EP1749960A1

EP1749960A1 - Sliding and privoting assembly and release/closure mechanism threrefor

Info

Publication number: EP1749960A1
Application number: EP06076524A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alona Shloznikov
Original assignee: Klil Industries Ltd; KLIL IND Ltd
Current assignee: Klil Industries Ltd; KLIL IND Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-04
Filing date: 2006-08-03
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Also published as: IL170100A

Abstract

The invention relates to a release/closure mechanism for a pivoting assembly comprising an outer frame, at least one construction having a sash frame, a sash, a pivoting arrangement, a close/release button, a biasing component, first close/release interface members and second close/release interface members, whereby, to allow pivotal opening, said button is actuated to move said first interface members counter to said biasing, thereby releasing said second close/release interface members, and, upon closing, said second close/release interface members interface with said first close/release interface members urging them counter to said biasing so that said second close/release interface members can be moved to a position behind said first close/release interface members at which point said biasing component pushes said first close/release interface members to a position locking said second close/release interface members behind said first close/release interface members, and wherein said release/closure mechanism comprises at most one biasing component.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to constructions adapted for sliding and pivoting, particularly windows and doors which may both slide from side to side and pivot open. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to window constructions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sliding windows which pivot inward, for example to facilitate cleaning thereof, are disclosed in the art.
An example of such a window is described in US 6,276,092 (Neo ) providing a combined sliding and pivot window assembly including a plurality of sashes separately pivotally mounted on substantially C-shaped sash support frames that are slidably fixed on rails provided on an outer window frame. The window assembly includes elastic two-end locking mechanisms mounted in a lower rail of the sashes to lock the sashes at upper and lower ends to the sash support frames. The locking mechanisms include a horizontal pull member biased by a spring, a lower locking tab biased by a further spring and an upper locking tab biased by an additional spring. The movement of the tabs is controlled by a trapezoidal cam plate adapted to simultaneously urge a pin attached to the lower tab and a pin attached to a vertical transmission bar to thereby retract the tabs and release the sash for pivoting.
US Patent Nos. 4,222,201 ; 4,337,597 ; 4,592,168 ; and 5,065,544 provide examples of additional window assemblies with sliding and pivoting features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sliding and pivoting assembly and a release/closure mechanism therefor. The sliding and pivoting assembly may be, for example, a window, a door, or the like, and for convenience will be described herein in relation to windows.
The assembly comprises an outer frame; at least one construction having a sash frame slidable in the outer frame; a sash fitted in the sash frame and including a lower rail, upper rail and pair of stiles; a pivoting arrangement allowing at least one portion of the sash to pivot away from the sash frame; and a release/closure mechanism, for releasing the sash, thereby allowing it to pivot, and for locking it within the sash, the release/closure mechanism comprising: a close/release button; a biasing component for biasing the button; first and second close/release interface members being correspondingly disposed and designed to interface one with the other, whereby, to allow pivotal opening of the construction, the button is actuated to move the first interface members in a direction counter to the biasing thereby releasing the second interface members, and, upon closing of the construction, the second close/release interface members interface with the first close/release interface members urging them in a direction counter to the biasing so that the second close/release interface members can be moved to a position behind the first close/release interface members at which point the biasing component pushes the first close/release interface members to a position locking the second close/release interface members behind the first close/release interface members, and wherein the release/closure mechanism comprises at most one biasing component.
