The inventions relate to opening limit devices for casement and awning windows, in particular to opening limit devices not requiring a release mechanism.
Life safety codes require some casement windows to be restricted to 4 inches or less of opening. Current sash limiters that fit into the 7/16″ high space available on most residential casement windows are not tamper resistant but rather are made to easily detach. For example, window opening control devices (WOCD) are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,240, issued Aug. 13, 2013, to the owners of the present invention and entitled CASEMENT AND AWNING WINDOW OPENING LIMIT DEVICE, said patent being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. Other devices have no detach feature that is provided other than by removing the mounting screws.
It can sometimes be undesirable to allow life/safety devices to be easily overridden.
Current casement sash limiters (other than WOCDs) are mounted to the window sill and restrict the sash to a specific angle of opening which means that the distance the window opens for a specific mounting location will depend on the width of the window and to a lesser extent, on the specific hinges used. The sill mounted limiter location must vary to achieve a specific opening distance which complicates manufacturing of windows. Additionally, some casement windows are so narrow that there is not enough space to fit a limit device on the sill because it competes for space with the hinge or operator.
The present invention addresses the drawbacks of the prior art devices. In the jamb mounted version, the limiter is mounted in one constant location on the jamb rather than multiple locations on the sill which results in the opening distance being essentially the same for all window widths and all hinge types. The amount of space available for the device does not depend on the window width so it can be used on narrower windows.
Advantages provided by embodiments of the present invention are:
In embodiments of the claimed invention, a security screw is used to provide the ability to detach the limiter for maintenance (such as window washing from the interior) while restricting this ability to personnel having a special security tool. A screw with a hexalobular or other shaped drive designed to be installed or removed only with special tools can be used to retain a limiting arm to a stud coupled to a bracket.
In an embodiment, a tamper resistant jamb mounted sash limiter includes a track mounted to the jamb of a casement window (or to the sill of an awning window). A traveler, which may be a slider, engages with the track and has an internally threaded stud attached to it using non-round features on both the stud and the aperture in the slider to prevent rotation of the stud. The aperture at one end of an arm is placed over the stud and a security screw is used to secure the arm to the stud such that the arm is free to rotate about the axis of the stud. The other end of the arm is riveted to a bracket which is mounted to the sash such that it can freely rotate about the axis of the rivet. As the sash opens, the slider progresses along the track until it contacts a screw head (or other obstacle) which stops the roller, preventing further opening of the sash. Throughout the range of motion, the rivet moves angularly as well as laterally relative to the stud, so the arm must be able to also rotate out-of-plane, perpendicular to the axes of the stud and rivet by a limited amount. This is facilitated by making loose fits between the apertures in the arms and the stud and rivet. A bend in the arm near the rivet aperture allows the arm to rotate perpendicular to the rivet axis even farther for a given rivet length without interfering with the sash than if the arm had been straight.
In some embodiments, the internally threaded stud could be integrally formed as part of the slider, or the stud could be knurled while the aperture in the slider is round. The track can have a feature integrally formed into it, or a separate stop component could be attached to the track to provide a stop for the slider. Although the track can form a c-shaped channel with the slider riding in the channel, the track and slider can be any shapes that allow relative sliding motion while also permitting attachment of the threaded stud. The bracket could be mounted to the jamb and the track to the sash.
In another embodiment, a tamper resistant sill mounted sash limiter includes a bracket having an attached cylindrical stud with a vertical axis mounted to the sill of a casement window (or to the jamb of an awning window). The stud is internally threaded to accept a screw. The aperture at one end of an arm is placed over the stud and a security screw (such as one having an internal hexalobular drive with a pin in the center of the drive) is used to secure the arm to the stud such that the arm is free to rotate about the axis of the stud. At the other end of the arm is a roller (or slider) that engages with a track mounted to the sash. As the sash opens, the roller progresses along the track until it contacts a screw head (or other obstacle) which stops the roller, preventing further opening of the sash.
In some embodiments, the stud can be integrally formed as part of the bracket. Also, the track and slider can be any shapes that allow relative sliding motion. The bracket could be mounted to the sash and the track to the sill. A non-round aperture can be employed around the stud in order to prevent the stud from rotating when the security screw is tightened. A threaded stud can be formed into or attached to a slider rather than to the bracket.
