AU2013234401B2 - A Friction Foot Assembly And Method Of Use Thereof - Google Patents
A Friction Foot Assembly And Method Of Use Thereof Download PDFInfo
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Abstract
(Figure 1) The present invention relates to a friction foot assembly (10) for a sash window or vertically sliding door to apply an abutment force against a surround frame member of the sash window or vertically sliding door and to a method of adjusting the abutment force applied by the friction foot assembly (10). 120 103 100 Figure 1
Description
The present invention relates to a friction foot assembly (10) for a sash window or vertically sliding door to apply an abutment force against a surround frame member of the sash window or vertically sliding door and to a method of adjusting the abutment force applied by the friction foot assembly (10).
ABSTRACT (Figure 1)
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Figure 1
2013234401 27 Sep 2013
A FRICTION FOOT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a friction foot assembly for a window or door and to a method of using the friction foot assembly when fitted to a window or door.
BACKGROUND ART [0002] Vertically sliding doors and windows are typically balanced by a counterweight or spring balance to facilitate operation of the doors or windows.
[0003] For example, modern vertically sliding windows (collectively hereafter referred to as “sash windows”) typically have a spring balance running along or within each vertical frame member or “jamb” within which the slideable window or “sash” is fitted. Each spring balance is connected to a horizontal rail of the sash and anchored to a point at or near the top of the jamb to support the sash and facilitate opening and closing of the sash and stationary positioning of the sash therebetween.
[0004] To assist in the stationary positioning of the sash, many modem sash windows typically also include at least one positioner also known and hereafter referred to as a “friction foot”, which projects outwardly from a vertical edge or “stile” of a sash and rides against the adjacent jamb to assist in holding the sash in place.
[0005] Friction feet are typically retrofitted to a sash or vertically sliding door in order to correctly position each friction foot so that it at least partially abuts with the adjacent jamb. The process can be complicated and time-consuming, particularly due to the limited work space.
[0006] Furthermore, each friction foot typically needs to be removed and re-fitted whenever the sash or vertically sliding door is removed or replaced for repair or maintenance.
[0007] A further complication is that with use each friction foot will eventually wear down and need replacement or at least re-positioning to maintain an at least partial abutment with the jamb to ensure optimal working condition.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction foot assembly for use
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 with a sash window or vertically sliding door that may minimize or overcome at least one of the problems, difficulties or complications mentioned above, or which may provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.
[0009] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one aspect, resides broadly in a friction foot assembly for a sash window or vertically sliding door to apply an adjustable abutment force against a surround frame member of the sash window or vertically sliding door, the friction foot assembly including:
a body attachable to one or more frame members of a sash of the sash window or the vertically sliding door;
at least one friction foot associated with the body and adapted to be moveable outwardly from the body to at least partially abut with the surround frame member; and a control mechanism associated with the body and adapted to selectively control movement of the at least one friction foot to adjust the abutment force against the surround frame member.
[0010] In one embodiment, the body may be attachable to a corner of the sash or the vertically sliding door, the comer including a horizontal frame member and a comer connector. The control mechanism may be adapted to be at least partially received in the comer connector.
[0011] Advantageously, the friction foot assembly allows the position of the at least one friction foot to be selectively controlled without removal of the friction foot assembly from a sash or vertically sliding door. As such, the friction foot assembly may be pre-fitted to sashes and vertically sliding doors prior to installation. The at least one friction foot is able to be correctly positioned to at least partially abut with an adjacently positioned jamb after installation with any required or desired abutment force.
[0012] Additionally, the position of the at least one friction foot may be readily adjusted when the sash is removed for repair or maintenance without removal of the friction foot assembly from the sash or vertically sliding door.
[0013] Furthermore, the position of the at least one friction foot may be readily adjusted to correct for wear of the friction foot over time and/or to optimise the working condition of the sash window or vertically sliding door, e.g., to reduce the load on any spring balances used to facilitate opening and closing of the sash window or vertically sliding door and stationary positioning of the sash between the open and closed positions.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0014] As indicated above, the friction foot assembly may be used with both sash windows and vertically sliding doors. It is considered, however, that the invention will be particularly suited for sash windows, particularly double dung sash windows, but in no way is to be limited to use solely with sash windows.
