Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02331005 2001-01-10
Window Sash Pivot Assembly
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to double hung
windows with tiltable removable sashes, and more
importantly, but not exclusively, to improvements to the
window sash pivot assembly.
Backaround of the Invention
Double hung windows known in the art comprise a pair of
vertically translating window sashes. The window sashes
slide about channels located alongside the window jambs of a
window frame. Either sash can overlap the other sash to
provide varying openings of the window. A window sash
generally comprises, at its top end, a locking mechanism to
engage the window sash in a stationary position along the
window jambs. The window sashes may also be independently
2o attached to a biasing mechanism, continuously pulling the
window sashes upward. Another interesting feature of the
double hung windows is provided by a pivoting mechanism,
which allows for the window sashes to be inclined inwardly.
This allows, for example, the maintenance and the cleaning
of both faces of a window sash and glass panel from the
inside.
Pivot assemblies have been provided to achieve this
pivoting while enabling the sliding of the window sash
within the channels of the window jambs. The pivoting
feature for inclining window sashes is allowed by pivoting
mechanisms enclosed within the pivot assemblies.
Different models of pivot assemblies have been
introduced with various options. U.S. Patent No. 5,127,192,
issued on July 7, 1992 to Cross discloses a pivot assembly
defining a housing which slides in a track and receives a
rotor. The rotor is rotatively connected to a sash pivot,
thus permitting the inclination of the window sash about the
window jambs. Furthermore, the rotation of the rotor
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engages the housing in arresting contact with the track for
preventing the housing to move along the track when the sash
is rotated. This feature allows for the window sash to have
a stationary pivoting axis between the window jambs.
It is known from U.S. Patent No. 5,127,192 to provide
an obstruction block for locking the window sash in the
housing. The obstruction block closes a slot that provides
an outlet for removing the window sash from the housing. In
order to pull the window sash out of the housing, the
obstruction blocks must be taken off. To do so, a
screwdriver or the like is needed to release the obstruction
block from the housing. This renders the removal of the
window sash from the housing inconvenient. It also involves
a risk of losing the obstruction blocks and making the
assembly insecure.
Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 5,127,192 has not foreseen
the risk of longitudinal dislocation of the sash pivots.
Although the sash pivot is secured laterally in the rotor,
the sash pivot is free to slide out of the rotor
longitudinally. During transportation and installation of
the window sash, the deflection or bowing of the frame may
lead to such longitudinal dislocation.
U.S. Patent No. 5,243,783, issued on September 14, 1993
to Schmidt et al. provides improvements as it involves a
pivot assembly comprising a pivot with a flange at an end
thereof enclosed in a housing also comprising flanges. This
configuration prevents the longitudinal dislocation
aforementioned.
U.S. Patent No. 5,243,783 also discloses a slot in the
pivot rotor for removing the window sash from the housing.
In this case, the slot is blocked by a retainer spring,
having an end fixedly attached to the housing and an opposed
free end obstructing the slot. The pivot of the window sash
is inserted into the slot by depressing the free end of the
retainer spring. The retainer spring resiliently moves back
over the slot, thereby preventing the pivot from slipping
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out of the slot. To remove the window sash pivot from the
slot, the retainer spring must be manually pushed inwardly.
This makes the removal of the window sash from the pivot
assembly intricate as a person can only remove one side of
the window sash at a time, for the retainer spring must be
pushed manually.
The removal of the window sash, one side at a time,
causes further problems. When only one side of the window
sash is released from the pivot assemblies, the window sash
is tilted from its normal perpendicular position about the
window jambs. In doing so, the flanges of the pivot tend to
engage and pry against the flanges of the housing. This
prying sometimes causes a portion of the flanges of the
housing to crack off. Parts of the pivot assembly must then
be replaced, thus increasing material costs and installation
time.
Furthermore, a cantilever-like retainer spring such as
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,243,783 must be of low
stiffness to be pressed in manually. Consequently, such
springs are not a reliable and durable solution.
