EP-4735714-A1 - OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR WINDOW OR DOOR

EP4735714A1EP 4735714 A1EP4735714 A1EP 4735714A1EP-4735714-A1

Abstract

A window/door operating mechanism has a rotatable member having a first engagement surface engageable with a cut-out on a frame and a second engagement surface configured to slide along the frame, an arm extending radially from the rotatable member with a distal end that moves along a wing of the window/door, and an actuator assembly coupled to the rotatable member, the actuator assembly movable along an opening path. During movement along the opening path, the actuator assembly sequentially rotates the rotatable member to disengage the first engagement surface from the cut-out and slides the second engagement surface along the frame.

Inventors

BOUSFIELD, Michael
SAWATZKY, JOHAN

Assignees

Cascada Windows Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240619

Claims (20)

1 . A device for opening and closing a window, the device comprising: a frame track mounted to a frame of the window, the frame track including: an opening end disposed proximate to an opening side of the frame, the opening side including one or more hinges connecting the frame to a sash; a closing end spaced apart in a closing direction from the opening end; and a cut-out formed in the frame track proximate the closing end; a sash track mounted to the sash; a carrier coupled to the frame track and configured to traverse along the frame track; a rotatable member retained by the carrier, the rotatable member rotatable about a central axis thereof and including: a first engagement surface one or more of shaped and located to engage with a surface of the frame track when the rotatable member is in a sliding rotational position so as to prevent rotation of the rotatable member and allow longitudinal movement of the carrier; and a second engagement surface one or more of shaped and located to engage with the cut-out when the carrier is aligned with the cut-out and the rotatable member is not in the sliding rotational position, so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the carrier; and an arm extending radially from the rotatable member, the arm including a distal end coupled to the sash track and configured to traverse along the sash track; and a handle assembly disposed on the frame track, the handle assembly configured to, in response to manipulation by a user, rotate the rotatable member to the sliding rotational position in an initiation phase wherein the second engagement surface is engaged with the cut-out and subsequently move the carrier longitudinally along the frame track in an adjustment phase wherein the first engagement surface is engaged with the surface of the frame track.
2. A device according to any of the preceding claims or any other claim herein, wherein the arm is substantially orthogonal to the frame track when the rotatable member is in the sliding rotational position.
3. A device according to any of the preceding claims or any other claim herein, wherein the handle assembly is movable relative to the carrier during the initiation phase to an opening position wherein the rotatable member is in the sliding rotational position.
4. A device according to any of the preceding claims or any other claim herein, wherein: the rotatable member comprises a spur gear segment; the handle assembly comprises: a handle member configured to be slidably movable relative to the carrier; a handle extending from the handle member; and a rack gear meshed with the spur gear segment; and wherein in use, sliding movement of the handle member relative to the carrier during the initiation phase rotates the rotatable member via meshing between the spur gear segment and the rack gear.
5. A device according to claim 4 or any other claim herein, wherein the handle member includes an abutment surface disposed adjacent the rack gear and selectively engageable with the rotatable member via sliding movement of the handle member relative to the carrier, and wherein in use when the abutment surface is engaged with the rotatable member movement of the handle member moves the carrier along the frame track in the adjustment phase.
6. A device according to claim 4 or 5 or any other claim herein, wherein the handle member includes a slot extending in an opening direction from the rack gear, and wherein in use during the initiation phase movement of the handle member in the closing direction aligns the slot with the rotatable member and disengages the spur gear segment from the rack gear.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims or any other claim herein, wherein the sash track includes a frusto-cylindrical channel and wherein the distal end of the arm includes a frusto-spherical knob engaged in the channel.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, or any other claim herein, wherein the one or more hinges is disposed along a vertical jamb of the frame and wherein the frame track is mounted to a sill of the frame.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, or any other claim herein, wherein the one or more hinges is disposed along a head frame or a sill of the frame and wherein the frame track is mounted to a vertical jamb of the frame.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, or any other claim herein, wherein the cut-out is a first cut-out, and wherein the frame track comprises a second cut-out spaced apart in the opening direction, the device further including a fire restrictor, the fire restrictor comprising: an abutment member slidably coupled to the frame track; a camming member retained to the abutment member, the camming member including a camming surface configured to be engageable with the second cut-out and a sliding surface configured to be engageable with the frame track surface for sliding movement along the frame track via rotation of the camming member; and a lever connected to the camming member and configured to be selectively moveable to rotate the camming member; and wherein in use when the camming surface is engaged with the second cut-out, the abutment member prevents movement of the carrier in the opening direction during the adjustment phase.
1 1. A method of opening a window, the window including a frame track disposed along a frame of the window and a sash track disposed along a sash of the window, the method comprising: actuating a handle assembly along an opening path so as to: rotate a rotatable member coupled to the frame track about a central axis thereof via a rack-and-pinion coupling between the handle assembly and the rotatable member; pivot an arm extending radially outward from the rotatable member about the central axis via rotation of the rotatable member, a distal end of the arm coupled to the sash track for sliding movement along the sash track, thereby pivoting the sash away from the frame [to a partially open configuration] via one or more hinges coupling the sash to the frame along a side of the frame via the distal end of the arm pushing on the sash.
12. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: continuing to actuate the handle assembly in the opening direction so as to move the rotatable member in the opening direction via a carrier slidably coupled to the frame track, further pivoting the sash on the one or more hinges via the distal end of the arm pushing on the sash.
13. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein rotation of the rotatable member during the step of continuing to actuate the handle assembly is prevented by a sliding engagement surface of the rotatable member abutting against the frame track.
14. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein translating motion of the rotatable member in the opening direction is prevented by a rotating engagement surface of the rotatable member engaging with a cut-out formed in the frame track.
15. A window/door operating mechanism comprising: a rotatable member including: a first engagement surface configured to engage with a cut-out on a window/door frame; and a second engagement surface spaced apart angularly from the first engagement surface and configured to slide along the window/door frame; an arm extending radially from the rotatable member, the arm including a distal end configured to contact and move along a wing of the window/door; and an actuator assembly coupled to the rotatable member, the actuator assembly configured to move along an opening path and, during moving along the opening path, sequentially: rotate the rotatable member to disengage the first engagement surface from the cut-out; and slide the second engagement surface along the window/door frame away from the cut-out.
16. A window/door operating mechanism according to any of the preceding claims or any other claims herein, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to move along a closing path and, during moving along the closing path, sequentially: move the rotating member to align with the cut-out, the rotatable member prevented from rotating by sliding contact between the second engagement surface and the window/door frame; and rotate the rotatable member to engage the first engagement surface with the cutout.
17. A window/door operating mechanism according to any of the preceding claims or any other claims herein, including a carrier mountable to be slidably movable along the window/door frame, the carrier supporting the rotatable member when in use.
18. A window/door operating mechanism according to claim 17 or any other claims herein, including a frame track for mounting to the frame, the carrier slidably movable along the frame track when in use.
19. A window/door operating mechanism according to any of the preceding claims or any other claims herein, including a wing track for mounting to the wing, the distal end of the arm being coupled to the wing track for sliding movement along the wing when in use.
20. A window/door operating mechanism according to any of the preceding claims or any other claims herein, wherein the opening path is a straight line in an opening direction.

