Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PATENT
1
CASEMENT WINDOW HINGE
DESCRIPTI0N
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to casement windows, and more specifically, to a
hinge
assembly for a casement window assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE IIWENTION
[0002] Casement window assemblies are known in the art and typically have a
sash window
pivotally mounted in a window frame by a hinge assembly. Certain hinge designs
may have
adjustment mechanisms as well as cooperative sliding stxuetures to provide
smooth operation of
the casement window. While casernent window assemblies and hinge assemblies of
the prior art
provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain
limitations.
[0003] The present invention is provided to solve problems associated with
casement
window asgemblies, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior
casement
windows and hinge assemblies. A full discussion of the features and advantages
of the present
invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds
with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Aspects of the present invention provide a hitige assembly for a
casement window
assembly, including a hinge frame adapted to be mounted on the window frame,
the hinge frame
having a track comprising an elongated channel. A shoe is slidably mounted on
the track such
that a portion of the shoe is received in the channel. A sash arm is pivotably
coupled at one end
to the shoe and adapted to be attached to the window. Means are disposed on
the hinge frame for
assisting insertion of the portion of the shoe into the channel to mount the
shoe on the track.
According to one aspect, the means for assisting insertion of the portion of
the shoe into the
channel is an embossed guide on the hinge frame adjacent an end of the
channel. According to
another aspect, the means for assisting insertion of the portion of the shoe
into the channel is a
flared portion on an end of the channel, the flared portion having a width
greater than a width of
the channel along a majority of the length thereof. According to a further
aspect, the hinge
assembly may have means for limiting a range of pivoting of the sash arm with
respect to the
shoe.
[0005] Aspects of the present invention also provide a hinge assembly for a
casement
window assembly that includes a hinge frame adapted to be mounted on the
window frame and a
hinge arm pivotably coupled at a first end to the hinge frame and adapted to
be operatively
coupled at a second end to the window. The first end of the hinge arm has a
slot proximate a tip
thereof and an aperture spaced from the slot. A mounting structure pivotably
couples the hinge
arm to the hinge frame and includes a spring member pivotably coupled to the
hinge frame, a pin
connected to the spring member, an adjuster rotatably coupled to the resilient
spring member.
The pin is received in the slot of the hinge ann, and the adjuster is coupled
to the hinge arm such
that a projection of the adjuster is received within the aperture of the hinge
arm. Rotation of the
adjuster changes the position of the projeotion with respect to the pin,
thereby changing the
position of the hinge arm with respect to the pin. The hinge arm is
connectable to and
disconnectable from the mounting structure by flexing the spring member to
move the prajection
of the adjuster out of position to be received within the aperture of the
hinge arm.
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[0006] Further aspeets of the invention provide an adjustment mechanism for a
casement
window assembly having a hinge assembly. The adjustment tnechaaism includes an
eecentric
adjuster and a retaining mernber adapted to be mounted on the hinge assembly.
The adjuster
includes a base having a plurality of points on the outer surface and a
projection adapted to be
pivotably connected to one of the arms of the hinge assembly, such that
rotation of the adjuster
moves the connection point of the ann. The retaining member has a notch
therein. The xetaining
member is moveable between a first position, where the retaining member
engages the base of
the adjuster to prevent rotation of the adjuster such that one of the points
is roccived in the notch,
and a second position, where the retaining member does not engage the base of
the adjuster to
prevent rotation of the adjuster.
[0007j Still further aspects of the invention provide a snap-on connection
assembly for
components of a casement window assembly, including first and second members
of the
casement window assembly, each having a first aperture therein. The connection
assembly
further includes a rivet connected to the first member through the aperture,
and a flexible,
resilient bushing disposed around the rivet. The bushing has a flange and a
tapered portion
adjacent the flange. The second member is pivotably connected to the first
member by inserting
the rivet and the bushing into the second aperture. When an inner surface of
the second aperture
contacts the tapered portion the bushing flexes inwardly tQ permit the second
member to pass the
flange. When the second member passes the flange, the bushing flexes
outwardly. The
outwardly-flexed flange has a width that is greater than a width of the second
aperture, and thus,
the second member is seoured to the bushing to fornn the pivotable connection.
