Patent Publication Number: US-8109037-B2

Title: Active sealing system for single-hung door/window

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 11/322,952, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,775, filed on Dec. 30, 2005 and issued on Mar. 30, 2010; and a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/756,957, filed Jun. 1, 2007, now pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 11/425,377, filed Jun. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,539 issued on Dec. 1, 2009, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates generally to sealing systems for use with panels, such as a door or a window, within a frame and, more specifically, to an active sealing system for providing an improved seal between a panel and frame. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Certain types of panels, such as doors and windows, are positioned within openings of a wall and/or other structures using a frame. These panels may also open and close by pivoting relative to the frame. Alternatively, the one or more panel may slide relative to the frame. An issue associated with these types of panels is the integrity of the seals between the panels and the frame. In many instances, these seals are an insufficient barrier in preventing the transfer of such environmental elements as noise, weather, water, and insects from one side of the panel to the other side of the panel. 
     Attempts have been made to address these issues by using various types of weather stripping between the panels and frame. For example, the weather stripping may be strip of felt, foam, or a pile of flexible synthetic material. In many instances, however, this weather stripping fails to act as a sufficient seal between the panels and frame. Another issue prevalent associated with the seals between a frame and panel or between adjacent panels is that these seals can become disjoined. Either intentionally or unintentionally, the alignment between the frame and panel or between adjacent panels may be disturbed which can degrade the quality of the seal, since, in many instances, the integrity of the seal relies upon these members having certain positional relationships relative to one another. 
     Another issue associated with the movement of one or more panels relative to the frame is structural integrity and/or security of the panels relative to the frame. While in certain circumstances, allowing the panel to move relative to the frame is desirable, in other circumstances, not allowing the panel to move relative to the frame is desirable for the purpose of preventing undesired access through the panel. Means for providing these separate functionalities, however, can be incompatible with one another, and the means employed to provide both functions often involve tradeoffs that reduce the effectiveness of both functions. 
     There is, therefore, also a need for a sealing system that effectively allows both a panel to move relative to the frame and also to selectively prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame. There is also a need for a sealing system that can be employed between a frame and panel that prevents the transfer from one side of the panel to the other side of the panel such environmental effects as noise, weather, water, heat/cold, and insects. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art with respect to effectively creating a seal between a panel and a frame. In this regard, a combined sealing system for connecting a first panel to a frame includes first, second, and third active sealing systems. The first active sealing system engages a sill rail of the first panel with a sill of the frame. The second active sealing system engages a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The third active sealing system engages a stile rail of the sash with a jamb of the frame. Upon the first panel being in a closed position relative to the frame, each of the first, second, and third active sealing systems having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. 
     In another aspect, a sealing system for connecting a panel to the frame is disclosed with the panel movable relative to a frame in a first direction towards a single closed position. The active sealing system includes a movable member pivoting between an engaged position and an unengaged position. Upon the panel being in a single closed position relative to the frame, the active sealing system has a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and the active seal is created between the first surface of the panel and the first surface of the frame only in the locked configuration of the active sealing system. In the locked configuration and while the panel is stationary relative to the frame, the movable member in the engaged position prevents movement of the panel in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     In other aspects, a drive member engages the movable member, and the engagement of the drive member with the movable member pivots the movable member from the unengaged position to the engaged position. The frame includes a lip, and the movable member pivots about the lip. The movable member can float freely between the lip and the drive member. The movable member includes a tip, a tail, the neck is positioned between the tip and the tail, and the neck is positioned between the lip and the drive member. A greatest distance between closest portions of the drive member and the lip is smaller than a width of the tail and a width of the tip. The panel includes a recess into which the movable member extends, and the recess includes an inwardly-extending nook. The inwardly-extending nook includes the first surface of the panel, and in the engaged position, the movable member positioned within the inwardly-extending nook and against the first surface of the panel. 
     Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a door/window system in a closed and partially-closed position in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a door/window system in a closed position and including an electro-mechanical lock in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective, revealed views of a door/window system in a closed position and respectively including a mechanical lock and both a mechanical and electro-mechanical lock in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are cross-sectional views of a sealing system positioned in meeting rails of the door/window system, respectively, in the open, closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are cross-sectional views of a sealing system positioned in a jamb and sash of the door/window system, respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are cross-sectional views of a sealing system positioned in a sill and sash of the door/window system, respectively, in the open, closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the door/window system showing the interaction of different drive systems and transfer systems, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are respectively perspective and side views of the door/window system of  FIG. 7  showing the interaction of different drive systems and transfer systems, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are cross-sectional views of a drive system positioned in a sill of the door/window system, respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are cross-sectional views of a drive system positioned in a jamb of the door/window system, respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are perspective views of the drive system positioned in the jamb of the door/window system, respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 12A-12C  are perspective views of the drive system positioned in the jamb, the drive system positioned within the meeting rail, and a transfer system connecting these drive systems, respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  are cross-sectional views of the transfer system connecting the drive systems shown in  FIGS. 12A-12C , respectively, in the closed and unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a handle for providing motive force to lock the drive systems, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 15A-15C  are perspective views of the handle connected to an actuator and drive system, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIGS. 16A-16C  are respectively, front, top, and side views of the door/window system including an electro-mechanical lock, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 17  is a detail view of a motor and transfer system, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the motor and the transfer system, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; and 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the electro-mechanical lock, in accordance with the inventive arrangements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplar door/window system  100  for use with an improved sealing system  200  and combination of sealing systems  200 . The sealing system  200  can be used with many types of doors and/or windows, and the sealing system  200  is not limited to the particular door/window system  100  illustrated. For example, the sealing system  200  may be used with pocket doors, sliding doors, French doors, entry doors, garage doors, sliding windows, single-hung windows, double-hung windows, casement windows, and awning windows. The door/window system  100  includes at least one panel  110 A,  110 B connected to and movable relative to a stationary frame  120 . 
     The door/window system  100  is not limited in the manner in which the panel  110 A,  110 B moves relative to the frame  120 . For example, the panels  110 A,  110 B may pivot relative to the frame  120 . In certain aspects of the door/window system  100 , however, either one or both of the panels  110 A,  110 B may move relative to the frame  120  along a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of one of the surfaces (e.g., the header  130 , jambs  140 , or sill  150 ) of the frame  120  and/or substantially along a plane defined by the panel  110 A,  110 B. In still further aspects of the door/window system  100 , one or more of the panels  110 A,  110 B can move relative to the frame  120  in multiple manners (e.g., pivoting relative to the frame  120  and sliding relative to the frame  120 ). 
     The frame  120  may include a header  130 , jambs  140 , and a sill  150 . A header  130  is a structural member that spans an upper portion of the window/door opening. Jambs  140  are the outermost vertical side members of the frame  120 . A sill  150  is a threshold or structural member that spans a lower-most portion of the window/door opening. As recognized by those skilled in the art, different terms may also be associated with the above-structure identified as the header  130 , jambs  140 , and sill  150 . 
     Each panel  110  may include a sash  160  that surrounds a pane  170 . The pane  170  is not limited as to a particular material. For example, the pane  170  may be translucent, such as glass or plastic, opaque, such as with wood or metal, or any combination thereof. The sash may include a header rail  175 , jamb or stile rails  180 , and a sill rail  185 . As recognized by those skilled in the art, different terms may also be associated with the structure identified as the header rail  175 , the jamb or stile rail  180 , and sill rail  185 . The respective rails of the panels  110 A,  110 B that adjoin one another when the door/window system  100  is closed are also known as meeting rails  190 A,  190 B. 
