SLIDE OPERATOR FOR FENESTRATION UNIT

• US 20200131832A1
• Filed: 10/31/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pella Corporation (EPR of Buffalo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pella Corporation (EPR of Buffalo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bernhagen, Todd A., Schroder, Paul D., Hansen, Ted L.
• Granted Patent: US 11,261,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/04 with cords, chains or cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/34 with screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows

Abstract

Sliding operator assemblies and associated fenestration units, systems, and methods of use and assembly are described. Some such sliding operator assemblies transition a first, linear actuation force along a first axis (e.g., vertical) to a second actuation force along a second axis (e.g., horizontal) to cause a drive mechanism to impart opening and closing forces, respectively, on the sash. Some designs relate to belt-, twisted ribbon-, or band-drive sliding operator assemblies.

Claims

1. A fenestration unit comprising:

a frame having a head, a first jamb, a second jamb, and a sill;

a sash hinged to the frame such that the sash pivotable between an open position and a closed position; and

an operator assembly configured to transition the sash between the open and closed positions, the operator assembly including,

a drive mechanism configured to impart an opening force on the sash toward the open position and a closing force on the sash toward the closed position, and

a slide mechanism operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, the slide mechanism being slidable to cause the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash.

2. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the slide mechanism is associated with the frame and includes a handle that is slidable along the frame to cause the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash.

3. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a rotary gearbox and a linkage assembly operatively coupled between the rotary gearbox and the sash.

4. The fenestration unit of claim 3, wherein the rotary gearbox includes a worm and a worm gear.

5. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the slide mechanism is slidable along a first axis resulting in an actuation force on the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash, wherein the resultant actuation force is along a second axis that is at an angle to the first axis.

6. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular.

7. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the operator assembly further comprises a transfer mechanism including a drive belt operatively coupling the slide mechanism to the drive mechanism.

8. The fenestration unit of claim 7, wherein the drive belt extends along a portion of the frame associated with the slide mechanism, and then along another portion of the frame with which the drive mechanism is associated.

9. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the operator assembly includes a transfer mechanism including a twisted-wire and a gearing coupled to the twisted-wire, and further wherein the slide mechanism includes a handle slidable along the twisted-wire to impart a rotational force on the twisted-wire that is transferred to the drive mechanism.

10. The fenestration unit of claim 1, wherein the operator assembly includes a transfer mechanism including a twisted-wire and a transfer block coupled to the twisted-wire, and further wherein the slide mechanism includes a handle slidable to impart a rotational force on the twisted-wire that is transferred through a perpendicular angle to the drive mechanism through the transfer block.

11. A method of operating a fenestration unit including a frame, a sash hinged to the frame, and an operator assembly for pivoting the sash an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:

sliding a handle of a slide mechanism of the operator assembly in a first direction, the slide mechanism being operatively coupled to a drive mechanism of the operator assembly such that sliding the handle of the slide mechanism in the first direction causes the drive mechanism to impart an opening force on the sash toward the open position; and

sliding the handle of the slide mechanism in a second direction causes the drive mechanism to impart a closing force on the sash.

12. A method of assembling a fenestration unit, the method comprising:

hinging a sash to a frame having a head, a first jamb, a second jamb, and a sill, the sash being pivotable between an open position and a closed position; and

coupling an operator assembly to the frame and the sash by coupling a drive mechanism between the frame and the sash, the drive mechanism configured to impart an opening force on the sash toward the open position and a closing force on the sash toward the closed position, and coupling a slide mechanism to the frame; and

operatively coupling the slide mechanism to the drive mechanism such that the slide mechanism is slidable and causes the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the slide mechanism includes a track, the method further comprising associating the track with the frame such that a handle of the slide mechanism is slidable along the track in order to cause the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising operatively coupling a linkage assembly between a rotary gearbox of the drive mechanism and the sash.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the rotary gearbox includes a worm and a worm gear.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the slide mechanism is slidable along a first axis resulting in an actuation force on the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash, wherein the resultant actuation force is along a second axis that is at an angle to the first axis.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second axes are perpendicular.