AU646294B2 - Sash windows - Google Patents

Description

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2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 645629 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: HOAD, MARTIN WILLIAM HOAD, MARTIN WILLIAM 4 Address for Service: CULLEN CO., Patent Trade tark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

Invention Title: SASH WINDOWS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos. PK2597 PK4652 t 4 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

2 THIS INVENTION relates to sash windows and particularly relates to sash windows of the double hung type and wherein the sashes are operatively associated with each other.

Double hung windows typically comprise a pair of sashes which locate in respective sash channels on a sash surround frame. The sashes are offset with respect to each other so that one sash can slide past the second sash.

i. rd Each sash can be raised or lowered by a person to a 1U, desired open position and retained in that position by catches provided either on the sash or on the surround frame.

o' A disadvantage with the use of catches is that if the sash is not properly retained, it can inadvertently fall down to cause damage to the sash surround frame or breakage of the window glass in the sash. Occasionally, an operator's C t 4 hand could also be bruised by the sash falling down on the operator's hand.

j e" 'To overcome the above disadvantage, counterweights t (or sash weights) were introduced to counterbalance the weight of the sash. The sash weights generally comprised iron rods which were located in separate channels provided in the sash surround frame. The iron rods were connected to the sash by a cord or wire which passed over an upper pulley. In order to properly balance a sash, a pair of sash weights were provided on opposed ends of the sash.

A particular difficulty occurs with the use of counterweights for double hung windows (or double sash windows). For these systems, four sash weights are required to counterbalance the two sashes with each sash weight requiring a separate channel in the sash surround frame.

This resulted in the requirement to provide complex sash frames and also made the whole assembly heavy and cumbersome and generally unsatisfactory.

It is an object of the invention to provide a window assembly having counter balanced sashes and which may substantially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful choice.

It is an object of the invention to provide a window assembly comprising a pair of opposed side frame members, first and second sashes, each said sash having opposed sides slidable along a respective side frame member, i and at least one flexible connecting member secured to a side of one of said sashes at a lower portion thereof and to the adjacent side of the other of said sashes, wherein said flexible connecting member extends between said sashes about 1 at. least one guide member associated with the side frame member along which the sides of said sashes to which said 2 0, flexible connecting member is secured slide.

The window according to the invention has the i advantage of not requiring an operator to separately open both sashes. One of the sashes also functions to counterbalance the second of the sashes thereby doing away with the requirement for counterweights and the disadvantages associated with them.

The guide member is preferably intermediate the ends of a respective side frame member. In this manner a shorter 4 length of the flexible connecting member can be used and is not as exposed to tampering which increases the security of the window assembly. The guide member can however extend to an upper edge of the side frame member, if desired.

The opposed side frame members suitably comprise channel sections. Each channel section may be partitioned into two sash channels to accommodate a respective side of the first or second sash.

t Upper ends of each side frame member may be Sab" connected by an upper connecting member and lower ends of each side frame member may be connected by a lower connecting member. The lower connecting member may further be associated with a weather strip.

The first and second sashes suitably comprise a 1 window pane located within a surround frame. The surround frame may include weather strips or rubbing strips, to prevent entry of water and/or to minimise rattle of the sashes.

Each sash suitably includes one or more adjustable locating members to maintain the sash in association with a respective side frame member. The adjustable locating member may comprise a projection which extends from the sash into the sash channel with the degree of extension of the projection preferably being adjustable.

The flexible connecting member may comprise a flexible cord, chain or wire. It is preferred that the flexible connecting member is inextensible. Suitably, a pair of flexible connecting members are provided which can be secured to opposed lower ends of each sash and which can substantially locate with the opposed side frame members. In this manner, each sash can be evenly raised or lowered.

The guide member suitably comprises a pulley or alternatively may comprise a curved surface having reduced friction to allow the flexible cord member to move over the guide member. Preferably, a pair of guide membezs are provided which are suitably located within opposed side frame j members. The or each guide member is preferably located l approximately midway along the respective side frame member t tI and preferably is located slightly above centre. I n t h i s I I manner, and by having the flexible connecting member extending II f l from the lower part of one sash to the lower part of the other sash, the flexible connecting member is not exposed but instead is protected by the respective sash surround frame.

The invention will be better understood by reference j: to the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof in which: i| Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window assembly i according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial front view of the window of Figure 1.

