Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hinge assemblies for interconnecting a sash and a surrounding frame and, more particularly, to a shim assembly for releasably engaging the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly designed for a first sash-frame cavity, and the shim assembly constructed to allow the hinge assembly to operably interconnect a different size sash-frame cavity.
2. Description of Related Art
In many window assemblies, it is often desirable to have a sash be movable relative to a frame. Typically, the relative movement is provided by a hinge assembly operably connected to the sash and the frame. In construction, the sash is spaced from the frame to define a cavity or available hinge space. The cavity is sized to permit opening and closure of the sash. In addition, the sash-frame cavity is often sized to accommodate locking hardware and weatherseal contact and prevent interference.
Typically, a given hinge assembly is sized and constructed to accommodate a given sash-frame cavity size. That is, the linkages and pivoting movement within the hinge assembly require the sash to move within a predetermined range or path. If a hinge assembly is connected to a sash and frame outside of the design parameters, premature hinge failure results.
Therefore, the industry practice has been to stock an inventory of hinge assemblies for each anticipated sash-frame cavity size. Thus, substantial inventories can exist, wherein these inventories unnecessarily add to the overhead costs of window manufacturers.
Therefore, the need exists for a shim assembly that can engage a hinge assembly to allow operation of the hinge assembly (designed for a first sash-frame cavity size) in a different second sash-frame cavity size. The need also exists for a shim assembly that can be readily engaged with the hinge assembly, without requiring machinery or specialized tooling.
The present invention provides a shim assembly for engaging a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly designed for operation in a first sash-frame cavity, to allow operable engagement of the hinge assembly in a different (larger) sash-frame cavity.
In a first configuration, the shim assembly includes an elongate shim body and a pair of integral projecting tabs, wherein at least one of the tabs is sized to form an interference fit with a corresponding aperture in the hinge assembly. One of the tabs can have a circular cross section, and one of the tabs can have a non circular cross section, such as an obround cross section. The tabs can be received within correspondingly shaped apertures in the hinge assembly. Alternatively, both tabs (circular and non circular cross section) can be received within circular apertures in the hinge assembly. It is further contemplated the hinge assembly can include a circular aperture and a spaced obround aperture, wherein the first tab is sized to be received within the circular aperture and a second tab is an obround cross section sized to be received within the obround aperture of the hinge assembly.
In a further configuration, the shim body can be connected to the hinge assembly by at least one snap rivet. It is contemplated a pair of snap rivets can be used to engage the shim body to the hinge assembly. However, it is also understood that an integral tab and a snap rivet can be used to connect the shim body to the hinge assembly.
Referring to
Typically, the hinge assembly 30 is constructed to have a given stack height H for operable location within a corresponding sash-frame cavity. A given hinge assembly 30 can only be employed within a given size sash-frame cavity 25, wherein there are relatively narrow operating tolerances of the hinge assembly. For example, prior hinge assemblies have a stack height of ⅝-inch or three-quarter inch, wherein the ⅝-inch hinge assembly cannot be employed in a sash-frame cavity of approximately three-quarter inches. Any attempts to operate the ⅝-inch stack height hinge assembly in a three-quarter inch gap results in premature failure of the ⅝-inch hinge assembly.
A representative hinge assembly 30 is a four-bar hinge assembly shown in
The present invention includes the shim assembly 40 for releasably engaging the hinge assembly 30 to allow a given hinge assembly to be employed in an otherwise oversized sash-frame cavity 25. The shim assembly 40 includes a shim body 42 and means for releasably engaging the shim body to the hinge assembly 30. Preferably, a shim body 42 is affixed to the hinge assembly 30 at the vent bar 34.
Referring to
The means for releasably engaging the shim assembly 40 with the hinge assembly 30 can include at least one and preferably two engaging tabs 44. In one configuration, the engaging tabs 44 are integrally formed with the shim body 42. That is, the shim body 42 and engaging tabs 44 are formed of a single, contiguous piece of material. The engaging tabs 44 can be formed by pressing or punching the shim body to cause the material to form the engaging tab, while a corresponding recess is formed in an opposing side of the shim body.
While the engaging tabs 44 can be any of a variety of configurations, the engaging tabs can correspond to the respective apertures 37 in the vent bar 34. The engaging tabs 44 can have any of a variety of cross sections including, but not limited to, circular or non circular including oval, faceted, curvilinear, obround or oblong. In one configuration, the shim assembly 40 includes a first projecting tab 44 having a circular cross section and a second projecting tab having a non circular cross section such as an obround cross section. Referring to
The sizing of the engaging tab 44 with respect to the corresponding aperture 37 in the vent bar 34 is selected to facilitate the engagement and preferably releasable engagement of the shim assembly and the hinge assembly. Specifically, the engaging tab 44, having a circular cross section, is sized such that the cross section of the tab is slightly less than the cross section of the circular aperture 37 in the vent bar. Thus, the engaging tab 44 slides into the corresponding aperture 37 and the shim body 42 can be rotated relative to the vent bar 34. Referring to
Generally stated, one of the projecting tabs 44 has a non similar cross section to the corresponding aperture 37 into which the projecting tab is received. Although only one projecting tab 44 is set forth as non circular (for engaging a corresponding circular aperture), it is understood both projecting tabs can be non circular for engaging circular apertures 37 in the vent bar, thereby reducing the amount of contact between the projecting tab and the wall of the aperture. Thus, one or both of the projecting tabs 44 can have dissimilar cross section than the corresponding aperture 37 in the hinge assembly. By the description as dissimilar cross sections, it is understood that reorientation of otherwise similar cross sections could result in present dissimilar relation. That is, for the aperture 37 being square, the projecting tab 44 also may have a square cross section; however if the projecting tab is rotated 45° relative to the aperture 37 and reduced in size so that the diagonals of the tab contact the walls of the aperture, then such cross sections are dissimilar. It is further understood that dissimilar can pertain to the dimensional interference of similar cross sections, such as circular cross sections where rotating is irrelevant.
In an alternative configuration, the shim body 42 can be connected to the vent bar 34 by means of a snap rivet 50. In this configuration, the engaging tabs 44 are not formed on the shim body 42 and instead rivet apertures 47 are provided in the shim body. The snap rivet 50 is a generally T-shape member having a post 52 sized to pass through the aperture 47 in the shim body 42 and engage the aperture 37 in the vent bar 34. The post 52 is sized to provide an interference fit with the aperture 37 in the vent bar 34 such that the shim body 42 is sufficiently retained relative to the vent bar 34 to allow a fastener to pass through the vent bar 34 and the shim body and engage the sash 10 (or the frame 20).
In one configuration, the shim assembly 40 can be manually attached to the vent bar 34, wherein the retention force is sufficient to allow shipping and installation of the hinge assembly 30 with the shim assembly. Thus, the shim assembly can be removed non-destructively from the hinge assembly.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050223524 A1 | Oct 2005 | US |