US2886103A

US2886103A - Retractable window enclosure

Info

Publication number: US2886103A
Application number: US437045A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pitcoff Robert
Original assignee: EPOCH PRODUCTS CORP
Current assignee: EPOCH PRODUCTS Corp
Priority date: 1954-06-16
Filing date: 1954-06-16
Publication date: 1959-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-12

Description

May 12, 1959 RQPITCOFF 2,836,103

RETRACTABLE WINDOW ENCLOSURE Filed June 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 12, 1959 R. PITCQFF RETRACTABLE WINDOW ENCLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1954 INVENTOR fioerZP/Zooff BY ATTORNEY United States Patent O s 2,886,103 s RETRACTABLE WINDOW ENCLOSURE Application June 16, 1954, Serial No 437,045 Claims. (Cl. 160-269) My invention relates to a retractable or roll-away window enclosure such as a screen or storm window.

In my copending application, Serial No. 293,926, filed June 17, r 1952, issued November 6, 1956, as Patent No. 2,769,491. I disclose an enclosure consisting of a roll of screen or storm window webbing contained in a housing. mounted at the top of a window and a rail on each side of thewindowcasement for guiding and locking theedges of the web when unrolled. The present invention is similar in its broad aspects but is more specifically directed to a new guide rail and to a novel coil spring assembly in the core upon which the web is wound. 1 t s r n For a fuller understanding of the nature andobjects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description of one embodiment of the. invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which: t

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away,

of a double-hung window having a retractable enclosure mounted inside the casing with a screen web fully unrolled;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partially brokenaway and partially infsection, taken along line f III I I of Figure 1; s o n Figure 3 is a fragmentary view taken along line III-5- IIIofFigure2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of one end of the web roll housing;

Figure 5 is a view taken along ure 4; H n

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of Figure 5, and; i a

Figure 7 is an exploded view in ponents shown in Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar, parts throughout the several views ofthe drawings.

Referring now to Figure 1, a double-hung window 8 has disposed within its inside casing 9 a retractable window screen enclosure 10. The enclosure comprises a line V-V of Figweb 11 of screen wire spanning window 8 between a" pair of side rails 12and 13, and a housing 14 mounted at the top ofthe window casing on a pair of brackets 14a boltedtto the window casing. The housing contains a core 15 to which one end of web 11 is fixed and is generally rectangular in cross-section, with three sides closed and the fourth (bottom) side open for passage of the web. The web is urged to a rolled position by a spring mechanism associated with the core, as described below. The free or travelling end of the web is provided with a stifiening bar 16 to whichis attached a flexible looped takeup strip 17. a 1

Side rails

12 and 13 are constructed similarly and have the same functions, so only side rail 12, shown in Figures 2 and 3, is described hereafter. Side rail 12consists of a fixed angle bar 18 extending to the. window sill from a point just below housing 14. The angle bar is, mounted with one flange 19 against the upright of perspective of the c om window casing 9 and with over angle bar 18 with its free flange The other flange 23 of movable bar 21 flange 19 "fitted with a elevation is desired. 3

2,86,16 Patented May 12, 1959 its adjacent the window behind screen web 11as the web is. unrolled. A movable angle bar 21 is superimposed 22inwardly of flange 20and parallel thereto is provided with a plurality (illustratively five) kidne -shaped slots 24 each similarly located with respect to flange 22 andiorming a cam extending downwardly away from the window. Corresponding in position. to each cam slot 24 is a circular hole 25 in hollow rivetr26 having rolled ends to hold

angle bars

18 and 21 together loosely and to serve as a follower over which may be moved. All holes 25 are aligned,'$and screws window, by the cooperative action of all cam slots 24,

to the dotted line position shown, in Figure 2. In so a moving

free flanges

20 and 22 become separated; Contrariwise, cam slots 241 permit angle bar 21 tobe lifted and thereby shifted toward the window to move free flange 22 against free flange 20. This latter. action is etfected withminimum upward movement in using the arcuate cam slots 24 illustrated wherein theconcavity1 is g on the underside. In the alternate, straight slots slanted downwardly may be used satisfactorily where,

less? pronounced lateral movement of angle bar 21 upon Also, the linkages; between the angle bars could be reversed by comprisewbars each with oneend; rotatably connected to flange 23 and the other similarly connected to flange in its downmost position. i n t s s n ,The

top edges

29 and 30 of the

free flanges

22 and 20 respectively are bent toward the, window to accommodate web 11 as it is unrolle the lower end of movable angle arecta d from core 15, while allowing the edge to travel along the space between free Q flanges 2t) and 22 of theangle bars.