The release/closure mechanism comprises an outer frame; at least one construction having a sash frame slidable in the outer frame; a sash fitted in the sash frame and including a lower rail, upper rail and pair of stiles; a pivoting arrangement allowing at least one portion of the sash to pivot away from the sash frame; a close/release button; a biasing component for biasing the button; first and second close/release interface members being correspondingly disposed and designed to interface one with the other, whereby, to allow pivotal opening of the construction, the button is actuated to move the first interface members in a direction counter to the biasing, thereby releasing the second interface members, and, upon closing of the construction, the second close/release interface members interface with the first close/release interface members urging them in a direction counter to the biasing so that the second close/release interface members can be moved to a position behind the first close/release interface members at which point the biasing component pushes the first close/release interface members to a position locking the second close/release interface members behind the first close/release interface members; and wherein the release/closure mechanism comprises at most one biasing component.
According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the release/closure mechanism further comprises a rod mechanically connecting the button and close/release tabs.
A particular feature of the assembly and release/closure mechanism of the present invention is that the mechanism is simple and comprises few components, therefore allowing for easy and low cost manufacture and maintenance thereof and simple operation.
Another particular feature of the present invention is that it need comprise no more than one biasing component while allowing reversible pivotal opening and locked closing of the window.
A further particular feature of the present invention is that it comprises no cam plate to induce movement of any components in order to allow reversible pivotal opening and locked closing of the window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a window of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of portions II and III of the window of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view with a cut-away illustrating an embodiment of a release/closure mechanism of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3; and
Figs. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective views of an embodiment of a pivoting mechanism of the window of the present invention; Fig 5B being an enlarged view of portion V of Fig. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to Fig. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a window assembly 10 of the present invention comprising an outer frame 12, sash support frames 14 with tracks 15, and sashes 16. The sashes 16 comprise an upper rail 18, lower rail 20 and a pair of stiles 22 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a window, which typically comprises a window pane; not shown).
The window assembly 10 further comprises a release/closure mechanism 24 including a close and release lever or button 26, a pair of close/release tabs 28 and a pair of close/release brackets 30 correspondingly located with the tabs and adapted to interact therewith. The close/release button 26 has a low profile to allow free sliding passage of an outer window passed any adjacent inner window. The button 26 may thus project out only a minimal distance from the sash support frame 14, be flush thereto or be recessed. A handle 32 is also provided to facilitate pivotally opening the window.
Figs. 2-4 provide details of the release/closure mechanism 24. The button 26 has integral therewith, or connected thereto, a projection 34, which in turn interfaces with a rod 36, for example by passing through a slot 38 therein. The close/release tabs 28 (only one seen in Figs. 2-4) are attached to the rod 36 at upper and lower locations thereof. The rod 36 is biased upward, for example by a spring 40, and thus the button 26 and tabs 28 are so biased.
The close/release brackets 30 are L-shaped having legs 42 and 44, the latter having a lower surface 46. The tabs 28 have a slanted top surface 48 adapted to interface with the bottom surface 46 of the brackets 30, as will be discussed below.
Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a pivoting arrangement 50, which may include identical sets of components located at the two corners of one side of the window, designated as corners 52 and 54, for allowing the windows to pivot (the components being shown only at corner 52). The pivoting arrangement 50 comprises an angle bracket 53 connected to a corner of the sash 16, corresponding to the corner 52, by suitable fastening means such as screws 54. The angle bracket 53 comprises a pivot pin 56 having a washer 58 associated therewith.
The pivoting arrangement 50 further comprises a plate 60 attached to the sash support frame 14 at corner 52 and attachable thereat by any suitable means. The plate 60 comprises a suitably sturdy element 62 corresponding to the pin 56 designed to allow the pin to pivot thereat. The pin 56 may alternatively be received by a portion (not illustrated) of the sash support frame 14, which may for such purpose should be an appropriately reinforced portion thereof.
It should be understood that the pivoting arrangement 50 could be adapted to allow the window to pivot, for example, at its midpoint, whereby one side of the window pivots inward and one side pivots outward, with only minor changes to the pivot arrangement; essentially accomplished by designing the angle bracket 53 as a flat plate (like plate 60) with a pin like pin 56. It should be further understood that the positions of the pins 56 and elements 62 could be reversed whether the pivoting arrangement 50 is at the corners 52, 54 or at some point along the sashes 16 and rails 18, 20.

