Closure fasteners – Bolts – Sliding
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2002-03-12
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Closure fasteners
Bolts
Sliding
C292SDIG002, C292SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354639
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms for casement windows. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved lock handle assembly or actuator assembly for a casement window lock. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to an improved lock handle assembly or actuator assembly for installation on vinyl casement windows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Casement windows are known. In the past, the locking of a casement window sash to a window frame has been problematic because casement window sashes have a tendency to warp with age and therefore it can be difficult to hold an entire side edge of a sash against a frame for locking purposes. Further, casement window operators typically apply the closing force to only one end of the casement window sash, e.g. the bottom end, and therefore there is a tendency for one end of the sash to engage the frame before the opposing end of the sash. As a result, the side edge of the sash that is to be locked against the frame does not engage the frame all at once thereby making the sash difficult to lock.
To overcome these problems, tie bars have been employed along the edge of the frame to lock the sash against the frame. The tie bars typically include a plurality of rollers mounted on the tie bar that engage ramped keepers spaced along the edge of the window sash. To overcome the warping problem discussed above, the rollers and keepers are appropriately spaced so that the rollers engage the keepers in a sequential manner, starting from the bottom of the sash and ending with the top of the sash. As a result, the bottom of the sash is locked first and the sequential interaction of the middle and top rollers with the middle and top keepers respectively results in the middle and top portions of the sash being pulled against the frame and locked shut.
However, due to the success and wide acceptance of such sequential locking mechanisms, these locking mechanisms are used in a variety of different windows having window frames and window sashes with a variety of dimensions and configurations. As a result, the spacing between the handle or actuator from the tie bar can vary depending upon the manufacturer and window style. Some locks are usable only with certain styles of windows and other window styles require that locks be specifically manufactured for that style. As a result, manufacturing costs can be quite high and the wide variety of locks that are required requires builders to maintain undesirably large inventories of such locks.
A further problem associated with casement window locks employing tie bars is the relative ease in which such locks can be picked. Specifically, in many prior art casement window locks, an intruder can pick the lock or force the lock open by sticking a sharp object between the sash and the frame, engaging the tie bar and pushing downward. Many casement window locks will easily open up upon the application of downward pressure on the tie bar because the handles for casement window locks are not held or retained in place and are typically free to move from the locked to the open position. Further, any attempt to employ a retainer or a latch to hold the handle in the closed or locked position would adversely affect the aesthetics of the handle and escutcheon assembly.
Still further, aesthetic demands have required the handle and escutcheon to have a relatively low profile on the inside surface of the frame. Escutcheons that protrude outwardly from the inside surface of the frame more than ¾″ are not preferred by consumers and interior designers because they present a prominent appearance on the inside surface of the frame. Instead, consumers and interior designers prefer a low profile escutcheon/handle combination that attracts little notice.
However, while aesthetics demand a low profile, functionality often demands that the handle be able to rotate 180° in order to impart a sufficient amount of linear travel to the tie bar. As a result, currently available lock handle assemblies are not able to provide a combination of a low profile for the handle and escutcheon in combination with a 180° rotation of the handle.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved lock handle assembly for casement windows that can be utilized on a variety of window designs, that is relatively pick proof or “jimmy” proof and further that provides a combination of a low profile for the escutcheon and handle with a sufficient amount of lever throw resulting in a sufficient amount of linear travel for the tie bar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a lock handle assembly that satisfies all of the aforenoted needs. Specifically, the lock handle assembly of the present invention is readily adaptable to a wide variety of window sizes and styles due to its use of a connecting link between the tie bar and the lock handle mechanism. Further, the lock handle assembly of the present invention includes a drive gear link which provides an “over center” condition relative to the central point of rotation which makes the lock handle assembly of the present invention especially difficult to pick or jimmy. Still further, the lock handle assembly of the present invention includes an escutcheon that has a low profile on the inside surface of the window frame but still permits the handle to rotate through an arc sufficiently large enough to enable the axis where the connecting link is pivotally connected to the drive gear link to rotate through an arc sufficiently large enough to impart a linear travel to the tie bar in excess of 1.50″.
Specifically, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a lock handle assembly for mounting to a multi-point casement window frame having an inside surface. The lock handle assembly comprises an escutcheon for mounting to the inside surface of the frame. The escutcheon comprises an elongated body comprising an inner side facing away from the inside surface of the frame and an outer side that extends through the inside surface of the frame. The escutcheon further comprises an elongated slot for receiving a handle through the inner side of the escutcheon. The slot comprises an upper end and a lower end defined by upper and lower walls respectively. The escutcheon further comprises an exterior surface. The handle is pivotally connected to the escutcheon by a shaft having an axis that extends transversely through the slot. The shaft further connects a movable link to the handle. The shaft also passes through a fixed gear which is secured to the escutcheon. The fixed gear plate comprises an arcuate gear plate. The movable link comprises a proximal end pivotally connected to the shaft and a distal end pivotally connected to a drive gear link. The drive gear link comprises a distal end pivotally connected to the movable link and a proximate end that comprises an arcuate gear plate in mesh with the arcuate gear plate of the fixed gear plate. The distal end of the drive gear link also is pivotally connected to a connecting link at a connecting axis. The upper and lower walls and axis of the shaft define a range of rotation for the handle ranging from about 100° to about 140°. The connecting axis rotates through an arcuate path defined by an angle ranging from greater than 140° to less than 180° as the handle is rotated from engagement with the upper wall to engagement with the lower wall.
In an embodiment, the fixed gear is attached to the exterior surface of the escutcheon.
In an embodiment, the fixed gear is disposed between the movable link and the exterior surface of the escutcheon.
In an embodiment, the range of rotation for the handle ranges from about 110° to about 130°.
In an embodiment, the range of rotation for the handle is about 120°.
In an embodiment, the angle defining the arcuate path through which the connecting axis rotates ranges from about 150° to about 170°.
In an embodiment, the angle defining the arcuate path through which the connecting axis rotates is about 160°.
In an embodiment, the arcuate gear of t
Chiaia John A.
Minter Peter J.
Marshall Gerstein & Borun.
Oberleitner Robert J.
Roto Frank of America, Inc.
Williams Thomas J.
LandOfFree
Lock handle assembly for casement windows does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lock handle assembly for casement windows, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lock handle assembly for casement windows will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2853021