Asthe screen in unrolled angle bar 21 is in its normal ingly expanded. When theweb is fully withdrawn and elling end of web 11 from entering housing 14, need thus is operable in the end of stifieningb-ar 16 is slipped 15 draws angle bar 21 upwardly ment by side rail 13. retained over substantially their entire lengths, and, in-

deed, any force against the body of the screen which might otherwise tend to pull the edges free is active toelevate stiffening bar 16 and force the movable angle bars into an even tighter grip on the edges, I

, The screen, or storm window web as thecase may be,

one continuous motion. To enclose the window, stiffening bar16, which prevents the travpletes' the edge locking without additionalfeflforoon the other flange 20 free and the cam slot having pegs projecting from flange 23 through cam slots in flange 19, with cola lateral means for fastening angle bar 18 to the window casing, or the linkages could 19, witha suitable limit. stop to retain the movable angle barpast dead center bar 21 is capped with by the end of stifienprovides positive guiding s s n or down position withthe passage between

flanges

20 and 22 correspond beneath plate28 I and the stitfening bar is released rewinid spring of core n and urges the free i flanges together due to the cam action described above. Theiopposite edge of web 11 is given the same treat- Q Both edges are thereby firmly part of the'operator, and takeup strip 17 seals the gap between the stiffening bar and the window sill. Now when the screen is to be retracted, one need only move stiffening bar 16 toward the window to free the edges from the movable angle bars and allow the angle bars to .drop,;and. then releasethe-stitfening bar for rectrac-x one end (not shown)-to core 15 and at the other end to an axial cylindrical shaft 32 which is rotatable to increase-the tension of spring 31. Shaft 32 has a flattened extremity and extends through a central hole in acover plate 34 that is shaped to enclose theend-of housing'14, and through a similar central hole in a lockplate 35 adapted to be inserted next to cover plate 34'. Lock plate 35 has oblong slots 36 equidistant above and below its central hole and a flange 37 on its lower edgeprovided with a female button 38 to coincide with a male button 39 on flange 40 of bracket 14a for convenience of positioning during-assembly.

Adapted to fit between lock plate 35 and bracket 14a is a triskelion spring tension retainer 41 having a rectangular-hole'42 in its center slightly larger than .the flattened extremity of shaft 32 and three arms 43 the lengthof the distance between either slot 36 and the central hole of lock plate 35. Each arm 43 has a tip 44-on the end-extending counterclockwise and bent toward lock plate 35 as viewed in Figure 5, the tip being a little smaller than each slot 36. The final element of the'mechanism is a round washer 45 with a centralized rectangular hole like hole 42 in retainer 41 but small enough for a tight fit over the end of shaft 32.

"The right-hand side of the unit, thoughnot illustrat'ed is -rel'atively simple. It includes an axial'cylindrical shaft extending from the end of core 15 and a cover plate for the-housing similar to cover plate 34 with a central hole through which the shaft projects tosuspend thecore for rotation. The cover plate and thef edge of the housing rest on the right-hand bracket 14a.

1111 assembling the spring mechanism, with core 15 supporting rolled' web 11 within housing 14- and the housing removed from brackets 14a, plates 34 and'35 areslipped successively into the open end of housing 14 with 'shaft'32 fitting through the central hole of each, and then retainer 41 is inserted over' the flattenedfextrernity' of shaft 32 and is turned clockwise as viewed in Figure until the desired tension is wound into spring*31;' At this point one of the tips 44 is ea'sedjinto a slot 36 (Figure'e) 'to lock spring 31 against unwinding. Thereafter core may be rotated in either direction without interference, while always urging web 11 to a wound position. Now after washer 45 is pre'ss'ed 'over the end of shaft 32 the components are'held together firmly and will not separate under normal handling. 'The housing may then be inserted over brackets'14a with the longitudinal edges of web 11 fed between free flanges of side rails 12 and 13, to complete the window enclosure. The enclosures operatioii in conjunction with the side rails for locking. the web when fully withdrawn is as described earlier.