Operation:

Assuming that the window is initially in a pivot-open position (e.g. as shown in Fig.1), to close the window, it is pushed in a direction shown by arrow 70. When the window is about to close, the lower surfaces 46 of the close/release brackets 30, will interface with corresponding slanted top surfaces 48 of the close/release tabs 28. At this point, the action of the brackets 30 on the slanted faces 48 as the window is closed will push the tabs 28 downward in the direction of arrow 72 (Fig. 3), against the upward force of the spring 40. When the brackets 30 have reached the backside of the tabs 28 and the window is closed, the tabs will be freed and will be pushed upward by the spring 40, thus locking the brackets behind the tabs to secure the window in the closed position.
To open the window, the button 26 is pushed against the force of spring 40 thereby lowering projection 34, rod 36 and tabs 28. This frees the brackets 30 from behind their corresponding tabs 28 whereby the window may be opened, possibly with the aid of handle 32.
Additional embodiments include the following:

(a) the release/closure mechanism 24 could be designed in a reverse fashion. In other words, the button 26 and tabs 28 could be biased downward, with slanted faces 48 being at the bottom of the tabs. The top surface of the leg 44 of the brackets 30 would then interface with the bottom face of the tabs 28 to urge them upward upon pivot-closing of the window.
(b) To release the window to allow pivoting, the button 26 could be pushed in any of a variety of motions including downward, upward or inward. Operation by an upward or downward pushing on the button 26 should be understood by the above description, whereas releasing the operation by pushing inwardly can be realized, for example, by a portion or component of the button comprising a slanted face, analogous to that of surface 48, adapted to interface with the projection 34 to urge it in a direction counter to the biasing direction of spring 40.
(c) Instead of the tabs 28 being biased, the brackets 30 could be biased, either upward or downward, and upon pivot-closing of the window the slanted top surfaces 48 of the tabs 28 would push their corresponding brackets 30 downward or upward, respectively, until the brackets are located behind the tabs whereupon the brackets would be urged back upward or downward, respectively, by the spring 40 to lock behind the tabs. In such a case, the button 26 would actuate movement of the brackets 30 instead of the tabs 28, mutatis mutandis.

The above-described embodiment of the window assembly 10 of the present invention comprises two close/release tabs 28 and close/release brackets 30. Such an assembly secures the window at more than one point to provide desirable characteristics such as better sealing, limiting window warpage, etc. To potentially enhance these characteristics, the assembly 10 may comprise more than two sets of tabs and brackets.
Alternatively, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention (easily understood and thus not shown), a more simple window assembly is provided wherein the assembly comprises only one tab and bracket arrangement. Such arrangement is typically located midway along the stile 22 and adjacent the button 26. With such a configuration, not only is there one less tab and bracket arrangement, there is no need for the rod 36, and the tab 28 may be directly connected to the button's projection 34.
Alternatively, the window assembly 10 could be one comprising a window that pivots out from the top, pivoting at lower corners of the window, or, pivoting at a point along the right and left stiles of the window - for example at the midpoint thereof.
There are a variety of sliding and pivoting assemblies or constructions (e.g. windows, doors and the like), and release/closure mechanisms therefor, that can be devised according to the present invention and that the above description is merely explanatory. Thus, the present window and release/closure mechanism therefor can be embodied in a variety of aspects falling within the scope of the present invention, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

A release/closure mechanism for a pivoting assembly comprising:
an outer frame;

at least one construction having a sash frame slidable in said outer frame;

a sash fitted in said sash frame and including a lower rail, upper rail and pair of stiles;

a pivoting arrangement allowing at least one portion of said sash to pivot away from said sash frame;

a close/release button;

a biasing component for biasing said button;

first close/release interface members and second close/release interface members being correspondingly disposed and designed to interface one with the other, whereby,

to allow pivotal opening of said construction, said button is actuated to move said first interface members in a direction counter to said biasing, thereby releasing said second close/release interface members, and, upon closing of said construction, said second close/release interface members interface with said first close/release interface members urging them in a direction counter to said biasing so that said second close/release interface members can be moved to a position behind said first close/release interface members at which point said biasing component pushes said first close/release interface members to a position locking said second close/release interface members behind said first close/release interface members; and wherein said release/closure mechanism comprises at most one biasing component.
The release/closure mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first close/release interface members are constituted by at least one close/release tab and the second close/release interface members are constituted by at least one close/release bracket.
The release/closure mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the tab(s) comprise a slanted surface adapted to slidingly interface with a portion of the bracket(s) to urge the tabs in a direction counter to the biasing, upon pivotal closing of the construction.
The release/closure mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the close/release button is disposed in the sash frame.
The release/closure mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the close/release button is disposed in the stile.
The release/closure mechanism according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the close/release button actuates the tab(s).
The release/closure mechanism according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein the close/release button actuates the bracket(s).
The release/closure mechanism according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a rod adapted to transfer movement actuated by the button, to one interface members.
A sliding and pivoting assembly comprising: an outer frame; at least one construction having a sash frame slidable in said outer frame; a sash fitted in said sash frame and including a lower rail, upper rail and pair of stiles; a pivoting arrangement allowing at least one portion of said sash to pivot away from said sash frame; and a release/closure mechanism as defined in any one of claims 1 - 8, for releasing said sash, thereby allowing it to pivot, and for locking it within said sash.
The sliding and pivoting assembly according to claim 9, wherein it is constituted by a window assembly and the construction is a window.