GB2379706A

GB2379706A - Sliding sash window assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2379706A
Application number: GB0122458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Scholes
Original assignee: PROCORP DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: PROCORP DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-18
Filing date: 2001-09-18
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Also published as: GB0122458D0

Abstract

A sliding sash window assembly comprises a frame having inner and outer guide tracks and two sash units each slidably mounted in a respective guide track and associated with a pair of slidable mounting members 17 located within the guide tracks. A detachable coupling is provided between each mounting member 17 and an adjacent side frame member 18 of a respective sash unit. Each detachable coupling comprises a pivotally mounted projection 19 and a socket 20, the projection 19 and the socket 20 are slidably engageable and disengageable in order to mount and de-mount the sash from the mounting member. Each sash unit is pivotable via the associated projections 19 between a position in the plane of its guide track and a transversely extending position. The projections 19 may be pivotally mounted on the mounting member 17 via pivot 21 and the socket may be provided in a facing edge 22 of the side frame member 18. Each sash may be releasably retained in the operative position by wedges 23 which may engage facing edges 22 of side frame members 18.

Description

SLIDING SASH WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a sliding sash window assembly which comprises a fixed outer frame, inner and outer guide tracks provided on the outer frame, and first and second sash units each slidably mounted in a respective guide track for movement relative to the fixed frame.

In particular, the invention relates both to vertically movable sliding sash assemblies (in which the sash units are movable up and down relative to the main frame), but also to horizontally movable sash assemblies (in which the sash units are movable generally horizontally relative to the fixed frame).

Sliding sash windows usually comprise a lower sash unit which is located in the plane of the inner guide track, and an upper sash unit which is located in the plane of the outer guide track, and when the window assembly is closed, a latch interconnects a lower horizontal frame member of the upper sash unit to an upper horizontal frame member of the lower sash unit. The latch prevents up and down movement of both of the sash units, and for added security may incorporate some form of locking arrangement.

In traditional timber designs of sliding sash window assemblies, the guide tracks are defined by generally channel shaped arrangements, and the vertical side frame members of each sash unit slide up and down within the respective channel shaped arrangements. Usually, a counterweight, cord and pulley arrangement is provided for each guide track, and which is connected to an anchor point on a respective side frame member of a sash unit, so as to facilitate upward and downward sliding movement of the sash unit.

When it is desired to clean the glass panes of sash units, it is of course fairly easy to clean the inside faces from internally of a room. However, it is a more awkward task to clean the outside faces, and especially when the sash window assembly is located on an upper floor of a building.

The present invention has been developed with a view to facilitate the cleaning of the inside and the outside faces of the glass panes of sash units, and utilising a simple, but safe and reliable means of mounting the side frame members in the guide tracks.

According to the invention there is provided a sliding sash window assembly which comprises:

a fixed outer frame; inner and outer guide tracks provided on the outer frame; first and second sash units each slidably mounted in a respective guide track for movement relative to the fixed frame; a pair of slidable mounting members associated with each sash unit and with each pair being movable lengthwise of the respective inner or outer guide tracks; and, a detachable coupling between each slidable mounting member and an adjacent side frame member of a respective sash unit: in which each detachable coupling comprises: a projection pivotably mounted on a first member of the slidable mounting member and the adjacent side frame member, and a socket provided on a second member of the slidable mounting member and the adjacent side frame member, said projection and said socket being slidably engageable and disengageable in order to mount and de-mount the sash unit with respect to the mounting member, and the sash unit being pivotable via the associated projections between an operative position in which the unit is located generally in the plane of the respective guide track for up and down movement, and a transversely extending position permitting cleaning of the outer face of the sash unit; and, a releasable retaining arrangement for holding the sash unit in the operative position.

The invention may be applied to vertically movable, and also to horizontally movable sliding sash window assemblies.

Therefore, in a window assembly according to the invention, the sash units (when in their operative positions) can move up and down, one in front of the other, in the respective guide tracks. However, when cleaning of one or both of the units is required (and to gain ready access to what is normally the outer faces of the units), the retaining arrangements associated with each unit are released so that the unit can pivot to the transversely extending (cleaning) position in which the previously outer face of the unit is now facing upwardly so that it can be cleaned.

If required, after pivoting to the transversely extending position and following cleaning of the unit, the lower unit may be moved downwardly towards the lower ends of the guide track. The upper unit may then also be moved downwardly on its guide tracks

so as to overlie the lower unit and allow easy access to the upwardly facing surface of the upper sash unit.

Preferably, the projection is pivotally mounted on a respective slidable mounting member, and the socket is formed in the associated side frame member.

