Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SLIDING OPERATOR HANDLE BRAKE
BACKGROUND
[0001] There is a desire for ongoing improvements in fenestration
hardware, such as
hardware for casement windows.
SUMMARY
[0002] The disclosure pertains to a casement window including a casement
window
operator with a linear input mechanism, such as a slidcable handle, that
drives a rotatable
sash arm to open and close the window. Such linear input mechanisms provide an
alternative to casement window operators with rotary input mechanisms, such as
rotatable
crank mechanisms. Also disclosed is sliding operator handle brake, which may
secure the
linear input mechanism when it is not being operated.
[0003] In one example, this disclosure is directed to a casement window
operator
comprising a linear input mechanism configured to be mounted to a stationary
frame of a
casement window, a linear to rotary motion converter operably coupled to an
output of the
linear input mechanism, a gear reducer operably coupled to an output of the
rotary motion
converter, and a sash arm operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to
rotate in
conjunction with the output of the gear reducer. The sash arm is configured to
extend from
the stationary frame of the casement window to a rotatable window sash of the
casement
window.
[0004] In another example, this disclosure is directed to a casement
window
comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable window sash pivotably connected to
the
stationary frame, and a casement window operator. The casement window operator
includes a linear input mechanism mounted to the stationary frame, a linear to
rotary
motion converter operably coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism,
a gear
reducer operably coupled to an output of the rotary motion converter, and a
sash arm
operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to rotate in conjunction
with the output
of the gear reducer. A distal end of the sash arm is connected to the
rotatable window sash
such that rotation of the sash arm drives pivoting of the rotatable window
sash relative to
the stationary frame.
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[0005] In a different example, this disclosure is directed to a method of
operating a
casement window, the method comprising sliding a linear input mechanism
mounted to a
stationary frame of the casement window. The casement window includes the
stationary
frame, a rotatable window sash pivotably connected to the stationary frame,
and a
casement window operator. The casement window operator includes the linear
input
mechanism mounted to the stationary frame, a linear to rotary motion converter
operably
coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism, and a gear reducer
operably coupled
to an output of the rotary motion converter. The casement window operator
further
includes a sash arm operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to
rotate in
conjunction with the output of the gear reducer. A distal end of the sash arm
is connected
to the rotatable window sash such that rotation of the sash arm drives
pivoting of the
rotatable window sash relative to the stationary frame in response to the
sliding of the
linear input mechanism.
[0006] In a further example, this disclosure is directed to a sliding
operator handle
comprising a track mount configured to slidably mate with a track, an
actuatable brake
providing at least one braking position in which the actuatable brake is
configured to
contact the track and restrict sliding motion of the track mount along the
track and at least
one sliding position in which the actuatable brake is configured to reduce
contact with the
track and allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track, and a
handle pivotably
coupled to the track mount. The handle is configured to receive a manual input
force to
slide the track mount in either direction along the track, and being further
configured to
actuate the actuatable brake in response to the manual input force. The handle
includes a
neutral position corresponding to the at least one braking position of the
actuatable brake.
The handle includes a first actuation position corresponding to the manual
input force in a
first direction along the track, the first actuation position corresponding to
the at least one
sliding position of the actuatable brake to allow sliding motion of the track
mount along
the track in the first direction. The handle includes a second actuation
position
corresponding to the manual input force in a second direction along the track,
the second
actuation position also corresponding to the at least one sliding position of
the actuatable
brake to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in the second
direction.
[0007] In another example, this disclosure is directed to a casement
window
comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable window sash pivotably connected to
the
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stationary frame, and a casement window operator. The casement window operator
includes a linear input mechanism mounted to the stationary frame, a linear to
rotary
motion converter operably coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism,
and a sash
arm operably coupled to an output of the linear to rotary motion converter. A
distal end of
the sash arm is connected to the rotatable window sash such that rotation of
the sash arm
drives pivoting of the rotatable window sash relative to the stationary frame.
The linear
input mechanism includes a track and a sliding operator handle. The sliding
operator
handle comprises a track mount slidably mated with the track, an actuatable
brake
providing at least one braking position in which the actuatable brake contacts
the track and
restrict sliding motion of the track mount along the track and at least one
sliding position
in which the actuatable brake reduces contact with the track and allow sliding
motion of
the track mount along the track, and a handle pivotably coupled to the track
mount, the
handle being configured to receive a manual input force to slide the track
mount in either
direction along the track, and being further configured to actuate the
actuatable brake in
response to the manual input force. The handle includes a neutral position
corresponding
to the at least one braking position of the actuatable brake. The handle
includes a first
actuation position corresponding to the manual input force in a first
direction along the
track, the first actuation position corresponding to the at least one sliding
position of the
actuatable brake to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in
the first
direction to open the rotatable window sash. The handle includes a second
actuation
position corresponding to the manual input force in a second direction along
the track, the
second actuation position also corresponding to the at least one sliding
position of the
actuatable brake to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in
the second
direction to close the rotatable window sash.
