neck portion being preferably dimensioned such that the head portion is in the near vicinity of the opening in the top unit.

The service-cover may have a length along it longest dimension of 5 cm or less. This has the advantage of keeping the size of the opening in the top unit at a minimum while still allowing access to the service-lever. By having a service cover of this size, the everyday user is also less inclined to remove the service-cover.

In alternative embodiments, the service-lever may be a rotatable service-lever, a sideways slidable service-lever, or a push-button service-lever.

In principle, the locking assembly may be formed in any suitable manner allowing safe locking and unlocking of the sash relative to the frame. In presently preferred embodiments, the locking assembly comprises mechanical or electronic locking control means.

The compartment formed by the top sash member, top frame member, and top unit may extend the entire length of the top sash member in the longitudinal direction of the top sash member. This provides a compartment formed in a simple and easy manner, where the entire top surface of the top sash member forms a bottom wall of the compartment. This allows a substantially planar top sash member. Further, it results sufficient space in the compartment to arrange a variety of locking assemblies.

The top unit preferably extends from the top sash member. In this way the top unit is easily accessible in both the open and closed position of the roof window. When the window is in the open position, the sash extends into the room which make the top frame member more difficult to reach.

The service-lever is preferably arranged on the top sash member. This has the advantage of providing a better control over the sash when it is in the open position, since it provides a means for holding the open sash. Preferably, the top unit extends from the top sash member and the service-lever is arranged on the top sash member. This has the combined benefit of have the entire locking assembly easily accessible in both the open position and closed position of the roof window. A further benefit is that the service-lever can used to pull the sash into the open position of the window.

By having the service-lever completely contained within the compartment in the locked configuration of the locking assembly, it is possible to hide the operating means for unlocking the sash, when the roof window is in the closed position. Further, it provides a simple visual appearance of the roof window while allowing access to the exterior when needed.

The releasable service cover has the advantage of providing access to the service-lever when removed while completely blocking visual access to the service-lever when inserted in the top unit.

The service cover may be arranged in the opening of the top unit by means of snap fittings. This has at least the advantage of providing a service cover that can be removed and inserted several times in an easy and quick manner.

The service-lever preferably extends through the opening of the top unit when the locking assembly is in an unlocked configuration. While the service-lever is completely contained in the compartment when the locking assembly is in the locked configuration, the service-lever preferably extends through the opening when it is in an unlocked configuration. This has the advantage that it is clearly visible to the operator that the window is unlocked and that the service cover cannot accidentally be put in place in the opening of the top unit while the roof window is able to open.

The locking assembly may comprise blocking means arranged to block movement of the service-lever. The blocking means are configured to block the engagement means or the service-lever from sliding in their respective track. The blocking means may be activated to release the engagement means or service-lever from being blocked. The blocking mechanism has the advantage of providing a safety mechanism in case an unauthorized user removes the service-cover and tries to pulls the service-lever.

Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.

In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a roof window in an embodiment according to the disclosure, in a closed position;
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the roof window from Fig.1, in an open position;
• Fig. 3 is a side view of the roof window from Fig. 1, in an open position;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sash from Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5a is a front view of a roof window in an embodiment according to the disclosure, in a closed position;
• Fig. 5b is a front view of a top unit with a service cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
• Fig. 5c is the front view of the top unit from Fig. 5b without the service cover;
• Fig. 5d is a perspective view of the roof window from Fig. 5a in an open position of the roof window;
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a top sash member and a locking assembly according to the disclosure.
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of part of a locking assembly according to the disclosure in a locked configuration of the locking assembly.
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the locking assembly from Fig. 7, in an unlocked configuration of the locking assembly.
• Fig. 9a is a side view of a service-lever according to the disclosure.
• Fig. 9b is a bottom view of the service-lever from Fig. 9a.
• Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 of details of a roof window in a further embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 of details of a roof window a still further embodiment of the invention.