According to an embodiment, a sash limiter assembly is provided for a casement window having a sash hinged to a frame, the sash being selectively shiftable within a range of travel to open and close an opening defined by the frame. The sash limiter assembly includes an attachment bracket having a pivot stud projecting therefrom, a track assembly including a track and a traveler, the traveler slidably received by the track, the traveler presenting a projecting stud, and a limiter arm pivotally coupled to the pivot stud and pivotally coupled to the projecting stud of the traveler, wherein the attachment bracket is adapted to attach to a sash of the casement window and the track assembly is adapted to attach to a jamb of the casement window, the limiter arm preventing opening of the sash beyond a predefined range of travel less than the range of travel of the sash. The limiter arm can define at least one bend. The limiter arm may define a first aperture proximate a proximal end and a second aperture proximate a distal end, the pivot stud being received in the first aperture and the projecting stud being received in the second aperture, sufficient clearance being provided between an inner edge of the first aperture and an outer surface of the pivot stud, and sufficient clearance being provided between an inner edge of the second aperture and an outer surface of the projecting stud so that the limiter arm is enabled to rotate out-of-plane relative to a plane defined by the limiter arm.
In embodiments of the sash limiter assembly, the projecting stud receives a security screw to fasten the limiter arm to the traveler, and the security screw may have a hexalobular drive.
In embodiments of the sash limiter assembly, the traveler may be a slider or a roller. The track may define a generally c-shaped channel, the traveler being slidably received in the channel. The track assembly may include at least one stop to prevent the traveler from disengaging from the track. The stop may be a fastener attaching the track to the jamb.
In other embodiments, a casement window includes a frame with a top sill, a bottom sill, and a pair of jambs, the frame defining an opening, and a sash hinged to the frame and pivotally shiftable along a range of travel between a closed position wherein the sash closes the opening and a fully open position wherein the sash is clear of the opening, the sash including a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of side rails. The casement window further includes a sash limiter assembly having an attachment bracket having a pivot stud projecting therefrom, the attachment bracket mounted on one of the side rails of the sash, a track assembly including a track and a traveler, the traveler slidably received by the track, the traveler presenting a projecting stud, the track mounted on one of the jambs of the frame, and a limiter arm pivotally coupled to the pivot stud and pivotally coupled to the projecting stud of the traveler, wherein when the sash is shifted from the closed position to the open position, the traveler slides along the track and the limiter arm pivots about the pivot stud and the projecting stud, and the limiter arm prevents opening of the sash beyond a predefined range of travel less than the range of travel of the sash.
In embodiments of the casement window the limiter arm can define at least one bend. Further, the limiter arm can define a first aperture proximate a proximal end and a second aperture proximate a distal end. The pivot stud may be received in the first aperture and the projecting stud received in the second aperture, with sufficient clearance being provided between an inner edge of the first aperture and an outer surface of the pivot stud, and sufficient clearance being provided between an inner edge of the second aperture and an outer surface of the projecting stud so that the limiter arm is enabled to rotate out-of-plane relative to a plane defined by the limiter arm.
In embodiments of the casement window, the projecting stud receives a security screw to fasten the limiter arm to the traveler. The security screw may have a hexalobular drive.
In embodiments of the casement window, the traveler may be a slider or a roller. The track can define a generally c-shaped channel, the traveler being slidably received in the channel. The track assembly can include at least one stop to prevent the traveler from disengaging from the track, and the stop may be a fastener attaching the track to the jamb.
In further embodiments, a sash limiter assembly is provided for a casement window having a sash hinged to a frame, the sash being selectively shiftable within a range of travel to open and close an opening defined by the frame. The sash limiter assembly includes an attachment bracket having a pivot stud projecting therefrom, a track assembly including a track and a traveler, the traveler slidably received by the track, the traveler presenting a projecting stud, and a limiter arm pivotally coupled to the pivot stud and pivotally coupled to the projecting stud of the traveler. The attachment bracket is adapted to attach to a bottom sill of the casement window and the track assembly is adapted to attach to a bottom rail of the casement window, with the limiter arm preventing opening of the sash beyond a predefined range of travel less than the range of travel of the sash.
