AU632699B2

AU632699B2 - Window lock

Info

Publication number: AU632699B2
Application number: AU79423/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Edward Braun; Douglas Allen Nolte
Original assignee: SPX Corp
Current assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1989-01-17
Filing date: 1991-06-28
Publication date: 1993-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-17
Also published as: AU635462B2; BE1005333A0; ES2020385A6; KR950010990B1; GB2227051B; GB2261912A; DE3924933A1; FR2641815A1; GB2261911B; AU7942391A; GB9300691D0; LU87614A1; NL8902159A; AU3816689A; GB8916091D0; KR900011954A; AU2059392A; GB2261912B; CA1338422C; GB2227051A

Description

6326 qq S F Ref: 185163

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: -T-rut-n-corpora-ted 7OO-We-s-t-B-rVdge-Stree t Owatonna Minnesota 55060 UNITED-STATES OF AMERICA k ~\C a 2 IA 4 a ~C 0 0 0 Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title-, Douglas Allen Nolte and Peter Edward Braun Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Window Lock The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us*.- 5845/4

L-

-1 WINDOW LOCK

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a window lock and, more particularly, to a window lock which provides for multi-point sequential locking of a window sash to a window frame. Additionally, the window lock provides for improved locking at each of the locking points.

Background of the Invention Movable windows in general use have sash which are either sliding, double hung or pivotal, with the latter type including awning and casement windows. Many different forms of window locks are available for locking a movable window.

The assignee of the invention disclosed herein markets window locks for such movable windows.

In many instances, the window can be of such size or of a structural material which renders it desirable 20 to have multi-point locking. It is known to mount individual window locks at spaced points or locations on the window to achieve multi-point locking.

Typically, each of the window locks is independently operable. However, the movable mechanisms of a pair of window locks can be connected together for rimultaneous movement from a single handle as shown r_ 2 in the Van Klompenburg U.S. Patent No. 4,095,829, owned by the assignee of this invention, Multi-point locking is shown in the Van Benschoten U.S. Patent No, 2,114,645, There are commercially-available multi-point window lock structures operable by a single handle, The foregoing prior art does not disclose structure providing for sequential locking of the multi-point locking structure to provide for a delayed lock-up to accommodate racked or warped windows, nor do such structures have a window lock constructed to counteract flexibility of the window structure as may be encountered with a vinyl window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is disclosed herein a windo, lock for a window having a window frame and a movable window sash comprising, a slider having a cam member, a ramped keeper, and means for moving the slider in a path extending lengthwise thereof to cause the cam member to coact with the ramped keeper in establishing either a locked or unlocked condition of the window; the improvement comprising; a housing; a handle rotatably mounted on said housing for movement between two limit positions and operable to move said slider along .aid path and said slider and handle having coacting means to preclude gravity or other outside force from moving said slider along said path without moving said handle.

There is further disclosed herein a window lock for a window having a window frame and a movable window sash comprising, a slider having a cam member, a ramped keeper, and means for moving the slider in a path extending lengthwise thereof to cause the cam member to coact with the ramped keeper in establishing either a locked or unlocked condition of the window; the improvement comprising: each of said T'MS28141 -1 I 3 cam member and ramped keeper being bevelled to resist any separating movement in a direction normal to said path as a result of flexibility of the window frame and window sash as may result due to high loads.

Additional features of the invention relate to the versatility of the window lock in providing for simple, selective assembly of components to achieve the desired number of locking points; the assurance that the window lock mechanism cannot move by any force applied thereto other than be an operating handle; the sealing of a window lock housing to the window frame to render the window lock light, water and airtight; and an arrangement of the operating mechanism operable by the handle whereby the handle can have two limit positions wherein, in one limit position, the handle establishes a locked condition of the window with the handle close to the window frame and, in going to the other limit position, wherein the window is unlocked, the handle has moved through an arc approaching 180° wherein there is limited protrusion of the handle outwardly of the housing when the window is unlocked.

ESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a window shown in open position and which has the window lock structure of Figs, 2-7 associated therewith; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the window lock hardware shown without association with the window sash and window frame and with the window lock in unlocked position and being a view generally similar to that of Eig. 3 and with parts broken away; TMS/28141 Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig, 2 showing the window lock hardware in window-locking position and with the view being taken generally along the line 3-3 in Fig. L: Fig. A is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-6 in Fig. 3 and showing the structure in association with the window frame anC window sash; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig, I and taken generally along the line 5-5 in Fig, 3; TMS/28141 5 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a part of the structure as positioned as shown in Fig. 2 and illustrating a first toggle position; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and illustrating a second toggle position for the structure in window lock position and as shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the housing; and Fig. 9 is an elevation view of the handle.

Descrintion of the Preferred Embodiment SThe window lock is shown in association with a window in Fig. 1 and with the only room-visible part thereof being a housing 10 and a handle 12.

The window has a window' frame, indicated generally at 14, in which the window sash, generally indicated at 16, of a casement window is pivotally mounted. The mounting of such a window by hinges is well known in the art as well as use of a window operator, indicated generally at 18, for moving the window sash between closed and fully open positions or any desired position therebetween.

As will be readily recognized, the window lock can also be used for an awning-type window wherein the pivotal movement of the window sash would be generally about a horizontal axis, rather than the vertical axis of the casement window. The concepts embodied in the window lock could be utilized with other types of movable windows, such as a double hung window.

The window lock has particular utility with a vinyl window and an embodiment of a vinyl window is shown fragmentarily in Figs. 4 and S. The window frame 14 has vertical wall sections 20 and 22 suitably integrally interconnected by interconnecting walls and *with a pair of interconnected vertical walls 24 and 26 extending at right angles thereto and with the wall 26 defining a room-facing surface of the window frame.

The window sash 16 has a vertical exterior wall 28 with integrally associated walls including a wall 30 extending normal thereto which defines one of the walls mounting a vertical face panel 32 which can be brought closely adjacent -to the vertical frame wall 24 when the window .s closed and with a suitable weather strip 34 assuring a tight seal.

The window lock has a slider 40 movable in a path extending lengthwise thereof and which mounts a cam, member, in the form of a roller 42. The slider is movabl e in said path by its mounting on a planar part of a bracket 44 which mounts a pair of shouldered guide rivett 46 and 48 which extend through the respective sl.ider clots SQ and 52, respectively, and which enable movement of the slider from the window unlocked position, shown in FXig. 'It to the window lock.ed position, shown in Fig, 3.

The bracket 44 has a pair of bracket flanges 54 and 56 at ri.ght angles to the planar part thereof which can, receive. a pait of fasteners 58 and

-I

7 respectively, which thread into a pair of alignment bosses 62 and 64 extending inwardly from the housing 10 and which fit into a slot formed in the walls 24 and 26 of the window frame. The inner face of the housing 10 extends beyond the perimeter of the opening in the window frame to abut against the interior room face of the vertical frame wall 26.

The fasteners 58 and 60 can draw the bracket flanges 54 and 56 against the inner face of the frame wall 24 and the perimeter of the housing 10 against the wall 26 to capture the window frame therebetween. The perimeter part of the housing which bears against the Swall 26 includes a continuous 0-ring groove, parts of which are shown at 66 and 68 and which receive an O-ring to effect a light, water and airtight seal between the housing and the window frame.

The housing 10 rotatably mounts the handle 12 for movement between two limit positions. One of these limit positions is the window locked position, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the handle 12 extends downwardly and generally .parallel to the frame wall 26. The handle can move to its other limit position, as seen in Fig. 2, which is the window unlocked position. This movement of the handle is through an arc approaching 180 whereby the handle, as seen in Fig. 2, barely extends beyond the housing 10 and, thus, does not protrude into the room when the window is open.