[0008] Other features and advantages ot'the invention will be apparent from
the following
specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of
example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. I is a perspeetive view of a casement window assembly in a closed
position;
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FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the casement window assembly of FIG. 1 in an
open
position;
FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the casement window assembly of FIG. 1
in the
open position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly of for a casement window
assembly in a
closed position;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a focused perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly of
FIG. 2 in an
open position;
FIG. 5 is a focused perspective view of a shoe, a rivet, and a sash arm of the
hinge
assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an and view of a frame and a shoe of the hinge assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a focused exploded perspective view of a portion of the hinge
assembly of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a focused side view of a portion of the hinge assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an adjuster of the hinge assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism of the hinge assembly
of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 11 is a top view of a second embodiment of a hinge assembly for a
casement
window assembly in the closed position;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11 in the open position;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11 in the open
position;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 15 is an end view of a frame and a shoe of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an adjuster of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the adjuster of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a hinge assembly for a
casement
window assembly in the open position;
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FIG, 18A is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism of the hinge
assembly of
FIG. 18;
FIG. 19 is a focused perspective view of a portion of a fourth embodiment of a
hinge
assembly for a casement window assembly in the open position;
FIG. 20 is a focused plau view of an alternate embodiment of an adjustment
mechanism
for a hinge assembly;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of a fifth embodiment of a hinge
assembly for a
casement window assembly in the open position;
FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a connection assembly for a casement window
assembly;
FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the connection assembly of FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the connection assembly of FIG. 22; and,
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a rivet of the connection assembly of FIG.
22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] While thia invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different
forms, there are
shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred
embodiments of the
invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to
limit the broad aspect of
the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[00111 FIGS 1-1B show a casement window assembly 10, which includes a jamb
frame
assembly or window frame 14, and an inner window assembly or window 16. The
inner
window assembly 16 is formed of a sash frame 15 bordering a window pane 22.
The sash frame
is fonme.d by two vertical rails 25,26 and two horizontal rails 23,24. The
window frame 14 is
formed by two vertical jamba 29,30 and two horizontal jambs 27,28. The window
16 and
window frame 14 are secured by hinged connections 13, such that the window 16
is moveable
between an open and closed configuration relative the frame 14 by pivotal
movement of the
window 16. FIG. I depicts the window assembly 10 with the window 16 pivoted
into the closed
configuration relative the frame 14. FIGS. 1 A and 18 depict the window
assembly 10 with the
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window 16 pivoted into the open con$guration relative to the $atne 14. The
window 16 is
moved by an operator assembly 32 that includes an actuator (not shown), a
housing (not shown)
mounted on the bottom jamb 28, and one or more movable operating arms 37 that
move back
and forth by cranking the actuator 34 to move the window 16. The hinged
connection 13
includes a hinge assembly 40 that pivotably supports the window 16. Two
locking mechanisms
38 are positioned on one of the vertical jambs 29 and the adjacent vertical
rai125 to secure the
jamb 29 to the rai125, locking the window assembly 10 shut. Two keepers 18 are
positioned on
the vertical rail 29 adjacent the locking mechanisms 38 for this purpose.
[0012] FIGS. 2-10 show a hinge assembly 40 snitable for use with a casement
window
assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-1B. The hinge assembly 40 includes a frame 41,
a hinge track
42 extending along the frame 41, a shoe 43 slidably mounted on the track 42, a
sash arm 44
pivotably coupled to the shoe 43, and a swivel arm 45 pivotably coupled to the
frame 41 and the
sash arnm 44. The swivel arm connection 47 contains an adjustment mechanism 60
for adjusting
the hinge assembly 40. The hinge assembly 40 is generally connected between
one of the
horizontal jambs 27,28 of the jamb ftame assembly 14 and one of the horizontal
rails 23,24 of
the window assembly 16. As shown in FIG. lA, the window assernbly 10 includes
two hinge
assemblies 40, located at the top and bottom of the window frame 14,
respectively. The sash arm
44 is connected to one of the horizontal rails 23,24 of the window 16 in a
lengthwise manner,
and the swivel arm 45 is pivotably connected to the sash arm 44, creating an
operable connection
between the swivel arm 45 and the window 16. The frnme 41, the track 42, the
sash arm 44, the
shoe 43, the Bwivel prm 45, and some components o~the adjustment mcchanism are
preferably
made of stainless steel or another metal, but may be made from another
suitable material,
[0013] The frame 41 illustrated is an Irshaped metal beatn or rail, having two
legs 41a,41b
arranged at substantially right angles, and is adapted to be fastened to one
of the horizontal jambs
27,28 of the jamb frame assembly 14. In the embodiment shown, the horizontal
leg 41 a is longer
than the vertical leg 41 b. The frame 41 generaily has several fastener holes
46 for attachment to
the jamb 27,28 or other components of the hinge assembly 40. In other
embodiments, the frame
41 can be differently shaped, frn example, having a C-shape or a T-shape.
