Patent Application
20140265364
The present invention relates to casement and awning window lock systems and, more specifically, to devices for adjusting the amount of pull-in of the window sash to the window frame when the lock system is actuated.
A casement or an awning window generally refers to a sash that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges. The hinges can be located on any side of the sash and the frame though generally not on the lower edge of the sash and frame. In general, a casement window rotates along a vertical axis (the hinges of a casement window defining a vertical rotation axis), while an awning window rotates along a horizontal axis (the hinges of an awning window defining a horizontal rotation axis). Most casement and awning windows which employ the use of a crank lever or cam handle operator open outwardly so as not to interfere with the operator of the window.
In a casement or awning window, a lock system is generally provided on the non-hinge side where the window sash meets the window frame. In some configurations, a tie bar having at least one rivet is provided in the frame and at least one keeper is provided on the sash. When the window is in the closed position, the keeper is adjacent to the rivets. The window operator then moves the tie bar via a drive assembly causing the rivets to engage with the keeper. This engagement pulls-in the window sash to the window frame thus providing a sufficient seal between the frame and sash and locking the window.
However, due to variations in window manufacturing and in field installations, it has been observed that the engagement of the rivet with the keeper may not be as precise as possible resulting in a less than satisfactory seal between the frame and sash. Prior attempts have been made toward providing adjustability of the rivet or the keeper, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,389, said patent being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. These prior attempts, however, have not been entirely satisfactory. Therefore, there still exists a need for a window lock system that allows for easy adjustment resulting in a satisfactory seal between the sash and frame.
The present invention is an improved sash lock system for casement or awning windows that addresses the aforementioned needs of the industry. Throughout this application structures may be referred to as being associated with a window sash or frame for convenience of description. It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein can generally be reversed so that the sash component can be attached to the frame and/or the frame component can be secured to the sash. Accordingly, the fact that this specification refers to a sash component or a frame component should not be considered limiting to the inventions disclosed herein.
A lock system for casement or awning windows is described herein. The lock system includes at least one rivet assembly rotatably attached to a tie bar and at least one keeper for receiving the rivet. The rivet assembly includes a rivet with a shank and an enlarged head, and a cylindrical sleeve. The shank of the rivet is received through the sleeve at a location offset from the center axis of the cylindrical sleeve. The shank of the rivet is symmetrical relative to the head, and may have a square, hexagonal, or other polygonal cross-section so that the sleeve is not rotatable on the shank of the rivet. Rotation of the rivet assembly relative to the tie bar causes the center axis of the sleeve relative to a center line of the tie bar. Hence, the rivet assembly can be adjusted as desired to pull the sash in or out of the frame when the rivet engages the keeper, in order to increase or decrease the seal between the frame and sash.
According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one rivet assembly having a rivet and a sleeve is rotatably attached to a tie bar. The sleeve is generally cylindrical having a longitudinal through hole with a geometric center positioned eccentrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The through hole fittingly engages with the shank of the rivet so that the sleeve is not rotatable relative to the shank.
In one embodiment, the through hole and shank have matching cross sections and are square, hexagonal, or polygonal. In other embodiments, the through hole and shank have matching cross sections and shapes including, for example, star, oval, triangular, etc.
In one embodiment, the shank and through hole are shaped so that they can only assemble in one orientation. In one embodiment, the shank and through hole are shaped so that the sleeve offset is oriented to match an indicator mark on the head of the rivet.
In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is positioned on the shank so that the sleeve is positioned between the tie bar and the head of the rivet.
In one embodiment, the distal end of the shank fittingly engages with a hole that is provided on the tie bar so that the rivet can be rotated for adjustment. Friction created at the juncture of the shank and tie bar allow the rivet to be rotated with a tool and maintain its position during normal operation of the locking system.
In an embodiment, the rivet and shank are centered along a longitudinal axis, where the longitudinal axis is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of the sleeve such that the proximal end of the sleeve is offset relative to the bottom of the head.
In one embodiment, the head of the rivet can be shaped to complement and mate with a wrench or other tool. In another embodiment, the head is provided with a recess shaped to receive a tool that is inserted into the recess to rotate the rivet assembly. The shaped recess can include, but is not limited to, a hex shape, a star shape, a torx, a spanner, an allen, a square shape, a cross shape, a Phillips, and a slot shape.
