GB2586177A

GB2586177A - Improvements in or relating to sash windows

Info

Publication number: GB2586177A
Application number: GB2001115.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Winckley Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-08-09
Filing date: 2020-01-27
Publication date: 2021-02-10
Also published as: GB201911440D0; GB202001115D0

Abstract

A noise excluder 50A, 50B suitable for use with a sash window has an upper member (52, fig 3b) and a lower member (56, fig 3b), wherein the upper and lower members interlock to form the noise excluder. The noise excluder may form a partial parting bead. The upper and lower members may have a tapered shape and may be triangular, stepped or curved. A sound proof sash window is also provided, incorporating a noise excluder on at least each sash stile and its adjacent inner lining. Also provided is a resilient draught excluder cassette suitable for use with a sash window and including one or more angled resilient layers and optionally a number of bolts for adjusting the angle of the resilient layer or layers.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SASH WINDOWS

[1] The present invention relates to an improved sash window and a noise excluder for use with a sash window.

[2] The elegant styling of sash windows makes them a preferable form of window, especially amongst homeowners of older period-properties who wish to maintain the classic character of their property. In recent years, uPVC sash windows have become available as home-owners seek to replace their old windows with new ones that require less maintenance and have improved energy efficiency and sound insulation performance. Whilst double-glazed sash windows have improved sound and draught insulation performance over original sash windows, their performance doesn't match that of casement windows, leaving homeowners with the dilemma of having to choose between fitting efficient (but less attractive) casement windows or more elegant (but less efficient) sash windows. This innovation seeks to blend the high performance of casement windows within the elegance and style of sash windows.

[3] Sash windows perform less well than casement window due to differences in the way that casement and sash windows open and close. Casement windows are hinged so that they open outwards and/or inwards. When a casement window is closed, it is effectively clamped shut so that there are no gaps between the window and its frame, preventing the transmission of noise and draughts. In contrast, sash windows open and shut by means of sliding up and down within their corresponding inner frame. In order for the sash window to slide up and down within the inner frame, there must be a gap between the two vertical edges (or stiles) of the sash window and the corresponding parts of the inner frame otherwise the sash windows would jam shut. This gap has to be maintained even when the sash window is closed to allow the sash window to be opened again. These gaps allow noise and draughts to freely flow -even when foam inserts (and such like) are used to reduce this issue.

[004] To illustrate this problem, a typical known sash window is shown in Figures 1 and 2. A known sash window has a frame and comprises an upper sash and a lower sash. The frame is for mounting around a wall aperture which may be shaped to receive the sash window. The frame has vertical inner linings on each side of the wall aperture. Each inner lining has a pair of grooves in which the sashes may be mounted. The inner lining may have a parting bead projecting from it from between the pair of grooves such that the parting bead separates the two sashes and keeps them in place.

[005] The upper and lower sashes are slidably mounted in the grooves typically by means of upper and lower pegs in the inner lining of the frame. The upper sash generally comprises upper sash glazing which may be divided by one or two upper sash bars. The upper sash has an upper member in the form of upper sash top rail, a lower member in the form of upper sash meeting rail and a pair of side members in the forms of upper sash stiles. Likewise, the lower sash comprises lower sash glazing which is divided by one or two lower sash bars. The upper and lower sash glazing may comprise single or double glazed panels. The lower sash has an upper member in the form of lower sash meeting rail, a lower member in the form of lower sash bottom rail and a pair of side members in the forms of lower sash stiles. Between the upper and lower sashes and between the sashes and the inner lining, sash window gaps are formed through which sash window draughts may flow.

[006] A way of ameliorating these problems has been sought.

[007] According to the invention there is provided a noise excluder for use with a sash window which includes an upper member and a lower member wherein the upper and lower members interlock to form a noise excluder.

[8] According to the invention there is also provided a sound-proof sash window comprising a frame having inner linings, two sashes having sash stiles, and at least two noise excluders according to the invention for each sash wherein the sashes are mounted in the frame and wherein a noise excluder is mounted on at least each sash stile and its adjacent inner lining.

