CA2158786A1 - Window jamb liner and tilt lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A tilt lock arrangement is provided for a sash slideably/pivotally positioned in a window frame. The tilt lock arrangement includes a window jamb liner made of extruded structural material defining an elongated channel with strips of resilient material adhered to the structural material inside the channel. A sash support is configured to operably slide within the channel proximate the resilient material. A tilt lock member is fixedly secured to the sash and includes a shaft rotatably engaging the sash support, together with a disk-shaped end having flattened sides. The flattened sides define a dimension small enough to allow the tilt lock member and sash support to slide along the channel.
However, the disk-shaped end has a diameter large enough to bindingly engage theresilient material on the opposing sides of the channel when the tilt lock member is rotated. Thus, when the sash is tilted, i.e. pivoted away from the window frame such as for cleaning, the tilt lock member is also forcibly rotated and bindingly engages the resilient material in the window jamb liner channel to prevent translational movement of the sash. However, the resilient material has a memory such that when the sash is pivoted back to the unlocked slideable position, the resilient material substantially returns to its original shape and is not permanently deformed.

Description

` 21587~

WINDOW JAMB LINER AND TILT LOCK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a window jamb liner and tilt lock arrangement forcooperatively eng~ging one another. More particularly, the present invention concerns a sash-mounting apparatus for slideably and pivotally supporting a sash in a window frame by a jamb liner attached to the window frame and a tilt lock device attached to the sash that securely and non-destructively engages the jamb liner in a manner that provides reliability and durability.
Many modern window assemblies, and particularly the conventional "double hung"
windows, include a sash adapted to slide in a window frame so that the sash can be opened for fresh air and also to pivot or tilt partially out of the window frame for cleaning. In these window assemblies, tilt lock devices are used to prevent the sash from sliding along the jamb when it is in the pivoted position and also to prevent the sash positioner or "balance" device from moving away from the position it occupied when the sash was pivoted away from the jamb, under which condition the sash may also typically be removed. Since the sash positioners are usually spring-biased upwardly to support the weight of the sash, such a lock is practically essential, and is actually a safety factor.
However, most known tilt lock devices engage and brake against the window jamb liner in a manner causing permanent deformation and damage to the jamb liner.
Specifically, many known tilt lock devices, in an effort to assure a positive braking action, include braking members with teeth that mech~nic~lly grip the jamb liners. This mlltil~tes and permanently deforms jamb liners, particularly those made out of plastics such as PVC, since although plastics have many desirable properties, they are inhel~llLly unable to with~t~n(l such harsh treatment. Also, such plastic jamb liners tend to distort and/or take a permanent set over time, such as when a braking member is applied with "too much" force over "too great" a distance. These problems are not usually noticeable during the first few years of use, but sooner or later they cause problems such as poor or ineffective braking, irregular and unacceptable sliding movement of the sash, and poor appearance.
Thus, a jamb liner and tilt lock arrangement has long been desired that solves the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a tilt lock arrangement for a sash which is slideably 215878~
movably positioned in a window frame. The tilt lock arrangement includes a window jamb liner configured for attachment to the window frame and defining a channel for guiding the edge of the sash, and a sash support or positioner configured to operably slide within the channel. In accordance with the invention, a resilient material is secured along 5 selected portions of a wall in the channel. A tilt lock member is rotatably positioned in the sash support, and non-rotatably secured to the sash. The tilt lock member includes a non-round section configured to slide within the channel when the sash is in a slideable position, but configured to frictionally bindingly engage the resilient material in the channel when the sash is in a pivoted position and thereby lockingly engage the jamb liner 10 to prevent any translational movement when the sash has been pivoted partially away from the window frame.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by l~fel~llce to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a window assembly embodying the present invention, including a frame and a slideable/pivotable sash supported on the frame, the sash being in a slideable position in Fig. 1 and in a pivoted/locked position in Fig. 2;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the tilt lock device arrangement20 used on the slideable/pivotable sash in Fig. l;
Figs. 4 and 5 are side and end views, respectively, of the tilt lock member shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jamb liner shown in Figs. 1 and 3;
Figs. 7-9 inclusive are inner, side and outer views, respectively, of the sash 25 support;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sash support taken along the plane X-X in Fig. 7;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the tilt lock arrangement and jamb liner, taken along the plane XI-XI in Fig. 3, the tilt lock member being in the slideable 30 position;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view comparable to Fig. 11 but with the tilt lock member being shown in the pivoted/locked position;
Figs. 13 and 14 are side and end views, respectively, of a modified tilt lock 21S87~6 member embodying the present invention; and Fig. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the process of co-extruding a jamb liner section and then cutting it to a predetermined length.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1, a double hung window assembly 10 is shown including an upper sash 11 and a lower sash 12. At least the lower sash 12 is supported for sliding vertical movement between a pair of jamb liners 13, one on each side of the window frame 14. In "double hung" windows, both sash are slideably supported. Only one jamb liner is visible in Figs. 1 and 2, however the jamb liners 13 are mirror images of each other and operate in identical ways. Thus, to facilitate a concise discussion, only one jamb liner is discussed hereinafter.
Lower sash 12 is supported for sliding vertical movement (Fig. 1) and also pivotal movement (Fig. 2) between jamb liners 13 by a pair of tilt lock structures 20 located at the lower outer corners of lower sash 12. The pivotable movement allows sash 12 to be conveniently tilted inwardly so that the outside of the window pane can be cleaned from a position on the inside of the window assembly 10. It is contemplated that the upper sash 11 can be supported in the same manner as lower sash 12, as will be appalclll from reading the description hereinafter. However, only lower sash 12 is described hereinafter to simplify the present discussion.
Tilt lock structures 20 (Fig. 3) each include a sash support or locking shoe 22 slideably disposed in a channel 24 in jamb liner 13, and a tilt lock member or locking cam 26 that is operably connPcted to sash 12 and shoe 22, and rotatably positioned in channel 24. Tilt lock member 26 is configured to slide vertically within channel 24 when sash 12 and tilt lock member 26 are in their slideable position (Figs. 1 and 11) but is configured to lock or bind within channel 24 when sash 12 and tilt lock member 26 are rotated to the pivoted/locked position (Figs. 2 and 12). To facilitate this locking action while also protecting channel 24, opposing strips of resilient material 28 (Fig. 3) are disposed within channel 24. These allow tilt lock member 26 to securely but releasably engage jamb liner 13 to hold sash 12 in the pivoted, lock position without permanent 30 deformation of jamb liner 13, as di.~cll~secl below. In the illustrated plcfellcd embodiment described hereinafter, the resilient member or portion 28 is co-extruded with the structural PVC or other such material of jamb liner 13; however, it is contemplated that the resilient member 28 may also be separately prepared and attached after the jamb 21~78~

