Patent ID: 12221824

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example only, and any reference herein to “the disclosure” is not intended to restrict or limit the disclosure to exact features or step of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “exemplary embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “various embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosure so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily incudes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment”, “in an exemplary embodiment”, or “in an alternative embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

It is also noted that terms like “preferably”, “commonly”, and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the disclosure or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the disclosure. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to like elements throughout. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limited as to the scope of the disclosure, and any and all equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the instant disclosure.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the terms “one and only one”, “single”, or similar language is used. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list.

For exemplary methods or processes of the disclosure, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal arrangement, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or arrangement, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present disclosure are not intended as an affirmation that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless stated otherwise, use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterit) is not intended to indicate or imply that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.

For a better understanding of the disclosure and its operation, turning now to the drawingsFIGS.1-10show the disclosure in various views, a typical double hung window50is shown inFIG.1having a frame51, an upper sash52and a lower sash53. In the view shown, the lower sash53is located on the bottom, below the upper sash52. A pair of vent stops10,10′ are inserted into openings (not shown) formed in respective stiles54,54′, or the vertical supports of the sash frame51. When the vent stops10,10′ are in a closed configuration, the window sashes52,53are free to slide relative to one another as the window is opened or closed. When the vent stops10,10′ are in an open configuration, the window sashes10,10′ may be restricted from a full range of motion and fully opening. This orientation and positioning is considered exemplary (and not intended as a limitation) as vent stops10,10′ may also be positioned at other locations about window50as desired, including (but not limited to) the jambs included within window50or positioned horizontally across the top rail of lower sash33.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the exploded perspective view inFIG.2, the vent stop10includes a housing20, a cover40, a bolt30, and a resilient member15. The housing20comprises a lateral side21, a front side22, a back side23, a bottom side24, and a top side25, forming a cavity26. The front side22of the housing20includes a peripheral flange27defining an opening28and a body depending from the peripheral flange27. The housing20includes at least one indentation or channel70formed in the lateral side21facing the cavity26to receive a protuberance37of the bolt30so as to guide the bolt30along the channel70when moving between an open configuration as seen inFIGS.4,5and a closed configuration as seen inFIGS.3,6. In the preferred embodiment, the lateral side21of the housing20includes two indentations or channels70,70′ that are substantially aligned to the opening28defined by the peripheral flange27on the front side22of the housing20. The housing20also includes a pair of walls61,61′ on the lateral side21facing the cavity26that collectively form a slot62for retaining a distal end15bof the resilient member15when the vent stop10is fully assembled. In the preferred embodiment, the pair of walls61,61′ are integrally formed with the lateral side21of the housing20and a back side23of the housing20. The housing20further includes diagonally opposed sockets63,63′ for a purpose to be described in greater detail hereafter.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in theFIGS.3,4,5, and6, the top side25of the housing20has an angular orientation and extends inwardly toward the back side23of the housing20, forming an obtuse angle with the back side23of the housing20and defines a ramp surface75. The end of ramp surface75closest to the peripheral flange27may define a recess76. The distance between an upper surface77of recess76and an underside86of the flange27is determined based on the thickness of the material used to build the window sash and/or window frame, most often vinyl or fiberglass in current windows. The bottom side24of the housing20defines a straight sidewall forming a substantially perpendicular angle with the back side23of the housing20. The bottom side24of the housing20may also include one or more spring legs65depending therefrom configured to engage a window wall surface under compression, so as to facilitate an easier entry and removal relative to the prior art. The spring leg65originates proximate the back side23of the housing20and extends outwardly and then upwardly from the bottom side24of the housing20, terminating just below an underside surface86of the flange27. In the preferred embodiment, the spring leg65defines a curved section90and a straight section89, with the curved section90attached to the bottom side24of the housing20. The curved section90of the spring leg65functions as a pivot point, whereby the straight section89can flex towards and away from the housing20. The straight section89of the spring leg65includes a protrusion88located near a distal end (i.e., the end not integrally formed with the housing20) of the spring leg65. The distance between an upper surface87of protrusion88and the underside86of the flange27may be selected based on the typical thickness of the material used to build the window sash and/or window frame, most often vinyl or fiberglass in current windows. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the upper surface87of the protrusion88and the underside86of the flange27is substantially equal to the distance between an upper surface77of recess76and an underside86of the flange27.

