US2585122A

US2585122A - Closure operating means

Info

Publication number: US2585122A
Application number: US47572A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rush S Hartman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-09-03
Filing date: 1948-09-03
Publication date: 1952-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-12

Description

Feb. 12, 1952 R. s. HARTMAN CLOSURE OPERATING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 3, 1948 INVENTOR. B SES. H4RIMAN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1952 R. s. HARTMAN CLOSURE ORERA'LING MEANS Filed Sept. s, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mg Q EHIII k l,

JNVENTOR: RUSH ,5: MTMZIN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1952 R, HARTMAN 2,585,122

CLOSURE OPERATING MEANS Filed Sept. 3, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. fi RUSH s. HARTMAN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1952 Filed Sept. 3, 1948 R. S. HARTMAN CLOSURE OPERATING MEANS 4 Sheets-Shegt 4 I v INVENTOR: RUSH 5. HARTMAN ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 12, 1952 unites-sures PATENT OFFICE 2,585,122 CLOSURE OPERATING MEANS Rush S. Hartman, Trenton, N. J.

Application September 3, 1948, Serial No. 47,572

'1 My invention relates to mechanism for opening and closing windows, doors, and other closures, and While my invention is particularly useful for actuating relatively large and heavy windows or doors such as those used in modern office buildings, factories, and apartment houses, it is equally useful as operating means for the ordinary casement windows and similar relatively light closures in homes and elsewhere. 7

Operating mechanisms heretofore provided for opening and closing doors and windows have not generally been suitable for actuating relatively large and heavy windows such as those demanded by modern trends in architecture for oflice buildings and elsewhere, wherein large and long window areas are provided and double glazing is used for insulating purposes. Even when prior operating means are employed for actuating relatively light weight casement windows, it is frequently impossible to draw the window into firm sealing engagement with the window frame. In either situation the loose connections heretofore provided have permitted the window to rattle and vibrate or even to be torn loose in a high wind.

A further objection to operating mechanisms of the prior art arises from their complicated and expensive construction, especially when designed for use with heavy windows. Thus for example when the mechanism is actuated by means of a crank and gears, it is necessary to use accurately machined parts and heavy constructions to withstand the forces applied thereto. Even then the wear and distortion of elements after short periods of operation often render the parts loose or inoperative. 'l Moreover, when the operating mechanism is connected directly to pivot means about which a window is movable or is connected to the Window adjacent the pivot, there is always danger of twisting or distorting the sash so as to prevent proper sealing or even to cause the window glass to break.

' In accordance" with the'present invention, these objections to constructions of the prior art are overcome and novel windowbr closure operating means are provided which are simple and economical to produce and in which the forces are so applied and distributed that large and heavy windows may be safely opened and closed with a minimum of efiort on the part of the operator. Furthermore, strains on the operating means are reduced to a minimum so that inexpensive die cast or pressed gears may be used, and relatively light weight elements maybe employed without danger of distortion. The construction is such as to hold the-window or'closure firmly in place in any po- 11 Claims. (Cl. 268120) 2 sition to which it may be moved, even when the window is large and is subjected to a high wind.

These advantages are preferably attained by employing a combination of an actuating arm and supporting link which are movable in such relation as to provide a strut or support for the actuating arm in all positions to which it is moved. At the same time the actuating arm is controlled by a threadedshaft which affords a one-way operating connection that eliminates slippage and serves to prevent excessive strains on the gears and other elements of the actuating mechanism when the window is subjected to a high wind.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a novel type of closure operating mechanism which is simple and economical to produce and which is easy to apply and remove.

Another object of my invention is to provide operating means wherein a minimum of effort is required to open and close a window or other closure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a closure operator with a novel arrangement of an actuating arm and supporting link which serve to impart suificient strength and rigidity to the construction to permit its use with relatively large and heavy closures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure operator which is capable of holding a window in a fixed postion and yet serves to prevent excessive strain on the operating means even when the window is large and subjected to high wind pressures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide operating mechanism which may be applied to a window in a manner to eliminate all danger of twisting or distortion of the window and excessive strains on the operating mechanism.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a closure operating means with a threaded shaft which is rotatable by a crank and gears to move an actuating arm and supporting link in combination so as to support and hold a window firmly in any position to which it may be moved.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is made to the figures of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a portion of a typical window and operating mechanism embodying my invention; v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the construction illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 indicating different positions to which the window may be moved;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective of an alternative form of construction embodying my invention;

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a further alternative construction embodying my invention;

Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a portion of a modified form of operating means embodying my invention; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 3 showing the construction of Fig. 8.

