AU765474B2 - Pulley for double hung windows - Google Patents

Description

I .1 P00011 Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act, 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT NAME OF APPLICANT: Abroling Pty Limited (ACN 003 562 285) ADDRESS FOR SERVICE

A

ACTUAL INVENTOR: Gary Evans ALKtL ADDRESS FOR SERVIC H Z Pete, mdAvvll Associates xwx SREG Level S2r), 60 Pi. Siel /e, G'YDNEY" NSW 2000 INVENTION TITLE: /PULLEY FOR DOUBLE HUNG

WINDOWS

DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: PQ 9332 10 August 2000 Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- *S c a 19 o,, 0

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i)nef 2 The invention pertains to double hung windows and also to a pulley system for counterbalancing, in a double hung window, one sash with the other sash.

A window sash consists of a window pane, which is surrounded by a frame. A double hung window consists of an arrangement of two sashes, each of which may travel vertically in one of two pair of adjacent parallel grooves formed in the vertical, stiles which abut or form a portion of the window's jamb.

Various mechanisms are known whereby springs or counterweights are used to offset the effort required to raise a sash or correspondingly, to prevent the sash from falling under its own weight. Known methods of accomplishing this are considered complicated or expensive and many known methods are not suitable for retrofitting to existing windows.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pulley apparatus for a double hung window comprising a springless pulley apparatus for a double hung, window the apparatus having a base which supports a pair of pulleys each having an axle; the base having a pair of ears for flush mounting the pulley apparatus to a lower surface of a window head, which ears extend away from the pulleys; the base having at least one opening for admitting a cord, the opening or openings being in registry with an outer extremity of each pulley so that the cord may pass vertically through the opening or openings and over both of the pulleys.

Also disclosed is a springless window system comprising: a pair of window sashes, a pair of pulley devices, and a pair of sash cords that are routed through the pair of pulley devices, one cord per pulley device, each cord attached at one end to a first sash and at the other end to the other sash, so that each sash is counterbalanced with the other sash see* without the use of springs.

The invention also provides a springless sash window system, for a window having a head, comprising: a pair of window sashes, a first and a second pulley apparatus, each of the apparatuses adapted to be mounted in a recess formed in the head, each of the pulley apparatuses comprising one or more pulleys, each of the pulleys rotating about an axle having a horizontal axis; a first and second sash cord each cord configured to be routed through one of the pulley apparatuses and attached to each sash of the pair of window sashes at opposing ends of the respective sash cord, so that each of the sashes are counte rbalanced with the other sash, without the use of springs, via the first and second sash cords; each of the pulley apparatuses comprises a pair of ears which extend away from the one or more pulleys, each apparatus being adapted for mounting with the ears adapted to be flush with a lower surface of the head.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a double hung window, Fiur 2 sacosscinlve hruhlnsAAo iue1 Figure 2 is a cross-section vie throgh ln insw A-ad fcigrin tooeebieto the present invention, and Figure 4 is a top plan view of a pulley according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pulley depicted in Fig. 4, taken through lines A-A of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the pulley depicted in Fig. Fig. 1 illustrates a double hung window 10. The window comprises upper and lower sashes 11, 12. The window frame includes vertical jambs 13.

Each jamb 13 includes or is joined to a stile 14. Each stile 14 includes a pair of adjacent and parallel vertical tracks.

As shown in Fig. 2, the window further comprises a head 20 and a sill 21. The full length vertical grooves in the stile 14 are defined by the central parting bead 22 and the pair of stop beads 23. These tracks guide the sashes in their vertical movement.

As further shown in Fig. 2, the pair of sashes 11, 12 are counterbalanced against one another. The vertical side edge of each sash 11, 12 is provided with a recess or groove 24. The groove 24 is sized to receive a sash cord 25 which is affixed by screws 26 or otherwise into the groove 24 and against the sash. A length of sash cord (equal to about half the length of the sash) is affixed in each groove 24.

In order that one sash counterbalances the other, a pulley device 27 is recessed into the window head 20 above each of the stiles 14. Each of the two sash cords 25 passes over a pulley device 27.

