GB2347961A

GB2347961A - Hinged sash window

Info

Publication number: GB2347961A
Application number: GB9905956A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Burgess
Original assignee: MASTERFRAME WINDOWS Ltd
Current assignee: MASTERFRAME WINDOWS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-16
Also published as: GB2347961B; GB9905956D0

Abstract

A window assembly (5, figure 1) includes a frame having a pair of vertical jambs 6, 7, one to each side of the frame, a glazed sash 9 vertically slidable within the frame and capable of inward tilting at its lower end for cleaning purposes, and a pair of decorative trim elements 18, 19 connected to the jambs. Each trim element, in their first positions, overlie their respective jamb as well as an adjacent edge portion of the sash, and are movable to a second position at which permit the sash to be tilted inwardly. The trim elements may be hinged or removable. When hinged, the trims may be biased towards the first position, for example by magnetic attraction. The surface of the trim may be substantially semicircular. A matching bead may be provided at the top of the window frame having mitred joints with the movable trims. The frame and trim elements may be formed from extruded plastics.

Description

Hinged Sash Windows The present invention relates to sash windows having glazed sashes (i. e. glazed panels) which tilt to permit cleaning.

Windows with vertically sliding glazed sashes, hereinafter referred to by their common name"sash windows", are widely used. It is however difficult to clean the outside glazed surfaces from inside a building, but to overcome this problem it is standard practice to arrange for at least one of the glazed sashes to be hinged for inward tilting movement. This then permits cleaning of the entire window from the inside of the building.

A double-glazed sash window frame constructed from extruded plastics sections generally requires vertical side members (referred to hereinafter as"jambs") of an irregular cross-section, having broader external faces than the corresponding internal faces. It is only by adopting such a section that sufficient strength can be obtained, along with the required standards of sealing normally associated with double-glazing as well as easy operation and the ability for two sashes to tilt inwardly for cleaning purposes.

This irregular cross-section creates an unappealing visual effect that has not previously been overcome in double-glazed plastic frame sash windows that have sashes capable of inward tilting. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems identified above.

Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a window assembly including a frame having a pair of vertical jambs one to each side of the frame, at least one glazed sash slidable vertically within the frame and releasable for inward tilting movement for cleaning purposes, and a pair of decorative trim elements movably connected one to each jamb respectively, each trim element when in its first position overlying at least part of its associated jamb and an adjacent edge portion of the sash, but each trim element being moveable to a second position where the sash can be tilted inwardly as aforesaid.

Preferably, the window assembly comprises two glazed sashes, with at least one being mounted for vertical sliding movement within the frame.

Usually, but not exclusively, the two glazed sashes are mounted in the window frame with the lower of the two being configured for sliding movement to lie alongside the inner face of the upper sash, and the upper sash being either fixed or slidable. It is preferable that at least the lower sash is capable of inward tilting movement and furthermore that it is provided with a tilt means at or adjacent its lower end, for this purpose.

Each trim element must be capable of movement between its first position and its second position. A variety of techniques could be used to attach the trim elements to the jambs, such as screws, clips, snap-fasteners, magnetic tape or key-hole slots with headed pegs. Such trim elements could then be removed entirely from the window assembly to permit the inward tilting of the glazed sash or sashes. Preferably, each trim element is attached to its jamb by a hinge which permits movement of the trim element between the first position and the second position, whilst remaining connected to the trim element and the jamb.

As the glazed sash would be tilted inwardly only occasionally, the trim elements should remain in their first position for the majority of the time.

Advantageously, therefore, the trim elements should be biased to remain in the first position but yet retain the ability to move or be moved to the second position as and when required.

The biasing of the trim elements to first position may be achieved for example by a bi-stable hinging mechanism or retaining clips. Preferably, the biasing means comprises a magnet on one of the trim element and the jamb and a co-operating magnetic component on the other of the trim element and jamb. By appropriate selection of the magnet and magnetic component, the trim element may be designed to remain at the first position under normal operating conditions but may be moved by hand to the second position when required.