[9] According to the invention there is further provided a resilient draught excluder cassette suitable for use with a sash window which comprises a support suitable for being received by a sash window member and one or more angled resilient layers.

[0010] Advantages of the invention include that the noise excluder reduces the transmission of sound and/or draughts through a sash window, increasing the comfort of an occupant of a dwelling having such sash windows.

[0011] In some embodiments, the upper member forms an upper member projecting end at its upper end and the lower member forms a lower member tapered end at its upper end. In some embodiments, the upper member forms an upper member tapering end at its lower end and the lower member forms a lower member projecting end at its lower end.

[0012] In some embodiments, the upper and lower members have an elongate shape. In some embodiments, the upper and lower members have a substantially triangular shape, a stepped shape or a curved shape. In some embodiments, the upper and lower members have a substantially triangular shape.

[0013] In some embodiments, the noise excluder may form a partial parting bead. In some embodiments, the upper and lower members may have a tapered shape such that a diagonal gap is formed between them when they are moved apart.

[0014] In some embodiments, sound-proof sash window may include an upper noise excluder for the upper sash wherein an upper member of the upper noise excluder has an upper member projecting end and wherein the upper member is arranged on an upper part of the inner lining such that the upper member projecting end projects from the inner lining. In some embodiments, the upper noise excluder may include a lower member having a lower member tapered end and wherein the lower member is arranged on the upper sash such that the lower member tapered end engages the upper member projecting end when the upper sash is closed. By such an arrangement, upper sash may be lowered.

[0015] In some embodiments, sound-proof sash window may include a lower noise excluder for the lower sash wherein a lower member of the lower noise excluder has a lower member projecting end and wherein the lower member is arranged on a lower part of the inner lining such that the lower member projecting end projects from the inner lining. In some embodiments, the lower noise excluder may include an upper member having an upper member tapered end and wherein the upper member is arranged on the lower sash such that the upper member tapered end engages the lower member projecting end when the lower sash is closed. By such an arrangement, lower sash may be raised.

[0016] In some embodiments where the draught-proof sash window includes a parting bead, the upper and lower noise excluders may be provided on the sashes and the parting bead. In some embodiments, the upper or lower noise excluder may be provided on a sash window such that the sash window is shaped (e.g. tapered) so that it receives the corresponding lower or upper noise excluder.

[0017] In some embodiments, the noise excluder may be formed from a plastics material (such as a thermoplastics material, e.g. nylon, acrylic, ABS, polyethylene, and/or uPVC) and/or a metal (such as aluminium, titanium, magnesium or stainless steel) and/or a natural material (such as wood or bamboo). In some embodiments, each noise excluder member may have an interlocking edge which engages the other noise excluder member and a resilient material (such as rubber or fabric) may be provided to improve the seal between the noise excluder members.

[0018] In some embodiments, one or both of the sashes of the draught-proof sash window may have arms at each side for tilting the respective sash. In some embodiments, one or both sashes may be mounted in the frame on at least a lower sash peg such that the arms are for tilting the sash about its lower peg. In some embodiments, one or both sashes may be mounted in the frame on at least an upper sash peg which is retractable so that the sash may be tilted.

[0019] In some embodiments, each arm may comprise an arm member which is slidably and rotatably mounted in the frame and rotatably mounted on the sash. In some embodiments, each arm may comprise an arm lining peg for mounting in a groove of the inner lining such that the peg may slide in the groove and the arm member may rotate around the arm lining peg. In some embodiments, each arm may comprise an arm sash peg for mounting on the sash such that the arm member may rotate about the arm sash peg. In some embodiments, each arm may comprise an arm member which is rotatably mounted on the inner lining and slidably and rotatably mounted on the sash. In some embodiments, the arm lining peg may be rotatably mounted on the inner lining and/or the arm sash peg may be slidably and rotatably mounted on a groove in the sash.

[0020] In some embodiments, the upper and lower members may have a tapered shape such that a gap is formed between them when the upper sash is lowered or when the lower sash is raised. In some embodiments, the arms may be positioned on one or both of the sashes such that the arm members can rotate through the gap such that the sashes can be tilted once they are lowered or raised to a sufficient degree for the respective gaps to be formed.

