US2574736A

US2574736A - Mullion strip

Info

Publication number: US2574736A
Application number: US641989A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerow Leonard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-01-18
Filing date: 1946-01-18
Publication date: 1951-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1968-11-13

Description

L. GEROW MULLION STRIP Nov. 13, 1951 Filed Jan. 18, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET l FIE-.1"

INVENTOR. Leona/"0 Gamn BY ATTORNEY 'Nov. 13, 1951 1.. GEROW 2,574,736

MULLION STRIP 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. A 60/70/27 Germ/V BY w im ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to window structures and particularly to windows in which the multiple lights or panes are interconnected by mullions in a manner to permit opening and closing window movements.

Heretofore, the great majority of windows have been constructed with rigid and stationary wooden or metallic mullions interconnecting the adjacent window panes thus to form a substantially immovable window structure in which it is necessary to pivot or slide whole sections of the window for purposes of opening said window for ventilation or the like. Obviously, a window structure embodying such members is greatly handicapped in reference to variability in size and design and considerable effort has been expended toward the development of structural improvements enabling greater flexibility. One recent improvement makes use of an adjustable connector which enables one window pane to be offset from the other adjacent panes which must be stationarily mounted, said offset pane being.

slidable horizontally in relation thereto toward the open position. However, the improvement window structure is limited, as above pointed out, in that only alternate panes are movable and in that an excessive number of elements comprise the structure, handicapping the ultimate cost and adoption.

An object of this invention is to produce a new and improved window structure having relatively few members combinedin a simple manner and without the use of special tools to comprise a window having novel means enabling each window pane to be moved laterally in relation to the panes adjacent to the open and closed position, and which in the closed position, may be positively locked and sealed.

Another object of this invention is to produce a new and improved window frame which may be prefabricated with grooves formed therein enabling alternate window panes to be mounted in a manner offsetting each pane in relation to the others adjacent for lateral sliding movement of each to the open or closed position. Guide and sealing strips are assembled in the, frame grooves operatively to engage the Window panes when assembled.

A further object is to produce a window frame which may be prefabricated and assembled in the building structure, using only preshaped joint connectors thereby greatly to expedite the construction and lower the building costs.

A still further object of this invention is to produce a new and improved mullion strip for interconnecting the lateral edges of the adjacent window panes when in the closed position, which mullion, however, is mounted in a manner permitting rotational adjustment to a position releasing the window panes for lateral sliding movement.

A still further object is to produce a window structure which may be assembled from prefabricated parts comprising means enabling the mounting or removal of the window panes in the assembled frame and means for mounting or removing the interconnecting rotatably mounted mullions, thereby to provide a window structure having considerable flexibility in size, shape, or span without divorcing any of the desirable qualities, heretofore attributed to ordinary small structures.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a window design broken away from the building and comprising multiple lights which are joined laterally by mullions and vertically by a transom.

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and showing the elements in the locked. position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, showing the element comprising the window structure in the locked position;

Figure 5 is the same view as in Figure 4, but showing the mullion adjusted to permit pane movement to the open position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of but one corner of the window frame showing the novel means for interconnecting the window frame;

. and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-4 of Figure 6.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a window having frameless glass or transparent panes mounted for sliding movement in wooden or metal offset grooves prefabricated in the window frame. The frame members are constructed and prefabricated to fit together in the desired relation in which position they are joint connectors, which are positively locked subsequent to the assembly by simple screw means. Preassembled guiding and sealing means are as- [5 sociated with said frame members enabling simretained by preformedpie insertion or removal of the window panes and easy mounting or demounting of the rotatable mullion which not only interconnects the lateral edges of the glass panels when in the closed position, but seals same against the attacks of the elements, weather or the like. The mullions are mounted in a manner enabling the rotation thereof through a quarter turn, releasing the window panes for lateral sliding movement in their guides to the open or closed position.

