Abstract:
A lock system for casement or awning windows. The lock system includes a keeper and a tie bar with a rivet assembly rotatably attached thereto. The rivet assembly includes a rivet and a sleeve rotationally fixed to the rivet, the rivet and the sleeve having longitudinal axes parallel to but offset from each other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to casement and awning window lock systems and, more specifically, to devices for adjusting the amount of pull-in of the window sash to the window frame when the lock system is actuated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A casement or an awning window generally refers to a sash that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges. The hinges can be located on any side of the sash and the frame though generally not on the lower edge of the sash and frame. In general, a casement window rotates along a vertical axis (the hinges of a casement window defining a vertical rotation axis), while an awning window rotates along a horizontal axis (the hinges of an awning window defining a horizontal rotation axis). Most casement and awning windows which employ the use of a crank lever or cam handle operator open outwardly so as not to interfere with the operator of the window. 
         [0003]    In a casement or awning window, a lock system is generally provided on the non-hinge side where the window sash meets the window frame. In some configurations, a tie bar having at least one rivet is provided in the frame and at least one keeper is provided on the sash. When the window is in the closed position, the keeper is adjacent to the rivets. The window operator then moves the tie bar via a drive assembly causing the rivets to engage with the keeper. This engagement pulls-in the window sash to the window frame thus providing a sufficient seal between the frame and sash and locking the window. 
         [0004]    However, due to variations in window manufacturing and in field installations, it has been observed that the engagement of the rivet with the keeper may not be as precise as possible resulting in a less than satisfactory seal between the frame and sash. Prior attempts have been made toward providing adjustability of the rivet or the keeper, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,389, said patent being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. These prior attempts, however, have not been entirely satisfactory. Therefore, there still exists a need for a window lock system that allows for easy adjustment resulting in a satisfactory seal between the sash and frame. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is an improved sash lock system for casement or awning windows that addresses the aforementioned needs of the industry. Throughout this application structures may be referred to as being associated with a window sash or frame for convenience of description. It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein can generally be reversed so that the sash component can be attached to the frame and/or the frame component can be secured to the sash. Accordingly, the fact that this specification refers to a sash component or a frame component should not be considered limiting to the inventions disclosed herein. 
         [0006]    A lock system for casement or awning windows is described herein. The lock system includes at least one rivet assembly rotatably attached to a tie bar and at least one keeper for receiving the rivet. The rivet assembly includes a rivet with a shank and an enlarged head, and a cylindrical sleeve. The shank of the rivet is received through the sleeve at a location offset from the center axis of the cylindrical sleeve. The shank of the rivet is symmetrical relative to the head, and may have a square, hexagonal, or other polygonal cross-section so that the sleeve is not rotatable on the shank of the rivet. Rotation of the rivet assembly relative to the tie bar causes the center axis of the sleeve relative to a center line of the tie bar. Hence, the rivet assembly can be adjusted as desired to pull the sash in or out of the frame when the rivet engages the keeper, in order to increase or decrease the seal between the frame and sash. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one rivet assembly having a rivet and a sleeve is rotatably attached to a tie bar. The sleeve is generally cylindrical having a longitudinal through hole with a geometric center positioned eccentrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The through hole fittingly engages with the shank of the rivet so that the sleeve is not rotatable relative to the shank. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the through hole and shank have matching cross sections and are square, hexagonal, or polygonal. In other embodiments, the through hole and shank have matching cross sections and shapes including, for example, star, oval, triangular, etc. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the shank and through hole are shaped so that they can only assemble in one orientation. In one embodiment, the shank and through hole are shaped so that the sleeve offset is oriented to match an indicator mark on the head of the rivet. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is positioned on the shank so that the sleeve is positioned between the tie bar and the head of the rivet. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the distal end of the shank fittingly engages with a hole that is provided on the tie bar so that the rivet can be rotated for adjustment. Friction created at the juncture of the shank and tie bar allow the rivet to be rotated with a tool and maintain its position during normal operation of the locking system. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the rivet and shank are centered along a longitudinal axis, where the longitudinal axis is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of the sleeve such that the proximal end of the sleeve is offset relative to the bottom of the head. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the head of the rivet can be shaped to complement and mate with a wrench or other tool. In another embodiment, the head is provided with a recess shaped to receive a tool that is inserted into the recess to rotate the rivet assembly. The shaped recess can include, but is not limited to, a hex shape, a star shape, a torx, a spanner, an allen, a square shape, a cross shape, a Phillips, and a slot shape. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, a dimple or other similar feature can be provided on the head to indicate the direction of the offset of the sleeve. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a casement window includes a frame, a sash operably received in the frame, and a lock assembly for locking the sash in the frame. The lock assembly includes a tie bar operably coupled to the frame, the tie bar having a rotatable rivet assembly thereon, the rotatable rivet assembly including a rivet having a head portion and a shank portion, and a sleeve received on the shank, the sleeve being substantially cylindrical about a sleeve axis, the head portion and the shank portion of the rivet being symmetrical about a rivet axis, the shank portion received through an aperture in the sleeve so that the rivet axis is offset from the sleeve axis and the sleeve is rotationally fixed relative to the rivet. The lock assembly further includes a keeper on the sash, the tie bar being selectively operable to engage the rivet assembly with the keeper to secure the sash to the frame. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment the rivet shank has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the aperture in the sleeve has a corresponding polygonal cross-sectional shape. The polygonal cross-sectional shape can be a square or a hexagon. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the head portion of the rivet is round, square, or hexagonal. In a further embodiment, the head portion of the rivet has a recess for receiving a tool to rotate the rivet assembly. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, a window lock assembly includes a tie bar having a rotatable rivet assembly thereon, the rotatable rivet assembly including a rivet having a head portion and a shank portion, and a sleeve received on the shank, the sleeve being substantially cylindrical about a sleeve axis, the head portion and the shank portion of the rivet being symmetrical about a rivet axis, the shank portion received through an aperture in the sleeve so that the rivet axis is offset from the sleeve axis and the sleeve is rotationally fixed relative to the rivet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a casement window; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a known tie bar and roller assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a keeper and roller assembly in the locked position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a tie bar and rivet assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a rivet assembly and tie bar according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the rivet assembly and tie bar of  FIG. 5 , with the rivet assembly rotated to a first position and with the rivet assembly engaged with a keeper; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the rivet assembly and tie bar of  FIG. 5 , with the rivet assembly rotated to another position and with the rivet assembly engaged with a keeper. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    While the present invention is amenable to various modification and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, although the invention is primarily described in the context of a casement window, the invention is equally applicable in the context of an awning window. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    One embodiment of a casement window  110  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . Casement window  110  generally includes frame  112 , sash  114 , and operator mechanism  116 . Frame  112  includes head jamb  118 , sill  120 , and sides  122  and defines window opening  124 . Sash  114  includes top rail  126 , bottom rail  128 , side rails  130 , and window pane  132 . Sash  114  may also include screen  134 . Sash  114  is typically coupled with hinges (not shown) to frame  112  and can be opened and closed through operation of operator mechanism  116 . Locking system  111  includes keeper  138 , tie bar  140  ( FIG. 2 ), and rivet assembly  142  ( FIG. 2 ), where tie bar  140  and rivet assembly  142  are concealed in frame  112 . Openings  136  receive keepers  138 , where keepers  138  are mounted on sash  114  as depicted. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates one example of a known tie bar  140  having rivet assembly  142 . Tie bar  140  is mounted in frame  112  so that rivet assembly  142  is aligned with opening  136  of frame  112 . Rivet assembly  142  includes rivet  144 , head  146 , shank  148  and sleeve  150 . Further details of known tie bar assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,014, owned by the owners of the present invention, said patent being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of keeper  138 . It is known to those skilled in the art that keepers  138  come in a variety of shapes and sizes but perform similar functions. For simplicity, only one embodiment of keeper  138  is shown but it is apparent that other configurations of keepers  138  would perform the functions as intended. In the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , keeper  138  partially surrounds and engages roller assembly  142  thus pulling-in and holding window sash  114  to window frame  112 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4-7  depict an embodiment of the invention with tie bar  140  having at least one attached rotatable rivet assembly  158 . Rivet assembly  158  generally includes rivet  144  and sleeve  156 . Rivet  144  generally includes head  146  and shank  148 . Shank  148  may have a first portion  160  which is substantially cylindrical, and a second portion  162  which is square in cross-section. Shank  148  and head  146  are symmetrical about central axis X 1 . 
