Window operator assembly

An operator assembly for a casement window that includes a frame and a pane carrying sash. The operator assembly is mounted to the frame and an elongated arm connects the operator assembly and the sash. Movement of the arm moves the sash relative to the frame for opening and closing the window. The operator arm includes a pivotally mounted and linerally moveable handle which is moveable between a first and second position. A ratchet-type gearing system is provided to connect the handle and operator arm and to effect movement of the operator arm in response to movement of the handle. A selector associated with the handle and gearing system is provided to effect and control the direction of sash movement in response to the movements by the handle. A locking system is provided to engage the gearing system to prevent movement of the gearing system due to loads on the sash that are transmitted to the gearing system through the sash and operator arm. The locking system is biased to an engaged position but is disengaged by movement of the actuator handle and a device associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to swinging windows of the casement or awning style 
and more particularly, to an operator assembly of the type used to open 
and/or close the window. 
Casement and awning style windows have been and are popular. Such a window 
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,977, Mauro. In a casement window, there is 
a frame which is fixed in an opening in a building. The window includes a 
sash, which carries a pane that is mounted to the frame about an axis 
usually along one side of the sash and the frame. To open or close the 
window, the sash is pivoted about the axis. The sash is swung open and 
closed about the pivot axis by an operator arm which is secured at one end 
to the sash and at the other end to an operator assembly associated with 
the frame. The operator assembly includes a handle for moving the operator 
arm in response to a user's actions. The operator assembly is secured to 
the frame on the inside of the window so as to permit the sash to swing on 
the outside between a closed position against the frame and open position 
away from the frame. 
Many operator assemblies are crank style devices, where a handle rotatable 
about an axis oblique to the frame and operates a gear train that moves 
the arm to open or close the sash. 
A disadvantage to crank style operator assemblies is the rotary motion of 
the handle and the distance the operator handle extends from the frame 
into the room. This may be manifested by handle interference with 
draperies or blinds. 
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for opening and 
closing a casement or awning style window, which is not of the crank style 
and whose inward extent is minimized. 
In the crank style system, the handle may obstruct the removal and 
installation of a screen accessory or hinder cleaning of the pane. 
Thus, it is another object of this invention to provide an operator 
assembly with a handle that is not obstructive. 
In some situations a linear style or linearly movable operator assembly has 
been used. But these assemblies require large amounts of force to operate 
or may open the sash only to a limited extent, rather than the full extent 
(i.e. 45 degrees rather than 90 degrees). 
Thus, another object of this invention is to provide an operator assembly 
that has a linearly movable handle which has a high degree of mechanical 
advantage and permits a full range of sash motion. 
It is also been found that in some positions the handle may be difficult to 
use, especially for older people, particularly if they suffer from 
arthritis or similar diseases. 
Yet another object is to provide an operator with a handle that is easy to 
use and which exhibits a high degree of mechanical advantage. 
Sometimes the crank style handle may be difficult to rotate depending upon 
its position, and thus be uneven to use and may cause the user's knuckles 
to strike the sill. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an operator with a handle 
that is easy and convenient to use and is not position sensitive. 
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the 
following disclosure and appended claims. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
There is provided by this invention a ratchet-style operator assembly which 
includes a handle that, although pivotally mounted, has a linear-style to 
its motion. 
The operator assembly is mounted to the frame, is not obtrusive, is easy 
and convenient to use, exhibits a high degree of mechanical advantage so 
as to be capable of smooth operation and includes a handle whose movement 
is parallel to the frame and of a linear style. The handle includes a pawl 
mechanism that engages a ratchet wheel/gear that controls the direction of 
operation and connects the actuator handle to the gear system that in turn 
is connected to the operator arm and sash. The handle includes a selector 
that is movable between a first and a second position or vice-versa, which 
permits operation of the operator arm so as to open or close the sash. The 
linear handle movement is more convenient than the rotary movement. The 
handle is connected to the operator arm through a force multiplying 
gearing system that in effect increases the opening power. 
More specifically, the handle activates a pawl that drives a ratchet 
wheel/gear in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. This drives a 
gear system that includes a first pinion in common with ratchet wheel, 
that engages and rotates a first large spur gear that is commonly mounted 
with a second pinion, and that rotates a large spur gear which is part of 
the operator arm. Several strokes of the handle will open or close the 
sash. Operation of the selector and handle in the opposite direction 
causes the sash to move in the opposite direction. This gearing system 
provides a suitable mechanical advantage. 