[0021] In some embodiments, the upper and/or the lower member may be provided by a resilient draught excluder cassette according to the invention. In some embodiments, the resilient draught excluder cassette may be an adjustable or a fixed draught excluder cassette. In some embodiments, the adjustable draught excluder cassette may comprise a plurality of bolts for adjusting the angle of the angled resilient layers. In some embodiments, the bolts may have resilient members for biasing the angled resilient layers to extend from the draught excluder cassette.

[0022] In some embodiments, the adjustable cassette may comprise a resilient member such that the angled resilient layers are retractable angled resilient layers. An example of the advantages provided by retractable angled resilient layers is that if the gap between the frame and the sash was about 5mm, then the fixed cassette (which may be provided on a sash) would only need to project from the sash by about 2mm at its tapered end and by about 3mm at the projecting end, and the adjustable cassette could project out to 4mm at the tapered end but be resiliently retractable to a projection of about Omm at the tapered end and at the projecting end, the adjustable cassette could project out to about 5mm and be retractable to about 0mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the noise excluder may comprise at least one resilient draught excluder cassette according to the invention and the sash and/or the inner lining may form a recess for receiving the resilient draught excluder cassette. In some embodiments, the resilient draught excluder cassette may be an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette and the sash and/or the inner lining may also form one or more fastening expansion recesses. In some embodiments, the noise excluder may comprise one adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette and one fixed resilient draught excluder cassette. By including one fixed resilient draught excluder cassette, the costs of the noise excluder may be reduced.

[0024] The advantage of having one of the cassettes being fixed would be that fixed cassettes are cheaper than the adjustable cassettes and also a fixed cassette would need less changes to the sash or frame to accommodate it, also having a thinner profile on the sash would allow it to tilt open more easily.

[0025] In some embodiments, the one or more angled resilient layers may comprise a foam layer, a plastic strip, and/or a fabric layer. In some embodiments, the resilient draught excluder cassette may be an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette and may comprise a plurality (for example two or more, for example three) bolts for adjusting the angled resilient layers. In In some embodiments, the resilient draught excluder cassette may include a resilient member for biasing the one or more angled resilient layers out of the support.

[0026] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention: FIGURE 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a known sash window; FIGURE 2 shows a schematic elevation view of a known sash window; FIGURE 3a shows a schematic elevation view of the noise excluder according to the invention in a first closed position; FIGURE 3b shows a schematic elevation view of the noise excluder according to the invention in a second partially open position; FIGURE 3c shows a schematic elevation view of the noise excluder according to the invention in a third open position; FIGURE 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a first closed position; FIGURE 5 shows a schematic elevation view of the first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a first closed position; FIGURE 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a second partially open position; FIGURE 7 shows a schematic elevation view of the first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a second partially open position; FIGURE 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a third fully open position; FIGURE 9 shows a schematic elevation view of the first embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a third fully open position; FIGURE 10 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a fourth tilted position; FIGURE 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a second embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a first closed position; FIGURE 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a second embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a fourth tilted position; FIGURE 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a sash window according to the invention in a fourth tilted position; FIGURE 14 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a sash window according to the invention; FIGURE 15 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of a sash window according to the invention; FIGURE 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette according to the invention; and FIGURE 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixed resilient draught excluder cassette according to the invention.

[0027] A typical known sash window is indicated generally at 10 on Figures 1 and 2. Known sash window 15 has a frame 12 and comprises an upper sash 20 and a lower sash 30. Frame 12 is for mounting around a wall aperture (not shown) which is shaped to receive the sash window 10. Frame 12 has vertical inner linings 12 on each side of the wall aperture. Each inner lining 12 has a pair of grooves 18 in which the sashes 20,30 may be mounted.