[0008] In a different example, this disclosure is directed to a method of
operating a
casement window, the method comprising sliding a linear input mechanism
mounted to a
stationary frame of the casement window. The casement window includes a
stationary
frame, a rotatable window sash pivotably connected to the stationary frame,
and a
casement window operator. The casement window operator includes a linear input
mechanism mounted to the stationary frame, a linear to rotary motion converter
operably
coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism, a sash arm operably
coupled to an
output of the linear to rotary motion converter. A distal end of the sash arm
is connected to
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the rotatable window sash such that rotation of the sash arm drives pivoting
of the
rotatable window sash relative to the stationary frame. The linear input
mechanism
includes a track and a sliding operator handle. The sliding operator handle
comprises a
track mount slidably mated with the track, an actuatable brake providing at
least one
braking position in which the actuatable brake contacts the track and restrict
sliding
motion of the track mount along the track and at least one sliding position in
which the
actuatable brake reduces contact with the track and allow sliding motion of
the track
mount along the track, and a handle pivotably coupled to the track mount, the
handle being
configured to receive a manual input force to slide the track mount in either
direction
along the track, and being further configured to actuate the actuatable brake
in response to
the manual input force. The handle includes a neutral position corresponding
to the at least
one braking position of the actuatable brake. The handle includes a first
actuation position
corresponding to the manual input force in a first direction along the track,
the first
actuation position corresponding to the at least one sliding position of the
actuatable brake
to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in the first
direction to open the
rotatable window sash. The handle includes a second actuation position
corresponding to
the manual input force in a second direction along the track, the second
actuation position
also corresponding to the at least one sliding position of the actuatable
brake to allow
sliding motion of the track mount along the track in the second direction to
close the
rotatable window sash.
[0009] While multiple examples are disclosed, still other examples of the
present
disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed
description, which shows and describes illustrative examples of this
disclosure.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in
nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIGS. lA and 1B illustrate a closed casement window including a
casement
window operator with a linear input mechanism.
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an open casement window including a
casement
window operator with a linear input mechanism.
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[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a top view of a casement window
operator in
closed and open configurations, respectively.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a casement window operator in a
closed
configuration.
[0014] FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C illustrate a sliding operator handle including a
brake, which
may be used as a linear input mechanism in a casement window operator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The disclosure pertains to fenestration units, particularly to
fenestration units
that pivot. This generally includes fenestration units that pivot about a
stationary or
moving vertical axis, such as a casement window, although applications in
fenestration
units that pivot about a horizontal axis are also contemplated. In some
examples, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, a fenestration unit can be a casement window.
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a casement window 10 when closed as
viewed
from inside a structure in which it is installed. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate
casement
window 10 when open as viewed from inside the structure in which it is
installed. More
particularly, FIGS. 1A and 2A illustrate full views of casement window 10,
whereas FIGS.
1B and 2B illustrate close-up views of a casement window operator 100, which
includes a
linear input mechanism 124 with a handle 20.
[0017] Casement window 10 includes a window frame 16 adapted to be
received in a
rough opening created in a building structure (not shown). As used herein the
phrase
"window frame" refers to a framework mounted in a rough opening of a building
structure
for receiving and supporting one or more sashes of a window assembly. As used
herein,
the term "sash" refers to a framework for receiving and supporting one or more
glazing
panes. In double hung, awning, and casement windows, the sashes can be moved
relative
to the window frame. In a fixed window, the sash does not typically move
relative to the
window frame, but can be removed for repair purposes. While the techniques of
this
disclosure are generally described with respect to casement windows, one type
of closure
assembly, similar closure assemblies may also be included in door assemblies.
In a door,
there can be a fixed or a moveable sash or multiple combinations of both. The
moveable
door sash can be moved laterally (sliding or rolling) or pivoting with side
hinges.
CA 2987612 2017-12-04
[0018] Window frame 16 can be constructed of wood, vinyl, aluminum, or a
variety
of other materials. In the illustrated example, window frame 16 includes four
peripheral
frame members joined and secured together to form a rectangular shape
corresponding to
the shape of the rough opening. The inner perimeter of the rough opening is
slightly larger
than the perimeter of window frame 16 of casement window 10, so that casement
window
can be received in the rough opening during installation. The methods of
mounting
window frame 16 to the rough opening are well known in the window industry.
