Patents by Inventor Malcolm Muir

Malcolm Muir has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10648206
    Abstract: A corner drive assembly for a window locking system includes a case, a corner transfer spring, and first and second arms. The case includes first and second legs aligned with respective first and second axes. The legs are joined by a corner portion having an outer relief surface that is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from a corner of a window frame. The spring is slidably disposed within the corner portion and has first and second ends slidable along the first and second axes, respectively. The first arm is disposed within the first leg, slidable along the first axis, and coupled to the first end of the spring. The second arm is within the second leg, slidable along the second axis, and coupled to the second end of the spring. The first and second arms are coupled to respective first and second link bars of the locking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Rodems, James McInnis, Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 10309144
    Abstract: An operator assembly may move a window vent relative to a frame. The operator assembly includes a stationary member, an arm and a drive member. The arm is mounted for rotation relative to the stationary member between an open position and a closed position. The drive member is received in a channel defined by the stationary member for linear motion therein relative to the stationary member and the arm among a first position in which the drive member engages a locking feature of the window vent, a second position in which the drive member is spaced apart from and disengaged from the locking feature without rotating the arm out of the closed position, and a third position in which the drive member is further spaced apart from the locking feature. Movement of the drive member between the second and third positions moves the arm between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: James McInnis, Malcolm Muir, Brandan Cruz
  • Publication number: 20190063125
    Abstract: A corner drive assembly for a window locking system includes a case, a corner transfer spring, and first and second arms. The case includes first and second legs aligned with respective first and second axes. The legs are joined by a corner portion having an outer relief surface that is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from a corner of a window frame. The spring is slidably disposed within the corner portion and has first and second ends slidable along the first and second axes, respectively. The first arm is disposed within the first leg, slidable along the first axis, and coupled to the first end of the spring. The second arm is within the second leg, slidable along the second axis, and coupled to the second end of the spring. The first and second arms are coupled to respective first and second link bars of the locking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Eric Rodems, James McInnis, Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20170306682
    Abstract: An operator assembly may move a window vent relative to a frame. The operator assembly includes a stationary member, an arm and a drive member. The arm is mounted for rotation relative to the stationary member between an open position and a closed position. The drive member is received in a channel defined by the stationary member for linear motion therein relative to the stationary member and the arm among a first position in which the drive member engages a locking feature of the window vent, a second position in which the drive member is spaced apart from and disengaged from the locking feature without rotating the arm out of the closed position, and a third position in which the drive member is further spaced apart from the locking feature. Movement of the drive member between the second and third positions moves the arm between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: James MCINNIS, Malcolm MUIR, Brandan CRUZ
  • Patent number: 9303438
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a window sash relative to a window frame may include a track, a slider, first, second and third links, and a stop member. The slider may engage the track and may be translatable along the track. The first link may be pivotably coupled to the track. The second link may be pivotably coupled to the slider. The third link may be pivotably coupled to the first and second links. The stop member may engage the track and may be configured to limit translational motion of the slider. The stop member may be movable between a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may correspond to one of a plurality of ranges of translational motion of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm Muir, James McInnis, Jacob Snyder
  • Publication number: 20150040351
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a window sash relative to a window frame may include a track, a slider, first, second and third links, and a stop member. The slider may engage the track and may be translatable along the track. The first link may be pivotably coupled to the track. The second link may be pivotably coupled to the slider. The third link may be pivotably coupled to the first and second links. The stop member may engage the track and may be configured to limit translational motion of the slider. The stop member may be movable between a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may correspond to one of a plurality of ranges of translational motion of the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Malcolm Muir, James McInnis, Jacob Snyder
  • Patent number: 7690154
    Abstract: A 4-bar linkage assembly for mounting a sash to a frame member of a window assembly. The linkage assembly including a vent bar having an offset portion and a base portion that fits within a sash channel of the sash. The vent bar includes a fixed connection extending between the offset portion and the base portion for supporting the offset portion and projecting between overhanging rails of the sash channel. The offset portion forms a stop which engages an end of the sash channel for locating the vent bar within the sash channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20080016778
    Abstract: An adapter system for mounting conventional four-bar hinges within window assemblies that include elongated channels for mounting window hardware. One or more clamps having attachment features aligned with openings in a linkage bar of the four-bar hinges are received within the elongated channels of window sashes. The attachment features provide for aligning the linkage bars to the channels and for both temporarily and more permanently securing the vent bars to the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: ADVANTAGE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20060265957
