Fenestration unit with sash retention

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9650822-B2
Application number	US-201414216137-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	May 16, 2017
Grant date	May 16, 2017

Abstract

A fenestration unit, such as a window, having an upper sash and a lower sash can be configured to permit separate and independent movement of the upper sash and the lower sash when desired, while restraining the upper sash from movement caused by movement of the lower sash. A fenestration unit having a single movable sash can also be configured to provide securement of the single movable sash against undesired vertical movement.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A fenestration unit comprising:
a frame including:
a first side member;
a first track disposed within the first side member;
a second side member; and
a second track disposed within the second side member;

a first counterbalance mechanism disposed proximate the first side member;
a second counterbalance mechanism disposed proximate the second side member;
a first slide member slidably disposed within the first track and operably connected to the first counterbalance mechanism;
a second slide member slidingly disposed within the second track and operably connected to the second counterbalance mechanism;
a sash secured to the first slide member and the second slide member such that the sash is configured to move vertically relative to the frame;
one or more detents exerting frictional forces on the sash when the sash is in a closed position, the one or more detents including a first resilient detent secured to the first track, such that the first resilient detent directly engages the first slide member when the sash is in a fully closed position vertically within the frame, wherein the sash is configured to move vertically relative to the frame by exceeding the frictional forces exerted by the one or more detents on the sash.

2. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , wherein the first resilient detent is secured to the first track such that the first resilient detent interacts with the first slide member when the sash is in a closed position.

3. The fenestration unit of claim 2 , further comprising a second resilient detent secured to the second track such that the second resilient detent interacts with the second slide member when the sash is in the closed position.

4. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , further comprising a first counterbalance channel extending parallel to the first track, the first counterbalance mechanism secured within the first counterbalance channel.

5. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , further comprising a second counterbalance channel extending parallel to the second track, the second counterbalance mechanism secured within the second counterbalance channel.

6. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , wherein the sash is pivotally secured to the first slide member and the second slide member such that the sash is configured to tilt relative to the frame.

7. The fenestration unit of claim 2 , wherein the first track includes a first outer surface and a first inner retention lip, the first slide member disposed between the first outer surface and the first inner retention lip such that the first resilient detent pushes the first slide member towards the first inner retention lip when the first resilient detent interacts with the first slide member.

8. The fenestration unit of claim 3 , wherein the second track includes a second outer surface and a second inner retention lip, the second slide member disposed between the second outer surface and the second inner retention lip such that the second resilient detent pushes the second slide member towards the second inner retention lip when the second resilient detent interacts with the second slide member.

9. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , wherein the first resilient detent is configured to hold the sash in position against inadvertent or incidental movement, but permit intentional movement of the sash.

10. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , wherein the first resilient detent comprises a leaf spring.

11. The fenestration unit of claim 3 , wherein the second resilient detent comprises a leaf spring.

12. The fenestration unit of claim 1 , wherein the sash comprises an upper sash, and the frame further comprises:
a third track disposed within the first side member; and
a fourth track disposed within the second side member; and
wherein the fenestration unit further comprises a lower sash disposed between the third track and the fourth track.

13. The fenestration unit of claim 12 , further comprising:
a third slide member disposed within the third track; and
a fourth slide member disposed within the fourth track;
wherein the lower sash is secured to the third slide member and the fourth slide member such that the lower sash is configured to move vertically relative to the frame.

14. A fenestration unit comprising:
a frame including a first side member and a second side member;
a first slide member slidingly disposed relative to the first side member;
a second slide member slidingly disposed relative to the second side member;
a sash disposed within the frame, the sash secured to the first slide member and the second slide member;
a first counterbalance apparatus configured to provide counterbalance to the sash, the first counterbalance apparatus disposed proximate the first side member;
a second counterbalance apparatus configured to provide counterbalance to the sash, the second counterbalance apparatus disposed proximate the second side member, and
a plurality of detents exerting frictional forces on the sash when the sash is in a closed position, the plurality of detents including,
a first detent configured to retain the sash in an upper position, the first detent disposed proximate a first track; and
a second detent configured to retain the sash in the upper position, the second detent disposed proximate a second track;

wherein the first slide member directly engages the first detent and the second slide member directly engages the second detent when the sash is lifted into a raised position that is a fully closed position vertically within the frame such that the sash is configured to move vertically relative to the frame by exceeding the frictional forces exerted by the plurality of detents on the sash.

15. The fenestration unit of claim 14 , wherein the first detent comprise a first spring clip secured to the first side member and the second detent comprise a second spring clip secured to the second side member.

Assignees

• Pella Corp

Inventors

• Bernhagen Todd A
• Miller Scot C

Classifications

• E05D13/12

  with springs · CPC title

• E05Y2900/148

  Windows · CPC title

• E05F17/00

  Special devices for shifting a plurality of wings operated simultaneously (for simultaneously moving a plurality of interconnected ventilating lamellae E06B7/086) · CPC title

• E05D15/18 Primary

  consisting of two or more independent parts, movable each in its own guides · CPC title

• E06B2001/628

  Separate flexible joint covering strips; Flashings · CPC title