GB2399128A

GB2399128A - Sash window assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2399128A
Application number: GB0305402A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Burgess
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-07
Filing date: 2003-03-07
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-07
Also published as: GB2399128B; GB0305402D0

Abstract

A sash window assembly comprises an outer frame 10, an upper window panel 12 and a lower window panel 11, at least one of which is vertically slidable. The lower panel is pivotable about its lowermost edge, and the upper panel is pivotable about its uppermost edge 15, thereby enabling for each panel to be pivoted out of the plane of the window opening so as to permit emergency egress from the building. The upper panel may be provided with struts 13 to support the upper panel in its open position.

Description

SASH WINDOW ASSEMBLIES

This invention relates to sash window assemblies, intended for fitting into a window opening in a building.

Sash windows are widely used in both domestic dwellings and offices, in view of the enhanced aesthetic appearance of a building having such windows.

Typically, there is a frame secured to the window opening and a pair of vertically slidable panels disposed within the frame such that either panel may be slid to lie alongside the other, to open the window. Each slidable panel has, on each side, a balancer to take at least some of the weight of the panel, to facilitate opening and also the maintenance of the panel at an opened setting.

Originally, the balancers comprised weights suspended on cords connected to the panels but more recently compact balancers incorporating spring mechanisms have been employed.

A problem with sash windows is that the maximum possible opening is normally significantly less than half the total area of the frame. This is because, for many designs of sash windows, the two panels cannot be wholly over- lapped and so the maximum open area is significantly less than the area of the lower panel itself. Moreover, for windows which are wider than high, the maximum vertical extent of the opening may be relatively small. This leads to significant problems, in the event that the window is to be used as an escape from a building incorporating the window, for example in the case of fire or some other emergency.

Recent regulations in the United Kingdom have required all buildings to have at least one so-called fire window that can serve as an escape route in the event of an emergency. In view of the problems outlined above, many - 2 conventional designs of sash windows do not meet the criteria laid down for fire windows.

It is known to provide a sash window specifically adapted to facilitate external cleaning from within a building incorporating the window. In such a window, at least one of the panels, but usually the lower panel, is hinged to the outer frame by a pair of pins projecting laterally from the window adjacent the lower edge thereof. The upper edge of the window is provided with retractable clips, so that when the clips project, the panel may slide normally, but when retracted the lower panel may be hinged inwardly, about the lower edge of the panel with the axis of hinging being defined by the pair of pins. However, such windows do not provide a large enough hole for egress, so are totally unsuitable for the purpose of escape.

In an attempt to address the problem of providing a fire window of a sash design the present invention provides a sash window assembly comprising an outer frame adapted for fitting to a window opening in a building, upper and lower window panels at least one of which is vertically slidable with respect to the other and the outer frame so that the window may be opened, wherein the lower panel is pivotable about an axis disposed at or adjacent its lowermost edge, and the upper panel is pivotable about an axis disposed at or adjacent its uppermost edge, each being pivotable out of the plane of the window opening to facilitate egress from a building in which the window assembly is fitted.

It is preferred that both the upper and lower panels are adapted to slide vertically during normal use of the window and that when being used in this manner a locking mechanism secures the upper edge of the lower panel and the lower edge of the upper panel from hinging open out of the plane of the window. When such locking mechanisms are released the panels can then hinge as previously explained.

The sash window assembly may also be provided with a strut mechanism disposed at each side of the upper panel in order to provide support for that panel when it is hinged open about it's uppermost edge. Struts could also be provided to support the lower panel when open but as this would often be supported by the window sill these are optional. Balancers may also be provided, one to each side of each sliding panel and may be connected to the upper panel at or adjacent to the upper edge by means of respective hinge mechanisms, and connected to the lower edge of the lower panel by means of a further similar hinge mechanism. Such connection allows the balancers to remain connected to the panels even when they have been hinged open. By being able to open the window panels fully, egress through the window is facilitated.

By way of example an embodiment of a sash window assembly of the present invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the window assembly with the upper and lower panel moved slightly in a vertical direction to open the window; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but the lower panel is partly opened in the horizontal plane; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but with the lower panel opened horizontally to its maximum extent; - 4 Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 where the lower panel is open in the horizontal plane to its maximum extent and the upper panel is slightly opened; Figure 5 is a view similar to the previous figures wherein both the upper and lower window panels are opened out to their fullest extent in the horizontal plane.

Referring initially to Figure 1, the sash window assembly of this invention comprises a rectangular frame 10 which is secured in a window opening provided in a wall of a building, using conventional techniques. The inwardly directed edges of the frame 10 define a pair of parallel channels within which are slidably mounted a lower window panel 11 and an upper window panel 12.