Furtber, the frame 41
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may be arranged differently for use with a different type of window assembly
10. For example,
the franrte 41 may be adapted to be attached to other portions of a window
assembly 10, such as
the vertical jambs 29,30, if the window 16 swings vertically rather than
horizontally, It is
understood that the use of the terms "hozizontal" and "vertical" are made for
reference purposes,
and that these orientations may be differcnt when mounted in a vertically-
swittging or otherwise
different window assembly.
[0014] The track 42 runs along a portion of the length of the frame 41, and,
in the
embodiment shown, is defined by the face of the horizontal leg 41 a of the
frame 41 and a
channe148 at the tip of the vertical leg 41b. The track 42 may have a stop
(not shown) at one or
both ends of the track to prevent the shoe 43 from moving out of the track 42.
In other
embodiments, the track 42 may be differently defined or arranged, such as when
the frame 41 or
the orientation of the window assembly 10 is arranged differently.
100151 The shoe 43 is slidably mounted on the track 42. In the embodiment
shown in FIG 6,
the shoe 43 has a flange portion 52 that is received iun the chaune148 of the
track 42, allowing the
shoe 43 to slide back and forth within the track 42. This arrangement of the
shoe 43 and the
track 42 is generally known in the art. However, in other embodiments, the
shoe 43 and the
traek 42 may be arranged in a different type of cooperative sliding
engagement. The shoe 43
preferably has a rivet 53 to conttect the shoe 43 to the sash arm 44, which
exteuds through holes
46 in the shoe 43 and the sash arm 44. The rivet 53 is Sxedly attached to the
sash arm 44 and is
pivotable with respwt to the shoe 43. Thus, as the shoe 42 moves in the track
42, the sash arm
44 and the rivet 53 pivot with respect to the shoe 43.
[0026] Generally, the frame 41 has means for assisting insertion of the flange
52 of the shoe
43 into the chatiztel 48 to mount the shoe 43 on the track 42. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS.
2-10, this means is embodied by a guide 70 positioned at the end of the track
42 proxirnate the
swivel arm connection 47, the structure and operation of which are desar,'bed
below.
[0017J The shoe 43 also has means for limiting pivoting of the sash arm 44
relative to the
shoe 43. In the embodiment shown in FIGS, 2-3, and illustrated in more detail
in FIG. 5, the
rivet 53 has a projection 54 near the base and the underaide of the shoe 43
has a partially-
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circumferential groove 55 that receives the projection 54 when the rivet 53 is
connected to the
shoe 43. As the rivet 53 pivots, the projection 54 moves through the groove
55, and the ends of
the groove 551imit the range of movement of the projection 54, consequently
lixoiting the range
of rotation of the rivet 53. Accordingly, the length of the groove 55
determfnes the limits over
which the sash arm 44 can pivot. Typically, around 90' of pivoting is
necessary for operation of
the hinge assembly 40. However, the groove 55 provided allows for 135' of
pivoting of the sash
arm 44, in case a greater range is needed for assembly. In another embodiment,
the groove 55
and the projection 54 may be tca.nsposed between the shoe 43 and the rivet 53.
In a further
embodiment, iIIusttated in FIG. 19, the means for limiting pivoting of the
sash arm. 44 relative to
the shoe 43 may be embodied in cooperative structure between the shoe 43 and
the sash atm 44.
