Patent Grant
7171784
The present invention relates to a tilt-latch assembly for a pivotal sash window assembly and, more particularly to an interchangeable or reversible bolt for a tilt-latch assembly.
A pivotal sash window adapted for installation within a master frame of a sash window assembly is well-known. The master frame assembly typically has opposed, vertically extending guide rails to enable vertical reciprocal sliding movement of the sash window in the master frame while cooperatively engaged with the guide rails. The sash window has a top sash rail, a base and a pair of stiles cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities thereof to form a sash frame, usually a rectangular frame. Typically, a pair of spaced tilt-latches are installed on, or in, opposite ends of the top sash rail.
Each tilt-latch is generally comprised of a housing having an outward end opening and a latch bolt disposed within the housing. A spring disposed within the housing generally biases the latch bolt through the outward end opening to engage the guide rails of the master frame. The latch bolt has an actuator structure to allow for actuation of the latch bolt. The actuator structure is typically a small control button that is connected to the latch bolt. The actuator is typically finger-actuated wherein the latch bolt is retracted into the housing. This releases the latch bolt from the guide rail. When the latch bolts of the opposed tilt-latches are actuated simultaneously, the sash window can then be pivoted from the master frame.
The end or nose of the latch bolt extending through the outward end opening is generally comprised of an incline surface and a normal surface. The latch bolt is oriented within the housing so that the inclined surface is positioned to be acted on by the guide rails as the sash is tilted into the master frame. That is, the incline surface of each latch bolt generally faces the master frame as the sash is being tilted into the master frame. The engagement between the incline surface and the guide rail of the master frame forces the latch bolt into the housing. Once the sash is fully tilted into the master frame, the latch bolt extends into the guide rail wherein the normal surface engages the master frame to prevent the sash window from tilting. The sash window can ride along the guide rail as the sash window slides within the master frame.
Because of the required orientation of the latch bolt incline surfaces, each sash window typically requires separately constructed right-hand and left-hand tilt-latches. Specifically, separate right-hand and left-hand latch bolts are required. This increases the required tooling and inventories for tilt-latch manufacturers and inventories for tilt-latch purchasers including window manufacturers.
Also, previously known tilt-latches have been required to be shipped to window manufactures unassembled requiring sometimes complicated and time consuming in-field assembly. Shipping each tilt-latch in this manner also has the disadvantages and increased costs associated with an increased risk of loss or damage to individual tilt-latch components.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.
The present invention provides a tilt-latch adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window to a master frame of a sash window assembly.
The master frame has opposed, vertically extending guide rails. The sash window has a top sash rail, a base and a pair of stiles cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities to form a frame. The top sash rail includes a pair of opposing header slots. Each of the header slots forms a pair of opposing, longitudinal header rails.
The tilt-latch can be secured to the top sash rail by fasteners when the tilt-latch is fully assembled. The tilt-latch also has an interchangeable latch bolt wherein the same latch bolt can be installed and operable on the left side or right side of the sash window.
In one aspect of the invention, a tilt-latch is provided for a sash window disposed within opposed guide rails on a master frame. The sash window has a top rail, a base and two stiles connected together at their extremities. The tilt-latch is adapted for releaseably securing the sash window to the master frame. The tilt-latch has a housing adapted to be supported by the top rail, the housing having an outward end opening. The tilt-latch further has a latch bolt disposed within the housing, the latch bolt having a nose adapted for engaging a respective one of the guide rails, and further having structure wherein the latch bolt is capable of being operably positioned in the housing in one of a first position for a right-hand tilt-latch and second position for a left-hand tilt-latch.
In another aspect of the invention, the tilt-latch further has an actuator connected to the latch bolt when the latch bolt is positioned in one of the first position and the second position.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt is substantially symmetrical about a plane occupying a longitudinal axis of the latch bolt.
In another aspect of the invention, the structure of the latch bolt comprises a latch bolt body that is substantially symmetrical about a plane occupying a longitudinal axis of the latch bolt.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt has a height and the plane is generally proximate a midpoint of the height.
In another aspect of the invention, the plane is generally parallel to a second plane generally defined by a cover of the housing.
In another aspect of the invention, the plane is generally perpendicular to a second plane generally defined by a cover of the housing.
In another aspect of the invention, the nose has an incline surface.
In another aspect of the invention, the orientation of the incline surface of the latch bolt when in the first position is generally opposite to the orientation of the incline surface of the latch bolt when in the second position.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt is orientated in the first position for a right-hand latch, wherein the tilt-latch is adapted to be supported proximate a right-hand side of the top rail wherein the incline surface is adapted to impact the guide rail.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt is orientated in the second position for a left-hand latch, wherein the tilt-latch is adapted to be supported proximate a left-hand side of the top rail wherein the incline surface is adapted to impact the guide rail.
In another aspect of the invention, the tilt-latch further has means for biasing the latch bolt through the outward opening.
In another aspect of the invention, the biasing means comprises a spring having one end engaging the housing and another end engaging the latch bolt.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt further has a spring post generally opposed to the nose, the spring being mounted to the spring post.
