Casement window operating assembly

A folding crank handle assembly and cover combination for an operator of a casement window, the operator including a drive shaft, the combination comprising:

• a folding crank handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
• a crank handle having first and second ends, the handle including a knob at the first end and an integral flap at the first end;
• and
• a mount pivotally coupled to the second end of the handle and operably couplable to the drive shaft;
• and
• a cover having a first end, a second end and a top surface, the first end including a pocket configured to receive the knob therein and the second end including a hole, the cover configured to mount onto a member of the window from which the drive shaft protrudes with the cover positioned with respect to the operator so as to align the hole with the drive shaft,
• the crank handle adapted to pivot with respect to the mount from a first folded position, in which the handle overlies both the mount and cover with the knob received into the pocket, to a second unfolded position, in which the handle extends outwardly from the cover and the knob projects from the handle to facilitate winding movement of the handle about the axis of the drive shaft and resulting rotation of the drive shaft, the integral flap extending beyond the knob in both the first folded and the second unfolded positions, the handle covering the mount, the pocket and a majority of the top surface of the cover when in the first, folded position with at least a portion of the flap covering at least a portion of the pocket.

An operator for the swingable sash of a casement window comprising:

• a base plate having a longitudinal axis;
• a helical gear mounted on the plate for rotation about a generally upright axis;
• a worm gear supported by the plate in meshing engagement with the helical gear and extending generally upwardly therefrom at an oblique angle thereto;
• a drive shaft fixed to and projecting axially from the worm gear for rotating the worm gear and the helical gear;
• and
• an arm fixed to the helical gear for rotation therewith between a closed sash position in which the arm lies generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate and crosses over the worm gear, and an open sash position in which the arm is swung out at an angle to the longitudinal axis,
• the arm having a transverse clearance hump therein for clearing the worm gear when the arm crosses over the worm gear in the closed sash position.