Movable or removable closures – Mounted for optional movements – Pivot mounted on sliding member; e.g. – slide-stile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-05-15
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Mounted for optional movements
Pivot mounted on sliding member; e.g., slide-stile
C049S181000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230443
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a hardware mounting for use, for example, in window and door applications and, more particularly to a tilt-latch mounted in a top sash rail of a pivotal sash window.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pivotal sash windows adapted for installation in a master frame of a sash window assembly are well-known. The sash window assembly typically has opposed, vertically extending guide rails to enable vertical reciprocal sliding movement of the sash window in the master frame while cooperatively engaged with the guide rails. The sash window has a top sash rail, a base and a pair of stiles cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities thereof to form a sash frame, usually a rectangular frame. Typically, a pair of spaced tilt-latches are installed on, or in, opposite ends of the top sash rail.
Each tilt-latch is generally comprised of a housing having an outward end opening and a latch bolt disposed within the housing. A spring disposed within the housing generally biases the latch bolt through the outward end opening to engage the guide rails of the master frame. The latch bolt can have a control button to allow for actuation of the latch bolt. An operator can use his finger to engage the button and actuate the latch bolt wherein the latch bolt is retracted into the housing. The control button can take the form of a hollowed out portion to accommodate the operator's finger. Retraction of the latch bolt releases the latch bolt from the guide rail. When the latch bolts of the opposed tilt-latches are actuated simultaneously, the sash window can then be pivoted from the master frame.
One type of tilt-latch is called an internal tilt-latch. The internal tilt-latch is mounted in the top sash rail. The top sash rail is typically extruded and, therefore, is sometimes referred to as an extrusion. The top sash rail accommodates the tilt-latch substantially within the extrusion. Generally, the internal tilt-latch comprises a housing having a latch bolt which is actuated by a control button. The latch bolt of the tilt-latch extends from the housing and extrusion to engage the guide rail of the master frame. The top rail has an opening through its upper surface to allow access to the control button on the latch bolt. The internal tilt-latch is generally fixedly attached to the extrusion by screws. Typically, the screws pass through the top surface of the top rail to engage the internal tilt-latch. This type of mounting, however, is considered unsightly and typically requires an externally mounted control plate that covers the screws. The tilt-latch can also be screw-mounted wherein the screws pass through a bottom wall or intermediate wall of the extrusion, and similarly engage the internal tilt-latch. This type of bottom or side mounting, however, can interfere with the glass panes of the sash window and associated mounting and insulating materials. Additionally, if a screw-mounted, internal tilt-latch fails and requires replacement, the sash window may sometimes require disassembly to replace the tilt-latch. Furthermore, other types of hardware mountings such as pivot bars, sash locks, sweep locks, casement operators or vent stops can also require screw mountings which can experience similar drawbacks.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hardware mounting that can be mounted in a support structure wherein the mounting does not requires screws to achieve an acceptable mounting. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the hardware mounting is a tilt-latch adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window to a master frame of a sash window assembly.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a hardware mounting is adapted to be mounted in a support structure having an inner wall. The inner wall has an opening. The hardware mounting has a housing adapted to be supported by the support structure. The housing has an outer wall and a first tab extending from the outer wall. The first tab is adapted to be received by the opening in the inner wall. The housing can also support a cooperative member.
According to another aspect of the invention, the housing has a second tab depending from the outer wall. The second tab is adapted to be received by a second opening in the second wall.
According to another aspect of the invention, the housing can be a tilt-latch housing and the cooperative member is latch bolt. The hardware mounting can also include a housing and the support structure is a window sash and the cooperative member is a pivot bar supported by the housing. The cooperative member could also be a sash lock for locking a pair of sash windows.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the master frame has opposed, vertically extending guide rails. The sash window has a top sash rail or top extrusion, a base and a pair of stiles cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities to form a frame. The top sash rail has a first wall and a second or intermediate wall. The intermediate wall has a first opening therethrough. Similarly, the first wall has a slot therethrough. The slot in the first wall is positioned over the opening in the intermediate wall.
According to another aspect of the invention, the tilt-latch comprises a housing which is adapted to be supported in the top rail. The housing has a bottom wall, opposing side walls, a first end and a second end. A first tab depends from the bottom wall between the first and second ends thereof. The first tab is adapted to be received by the opening in the intermediate wall of the top sash rail. The housing further has an outward end opening at one end thereof. A latch bolt is disposed within the housing and has a first end, a second end, and a control button therebetween. The latch bolt further has a nose extending from the first end and adapted to engage a respective one of the guide rails for releasably securing the sash window to the master frame. Additionally, a leg proximal an end of the housing is adapted to engage the stile to locate the housing within the stile.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a portion of the first tab extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing to define a tab surface. The tab surface is adapted to engage a stop wall of the first opening in the intermediate wall. An angled surface of the first tab generally opposes the tab surface. Additionally, the first tab has a recess in the angled surface. The recess allows the first tab to receive a protrusion of the intermediate wall.
According to another aspect of the present invention the housing further comprises a second tab depending from the bottom wall. The second tab is adapted to be received by a second opening in the intermediate wall. A portion of the second tab extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing to define a tab surface. The tab surface is adapted to engage a stop wall of the second opening in the intermediate wall. An angled surface of the second tab generally opposes the tab surface. Additionally, the second tab may have a recess in the angled surface. The recess allows the second tab to receive a protrusion of the intermediate wall.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a means for biasing the latch bolt through the first end opening of the housing is also provided. The biasing means is contained within the housing and is connected at one end to the latch bolt.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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patent: 2568273 (1951-09-01), Clark
patent: 2965935 (1960-12-01), Olsen
patent: 3080621 (1963-03-01), Mendelsohn
patent: 3122797 (1964-03-01), Segre
patent: 3841674 (1974-10-01), Bisbing et al.
patent: 3850464 (1974-11-01), Bisbing et al.
patent: 4167835 (1979-09-01), Nobes et al.
p
Ashland Products, Inc.
Cohen Curtis A.
Stodola Daniel P.
Wallenstein & Wagner Ltd.
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