Abstract:
An adapter system for mounting conventional four-bar hinges within window assemblies that include elongated channels for mounting window hardware. One or more clamps having attachment features aligned with openings in a linkage bar of the four-bar hinges are received within the elongated channels of window sashes. The attachment features provide for aligning the linkage bars to the channels and for both temporarily and more permanently securing the vent bars to the channels.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to window hardware, including linkage assemblies for pivotally supporting windows about vertical or horizontal axes, and to mounting systems for such linkage assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A window hardware mounting system, featuring elongated channels referred to as “Euro-Grooves”, provides a convenient and standardized way of attaching window hardware and accessory options to sashes and frames of window assemblies. The channels have a T-shaped cross section, comprising a channel bottom and two sidewalls with overhanging rails. Hardware can be slid along the channels to desired positions and anchored to the overhanging rails of the sidewalls. Such channel-mount systems can reduce costly alignment, drilling, and other operations required to mount window hardware directly to sashes or window frames. 
         [0003]    The window hardware intended for mounting by way of the elongated channels is typically designed with mounting components that are specially sized and shaped for engaging the elongated channels. For example, my earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/908,696 entitled Channel-Mounted 4-Bar Linkage Assembly, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a vent bar that is specially sized and shaped to be slid along an elongated window channel. 
         [0004]    However, many window manufactures maintain substantial inventories of conventional four-bar linkage assemblies, and at least some of these manufactures prefer to use these already qualified four-bar linkage designs rather than requalify and stock additional designs for engaging the elongated channels. Doubling inventory units and testing new designs can be costly. Accordingly, a need exists for adapting existing inventories of conventional four-bar linkage assemblies to benefit from the mounting advantages of elongated channels. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention among its preferred embodiments features an adapter system that allows conventional four-bar linkage assemblies to be mounted in window frames having elongated channel mounts. For example, a special adapter for attaching a vent bar of a so-called 4-bar linkage assembly to a window sash includes one or more clamps that fit within the elongated channel. The clamps are attached to the vent bar through existing apertures, and one or more fasteners also addressable through existing apertures lock the clamps in place within the elongated channels. 
         [0006]    Existing apertures in the bars of 4-bar linkage assemblies, which are intended for mounting the bars directly to window sashes or frames, can be used to attach the clamps to the bars and to fasten the clamps to the elongated channels of conventional channel-mounts. The clamps are preferably slideable along the channels for locating the bars with respect to the window sash or frame. The fasteners secure the clamps to the channels in a desired position. 
         [0007]    One version of the invention as a window hinge adapted for a channel mount of a window assembly includes the usual features of (a) an elongated track for attachment to a window frame, (b) a vent bar for attachment to a window sash, and (c) a linkage mechanism connecting the vent bar to the elongated track for pivoting and translating the vent bar with respect to the elongated track. In addition, the new window hinge includes a clamp that is slideable along a channel of the window sash and has ears that are sized to extend beneath overhanging rails on opposite sides of the channel. At least one fastener fastens the vent bar to the clamp between the overhanging rails of the channel. 
         [0008]    The vent bar is preferably of the type that has a length and a plurality of mounting holes spaced apart along its length. One of the fasteners preferably extends through one of the mounting holes into engagement with the clamp. For example, the one fastener can be arranged as a compression fastener that draws the vent bar and the clamp together for capturing the overhanging rails of the channel between the vent bar and the ears of the clamp. Another fastener can be arranged as an extension fastener that extends from the clamp into a frictional engagement with a bottom of the channel. The extension fastener is preferably accessible through another one of the mounting holes in the vent bar for moving the extension fastener into the frictional engagement with the bottom of the channel. 
         [0009]    The clamp can also include a post projecting into engagement with another one of the mounting holes in the vent bar for locating the clamp with respect to the vent bar. A locating stop can be formed at one end of the clamp for engaging an end wall of the channel. The locating stop preferably includes a locating tool that is removably mounted at the one end of the clamp. 
         [0010]    For adapting to different length vent bars, the clamp can be one of a pair of clamps, each of which is slideable along the channel and has ears that are sized to extend beneath the overhanging rails of the channel. A first of the fasteners can be arranged to extend through a first of the mounting holes into engagement with a first of the pair of clamps, and a second of the fasteners can be arranged to extend through a second of the mounting holes into engagement with a second of the pair of clamps. The first and second fasteners are preferably compression fasteners that draw the vent bar and the clamps together for capturing the overhanging rails between the vent bar and the ears of the clamps. 
         [0011]    An extension fastener that extends from the second clamp can be drawn into a frictional engagement with a bottom of the channel. The extension fastener is preferably accessible through a third of the mounting holes in the vent bar for moving the extension fastener into the frictional engagement with the bottom of the channel. A post can be arranged to project from the first clamp into engagement with a fourth of the mounting holes in the vent bar for locating the first clamp with respect to the vent bar. A locating stop can be arranged at one end of the second clamp for engaging an end wall of the channel. The locating stop preferably includes a locating tool that is removably mounted at the one end of the second clamp. 
