GB1586638A

GB1586638A - Auxiliary windows

Info

Publication number: GB1586638A
Application number: GB1092078A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GORHAMS Inc
Current assignee: GORHAMS Inc
Priority date: 1978-03-20
Filing date: 1978-03-20
Publication date: 1981-03-25

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AUXILIARY WINDOWS (71) We, GORHAMS' INC., a corporation organised under the laws of the State of Minnesota, U.S.A. of 219 South Union Street, Mora, Minnesota 55051, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to the field of energy conservation, and particularly to means for reducing the loss of heat known to take place at the windows of buildings.

The provision of at least one window in a wall of each principal room in a house is desirable to provide natural light during the daylight hours, to maintain occupants of the rooms in communication with the world outside, and if necessary to provide emergency egress from the rooms. In general, the windows are arranged to open, at least in part, by "case ment" or "double hung" (sash) construction, to accomplish ventilation of the rooms by admission of ambient outside air, and in some areas screens are a necessary adjunct to keep out airborne objects, insects, bats, and so forth.

Equally necessary as adjuncts, particularly in areas of less temperate climate, are storm windows, which function to permit entry of light while creating a dead air space to reduce heat transmission during the winter.

The former routine of taking off storm windows and substituting screens in the spring, with the reverse procedure in the fall, is being replaced by the use of "combination" windows which can serve either as storms or as screens, but some form of energy conservation is still necessary to prevent heating costs from rising intolerably in the winter.

Storm windows, whether elementary or "combination", are arranged to fit into the frames of the house windows, which have ledges at the top and sides for that purpose.

Particularly with the more elementary arrangements, it is found that they perform their function only imperfectly. Even the most perfect workmanship seldom results in a space of truly dead air, and only slight leakage is required to materially reduce the efficiency of the arrangement. While the more modern arrangements are perhaps more perfect initially, the dimensional changes which occur in all buildings with age soon result in the appearance of small passages for movement of air into and out of the supposed dead space, with the related loss of efficiency.

The present invention proposes a new storm window structure which is simple and is simply installed, which is inexpensive, convenient, and efficient, which retains these virtues as the building ages, and which can be applied either inside or outside the house and as a substitute for or a supplement to storm windows already in existence.

Various aspects of the present invention are as follows.

In a first aspect the invention provides a method of securing an auxiliary window pane to the frame of a window of a building, which comprises providing the pane with a frame comprising lengths of framing member having in spaced parallel relationship a first magnetic material and a channel to receive an edge region of the pane, and providing the frame of the building window with corresponding lengths of a second magnetic material, and bringing the frame of the auxiliary window pane into position with respect to the frame of the building window so that the two frames are magnetically attracted to each other.

In a second aspect the invention provides an auxiliary window comprising a window pane provided with a frame comprising lengths of framing member having in spaced parallel relationship a magnetic member and a channel member to receive an edge region of the pane.

In a third aspect the invention provides a profile or framing member for storm window or other auxiliary window to be fitted to the frame of a window of a building, said profile comprising in parallel relation: (a) a U-shaped elongated channel member to receive and to grip an edge region of a pane of the auxiliary window; and (b) an elongated magnetic member adapted for magnetic attraction to a magnetic member carried by the frame of the building window; (a) and (b) being resiliently connected to each other along their lengths.

In a fourth aspect the invention provides a body for a profile or framing member of the third aspect of the invention, said body comprising in parallel relation: (a) a U-shaped elongated channel member to receive and to grip an edge region of a pane of the auxiliary window; and (b) an elongated housing to receive a magnetic material; (a) and (b) being resiliently connected to each other along their lengths.

In a preferred form of the invention strips of iron or other ferromagnetic material are fastened to the face of the window frame, whether double-hung or casement, and a sheet of glass or plastic is provided with a frame including a layer of permanently magnetic material arranged to hold the window in the frame magnetically, resiliently, and removably. The invention is easily adapted for use in the form of plural sashes with large windows where a single storm window sash would be unjustifiably heavy, bulky, or expensive.

