GB2485549A

GB2485549A - Sash window with hinged inner frame

Info

Publication number: GB2485549A
Application number: GB1019421.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Damien Rowe
Original assignee: R J PARRY Ltd
Current assignee: R J PARRY Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-17
Filing date: 2010-11-17
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Also published as: GB201019421D0

Abstract

A sash window comprising an outer frame 10, an inner frame 15 containing first and second window sashes 20 30 disposed parallel to a window plane, wherein at least one of the first and second window sashes 20 30 is slidable relative to the other window sash; and hinges 42 which rotatably couple the inner frame 15 to the outer frame 10 so that the inner frame 15 can rotate relative to the outer frame about an axis of rotation. Preferably both sashes 20 30 are slideable relative to the inner frame. The axis of rotation may be parallel to the window pane. The window assembly may also include locking means to prevent the inner frame from rotating relative to the outer frame.

Description

SASH WINDOW

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a sash window, and more particularly to a sash window including a frame containing first and second sashes disposed parallel to a window plane and slidable relative to each other.

Background to the Invention

Sash windows are well known. A sash window comprises one or more movable panels or "sashes" that form a frame to hold panes of glass or sheets of transparent material. Although any window with this style of glazing is technically "a sash", the term is used almost exclusively to refer to windows where the sashes are, in the closed position, arranged a vertical plane and opened by sliding vertically, or horizontally, with respect to each other.

To facilitate operation, the weight of the sash may be balanced by a heavy steel, lead, or cast iron sash weight or counter-weight concealed within the window frame. The sash weight is connected to the window by a sash cord or chain that runs over a pulley at the top of the frame, although spring balances are sometimes used.

The name "hung sash window" typically refers to a double hung window with two sashes that can move up and down in the window frame. A single hung window has two sashes but normally the top sash is fixed and only the bottom sash slides. Triple and quadruple hung windows are used for tall openings.

Sash windows are relatively high maintenance and can be difficult to maintain, especially when installed at locations far from the ground (such as above the first storey of a building). For example, to maintain and/or clean the external part of sash window situated above the first storey of a building, it is normally required to erect scaffolding and/or employ ladders, etc.. This results in increased risk to the maintenance/cleaning operatives and incurs higher costs. Indeed, the cost of accessing the some sash windows may outweigh the drawbacks associated with not maintaining them (i.e. it may be financially better to let some sash windows rot and then be replaced, rather than to carry out regular maintenance).

Summary of the invention

Proposed is sash window that may have improved accessibility when compared to conventional sash windows. In particular, the proposed sash windows may be adapted to enable the sashes to rotate about an axis so that both sides of the sash window are easily accessible for painting, maintenance and cleaning.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a sash window comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame containing first and second window sashes disposed parallel to a window plane, wherein at least one of the first and second window sashes is slidable relative to the other window sash; and hinging means adapted to rotatably couple the inner frame to the outer frame so that the inner frame can rotate relative to the outer frame about an axis of rotation.

Propose embodiments may retain the traditional characteristics of a conventional sash window whilst still enabling the sliding sashes to open inwards on hinge means.

The hinging means may be of any suitable arrangement in order to meet specific requirements. Also, embodiments may comprise locking means adapted to prevent the inner frame from rotating relative to the outer frame about the axis of rotation.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 a and 1 b are front and rear elevations, respectively, of a sash window according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sash window of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A; and Figure 3 shows a modification to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2.

Detailed description

The same reference numbers have been used in different figures to denote the same or similar features.

Figures 1 a and 1 b are front and rear elevations, respectively, of a sash window according to an embodiment of the invention. The sash window 1 is installed in an opening in the exterior wall of a building, such as a house, for separating an interior space and an exterior space of the building.

The sash window 1 has an outerframe 10 containing an innerframe 15 having an upper sash 20 and a lower sash 30 supported therein. The outer frame 10 includes a head member 11, a sill member 12 and a pair of side members 13, 13 connected together into a rectangular shape.

The upper and lower sashes 20 and 30 each hold a pair of glazing panels (i.e. single or double glazing) 24, 34 disposed side-by-side or in horizontal juxtaposition with each other.

The upper sash 20 and the lower sash 30 are offset from each other in a depth direction of the window 1 (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to a general plane of the window 1), with the upper sash 20 disposed on an exterior side of the sash window 1 and with the lower sash 30 disposed on an interior side of the window 1.

in this example, the lower sash 30 is supported and guided by jamb members 36 of the inner frame 15 for vertical sliding movement along the jamb members 36 to open and close the window I in a conventional fashion, whereas the upper sash 20 is fixed in position by the head member 38 and jamb members 36 of the inner frame 15. In other words, the sash window is the single hung' type.