It is obvious thatthe various sized window panes and mullions may be assembled or removed without the use of tools or specializedor skilled labor, and that through the use of transoms the window structure is substantially un limited in shape or design without sacrificing the flexibility or sealing qualities attributed to windows of smaller design. 7

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a window I enclosed by a frame I l including a supporting sill l2, lateral side jambs I3 and I4, and a head member l5, all mounted in the side wall l6 of a building. Figure 1 shows the window frame enclosing two tiers of window panels separated by a transom l8, the under side of which necessarily operates as a head member and the upper side as a sill for purposes hereinafter explained. In this manner, multiple tiers of panes maybe combined to form a window of. substantially unlimited height. The lower tier includes window panes Ila, llb and [1c and the upper tier includes panes Ila, Ill) and I10, adjacent panes being connected throughout their adjacent vertical edges by movable mullions I9. The outside edges of the outer panes abut the jambs l3 and I4, thereby to constitute a structure having all of the weathering qualities of the heretofore rigid unmovable structures, and, in addition,.having the desirable qualities of permitting opening window movements of all panes regardless of the number of lights making up the tier. It is understood that the number of laterally disposed panes is limited only by the permissible structural span and'wind resistance.

As previously pointed out, every window pane is slidingly movable to the open or closed position and for this purpose, the sill |2 is formed with two parallel and spaced grooves2i) and 2| in which alternate panes l'la. and Ill) of window glass or other transparent paneling material are respectively positioned, enabling horizontal and guided sliding movements of one pane in relation to the others adjacent to the desired open or closed position. It is to be here understood that the window pane may be formed of plate glass in which instance aframeless' panemay be used. However, if sheet or window glass is used, a metal frame may be necessary for reinforcing, as well as for sliding purposes. Other transparent sheet materials may be used such as the plastics commonly sold under the technical name of methyl methacrylate, or other transparent sheet plastics having use as window paneling.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the outersill is formed with an inwardly sloping-base 22 draining the collected wateror fluid into an intersecting cross slot 23,- which leads from the base 24 of the inner groove 20,which as illustrated, supports a pane ||b ordinarily exposed to the atmospheric elements when in the closed position. The inner side walls Hand 26 of each

groove

20 and 2| rise to alevel which is higher than the opposite side wall thereby to provide a 4 barrier, which efiectively militates against the flow of collected fluid toward the inside of the window frame or into the building. Description is here made of but one sill, it being understood that the upper surface of the transom I8 is formed into a sill having similar figurations.

The jambs l3 and I4 comprising the side portions of the frame H), are formed With parallel and spaced

vertical grooves

21 and 28 corresponding to and intersecting the

grooves

28 and 2| formed in the sill. The inner groove 2! of the jamb is not designed ordinarily to receive a window pane when in the closed position. However, instances may arise where it may be desirable horizontally to slide the pane H1) in the direction to the left to open position (Figure 5) and for such times, the groove is fitted with a cushion 29 of a resilient or rubber-like material, which operates as a bumper as well as a filler.

The outer groove 28 has fitted therein an elongate spring metal channel or fastener 30 having outwardly extending arms 3| and 32, the ends of which are turned inwardly to form inwardly disposed tongues 33 having ends disposed in a direction towards the base 34. Since the span between the tongues 33 is less than the thickness of the enclosed glass pane Ila, it is manifest that the glass will be firmly grasped, thereby to comprise a weather seal throughout the enclosed lateral edge as well as a guide and tensioning means militating against looseness or rattling noises. Secured into the base of the spring metal channel 30 is a resilient or rubber-like tube or other deformable strip 35 which is substantially deformed by the glass pane bearing thereagainst when in the locked position, thus constituting a suitable weather seal throughout the lateral window edge militating against the passage of air, dust, moisture or the like. Manifestly, the spring metal fasteners or channels cooperate only with the lateral edge portions of the outer panes Na and Ho. It is to be understood that the metal channel 30 will be positioned in the groove corresponding to that containing the outermost panel, the cushr ion being secured in the other groove for purposes explained.