         [0012]    Another version of the invention improves upon a window sash mounting system of a type including a four-bar hinge for mounting the window sash to a window frame. The four-bar hinge has an elongated track for attachment to the window frame and a vent bar for attachment to the window sash. The vent bar has a length and mounting holes distributed along its length for attaching the vent bar directly to the window sash. The improvement includes the addition of a clamp that mountable within a channel of the window sash and a plurality of fasteners that are operable through the mounting holes in the vent bar for connecting the vent bar to the clamp. The clamp has ears that are engageable with overhanging rails of the channel. The fastener also provides for moving the ears of the clamp into engagement with the overhanging rails of the channel for attaching the vent bar to the window sash. 
         [0013]    The channel has a bottom and two sides that extend along a length of the channel and the rails overhang the bottom of the channel from the two sides. The ears of the clamp are preferably sized to extend beneath the overhanging rails on the two sides of the channel. 
         [0014]    The clamp as preferably configured has a generally T-shaped profile in cross section for forming an interlocking joint with the channel. The fasteners that are preferably operable through the mounting holes in the vent bar and include a compression fastener that draws the vent bar and the clamp together for capturing the overhanging rails of the channel between the vent bar and the ears of the clamp. The fasteners that are operable through the mounting holes in the vent bar also preferably include an extension fastener that extends from the clamp into a frictional engagement with the bottom of the channel. The extension fastener is preferably accessible through one of the mounting holes in the vent bar for moving the extension fastener into the frictional engagement with the bottom of the channel. 
         [0015]    A post projecting from the clamp into engagement with one of the mounting holes in the vent bar can be used for locating the clamp with respect to the vent bar. In addition, a locating stop at one end of the clamp can be used for engaging an end wall of the channel. The locating stop can include a locating tool that is removably mounted at the one end of the clamp. 
         [0016]    The clamp can be one of a pair of clamps, each of which is mountable along the channel of the window sash and has ears that are engageable with the overhanging rails of the channel. The fasteners can include first and second compression fasteners that extend through the mounting holes into engagement with first and second clamps of the pair for drawing the vent bar and the clamps together to capture the overhanging rails between the vent bar and the ears of the clamps. The fasteners can also include an extension fastener that extends from one of the first and second clamps into a frictional engagement with a bottom of the channel. A locating stop at one end of the second clamp can be used for engaging an end wall of the channel. 
         [0017]    Another version of the invention as a channel mounting system can be specifically adapted to a hinge assembly having an elongated track, a slider movable along the elongated track, a brace pivotally mounted on the slider, a strut pivotally mounted in common with the elongated track, and a carrier arm having mounting holes distributed along its length pivotally connected to both the brace and the strut. First and second clamps have mounting features aligned with different groupings of the mounting holes of the carrier arm. The first and second clamps are slideable along a channel between sidewalls that include portions that overhang the clamps. Fasteners operable through the aligned mounting holes of the carrier arm act in cooperation with the mounting features of the first and second clamps for drawing the first and second clamps together with the carrier arm. 
         [0018]    At least one of the fasteners preferably fixes a position of one of the first and second clamps along the channel. The mounting features can include at least one post that engages one of the aligned mounting holes for orienting at least one of the first and second clamps. Other of the mounting features can include openings in each of the first and second clamps for receiving the fasteners that are operable through the aligned mounting holes for drawing the first and second clamps together with the carrier arm. A locating stop at one end of one of the first and second clamps can be used for engaging an end wall of the channel. The first and second clamps also preferably include stepped sidewalls joined by intermediate surfaces. 
         [0019]    The invention can also be practiced as a method of adapting an inventory of conventional four-bar hinges having mounting holes arranged in vent bars for receiving fasteners that attach the vent bars directly to window sashes for use with different window sashes having interlocking channels for mounting window hardware. Slideable along the interlocking channels are clamps that include mounting features that are moved into alignment with the mounting holes of the vent bars. Once in place, the clamps are fastened to the vent bars through the aligned mounting holes in cooperation with the mounting features of the clamps for drawing the clamps together with the vent bars. 
         [0020]    The fasteners are preferably operable through the aligned mounting holes for attaching the clamps to the channels. The clamps can be arranged in groups and fastened to individual vent bars. A locating stop can be provided at one end of one of the clamps in each group of clamps for locating the individual vent bars along the channels. 