In another aspect of the invention, the housing further has a bottom wall defining a fastener hole adapted for receiving a fastener for securing the bottom wall to the top rail and wherein a slot of the latch bolt is generally aligned with the fastener hole.
In another aspect of the invention, the latch bolt has a height and further comprises actuator connecting structure proximate a midpoint of the height and the actuator comprises a depending post for releasably engaging the connecting structure.
In another aspect of the invention, the actuator connecting structure comprises a rail and the depending post comprises a lip for engaging the rail.
In another aspect of the invention, the actuator connecting structure comprises a pair of opposed rails and the post comprises a pair of lips for engaging a respective rail.
In another aspect of the invention, the actuator connecting structure further comprises a pair of opposed fingers and the post comprises pair of recesses for engaging a respective finger.
In another aspect of the invention, the actuator connecting structure comprises a protrusion and the post comprises a depression for releasably engaging the protrusion.
In another aspect of the invention, the tilt-latch has a tab that extends from the housing, the tab engaging the latch bolt in an extended position.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is 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.
As mentioned, in one preferred embodiment, the sash frame is made from solid wood. The sash frame could also be made from simulated wood materials. Other solid structures are also possible such as masonite or pressboard. The sash frame could also be made from extrusions or pulltrusions that are filled with fiberglass, epoxy, plastic, or wood chips. If desired, the sash frame could also be hollow such as when made from PVC extrusions. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The housing 30 is preferably of a one-piece construction. The one-piece construction strengthens the housing 30 and simplifies assembly. The housing 30, however, could also be made from multiple pieces. In addition, while a box-type housing 30 structure is preferred, the housing could also take other forms. For example, where the housing 30 does not include the bottom wall 48, it could include tabs to hold the latch bolt 32 in the housing 30. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is made from polymeric materials such as plastic using known injection molding processes. It is understood that any number of known plastic materials could be used. In a preferred embodiment, the housing is made from nylon plastic.
As shown in
As shown in
As seen in
As can be seen, the perimeter or outer structure of the bolt body 57 has a generally box-like shape to correspond to the box-like shape of the housing 30 and its chamber 38. Additionally, the bolt body 57 is generally laterally symmetrical, as discussed above. The bolt body 57 is also symmetrical in the direction ‘h’ (
As shown in
As seen in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown, the spring 36 is a coil spring. The spring 36 is sized to be mounted to the spring post 62 and abut against the rear spring surface 64 of the latch bolt 32, as to be further described. It is understood, however, that other biasing members could also be used in place of the spring 36. For example, other types of springs can be used such as z-springs and leaf springs although coil springs are preferred. Rubber or polymeric resilient members could also be used. In addition, resilient plastic member(s) could be integrally attached to the latch bolt 32 to bias the latch bolt 32 out of the housing 30. In sum, any structure could be used that will bias the latch bolt 32 through the outward end opening 54. It is further understood that a biasing means is not required. The tilt-latch could be adapted for manual retraction and extension of the latch bolt 32.
The tilt-latch 10 can also be easily preassembled. The spring 36 is slipped over the spring post 62 and the latch bolt 32 and spring 36 are inserted into the chamber 38 of the housing 30 through the outward end opening 54, in an orientation as shown in
Once the latch bolt 32 has been properly assembled within the housing 30, the actuator 34 is connected to the latch bolt 32 through the opening 42 in the cover 40 of the housing 30. The first post 98 and the second post 100 are inserted, respectively, into the front aperture 72 and rear aperture 76, through the opening 42 in the cover 40. The recesses 106 snappingly receive the fingers 84 and the depression 105 snappingly receives the protrusion 88 to maintain the connection between the actuator 34 and the latch bolt 32. The first actuating surface 102 opposes the front bolt surface 78 and the second actuating surface 104 opposes the rear bolt surface 82.
The assembled tilt-latch 10 can then be shipped completely preassembled. To install the tilt-latch 10, into a top rail 18, the actuator can be removed from the latch bolt 32. The housing 30 with latch bolt 32 and spring 36 is then inserted into the appropriate header slot 28. A screw 108 or other known fastener is inserted into one of the fastener holes 50 through the front aperture 72 and fastened to the top sash 18. Then the latch bolt 32 is slightly retracted, if necessary, to allow a screw 108 or other fastener to be inserted into the other fastener hole 50 through the rear aperture 76 and secured to the top rail 18. The actuator 34 may then be reconnected to the latch bolt 32 as previously described.