The external face of each jamb of and existing double-glazed plastic framed sash windows frequently extends further inward than the corresponding inner face of the jamb. Therefore, when viewed from the inside, the jamb appears to step inwards of the window, which feature is aesthetically displeasing. In a window assembly of this invention, it is preferable therefore that the trim elements extend far enough over the glazed sashes so that the inner edges of the trim elements are aligned approximately with the inner edges of the outer faces of the jambs. This results in a window with inner and outer jamb faces that are on the same line of sight and therefore the window appears to have substantially similar inner and outer frame member thicknesses thereby giving the window a better appearance.

Preferably, the edges of the trim elements that extend over the glazed sashes are provided with beading to enhance their visual appearance. The corresponding opposed edge of the external face of the jamb may also be provided with a similar bead which external bead is appropriately configured for viewing from outside the window. The beads may of course be formed in any number of suitable decorative shapes, but advantageously the bead is substantially semicircular, in cross-sectional profile.

It may be advantageous to provide a third trim element matching said pair of trim elements which third trim element is secured to the head bar of the frame, a respective mitred joint being formed between the third trim element and each of the pair of trim elements Window assemblies according to the present invention may be constructed from any suitable material, such as wood, plastics or metal, but the invention is especially suited to windows constructed using PVC or PVCu extruded sections, reinforced if necessary with metal inserts.

By way of example only, a window assembly according to the present invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein : Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lower part of a sash window according to the present invention ; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sash window of Figure 1 but with the lower sash tilted inwardly, Figure 3 is a cross-section through the right hand frame jamb of the window shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is part of the cross-section shown in Figure 3, showing the decorative trim element in its second position.

Referring initial to Figure 1, the lower part of the embodiment of sash window according to the present invention is generally indicated 5. The window assembly comprises two vertical jambs 6 and 7, which are joined at their lower ends by a sill bar 8. The upper end of the jambs 6 and 7 are joined by a head bar (not shown) which is similar in design to the sill bar 8.

The jambs, head bar and sill bar together form a window frame which defines an opening. Mounted within that opening are two glazed sashes 9 and 10, both of which are capable of independent sliding movement vertically within the opening defined by the frame.

The side of the glazed sash 10 is provided with upper and lower sliders 11 and 12 which are normally located in a channel 13 in the jamb 6 and are capable of vertical sliding movement therealong. These sliders may fit directly into the channel 13, or may instead be fitted into a block (not shown) that is designed to slide along the channel 13, Similar sliders (not shown) are located on the opposite side of the glazed sash 10, as well as on both sides of the upper glazed sash 9. The sliders on the upper sash 9 are located either directly or indirectly into a second channel (not marked) provided in the jambs 6 and 7 parallel to but outwardly of channel 13. The upper slider 11 is located adjacent the top edge 14 of the sash and the lower slider 12 adjacent the lower edge 15.

The upper slider 11 is capable of selective engagement with or disengagement from the channel 13 by extension or retraction in the direction indicated by arrow A. The upper slider on the other side of the sash is capable of operation in the same way, thereby releasing the upper edge of the sash and permitting tilting movement of the sash 10 about the lower sliders 12.

A catch 17 is provided on the lower sash 10 for locking the two sashes 9 and 10 in their closed position. The catch 17 may also be used synchronously to operate the retraction and extension of both the upper sliders 11. Alternatively different means may be included to independently engage and disengage the sliders 11 on each side of the sash 10.

Trim elements 18 and 19 are connected by hinges one to each of the jambs 6 and 7. In Figure 1, these trim elements are shown in their first position overlying part of their associated jamb as well as a portion of the adjacent edge of the glazing sashes 9 and 10.

Figure 2 shows the window of Figure 1 wherein the lower sash 10 has been tilted inwardly to permit cleaning. The trim elements 18 and 19 have been hinged outwardly from the first position and are shown in the second position whereat they no longer overlie the lower sash 10. After movement of the trim elements to the second position disengagement of the slider 11 at the top of sash 10 permits the tilting of the sash 10 about the lower slider 12.