Figure 1 discloses a window assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a pair of opposed side frame members 11, 12 (shown in phantom), first and second sashes 13, 14, flexible connecting members 15, 16, and guide members 17, 18.

Each side frame member 11, 12 comprise channel sections which are partitioned into two sash channels (not 6 shown) as is typical for double hung windows.

Each sash 13, 14 comprises a window pane located within a surround frame with opposed side edges of the surround frame locating within the sash channels and slidable 5 therealong.

The lower edge of each sash 13, 14 includes an adjustable locating member 19, 19A, 20, 20A (19A not shown) which extends from the sash and into the sash channel.

Locating members 19, 19A, 20, 20A prevent unintentional «0,o removal of the sash from the sash channel.

i Guide members 17, 18 in the embodiment comprise r pulleys which are supported by side frame members 11, 12 in any appropriate manner. In one manner, guide members 17, 18 may be supported by a cradle (not shown) which itself is mounted to a respective frame member 11, 12.

SIt will be seen that in the embodiment of the invention, the flexible member 15, 1,6 is protected against tampering by being located within a sash channel and between S the sash channel and a respective side edge of sashes 13, 14.

J 20 Thus, in Figure 1 which shows the window in the closed position, sash 13 protects flexible connecting member 15, 16 against tampering. If the window is opened in the direction of the arrows, sash 13 will rise and sash 14 will be lowered and it will be seen that flexible connecting members 15, 16 will still be protected by the side edges of both sashes 13 and 14.

This particular advantage is achieved by having guide member 17, 18 located intermediate the ends of a 7 respective side frame member 11, 12 and not at the ends of the side frame members. A particularly advantageous location of guide member 17, 18 is slightly above centre as depicted in Figure 1 which provides maximum security of the flexible connecting member and also allows the minimum length of flexible connecting member to be used. However, the pulley can be located at an upper end of the side frame member if desired. This latter configuration security plate or web may S be located to cover the cord. The cord may also be reinforced j .I if required.

Side frame members 11, 12 can be interconnected at upper and lower ends by connecting members 21, 22 and lower connecting member 22 can be associated with a weather strip (not shown).

Furthermore, either of sashes 13, 14 can be associated with a catch 23 to lock the windows in the closed position.

Another advantage of the widow assembly is that it tt is possible to lock one of sashes 13, 14 in any desired open position by a suitable locking arrangement (not shown) and this will also result in the other sash also being looked in its respective position. Therefore, a second looking assembly is not required for the second sash as the flexible connecting member will prevent the other sash from moving and because of its particular arrangement it is difficult to tamper with.

The guide and flexible connecting member can easily be attached to existing sash windows, or alternatively, can be added to the window during manufaeture.

j J i li I 8 A further alternative is illustratc in Figures 3 and 4 in whJch: Figure 3 is perspective view of a window according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view of one end of the window of Figure 3.

Figure 3 discloses a window 30 comprising a pair of opposed side frame members 31, 32 and first an,. second sashes 33, 34.

A I Each frame member 31, 32 comprises a channel section partitioned by a web 31a, 32a into two sash channels 31bo and S 32b,c.

I Sash 33 slides along sash channel 31b, 32b and sash 34 slides within sash channel 31c, 32c. Of course it should be appreciated that it is immaterial as to which sash channel a respective sash slides in.

Each sash comprises a windo pane 34 and a surround frame shown generally as SThe upper end of sash 33 includes a pair of projections 36, 37 which extend into sash channels 31b, 32b to prevent sash 33 from being accidentally removed from the sash channels. Projections 36, 37 are adjustable in the degree of j extension into the sash channels and can be retracted such that sash 33 can be removed for inspection or replacement purposes.

Similarly, sash 34 includes a pair of projections 38, 39 on a lower edge which are adjustable and extend into sash channels 31c, 32c.

I i 9 Sashes 33, 34 are operatively associated by a pair i of connecting members in the form of flexible cords 40, 41.

Cord 40 locates within sash channels 31b, 31c and cord 41 locates within sash channels 32b, 32c. Cord 40 is secured to a lower position of sash 33 and an upper portion of sash 34 through suitable clamps 41, 42.

j Similarly, cord 41 is secured to the lower portion Ki of sash 33 and the upper portion of sash 34 through similar clamps 43, 44, Cords 40 and 41 are supported within their I respective frame members 31, 32 through guides in the form of jI pulleys 45a, 45b, 46a, 46b which are located on opposed ends Sof frame members 31 and 32.

