US2565901A - Ventilator - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 28, 1951 Filed OGt. 5l, 1946 H. C. WOODARD VENTIATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Allg- 28 1951 H. c. wooDARD 2,565,901

VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @i f? (Z9 Allg. 23, 1951 H. c. wooDARD l 2,565,901

VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 3l, 1 946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ff? dg' Y ly/ ff i3d f7 r ff f/ fr@ f4\ Patented Aug. 28, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENTILATOR Horace C. Woodard, Elmwood, Mass.

Application October 31, 1946, Serial No. 706,919

9 claims; (o1. sis- 88) This invention relates to ventilators and more particularly to a ventilator for association with double window, wall, door, or the like construction, through which it is at times desirable to have refreshing ventilation and for which it is desirable at other times to have effective and reliable insulation against the cold or heat.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilator which may be readily and easily opened and allowed to remain open as long as desired to permit the passage of air while at the same time preventing the entrance of damaging elements, such as rain, snow or sleet, and insuring the maintenance of desired privacy, for example freedom from prying eyes, burglary and the like. When desired, the ventilator may as readily and easily be closed to eiectively stop al1 passage of air and to provide an eiflcient type of insulation in keeping with that of the double building construction with which it may be associated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved ventilator of the type described which is of simple construction, adaptable to any of the well known building materials, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, which is durable and possesses a minimum of breakable parts obviating the need of frequent repair, which is easy to install, and which does away with common annoyances such as replacement of broken sash cords and the installation and removal of storm windows.

In one aspect the invention involves a ventilator comprising frame members defining spaced inner and outer openings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open and closed position and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air, said. outer closure means being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending, upwardly inclined slats adapted to prevent rain, snow, or the like, from passing through said outer opening when the closure means is in open position, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position. The closure means forthe outer opening may comprise a pair of doors 'adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, said doors being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending, upwardly inclined slats adapted to prevent rain, snow, or the like, from passing through said outer opening when the doors are in open position. The closure means for the inner opening mayV also comprise a pair of doors adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air.

In another aspect the invention involves a ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outer openings, a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats within the outer opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in open position to prevent rain, snow, or the like, from passing through the opening while at the same time permitting the free passage of air and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air, whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided when both said slats and closure means are in open position, and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both said slats and closure means are in closed position. The closure means for the inner opening may comprise a pair of doors adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the inner opening against the passage of air.

In still another aspect the invention involves a louvered closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open or closed positions and having a set of spaced transversely extending louver slats adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in open position t0 permit the free passage of air, the closure means and set of louver lslats when in closed position being operative to close the inner opening against the passage of air. The louvered closure means may be a louvered door.

For the purpose of illustration reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of one embodiment of the invention with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a louver the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of another embodiment of the invention with parts broken away and panel of "shownin association with a double Window con- Fig, l is an enlarged fragmentary section on the lines 'I-'i of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on "the lines 1 1 of Fig. 5 with the louver slats in Fig. ll is a section on the lines II-II of Fig.

; and

I2-I2 of Fig. l0 showing the inner louver slats in closed position and the outer louver slats in open position. Y

Referring to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the ventilator comprises a vertically elongate box-like frame I having a bottom frame member 2, spaced side frame members 3 and 4l and a top frame member 5 defining spaced outer and inner openings 6 and A screen frame 8 is provided with a panel of Wire screen 8e for screening the outer opening 6, the frame 8 being mounted within the frame I at the outer opening 6. The top and bottom of the screen frame 6 are received in recesses 9 and I0 .provided in the outer edges of the top 5 and bottom 2 of thel frame I so that the outer face of the screen frame is flush with the front face of the frame I. o

`Inwardly spaced from Vthe screen frame 3 and Within the frame I is provided an outer door frame II. the screen frame 8 and outer door frame II is disposed a louver panel I2 for preventing the passage of rain, snow, or the like', into the ventilator. The louver panel has a frame I3 supported Z, similarly made of transparent or translucent material, are hinged to door jambs 21 and 28, respectively, by suitable means, for example the hinges 29, and the door jambs being secured to the side frame members 3 and 4 within the frame I so that the inner faces of the jambs are flush with the inner face of the frame I. The inner doors are arranged to be swung outwardly to an open position parallel to the side frame members 3 and 4i, respectively, From open position the doors are arranged to be swung inwardly to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, and are co- Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section on the lines loperative when in closed position to close the 'inner opening 'I against the passage of air. cooperative edges of the inner doors 25 and 2S yare formed with complementary lips and SI toprovide a ship-lap joint 32 when the doors The are in closed position, iand the inner faces of the lips are provided with weather strips 33 `0f the same material as strips 22 provided on lips I9 and 2!)` of the outer pair of doors. The outer edges of the inner pair of doors are also provided with grooves 2li which cooperate with tongues Y' 23 secured to members 2l and 28, as described in Within the frame I and between at its outer face by the screen frame S and at its v inner face by the outer door frame II and has a plurality of horizontally extending and inwardV 1y and upwardly inclined louver slats I@ in spaced and overlapping relation with respect to Veach other and having their opposite ends mounted in similarly inclined grooves I5 provided in the sides of the louver frame I3. These slats preferably are made of a transparent or translucent material such as Lucite to permit light to enter the room. Y