In embodiments, the pivot stud receives a security screw to fasten the limiter arm to the attachment bracket. The security screw may have a hexalobular drive.
In embodiments of the sash limiter assembly, the traveler may be a slider or a roller. The track can define a generally c-shaped channel with the traveler being slidably received in the channel. The track assembly can include at least one stop to prevent the traveler from disengaging from the track, and the stop can be a fastener attaching the track to the sash.
In embodiments, a casement window includes a frame with a top sill, a bottom sill, and a pair of jambs, the frame defining an opening, and a sash hinged to the frame and pivotally shiftable along a range of travel between a closed position wherein the sash closes the opening and a fully open position wherein the sash is clear of the opening, the sash including a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of side rails. The casement window further includes a sash limiter assembly with an attachment bracket having a pivot stud projecting therefrom, the attachment bracket mounted on the bottom sill of the frame, a track assembly including a track and a traveler, the traveler slidably received by the track, the traveler presenting a projecting stud, the track assembly mounted on the bottom rail of the sash, and a limiter arm pivotally coupled to the pivot stud and pivotally coupled to the projecting stud of the traveler, wherein when the sash is shifted from the closed position to the open position, the traveler slides along the track and the limiter arm pivots about the pivot stud and the projecting stud, and the limiter arm prevents opening of the sash beyond a predefined range of travel less than the range of travel of the sash.
In embodiments of the casement window, the pivot stud receives a security screw to fasten the limiter arm to the attachment bracket. The security screw may have a hexalobular drive.
In embodiments of the casement window, the traveler may be a slider or a roller. The track can define a generally c-shaped channel, the traveler being slidably received in the channel. The track assembly can include at least one stop to prevent the traveler from disengaging from the track. The stop may be a fastener attaching the track to the sash.
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 of the disclosure, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the disclosure is 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 disclosure to the embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
In
Sash limiter 22 generally includes attachment bracket 50, limiter arm 52, and track assembly 54. As depicted in
As depicted in
Track assembly 54, as depicted in
As depicted in
In use, with casement window 20 in the closed position with sash 36 received in, and closing, opening 34, limiter arm 52 is oriented vertically as depicted in
It will also be appreciated that, although the depicted embodiment is a left-handed casement window, a mirror image sash limiter 22 can be used with right-handed casement windows.
It will also be appreciated by those of skill that bracket 50 could be attached to jamb 30 and track assembly 54 could be attached to sash 36. Although a casement window is depicted, sash limiter 22 could be similarly employed in an awning type window.
In
Sash limiter 116 generally includes attachment bracket 144, limiter arm 146, and track assembly 148. As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
Track 176 is secured to underside 198 of bottom rail 134 with fasteners 200, 202. Roller 182 rolls in c-shaped channel 178 of track 176. Attachment bracket 144 is secured to bottom sill 120 with fasteners 204, 206. It will be appreciated that a slider (not depicted) could be substituted for roller 182 while remaining within the scope of the invention.
In use, as sash 130 is opened and closed with operator mechanism 140, limiter arm 146 pivots on pivot stud 152 and roller 182 rolls along c-shaped channel 178. As depicted in FIG. 13, once roller 182 nears the end of track 176, fastener 202 prevents roller 182 from exiting track 176 and sash 130 is prevented from opening further. It will be appreciated that a separate stop component (not depicted) could be attached to track 176 in order to obstruct c-shaped channel 178 thereby functioning similarly to fastener 202, or track 176 could have an integrally formed stop feature.
It will also be appreciated that, although the depicted embodiment is a left-handed casement window, a mirror image sash limiter 116 can be used with right-handed casement windows.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that bracket 144 could be attached to sash 130 and track 176 could be attached to bottom sill 120. Also, sash limiter 116 could be attached to top sill 122 and top rail 132 of sash 130. Although a casement window is depicted, sash limiter 116 could be similarly employed in an awning type window.
Typically, the opening is limited by sash limiter 116 to four inches or less of distance between side rail 136 and jamb 124. It will be appreciated, however, that greater or lesser opening distances can be provided by selecting appropriate lengths for limiter arm 146 and track 176.
Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. 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 and 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 herewith.
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. 62/869,827 filed Jul. 2, 2019, said application being hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
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