[0019] Window frame 16 defines a window opening 18. In the illustrated
example,
window opening 18 has a rectangular shape. Although casement window 10 in the
illustrated example is rectangular, it is understood that the present
disclosure is not limited
by the shape of casement window 10 as illustrated.
[0020] Casement window 10 also includes a rotatable sash 12 attached to
window
frame 16 and received in window opening 18 defined by window frame 16. In
various
examples, during opening and closing, sash 12 may pivot about a hinged
connection with
window frame 16 or may rotate as part of a linkage. Latch 14 functions to lock
or release
sash 12 from window frame 16 while sash 12 is in the closed position. In some
examples,
casement window 10 further includes an openable secondary sash (not shown)
that is
pivotally attached to sash 12. In the illustrated example, sash 12 is operated
via handle 20
of linear input mechanism 124 for opening and closing sash 12 by actuation of
sash arm
104. Sash 12 is mounted to sash arm 104, which engages sash 12 via slider 108
and sash
track 106 to drive opening and closing of sash 12. During the opening and
closing of sash
12, slider 108 moves within sash track 106 of sash 12 to allow sash 12 to
swing outwardly
from window frame 16 while window frame 16 remains stationary. While sash arm
104 is
shown as a single bar with slider 108 in sash track 106, in other examples,
sash arm 104
may instead include two bars with a hinge, or otherwise form part of a four-
bar linkage
without sash track 106.
[0021] Sash 12 may be made of durable material, such as wood, vinyl,
aluminum or
variety of other materials. The methods of making window sashes are well known
in the
window manufacturing industry. Sash 12 includes a glazing unit 40 that is
secured within
sash 12. Glazing unit 40 can include a single glass layer, two glass layers,
or more. In
some examples, glazing unit 40 can include various coatings that impact
visible and/or UV
light transmission through glazing unit 40.
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[0022] Sash arm 104 is actuated via casement window operator 100.
Casement
window operator 100 may be operated manually via handle 20 of linear input
mechanism
124, which is mounted to frame 16. Handle 20 facilitates manual operation of
casement
window operator by a user via linear actuation of linear input mechanism 124.
Linear
input mechanism 124 is slideable along track 126. In some examples, track 126
may
include stops, such as endcaps to limit the range of motion of linear input
mechanism 124.
In some examples, linear input mechanism 124 may include linear bearings to
facilitate
smooth rotation of sash 12 via handle 20.
[0023] In the same or different examples, handle 20 and linear input
mechanism 124
may combine to provide a break mechanism to hold sash 12 at a fully open
position or at
intermediate positions between the fully open position and the fully closed
position. Such
a break mechanism may include a spring loaded brake that interferes with the
sliding of
linear input mechanism 124 along track 126. For example, a spring loaded brake
mechanism could be inherently released when a manual actuation force is
applied to
handle 20. In one example, as described below with respect to sliding operator
handle 200
of FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C, handle 20 may pivot in either direction relative to linear
input
mechanism 124 in order to release the spring-loaded brake when a manual
actuation force
is applied to handle 20. Of course, other breaking mechanisms may be
substituted for a
spring-loaded brake, or no brake may be used.
[0024] As shown, track 126 is mounted to the bottom of frame 16. In other
examples,
casement window operator 100 and track 126 may instead be mounted to the top
of frame
16 or sides of frame 16. For example, mounting casement window operator 100
and track
126 to a side of frame 16 may be used with a bottom or top hinge pivot for
sash 12 within
frame 16.
[0025] A user may operate casement window 10 to open and close sash 12
via handle
20. Beginning with a closed sash 12, as shown in FIG. 1A and 2A, a user may
release
latch 14. Then, the user may pull handle 20 in a direction towards the hinged
side of sash
12 to slide linear input mechanism 124, which drives input pulley 142 of gear
reducer 140
via rack 130. As sash arm 104 is operably coupled to output gear 105, such
action causes
the opening of sash 12. The user may close sash 12 by pulling handle in the
opposite
direction.
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[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a top view of casement window operator
100 in
closed and open configurations, respectively. Casement window operator 100
includes
linear input mechanism 124 with handle 20 for opening and closing sash 12.
