Patent Publication Number: US-8533997-B2

Title: Operating assembly for a lifting and sliding fenestration assembly and related methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a lifting and sliding fenestration assembly and related methods. 
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     Lift and slide doors and windows can provide large slidable panels, allowing for large doors or windows which do not obscure the view when opened and/or closed. During use of the doors or windows, the door or window is lifted and slid to the side, and possibly in a pocket so that the door or window is no longer in view and building occupants can access the exterior via the opening. The doors or windows also provide a barrier against weather including wind and rain. The doors or windows must be able to withstand a certain amount of pressure from weather including wind, yet remain operable and openable for users. For instance, the doors or windows need to seal and exclude the weather elements, yet the doors or windows need to be able to slide open. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lift and sliding fenestration assembly includes a panel assembly including at least a primary panel and optionally a secondary panel, where the primary panel is slidable along a first plane. In an option, a third panel is included and slidable along the first plane. The fenestration assembly further includes a linkage system operatively coupled with the lift/slide panel assembly, and a handle is coupled with the linkage system. The handle has an open position and a closed position, and the handle is movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle travels in a second plane, and the second plane is transverse to the first plane. In a further option, the primary panel is slidable along the first plane when the handle is rotated and placed in an open position. The handle and/or linkage system can be mounted, such as a flush mount, on any of the panels of the fenestration assembly, or each of the panels of the fenestration assembly. In yet another option, the handle and/or linkage system can be mounted, such as a flush mount, on each of the panels except for a stationary panel. 
     Several options for the fenestration assembly are as follows. For instance, in an option, the primary panel is defined in part by a corner edge portion, and the handle is disposed along the corner edge portion. In a further option, the handle is disposed within a recess when the handle is in a closed position and/or an open position. Additional options include the linkage system having a drive rail movable along a first axis, the drive rail including one or more guide tracks therein, and/or one or more pins received by the one or more guide tracks, and/or a substantially planar C-shaped link. In a further option, the drive rail is coupled with a stile of the primary panel, and/or the handle includes a securing detent. 
     A lift and sliding fenestration assembly includes a multi lift/slide panel assembly including at least a primary panel and a secondary panel, and optionally a third tertiary panel, where the primary panel is slidable along a first plane. The fenestration assembly further includes a linkage system operatively coupled with the lift/slide panel assembly, where the linkage system includes a drive rail coupled with a stile of the primary panel, and further including a back cover and a front cover. The fenestration assembly further includes a flush mount handle coupled with the linkage system, the handle is movable between an open position and a closed position, and travels in a second plane, which is transverse to the first plane. The primary panel is slidable along the first plane when the handle is rotated and placed in an open position. 
     Several options are as follows. For instance, in an option, the handle includes a securing detent. In a further option, the primary panel is defined by a corner edge portion, the handle is disposed on the corner edge portion. 
     A method includes rotating a handle from a first closed position to a second open position, where rotating the handle occurs within a first plane, and the handle is coupled with a linkage system. The method further includes translating the drive rail and primary panel within a second plane, lifting at least the primary panel from a closed position to an operational position; and sliding the primary panel along a track within the second plane, the second plane is substantially transverse to the first plane. 
     Several options for the methods are as follows. For instance, in an option, the method further includes rotating the handle toward a first direction and lifting the primary panel toward a second direction, where the first direction is opposite of the second direction, and/or disposing the handle in a recess and flush mounting the handle. In a further option, the method includes sliding a secondary panel after at least partially sliding the primary panel, and/or sliding a tertiary panel after at least partially sliding the primary panel and the secondary panel. In yet another option, the method includes securing the handle, for instance, securing the handle includes engaging a handle detent and a projection. 
     These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and their equivalents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a portion of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly in a closed position as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a portion of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly in an open position as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a linkage assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a linkage assembly taken along  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a linkage assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a linkage assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a linkage assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present fenestration assemblies and methods may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present fenestration assemblies and methods. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized or structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present fenestration assemblies and methods. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present fenestration assemblies and methods is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used to include one or more than one, and the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein, and not otherwise defined, is for the purpose of description only and not of limitation. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100 . The lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100  includes in an option a single panel assembly, with a primary panel  112 . In another option, the lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100  includes multi lift/slide panel assembly  110  including at least a primary panel  112  and a secondary panel  116 , and optionally a third, tertiary panel  117 . The secondary panel  116  may be a slidable, operable panel. Alternatively, the secondary panel  116  may be a fixed, stationary panel. It should be noted that additional panels can be used as well. For example, four or more panels can be used. In another option, up to eight slidable panels can be used. In yet another option, the fenestration assembly  100  is a bi-parting assembly. 
     The primary panel  112 , optional secondary panel  116 , and/or the optional third, tertiary panel  117  are slidable along a first plane of movement, for example along a track and relative to an outer frame. The panels include a frame that surrounds one or more glass panes. For instance, the primary panel  112 , secondary panel  116 , and tertiary panel  117  are defined in part by one or more stiles  118 . In a further option, the primary panel  112 , the secondary panel  116 , and the third tertiary panel  117  are defined in part by a corner edge portion  119 . The corner edge portion  119  includes a portion of a side of the panel, for instance a side of the stile  118 . The corner edge portion  119  further includes a portion of a front of the panel, for instance a front portion of the stile  118 . The handle  120  is recessed within the corner edge portion  119  such that the handle  120  can be flush mounted on the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117 . 