'Inthe claims and in the above description I refer to a retractable window screen. By this expression I mean to "includescre'ening, flexible transparent material, and other materials suitable for a retractable window covering. Moreover, 11 and

side rails

12 and 13 may be used the year round by'ha'ving a screen roll for the summer interchangeable with a clearl'plasti'c roll serving as a storm window in it is to be understood that housing I the winter. Alternatively, housing 11 could be enlarged tocontain bothtypesof rolls, each with a stiffening bar on its travelling end and each movable separately within side rails 12 and 13, so that the appropriate covering to suit the weather is selectable conveniently without delay.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction 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.

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

1. In a retractable window screen mountable at the top of a window casing and having spring means urging the screen to retracted position and a stiffening bar on the travelling end of the screen, the combination of a clamping bar mountable longitudinally along the side of the window casing on oneside of an edge of the screen when extended, angular' cam means on said clamping bar disposed off the center of gravityof said clamping bar-in thedirect-ion away from said screen and guiding free movement of 'said clamping barnormally in a downward direction away from said screen but against said-screen when-saidyclamping bar is elevated, means for mounting said clamping bar to the window casing leaving 'free movement-of said clamping bar along said carnmeans,-stationary means on the other side of said unroll'ed edge of the screen against which the screen is clamped upon elevation of said clamping bar as guided by said 'carn means, and means at'the base of said clamping bar engageable with said'stiffening 'bar when thescreen is extended, said engageable means, when engaged' with saidstilfening bar, thereby elevating said clamping bar and clampingsaidtscreen by the force of said spring means.

2'. In combination, a retractable window screen mountable at the top of a window casing, spring means urging the screen to retracted position, a stiffening bar on'the travelling end of the screen and a locking mechanism along eachlongitudinal edge of the screen when extended,

each locking mechanism comprising a clamping bar mountable longitudinally along the side of the window casing-on one side of an edge of the screen when extended, angular cam means on said clamping bar disposed ,olf the center of gravity of said clamping bar. 'in

the direction away from said screen and guiding free .movement of said clamping bar normally in a. downward direction away from said screen but against said screen when said clamping bar is elevated, means for mounting said'clarnping bar to the window casing leaving free movement of. said clamping bar along said cam means, stationary means on the other side of said unrolled edge of the screen against which the screen is clamped upon elevation of said clamping bar as guided by said cam means, and means at the base of said clamping bar engageable with said stiffening bar when the screen is extended, said engageable means, when engaged with said .rality' of cam slots slanting downwardly and away from said edge and disposed olf the center of gravityof said angle bar in the direction away from said'edge,'carn follower means loosely mountingflhrough said cam slots, said' angle bar to the side of a'window casing, and means at the base of said angle'bar engageable with said stiffening bar whenthe screen is extended.

4. The combination according to claim 3 in which the cam slots are arcuate with concavity on the underside.

5. An edge-locking mechanism for a retractable window screen mounted at the top of a window casing and having spring means urging the screen to retracted position and a stiffening bar on the travelling end of the screen, said mechanism comprising in combination a first angle bar having a free flange movable against the edge of an extended screen, and another flange with a plurality of cam slots slanting downwardly and away from said edge and disposed off the center of gravity of said first angle bar in the direction away from said edge, cam follower means loosely mounting, through said cam slots, said angle bar .to the side of a window casing, a second angle bar positioned on said side with one flange parallel to and separated from the free flange of said first angle bar, thereby forming an expansible guide channel for one edge of said screen during extension, and means at the base of said first angle bar engageable with said stifiening bar when the screen is extended, said engageable, means, when engaged with said stiffening bar, thereby elevating said first angle bar and clamping said one edge between the two parallel flanges by the force of said spring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Starr May 30, 1944