Description

OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR WINDOW OR DOOR Technical Field [0001] Some embodiments relate to windows. In particular, some embodiments relate to apparatus or methods for opening and closing windows. Background of the Invention [0002] There are many mechanisms available for opening and closing windows. However, the majority of these mechanisms present challenges to differently-abled persons. By way of one example, some mechanisms may be placed in relation to the window such that they are difficult to access by wheelchair-users. By way of another example, some mechanisms may require complex or compound motions to open or close the window, which may present challenges to users with neuromuscular disorders. [0003] In many jurisdictions globally, legislation has been or will be passed that imposes requirements on the functioning of windows or doors, especially in public places, to prevent discrimination against the differently-abled. For example, in the United States, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the regulations thereto place limits on the force required to open or close windows and doors. Many of the aforementioned mechanisms may not comply with these types of legislation. [0004] Thus, there is a general desire for improved apparatus for opening and closing windows to address one or more of the above problems. [0005] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. Summary of the Invention [0006] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above- described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. [0007] One aspect of the invention provides a device for opening and closing a window. The device comprises a frame track mounted to a frame of the window, the frame track including an opening end disposed proximate to an opening side of the frame, the opening side including one or more hinges connecting the frame to a sash, a closing end spaced apart in a closing direction from the opening end, and a cut-out formed in the frame track proximate the closing end, a sash track mounted to the sash, a carrier coupled to the frame track and configured to traverse along the frame track, a rotatable member retained by the carrier, the rotatable member rotatable about a central axis thereof and including a first engagement surface one or more of shaped and located to engage with a surface of the frame track when the rotatable member is in a sliding rotational position so as to prevent rotation of the rotatable member and allow longitudinal movement of the carrier, and a second engagement surface one or more of shaped and located to engage with the cut-out when the carrier is aligned with the cutout and the rotatable member is not in the sliding rotational position, so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the carrier, and an arm extending radially from the rotatable member, the arm including a distal end coupled to the sash track and configured to traverse along the sash track, and a handle assembly disposed on the frame track, the handle assembly configured to, in response to manipulation by a user, rotate the rotatable member to the sliding rotational position in an initiation phase wherein the second engagement surface is engaged with the cut-out and subsequently move the carrier longitudinally along the frame track in an adjustment phase wherein the first engagement surface is engaged with the surface of the frame track. [0008] The arm may be substantially orthogonal to the frame track when the rotatable member is in the sliding rotational position. [0009] The handle assembly may be movable relative to the carrier during the initiation phase to an opening position wherein the rotatable member is in the sliding rotational position. [0010] The rotatable member may comprise a spur gear segment and the handle assembly may comprise a handle member configured to be slidably movable relative to the carrier, a handle extending from the handle member, and a rack gear meshed with the spur gear segment, and wherein in use, sliding movement of the handle member relative to the carrier during the initiation phase may rotate the rotatable member via meshing between the spur gear segment and the rack gear. [0011] The handle member may include an abutment surface disposed adjacent the rack gear and selectively engageable with the rotatable member via sliding movement of the handle member relative to the carrier, and wherein in use when the abutment surface is engaged with the rotatable member movement of the handle member may mov