The upper end of frames 31 and 32 are interconnected by an upper connecting member (not shown) and the lower end of frame members 31 and 32 can bo connected by a lower connecting member (not shown) to form a rectangular sash frame.

The operation of the window is as follows: j A person can raise sash 34 by gripptug handle 47.

This operation pulls sash 33 downwardly due to attachment of the lower portion of sash 33 (at 41, 43) with the upper portion of sash 34 (at 42, 44). The operation is also facilitated by the natural counterbalancing effect of sash 33 which facilitates raising of sash 34 due to its connection thereto. Similarly, upon lowering of sash 34, sash 33 is raised in a corresponding manner again due to the interconnection between the two sashes.

In a similar ma&nner, operation of sash 33 either upwardly or downwardly along its sash channels will result in sash 34 being moved in an opposite direction to sash 33 It should be appreciated that in its simplest form, sashes 33 and 34 could be interconnected by respective cords 40, 41 which extend only about upper pulleys 45a, 46a. Thus, in its simplest form, the invention need not require further extension of cords 40 and, 41 around lower pulleys 45b, 46b.

Of course, in this configuration the window will need to be S13, correctly installed in upright position to ensure correct i operation of the sashes.

j Alternatively, the window as depicted in Figures 3, j 4 allows the window to be installed in either direction while still allowing the sashes to be operatively associated with i 1 each other.

I It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without department from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended Clai',as.

Claims (14)

1- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A window assembly comprising a pair of opposed side frame members, first and second sashes, each said sash having Ppposed sides slidable along a respective side frame member, and at least one flexible connecting member secured to a side of one of said sashes a lower portion thereof and to the adjacer&t side of the other of said sashes, wherein said flexible connecting member extends between said sashes about at least one guide member associated with the side frame member along which the sides of said sashes to which said flexible connecting member is secured slide.

2. The window assembly as claimed in Claim I wherein the opposqd side frame members comprise channel sections.

3. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 2~ wherein each channel section is partitioned into two sash channels to accommodate a side of the f irst sash in. one said channel and a side of the second sash in the other said channel.

4. The window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a pair of flexible connecting F members secured to said opposed sides of a respective sash aad extending aotat least a pair of guide membovs, wherein the second of said flexible connecting members is secured to -1djacent sides of said sashes opposed to the adjacent sides to which said at least one flexible connecting member is secured.

5. 1 The window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one flexible connecting member, or each member of said pair of flexible connecting memberg, extends abo~ut a single guide member and is secured to 12 a lower portion of said other of said sashes.

6. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said single guide member is disposed intermediate the ends of the respective side frame member.

7. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 6 wherein I said single guide member is disposed slightly above the centre i of the respective side frame member.

8. The window assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one flexible connecting member, 1 0 or each n;mber of said pair of flexible connecting members, extends about two guide members and is secured to an upper portion of said other of said sashes, and wherein said two guide members are disposed' at opposite ends of said frame member. I1

9. The window as claimed in any one of the preceding S Claims wherein each sash includes projections extending from the sash and into a respective sash channel to prevent removal a of the sash from th' sash channel.

10. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said projections extend from adjacent a lower edge of a sash. eI

11. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 10 wherein S said at least one flexible connecting ;tember, or each memrber of said pair of flexible connecting members, is secured to the projection.

12. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 9 wherein projections extend from upper and lower edges of said sashes.

13. The window assembly as claimed in Claim 12 wherein said at least one flexible connecting member, or each member oCW. eN 11 'j i i aL_ of said pair of connecting members, is secured to a projection at a lower edge of one said sash and to a projection at an upper edge of the other said sash.

14. The window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide member comprises a pulley secured to the respective side frame member, A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER 1993 MARTIN WILLIAM HOAD SBy their Patent Attorney CULLEN CO i t I t r i'j 6. ;;--rri;*ullii~ri: i il. *tii iirrrru~r*~ri,.L* ABSTRACT: A sash window assembly having a pair of vertically moving sashes (13, 14) slidable along opposed sash channels (11, 12). Sashes (13, 14) are connected to each other by a cord (15, 16) which extends over pulleys (17, 18) and connects lower edges (19, 20) of each sash. IIS llii• St 4 i to#IIa I