Patent Application
20100043504
The invention relates to a lock mechanism for a casement or swinging window.
A lock mechanism for locking a casement window, wherein a pivotable sash containing a pane of glass is to be closed against a window frame, typically includes one or more locking rods or lockbars that are laterally movable between a retracted and extended position for inserting and removing an outer end of the bar into and out of engagement with the sash.
Some lock mechanisms may include a laterally movable or rotatable handle or knob directly coupled to the inner end of the lockbar for moving the lockbar between the extended and retracted positions as the handle is slid or rotated. The direct coupling between the lockbar inner end and the knob or handle typically has the end of the lockbar rotatably pinned to the handle. In other direct coupling lock mechanisms, an intermediate link may be placed where one end is pinned to the lockbar and the other end is pinned to the handle or knob.
A possible disadvantage of the prior art lies in the direct mechanical linkage, which can often be difficult to extend and retract because of inherent friction or resistance in the mechanical linkages. Many of the mechanical linkages over time may change angular orientation with respect to the handle or knob as it is rotated, resulting in relatively large and varying rotational forces to be applied to the handle or knob to affect the extension or retraction. The magnitude and varying nature of the operational force sometimes result in jerky operation and perhaps a very high initial force. The combination of these effects can often lead to difficulty in operating the window lock and possibly failure of the window lock.
Other lock mechanisms may include lockbars along an edge of a window frame to lock a sash against the frame. The lockbars typically have a plurality of rollers mounted on the lockbar that engage ramped keepers spaced along the edge of the window sash. The rollers and keepers are usually spaced so that the rollers engage the keepers in a sequential manner, starting from the bottom of the sash and ending with the top of the sash. As a result, the bottom of the sash is normally locked first and the sequential interaction of the middle and top rollers with the middle and top keepers respectively results in the middle and top portions of the sash being pulled against the frame and locked shut.
However, these locking mechanisms may be difficult to install because the spacing between the handle or actuator from the tie bar can vary depending upon the manufacturer and window style. As a result, some locks are usable only with certain styles of windows and other window styles require that locks be specifically manufactured for that style. Therefore, manufacturing costs can be quite high and the wide variety of locks that are required requires builders to maintain undesirably large inventories of such locks.
What is desired, therefore, is a lock mechanism for a casement window that can easily be installed on a variety of window designs. Another desire is a lock mechanism that is easy to operate by a user without expending an inordinate amount of energy by the user.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lock mechanism that may be installed on a variety of window designs and sizes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock mechanism that is easily installed with minimal components and minimal difficulty.
A further object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism that functions properly with minimal effort by the user over a life of the lock mechanism.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a lock mechanism for a casement window having a keeper adapted to be attached to a sash, a lockbar adapted to be attached to a frame for engaging with the keeper to lock the casement window, and an actuator for actuating the lockbar to engage with the keeper. The actuator includes a fork having a V shaped groove, the V shaped groove includes a first leg and a second leg, and the actuator includes a switch having a channel for placement of a drive pin. The switch is rotatably mounted at a juncture of the first and second legs so that the channel generally aligns with either the first leg or the second leg for facilitating alignment of the drive pin within the V shaped groove
In some embodiments, the actuator further includes a back case having an S shaped notch and the switch has a post on a side of the switch opposite the channel, the post being placed within the S shaped notch. In other embodiments, the drive pin moves within the first leg, second leg, and channel contemporaneously as the post moves within the S shaped notch. In another embodiment, a location of the post within the S shaped notch determines a rotation of the switch and a general alignment of the channel with the first leg and the second leg.
In a further embodiment, the lock mechanism includes a guide having an aperture through which the lockbar passes for facilitating engagement of the lockbar with the keeper. In another embodiment, the guide has a hole through which a fastener passes to fasten the guide to the frame and the guide also has a longitudinal axis that is spaced apart from a center of the hole
In yet another embedment, the guide has at least one stabilizer extending from the hole for inhibiting rotation of the guide. In other embodiments, the aperture of the guide has at least one bump for engaging the lockbar and the keeper has at least one ramp for engaging with the lockbar.
In another aspect of the invention, at least one part of the guide is placed within a part of the frame for minimizing fasteners for fastening the guide, adding strength, and inhibiting movement of the guide. In some embodiments, the lock mechanism includes a plurality of covers for covering at least the actuator, and wherein each cover is interchangeable with a next cover. In other embodiments, the lock mechanism includes a handle connected to the lockbar for actuating the lockbar to engage with the keeper. In some of these embodiments, a plurality of handles are provided wherein each handle is interchangeable with a next handle.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
a depict the lock mechanism in accordance with the invention.
a-8b more particularly depict the keepers shown in
As shown in
As shown, keeper 40 is attached to sash 14 and the actuator 50, guide 30, and lockbar 20 are all attached to frame 16. Lock mechanism 10 tightly holds sash 14 and frame 16 together when they are brought together and a user actuates actuator 50.
