Movable or removable closures – Mounted for multidirectional or oblique movement – Swings on plural axes; e.g. – pivotal link arms
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-21
2002-09-03
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Mounted for multidirectional or oblique movement
Swings on plural axes; e.g., pivotal link arms
C049S246000, C049S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06442899
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to casement windows and, more particularly, to a track and hinge assembly for casement windows with an improved slide block design, a pivot base that is adjustable, a quick disconnect attachment means for connecting short the tie bar to the pivot base and a means for connecting the short tie bar to the pivot base without requiring a pivot pin or cam to be riveted to the track.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Casement windows are known in which the window is opened by pivoting the sash about one edge of the sash in contrast to double hung windows where the window is opened by sliding the sash along a track.
In a typical casement window, the bottom edge of the sash is supported by a long tie bar or sash arm that is slidably connected on one end to a track that is mounted to the window sill. A second, shorter tie bar is pivotally connected to the sash arm on one end and pivotally connected to the track at the other end. Current designs utilize a pivot pin that is riveted to the track and that passes through a hole in the tie bar. The tie bar is secured to the pin with a removable clip disposed on top of the tie bar so that the tie bar is sandwiched between the clip and the track.
When the sash is opened, the sash arm and, consequently the sash, slides along the track thereby causing the effective axis about which the sash swings to move towards the center of the window opening. This action results in improved accessibility to both sides of the window for cleaning purposes.
One of the problems associated with casement windows is a phenomenon referred to in the art as “sash sag” which causes the lower swinging edge of the sash to strike the sill when the window is closed. Sash sag may be caused by poor installation of the window unit which causes the window opening into which the sash fits to no longer be square. Sash sag may also be caused by improper hinge positioning by the window manufacturer.
There are two primary means that are available for correcting sash sag. One means includes moving the entire track along the sill to correct the pivot point of the shorter tie bar. A second means involves adjusting the pivot point of the shorter tie bar by creating an adjustable attachment between the tie bar and the track. Specifically, the shorter tie bar is connected to the track with a cam system which enables the pivot point to be moved laterally by rotating the cam thereby resulting in the pivot point of the shorter tie bar being moved with respect to the track which has a fixed position.
However, both of the above methods for compensating for sash sag have inherent disadvantages. Any system where the track is relocated requires the screws that hold the track on the sill to be removed, the track shifted and then fresh holes need to be drilled in the sill to attach the relocated track to the sill. Because the adjustment required may be a small lateral distance, there may not be sufficient distance between the old screw holes and the new screw holes in order to properly secure the track to the sill or the old screw holes may overlap the new screw holes thereby making the lateral adjustment impossible. Further, while the so-called cam systems do not require the track to be moved, they are limited in their ability to move the pivot point of the shorter tie bar a significant distance.
Another disadvantage with currently-available hinges for casement windows is the connection between the shorter tie bar and the track. Specifically, as noted above, the track is typically riveted to either a pin or a cam system which is received through a hole at the end of the tie bar. The pin or cam system is secured to the tie bar with a quick-disconnect clip which, in addition to making the window fabrication easier, enables the sash to be removed and replaced as required.
However, the currently-available quick disconnect clips suffer from several disadvantages. Specifically, the clips are always exposed because it is disposed on top of the tie bars and are unsightly because they are not color matched to the other components. The clips also tend to damage coatings applied to the steel tie bar thereby enabling premature rust and corrosion to occur. Further, special tools are typically required to install and remove the clip. Finally, the clips tend to be expensive to manufacture and difficult to assemble.
Yet another problem associated with hinges for casement windows involves the requirement that the pivot pin or the cam be riveted to the track. Typically, the track is made from thin sheet metal which does not provide sufficient support for a pivot pin resulting in the pins bending over relatively easily when fully loaded and which can lead to connection failure. Further, the engagement of the pivot pins with the tie bars causes damage to the coatings on the tie bars leading to premature rust and corrosion. The pins, like the quick disconnect clips, are also visible which provide an unsightly appearance because they are not color matched to the mating components. Finally, a riveting assembly is required for both the track and tie bar components.
Still another disadvantage with currently-available hinges for casement windows involves the slide block which provides the connection between the longer tie bar or sash arm and the track. Specifically, slide blocks often bind because of a lack of clearance over the screws used to connect the track to the sill. Further, the slide blocks are typically held to the track by a combination of an overhang on the track and a lip or wall of the slide block that is trapped underneath the overhang. Due to the minimal track engagement provided by this system, the slide blocks tend to deform the track and pull out from underneath the overhang. Further, the slide blocks tend to bind with other hardware on the track because of excessive height requirements and, the slide blocks tend to interfere with the vinyl weld seams disposed at the corners of vinyl window sills.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hinge and track assembly for casement windows which provides an improved slide block, means for adjusting the position of the pivot pin, means for quickly disconnecting the shorter tie bar from the track, a way to avoid riveting the pivot pin to the track as well as a way to avoid the use of unsightly clips that are in plain view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the aforenoted needs by providing a hinge assembly for a casement window that comprises a track and a slide block that slidably engages the track. The track comprises an elongated horizontal bottom wall that includes an elongated free side edge. The bottom wall is connected to an overhang opposite the free side edge. The overhang comprises a vertical wall connected to a horizontal wall which, in turn, is connected to a downwardly extending flange so that the horizontal wall is disposed between the flange and the vertical wall and the flange and the vertical wall are substantially parallel to one another. The slide block comprises an outer rail and an inner rail that ride on top of the bottom wall of the track. The inner and outer rails of the slide block support a base section above the bottom wall of the track. The inner rail is connected to an upwardly extending retaining wall that extends between the vertical wall and the flange of the track. The slide block also comprises a slot disposed between the retaining wall and the base section of the slide block. The flange of the track extends downward into the slot. The slide block also includes a reinforcing plate that extends horizontally through at least part of the base section of the slide lock before extending downward underneath the slot before extending upward through at least part of the retaining wall. As a result of these features, an improved slide block is provided with increased track engagement for superior pull-out load capacity. The accommodation of the flange of the overhang portion of the track in the slot disposed between the retaining wall and the base section of the sl
Marshall Gerstein & Borun.
Roto Frank of America
Stodola Daniel P.
Thompson Hugh B.
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