As shown in FIG. 19, the shoe 43 has a projection 154 and the end 49 of the
sash ann 44 has a
groove 155. As the sash arm 44 pivots with *espeet to the shoe 43, the
projection 154 limits the
range of pivoting by engaging the ends of the groove 155 on the sash arm 44.
[0018] The guide 70 is positioned on the longer leg 41 a of the frame 41
proximate the end of
the track 42, and functions both to guide insertion of the shoe 43 into the
track 42 and to prevent
the shoe 43 from being pulled out of the track 42. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the
guide 70 is an
curved, embossed ridge 70 that leada toward the end of the track 42 and
partially down the lmgth
of the tmck 42, The shoe 43 has a slot or recess 56 on the underside that can
receive the ridge
70. To insert the shoe 43 into the track 42, the shoe 43 is placed so the
ridge 70 is received in the
recess 56, and the shoe 43 is then slid forward toward the track 42. As the
shoe 43 slides
forward, the downward curve of the ridge 70 guides the shoe 43 into the proper
position for
entering the track 42. Additionally, if the shoe 43 is attempted to be pulled
from the track 42 in a
direction normal to the track 42, the contact between the bottom of the shoe
43 and the ridge 70
will cause the shoe 43 to twist, forcing the flange portion 52 more tightly
into the channe148,
resistiuag separation. In another embodiment, ilIustrated in FIG. 19, the
guide 170 is a shorter,
wider, embossed plateau 170 that is tapered at the end to guide the shoe 43
into the track 42.
[0019] The sash arm 44 is pivotably coupled at one end 49 to the shoe 43, and
is connected
along its length to one of the horizontal rails 23,24 of the inner window
assembly 16, and has
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several fastener holes 46 for this purpose. Iu the hinge assembly 40 shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the
sash arm 44 is adapted to be connected to the bottom horizontal rai124.
Because thc sash arm 44
is pivotable an.d cormected to the sliding shoe 43, the pivotable end 49 of
the sash arm 44 can
simultaneously slide and pivot to allow opening and closing of the window 16.
In other
embodiments, the sash arm 44 may be differently eonfigured.
[0020] The swivel arm 45 is pivotably coupled at one end 50 to the frame 41
and pivotably
coupled at the other end 51 to the sash arm 44 and to one of the horizontal
rails 23, 24 of the
window 16 by a rivet 51a. The adjustment mechanism 60 forms an adjustable,
pivotable
connection 47 between the swivel arm 45 and the franne 41. The swivel arm 45
provides an
"anchor" for the sash arxn 44, because the pivotable connection 47 between the
swivel arm and
the adjustment mechanism 60 is fixed once the adjustment mechanism 60 is set.
As the window
16 opens and closes, the swivel arm 45 pivots with the sash arm 44, but does
not slide, thus
supporting and aachoring the sash arm 44. In other embodiments, the swivel arm
45 may be
differently configured.
[0021] The adjustment mechanism 60 is located at the connection 47 between the
swivel arm
45 and the frame 41. One exemplary embodiment of the adjustment mechanism 60
is shown in
FIGS. 2-3 and is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 7-10, The adjustment
mechanism 60
generally includes a rotatable, eccentric adjuster 61 conneeted to a spring
member 62 and a pin
63 that pivotably connects the spring member 62 to the frame 41. The adjuster
61 has a rotatable
base 65 that is rotatably coupled to the spring 62 and a knob or projection 66
that extends frnm
the base 65 in an eccentric manner, so that rotation of the base 65 causes
lateral movement of the
projection 66. The projection 66 Curther has a hex-opening 66a that is adapted
to receive an
adjustment tool, such as an Allen wrench. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10,
the spring member
62 Is substantially C-shaped, having a lower leg 62a and an upper leg 62b. The
lower leg 62a is
pivotably coupled to the hinge frame 41 and the upper leg 62b has the pin 63
and the adjuster 61
extending thereflrom in the assembled condition. The end 50 of the swivel arm
45 has a slot 64a
that receives the pin 63 in a pivotable arrangement and an apertare 64b that
receives the
projection 66 of the adjuster 61, as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Jin the embodiment
illustrated, the slot
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64a extends to the tip of the swivel arm 45, forming a forked tip. The
projection 66 and the
aperture 64b are eooperatively dimensioned, both having hexagonal shapes, to
create afixed,
interlocking connection. As the window 16 is opened and closed, the swivel atm
45 pivots at the
connection 47 about the pin 63, with the end 50 of the swivel arm 45 and the
spring 62 both
pivoting together.
