US1934337A

US1934337A - Ventilator

Info

Publication number: US1934337A
Application number: US536123A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl O Swanson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-05-09
Filing date: 1931-05-09
Publication date: 1933-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1950-11-07

Description

Nov. 7, 1933. c. o. swANsoN VENTILAI'OR Filed May 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. INVENTOR BYE/9m. 0, wnNso/v MMM@ ATTORNEY VEN-TILATOR Filed May 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 N ca M RW ms. .b .mm1 mw Mm C R .QQPQ 0.o am... We mm. m\ um N X n Nk ON Hwy/v@ ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to ventilation equipment and the primary object is to provide a window ventilator which will, when open, permit of a free supply of Ventilating air to the room,

and which is provided with means, including closable shutters or louvers and a mechanism responsive to the action of rain for closing the shutters, so that the ventilator will automatically close the window opening to prevent any rain water from being blown into the room. The advantages and benefits of this construction are particularly of value 'in residences where the occupants may be asleep or absent from the premises during a storm as it will permit of a maximum amount of ventilation at all times and will function to prevent water damage to curtains, drapes, shades, and carpets that would otherwise be subjected to. such damage were the windows left open and unattended. The invention contemplates the use of both purely mechanical means as well as electrical devices for effecting the shutter closing action, the electrical apparatus being employed with preference when a greater sensitiveness of operation is desired, as will hereinafter be described.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate both of the preferred forms of the invention- Fig. l is a sectional elevation through the ventilator unit, as seen approximately on the line 1 1 in Fig. 2, the shutters or louvers being in closed positions.

Fig. 2 is a plan elevation of the device, as seen from its inner cr room side, fractional portions being broken away for purpose of illustration. This view also shows the shutters as in closed positions.

Fig. 3 is a plan elevation of the lower end of the device, as seen from the outer side.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view as on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, this view also showing the device as applied to a window frame.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation, similar to the lower end of Fig. 1, but showing the tripping mechanism set and the shutters open.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional detail views showing, respectively, the open and closed positions of a ventilator unit embodying the invention but which uses only a mechanical trip mechanism as distinguished from the electric tripping device as illustrated in Figs. l to 5, inclusive.

The structure and function of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, may be de- 5 scribed as follows, the various parts beingreferred toby the same characters throughout the various views.

The numeral A designates a rectangular frame which is provided at its ends with a pair of extension plates 8 that are

slidable'in grooves

9 and 60 are spring held outwardly as by springs 10 to effectively increase the length of theirame A, whereby the latter can be releasably secured between tlie stops l1 of a window frame 12, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. The springs 10 are 65- secured by pins 13 which extend through theA end bars of the frame A and terminate in small finger pieces 14 which may be grasped and pulled inwardly to retract the plates 8. The plates 8 are further guided in the openings 9 by pins or screws 70 15 that extend through the end rails of the frame and engage horizontal slots 16 in the plates 8. When the device is to be secured in a Window frame the plates 8 are first retracted by pulling on the members 14, and the frame A is then 75. placed between the slots 11 under the lower window sash by a back and forth movement, after which the knobs 14 are released and the plates 8 are projected by the springs 10 so as to engage the window frame and prevent rattling or looseness of the frame A in the window frame. After the frame A is thus secured in place, the sliding sash of the window is then pulled down against the upper rail of the frame A.

The rectangular opening in the frame A is S5 adapted to be closed by a series of shutters or louvers 17, the upper outer corners of which are pivotally anchored to the frame as at 18. The lower edges of the louvers 17 yare provided with inturned fianges 19 adapted to overlap outwardly 90 turned anges 20 at the upper edges ofthe adjacent louvers so thatl when they ,are closed or in a Vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, theY

flanges

19 and 20 will eiiect a weather-tight joint between each oi the two adjacent louvers. Intermediate the ends of the louvers they are provided with vertical fins or ears 21 and are all pivoted as at 22 in a vertically disposed channel bar 23 which is movable up and down to open and close the shutters, and is normally spring held upwardly as by a spring 24a which connects the channel bar 23 to the upper rail of the frame A so as to constantly create a louver closing action to the bar 23.

