US1348131A - Window-closing device - Google Patents

Description

r H. I. HUEY.

WINDOW CLOSING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. ls, m9.

1,848,131. Patented July 27,1920.

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Ham/z 14 1267 attouuq UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' HAROLD I. HUEY OF SAYLESVILLE, RHODE ISLAND.

WINDOW-CLOSING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. -Patented July 27, 1920.

Application filed February 18, 1919. Serial No. 277,747.

Window-Closing Devices, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to an automatic window-closing device, and has for its object to provide such a device which is adapted to be readily applied to and removed from a window and is for the purpose of automatically closing the window when an excessive amount of moisture is applied to a moisture-affected element forming a part of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a standard to be attached to the window frame and provided with a mois ture-affected element adapted to lie upon the window sill in position to be most quickly affected by moisture which would enter the room.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spring on the closing device for closing the window when released by the moisture-affected element.

With these and other objects in view, the Y invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1- is an elevation showing the device as applied to a window.

Fig. 2- 1s a plan view of the folding wing member of the device,' showing the moisture-affected element mounted thereon.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the device in folded position.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the standard member of my device which is adapted to be attached either permanently or temporarily by screws or other means to the casing of an ordinary window. This standard is member 11 hinged at 12 to its lower end and adapted to be swung down to lie upon the window sill 13. In this standard I have formed a recess 14: in which is mounted a latch 15 pivoted at 16. One end of this latch is adapted to extend out beyond the edge of the standard suiiiciently to engage the under edge of the window 17 to hold the same ii-ope p s ion. he-inn n of rovided with a foldable wingthis latch is engaged by a tripper 18 pivoted at 19 in the standard. This tripper is provided with a downwardly extending arm 20 to which a cord or wire 21 is connected, the same leading down along the standard and over the small pulley 22 at the lower end thereof and is attached to one end of the moisture-affected element 23. This moisture affected element may be formed of any suitable material but I preferably construct the same of a narrow strip of fabric which has been chemically treated so that when moisture is applied thereto instead of contracting as is usual with fabrics it will expand toa considerable degree or sufiiciently to actuate the tripper to release the latch and window.

One end 24 of this element is attached to the loop 25 in the wing member while the other end is provided. with an eye 26 to which the wire 21 is connected. The ends of this element are temporarily fastened in position so that the element itself may be removed and replaced when it is desired to renew the same, or its length may be shortened or adjusted to suit the conditions under which it is to be operated.

As this wing member is hinged to the standard it is adapted to be turned up when not in use into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 where it may be locked by the bail 27.

In some cases where a window is weighted and balanced it is found desirable to prO- vide means for acting upon the sash to close the window when released by the latch. Therefore to accomplish this in a simple and effective way, I have provided a coil tension spring 29 which is mounted in the groove 30 in the upper end of the standard.

One end of the spring is attached at 31 to the standard while the other end 32 is connected by means of the pin 33 to the window whereby when the latch is caused to release the window this spring draws the same down to closed position.

In applying my device to a window it is only necessary to attach the standard to the casing by means of screws or otherwise and then let down the wing member to rest upon the window sill, thereby positioning the moisture-affected element where it will receive the moisture first such as rain which enters the window. pands sufliciently to permit theupper end of the tripper member to rise and release the latch, the outer end of which then swings- This element then exdownwardly and permits the window, under tension of its spring to be moved to closed position.

Another feature of this moisture-affected element is that as soon as the same is dry it contracts again to normal and, therefore, may be used over and over again. This is a. great improvement over other devices where-- in the moisture-affected element is destroyed upon operating, which necessitates its being replaced each time with a new one.

The device is extremely simple and inexpensive in its'construction and effective in its action and by its use damage may be ef-' fectually prevented, by ,the closing of the window when rain is about to enter the room.

Another element 34 of readily, fusible material may be interposed into the length of wire 21 whereby when a fire occurs the heat acting upon this readily fusible element will effect the closing of the window, which is an element of safety to prevent the spread of fire.

My invention is not restricted to the precise arrangement of parts shown and described as the details of construction may'be modified and rearranged without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim: g

1. A window-closing device comprising a standard adapted to be secured to a window frame, means on said standard for supporting a window in open position, a non-rupturable control member capable of extending itslength by hygroscopic action and returning to normal length when dry, and means whereby the elongation of said control member causes said supporting member to release the window to move to closed position.

. 2. A window-closing device comprising a standard adapted to be secured to a window casing, a latch in said standard for supporting the window in open position, a tripper for supporting the latch and a strip of nonrupturable moisture-affected material arranged to retain the tripper and latch. in supporting position when dry and adapted to change its length by action of moisture thereon to trip the latch to release the window, said strip automatically returning to normal length when dried.

3. A window-closing device comprisi v a standard adapted to'be secured to a win ow casing and having a non-rupturable member adapted to lie longitudinally alongthe window sill, a latch in said standard for releasably supporting the window in open position, and a strip of moisture-affected material mounted on said member and connected to saidlatch whereby the action of moisture upon said strip causes it to permit said latch to release the window to close, said strip automatically returning to normal length when dried.

4:. A window-closing device comprising a standard adapted tobe secured to a Window frame, a foldable wing member adapted to be swung down to lie upon the window sill, means in the standard for releasably supporting the window sash in open position,

and a moisture affected element carried by said wing member adapted to be temporarily elongated, and means whereby the expanding of said element is caused to release the sash to move to closed position.

5. A window-closing device comprising a standard adapted to be secured to a window frame, a foldable wing member adapted to be swung down to lie upon the window sill, means in the standard for releasably supporting the window sash in open position, a moisture-affected element carried by said wing .member adapted to be temporarily elongated, means whereby the expanding of said element is caused to release the sash to move to closed position, and a'spring acting upon the sash to move it to closed position when released by its supporting means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HAROLD I. HUEY.

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