In an alternative embodiment, both the upper sash 20 and the lower sashes 30 may be supported and guided by the jamb members 13, 13 of the inner frames 15 for vertical sliding movement along the jamb members 13 to open and close the window I in a conventional fashion. Such an embodiment is a double-hung' type.

Other embodiments may further include a movable or fixed wire screen disposed within the inner frame 15 at an exterior side thereof. The screen may be omitted as appropriate. Embodiments may further include a fixed or movable blind disposed on the interior side of the inner or outer frame.

Referring back to Figures 1 a and 1 b, the single-hung sash window I is in a fully closed state when the lower sash 20 is a lower limit position of vertical movement. In this state, the bottom rail (outer meeting rail) 38 of the upper sash 20 and the top rail (inner meeting rail) 40 of the lower sash 30 are overlapped in the depth direction of the window 1.

The top rail 40 of the lower sash 30 may have a crescent lock (not shown), and the bottom rail 38 of the upper sash 20 may have a crescent keeper (not shown) so that when the crescent lock is engaged with the crescent keeper with the upper and lower sashes 20 and 30 placed in a closed state, the upper 20 and lower 30 sashes are locked in position within the inner frame 15.

As shown in Figure 1B, a pair of hinges 42 is provided to rotatably connect a jamb member 36 of the inner frame 15 to a side member 13 of the outer frame 10. In this way, the inner frame 15 is rotatably coupled to the outer frame 10 SO that the inner frame 15 can rotate relative to the outer frame 10 about a vertical axis of rotation. Thus, in this example, the inner frame 15 is adapted to open inwards on hinges, thereby allowing the external sides/portions of the window I to be easily accessed for maintenance and/or cleaning.

Turning to Figure 2, a cross-sectional view of the sash window of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A is shown, wherein the sash window has been installed within an opening of the exterior wall 45 of a building. The sash window 1 is provided with an outer sill 46 on the exterior side and an internal window board/sill 48.

To provide protection from weather and/or prevent ingress of water through a gap that may exist between the inner 15 and outer 10 frames, a water bar (not visible) is provided between the 15 inner and outer 10 frames.

It can be seen that the outer frame 10 has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape 50 that seats against a recess 55 in the wall 45. The hinges 42 are provided on one side member 13 and adjoining jamb member 36 of the window (in Figure 2, the hinges 42 are provided of the left side of the window 1), and the opposite side of the window (i.e. the right side in Figure 2) is provided with a side member 13 and adjoining jamb member 36 angled with respect to the general plane of the window. This assists in the rotation of the inner frame 15 relative to the outer frame 10 about the hinging axis (which extends perpendicularly into Figure 2) as generally indicated by the arrow labelled "H".

A metal support bracket 60 is fitted to the top hinge side joint of the inner frame 15 to prevent the inner frame 15 from sagging out of square when the inner frame 15 is rotated away from the outer frame 10 (i.e. when the sash window is opened inwards) towards the interior of the building.

is It will be appreciated from the front (external) elevation of Figure 1A that the embodiments have the appearance of a conventional sash window (with the exception of a small gap 100 between the inner 15 and outer 10 frames. In essence, embodiments provide a sash window that has slidable sashes (like a conventional sash window) contained by an inner frame which is hinged to an outer frame. This enables embodiments to provide the additional functionality of pivoting the inner frame (containing the sliding sashes) to open the sash window for improved accessibility. The hinging of the window allows exterior facing pads of the window to be accessed from within a building, for example.

Referring to Figure 3, it is noted that the L'-shaped cross-section 50 of the inner frame at the sides and head may be made of wood for the pulley stiles, but with the return on the outside being made of metal. This provides a slimmer profile (as shown in Figure 3) and removes the need for the metal metal support bracket.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the inner frame 15 may be releasably connected to the outer frame 10 using a suitable locking mechanism. Such a locking mechanism may only allow competent persons to open the window.

The hinging mechanism may be provided on the horizontal members (i.e. the head member, a sill member) of the inner and outer frames (rather than the vertical members), so as to provide a horizontal axis of rotation for the inner frame to rotate about! Also, various type of hinge may be used depending on usage requirements.

Claims

Claims 1. A sash window comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame containing first and second window sashes disposed parallel to a window plane, wherein at least one of the first and second window sashes is slidable relative to the other window sash; and hinging means adapted to rotatably couple the inner frame to the outer frame so that the inner frame can rotate relative to the outer frame about an axis of rotation.
2. The sash window of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is parallel to the window plane.
3. The sash window of claim 1 or 2, further comprising locking means adapted to prevent the inner frame from rotating relative to the outer frame about the axis of rotation.
4. The sash window of any preceding claim, wherein both of the first and second window sashes are slidable relative to the inner frame.
5. A sash window substantially a described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying figures