AU599001B2 - Improvements in and relating to closures - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 599001 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Int. Class

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Related Art: This document contains the amendments made under Section 4 9 and is correct for printilg.

APPLICANT'S REF.: PT 658774 00

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Name(s) of Applicant(sj: Address(es) or Applicant(s): ALTHERM ALUMINIUM (NZ) LIMITED 91/93 Hillside Avenue, Northcote, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND.

044 Actual Inventor(s): LAURENCE THOMAS BARKER 004 o0 AS o at 0 o Address for Service is: PHILLIPS, ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367. Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 04 4 a 0 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CLOSURES" 1.

"allowing statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to _i lii.-..YLilLlil-i(~~lt~~YIIIX m -2 This invention relates to improvements in and relating to closures for openings and more particularly to an improved window or ventilator panel configuration.

In the past, there has been a problem in providing a closure for openings, for example a I window frame for schools, highrise buildings, hospitals, offices and the like which is of relatively simple constructions yet which is robust and enables a wide variety of ventilating aspects in the open window.

i Previously, especially in the case of i institutions such as schools, hospitals anr1 office j buildings there is a desirability that an open window Sshould not enable air draught to blow directly on occupants in the room, for example seated adjacent a window. This feature is normally overcome by providing "hopper" windows; that is, windows which pivot adjacent their lower edge to open at their top 2 edge, they direct draught upwardly in the room, when open. These windows incorporate inherent disadvantages in that they cannot be opened wide to achieve enhanced ventilation when required. Further, it is usual for side cheeks for the window to project into the room whether or not the windows are open and this causes an obstruction and persons can be injured by them.

~i RA~4, A~r -3- Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a closure for an opening including a frame defining a closable opening, a pair of double hung closure panels mounted to said frame on separate parallely aligned pathways and provided for at least partially closing said opening, each of said closure panels having a first edge portion slidably mounted for movement in the opening, and a substantially opposite second edge portion movable from an overlapping closing engagement with the other closure panel to a position where the said second edge portions position out of the opening, portions of said closure panels remote from said first edge portions connected with said frame via a linkage, said linkage connecting one closure panel with the other on each side of a pivot mounting of 6aid linkage to said frame, said linkage controlling pivotal movement of said closure panel relative to said frame so that said closure panels can be moved oppositely one relative to the other.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a closure including a frame having a first section for engagement with an opposed substantially similar second section, said first t0 section including side edge portions engageable with said second section, a panel portion positioned s between said side edge portions, a fulcrum extending outwardly from said panel portion toward said second section a predetermined distance, the arrangement being such that when said side edge portions of said first section are engaged with said second section said fulcrum portion impinges against said second section to deflect the panel portion of said first IIs

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-4i section and create a bias between said first and second sections to maintain the engagement of said first and second sections via said engaged side edge portions.

Other aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

Modifications are envisaged and may be incorporated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, (substantially diagrammatically) the arrangement of the present invention: Figure 1: shows substantially diagrammatically in side elevation the closure in accordance with the present invention provided in the form of a window frame with the sashes of the window in a closed position.

0 Figure 2: shows the arrangement of figure a in a simiplified form which the sashes in an initial opening position.

Figure 3: shows the window of Figure 1 in simiplified form, solid lines showing the sashes in a fully opened position and in broken lines in an intermediate position.

Figure 4; shows an interhooking mullion construction of the present invention according to lines AA of Figure i.

Now turning particularly to the drawings, 'NT 0 preferably the window frame is provided for manufacture in extruded aluminium sections and the like. However, the invention is not limited to these materials and alternative materials could be utilized for example roll formed metal sections, plastic sections of various manufactures including timber, ceramics or masonry joinery.

The arrangement of the invention includes a frame portion 1 which in this form of the invention is preferably arranged as a perimeter frame 1 having a sill portion 2, head 3 and side jambs 4. Figures 2 and 3 do not show the detail of the side jambs however, the figuresl and 4 show the detail of the side jambs 2, figure 1 showing the side elevation of the inner face 2a of the side jambs 2 and figure 4 showing the cross sectional view.

The frame mounts sashes 5 therein, in this form of the invention, although not essentially, two oppositely arranged sashes are provided however, it is to be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, a single sash could be provided.

The sashes 5 are provided for mounting a panel of glass therein, for example a glazing bead and the like in the substantially normal manner. However, in alternative forms of the invention it will be appreciated that alternative panel arrangements can be provided in the frame 2.

-6- The frame 2 in this preferred form of the invention provides pair of elongate grooves 6 extending therealong and an outwardly extending stop island 7 in this form of the invention provided merely between the grooves 6 however where only one sash is to be provided, it is to be appreciated that only one groove 6 need be provided on the jambs 4.

The sash 5 in this form of the invention include substantially outwardly from a first edge portion 9 of each sash 5 and into the grooves 6 of the jambs 4 to facilitate maintenance of the first end portion 8 of the sash 5 in the plane of the grooves 6.

it will be appreciated that the first edge portion 8 of sashes 5 are able to slide transversely relative to the opening of the frame 2 yet said sash 5 is also able to pivot inwardly or outwardly at their opposite second end portions 10 thereof as is shown i figures 2 and 3.