The preferred cover40of the vent stop10as seen inFIGS.5and6includes a lateral side41that includes diagonally opposing pegs64,64′ on the inside thereof for engagement with sockets63,63′, respectively. The overall shape of the cover40is substantially similar to the lateral side21of the housing20so that when the cover40is mated with the housing20, the lateral sides41,21respectively of the vent stop10are fully enclosed. The cover40also includes a wedge66proximate a back side43of the cover40. The wedge66is configured (i.e., sized, shaped and otherwise capable) to seat within the slot62formed by the pair of walls61,61′ when the cover40is mated with the housing20. When mated together, the pegs64,64′ of the cover40form an interference fit (e.g., press fit) with the sockets63,63′ of the housing20. The cover40further includes at least one indentation forming a channel80on the lateral side41of the cover40that corresponds to the at least one channel70formed on the lateral side21of the housing20when the cover40and housing20are mated together. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, the cover40includes two indentations forming two channels80,80′ on the lateral side41of the cover40. When the preferred cover40is mated together with the housing20, the channels80,80′ of the cover40align with the channels70,70′ of the housing20.

The channels70,70′,80,80′ are preferably indentations on the lateral sides21,41of the housing20and cover40, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the channels70,70′,80,80′ are substantially formed along an axis that is aligned to the opening28defined by the peripheral flange27on the front side22of the housing20. The preferred channels70,70′,80,80′ are somewhat arcuate in shape having an upper portion71,71′,81,81′ respectively that defines a straight channel and a lower portion72,72′,82,82′ respectively that defines a slight bend. The somewhat arcuate shaped channels70,70′,80,80′ allow for mostly lateral movement with a limited longitudinal movement as the bolt30is pressed into the cavity26formed by the housing20and cover40.

The bolt30, as shown inFIGS.2,5,6,9, and10, has a generally rectangular-shaped body38that includes two lateral sides31,31′, a front side32, a back side33, and two longitudinal sides forming top side35and bottom side34. The bolt30may include at least one leg36depending from the back side33of the body38. The leg36extends below the generally rectangular-shaped body38and includes a protuberance37and a tab projection39. The bolt30also defines a conduit16on the back side33of the rectangularly shaped body38for receipt of a proximal end15aof the resilient member15. In the preferred embodiment, the leg36includes respectively two protuberances37,37′ on each lateral side31,31′ of the bolt30. The protuberances37,37′ are preferably a circularly shaped extrusion that is configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to fit into the channels70,70′,80,80′ formed in the housing20, and cover40respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the tab projection39of the leg36is a projection that extends outwardly from the top longitudinal side35of the bolt30. In the preferred embodiment, as best seen inFIG.2, the bolt30includes two legs36,36′ depending from the back side33of the bolt30. In the preferred embodiment, each leg36,36′ includes a tab projection39,39′ respectively extending outwardly from the top longitudinal side35and the bottom longitudinal side34to prevent the bolt30from passing through the opening28of the housing40. The tab projections39,39′ are configured (i.e., sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to inhibit the bolt30from displacing out of the cavity26through the opening28as seen inFIG.5. The front side32of the bolt30also includes a top surface12configured to be pressed by a user. In the preferred embodiment, the top surface12of the bolt30defines a concave surface as seen inFIG.5and may further include a notch13at the edge between the front side32and top longitudinal side35. When the bolt30is fully depressed into the cavity26, the lower portions72,72′,82,82′ of the channels70,70′,80,80′ urge the bolt30to move slightly longitudinally towards the top side25of the housing20of the vent stop10. When the bolt30is urged slightly towards the top side25of the housing20of the vent stop10, the notch13formed near the front side32and top longitudinal side35of the bolt30may catch a lip18of the peripheral flange27to lock bolt30into a closed configuration as seen inFIG.6.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, the bolt30may be configured to rock slightly towards the lip18of the peripheral flange27when the bolt30is pressed into the cavity26formed by the housing20and cover40. This is particularly advantageous because it allows a user to maintain the bolt30in a closed configuration, as shown inFIG.6, without any need for additional latching components. When a user wishes to leave the vent stop10in a closed configuration, the user simply pressed the bolt30into the cavity26and then the lower portions72,72′,82,82′ of the channels70,70′,80,80′ urge the bolt30to move slightly longitudinally, towards the top side25of the housing20, so that the notch13may be caught and retained against the lip18of the peripheral flange. The resilient member will urge the bolt laterally, along an axis that is aligned to the opening28defined by the peripheral flange27on the front side22of the housing20. To toggle the vent stop10from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the user presses the bolt30further into the cavity26until the notch13and lip18are no longer engaged, the bolt30is rocked away from the lip18of the peripheral flange27so that the notch13is not caught and retained by the lip18, the bolt30freely extends out of the opening28, and the tab projections39,39′ inhibit the bolt30from displacing out of the cavity26through the opening28, as seen inFIG.5.