The transom l8 has elongate spaced

parallel grooves

36 and 31 in alignment with and intersecting the

grooves

21 and 28 of the jamb members. Both grooves have secured therein spring metal fasteners 38 having extending arms 39 with inturned resilient tongues in formed substantially similar to the fastener 30 previously described. In this instance, however, the upper edges of alternate panes Ila, b and llc ride in alternate grooves respectively, panes Ila and llc riding in the outer groove 31 and panes Nb and lid (not shown) riding in the inner groove 35, said grooves cooperating respectively with the grooves 2| and 20 in the sill to retain the window panes in the upright position and to guide their horizontal movements. It is unnecessary to provide a resilient weather seal at the head portion since the rain and dirt particles do not concentrate in the area, the contact between the resilient tongues 40 and the glass panes sufiicing for a weather and air seal.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the free space between the upper edge 4| of the window pane and the lower edge of the spring metal fastener is sufficient for raising the pane to clear the edge of the grooves in the sill l2, thus the pane may be so moved and the lower edge subsequently swung outwardly sufliciently to clear the sill, en-

abling removal of the window pane. It is obvious that assembly of the window pane into the frame I may be as easily accomplished merely by fitting the upper edge of the window pane between tongues 40 and raising the pane a distance sufiicient to clear the sill I2, whereafter the bottom edge may be moved forwardly to the corresponding sill groove and lowered therein, completing the pane assembly operations.

The foregoing describes a window having horizontally slidable window panes guided by spaced formed grooves in the window frame, alternate window panels being spaced therein from each other in a manner to permit sliding movement of one pane in relation to the others. Manifestly, each pane has a spaced relation with the adjacent pane equal to the distance between grooves, which open space must be enclosed in the locked position for purposes of sealing the window opening. For this purpose, mullions I9 are mounted between the head member I and the transom I 8 and between the transom I8 and the sill I2 and have

outer grooves

42 and 43 disposed in the direction to enclose the lateral edge portion of the adjacent panes when said mullion is rotated to the locked or crosswise position. It is manifest that the mullion may be formed from other materials possessing the necessary rigidity, such as wood, plastics or the like.

The mullion, substantially S-shaped in cross section, has a central hub portion 44 and outwardly disposed channel sections forming the

grooves

42 and 43, which face in opposite directions. Each mullion I9 has an end opening 45 which enclose a bearing pin 41 protruding outwardly from the sill I2 or transom I 8 as the case may be at a point intermediate the parallel rooves and between the adjacent end portions of the window panels. Each bearing pin is formed with a cylindrical section 49 of larger diameter which slidingly fits into a metallic cup-shaped housing 50 anchored in the adjacent support, said cup-shaped housing having an upper opening 5I large enough to permit the bearing pin Rotational movement of each mullion I9 is aided by a handle 51 pivoted at 58 to a bracket 59 and 3).

to slidingly extend therethrough, the sill having an opening 52 extending therethrough in registry with an opening 53 in the bottom of the cupshaped member for purposes of draining the collected fluids. A coil spring 54 disposed between the lower base of the cup member and the cylindrical section 49 urges the bearing pin toward the extended position and to engagement with the opening 45.

A vertically disposed slot 55 in the base of the mullion intersects the opening 45 permitting insertion of a tool therethrough for depressing the pin 4'! sufficiently to permit the mullion to be slid laterally away from the mounting and from the sill for purposes of removal. Similarly, de pression of the pin 41 permits positioning of the mullion I9- thereover for purposes expediting assembly into the frame.

The upper end of each mullion has a similar opening 46 which engages a similar pin 48. However, in this instance, the cup-shaped member is recessed in the head portion I5 or transom It as the case may be. It is manifest that the mullion may be freely rotated upon the bearing pins, movement of the

grooves

42 and 43 to alignment between the window panels releasing the panes for free sliding movement in the horizontal direction, and rotation through an angle of 90 effecting the abutment of the adjacent edge portions of the panes with resilient or rubber-like sealing strips 56 retained within each elongate groove thereby to weather seal each lateral edge.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a window structure having horizontally movable, sliding window panes. However, design and construction not infrequently makes use of a long and narrow window structure, and the horizontal movement of such panes is often made cumbersome due to the tendency to bind and tip. In a long and narrow window design, it would be advantageous to section the window panes vertically for vertical movement to the open and closed positions. Proper provisions may be made in the frame without departing from the disclosed invention. In this instance, the mullions are anchored in between the jambs I3 and I4, the mullion operating as a rotatable transom freeing the panes for vertical sliding movement, or looking same in the closed position.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a, means for constructing a window frame which is not directed solely to the frame members previously described, but also to window frames having other panel supporting means, said frame being particularly adapted. for prefabrication and mass production, ultimately to simplify and improve the assembly into the proper building openings, thus, not only to expedite building construction but to appreciably lower the cost of the unit. The illustrated embodiment is directed to the connection at one corner of the window frame, it being understood that the other three corners are joined in substantially the same manner. The device comprises a head member I5 having a side rib 6| which seats into a groove 62 in the side jamb I3 in a manner to bring the upper edge of the head member in flush alignment with the upper end of the jamb, thus presenting surfaces which are perpendicular to each other and engageable with a metallic strip 63 bent through an angle of and having inwardly extending sleeves 64 integral with each