[0022] To connect the swivel arm 45 to the adjustment mechanism 60, the end of
the swivel
arnx 45 can be pushed so that the pin 63 is forced into the slot 64a, and the
spring 62 will flex
downward with contact between the adjuster 61 and the bottom of the swivel arm
45. Once the
adjuster 61 and the aperture 64b are aligned, the spring 62 will snap the
adjuster 61 back upward
througb the aperture 64b, com-pleting the connection, Diseonnecting the swivel
arm 45 from the
adjustment meoh.anism 60 can be done in a similar manner. A force is applied
to the spring 62,
causing the spzing 62 to flex downward to move the projection 66 out of
position to be received
within the aperttue 64b. Once this is accomplished, the swivel arm 45 can be
pulled to
disengage the pin 63 from the slot 64a.
[0023] To adjust the adjustment mechani4m 60, the spring 62 is pushed downward
to release
the interlocking connection between the projection 66 and the aperttu'e 64b,
so the adjuster 61 is
&ee to rotate. The adjuster 61 is then rotated, possibly using a tool received
in the hex-opening
66a, and the eccentric nature of the adjuster 61 causes the projection 66 to
move laterally. When
the projection 66 is in the proper position, the spring 62 is released,
forcing the projection 66
back through the aperture 64b, re-conaecting the swivel arm 45 and the
adjustment mechanism
60.
[00241 The &ame 41, the shoe 43, the sash arm 44, and the swivel arm 45 are
connected as
shown in FIG. 2. The tYame 41 is fixedly mounted to one of the jambs 27, 28.
The shoe 43 is
slidably mounted in the track 42 and slides back and forth along the track 42.
The sash arm 44 is
pivotably coupled to the shoe 43, forming a pivotable connection, and is
capable of sliding and
pivoting motion. Additionally, the sash arm 44 is mounted to one of the rails
23, 24 of the
window 16. The swivel arm 45 is pivotably coupled to the sash ann 44 and
operably coupled to
the window 16, forming a pivotable connection, and is also coupled via a
pivotable connection
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47 to the adjustment mechanism 60, providing an anchor for the sash arm 44. As
the window 16
is opened, the shoe 43 slides along the track 42 to the right in FIG. 2, the
pivotable connection
between the sash arm 44 and swivel arm 45 moves away from the $ame 41, and the
sash arm 44
and swivel arm 45 pivot accordingly. Conversely, as the window 16 is closed,
the shoe 43 slides
along the track 42 to the left in FIG. 2, the pivotable connection between the
sash arm 44 and
swivel arm 45 moves toward the frame 41, and the sash arm 44 and swivel arm 45
pivot
accordingly. The hinge assembly 40 can be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism
60 by
moving the anchor point, i.e. the cormection point 47 between the adjustment
mechanism 60 and
the swivel arm 45,
[0025] In another embodiment, shown in FIGS 18 and 18A, the adjustment
mechanism 160
is similar in structure to the adjustment mechanism described above, having an
adjuster 161, a
spring 162, and a pin 163 pivotably connecting the spring 162 to the frame 41.
The spring 162
and the pin 163 are similar in structure and function to the spring 62 and pin
63 deseribed above.
However, the adjuster 161 and the aperture 164b are designed differently than
those described
above. The adjuster 161 has an eccentric projection 166, but the projection
166 is rectangular
rather than hexagonal. The aperture 164b is shaped to accept the projection
166 in three
different positions: one angled position and two positions where the
projection 166 is parallel to
the length of the swivel arm 145, both 180 apart from each other. Adjustment
and connection of
the swivel ann 145 is accomplished in the same manner described above.
