Window tilt latch

Details Window tilt latch Window tilt latch

2002-01-16

2004-04-13

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

06718693

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to windows and window-mounting apparatus, and more particularly to vertically slidable windows such as the type generally known as “single-hung” or “double-hung” window units, including the jamb liners in which they are slidably mounted. More particularly still, the invention relates to slidable windows of the general type just noted which are mounted to be pivotally tiltable away from their jamb liners for ease of cleaning, etc.
BACKGROUND
Tiltable or “take-out” type windows were developed many years ago and are well known in the art, having become favored by homeowners and the like for the convenience which they provide in cleaning, replacement, etc. This is particularly true in the case of “double-hung” windows, which have two slidable window sash at each window location, i.e., an upper sash and a lower sash which are each slidably mounted in mutually adjacent parallel planes. In order to facilitate the desired pivotal tilt movement of such windows, specially shaped jamb liner profiles have been developed which make it easier for the sides of the sash to be pulled out of their normal position in the jamb liner and moved pivotally in a direction perpendicular to and angularly relative to their normal plane of sliding motion, usually by pivoting about the bottom end extremity of the sash. For example, the portions of the sash sides (stiles) which normally project into jamb liner channels (or the sash side grooves or “ploughs” which normally receive a projecting ridge or rib formed on the jamb liner) may be reduced in height or depth as much as possible to correspondingly minimize the extent to which the jamb liner must be forced laterally outward by the sash stiles when the sash is pivoted and moved away from the jamb liners to tilt the sash, such movement of the jamb liners typically being enabled through the use of a resiliently compressible foam or the like disposed between them and the rigid sides of the window frames in which they are mounted. Other such tilt-facilitating configurations include the provision of angular engagement surfaces between the window sash stiles and jamb liner channels, rather than surfaces which are essentially parallel to the plane of the window sash itself, which is perpendicular to the necessary path of movement which the window sash must follow when pivoting outwardly.
While such measures do facilitate the angular disengagement of the window sash from the jamb liner, so that it requires less physical effort to tilt the sash in the desired manner while cleaning, etc., they also inherently decrease the amount of force necessary to unintentionally displace the windows from the jamb liners, as for example by high-level wind forces during storms and the like. This is particularly true in the case of double-hung windows, in which the upper cross-member (top) rail of the lower window unit is disposed laterally adjacent the lower cross-member (bottom) rail of the upper window unit, at the center of the window, when both sash are fully closed (a location known as the “check rail”). This location then becomes the weakest point in the window unit with respect to resisting wind forces and other such disrupting factors. As a result, abrupt and highly undesirable window failures can occur during storms or high-level winds, when the window sash units are violently and forcibly blown out of their jamb liners and into the adjoining room space, allowing the wind and rain of the storm to enter the room and usually smashing or violently splintering the window units at the same time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a solution for the problem noted above, permitting use of the tilt-facilitating jamb liner/window sash configurations which have been developed over time by providing a positive and reliable window sash interlock means which will positively retain the sash in place regardless of ambient wind forces and the like. Further, the invention provides a selectively controllable interlock means for tilt-type or takeout-type windows, by which the window units remain locked in place against disrupting forces unless and until tilting is desired, at which time a simple and easy manual effort releases the interlock to permit the desired tilting motion of the sash.
Accordingly, the invention provides a selectably actuable interlock for sliding windows which comprises a housing which is mounted upon the sash, preferably at the check rail, with a readily releasable latch member mounted in or upon, and carried by, the housing, preferably biased in a direction which maintains engagement of the latch member with a corresponding wall surface of the adjoining jamb liner, to provide a secure interlock between the sash and jamb liner that precludes undesired release of the sash from the jamb liner for tilting motion but readily permits such release and tilting motion when desired, all without adversely affecting the other operational aspects of the window, such as its sliding motion.


REFERENCES:
patent: 362714 (1887-05-01), Bradshaw
patent: 2169903 (1939-08-01), Ruehl
patent: 3012292 (1961-12-01), Brengman
patent: 3055062 (1962-09-01), Peters et al.
patent: 3124849 (1964-03-01), Osten, Sr.
patent: 3184784 (1965-05-01), Peters
patent: 3197819 (1965-08-01), Trout
patent: 3233278 (1966-02-01), Lundgren
patent: 3429071 (1969-02-01), Phillips
patent: 3434236 (1969-03-01), Weidner et al.
patent: 3462882 (1969-08-01), Brown, Jr.
patent: 3482354 (1969-12-01), Trout
patent: 3524282 (1970-08-01), Kraft et al.
patent: 3611636 (1971-10-01), Trout
patent: 3676956 (1972-07-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 3789549 (1974-02-01), Yip
patent: 3797168 (1974-03-01), Trout
patent: 3844066 (1974-10-01), Nobes
patent: 3861082 (1975-01-01), Dau
patent: 4068406 (1978-01-01), Wood
patent: 4079549 (1978-03-01), Wood
patent: 4227345 (1980-10-01), Durham, Jr.
patent: 4271631 (1981-06-01), Trout
patent: 4363190 (1982-12-01), Anderson
patent: 4364199 (1982-12-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4446654 (1984-05-01), Schoolman et al.
patent: 4452012 (1984-06-01), Deal
patent: 4506478 (1985-03-01), Anderson
patent: 4551881 (1985-11-01), Hoffman
patent: 4570382 (1986-02-01), Suess
patent: 4610108 (1986-09-01), Marshik
patent: 4644691 (1987-02-01), Wright
patent: 4683675 (1987-08-01), Guelck
patent: 4683676 (1987-08-01), Sterner, Jr.
patent: 4887389 (1989-12-01), Haltof
patent: 4955159 (1990-09-01), Rogers
patent: 6026617 (2000-02-01), Stark
patent: 6141913 (2000-11-01), Wong et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Window tilt latch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Window tilt latch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Window tilt latch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3237335