A lock plate is provided which is mounted to the operator housing and 
biased to engage the gear/ratchet wheel so as to prevent undesired 
movement of the operator such as caused by wind forces against the sash. A 
plate and cam or lease mechanism is provided in association with the lock 
plate to permit operation of the handle and in effect disable the locking 
mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Background 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a window 10 which includes (1) a frame 
12 that is to be mounted in a building opening; (2) a sash 14 that is 
pivotally mounted to the frame along axis A--A; and (3) a transparent pane 
16 mounted within the sash. An operator assembly 18 is mounted to the 
frame and an operator arm 20 is connected to the operator assembly 18 and 
sash 14 for opening and closing the sash. The operator actuator or handle 
22 is pivotally connected inside the assembly 18 but slides or is linearly 
moved from one end of the operator assembly to the other end to operate a 
gearing system that rotates the arm 20 so as to open or close the sash. It 
is noted that the handle moves essential parallel to the frame. 
The Operator Assembly-Generally 
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a corner of the window is shown. The 
operator arm 20 is pivotally connected to the operator assembly 18 at one 
end, and the other end includes a small roller 24 that rides in a track 
(not shown) at the bottom of the sash so as to cause the sash to pivot 
about axis A--A as the arm is moved or rotated. A second arm 26 is 
pivotally secured, adjacent the axis end of the sash, to the bottom of the 
sash and the other end of the second arm slides in track 28 that is 
mounted to the frame. The arms 20 and 26 and track 28 guide the movement 
of the sash. 
The operator assembly 18 fits within and is mounted to the frame. The 
operator assembly includes a face plate 30, a cover plate 31, and a body 
portion 32. The face is exposed when the assembly is completed and 
includes an elongated slot 34 through which the actuator handle fits, 
rotates and is moveable parallel to the frame or window sill. The handle 
22 includes a selector switch 36 that cooperates with the a gearing system 
in the body and is moveable between a window open (O) and a window closed 
(C) position. The operator includes a ratchet style force multiplying gear 
system that is housed in general within the body 32 and connects the 
actuator handle 22 and operator arm 20. 
The Operator Gearing System and Ratchet System 
The operator handle 22 is pivotally mounted about a ratchet wheel/gear 
combination 37. The ratchet wheel/gear combination forms a first pinion. 
The first pinion drives a suitable large diameter drive or spur gear 38 
which rotates in common with a second pinion gear 40. The second pinion 
gear 40 drives a suitable second large drive or spur gear 42 which is 
integral with the operator arm 20. The ratchet wheel/first pinion gear and 
the second drive gear are mounted on a common shaft 44, but it is seen 
that there is a sliding connection between the ratchet wheel/gear 37 and 
gear 42. In other words, the ratchet wheel/gear 37 and second spur gear 42 
do not rotate together or in unison. But, the first spur gear 38 and 
second pinion 40 are mounted on the shaft 46 and do rotate in common. 
The actuator handle 22 includes the selector switch 36. The selector switch 
is pivotally mounted to the handle and includes collar 47 that is 
connected to the rod 48 that extends along the actuator handle toward the 
gearing system. A compression spring 50 is wound about the rod 48. The 
spring engages a moveable end tip 52 that engages a pawl plate 54 which is 
pivotally mounted to the handle 22 by headed pin 56 which forms a pivot 
point. 
The pawl 54 includes a pair of selector shoulders 58 and 60 which are 
selectively engagable by the tip. 
It is seen that movement of the selector 36 from open (O) to closed (C) (or 
visa versa) causes the collar 47, rod 48 and tip to swing from shoulder 58 
to shoulder 60. In so doing, the collar 47 to tip 52 distance may shorten 
and then lengthen. These changes are adjusted by space in the tip and 
engagement is assured by spring 50. 
