AU2230700A - Sash window door assembly - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s) BORAL WINDOW SYSTEMS LIMITED A.C.N. 004 069 523 Invention Title: SASH WINDOW DOOR ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 SASH WINDOW DOOR ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sash window or door assembly and relates particularly but not exclusively to a vertically moveable sash window or door assembly.

Description of Prior Art Hitherto, sash windows or doors have been known.

Such sash windows or doors can move either vertically upwardly or downwardly from side to side.

One problem with sash windows or doors of this type is that the window or door opening cannot be fully opened to expose the total window or door opening free to S"15 access. Usually, one sash is moved to overlie the other.

S"In some cases, both sashes can move so that they overlie each other and be positioned somewhere midway between the fully opened and fully closed positions. The door opening is, however, not fully opened.

20 It is desirable to provide enhanced sash window or door assemblies where the window or door opening can be substantially fully opened without being partially closed by the sashes partly overlying one another.

Object and Statement of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to attempt to provide a sash window or door assembly which will solve the above problems.

Such a window or door assembly has particular advantage in domestic situations in providing full access to a normally enclosed area. In a commercial environment, such as a restaurant or garage, it again can provide free access through an area which would otherwise not be possible if conventional sash window or door techniques would be employed. In the case of restaurants, it makes an area fully accessible to the public such that on fine days, a normally enclosed restaurant area will permit full access \\meIb f i1es\homeS\Ga1 e\Keep\speci\CAP.Dwe l1.PP 9 2 3 9 .doc 15/03/00 3 to the public and be able to provide an impression of being in open spaces. A similar situation occurs in domestic situations with a normally enclosed area such as a verandah or the like. In a garage or like commercial environment it provides full access for vehicles and the like into an area which is normally enclosed. The converse also applies where a normally open area can be enclosed.

Throughout the description and statements of invention a vertically moveable sash window and door assembly is described. The inventive concept is to extend to horizontally side-to-side moveable sash window or door assemblies and in such an arrangement, the inventive statements will equally apply provided the window or door assembly is considered rotated such that what is described e 15 as extending vertically now extends horizontally. Thus, S"whilst the inventive statements have referred to vertically moveable sash windows or door assemblies the inventive statement should be read to encompass horizontally side-toside moveable sash window or door assemblies which have the 20 same physical movement components. The use of vertically moveable has been used to simplify the inventive statements, and the invention is not to be limited to the *...vertically moveable arrangements particular described with the preferred examples.

Therefore according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a vertically moveable sash window or door assembly, there being at least two sashes which are arranged so that the sashes can overlap each other in parallel spaced planar alignment to collectively close a window or door opening with one sash being at the top of the window or door opening and the other being at the bottom of the window or door opening, a respective track at each side edge of the sashes defining a separate track for each sash, each separate track having a vertically extending component and an interconnected horizontally extending component, \\melbfiles\homeS\ale\Keep\peci\CAP.Dowell PP9239.doc 15/03/00 4 each sash being independently moveable in its respective track from a generally vertically extended plane where each sash is in the vertically extending component and where a window or door opening is closed, to a generally horizontally extending plane where each sash is in the horizontally extending component and where the window or door opening is open.

Most preferably the vertically extended component of the track is interconnected with the horizontally extending component of the track by a curved component track part.

Most preferably the curved component track part is of arcuate track shape.

"Most preferably there are more than two sashes.

15 Most preferably each sash has locking means for "locking the sash relative to the track.

Most preferably each sash carries sealing means for effecting weather sealing with an adjacent sash when the window or door opening is closed.

Most preferably each sash carries finger means for extending into a respective track and for guiding said sash as it is moved in said track.

Most preferably each sash is mounted for sliding movement in each track.

Most preferably each finger means provides a frictional force applying means to said track to provide a degree of force which must be overcome before the sash can move in the track and which is approximately equal to that to inhibit against falling of the sash when the locking means is released.

Most preferably the tracks are provided in a frame of the window or door assembly, said frame defining the window or door opening.

