AU2002300951B2 - Double Hung Sash Windows - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): THERMO GLIDE SYSTEMS PTY LTD A.C.N. 081 916 396 Invention Title: DOUBLE HUNG SASH WINDOWS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 DOUBLE HUNG SASH WINDOWS The present invention relates to double hung sash windows.

The present invention relates particularly, although by no means exclusively, to counter-weighted double hung sash windows.

Double hung sash windows are well known and used widely. The windows comprise upper and lower window sashes positioned in a window frame that is secured to a window opening. The window frame comprises upper, lower, and side frame members, and the side frame members are arranged to guide the window sashes for vertical sliding movement.

The double hung sash windows may also comprise counter-weight assemblies for the sash windows. A typical counter-weight assembly comprises a counterweight, a sash cord connected at one end to the counterweight and at the other end to a window sash, and a pulley located at an upper section of the window with the sash cord extending over the pulley. The foregoing description includes arrangements in which one window sash is a "counterweight" for the other window sash, and vice versa.

An object of the present invention is to provide a double hung sash window that has a number of advantages 3 over conventional double hung sash windows.

According to the present invention there is provided a double hung sash window which comprises a pair of window sashes positioned in a window frame having upper, lower, and side frame members with each side frame member guiding the window sashes for vertical sliding movement, and a counter-weight assembly for each window sash which comprises a counter-weight, a sash cord connected at one end to the counter-weight and at the other end to the sash window, and a pulley located at an upper section of the window frame with the sash cord extending over the pulley, and which is characterised in that the counter-weight assembly comprises a means for adjusting the tension in the sash cord which is accessible from a lower edge of the sash window.

The tension adjustment means may be any suitable configuration.

It is preferred that the tension adjustment means comprises a threaded adjustment bolt, a first bracket secured to the sash cord and having a threaded opening which receives the adjustment bolt, and a second bracket secured to the sash window and having an opening through which the adjustment bolt extends, with the second bracket defining a reaction surface for the head of the adjustment bolt, and the second bracket being positioned so that the opening locates the adjustment bolt adjacent a side edge of the sash window and so that the adjustment bolt can be manipulated from the lower edge of the sash window.

It is preferred that the counterweight for one window sash comprises the other window sash.

With this arrangement it is preferred that there be one of the counterweight assemblies on each side of the 4 window sashes and that each counterweight assembly comprises: a sash cord connected at opposite ends to the window sashes; and (ii) a pulley located at the upper section of the window frame with the sash cord extending over the pulley.

It is preferred that each side frame member comprises two separate parallel channels and each channel receives and guides a side edge of one of the window sashes so that the window sashes can slide vertically.

It is preferred that each channel be generally Ushaped with a base and two sides.

It is preferred particularly that the sides be parallel.

It is preferred that each U-shaped channel be formed from two L-shaped members which are positioned together so that the base of the channel is defined by one arm of one L-shaped member overlapping' an arm of the other L-shaped member and the sides of the channel are defined by the remaining arms of the L-shaped members. With this arrangement the width of the channel can be varied by sliding the overlapping arms relative to each other.

It is preferred that the window further comprises a sealing means positioned between the sides of the channels and the window sashes.

Typically, the sealing means comprise sealing strips secured to the sides of the channels or to the window sashes.

5 It is preferred that the window frame be detachably secured by screws or other fastening means which extend through openings in the side frame members into a framework that defines a window opening for the window.

It is preferred that the openings in the side frame members be positioned so that all of the fasteners can be exposed by successively raising and lowering the window sashes.

With this arrangement, the window can be removed by first reviewing the fasteners that are exposed, raising and lowering the window sashes to expose the fasteners that were previously obscured by the window sashes, removing the fasteners, and thereafter lifting the window from the window opening.

The present invention is described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a double hung sash window in accordance with the present invention, with the window sashes removed for clarity; Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partially sectional side elevation of a lower corner of a window sash of the preferred embodiment of the sash window which illustrates in detail the sash cord adjustment means of the sash window; and 6 Figure 5 is a side elevation of the window sash shown in Figure 4.

The double hung sash window shown in the figures is generally conventional in the sense that it comprises a pair of partially overlapping window sashes 13a, 13b (Figures 3, 4 and 5) suspended in a window frame positioned in a window opening in a house frame As can best be seen in Figure 1, the window frame comprises an upper frame member 5, a lower frame member 7, and side frame members, generally identified by the numeral 9.

The window sashes 13a, 13b and the window frame may be constructed from any suitable material.

Each side frame member 9 comprises two separate parallel channels, generally identified by numerals 11, which receive and guide side edges 47 of the window sashes so that the window sashes 13a, 13b can slide vertically.

The channels 11 are detachably secured to the house frame 15 by screws 21 (or other suitable fasteners) extending through openings in the channels 11. The positions of the openings are selected so that all of the screws 21 are exposed by successively raising and lowering the window sashes 13a, 13b.

The arrangement is such that the sash window can be removed easily from the window opening by a sequence of steps which includes: removing the screws 21 that are exposed when the window sashes 13a, 13b are in one closed position, for example, with the window sash 7 13a in a lowered position and the window sash 13b in a raised position; (ii) thereafter, positioning the window sashes 13a, 13b in the other closed position, i.e.

with the window sash 13a in the raised position and the window sash 13b in the lowered position, and removing the screws 21 that are then exposed which will be the remaining screws 21 holding the sash window in position; and (iii)removing the assembly of the side frame members and the window sashes 13a, 13b from the window opening.

The above described sequence of steps is a straightforward method of enabling the sash window to be removed for maintenance purposes such as painting.