There is now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a window frame prepared to receive a storm window according to our invention Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 showing a storm window of two sections in position; Figure 3 is a vertical section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a vertical fragmentary section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2 to a larger scale; and Figure 5 is a horizontal fragmentary section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a building wall 10 having an opening containing a double-hung window 11 including an upper sash 12, a lower sash 13, a casing including a top facing 14, side facings, one of which is shown at 15, a bottom facing 16, and a sill 17, as seen from the inside of a building. Sashes 12 and 13 comprise the primary closure of the building opening. The window is shown in vertical section in Figure 3 to further comprise a stool 20 and outside trim including top, side and bottom casing members 21, 22 and 23. To practice our invention, flat strips of ferromagnetic material are secured to the side facings 15, as shown at 24, and a like strip 25 is secured to the top facing 14, by suitable means such as weather resistant cement 26 or flat headed screws. By preference the joints between the top and side strips are mitered. No strip is secured across the sill 17.

A storm window for application to the casing is shown in Figure 2 to comprise two sashes 28 and 29, each comprising a pane 30 of rigid, transparent or translucent material surrounded by a framing 31 of material having special configuration and properties, the framing being provided in the form of vertical members 32 and horizontal members 33. As shown most clearly in Figure 5, the cross section of the framing material, hereafter referred to as "profile", is in three portions 34, 35 and 36 in unitary, overlying relationship.

The outer portion 34 is of a rigid plastic in a generally U-shaped configuration. The legs 37 and 40 of the U taper convergingly toward their outer ends, and the material is sufficiently resilient that when a pane of transparent plastic, as thick as the inside width of the U at its closed end or base 41, is inserted into the open end of the U, the legs are spread sufficiently to firmly grip the pane material: small lugs 42 of softer material may be provided on the insides of the legs of the U to accentuate this effect if desired. A plurality of fingers 43 also of softer plastic extend outwardly from base 41 of the U, to serve a purpose presently to be described. The inner portion 36 has a flat surface 44 and a central cavity 45 to enclose a body 46 of permanently magnetic material. Portions 34 and 36 are joined by portion 35 which is hollow and resilient.

The framing members are preferably mitered at their corners, so that flat surfaces 44 define a single plane for cooperating with the plane hopefully defined by the ferromagnetic strips on the facings: layer 35 is sufficiently resilient to compensate for considerable irregularities.

Panes 30 are so dimensioned and strips 24 are so positioned that the first storm window sash 29, comprising only pane 30 and framing 31, may simply be placed on sill 17, resting on fingers 43 along the lower framing member, flat surfaces 44 then being brought into alignment with strips 24. The thickness of plastic between bodies 46 and flat surface 44 is small, and the material is transparent to magnetism, so the sash is magnetically attracted and held to the window frame. The lower framing member of the second storm window sash 28 may now be rested on the upper framing member of the first sash, as shown in Figure 4, the fingers 43 of the two framing members interdigitating to form a seal, and the remaining framing members may be brought into magnetic attachment with strips 24 and 25 as previously described.

For security, a few safety clips of any desired form may be applied to hold the window and frame together mechanically in the event of tempestuous weather, vandalism, or sudden high pressures developing without the house when a window sash is open.

This invention is well adapted to construction and installation of storm windows at the location of use. The material for strips 24 and 25 may be supplied ready-drilled and countersunk at convenient intervals, and need only be cut, beveled~as as necessary, and applied to the window casing as desired. The profile 31 can also be supplied in continuous rolls which also may be cut at the site to fit the metal framing.

Magnetic material 46 is also available in strips and can be cut for sliding insertion into profile 31, suitable cement being used to insure per manence. The four prepared framing mem bers are now applied and cemented to the edges of a glass or plastic pane cut to fit the opening, and the miters are sealed with the same cement: when the latter has set, a com plete storm window sash results. For outside installation, glass is the preferred transparent material, while plastic may be used for light ness when installation is inside.

It will be appreciated that storm sashes according to our invention may be applied to the outer surface as well as the inner surface of the window casing, resting at the bottom on the stool instead of on the sill. It will also be appreciated that storm sashes according to our invention can even be installed over storm windows of the older kind when the additional protection is desired.