[0026] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 20, the adjustment mechanism 260
has an
eccentric rivet 261 to which the end 250 of the swivel ann, 245 is pivotably
attached. The rivet
261 has a hexagonal base 265 and a mounting structure 263 mounting the rivet
261 to the frame
241, defining an axis of rotation 263a. The adjustment mechanism 260 also
includes a retaining
member 262 that engages the base 265 to prevent undesired rotation of the
rivet 261. Like the
eccentric adjuster 61, the eccentric rivet 261 has a projection 266 that is
eccentric to the axis of
rotation 263a of the basc 265, such that rotation of the base 265 causes
lateral movement of the
projection 266, permitting adjustment of the swivel arm 245. The retaining
member 262 has a
notch 262a that receives one of the points 265a of the hexagonal base 265,
resisting rotation of
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the rivet 261. To rotate the rivet 261, the retaining member 262 is moved away
from the base
265, allowing the rivet 261 to pivot. Thus, the retaining member 262 is
moveable between a first
position, where the retaining member 262 engages the base 265 of the adjuster
261 to prevent
rotation of the adjuster 261 such that one of the points 265a is received in
the notch 262a, and a
second position, wherein the retaining member 262 does not engage the base 265
of the adjuster
261 to prevent rotation of the adjuster 261. In the embodiment shown, the
retaining member 262
is pivotably connected to the hinge frame 241, and can pivot between the first
position and the
second position, such as by manual manipulation.
[0027] FIG. 21 illustrates the hinge assembly 240 of FIG. 20, also including
an exemplary
embodiment of a rivet or pin connection assembly 280. The connection assembly
280 can be
used with the hinge assembly 340 described herein and shown in FIGS. 11-17, or
another hinge
assembly, such as the hinge assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 2-10. Generally, the
connection
assembly includes a snap member 292 having a notch 293 therein. The snap
member 292 is
slidably disposed on the swivel arm 245. After the swivel arm 245 is connected
to the adjuster
261, the snap member 292 is slid toward the adjuster 261 and snapped onto the
adjuster 261 so
that a portion of the projection 266 is received within the notch 293 and is
engaged by the snap
member 292. This engagement secures the connection between the swivel arm 245
and the
adjuster 261. The projection 266 may have a recess (not shown) therein that
receives a portion
of the snap member 292 to further increase the security of the connection.
When the swivel arm
245 is to be removed, the snap mcmber 292 can simply be slid backwards away
from the adjuster
261 to release the adjuster 261.
[0028] FIGS. 11-17 show another embodiment of a hinge assembly 340 suitable
for use with
a casement window assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. I-1B. Like the hinge assembly
40 described
above, the hinge assembly 340 includes a frame 341, a hinge track 342
extending along the
frame 341, a shoe 343 slidably mounted on the track 342, a sash arm 344
pivotably coupled to
the shoe 343, and a swivel arm 345 pivotably coupled to the fraxne 341 and the
sash arm 344.
The swivel arm connection 347 contains an adjustment mcchanism 360 for
adjusting the hinge
assembly 340. These components are illustrated in FIGS. 11-14. The hinge
assembly 340 is
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generally connected between one of the horizontal jambs 27,28 of the jamb
frame assernbly 14
and one of the horizontal rails 23,24 of the window assembly 16. The sash arm
344 is connected
to one of the horizontal rails 23,24 of the window 16 in a lengthwise manner,
and the swivel arm
345 is pivotably connected to the sash arm 344, creating an operable
connection between the
swivel arm 345 and the window 16. The hinge assembly 340 shown in FIGS. 11-17
contains
many components similar to those shown and described above with respect to the
hinge
assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 2-10. Accordingly, similar components in the hinge
assembly 340
will be numbered similarly to the corresponding components in the hinge
assembly 40 of FIGS.
2-10, using the "300" series of reference numerals. Additionally, the general
components hinge
assembly 340 will not be described in great detail, and several specific
features of the hinge
assembly 340 are described below.
(00291 The adjustment mechanism 360 of the hinge assembly 340 shown in FIGS.
11-17
contains an eccentric adjuster 361, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 14, 16,
and 17. The adjuster
361 has a hexagonal base 365 and a mounting structure 363 mounting the
adjuster 361 to the
frame 341, defining an axis of rotation 363a. In one embodiment, the adjuster
361 is a rivet, and
is riveted to the fratne 341. The adjuster 361 also has a projection 366 that
is eccentric to the
axis of rotation 363a, as shown in FIG. 17. The projection 366 farther has a
hex-opening 366a
that is adapted to receive an adjustment tool, such as an Allen wrench. The
swivel arm 345 is
pivotably connected to the projection 366 to form a swivel arm connection 347.