Linear input
mechanism 124 further includes a rack 130, which combines with input pulley
142 of gear
reducer 140 to form a rack and pinion and functions to rotate input pulley
142. The rack
and pinion represents one example of a linear to rotary motion converter
operably coupled
to an output of linear input mechanism 124. The output of the rack and pinion,
input
pulley 142, a gear in this example, is operably coupled to gear reducer 140,
which includes
intermediate gears 144, 146, 148 and output gear 105. Sash arm 104 is operably
coupled to
output gear 105 to rotate in conjunction with output gear 105. Gear reducer
140 operates
to translate the linear movement of rack 130 into the rotation of sash arm
104. The
combined gear reduction through gear reducer 140 is such that the full opening
and
closing of sash 12 occurs over the range of movement of rack 130.
[0027] Gear reducer 140 further serves to limit the force required to
open and close
sash 12 via handle 20. In one example, a force of about 4 pounds was required
to
overcome the sealing force of a gasket between frame 16 and sash 12 while
initially
opening sash 12, whereas a force of only about 2 pounds was required for
moving sash 12.
Generally, it may be preferable to limit the force required to open and close
sash 12 via
handle 20 to less than about 10 pounds or even to less than about 5 pounds. Of
course,
these forces are merely examples and the actual forces required will vary
according to the
size, weight, design and construction of casement window 10 and its
components,
including the range of motion for linear input mechanism 124 and the gear
ratio of gear
reducer 140.
[0028] In addition, the location of slider 108 in sash track 106 further
changes the
effective ratio of movement of handle 20 relative to the rotation of sash 12.
During initial
opening slider 108 at its furthest position from the hinge (not shown) of sash
12, which
provides the greatest mechanical advantage. Such a configuration may be
helpful to limit
the force required to overcome a gasket sealing force between sash 12 and
frame 16 during
initially opening sash 12.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates casement window operator 102 in a closed
configuration. In
contrast to casement window operator 100, casement window operator 102
includes line
150 place of rack 130. For brevity, details of casement window operator 102
that are the
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same or similar to details of casement window operator 100 are described in
limited or no
detail.
[0030] Casement window operator 102 includes linear input mechanism 124
with
handle 20 for opening and closing sash 12. Linear input mechanism 124 is
connected to
line 150 which extends around input pulley 142 to drive input pulley 142. In
this manner,
line 150 represents one example of a linear to rotary motion converter
operably coupled to
an output of linear input mechanism 124. In various examples, line 150 may
include a
chain, a belt and/or a cable. Line 150 operates to drive input pulley 142 in
response to
manual actuation of handle 20 of linear input mechanism 124. Line 150 combines
with
linear input mechanism 124 to form a continuous loop around input pulley 142
and idler
pulley 152. This allows line 150 to drive input pulley 142 in either direction
according to
direction of the manual operation of handle 20.
[0031] Although described as a gear in some examples, input pulley 142
may also be
a pulley without gear teeth, e.g., in examples in which line 150 includes a
belt or cable
rather than a chain. The output of input pulley 142 is operably coupled to
gear reducer
140, which includes intermediate gears 144, 146, 148 and output gear 105. As
described
with respect to casement window operator 100, sash arm 104 is operably coupled
to output
gear 105 to rotate in conjunction with output gear 105. Gear reducer 140
operates to
translate the linear movement of linear input mechanism 124 into the rotation
of sash arm
104. The combined gear reduction through gear reducer 140 is such that the
full opening
and closing of sash 12 occurs over the range of movement of linear input
mechanism 124.
[0032] FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C illustrate a sliding operator handle 200 with brake
mechanism
201. Specifically, FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of sliding operator handle
200, FIG. 5B
illustrates a perspective view of sliding operator handle 200, and FIG. 5C
illustrates a
bottom perspective view of sliding operator handle 200. Sliding operator
handle 200 may
be used as a linear input mechanism in a casement window operator, such as
linear input
mechanism 124 in casement window operator 100 or casement window operator 102.
Sliding operator handle 200 may also be used in other applications in which a
sliding
operator with braking is desired.
[0033] Sliding operator handle 200 includes brake mechanism 201, track
mount 202,
and handle 220. Track mount 202 is configured to slidably mate with a track.
Track mount
202 includes a bottom surface 203 configured to register with a recessed
portion of a track
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(not shown in FIGS. 5A ¨ 5C). Other surfaces of track mount 202 and/or other
component
surfaces of sliding operator handle 200 may also be configured to register
with the track.
Sliding operator handle 200 further includes recess 204 with toothed rack 206
which may
drive a pinion gear (such as input pulley 142) in order to convert linear
motion of sliding
operator handle 200 to a rotary motion.
