US2068243A

US2068243A - Window construction

Info

Publication number: US2068243A
Application number: US25582A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Robert W Mclaughlin
Original assignee: AMERICAN HOUSES Inc
Current assignee: AMERICAN HOUSES Inc
Priority date: 1935-06-08
Filing date: 1935-06-08
Publication date: 1937-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1954-01-19

Description

Jan. 19, 1937.

R. w. MOLAUQHLIN, JR 2,068,243-

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed June 8 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTO'RNEY Jan 19, 1937- R. w. MOLAUGHLIN, JR 2,068,243

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed June 8, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1937- R. w. M LAUGHLINfJR 2,058,243

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed June 8, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 *BW WV Patented Jan. 19, 1937 Robert W. McLaughlin; Jr.,

signor to American Houses, Inc.,

New York, N. Y., as-

New York,

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June a,- 1935, Serial No. 25,582 9 Claims. (01. 189-64) This invention relates to new and improved window constructions, and has for its object generally the provision of a window structure comprising a plurality of light-transmitting elements co-operating with other elements to form a normally dead air chamber with associated means adapted .to position an element adapted to reflect radiant heat within said chamber.

A further object of he invention is to'proo vide a metallic light-reflecting and adjustable curtain or screen within a chamber formed in part by a plurality of window elements, and to provide a screen of sucha character that a substantial portion of the infra-red heating rays are reflected therefrom, the screen thus acting as an insulating element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a window structure and screen with associated vents so positioned as to permit a flow of air within the chamber formed in part by the window elements and between the screen and one only of the said window elements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a combination wherein vents are so provided that either the portion of the chamber between the inner window element and the screen or the portion of the chamber between the outer window element and the screen may be cooled by an air-flow therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be readily and economically manufactured and which may effectively perform the functions for which it is intended. I Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.v

Theinvention accordingly comprises an article of 'manufacturelpossessingi the features, properties, and the relation of elements whichwill;

.9;. lee-exemplified in the article liereinattendescrl he'd. ation'of which "wi be,

nd 1638 1 qibe' anp i ndic tsdi nt lai -1 w a ull mesa o the i ntiofi na deta edges c0 nection w th l the accompany n im mcn; l

Fi is a viewpartially 11 pe Ham. .1, s ctiqn;- ow ng.

LP A hEmwnibr' Fig. 4 is a view. in section of the device shown in Fig.1, taken along the line 4-4.

It has frequently been found desirable to increase the insulating properties of windows by providing double or storm windows, the window 5 elements being spaced apart sufficiently to provide for an insulating dead air space. ,Such a structure is particularly effective in air-conditioned dwellings or buildings Where it is intended primarily that the windows will remain shut throughout the year, and where the efllciency of the entire system is frequently impaired by conduction losses when single window elements are employed.

Even where such a double window structure is employed, however, it has been foundthat in summer a considerable amount of heat is transmitted through the windows in the form of intrared radiation in sunlight, with the result that the emciency of the air-conditioning system is go impaired. It has been suggested that suitable screens or shades be employed positioned in the path of the entering sunlight to block the infrared radiation. If the shades are positioned within the dwelling, the radiation isblocked only after it has passed through the window, and the shade itself may heat to a point where it impairs the efiiciency of the system, or if the shade employed be a heat-reflecting shade, the inner pane of glass and the air between the shade and window may heat to a point where the efficiency of the system is impaired and convection currents set up within the dwelling.

Where. suitable shades or reflecting screens are positioned outside of the window, such acom struction possesses the disadvantagethat the shade'or screen is, exposed] to the weather and rapidly deteriorates; 1 g 1.,

i enti n pq tem lai j ef ra i i'i i. use i; a 'fsuitable infr'a red bloclr'ingsliade es th "in er wirido ahd -the "provisioni'id suitable vents ventilating-elementsso that the other 45. wise dead airspace gbetween theushade and outer window lements may' b'eifiushed byra current. of: cool airrancl.zthe heaiiiaccumulating therein "thus i dispersed. L-zvJWlith; l e

into contact with the sill II.