Pivotally secured to the lower end of the bar 23, as at 24, is a toothed rack bar 25, the lower end of which slidably operates in a hole or perforation 26 in the lower horizontal rail of the frame A. Secured upon the upper face of the lower rail of the'frame A is a pair of bearing 110 brackets 27, one at each side of the rack bar 25, and in these brackets is pivotally secured, as at 28, a lever 29 which is normally held in an upward position under the action or" a spring 30 so as to engage the teeth of the rack bar 25 to hold the latter down. The lever 29 is provided at its outer end with a cross bar 3l, which serves as an armature for a pair of electromagnets 32 secured as at 33 to the inner .face of the lower cross bar of the Yframe A.

A small housing 34 is preferably secured as at,

35 so as to cover and protect the mechanism just described, and is provided in its upper wall with a hole through which a pin 36 may project to manually release the lever 29 from the rack bar25 when it is so desired. It may here also be noted that the channel bar 23 is provided with a finger piece 37 by which it may be pressed down to open the louvers 17. The lower horizontal rail of the frame A is provided with an opening 38 through which extends a lever 39, the inner end of which is provided with a weight 46 and a slightly ileXible spring arm 4l which is adapted when the weight end of the lever swings upwardly to contact with the magnet bracket, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, to complete a circuit through the circuit wires 42 and source of current 43 to energize the magnets 32. The lever 39 is fulcrumed as at 44 to a bracket 45 secured to the frame A, as at 46, and is provided at its outer end with a drip cup 47. This cup 47 is pivotally secured to the lever 39 as at 48, and when the device is set the cup is held in its upward position, as shown in Fig. 5, by a link 49, one end or which is pivotally secured to the cup as at 50, while the other end is pivotally secured as at 5l to a release lever 52, the lower end of which is fulcrumed to the pin 44 and the upper end ci which is provided with a head 53 preferably made of rubber or some other flexible material.

A guard 54 is arranged around the mechanism 39-52, to protect the same against the elements, and is provided in its upper surface with a central groove 55 which will direct any water falling upon it into the cup 47, when the latter is raised.

The louvers 17 are each provided with a pair of embossed ribs 56 which are so arranged that any water falling upon the louvers above these ribs will be directed to central points at the outer edges of the louvers, and will dropirom these points of discharge into the cup 47 which is disposed directly vertical therebelow.

The-operation of the device as thus described may be set forth as `follows:

With the unit in place under a window sash, and with the circuit wires 42 connected to a Ybattery or wall receptacle, the operator has only lto push the hand member 37 down to open the louvers and set the automatic trip. The action stated operates through the

elements

23, 22, 2l,

.and 16 to swing tie louvers into-their outward or open position, as shown in Fig. 5, and also to releasably secure them in this position through the action of the latch mechanism 2li-39. With the louvers in their open positions the tripV arm head 53 is released from the lowermost louver, and when thus released will be moved outwardly under the ac ion of a spring 57 (Fig. 5), which may be conveniently formed as an outer extension vof the spring finger 4l, and this action'restores or actuates the cup 47 to its upright or drip receiving position, as shown.

With the device set in the manner immediately above referred to, the occupants of the building can safely retire or leave the premises without fearing damage by inblown water. A relatively light rainfall will soon result in a sufficient accumulation of water in the cup 47 to cause it to overbalance the weight 40 at the other end of the lever 39, and as soon as this lever tilts sufficiently to cause a contact between the nger 4l and the magnet bracket a current will be caused to flow through the magnet circuit to energize the magnets and cause a pull. on the armature bar 3l to trip lever 29 and release the rack bar 25, whereupon the spring 24 will supplement the weight or" the shutters to cause them to snap closed. The lowermost shutter or louver then engages the resilient head 53 to move the

members

52 and 49 into the position shown in Fig. l. This .action empties the cup 47 (and prevents it from being refilled until the device is again set), and also acts through the spring 57 to restore the inner end of the lever 39 to its initial position so that the electric contact by the ringer 4l will be 4broken to thus out off the current supply immediately after its worl; is done.

