BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a sash window assembly;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tilt-latch of the present invention, shown in an extended position;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 2, shown in the extended position;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 2, shown in the extended position;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 2, shown in the extended position;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 2, shown in a retracted position;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 7 mounted in a sash window, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 7 mounted in a sash window, shown in the retracted position, taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tilt-latch of FIG. 6 mounted in a sash window, shown in the extended position, taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
A sash window assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The particular sash window assembly 10 in FIG. 1 is a double-hung window assembly having a first or lower sash window 12 and a second or upper sash window 18 installed in a master frame 14. The lower sash window 12 is pivotally mounted to the master frame 14 by a sash balance/brake shoe assembly 15. The master frame 14 has opposed, vertically extending guide rails 16. The lower sash window 12 has a top sash member 20, a bottom sash member 22, and a pair of stiles 24,26, cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities thereof to form a sash frame, typically rectangular although other shapes are possible. The upper sash window 18 is similarly constructed. The sash windows and master frame could be made from extrusions or pulltrusions that are filled with fiberglass, epoxy, plastic, or wood chips. These structures could also be solid and made from wood, masonite, pressboard, composite materials, or other materials as well, including aluminum. The preferred embodiment of the latch mechanism 1 is particularly suitable for use with sash windows made of wood.
Two tilt-latch mechanisms 1 are each mounted in slots 13 at each end of the top sash rail 20. The tilt-latch mechanisms 1 are schematically shown in FIG. 1. The preferred tilt-latch of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, and is adapted for releasably securing the sash window 12 to the master frame 14. The tilt-latch 1 generally includes a housing 30, a latch bolt 60, and a biasing spring 50. These components are described in greater detail below.
The preferred embodiment of the housing 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8-10, the housing 30 is adapted to be supported by the top sash member 20, and is preferably installed within a cavity 13 in the top sash member 20. The housing is preferably elongated and generally includes a top plate 31 having an opening 32 therein and two side walls 33 depending from an outer portion of the top plate 31. Two clips 34, two posts 35, and a retaining member 36 are preferably affixed to the housing 30.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, the top plate 31 has two fastener holes 37 and the opening 32 allows access to an actuator 61 operably connected to the latch bolt 60, as shown in FIG. 9. The top plate 31 also preferably has a recessed portion 38 proximate the opening 32 to facilitate access to, and operation of, the actuator 61. Additionally, the opening 32 is slightly elongated to permit movement of the actuator 61 within the opening 32. The top plate 31 is preferably elongated and rectangular in shape, with one rounded end, although other shapes are possible. Preferably, the side walls 33 depend from an outer portion of the top plate 31, but are located inward of the outer edge 39 of the top plate 31. This arrangement creates a ledge 40 on the underside of the top plate 31 that sits on the top surface of the top sash member 20 when the tilt-latch 1 is inserted into the cavity 13 in the sash window 12. The side walls 33 generally follow the shape of the top plate 31, but have a narrowed portion 41 proximate the opening 32 in the top plate 31, creating an hourglass-like shape. Preferably, the side walls 33 are connected by a rounded portion at one end and are not connected at the other end, creating an open end 42 of the housing 30 through which the latch bolt 60 extends.
As best illustrated in FIG. 8, two clips 34 are affixed to the housing 30, preferably depending from the narrowed portion 41 of the side walls 33. Alternately, the clips 34 may be located elsewhere on the housing 30, and the housing 30 may have a different number of clips. Each clip 34 preferably contains an inwardly-extending lip 43 for gripping the latch bolt 60. The two inwardly-extending lips 43 extend toward each other, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In other embodiments, the clip 34 has a different arrangement, for example, the lip 43 may extend outwardly. It is also envisioned that the two clips 34 may not be separate from each other, but may constitute a single piece, for example, a single depending member having two clips 34 thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the clips 34 are integral with the housing 30, but may alternately be separate pieces attached to the housing 30.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, a retaining member 36 is affixed to the housing 30, preferably depending from the inner portion of the housing 30. The retaining member 36 is configured for retaining the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30 and preferably contains a projection 44 and defines an abutment surface 45. The projection 44 extends into the latch bolt 60 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30, as described below. Preferably, the projection 44 is elongated and substantially rectangular in shape, and extends substantially lengthwise relative to the housing 30. The abutment surface 45 is preferably a flat surface that abuts the biasing means 50 when the latch bolt is assembled. Alternately, the retaining member 36 may be located elsewhere on the housing 30, or may be configured differently, and the housing 30 may have more than one retaining member 36.
Two posts are also attached to, or defined in, the housing, preferably depending from the inner portion of the top plate 31. The posts 35 are best illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, each post 35 is preferably cylindrical and hollow and constitutes an extension of one of the two fastener holes 37 in the top plate 31. Thus, the posts 35 of the preferred embodiment are each adapted to receive a fastener therethrough, preferably a screw or a nail, to affix the latch mechanism 1 to the sash window 12. Alternately, the number and locations of the posts 35 can vary, and the posts 35 may be differently shaped or configured to receive a different type of fastener.