U.S. Patent No. 5,924,243, issued on July 20, 1999 to
Polowinczak et al. introduces a pivot assembly including a
rotor rotatably disposed therein. The rotor comprises slots
for receiving a pivot connected to a window sash. The slots
are for receiving the pivot and a collar is located adjacent
an end thereof. The slots comprise angled surfaces in order
to provide the pivot and the collar with clearance in order
to be released from the rotor without prying flanges at an
opening of the rotor, as described previously. The collar
also prevents the longitudinal dislocation of the window
sash from the rotor in case of bowing of the window frame
during transportation and installation.
The pivot assembly of U.S. Patent No. 5,924,243 also
defines a slot for releasing the window sash therefrom. A
spring may be releasably installed on the lateral walls
defining the slot in order to obstruct the slot. To remove
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the window sash pivot from the rotor, the spring must be
removed beforehand, thereby rendering this operation
inconvenient. If the spring is not used, the window sash is
no longer secured in the rotor when tilted horizontally and
may fall out.
It would be desirable to provide a window sash pivot
assembly combining the advantages described above, while
encompassing the problems found in the prior art. It would
be of further interest to provide a window sash pivot
assembly proposing a simple method for releasing the window
sash therefrom. Furthermore, adding the durability and ease
of assembly and repair features to such a system while
keeping it inexpensive will be a step forward in the
conception of window sash pivot assemblies.
Disclosure of the Invention
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a sash
pivot assembly for supporting a window sash, comprising a
durable system for snap-locking and snap-releasing a sash
pivot from the sash pivot assembly.
Summary of the Invention
According to the above aim of the present invention,
and according to a broad aspect thereof, there is provided a
sash pivot assembly for supporting a window sash. The sash
pivot assembly is slidably mounted in a channel alongside a
window jamb. The pivot assembly comprises a housing
defining a bearing surface for rotatively supporting a pivot
rotor. A blocking mechanism has at least one bearing member
for releasably engaging the assembly in an arresting
position within a window jamb. A sash pivot is adapted to
be mounted to the window sash. The pivot rotor defines a
generally cylindrical body. A slot is longitudinally
disposed in the cylindrical body for receiving the sash
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pivot and a spring clip is disposed in the slot and defines
a resilient throat therebetween for snap-locking and snap-
releasing engagement with the sash pivot.
According to a further broad aspect of the present
invention there is provided a pivot rotor mechanism for a
sash pivot assembly for supporting a window sash. The pivot
rotor mechanism comprises a sash pivot adapted to be mounted
in a window sash. A pivot rotor defines a generally
cylindrical body adapted for rotative contact engagement
with a sash pivot assembly housing. The rotor has a slot
longitudinally disposed therein for receiving the sash
pivot. A spring clip is disposed in the slot and defines a
resilient throat therebetween for snap-locking and snap-
releasing engagement with the sash pivot.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will
now be described in detail having reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is an schematic exploded view of a pivot
assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sash pivot
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a pivot rotor
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the spring clip
removably secured within the rotor;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of the sash pivot;
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a double-hung
window mounted with pivot assemblies in accordance with the
present invention; and
Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a
slidably mounted pivot assembly of Fig. 6 taken from line 7-
7 of Fig. 6.
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Description of the Preferred Embodiments
According to the drawings and more particularly to Fig.
1, a window sash pivot assembly of the present invention is
generally shown at 10 in an exploded view. The assembly 10
comprises a first housing member 12, a second housing member
14 and a pivot rotor 16. The assembly 10 further comprises
a sash pivot 18 as shown in Fig. 2.
The first housing member 12 and the second housing
member 14 are pivotally mounted by pins joining holes 20 and
22 of the first housing member to holes 24 and 26 of the
second housing member, respectively. The pivot rotor 16 is
enclosed by the first and second housing member assembly.
