US2936497A

US2936497A - Awning type window structure

Info

Publication number: US2936497A
Application number: US589733A
Authority: US
Inventors: Reynaud Samuel Chester
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-06-06
Filing date: 1956-06-06
Publication date: 1960-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 1977-05-17

Description

May 17, 1960 s. c. REYNAUD 2,936,497

AWNING TYPE wmnow STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 1956 IN VEN TOR.

BY w m rraxlvzr s y 7, 1960 s. c. REYNAUD 2,936,497

AWNING TYPE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed June 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 54777216] 6. Keg/774a] United States PatentO 2,936,497 AWNING TYPE wmnow STRUCTURE Samuel Chester Reynaud,-Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. Application June 6, 1956, Serial No. 589,733 8 Claims. (Cl. 20-42) This invention relates to improved awning type window structures and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an operating and locking mechanism for such windows.

One important object of the invention is to provide a window structure having vertically swingable sashes arranged to swing about horizontally disposed hinge pins so as to permit the sashes to be moved to various positions of adjustment, and to provide improved operating and locking means therefor so constructed so as to facilitate the operation of such sashes and the locking thereof in their closed positions in an improved manner.

This and other objects are accomplished by the practice of the instant invention, one feature of which includes a Fig. 1 taken along the line 6-6 thereof;

window structure comprising a frame having side and end members and a sash swingably mounted upon the frame and adapted to hold a sheet of glazing material. A slidable connecting bar is positioned in a recess within the frame and is pivotally connected to the sash through a lost motion slotted bracket, or plate. The sash is also swingably secured to the frame by a balance arm pivoted at one end upon the sash and pivoted at its opposite end upon the frame. The connecting bar carries a camshaped hook, or keeper rigidly mounted thereon and adapted selectively to engage a locking pin mounted upon and projecting from the sash. Locking engagement of the pin by the keeper is accomplished through an over.- travel of the connecting bar relative to the sash. The sash is automatically positioned during closing to permit such overtravei by means of a cam which is carried by the connecting bar and engages a pin projecting from the balance arm to raise the sash relative to the connecting bar as the sash is swung into its closed position.

Another feature of the invention includes locking means for-a sash of the foregoing type, which locking means constitutes a part of a crank drive assembly. According -to this feature of the invention an actuating crank, which is commonly utilized as part of a linkage to control the movement of the slidable connecting bar to vary the position of the sash in the frame, is extended in length beyond the point at which it is connected in the linkage. The crank extension includes a shaped cam surface at its far end adapted to engage a pin carried by and projecting from the sash to lock the sash when it is in its closed position.

v The invention will be described in greater detail in :connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

;Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a window structure of this invention showing normally concealed structural and operating elements thereof; 6 Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Fig.

1 taken along the line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the structure shown in t [Fi 1 taken along the line s 3 thereof;

6 Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. l taken along the line 4-4 thereof; Fig. .5 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 5 -5 thereof;

tion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 wherein the window sash is in a different operating position from that illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown a preferred embodiment thereof including the operating mechanism for the sash members of an awning type window and. the various parts incident thereto, the reference character 10 designates the side bar of a window frame (not shown in full). The window frame may be formed of channel bars or the like including side, top and end bars arranged with their ends connected together in rectangular relationship. The outer edge of the side bar channel wall 12 is bent over to form a flange 14 so that the side bars provide guide channels 16, the function of which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The side bars are adapted to be rigidly secured as by screws 18 or bolts passing therethrough to a structural member of a wall opening in a building or the like to secure the frame rigidly in place.

The window structure includes a series of vertically slidable and swingable sashes 20 and 22 which are rectangular in cross section and may be formed of either wood or metal moldings as desired. The instant description will be concerned with wood sashes although it is to be understood that metal sashes may be substituted therefor according to known techniques. Glass window panels (not shown) are installed in the sashes and may be held in place conventionally'as by molding strips or glazing triangles and putty. Each of the sashes includes a weather sealing flange 24 extending along the sides thereof. The sealing flange is provided to form a weathertight seal between the sashes and the frame when the sashes are closed. The inner wall 26 of the side frame member 10 includes an outwardly facing locking channel 28 in which is seated a resilient gasket 30 against which the sash member closes to perfect the weather-tight seal.