[0015] A sash window typically includes a surround frame that is fixed into a wall cavity. The surround frame contains top and bottom surround frame members, also known as the “head” and “sill”, respectively, and opposed vertical surround frame members or jambs.
[0016] The surround frame may receive at least two sashes of which one may be vertically moveable and the other fixed (known as a “single hung sash window”), or which both may be vertically moveable (known as a “double hung sash window”).
[0017] Each sash typically contains an infill panel such as, for instance, one or more sheets of glass or glass equivalents such as clear plastic, i.e., polycarbonate, surrounded by opposed vertical frame members or stiles, and upper and lower horizontal frame members also known as “rails”. Collectively, the opposed vertical frame members and the upper and lower horizontal frame members may be known as “frame members”.
[0018] Both the surround frame members and the frame members of the sashes include extrusions. The extrusions typically are made of metal or plastic, preferably metal, more preferably aluminium.
[0019] The surround frame members, particularly the opposed vertical surround frame members or jambs, define one or more channels sized and shaped to at least partially accommodate an edge of an opposed vertical frame member of the sash.
[0020] Typically, the one or more channels defined by each of the opposed vertical surround frame members accommodate an edge of the opposed vertical frame member and at least one spring balance anchored at a location along the opposed vertical frame member.
[0021] The sash frame members may have “profiled” ends such that the ends may mate and be connected to each other. Typically, however, the sash frame members will all have square cut ends that may be connected to each other by comer connectors. Each frame member having an opening at each square cut end to allow a corner connector to be fitted into the opening thereby enabling the sash to be assembled.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0022] Typically, the corner connector will have a substantially L-shaped configuration that allows a part of the connector to be attached to a vertical frame member and another part to be attached to a horizontal frame member. A corner connector may be provided at each corner of the sash.
[0023] As indicated above, the friction foot assembly has a body attachable to one or more frame members of the sash. The body may be of any suitable size, shape and construction.
[0024] Typically, the body of the friction foot assembly may be formed of a plastic or metal material.
[0025] The body may be suitably sized and shaped to be attachable and/or be at least partially received in a corner of the sash. The body may be attachable to a lower corner of the sash including a lower horizontal frame member and a corner connector or an upper comer of the sash including an upper horizontal frame member and a corner connector.
[0026] Preferably, the body will be attachable to a lower corner of the sash.
[0027] The body may be substantially L-shaped having a first part and a second part. The substantially L-shaped body may be adapted to complement the corner to which it is attached.
[0028] The first part may be adapted to align at least partway along an outer surface of the corner connector and be at least partially received in a corresponding opening defined by the corner connector.
[0029] The second part may be adapted to align partway along and abut with a lower edge of the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash.
[0030] The first part of the body may further include an attachment member for directly or indirectly attaching one or more spring balances. The attachment member may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. Typically, the attachment member may be in the form of one or more hooks each adapted to receive and retain an end of a spring balance.
[0031] Alternatively, if more than one spring balance is used, the attachment member may receive and retain a bracket attached to the more than one spring balance.
[0032] Typically, the attachment member may be of unitary construction with the body.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0033] The at least one friction foot may be associated with the body in any suitable form or way such that the at least one friction foot is able to move outwardly from the body to at least partially abut with a surround frame member. Preferably, such that the at least one friction foot may move outwardly from the body to at least partially abut with an adjacently positioned vertical surround frame member.
[0034] The at least one friction foot may be located relative to the body such that the location of the body attached to the comer connector and the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash, together with the location of the corner connector and the lower horizontal frame member or rail relative to the adjacently positioned vertical surround frame member or jamb, may positively locate the at least one friction foot relative to the vertical surround frame member or jamb of the sash window.
[0035] Normally, however, a portion of the sash is received within a U-shaped channel of the surround frame on either lateral side of the sash. This maintains the sash in position and guides movement. It is preferred that the at least one friction foot is positioned for movement in a direction which is toward either the weather side of the sash window or vertically sliding door or the room side rather than the lateral side of the window or door. Preferably, a pair of friction feet will be provided, one extending toward the weather side of the window or door and the other extending toward the room side, each of which abuts a portion of the surround frame.
[0036] The at least one friction foot may be associated with the first part of the body. The at least one friction foot may be attached to a side of the first part of the body. The at least one friction foot may be housed by the first part of the body. The at least one friction foot may be at least partially received in an opening defined by the first part of the body.