Most preferably the vertically extending component of each track has flange means extending therefrom for overlapping edges of front faces of each sash, whereby weather sealing to said frame is effected by \\melb-file\homeS\ale\Keep\speci\CAP.DOweI.PP 92 3 9 .doc 15/03/00 5 weather sealing means between edges of the front faces of each sash and said flange means.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained an example of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a vertically moveable sash window or door assembly.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an isometric close-up view showing 15 the vertically extending part, horizontally extending part, and a curved component track part, at one side of the assembly.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a locking pin.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the locking pin shown in Figure S..Figure 7 is an end view of the locking pin shown in Figure Figure 8 is a cross sectional view showing the locking pin mounted in a locking pin housing to the top of a sash.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view showing detail of a friction force applying means at the bottom of each sash.

Figure 10 is an end view of the sash without the friction force applying means shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a side view of the frictional force applying means.

Figure 12 is an end view of the frictional force applying means shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a horizontal transverse cross sectional view at one side edge of the assembly showing flange means used for effecting sealing of the sashes to \\melbfi es\homeS\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowel.PP 9 2 3 9 .doc 15/03/00 6the frame of the assembly.

Figure 14 is a horizontal transverse cross sectional view showing an upright post coupler arrangement for coupling the frame of the assembly to an existing post.

Figure 15 is a horizontal transverse cross sectional view showing a modular coupler to which part of the frame can be connected to form a mullion between adjacent assemblies.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a S* vertically moveable sash window or door assembly 1. In Figure 1 three assemblies are shown in side-by-side arrangement making a total of three vertically moveable o 15 sash window or door assemblies 3.

For ease of description, the assembly will hereafter be referred to as a sash window assembly but it should be understood that the concept applies equally to a door assembly.

Each assembly 1 is comprised of four separate sash windows 5. Each sash window 5 has its own peripheral frame 7 typically of extruded aluminium or plastics. Each assembly 1 has an outer peripheral frame 9 typically of the same material as the sashes 7 and this defines the sash window opening which is to be closed by the assembly 1.

Thus, the outer peripheral frame 7 has two side jambs 11, a head part 13, and a foot part Referring now to Figure 2 it can be seen that the jambs 11 have four tracks 17, and each sash is mounted so that it can move in a respective track 17. Each track 17 has a vertically extending component 19, and a horizontally extending component 21. Each track 17 extends in an interconnected manner between the vertically extending component 19 and the horizontally extending component 21.

The vertically extending component 19 is interconnected with the horizontally extending component 21 by a curved component track part 23 which is shown more clearly in \\melbFties\home$\cale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell.PP 9 2 3 9 .doc 15/03/00 7 Figures 3 and 4.

The window opening is shown closed in Figure 1.

To open the opening, each sash 5 is individually moved in its track 17 so that it moves in a generally vertically extending plane to a generally horizontally extending plane such that the sashes 5 are then stacked one on top of each other in the horizontally extending component part 21.

When the opening is closed, each of the sashes 5 is in staggered overlapping arrangement with an adjacent sash but when the opening is open, all the sashes 5 are disposed generally one on top of the other in the horizontally extending component part 21.

*ev Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the track 17 is e shown in more detail. Figure 3 clearly shows the 15 peripheral frame 7 of the top most sash. The other peripheral frames have been shown but have not been numbered in order to add clarity in the drawings.

Accordingly, it can be seen that each of the tracks 17 is gOO continuous in the vertically extending component part 19 through to the horizontally extending component part 21.

"The tracks 17 are closed at the free end of the horizontally extending component part 21 by a frame part The head part 13 covers the curved component track sa part 23 and provides a flush front appearance to the assembly 1.

Each sash 5 carries finger means 27 of plastics material which extend into each track 17 and guide the sash as it is moved in the track 17. The finger means 27 are provided at the top and bottom on each side of the sash frame 7. Two different type of finger means 27 are provided. A first type of finger means 27 is provided at the top of each sash, and a different finger means 27 is provided at the bottom of each sash.

Figure 8 shows the arrangement of the finger means 27 at the top of each sash. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show locking pin means which extend from each sash 5 and lock into openings provided at predetermined positions in the \\melbf ies\home$\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP. DowelI.PP92 3 9.doc 15/03/00 8 tracks 17 which, in turn, locks the sashes 5 relative to the tracks 17. Referring now to Figure 8 it can be seen that the sash 5 has its peripheral frame 7 provided with a body 29 which is screw fastened thereto by means of a screw 31 to each top edge of the sash 5. The body 29 has finger means 27 which extend outwardly past the extreme side edges of the sash 7. These finger means are circular in transverse cross section and fit neatly into the track 17.

