GB2239283A - Pivoted-sliding window - Google Patents

Abstract

A vertically slideable sash window assembly comprises a rectangular fixed external framework 10 of plastics material in which are vertically slideable upper and lower sash windows 11 and 12. Each sash window comprises a rectangular frame of plastics material having upper and lower transverse frame members 13 and 14 interconnected by two side frame members 15 and having window panels 16 mounted therein. Decorative downward projections 19 are provided on the underside of the lower frame member 13 of the upper sash window 11. Each projection 19 is spaced inwardly of the corner 20 defined between the side frame member 15 and the lower frame member 13 by a sufficient small amount to permit the inward tilting of the upper sash window 11. Thus, effective simulation of traditional style can be obtained using modern plastics material and in a vertically slideable sash window assembly in which it is possible to inwardly tilt the windows for cleaning purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

SASH WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a sash window assembly which comprises a surrounding frame having vertical guides, and upper and lower windows slidable in said frame, each window comprising a rectangular frame of plastics material and a window panel mounted in the frame.

Sash window frames traditionally have been made of wood, and are still in use in many buildings throughout the country, although in this century wooden window frames have more usually been of the hinged type.

In the last ten years or so, plastics window frames have become widely accepted, and usually are made of extruded sections of UPVC. Plastics window frames have the obvious advantage of low maintenance costs, as no repainting is required, and early problems of deterioration under the action of ultra violet light have been overcome.

Therefore, UPVC window sections are used widely, both as original equipment in new buildings, and also in the important replacement window market.

UPVC window sections present a neat finish, and can be provided with improved resistance to potential intruders than is obtainable with wooden window frames, especially by reason of use of espagnolette type fittings.

One of the particular problems of traditional sash frames made of wood is that the upper and lower sash frames are usually locked together in the closed position by a simple latch which can often be forceably unlatched from outside, and especially when there is lateral clearance between the lower horizontal frame member of the upper sash window, and the upper horizontal frame member of the lower sash window.

There has therefore developed a market in the supply of sash type windows having frames of UPVC, which has a number of advantages: there is an approximate simulation of traditional sash frame styles but using modern materials; and in addition more reliable security fittings can be installed, and which also will be more resistant to intruders by reason of the closer tolerance fittings of the sash windows in the fixed frame. The potential replacement window market for sash windows is important, and also for new buildings where a traditional sash window style is required, but one drawback which is likely to reduce potential sales is that UPVC frames in sash windows are readily recognisable as being of plastics material, and not being a very accurate simulation of traditional wooden sash frame styles.

One particularly distinctive feature of traditional sash frames is the provision of decorative "horns" which are fitted to the underside of the lower horizontal frame member of the upper sash window, and located substantially in line with the vertical side frame members of the upper sash window. These horns usually are of generally right angled triangular form, though often with the side opposite the right angle being inwardly curved. The horns present a decorative appearance which is uniquely recognisable as a feature of traditional sash windows, and also have a technical function of preventing the upper sash from being lowered too far i.e. to a level so low that it cannot be gripped in order to be raised again. The horns prevent this happening, by engaging the window sill, so that the upper sash can never be lowered to a level at or below that of the lower sash.

The present invention is particularly concerned with sash windows having frames made of plastics material, such as UPVC, and which also are provided with means permitting the sash frames to be tilted inwardly after being slid downwardly in vertical guides provided in the surrounding frame to a lowered position. The inward tilting facility enables the exterior surfaces of the sash windows to be cleaned from the inside.

It has been widely accepted in the trade that "horns" (or simulations thereof) cannot be fitted to extruded plastics sections of sash type windows which are also designed to be capable of being tilted, because the tilting movement will be obstructed by engagement between the horns and the vertical guides provided in the fixed surrounding frame in which the sash windows are vertically slidably mounted.

The invention is based on the surprising discovery that simulated horns can in fact be secured to the lower frame member of a sash window frame made of plastics material, and which is capable of being tilted inwardly to permit cleaning of the outer surface of the window from the inside of a building.

According to the invention there is provided a sash window assembly which comprises: an external rectangular framework; vertical guides provided on the upright side members of the framework; upper and lower windows slidably mounted in the framework for up and down movement in said guides, each window comprising a rectangular frame of plastics material having upper and lower transverse frame members interconnected by two side frame members, and a window panel mounted in the frame; and, means connecting the windows to the side members of the framework so as to permit inward tilting of each window to facilitate cleaning of the exterior surface of each window from the inside of the sash window assembly; in which the lower transverse member of the upper window is provided, near each corner connection to a side frame member, with a respective downwardly projecting decorative element which is spaced inwardly of the corner by a sufficient amount to permit inward tilting of the upper window without any obstruction by the guides of the external framework.

Therefore, the invention enables sash window assemblies to be made from modern plastics material, but with decorative elements projecting downwardly from the lower transverse frame member of the upper sash window in a manner so as to simulate the traditional style of "horns" provided in wooden sash frame windows.

The decorative elements may be secured to the underside of the side frame member in any convenient manner. Thus, the elements may be moulded separately, and then secured by screw fastenings into the underside of the frame member, which usually will be provided with internal metal reinforcement to which the fastening can engage.

Alternatively. the decorative elements may be moulded with the lower frame member.

The window panels mounted in each sash window may be single glazed units. but preferably will be sealed double glazed units.

Any suitable commercially available connectors may be utilised in order to connect each sash window to the surrounding external frame so that the required inward tilting can take place. and security fittings, such as espagnolette locking mechanisms, may be provided to render the sash window assembly resistant to intruders.