A pair of outer complementary doors I6 and I '1, also preferably made of Luciteor other trans parent or translucent material, are hinged to the sides of the outer door frame II by suitable means, for example the hinges I8, and are arranged to be swung inwardly to an open position parallel to the side frame members 3 and 4, respectively. From said open position the doors are arranged to be swung outwardly to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, and are cooperative when in closed position to close the outer opening 6 against the passage of air. The cooperative edges of the doors are formed with complementary lips I9 and 26 to provide a ship-lap `joint 2I when the doors are in closed position, and the inner faces of the lips are provided with weather strips 22 of any well-known material, for example wool felt, rubber, or the like, to provide a more eifeetive air-tight seal. The opposite edges of the doors are also provided With Weaather strips of a Well-known construction having a tongue 23 secured to the frame member II and which is received within a groove 24 formed along the adjacent edge of the door, as shown in Fig. 2.

connection with the outer doors I6 and I'I. A suitable latch (not shown) is provided on the inner side of these doors to detachably hold them in closed position.

When the ventilator is associated with a window, Wall,.door, or the like, it is evident from the foregoing description that when the outer doors I6 and il and inner doors 25 and 25 are in open position a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided, and when said doors are swung to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, a dead air space is provided within the ventilator, thereby to insure an-efoient insulation against the heat or cold of the outer atmosphere. It is further evident that when the inner and outer doors are in open position the louver panel I2 prevents rain, snow,A or the like from passing through the outer opening while atthe same time permitting the free passage of air through the ventilator..

It isto be understood that the latch means which serve to hold the doors in closed position may also serve to provide handles for opening or closing the doors.

Referring to Figs. 5 through S, a second embodiment of the invention is shown in associa-.- tion with a double-window construction comprising windows 35 and 36 having top and bottom frames 3.1 and 3B formed by extensions of Y the top 5 and bottom 2 of the ventilator .frame l.

A suitable latch (not shown) is provided securely y inside frames formed by the outside faces of side frame members 3 and 4 of the frame I, opposite outside frame members 4I and 42, and spaced window panes 43 (Fig. 3) received in recesses 44 formed in the exterior faces ofthe top, bottom and side window frames.

In place of the fixed louver panel I2 of the embodiment of Fig. l and in the same location Within the frame I, therev is provided a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced louver slats 45 pivotally mounted at their opposite ends to the side frame members 3 and 4 by suitable means, here shown as horizontal pintles 46 extending through the side frame members 3 and 4, the slats thus being arranged to move about a horizontal axis to open and to closed position. Each louver slat B5 is provided adjacent its top edge with an enlarged lip 4B, the enlarged portion of the lip being directed outwardly of the ventilator, and adjacent its bottom edge each slat is provided with a similarly shaped lip 21, the enlarged portion of the lip being directed inwardly of the ventilator so that, when the slats are in closed positionpas shown in Fig. 7, the enlarged lip portion 4D of one slat cooperates with the enlarged lip portion 4'! of the slat next above or below to form an interlocking airtight joint 48. To insure. an air-tight seal, a strip 49 of suitable waterproof resilient material, for example vulcanized rubber, is provided on the face of the lip 40, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. To further insure an air-tight seal, each slat is formed adjacent its opposite ends with a transverse groove 5U (Fig. 6) to receive a tongue 5| of weather-stripping, the opposite face of the weather-'stripping being adapted to abut the inner face of the screen frame 8 when the louver slats are in closed position.

Each louver slat 45 is provided adjacent its top inner edge with an eye 52. vA rigid link bar 53, rectangular in cross section, is pivotally interconnected with each of the eyes by suitable means, for example by a series of pintles 54. Each pintle 54 extends through a transverse perforation of the link and the orifice of the eye, and is provided with substantially parallel heads 54a and 54b which retain the pintle in said interconnecting relationship. The link 53 terminates short of the bottom 2 of the frame I when the louver slats are in closed position.