While we have shown the magnetically sus ceptible material fastened to the frame and the permanently magnetic material secured to the pane, the reverse arrangement can also be used.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that we have invented a new and useful storm window structure by which storm sashes are held magnetically to the surfaces of the window frames, either inside or outside the building, giving a structure which is neat in appearance, of enduring low heat transfer, easily applied and removed, and adaptable to sectionalization for larger openings.

Numerous characteristics and advantages of our invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in the appended Claims. The disclosure, however, is fflustra4iveonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the term "storm window" as used herein includes auxiliary windows such as "double glazing" windows applied to the inner surface of a window frame or otherwise disposed on the inner side of a window.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of securing an auxiliary window pane to the frame of a window of a building, which comprises providing the pane with a frame comprising lengths of framing member having in spaced parallel relationship a first magnetic material and a channel to receive an edge region of the pane, and providing the frame of the building window with corresponding lengths of a second magnetic material, and bringing the frame of the auxiliary window pane into position with respect to the frame of the building window so that the two frames are magnetically attracted to each other.

2. A method according to Claim 1, in which said first magnetic material is a permanently magnetic material and said second magnetic material is a ferromagnetic material.

3. A method according to Claim 1, in which said first magnetic material is a ferromagnetic material and said second magnetic material is a permanently magnetic material.

4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the auxiliary window pane is a storm window pane.

5. A method according to Claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. An auxiliary window comprising a window pane provided with a frame comprising lengths of framing member having in spaced parallel relationship a magnetic member and a channel member to receive an edge region of the pane.

7. An auxiliary window according to Claim 6 which is a storm window.

8. An auxiliary window according to Claim 6 or 7, in which the magnetic member comprises permanently magnetic material.

9. An auxiliary window according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, in which said lengths of framing member have been cut from a length of such material having a substantially uniform cross-section along its length.

10. An auxiliary window according to any of Claims 6 to 9, in which the magnetic member is housed in a sleeve of plastics material.

11. An auxiliary window according to any of Claims 6 to 10, in which the magnetic member is resiliently disposed in relation to the channel member.

12. An auxiliary window according to Claim 6, substantially as-described herein.

13. An auxiliary window substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A profile or framing member for storm window or other auxiliary window to be fitted to the frame of a window of a building, said profile comprising in parallel relation: (a) a U-shaped elongated channel member to receive and to grip an edge region of a pane of the auxiliary window; and (b) an elongated magnetic member adapted for magnetic attraction to a magnetic member carried by the frame of the building window; (a) and (b) being resiliently connected to each other along their lengths.

15. A profile according to Claim 14, in which said elongated magnetic member is permanently magnetic.

16. A profile according to Claim 14, in which said elongated magnetic member is ferromagnetic.

17. A profile according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, in which said elongated magnetic member is encased in a housing of a material which does not prevent the magnetic member from

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. manence. The four prepared framing mem bers are now applied and cemented to the edges of a glass or plastic pane cut to fit the opening, and the miters are sealed with the same cement: when the latter has set, a com plete storm window sash results. For outside installation, glass is the preferred transparent material, while plastic may be used for light ness when installation is inside. It will be appreciated that storm sashes according to our invention may be applied to the outer surface as well as the inner surface of the window casing, resting at the bottom on the stool instead of on the sill. It will also be appreciated that storm sashes according to our invention can even be installed over storm windows of the older kind when the additional protection is desired. While we have shown the magnetically sus ceptible material fastened to the frame and the permanently magnetic material secured to the pane, the reverse arrangement can also be used. From the foregoing, it will be evident that we have invented a new and useful storm window structure by which storm sashes are held magnetically to the surfaces of the window frames, either inside or outside the building, giving a structure which is neat in appearance, of enduring low heat transfer, easily applied and removed, and adaptable to sectionalization for larger openings. Numerous characteristics and advantages of our invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in the appended Claims. The disclosure, however, is fflustra4iveonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the term "storm window" as used herein includes auxiliary windows such as "double glazing" windows applied to the inner surface of a window frame or otherwise disposed on the inner side of a window. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of securing an auxiliary window pane to the frame of a window of a building, which comprises providing the pane with a frame comprising lengths of framing member having in spaced parallel relationship a first magnetic material and a channel to receive an edge region of the pane, and providing the frame of the building window with corresponding lengths of a second magnetic material, and bringing the frame of the auxiliary window pane into position with respect to the frame of the building window so that the two frames are magnetically attracted to each other.