         [0021]    Another version of the invention as a method of mounting a vent bar of a four-bar hinge to a window sash having an interlocking channel includes attaching a clamp to the vent bar forming grooves that extend along a common length of the vent bar and the clamp. The attached clamp can be slid along the capturing overhanging rails of the channel within the grooves that extend along the common length of the vent bar and the clamp. The attached clamp can be locked to the channel for attaching the vent bar to the window sash. The attached clamp can be slid until a locating stop on the clamp engages a feature of the channel. An adjustable fastener temporarily locks the attached clamp to the channel for testing the position of the vent bar with respect to the window sash. Locking can also include driving a fastener through the vent bar into the window sash for more permanently attaching the vent bar to the window sash. 
         [0022]    The openings and other features for connecting the clamps to the vent bars can be offset with respect to centerlines of the clamps to position the sashes with respect to their window frames. The clamp features can also be arranged or duplicated symmetrically from each end of the clamps so that the same clamps can be used for mounting hinges on opposite sides of the same sash or for mounting sashes that open from opposite directions. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a four-bar hinge attached to a window frame and having an adapter clamp aligned for entering an elongated slot in a window sash member. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the four-bar hinge mounted between the window frame and sash with the clamp received within the elongated slot of the window sash member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the four-bar hinge attached to the window frame and showing by way of an exploded view the attachment of the clamp to a vent bar of the four-bar hinge. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the four-bar hinge mounted in place between the elongated channels of the window sash and frame. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a similar four-bar hinge attached to the window frame and having a pair of clamps aligned for entering the elongated slot in the window sash member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the four-bar hinge mounted between the window frame and sash with the pair of clamps received within the elongated slot of the window sash member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the four-bar hinge attached to the window frame and showing by way of an exploded view the attachment of the pair of clamps to the vent bar of the four-bar hinge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    A four-bar hinge  10  adapted for purposes of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  for pivotally mounting a window sash  12  within a window frame  14 . Except for its further adaptation to the elongated channels  16  and  18 , the four-bar hinge  10  has a conventional configuration. 
         [0031]    An elongated track  22  of the four-bar hinge  10  is attached to the window frame  14  through a bracket  24  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Screws (not shown) extend through openings in the track  22  into threaded engagements with the bracket  24  to draw the bracket and the track  22  together against overhanging rails of the elongated channel  18 . 
         [0032]    Intermediate linkage bars  28 ,  30 , and  32  connect a vent bar  34  (also referred to as a carrier arm) to the track  22 . One end of the intermediate linkage bar  28 , also referred to as a strut, attaches to the track  22  through a first pivot pin  36 . Overlapping ends of the intermediate linkage bars  30  and  32  attach to the track  22  through a second pivot pin  38  that projects from a shoe  40  (also referred to as a slider). The second pivot pin  38  is slideable as a part of the shoe  40  along the track  22 . The opposite ends of the intermediate linkage bars  28  and  30  attach to the vent bar  34  through third and fourth pivot pins  42  and  44 . The fourth pivot pin  42  attaches the intermediate linkage bar  28  to the vent bar  34  along a mid-length of the vent bar  34 . The fifth pivot pin  44  attaches the intermediate linking bar  30  to a cam end  46  of the vent bar  34 . The opposite end of the intermediate linkage bar  32 , also referred to as a brace, attaches to the intermediate linkage bar  28  through a sixth pivot pin  48 . Pivotal motion of the vent bar  34  with respect to the track  22  is accompanied by a translation of the vent bar  34  through a sliding motion of the shoe  38  along the track  22 . 
         [0033]    A clamp  50  is attached to the vent bar  34  through screws  52  and  54  (compression fasteners) that extend through existing openings in the form of slots  56  and  58 . A post  60  of the clamp  50  is aligned with a similarly sized mounting hole  62  in the vent bar  34  for locating the clamp  50  along a length of the vent bar  34 . The clamp  50  has a generally T-shaped cross section (see  FIG. 4 ) with a center section  64  and two ears  66  and  68  that project from opposite sides of the center section  64 . The center section  64  and the two ears  66  and  68  extend along substantially the entire length of the clamp  50 . The two ears  66  and  68  form together with the attached vent bar  34  a pair of parallel grooves  67  and  69  that extend along a common length of the vent bar  34  and the clamp  50 . The T-shaped cross section of the clamp  50  supports a sliding fit with the elongated channel  16 . 
