Patent Application
20230103533
The present invention relates to multi-point sash locks for casement windows, and more specifically, to tie bars for multi-point casement window sash lock mechanisms.
Multi-point sash lock systems for casement windows are well known and are commonly provided for security, to inhibit water entry and air infiltration in the window, and enhance structural performance. These systems typically have a single operating control, usually a lever. The operating control is linked to a tie bar mounted on the window frame that allows activation of remote locking points in addition to the main locking point. Operation of the lever causes the tic bar to move longitudinally, usually vertically along the long axis of the window, so that locking points on the tie bar engage keepers on the sash to inhibit opening of the sash. Tie bar guides, or “euro groove” tracks, are used to secure the tie bar to the frame of the window, preventing, transverse movement of the tie bar while enabling the tie bar to move longitudinally, Such a multi-point lock mechanism is described and depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,014, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Prior tie bar assemblies have generally been manufactured from metal in certain standard lengths, corresponding to the heights of windows manufactured by window makers. These tie bars typically range in length from 12 inches to 72 inches, and have various numbers of attached locking points located at positions on the tie bar corresponding to the keeper location designed into the window. A drawback of this approach is that a large number of different tie bar configurations is required, which need to be made and stocked by a window hardware manufacturer, and kept in inventory by a window maker.
Also, when it comes to rounded top window configurations, commonly used metal tie bars need to have a section pre-formed that closely matches the rounded geometry of the window. This leads to a great number of parts that specifically match the various window designs that may be employed by window manufacturers. The logistics involved with supplying all the application specific parts to a window assembly line when, and only when, needed, leads to inefficiencies and increased costs of window manufacture. In addition, the limited availability of parts limits custom window designs to only those supported by the configurations available in multi-point locking hardware. What is needed in. the industry is a multi-point lock mechanism for casement windows that addresses the deficiencies in prior art designs.
Embodiments of the present invention address the need in the industry for a multi-point lock mechanism for casement windows that overcomes the drawbacks of prior art designs.
In an embodiment, the invention includes a tie bar that can be fabricated from extruded or formed polymer material available in bulk rolls. The tie bar can be custom cut from the bulk material to any desired length at a window assembly line, and can be cut with saddles and apertures that match the locations of window locking points and drive locations to conform with window designs on the fly. Standard locking points and drive pins can be fitted onto the tie bar m locations as needed to fit particular configurations, and are slidable in standard c-shaped channels. The polymer material used for the tie bar is flexible and resilient, thereby lending itself to use for rounded window designs, without having any specific preformed length, locking point location, or shape.
Accordingly, in an embodiment, a method of making a multi-point window locking mechanism tie bar includes cutting a section of flexible and resilient polymer material from a. roll, the section having a predetermined length, punching a plurality of spaced-apart apertures in the section along a longitudinal axis of the section, and cutting a notch in the section along the longitudinal axis of the section at a location between the spaced-apart apertures, the notch adapted to receive a saddle, with the saddle having either a projecting locking point or a projecting drive pin. The method can further include engaging the saddle with the notch to secure the saddle to the section, and providing a c-shaped track, and slidably engaging the saddle in the track.
In further embodiments, the invention includes a method of making a window assembly wherein the window assembly has a frame defining an opening and a sash operably coupled to the frame, the sash selectively shiftable between a closed position wherein the sash closes the opening, and an open position wherein the sash is spaced apart from the frame. The window assembly includes a multi-point locking mechanism to secure the sash in the closed position, and the method includes fabricating a tie bar of the multi-point locking mechanism by cutting a section of flexible and resilient polymer material from a roll, the section having a predetermined length, punching a plurality of spaced-apart apertures in the section along a longitudinal axis of the section, and cutting a notch in the section along the longitudinal axis of the section at a location between the spaced-apart apertures. The notch is adapted to receive a saddle, the saddle having either a projecting locking point or a projecting drive pin. The saddle is engaged with the notch to secure the saddle to the section, and a c-shaped track is secured to the frame, the saddle being slidably engaged in the track. In embodiments, the c-shaped track is secured to the frame by inserting fasteners through plurality of spaced-apart apertures in the tie bar. A second notch can be cut in the section, and the saddle engaged with the second notch.
In further embodiments, the invention includes a window locking mechanism for a window assembly. The assembly has a frame defining an opening and a sash operably coupled to the frame. The sash is selectively shiftable between a closed position wherein the sash closes the opening, and an open position wherein the sash is spaced apart from the frame. The window locking mechanism includes a tie bar, at least a section of the tie bar being made from flexible, resilient, polymer material, the section being operably coupled with a saddle presenting a locking point or a drive point, and a c-shaped track, the saddle being slidably engaged with the c-shaped. track.
The summary above is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications 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 claimed inventions 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 subject matter as defined by the claims.
In
As depicted in
According to embodiments of the invention, tie bar 56 can be fabricated from Technoform® extruded polyamide, glass fiber reinforced, flexible and resilient drive rod which is available in bulk rolls. It will be appreciated, however, that other bulk flexible and resilient polymer drive rod materials can be used while remaining within the scope of the invention. Tie bar 56 can be custom cut from the bulk material to any desired length using a stamp and cutoff machine which may be, for a non-limiting example, a Giesse® Model PA009 Semi-Automatic Punching Machine, at the point of window assembly. Moreover, notches 64 and apertures 66 can be cut with the same machine at any desired locations along tie bar 56, corresponding to desired locations of locking points 60 and drive pins 62.
As depicted in
Tracks 58, which are preferably made from a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel or a polymer, have a generally c-shaped cross section as depicted in
In operation, lever 84 of control handle assembly 50 can be operated, causing carriage 82 to vertically shift. As it shifts, carriage 82 slides vertically and drives pin points 62 vertically in the corresponding track 58, and because of the fixed connection of drive pin points 62 with tie bar 56, tie bar 56 shifts vertically, guided by tracks 58, causing projecting pins or rollers 70 to engage or disengage from keepers 52, and thereby locking or unlocking sash 26 from frame 24. It will be appreciated that the flexible and resilient qualities of the material used for tie bar 56 enables tie bar 56 to bend around the rounded top profile of windows such as depicted in
These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.
Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the Subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected, from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.
Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.
Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.
For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in the subject claim.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/251,725 filed Oct. 4, 2021, said application being hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63251725 | Oct 2021 | US |