The finger means 27 have a centrally located bore 33 into which a locking pin 35 can be slideably received. The locking pin 35 is carried on a finger gripping button 37.

The finger gripping button 37 has an arm 39 which connects with the locking pin 35 and the arm 39 extends through a cut-out portion 41 at the top of the body 29. The body 29 carries a tubular portion 43 which contains spring means which urges the locking pin 35 in an outwardly extending direction into the respective openings in the tracks 17.

Thus, the locking pins 35 can be retracted from the respective openings by moving the finger gripping buttons 37 thereby allowing sliding movement of the sashes 5 in the tracks 17.

In Figure 8, the finger gripping button 37 can be moved in the direction shown by the arrow in order to retract the locking pin 35 within the finger means 27. In use, the openings which are provided in the track 17 are positioned at the required closed position of each of the sashes 5. Thus, the locking pins 35 can extend into these openings (not shown) in order to lock and to hold each of the sashes 5 in the window closed positions shown in Figure 30 1.

The finger means 27 at the bottom of each sash is shown in Figures 9 through 12 and in particular Figures 11 and 12. Here, the finger means 27 are shown as having a cylindrical body part 47 and a cruciform part 49. The body part 47 is rotatably received within a mounting body 51 which, in turn, is held to the frame 7 of the sash 5 by a screw 53.

\\melbfiles\homeS\ale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell PP9239.doc 15/03/00 9 Figure 9 clearly shows that only the cruciform part 49 extends into the track 17. The finger means 27 shown in detail in Figures 11 and 12 is typically made from a plastics material so that there can be slight flexing of the opposed arms of the cruciform part 49 within the track 17. This, in turn, provides a frictional force applying means to the track to provide a degree of force which must be overcome before the sash can move in the track. The dimensions and thicknesses of the arms of the cruciform parts 49 are appropriately chosen so that when the locking pins 35 are retracted, the sashes 5 will not fall by gravity. This frictional force is compensated by weather sealing means which interact with the sashes 5 as will be described hereinafter.

Accordingly, it can be seen that each sash 5 has finger means 27 which extend from the top, and from the bottom side edges into respective tracks 17. Thus, as each oooo sash 5 is raised vertically, the finger means 27 follow the tracks 17 and allow the sash to move from the vertically 20 planar position to the horizontal planar position traversing the curved component track part 23. This movement may be referred to as "up and over".

The uppermost finger means 27 are formed of a plastics material and are of circular cross sectional shape. Thus, smooth movement of the uppermost finger means 27 throughout the track 17 is possible. The lowermost finger means 27 can rotate about the circular body part 47 during this motion as the sash 5 traverses the curved component track part 23.

S 30 The fact that the lowermost finger means 27 is of cruciform configuration provides an upper pair of arms, and a lower pair of arms. Any movement of the sash 5 in a downward direction causes the opposed lowermost arms to tend to move apart and therefore grip the inside faces of the track 17 resisting downward movement. A similar situation applies for upward movement by the uppermost pair of arms. Such forces, however, are not meant to prevent \\melbfiles\homeS\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell .PP9239.doc 15/03/00 10 movement when additional force above that of gravity is applied. Thus, a controlled degree of frictional force is provided to the tracks 17 which provides a feeling of firm but positive movement of each of the sashes 5 within the tracks 17.

Figure 13 shows a transverse cross sectional view at one side edge of the assembly. The uppermost finger means 27 are shown in this figure. It can be seen that they are neatly received within a respective track 17. It can also be seen that each of the sashes 5 has its outer peripheral frame terminating short of the track 17 and that the body 29 of the uppermost finger means 27 fills a space between the edges of the sashes 5 and the jamb 11. Figure 11 clearly shows that the tracks 17 are formed integrally within the jambs 11. Figure 13 shows that each track 17 has flange means 55 extending therefrom which overlap edges of the front faces of each of the sashes 5. Such flange means 55 are provided for weather sealing of each sash relative to the frame.