these elements are mounted in suitable wall panels I2. Mounted between the head and sill are two windows I3 "and I I which may be of any suitable type. As shown, the window I3, which is the exterior window element of the pair, is of standard casement window construction, while the window I4, which is the interior window element of the pair, is of standard storm window construction, its upper portion fitting into the channel I5- and its lower portion being forced Between the two windows and along each jamb of the window frame, channel elements I6 may be provided to receive and position the edges of a suitable screen or shade element I1. As shown, this shade or screen may be mounted on a shade roller I8 in such a manner that the screen may be raised and lowered by rotating theroller through any suitable control means accessible from within the dwelling. Such means are not shown here in the interests of clearness. The shade roller may be positioned as shown within a recessformed in Dart at least within the head of the window frame.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs.'2 and 4, vents are provided adjacent the outer window element, 'one adjacent the head I 0 and another adjacent the sill II to permit a current of cool air to pass across the face of the screen element I I within the chamber formed between that element and the outer window element, and thus dissipate any heated air which may collect within the chamber. These vents may comprise a plurality of cooperating elements I9 and 20, one slidable with respect to the other, and each element provided with openings or perforations which may be caused to become in registry or not as the slidable element is moved with respect to its cooperating element. The slidable element of each pair forming the ventilating means may be provided with a suitable handle 2|. It has been found desirable to protect the rents by an overhanging drip or shield 22, which as shown in Fig. 2 may, if desired, comprise a portion of a metallic strip forming the window head flashing and the metal shade roller box. Vents may also be provided, as at 23, in connection with the inner window so that when the outer vents are closed and the inner vents opened a circulation of air from within the dwelling and.

through the chamber formed between the screen and the inner window element may be secured.

It will be obvious that many types of shade or screen elements may be employed. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a shade or screen adapted to reflect to a great degree infra-red radiation which may impinge thereon. It has been found that a screen of metallic mesh, as for example aluminum mesh, is highly eflicient. The interstices in such a .mesh permit suflicient light to enter the dwelling while the metallic surface acts effectively to reflect'a high percentage of the infra-red radiation. A plurality of cooperating meshes superimposed with respect to each other and separated from each other by a small space have been found to increase substantially the efiiciency of the shade or screen.

. In lieu of a mesh screen other suitable shades or screens may be employed. For example, thin slats of infra-red reflecting substance may be employed in that type of structure known generally as a Venetian blind. So also curtains may be employed which slide back to :the sides of the windows or within recesses provided in the window jambs.

While greatest efilciency is secured with the use of a screen which reflects infra-red radiation to a great degree, it is to be understood that other screens may be employed; even infra-red absorbing screens or shades for the current of air set up when the vents are opened will effectively cool the chamber between the two window elements even if the screen positioned therein is light-absorbent. I

The operation of the device is as follows: In summer, when the interior of the dwelling is cooled, whenever sunlight begins to enter through the window the vents I9 and 20 associated with the outer window element are opened and the 'shade II drawn down to intercept the sunlight.

The light, including the infra-red radiation impinging upon the screen I1, is reflected and does not reach the interior window element I4. As the space between the screen I! and'the outer window element I3 gradually becomes heated through the absorption by the screen of some of the heat rays and the absorption by the window I3 of other of the heat rays, the heated air within this space rises and passes out through the vent which underlies the head of the window frame. Cooler air is drawn in through the lower vent which overlies the sill and the space between the screen I! and the window element I3 is thus prevented from overheating. As a result, the normal dead air chamber between the two window elements is kept at least as cool as the outdoor temperature and the infra-red radiation is pre-.

vented by the screen from impingin upon the inner, window element and thus entering the dwelling. Losses through conduction and through the entry of radiant heat into the cooled interior of the dwelling are thus reduced to a minimum.

In winter, when it is desired to retain the radiant heat which is generated within the dwelling, the outer vents, i. e., those vents adjacent the outer window elementl3, are closed and the inner vents 23 adjacent the inner window element I4 are opened. When the shade I1 is then positioned to block the passage of radiant heat through the double window, the space between the shade I I and the inner window I4 begins to heat, for some of the radiant heat will be absorbed by the window I4 and some by the screen II. The heated air within this space rises and passes through the upper vent 23 into the dwelling. When the device is operating under conditions just outlined, the heat loss from within the dwelling to the exterior is reduced to a minimum.