The first and second housing member assembly is slidably
mounted in a channel alongside a window jamb. The assembly
may also comprise attachment means (not shown) as is well
known in the art for connecting to a biasing mechanism
within the window jamb.
The first housing member 12 is defined by a generally
U-shaped piece 28. The U-shaped piece 28 comprises lateral
walls 30 and 32 and a bottom wall 34. The lateral walls 30
and 32 and the bottom wall 34 define a circular shaped
bearing surface 36.
The lateral walls 30 and 32 comprise sliding faces 38
and 40, respectively. The sliding faces 38 and 40 laterally
extend outward from the lateral walls. Cantilever arms 42
and 44 project downward from sliding faces 38 and 40,
respectively. The cantilever arms 42 and 44 are resiliently
biased inward of the U-shaped piece 28. The bottom wall 34
comprises flanges 46 and 48 extending laterally therefrom.
When the first housing member 12 is slidably disposed
in the window jamb channel, the inner faces of the lateral
walls of the channel are in slidable contact with the
sliding faces 38 and 40 of the lateral walls 30 and 32, and
with the flanges 46 and 48 of the bottom wall 34. The
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cantilever arms 42 and 44 are resiliently biased inward to
avoid contact with the lateral walls of the channel.
Finally, the lateral walls 30 and 32 have integrally formed
top ends 50 and 52. The top ends 50 and 52 are provided
with holes 20 and 22 for receiving pins for engaging a
pivotable connection between the first housing member 12 and
the second housing member 14.
The second housing member 14 is defined by a generally
rectangular piece 54. A U-shaped formation 56 is formed at
an end of the rectangular piece 54. The U-shaped frame 56
comprises lateral portions 58 and 60. Holes 24 and 26 are
formed on the lateral portions 58 and 60. As described
above, the holes 24 and 26 are opposed to the holes 20 and
22 and connected thereto by pins. This provides a pivotal
connection of the first housing member 12 to the second
housing member 14. Furthermore, the outer faces of the
lateral portions 58 and 60 are disposed in slidable contact
with the inner faces of the window jamb channel. The
rectangular piece 54 is provided at an opposed end with a
bearing surface 62 and ridges 64 and 66.
The pivot rotor 16 comprises a generally cylindrical
body 68. An oblong shaped collar 70 is generally located in
the middle thereof. The collar 70 separates the cylindrical
body 68 in a front portion 72 and a rear portion 74.
The pivot rotor 16 is enclosed in the assembly of the
first and second housing members 12 and 14. The front
portion 72 of the pivot rotor 16 is received in rotative
contact with the bearing surface 36 of the first housing
member 12. The rear portion 74 is in rotative contact with
the bearing surface 62 of the second housing member 14. The
oblong-shaped collar is enclosed in the ridges 64 and 66 of
the second housing member 14.
When the pivot rotor 16 is turned in the assembly, the
oblong-shaped collar 70 reaches a position where it extends
laterally from the rectangular piece 54 of the second
housing member 14. In doing so, the oblong-shaped collar 70
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engages in operative contact with the inner surfaces 76 and
78 of the cantilever arms 42 and 44, respectively. In
consequence thereof, the cantilever arms 42 and 44 are
outwardly pushed toward the inner faces of the window jamb
channel. In doing so, the window sash pivot assembly 10 is
locked in the window jamb channel, preventing further slide
of the assembly, and thus, of the window sash. This
position is referred to as the assembly locking position.
The pivot rotor 16 as shown in Fig. 3, further
1o comprises a slot 80. The slot 80 defines opposed lateral
faces 82 and 84 and a bottom face 86. Flanges 88 and 90 are
located at an opening of the slot 80. The slot 80 extends
at an end opposed to the opening in the collar 70. The
extension of the slot 80 in the collar 70 is characterized
by rounded edges 92 and 94. Apertures 96 are provided in
the bottom face 86 and are disposed adjacent the lateral
faces 82 and 84.
