Abstract:
An integrated casement window operator and lock mechanism including an arm shiftable with a lever handle between a first position of the lever handle wherein the window is closed and the sash is locked to the frame with a hook defined in an arm of the operator and lock mechanism, a second position wherein the hook is disengaged so as to unlock the sash from the frame, and a third position wherein the arm is pivoted outward to move the sash out of the frame, thereby opening the window.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/277,337, filed Jan. 11, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD The instant invention relates to casement windows, and in particular operators and locks for casement windows. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A casement window is a window that has a sash attached to a frame with hinges so that the sash can swing in and out to close or open the opening defined by the frame. Casement windows have certain advantages over sliding windows, such as double-hung or sideways sliding windows. In particular, sliding windows can be difficult to seal against air infiltration, since the sash must slide against the air sealing gasket or weatherstripping. This often means that the sliding sash is not fitted as tightly, and the materials used for sealing selected so as to avoid excessive friction and wear. Casement sashes, however, can swing into contact with the seal, thereby avoiding any friction and causing minimal wear of the seal. 
         [0003]    A drawback of casement windows, however, is that an operator typically must be used. An example of a typical operator used with a casement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,619, said patent being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. Such complex operators add expense and complexity to the window. Further, casement windows typically have separate locking systems to provide security against unauthorized access. These systems can add complexity to window operation as well as expense. These factors have led to casement windows being used less frequently in low-cost construction. 
         [0004]    What is needed in the industry is a simple casement operator that integrates the locking function in one device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention meet the need in the industry for a simple casement operator that integrates the locking function in one device. 
         [0006]    According to embodiments of the invention, an operator device may be mounted on the jamb of the window frame on the opening side of the window, similar to traditional casement locks as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The operator is designed so that a cover and handle can be applied after the operator is mounted to the frame. The operator has access to the drive spline from both the left and right sides, as depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . This enables the device, handle, and cover to be used on both right and left hand windows. 
         [0007]    The operator has two segments of motion. During a first segment, the handle is shifted from a downwardly folded position to a midpoint position thereby translating an arm downward (depicted in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ), and disengaging a lock feature integrated into the drive arm from a lug attached to the window frame integrated into the mounting plate as well as pulling a multi-point lock tie bar ( FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 ). The downward travel is the typical motion for unlocking casement windows, which retains consistency between this and traditional locks. 
         [0008]    In the second motion, when the handle is shifted from the midpoint until it is upwardly folded, the arm rotates outwardly from the frame ( FIG. 6 ). The arm is connected to a sash interface with a clip that can be disconnected for egress use. The sash interface includes a shoe runs along a track mounted to the sash. The outward projection of the arm causes the sash to open. 
         [0009]    The mechanics of the operator enable it to reduce the number of components necessary to achieve the motion for unlocking and then opening the sash. It has a straight section of gear teeth on the arm that accomplish the unlocking function while leaving the sash closed. The gear teeth on the arm then transition to a curved section that causes the arm to rotate, resulting in the sash opening. 
         [0010]    Embodiments of the invention may offer some or all of the following differences and advantages when compared with prior systems:
       The operator as an integrated single point lock-for small windows this may be all the locking needed.   For larger windows this operator can be connected with existing multi-point lock tie bar systems for additional locking capability.   The operator is symmetrical about its plane of operation allowing the device to be used for both left and right opening windows.   The operator has a spline input for the handle on both the left and right side allowing the same handle and cover to be used for a left and right hand version.   The drive system is accomplished from two gear segments; the first a standard round spur gear, the second a combination of a rack that transitions into an arc section of spur gear.   The drive system is created by using a standard round spur gear and a drive arm that has a section of rack gear that transitions into round spur gearing. The rack section creates the linear travel needed to drive the lock/unlocking function and the round spur gear section allows for the rotation of the arm to open the window.   The connection between the drive arm and the tie bar is a link that can pivot allowing for variation in the position of the tie bar with relation to the face of the frame.       
