Window sash locks typically prevent vertical movement of a window sash by selectively engaging a rotatable cam disposed in a first window sash with a fixed keeper disposed on a second window sash. These window sash locks are disposed proximate a central portion of a top rail of a window sash and form only a single locking point for the window sash.
In an aspect, the technology relates to a window sash interlock including: a housing configured to mount to a side rail of a window sash, wherein the housing includes a front face that substantially aligns with a surface of the side rail; and a locking member pivotably coupled to the housing about a pivot axis, wherein the locking member is disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the locking member is movable between at least a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking member is biased so as to automatically return to the unlocked position, and wherein in the unlocked position, the locking member at least partially extends from the front face of the housing.
In an example, the locking member is configured to be depressed at least partially within the housing from the unlocked position. In another example, the locking member includes at least one wing configured to engage with a window jamb to depress the locking member when the window sash tilts. In yet another example, in the locked position, the locking member at least partially extends from the front face of the housing. In still another example, the locking member includes a locking surface configured to engage with a keeper to move the locking member from the unlocked position towards the locked position. In an example, the window sash interlock further includes a keeper configured to mount to a window jamb, the keeper includes a bottom edge and two opposing side edges. In another example, a gap is defined in the bottom edge of the keeper shaped and sized to allow a pivot bar of the window sash to pass through.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a sash interlock including: a housing defining an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is open at a front face of the housing; a locking member pivotably coupled to the housing at a pivot axis and disposed at least partially within the interior cavity, wherein the locking member includes a locking surface and a front surface; and at least one biasing member coupled to the locking member and disposed within the interior cavity, wherein the at least one biasing member is configured to bias a position of the locking member relative to the front face of the housing, and wherein the locking member is pivotable in either direction around the pivot axis from the biased position.
In an example, the locking surface is curved. In another example, the locking surface includes a locking lug. In yet another example, the locking member includes a pair of tapered wings extending from the front face. In still another example, a pair of notches are defined in the housing at the front face sized and shaped to selectively receive at least a portion of the pair of tapered wings. In an example, the at least one biasing member includes a torsion spring. In another example, the locking member is pivotable around the pivot axis further in a direction that is out of the interior cavity than in a direction that is into the interior cavity.
In another aspect, the technology relates to a window system including: a window jamb; a window sash mounted to the window jamb, wherein the window sash is configured to slide relative to the window jamb; a sash interlock coupled to the window sash, wherein the sash interlock includes a locking member pivotable relative to the window sash; and a keeper coupled to the window jamb, wherein the keeper includes at least one locking edge that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sliding movement of the window sash, and wherein the at least one locking edge is configured to engage the locking member of the sash interlock and pivot the locking member at least partially out from the window sash.
In an example, the window sash is configured to tilt relative to the window jamb, and the window jamb is configured to engage the locking member of the sash interlock and pivot the locking member at least partially into the window sash. In another example, the at least one locking edge includes a gap sized and shaped to allow a pivot bar of the window sash to pass through. In yet another example, the locking member includes a locking lug at least partially received within the gap when engaged with the keeper. In still another example, the sash interlock further includes at least one biasing member coupled to the locking member, and the locking member is biased via the biasing member to automatically return to an unlocked position after disengagement with the keeper and allow the window sash to slide within the window jamb. In an example, the locking member protrudes at least partially from the window sash in the unlocked position.
There are shown in the drawings, examples that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The examples described herein provide a sash interlock for a sliding and tilting window sash with an engagement point for a corresponding keeper in a window jamb that is fully automatic and does not require any extra interaction from the window operator (e.g., the user). The engagement point of the sash interlock automatically engages with the keeper when the sash is shut and generates increased design pressure and impact resistance for the window system. The engagement point also automatically disengages from the keeper when the sash is opened. Furthermore, the engagement point fully retracts into a housing when the sash is tilted out of the window jamb. This operation of the sash interlock is enabled by the angular geometry of a locking member and a biasing member that biases the locking member to automatically return to an unlocked position from both a locked position and a depressed position.
