Window opening control systems and methods
AssigneePella Corporation
InventorJesse Van Essen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fenestration system is disclosed. In some examples, the fenestration system includes one or more movable window sashes and a toggle assembly. In some examples, the toggle assembly operates to limit the degree to which the window sashes are opened or otherwise moved relative to one another. In some examples, a window sash may be opened a designated amount before the toggle assembly operates to obstruct it from being further opened.
Claims20
A fenestration system including:
- a frame;
- a first window sash movable relative to the frame;
- and
- a toggle assembly including a toggle housing, a toggle, and a biasing member, the toggle assembly being transitionable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein when transitioned to the engaged state the toggle assembly operates to obstruct the first window sash from being opened beyond a designated threshold position relative to the frame, and wherein when transitioned to the disengaged state the first window sash is free to be opened beyond the designated threshold position such that upon opening the first window sash beyond the designated threshold position the toggle assembly is primed to automatically transition to the engaged state upon closing the first window sash.
A toggle assembly including:
- a toggle housing;
- a toggle coupled to the toggle housing and configured to rotate and translate relative to the toggle housing such that the toggle is transitionable between an engaged stated and disengaged stated;
- and
- a biasing member coupled to the toggle and to the toggle housing, the biasing member exerting a force on the toggle and the toggle housing, wherein when configured in the engaged state the toggle engages a portion of the toggle housing which operates to retain the toggle in the engaged state, and wherein when transitioning from the engaged state to the disengaged state the biasing member induces the toggle to rotate and translate relative to the toggle housing.
A method of controlling a window sash in a fenestration system, the window sash being moveable within a frame of the fenestration system, the method comprising;
- positioning a toggle assembly on the fenestration system, the toggle assembly being transitionable between an engaged state and a disengaged state;
- configuring the toggle assembly in the engaged state such that the window sash is obstructed from being opened in excess of a designated amount;
- and
- transitioning the toggle assembly to the disengaged state such that the window sash can be opened in excess of the designated amount and such that upon opening the first window sash in excess of the designated amount the toggle assembly is primed to automatically transition to the engaged state upon closing the window sash.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.