Abstract:
A sash locator for locating a casement window sash relative to a sash arm, includes abutment means disposed at a selected disposition relative to the sash arm such that positioning the sash proximate the sash arm with a selected portion of the sash abutting the abutment means disposes the sash relative to the sash arm in a desired disposition for affixing the sash to the sash arm. A method of sash location relative to a sash arm is also included.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/678,771 filed May 6, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to casement windows and more specifically to casement window hinges and methods for locating a window sash thereon.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A casement window generally includes a frame portion, which is mounted in a rough opening provided in a structure, and an operable sash portion mounted in the frame with one or more hinges. A typical casement window hinge includes a track portion, which attaches to the window frame, and a sash arm, which attaches to the window sash. One end of the sash arm is pivotally attached to a shoe that is slidable on the track. A link arm is pivotally attached to each of the track and the sash arm. In operation, as the sash swings from the closed position to the open position, the sliding shoe slides along the track so that the inward side of the sash moves away from the corresponding side of the frame. Various prior casement window hinges are described and depicted in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,706,830; 1,711,927; 2,094,990; 2,383,395; 3,797,169; 4,726,092; 5,040,267; 5,152,102; 5,491,930; 6,112,371; 6,134,751; and 6,643,896, all of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0004]     A small degree of misalignment of the sash in the window frame may cause leaks and interference between the sash and frame during operation of the window. Consequently, a relatively high degree of accuracy and precision is required during window manufacture to ensure proper positioning and attachment of the sash arm to the sash. Fastener holes are generally pre-drilled in the sash using a jig in order to achieve the desired accuracy, thereby adding steps and attendant manufacturing costs. What is needed in the industry is a casement window hinge that is repeatably accurately attachable to a sash without pre-drilling or attachment jigs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is a casement window hinge and attachment method that meets the need of the industry by providing a sash arm that is repeatably accurately attachable to the sash without pre-drilling of fastener holes and without an attachment jig. In an embodiment of the casement window hinge of the invention, a projection is provided on the sash arm at a point where the corner of the sash is desirably positioned. During assembly of the casement window, the corner of the sash may be simply butted against the projection with the sash arm properly aligned along the top or bottom of the sash. Self-drilling fasteners may then be used to attach the sash arm to the sash.  
         [0006]     In an embodiment of the invention, the projection may be positioned at the pivotal attachment of the sash arm with the sliding shoe, and may be an extension of the pivot pin or rivet. In alternative embodiments, the projection may include an additional component attached to the pivot, a tab on the sash arm or sliding shoe, or a separate component attached to the sash arm. Differently sized projections may be used to accommodate variations in sash positioning needed for various window designs. Further, shaped concentric or eccentric projection heads may be used to enable selectively adjustable positioning of the sash arm on the sash.  
         [0007]     The present invention is a sash locator for locating a casement window sash relative to a sash arm, and includes abutment means disposed at a selected disposition relative to the sash arm such that positioning the sash proximate the sash arm with a selected portion of the sash abutting the abutment means disposes the sash relative to the sash arm in a desired disposition for affixing the sash to the sash arm. The present invention is further a method of sash location relative to a sash arm. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a casement window with a hinge according to the present invention in a sash open position;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the casement window and hinge of  FIG. 1  in a sash closed position;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged elevation view of an embodiment of a sash locator according to the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the casement window and hinge of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the sash arm pivot and sash locator portion of an alternative embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the sash arm pivot and sash locator portion of another alternative embodiment; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     A casement window and hinge  10  according to the present invention as depicted in  FIG. 1  generally includes window frame  12 , sash  14 , and hinge  16 . Hinge  16  generally includes track assembly  18 , sash arm  20 , and link arm  22 . Track assembly  18  is fixed in position on frame  12  with one or more fasteners  24 , and sash arm  20  is fixed in position on sash  14  with fasteners  26 . Link arm  22  is pivotally attached to track assembly  18  and sash arm  20  at pivots  28 ,  30 , respectively.  