The sash interlock 100 also includes a locking member 110 that is disposed at least partially within the interior cavity 111 of the housing 104. The locking member 110 is pivotably mounted within the housing 104 so that the locking member 110 can pivot P about a pivot axis 112. In the example, the pivot point of the locking member 110 is located towards an upper and front position within the housing 104. In an aspect, the pivot point of the locking member 110 may substantially align and be positioned between the top and bottom tabs 106. The locking member 110 at least partially extends from the front face 109 of the housing 104 in the unlocked position. A biasing member 114 (e.g., a torsion spring) is coupled to the locking member 110 and is disposed within the interior cavity 111 of the housing 104. The biasing member 114 is configured to bias a position of the locking member 110 and relative to the front face 109 of the housing 104 and into the unlocked position illustrated in
The locking member 110 is configured to pivot P about the pivot axis 112 from the illustrated unlocked position in
In the example, the locking member 110 includes a locking surface 116 configured to engage with a keeper (e.g., the keeper 200 shown in
Additionally, the locking member 110 includes a pair of wings 122 disposed on both sides of the front surface 118. The wings 122 are configured to engage with the return legs of the window jamb to depress the locking member 110 at least partially into the interior cavity 111 of the housing 104 when the window sash tilts. The wings 122 can be oblique surfaces and taper in an outwards direction from the front surface 118. In the example, the wings 122 are extensions of the locking member 110, and thus, the width of the locking member 110 at the wings 122 is greater than the width of the interior cavity 111 of the housing 104. As such, the housing 104 includes notches 124 so that the locking member 110 can pivot into the housing 104.
When the locking member 110 is in the unlocked position, a portion of the locking member 110 protrudes from the front face 109 of the housing 104. More specifically, the front surface 118 and the lip 120 are positioned out of the housing 104. Additionally, a portion of the locking surface 116, the stop surface 121, and the wings 122 extend out of the housing 104. In the example, the tips of the wings 122 also extend at least to the sides of the housing 104. As such, each side of the housing 104 includes the notch 124 to enable the locking member 110 to pivot into the housing 104 when the window sash is tilted. In the example, the sash interlock 100 is configured to move from the unlocked position towards either a locked position that is described below in reference to
In operation, the sash interlock 100 is mounted in a middle section of the window sash and between the top and bottom rail. When the window sash is closed, the keeper engages with the locking surface 116 to pivot the locking member 110 at least partially out of the housing 104. This configuration of the sash interlock 100 provides a interlock engagement point for the window sash with the window jamb that is different than the typical sash lock point that is on the top rail of the window sash. Additionally, the sash interlock 100 increases the window's resistance to higher design pressures and impact loading as the window sash has another point of engagement with the window jamb. Because the locking member 110 can also be depressed into the housing 104, when the window sash is tilted, the window jamb engages with one of the wings 122 to depress the locking member 110. This configuration of the sash interlock 100 enables the window sash to still be allowed to tilt with the additional engagement component of the sash interlock 100. The engagement of the locking member 110 with the keeper is completely automatic and induced by the typical movement of the window sash during operation (e.g., sliding and tilting). As such, the window operator (e.g., user) does not need to manually position any component of the sash interlock 100.
In the example, the locking surface 116 of the locking member 110 is configured to engage with a keeper (e.g., the keeper 200 shown in
In the example, the wings 122 of the locking member 110 are configured to engage with the return legs of the window jamb to move the locking member 110 from the unlocked position (shown in
The keeper 200 itself can take any shape or form that enables the sash interlock 100 to function as described herein. In one example, the keeper 200 may be a plate that couples to the front of the window jamb and at least partially covers the jamb slot. In some examples, the window jamb may be reinforced to form the keeper 200. In another example, the keeper may be formed as an insert cover that replaces a portion of the window jamb. In any of these examples, the keeper 200 is configured to not interfere with the window balance that is disposed within the window jamb and behind the keeper 200. Some examples of keepers are described further below and in reference to
The bottom edge 202 of the keeper 200 is configured to engage with the locking surface 116 (shown in
The sash interlock 100 is coupled to the window sash 102 so that the locking member 110 is pivotable relative to the window sash 102. The keeper 200 is installed at a height on the window jamb so that as the window sash 102 is lowered into a closed position, the locking surface 116 of the locking member 110 contacts the bottom locking edge 202 of the keeper 200 and pivots the locking member 110 into the locked position as shown in
When the window sash 102 is being opened (e.g., vertically raised), the locking surface 116 of the locking member 110 disengages from the keeper 200 and the locking member 110 is biased so as to automatically return to the unlocked position (shown in
In the example, a lower portion of the side rail 128 can have a pivot bar (not shown) extending outwards therefrom. The pivot bar is configured to engage with a window balance (also not shown) and enable the tilting movement of the window sash 102. The gap 208 of the keeper 200 that is sized and shaped to allow the pivot bar to pass through the keeper 200 during sliding operation of the window and/or during window installation. The gap 208, however, is small enough to prevent the locking member 110 from passing through so that the sash interlock 100 can engage with the keeper 200. For example, the width of the locking member 110 is greater than the gap 208. While a sliding and tilting window sash 102 is described herein, it should be appreciated that the sash interlock 100 can be used on only a sliding window sash as required or desired.