The preferred embodiment of the latch bolt 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-10. The latch bolt 60 is slidably supported by the housing 30 and is moveable between an extended position (FIGS. 6 and 10), where the nose 62 of the latch bolt 60 is adapted to engage the master frame 12, and a retracted position (FIGS. 7 and 9), where the nose 62 of the latch bolt 60 is adapted to be retracted from the master frame 14.
The latch bolt 60 preferably has a channel 63 on the interior that holds the biasing means 50 and receives the retaining member 36 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30, as described below. As shown in FIGS. 5-10, the preferred channel 63 is elongated and rectangular in shape, and allows sufficient space for the action of the biasing means 50 and the movement of the retaining member 36 within the channel 63. A portion of the channel 63 is open toward the top of the latch bolt 60, and another portion is open toward the bottom of the latch bolt 60. In other embodiments, the size and configuration of the channel 63 can vary.
The latch bolt 60 also preferably has two linear tracks 64 extending along a portion of the length of the latch bolt 60. The clips 34 of the housing 30 grip the tracks 64 to slidably support the latch bolt 60. Preferably, the tracks 64 are formed by ledges 65 on the sides of the latch bolt 60, as illustrated in FIG. 8, providing surfaces for the clips 34 to grip. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the tracks 64 are preferably positioned on a narrowed portion 67 of the latch bolt 60, preventing the bolt 60 from sliding farther than the end of the track 64.
Two slots 66 are preferably located at opposing ends of the latch bolt 60. Each of the slots 66 is configured to receive one of the two posts 35 therein when the latch bolt 60 is assembled. The slots 66 are long enough so that the latch bolt 60 can slide back and forth without obstruction by the posts 35 extending down through the slots 66. The size, shape, position, and necessity of the slots 66 can be adjusted to accommodate for changes in the design of the housing 30, including changes in the size, shape, or position of the posts 35.
Further, an actuator 61 is preferably located on the top of the latch bolt 60 and is accessible through the opening 32 in the housing, allowing a user to manipulate the latch bolt 60 between the extended and retracted positions. Generally, the actuator 61 is a tab projecting from the top of the latch bolt 60, but other designs may be used, including those known in the art, such as a finger groove. When the preferred latch mechanism 1 is assembled, the actuator 61 projects through the opening 32 in the housing 30, facilitating access to the actuator 61 by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator 61 is integral with the latch bolt 60, but may alternately be a separate piece attached to the latch bolt 60.
In alternate embodiments, the latch bolt 60 may be configured differently, particularly if the housing 30 is differently configured. For example, the tracks 64 might be located elsewhere on the latch bolt 60, and may be designed to accommodate a greater number or different design of the clips 34. Also, as known in the art, the nose 62 may be beveled to facilitate closing of the window 12 when the latch bolt 60 is extended, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Generally, the latch mechanism 1 preferably includes a means for biasing the latch bolt 60 toward the extended position. In the preferred embodiment, this biasing means is embodied by a biasing spring 50. The structure and positioning of this biasing spring 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-10. Other biasing means may be utilized with the present invention, including other types of springs (such as coil springs), as well as an elastic member or an integral resilient member on the housing 30 or the latch bolt 60.
Assembly of the latch mechanism 1 is illustrated in FIG. 5, and the assembled latch mechanism is shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6-10. During assembly, the spring 50 is placed in the channel 63 of the latch bolt 60, and the housing 30 is forced downward over the latch bolt 60 to snap the mechanism 1 together. As the mechanism 1 is forced together, the posts 35 are received by the slots 66 in the latch bolt 60, the retaining member 36 enters the channel 63 of the latch bolt 60, and the clips 34 grip the tracks 64 to slidably support the latch bolt 60.
Once assembled, the latch mechanism 1 is securely retained together by a support assembly that includes the clips 34 and the tracks 64. The clips 34 slidably support the latch bolt 60. Generally, the clips 34 grip the tracks 64 to accomplish this function. In the preferred embodiment, best illustrated in FIG. 8, the clips 34 grip the tracks 64 so that the lips 43 of the clips 34 ride along the ledges 65 of the tracks 64. As described above, many alternate clip configurations are included within the scope of the present invention.
A retaining assembly, which includes the retaining member 36, also retains the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30. Generally, a portion of the retaining member 36 extends into the latch bolt 60 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, the preferred embodiment of the retaining member includes the projection 44 and defines the abutment surface 45. The projection 44 extends into the channel 63 in the latch bolt 60 and below an underside surface 68 of the latch bolt 60, engaging the underside surface 68 of the latch bolt. Most preferably, the projection extends in a direction substantially parallel to the underside surface 68 of the latch bolt 60, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The direction in which the projection 44 extends is also preferably substantially parallel to the sliding direction D (shown in FIGS. 7 and 9) of the latch bolt 60. The sliding direction D is defined as the direction in which the latch bolt 60 slides between the extended position and the retracted position. However, as described above, the retaining member 36 can be configured differently within the scope of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, the biasing spring 50 is preferably positioned in the channel 63 of the latch bolt 60 when the latch mechanism 1 is assembled. One end of the spring 50 abuts the abutment surface 45 of the retaining member 36 and the other end of the spring abuts the latch bolt 60 to exert force upon the latch bolt 60. In other embodiments, a different biasing means 50 may be used, as described above. Additionally, the biasing means 50 may be located or positioned differently within the latch mechanism 1.