With the sash 10 tilted open, a person standing on the inside of the window is afforded easy access to all faces of the glass.

Figures 3 and 4 show similar sections through the jamb 7 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The jamb (referred to as 20 in Figures 3 and 4) may be formed from a continuous extruded section which is shown fixed to a wall 21.

Jamb 20 defines two channels 22 and 23. An inner glazed sash (generally indicated 25) and an outer glazed sash (generally indicated 26) lie, in plan view, adjacent each other. Each glazed sash comprises a sub-frame 27 into which a sheet of glass 28 is fixed, and held therein via rubber seal strips 29.

Glazed sashes 25 and 26 are provided with sliders 30 and 31 respectively which extend into channels 22 and 23 formed in the jamb 20.

The sliders 30 and 31 insert into slide-blocks 32 which are located in the channels 22 and 23 and are capable of sliding movement into and out of the plane of the drawing. The slide-blocks 32 are usually connected to the spring or counterbalance mechanisms (not shown) that prevents movement of the sashes under the force of gravity.

The internal face 35 of the jamb 20 is narrower than the outside face 36. This difference in size cannot be avoided if the inner sash is to be capable of inward tilting.

A trim element 40 is connected to the inside face 35 of the jamb by a hinge 41 located adjacent one edge thereof. Figure 3 shows the trim element in its first position overlying part of the jamb 20 and part of the adjacent edge of the sash 25. The trim element 40 is capable of hinging movement with respect to jamb 20 in the direction of arrow B. Figure 4 shows the trim element in its second position where it has been hinged away from the first position and does not interfere with tilting of the glazed sash 25.

The edge of the trim element 40 which overlies the sash 25 when in the first position is shaped so that it forms a bead 42. When the trim element is in its first position, this bead 42 is in alignment with a second bead 43 formed on the external face 36 of the jamb. This results in a uniform interior and exterior appearance.

Brush seals 45 are provided along various interfaces throughout the assembly, to reduce the susceptibility of the window to draughts.

In order to hold the trim element 40 in the first position overlying the glazed sash 25, a magnet (not shown) may be inserted into the recess 47 and an appropriately orientated magnetic element (not shown) may be included on or within the jamb 20.

Claims

Claims 1. A window assembly including a frame having a pair of vertical jambs one to each side of the frame, at least one glazed sash slidable vertically within the frame and releasable for inward tilting movement for cleaning purposes, and a pair of decorative trim elements movably connected one to each jamb respectively, each trim element when in its first position overlying at least part of its associated jamb and an adjacent edge portion of the sash, but each trim element being moveable to a second position where the sash can be tilted inwardly as aforesaid.
2. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glazed sash is provided with a hinge at or adjacent its lower end.
3. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each trim element is connected to its associated jamb by a hinge which permits movement of the trim element between its said first position and its said second position where the trim element does not restrict the hinging of the sash.
4. A window assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each trim element is provided with means biasing the trim element to its first position, but which permits the deliberate movement of the element to its second position.
5. A window assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said biasing means comprises a magnet on one of the trim element and the jamb and a magnetic component on the other of the trim element and jamb.
6. A window assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each trim element is releasable from its jamb whereby the element may be wholly removed from the frame to permit inward hinging movement of the glazed sash.
7. A window assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each trim element is provided with a decorative bead on the trim element part that overlies the glazed sash.
8. A window assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixed outer face of the jamb is provided with a bead that mirrors the bead provided on the opposed trim element.
9. A window assembly as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the external surface of the or each bead is of substantially semicircular profile.
10. A window assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame, a frame for the glazed sash, and the trim elements are manufacture from extruded plastics material.
11. A window assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a third trim element matching said pair of trim elements is secured to the head bar of the frame, a respective mitred joint being formed between the third trim element and each of the pair of trim elements.
12. A window assembly as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and substantially as herein described.