         [0018]     Track assembly  18  generally includes rail  32  and shoe  34 . Rail  32  has planar portion  36  which secures to frame  12 , and a flange portion  38  which is generally perpendicular to planar portion  36 . Flange portion  38  has downturned lip  40  which slidably engages in groove  42  defined in shoe  34 . Shoe  34  is selectively laterally slidable on rail  32  and is retained thereon by the engagement of lip  40  in groove  42 . Sash arm  20  is pivotally attached to shoe  34  at pivot  44 .  
         [0019]     In an embodiment of the invention, pivot  44  includes a projecting sash locating post  46 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , post  46  includes a base  48 , a barrel portion  50  and an enlarged head portion  52 . The diameter of barrel  50  and head  52  is selected so that when sash  14  is butted tightly against post  46 , sash arm  20  is correctly positioned on sash  14 . Sash arm  20  may then be secured in position using self-drilling fasteners, thereby eliminating any need for pre-drilling of fastener holes in sash  14 .  
         [0020]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , corner  54  of sash  14  is squared off and flares  56  are provided to engage with base  48  and under head  52 . This arrangement may enable faster and more accurate vertical alignment of the sash when sash  14  is butted against post  46  when being fastened.  
         [0021]     It will be appreciated that the diameter of barrel  50  and head  52  will have an effect on the relative position of sash arm  20  along sash  14 . A larger diameter dimension may be selected if it is desired that the inward side  58  of sash  14  be spaced relatively further away from proximal end  60  of sash arm  20 . This may be desirable, for example, to accommodate a sash having a relatively larger outer flange dimension W as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Likewise, a smaller diameter dimension will cause inward side  58  to be spaced relatively closer to proximal end  60 , as may be needed, for example, in sashes having a relatively smaller outer flange dimension W.  
         [0022]     In embodiments of the invention, post  46  may be an integral extension of pivot  44  or may be a separately attached component. In alternative embodiments, a projection on either sash arm  20  or shoe  34 , integrally formed or attached thereto as a separate component, may substitute for post  46 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , an integrally formed projection  62  may be provided on sash arm  20 . Sash  14  may be butted against projection  62  and fastened using self-drilling fasteners as before.  
         [0023]     In other alternative embodiments of the invention, a selectively rotatable eccentric post or projection may be employed to provide selectively adjustable positioning. In one such embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , eccentric sash locating post  64  has an ovoid cylindrical barrel portion  66  and a conformingly shaped enlarged head portion  68 . Sash arm  20  is pivotally attached to shoe  34  about pivot axis A-A. Post  64  is coupled to base  48  and is selectively rotatable about axis B-B. For a desired spacing of inward side  58  of sash  14  that is relatively further from proximal end  60  of sash arm  20 , post  64  is rotated so that major axis C-C is aligned with the longitudinal axis of sash arm  20  as depicted. If relatively closer spacing of inward side  58  from proximal end  60  is desired, post  64  may be rotated so that minor axis D-D is aligned with the longitudinal axis of sash arm  20 .  
         [0024]     Other embodiments with sash locators providing variably adjustable sash positioning are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. One such embodiment, for example, is depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and includes a selectively rotatable spiral locating post or projection. Further adjustable embodiments may include rotatable locating posts or projection with a concentric or eccentrically mounted geometrically shaped head such as a hexagonal head.  
         [0025]     In a method according to the invention, a sash arm having a locator post or projection according to the invention is fitted on a corner of the sash so that the sash corner is butted against the locator post or projection and the longitudinal axis of the sash arm is aligned on the sash. Self drilling fasteners may then be driven through apertures in the sash arm to secure the sash arm to the sash. In adjustable embodiments of the invention, the locator post may be adjustable to provide a desired spacing of the inward side of the sash from the proximal end of the sash arm prior to the step of fitting the sash arm on the sash.