.In that form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the window glass is indicated at 2 and is mounted in a sash 4. The sash is preferably provided with a lower channel member 6, an upper channel member 8 and a side member l6 which extend along the edges of the sash and have upper and lower pivot members l2 fixedly secured thereto for mounting the window for horizontal movement about a vertical axis. The pivot members engage complementary pivot means on the brackets l4 mounted on the sill member it of the window and on the top header member (not shown).

The channel and side members may be part of and fixedly secured to the window sash but in the alternative the window sash may be pivotally mounted on the channel members adjacent the center of its upper and lower edges as shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 521,451, filed February 7, 1944, now abandoned, so that the window may be reversed for cleaning or turned to any desired position to direct air into the room where the window is located.

The operating mechanism of the present invention is employed for moving the window 2 about the pivot means on brackets Hi to any desired position. As shown, the operating mechanism embodies a shaft 20 having threads 22 adjacent the end thereof remote from the pivot means and threads 24 adjacent the end thereof nearest the pivot means. An internally threaded nut or carriage 26 is mounted on shaft 28 and provided with threads complementary to those shown at 22 so that nut or carriage 26 will move longitudinally of the shaft 20 when the shaft is rotated. A similar internally threaded nut or carriage 28 is in threaded engagement with threads 24 on shaft 20 and is movable along the shaft when the shaft is rotated. The threads 22 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are of considerably greater pitch than the threads 24 and are opposite in direction so that rotation of shaft 26 will cause the carriage 26 to travel inward along the shaft 20 a relatively great distance while the carriage 28 is caused to move outward along the shaft 20 a relatively short distance as the shaft is rotated to open the window. The carriages move apart when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction for closing the window.

The shaft 20 may be rotated by any suitable means. As shown a bevelled gear 36 is secured to the shaft 20 and meshes with a complementary bevelled gear 32 secured to shaft 34. The shaft 34 is rotatable by a crank 36 through the key connection indicated at '38.

Shaft 20 is mounted for rotation in the end thrust bearing 40 and in bearing 42 which surrounds the bevelled gear 30. Shaft 20 and its bearings are mounted in the channel-shaped housing 46 which is secured to the sill member [6 of the window by threaded pins 48. The

carriages

26 and 28 on shaft 20 are provided with rollers 50 which engage the base of the channel 46 and are held within the housing by the inturned edges 52 of the channel. The rollers serve to support the

carriages

26 and 28 and the shaft 20 so that forces applied to the

carriages

26 and 28 in 'a direction at right angles to the shaft as seen in Fig. 2 are not transmitted to the shaft 20 but are taken up by the fixed channel member 46. In this way all danger of bending of shaft 20 or binding of the carriages on the shaft is eliminated and the force required to rotate the shaft and actuate the operating mechanism is reduced to a minimum. Moreover, the rollers in effect provide intermediate supports for the shaft at those points where it would otherwise be subjected to the greatest lateral strains. The shaft therefore may be made as long as necessary to insure the required travel of

carriages

26 and 28 without weakening the construction.

The carriage 26 serves to move an actuating arm 54 which is pivotally connected at its inner end to carriage 26 by the pivot means 56. The outer end of arm 54 is slidably and pivotally connected to the lower channel member 6 of the window sash. For this purpose the channel member 6 is provided with spaced supports 60 between which a bar 62 extends. A slide block 64 engages bar 62 and carries pivot means 66 to which the outer end of the actuating arm 54 is connected. The actuating arm illustrated consists of spaced parallel strips of metal which are held in spaced relation by the carriage 26 and block 64. Reinforcing studs or connectors 61 also serve to strengthen the metal strips of the actuating arm.

A supporting link 68 is pivotally connected at its inner end to the carriage 28 on shaft 28 by pivot means 10. The outer end of link 68 is pivotally connected to the actuating arm 54 by pivot means 12 at a point near the outer end of the arm. The link 68, like the actuating arm, consists of a pair of spaced metal strips which are held in spaced, parallel relation by the carriage 28 and by a'bushing l4 surrounding the pivot means 12. Connecting studs 69 are also provided for reinforcing the metal strips of link 68. The link 68 is movable about pivot 72 within the slot formed by the spaced members of the actuating arm and both the arm 54 and the link 68 are well supported and reinforced so as to resist bending.