As shown in Fig. 3, the pulley device 27 is located within a recess formed within the window head 20. The outer or lower flat surface 31 of the pulley device 27 is generally flush with the lower surface 32 of the window head 20. The pulley device 27 comprises a base 32 which supports a pair of parallel side plates 33. As shown in Fig. 4, two pairs of opposing slots 35, 36 are formed into the interior facing surfaces of each side plate 33. Each of the 20107/01 S 3 .&f~Avrvi# VA V i pairs of slots 35, 36 receives a shaped yoke 40, the yoke 40 supporting an axle 41 about which a pulley 42 rotates.

As shown in Figs. 4-6, the base 32 includes ears 43 which extend away from the pullies and the underside of each ear 43 includes a through hole 44 which is preferably countersunk to permit the pulley device 27 to be mounted flush using a pan headed screw or the like with the lower surface 32 of the window head 20. The base 32 also incorporates a pair of openings 53 which allow the cord to pass around the pair of pulleys 42. The opening are in registry with an outer extremity 60 of a pulley, so that the axles 41 of both pullies are located between the openings 53.

One or both of the pulleys 42 may be made vertically adjustable by providing a vertical through opening 50 in the base 32 below the yoke 40. The threaded vertical opening 50 receives a threaded member, bolt or screw 51 which may be used to raise (or lower) the effective height of the yoke, axle and pulley above the base 32. IN the alternative, both pullies may be mounted in a common yoke for simultaneous adjustment. In this way, any slack in the sash cord 25 caused by stretching or ageing can be adjusted out.

It will be observed that this arrangement allows the pulleys to be mounted directly above the stile grooves and sash cord slots. The arrangement provides a suitable means of constructing new windows as well as a convenient means of retro-fitting existing double hung windows having broken damaged counterweights or springs.

The present invention thereby provides a pulley device, a kit of parts and a method for retrofitting a window, hardware and a method for assembling a new window, and windows when fitted according to the teachings of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the above described system is a compact and efficient way of counterbalancing a sash in a window. It will be appreciated 20/07/01 that the invention is preferably deployed in a timber window but that the invention may be extended into any window incorporating similar constructions methods, irrespective of the material in which it is constructed.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular details of construction it should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

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Claims (8)

1. A springless pulley apparatus for a double hung window comprising: a base which supports a pair of pulleys each having an axle; the base having a pair of ears for flush mounting the pulley apparatus to a lower surface of a window head, which ears extend away from the pulleys; the base having at least one opening for admitting a cord, the opening or openings being in registry with an outer extremity of each pulley so that the cord may pass vertically through the opening or openings and over both of the pulleys.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises a yoke, the yoke supporting one of the axles and being vertically adjustable with respect to the base.

3. The apparatus of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein: an underside of each ear has formed therein a countersunk hole for a fastener.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the base incorporates a pair of parallel side plates for supporting the axles. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: both pulleys are mounted on a single yoke. A springless window system comprising: a pair of window sashes, a pair of pulley devices, and a pair of sash cords that are routed through the pair of pulley devices, one cord per -pulley device, each cord attached at one end to a first sash and at the other end to the other sash, so that each sash is counterbalanced with the other sash without the use of springs. 6

7. The window system of claim 6, further including a window frame that is configured to receive the pair of window sashes and the sash cords, the frame having a window head adapted to receive the pair of pulley devices.

8. The window system of claim 7, wherein: the head includes a pair of openings or recess for receiving the pulley devices.

9. The window system of claim 8, wherein: the openings in cooperation with the pulley devices provide a flush mounting of the pulley devices. A springless sash window system, for a window having a head, comprising: a pair of window sashes, a first and a second pulley apparatus, each of the apparatuses adapted to be mounted in a recess formed in the head, each of the pulley apparatuses comprising one or more pulleys, each of the pulleys rotating about an axle having a horizontal axis; a first and second sash cord each cord configured to be routed through one of the pulley apparatuses and attached to each sash of the pair of window sashes at opposing ends of the respective sash cord, so that each of the sashes are counterbalanced with the other sash, without the use of springs, via the first and second sash cords; each of the pulley apparatuses comprises a pair of ears which extend away from the one or more pulleys, each apparatus being adapted for mounting with the ears adapted to. be flush with a lower surface of the head.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: an underside of each ear has formed therein a countersunk hole for a fastener. 7