Rotation of the
eccentric adjuster 361 about the axis of rotation 363a will move the
projection 366 laterally,
thereby adjusting the position of the swivel arm connection 347 and adjusting
the position of the
window 16 within the window frame 14.
[0030] The hinge assembly 340 shown in FIGS. 11-17 also has means for
assisting inserkion
of the flange 352 of the shoe 343 into the channel 348 to mount the shoe 343
on the track 342.
In this embodiment, the means is embodied by a flared portion 370 on the end
of the channel
348. The flared portion 370 has a width greater than the width of the channel
48 along the
majority of the length thereof. The flared portion 370 also has an upward
flare on the top surface
of the chmmel, and thus also has a height greater than the height of the
channel 48 along the
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14
majority of the length thereof. In mounting the shoe 343 on the track 342, the
shoe 343 is placed
near the end of the track 343, proximate the flared portion 370. The shoe 343
is then pushed
toward the track 342 such that the flange 352 enters the flared portion 370.
The greater width
and height of the flared portion 370 Pacilitates entry of the flange 352 into
the channel 348,
because extreme precision is not required for the connection. Thus, the shoe
343 can be slidably
mounted on the track 342 with greater ease. FIG. 15 illustrates the shoe 343
having the flange
352 inserted into the flared portion 370 to be received within the ohanne1348.
AdditionWly, the
flared portion 370 may have a length that is smaller than the length of the
flange 352, so that the
flange 352 enters the main body of the channe1348 more quickly.
[0031] FIGS. 22-24 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a rivet or pin
connection
assembly 80 that is suitable for establishing a secure, snap-on pivotable
connection. The
connection assembly 80 can be used to connect coanponents of the hinge
essembly 40, such as
pivotably connecting the arms 44,45 to each other or to the frame 41, as well
as pivotably
connecting components of an operating mechanism 32, such as connecting
operating arms 37 to
a track or sash bracket. The connection assembly 80 includes a base member 81,
a pivoting
member 82, a rivet 83, and a flexible bushing 84. The base member 81 may be an
arm, such as
an operating arm or the hinge arrns 44,45 described above, or a fixed member
such as a hinge
frame 41, track, or sash bracket. The base member 81 shown in FIGS. 22-24 is a
sash bracket.
The pivoting member 82 shown is pivotable with respect to the base member 81,
and is generally
a pivoting arm, such as an operator arm 37.
[0032] In assembling the connection assembly 80, the rivet 83 is insezted
through the
bushing 84 and upward through an aperture 86 in the base member 81. The tip of
the rivet 83
extending through the base member 81 is then fastened to the base member 81 so
the rivet 83
cannot slip back through the hole 86. The rivet 83 has a flange 85 on one end
that is generally
the same diameter as the tip of the bushing 84, and flange 85 traps the
bushing 84 between the
flange 85 and the base member 81. The bushing 84 generally has a flange 90 and
a tapered
portion 88 tapered outwardly from the flange 85, as well as a plurality of
flexible fingers 87,
each of which have tapered portions 88 adjacent the flange 90. The pivoting
member 82 is
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CA 02591657 2007-06-14
attached to the rivet 83 by inserting the rivet 83 and bushing 84 tbrough an
aperture 89 in the
pivoting member 82. As the inner surfaoe of the aperture 89 contacts the
tapered portion 88, the
flexible fingers 87 of the bushing 84 flex inwardly to permit the pivoting
member 82 to pass the
flange 90. When the pivoting member 82 passes the flange 90, the flexible
fingers 87 snap back
outwardly. The outwardly-flexed flange 90 has a width that is greater than the
width of the
aperture 89, and thus the flange 90 secures the pivoting member 82 to the
bushing 84 to fonn the
pivotable connection. Thus, connecting the pivoting member 82 to the base
member 81 can be
done by a simple snap-on connection.
[0033] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,
numerous
modifications come to mind without signiflcantly departing from the spirit of
the invention, and
the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying
Claims.
21651582.2