Each slidable mounting member may take the form of a sliding shoe, and the interfit between the projection and the socket is preferably such that the action of gravity on the sash unit (when in the transversely extending position) acts to maintain the engagement of the projection in the socket, so as to provide a safe and yet simple assembly.

The retaining arrangement may comprise wedges on each shoe, arranged generally diametrically with respect to the pivotable mounting of the projection, and being engageable with the side frame member when in the operative position. The engagement may be a frictional engagement, or via interfit of the wedges in guide grooves formed in the side frame member. This retains the sash unit in the operative position, i. e. contained in the plane of the respective set of guide tracks, so as to be movable up and down between open and closed positions.

As an additional retaining feature, in a vertical sash frame assembly, one or more upwardly extending studs or other projections may be mounted on the lower horizontal frame member of the fixed frame, and received by corresponding slots formed in the bottom of the lower sash unit.

A sliding sash window assembly according to the invention may utilise timber frames, to form the outer frame and the frames of the sash units. However, other materials may be utilised, and including in particular UPVC.

A preferred embodiment of sliding 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 perspective and partial illustration of a sliding sash window assembly, having upper and lower sash units movable vertically within respective guide tracks during normal operation, and showing the lower sash unit pivoted inwardly to a transversely extending position suitable for cleaning of the lower sash unit;

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration showing both the lower and the upper sash units pivoted inwardly to the transversely extending cleaning positions, and stacked one above the other; Figure 3 is a detail view, to an enlarged scale, showing the means by which the side frame of each sash unit can pivot between a vertical operative position, and a transversely extending cleaning position, with respect to a slidable mounting shoe by means of which the sash unit is mounted in a guide track; Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure 3, showing pivotal adjustment of the sash unit to the transversely extending cleaning position; and, Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figures 3 and 4, showing the means by which the sash unit can be mounted, and demounted with respect to the mounting shoe.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 and 2, a vertically movable sliding sash window assembly according to the invention is designated generally by reference 10 and comprises a fixed rectangular outer frame 11 which comprises a pair of vertical side frames 12, a bottom horizontal frame member 13, and a top horizontal frame member (not shown). Each of the vertical frame members 12 is provided with inner and outer guide tracks 13 and 14 respectively, which comprise generally channel shaped guide arrangements, and first and second sash units 15 and 16 are each slidably mounted in a respective set of guide tracks (13,14) for up and down movement relative to the fixed frame 11 during normal opening and closing movements.

A pair of slidable mounting members is associated with each sash unit 15,16, and with each pair being movable up and down within the respective guide track. One of the slidable mounting members is shown by reference 17 in Figures 1 and 2 and takes the form of a sliding shoe movable up and down within the respective guide track (13,14).

There is also a detachable coupling between each slidable mounting member 17 and an adjacent side frame member 18 of a respective sash unit, the construction and arrangement of which is shown in more detail in Figures 3 to 5, which will now be described.

Figure 5 shows the means by which the side frame members 18 of one of the sash units can be mounted on, and demounted from the respective slidable mounting member (shoe) 17. Figures 3 and 4 show the pivotable movement of each sash unit, between the

operative position (suitable for up and down normal opening and closing movement of the sash unit), and a transversely extending position suitable for cleaning of the unit. In particular, Figure 4 shows how what will normally be the outer face of the sash unit is now facing upwardly, suitable for easy cleaning operation from internally of a room provided with the sash window assembly.

Figure 1 shows the upper sash unit 15 in the operative position, suitable for up and down movement within the respective guide track 14, whereas the lower sash unit 16 is shown moving towards the transversely extending cleaning position. This is also shown in Figure 3.

The detachable coupling between each slidable mounting member 17 and the adjacent side frame member 18 of a respective sash unit comprises a projection 19 and a socket 20 (see Figure 5). In the illustrated arrangement, the projection 19 is pivotally mounted via horizontal pivot 21 on the mounting member 17, and the socket 20 is provided in a facing edge 22 of the side frame member 18. It will be noted that the entire sash unit moves generally vertically, to mount on, or demount from the mounting member 17. Furthermore, when fully mounted, and in the cleaning position, as shown in Figure 4, the action of gravity on the sash unit will tend to maintain the projection 19 fully engaged within the socket 20, which is a stable and safe arrangement.

The pivotable mounting of the projection 19 on the slidable mounting member 17, and the provision of the socket 20 in the side frame member 18 is one example only of the means by which a detachable coupling can be provided between the sash unit and the slidable mounting member. Evidently, the arrangements of the projection and socket could be reversed, although this is not shown in the drawings.

