Movable or removable closures – With means mounting closure for swinging – With latch or lock
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-21
2003-11-25
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
With means mounting closure for swinging
With latch or lock
C292S036000, C292S302000, C292SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06651389
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms for casement windows. More specifically, the present invention relates generally to tie bars for multi-point or sequential locking mechanisms for casement windows. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to an improved tie bar guide used to secure a tie bar to a frame of a casement window and which facilitates the placing of the tie bar and the tie bar guides along the frame of the window. The present invention also relates to an improved means for spacing tie bar guides along a casement window tie bar, an improved keeper design and a means for adjusting the positions of the rollers after installation of the tie bar.
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 address the warping problem discussed above, the rollers and keepers are appropriately spaced so that the rollers engage the keepers in a sequential manner, typically 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 wide variety of dimensions and configurations. As a result, a single style of locking hardware is often installed on a wide variety of window frames. Therefore, the installer can often be confused as to the precise location of the tie bar and tie bar guides along the inside surface of the window frame. If the tie bar and tie bar guides are not installed properly, they must be removed and reinstalled which may result in the leaving of some unsightly holes along the inside surface of the window frame. Therefore, there is a need for an improved tie bar and tie bar guide system which facilitates the placement of the tie bar and tie bar guides along the inside surface of the window frame to ensure that the tie bar and tie bar guides are installed at the right location and at the right distance from the handle or actuator.
Another problem associated with the use of conventional tie bars and tie bar guides is the correct spacing of the tie bar guides along the tie bar. Specifically, as the tie bar slides through the tie bar guides, it is structurally important for the tie bar guides to be mounted to the inside surface of the window frame in an even, spaced-apart fashion. Further, because the tie bar guides slide over the tie bar, it is difficult for the installer to space the tie bar guides evenly apart as they are being secured to the window frame. Therefore, there is a need for an improved tie bar and tie bar guide combination which makes it easier to evenly space the tie bar guides along the tie bar and window frame.
Another problem associated with the use of conventional tie bars, rollers and keepers is the frequency in which the keepers may be pulled out of the window sash. Specifically, typical keepers are screwed into the sash with two screws disposed normal to the sash surface. Because the force imposed on the keeper by the rollers is predominantly in a direction normal to the sash surface, these prior art designs require the holding power of the screws in the window sash to hold the keeper in place. It has been found that these designs are prone to failure and that the screws holding the keepers in place can pull out of their respective holes in the sash surface. When this occurs, the repair is problematic because the position of the keepers should remain the same in order for proper sequential locking to take place. Hence, the keepers cannot be moved to locate fresh wood for new screw holes without upsetting the locking sequence. Therefore, there is a need for a striker design with improved sheer stress resistance.
Finally, the proper alignment of each roller with its respective keeper is important to facilitate the locking sequence with the least amount of force necessary. Often, adjustments of the position of either the tie bar or the keepers is necessary to facilitate the locking sequence. Accordingly, there is a need for a means for adjusting the position of the rollers with respect to the keepers without having to move the tie bar or the keepers.
Still further, another problem associated with casement window hardware involves the wood stop which overlies the tie bar, tie bar guides and the window frame. Specifically, there is a lack of structural support for the wood stop in the area along the tie bar. Because of this lack of structural support, wood stops are prone to breakage or cracking. Therefore, there is a need for an improved casement window locking system which provides extra structural support for the wood stop to prevent the frequent occurrences of breakage and cracking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the aforenoted needs by providing an improved casement window which comprises a tie bar, at least one tie bar guide through which the tie bar slidably extends, a window frame which comprises an elongated groove that extends parallel to the tie bar and wherein the tie bar guide comprises a body and at least one locating leg that extends outward from the body. The locating leg is received in the groove of the frame. As a result, the combination of the groove disposed in the frame and the locating legs of the tie bar guide ensure that the tie bar and tie bar guides will be mounted to the window frame in the correct position. Further, with the locating legs disposed in the groove of a wood window, the tie bar guides can be adequately secured in place with a single screw as opposed to multiple screws.
In an embodiment, the tie bar guide further comprises a plurality of spaced apart locating legs, all of which are received in the groove of the frame.
In an embodiment, the groove disposed in the window frame is parallel to the tie bar.
In an embodiment, the tie bar guide comprises at least two locating legs with a through hole disposed therebetween for receiving a screw that is used to secure the tie bar guide to the window frame.
In an embodiment, the tie bar guide further comprises a back wall that abuttingly engages the frame. The back wall is connected to a U-shaped top which, in turn, connects the back wall to a front wall. The front and back walls each comprise bottom ends that abuttingly engage each other. The tie bar is slidably received in an aperture formed by the front wall, the rear wall, the U-shaped top and the abutting bottom ends of the front and rear walls. In such an embodiment, the at least one locating leg extends outward from the rear wall of the tie bar guide and into the groove of the window frame.
In an embodiment, the tie bar guide further comprises at least one rib that extends outward from the front wall. Further, the casement window also comprises a wood stop and the rib of the tie bar guide abuttingly engages and provides structural suppor
Chiaia John A.
Minter Peter J.
Marshall & Gerstein & Borun LLP
Redman Jerry
Roto Frank of America, Inc.
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