[0034] Brake mechanism 201 functions to restrict sliding motion of track
mount 202
along the track. As part as a linear input mechanism in a casement window
operator, break
mechanism 201 is configured to hold a sash at a fully open position or at
intermediate
positions between the fully open position and the fully closed position. Brake
mechanism
201 is spring loaded such that actuatable brake 234 interferes with the
sliding of track
mount 202 along the track. As described in further detail below, actuatable
brake 234 is
biased to a braking position when handle 220 is in a neutral position and
inherently
released when a manual actuation force is applied to handle 220.
[0035] Brake mechanism 201 includes brake housing 210 and actuatable
brake 234
with braking surface 235. Actuatable brake 234 provides a braking position in
which
actuatable brake 234 is configured to contact the track and restrict sliding
motion of track
mount 202 along the track. Actuatable brake 234 further provides a sliding
position in
which actuatable brake 234 is configured to reduce contact with the track and
allow
sliding motion of track mount 202 along the track. Brake mechanism 201 is
configured
such that application of a manual input force on handle 220 in either
direction results in
the retraction of actuatable brake 234 from the track to allow to allow
sliding motion of
operator handle 200 along the track in response to a manual input force. In
response to a
manual input force in either direction, handle 220 pivots in either direction
relative to track
mount 202 in order to release actuatable brake 234 from its extended position
in contact
with the track.
[0036] Handle 220 includes handle shaft 231, which his pivotably coupled
to track
mount 202. Handle 220 is configured to receive a manual input force to slide
track mount
202 in either direction along the track. An example manual input force 240 is
illustrated,
but an opposite manual input force may also be applied to handle 220 to slide
track mount
202 in an opposing direction. Specifically, handle shaft 231 of handle 220 is
attached to
track mount 202 via a first sliding joint including slider 232 and recess 212
of brake
housing 210. Handle 220 is pivotably coupled to handle 220 via pivot joint
222. Slider 232
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has a single degree of freedom in that it is slideable back and forth within
recess 212 of
brake housing 210. Cap 211 closes the open end of recess 212 within brake
housing 210 to
prevent slider 232 from sliding out of recess 212 of brake housing 210.
Actuatable brake
234 is attached to track mount 202 via a second sliding joint including
actuatable brake
234, which also functions as a slider, and recess 214 of brake housing 210.
Handle shaft
231 of handle 220 is also pivotably connected to actuatable brake 234 via
pivot 224. In
some examples, the first sliding joint including slider 232 and recess 212 of
brake housing
210 is about perpendicular to the second sliding joint including actuatable
brake 234 and
recess 214 of brake housing 210.
[0037] Handle 220 is configured to actuate the actuatable brake in
response to the
manual input force. Specifically, brake mechanism 201 is configured such that
application
of a manual input force on handle 220 in either direction results in the
retraction of
actuatable brake 234 from the track to allow to allow sliding motion of
operator handle
200 along the track in response to a manual input force. Handle 220 includes a
neutral
position corresponding to the braking position of the actuatable brake 234. In
the neutral
position, actuatable brake 234 is extended such that braking surface 235 is
configured to
contract the track to restrict sliding motion of operator handle 200 along the
track. Springs
233A, 233B are located between the ends of recess 212 of brake housing 210 and
slider
232 to bias slider 232, handle 220 and actuatable brake 234 to the neutral,
braking
position. While handle 220 is shown in a sliding position with spring 233B
compressed
more than spring 233A, in the neutral, braking position handle 220 can be
about centered
along recess 212 such that springs 233A, 233B are about equally compressed.
[0038] Handle 220 also includes a first actuation position (as shown)
corresponding
to the manual input force 240 in a first direction along the track. The first
actuation
position corresponds to the sliding position of actuatable brake 234 to allow
sliding motion
of track mount 202 along the track in the first direction. In the sliding
position, actuatable
brake 234 is at least partially retracted by handle shaft 231 through pivot
224 as handle
220 is rotated. By retracting actuatable brake 234 through application of a
manual input
force on handle 220, braking surface 235 is in reduced or no contract with the
track to
allow sliding motion of operator handle 200 along the track in response to the
manual
input force. Handle 220 includes a second actuation position corresponding to
a manual
input force in a second direction along the track, a direction opposing
example manual
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input force 240, the second actuation position also corresponding to the
sliding position of
actuatable brake 234 to allow sliding motion of track mount 202 along the
track in the
second direction. In this manner, manual input force 240 or an opposing manual
input
force can be applied by a user to handle 220 to release actuatable brake 234
and slide
sliding operator handle 200 along a track.
[0039] Various
modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary examples
discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For
example, while
the examples described above refer to particular features, the scope of this
disclosure also
includes examples having different combinations of features and examples that
do not
include all of the above described features.
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