One embodiment of sash window assembly according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a vertically slidable sash window assembly to which the invention may be applied; Figure 2 is a partly perspective view showing the manner by which the upper and lower sash windows can be inwardly tilted to permit cleaning of the external surfaces of the windows; Figure 3 is a schematic side view, to an enlarged scale, showing the manner by which the upper and lower sash windows can be moved up and down in vertical guides provided in the fixed surrounding rectangular framework; Figure 4 is a detailed view in horizontal sections showing the guidance of a window in one of the side frame members of the external framework.

Figure 5 is a detailed side view of a lower corner of the upper sash window, showing a decorative projection of the invention; and, Figure 6 is a detail view, to an enlarged scale, in end elevation of the lower frame member shown in Figure 5.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show a vertically slidable sash window assembly to which the invention may be applied, and which comprises a rectangular fixed external framework 10 of plastics material, and preferably UPVC, and in which are vertically slidable upper and lower sash windows 11 and 12. Each sash window comprises a rectangular frame of plastics material having upper and lower transverse frame members 13 and 14 interconnected by two side frame members 15, and having a window panel 16 mounted therein. Each window panel 16 preferably comprises a sealed double glazed unit, though it could be a single glass pane if required.

Figure 1 shows the windows 11 and 12 in the closed position, and each window can be vertically slid between raised and lowered positions. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when each window has been lowered to a bottom position, it can be tilted inwardly so as to facilitate cleaning of the exterior surface of each window from the inside of the building in which the sash window assembly is mounted. Although not shown, any suitable commercially available connectors may be provided which interconnect the frame members of the windows with the external framework, to permit the required inward tilting of the windows when in the lowered position.

Figure 3 is a side view, to an enlarged scale, showing the slidable mounting of the windows 11 and 12 in the framework 10. In particular, vertical guides 17 are provided on the upright side members of the external framework, and which guide the up and down slidable movement of the windows 11 and 12.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, this shows one example in detail of the manner by which a sash window assembly of plastics material can be modified to incorporate more approximate simulation of the style of traditional sash windows made of wooden frames, and yet still providing the inward tilting facility.

Figure 4 is a detailed view showing how one of the side frame members 15 of the upper sash window 11 is guided for vertical slidable movement in guides 17 provided in one of the upright side frame members 18 of the fixed surrounding external framework 10. The guides 17 locate the side frame members 15 during vertical slidable movement, but the arrangement of the guides and of the frame members of the sash windows 11 and 12 will be such as to permit inward tilting of the sash windows when lowered to the position shown in Figure 2. By virtue of this facility of inward tilting, it has not been considered possible for any decorative projections to be provided on the underside of the horizontal lower frame member of the upper sash window, by virtue of possible obstruction taking place between such projections and the guides during the inward tilting movement.However, it has now been found possible to provide decorative downwardly projecting elements, as will now be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

On particularly distinctive feature of traditional wooden sash frame designs is that of decorative "horns" provided on the underside of the lower frame member of the upper sash window, at each of the two lower corners of the upper sash window, with the horns projecting substantially in line with the side frame members. These "horns" also serve the technical function of preventing the upper sash window from being lowered too far, by coming into engagement with the sill, so that it is impossible for the upper sash window to be lowered to a level below that of what should be the lower sash window.

It has now been found that decorative downward projections 19 can be provided on the underside of the lower frame member 13 of the upper sash window 11, provided that each projection 19 is spaced inwardly of the corner 20 defined between the side frame member 15 and lower frame member 13 by a sufficient small amount to permit the inward tilting of the upper sash window 11, as shown in Figure 2, without obstruction by the guides 17. The frame member 13 will usually be a moulded section designed to accommodate sealed double glazed units, plus any necessary seals and retainers, and the projections 19 may be formed with the section 13, but more conveniently the elements 19 will be formed as separate components, preferably of plastics material, which can be subsequently mounted securely in position, as shown in Figure 6.Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the mounting of element 19 on the underside of lower frame member 13 by means of a threaded fastener 20 taken upwardly through a pre-formed passage 21 in the element 19, through a hole in the frame member 13 and into usual metal reinforcing insert 22 arranged in the frame member section 13. The head 22 of the fastener 20 will normally be concealed from view, being countersunk within the lower face of the decorative element 19.

Decorative elements 19 will be provided near to each of the two lower corners of the upper sash frame window 11, and can provide an effective simulation of the traditional "horns" provided on wooden sash frame windows, and also are able to perform the technical function of preventing the upper sash window from being lowered too far. This effective simulation of traditional styles can therefore be obtained, using modern plastics material, and in a vertically slidable sash window assembly, and also having the facility of inward tilting for cleaning purposes.

Claims (8)

1. A sash window assembly comprising: an external rectangular framework; vertical guides provided on the upright side members of the framework; upper and lower windows slideably mounted in the framework for up and down movement in said guides, each window comprising a rectangular frame of plastics material having upper and lower transverse frame members interconnected by two side frame members, and a window panel mounted on the frame; and, means connecting the windows to the side members of the framework so as to permit inward tilting of each window to facilitate cleaning of the exterior surface of each window from the inside sash window assembly; in which the lower transverse member of the upper window is provided, near each corner connection to a side frame member, with a respective downwardly projecting decorative element which is spaced inwardly of the corner by a sufficient amount to permit inward tilting of the upper window without any obstruction by the guides of the external framework.

2. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the decorative elements are moulded separately of the lower transverse member and are securable to the member by means of screw fastenings into the underside of the member.

3. A window assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lower transverse member of the upper window is provided with internal metal reinforcement to which the screw fastenings are engageable.

4. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the decorative elements are moulded integrally with the lower frame member.

5. A window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each sash window comprises a single glazed unit.

6. A window assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each sash window comprises a sealed double glazed unit.

7. A window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims further comprising espagnolette locking mechanisms.

8. A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.