 
         [0018]    As such, according to embodiments of the invention, an integrated casement window operator and lock includes a gear mechanism, the gear mechanism including a housing, a pinion gear rotatably mounted to the housing, and an arm assembly including an arm and a sash interface, the arm defining a rack portion and an adjacent arcuate gear portion, the arm slidably and rotatably mounted to the housing with the pinion gear engaged with the rack portion and the arcuate gear portion, the arm further defining a hook portion, the sash interface including a track and a shoe slidably coupled with the track, a distal end of the arm pivotally coupled with the shoe, and a handle operably coupled with the pinion gear. With the housing of the gear mechanism adapted to be mounted on a frame of a casement window, and the track of the gear mechanism adapted to be mounted on a sash of the casement window, the handle is selectively movable to rotate the pinion gear such that the arm is shifted between a first window locked position wherein the sash of the casement window is received in the frame of the casement window and the hook portion is engaged with a lug attached to the frame of the casement window so as to retain the sash in engagement with the frame, a second window unlocked position wherein the arm is shifted relative to the housing such that the hook is free from engagement with the lug, and a third sash open position wherein the arm is rotated relative to the housing urging the sash to be swung outward from the frame. The rack portion and the arcuate gear portion may be defined on an edge of the arm. The housing can define a guide slot, with the arm having a pin, the pin slidably received in the guide slot. The guide slot may have a straight portion and an arcuate portion. In embodiments of the invention, the arm is operably coupled to a tie bar slidably mounted to the frame of the casement window. The tie bar can include at least one lug, and at least one corresponding keeper is attached to the sash, the tie bar being selectively shiftable with the handle such that the at least one lug of the tie bar is engaged with the at least one corresponding keeper in the window locked position, and the at least one lug of the tie bar is free from the at least one corresponding keeper in the window unlocked position. cover. 
         [0019]    In embodiments of the invention, the handle is engageable with the pinion gear in at least two different orientations so as to accommodate left-handed and right-handed mounting. 
         [0020]    The first window locked position may correspond to a first position of the handle, the second window unlocked position can correspond to a second position of the handle, and the third sash open position can correspond to a third position of the handle. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the invention, a casement window includes a frame defining an opening, a sash received in the frame and hinged to the frame to selectively close the opening, and a window operator and lock. The window operator and lock can include a gear mechanism, the gear mechanism including a housing, a pinion gear rotatably mounted to the housing, and an arm assembly including an arm and a sash interface, the arm defining a rack portion and an adjacent arcuate gear portion, the arm slidably and rotatably mounted to the housing with the pinion gear engaged with the rack portion and the arcuate gear portion, the arm further defining a hook portion, the sash interface including a track and a shoe slidably coupled with the track, a distal end of the arm pivotally coupled with the shoe, and a handle operably coupled with the pinion gear. The housing of the gear mechanism is mounted to a frame of the casement window, and the track of the gear mechanism is mounted to the sash of the casement window. The handle is selectively movable to rotate the pinion gear such that the arm is shifted between a first window locked position wherein the sash of the casement window is received in the frame of the casement window to close the opening and the hook portion is engaged with a lug attached to the frame of the casement window so as to retain the sash in engagement with the frame, a second window unlocked position wherein the arm is shifted relative to the housing such that the hook is free from engagement with the lug, and a third sash open position wherein the arm is rotated relative to the housing urging the sash to be swung outward from the frame. 
         [0022]    The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a casement window with an integrated window operator and lock according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of an integrated window operator and lock according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the integrated window operator and lock  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2  with a tie-bar assembly depicting the mechanism in a locked, window closed position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2  with a tie-bar assembly depicting the mechanism in an unlocked, window closed position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2  with a casement window in an unlocked, window open position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2  in a locked, window closed position with a tie-bar attached; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a isometric view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2  in an unlocked, window closed position with a tie-bar attached; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a side view, cross-sectional view of the window operator and lock of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0033]    While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications 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 claimed inventions 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 subject matter as defined by the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    In  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a typical casement window  10  with an integrated operator and lock  12  according to an embodiment of the invention. Casement window  10  generally includes frame  14  and sash  16 . Frame  14  defines opening  18 . Sash  16  is mounted to frame  14  with hinges (not depicted), and can be selectively swung to open and close opening  18 . 
         [0035]    Integrated operator and lock  12  is depicted in  FIGS. 2-9 . Integrated operator and lock  12  generally includes gear mechanism  20 , handle  22 , and cover  24 . Gear mechanism  20  generally includes pinion gear assembly  26 , and arm assembly  28 . Pinion gear assembly  26  generally includes housing  30 , and pinion gear  32 . Housing  30  generally includes front portion  34  and rear portion  36 . Pinion gear  32  is rotatably mounted in front portion  34 . Rear portion  36  generally includes rearwardly projecting parallel walls  38 ,  40 , each defining a guide slot  42  having a straight portion  44  and a curved portion  46 , and with inwardly projecting guide pin  47  extending between parallel walls  38 ,  40 . Pinion gear  32  defines aperture  48  having peripheral notches  50 . 