[0037] The at least one friction foot may be of any size, shape and construction and formed from any material or materials suitable to at least partially abut with the surround frame member.
[0038] The at least one friction foot may be formed from a plastic or rubber material.
[0039] The at least one friction foot may have an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion may be adapted to at least partially abut with the surround frame member. The inner portion may be operably associated with the control mechanism. The inner portion may include a bevelled edge.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0040] As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, the friction foot assembly includes at least two friction feet. The outer portion of each friction foot may be adapted to move outwardly from an open end of a channel extending through the first part of the body. Each friction foot may move outwardly to at least partially abut with an inner channel surface of one of the one or more channels defined by the vertical surround frame member or jamb.
[0041] The control mechanism may be of any size, shape and construction and may be associated with the body of the friction foot assembly in any suitable way to selectively control movement of the at least one friction foot.
[0042] The control mechanism may be indirectly associated with the body. Typically, however, the control mechanism may be directly associated with the body.
[0043] The control mechanism may be housed within the body. The control mechanism may be attached to the body.
[0044] Preferably, the control mechanism may be attached to the body and may be at least partially received in the corresponding opening defined by the comer connector in which the first part of the body is at least partially received.
[0045] More preferably, the control mechanism may be sized and shaped to be received in the corresponding opening defined by the comer connector.
[0046] The control mechanism may include any suitable mechanism to selectively control the movement of the at least one friction foot.
[0047] In one embodiment, the control mechanism may include a biasing member adapted to outwardly bias the at least one friction foot from the body. The biasing member may include a displacement member to displace or move the at least one friction foot outwardly from the body. The displacement member may be moveably associated with a spring to move the displacement member toward the at least one friction foot and displace or move the at least one friction foot outwardly from the body.
[0048] In another embodiment, the control mechanism may include a displacement member having an elongate body adapted to be laterally moveable toward and away from the at least one friction foot.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0049] The displacement member may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The displacement member may be of unitary construction or may be of multi-component construction.
[0050] The displacement member may be operable associated with a drive member adapted to be longitudinally moveable and adapted to laterally move the displacement member toward the at least one friction foot to displace or move the at least one friction foot outwardly from the body.
[0051] The elongate body of the displacement member may have an outwardly facing first end that at least partially abuts the inner portion of the at least one friction foot and an opposed second end that at least partially abuts the drive member.
[0052] The displacement member may at least partially abut with drive member in such a way that longitudinal movement of the drive member translates into lateral movement of the displacement member.
[0053] The opposed second end of the displacement member may include a positioning ramp configured to at least partially abut or mate with a corresponding ramp of the drive member. When the drive member is longitudinally moved, the corresponding ramp of the drive member may slide along the positioning ramp at the opposed second end of the displacement member resulting in lateral movement of the displacement member.
[0054] Similarly, the outwardly facing first end of the displacement member may define a wedge with at least one abutment face. The abutment face may be adapted to at least partially mate or abut with the bevelled edge defined by the inner portion of the at least one friction foot. Lateral movement of the displacement member towards the at least one friction foot may press the at least one abutment face against the bevelled edge to bias, move or displace the at least one friction foot outwardly from the body.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the displacement member may be of multi-component construction and include a wedge component and a positioning ramp component.
[0056] The wedge component typically includes the wedge adapted to at least partially abut or mate with the at least one friction foot.
[0057] The positioning ramp component typically includes the positioning ramp adapted to
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 at least partially abut or mate with the drive member.
[0058] The control mechanism may include biasing member suitably adapted to bias the displacement member toward the drive member to maintain an at least partial abutment or contact between the displacement member and drive member.
[0059] Preferably, the biasing member may be a helical spring that extends between a location on an inner wall of the first part of the body and the wedge of the displacement member.
[0060] The control mechanism allows for the movement of the at least one friction foot to be selectively controlled. Preferably, the control mechanism may selectively control the movement of the at least one friction foot by way of the longitudinal movement of the drive member.
[0061] The drive member may be longitudinally moved within the control mechanism by any suitable means. The drive member may be longitudinally moved by way of a connecting rod, actuator or fastener that is externally accessible.