The slider 40 and handle 12 have coacting acans whereby rotation of the handle results in linear movement of the slider along the path 3 lengthwise of the slider. This coacting means comprises a drive link 70 splined to the handle at its rotation axis and which has a pin 72 which coacts with a forked section of the slider. This forked section has a pair of tines 74 and 76 with an open-ended slot therebetween. With the window lock in locked condition and with the handle 12 in the position shown in Fig. 3, the handle can be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 2 and, during this rotation, the pin 72 will move sequentially inwardly and outwardly of the slot and in engagement with the tine 76 to move the slider downwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. In return of the handle 12 to the position of Fig. 3, the handle 12 is rotated clockwise and the pin 72 moves sequentially inwardly and outwardly of the slot and coacts with an edge of the tine 74 to raise the slider, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. The planar part Sof the bracket 44 has an arcuate cut-out 80 to permit the free end of the drive link 70 to move between the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The ends of the tines 74 and 76 of the forked section of the slider are bevelled to enable movement of the drive link 70 to a toggle position in either of the limit positions of the handle. This is diagrammatically illustrated in rigs. 6 and 7. With the handle 12 moving to the window unlocked position 4 of Fig. 2, the drive pin 72 moves in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, and the downward arc to a toggle position is permitted by the bevelled end 82 of the tine 76. The pin -9- 72 has reached a toggle position wherein, if an upward force is exerted on the slider 40 as indicated by the upwardly-directed arrow, the bevelled end 82 of the tine 76 engages the pin 72 and tends to move the pin toward the right. This movement is prevented by coaction between the housing and the handle.

This coaction is achieved by structure shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 shows a side wall 83 of the housing 2,0 having an opening 84 to receive a stem 85 (Fig. 9)of tehandle 12. IM pair of abutments 8-6a and 86b are formed on tChe housing to define rotatable limit positions for the handle 12 by coaction with an arcuate rib 87 on the handle. The rib 87 has an included arc of approximately 1040, although not intended to be limiting, and the abutments 86a ana 86b: are spaced apart through an angular distance of approximately 250" whereby the handle can rotate through an arc of approximately 1500, A similar toggle position is achieved when the handle 12 is in window locked position. As seen in Fig, 7, any downward force applied on the slider as represented by the downwardly-directed arrow, would cause a bevelled end 88 of the ti.ne 74 to engage the drive pin 72 and urge tChe drive link 70 in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, which would be prevented by coaction of the handle 12 With the housing 10. The slider 40 cannot be moved by any outside force other than by handle movement.

10 The previously-mentioned cam member on the slider 40, which is the roller 42, coacts with a ramped keeper 100 which is mounted by suitable means to the vertical wall 30 of the window sash. The ramped keeper has an inclined ramp section 102 and a generally planar section 104. The ramped keeper 100 is shown in Fig. 2 in relation to the rolle'r 42 when the window' sash is not fully closed. With clockwise rotation of the handle 12 toward the locked position shown in Fig. 3, the slider 40 moves upwardly and the roller 42 engages the inclined ramp section 102 and rolls therealung to draw and maintain the window sash fully closed when the roller 42 moves onto the generally planar section 100 of the ramped keeper.

The ramped keeper can be a solid member, as shown, or can be shaped from a metal plate.

In order to achieve multi-point locking, the window sash mounts a second ramped keeper 110 having the same construction as the ramped keeper 100 and at a distance therefrom. A second cam member, in the form of a roller 112, coacts with the ramped keeper 110. This roller 112 is rotatably-mounted on a tie bar 114 which is connected to an end of the slider 40 for lengthwise moveoent therewith. An upper end of the tie bar is movable within a tie bar guide 116 which is fastened to the frama wall 20 by 4 fasteners 118.

Versatili-ty in the location ef points of locking is achieved by the manner in which a tie bar 114 may be associated with the slider The tie bar 114 has a slot 120 at the lower end thereof which extends lengthwise of the tie bar.

A tie bar rivet 122 is fixed to an offset upper end of the slider 40 and has a pair of aligned ears at a distance from the slider. With the tie bar 114 at an angle to the slider, the slot 120 can be aligned with Ithe aligned ears of the tie bar rivet and the tie bar then moved*~ past the ears and, thereafter, rotated to an alignment position, with the aligned ears then locking the tie bar 114 to the slider. There is also a tie bar rivet 124 at the lower end the slider. The tie bar 114 can thus extendc downwardly from the slider 40, Two tie bars can be used.

