Low profile panel handle assembly and methods for same

A fenestration assembly including a low profile handle comprising:

• a fenestration frame;
• a sash movably coupled with the fenestration frame between an open position, a closed position and intermediate positions therebetween, the sash includes a daylight opening having a daylight opening profile, wherein the sash is movable between open and closed positions;
• a low profile handle assembly coupled with the fenestration frame and the sash, the low profile handle assembly includes:
• a sash handle coupled with the sash;
• a handle socket in the fenestration frame, the handle socket configured for reception of the sash handle with the sash in the closed position, wherein the sash handle is decoupled from the handle socket and the fenestration frame in the intermediate and open positions;
• and
• wherein the handle socket comprises an opening exposed to the daylight opening of the fenestration assembly and the sash handle is reachable through the daylight opening;
• a low profile screen assembly coupled with the fenestration frame, the low profile screen assembly includes a screen frame having a screen frame profile and a screen membrane spanning the screen frame;
• and
• wherein the screen frame profile and a composite handle profile of the low profile handle assembly are outside of the daylight opening profile, and the daylight opening is unobstructed by the low profile handle assembly and the screen frame profile.

A method for operating a fenestration assembly comprising:

• moving a sash with a sash handle of a low profile handle assembly, the sash handle outside of a daylight opening profile of the, wherein:
• the sash is moveable relative to a fenestration frame between an open position, a closed position and intermediate positions therebetween;
• the sash handle is configured for reception in a handle socket of the fenestration frame;
• and
• the sash handle is decoupled from the handle socket and the fenestration frame in the open and intermediate positions;
• the sash handle having a grip surface open toward the daylight opening to facilitate access to the sash handle;
• closing the fenestration assembly with the low profile handle assembly, closing the fenestration assembly includes:
• moving the sash toward the fenestration frame of the fenestration assembly with the sash handle;
• seating the sash handle within the handle socket of the fenestration frame, wherein the sash handle is exposed within the daylight opening;
• and
• wherein a composite handle profile includes the sash handle received in the handle socket with the sash in the closed position, and the composite handle profile is outside of the daylight opening profile, and the daylight opening is unobstructed at least from the low profile handle assembly.