[0062] Preferably, the drive member may be longitudinally moved by way of a threaded fastener. The threaded fastener may extend through an aperture defined in the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash and a co-aligned aperture defined in the drive member.
[0063] More preferably, the second part of the body of the friction foot assembly may further define an aperture, which co-aligns with the apertures defined by the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash and the drive member, to access the head of the threaded fastener for tightening and loosening of the threaded fastener.
[0064] Movement of the at least one friction foot may be selectively controlled by tightening and loosening the threaded fastener. Preferably, tightening of the threaded fastener may increase the abutment force. Preferably, loosening of the threaded fastener may reduce the abutment force.
[0065] In use, tightening of the threaded fastener may longitudinally move the drive member towards a lower edge of the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash resulting in outward lateral movement of the displacement member and the at least one friction foot.
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [0066] Conversely, loosening of the threaded fastener may longitudinally move the drive member away from the lower edge of the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash allowing inward lateral movement of the displacement member and the at least one friction foot.
[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the biasing member may facilitate inward lateral movement of the displacement member.
[0068] Once a desired abutment force has been achieved, the at least one friction foot may be fixed in position by way of a fastening mechanism that fastens the displacement member to the corner connector, the lower horizontal frame member or rail of the sash and the second part of the body of the friction foot assembly. The fastening mechanism may be of any suitable form.
[0069] Preferably, the fastening mechanism may be in the form of one or more apertures defined in the displacement member and configured to co-align with one or more corresponding apertures defined in the corner connector and the second part of the body of the friction foot assembly for receiving a threaded fastener therethrough.
[0070] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of adjusting an abutment force applied by the friction foot assembly as described above against a surround frame member of a sash or vertically sliding door, said method including:
locating and using the control mechanism to selectively control movement of the at least one friction foot to adjust the abutment force against the surround frame member.
[0071] The method may include an initial step of disengaging the fastening mechanism prior to adjusting the abutment force.
[0072] The method may include a final step of re-engaging the fastening mechanism once the abutment force has been adjusted.
[0073] The method may include one or more features or characteristics of the friction foot assembly as described hereinbefore.
[0074] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
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2013234401 27 Sep 2013
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0075] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
[0076] Figure 1 is a front view of a sash with a friction foot assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention located at each of the lower comers of the sash;
[0077] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a friction foot assembly as shown in Figure 1 attached to a corner connector and a lower horizontal frame member or rail of a sash;
[0078] Figure 2B is a side view of the friction foot assembly, comer connector and lower horizontal frame member or rail as shown in Figure 2A;
[0079] Figure 2C is a sectional side view of Figure 2B;
[0080] Figure 2D is a bottom view of the friction foot assembly, corner connector and lower horizontal frame member or rail as shown in Figures 2A to 2C;
[0081] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the friction foot assembly, corner connector and lower horizontal frame member or rail as shown in Figures 2A to 2D;
[0082] Figure 4A is a perspective view of part of the friction foot assembly as shown in Figures 1, 2A to 2D and 3;
[0083] Figure 4B is a perspective view of part of the friction foot assembly as shown in Figures 1, 2A to 2D and 3 at least partially received within a corner connector;
[0084] Figure 4C is a perspective view of the part of the friction foot assembly as shown in Figure 4A attached to a spring balance;
[0085] Figure 4D is a perspective view of the part of the friction foot assembly as shown in Figure 4A attached via a bracket to two spring balances;
[0086] Figure 5A is a detailed sectional perspective view of the friction foot assembly as shown in Figures 1, 2A to 2D and 3 attached to a comer connector and a lower horizontal frame
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 member or rail and fitted within a channel defined by a support frame member or jamb;
[0087] Figure 5B is the detailed sectional perspective view as shown in Figure 5A except that the assembly is applying an abutment force against the walls of the channel defined by the support frame member or jamb;
[0088] Figure 6A is a detailed sectional top view of Figure 5A; and [0089] Figure 6B is a detailed sectional top view of Figure 5B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0090] The figures show a friction foot assembly (10) for a sash window or vertically sliding door to apply an adjustable abutment force against a jamb (400; i.e., surround frame member) of the sash window or vertically sliding door. The friction foot assembly (10) includes a body (20) attachable to one or more frame members (100) of a sash (70) of the sash window or vertically sliding door, and two friction feet (30; i.e., at least one friction foot) associated with the body (20). The friction feet (30) are adapted to be moveable outwardly from the body (20) to at least partially abut with the jamb (400) of the sash window or vertically sliding door. The friction foot assembly (10) further includes a control mechanism (40) associated with the body (20) and adapted to selectively control movement of the friction feet (30) to adjust the abutment force against the jamb (400) of the sash window or vertically sliding door.