Figure 13 clearly shows that the flange means S"on the outermost sash 5 is formed integrally with the jamb 11 whereas each of the other flange means 55 is of a generally shaped aluminium or plastics extrusion which is fitted within recesses 57 formed in the jamb 11. Each of the recesses 57 is generally shaped in transverse :...cross section and has a locking rib 59 formed on each side near the bottom of the recesses 57. Each of the opposed arms of the shaped flange means 55 also have locking ribs 61 formed thereon. The flange means 55 can be S 30 inserted in a respective recess 57 and held locked therein by the locking ribs 59 and 61 cooperating with each other and by means of screw means 60. This, in turn, holds the leg of the shaped flange means 55 fixed forward and in overlapping arrangement with the edges of the front faces of each sash. Wool pile sealing strips 63 are fitted to each of the sashes 5 in recesses 65 therein so that the wool pile 63 engages with the flange means 55 to effect \\melbftiles\home$\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell. PP 92 3 9 .doc 15/03/00 11 weather sealing between edges of the front faces of each of the sashes 5 and the flange means The opposed faces of each of the frame 7 on different sashes 5 can be provided with similar wool pile sealing means 63 which extend in horizontal directions.

Thus, when the sashes 5 are in the closed position shown in Figure 1, there will be sealing horizontally between the adjacent overlapped staggered sashes Figure 2 clearly shows that the flange means extends vertically from the bottom of the tracks 17 to a position which corresponds with the bottom of the uppermost sash 5. This, in turn, provides a relief in the upper part of the tracks 17 so that when the sashes 5 are moved into the horizontally extending component part 21 they can traverse without being inhibited should the flange means extend to the top of the vertically extending component part 19. Figure 2 also shows that the flange means 55 on the jamb 11 extends to the top of the vertically extending component part 19 at the outside front face of the jamb 11.

20 This is so the uppermost sash 5 can seal. It should also Sobe appreciated that the uppermost sash 5 is mounted to the front of the assembly whilst the lowermost sash 5 is mounted to the inside or rear of the assembly. This, in turn, enhances weather sealing because rain can then fall from the uppermost sash 5 downwardly without penetrating the seals between adjacent sashes 5. If the lowermost sash were mounted forward most towards the outside of the assembly, rain would then fall onto the seal between the adjacent sashes and possibly pass to the inside of the 30 assembly.

The wool pile sealing means provides a degree of frictional resistance to movement of the sashes 5 in the tracks 17 and this, in turn, supplements the frictional force applied by the arms of the cruciform configuration of the lowermost finger means 27.

Figure 13 shows that the jambs 11 have arms 67 with in-turned flanges 69. This is to permit the jamb 11 \\melbfiles\homeS\ale\Keep\speci\CAP. owel .E'P9239.doc 15/03/00 12 to be mounted to a post holder coupling 71. The post holder coupling 71 has two arms 73 formed thereon which each contain a locking rib 75. Thus, the jambs 11 can be held to the post holder coupling 71 by engagement of the flanges 69 behind the locking ribs Figure 14 shows the arrangement of the post holder coupling 71 around two different size posts 77 and 79.

Typically, the assembly 1 will be required to be fitted in areas where there are existing posts, such as in restaurant balconies and the like which are required to be enclosed. Two different possible size posts 77 and 79 are shown in Figure 14, and the post holder coupling 21 is shown fitted about those posts. Packing such as wood packing (not shown) can be fitted to the respective posts 77 and 79 to space the post holder coupling 71 at required distances from one size post, and the respective sashes to correctly define the opening to be closed by the assembly. With appropriately sized packing, the post holder coupling 71 can be fitted to a respective post 77 or 79 and then the jamb 11 can be fitted to the post holder coupling 71. The post holder coupling 71 has extending arms 81 which are chosen to correspond to a position approximately midway of a post 77 and 79. A second post holder coupling 83 with corresponding arms 85 can then be fitted to the post holder coupling 71. In this connection, the arms 81 of the post holder coupling 71 have in-turned flanges 87 which can engage behind ribs 89 on the arms The next adjacent assembly 1 can then be fitted 30 to the arms 85 of the post holder coupling 83 in a manner similar to that for the post holder coupling 71. In this connection, the post holder coupling 83 has similar arms 73 and ribs 75. A jamb 11 can therefore be fitted to the post holder coupling 83.

Figure 15 shows an arrangement where no posts 77 or 79 are provided but in this case an assembly module coupler 91 is shown to which the respective opposed jambs \\melbjfiles\homeS\Gale\Keep\peci\CAP. Do el .PP9239.doc 15/03/00 13 of adjacent assemblies 1 can be fitted. This, in turn, provides a mullion arrangement between adjacent assemblies 1. Here the modular coupler 91 is of generally shape in transverse cross section and has outwardly extending arms 93 with locking ribs 95 formed thereon at each of the outermost edges thereof.