The method of assembling the vent stop10of the present disclosure requires less components, is quick and easy to accomplish, and remains mated together without any fasteners. During assembly, before the cover40is mated with the housing20, the bolt30is inserted into the housing20. During insertion, a pair of protuberances37′ align and fit into the channels70,70′ formed by indentations on the lateral side21of the housing20. The bolt30is orientated such that the notch13formed proximate top longitudinal side35and front side32is near the top side25of housing20. Next, the resilient member15is inserted such that a proximal end15aof the resilient member15is positioned within the conduit16formed between the legs36,36′ of the bolt30and the distal end15bof the resilient member15is positioned between the pair of walls61,61′ forming the slot62. The walls61,61′ prevent the resilient member15from inadvertently displacing. After the bolt30and resilient member15are inserted into the housing20, the cover40is mated together with the housing20such that the pegs64,64′ are inserted and frictionally engaged with the sockets63,63′, respectively whereby wedge66will partially seat within slot62between walls61,61′ to prevent distal end15bof resilient member15from kicking outwards when under pressure. When assembled, the bolt30may move between an open position (i.e., wherein a portion of the bolt30protrudes through the slotted opening28of the housing20) as shown inFIG.5and a closed position (i.e., wherein the entire bolt30is essentially within the cavity26and no portion of the bolt30protrudes through the slotted opening28of the housing20) as shown inFIG.6.

To install the vent stop10, the bottom side24is inserted first by positioning the spring leg65in an opening (not shown) formed in stile54such that the underside86(FIG.6) of the flange27contacts the surface of the stile54. The top side25of the housing20is then pushed, pivoting the top side25towards the stile54and forcing the spring leg65to compress until the recess76(FIG.5) fits in the opening formed in the stile54and the underside86of the flange27is completely contacting the surface of the stile54. When the vent stop is fully installed, the compressive forces in the spring leg65press the top side25of the housing20against the edge of the opening formed in the stile54. Thus, the vent stop10is maintained within the opening in the stile54by compressive forces, without any fasteners, and is oriented along the longitudinal axis of the housing20.

The vent stop10can be removed from the opening formed in the stile54by essentially reversing the process described above. First, the vent stop10will be pulled or pushed downwardly towards the bottom end24of the housing20so that the spring leg65compresses against the edge of the opening formed in the stile54. Then, pivoting the top side25of the housing20until the edge of the opening formed in the stile54is clear of the ramped surface75of the top side25so that the top side25of the vent stop10can be pivoted away from the opening formed in the stile54.

Apart from the ability to be removed from the sash54without damage, the vent stop10of the disclosure is also more forgiving with imperfectly formed openings in the stile54and variations in thickness of the sash material (i.e., vinyl or fiberglass). As noted above, the vent stop10of the disclosure is held in place by the compressive force of the spring leg65asserting forces against the edges of the opening in the stile54, rather than by clamping or pinching the sash material between a spring leg65and the flange27. Accordingly, the vent stop10of the disclosure will be held in place so long as the spring leg65is under some compression when the vent stop10is installed.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.