With this construction, rotation of crank 36 causes the arm 54 and link 68 to cooperate in moving the window sash about its hinge or pivot means I2. In so moving the actuating arm itself rocks about the pivot means 12 at the outer end of link 68 and is supported intermediate its ends and preferably at a point near the window as shown in Fig. 5. By suitably proportioning the length of the actuating arm and the supporting link and selecting the location of the pivot means and the pitch of the threads on shaft 20, the outer end of the actuating arm may be caused to move through an arc of predetermined form. This are preferably is nearly concentric with the pivot means or hinge l2 about which the window moves. Thus, for example, as shown in Fig. 5 the pivot means 66 by which the outer end of the actuating'arm 54 is connected :to the window 2 will move through the are 16 which is nearly concentric with the pivot I2 of the window. It is then only necessary to provide for very limited relative movement of the pivot means 66 along the window 2 and as a result bar 62 may be short and sturdy.

, Further, as shown in Fig. 5, the movement of the

carriages

26 and 28 toward each other in response to rotation of crank 36 and shaft 20 causes the actuating arm 54 and supporting link to move from a position in which they form an obtuse angle to positions substantially at right angles to each other. The window sash thereupon is moved about the pivot l2 through successive positions indicated on are 16 corresponding to successive equal increments of movement of the

carriages

26 and 28 along shaft 20. The numbered positions on arc 16 are those to which the pivot means 66 on the outer end of the actuating arm 54 is moved and since this pivot means moves with the window, the numbered positions actually indicate the positions of the window itself. It will be noted from these positions on are 16 that the movement of the window is greater for each increment of movement of the

carriages

26 and 28 during the initial stages of opening the window than in the later stages of movement when the window approaches its fully opened position. The power applied in rotating the crank 36 and shaft 20 is therefore multiplied to a greater extent as the window opens and this increase in power compensates for the increase in load due to the raising of a horizontally pivoted window or the increase in wind pressure on a vertically pivoted window. Therefore the effort required to rotate crank 36 and the strains imposed on the gears and other elements of the operating means are substantially uniform although the load increases materially. Furthermore, the limited forces exerted on the gears renders it possible to use inexpensive die cast or pressed gears so that the machining and cost of the elements of the construction is reduced considerably.

Moreover, as the window approaches a fully opened position in which it extends at 90 from the frame, the link 68 approaches a position at right angles to the arm 54. The support for the actuating arm afforded by supporting link 68 thereby increases as the window opens and when the window is fully opened the arm and link are positioned so as to provide substantially the maximum support and rigidity for the window. This is of particular advantage in opening and closing large windows where wind pressures become a serious factor as the window moves outward from the face of the building. Similarly when a large window is movable about a horizontal axis, as shown in Fig. 6, the weight of the window is largely or entirely supported by the operating means when the window is raised toward a horizontal position. The need for unusual strength and support for the Window and for the actuating arm then becomes very critical.

The structure and combination of elements provided thus serve to insure positive movement and positioning of the window. Furthermore the pitch of the threads on shaft 20 is such as to afford a one-way driving connection so that there is-no possibility of slipping or counter rotation of the shaft and crank under load.. Therefore vibration will not cause the window to change in position and it may be moved to. opened or closed position even in a very high wind.

.As shown in Fig. 6, the window. or closure may zontal axis or hinge. This construction also is typical of those in which two operating means are employed, one of which is located at each side of the window as indicated at 18 and 80. Such operators are preferably actuated by a single crank 82 located in any desired or convenient position and connected to the actuating means through a suitable system of shafts and gears such as the centrally located bevelled gears 84, shafts 85 and corner bevelled gears 86. Both of the operating means thus employed are preferably. of the same construction and design and may be of the same type shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Suchdual operating mechanism may, of course, be employed on vertically pivoted doors and windows and has the advantage of insurin positive and similar movement of opposite edges of the closure. All danger of twisting or distortion of the window is thereby eliminated so that very large and heavy doors and windows can be moved without danger of injury thereto.

As shown in Fig. '7, the present invention also may be used in moving closures through an arc of approximately 180 or more if desired. In the construction shown, the pivot means 88 for the sash 90 is mounted so that it projects outward from the sash allowing it to .clear any wall construction protruding beyond the sash when the window is closed- The actuating arm 92 differs somewhat in shape from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but is similarly formed to cooperate with a supporting link 94 in opening and closing a window with the minimum effort and strain on the window and operating means. The pivotal connection 96 between the window 90 and the outer end of the actuating arm 92 is shown in this case to move through an are 98 which differs in form from are 16 as shown in Fig. 5. However in each instance the arc is generally concentric with the pivot means about which the window swings and only limited relative movement between the pivotal connection 96 and the window itself is required.