    Abstract: A 4-bar linkage assembly overcomes the space constraints of window assemblies having so-called “Euro-Groove” hardware mounting systems in which opposing mounting channels are formed in sash and frame members of the window assembly. A base portion of a vent bar of the linkage assembly fits within the sash channel, and an offset portion forms a stop against one end of the sash channel for locating the linkage assembly within a window sash. A track member attaches the linkage assembly to the frame channel. A fixed connection between the base portion and the offset portion projects between overhanging rails of the sash channel for supporting the offset portion. A spacer supports intermediate linkages of the assembly above sidewalls of the sash channel for operating the linkage assembly within a remaining clearance space between the sash and frame channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: ADVANTAGE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 7096539
    Abstract: A shim assembly is constructed for engaging a hinge assembly to allow operable installation of the hinge assembly in an otherwise oversized sash-frame cavity. A shim body can include at least one projecting tab for engaging a vent bar of the hinge assembly, wherein the projecting tab can be integrally formed with the shim body. Alternatively, snap rivets can be used to engage the shim body with the vent bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 7047600
    Abstract: An egress 4-bar hinge assembly having two load-bearing links that pivot about spaced-apart bearing pivot points, wherein an entire length of at least one of the links overlies a planar bearing surface. The two links include a cooperating interface selected to engage through only a portion of the respective range of motions. The hinge assembly includes a support extension to define the bearing surface, wherein the support extension can include an integral end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 7024728
    Abstract: An end cap for a supporting bracket having a multi bar linkage includes at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib extends along a seating portion of the end cap, which engages a track of the supporting bracket and along a length of an upstanding portion of the end cap. End caps configured for offset or inline supporting brackets can include the reinforcing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20050223524
    Abstract: A shim assembly is constructed for engaging a hinge assembly to allow operable installation of the hinge assembly in an otherwise oversized sash-frame cavity. A shim body can include at least one projecting tab for engaging a vent bar of the hinge assembly, wherein the projecting tab can be integrally formed with the shim body. Alternatively, snap rivets can be used to engage the shim body with the vent bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 6880792
    Abstract: A mechanism which selectably limits the opening of a hinged window vent. The mechanism has a releasable arm that permits the vent to be conveniently opened beyond the selected limit. An assembly is disclosed for limiting travel of a vent relative to a frame. The assembly includes a security fastener for restricting transition of the assembly between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An arm is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket by a locking plate and a loading pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20050011049
    Abstract: An egress 4-bar hinge assembly having two load-bearing links that pivot about spaced-apart bearing pivot points, wherein an entire length of at least one of the links overlies a planar bearing surface. The two links include a cooperating interface selected to engage through only a portion of the respective range of motions. The hinge assembly includes a support extension to define the bearing surface, wherein the support extension can include an integral end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20030150084
    Abstract: An end cap for a supporting bracket having a multi bar linkage includes at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib extends along a seating portion of the end cap, which engages a track of the supporting bracket and along a length of an upstanding portion of the end cap. End caps configured for offset or inline supporting brackets can include the reinforcing ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Advantage Manufacturing Corp., Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20030075656
    Abstract: A mechanism which selectably limits the opening of a hinged window vent. The mechanism has a releasable arm that permits the vent to be conveniently opened beyond the selected limit. An assembly is disclosed for limiting travel of a vent relative to a frame. The assembly includes a security fastener for restricting transition of the assembly between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An arm is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket by a locking plate and a loading pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20030046794
    Abstract: A reduced tolerance window support bracket assembly is disclosed. The bracket includes a hinge with a vent bar having apertures to accept fasteners for engaging the hinge to a window sash. The apertures and the fasteners are configured to provide that the play between the window sash and a frame is optimized, thus avoiding the extremes of possible leakage and excessive pressure on a weather-strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Publication number: 20030046795
    Abstract: A reduced tolerance heavy duty window support bracket assembly is disclosed. The bracket includes a hinge with a vent bar having apertures to accept fasteners for engaging the hinge to a window sash. The apertures and the fasteners are configured to provide that the play between the window sash and a frame is optimized, thus avoiding the extremes of possible leakage and excessive pressure on a weather-strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Advantage Manufacturing Corp., Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 5898977
    Abstract: A supporting bracket for windows which can be used on any side of a window and which can be mounted using existing central mount installation tooling is disclosed. The supporting bracket uses dual sided containment of the vent bar end for preventing sash play and uses camming surfaces to allow for immediate sash pull in which prevents weather-strip problems and prevents the supporting bracket from binding during an opening operation. In some embodiments, an end cap engages opposite sides of a symmetric vent bar end. In another embodiment, a pin attached to the vent bar is engaged on opposite sides by a track formed within the main track of the supporting bracket. In all embodiments, the vent bar and the link pivotally connecting the vent bar to the track are prevented from moving in a direction opposite the direction of opening during an opening operation. The arms of the supporting bracket may have fully rounded edges for preventing binding between adjacent arms during load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corp., Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir