Window operator

Abstract

An operator for a window comprising a base designed to be secured to a window sash, an arm having first and second ends with the first end being secured to the base and a first end of the arm having a worm wheel formed thereon, a shaft having a worm operatively connected to the worm wheel, a handle secured to the shaft, a locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar, and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move the multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions. The arrangement provides for a compact efficient design which includes a locking mechanism and an opening mechanism located at the same point.

Claims

1. An operator for a window comprising: a base designed to be attached to a window sash; an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; a locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar; and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear to move said multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions, said pinion gear including a recess formed therein, a spring member mounted on said base, said spring member engaging within said recess on said pinion gear when said locking mechanism is in a locked position.

2. An operator for a window comprising: a base designed to be attached to a window sash; an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; a locking mechanism comprising a blade, a guide mounted on said sash, said blade being movable within said guide; and an actuator connected to said blade to move said blade between open and locked positions, said actuator, when in said locked position, preventing access to said handle, said actuator, when moved to said open position, allowing access to said handle.

3. The operator of claim 2 wherein said handle is foldable into said base, said actuator overlying said handle when said handle is folded into said base.

4. An operator for a window comprising a base member designed to be attached to a window sash; a window opening mechanism mounted on top of said base member, a window locking mechanism mounted below said base member; said window opening mechanism comprising an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base member, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; said window locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar; and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move said multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions, wherein said actuator, when in said locked position, prevents access to said handle, said actuator, when moved to said open position, allowing access to said handle.

5. The operator of claim 4 wherein said pinion gear includes a recess formed therein, a spring member mounted on said base member, said spring member engaging within said recess when said locking mechanism is in a locked position.

6. The operator of claim 5 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a blade, a guide mounted on said sash, said blade being movable within said guide, said guide having a channel formed therein, a corner portion extending between a window frame bottom wall and a window frame side wall, said blade deflector being located at said corner portion, said blade deflector having a portion contacting a top surface of said blade to deflect said blade inwardly to thereby prevent contact between said blade and said guide, said deflector being formed of a low friction material.

7. An operator for a window comprising a base member designed to be attached to a window sash; a window opening mechanism mounted on top of said base member, a window locking mechanism mounted below said base member; said window opening mechanism comprising an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base member, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; a locking mechanism comprising a blade, a guide mounted on said sash, said blade being movable within said guide; said window locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar; and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move said multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions; and wherein said guide has a channel formed within said guide, a corner portion extending between a window frame bottom wall and a window frame side wall, a blade deflector located at said corner portion, said blade deflector having a portion contacting a top surface of said blade to deflect said blade inwardly to thereby prevent contact between said blade and said guide, said deflector being formed of a low friction material.

8. The operator of claim 7 wherein said blade deflector is secured to one of said window frame bottom wall and said window frame side wall.

9. An operator for a window comprising a base member designed to be attached to a window sash; a window opening mechanism mounted on top of said base member, a window locking mechanism mounted below said base member; said window opening mechanism comprising an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base member, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; a locking mechanism comprising a blade, a guide mounted on said sash, said blade being movable within said guide; said window locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar; and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move said multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions; and wherein said guide extends along a portion of a window side wall, a channel formed within said guide, said blade having a locking projection extending therefrom, and an extension arm connected between said blade and said operator, said extension arm having a plurality of teeth, said teeth merging with teeth on said blade member, the arrangement being such that said extension arm may be cut to a desired length.

10. An operator for a window comprising a base member designed to be attached to a window sash; a window opening mechanism mounted on top of said base member, a window locking mechanism mounted below said base member; said window opening mechanism comprising an arm having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said base member, said first end of said arm having a worm wheel formed thereon; a shaft having a worm operatively connected to said worm wheel; a handle secured to said shaft; a locking mechanism comprising a blade, a guide mounted on said sash, said blade being movable within said guide; said window locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar; and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move said multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions; and wherein said guide extends along a portion of said window frame bottom wall and along a portion of each of said window frame side walls, a locking projection extending from respective ends of said blade, a reversing mechanism comprising a rotatable cog wheel, said cog wheel engaging with said blade portions having teeth thereon, the arrangement being such that said blade operates in a single vertical direction when locking or unlocking along each of said window frame side walls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be now made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window assembly using an operator;

(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the window operator;

(4) FIG. 2B is an exploded view thereof;

(5) FIGS. 3A and B are perspective views of a portion of an operator utilizing a double arm arrangement;

(6) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the operator of FIGS. 3A and 3B;

(7) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the operator of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

(8) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the window operator illustrating a locking system;

(9) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the locking system of FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 8 is a partial plan view illustrating a portion of the locking system;

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof;

(12) FIG. 10 is a plan view, partially in cutaway, of a reverser used in an awning window;

(13) FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating operation of the reverser;

(14) FIGS. 12A, B and C illustrate operation of the actuator and handle;

(15) FIGS. 13A, B, C and D are top views thereof; and

(16) FIG. 14 is a plan view of a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a window generally designated by reference numeral 10 and which window 10 includes a window frame 12 and a sash 14. An operator 16 is utilized to open and close a window which is of the casement type.

(18) Operator 16, as may be better seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, includes a base 18 which has a plurality of mounting apertures 20. As is conventional, base 18 may be secured to the window frame by screws or other suitable mechanical fasteners.