From the foregoing, it is evident that, when the link 53 is moved downwardly, the louver slats pivot simultaneously onk their pintles 46 from the closed position shown in Fig. 7 to the downwardly inclined open position shown in Fig. 8, the end of the link 53 abutting the top face of the bottom frame member 2 when the louver slats are in said open position and serving as a stop against further opening movement of the slats. Upward movement of the link simultaneously returns the louver slats to the closed position shown in Fig. 7.

Adjacent its lower end, the link 53 is formed with an opening 39 to receive, when the louver slats are in closed position and the link in elevated position, the lug 55 of a locking arm 56 (Fig. 9). The locking arm 56 is pivotally connected by suitable means, as a pintle 51, to a fixed member 58 mounted on the bottom frame member 2, and is adapted to be swung upwardly and parallel to the inner faces of the louver slats to the locking position shown in Fig'. 9, or downwardly and parallel to the inner faces of the slats to the inoperative position y.superimposed on the member 58, as shown in dot-dash line in Fig. 9.

In all other respects, with the exception of the omission of the outer door frame Il and the outer doors I6 and I1, the ventilator of the embodiment of Figs. 5 through 8 is the same as that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 4, and it is apparent that, when the louver slats 45 and inner doors 25 and 26 are in open position, free passage for air through the ventilator is provided while at the same time rain, snow, sleet and the like are prevented from entering the ventilator by the upwardly inclined position of the slats. When the inner doors and louver slatsl are in closed position, a dead air space is provided within the ventilator, thereby to insure an efficient insulation against heat and cold.

`Referring, now, to Figs. 10 through l2, a third embodiment of the invention is shown which is in all respects similar to the second embodiment except for the inner door construction. A single inner door frame 60 dening an opening 6| is mount/ed within the inner opening 'l and atv one side edge to the frame member 4 by suitable means as the hinges 62, the opposite side edge of kwardly from the ventilator to open position to allow access to the link 53 of the outer louver slats 45 and a similar link 11 of inner louver slats 69 to be hereinafterv described'in detail. The louver side frame members 65 and 66 are secured to the inner door frame 60 adjacent the'opening 6l and extend within the frame I, as shown inl Fig. 1l. A plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced inner louver slats 69 are pivotally mounted adjacent their lower opposite ends to the louver side members 65 and 66 by suitable means, here shown as pintles 10 extending through the louver side frame members, the slats being arranged to move about the pintles to open and closed position, the closed position being shown in Fig. 12. i

In a similar manner to the outer louver slats slats 45, each of the inner louver slats 69 is provided, adjacent its top edge, with a lip 1|, the lip being directed inwardly, and adjacent its bottom edge each slat is provided with a lip 12, the lip being directed outwardly so that, when the slats are in closed position, as shown in Fig. l2, the lip 'Il of one slat cooperates with ,the lip l2 of the slat next above or below to form an interlocking joint 13. The slats 69'are also provided with similar weather vstrips within the transverse grooves T4, and tongue-shaped weather stripping 15, the opposite faces of Vwhich stripping abut the inner face of the inner door frame 6i! when the louver slats are in closedposition. In a similar manner to the outer louver slats 45 each inner louver slat is provided with an eye 15, the eyes being interconnected by a link 11, the link terminating short of the bottom Z of frame l. Downward movement of the link will cause the louver slats 69 to simultaneously pivot on their pintles from the closed position shown in Fig. 12 to the downwardly inclined open position, while upward movement of thev link will simultaneously return the slats 59 to therclosed position shown in Fig. 12.

From the foregoing it is evident that" when the outer louver slats and inner louver slats are in open position, a freeY passage of :air is provided through the ventilator' without permitting the access of rain, snow or sleet into the Ventilator', and when the outer and inner slats and the inner door frame 60 are in closed position, a rdead-air space is provided within the ventilator.