[0028] Upper sash 20 and a lower sash 30 are slidably mounted in grooves 18 by means of upper/lower pegs (not shown) in the inner lining 16 of the frame 12. Upper sash 20 comprises upper sash glazing 28 which are divided by upper sash bar 29. Upper sash glazing 28 may be single-or double-glazed panels. Upper sash 20 has an upper member in the form of upper sash top rail 22, a lower member in the form of upper sash meeting rail 26 and a pair of side members in the forms of upper sash stiles 24. Likewise, lower sash 30 comprises lower sash glazing 38 which are divided by lower sash bar 39. Lower sash glazing 38 may be single or double glazed panels. Lower sash 30 has an upper member in the form of lower sash meeting rail 36, a lower member in the form of lower sash bottom rail 32 and a pair of side members in the forms of lower sash stiles 34. Between the upper and lower sashes 20,30 and between the sashes 20,30 and the inner lining 16, sash window gaps 40 are formed through which sash window draughts may flow. For the purposes of illustration, the gap 40 between the sashes 20,30 and the inner lining 16 is wider than what would be usual in practice. Where the known sash window is formed from wood, the sash window gaps 40 are typically provided to allow for expansion of the wood due to heat or humidity.

[0029] A first embodiment of a noise excluder according to the invention is indicated at 50 on Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c. Noise excluder 50 includes an upper member 52 and a lower member 56 which are correspondingly shaped to interlock to exclude the transmission of noise and draughts through a sash window. Each noise excluder member 52,56 has a substantially triangular elongate shape such that noise excluder members 52,56 are tapered and interlocking noise excluder members 52,56. At its upper end, upper member 52 forms an upper member projecting end 54. At its upper end, lower member 56 forms a lower member tapered end 58. Additionally, at its lower end, upper member 52 forms an upper member tapering end 53 and at its lower end, lower member 56 forms a lower member projecting end 57. In use, when the lower member 56 is moved vertically downwards in a direction indicated by arrows 59, lower member 56 is moved apart from upper member 52. Because the upper and lower members 52,56 have a tapered shape, a diagonal gap 55 is formed between them. The noise excluder 50 may be formed from a plastics material such as uPVC. On its interlocking edges, a strip of resilient material such as rubber, plastic, or fabric may be provided to improve the seal between the noise excluder members 52,56.

[0030] In an alternate embodiment, the noise excluder members 52,56 may have an alternate interlocking shape such as a correspondingly stepped shape or correspondingly curved shape between their projecting ends 54,57 and tapered ends 53,58.

[0031] A first embodiment of a sound-proof sash window according to the invention is indicated generally at 15 on Figures 4 to 9. Like features to the known sash window 10 are identified by like reference numerals. The sound-proof sash window 15 has a frame 12 and comprises an upper sash 20 and a lower sash 30. Upper sash 20 comprises upper sash glazing 28 which are divided by upper sash bar 29. Upper sash glazing 28 may be single-or double-glazed panels. Upper sash 20 has an upper member in the form of upper sash top rail 22, a lower member in the form of upper sash meeting rail 26 and a pair of side members in the forms of upper sash stiles 24. On the inner lining 16 facing side of each upper sash stile 24, upper sash 20 has an upper sash upper peg 21 at its upper end and an upper sash lower peg 23 at its lower end. Pegs 21,23 are slidably mounted in grooves 18 of the inner ling 16. Likewise, lower sash 30 comprises lower sash glazing 38 which are divided by lower sash bar 39. Lower sash glazing 38 may be single-or double-glazed panels. Lower sash 30 has an upper member in the form of lower sash meeting rail 36, a lower member in the form of lower sash bottom rail 32 and a pair of side members in the forms of lower sash stiles 34. On the inner lining 16 facing side of each lower sash stile 34, lower sash 30 has a lower sash upper peg 31 at its upper end and a lower sash lower peg 33 at its lower end. Pegs 31,33 are slidably mounted in grooves 18 of the inner ling 16.

[0032] An upper noise excluder SOA is arranged on each side of the upper sash 20 and on each side of upper parts of the inner lining 16 so as to form a partial parting bead. The upper member 52A of the upper noise excluder 50A is arranged on an upper part of the inner lining 16 such that the upper member projecting end 54 projects from the inner lining 16. The lower member 56A of the upper noise excluder 50A is arranged on the upper sash 20 such that the lower member tapered end 58 engages the upper member projecting end 54 when the upper sash 20 is closed, such that upper sash 20 may be lowered.