(19) Mounted on the upper side of base 18 are posts 22 and 24 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. Base 18 also has a aperture 26.

(20) In the illustrated embodiment, operator 16 includes a first arm 28 and a second arm 30. Arms 28 and 30 are conventional in the art of window operators. Arms 28 and 30 are secured by rivet 32.

(21) Arm 28 has a first end generally designated by reference numeral 34 and forms a portion of a worm wheel 36, as is well known in the art. It will be noted that there is provided an aperture 33 in worm wheel 36 and which aperture 33 overlies aperture 26. A shim 38 is placed between worm wheel 36 and base 18.

(22) An upper securement member 40 works in conjunction with a lower securement member 42 to secure arm 28 in position. In this regard, upper securement member 40 has a threaded recess which is designed to screwthreadedly engage with threads 44 on lower securement member 42. In this arrangement, the lower securement member 42, upon tightening the same, draws upper securement member 40 downwardly into position to maintain a secure connection therebetween.

(23) A shaft 46 has a worm 48 formed at one end thereof. At the opposed end, there is provided a spur gear 50 and worm screw 57 which is designed to engage with a handle 51.

(24) Shaft 46, at the end proximate worm 48, has a recess 52 which is designed to receive a ball bearing 54 to allow for easy turning of shaft 46. A thermal seal 56 is also provided to prevent the passage of air from the interior of operator 16.

(25) Operator 16 also includes a monocoque housing 58 which has two internally threaded cylinders 60, 62 which are designed to receive screws 64, 66 passing through post 22 and 24 to thereby mount the base 18 to the monocoque housing 58.

(26) Ideally, a sealing member 68 is provided for thermal sealing against sash 14.

(27) Turning to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, there is illustrated a double arm operator and which double arm operator is generally designated by reference numeral 100. Double arm operator 100 includes a handle 102 and a base 104 which has a plurality of mounting apertures 106.

(28) A first arm 108 includes a mounting aperture 110 formed therein. A second arm 112 has a second arm extension 114 as in the previously described embodiment. A mounting aperture 116 is formed in the center of worm wheel 118. A shim 120 is mounted between second arm 112 and first arm 108. As in the previously described embodiment, there is provided an upper securement member 122 and a lower securement member 124 which are screwthreadedly engaged with each other.

(29) In this embodiment, there is provided a second worm wheel 126 while as may be seen in FIG. 3B, there is provided an aperture 128 for mounting of worm wheel 126. In this regard, it may be mounted in the same manner as previously described with use of upper and lower securement members.

(30) As may be seen in FIG. 6, in one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a plate 310. A worm 312 operates in conjunction with worm gear 314. An arm 316 is connected to worm gear 314 as in previously described embodiments.

(31) There is also provided a pinion gear 318 and securement member 320. Pinion gear 318 is designed to mesh with rack gear 322.

(32) The blade is formed of a plurality of blade members 326 and connectors 324 with plugs 328. In this arrangement, a series of precut blade members 326 may be arranged to have the desired length. The length will vary upon the size of the window.

(33) The track includes a corner component generally designated by reference numeral 334. Corner component 334 has a base 336 and a pair of side walls 338 which are angled inwardly so as to retain the blade therein. Side walls 338 and base 336 form a channel 340. Blade members 336 are serrated or have teeth 344 formed thereon.

(34) Where a blade member 326 passes through corner 334, there is provided an upper corner element 348 and a lower corner element 350. Upper corner element 348 includes a center portion 352 which is arranged to press on a blade member 326 as it goes through the corner. As upper corner element 348 is formed of a low friction material, this assists in the blade moving around the corner.

(35) As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when utilizing an awning type window which is hinged on both sides, it is desirable to have a locking mechanism on each side. Naturally, it is further desired that a single motion be utilized for locking both sides. Still further, it is desirable that the locking movement be in the same directionto lock the mechanism would move vertically upwardly and to unlock, would move vertically downwardly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, this is achieved by use of a reverser generally designated by reference numeral 356. Reverser 356 has a housing 358. A first blade member 360 extends to a first side. First blade member 360 has a base 362 and side walls 364 which have teeth 366 formed thereon. A portion of the blade has teeth and is operated by a rotatable cog wheel 368. On the other side, there is provided a second blade member 360 which also has a base 362 and side walls 364 with teeth 366 engaging with teeth on rotatable cog wheel 368.

(36) In the embodiment shown as FIGS. 12A, B, C and 13A, B, C and D, an arrangement is provided whereby the window must be unlocked before it can be opened. To this end, there is provided a handle 376 mounted to a base 378 in a pivotable manner. Housing 380 has a recess 382 therein such that the handle, which is used to open or close the window, can be moved from a first position wherein it is retained partially within recess 382 in housing 380. An actuator 384, when used to lock the window, is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 12A. As indicated by arrow 386, actuator 384 must be moved to unlock the window to gain access to handle 376.

(37) In the embodiment of FIG. 14, there is provided a mechanism to maximize security if the locking mechanism is tampered with from the outside. A recess 390 is formed in pinion gear 318. A cantilever spring 392 having a head 394 and legs 396 is arranged such that head 394 will fit within recess 390 when in a fully locked position. This provides additional resistance to tampering with the locking mechanism from the outside of the window while actuator 384 can provide sufficient leverage to easily move spring head 394 from recess 390.

(38) It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.