While I prefer to construct the louver slats and the doors of transparent or translucent material, they may be constructed of wood, metal or other opaque materials. If they are Vconstructed of transparenter translucent material, an ordinary roller window shade may be utilized when the ventilator is incorporated in a window or an outside wall. If they are constructed of opaque material and are associated with window sections as shown in Fig. 5, curtains pivoted to swing about vertical axes may be utilized to shade the window sections at night Vor from theglare of direct sunlight. l

From the foregoing description vit will be clear that my novel ventilator may be completely prefabricated as a unit and readily installed in a building. When used as a part'of a window it eliminates storm windows and placing and removing screens. It eliminates concernaboutY open windows during a rain or snow storm since the louvers protect the interior of the house although theadoors of the ventilator have been .left open. It provides better circulation of air because it extends for the full height oi the window. It eliminates the annoyance which accompanies the sticking of a window sash or the breaking of a sash cord. It is adaptable to use.

with Venetian blinds, roll curtains or other'types of curtains. When utilized with opaque ventilator materials and 'separate curtains for each glazed section the sunlight and the accompanying heat may be completelyl shut out while permay comprise a ventilator section or a plurality of adjacent ventilator sections.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A ventilator comprising frame members deflning spaced inner and outer openings, a pair of doors for the outer opening adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the'opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air, said doors being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the doors to prevent rain, snow, or the like from passing through said outer opening, whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided when the doors and the closure means are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position, the extremities of the inner closure means when in open position terminating within the connesof the frame members and said inner closure means being adjustable about at least one vertical axis to permit free access into the connes of the frame members.

2. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outer openings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, a pair of doors for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and opera- .tive when in closed position to close the inner opening againstv the passage of air, said outer closure means being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the outer closure means .to prevent rain, snow, or the like from passing through said outer opening, whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided when both the closure means and said doors are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both the closure means and said doors are in closed position, the extremities of the doors when in open position terminating within the confines of the frame members.

3. A ventilator comprising frame members dening `spaced inner and cuter openingsar pair of doors for the outer opening adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, a second pair of doors for the inner openingadjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close the inner opening against the passage of air, said first pair of doors being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the first pair of doors to prevent rain, snow, or the like from passing through said outer opening, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided when both pairs of doors are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both pairs of doors are in closed position, the extremities of the second pair of doors when in open position terminating within the connes of the frame members.

4. A ventilator comprising frame members defining spaced inner and outer openings, a pluralityof spaced slats extending transversely of the outer opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure means for the outer opening comprising a pair of doors which extend. inwardly from said outer opening when they are in open position, and closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed position, whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator .is provided when said doors and said closure means for the inner opening are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is .provided when said doors and closure means are in closed position the extremities of the doors and inner closure means when in open position terminating within the confines of the frame-members and said inner closure means being adjustable about at least one lvertical axis to permit free access Vinto the confines of the frame members.

5. A ventilator comprising frame members deiining spaced inner and `outer openings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely of the outer opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure means for the outer opening comprising a pair of doors which extend inwardly from said outer opening when they are in open position, and closure means for the inner opening comprising a pair of doors which extend outwardly from said inner opening when they are in open position, whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided when both sets of said doors are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both sets of said doors are in closed position the extremities of each pair of doors when in open position terminating within the connes of the frame members.

6. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outer openings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open and .closed positions and-operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable about v.vertical axes to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air, the extremities of the closure means for the inner opening when in open position terminating within the confines of the frame members, said outer closure means being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the outer closure means to prevent rain, snow or the like from passing through said outer opening, whereby a free passage of air through the Ventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position.

7. A ventilator comprising frame members deiining spaced inner and outer openings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely of the outer opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure means for the outer opening adjustable about vertical axes to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to yclose said inner opening against the passage of air, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position, and a dead air sparge within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position the extremities of the inner closure means when in open position terminating within the confines of the frame members.

8. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outer openings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely of the outer opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure means for the outer opening adjustable about vertical axes to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable about vertical axes to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening :against the passage of air, the extremities of the closure means for the inner and outer openings when in open position terminating Within the confines of the frame members, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position, and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position.

9. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outer openings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air, said outer closure means being associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending slats'upwardly inclined towards the outer closure means to prevent rain, snow or the like from passing through the outer opening, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position, the extremities of the inner closure means when in open position terminating within the coniines of the frame members and said inner closure means being adjustable about at least one vertical axis to permit free access into the confines of the iframe members.

HORACE C. WOODARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 710,858 Griesser Oct. 7, 1902 1,118,365 Loehler Nov. 24, 1914 1,346,800 Allen July 13, 1920 v 1,428,882 Dyer Sept. 12, 1922 2,249,641 Stucki July 15, 1941 2,267,977 Hunt Dec. 30, 1941 2,305,445 Poor et al Dec. 15, 1942 2,320,268 Cramer May 25, 1943 2,329,868 Wood Sept. 21, 1943 2,347,137 Steele Apr. 18, 1944 2,366,339 Kump, Jr Jan. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 20,270 Great Britain of 1906 692,316 Germany Oct. 31, 1946

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