liner has been extruded. It is also contemplated that the resilient material 28 can be attached to the arcuate surfaces 76 on the tilt lock member 26, if desired. Preferably, the resilient member 28 is made from a material such as flexible PVC, TPU's (thermoplastic urethanes) or rubber and have a hardness of about 70-90 on the Shore "A" scale. Of 5 these materials, rubber is ~;ullclllly considered to have the best operative characteristics but may be somewhat more difficult to secure in place, particularly by co-extrusion.
Jamb liner 13 (Fig. 6) is an extrusion including walls defining a pair of sash-eng~ging profiles 30 and 32 interconnected by a mullion 34. A pair of end panels or skirts 36 and 38 having offset anchoring tabs 36A and 38A, respectively, are positioned 10 on either side of sash-eng;~ging profiles 30 and 32. Tabs 36A and 38A provide an aesthetic edge on jamb liner 13 along the edge of window frame 14 and secure the jamb liner in its mounted position, the jambs typically having recesses for receiving tabs 36A
and 38A. Sash-engaging profiles 30 and 32 are generally identical and symmetrical in shape, and thus only profile 30 is described in detail hereinafter.
The present invention is focused in the channel 24 of the sash-eng~ging profile (30), and the manner in which the sash support 22 and tilt lock member 26 operably engage the channel 24. Sash-eng~ging profile 30 is generally U-shaped and includes opposing wall sections 40 and 42 interconnected by a bottom wall section 44, the inner surfaces of which define channel 24. Wall section 40 includes a channel-defining planar 20 wall section 48 adjacent bottom wall section 44, a configured wall section 50 at the top of channel-defining section 48, and a flange 52 extending generally perpen~ larly to planar wall section 48 but disposed at a slight angle into channel 24. Similarly, opposing wall section 42 includes a channel-defining planar wall section 49 adjacent bottom wall section 44, a configured wall section 51 at the top of channel-defining section 49, and a flange 53 25 extending generally perpendicularly to planar wall section 49 but at a slight angle into channel 24. As illustrated, flanges 52 and 53 define a slot 46 between their ende~llclllilies. Notably, the flange 52 on outer wall section 40 extends at a slightly greater angle into channel 24 than the flange 53 on outer wall section 42 to assure a close aesthetic fit against sash support 22 on the outer side of channel 24 which is most visible, 30 as described hereinafter. Thin ribs 54 and 55 extend from planar wall sections 48 and 49, respectively, into channel 24. Ribs 54 and 55 are spaced from bottom wall section 44, and define with bottom wall section 44 respective pockets for receiving the strips of resilient material 28. Further, rib 54 acts as a containment dam for containing the -resilient material 28 during the co-extrusion process for jamb liner 13. The inner surface of strips 28 and the tip of ribs 54 and 55 define a dimension Dl, and the innermost surface of configured wall sections 50 and 51 defines a dimension D2 somewhat smaller than Dl, for the reasons noted below. Jamb liner 13 is made by co-extruding a jamb 5 liner section and cutting the section to length as shown in the flow chart in Fig. 15.
Tilt lock member 26 (Figs. 4 and 5) includes a shaft 60 and an enlarged disk-shaped end 62. Shaft 60 includes a cylindrically-shaped outer surface 64, but also includes a rectangular slot 66 formed in outer surface 64 that extends longitll-lin~lly in shaft 60 from the end 67 of shaft 60 partially into disk-shaped end 60. The open side 68 10 of slot 66 formed in the outer cylindrical surface 64 of shaft 60 facilitates lateral assembly of a rectangular structural connector 70 (Fig. 3) extending from sash 12 into slot 66.
Angled surfaces 72 define a sloped inlet into slot 66 to further facilitate entry of connector into slot 66.
Disk-shaped end 62 includes opposing flat surfaces 74 defining a dimension D3 15 (Fig. 5). Opposing flat surfaces 74 are spaced apart a ~ t~nr.e (i.e. dimension D3) smaller than the inside of channel 24 (i.e. dimension Dl) so that disk-shaped end 62 can readily slide along channel 24 when in the slideable position (Fig. 11). However, the arcuate surfaces 76 of disk-shaped end 62 define a diameter D4 significantly larger than the width of channel 24 (i.e. dimension Dl). Thus, disk-shaped end 62 bindingly 20 lockingly engages resilient strips 28 when tilt lock sash member 26 is rotated, such as when sash 12 is pivoted from window frame 14 for cleaning. Notably, the thicknrss of disk-shaped end 62 (dimension D5) is less than the width of the strips of resilient material 28, such that the edges of disk-shaped end 62 do not frictionally engage ribs 54 at any time. Preferably, tilt lock member 26 is made from a relatively hard and durable25 material such as glass-reinforced nylon 6/6.
Sash support 22 (Figs. 7-10) is an elongated bushing made from a material such as acetal plastic. Sash support 22 is configured to mateably fit within and slide along channel 24. Specifically, sash support 22 includes a rectangularly-shaped body 78, a pivot- forming end section 80 for supporting tilt lock member 26, and a spring-eng~ging 30 end section 82. Body 78 includes a pair of spaced planar sidewalls 84 conn~ctecl by a centrally located reinforcement web 86. Web 86 includes a lower portion 88 that extends generally longih1~1in~lly, and an upper portion 90 that extends at an angle to lower portion 88 for increasing the rigidity between sidewalls 84. Spring-eng~ging end section 82 is 21~878~