It is noted that the present invention eliminates the need for window manufacturers to anticipate, order and maintain separate right-hand and left-hand tilt-latch inventories. Window manufactures can order individual latches 10 and receive the unassembled tilt latch components. In this case, the window manufacturer will assemble the tilt-latch 10. That is, the manufacturer will slip the spring 36 over the spring post 62 and insert the latch bolt 32 and spring 36 into the chamber 38 of the housing 30 through the outward end opening 54. As described above, it is just prior to this point that the manufacturer selects the desired orientation of the latch bolt 32. That is, the latch bolt 32 may be inserted into the housing 30 in an orientation shown in
The manufacturer then inserts the housing 30 with the latch bolt 32 and the spring 36 into the appropriate header slot 28. A screw 108 or other known fastener is inserted into one of the fastener holes 50 through the front aperture 72 and fastened to the top sash 18. Then the latch bolt 32 is slightly retracted, if needed, to allow a screw 108 or other fastener to be inserted into the other fastener hole 50 through the rear aperture 76 and secured to the top rail 18. The manufacturer then connects the actuator 34 to the latch bolt 32 through the opening 42 in the cover 40 of the housing 30. The first post 98 and the second post 100 are inserted, respectively, into the front aperture 72 and rear aperture 76, through the opening 42 in the cover 40. The recesses 106 snappingly receive the fingers 84 and the depression 105 snappingly receives the protrusion 88 to maintain the connection between the actuator 34 and the latch bolt 32. The first actuating surface 102 opposes the front bolt surface 78 and the second actuating surface 104 opposes the rear bolt surface 82. In this way, the manufacturer also avoids the need to remove the actuator 34 prior to installing the tilt-latch 10 into the top sash rail 18. Also, for each tilt-latch 10, the orientation of the latch bolt 32 in the housing 30 does not need to be made until just prior to installation, therefore simplifying inventory and manufacturing logistics.
Alternatively, each individual part of the tilt-latch 10 can be ordered and stocked separately by the manufacturer. In such a case, the manufacturer would assemble individual tilt-latches 10 using parts taken from their inventory, rather from a separately shipped package containing parts for a single tilt-latch. In other words, the manufacture can separately order housings 30, latch bolts 32, actuators 34 and springs 36. The manner of assembly of tilt-latches 10 from these parts will be identical to the assembly described immediately above.
In operation, an operator engages the control button 96 with a finger to slide the actuator 34 in a direction opposite or away from the nose 56. This moves the latch bolt 32 from its extended position (as shown in
The tilt-latch 10 as shown and described, may also be configured to operate as a right-handed tilt-latch 10 to be located at the upper right corner of the window 12. This configuration is shown in
A single latch bolt 32 may be assembled in the housing 30 as described in either a first position as shown in
It can be seen that the orientation of the inclined surface 58 with the latch bolt 32 in its right-handed position is generally opposite its orientation when the latch bolt 32 is in its left-handed position.
Also, the symmetrical nature of the front and rear crossbars 68, 70, the front, medial and rear apertures, 72, 74, 76, the fingers 84, the rails 84 and the protrusion 88, permit connection between the actuator 34 and the latch bolt 32 in either a left-hand or right-hand tilt-latch configuration. Additionally, it can be seen that the latch bolt 32 is shaped to slide within the chamber 38 when it is in either orientation.
The ability of the single latch bolt 32 to be utilized in connection with either a left-handed tilt-latch 10 or a right-handed tilt-latch 10 provides several benefits. Among these, are that less tooling is needed to be able to supply tilt-latches 10 for both configurations. Also, a manufacturer or its customers are required to maintain less inventory and it becomes simpler to inventory tilt-latches 10 of the present invention. This is because a single tilt-latch 10 may serve the needs of both right-handed and left-handed tilt-latches 10. Also, damage to tilt-latches 10 during shipping may be reduced as they may be shipped fully assembled thereby reducing risk of damage to individual components.
It will be understood by those in the art, that actuators 34 and bolts 32 of various configurations can be utilized while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
For instance,
The actuator 234 has a first post 298 and a second post 200. The first post 298 is comprised of a pair of legs 299, each leg 299 having a recess 206 thereon. The second post 200 includes a depression or hole 205. In an assembled state the front aperture 268 receives the first post 298 and the recesses 206 interferingly receive the fingers 284. The medial aperture 74 receives the second post 200 and the depression 205 interferingly receives the protrusion 288. Additionally, an actuator could be utilized including a single post similar to either the first post 298 or the second post 200 and adapted to be received by the front, medial or rear apertures 268, 274, 276.
A further embodiment of an actuator 332 is shown in
It is understood that the structure of the actuators 298, 398 (
It is noted that the plurality of posts 98, 100, & 298, 200 described in connection with the actuator 34 and 234, respectively, provide for a superior and more durable connection between the actuator and the latch bolt. Additionally, having a plurality of posts spaced along the length of the actuator increases the ability of the actuator to resist any moments or twisting movements created between the actuator and the latch bolt that might otherwise generate twisting of or torsion of a single post, like the post 398 of the actuator 332, for example. Of course an actuator could be utilized having any of a wide variety of connecting means with the latch bolt and remain within the scope of the invention.
It is additionally noted that all of the above-described embodiments are equally adaptable to be made of various metals that are of sufficient strength and durability. That is, the housing, bolt and actuator of each of the above embodiments may be comprised of metal rather than plastic, or other suitable materials. One preferred metal is zinc. It is further understood that the tilt-latch 10 can include a combination of plastic and metal components.
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.
This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/371,973, filed on Apr. 12, 2002 which is expressly incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof.
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