Abstract:
An operator for a window comprising a base designed to be secured to a window sash, an arm having first and second ends with the first end being secured to the base and a first end of the arm having a worm wheel formed thereon, a shaft having a worm operatively connected to the worm wheel, a handle secured to the shaft, a locking mechanism comprising a multipoint tie bar, and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move the multipoint tie bar between open and locked positions. The arrangement provides for a compact efficient design which includes a locking mechanism and an opening mechanism located at the same point.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to windows, and more particularly, relates to window operators such as may be used in a casement windows or alternatively, in awning windows. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Casement windows are well known in the art and are widely used in new constructions. A casement window is hinged at the side and has a window sash which is movably mounted within a frame by a pair of hinges mounted between the window frame at the top and bottom of the window sash. The arrangement is normally one in which a track is mounted to the window frame to interconnect a track and window sash. In this respect, a support arm is pivotably connected to the sash arm and to the track. The sash arm is also pivotably connected to a mounting shoe which is supported and guided for movement lengthwise of the track which is mounted on the window. 
         [0003]    An alternative arrangement is to provide an intervening length between the sash arm and the movable shoe to provide for an offset sash arm. Such an arrangement typically includes a second intervening length between the support arm and the movable shoe to provide further support. 
         [0004]    An awning window, on the other hand, is pivoted at the top by hinges. Such an arrangement is desirable in certain situations since the window pivots outwardly from the bottom and will remain in a position to shelter or shield the opening. 
         [0005]    Casement window operators are also well known in the art. The window operator typically will utilize a hand crank which is rotatable and which in turn drives a worm gear. The worm gear in turn will drive gearing which is connected to the arm which pushes the window sash open. As aforementioned, the worm gear assembly includes a gear shaft having the worm at one end with the other end extending outwardly through the housing to engage the crank. 
         [0006]    As described above, there are different opening arrangements for casement windows. A first arrangement utilizes a single arm operator which has an arm which pivots about an axis that is fixed with respect to the window frame and worm gear. A remote end of the arm carries a bearing which slides in a track mounted on the underside of the sash. The known disadvantage of single arm operators is the torque required to move the sash towards its fully open position. Thus, the force required both causes difficulty for the person opening the window and also leads to excessive wear of the mechanism. 
         [0007]    A second known type of casement window operator is typically known as a “split arm”. A split arm operator includes a second arm which has a pivot point in the middle of the second arm and the remote end of the second arm is secured through a pivotable mounting to a fixed point on the sash. This arrangement allows the window to extend to its fully open position. However, it does suffer from the disadvantage of requiring excessive force at the time of the initial opening of the sash. 
         [0008]    A third type of window operator is typically known as a “dual arm”. The dual arm operator has one arm which rotates about a fixed axis and a housing which carries at its far end a bearing to slide in a track mounted to the window sash. There is also a second arm which has a pivot joint and which is secured at its remote end by a pivotable but fixed connection to the sash. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements to casement window operators wherein on site adjustments may easily be made. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide window operators which include a locking mechanism. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism which ensures that the window operator is not utilized until the window is unlocked. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a window operator for an awning window which allows identical movement on both sides of the window. 
         [0013]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operator for a window comprising a base designed to be secured to a window sash, an arm having first and second ends, the first end being secured to the base, the first end of the arm having a worm wheel formed thereon, a shaft having a worm operatively connected to the worm wheel, a handle secured to the shaft, a locking mechanism comprising a multi-point tie bar, and an actuator connected to a rack and pinion gear arrangement to move the multi-point tie bar between open and locked positions. 
         [0014]    According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operator for a window comprising a base designed to be secured to a window sash, an arm having first and second ends, the first end being secured to the base, the first end of the arm having a worm wheel formed thereon, a shaft having a worm operatively connected to the worm wheel, a handle secured to the shaft, a locking mechanism comprising a blade, a guide mounted on the sash, the blade being movable within the guide, and an actuator connected to the blade to move the blade between open and locked positions, the actuator, when in the locked position, preventing access to the handle, the actuator when moved to the open position allowing access to the handle. 
         [0015]    In one of the above aspects, the operator is used with casement windows wherein the window is hinged on the side between the top and bottom of the window sash. The operator of the present invention may be utilized with a single arm, split arm or dual arm arrangement. 
         [0016]    As mentioned above, the operator preferably utilizes a worm wheel or gear formed at a first end of an arm and which worm wheel is designed to engage a worm formed at one end of a shaft. The arm may be secured to the base by suitable securement members. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a multi point tie bar which is utilized in a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism is incorporated with the operator within the same housing. The locking mechanism is arranged such that the window must be unlocked prior to use of the window crank for opening of the window. This arrangement overcomes the problem of a user attempting to open the window while still locked. Frequently, excessive force is utilized by the person attempting to open the window which can lead to breakage of one or more of the components. 
         [0018]    The locking mechanism should meet several standards for the industry. One requirement for many manufacturers is that integrated locking and opening mechanisms fit within pre-designed openings in the window. To do so, a compact design must be utilized. In the instant invention, the use of a rack and pinion gear allows for a compact design which also provides an arrangement which resists opening from the exterior of the window. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be now made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a window assembly using an operator; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the window operator; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3A  and B are perspective views of a portion of an operator utilizing a double arm arrangement; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the operator of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the operator of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a portion of the window operator illustrating a locking system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a portion of the locking system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partial plan view illustrating a portion of the locking system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a plan view, partially in cutaway, of a reverser used in an awning window; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 12A , B and C illustrate operation of the actuator and handle; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 13A , B, C and D are top views thereof; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a further embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a window generally designated by reference numeral  10  and which window  10  includes a window frame  12  and a sash  14 . An operator  16  is utilized to open and close a window which is of the casement type. 