It will be apparent that the structure shown and described acts to prevent leakage of heat from within the building in winter and from without the building in summer, by providing means adapted to prevent the overheating of the normal dead air space between the two window elements and by providing means, to flush that space in such a-manner that heated air collecting therein is prevented from coming in contact with that one of the window elements through which a minimum of the infra-red radiation passes.

It will be obvious that other forms 01' window elements may be used than those described, that other forms of vents may be employed, and that other forms of screens or curtains may also be employed.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic" and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a plurality of spaced light-transmitting elements, means adapted toform a chamber therewith, a radiant-heat-reflecting element, means to position said reflecting element within said chamber and between said light-transmitting elements, and vents positioned to provide a flow of air within said chamber and between said reflecting element and one of said light-transmitting elements.

2. In combination with a plurality of spaced light-transmitting elements, means adapted to form a chamber therewith, a metallic light-reflecting element-means to position said metallic light-reflecting element within said chamber and between said light-transmitting elements, and

vents positioned to provide a flow of air within,

said chamber and between said metallic lightreflecting element and one of said light-transmitting elements.

3. In combination with a plurality of spaced light-transmitting elements, means adapted to form a chamber therewith, a light-reflectin element of metallic m'esh, means to position said light-reflecting element within said chamber and between said light-transmitting elements, and vents positioned to provide a flow of air within said chamber and between said light-reflecting element and one of said light-transmitting elements.

4. In combination with a plurality of spaced window elements, means adapted to form'a chamber therewith, an adjustably mounted element adapted to intercept and reflect infra-red radiation, means to position saidreflecting element within said chamber and between saidwindow elements, and a plurality of closable vents positioned to permit a flow of air within said chamber and across that face of said reflecting element adapted to receive the greatest amount of infra-red radiation.

5. In combination with a plurality of spaced window elements and means cooperating therewith to form a chamber, means adapted to position a screen between said window elements and within said chamber, a screen element comprising a mesh of metallic light-reflecting material, roller means adapted to receive and support said screen, and closable vents positioned to permit a flow of air'within said chamber and between said screen-positioning means and the outer of said window elements.

6. In combination with a plurality of spaced window elements and means cooperating therewith to form a chamber, means adapted to position a screen between said window elements and within said chamber, a screen element comprising a mesh of metallic light-reflecting material, roller means adapted to receive and support said screen, and closable vents positioned to permit a flow of air within said chamber and between said screen-positioning means and the inner of said window elements.

7. In combination with a plurality of spaced window elements and means cooperating therewith to form a chamber, means adapted to position a screen between said window elements and within said chamber, a screen element comprising a mesh of metallic light-reflecting material, roller means. adapted to receive and support said screen, and closable vents positioned to permit a flow of air within said chamber and between said screen-positioning means and either of said window elements.

8. In combination with a plurality of spaced window elementsand means cooperating therewith to form a chamber, means adapted to position a screen element comprising a mesh of metallic light-reflecting material, roller means adapted to receive and support said screen, and closable vents positioned to permit a flow of air within said chamber and between said screen-positioning means and the outer of said window elements, said roller means being spacedly positioned from the path of said flow of air.

9. In combination, two spaced window elements, a roller element beyond the peripheries of said window elements, a mesh screen of metallic, lightreflecting material and adapted to be received and supported by said roller element and adapted to be extended spacedly between said window elements, a vent at one end of one of said window elements, a vent at the other end of said one of said window elements, a vent at one end of the other of said window elements, a vent at the other end of said other of said window elements, each of said vents being openable and closable,'a1l of the before-mentioned parts being positioned so that air may pass through and between the two first-mentioned vents and/or so that air may P ss through and between the two last-mentioned vents when said mesh screen is in extended position.

ROBERT W. McLAUGI-ILIN, JR.