Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to a window operator; and more specifically, an improved structure for pivotally connecting an arm member of the operator with a rivet, and the method of securing together such parts of the window operator with a rivet and rivet tooling.
Window assemblies are well-known and are marketed in several different forms. In one type of popular window assembly, a casement window is pivotally supported within a window frame. A window operator is connected between the window and the frame, providing structure for allowing pivotal movement of the window relative the frame, thus moving the window assembly between the open and closed configurations.
Window operators may differ in numerous ways, but generally have a housing, a lever or crank handle, and at least one arm structure that serves to connect the device with the portion of the casement window to be opened. Examples of such devices include the window operators shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,635,485; 4,241,541; and, 6,164,156.
One common aspect of such operator assemblies is the requirement for securing together the working parts of the operator, such that the parts fastened together may still move relative one another. For example, the operator typically includes gear(s), and retractable arms that rotate or otherwise move when the operator is used to open and close the window. Therefore, it is important that such parts of the operator be fastened securely in place, and yet be fasted loose enough to permit rotation or movement of the operator parts.
The pivoting components of the operator are typically secured in place with a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, pin or rivet. However, use of such fasteners can be difficult because of the need for secure fastening of the parts, yet allowing relative movement of the parts, as explained above. Free movement of the attached parts of the operator is crucial for smooth window opening and closing. These parts are subject to likely repetitive use, and risk of localized mechanical stress on the parts and linkage. The manner of attaching the moveable parts of the operator must not only be secure to withstand the stresses applied during use, but must also withstand prolonged and repeated use. Therefore, there exists a need for a fastening structure (and method of assembling the operator) that achieves a consistent secure fit of the parts together, yet allows for movement. The present invention achieves this and other objectives with a particular structure and method of rivet attachment of parts.
Rivets used in various different applications may widely vary in structure and method of forming the rivet in the locked or attached configuration. For example, rivets are used for securing buttons and snaps for apparel and toys such as stuffed animals. An example of such a rivet is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,974, which relates to a rivet for assembly of parts of a stuffed toy. Another rivet structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,136. That patent depicts two different structures of rivets for linking parts together, one method shown in
Prior art rivet assembly structure, and forming methods, while presumably suitable for use in some products, are not necessarily optimal for the requirements for fastening together parts of a casement window operator. Thus, there exists a need for a reliable and secure rivet structure and method of forming, suitable for use in securing moveable parts of a casement window operator, which assures the proper frictional engagement. This is particularly true for window operator assemblies having differing configurations and thicknesses of parts to be assembled. For example, the thickness and number of gears and arms may vary, as well as the length of the rivet. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available.
The present invention relates to an operator for a window assembly having a window moveably connected to a window frame, wherein parts of the operator are secured by a rivet having a structure permitting suitable movement of relative parts of the operator.
According to an aspect of the invention, the window operator has a body with a base configured for mounting to the window assembly and a drive member exposed from the body and operably connected to an operator arm. The operator arm is connected to the drive member with at least one mating gear member that has a plurality of teeth arranged for mating with a screw arrangement of the drive member. The gear member is mounted to the base by a rivet that has an upper rivet head with an exposed recess cavity and a terminal portion biased toward the operator arm and being deformed into a generally conical shape by a force applied along a cupped die surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, a rivet fastener for securing a linkage member of a casement window operator is provided, with a rivet body portion having a central axis and a first end formed of material suitable for compressive deformation, and a second end having a rivet head. The rivet head has a central region connected to the rivet body and an outer periphery region formed from a plurality of fingers extending outward of the central portion and with thickened terminal ends residing radially outward of the central axis of the rivet body. The rivet is configured to be secured to the linkage member as the domed rivet head is deformed to a generally domed shape by compressive force applied between said first and second ends of the rivet, and wherein the force applied at the rivet head includes a forming die having a cupped recess.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for securing a linkage member for a casement window operator is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a rivet having a rivet body with a deformable first end and an opposed end having a rivet head, wherein the rivet head has generally flat outer surface and a central recess with a thickened region residing at a periphery radially outward of the central recess. A linkage assembly is provided, having a first linkage member with a receiving portion configured for insertion of a portion of the rivet body, and a second linkage member having a receiving portion for insertion of a portion of the rivet body. The method includes the step of inserting the rivet body into a receiving area of the first and second linkage members and placing an inner surface of the rivet head in contact with an adjacent surface of either the first or second linkage member. The rivet is compressed between two forming die surfaces, each located at an opposed end of the rivet body, wherein the die surface in contact with the rivet head has a continuous and smooth concave contact surface to form a generally conical shape of the outer region of the rivet head.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments 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.
An operator assembly 20 is secured in position between the window frame 12 and the inner window assembly 14 and provides control of the window assembly movable between the open and closed configurations. In the preferred form of the invention, as is compatible with the structure of popular casement window assemblies in the market, the operator assembly 20 is secured into position by fasteners 22 securing the housing 24 of the assembly 20 to the frame assembly 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the fastener 22 passes through the base 26 of the housing 24 of the operator assembly 20, and passes into the frame assembly 12. As the base 26 of the operator assembly 20 is secured to the frame assembly 12, the base 26 provides secure leverage for forcing the window assembly 14 to the open or closed position, which is controlled by a user manipulating the handle 28, preferably at a grasping portion or knob 30. As is commonly provided with such casement assemblies, the handle 28 is mechanically engaged with at least one gear 32 (
The operator assembly 20 also includes at least one operator arm 34, having a proximal end portion 36 that is positioned near the gear 32, and a distal end portion 38 that is positioned a distance away from the gear 32. The distal end portion 38 is preferably secured to the window assembly 14, either directly attached to the window assembly 14 or attached by connection of an additional operator arm that serves as a linking arm 40 (
The gear 32 is secured in place by a rivet member 44 centrally located on the gear 32 such that the central axis 46 of the rivet 44 is aligned with the central axis of the gear 32. The rivet 44 has a main body 48 (
The rivet member 44 preferably has a central recess 56 passing though the rivet head 50 in alignment with the central axis 46. The central recess 56 is dimensioned to provide a passageway 58 (
The method of assembling parts of the operator assembly 20 with the rivet 44 is depicted in
Because of the curved recessed configuration of the die 68, the outer area of the fingers make early contact with the die 68, as is shown in
As the dies are forced together F1, F2, the rivet head 50 is fully deformed into the recess of the domed die surface 72 such that a contact surface 80 of the fingers 52 is pressed against the adjacent contact surface 82 of the parts of the assembly 20 being secured by the rivet 44. In the embodiment shown in the Figures (
As is shown in
Therefore, the structure resulting from this method of assembly provides a secure rivet in which the fingers 52 of the rivet head 50 are formed into a cup shape of the conical recess die 68, while the central region of the rivet head 50 is not substantially deformed. This method provides uniquely controlled deformation of the rivet head 50 in a controlled fashion, due to the combination of the conical die surface 72 and the central recess 56 engaged in the area of the die protrusion 70. In this manner, the assembly method of the present invention results in a unique rivet structure in which the fingers 52 are directed toward the parts of the assembly 20 being fastened, and the central region of the rivet head 50 is not substantially deformed and thus remains in spaced relationship from the parts of the assembly 20 being assembled.
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.