In the following detailed description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. It may also be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain components illustrated in the drawings may differ from the corresponding dimensions in real-life implementations.

It is noted that terms such as "up", "down", "left-hand", "right-hand", "exterior", "interior", "outer", "inner" are relative and refers to the viewpoint in question. When referred to an exterior side, this relates to a side of a roof window in the mounted condition facing the outdoors or external side of the building. Conversely, an interior side refers to a side facing the internal side of the building, i.e. typically a subjacent room including any light shaft. Terms such as "outwards" and "inwards" are directions generally perpendicular to an interior-exterior direction, taking as its base point a centre of the roof window. A longitudinal direction is, if nothing else is mentioned, longitudinal along the length of a frame member of the roof window. It is to be understood that the arrangement shown in a horizontal orientation is not the normal orientation as the roof window is installed in an inclined roof.

In the following, details relating to a general embodiment of a roof window 100 such as the one shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will be described. The roof window 100 is intended to be installed in or on an inclined roof surface (not shown).

The roof window 100 comprises a primary frame 1 and at least one secondary frame 2, referred to as a sash 2. The primary frame 1 is configured to be mounted to a roof structure (not shown) defining the inclined roof surface and is stationary once mounted. The sash 2 is mounted in the primary frame 1 and carries a pane 4.

The primary frame 1 comprises a set of frame members including in this embodiment a top frame member 11, a bottom frame member 12, and two side frame members 13, 14. Correspondingly, the sash 2 comprises a set of sash members including a top sash member 21, a bottom sash member 22, and two side sash members 23, 24. While the primary frame 1 and sash 2 are described as rectangular structures, some principles of the presented concepts may be applicable to other geometrical shapes as well.

Fig. 1 shows the roof window 100 in the mounted state. The roof window 100 is in a closed position and has no visible handles or operating means for opening the sash 2 and it appears to the user as a fixed window that cannot be opened.

Despite the lack of visible operating means, the sash 2 can be unlocked from the frame 1 to rotate through approximately 180° about a horizontal axis of rotation B here positioned approximately half-way between the top and bottom of the roof window 100 to an open position of the roof window, as shown in Fig. 2. The sash 2 is provided with hinge fitting parts (not shown) on the side sash members 23, 24 cooperating with counter hinge fitting parts (not shown) on the corresponding side frame members 13, 14 to allow rotation around axis B.

In everyday use the sash 2 is locked to the frame 1 and the above-described rotation is not accessible. The sash 2 is locked to the frame 1 by means of locking assembly 50 that can be activated to reversibly lock and unlock the sash 2 to the frame 1.

The locking assembly 50 is arranged on the top sash member 21 in a compartment 70 formed by a space between the top sash member 21 and the top frame member 11 in the closed position of the roof window 100. In the shown closed position of the roof window 100, the top sash member 21 and the top frame member 11 form a bottom wall and a top wall, respectively, of the compartment 70.

In the shown embodiments, a top unit 7 extends from the top sash member 21 towards the top frame member 11 in the closed position of the roof window and forms a third wall of the compartment 70 towards the interior of the room in which the roof window 100 is installed.

It is recognised that the top unit 7 has a length dimension, a width dimension and a thickness dimension configured to cover a substantial part of the top sash member 21 and completely seal the compartment 70 from the user when the roof window is in the closed position.

In the embodiments shown, the top unit 7 is arranged between two end portions of the top sash member 21 which are formed by extensions of the respective side sash members 23, 24. The top unit 7 extends the entire distance between the two end portions. This configuration gives the combined top sash member 21 and top unit 7 an L-shaped form when seen from a sideview as visualized in Fig. 3.

Looking at Fig. 3, the foot of the L-shape, i.e. the top unit 7, closes the compartment 70 when the window is closed thereby sealing and visually hiding the compartment 70 from the user in the room in which the roof window 100 is installed. The top unit may in principle extend from the top frame member 11 instead and maintain the same functionality.