The sash interlock 100 locks and unlocks with respect to the keeper 200 automatically by the operation of the window sash 102. Additionally, the sash interlock 100 enables automatic retraction of the locking member 110 during tilting of the window sash 102. The sash interlock 100 can be used on either the upper sash or lower sash in a double hung window assembly and one or more sash interlocks 100 can be used to form a multi-point window lock system. For example, different sized locking members and keepers can be used for the lower locking member to pass through the upper keeper with no interference. Furthermore, the sash interlock 100 operates independently from all of the other window hardware (e.g., balances, tilt latches, top rail sash locks, etc.). By having wings 122 on both sides of the locking member 110, the sash interlock 100 can be installed on either side of the window without having to modify the orientation of the components within. In the examples described herein, the sash interlock 100 is mounted on a window system 126. It should be appreciated, however, that the sash interlock 100 can also be utilized in sliding door systems (not shown) as well and to increase security and/or structural performance of the sliding door.
In the unlocked position, a nose portion 318 of the locking member 304 that is defined between the locking lug 310 and the front surface 312 protrudes from the front face 301 of the housing 302 so that the member 304 can selectively engage with a keeper (e.g., the keeper 200 shown in
In the locked position, the locking surface 309 of the locking lug 310 can be oriented substantially orthogonal from the rear wall of the housing 302. In an aspect, the locking surface 309 is substantially parallel with the stop surface 316 on the locking member 304. Upon release of the locking member 304 from the locked position, the locking member 304 automatically returns towards the unlocked position (shown in
In the example, the keeper 404 is coupled to the window jamb 408 proximate the front slot 414. The keeper 404 is mounted and secured within the window jamb 408. In an aspect, the window jamb 408 may include an additional leg 416 with the keeper 404 disposed between the leg 416 and the jamb 408. The keeper 404 can be a substantially flat plate that is secured to the jamb 408. This configuration provides space within the window jamb 408 so that the window balance 412 can function as normal and without any modifications. The keeper 404 has with a gap 418 so that a pivot bar (not shown) of the window sash 410 can slide through the keeper 404 and without engagement of the keeper 404. The keeper 404, however, is configured to engage with the sash interlock 402 as described herein. In an example, a width of the front slot 414 of the jamb 408 is greater than or equal to about ⅞-inch and a width of the pivot bar is about 5/16-inch. As such, the gap 418 of the keeper 404 is greater than 5/16-inch but less than a width of the locking member of the sash interlock 402. A width of the locking member of the sash interlock 402 can be about ½-inch so that the pivot bar can pass through the keeper 404 while the sash interlock 402 is configured to engage with the keeper 404.
The materials utilized in the manufacture of the interlock components described herein may be those typically utilized for lock manufacture, e.g., zinc, steel, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. Molded plastics, such as PVC, polyethylene, etc., may be utilized for the various components. Material selection for most of the components may be based on the proposed use of the locking system. Appropriate materials may be selected for mounting systems used on particularly heavy panels, as well as on hinges subject to certain environmental conditions (e.g., moisture, corrosive atmospheres, etc.).
While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred examples of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/940,077, filed Nov. 25, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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62940077 | Nov 2019 | US |