In the assembled latch mechanism 1, the slots 66 allow the latch bolt 60 to move freely without being obstructed by the posts 35, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-7. As stated above, the posts 35 extend through the slots 66 and the slots 66 are dimensioned to allow the latch bolt 60 the proper freedom of movement.
The latch mechanism 1 is adapted to be mounted on the sash window 12. Preferably, the housing 30 is adapted to be supported by the sash window 12, and the housing 30, in turn, slidably supports the latch bolt 60. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the latch mechanism 1 is preferably installed within a cavity 13 in the sash window 12. The assembled latch mechanism 1 is placed in the cavity 13 in the top sash member 20 of the sash window 12. Screws 52 or other fasteners are then inserted through the fastener holes 37 and the hollow posts 35, and are then screwed into the body of the sash window 12. These fasteners 52 secure the latch mechanism 1 tightly within the cavity 13. When the latch mechanism 1 is inserted into the cavity, the ledge 40 of the top plate 31 of the housing 30 sit upon the edges of the sash window 12 to stabilize the latch mechanism 1 and ensure proper positioning of the latch mechanism 1.
In alternate embodiments, the cooperative components of the support assembly and the retaining assembly may be switched between the latch bolt 60 and the housing 30. Generally, the present invention contemplates the use of a cooperative structure between the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 to permit the housing 30 to slidably support the latch bolt 60. Thus, in one embodiment, the clips 34 are attached to one of the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 and the tracks 64 are on the other of the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 to slidably support the latch bolt 60. For example, the latch bolt 60 may have clips thereon that grip the housing 30, and the housing may have tracks for this purpose.
Similarly, the present invention contemplates generally the use of a retaining member and other cooperative structure between the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30. Thus, in another embodiment, the retaining member is attached to one of the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 and a portion of the retaining member extends into the other of the housing 30 and the latch bolt 60 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30. For example, the latch bolt 60 may have a retaining member thereon that extends into the housing 30 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing.
Operation of the latch mechanism 1 is best illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10. The latch bolt 60 is moveable between the extended position, depicted in FIGS. 6 and 10, and the retracted position, depicted in FIGS. 7 and 9. Preferably, in the extended position, the nose 62 of the latch bolt 60 extends through the open end 42 of the housing 30 and is adapted to engage the master frame 14, and in the retracted position, the nose 62 of the latch bolt 60 is retracted completely within the housing 30 and is adapted to be disengaged from the master frame 14. When the sash window 12 is closed and the latch mechanism 1 is installed, the latch bolt 60 will be in the extended position, extended by the biasing spring 50 so the latch bolt 60 engages the master frame 14, illustrated in FIG. 10. In this arrangement, the nose 62 of the latch bolt 60 is received in the master frame 14, releasably securing the sash window 12 to the master frame 14. Although in FIGS. 9-10 the nose 62 is received in a recess 17 in the master frame 14, the nose 62 may also ride in one of the guide rails 16, allowing the window 12 to slide within the master frame 14 with the latch bolt 60 extended, as is known in the art and shown in FIG. 1.
To move the latch bolt 60 to the retracted position, a user (depicted by the phantomed finger in FIG. 9) manipulates the actuator 61 to pull the latch bolt 60 into the housing 30. The latch bolt 60 moves by sliding along the tracks 64 in the sliding direction D, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. When the latch mechanism 1 is installed in the sash window 12, movement of the latch bolt 60 to the retracted position causes the latch bolt 60 to retract from the master frame 14 and disengage from the master frame 14, as shown in FIG. 9. This disengagement releases the sash window 12 from the master frame 14, allowing the window 12 to either slide within the frame 14 or tilt inward, depending on the configuration of the window assembly 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the latch bolt 60 is in the extended position, the retaining member 36 interlocks with the latch bolt 60 to retain the latch bolt 60 to the housing 30. To disassemble the latch mechanism 1, the latch bolt must be moved to the retracted position (FIG. 9), allowing the retaining member 36 to clear the housing 30. Since the extended position is the default position of the latch bolt 60 in the assembled latch mechanism 1 (due to the biasing means 50), disassembly of the latch mechanism 1 rarely occurs accidentally.
The present invention provides several benefits over prior tilt-latch mechanisms. The present two-piece design provides advantages in manufacturing and handling over prior three-piece designs. Additionally, prior tilt-latch designs could not be assembled prior to use, or would often disassemble during transport and/or handling if assembled prior to use. The two-piece latch mechanism 1 can be assembled prior to shipping, and will not separate during shipping like prior designs. Due to the retaining assembly and support assembly of the present invention, the disclosed tilt-latch mechanism rarely suffers from accidental disassembly, creating greater ease of handling.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
Patent Application
20080012352