Conventionally, the lower panel 11 is mounted in the inner channel and the upper panel 12 in the outer channel but this can be reversed. For each panel, a pair of balancers (not shown) is provided one to each side of the panel and IS connecting between the panel and the frame 10, so as to balance at least most of the weight of the panel. In this way it is relatively easy to raise and lower a panel and the panel will tend to stay in any given position, once moved there.

Figures 2 and 3 show the lower window panel 11 of the window being hinged outwardly from the plane of the window frame. In order that the weight of the panel is supported in normal use, balancers are connected to the frame and the lowermost edge 16 of the panel 11. The connection between the lowermost edge 16 of the lower panel 11 and the balancer is usually in the form of a pivot pin (not shown), about which the panel 11 can hinge, but which in combination with the balancer permits sliding movement with respect to the frame 10. To ensure that the lower panel 11 can slide upwardly to a sufficient extent for normal window operation, a relatively compact form of balancer may be employed, typically of telescopic form and exerting a relatively high spring force. If, as in this embodiment the upper panel 12 is also slidable, a similar balancer system is provided for the upper panel 12, where the or each balancer is fixed to the upper panel 12 in the region of its upper edge 15.

In normal use the upper and lower panels must remain in their vertical sliding format, and must be safe and secure. However, when egress is necessary it must be straightforward to hinge them open. To achieve this a releasable locking mechanism is provided on the upper edge 17 of the lower panel 11, which mechanism includes a pair of lugs adapted normally to project laterally into the channels of the frame 10, so as to constrain the entire panel for sliding movement with respect to the frame. However, when the mechanism is unlocked, the lugs are withdrawn from the panels so that the lower panel 11 may hinge out of the plane of the window about the lower fixing mechanisms, as shown in Figures 2-4. A similar locking mechanism is provided on the lower edge 20 of the upper panel 12 so that hinging as shown in Figures 4 and 5 can be achieved.

As shown in Figure 5, to support the weight of the upper panel 12 when fully opened, two struts 13 are provided between the upper panel 12 and the frame 10, one to each side thereof, to support the panel in its hinged position.

Such struts may be telescopic and incorporate a compressed gas piston and cylinder arrangement whereby the weight of the inner frame and the panels may be carried by the struts. Alternatively, mechanical spring struts could be employed or even simple bars which simply lock out to hold the inner frame in its raised position. - 6

In the event that clear access through the window is required, for example in an emergency so that the window opening may serve as a fire escape for people within the building, the locking mechanism at the top of the lower panel 11 is released and the panel is hinged open in a direction out of the plane of the frame 10. Then the outermost panel, in this case the upper panel 12, is hinged open by just releasing the locking mechanisms at the bottom thereof and then pivoting upwardly about an axis near the top edge 15. The weight of the upper panel is supported by the struts 13 so that it does not need to be held. In this way a relatively large opening (nearly the size of the window) can be obtained, so facilitating egress from the building.

Claims

1. A sash window assembly comprising an outer frame adapted for fitting to a window opening in a building, upper and lower window panels at least one of which is vertically slidable with respect to the other and the outer frame so that the window may be opened, wherein the lower panel is pivotable about an axis disposed at or adjacent its lowermost edge, and the upper panel is pivotable about an axis disposed at or adjacent its uppermost edge, each being pivotable out of the plane of the window opening to facilitate egress from a building in which the window assembly is fitted.

2. A sash window assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein both the upper and lower panels are adapted to slide vertically in normal use.

3. A sash window assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a pair of struts disposed one to each side of the upper panel and connected thereto by means of respective mechanical couplings, which struts take at least some of the weight of the upper panel when fully opened about its uppermost edge.

4. A sash window assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each strut is a spring strut.

5. A sash window assembly as claimed in any of the proceeding claims wherein the upper and lower panels are each supported for normal vertical sliding by a respective pair of balancers disposed one to each side of each t - 8 panel the balancers connected to the upper panel being attached thereto at or in the vicinity of the upper edge by means of respective hinge mechanisms, and those connected to the lower panel being attached thereto at or in the vicinity of the lower edge thereof whereby the panels may be hinged about a generally horizontal axis out of the plane of the window opening, to facilitate egress therethrough.

6. A sash window assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided releasable locking means to secure the upper edge of the lower panel and the lower edge of the upper panel during normal use of the window, but which locking means may be disengaged to permit hinging of the panels.

7. A sash window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.