[0033] A lower noise excluder SOB is arranged on each side of the lower sash 30 and on each side of lower parts of the inner lining 16 so as to form a partial parting bead. The lower member 56B of the lower noise excluder SOB is arranged on a lower part of the inner lining 16 such that the lower member projecting end 57 projects from the inner lining 16. The upper member 56B of the lower noise excluder 50B is arranged on the lower sash 30 such that the upper member tapered end 53 engages the lower member projecting end 57 when the lower sash 30 is closed, such that lower sash 30 may be raised.

[0034] In an alternate embodiment where the sound-proof sash window 15 includes a parting bead, the upper and lower noise excluders 50A,50B may be provided on the sashes 20,30 and the parting bead. In an alternative embodiment, the upper or lower noise excluder 50A,50B may be provided on a sash 20,30 such that the sash 20,30 is shaped to receive the corresponding lower or upper noise excluder SOB,50A.

[0035] The lowering of the upper sash 20 and raising of the lower sash 30 is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 which illustrated a partial movement of sashes 20,30 such that they partially overlap and in Figures 8 and 9 which show opening of sashes 20,30 such that they fully overlap.

[0036] A second embodiment of a sound-proof sash window according to the invention is indicated generally at 115 on Figures 10 to 13. Like features to the first embodiment of the sound-proof sash window 15 according to the invention are identified by like reference numerals. The sound-proof sash window 115 has a frame 12 and comprises an upper sash 20 and a lower sash 30. Upper sash 20 comprises upper sash glazing 28 which are divided by upper sash bar 29. Upper sash glazing 28 may be single-or double-glazed panels. Upper sash 20 has an upper member in the form of upper sash top rail 22, a lower member in the form of upper sash meeting rail 26 and a pair of side members in the forms of upper sash stiles 24. On the inner lining 16 facing side of each upper sash stile 24, upper sash 20 has an upper sash upper peg 21 at its upper end and an upper sash lower peg 23 at its lower end. Pegs 21,23 are slidably mounted in grooves 18 of the inner ling 16. Likewise, lower sash 30 comprises lower sash glazing 38 which are divided by lower sash bar 39. Lower sash glazing 38 may be single-or double-glazed panels. Lower sash 30 has an upper member in the form of lower sash meeting rail 36, a lower member in the form of lower sash bottom rail 32 and a pair of side members in the forms of lower sash stiles 34. On the inner lining 16 facing side of each lower sash stile 34, lower sash 30 has a lower sash upper peg 31 at its upper end and a lower sash lower peg 33 at its lower end. Pegs 31,33 are slidably mounted in grooves 18 of the inner lining 16.

[0037] An upper noise excluder 50A is arranged on each side of the upper sash 20 and on each side of upper parts of the inner lining 16 so as to form a partial parting bead. The upper member 52A of the upper noise excluder 50A is arranged on an upper part of the inner lining 16 such that the upper member projecting end 54 projects from the inner lining 16. The lower member 56A of the upper noise excluder 50A is arranged on the upper sash 20 such that the lower member tapered end 58 engages the upper member projecting end 54 when the upper sash 20 is closed, such that upper sash 20 may be lowered.

[0038] A lower noise excluder 50B is arranged on each side of the lower sash 30 and on each side of lower parts of the inner lining 16 so as to form a partial parting bead. The lower member 56B of the lower noise excluder 50B is arranged on a lower part of the inner lining 16 such that the lower member projecting end 57 projects from the inner lining 16. The upper member 56B of the lower noise excluder SOB is arranged on the lower sash 30 such that the upper member tapered end 53 engages the lower member projecting end 57 when the lower sash 30 is closed, such that lower sash 30 may be raised.

[0039] In an alternate embodiment where the sound-proof sash window 15 includes a parting bead, the upper and lower noise excluders 50A,50B may be provided on the sashes 20,30 and the parting bead.