arm

65 and 66 which seat into

annular grooves

61 and 68 formed into the jamb and head member. Obviously proper mating can not be secured until the elements are in substantially perfect alignment, and all that remains for permanence is to secure said strips in a manner to militate against disengagement from said annular slot, which is supplied by wood screws 68 inserted through openings 10 in the near end portion of the connector arms.

Manifestly, I have produced a window structure which may be expeditiously assembled from relatively few interconnecting parts to produce a low cost, flexible, window structure which may be opened through any portion and which may be locked in the closed position to form a unitary structure completely sealed from the weather and elements.

It is to be understood that numerous changes indetails of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

tally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing panel engaging recesses for engaging a vertical edge portion of one panel and the opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, and pivot means between said panel engaging recesses and disposed at the upper and lower ends of said mullion strip enabling rocking movement thereof about a vertical axis to a position lying wholly between the panels, thereby to afford unobstructed sliding movement of the panels.

2. In a window structure; a frame having laterally spaced pairs of upper and lower horizontally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a-vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing panel engaging recesses for engaging a vertical edge portion of one panel and the opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, pivot means between said panel engaging recesses and disposed at the upper and lower ends'of said mullion strip enabling rocking movement thereof about a vertical axis to a position lying wholly between the panels, thereby to afiord unobstructed sliding movement of the panels, and a latch for securing the mullion strip in its crosswise position thereby to hold the window panels in closed position.

3. In a window structure, a frame having laterally spaced pairs of upper and lower horizontally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing panel engaging recesses for engaging a vertical edge portion of one panel and the opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, said mullion strip being substantially Z-shaped in cross section and the panel engaging portions constituting grooves, and pivot means between said panel engaging recesses and disposed at the upper and lower ends of said mullion strip enabling rocking movement thereof about a vertical axis to a position lying wholly between the panels, thereby to afford'unobstructed sliding movement of the panels.

4. In a window structure, aframe having laterally spaced pairs of upper and lower horizontally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing panel engaging recesses for engaging a vertical edge portion of one panel and the opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, and pivot elements for the upper and "lower ends of said -mullion strip in therspace' between said window panels and between said recesses enabling same to rock to a position substantially parallel to and wholly between said panels.

5. In a window structure, a frame having laterally spaced pairs of upper and lower horizontally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing panel engaging recesses for engaging a vertical edge portion of one panel and the opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, and pivot elements for the upper and lower ends of said mullion strip in the space between said window panels and between said recesses enabling same to rock to a position substantially parallel to and wholly between said panels, said pivot elements comprising spring-tensioned pins fitting into socketsin said mullion strip and adapted to be depressed to enable mounting and removal of said strip.

6. In a window structure, a frame having laterally spaced pairs of upper and lower horizontally disposed guides, window panels slidably mounted respectively in said guides, a vertically disposed mullion strip having oppositely facing recesses for receiving when, in one position, a vertical edge portion of one panel and an opposite vertical edge portion of the other panel, resilient material in said grooves to effect a seal with the engaged window panel, pivot elements between said recesses and at the upper and lower ends of said mullion strip in the space between said panels enabling same to rock to an inoperative position lying wholly in the space between said panels, and a latch arm on said strip providing a hand hold therefor, and a keeper engageable by said latch arm for securing the mullion strip in panel engaging position.

LEONARD GEROW.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 945,225 Forsyth Jan. 4, 1910 1,086,320 Forsyth Feb. 3, 1914 1,170,660 Morris Feb. 8, 1916 1,298,763 Miner Apr. 1, 1919 1,374,629 Bailey Apr. 12, 1921 2,149,385 Bendele Mar. '7, 1939