The modiiicaticn or" the invention, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, contemplates a louver closing device that is purely mechanical in its nature and is particularly desirable where a convenient current supply is not available. In this instance the trip mechanism is obviously not as sensitive as where magnetic pull is utilized and consequently the drip cups, 58, are preferably made somewhat larger as a greater water weight is required to overcome the resistance of the louver holding device.

The cup 58 is pivotally secured, as at 59, to the outer end of a lever 60, fulcrumed as at 61. The inner end of the lever has a short angular arm 62 that is connected by a link 63 to the latch 64 that is fulcrumed Aas at 65 for engagement with the rack bar 25. The friction between the latch 64 and the engaged tooth of the rack bar 25 is sufii- 1 ciently great to maintain the cup in its raised position when empty. To effect the desired emptying of the cup after the trip has been made, I tiltably maintain it by a link 66 upon which a spring 67 exerts a pull. Alever 68, similar to 52, is fulcrumed to the lever 60, as at 69, and has a bumper head 70 at its upper end, while its lower end is pivoted to the inner end of a link 66, as at 71. The operation of the cup emptying device, as just described, is substantially similar to that shown 1 in Figs. l and 5, and will doubtless be understood from an inspection of Figs. 6 and 7 where the two positions of the mechanism are illustrated.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, pro- 13() vided such modications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: 1. g

1. A ventilator'comprising a rectangular frame having one or more hinged louvers for closing the opening thereof, a drip cup arranged between the lateral limits of and under the louvers for receiving rain Water draining therefrom when the latter are in open position, and a spring actuated mechanism adapted to be tripped by the weight of the drip cup when it has received a predetermined amount of water to eiect a closing action of the louvers.

2. A ventilator comprising a rectangular frame having one or more hinged louvers for closing the opening thereof, a drip cup arranged directly under the louvers for receiving rain water draining therefrom when the latter are in open position, l

and a mechanism adapted to be actuated by the Weight of the drip cup When it has received a predetermined amount of water to eiect a closing action of the louvers, said mechanism including a tiltable lever for supporting thefcup, and means operative by a tilting action of the lever to effect said louver closing action.

3. A ventilator comprising a rectangular frame having one or more hinged louvers for closing the opening thereof, a drip cup for receiving rain Water draining from the louvers when the latter are in open position, and a mechanism adapted to be actuated by the Weight of the drip cup when it has received a predetermined amount of Water to effect a closing action of the louvers, said mechanism including a tiltable lever for supporting the cup, a magnet arranged to eiect the louver closing action, and means operative upon tilting of the lever to close a circuit through the magnet.

4. The combination with an openable ventilatoi` shutter, of a drip cup arranged in a receiving position with respect to the shutter when the latter is open, means tending to close the shutter, releasable means for holding the shutter open, and means adapted to be actuated by the drip cup when the latter has received a predetermined amount of Water to release the said holding means to permit the shutter to close, said drip cup being tiltably supported, and means, operative upon a closing action of the shutter, to tilt the drip cup to empty the same.

5. A ventilator comprising a rectangular frame, a shutter plate hingedly secured to the frame, means for releasably securing the shutter in an inclined open position, means on the upper surface of the shutter plate for directing vsurface Water to a certain point of discharge, a dripV cup arranged under said point of discharge, and means adapted to be actuated by the cup for releasing the shutter securing means.

6. A ventilator comprising a rectangular frame, a shutter plate hingedly secured to the frame, means for releasably securing the shutter in an inclined open position, means on the upper surface of the shutter plate for directing surface Water to a certain point of discharge, a drip cup arranged under said point of discharge, and means adapted to be actuated by the cup for releasing the shutter securing means, said surface water directing means comprising a pair of converging ribs extending diagonally over the upper surface of the plate.

CARL O. SWANSON.