[0040] On each side of the upper and lower sashes 20,30 of sound-proof sash window 115 there are also provided arms 60A,60B for tilting the upper and lower sashes 20,30 about their lower pegs 23,33 such that on retraction of the upper pegs 21,31, the upper rail 22,36 of each sash 20,30 may be rotated out of a vertical plane formed by the sound-proof sash window 115.

[0041] Arms 60A,60B comprise an arm member 66A,66B which is slidably and rotatably mounted on groove 18 of the inner lining 16 by means of arm lining peg 62A,62B and rotatably mounted on sash 20,30 by means of arm sash peg 64A,64B. In alternate embodiment, arm member 66A,66B may be rotatably mounted on the inner lining 16 by means of arm lining peg 62A,62B and slidably and rotatably mounted on a groove (not shown) on sash 20,30 by means of arm sash peg 64A,64B.

[0042] Due to the tapered shape of the upper and lower members 52A,52B,56A,56B, a diagonal gap 55A,55B is formed between them when the upper sash 20 is lowered or when the lower sash 30 is raised. Arms 60,4,60B are positioned on the upper and lower sashes 20,30 such that the arm members 66A,66B can rotate through the diagonal gap 55A,55B such that the sashes 20,30 can be tilted once they are lowered or raised to a sufficient degree for the respective gaps 55A,55B to be formed.

[0043] A third embodiment of a sound-proof sash window according to the invention is indicated generally at 215 on Figure 14. Like features to the known sash window 10 are identified by like reference numerals. The sound-proof sash window 215 has a frame 12 and comprises an upper sash 20, a lower sash (not shown), and adjustable resilient draught excluder cassettes 70 which are mounted in the frame 12 and in each sash 20,30. Frame adjustable resilient draught excluder cassettes 70 form upper and lower adjustable resilient draught excluders 52,56. Sash adjustable resilient draught excluder cassettes 70 form upper and lower sash adjustable resilient sound and draught excluders 50A,50B. Frame 12 which comprises a frame upper member 12A and a frame side member 12B. Upper sash 20 has an upper sash top rail 22, an upper sash meeting rail 26 and a pair of upper sash stiles 24. Upper sash 20 comprises upper sash glazing 28. Upper sash glazing 28 may be a single-or double-glazed panel. The frame members 12A,12B and sash members 22,24,26 each comprise a member outer support 13 and member inner insulation 15.

[0044] The sash stiles 24 each form a draught excluder cassette recess 17 for receiving the draught excluder cassette 70. The frame side members 12B each form an upper and a lower draught excluder cassette recess 17 for receiving the draught excluder cassette 70. Each of the draught excluder cassette recesses 17 forms a corresponding fastening expansion recess 19.

[0045] The resilient draught excluder cassette 70 is shown in more detail in Figure 16. The resilient draught excluder cassette 70 comprises a draught excluder cassette support 72 which contains a draught excluder cassette base 74 and one or more angled resilient layers 73. The one or more angled resilient layers 73 comprise a draught excluder cassette foam layer 76, outer and inner draught excluder cassette plastic strips 78A,78B, and (for the draught excluder cassette 70 for the frame side members 12B) a draught excluder cassette fabric layer 80. The cassette base 74 helps to space the foam layer 76 from the cassette support 72 and may have varying thickness so as to increase the angle of the angled resilient layers 73. Draught excluder cassette fabric layer 80 provides a resilient surface for the upper and lower sash sound and draught excluders 50A,50B. The longitudinal edges of foam layer 76 are provided with adhesive strips (not shown) for adhering the foam layer 76 to the base 74 and to the inner plastic strip 78B.

[0046] Each adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette 70 is secured in its respective draught excluder cassette recess 17 by draught excluder cassette fixings (not shown). Each adjustable draught excluder cassette 70 forms three adjustment screw channels 90 through the draught excluder cassette support 72 and the angled layers 73. Each adjustment screw channel 90 aligns with a respective fastening expansion recess 19.

