GB2180873A - Window - Google Patents

Abstract

A sash window has a main frame which includes a pair of slides (10), each of which has a pair of slide channels (27, 28) for slidable lights (20, 21), and a pair of beads (16, 17) one of which is a divider bead (16) and one of which is an internal retainer bead (17), both beads (16, 17) being movable between an operative position wherein each at least partially defines one or each of said channels (27, 28) and an inoperative position wherein it allows movement of at least one said light (20, 21) at right angles to its major plane. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window This invention relates to a sash window and it is an object of the present invention to provide a sash window which facilitates inward removal of the movable lights, and inward pivoting thereof enabling normally exterior surfaces to be disposed inwardly for cleaning.

The invention provides a sash window having a mainframeincludingapairofslidesdefining apair of parallel channels engaging edge frame portions of a pair of slidable lights, each slide incorporating a divider bead between the two channels and a locater bead on an internal side of an internal oneoftheslid- able lights, each bead being mounted for movement, parallel to the planes of the lights and transverse to its own long axis between an operative position wherein it protrudes from the slide and bounds at least one of the channels, and a retracted position wherein it permits one ofthe lights to be moved in a direction transverse to its plane.

Each slide can have an outer channel which is bounded on an outer side by a fixed lip and on an innerside bythe divider bead and an innerchannel which is bounded on an outer side by the divider bead and on an inner side bythe locater bead.

Each bead can be accommodated, in its retracted condition, wholly or substantially in a housing groove in the slide. Each bead can be resiliently urged to protrude from the housing groove, the de- gree of protrusion being limited to prevent travel of the bead completely outwards of the groove. Each bead can be resiliently urged outwardly of the slide by one or more springs.

Part-turn fasteners can be used to constitute means for locking the bead in its retracted (and optionally its operative) position.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure lisa fragmentary horizontal crosssectional view th rough a preferred sash window of the invention; Figures 2a, 2b collectively show a vertical crosssectional view of the window of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one bead ofthewindow.

A preferred sash window of the invention has a rectangular main frame which includes two parallel vertical stiles 10 and two horizontal rails 1 la and Ilb.

Each of stiles 10 and rails 11 a, 11 b consists of a length of a basic hollow, internally walled extrusion whose structure is apparent from Figure 1. The top rail 11 a (Figure 2a) is constructed by adding a snap-on member 12 which is generally L-shaped having a major limb 13 lying horizontally and a vertical minor limb 14. Lower rail 11 b (Figure 2b) is modified bythe addition of a similarly snap fitting hollow, extruded, drain base 15 lying on top of the basic extrusion. The stiles 10 each consist of the basic extrusion plus a pair of beads 16,17.The mainframe houses and mounts a pair of sliding lights 18, 19 in adjacent parallel vertical planes spaced slightly apart as conventional in sash windows. Each light 18,19 consists of a frame 20,21 surrounding a glazing panel 22,23.

Frames 20,21 are each constructed from four lengths of a hollow box like extrusion. However, for clarity the internal structure of the frames 20,21 is not shown in detail. Each light 18,19 is supported by an elongate tension spring 24,25 at each edge thereof, each spring extending from a lower end of the relevantedge ofthe lightto a position on the main frame at or above the top ofthe relevant edge of the light. Such springs 24,25 replace the conventional sash cords and weights and serve to urge each light 18, 19 upwardly, or at least balance the weight ofthe lights.

Referring to Figure 1 in more detail, each main frame stile 10 has a fixed, external retaining lip 26 which, with the outer surface of bead 16 and the intervening part of stile 10 forms a sliding channel 27for one edge portion of frame 20 of light 18. Acorresponding sliding channel 28 for one edge portion of frame 21 of light 19 is defined by the internal lateral face of bead 16 and an external lateral face of bead 17. Bead 16 constitutes a divider between the two channels 27,28 and bead 17 constitutes a retainer beadforthe inner light 19. Beads 16 and 17 are identical in construction and mounting and only bead 16 will be described in detail (Figure 3). Bead 16 is a hollow l-section extrusion having a pair of parallel flanges 29 bridged by a web 30. On the rear outer edges of flanges 29 are provided outwardly extending lips 31.Bead 16 is a sliding fit within avertically extending housing groove 32 in stile 10, and the lips 31 bearagainsttheinnerboundariesoffrontwalls33 of stile 10 bounding the groove 32. The bead 16 is introduced into groove 32 by squeezing the "rear" parts offlanges 29 against the natural resilience of the plastics material from which the bead 16 is made to reduce their separation, introducing them into the groove 32 and releasing them. If necessary the bead 16 can be removed in comparable manner. The bead 16 is urged outwardly of stile 10 by spring means shown as a plurality of individual springs 34 mounted to extend from the rear wall of stile 10 to the channel within the rear of bead 16. However, a series of linksorthelikecould equallywell be used.

