US2288077A - Spring contact device for window sashes - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1942. w. w. FABRY 2,288,077

SPRING CONTACT DEVICE FOR WINDQW SASHES Filed July 4, 1939 INVEN TOK.

l/W //I$l W fkbr BY M AT TO RN EY Patented June 30, 1942 zasaerz SPRING CONTACT DEVICE FOR WINDOW SASHES Willis W. Fabry, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application July 4, 1939, Serial No. 282,766 1 Claim. (Cl. 292 17) This invention relates to the blalancing of window sashes, and more particularly to devices adapted to be utilized with sashes that are guided for vertical movement in longitudinal grooves in a window frame.

Ordinarily such sashes are so arranged that their weights are counterbalanced by sash weights or spring balances, located in appropriate recesses in the frame, and joined to the sashes by flexible elements such as cords or metal cables. If the force of the spring is approximately the same as the weight of the sash, a frictional restraint ought to be provided against movement of the sash, to ensure that the sash will be retained in any adjusted position. It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a spring contact device of this character, adapted to be supported on the sash, and yet offering no interference with the flexible element attached to the balancing device.

A spring device of this character serves not only to engage the frame frictionally, but also acts a a glider, the force of the spring device serving to restrain the sash against cocking action. It is accordingly another object of this invention to provide a spring device having this general function and of simple and inexpensive construction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevation, illustrating a device incorporating the invention, in use in connection with a window sash, the window frame being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device incorporating the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along plane 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the device incorporating the invention.

The window sash l is shown in this instance as slidable vertically with respect to a window frame 2. Thus for example the longitudinal edge 3 of the. window sash l is shown as disposed within the groove 4 formed in the frame 2.

In order to balance the weight of the sash, use

is made of any appropriate sash balancing device 5 supported in the window frame, and having a flexible element 5. This element is connected as by the aid of a hook 6 to an appropriate point adjacent the corner of the window sash. Element 5 may conveniently be in the form of a metal cable. The hook 6 is shown as being appropriately joined to the end of the cable 5.

In many installations, the sash is supported by a pair of sash balances, cooperating respectively with the lower opposite corners of the sash. It is possible, however, to provide but one sash balance for each sash. This not only reduces the cost of the material entering into the installation, but also reduces the labor required. When for example only the lower right hand corner of the sash l is connected to a sash balancing device, there are several features of operation that must be taken into account. These will now be described.

One of these features of operation is the tendency of the sash I to cock, so that one pair of oppositely diagonal corners would contact with the bottom of the corresponding groove 4, This may interfere with the ready raising and lowering of the window. Another effect is found when the single sash balance is so made that its force is sufficient substantially entirely to counterbalance the entire weight of the sash. Under such circumstances, any slight accidental jar or force may disturb the setting of the window, and may cause it either to raise or lower.

By the aid of the present invention, a sufficient frictional force is provided to restrain movement of the sash I, after it is placed in the adjusted position.

For this purpose use is made of spring pressure, as by the aid of a plurality of bowed springs I and 8 which are carried by the sash I near its lower corner. These springs are so arranged as not to interfere with the passage of the cable 5 downwardly to a place adjacent the lower corner of the sash. These bowed springs 1 and 8 for this purpose each have a straight or fiat portion at their upper ends and are each supported as by the aid of a single rivet 9 adjacent the top edge of a plate ID. This plate l0 may be of sheet metal, adapted to be attached to the longitudinal edge of the sash I. For example, at the top and bottom edges of the plate I0, inwardly directed points II and I2 may be integrally 55 formed. These points may be driven into the wood frame of the sash l. The plate I0 is arranged adjacent the lower corner of the sash. The springs I and 8 have their outside edges substantially coincident with the outer longitudinal edges of the plate ID. A sufliciently wide intervening space is provided between the other edges of the springs I and ID to permit the ready passage of the cable 5 between them, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3. The combined strength of the springs I and 8 is such as to produce the required frictional restraint, and also to ensure that the sash I will remain in substantially aligned position in the frame.

In order further to ensure that the cable 5 Will not interfere with the springs 1 and 8, the sheet metal plate H! is shown as being provided with the raised ridges l3, defining a groove centrally and longitudinally of the plate [0. The cable 5 is accommodated within this groove. Each of ridges l3 engages the edge of the straight portion of the adjacent spring, I or 8; thus the springs are prevented from turning about their supporting rivets 9 and are maintained substantially parallel with the ridges I3 as well as with the longitudinal edges of plate Ill.

Preferably the width of the plate I0 is made about the same as the width of the vertical edge of the sash I, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3.

What is claimed is:

In a device of the character described, a base plate having provisions for attaching it to the edge of a window sash, and a pair of bowed springs extending longitudinally of the plate, each of said springs having a straight portion at one end, each of said straight portions being secured to the plate, said plate having a pair of spaced ridges extending substantially parallel with the longitudinal edges of the plate and defining a groove between the springs, each of said ridges engaging the edge of one of said straight portions, whereby the springs are maintained substantially parallel with the ridges.

WILLIS W. FABRY.

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