     In an option, the lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100  is suitable for doors, windows, or other fenestration assemblies. The lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100  operates such that the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  slide and can slide at least a portion past one another such that the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  can stack in front of one another, and thereby do not obstruct the view from within the building, and the handle assembly does not interfere with the ability to stack the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117 . In another option, the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  stack on top of one another such as the end is flush, due in part to the flush mount handle  120 , as further discussed below.  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  in a closed position ( FIG. 2 ), and an open, stacked position ( FIG. 3 ). In another option, the panels can be tucked in a pocket within the wall such that they are not visible. 
     To operate the panels, the lift and sliding fenestration assembly  100  includes a handle  120 , which has an open, operable position and a closed position and is rotatable between the open and closed position. In the closed position, the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  cannot be readily slid. In a further option, the handle  120  in the closed position is in a locked or secured position. In the secured position, in an option, the weight of the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  prevent the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  from sliding relative to the outer frame. In another option, in addition or in alternative, the handle  120  locks the linkage system  160  and prevents it from operating. For instance, the handle  120  includes a securing detent that receives a projection therein, which prevents movement of the primary panel  112  and the handle  120 . In an option, the handle  120 , when moved from and to the open position from the closed position, travels within a second plane of movement. The second plane of movement is substantially transverse to the first plane of movement. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in an option, the handle  120  is disposed up when placed in a closed position ( FIG. 9 ), and is received within a recess  130 , allowing for the handle  120  to be flush mounted against the primary panel  112 . In a further option, the handle  120  is received within a second recess  130  when the handle  120  is placed in the open position. 
     The handle  120  is disposed along corner edge portion of the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117 . The handle  120  and/or linkage system  160  can be mounted, such as a flush mount, on any of the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  of the fenestration assembly, or each of the panels of the fenestration assembly. In yet another option, the handle  120  and/or linkage system  160  can be mounted, such as a flush mount, on each of the openable panels  112 ,  116 ,  117  except for a stationary panel. In yet another option, the fenestration assembly includes biparting panels, where two panels come together from opposite sides of a frame. The biparting doors or windows can include two or more panels, with a handle  120  mounted on the sliding panels. The flush mount handles allow for the panels to be stacked, for example, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The handle  120  is operably coupled with a linkage system  160 , which is operatively coupled with the lift/slide panel assembly  110  (e.g.,configured to lift and lower respective panels). In an option, the linkage system  160  is coupled with each of the panels  112 ,  116 ,  117 , and in a further option the linkage system  160  is coupled with each movable panel. The linkage system  160  includes a drive rail  162  movable along a first axis relative to the panel  112 , For instance the drive rail  162  is slidably received within a channel of the stile  118 . The drive rail  162  further including one or more guide tracks  164  therein. The guide track  164  receives, in an option, one or more pins  166  therein, and the pins are fixed relative to the panel  112  (e.g., the drive rail  162  moves relative to panel  112  along the pins  166 ). The linkage system  160  further includes a substantially planar link, such as a C-shaped link  170 . The linkage system  160  further includes a front cover  176  and a back cover  178 . 
     The handle  120  is coupled with the linkage system  160  at a pivot point  126 , the pivot point  126  and accordingly the handle  120  are static relative to the panel  112 . Stated another way, while the handle  120  is rotated, the handle itself at the pivot point  126  does not raise or lower relative to the panel  112  (or  116  or  117  if associated with those panels). As the handle  120  is rotated a roller  172  is driven which in turn drives a C-shaped link  170 . The link  170  is coupled with the roller  172  and the drive rail  162 . The rotational movement of the handle  120  is used to drive the drive rail  162  in a linear, vertical movement, for instance upward relative to the panel  112 . The drive rail  162 , which is coupled with the stile  118  of the primary panel  112  (e.g., slidably coupled within a channel in the stile  118 ) lifts or lowers the primary panel  112 . When the primary panel  112  is lifted, the wheels, such as bogie wheels  163  (having a chassis or framework known with bogie wheels) coupled with the drive rail, allow for the panels, such as windows or doors, to be slid along the second plane. 
     A method includes rotating a handle  120  from a first closed position to a second open position, where rotating the handle  120  occurs within a first plane, and the handle  120  is coupled with a linkage system  160 . The method further includes translating the drive rail  162  and primary panel  112  within a second plane, lifting at least the primary panel  112  from a closed position to an operational position; and sliding the primary panel  112  along a track within the second plane, the second plane is substantially transverse to the first plane. 
     Several options for the methods are as follows. For instance, in an option, the method further includes rotating the handle  120  toward a first direction and lifting the primary panel  112  toward a second direction, where the first direction is opposite of the second direction, and/or disposing the handle  120  in a recess and flush mounting the handle  120 . In a further option, the method includes sliding a secondary panel  116  after at least partially sliding the primary panel  112 , and/or sliding a tertiary panel after at least partially sliding the primary panel  112  and the secondary panel  116 . In yet another option, the method includes securing the handle  120 , for instance, securing the handle  120  includes engaging a handle detent  128  or a recess with a projection  180  of the linkage system  160 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For instance, any of the aforementioned examples may be used individually or with any of the other examples. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present fenestration assemblies and methods should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, assembly, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of such claim. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.