         [0034]    The elongated channels  16  and  18  of the sash  12  and window frame  14  are intended for mounting window hardware, such as may be consistent with so-called “Euro-Groove” systems. The channel  16  has a bottom  70  and two sidewalls  72  and  74  with overhanging rails  76  and  78 . The center section  64  of the clamp  50  extends between the overhanging rails  76  and  78 , and the two ears  66  and  68  extend beneath the overhanging rails  76  and  78 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sash  12  together with its elongated channel  16  can be aligned with the clamp  50  projecting from the vent bar  34  for sliding the clamp  50  along the elongated channel  16  to a desired position for mounting the sash  12  within the frame  14 . For adjusting the mounting location of the vent bar  34  with respect to the sash  12 , the screws  52  and  54  are loosely held in engagement with threaded holes  82  and  84  of the clamp  50 . A setscrew  86  (an extension fastener), which engages a mating threaded opening  88  in the clamp  50 , is accessible through an aligned opening  92  in the vent bar  34 . The setscrew  86  can be turned into frictional engagement with the bottom  70  of the channel  16  for temporarily holding the vent bar  34  in place along the channel  16 . Thereafter, the screws  52  and  54  can be tightened to press the clamp  50  together with the vent bar  34  against the overhanging rails  76  and  78  of the channel  16 . A stop  94  formed at one end of the clamp  50  can be used to engage one end of the channel  16  for initially positioning the vent bar  34  along the channel  16 . Further adjustments of the vent bar  34  with respect to the channel  16  can be referenced to the initial position of the stop  94 . Once finally positioned, a screw (not shown) can be driven through aligned openings  96  and  98  of the vent bar  34  and the clamp  50  into the window sash  12 . 
         [0036]    The same four-bar-hinge  10  appears in  FIGS. 5-7  together with a pair of clamps  102  and  104  for attaching opposite ends of the vent bar to the elongated channel  16  of the window sash  12 . Both clamps  102  and  104  have a center section  106  or  108  and two ears  110  and  112  or  114  and  116  forming a T-shaped cross section that fits within the similarly shaped elongated channel  16  of the sash  12 . Although the two clamps  102  and  104  are shown mounted on the same vent bar  34  as the preceding embodiment, the two clamps  102  and  104  also provide for more readily accommodating different length vent bars associated with hinges of different size. 
         [0037]    Each of the clamps  102  and  104  engages the vent bar  34  in at least two places. Screws  52  and  54  pass through the elongated openings  56  and  58  in the vent bar  34  and engage threaded openings  122  and  124  in the clamps  102  and  104 . The clamp  102  also includes a post  126  that engages a similarly sized opening  96  in the vent bar  34 . A setscrew  128  engages a threaded opening  130  through the clamp  104  for engaging the bottom  70  of the elongated channel  16 . The setscrew  128  is accessible through the aligned opening  92  in the vent bar  34 . The screw  52  and the post  126  align the clamp  102  to the vent bar  34 , and the screw  54  and the setscrew  128  align the clamp  104  to the vent bar  34 . 
         [0038]    A removable locating tool  132  includes a post  134  for engaging a similarly shaped opening  136  in the clamp  104 . The post  134  is also arranged to engage one end of the sash channel  16  for initially positioning the vent bar  34  together with the two clamps  102  and  104  along the sash channel  16 . Adjustments can be made with respect to the initial position of the vent bar  34 , and the vent bar  34  can be temporarily held in place by engaging the setscrew  128  with the bottom  70  of the sash channel  16 . The vent bar  34  can be more securely held in place by tightening the screws  52  and  54  to squeeze the overhanging rails  72  and  74  of the sash channel  16  between the vent bar  34  and the ears  110 ,  112  and  114 ,  116  of the two clamps  102  and  104 . A screw (not shown) can be driven through the opening  62  in the vent bar  34  and an aligned opening  142  in the clamp  102  into engagement with the sash  12  as an even more permanent connection. 
         [0039]    Some offset may be necessary for mounting the vent bar  34  with respect to the sash channel  16  for properly opening and closing the window sashes, and the clamps  102  and  104  are arranged to provide such offset for mounting the sash  12 . The two referenced openings  122  and  142  and the post  126  of the clamp  102  and the two referenced openings  124  and  130  of the clamp  104  are similarly offset with respect to centerlines  150  and  152  of the clamps  102  and  104 . 
         [0040]    However, to maintain the same offset on opposite sides of the same window sash or between abutting window sashes, the offset provided by the two clamps  102  and  104  must be reversed. To accomplish this with the same two clamps  102  and  104 , the two clamps  102  and  104  are made end-to-end symmetric so that the same patterns of features are referenced from both ends. For example, the post  126  and the opening  142  are equidistant from the center opening  122  of the clamp  102 , so the clamp  102  can be rotated 180 degrees while still maintaining alignment with the three openings  96 ,  56 , and  62  of the vent bar  34 . The required symmetry is achieved in the clamp  104  by providing additional openings. For example, an opening  154  is formed in an opposite end of the clamp  104  for receiving the post  134  of the locating tool  132 . In addition, a threaded opening  156  is formed adjacent to the opening  154  for receiving the screw  54 , and a threaded opening  158  is formed closer to the opposite end of the clamp  104  for receiving the setscrew  128  in the new orientation. 
         [0041]    Although described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those of skill in this art will readily appreciate the many possible variations and adaptations of this invention within its overall teaching.