[0091] Referring to Figure 1, the sash (70) includes an infill panel (76) such as, for instance, one or more sheets of glass or glass equivalents such as clear plastic, i.e., polycarbonate, surround by four frame members (100) including opposed vertical stiles (102; i.e., opposed vertical frame members) and upper and lower rails (103, 104; i.e., upper and lower horizontal frame members). Corner connectors (120) provided at each comer (74) of the sash (70) connect the upper and lower rails (103, 104) to the opposed vertical stiles (102).
[0092] As shown in Figure 1, the substantially L-shaped body (20) of the friction foot assembly (10) is attached to each of the lower comers (74) of the sash (70) of the sash window or vertically sliding door, in particular to the lower rail (104) and the adjacently positioned corner connector (120).
[0093] Referring to Figures 2A to 2C, 3 and 4A to 4D, a first part (22) of the body (20)
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 aligns at least partway along an outer surface (122) of the comer connector (120) and is at least partially received in a corresponding opening (124) defined by the corner connector (120). A second part (24) of the body (20) aligns partway along and abuts a lower edge (105) of the lower rail (104).
[0094] Best shown in Figures 2B, 2C, 3, 4A and 4C, the body includes a hook (26; i.e., attachment member) extending from the first part (22) of the body (20) for directly attaching a spring balance (300).
[0095] As shown in Figure 4D, in some instances more than one spring balance (300) may be attached to the first part (22) of the body (20) by way of an adaptor bracket (302) that attaches to the hook (26) and has a pair of attachment bodies, each to attach an end of a respective spring balance.
[0096] Best shown in Figure 3, the body (20) defines a channel (28) extending through the first part (22) of the body (20). The channel (28) is sized and shaped to house the two friction feet (30), an outer portion (32) of each being adapted to extend outwardly from the opposed open ends (29) of the channel (28) to, in use, abut with an inner channel surface of the jamb (400).
[0097] An inner portion (34) of each of the two friction feet (30) is operably associated with the control mechanism (40) of the friction foot assembly (10) such that the control mechanism (40) can selectively control movement of the two friction feet (30).
[0098] Referring to Figures 2C, 3 and 4B, the control mechanism (40) is operably attached to the body (20) and is received in the corresponding opening (124) defined in the comer connector (120) such that the control mechanism (40) extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the second part (24) of the body (20) of the friction foot assembly (10).
[0099] The control mechanism (40) includes a two-component displacement member (50) for moving or displacing the friction feet (30) outwardly from the body (20) to at least partially abut with the jamb (400) of the sash window.
[00100] Best shown in Figure 3, the two-component displacement member (50) is configured to be laterally moveable and has an outwardly facing wedge component (52) and an inwardly facing bevelled component (56; i.e., a positioning ramp component).
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 [00101] The outwardly facing wedge component (52) has an outwardly facing end shaped as a wedge (53) that defines two abutment faces (54). Each abutment face (54) being configured to at least partially mate with a bevelled edge (35) defined by each of the inner portions (34) of the friction feet (30).
[00102] In use, when the two-component displacement member (50) moves towards the friction feet (30), each abutment face (54) presses against a bevelled edge (35) of a friction foot (30) to move the friction foot (30) outwards from the body (20).
[00103] The control mechanism (40) further includes a drive member (60) that is longitudinally moveable and has a ramp portion (62) sized and shaped to complement and at least partially abut or mate with a sloped or bevelled inwardly facing end (57) of the bevelled component (56).
[00104] In use, longitudinal movement of the drive member (60) causes the ramp portion (62) to slide along the sloped or bevelled inwardly facing end (57) of the bevelled component (56) resulting in lateral movement of the two-component displacement member (50).