     The sealing system  200  (see  FIGS. 4A-4D ,  5 A- 5 C,  6 A- 6 D) may be used with each of the members  175 ,  180 ,  185 ,  190  of the sash  160  to form a seal between each pair of adjacent surfaces of the sash  160  of the panel and the frame  120  or between adjacent surfaces of the meeting rail  190 A of one panel  110 A and the meeting rail  190 B of another panel  110 B. In this manner each of the separate sides of the panels  110 A,  110 B may employ the sealing system  200 . As will be described in more detail below, not only does the sealing system  200  provide at least one seal between adjacent members of sash  160  and frame  120  or between adjacent meeting rails  190 A,  190 B, each of the sealing systems  200  may prevent the movement of the panels  110 A,  110 B relative to the frame  120 . In so doing, the sealing systems  200  can act as a lock and/or security device that prevents the forced opening of the panels  110 A,  110 B relative to the frame  120 . Many types of sealing systems  200  so capable are known in the art, and the present door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular type of sealing system  200 . In addition, the present door/window system  100  may employ one or more different types of sealing systems  200 . 
     Additionally, although the present door/window system  100  is described herein with particular types of sealing systems  200  being positioned in particular locations, the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular type of sealing system  200  or a particular location of the sealing system  200 . For example, a sealing system  200  may be positioned within the frame  120  and/or the sash  160 . 
     To prevent the forced opening of the panels  110 A,  110 B, the sealing systems  200  are not limited as to a percentage of coverage between particular members of the frame  120  and/or panels  110 A,  110 B. For example, the sealing systems  200  may only cover a fractional number (e.g., 10%, 50%, 85%) of the length between particular members of the frame  120  and/or panels  110 A,  110 B. However, in certain aspects, the sealing systems  200  provide substantially complete coverage between the sash  160  of a panel  110 A,  110 B and the frame  120  or between the meeting rail  190 A of one panel  110 A and the meeting rail  190 B of another panel  110 B. In so doing, the combined sealing systems  200  can provide a seal substantially completely around one or both of the panels  110 A,  110 B. 
     Top Sealing Mechanism 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4D , a sealing system  200  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. Upon the panel  110 A being disposed in the closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 4B-4D ), the sealing system  200  includes an active seal  205  having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration while the panel  110 A is disposed in the closed position. 
     The active seal  205  operates by having a movable member  210 , disposed in one of the meeting rails  190 A,  190 B of the first or second panels  110 A,  110 B, engage a stationary or movable portion of the other of the sashes  160 . Thus, a movable member  210  may be positioned in either the meeting rail  190 A of the first panel  110 A or the meeting rail  190 B of the second panel  120 B. However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , as illustrated, the movable member  210  is positioned in the meeting rail  190 B of the second panel  110 B and engages a stationary face  255  on the meeting rail  190 A of the first panel  110 A. 
     In certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the active seal  205  can create a seal  250  between the movable member  210  and the opposing face  255 . The movable member  210  and/or opposing face  255  may include passive seals (not shown) on one or both surfaces. The active seal  205  is not limited in the manner by which the movable member  210  engages the opposing face  255 . For example, the movable member  210  may operate as a linearly-traveling piston. However, in certain aspects of the active seal  205 , the movable member  210  (hereinafter referred to as seal gate  210 ) pivots about a seal pivot  220 . The manner in which the seal gate  210  itself is driven in not limited. For example, the seal gate  210  may be directly driven, for example, at the seal pivot  220 . Alternatively, in certain aspects of the active seal, the seal gate  210  is driven using a drive gate  230  that causes the seal gate  210  to rotate about the seal pivot  220 . 
