Window opening control device
A window opening control assembly for releasably-limiting the maximum amount of travel of a window sash relative to a window frame includes a first component for attachment to one of the sash or frame, wherein the first component comprises a latch assembly including an actuator and a retainer, and a second component for attachment to the other of the sash or the window frame and comprising an at least partially flexible member that is extendable to the first component and releasably secured by the retainer. The at least partially flexible member is fed from the second component as distance between the first and second components increases until an intermediate position is reached and the components are restrained from further relative movement. The latch assembly is selectively unlatched to permit removal of the at least partially flexible member from the retainer to permit free movement between the first and second components.
1 . A window opening control assembly comprising:
a first component for attachment to one of a sash or a window frame, the first component comprising a latch assembly including an actuator and a retainer, a body, and a lifter element proximate the actuator and at least partially extending above a top surface of the body; and
a second component for attachment to the other of the sash or the window frame, the second component comprising an at least partially flexible member that is extendable to the first component,
wherein the at least partially flexible member is releasably secured by the latch assembly and fed from the second component as distance between the first and second components increases until an intermediate position is reached and the first and second components are restrained from further relative movement, and
wherein the retainer releasably secures the at least partially flexible member within the latch assembly and the latch assembly is selectively unlatched to permit removal of the at least partially flexible member from the latch assembly to permit free movement between the first and second components.
2 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a button release portion and a gate portion, the actuator normally biased in a first direction to prevent removal of the at least partially flexible member from the retainer.
3 . The window opening control assembly of claim 2 wherein the actuator button release portion and gate portion do not move independently of one another.
4 . The window opening control assembly of claim 2 wherein the actuator is movable in a second direction opposite the first direction to cause the gate portion to cease blocking the retainer and permit removal of the at least partially flexible member from the retainer.
5 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator.
6 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the retainer aligns and secures the at least partially flexible member at the latch assembly when the first component and second component are moved adjacent to one another.
7 . The window opening control assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least partially flexible member includes a terminal end comprising an anchor, and the retainer aligns the at least partially flexible member at the latch assembly as the retainer receives the anchor.
8 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least partially flexible member comprises a cable, rope, line, tape, wire, ribbon, or cord.
9 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least partially flexible member includes an end comprising an anchor that is adapted to be captured by the retainer to prevent removal until the latch assembly is selectively unlatched.
10 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the second component includes a retraction mechanism for automatically retracting the at least partially flexible member into the second component when the latch assembly is selectively unlatched.
11 . The window opening control assembly of claim 10 wherein the retraction mechanism is a constant force spring.
12 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the second component includes a stop for setting an effective length of the at least partially flexible member as it extends to the first component.
13 . The window opening control assembly of claim 12 wherein the second component comprises an elongated body having a channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and wherein the longitudinal position of the stop is adjustable within the channel.
14 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 wherein the second component comprises an elongated body having a channel extending along a length thereof and a socket at one end of the channel, the at least partially flexible member extending within the channel along the length of the body and terminating outwardly from an opening of the socket for being received by the retainer.
15 . The window opening control assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lifter element comprises a roller or an upwardly-angled wedge block.
16 . A window opening control assembly comprising:
a first component for attachment to one of a sash or a window frame, the first component comprising a latch assembly including an actuator and a retainer; and
a second component for attachment to the other of the sash or the window frame, the second component comprising an elongated body having a channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and an opening at a distal end of the channel, an at least partially flexible member extending within the channel along the length of the body and terminating outwardly from the channel opening for being received by the retainer, the at least partially flexible member being extendable to the first component, and a stop for setting an effective length of the at least partially flexible member as it extends to the first component, wherein the longitudinal position of the stop is adjustable within the channel,
wherein the at least partially flexible member is releasably secured by the latch assembly and fed from the second component as distance between the first and second components increases until an intermediate position is reached and the first and second components are restrained from further relative movement, and
wherein the retainer releasably secures the at least partially flexible member within the latch assembly and the latch assembly is selectively unlatched to permit removal of the at least partially flexible member from the latch assembly to permit free movement between the first and second components.
17 . The window opening control assembly of claim 16 wherein the first component further comprises a body and a lifter element proximate the actuator and at least partially extending above a top surface of the body.
18 . A method of operating a window assembly, comprising:
moving a first component attached to one of a sash or a frame of the window assembly to a position adjacent a second component attached to the other of the sash or the frame, the first component comprising a latch assembly including a single actuator and a retainer, the first component further comprising a body and a lifter element proximate the actuator and at least partially extending above a top surface of the body, the actuator including a button release portion and an integral gate portion and being normally biased in a first direction to block an opening of the retainer, the actuator pivotable between a first position blocking the retainer opening and a second position permitting access to the retainer opening, and the second component comprising an at least partially flexible member that is extendable to the first component;
raising a lower portion of the sash via the lifter element to align the at least partially flexible member with the retainer as the sash moves toward a closed position with respect to the frame;
securing a portion of the at least partially flexible member within the retainer as the first component approaches the second component by causing the actuator to pivot from the first position to the second position; and
feeding the at least partially flexible member from the second component as the sash is moved away from the frame until the sash reaches an intermediate position and the sash is restrained from further movement away from the frame.
19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising:
causing the actuator to move in a second direction opposite the first direction to cause the gate portion to cease blocking the retainer and permit removal of the at least partially flexible member;
selectively translating the at least partially flexible member past the actuator gate portion to exit the retainer; and
continuing to move the sash away from the frame.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the second component includes a retraction mechanism for automatically retracting the at least partially flexible member into the second component when the latch assembly is selectively unlatched and wherein the second component further comprises an elongated body having a channel extending along a length thereof and a socket at one end of the channel, the at least partially flexible member extending within the channel along the length of the body, and further including the step of:
retracting the at least partially flexible member into the second component body until a terminal portion of the at least partially flexible member extends outwardly from an opening of the socket.