[00105] The control mechanism (40) further includes a biasing member in the form of a helical spring (46) for biasing the two-component displacement member (50) toward the drive member (60). The helical spring (46) maintains an at least partial abutment between the twocomponent displacement member (50) and the drive member (60), and between the wedge component (52) and the bevelled component (56). The helical spring (46) extends between a location on an inner wall of the first part (22) of the body (20) and the wedge (53) of the wedge component (52).
[00106] Referring to Figures 2C, 2D, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the control mechanism (40) allows for movement of the friction feet (30) to be selectively controlled. In particular, the movement of the friction feet (30) is selectively controlled by way of the longitudinal movement of the drive member (60).
[00107] Best shown in Figures 2D, 5A and 5B, the drive member (60) is longitudinally moved by a threaded fastener (80), which extends through co-aligned apertures defined in the lower edge (105) of the lower rail (104) of the sash (70), and the drive member (60).
[00108] An aperture (200) defined in the second part (24) of the body (20) provides access to the head of the threaded fastener (80) for tightening and loosening of the threaded fastener
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 (80).
[00109] Referring to Figures 5B and 6B, tightening of the threaded fastener (80) increases the abutment force of the friction feet (30) against the inner channel surface of the jamb (400).
[00110] Best shown in Figure 5B, tightening of the threaded fastener (80) moves the drive member (60) towards the lower edge (105) of the lower rail (104), which results in outward lateral movement of the two-component displacement member (50) including outward movement of the each abutment face (54) of the wedge (53) against a bevelled edge (35) of a friction foot (30). The outward lateral movement moves both friction feet (30) outwards from the body (20) to apply and/or increase the abutment force of the friction feet (30) against the jamb (400).
[00111] Referring to Figures 5A and 6A, loosening of the threaded fastener (80) resufts in at least a reduction in the abutment force of the friction feet (30) against the inner channel surface of the jamb (400).
[00112] Best shown in Figure 5A, loosening of the threaded fastener (80) moves the drive member (60) away from the fower edge (105) of the fower raif (104). This allows inward lateral movement of the two-component dispfacement member (50) and the friction feet (30) thereby at feast a reduction in the abutment force of the friction feet (30) against the jamb (400).
[00113] The inward lateral movement of the two-component dispfacement member (50) is facilitated by the helical spring (46).
[00114] Referring back to Figures 2C and 2D, once a desired abutment force has been achieved, the friction feet (30) can be fixed in position by way of a threaded fastener (90) received through co-aligned apertures defined in the comer connector (120), the second part (24) of the body (20) of the friction foot assembfy (fO) and the two-component dispfacement member (50).
[00115] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[00116] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
2013234401 27 Sep 2013 embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
[00117] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
2013234401 18 May 2018
Claims (19)
1. A friction foot assembly for a sash window or vertically sliding door to apply an adjustable abutment force against a surround frame member of the sash window or vertically sliding door, the friction foot assembly including:
a body attachable to one or more frame members of a sash of the sash window or the vertically sliding door;
at least one friction foot associated with the body and having a bevelled edge, the at least one friction foot adapted to be moveable outwardly from the body in a first direction to at least partially abut with the surround frame member; and a control mechanism associated with the body and adapted to selectively control movement of the at least one friction foot to adjust the abutment force against the surround frame member, the control mechanism including:
a) A drive member having a ramp portion and selectively moveable in a second direction;
b) A displacement member having;
i. a bevelled inwardly facing end to abut the ramp portion of the drive member to move the displacement member in a third direction, and ii. an outwardly facing end including a wedge to abut the bevelled edge of the at least one friction foot;
such that movement of the drive member in a second direction drives movement of the displacement member in a third direction which drives movement of the at least one friction foot adapted to be moveable outwardly from the body in a first direction.
2. The friction foot assembly of claim 1, wherein the body is attachable to a lower comer of the sash including a lower horizontal frame member and a corner connector or an upper comer of the sash including an upper horizontal frame member and a corner connector.
3. The friction foot assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body is attachable to a lower comer of the sash including a lower horizontal frame member and a corner connector.
4. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body is substantially L-shaped with a first part adapted to align at least partway along an outer surface of a corner connector and be at least partially received in a corresponding opening defined by the comer
2013234401 18 May 2018 connector, and a second part adapted to align partway along and abut with a lower edge of a lower horizontal frame member.
5. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one friction foot is located relative to the body such that the location of the body attached to a corner connector and a lower horizontal frame member, together with the location of the comer connector and the lower horizontal frame member relative to the surround frame member, positively locate the at least one friction foot relative to the surround frame member.
6. The friction foot assembly of claim 4, wherein the assembly includes at least two friction feet, each friction foot adapted to move outwardly from an open end of a channel extending through a first part of the body.
7. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one friction foot includes an outer portion adapted to at least partially abut with the surround frame member and an inner portion operably associated with the control mechanism.
8. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control mechanism is attached to the body.
9. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the control mechanism is attached to the body and at least partially received in the corresponding opening defined by the corner connector in which the first part of the body is at least partially received.
10. The friction foot assembly of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism selectively controls the movement of the at least one friction foot by way of the longitudinal movement of the drive member.
11. The friction foot assembly of claim 10, wherein the drive member is longitudinally moved by way of a connecting rod, actuator or fastener that is externally accessible.
12. The friction foot assembly of either one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the drive member is longitudinally moved by way of a threaded fastener.
13. The friction foot assembly of claim 12, wherein movement of the at least one friction foot is selectively controlled by tightening or loosening the threaded fastener.
14. The friction foot assembly of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein tightening of the threaded
2013234401 18 May 2018 fastener increases the abutment force, and wherein the loosening of the threaded fastener reduces the abutment force.
15. The friction foot assembly of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the threaded fastener extends through an aperture defined in the lower horizontal frame member and a co-aligned aperture defined in the drive member.
16. The friction foot assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control mechanism further includes a biasing member adapted to bias the displacement member toward the drive member and maintain an at least partial abutment or contact between the displacement member and the drive member.
17. The friction foot assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually perpendicular.
18. The friction foot assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the displacement member is a two-component displacement member and has an outwardly facing wedge component to interact with the at least one friction foot and an inwardly facing bevelled component to interact with the drive member.
19. A method of adjusting an abutment force applied by the friction foot assembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 18 against a surround frame member of a sash or vertically sliding door, said method including:
locating and using the control mechanism to selectively control movement of the at least one friction foot to adjust the abutment force against the surround frame member.
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Figure 2A
Figure 2C
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Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2013234401A AU2013234401B2 (en) | 2013-09-27 | 2013-09-27 | A Friction Foot Assembly And Method Of Use Thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2013234401A AU2013234401B2 (en) | 2013-09-27 | 2013-09-27 | A Friction Foot Assembly And Method Of Use Thereof |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2013234401A1 AU2013234401A1 (en) | 2015-04-16 |
| AU2013234401B2 true AU2013234401B2 (en) | 2018-06-14 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| AU2013234401A Active AU2013234401B2 (en) | 2013-09-27 | 2013-09-27 | A Friction Foot Assembly And Method Of Use Thereof |
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| Country | Link |
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| AU (1) | AU2013234401B2 (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2017299A (en) * | 1934-07-07 | 1935-10-15 | Jacob N Vikre | Sash holder |
| US2423495A (en) * | 1945-10-22 | 1947-07-08 | Galuska Stanley | Window sash retaining device |
| JPH10153067A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1998-06-09 | Tostem Corp | Screen and window |
| JPH11125053A (en) * | 1997-10-21 | 1999-05-11 | Miwa Lock Co Ltd | Position fixing fitting for double-hung window |
| KR100919233B1 (en) * | 2009-04-30 | 2009-10-05 | 이청재 | Window for urs(upper roller sliding) with functions of maintaining opening values and preventing crimes |
-
2013
- 2013-09-27 AU AU2013234401A patent/AU2013234401B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2017299A (en) * | 1934-07-07 | 1935-10-15 | Jacob N Vikre | Sash holder |
| US2423495A (en) * | 1945-10-22 | 1947-07-08 | Galuska Stanley | Window sash retaining device |
| JPH10153067A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1998-06-09 | Tostem Corp | Screen and window |
| JPH11125053A (en) * | 1997-10-21 | 1999-05-11 | Miwa Lock Co Ltd | Position fixing fitting for double-hung window |
| KR100919233B1 (en) * | 2009-04-30 | 2009-10-05 | 이청재 | Window for urs(upper roller sliding) with functions of maintaining opening values and preventing crimes |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2013234401A1 (en) | 2015-04-16 |
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