         [0036]    Arm assembly  28  generally includes arm  52 , connector  54 , and sash interface  56 . Arm  52  may be formed as a single piece, and defines guide slot  54   a  in proximal end  55 , and includes projecting pin  57 . Peripheral edge  58  of proximal end  55  defines gear teeth  60  along straight rack portion  62  and curved gear portion  64 . Tie bar interface  66  is pivotally coupled to proximal end  55  with pivot pin  68 . Hook  70  defining slot  72  is provided along inner edge  74 . Distal end  76  carries connector  54 . Sash interface  56  generally includes track  81  and shoe  79 . Shoe  79  is slidably coupled and engaged with track  81 , and shoe  79  is horizontally pivotally coupled to arm  52  at distal end  76  via a pin  77  received in aperture  78 . Shoe  79  generally includes two portions  83 ,  85 , hinged together with vertical pin  87 . Shoe  79  slides in track  81 , and as it slides, pivots relative to arm  52  about pin  77 , and shoe  79  portions  83 ,  85 , pivot relative to each other about pin  87 , which is oriented transverse to pin  77 . 
         [0037]    Arm  52  is slidably received in rear portion  36  of housing  30 , with guide pin  47  extending through guide slot  54   a , and projecting pins  57  received in guide slot  42 . Pinion gear  32  is meshed with gear teeth  60  of straight rack portion  62  and curved gear portion  64  as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0038]    Handle  22  generally includes arm portion  80 , splined shaft  82 , and gripping tab  84 . Cover  24  defines apertures  86 , and fits over front portion  34  of housing  30  with apertures  86  registered with aperture  48  of pinion gear  32 . 
         [0039]    Splined shaft  82  of handle  22  is received in aperture  48  of pinion gear  32  with splines  88  received in peripheral notches  50  of pinion gear  32  such that handle  22  is rotationally fixed to pinion gear  32 . It will be appreciated that splined shaft  82  may be received in aperture  48  from either side, therefore enabling the mechanism to be installed on either the right or left side of a casement window, and thereby enabling right-handed or left-handed installation. 
         [0040]    Tie bar interface  66  may be coupled so as to drive a tie-bar as typically used with multi-point casement window lock mechanisms, as is well-known in the art. As depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 , tie bar  92  is vertically slidable in guides  94 . Lugs  96  are thereby engaged and disengaged from keepers  98  mounted to sash  16 . An example of a known lock mechanism with tie-bar is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,014, said patent being owned by the owners of the present invention, and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0041]    In use, integrated operator and lock  12  is attached to frame  14  of casement window  10 , and sash interface is attached to sash  16 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , with handle  22  in the downward orientation, lug  90  attached to frame  14  is engaged in slot  72  to lock sash  16  to frame  14  through the coupling of shoe  79  with track  81 , and the meshing of pinion gear  32  with straight rack portion  62 . As handle  22  is rotated upward to a mid-orientation as depicted in  FIG. 8 , pinion gear  32  rotates along rack portion  62 , translating arm  52  downward and disengaging lug  90  from slot  72 , thereby enabling sash  16  to be rotated outward without restriction from the engagement of lug  90  in slot  72 . As handle  22  is rotated further upward, pinion gear  32  rotates along curved gear portion  64 , causing arm  52  to swing outward. Shoe  79  slides upward in track  81 , rotating about pin  77  relative to arm  52 . At the same time, portions  83 ,  85 , of shoe  79  pivot relative to each other about pin  87 , so as to prevent binding as sash  16  rotates outwardly from frame  14 . Through this operation, sash  16  is pushed to an open position by the swinging motion of arm  52  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . These operations are reversed to close and lock the window. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that connector  54  may be a clip detachable from sash interface  56 , so that arm  52  can be disconnected, thereby enabling emergency access or egress. When tie-bar interface  66  is coupled with a tie-bar assembly as previously described, window  10  may be provided with multiple locking points to improve security as depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0043]    Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions. 
         [0044]    Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. 
         [0045]    Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. 
         [0046]    Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
         [0047]    For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.