-hook-shaped and defines a notch 92 for receiving the end of a long coiled spring 94.
Coiled spring 94 extends from sash support 22 within channel 24 to the top of jamb liner 13, and is stretched therebetween to provide a countell,alancing force offsetting the weight of sash 12.
Pivot-forming section 96 extends dowllw~l.lly from the lower end of sash support22. Pivot-forming section 96 defines a transversely extending bore 98 for mateably receiving the shaft 60 of sash support 22. Web 86 is termin~tecl short of and does not extend into pivot-forming section 96, such that a notch 100 is created at the end of web 86 on pivot- forming section 96. A second reinforcement web 102 secures the ends of sidewalls 84 together to rigidify pivot-forming section 96. The notch 100 is formed by the absence of web 86 on pivot-forming section 96 and is large enough to mateably receive disk-shaped end 62 (shown in phantom lines, Fig. 10). Thus, the flat surface 104 on the end of disk-shaped end 62 is disposed generally flush with the outer surface 88' of lower portion 88 on web 86. With tilt lock member 26 positioned on sash support 22 and in channel 24, shaft 60 is rotatably supported within bore 98 and disk-shaped end 62 is mateably supported in notch 100. The dimension defined by the opposing arcuate surfaces 75 of disk-shaped end 62 (Fig. 5) is slightly larger than the width of sash support 22 defined by planar sidewalls 84 such that upon rotation of disk-shaped end 62, it almost immediately begins to bindingly engage channel 24.
When sash support 22 is positioned in channel 24 (Fig. 3), the sidewalls 84 of sash support 22 lightly engage configured wall sections 50 and 51. This helps position sash support 22 centrally in channel 24 and spaces it away from lower channel-defining wall sections 48 and 49 which have resilient material 28 thereon. Thus, sash support 22 does not rub on the strips of resilient material 28 when sash 12 is slideably moved along channel 24 in window frame 14. Slot-defining flanges 52 and 53 also press against the top of sash support sidewalls 84, effectively pressing/holding sash support 22 against bottom wall section 44. This also holds disk-shaped end 62 of tilt lock member in notch 100 and against bottom wall section 44.
A rectangular-shaped connector 70 (Fig. 3) includes a first end 104 which extends into and is secured in the side of sash 12. The rectangular shape helps provide the strength n~ce~s~ry to with~t~n-l the torque genelal~d when tilt lock member 26 is rotated between the slideable position (Figs. 1 and 11) and the pivoted position (Figs. 2 and 12).
Connector 70 also includes a protruding end 106 (Fig. 3) that extends axially mateably `~ 2158786 into slot 66 in tilt lock member 26.
In opeMtion, the disk-shaped end 62 (Figs. 3 and 11) of tilt lock member 26 is positioned in channel 24 with shaft 60 in sash support bore 98 (Fig. 10) and sash support 22 (Figs. 3 and 11) positioned in channel 24. Flat surfaces 74 are aligned with and S positioned adjacent resilient strips 28 in channel 24 such that sash support 22 can be vertically slidingly moved along channel 24. When someone desires to clean the glass pane in sash 12, sash 12 is rotated to the pivoted position (Fig. 2). In this pivoted position, disk-shaped end 62 is rotated by sash eng~ging fastener 70 (Fig. 3) such that the leading edges 110 of arcuate surfaces 76 on disk-shaped end 62 frictionally engage and temporarily, elastically, deform resilient material 28 (Fig. 12). Thus, sash 12 is securely and positively held in the pivoted position, such that it cannot slide vertically. However, when sash 12 is rotated back to the slideable position, the resilient material 28, previously deformed, returns to its original condition due to the memory property (resiliency) of this material. Thus, permanent deformation and/or local degradation of jamb liner 13 along channel 24 is avoided.
An al~ ativ~ embodiment tilt lock member 20A is shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
Comparable features in tilt lock member 20A to tilt lock member 20 are identified by identical numbers but with the addition of the letter "A". Tilt lock member 20A is subst~nti~lly identical to tilt lock member 20 and opel~tes in an identical way, except that its disk-shaped end 62A has a ch~;ulllferential surface 112A that includes a ring-shaped channel 114A. Ring-shaped channel 114A provides a relief space for the resilientmaterial 28A to flow temporarily into when tilt lock member 20A is rotated to the pivoted/locked position.
Accordingly, a tilt lock a~al~lus is provided having a positive pivoted/locked position and long service life without fear of permanent damage or disfigurement of the jamb liner. The most preferred arrangement includes a co-extruded jamb liner having a pair of strips of resilient material located in a channel, and a sash support and tilt lock member positioned in the channel to operably support a sash in either a slideable position or a pivoted/locked position.
Upon consideration of the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the concepts underlying the particular embodiments disclosed herein. All such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their ressly state otherwise.
language exp