The pawl includes a pair of gear engagement teeth 62 and 64 which are 
engagable with the teeth of the ratchet wheel/gear 37. Thus, by moving or 
stroking the handle from one end to the other, the rachet engagement teeth 
can engage the ratchet wheel/gear and thus move or rotate the gearing 
system. In general the pawl will push the gear teeth on one stroke. On the 
reverse stroke the pawl will skip over the gear teeth. Thus, in the view 
of FIG. 10, the ratchet wheel/gear 37 will be rotated in the counter 
clockwise direction when the handle is moved to the right. But when the 
handle is moved to the left, the pawl will skip over the teeth and the rod 
48, tip 52 and spring 50 will adjust as is seen. The engagement tooth 62 
will grab a ratchet wheel/gear tooth in one direction and will skip or 
ratchet in the opposite direction. The skipping movement of the pawl is 
accommodated or taken up by the spring 50. Movement of the actuator handle 
causes the pawl to move, which engages and causes the ratchet wheel/gear 
37 to move. That causes the first large drive gear 38 and the second 
pinion gear 40 rotate, thereafter the pinion gear 40 rotates the second 
large drive gear 42 and the operator arm 20. 
Operator Locking System 
In order to prevent the sash from moving, especially closing, due to wind 
forces, by applying a force on the arm 20, a gearing type lock system is 
incorporated herein. See FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The locking system includes a 
locking plate 66 that is hingedly connected to the cover 31 and surrounds 
the shaft 44. The plate hinges downwardly and is biased downwardly by leaf 
spring 67. As seen in FIG. 9 the plate includes a plurality of teeth 68 
which surround an aperture 69 that allows the plate to fit into a set of 
gear-like teeth 39 projecting upwardly from the ratchet wheel/gear 37. The 
teeth 68 engage the teeth 39 as best seen from FIG. 9 so as to lock the 
ratchet wheel/gear 37, prevent movement thereof and thus the entire gear 
train. The biasing spring 67 urges the plate 66 downwardly and into 
locking engagement. With reference to FIG. 6, it is seen that the plates 
slopes or hangs downwardly and is biased downwardly by the leaf spring 67. 
Thus, any force applied to the operator arm 20 is transmitted through the 
gearing system to the gear 37, but the gearing system terminates in the 
engagement of teeth 39 and 68 which prevents rotation of the gearing 
system. 
In order to permit rotation of the gearing system, or release the system 
for rotation, it is necessary to lift the plate 66 and teeth 68 out of 
engagement with the teeth 39. This is achieved by the pivot pin cover 
plate 70. It is seen that the cover plate 70 is coined or formed upwardly 
at its center 70a so as to, in a sense, cover the pivot pin head 56. At 
the top of the cover plate center 70a there is also provided a short cam 
like ridge or rib 70b. Reference is made to FIG. 7 where it is seen that 
the pin 56 rests on the pawl plate 54 and under the center section 70a of 
the plate 70 and the ridge 70b rides against the locking plate 66. In 
order to raise the plate 66 so as to disengage the teeth 39 and 68, the 
handle actuator 22 is moved which causes the pin 56, as shown in FIG. 8 to 
slide under the plate 70 thereby raising the plate 70 and the ridge 70b in 
turn raises the locking plate 66. 
Thus, it is seen that the gearing mechanism can operate only under the 
influence of the handle actuator 22, but cannot be forced to move due to 
the wind loads on the sash and when the handle is not moved. 
The Assembly 
Referring now to FIG. 11, the operator assembly is shown disassembled. An 
important feature of the system is a bug shield or deflector 80 which is 
arranged in the operator to prevent insects on the exterior from entering 
the house through the operator and through the exposed slot 34. It is seen 
from FIG. 4 that the actuator, pawl, first pinion gear and locking plate 
are positioned above bug shield. On the other hand, the lower part of the 
first pinion, the first large drive gear 38, the second pinion gear 40 and 
the second large drive gear 42 are positioned below the bug shield. 
With reference to FIG. 11, one can see the actuator handle 22, the selector 
36, the ratchet wheel and pinion combination 35, the locking gear 39. The 
first large spur gear 38 is shown and it is noted that it has a square 
bore 38a to match with the shaft 46. On the shaft 46, the second pinion 
gear 40 engages the second large spur gear 42 that is part of the operator 
arm. The locking plate 66 is seen as well as part of the front face 30. 
The cover for the entire body section 32 is also shown. 
It will be appreciated that modifications and changes can be made to the 
foregoing embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of this 
invention.