GB2217372A - Tilting balanced sash assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A "slide and tilt" sash window 7 is pivoted at its bottom edge to a vertical channel member 3 which slides in a fixed jamb 2 and is attached to a sash balance 1 with the extent of tilting being limited by a stay 5 attached to the sash at an intermediate point and to a slider 4 which is adapted for limited movement in the channel member by a stop 6. Member 3 is rigidly attached to the foot of the sash balance and the sash 7 is connected by a pivot pin X to both the foot of the sash balance and to the bottom of the channel member 3. The tension or torsion of the sash balance can be adjusted by a screwdriver. The sash window can be moved vertically whilst pivoted open with its weight being balanced by the sash balance. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEENTS IN OR RELATING TO TILTING BALANCED SASH ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to balanced sash assemblies of the type in which the sash slides in a frame and can be tilted inward, for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

There is a need for such an assembly in which the sash not only slides freely and accurately within the frame but also can be safely tilted inward for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Previous solutions have used a tilt shoe or tilt block which frictionally restrains the bottom privoting rail of the sash when tilted inwards. Unreliability and inconsistency of the tilt shoe retention due to variation in friction surfaces renders the system, potentially dangerous. The tilt shoes limit the amount of sash movement and require the balances to be pre-tensioned prior to installation.

This principle has also been used in conjunction with stays sliding in the fixed jambs. The limited tilting angle permitted by this type of stay provides a very restricted aperture for cleaning.

This invention consists in a balanced sash assembly adapted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis wherein pivot means forming said axis are connected to an elongate member adapted to move vertically in a fixed jab, the bottom of said elongate member being attached to the foot of a sash-balance mounted in said jamb, the pivotal movement of the sash being limited by a stay which is pivotably connected at one end to a slider, adapted for limited movement over said elongate member, and at the other end to the sash at a point between its top and bottom edges.

Preferably the horizontal axis is coincident with the bottom edge of the sash.

Preferably the elongate member is channel-shaped with the open side of the channel facing inwardly towards the sash with the slider moving frictionally within the channel.

Preferably the channel contains an internal stop which limits the movement of the slider within the channel.

The invention will now be further described by reference to the accompanying single figure of drawing, (Figure 1) which shows a tilting and balanced sash assembly according to the invention, by way of a vertical section through such an assembly.

With reference to Figure 1, a spiral sash balance (1) is mounted within a fixed jamb (2) of a window-frame. Rigidly attached to the foot of the sash-balance (1) is a channel-section elongated member (3) of metal or plastics material which is able to slide vertically within a recess in the fixed jamb (2). A tilting sash 7 is connected by means of a pivot pin X to both the foot of the sash-balance and to the bottom of the elongated channel member (3). The inward pivotal movement of the sash (7) is limited by stay (5) which is connected at one end to a slider (4) which moves in channel (3) and at the other end to a point part way up the sash (7), both by means of pivot pins. There is a certain amount of friction between the slider (4) and the inner surface of channel (3) and a stop (6) is provided within channel (3) to limit the extent of movement of the slider in the channel.

In operation the top edge of the sash is released from the frame by means of catches (not shown) and is tilted inwards as shown.

During this operation the weight of the sash (7) is counterbalanced by means of sash balance (1). The limit of tilting of the sash is determined by the length of the stay (5) and the position of stop (6) in the sliding channel.

When in the fully tilted position the sash can still be moved up or down with respect to the fixed frame but it remains substantially balanced by the sash-balance (1). After cleaning or maintenance has been completed the sash is pivoted upwards about pivot pin X and is returned to its vertical position in which it is retained by means of catches (not shown) engaging with the fixed frame jambs.

The tension or torsion of sash-balance (1) can be adjusted in situ by means of a screw-driver applied to the sash balance at the bottom, below pivot-point X.

Claims (5)

1. A balanced sash assembly adapted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis wherein pivot means forming said axis are connected to an elongate member adapted to move vertically in a fixed jamb, the bottom of said elongate member being attached to the foot of a sash-balance mounted in said jamb, the pivotal movement of the sash being limited by a stay which is pivotably connected at one end to a slider, adapted for limited movement over said elongate member, and at the other end to the sash at a point between its top and bottom edges.

2. A sash assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the horizontal axis coincides with the bottom edge of the sash.

3. A balanced sash assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate member is channel shaped with the open side of the channel facing inwardly towards the sash and the slider moves frictionally within the channel.

4. A balanced sash assembly as claimed in claims 1 2 or 3 wherein a stop is located within the channel to limit the vertical movement of the slider.

5. A balanced sash assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.