In certain embodiments, a dimple or other similar feature can be provided on the head to indicate the direction of the offset of the sleeve.
In an embodiment, a casement window includes a frame, a sash operably received in the frame, and a lock assembly for locking the sash in the frame. The lock assembly includes a tie bar operably coupled to the frame, the tie bar having a rotatable rivet assembly thereon, the rotatable rivet assembly including a rivet having a head portion and a shank portion, and a sleeve received on the shank, the sleeve being substantially cylindrical about a sleeve axis, the head portion and the shank portion of the rivet being symmetrical about a rivet axis, the shank portion received through an aperture in the sleeve so that the rivet axis is offset from the sleeve axis and the sleeve is rotationally fixed relative to the rivet. The lock assembly further includes a keeper on the sash, the tie bar being selectively operable to engage the rivet assembly with the keeper to secure the sash to the frame.
In an embodiment the rivet shank has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the aperture in the sleeve has a corresponding polygonal cross-sectional shape. The polygonal cross-sectional shape can be a square or a hexagon.
In an embodiment, the head portion of the rivet is round, square, or hexagonal. In a further embodiment, the head portion of the rivet has a recess for receiving a tool to rotate the rivet assembly.
In an embodiment, a window lock assembly includes a tie bar having a rotatable rivet assembly thereon, the rotatable rivet assembly including a rivet having a head portion and a shank portion, and a sleeve received on the shank, the sleeve being substantially cylindrical about a sleeve axis, the head portion and the shank portion of the rivet being symmetrical about a rivet axis, the shank portion received through an aperture in the sleeve so that the rivet axis is offset from the sleeve axis and the sleeve is rotationally fixed relative to the rivet.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which:
While the present invention is amenable to various modification and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, although the invention is primarily described in the context of a casement window, the invention is equally applicable in the context of an awning window.
One embodiment of a casement window 110 is depicted in
Sleeve 156 is substantially cylindrical with central axis X2, and defines through hole 152. Through hole 152 is conformingly shaped with second portion 162 of shank 148, and is offset from central axis X2. Shank 148 is received in through hole 152, with head 146 abutting top surface 164 of sleeve 156. First portion 160 is received in hole 166 in tie bar 140 with bottom surface 168 of sleeve 156 abutting tie bar 140, and is spun into place so that rivet assembly 152 is permanently attached to tie bar 140, but is rotatable relative to tie bar 140. Hence, when positioned on shank 148, sleeve 156 is disposed between tie bar 140 and head 146 of rivet 144.
Notably, due to the square cross-section of through hole 152 and second portion 162 of shank 148, sleeve 156 is not rotatable on shank 148, but instead rotates with rivet 144. Sufficient friction is maintained in the interface between first portion 160 of shank 148 and hole 166 in tie bar 140 so that rivet assembly 158 is rotatable with a tool, but otherwise is maintained in a set position.
In use, rivet assembly 158 can be rotated to adjust for different keeper positions and to adjust the position of sash 114 relative to frame 112, when it is desired to pull sash 114 into closer engagement with frame 112 or enable greater clearance between sash 114 and frame 112. In this way, the seal between the sash and frame can be adjustably increases or decreases as desired.
As depicted in
Although through hole 152 and second portion 162 of shank 148 are depicted as having a square cross-section, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be used that will function to prevent rotation of sleeve 156 on shank 148. For example, through hole 152 and second portion 162 may have other matching cross sections and shapes including, for example, star, square, hex, oval, triangular, or other polygonal shape.
In one embodiment, second portion 162 and through hole 152 are shaped so that they can only assemble in one orientation. In one embodiment, second portion 162 and through hole 152 are shaped so that the offset of sleeve 156 may be oriented to match an indicator mark 180 on head 146 of rivet 144, thereby providing a visual indication of the orientation of the offset of sleeve 156 when rivet assembly 158 is rotated.
Further, although head 146 of rivet 144 is depicted here as being round, head 146 can be shaped (square, hexagonal, etc.) to complement and mate with a wrench or other tool to enable rivet assembly 158 to be rotated. Alternatively, head 146 may be provided with a recess 182 having its geometric center on longitudinal axis x1. Recess 182 can be shaped to receive a tool that is inserted into recess to rotate rivet 144. Shaped recess can include, but is not limited to, a hex shape, a star shape, a torx shape, a spanner, an allen socket, a square shape, a cross shape, a Phillips, or a slot shape.
The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