As mentioned above, the looking assembly 50 is arranged in the compartment 70 and when the roof window 100 is opened, the top sash member 21 and the top unit 7 are brought out of contact with the top frame member 11 thereby revealing the locking assembly 50.

The locking assembly 50 comprises a service-lever 40 dimensioned to also be completely contained within the compartment 70 in the locked configuration of the locking assembly 50, as shown in Fig. 4. The locking assembly 50 is activated by means of the service-lever 40.

To access the service-lever 40, the top unit 7 comprises a releasable service cover 78 arranged in front of the service-lever 40. The service cover 78 covers an opening 72 in the top unit through which an operator can reach the service-lever 40. The service cover 78 forms part of the top unit 7 during normal use of the roof window 100 thereby sealing the operating means i.e. locking assembly for opening the roof window 100.

The mechanism of the service cover 78 and the service-lever 40 will now be explained with reference to Figs. 5a - 5d.

Starting from Fig. 5a the roof window 100 is in a closed position and is observed from the room in which the roof window 100 is installed. This illustrates the visual appearance of the roof window 100 during normal use where the window appears as a fixed non-openable sash 2 arranged in the frame 1 without any visible operating means for opening the window.

The service cover 78 is arranged in the top unit 7 and may be removed by an operator e.g. during installation of the roof window 100. In Fig. 5b the service cover 78 is removed by pulling the service cover 78 outwards i.e. towards to user. It may be envisioned that the service cover 78 is arranged to be pushed into the compartment 70 instead. In the shown embodiments, the service cover 78 is releasably engaged with the top unit 7 by means of snap fittings (not shown) such that the service cover can be reattached to the top unit 7 once the necessary service has been performed on the roof window 100.

When the service cover 78 is removed it reveals an opening 72 through which the service-lever 40 can be operated. In the shown embodiments, the service-lever 40 can be pulled towards the operator through the opening in the front unit 7. By pulling the service-lever 40, the sash 2 unlocks from the frame 1.

Once the locking assembly 50 has been activated the window is unlocked and may be rotated around the axis B, as shown in Fig 5d.

The reverse movements may be performed to lock the window again, i.e. starting from Fig 5d with an open roof window 100, closing the roof window 100 will result in the locking assembly 50, if configured as described in the embodiment to be described below, assuming its locked position automatically.

In an alternative, not-shown embodiment, the service-lever 40 is manually pushed into the compartment 70 to engage the locking assembly 50.

Regardless of the specific configuration of the locking assembly 50, the service cover 78 is then rearranged in the opening 72 of the top unit 7 to hide the service-lever 40.

Turning now to Figs 6 - 8, the locking assembly from the shown embodiment is seen in greater details.

Looking initially to Fig. 6, the locking assembly 50 comprises a sash lock part 52 arranged on the top sash member 21, and a frame lock part 54 arranged in the top frame member 11.

The sash lock part 52 comprises a base plate 51 and engagement means 56 configured to engage the frame lock part 54. The locking assembly 50 may in principle take any form as long as it provides means for releasably locking the sash 2 to the frame 1 and can be completely contained within the compartment 70.

In the embodiment shown, the sash lock part 52 comprises a slidable member 58 movable between a first and a second position in a substantially longitudinally extending track in the base plate 51.

In embodiments where the service-lever 40 is provided as a separate component releasably connected to other components of the locking assembly, the service-lever 40 may as shown be releasably connected to the slidable member 58, such as seen in Fig. 4.

The locking assembly 50 may for instance take the form of a locking assembly as shown and described in connection with Fig. 5 of the above-mentioned EP 1 801 333 A1 or Fig. 5 of the above-mentioned WO 02/084043 A1, i.e., in which the engagement means 56 of the sash lock part 52 are constituted by the set of pawls cooperating with the actuator slide via the locking control mechanism, wherein the actuator slide corresponds in the embodiment shown to the slidable member 58.

