CA-3116031-C - FENESTRATION UNIT INSULATED GLASS SPACE ACCESS SYSTEMS

Abstract

Various systems and methods are provided for controlling access to the insulated glass space of a fenestration unit. Disclosed is a hinge lug that can be used to hingedly couple components of a fenestration unit. The hinge lug includes a lug body having a mounting portion, a cam portion defining a curved cam surface, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion and including a retention lip. A first retention arm extends from the lug body. The retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip upon application of a force.

Inventors

• Paul Martin Pfitzenmaier

Assignees

• PELLA CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20210423

Priority Date

20200423

Claims (7)

1. 27 CLAIMS 1. A hinge lug comprising: a lug body having, a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface, a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including a retention lip; and a first retention arm extending from the lug body, the first retention arm including a flexible and elastic material such that the first retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip upon application of a force, wherein the first retention arm includes a first trunk extending from the lug body and a first finger extending from the first trunk, the first trunk and the first finger extending at an acute angle relative to one another.
2. 2. The hinge lug of claim 1, further comprising a second retention arm opposite the first retention arm, the second retention arm being elastically deflectable away from the retention lip, the second retention arm including a second finger, the first and second fingers extending toward one another and being separated by a gap.
3. 3. The hinge lug of claim 1, wherein the first trunk has a decreased thickness at a location where the first finger extends from the first trunk relative to a thickness of the first trunk where the first trunk extends from the lug body.
4. 4. The hinge lug of claim 1, wherein the first finger is elastically deflectable between a first retention position and a second receiving position.
5. 5. A fenestration unit, comprising: a first component of the fenestration unit; a second component of the fenestration unit; and a first hinge lug hingedly coupling the first component to the second component, the first hinge lug including, a lug body having, a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface mounted to one of the first component and the second component, a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface configured to be slidably engaged with the other of the first component and the second component during relative, hinged rotation between the second component and the first component, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including a retention lip for retaining a portion of the other of the first component and the second component to releasably maintain the first component and the second component hingedly coupled, and a first retention arm defining a first trunk extending from the lug body and defining a first finger extending from the first trunk at an acute angle relative to the first trunk, the first retention arm retaining another portion of the other of the first component and the second component, the first retention arm including a flexible and elastic material such that the first retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip upon application of a force during relative, hinged rotation of the second component and the first component to a predetermined hinge angle to release the hinged coupling between the second component and the first component.
6. 6. The fenestration unit of claim 5, wherein the first component of the fenestration unit is a primary sash and the second component of the fenestration unit is a secondary sash.
7. 7. A hinge lug comprising: a lug body having, a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface, a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including a retention lip; and a first retention arm extending from the lug body, the first retention arm having a flexible material such that the first retention arm is configured to transition between a deflected position under application of a force and a neutral position in absence of the force, wherein the first retention arm includes a first trunk extending from the lug body and a first finger extending from the first trunk, and wherein the first finger is parallel to the lug body when the first retention arm is in the neutral position.

Description

FENESTRATION UNIT INSULATED GLASS SPACE ACCESS SYSTEMS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/014,482, filed on April 23, 2020 and titled FENESTRATION UNIT WITH ACCESSIBLE IG SPACE. BACKGROUND [0002] Basic window assemblies traditionally include a frame (the framework that surrounds and supports the assembly, comprised of a head, jambs and a sill) and one or more sashes (a fixed or moveable part of a window that holds the glazing, or glass panels). For enhanced thermal performance, glazing is often in the form of an insulated glass unit, or IG unit for short. An IG unit typically includes two or more sheets, or panes of glazing separated by one or more spacers with sealed space(s) between the two or more sheets of glazing. Air, inert gases, or even vacuum may be present in the sealed space(s) to enhance thermal performance. Traditional IG units are sealed and the space between panes is generally inaccessible. [0003] Designs have been proposed that permit access to an insulating space between panes (e.g., where one or more accessories, such as a blind or other window treatment may be received). For example, Pella Corporation of Pella, Iowa offers "Betweenthe- Glass" options in which window fashions are tucked between panes of glass. U.S. Patent 8,376,019, issued to Pella Corporation, describes a window assembly having a window frame and at least one primary sash mounted in the window frame. The primary sash has a plurality of sash members forming a primary sash perimeter and a first glazing panel mounted in the primary sash perimeter. At least one secondary sash is pivotally attached directly to the primary sash perimeter along an interior surface thereof so that the secondary sash is rotatably movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the primary sash. The secondary sash has a plurality of secondary sash members forming a secondary sash structure and a second glazing panel mounted in the secondary sash perimeter. An air chamber is located between the primary sash and the secondary sash that is substantially closed to the interior of the building structure. Date Re9ue/Date Received 2022-11-23 SUMMARY [0004] Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that relate to improved insulating glass / access assemblies for fenestration units, including windows and doors. [0005] According to one example ("Example I"), a hinge lug includes a lug body having, a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface, a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including a retention lip; and a first retention arm extending from the lug body such that the retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip. [0006] According to another example further to Example 1 ("Example 2"), the hinge lug further includes a second retention arm opposite the first retention arm, the second retention arm being elastically deflectable away from the retention lip, the first retention arm including a first retention finger and the second retention arm including a second retention finger, the first and second retention fingers extending toward one another and being separated by a gap. [0007] According to another example further to Example I ("Example 3"), the first retention arm includes a first trunk extending from the lug body and a first finger extending from the first trunk, the first trunk and the first finger extending at an acute angle relative to one another. [0008] According to another example further to Example 3 ("Example 4"), the first trunk has a decreased thickness at a location where the first finger extends from the first trunk relative to a thickness of the first trunk where the first trunk extends from the lug body. [0009] According to another example further to Example 3 ("Example 5"), the first retention finger is elastically deflectable between a first, retention position and a second, receiving position. [0010] According to one example ("Example 6"), a fenestration unit includes a first component of the fenestration unit; a second component of the fenestration unit; and a first hinge lug hingedly coupling the first component to the second component, the first hinge lug including, a lug body having, a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface mounted to one of the first component and the second component, a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface configured to be slidably engaged with the other of the first component and the second Date Rec;ue/Date Received 2021-04-23 component during relative, hinged rotation between the second component and first component, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including