Actuator 50 includes handle 52 where movement of handle 52 causes lockbar 20 to move along axis 31 passing through aperture 32 of guide 30. As a result of movement of lockbar 20, roller 22 also moves and, when coming in contact with keeper 40 and more particularly ramp 42, continued movement of handle 52 by a user will cause roller 22 to roll upon and along ramp 42 until it reaches plateau 44 (see
As shown in
Referring to
Guide 30 also has hole 34 located on opposite end of aperture 32 and through which fastener 35 passes to fasten guide 30 to frame 16. As shown, center 36 of hole 34 is spaced apart or offset from longitudinal axis 38. In some embodiments, the reason for the offset is for installation purposes where the body or head of fastener 35 bumps or interferes with other structure, such as another window sash, window frame, or parts of a second lock mechanism on a similarly closing window. In other embodiments, the reason for the offset is for installation purposes where the body or head of fastener 35 interferes with the body or head of another fastener (see
Referring to
Referring to
It is important to note that continued movement of lockbar 20, typically through operation of lock mechanism 10, will over time wear off bump 74, which is acceptable because the purpose of bump 74 is to facilitate installation. It is also understood that bump 74 typically shears off after more than one operation of lock mechanism 10 or movement of lockbar 20 because adjustment or changes to the positions of lockbar 20, guide 30, and other components of lock mechanism 10 are envisioned and bump 74 should be resistant to wear or shear force or have a fatigue life of more than one cycle to accommodate such adjustments. In some embodiments, bump 74 withstands between approximately 1 and approximately 12 cycles of operations of lock mechanism 10 wherein one operation is defined as window 10 being locked and unlocked. In other embodiments, bump 74 withstands between approximately 12 and 50 cycles.
As shown in
Switch 60 is placed within opening 59 and includes channel 62 on a front side and post 64 on an opposite side or backside of switch 60. While placed within opening 59, channel 62 rotates between alignment with first leg 56 and second leg 58 depending upon a location of post 64 within S shaped notch 88. More specifically, as switch 60 moves from first part 90 of notch to third part 94 of notch, channel 62 rotates from alignment with first leg 56 to alignment with second leg 58, respectively. When post 64 is within second part 92, channel 62 is transitioning between first and second legs 56, 58. In another embodiment, channel rotates from alignment with second leg 58 to alignment with first leg 56 as post moves from first part 90 to third part 94, respectively.
The purpose of channel 62 and switch 60 in general is to help ensure proper movement of drive pin 82 within V shaped groove 54. More particularly, channel 62 and alignment with first and second legs 56, 58 ensure that drive pin 82 is placed and slides within the correct leg of V shaped groove 54. For example, if channel 62 is aligned with first leg 56, it is difficult for drive pin 82 to slide or move to or within second leg 58. Conversely, if channel 62 is aligned with second leg 58, it is difficult for drive pin 82 to slide or move to or within first leg 56.
Post 64 being placed within S shaped notch 88 facilitates rotation of switch 60 and therefore also facilitates alignment of channel 62 with first or second legs 56, 58 resulting in drive pin 82 being placed within the correct part of V shaped groove 54.
Referring to
Referring to
Rotation of hub 52 causes drive pin 82 that is fixed to hub 102 to likewise rotate but since drive pin 82 is placed within V shaped groove 54, as described above, drive pin 82 will travel down first leg 56 toward switch 60. When drive pin 82 moves down first leg 56, fork 55 will likewise move along S shaped notch 88, due to fork 55 being connected to switch 60, in the general direction of the rotation of drive pin 82.
As fork 55 and moving along S shaped notch 88, lockbar 20 is translating or moving linearly through aperture 32. Continued rotation of handle 53 will cause drive pin 82 to be placed within channel 62 and subsequently to move up second leg 58 until lockbar 20 engages with keeper 40, as described above.
As shown herein, drive pin 82 moves within first leg 56, second leg 58, and channel 62 contemporaneously as post 64 moves within S shaped notch 88. Further, a location of post 64 within S shaped notch 88 determines a rotation of switch 60 and a general alignment of channel 62 with first and second legs 56, 58.
Referring to
In addition to the foregoing, some embodiments position at least one part 108 snug within recess 112 to reduce movement of guide 30 in a counter-clockwise and clockwise direction shown in
In the embodiment shown, cover 114 is snapped on near the end of installation after lock bar 20, guide 30, and other components of actuator 50 are installed. In some embodiments, a plurality of covers are provided and each cover is interchangeable with a next cover. This is particularly helpful when choosing a color to match a décor of a room. In further embodiments, cover 114 is applied by the user or consumer after installation so that a color may be chosen and the cover with the chosen color is applied or snapped on. In another embodiment, the plurality of covers are given to the user or consumer and from which the user or consumer picks one to snap on or apply.
In another aspect of the invention, handle 52 is snapped on after cover 114. For the same reasons as cover 114, handle 52 is interchangeable with a plurality of other handles and the user or consumer chooses one handle based on color or shape of handle 52. In some embodiments, both a plurality of covers and plurality of handles are given to the user or consumer after all other components are already installed, from which the user or consumer picks one cover and one handle to complete the installation. This is helpful for preserving the condition of handle 52 and cover 114 because these components typically are most visible after installation is completed.
As shown in
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