Further variations can be achieved by the use of additional rollers with each tie bar (and additional ramped keepers) and the use of varying length tie bars, The multi-poi~nt locking is achieved with delayed lock-up of the roller 112 and ramp keeper 110 relative to the roller 42 and ramped keeper 100 by the slider having a length of movement along it-c path greater than that required to m ove a roller along thQ inclined ramp section 102 and onto a generally planar zection, 104 of a ramped keeper and having the ramped keepers at a distance apart greater than the distance between the rollers. A generally planar section of a ramped keeper has a length greater than the ditferdnces in the distances to provide a dwell for one roller while the other roller is on an inclined ramp section.

I 12 An added feature with particular utility for a vinyl window because of the flexibility thereof is the bevelling of the rollers 42 and 112 and the generally planar sections 104 of the ramped keepers, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, to resist separation therebetween in a direction normal to the path of the slider 40. Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, any tendenby of the window sash to move toward the left, which would cause separation between the ramped keeper and the roller, is resisted by the bevelled S. relation therebetween.

The sequential locking action at the multiple lock points has a further advantage in limiting the maximum amount of force required at any one time to achieve the full locking of the window.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a window lock with extreme versatility and providing for multi-point locking has been provided.

With the structure of the ramped keepers having the elongate generally planar sections providing an elongate dwell, there is an enhanced versatility in that the ramped keepers can be located in a desired relation to achieve the desired sequence of locking at various locking points. The tie bars can be provided in different lengths and with a different numbers of rollers thereon and the desired tie bars can readily be associated with the slider at either the top or bottom thereof with the simple rotation connection which does not require the use of any attaching screws between the tie bar and the slider.

Claims

1. A window lock for a window having a window frame and a movable window sash comprising, a slider having a cam member, a ramped keeper, and means for moving the slider in a path extending lengthwise thereof to cause the cam member to coact with the ramped keeper in establishing either a locked or unlocked condition of the window; the improvement comprising: each of said cam member and ramped keeper being bevelled to resist any separating movement in a direction normal to said path as a result of flexibility of the window frame and window sash as may result due to high loads.

2. A window lock as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam member is a roller,

3. A window lock as defined in claim 2 and having a plurality of said ramped keepers, a tie bar connected to said slider for movement therewith along said path and a roller on said tie bar for coaction with a ramped keeper, and said ramped keepers each having an inclined ramp section for window sash pull-in and a generally planar section which may extend in parallel relation with said path whereby one of said rollers may move along a keeper generally planar section of one of said ramped keepers while another roller is moving along an inclined ramp section of another of said ramped keepers, each of said inclined ramp section and generally planar section of a ramped keeper having said bevel, and said slider and tie bar having movement along said path substantially greater than that required to cause a roller to move along an Inclined ramp section and onto a generally planar section of a ramped keeper. DATED this TWENTY-THIRD day of JULY 1992 SPX Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicants SPRUSON FERGUSON RLF/i698h L_ ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A window lock having plural ramped keepers (110) for a window sash and plural rollers (112) movably associated with a slider (40) mountable on a window frame (14) to provide multi-point locking. The ramped keepers (110) are constructed and related to enable delayed lock-up of one roller (112) and ramped keeper (110) relative to the other in order to assure locking of racked or warped windows A roller (112) and associated ramped keeper (110) are bevelled to counteract any flexibility that might be encountered in a flexible window, such as a window made of vinyl, The actuating mechanism provides for toggle positioning of the rotatable actuating handle (12) and associated drive link to prevent movement of the lock mechanism by outside forces other than the handle. One or more tie bars (114), each having a roller, can be associated with the slider to provide for variation in the number of locking points and with further variations being achieved by the length of the tie bars (114) as well as the number of rollers mounted thereon. Fig.

4 TMS /28141