7. An auxiliary window according to Claim 6 which is a storm window.

exercising its magnetic effect.

18. A profile according to Claim 17, in which the external surface of the housing intended to face the frame of said building window has a flat surface.

19. A profile according to any of Claims 14 to 18, in which said channel member has a U-cross section the legs which cdnverge together in the direction of their ends.

20. A profile according to any of Claims 14 to 19, in which the resilient connection be tween said elongated channel member and said elongated magnetic member is by means of an elongated hollow resilient member disposed between said channel member and said elon gated magnetic member.

21. A profile according to any of Claims 14 to 20, in which the bottom region of said channel member is shaped for sealing engagement with the bottom region of a similar profile.

22. A profile or framing member for use in construction of storm windows comprising first, second and third layers in unitary relationship; said first layer having a pane-gripping groove extending along at least one edge thereof; said third layer enclosing a body of magnetic material and having a flat surface; and said second layer being located between said first and third layers and being hollow and flexible to act as a resilient connection between said first and third layers.

23. A profile according to Claim 22, in which the first layer is principally more rigid than the remainder of the profile, and said groove initially converges towards its outer end from a base thickness corresponding to that of the pane to be inserted therein.

24. A profile according to Claim 22 or 23, in which the first layer includes a lateral por tion of softer, outwardly serrated material.

25. A profile or framing member according to Claim 14 or 22, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A profile or framing member for a storm window to be fitted to the frame of a window of a building, said profile being sub stantially as described herein and substantially as shown in Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A body for a profile or framing member as claimed in Claim 14, which comprises in parallel relation: (a) a U-shaped elongated channel member to receive and to grip an edge region of a pane of the auxiliary window; and (b) an elongated housing to receive a magnetic material; (a) and (b) being resiliently connected to each other along their lengths.

28. A body according to Claim 27, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

29. A body for a profile or framing member, substantially as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A storm window or other auxiliary window which comprises a frame formed from profiles or framing members as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 26, and a window pane located therein, the edge regions of the pane being received in the elongated channel members of the respective profiles.

31. A window frame to which there has been fitted a storm window as claimed in Claim 30.

32. A window frame according to Claim 31, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A window frame substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in Figures 2 - 5 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A combination comprising: A window frame; strips of magnetically-susceptible material secured to the face of said window frame along edges thereof; a sheet of rigid transparent material; and permanently magnetic means secured in embracing relationship to the edges of the sheet for juxtaposition with said strips to retain said sheet against said frame.

35. A combination comprising: a window frame having a substantially flat casing around three edges thereof; a sheet of rigid transparent material to be applied over said window frame as a storm window; flat strips of iron extending along portions of said casing; and means securing in embracing relationship to the edges of said sheet strips of permanently magnetic material having flat surfaces positioned for alignment with the strips along said casing.

36. A combination according to Claim 35, in which said transparent material is a plastics material and said strips are secured to the in side face of said window frame.

37. A combination according to Claim 35, in which said transparent material is glass and said strips are secured to the outside face of said frame.

38. A combination according to Claim 35, 36 or 37, in which the last named means includes a groove for receiving an edge of said material, and means resiliently connecting said permanently magnetic material in spaced relation to said groove.

39. A combination comprising: a window frame having a substantially flat casing around three edges thereof; a sheet of rigid transparent material to be applied over said window frame as a storm sash; flat ferromagnetic strips secured along the face of said casing adjacent said three edges; a mounting member extending along the edges of said sheet and having a flat face for engaging said strip and opposed resilient edges at least one of which is grooved to receive said sheet, so that when said sheet is applied flatwise to said frame, said face of said mounting member engages said strips and an edge of said member engages the bottom of said window frame, all in sealing relation; and permanently magnetic material in said mounting member adjacent said flat face for magnetically holding said sheet to said frame.

40. A combination according to Claim 39, in which said mounting member comprises outer and inner portions connected by a hollow, resilient intermediate portion, the outer portion having said flat face for engaging said strip and the inner portion having said opposed resilient edges at least one of which is grooved to receive said sheet.