Movable or removable closures – Mounted for optional movements – Pivot mounted on sliding member; e.g. – slide-stile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-01-30
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Mounted for optional movements
Pivot mounted on sliding member; e.g., slide-stile
C049S183000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178696
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an improved latch mechanism for a pivotal window sash and in particular a mechanism for rotatably removing the sash from the window frame as the window is tilted about the pivoting axis. Pivotal window sashes are typically used in double hung windows, i.e. windows where there are two sashes, an upper and a lower and wherein the sashes are retained in a channel and travel in a vertical direction for opening and closing.
Window cleaning is a not a task that is enjoyed by the typical homeowner. The same is true of painting window frames. In the case of traditional double hung windows the owner of the premises must either clean the windows from the outside of the premises or else lean out of the open window to clean the exterior surface of the window pane. Cleaning the window from the outside is not usually a problem where the window is on the first floor and there is no shrubbery blocking access to the window or where it can otherwise be reached easily without a ladder. Second story windows and higher are another matter. In these instances the homeowner must use a ladder or resort to leaning out from the open window. This latter method raises serious safety concerns since the window frame is not necessarily strong enough to withstand the pressure exerted by the homeowner's weight as he leans against the window sashes to clean their exterior.
The same problems are also encountered with respect to painting windows. Granted, many of today's windows have their exterior clad in an aluminum or vinyl finish that does not normally need painting. However, these finishes can become weathered over time and it is not uncommon for these windows to require a coat of paint from time to time so they retain their attractiveness As a result of these problems with traditional double hung windows, window manufacturers have developed the pivotal sash. A pivotal sash permits the owner of the premises on which the window is installed to tilt the window into the room so it can be cleaned or painted safely and conveniently without the need for ladders or leaning out the window to get those hard to reach spots.
Traditional double hung windows that can only travel vertically and do not pivot usually have a sash latch that includes a curved inclined plane on the top surface of the bottom sash and a retaining means that receives the inclined plane of the sash lock on the top, interior surface of the top sash. The traditional double hung sash latch Inclined plane engages the retaining means positioned on the top sash as the inclined plane is rotated. The traditional sash latch has been replaced on pivotal double hung windows. Pivotal double hung windows usually employ a pair of sash latches on each window sash. One example of this type of sash lock is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,756 to Simpson. The Simpson patent discloses a pair of sash latches mounted internally below the top header of the sash within a channel in the top header. Other examples of latch mechanism for pivotal double hung windows are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,958 to Szapucki, U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,067 to Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,685 to Dallaire, U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,291 to Schultz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,975 to Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,737 to Riegelman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,353 to Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,765 to Ullman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,768,852 to Hicks and U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,875 to Ahlgren the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a pivotal window sash adapted for installation in a master frame of a double-hung sash window assembly. The double hung sash window assembly has opposed, vertically extending guide rails to enable vertical reciprocal sliding movement of the sash in the master frame while the sash is cooperatively engaged with the guide rails. The sash has a header, a base and a pair of stiles cooperatively connected together at adjacent extremities thereof to form a rectangular sash frame. The sash is retained in the guide rails by a manually operable latch adapted that is installed as a preassembled unit in a cut out portion on an exterior surface of the header. The latch releasably secures the sash to the master frame to permit pivotal movement of said sash when the latch is released and vertical movement when the latch is in place.
The latch has a housing having a top wall with an access opening therethrough, a pair of opposing side walls and a single end wall extending between said side walls, each of said side walls and said end wall extend from the top wall and have a free end opposite said top wall. The presence of the free ends on the side walls and the end wall is an important saving in material as the absence of a bottom wall reduces significantly the material costs for manufacturing the latches of the present invention. The present invention has other significant advantages. For example, the latch mechanism sold by MEC and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,958 to Szapucki has latch bolt with a narrow flange extending from each side of the latch bolt and travels in a slot on each side of the housing. These flanges are made of a thin plastic material that may break off if undue force is placed on the latch bolt during operation of the latch. In addition, the slots in the housing can become clogged with dirt and debris over time thus reducing the functionality of the mechanism. The present invention also has the advantage of being easier to assemble than the prior art latch mechanism particularly the latch mechanisms of the type described in the Ashland patents.
Within the housing is a latch bolt that is slidably received in the housing. The latch bolt has a top wall, two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls. Each of said side walls and each of said end walls extending from said top wall and have a free end opposite said top wall. Just as is the case with the housing, the presence of the free ends on the side walls and the end walls of latch bolt is an important saving in material as the absence of a bottom wall reduces significantly the material costs for manufacturing the latches of the present invention.
The first end wall of the latch bolt is generally perpendicular to each of said side walls, and said second end wall forming a beveled end arranged to be engaged in the guide rail for locking the window sash against pivotal movement. The first end wall has one surface on the interior of the latch bolt and a second surface on the exterior of the latch bolt. The second or exterior surface of the first end wall has a post thereon extending vertically from the end wall for receiving one end of a coil spring. The spring is adapted to engage the latch bolt such that normally the latch bolt is biased so that the beveled end extends into said guide rail.
The opposite end of the coil spring is retained in the housing by the combination of tension from the spring and the presence of first and second reinforcing walls which are on opposite sides of said spring. The latch bolt is retained in the housing be means of a control member. The control member comprises a plate on the exterior surface of the top wall of the housing having a pair of spaced apart members extending from the underside of said plate and passing through the access opening in said housing and an access opening in said latch bolt. The members have a flange on their free end. These flanges retain the housing, the latch bolt and the control member as a unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2768852 (1956-10-01), Hicks
patent: 4837975 (1989-06-01), Simpson
patent: 4995649 (1991-02-01), Magnusson
patent: 5127685 (1992-07-01), Dallaire et al.
patent: 5669639 (1997-09-01), Lawrence
patent: 5671958 (1997-09-01), Szapucki et al.
patent: 6021603 (2000-02-01), Prete et al.
O'Rourke Thomas A.
Redman Jerry
Wyatt Gerber & O'Rourke
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