Typically, each of the sashes 5 is glazed with a light weight transparent glazing material such as polycarbonate. A particular suitably glazing is sold under the trade mark LEXAN.

Modification made be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of fabricating windows such as sash windows. For example, fixed stop means may be provided in each of the tracks 17 to prevent the respective sashes 5 from falling by gravity when the locking pins 35 are released. Further, sash pickup means may be provided so that if the lowermost sash 5 is raised it will pick-up the next higher most track and so on as each of the sashes is raised to thereby lift all the sashes concurrently into the horizontally extending component part 21. In the example described above it is anticipated that each of the sashes 5 will be independently moved into the horizontally extending component part 21 but the pick-up means may comprise fingers which extend into the path of the next adjacent sash 5 thereby picking up that sash when the lowermost sash 5 is raised.

When the sashes are moved to the generally horizontally extending component of the track the sashes need not be stacked one on top of the other. Instead, the 30 horizontally extending component of the track may allow the sashes to overlap one another so that the sashes then form a roof.

It should also be realised that the curved component track part may be dispensed with and the vertically extending component and the horizontally extending component of the track may form a mitre type joint. In this case, the transition from the vertically \\melbf iles\home$\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell PP9239.doc 15/03/00 14 extending component to the horizontally extending component will be at a corner.

It should also be understood that the vertically extending component and horizontally extending component need not be at right angles. For example, the horizontally extending component may cause the sashes to lie in a plane which corresponds to the slope of a roof or ceiling within a building in which the assembly is installed.

Whilst the particular assembly shows that all of the sashes are moveable some installations may require that one or more of the sashes be permanently fixed so that they cannot be easily moved.

Further, the sashes may be glazed with a plastics membrane which has a built in elastic memory. Thus, in certain situations, the elastic membrane may be deformed when pressed by objects such as persons fingers or the like. The membrane will then return to its original planar condition because of the elastic memory.

Whilst the window assembly has been described with particular reference to a window it should be understood that the sashes 5 may be rigid and non transparent to provide a door arrangement. In this case, o *the sashes 5 may be formed from panels without the need for a peripheral frame 7.

Whilst it has been described that the assembly is for sashes which move in a vertically extending component part and then into a horizontally extending component part it is to be understood that if the assembly is rotated 900 so that the sashes move horizontally rather than vertically that this is to be interpreted within the scope of the invention.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

\\melbfi les\homeS\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP.Dowell.PP9239.doc 15/03/00

Claims (12)

1. A vertically moveable sash window or door assembly, there being at least two sashes which are arranged so that the sashes can overlap each other in parallel spaced planar alignment to collectively close a window or door opening with one sash being at the top of the window or door opening and the other being at the bottom of the window or door opening, a respective track at each side edge of the sashes defining a separate track for each sash, each separate track having a vertically extending component and an interconnected horizontally extending component, each sash being independently moveable in its respective track from a generally vertically extended plane where each sash is in the vertically extending component and where a window or door opening is closed, to a generally horizontally extending plane where each sash is in the horizontally extending component and where the window or door opening is open.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vertically extended component of the track is interconnected with the horizontally extending component of the track by a curved component track part.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the curved component track part is of arcuate track shape.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein there are more than two sashes. 30

5. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each sash has locking means for locking the sash relative to the track.

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each sash carries sealing means for effecting weather sealing with an adjacent sash when the window or door opening is closed.

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the \\melbf i1es\home\Gale\Kee\speci\CAP.Dowell PP9239.doc 15/03/00 16 preceding claims wherein each sash carries finger means for extending into a respective track and for guiding said sash as it is moved in said track.

8. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each sash is mounted for sliding movement in each track.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein each finger means provides a frictional force applying means to said track to provide a degree of force which must be overcome before the sash can move in the track and which is approximately equal to that to inhibit against falling of the sash when the locking means is released.

The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tracks are provided in a frame of the window or door assembly, said frame defining the window or door opening.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the vertically extending component of each track has flange means extending therefrom for overlapping edges of front faces of each sash, whereby S. weather sealing to said frame is effected by weather sealing means between edges of the front faces of each sash and said flange means.

12. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples. Dated this 15th day of March 2000 BORAL WINDOW SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED 30 By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia \\melb_fi les\homeS\Gale\Keep\speci\CAP. Dowell .PP9239 .doc 15/03/00