A connecting bar 32 is slidably mounted for vertical travel Within the guide channel 16 of the side frame mem ber 10 at each side of the window. The connecting bars 32 are attached as hereinafter described to the upper corners of each of the sashes 20 and 22, and are retained in the channels 16 by the sashes themselves. The two connecting bars 32 (only one being shown) are actuatable by any desired means such as the crank and worm drive assembly shown generally at 34. The connecting bar 32 at one side of the window may be attached to the crank 66 of the assembly 34 through a link 62, while the connecting bar 32 at the opposite side of the window may be connected to the assembly 34 for synchronous drive by any desired means such as a conventional torque bar extending across the window within the bottom frame is equally applicable to windows including an array of one, three or more sashes. If the structure includes only one sash, it is preferably operated in the manner hereinafter to be described with respect to the lower sash 22. If it includes more than two sashes in vertical array, all the sashes except the bottom one will normally be connected and operated in an identical manner to the upper Patented May 17, 190

sash 20, and only the bottom sash will be connected and operated like the lower sash 22.

The sashes are pivotally mounted on the connecting bar'32 by means of

brackets

36 and 38 which may be fastened to the edges of the sashes by any convenient means such as the screws 40. Each of the brackets includes a

tab portion

42 and 44, respectively, extending inwardly toward the interior of the window. The tab portion 44 of the lowersash bracket 38 includes an upwardly extending eat 45 which is apertured to receive a pivot pin 48 that projects from the connecting bar 32. Thus, the lower sash 22 is directly pivoted upon the connecting bar 32. 'The tab portion 42 of the upper sash bracket 36, however, is different and includes two projecting pins 52 which extend through a pair of slots 51 in a link, or plate 50 pivoted upon the connecting bar 32 by a pivot pin 46. Thus, the upper sash 20 has a limited freedom of movement with respect to the connecting bar 32, and may be moved vertically with respect thereto when it is in, or close to its fully closed position. When the upper sash 20 is swung open as shown, for example, in Fig. 8, the ends of the weather sealing flanges 24 bear against the exterior edges 'of the frame side bar to hold the slots 51 and pins 52 in their fully extended position to prevent rattling and undesirable play of the sash.

The upper and lower sashes 20 and 22 are additionally linked directly to the side frame member 10 by

balance arms

54 and 56, respectively. These

arms

54 and 56 are similar to each other in shape and are pivotally mounted at one end at fixed points 58 and 60 upon the side frame member. Their opposite ends are pivotally mounted at fixed points along the edges of the respective sashes such as, for example, upon one of the screws 40 that secure the brackets to the sashes.

' It will thus be seen that the sashes are mounted so as to be responsive to a sliding motion imparted to the connecting bar 32, i.e., movement of the connecting bar causes the sashes to swing about their axes which are defined by the screws 40 that secure the ends of the

respective balance arms

54 and 56. Simultaneously, the axes of the sashes swing about the fixed points 58 and 60, respectively, at which the balance arms are secured to the side frame member.

The connecting bar 32 at the side of the window shown in the drawings is actuated by a crank and worm mechanism generally designated 34 to which it is connected by a link 62. The crank and worm assembly forms no part of the instant invention and may be of conventional construction. It may include, for example, an operator crank 64 which turns a worm wheel (not shown) to turn the actuating crank 66. The actuating crank 66 is pivotally connected by a rivet 68 to one end of the link 62. The connecting bar 32 is connected to the other end of the link by a pin 70 so that when the actuating crank is swung about its pivot point it imparts a generally rectilinear movement to the connecting bar. The connecting bar 32 at the opposite side of the window is driven as heretofore described by the crank and worm assembly 34 through any desired coupling arrangement.

A locking pin 72 is rigidly mounted upon andprojects from the edge of the upper sash 20. A cam-shaped keeper, or hook 74 is rigidly attached to the connecting bar 32 in a position to engage the locking pin 72 when the sash is swung into its closed position and the connecting bar is moved upwardly. A similar locking pin 76 is provided upon the lower sash 22. When the sash is closed, the lower sash locking pin 76 is engaged by a cam-shaped extended portion 78 of the actuating crank 66 to lock the lower sash in its closed position. The slots 51 in the pivoted plate 50 provide for a lost motion action between the connecting bar 32 and the upper sash 20 to allow engaging and disengaging movement of the keeper 74 upon the locking pin 72 after the upper sash is in its substantially fully cloesd position. Thecam surfaces of the keeper 74 and of the actuating crankextension 78 are shaped to urge the sashes inwardly toward the frame members as the locking pins are engaged thereby to form a pressure seal.

The upper sash 20 is positively positioned to provide for the locking travel of the connecting bar 32 by means of a pin 73 mounted on the balance arm 54, and a cam 75 formed integrally with the keeper 74, which cam 75 engages the pin 73 when the sash 20 is in and near its fully closed position. The action of the cam and the pin 73 is critical in the practice of the invention and will be explained in greater detail in conjunction with the operation of the entire window assembly.

In operation, with the relative" parts positioned as shown in Figs. 1-7, the window sashes 20 and 22 are in a fully closed position and are locked against unauthorized opening from the outside of the building by means of the inter-engaging cam surfaces and locking pins heretofore described. In this position the connecting bar 32 is in its fully raised position and the window sashes are completely closed relative to the window frame. It should also be noted that the pins 5-2 are fully extended in the slots 51, i.e., the connecting bar 32 is in its uppermost position relative to the sash 20 and the pins 52 are at thelowermost ends of the slots 51.

Should it be desired to open the window sashes they may be unlocked and opened in one continuous action by turning the operator crank 64. The operator crank, through the worm wheel drive, lowers the actuating crank 66 thereby withdrawing the actuating crank extension 78 from engagement with the locking pin 76 to unlock the lower sash 22. Simultaneously, the actuating crank 66, which is linked to the connecting bar 32 by the link 62, moves the connecting bar downwardly to disengage the keeper 74 from engagement with the upper sash locking pins 72 and 73. The lower sash 22 is pivotally secured directly to the connecting bar 32 and starts to swing toward its open position as soon as the connecting bar starts to move downwardly. Because of the slotted slide plate 50, however, the upper sash 20 remains in its fully closed position until the connecting bar 32, together with the keeper 74 moves downwardly sufliciently far to bring the upper edges of the slots 51 into engagement with the pins 52. This distance is sufiicient tolower the keeper 74 to disengage the upper sash locking pin 72, and to bring the curved cam surface 75 down to the pin 73 on the balance arm, thus releasing the pin 73 for forward movement. When the upper edges of the slots 51 reach the pins 52, downward force is transmitted from the connecting bar 32 to the upper sash 20. The upper sash 20 then swings outwardly upon further downward movement of the connecting bar but is held from falling suddenly outwardly by the cam 75 and pin 73 arrangement. The

'cam 75 is shaped so that as it is lowered with the connecting bar 32, the sash 20 is permitted to fall open more 'carn surface 77 also serves to break thesash and to initiate its opening travel. By the time the pin 73 clears the cam 75, the sash 20 has advanced sufliciently to extend the pins 52 all the way to the lower edges of the slots 51. The balance of the sash 20 and the close spacing of the upper edge of the flange 24 to the frame member 10 serve to keep the pins 52 fully extended in the slots 51 when the'sash 20 is open.

When the connecting'bar reaches its downwardmost position, the relative parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8 and the sashes are substantially fully open'in an almost horizontal position. When it is desired to close the sashes 20 and 22, the connecting bar 32 is moved upwardly by turning the operator crank in a reversedrejctton' to s'wing'the'actuatingc'rank 66 toward a vertical position. As the upper sash 20 approaches its closed position,- the pin 73 is engaged by the cam surface 75.. The upward movement of the cam 75 then forces the balance arm 54 inwardly to raise, or to advance the sash 20 relative to the connecting bar 32 and to bring the sash 20 into its fully closed. position before the connecting bar has completed its upward travel. At the moment the sash 20 reaches its fully closed position the pins 52 are fully retracted in the slots 51, i.e., the pins 52 are at the upper ends of the slots 51. Further upward travel of the connecting bar 32, as permitted by the lost motion slots 51, completes the closing of the lower sash 22 and securely locks both sashes. The upper sash 20 is locked by the keeper 74, and the lower sash 22 is locked by the engagement of the pin 76 by the cam-shaped extension 78 of the actuator; arm 66'.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the connecting bar 32 may be extended downwardly and another keeper 74 and cam 75 added to lock the lower sash 22 by means exactly similar to the locking action of the upper sash 20. .Such an arrangement requires added clearance at the lower end of the window to enclose the travel of the extended connecting bar, and it is, therefore, preferred to provide locking means for the lower sash 22 such as those heretofore described separate from the connecting bar 32.

It should be noted that the lost motion between the upper sashes and the connecting bars of windows according to the present invention is not of the escapement type and is not dependent upon alignment of the sashes with the frame members. Previous lost motion arrangements in awning type windows include escapements to prevent overtravel of the sashes with respect to the connecting bars except when the sashes are closed sufficiently to be substantially aligned with the connecting bars. Due to variations in manufacturing such escapement devices tend to vary in operation, and thus to wear unevenly one with respect to another, and to bind so that the sashes do not close smoothly and evenly. In windows according to the invention, on the other hand, the lost motion arrangement is completely free and independent of the angular position of the sashes. Smooth and even opening and closing, therefore, is assured without any binding or uneven wear.