In a roof window comprising such a known locking assembly, locking will take place automatically during closure of the sash 2 relative to the frame 1, since the engagement means 56, i.e., the pawls, will be guided in the counterpart engagement of the frame 1 and so to say pull the slidable member 58, i.e., the actuator slide, with them, thereby also retracting the service-lever 40 into the compartment 70.

The locking assembly may further comprise blocking means (not shown) as also described in WO02/084043 A1. The blocking means are configured to block movement of the service-lever 40 or either of the engagement means 56 from sliding in their respective track when the blocking means are activated.

In Fig. 7 the locking assembly is in a locked configuration. Each of the service-lever 40 and two engagement means 56 are arranged in a respective track in the base plate 51 and are mechanically linked to each other, for instance by the locking control mechanism as outlined above. The service-lever 40 is arranged on the slidable member 58 and the two engagement means 56 are arranged symmetrically around the service-lever in respective arch-formed tracks.

Moving the service-lever 40 along its track results in a corresponding movement of each of the engagement means 56 along their respective tracks thereby activating the locking mechanism 50. Starting from the locked configuration in Fig. 7 and moving the service-lever 40 towards the opposite side of the track moves the locking assembly 50 towards an unlocked configuration, as shown in Fig. 8. In the shown embodiments, the service-lever 40 extends through the opening in top unit 7 when the locking assembly 50 is in the unlocked configuration, as best seen in Fig. 5d.

Turning to Figs. 9a and 9b the service-lever 40 from Figs. 4 to 8 is shown in greater details.

The service-lever 40 of the embodiments shown comprises a body portion 44 and a head portion 42 separated by a neck portion 46.

The body portion 44 comprises a bolt 48 for attachment to the other components of the locking assembly 50, here to the slidable member 58.

The head portion 42 comprises a loophole 42 for reaching the service-lever 40 through the opening in the top unit 7.

The neck portion 46 is dimensioned such that the head portion 42 is in the near vicinity of the opening in the top unit 7 and thereby easy to reach through the opening of the top unit 7 by the operator.

Other modes of operation are conceivable e.g. by a service-lever 140 that unlocks the sash 2 by a rotating movement as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 10 and/or an upwards movement, a downwards movement or a sideways movement of the service-lever 240 as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 11.

In the embodiment of Fig. 11, where the service-lever 240 is activated by a sideways movement, the locking assembly comprises a lock bolt 416 in mechanical connection with the service-lever 240. The lock bolt 416 interacts with an aperture (not shown) in the side frame member 13, and a sideways movement of the service-lever 240 results in a corresponding sideways movement of the lock bolt 416 as indicated by the arrows in Fig 11.

The sideways moving service-lever 240 may also be combined with the locking assembly 50 shown in Figs. 6 to 8, where a sideways movement of the service-lever 40 results in the circular movement of the engagement means 56 to activate the lock.

An electronic locking assembly 50 may also be envisioned, for instance such that the rotatable service-lever 140 of Fig. 10 or the sideways slidable service-lever 240 of Fig. 11 represent on-off positions of such an electronic locking assembly 50.

As an alternative to the service-levers 40, 140, 240 described in the above, the service-lever may in non-shown embodiments comprise a push button for activating the locking assembly which is revealed when removing the service cover 78.

1

primary frame

2

secondary frame / sash

4

pane

5

operating assembly / handle

7

top unit

7a, 7b

end of top unit

11

top frame member

12

bottom frame member

13,14

side frame member

21

top sash member

22

bottom sash member

23, 24

side sash member

40

service-lever

42

head portion of service-lever

44

body portion of service-lever

46

neck portion of service-lever

48

bolt

50

locking assembly

51

base plate

52

sash lock part

54

frame lock part

56

engagement means / pawl member

58

slidable member / actuator slide

70

compartment

72

opening in top unit

78

service cover

100

roof window

140

service-lever (further embodiment)

240

service-lever (further embodiment)

416

lock bolt

B

axis of rotation