         [0036]    Operator  16 , as may be better seen in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , includes a base  18  which has a plurality of mounting apertures  20 . As is conventional, base  18  may be secured to the window frame by screws or other suitable mechanical fasteners. 
         [0037]    Mounted on the upper side of base  18  are posts  22  and  24  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. Base  18  also has a aperture  26 . 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, operator  16  includes a first arm  28  and a second arm  30 . Arms  28  and  30  are conventional in the art of window operators. Arms  28  and  30  are secured by rivet  32 . 
         [0039]    Arm  28  has a first end generally designated by reference numeral  34  and forms a portion of a worm wheel  36 , as is well known in the art. It will be noted that there is provided an aperture  33  in worm wheel  36  and which aperture  33  overlies aperture  26 . A shim  38  is placed between worm wheel  36  and base  18 . 
         [0040]    An upper securement member  40  works in conjunction with a lower securement member  42  to secure arm  28  in position. In this regard, upper securement member  40  has a threaded recess which is designed to screwthreadedly engage with threads  44  on lower securement member  42 . In this arrangement, the lower securement member  42 , upon tightening the same, draws upper securement member  40  downwardly into position to maintain a secure connection therebetween. 
         [0041]    A shaft  46  has a worm  48  formed at one end thereof. At the opposed end, there is provided a spur gear  50  and worm screw  57  which is designed to engage with a handle  51 . 
         [0042]    Shaft  46 , at the end proximate worm  48 , has a recess  52  which is designed to receive a ball bearing  54  to allow for easy turning of shaft  46 . A thermal seal  56  is also provided to prevent the passage of air from the interior of operator  16 . 
         [0043]    Operator  16  also includes a monocoque housing  58  which has two internally threaded cylinders  60 ,  62  which are designed to receive screws  64 ,  66  passing through post  22  and  24  to thereby mount the base  18  to the monocoque housing  58 . 
         [0044]    Ideally, a sealing member  68  is provided for thermal sealing against sash  14 . 
         [0045]    Turning to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 , there is illustrated a double arm operator and which double arm operator is generally designated by reference numeral  100 . Double arm operator  100  includes a handle  102  and a base  104  which has a plurality of mounting apertures  106 . 
         [0046]    A first arm  108  includes a mounting aperture  110  formed therein. A second arm  112  has a second arm extension  114  as in the previously described embodiment. A mounting aperture  116  is formed in the center of worm wheel  118 . A shim  120  is mounted between second arm  112  and first arm  108 . As in the previously described embodiment, there is provided an upper securement member  122  and a lower securement member  124  which are screwthreadedly engaged with each other. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, there is provided a second worm wheel  126  while as may be seen in  FIG. 3B , there is provided an aperture  128  for mounting of worm wheel  126 . In this regard, it may be mounted in the same manner as previously described with use of upper and lower securement members. 
         [0048]    As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a plate  310 . A worm  312  operates in conjunction with worm gear  314 . An arm  316  is connected to worm gear  314  as in previously described embodiments. 
         [0049]    There is also provided a pinion gear  318  and securement member  320 . Pinion gear  318  is designed to mesh with rack gear  322 . 
         [0050]    The blade is formed of a plurality of blade members  326  and connectors  324  with plugs  328 . In this arrangement, a series of precut blade members  326  may be arranged to have the desired length. The length will vary upon the size of the window. 
         [0051]    The track includes a corner component generally designated by reference numeral  334 . Corner component  334  has a base  336  and a pair of side walls  338  which are angled inwardly so as to retain the blade therein. Side walls  338  and base  336  form a channel  340 . Blade members  336  are serrated or have teeth  344  formed thereon. 
         [0052]    Where a blade member  336  passes through corner  334 , there is provided an upper corner element  348  and a lower corner element  350 . Upper corner element  348  includes a center portion  352  which is arranged to press on a blade member  326  as it goes through the corner. As upper corner element  348  is formed of a low friction material, this assists in the blade moving around the corner. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when utilizing an awning type window which is hinged on both sides, it is desirable to have a locking mechanism on each side. Naturally, it is further desired that a single motion be utilized for locking both sides. Still further, it is desirable that the locking movement be in the same direction—to lock the mechanism would move vertically upwardly and to unlock, would move vertically downwardly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, this is achieved by use of a reverser generally designated by reference numeral  356 . Reverser  356  has a housing  358 . A first blade member  360  extends to a first side. First blade member  360  has a base  362  and side walls  364  which have teeth  366  formed thereon. A portion of the blade has teeth and is operated by a rotatable cog wheel  368 . On the other side, there is provided a second blade member  360 ′ which also has a base  362 ′ and side walls  364 ′ with teeth  366 ′ engaging with teeth on rotatable cog wheel  368 . 
         [0054]    In the embodiment shown as  FIGS. 12A , B, C and  13 A, B, C and D, an arrangement is provided whereby the window must be unlocked before it can be opened. To this end, there is provided a handle  376  mounted to a base  378  in a pivotable manner. Housing  380  has a recess  382  therein such that the handle, which is used to open or close the window, can be moved from a first position wherein it is retained partially within recess  382  in housing  380 . An actuator handle  384 , when used to lock the window, is moved to the position illustrated in  FIG. 12A . As indicated by arrow  386 , actuator handle  384  must be moved to unlock the window to gain access to handle  376 . 
         [0055]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , there is provided a mechanism to maximize security if the locking mechanism is tampered with from the outside. A recess  390  is formed in pinion gear  318 . A cantilever spring  392  having a head  394  and legs  396  is arranged such that head  394  will fit within recess  390  when in a fully locked position. This provides additional resistance to tampering with the locking mechanism from the outside of the window while actuator handle  384  can provide sufficient leverage to easily move spring head  394  from recess  390 . 
         [0056]    It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.