As Figures 1 and 3 show, the bead 16 has spaced along it means for locking the bead in its retracted condition. Such means is constituted by a plurality of spaced apart quarter-turn fasteners 35. Each fastener 35 has an outer slotted head 36, a shank37 and an inner cross-piece 38 fixed to shank 37. Cross piece 38 is sufficiently narrow to be a sliding fit in groove 32, but is long enough to engage either inner pair of recesses 39 or outer pair of recesses 40 in sidewalls of groove 32.

In normal use fasteners 32 will be in the Figure 3 condition, wherein the bead is locked in its operative outer position. Fasteners 35 must be turned through 90' to allow the beads 16,17to be depressed for cleaning or removal of lights 18,19. Beads 16,17 can be locked in the illustrated condition by turning fast eners 35 to lock in recesses 39.

Bead 17 is shown in its retracted condition wherein it ceases to obstruct movement of light 19 transverse to its plane.

The provision of the depressable beads 16 and 17 makes the installation and removal ofthe lights sim- plerthan is the case when fixed beads are used.

Additionally, the window of the invention can have its outside surfaces cleaned from within a building.

To achievethisforthe inner light 19, the light 19 is raised slightly to disengage it from the upper light at the lower edge of the latter, beads 17 are depressed and light 19 pivoted about its upperframe member.

When it is generally horizontal the previously upper frame member can be pushed down towards or to member 15 and the pivoting continued until the usual exterior force of light 19 is directed into the room, whereupon it can be held (or secured) and cleaned. To enable outer light 18 to be cleaned from inside the room, inner light 19 is first moved upwards in itschannels28tothetop of the mainframe. (The following parts ofthe procedure are in fact made easier if inner light 19 is vertically shorter than outer light 18). Outer light 18 is next moved to its lowermost position in channels 27,wherein its lower frame member is adjacent member 15. Both beads 16 and 17 are then successively depressed and lower frame member of lig ht 18 is drawn into the room.

When the lower frame member has cleared the member 15 internally, the outer light can be successivelysimultaneously pivoted about its upper frame member and bodily moved downwards until its erstwhile upperframe member lies adjacent member 15 and its erstwhile lowerframe member lies above it. In this position (held or restrained) the normally outer surface of light 18 can be cleaned from within the room. As an alternative to the above described operation for cleaning the outer light, the inner light can be removed completely, or supported or held in a position clear of the mainframewhilstthe outer light is cleaned. Replacement of the lights can be effected using a reversal of the described process.

Claims (11)

1. A sash window having a main frame including a pair of slides defining a pair of parallel channels engaging edge frame portions of a pair of slidable lights, each slide incorporating a divider bead between the two channels and a locater bead on an internal side of an internal one ofthe slidable lights, each bead being mounted for movement, parallel to the planes of the lights and transverse to its own long axis between an operative position wherein it protrudes from the slide and bounds at least one ofthe channels, and a retracted position wherein it permits one of the lights to be moved in a direction transverse to its plane.

2. Awindow as claimed in claim 1 wherein each slide has an outer channel which is bounded on an outer side by a fixed lip and on an inner side bythe dividerbead and an inner channel which is bounded on an outer side bythe divider bead and on an inner side by the locater bead.

3. Awindowasclaimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each bead is accommodated, in its retracted condition,whollyorsubstantiallyin a housing groove in the slide.

4. Awindowas claimed in claim 1,2 or3wherein each bead is resiliently urged to protrude from the housing groove, the degree of protrusion being limited to preventtravel of the bead completely outwards ofthe groove.

5. A window as claimed in claim 4 wherein each bead is resiliently urged outwardlyoftheslide by one or more springs.

6. A window as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each housing groove has inwardly projecting lips and a rearedge ofthe bead has a pairofoutwardly protecting lips, said pairs of lips co-operating to limit movement of the bead outwardly ofthe groove.

7. Awindow as ciaimed in any preceding claim, wherein releasable means is provided for locking each bead in its retracted position.

8. Awindowasclaimed in claim 7,wherein said means can also selectively lock the bead in its operative position.

9. A window as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein said means is provided at spaced locations along each bead.

10. A window as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means includes a part-turn fastener which can engage either of an outer pair and an inner pair of recesses in the groove walls.

11. A sash window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.