         [0032]    Sleeve  156  is substantially cylindrical with central axis X 2 , and defines through hole  152 . Through hole  152  is conformingly shaped with second portion  162  of shank  148 , and is offset from central axis X 2 . Shank  148  is received in through hole  152 , with head  146  abutting top surface  164  of sleeve  156 . First portion  160  is received in hole  166  in tie bar  140  with bottom surface  168  of sleeve  156  abutting tie bar  140 , and is spun into place so that rivet assembly  152  is permanently attached to tie bar  140 , but is rotatable relative to tie bar  140 . Hence, when positioned on shank  148 , sleeve  156  is disposed between tie bar  140  and head  146  of rivet  144 . 
         [0033]    Notably, due to the square cross-section of through hole  152  and second portion  162  of shank  148 , sleeve  156  is not rotatable on shank  148 , but instead rotates with rivet  144 . Sufficient friction is maintained in the interface between first portion  160  of shank  148  and hole  166  in tie bar  140  so that rivet assembly  158  is rotatable with a tool, but otherwise is maintained in a set position. 
         [0034]    In use, rivet assembly  158  can be rotated to adjust for different keeper positions and to adjust the position of sash  114  relative to frame  112 , when it is desired to pull sash  114  into closer engagement with frame  112  or enable greater clearance between sash  114  and frame  112 . In this way, the seal between the sash and frame can be adjustably increases or decreases as desired. 
         [0035]    As depicted in  FIG. 6  for example, rivet assembly  158  is rotated so that central axis X 2  of sleeve  156  is offset a distance Y in one direction from longitudinal axis X 3  of tie bar  140 , so that when rivet assembly  158  is engaged with keeper  138 , sash  114  is pulled into closer engagement with the window frame  112 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , rivet assembly is rotated 180 degrees from the position depicted in  FIG. 6 , so that central axis X 2  of sleeve  156  is offset distance Y in the opposite direction from longitudinal axis X 3  of tie bar  140 . In this position, when rivet assembly  158  is engaged with keeper  138 , sash  114  has relatively greater clearance from window frame  112 . 
         [0036]    Although through hole  152  and second portion  162  of shank  148  are depicted as having a square cross-section, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be used that will function to prevent rotation of sleeve  156  on shank  148 . For example, through hole  152  and second portion  162  may have other matching cross sections and shapes including, for example, star, square, hex, oval, triangular, or other polygonal shape. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, second portion  162  and through hole  152  are shaped so that they can only assemble in one orientation. In one embodiment, second portion  162  and through hole  152  are shaped so that the offset of sleeve  156  may be oriented to match an indicator mark  180  on head  146  of rivet  144 , thereby providing a visual indication of the orientation of the offset of sleeve  156  when rivet assembly  158  is rotated. 
         [0038]    Further, although head  146  of rivet  144  is depicted here as being round, head  146  can be shaped (square, hexagonal, etc.) to complement and mate with a wrench or other tool to enable rivet assembly  158  to be rotated. Alternatively, head  146  may be provided with a recess  182  having its geometric center on longitudinal axis x1. Recess  182  can be shaped to receive a tool that is inserted into recess to rotate rivet  144 . Shaped recess can include, but is not limited to, a hex shape, a star shape, a torx shape, a spanner, an allen socket, a square shape, a cross shape, a Phillips, or a slot shape. 
         [0039]    The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section  112 , sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.