In addition, by positioning the screws so that only a proportion of the screws 21 are exposed at any time and therefore it is necessary to reposition the window sashes 13a, 13b to remove all of the screws 21 the security of the sash window is not compromised.

Each channel 11 is formed from overlapping identical elongate L-shaped members 27a, 27b which enable the width of the channel 11 to be adjusted to accommodate a range of different thicknesses of window sashes 13a, 13b.

This is a significant advantage because it greatly simplifies the construction of the sash window and, more particularly minimises the inventory of components that have to be manufactured to construct the sash window.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 3 the 8 overlapping arms of the L-shaped members 27a, 27b comprise saw tooth outer profiles to provide a degree of interlock between the L-shaped members 27a, 27b.

The window sashes 13a, 13b are suspended in the window frame by means of a counterweight assembly on each side of the window frame.

Specifically, a sash cord 19 (Figures 3, 4, is provided on each side of the window frame and is connected at one end to the window sash 13a and at the other end to the window sash 13b. The sash cords 19 are connected to lower sections of the window sashes 13a, 13b, and, the side edges 47 of the window sashes 13a, 13b include grooves 51 (Figures 3 and 4) which receive the sash cords 19 and thereby ensure that the sash cords 19 do not become entangled in the channels 11. In addition, a pulley (not shown) is secured to an upper section of the window frame on each side of the window frame, and the sash cords 19 are arranged to extend over the pulleys. With this arrangement, each window sash 13a, 13b acts as a "counterweight" for the other window sash.

The counterweight assembly on each side of the window frame comprises a means for adjusting the tension of the sash cord 19 as is usually required over time as the sash cord 19 stretches.

The tension adjustment means is connected to one end of each sash cord 19 and is positioned to enable convenient access via a lower edge 37 of one of the window sashes 13a, 13b. This is considerable advantage over known counter-weighted double hung sash windows which are relatively complicated in terms of access to the counterweight assemblies.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the tension 9 adjustment means comprises a threaded adjustment screw 31 which extends through an opening 33 in a bracket 35 that is secured to the lower edge 37 of the window sash 13a and is received in a threaded opening 39 in a bracket 41 that is connected to the sash cord 19. The bracket 41 includes a slot 43 which receives a guide pin 45 extending from the side edge 47 of the window sash 13a. The assembly of the slot 43 and the guide pin 45 locates the bracket 41 relative to the side edge 47 of the window sash 13a.

Furthermore, the section of the bracket 35 that includes the opening 33 for the adjustment screw 31 is rebated so that the head of the adjustment screw 31 does not extend below the plane of the lower edge 37 of the window sash 13a.

Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the double hung sash window described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A double hung sash window which comprises a pair of window sashes positioned in a window frame having upper, lower, and side frame members with each side frame member guiding the window sashes for vertical sliding movement, and a counter-weight assembly for each window sash which comprises a counter-weight, a sash cord connected at one o end to the counter-weight and at the other end to the window sash;, and a pulley located at an upper section of the window frame with the sash cord extending over the pulley, wherein the counter-weight assembly comprises a means for adjusting the tension in the sash cord which is accessible from a lover edge of the window sash, and wherein the tension adjustment means comprises a threaded adjustment bolt, a first bracket secured to the sash cord and having a threaded opening which receives the adjustment bolt, and a second bracket secured to the window sash and having an opening through which the adjustment bolt extends, with the second bracket defining a reaction surface for the head of the adjustment bolt, and the second bracket being positioned so that the opening locates the adjustment bolt adjacent a side edge of the window sash and so that the adjustment bolt can be manipulated from the lower edge of the window sash.

2. The window defined in claim. 1 wherein the counterweight for one window sash comprises the other window sash.

3. The window defined in claim 2 wherein one of the counterweight assemblies is on each side of the window sashes and each counterweight assembly comprises: (i a sash cord connected at opposite ends to the window sashes; and Hl;\H3kro:\EKeep\apeci\TrRMu~cLyns P47081.doc 14/07/Ct COMS ID No: SBMI-01352481 Received by IP Australia: lime 09:25 Date 2005-07-14 14/107 2005 09:21 FAX 61 3 92438333GRFIhHC 07 GRIFFITH HACK lih 007 (ii) a pulley located at the upper section of the 3 window frame with the sash cord extending over the pulley.

4. The window defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each side frame member comprises two separate parallel channels and each channel receives and guides a side edge of one of the window sashes so that the o window sashes can slide vertically. 01 S. The window defined in claim, 4 wherein each channel is generally U-shaped with a base and two sides.

6. The window defined in claim 5 wherein the sides are parallel.

7. The window defined in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein each U-shaped channel is formed from two L-shaped members which are positioned together so that the base of the channel is defined by one arm of one L-shaped member overlapping an arm of the other L-shaped member and the sides of the channel are defined by the remaining arms of the L-shaped members. S. The window defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the window further comprises a sealing means positioned between the sides of the channels and the window sashes.

9. The window defined in claim 8 wherein the sealing means comprises sealing strips secured to the sides of the channels or to the window sashes. The window defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the window frame is detachably secured by screws or other fastening means which extend through openings in the side frame members into a framework that H:,\3krot\Xeep\speCI\THRMOGLIDE P47081.doc 14/07/05 COMS ID No: SBMI-01 352481 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:25 Date 2005-07-14 14/07 2005 09:21 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK @008 12 defines a window opening for the window.

11. The window defined in claim 10 wherein the openings in the side frame members are positioned so that all of the fasteners can be exposed by successively raising and lowering the window sashes. Dated this 14th day of July 2005 THERMO GLIDE SYSTEMS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\Bktot\Keep\speci\THEMOLIrDE P470el.doc 14/07/05 COMS ID No: SBMI-01352481 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:25 Date 2005-07-14