     Although not limited in this manner, the drive gate  230  pivots about a drive pivot  240  and is itself driven by a drive system  300  (see discussion with regard to FIGS.  12 A- 12 C and  13 A- 13 C). By using leverage generated by these inter-engaging levers  210 ,  230 , the active seal  205  is capable of exerting significant force against the meeting rail  190 A or  190 B. In so doing, a seal  250  between the movable member  210  and the opposing face  255  can be created and/or enhanced. Additionally, the active seal  205  can prevent movement of the first panel  110 A relative to the second panel  110 B or the frame  120 . For example, referring to  FIG. 4D  (i.e., the closed and locked position of the first panel  110 A and sealing system  200 ), the drive gate  230  engaging the seal gate  210  prevents upward movement of the lower panel  110 A relative to upper panel  110 B. 
     Side Active Sealing Mechanisms 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , another configuration of a sealing system  200  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. Upon the panel  110 A being disposed in the closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 5A-5C ), the sealing system  200  also includes a movable member  210  that is driven by a drive system  300  from a first, unlocked position to a first, locked position to form a seal  250  between, for example, adjacent members of sash  160  and the frame  120 . 
     In certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the seal  250  is formed by engagement of the movable member  210  positioned on one of the frame  120  and sash  160  with another feature positioned on the other of the frame  120  and sash  160 . However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the movable member  210  is disposed in the frame  120  and engages a portion of the sash  160  of the panel  110 A. 
     Although not limited in this manner, the sealing system  200  may be positioned within jambs  140  of the frame  120 , and the movable member  210  is variably extendable through a guide shoulder  145 . The guide shoulder  145  extends into a channel  155  of the sash  160  and acts as a guide for the panel  110 A as the panel  110 A is moved within the frame  120 . In extending through the guide shoulder  145 , the movable member  210  may engage an inner surface of the channel  155  to form a seal  250  between the movable member  210  within the frame  120  and the sash  160 . 
     Bottom Active Sealing Mechanism 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6D , yet another configuration of a sealing system  200  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. Upon the panel  1  OA being disposed in the closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 6B-6D ), the sealing system  200  includes an active seal  205  having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration while the panel  110 A is disposed in the closed position. Although illustrated as creating an active seal between the panel  110 A and frame  120 , the illustrated sealing system  200  is not limited in this manner. For example, the sealing system  200  may be used to create an active seal between other portions of the door/window system  100 , such as between the panels  110 A,  110 B. 
     The active seal  205  operates by having a movable member disposed in the sill  150  of the frame  120  engage a stationary or movable portion of the sill rail  185  of the first panel  110  or vice-versa. Thus, a movable member  210  may be positioned in either the sill  150  of the frame  120  or the sill rail  185  of the first panel  110 A. However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , as illustrated, the movable member  210  is positioned in the sill  150  of the frame  120  and engages an inner surface of a recess  135  in the sill rail  185  of the first panel  110 A. 
     The recess  135  can be configured to include an inwardly-extending nook  137  and a complementing outwardly-extending shoulder  138 , and the movable member  210  includes a tip  271  and a tail  273 . As a drive member  270  positioned against the movable member  210  extends upward, the movable member  210  rotates about a lip  275  of the sill  150 . Upon the movable member  210  being positioned within the recess  135  and the drive member  270  engaging the movable member  210 , the tip  271  of the movable member  210  is driven into the nook  137  (see  FIG. 6D ). 
     The movable member  210 , as illustrated, is shown to be floating (i.e., not positively connected) between the drive member  270  and the lip  275  of the sill  150 . Alternatively, the movable member  210  may have a positive connection via, for example, a hinge, between either the drive member  270  or the sill  150 . Although the movable member  210  floats between the drive member  270  and the lip  275 , the movable member  210  is prevented from being removed by being passively attached to the drive member  270  and lip  275  at a neck between the tail  273  and the tip  271  of the movable member  210 . The greatest distance between closest portions of the drive member  270  and the lip  275  along any position during the drive members  270  movement is smaller than either the width of the tail  273  or the tip  271 . In this manner, the movable member  210  is prevented from being removed despite floating within the sealing system  200 . 
     Although not limited in this manner, the drive member  270  is itself driven by a drive system  300  (see discussion with regard to  FIGS. 9A-9C ). By using leverage generated by the inter-engaging drive member  270  and movable member  210 , the active seal  205  is capable of exerting significant force against the sill rail  185 . In so doing, a seal  250  between the movable member  210  and the nook  137  can be created and/or enhanced. Additionally, the active seal  205  can prevent movement of the first panel  110 A relative to sill  150 . For example, since the tip  271  of the movable member  210  is driven into the nook  137 , the tip  271  prevents upward movement of the outwardly-extending shoulder  138 . 
     Seal Drive Mechanisms 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 A- 8 B,  9 A- 9 C,  10 A- 10 C,  11 A- 11 C,  12 A- 12 C,  13 A- 13 C, a drive system  300  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. The drive system  300  moves the sealing system  200  from the unlocked configuration (e.g.,  FIGS. 4A-4B ,  5 A,  6 A- 6 B) to a locked configuration (e.g.,  FIGS. 4D ,  5 C,  6 D). The drive system  300  may also move the sealing system  200  from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. In certain aspects, the drive systems  300  are configured to simultaneously move each of the separate sealing systems  200 . In other aspects of the door/window system  100 , however, multiple drive systems  300  may be provided to separately close one or multiple sealing systems  200 . 
     How the drive system  300  moves the sealing system  200  from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration (and back again) is not limited as to a particular manner and/or device. As can be readily envisioned, the configuration and operation of the drive system  300  may be determined by the configuration and operation of the sealing systems  200 . Referring to FIGS.  14  and  15 A- 15 C, the illustrated drive system  300  is shown as being driven with a manual device  400 . However, other devices capable of driving a sealing system  200  are commonly known, such as a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, mechanical, and electro-mechanical devices. A combination of these devices may also be used. For example, referring to  FIGS. 15A-15C  and  FIGS. 16-18 , an electro-mechanical system is shown. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9C ,  10 A- 10 C,  11 A- 11 C,  12 A- 12 C, the sealing systems  200  within the jambs  140  and sill  150  are not limited in the manner in which the respective movable members  210  are driven from the first position to the second position and back again. Many types of drive systems  300  are known that are capable of transferring movement from one member to another member and the sealing system  200  is not limited in a device so capable. However, in certain aspects of the sealing system  200 , the movement of the movable member  210  is driven by with a drive system  300  that transfer back and forth motion of an actuator  245  that extends along a length of the sealing system  200 . 
     A transfer device transfers the back and forth motion of the actuator  245  to the movable member  210  thereby moving the movable member  210  from the disengaged/unlocked position to the engaged/locked position and back again. Many types of devices are capable of transferring motion along one direction to another direction, and the transfer device is not limited to any type of device so capable. However, in certain aspects of the drive system  300 , the transfer device is a rocker  260  that is pivotally connected to the actuator  245 , the movable member  210  and the jamb  140  or sill  150 . As the actuator  245  moves back and forth, the rocker  260  pivots about a pivot on the jamb  140  or sill  150  and moves the movable member  210  between the disengaged/unlocked position and the engaged/locked position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C  and  12 A- 12 C and as previously described, one of the sealing systems  200  operates using a drive gate  230 , which urges a movable member  210  against an opposing face  255  to form a seal between the meeting rails  190 A,  190 B. Any drive system  300  capable of driving the drive gate  230  in this manner is acceptable for use with the present door/window system  100 . In a present aspect of the door/window system  100 , the drive gate  230  is connected drive shaft  280  at the seal pivot  220 , and the drive shaft  280  is connected, either directly or indirectly, to other drive members of the drive system  300 . As the drive shaft  280  is rotated, the drive gate  230  is also rotated and engages the movable member  210 . 
     Transfer System 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 A- 8 B,  12 A- 12 C,  13 A- 13 C, a transfer system  290 ,  295  for use in the door/window system  100  is illustrated. The transfer system  290 ,  295  transfers motion, such as rotation and linear, from one drive system  300  to another drive system  300 . In so doing, the motion generated by a single drive system  300  is capable of driving two or more sealing systems  200  located on different edges of the frame  120 , sash  160 , and/or meeting rail  190 B through the use of one or more transfer systems  290 . Alternatively or, in addition to a single drive system  300  driving two or more sealing systems  200 , as previously discussed, multiple drive systems  300  can each separately drive one or more sealing systems  200 . 
     Many types of transfer systems are capable of transferring motion from one drive system  300  to another drive system  300 , and the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a transfer system  290 ,  295  so capable. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8A , the transfer system  290  may include rollers or sprockets that redirect the actuator  245 . In so doing, the actuator  245  can be connected to two or more, or even all of the drive systems  300 . Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8B ,  12 A- 12 C,  13 A- 13 C, another transfer system  295  is disclosed. According to this aspect, the transfer system  295  is also connected to the actuator  245  and to the drive shaft  280  of one of the sealing systems  300 . In so doing, as the actuator  245  moves up and down, this motion is transferred into a rotation of the drive shaft  280 . Additionally, the transfer system  295  may act as a lever arm to create a greater moment about the drive shaft  280 . 
     The actuator  245  works with the transfer systems  290 ,  295  and the drive systems  300  to transfer motion from one drive system  300  to another drive system  300 . Many types of actuators  245  so capable are known, and the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular type of actuator  245  so capable. For example, the actuator  245  may be a rigid shaft that rotates or moves linearly. However, in certain aspects of the door/window system  100 , the actuator  245  is a chain. In this manner, the actuator  245 , as a chain, is both flexible and easily gripped and/or attached to the drive systems  300  and transfer systems  290 ,  295 . 
     The actuator  245  may be directly attached to the drive systems  300 , or, as illustrated, the drive systems  300  may be connected to a chain support  297 . In addition to act as a connector between the actuator  245  and the drive system  300 , the chain support  297  may also be used to limit the motion of the actuator  245 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 13A-13C , the chain support  297  may include a slot  298  that engages the transfer system  295 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13A , the angular rotation of the transfer system  295  relative to the chain support  297  past a certain position is limited by the configuration of the slot  298 . 
     Drive Mechanisms 
     Many types of motive power is capable of being supplied to the drive systems  300 , and the door/window system  100  is not limited as to a particular device or manner so capable. For example, referring to FIGS.  14  and  15 A- 15 C, a manual handle  400  is disclosed. The handle  400  is used to move the actuator  245  back and forth and, in so doing, provides motive power to the drive systems  300 . The handle  400  is not limited in the manner in which the handle  400  is connected to the actuator  245 . However, in certain aspects, the handle  400  is connected to a chain support  297  via an extender  405 . Moreover, as with the transfer system  295  described in  FIGS. 13A-13C , the chain support  297  may include a slot  298  that engages the extender  405  and limits the angular rotation of the extender  405  relative to the chain support  297  past a certain position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A-16C  and  FIGS. 17-19 , in addition to, or as an alternative to the handle  400 , an electro-mechanical system  420  may be provided to supply motive power to the drive systems  300 . The electro-mechanical system  420  may include a control board  425  that electrically controls a motor  410 , which drives the actuator  245 . Although not limited in this manner, the motor  410  can be connected to the actuator via at least one of the transfer systems  290 . In so doing, the rotation of the motor  410  can be transferred into back and forth motion of the actuator  245 . The control board  425  may also be connected to a remote control device (not shown) for activating the control  425  board. 
     The electro-mechanical system  420  is not limited in the manner in which the electro-mechanical system  420  receives electrical power. For example, the electro-mechanical system  420  may receive electrical power from a battery located within the frame  120  or the panel  110 . In addition to, or alternatively, the electro-mechanical system  420  may receive electrical power from line voltage via the structure in which the door/window system  100  is installed.