[0047] The adjustment screw channels 90 each receive an adjustment bolt 82 and an adjustment bolt resilient member 84 which may be in the form of a spring. Each adjustment bolt 82 has an adjustment bolt retaining head, an adjustment bolt fastening 86 in the form of a nut and an adjustment bolt fastening support 88 for receiving the adjustment bolt fastening 86 to limit its rotation. The adjustment bolt 82 is secured against an outer surface of the foam layer 76 by bolt retaining head 92 and an inner surface of the support 72 by fastening 86 which is mounted in fastening support 88. The fastening support 88 is received by fastening expansion recess 19 which approximately has the same width and length as the fastening support 88.

[0048] The adjustment bolt resilient member 84 is arranged to bias the adjustment bolt 82 and the angled resilient layers 73 from the draught excluder cassette base 74. The resilient member 84 allows the adjustable cassette 70 to be compressible such that pressure on the angled resilient layers 73 causes the angled resilient layers 73 to retract into the support 72 such that the angled resilient layers 73 are retractable angled resilient layer 73. The degree of projection of the angled resilient layers 73 which form the draught excluder 50A,SOB,52,56 from the support 72 may be controlled by selecting the length of the adjustment bolt such that the resilient layers 73 are compressed when the length is short or the resilient layers 73 are spaced from the cassette base 74 by the resilient member 84 when the length is long. A draught excluder tapered end 53,58 may be formed by tightening the bolt retaining head 92 against the foam layer 76 and/or by tightening the fastening 86 against the support 72. In this way, an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette 70 may be adjusted to be either an upper or lower member.

[0049] Foam layer 76 and bolt resilient member 84 provide resilient support for plastics strips 78A,78B such that when a sash 20,30 is closed where a sash draught excluder meets a frame draught excluder, there is some flexibility to facilitate the closing of the sash 20,30. The fastening expansion recess allows movement of the fastening 86 and fastening support 88 when pressure is exerted on the plastic strips 78A,78B and/or the fabric layer 80. The foam layer 76 and bolt resilient member 84 also provide some flexibility in the construction of the draught excluder to allow for expansion/contraction of the sash window 215 due to variations in ambient temperature and/or humidity.

[0050] In an alternate embodiment, the third embodiment of the sound-proof sash window according to the invention indicated generally at 215 on Figure 14 may instead comprise two opposing pairs of an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette 70 and a fixed resilient draught excluder cassette 170, which are opposing pairs as one cassette 70,170 is mounted in the frame 12 and the other cassette 170,70 opposes that cassette 70,170 in a sash 20,30. Thus a frame cassette may be an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette 70 and an opposed sash cassette may be a fixed resilient draught excluder cassette 170. Alternatively, a frame draught excluder 52,56 may be a fixed resilient draught excluder cassette 170 and an opposed sash draught excluder 50A,50B may be an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette 70.