A spring clip is generally shown at 98 in Fig. 4. The
spring clip 98 is defined by a U-shaped spring 100
comprising lateral sides 102 and 104. The lateral sides 102
and 104 comprise inwardly embossed portions 106 and 108,
thereby defining a resilient throat.
The spring clip 98 is mounted in the pivot rotor 16
with the clip lateral side arms 102 and 104 extending
through the apertures 96 at opposed ends of the bottom face
86. The lateral side arms 102 and 104 of the spring clip 98
are resiliently biased outward and are thus kept in the
pivot rotor 16 by pressing against the lateral faces 82 and
84 of the slot 80. In consequence thereof, the spring clip
98 is secured but can easily be replaced by pushing it out
of the slot when the rotor is removed from the assembly.
The sash pivot 18, as shown in Fig. 2, is defined by a
generally slender rectangular rod 110. Holes 112 are
disposed therein to provide attachment means to a window
sash (not shown).
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A pivot head 114 is located at an end of the slender
rectangular rod 110. As shown in Fig. 5, the pivot head is
defined by a top face 116, a bottom face 118 and lateral
faces 120 and 122. The lateral face 120 generally defines a
wave-like shape comprising cam surfaces 124 separated by a
groove 128. Similarly, the lateral face 122 comprises cam
surfaces 126, separated by a groove 130.
The sash pivot 18, when secured to a sash, is inserted
in the pivot rotor 16 as follows. The pivot head 114 is
engaged in the slot 80 with the lateral faces 120 and 122
aligned with the lateral faces 82 and 84 of the slot 80.
When the cam surfaces 124 and 126 adjacent the bottom face
118 of the pivot head 114 come in contact with the inwardly
embossed portions 106 and 108 of the spring clip 98,
additional manual force is needed to snap the pivot head
past the inwardly embossed portions 106 and 108. Once the
sash pivot 18 is snapped into the pivot rotor 16, the
inwardly embossed portions 106 and 108 are enclosed in the
grooves 128 and 130 of the pivot head 114. Consequently,
the sash pivot 18 is releasably locked in the pivot rotor
16. This position is referred to as the snap-locking
engagement. To release the sash pivot 18 from the snap-
locking engagement in the pivot rotor 16, an additional
manual pull is necessary. This pull is referred to as the
snap-release engagement.
Window sashes are generally shown at 200 in Fig. 6.
The window sashes 200 are mounted in channels 202 of window
jambs 204. As shown in Fig. 7, a sash pivot 18 is connected
in the window sash 200 an is secured within the window sash
pivot assembly 10.
The method herein disclosed for releasably locking the
sash pivot 18 in the pivot rotor 16 and consequently the
window sash in the window sash pivot assembly, is efficient
and does not require any tools. This is an improvement over
the previous systems as it renders the present invention
convenient in use.
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Furthermore, the inwardly embossed portions of the
spring clip provide a more durable solution than the free
end retainer spring solution of U.S. Patent No. 5,243,783.
In effect, an arch is structurally stronger than a
cantilever-like spring, which will be subject to fatigue
earlier.
The present invention has also kept the feature of
preventing the longitudinal dislocation of the sash pivot 18
from the pivot rotor 16. This is done by the pivot head 114
of the sash pivot 18 engaging contact with the flanges 88
and 90 of the slot 80 of the pivot rotor 16. If the sash
pivot 18 is pulled inwardly, for example when the window
frame bows during transportation and installation, the
flanges 88 and 90 will prevent the sash pivot 18 from being
pulled out of the pivot rotor 16.
Another improvement of the present invention relates to
the rounded edges 92 and 94 in the collar 70 of the pivot
rotor 16. These rounded edges provide a clearance if the
pivot head were to be inclined to be released from the snap-
locking engagement. This feature ensures that the flanges
88 and 90 will not be pried and cracked off upon snap-
release or snap-locking engagement of the sash pivot 18 and
the pivot rotor 16.
It is within the ambit of the present invention to
cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described
herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