The projection 19 and the socket 20 are slidably engageable and disengageable, in order to mount and demount the sash unit 15,16 with respect to the mounting members 17. Each sash unit is also pivotable via the projection 19 between the operative position in which the unit is located generally in the plane of the respective guide track for up and down movement, and a transversely extending position permitting cleaning of the outer face of the sash unit (the outer face when in the operative position).

The detachable coupling also comprises a releasable retaining arrangement for holding each sash unit in the operative position. In one preferred arrangement, the

retaining arrangement comprises wedges 23 provided on each mounting member (shoe) 17, and projecting outwardly therefrom, and which can engage frictionally, or via interfit into guide grooves (not shown) provided in the facing side of each side frame member 18.

The wedges 23 are arranged diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the pivot axis 21 of the projection 19, and serve to retain or hold the sash unit in the operative position i. e. co-planar with the shoe 17 and the guide track within and along which it is movable. Evidently, although not shown, other retaining arrangements may be provided, and which might include a concealed release button or the like which can be operated in order to permit pivotal movement of the sash unit from the operative position to the transversely extending cleaning position.

Figure 2 also shows how both of the sash units can be pivoted to the transversely extending position, and each moved downwardly on the respective guide track, so that they are stacked one above the other and occupying a lower portion of the fixed outer frame 11. This will in particular facilitate cleaning of the normally outer surface of the upper sash unit, which will be easily accessible from internally of a room.

An additional retaining arrangement (not shown) may be provided (to restrain the lower sash unit against pivotable movement), and comprising one or more upwardly extending studs or other projections mounted on the lower horizontal frame members 13, and received by corresponding slots in the bottom of the lower sash unit.

The illustrated embodiment is a vertically movable sash window assembly.

However, it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to a horizontally movable sash window assembly, in which individual sash units move generally horizontally. This may be achieved simply by rotating the assembly illustrated in the drawings through 90 , and then optionally making any stylistic modifications to the frames as may be desired, e. g. to simulate traditional horizontally movable sash unit designs.

Claims

1. A sliding sash window assembly which comprises: a fixed outer frame; inner and outer guide tracks provided on the outer frame; first and second sash units each slidably mounted in a respective guide track for movement relative to the fixed frame ; a pair of slidable mounting members associated with each sash unit and with each pair being movable lengthwise of the respective inner or outer guide tracks; and, a detachable coupling between each slidable mounting member and an adjacent side frame member of a respective sash unit: in which each detachable coupling comprises: a projection pivotably mounted on a first member of the slidable mounting member and the adjacent side frame member, and a socket provided on a second member of the slidable mounting member and the adjacent side frame member, said projection and said socket being slidably engageable and disengageable in order to mount and de-mount the sash unit with respect to the mounting member, and the sash unit being pivotable via the associated projections between an operative position in which the unit is located generally in the plane of the respective guide track for up and down movement, and a transversely extending position permitting cleaning of the outer face of the sash unit; and, a releasable retaining arrangement for holding the sash unit in the operative position.

2. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 1, in which the sash units are movable vertically upwardly and downwardly.

3. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 1, in which the sash units are movable horizontally.

4. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the lower unit is movable downwardly towards the lower ends of the guide track, after pivoting to the transversely extending position and following cleaning of the unit.

5. A sliding sash window assembly according to claims 4, in which the upper unit is movable downwardly on its guide tracks so as to overlie the lower unit and allow easy access to the upwardly facing surface of the upper sash unit.

6. A sliding sash window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the projection is pivotally mounted on a respective slidable mounting member, and the socket is formed in the associated side frame member.

7. A sliding sash window assembly according to the claim 6, in which each slidable mounting member takes the form of a sliding shoe, and the interfit between the projection and the socket is such that the action of gravity on the sash unit (when in the transversely extending position) acts to maintain the engagement of the projection in the socket, so as to provide a safe and yet simple assembly.

8. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 7, in which the retaining arrangement comprises wedges on each shoe, arranged generally diametrically with respect to the pivotable mounting of the projection, and being engageable with the side frame member when in the operative position.

9. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 8, in which the engagement of the wedges is a frictional engagement, or via interfit of the wedges in guide grooves formed in the side frame member.

10. A sliding sash window assembly according to claim 2, including one or more upwardly extending studs or other projections mounted on the lower horizontal frame member of the fixed frame, and receivable by corresponding slots formed in the bottom of the lower sash unit.

11. A sliding sash window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which timber frames are utilised to form the outer frame and the frames of the sash units.

12. A sliding sash window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which UPVC frames are utilised to form the outer frame and the frames of the sash units.