Claims (23)

1. A tilt lock arrangement for a window sash operably movably positioned in a frame for movement between a slideable position and a pivoted position, comprising:
a window jamb liner configured for attachment to the window frame including walls defining an elongated channel, said walls being made of a structural first material;
a resilient second material secured along selected portions of said walls in said elongated channel;
a sash support configured to operably slide along said walls within said elongated channel; and a tilt lock member rotatably engaging said sash support and configured to be non-rotatably secured to said sash, said tilt lock member including a non-round section configured to slide along said walls within said elongated channel when said sash is in said slideable position and also configured to frictionally bindingly engage said resilient second material when said sash is in said pivoted position so that said tilt lock member lockingly engages said jamb liner and prevents translational movement when said sash has been pivoted with respect to said window frame.

2. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said window jamb liner comprises an extrusion.

3. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient second material is co-extruded with said structural first material.

4. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said walls include opposing wall sections and said resilient second material is adhered to selected portions of said opposing wall sections.

5. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said elongated channel includes an opening extending along one of its sides, a bottom wall opposite said open side, and opposing walls proximate said bottom wall within said channel, and wherein said resilient second material is adhered to said opposing walls.

6. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said sash support includes a bore-like recess and said tilt lock member includes a shaft for rotatably engaging said recess in said sash support.

7. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein said tilt lock member includes an enlarged disk-shaped end on the end of said shaft, said enlarged disk-shaped end including flat surfaces defining a dimension sufficiently small to slide along and within said elongated channel together with an outer diameter defining a dimension sufficiently large to frictionally engage the sides of said elongated channel when said tilt lock member is rotated.

8. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said sash support includes a first section configured to mateably receive and rotatingly support said tilt lock member, a second section opposite said first section configured to engage a window- supporting spring, and a third section located between said first and second sections configured to mateably fit within and slide along said elongated channel.

9. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient material has a hardness of about 70-90 on the Shore A scale.

10. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient material comprises at least one of the group consisting essentially of flexible PVC, TPU or rubber.

11. A window jamb liner for movably supporting a sash in a window frame, the sash being translationally movable and also pivotably movable relative to said frame, said sash having a tilt lock member to prevent translational movement when the sash is tilted, the window jamb liner comprising:
an extrusion made of a structural material including walls having inner surfacesdefining a guide for the sash; and a resilient material adhered to selected portions of said inner surfaces, said resilient material having friction-generating characteristics to produce frictional position-retaining force with said tilt lock member when engaged by the tilt lock member and being sufficiently resilient to deform when engaged by the tilt lock member when the sash is pivoted at least partially out from said window frame, but said resilient material also being sufficiently resilient to return to substantially its original shape without permanent distortion when the sash is pivotally returned back into the window frame and said tilt lock member is withdrawn from said resilient material.

12. A window jamb liner as defined in claim 11 wherein said resilient material has a hardness of about 70-90 Shore A.

13. A window jamb liner as defined in claim 11 wherein said walls include ridgeslocated on said inner surfaces and projecting into said guide, said ridges forming a channel-shaped arrangement with said walls within said guide for containing said resilient material during a process of extruding the extrusion.

14. A window jamb liner as defined in claim 11 include opposing walls and a bottom wall defining said guide, said resilient material being located on said opposing walls.

15. A tilt lock arrangement comprising:
an extruded structural member including opposing walls and a connecting wall defining an open channel;
a resilient material adhered to at least selected portions of said opposing walls in said open channel;
a support slideably positioned in said open channel; and a tilt lock member configured to slide with said support along said channel whenin a non-binding position, but said tilt lock member being rotatably supported on said support for rotational movement to a locking position wherein a surface on said tilt lock member is forced into engagement with said resilient member, thus causing said tilt lock member to lock up and prevent movement of said support along said open channel.

16. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 15 wherein said opposing walls include a ridge defining a channel-shaped space with said connecting wall to contain said resilient material during a process of extruding said extruded structural member.

17. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 15 wherein said structural member defines a second channel for slideably receiving a second support.

18. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 15 wherein said extruded structural member is made of generally rigid polymeric material.

19. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 15 wherein said resilient material comprises a continuous strip-like member.

20. A tilt lock arrangement for a sash operably movably positioned in a window frame for movement between a slideable position and a pivoted position, comprising:
a window jamb liner configured for attachment to the window frame and including walls defining an elongated channel, said walls being made of a structural first material;
a sash support configured to operably slide along said walls within said elongated channel; and a tilt lock member rotatably engaging said sash support and configured to be non-rotatably secured to said sash, said tilt lock member including a non-round section configured to slide along said walls within said elongated channel when said sash is in said slideable position and also configured to frictionally bindingly engage said walls at a contact point when said sash is in said pivoted position so that said tilt lock member lockingly engages said jamb liner and prevents translational movement when said sash has been pivoted partially away from said window frame, at least one of said walls and said tilt lock member including resilient material at said contact point, said material being sufficiently resilient to yield in response to contact by the other of said walls and said tilt lock member but return to substantially its original shape thereafter without being permanently deformed thereby.

21. A tilt lock arrangement as defined in claim 20 wherein said resilient material has a hardness of about 70-90 Shore A.

22. A method of locking a window sash in a window frame, the sash being movable between a slideable position and a locked pivoted position, comprising steps of:providing a window jamb liner configured for attachment to the window frame including walls defining an elongated channel, said walls being made of a structural first material, and including a resilient second material secured along selected portions of said walls in said elongated channel;
providing a sash support configured to operably slide along said walls within said elongated channel;
providing a tilt lock member rotatably engaging said sash support and configuredto be non-rotatably secured to said sash, said tilt lock member including a non-round section configured to slide along said walls within said elongated channel when said sash is in said slideable position and also configured to frictionally bindingly engage said resilient second material when said sash is in said pivoted position; and rotating said tilt lock member so that it lockingly engages said resilient second material of said jamb liner and prevents translational movement when said sash has been pivoted with respect to said window frame.

23. A method as defined in claim 22 including a step of co-extruding said first and second materials to form said jamb liner.