[0051] A fixed resilient draught excluder cassette is indicated generally at 170 on Figure 17 of the accompanying drawings. Fixed draught excluder cassette consists of a draught excluder cassette support 72 which contains a draught excluder cassette base 74 and one or more angled resilient layers 73. The one or more resilient layers 73 comprise a draught excluder cassette foam layer 76, outer and inner draught excluder cassette plastic strips 78A,78B, and (for the fixed draught excluder cassette 170 for the frame side members 12B) a draught excluder cassette fabric layer 80. The fixed draught excluder cassette 170 is resilient because of the foam layer 76 and the plastic strips 78A,78B provide flexibility. Draught excluder cassette fabric layer 80 provides a resilient surface for the upper and lower sash sound and draught excluders 50A,505. The fixed draught excluder cassette 170 is fixed because it lacks the draught excluder cassette adjustment bolt 82. By the provision of a fixed draught excluder cassette 170, the costs of the sound-proof sash window 215 may be reduced.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A noise excluder for use with a sash window which includes an upper member and a lower member wherein the upper and lower members interlock to form the noise excluder.
2. A noise excluder as defined in Claim 1 wherein the upper member forms an upper member projecting end at its upper end and the lower member forms a lower member tapered end at its upper end.
3. A noise excluder as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the upper member forms an upper member tapering end at its lower end and the lower member forms a lower member projecting end at its lower end.
4. A noise excluder as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper and lower members have an elongate shape.
5. A noise excluder as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper and lower members have a substantially triangular shape, a stepped shape or a curved shape.
6. A noise excluder as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the noise excluder forms a partial parting bead.
7. A noise excluder as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper and lower members have a tapered shape such that a diagonal gap is formed between them when they are moved apart.
8. A noise excluder as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper and/or the lower member are provided by a resilient cassette as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2.
9. A sound-proof sash window comprising a frame having inner linings, two sashes having sash stiles, and at least two noise excluders as defined in any one of the preceding Claims for each sash wherein the sashes are mounted in the frame and wherein a noise excluder is mounted on at least each sash stile and its adjacent inner lining.
10. A sash window as defined in Claim 9 which includes an upper noise excluder for the upper sash wherein an upper member of the upper noise excluder has an upper member projecting end and wherein the upper member is arranged on an upper part of the inner lining such that the upper member projecting end projects from the inner lining.
11. A sash window as defined in Claim 10 wherein the upper noise excluder includes a lower member having a lower member tapered end and wherein the lower member is arranged on the upper sash such that the lower member tapered end engages the upper member projecting end when the upper sash is closed.
12. A sash window as defined in any one of Claims 9 to 11 which includes a lower noise excluder for the lower sash wherein a lower member of the lower noise excluder has a lower member projecting end and wherein the lower member is arranged on a lower part of the inner lining such that the lower member projecting end projects from the inner lining.
13. A sash window as defined in Claim 12 wherein the lower noise excluder includes an upper member having an upper member tapered end and wherein the upper member is arranged on the lower sash such that the upper member tapered end engages the lower member projecting end when the lower sash is closed.
14. A sash window as defined in any one of Claims 9 to 13 which includes a parting bead and wherein the upper and lower noise excluders may be provided on the sashes and on the parting bead instead of the inner lining.
15. A sash window as defined in any one of Claims 9 to 14 wherein one or both of the sashes have arms at each side for tilting the respective sash; preferably one or both sashes are mounted in the frame on at least a lower sash peg such that the arms tilt the sash about its lower peg.
16. A sash window as defined in Claim 15 wherein one or both sashes are mounted in the frame on at least an upper sash peg which is retractable so that the sash may be tilted.
17. A sash window as defined in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein each arm comprises an arm member which is slidably and rotatably mounted in the frame and rotatably mounted on the sash.
18. A sash window as defined in Claim 17 wherein each arm comprises an arm lining peg for mounting in a groove of the inner lining such that the peg may slide in the groove and the arm member may rotate around the arm lining peg.
19. A sash window as defined in Claim 17 or Claim 18 wherein each arm comprises an arm sash peg for mounting on the sash such that the arm member may rotate about the arm sash peg.
20. A sash window as defined in Claim 15 wherein each arm comprises an arm member which is rotatably mounted on the inner lining and slidably and rotatably mounted on the sash.
21. A sash window as defined in Claim 20 wherein the arm lining peg is rotatably mounted on the inner lining and/or the arm sash peg is slidably and rotatably mounted on a groove in the sash.
22. A sash window as defined in any one of Claims 15 to 21 wherein the upper and lower members have a tapered shape such that a diagonal gap is formed between them when they are moved apart and wherein the arms are positioned on one or both of the sashes such that the arm members can rotate through the diagonal gap.
23. A sash window as defined in any one of Claims 9 to 22 wherein the noise excluder comprises at least one resilient draught excluder cassette as defined in Claim 24 or Claim 25 and wherein the sash and/or the inner lining forms a recess for receiving the resilient draught excluder cassette; preferably the resilient draught excluder cassette is an adjustable resilient draught excluder cassette and the sash and/or the inner lining also form one or more fastening expansion recesses.
24. A resilient draught excluder cassette suitable for use with a sash window which comprises a support suitable for being received by a sash window member and one or more angled resilient layers.
25. A resilient cassette as defined in Claim 24 which is an adjustable or a fixed draught excluder cassette; preferably the adjustable draught excluder cassette comprises a plurality of bolts for adjusting the angle of the angled resilient layers; preferably the bolts have resilient members for biasing the angled resilient layers to extend from the draught excluder cassette.