Closure fasteners – Extension link – Multiple
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-04
2002-08-13
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3677)
Closure fasteners
Extension link
Multiple
C292S268000, C292S338000, C292SDIG002, C292SDIG001, C292SDIG003, C292SDIG004, C049S345000, C049S339000, C049S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06431620
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of doors, windows and the like and is particularly concerned with a mechanism for selectively operating and locking a pivotable window or door.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is replete with various types of structures for allowing pivotal movement of so-called partition wall aperture obstructing components such as doors, windows or the like between opened and closed configurations. The field of windows, whether of the casement or of the transom-type, is particularly rich in hand-operated devices including pivoted links performing the opening and closing operations.
Commonly, these prior art structures include a track mountable to a window frame and a sash arm mountable to a window sash.
Pivotable links and associated structures such as a shoe slidable in the track mounts the sash arm to the track in order to support the window sash when pivoted between opened and closed configurations.
In the closed configuration, the sash arm and links are disposed opposite the track with the inside of the sash arm aligned with the inside edge of the track to assure tight closing of the window.
Windows usually include two such mechanisms operating together on opposite sides of the window.
When such prior art structures also provide locking features for locking the window in the closed configuration, they usually require an additional handle component for operating the locking components. Thus, the intended user need to perform two separate actions for opening-closing and for locking-unlocking the window. This can prove to be both tedious and unergonomical.
Furthermore, the use of two separate handles deters the overall aesthetical appearance of the window frame and can prove to be cumbersome especially when one of the handle is of the rotating-type which can interfere with the operation of adjacent components such as window blinds or the like.
Also, some of the prior art structures suffer from numerous drawbacks including overall complexity, leading to increased costs and decreased reliability. Accordingly, there exist a need for an improved mechanism for selectively operating and locking a pivotal window.
Advantages of the present invention include the fact that the proposed mechanism allows for combined closing and locking of the window through a single continuous movement of a single handle and for the unlocking and opening of the window, also through a single continuous movement of the same single handle. This provides for an ergonomic handling of the window and reduces the risk of both deterring the overall aesthetical appearance of the window frame and potentially obstructing adjacent components such as window blinds or the like.
Furthermore, the proposed mechanism having a built-in locking feature, may easily be combined with other conventional locking components so as to provide for dual locking action.
The proposed mechanism is specifically designed so as to be easily and readily mounted to conventional windows and window frames without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity.
The proposed mechanism is specifically designed so as to reduce the risks of having the mechanism jam and is also designed so as to provide a reliable operation without requiring expensive maintenance thereof.
The proposed mechanism is specifically designed so as to be manufactured using conventional forms of manufacturing and relatively simple mechanical components so as to provide a mechanism which will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a mechanism for selectively operating and locking a pivotable window, the window being pivotally attached to a window frame so as to pivot between a window open configuration and a window closed configuration about a window pivotal axis, the mechanism comprising: an actuating rod, the actuating rod having an elongated configuration defining a rod first end, a rod second end and a rod longitudinal axis; a rod mounting means for slidably mounting the actuating rod on the window frame so as to allow the actuating rod to slide relative to the window frame along the rod longitudinal axis; a guiding arm, the guiding arm defining a guiding arm first end and a guiding arm second end; a guiding arm-to-window frame attachment means extending between the guiding arm and the window frame for pivotally attaching the guiding arm adjacent the guiding arm first end to the window frame adjacent the actuating rod, the guiding arm-to-window frame attachment means allowing the guiding arm to pivot relative to the window frame about a guiding arm pivotal axis; an actuating arm, the actuating arm defining an actuating arm first end, an actuating arm second end and an actuating arm longitudinal axis; an actuating arm-to-actuating rod attachment means extending between the actuating arm and the actuating rod for pivotally attaching the actuating arm adjacent the actuating arm first end to the actuating rod, the actuating arm-to-actuating rod attachment means allowing the actuating arm to pivot relative to the actuating rod about an actuating arm pivotal axis an actuating arm-to-window attachment means extending from the actuating arm adjacent the actuating arm second end for attaching the actuating arm to the window; a linking means extending between the guiding and actuating arms for linking the guiding arm adjacent the guiding arm second end to the actuating arm intermediate the actuating arm first and second ends, the linking means being configured so as to selectively allow and prevent pivotal movement between the guiding and actuating arms about a linking pivotal axis depending upon the distance between the guiding arm-to-window frame attachment means and the actuating arm-to-actuating rod attachment means; whereby slidable movement of the actuating rod relative to the window frame along the rod longitudinal axis in a rod first direction causes the distance between the guiding arm-to-window frame attachment means and the actuating arm-to-actuating rod attachment means to decrease causing the linking means to assume an unlocked configuration and eventually causing the actuating arm to push the window towards the window open configuration; slidable movement of the actuating rod relative to the window frame along the rod longitudinal axis in a rod second direction opposite to the rod first direction causes the distance between the guiding arm-to-window frame attachment means and the actuating arm-to-actuating rod attachment means to increase causing the actuating arm to pull the window towards the window closed configuration and eventually causing the linking means to assume a locked configuration.
Preferably, the linking means includes a linking slot and a linking pin inserted in the linking slot, the linking slot defining a linking slot pivotal section allowing relative pivotal movement between the actuating and guiding arms, the linking slot also defining an integrally extending linking slot locking section preventing relative pivotal movement between the actuating and guiding arms.
Conveniently, the actuating arm-to-window attachment means includes a connecting tongue extending from the actuating arm second end, the connecting tongue being reversibly bendable between a tongue rectilinear configuration wherein the connecting tongue extends in a generally parallel configuration with the actuating arm longitudinal axis and a tongue bent configuration wherein the connecting tongue has a distal section thereof laterally bent in a direction leading away from the actuating rod and leading towards the window, the connecting tongue being attached to the window by a tongue-to-window attachment means allowing the connecting tongue to be slidably attached to the window, whereby the bendable nature of the connecting tongue allows the actuating arm-to-window attachment means to compensate for the angular displacement of the window as the window pivots between the window open and closed c
Guillemet Guy
Tremblay Martin
Rodgers Matthew E.
Swann J. J.
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