Sliding window assembly

Abstract

A sliding window assembly includes a frame with a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position. The sliding window portion includes a handle pivotable between a lock position and a slide position, and a driving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the track. The driving pin defines a pivot axis for the handle. A guide pin spaced from the driving pin is selectively engageable with the track when the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. With the handle in the slide position, the sliding window portion is displaceable from its closed position to an open position.

1 . A sliding window assembly comprising:
 a frame including a track;   a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position, the sliding window portion including a leading end and a trailing end and comprising a handle pivotally coupled with the leading end, the handle being pivotable between a lock position and a slide position; and   a pin assembly cooperable with the handle and including a driving pin and a guide pin spaced from the driving pin, wherein with the sliding window portion in the closed position and the handle in the lock position, the driving pin and the guide pin are aligned and substantially perpendicular to the track, and wherein when the handle is pivoted to the slide position, the driving pin and the guide pin are aligned and in alignment with the track.   
     
     
         2 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotable about the driving pin. 
     
     
         3 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding window portion further comprises a leading end washer through which the driving pin and the guide pin extend. 
     
     
         4 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the leading end washer bearing is interposed between the handle and the track, and wherein the driving pin and the guide pin extend through the leading end washer bearing and into the track. 
     
     
         5 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the leading end washer bearing is dimensioned larger than a width of the track and rides on top of the track when the sliding window portion is displaced. 
     
     
         6 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a forward transition region cooperable with the track that receives the driving pin and the guide pin, wherein the guide pin is selectively engageable with the track via the forward transition region when the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. 
     
     
         7 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the forward transition region includes a channel with a first leg substantially perpendicular to the track and a second leg aligned with the track, wherein with the sliding window portion in the closed position and the handle in the lock position, the driving pin and the guide pin are disposed in the first leg, and wherein when the handle is pivoted to the slide position, the driving pin and the guide pin are displaced into the second leg in alignment with the track. 
     
     
         8 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the forward transition region comprises a rear channel in alignment with the second leg, and wherein the rear channel provides a continuous path for the guide pin to pass over/through the forward transition region when the sliding window portion is displaced to its open position. 
     
     
         9 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the forward transition region further comprises a recessed surface between the second leg and the rear channel, and wherein in the closed position, the driving pin applies pressure in the forward transition region on the recessed surface. 
     
     
         10 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the forward transition region comprises a removable plate that is secured to the frame in a recess. 
     
     
         11 . A sliding window assembly comprising:
 a frame including a track;   a sliding window portion displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position, the sliding window portion comprising a pivot handle;   a pin assembly cooperable with the pivot handle and including a guide pin spaced from a driving pin, wherein the pivot handle is pivotable about the driving pin between a lock position and a slide position, and wherein pivoting of the pivot handle effects displacement of the guide pin relative to the sliding window portion.   
     
     
         12 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising a forward transition region cooperable with the track that receives the driving pin and the guide pin, wherein the guide pin is selectively engageable with the track via the forward transition region when the pivot handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. 
     
     
         13 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the forward transition region includes a channel with a first leg substantially perpendicular to the track and a second leg aligned with the track, wherein with the sliding window portion in the closed position and the pivot handle in the lock position, the driving pin and the guide pin are disposed in the first leg, and wherein when the pivot handle is pivoted to the slide position, the driving pin and the guide pin are displaced into the second leg in alignment with the track. 
     
     
         14 . A sliding window assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the forward transition region comprises a removable plate that is secured to the frame in a recess. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a sliding window assembly that includes a frame with a track, a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track via a handle between a closed position and an open position, and a pin assembly cooperable with the handle and including a driving pin and a guide pin spaced from the driving pin, the method comprising:
 (a) with the sliding window portion in the closed position and the handle in a lock position, aligning the driving pin and the guide pin in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the track;   (b) pivoting the handle to a slide position such that the driving pin and the guide pin are aligned and in an orientation in alignment with the track, wherein as the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position, the method including shifting the driving pin and the guide pin from the orientation substantially perpendicular to the track to the orientation in alignment with the track;   (c) displacing the sliding window portion inwardly relative to the frame and toward the track upon pivoting of the handle in step (b); and   (d) with the handle in the slide position, displacing the sliding window portion to the open position.