In the further alternative construction shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the inner end of the supporting link I00 is mounted on a fixed pivot N12. The remaining elements of the assembly are similar in construction and operation to those shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. With this arrangement there is no shifting of the inner end of the supporting link and the location of the outer end of the actuating arm and pivotal connection 66 on successive movements of car riage 26 will be those indicated by the arm I04 of Fig. 5.

It will be apparent from a comparison of the arch 16 and I04 of Fig. 5 and are 98 of Fig. 7 that the movement of the actuating arm is inso fiuencedby the shape and points of pivotal contogether, so long as the necessary relative movement of the inner ends of the actuating arm and supporting link is provided. .In all such modifications of my invention, powerful and positive operation of the window or closure is assured with operating means which are economical to produce and install and easy to operate.

Each of the forms of my invention described has a further advantage in that the operating means-i c n ea ed and protect d' y-the sash when the window is closed, thus providing a neat ap ea an th n id and ou e- H w-' ever, in the event any part should break or stick or should need repair or lubrication, the window ash a era in m a m e mov d et e to. an x o e osit o in which the a t are accessible for work or inspection. Thus as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the channel member,- 46' by which the shaft 20 and carriages 2S and, 2 8 5.1? Carried is secured inplace by threaded pins 48 which extend through the wooden stool I36 of the window sill and into threaded engage.- nient with an angle iron bracket or reinforcing member I08 mounted in the wall adjacent the sill it of the window opening. The lower end of pin 48 extends into a complementary opening in.

the lower bracket H0 secured to bracket I08. by rivets H2 or otherwise. With this construction it is only necessary to remove the pins 48 fromthe stool I06 and brackets H18 and H0 where upon the channel member 46 together with shaft 29 and

carriages

26 and 28 may be moved with the window as it swings about its pivot means [2. As the window sash is pushed open thekey 38 in crank shaft H4 is disengaged from the shaft 34 by which the actuating gear 32. is carried. The whole operating mechanism. is thus exposed and may be lubricated, removed or repaired without difficulty.

The form of my invention shown in Fig. 2 also embodies an improved type of support for the crank 36 by which the operating mechanism is actuated. For this purpose the crank 36 is connected to shaft H4 which extends through a sleeve H8. The crank is rotatable in an outer bearing H6 mounted on the sleeve and is heldagainst removal by retainer H1. The sleeve I I8: is welded or otherwise mounted to the bracket I08. The shaft and crank are thereby supported directly by sleeve H4 carried by the angle iron bracket I08 that also supports the channel member 46 on which the operating mechanism is mounted. In this way the crank and operating mechanism are supported as a unit, and the crank shaft H4 is held in accurate alignment with shaft 34 to which gear v32 of the operating mechanism is secured. Moreover, looseness or bending of the shaft is prevented since forces applied to the crank are not transmitted to the plaster or other yieldable interior wall structure adjacent the crank. Therefore the wall surface adjacent the crank is not broken or marred by operation of the crank as it is when using those types of closure operating devices heretofore dedrawings and described above has been chosen' for the purpose of indicating the nature of my invention and typical applications thereof, and

is not intended to limit the scope of my inven'-- tion.

-Iclaim:

1. Mechanism for moving a closure about a pivot into and out of closed position with respect to an opening; comprising an actuating armhaving means at the outer end thereof for pivotally connecting said arm to a closure, a supporting having the outer end thereof pivotally con.- nected to said actuating arm intermediate the ends .Of said arm, a rotatable shaft, means for mounting said shaft adjacent said opening, members mounted on said shaft and pivotally connecl gd to the inner ends of said actuating arm and supporting link, means for rotating said shaft,,and interengagin threads on said shaft and members for simultaneously moving both of said members toward and away from each other on rotation of said shaft in opposite directions to move said actuating arm about the outer end of said supporting link as a pivot for moving the closure to opened and closed positions.

. 2. Mechanism for moving a closure about a pivot into and out of closed position with respect to an opening, comprising an actuating arm hav ing means at the outer end thereof for pivotally connecting said arm to a closure, a supporting link having the outer end thereof pivotally con-.- nected to said actuating arm intermediate the ends of said arm, a rotatable shaft, means for mounting said shaft adjacent said opening, members located adjacent said shaft and pivotally connected to the inner ends of said actuating arm and supporting link, means for rotating said shaft, and threads on said shaft engaged by both of said members for simultaneously movin said members toward and away from each other on rotation of the shaft in opposite directions, the pitch of the threads engaged by said members being different.

