Slide operator for fenestration unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11802432-B2
Application number	US-202217576343-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2022
Priority date	Oct 31, 2018
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a fenestration unit including a frame comprising a first jamb, a second jamb, a sill and a head, a sash hinged to the frame, and an operator assembly for pivoting the sash between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
sliding a handle attached to a slide member of a slide mechanism of the operator assembly, wherein the slide member is received in a linear rail on one of the first jamb or the second jamb, in a first direction about a vertical axis, the slide mechanism being operatively coupled to a drive mechanism of the operator assembly mounted to one of the sill or head such that sliding the handle of the slide mechanism in the first direction about the vertical axis causes the drive mechanism on the one of the sill or head to impart an opening force on the sash toward the open position; and
sliding the handle attached to the slide member of the slide mechanism in a second direction about the vertical axis causes the drive mechanism on the one of the sill or head to impart a closing force on the sash;
wherein the drive mechanism includes a rotary gearbox associated with one of the sill or the head, and a linkage assembly operatively coupled between the rotary gearbox and the sash, the rotary gearbox receiving an input force from sliding the handle and translating the input force to the opening and closing forces on the sash through the linkage assembly; and
wherein the rotary gearbox includes a worm and a worm gear, wherein the input force from the handle causes the worm to rotate and operate the worm gear.

2. A method of operating a fenestration unit including a frame comprising a sill, a head, a first jamb and a second jamb, a sash hinged to the frame, and an operator assembly for pivoting the sash between 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 about a first axis along one of the first and second jambs of the frame, 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;
wherein the drive mechanism includes a rotary gearbox associated with one of the sill or the head, and a linkage assembly operatively coupled between the rotary gearbox and the sash, the rotary gearbox receiving an input force from sliding the handle and translating the input force to the opening and closing forces on the sash through the linkage assembly; and
wherein sliding the handle in the first and second directions results in an actuation force on the drive mechanism imparting the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash, wherein the actuation force resulting is along a second axis that is at an angle to the first axis; and
wherein the rotary gearbox includes a worm and a worm gear, wherein the input force from the handle causes the worm to rotate and operate the worm gear.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the slide mechanism is associated with the frame and the handle is slid linearly along the frame to cause the drive mechanism to impart the opening force and the closing force, respectively, on the sash.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first and second axes are generally perpendicular.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the operator assembly further comprises a transfer mechanism including a drive belt operatively coupling the slide mechanism to the drive mechanism.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive pulley configured to impart the opening force toward the open position and the closing force, toward the closed position, respectively on the sash in response to sliding the handle.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the handle being slid is arranged to project inwardly toward the center of the fenestration unit.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the handle being slid is arranged to project interiorly from the interior side of the fenestration unit.

9. A method of operating a fenestration unit including a frame comprising a sill, a head, a first jamb and a second jamb, a sash hinged to the frame, and an operator assembly for pivoting the sash between 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 along one of the first and second jambs of the frame, the slide mechanism being operatively coupled to a drive mechanism of the operator assembly associated with one of the sill or the head 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;
wherein the operator assembly further comprises a transfer mechanism including a drive belt operatively coupling the slide mechanism to the drive mechanism; and
wherein the drive belt extends along a portion of the one of the first jamb or the second jamb, and then along the one of the sill or head with which the drive mechanism is associated.

10. A method of operating a fenestration unit including a frame, a sash hinged to the frame, and an operator assembly for pivoting the sash between 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; and
wherein the operator assembly includes a transfer mechanism including a twisted-wire and a gearing coupled to the twisted-wire, and further wherein the handle is slidable along the twisted-wire to impart a rotational force on the twisted-wire that is transferred to the drive mechanism.

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 between 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, and
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 handle is 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.

12. A method of operating a fenestration unit comprising:
translating a handle of a slide mechanism of an operator assembly in a first direction, the operator assembly including the slide mechanism being operatively coupled to a drive mechanism such

Assignees

• Pella Corp

Inventors

• Bernhagen Todd A
• Schroder Paul D
• Hansen Ted L

Classifications

• E05F11/04 Primary

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• E05F11/34

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• E05Y2900/148

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