Fenestration Hardware Assembly Consolidating Tilt and Lock Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fenestration operation hardware requires redundant mechanisms for tilting and locking/unlocking window sashes, and fails to ensure reliable locking and operation in out-of-square installations, leading to misalignment and improper locking.
Innovation Solution
A consolidated operation hardware assembly that actuates a latch blade to lock and unlock sashes, allowing tilting within a frame, using a rotatable handle to consolidate functions and maintain alignment through a latch blade positioned near the operator, ensuring reliable locking and unlocking regardless of square installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate mechanisms are used for tilting and locking/unlocking window sashes, then each function can be independently operated, but redundant hardware and increased device complexity result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate tilt latch mechanisms and lock mechanisms into a single integrated operator assembly. The operator simultaneously controls both the tilt latch blades and lock latch blades through a unified mechanism, eliminating redundant hardware while maintaining independent operational capability through a single actuation point.
2Ease of manufacture
If latch features are positioned at the edges of sashes for locking, then locking function is provided, but misalignment occurs in out-of-square installations leading to unreliable locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the operator assembly from the traditional edge location to the center of the sash check rail, moving the latch blade engagement point from a peripheral dimension to a central dimension. This central positioning reduces the impact of out-of-square installation errors and maintains reliable locking across varying installation conditions.
3Ease of operation
If tilt latches are biased outwardly into adjacent jambs and individually operated, then tilting can be controlled, but simultaneous actuation of multiple latches is required increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individually operated tilt latches into a single operator assembly that simultaneously controls all tilt latch blades. The unified operator mechanism ensures coordinated actuation of all latches through a single user action, eliminating the need for simultaneous manual operation of multiple separate latches.
4Reliability
If autolocking features are installed to automatically lock sashes when closed, then security is improved, but accidental relocking occurs preventing flexible opening and closing sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic operator assembly that automatically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on sash position. The mechanism includes movable components that detect sash closure and automatically engage or disengage locking features, providing security when closed while allowing flexible operation during the opening/closing sequence without accidental relocking.
Data Source
AI summary
A fenestration hardware assembly includes a blade socket including a blade recess and an operator interface feature rotatably coupled with an operator housing. A latch blade is movably coupled with the operator housing. The latch blade is movable between deployed and withdrawn positions. In the deployed position at least a portion of the latch blade is received in the blade recess of the blade socket. In the withdrawn position the portion of the latch blade is recessed from the blade recess. The operator interface feature is rotatable between at least locked and unlocked configurations. In the locked configuration the latch blade is in the deployed position and received in the blade recess. In the unlocked configuration the latch blade is translated from the deployed position to the withdrawn position and withdrawn from the blade recess according to rotation of the operator interface feature.