3. Mechanism for moving a closure about a pivot into and out of closed position with respect to an opening, comprising an actuating arm having means at the outer end thereof for pivotally connecting said arm to a closure, a supporting link having the outer end thereof pivotally connected to said actuating arm intermediate the ends ofsaid arm, a rotatable shaft, mearisfor mounting said shaftadjacent said opening, members located adjacent said shaft and pivotally connected to the inner ends of said actuatin arm and'supporting link, means for rotating said shaft, and threads on said shaft engaged by both of said members for simultaneously movin said members toward and away from each other on rotation of the shaft in opposite directions, the pitch of the threads engaged by said members being different and opposite in direction.

fl. Mechanism for moving a closure about a piyot into and out of closed position with respect to an opening, comprising an actuating arm having means at the outer end thereof for pivotally connecting said arm to a closure, a supporting link having the outer end thereof pivotally connected to said actuating arm, a rotatable shaft, means for mounting said shaft adjacent said opening and at right angles to the pivot about which the closure is movable, members located adjacent said shaft and pivotally connected to the inner ends of said actuating arm and supporting link, means for rotating said shaft, and threads on said shaft engaged by said members for moving said members toward and away from each other on rotation of such shaft in opposite directions, the threads engaged by the member to which the actuating arm is connected having a greater pitch than the thread to which the supporting link is connected.

5. Mechanism for moving a closure about a pivot into and out of closed position with respect to an opening, comprising an actuating arm having means at the outer end thereof for pivotally 9 connecting said arm to a closure, a supporting link having the outer end thereof pivotally connected to said actuating arm, a rotatable shaft, means for mounting said shaft parallel to a side of said opening and at right angles to the pivot about which the closure is movable, members located adjacent said shaft and pivotally connected to the inner ends of said actuating arm and supporting link, means for rotating said shaft, and threads on said shaft engaged by said members for moving said members toward and away from each other on rotation of such shaft in opposite directions, the threads engaged by the member to which the actuating arm is connected having a greater pitch than the thread to which the supporting link is connected, and said threads being opposite in direction.

6. In combination with a window sash, pivot means about which said sash is movable into and out of position to close an opening and operating mechanism for opening and closing said sash, including a threaded shaft extending at right angles to the pivot means and parallel to a side of said opening, said shaft having two threaded members engaging the same, an actuating arm having its outer end pivotally connected to said sash and its inner end connected to one of said threaded members, a supporting link having its outer end pivotally connected to said actuating arm near the outer end of said arm and having its inner end pivotally connected to the other threaded member and located at a point between the first threaded member and the pivot about which the sash is movable, and means for rotating said shaft to move said threaded members whereby said operating arm will be caused to move about said outer end of said supporting link as a pivot in opening and closing said sash.

7. In combination with a window sash, pivot means about which said sash is movable into and out of position to close an opening, and operating mechanism for opening and closing said sash including a rotatable shaft positioned parallel to a side of said opening and at right angles to said pivot means, said shaft having threads of different pitch near the opposite ends thereof, an actuating arm having its inner end pivotally connected to a member engaging those threads on the shaft which are of greater pitch and having means on the outer end thereof providing a sliding and pivotal connection with said sash, a supporting link having its outer end pivotally connected to said actuating arm near the outer end of said arm and having its inner end pivotally mounted on a, member engaging those threads on the shaft which are of lesser pitch, the latter member being located between the threaded member to which the actuating arm is connected and the pivot about which said sash is movable, and means for rotating said shaft to move said threaded members toward and away from each other and to move the outer end of the actuating arm about said outer end of the link and through an are generally concentric with the pivot means for said sash.

8. A construction of the character set forth in claim 7 wherein the pitch of the threads on said shaft are opposite in direction.

9. A construction of the character set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for rotating said shaft includes a crank, and said shaft and crank are independently and separably mounted adjacent said window opening.

10. A construction of the character set forth in claim '7 wherein the means for rotating said shaft includes a crank, and said shaft is mounted for rotation in a support, and means for detachably securing said support in position adjacent said window opening.

11. A construction of the character set forth in claim 7 in which there are two operating mechanisms, one located adjacent each of two opposite edges of the window, and common means are provided for rotating the shafts associated with both operating mechanisms.

RUSH S. HARTMAN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS in the