The sashes 5 positLoning in the frame 1 is also controlled by linkage means 11. The linkage means II 2 is in this preferred form of the invention preferably provided by a pair of elongate linkage arms 12 mounted on opposing side portions of each jamb 4 substantially adjacent a mid portion of the frame 1 opening; the linkage arms 12 being able to pivot and having outer end portions 13 pivotally connected with mounting brackets 14 to portions of said sashes 5 adjacent said second edge portions 10. It will be appreciated that the linkage arms 12 control the orientation of the sashes 5 in the frame 2 during movement of said sashes in the frame 2 during movement of said sashes relative to the frame 1.

Referring to figure 4, preferably the linkage means 11 is pivotally mounted to the frame 1 via the island portion 7. The sashes 5 each position in opposingly directed rebates 14 in the jamb portion Preferably suitable sealing means such as strip pile material and the like is provided between the adjacent portions of sashes 5 and the frame 1 to provide adequate sealing.

As shown in figure 1, preferably outwardly directed portions 15 are provided on adjacent second edge portions 10 on each sash 5(or alternatively, such as on one sash) to close a gap which remains between said second edge portions when the sashes 5 are in a closed position as is shown by figure 1. Further, interhooking catcl means 16 is provided to hold the sashes 5 in a closed position as is shown by figure 1.

Operation of the window is shown in the first instance by the arrangement of figure 2, this shows the sashes 5 beginning to open by disengagement of the catch means 16 where each sash 5 is pivoted to incline (outwardly in the case of the upper sash 5; and inwardly in the case of the lower sash 5) providing ventilation between the sashes 5 in a manner which would not normally cause draught onto those sitting beside the window.

-8- It will be appreciated that the first edge portions 9 of the sash both adjacent the head 3 and sill 2 still remains substantially closed against pile material maintaining a reasonably efficient seal.

Now referring to figure 3, the window shown by solid lines in a fully opened position where the sashes have been pivoted through as is shown by broken lines on the linkage 12 to open a gap between the first edge portions 9 and the respective sill and heads 2 and 3 to thus provide a maximum degree of opening of the window. In the broken line arrangement as is shown in figure 3, it will be appreciated that the sashes operate in he form of a louvre with even greater ventilation characteristics under certain instances of use.

It will be appreciated that the sashes 5 are securely held in position in the frame at all positions and that an exceedingly robust yet simple construction is provided by the present arrangement.

Now referring to figure 4, the mullion arrangements of the present invention are so assembled as to provide the interhooking assembly of adjacent oppositely arranged sections so that similar windowframes to that described can be arranged one beside the other in a series configuration however, the invention is not limited purely to this window arrangement and it is to be appreciated that the interhooking configuration be used in alternative sections as well.

I 1 i- -9- Interhooking portions as generally indicated by arrow are provided by similar yet substantially oppositely arranged sections. A fulcrum portion 21 is arranged on the section to position inwardly of the substantially opposite section to provide a fulcrum 22 which impinges against a planar portion 23 of the opposite section, the sizing and arrangement of the portions of the planar portion 23, fulcrum 22 and its mounting are such that a degree of deflection is caused upon engagement of the interhooking portions 21 with the other to thus maintain a force in the direction of arrows F of figure 4 which will be seen to maintain engagement of the portions one with the other. It will thus be appreciated that the sections can be held together without the need for additional securing means such as screws, glues ad the like.

E! Thus by this invention there is provided an improved closure panel for windows and a means and method of maintaining closure panels together.

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Claims (13)

1. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure panels are mounted when closed with their second edge portions forming a pair of meeting rails.
2. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the linkage is elongate and pivotally mounted to IT O i -11- said frame adjacent a mid portion thereof.
3. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each closure panel is oppositely slidable relative to the other via an interengagement of said frame and said first edge portion.
4. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the linkage is adjustable in its length.
5. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein projecting pivots extend from said first edge portions of said closure panels and slidably interengage groove.i in said frame.
6. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an elongate stop is provided on the frame against which peripheral portions of the i closure panel/s close.
7. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a portion of the stop pivotally mounts a mid portion of the linkage. S 25 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the closure panels operate on opposite sides of said stop which extends substantially centrally along at least the sides or jambs of the said frame.
8. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one closure -12- panel is window sash.
9. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 wherein a latch means is provided to engage adjacent second edge portions of said closure panels with each other when in a closed position.
10. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window frame includes a first section for engagement with an opposed substantially similar second section, said first section including side edge portions engageable with said second section a panel portion positioned between said side edge portions a fulcrum extending outwardly from said panel portion toward said second section a predetermined distance, the arrangement being such that when said side edge portions of said first section are engaged with said second section said fulcrum portion impinges against said second section to deflect the panel portion of said first section and create a bias between said first and second sections to maintain the engagement of said first and second sections via said engaged side edge portions.
11. 13. A method of engaging elongate sections as claimed in claim 12 including the step of arranging said first and second sections substantially oppositely one relative to the other, engaging the side edge -13- portions of said first section with said second section using sufficient force to deflect the panel portion of said first section to create a bias to maintain the engagement of side edge portions with said second sections together.
12. 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 as hereinbefore O idescribed with reference to Figure 4 of the o accompanying drawings.
13. 16. A method of enegaging one section relative to I on another as claimed claim 13 of as hereinbefore Sdescribed with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. Dated: 24 April 1990 PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Attorneys for:- ALTHERM ALUMINIUM (NZ) LIMITED L _IL_ Y