An outdoor window including a movable sash which is connected to a fixed frame by means of a hinge system, and is provided with a supporting frame comprising a supporting section bar connected with the hinge system. The pivoting system has a bracket fixed to the fixed frame and provided with a projecting portion, that is placed alongside the outer lateral face of the upright of the movable sash when the latter is closed. The pivoting system further comprises a hinge which is provided with a first wing fixed to the supporting section bar of the movable sash, and with a second wing fixed to the projecting portion of the bracket. The supporting frame of the movable sash comprises a protective section bar which covers the hinge and the supporting section bar of the movable sash when the latter is closed.

A fenestration unit comprising a frame having a center, a sash coupled to the frame, an interior pane coupled to the sash, a spacer coupled to the interior pane, an exterior pane coupled to the sash and the spacer, the exterior pane including an inward-facing surface, and a peripheral shield disposed on the inward-facing surface of the exterior pane such that, when viewed at direct angle, the peripheral shield hides the spacer, the sash, and at least part of the frame.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a structural assembly including a first frame member hingedly coupled to a second frame member. A support member extends outwardly from the first frame member. At least one glazing panel is disposed above the support member. A thermal clip is coupled to the support member. The thermal clip insulates the support member from a building exterior. The support member extends less than an entire length thereof and reduces loss of thermal energy from a building interior to the building exterior via the support member.

A casement window operator includes a linear input mechanism configured to be mounted to a stationary frame of a casement window, a linear to rotary motion converter operably coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism, a gear reducer operably coupled to an output of the rotary motion converter, and a sash arm operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to rotate in conjunction with the output of the gear reducer. The sash arm is configured to extend from the stationary frame of the casement window to a rotatable window sash of the casement window.

A casement window operator includes a linear input mechanism configured to be mounted to a stationary frame of a casement window, a linear to rotary motion converter operably coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism, a gear reducer operably coupled to an output of the rotary motion converter, and a sash arm operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to rotate in conjunction with the output of the gear reducer. The sash arm is configured to extend from the stationary frame of the casement window to a rotatable window sash of the casement window.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a structural assembly including a first frame member hingedly coupled to a second frame member. A support member extends outwardly from the first frame member. At least one glazing panel is disposed above the support member. A thermal clip is coupled to the support member. The thermal clip insulates the support member from a building exterior. The support member extends less than an entire length thereof and reduces loss of thermal energy from a building interior to the building exterior via the support member.

A method of assembling a window includes positioning an insulating material in a frame thermal break defined by a middle portion of a frame intermediate a first side and a second side of the window. The method also includes connecting a cladding to the frame. The frame includes a first material visible on the first side of the window. The cladding includes a second material visible on the second side of the window. The method also includes connecting a first glass pane to a second glass pane to form an insulated glass unit and positioning the insulated glass unit in the frame. The method further includes aligning the frame thermal break and a pocket of the insulated glass unit such that a central plane of the pocket extends through a middle portion of the frame thermal break. The frame thermal break and the pocket define a continuous thermal break extending through the window.

Disclosed are novel forms of operable and fixed windows capable of at least one or more of: producing an electrical current utilizing a transparent or semi-transparent solar collecting coating or film on a pane, and selectively changing one or more of opacity and tint of one or more electrochromatic layers in the window. Some embodiments also disclose a robust scaffold assembly utilized to enclose the perimeter of the substrate and one or more transparent solar cells or electrochromatic layers, or transparent solar cells and electrochromatic layers. Various structural and electrical configurations are disclosed to satisfy the kinematic demands of operable windows. Wired and wireless configurations of the windows are contemplated as are self-powered versions whereby the transparent solar collector powers the electrochromatic function.

A hinge assembly that includes a frame adapter having a curved inner surface with a front portion and a rear portion, a door adapter having a curved outer surface with a front portion and a rear portion, at least one front hinge strip that is secured along a front hinge strip path, and at least one rear hinge strip that is secured along a rear hinge strip path. The front hinge strip path extends from the front portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the rear portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The rear hinge strip path extends from the rear portion of the curved outer surface of the door adapter to the front portion of the curved inner surface of the frame adapter. The curved outer surface of the door adapter opposes the curved inner surface of the frame adapter and the door adapter is movable relative to the frame adapter between a front open position, a closed position and a rear open position.

A fenestration assembly includes a fenestration frame and a sash movably coupled with the fenestration frame. The sash includes a daylight opening having a daylight opening profile. A low profile handle assembly is coupled with the fenestration frame and the sash. The low profile handle assembly includes a sash handle coupled with the sash and a handle socket in the fenestration frame. The handle socket is configured for reception of the sash handle. The low profile handle assembly has a composite handle profile including the sash handle received in the handle socket. The composite handle profile is outside of the daylight opening profile, and the daylight opening is unobstructed at least from the low profile handle assembly.