It will thus be seen that the operating mechanism herein described provides an awning type window structure wherein all of the operative parts are concealed, and which is positive in operation and relatively simply and rugged in construction.

What is claimed is:

l. -A window structure comprising a frame having side members and a sash swingably mounted with respect to said frame, a connecting bar mounted on one of said side members for longitudinal sliding travel relative thereto, a link pivoted upon said bar and slidably connected to said sash for limited travel relative thereto, a balance arm fixedly pivoted upon said sash and upon said side member, and means responsive to movement of said bar for actuating said balance arm to raise said sash with respect to said bar during a portion of the travel of said connecting bar in its sash closing direction.

2 An awning type window comprising a frame having side members, a connecting bar mounted on one of said side members for limited vertical, sliding movement relative thereto, a balance arm fixedly pivoted on said one side member, a sash pivoted on said balance arm for swinging movement relative to said frame, and means mounted on said connecting bar to cam said balance arm toward alignment with said side member when said sash is in a predetermined position with respect to said frame and said connecting bar is moved in a predetermined direction.

3. An awning type window comprising a frame, a pair of balance arms pivoted upon said frame, a sash wing 6 ably mounted upon said balance arms and movable into and out of said frame, a connecting bar slidably mounted in said frame for vertical travel relative thereto, said connecting bar being drivingly connected to said sash selectively to swing said sash open and closed in response to said vertical travel, a cam mounted upon said cone necting bar, a pin mounted upon and projecting from one of said balance arms in position to be engaged by said cam when said sash is swung toward alignment with said frame, lost motion means connecting said sash to said connecting bar so that as said sash approaches alignment with said frame it is capable of limited vertical movement with respect to said connecting bar, said cam being shaped to drive said balance arm in a direction to raise said sash with respect to said connecting bar when said connecting bar is moved in its sash closing direction.

4. A window structure including a frame having side members, a connecting bar slidably mounted. on one. of said side members, means selectively to slide said bar up and down along said side member, a link pivoted upon said connecting bar, a sash slidably mounted upon said link and swingable with respect to said frame, stop means to limit the extent of movement of said sash with respect to said link, a pin mounted upon and projectingfrom said sash, and a keeper mounted upon and projecting from said. connecting bar, said keeper and said pin being positioned so that they engage one another when said sash is pivoted into said frame, said keeper engaging said pin to lock said sash in a fixed position when said sash is pivoted into said frame and said connecting bar is moved in one direction to the limit of its movement.

5. A window structure including a frame having side members, a connecting bar slidably mounted on one of said side members, an actuating crank linked to said connecting bar selectively to slide said bar up and down along said side member, a sash pivoted upon said connecting bar and swingable with respect to said frame, a pin mounted upon and projecting from said sash, said actuating crank including an extended portion positioned to engage said pin when said sash is in its fully closed position in said frame.

6., Locking means for an awning window of the type including a frame, a sash swingably mounted upon said frame, said sash being pivotally atfixed upon a connecting bar slidably mounted upon said frame, an actuating crank linked to said connecting bar and adapted to move said bar selectively up and down as said crank is turned about its pivot, said locking means comprising a pin mounted upon and projecting from said sash, and a cam-shaped portion of said actuating crank, said portion being positioned to engage said pin when said sash is in its fully closed position in said frame.

7. An awning type window assembly comprising a frame adapted to be rigidly mounted in a wall opening, upper and lower sash members adapted to hold sheets of glazing material and swingably mounted upon said frame, a connecting bar positioned in a recess within said frame and vertically slidable therein, said upper sash member being pivotally mounted upon said connecting bar through a lost motion device adapted to permit a predetermined limited travel of said connecting bar with respect to said upper sash member when said upper sash member is substantially closed in said frame, said lower sash member being directly pivoted upon said connecting bar, said assembly also including an actuating crank pivotally mounted upon said frame, said crank being linked to said connecting bar so that rotational movement of said crank about its pivot produces rectilinear sliding movement of said connecting bar, a first pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said upper sash member, a second pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said lower sash member, a keeper rigidly mounted upon said connecting bar and positioned to engage said first pin when said upper sash member is in its fully closed position in said frame and said connecting bar is moved 7 in a predetermined direction with respect to said upper sash, and a cam-shaped portion of said actuating crank positioned to engage said second pin when said lower sash is in its fully closed position within said frame.

8. An awning type window assembly comprising a frame adapted to be rigidly mounted in a wall opening, upper and lower sash members adapted to hold sheets of glazing material and swingably mounted upon said frame, a connecting bar positioned in a recess within said frame and vertically slidable therein, said upper sash member being pivotally mounted upon said connecting bar through a'lost motion slotted plate adapted to permit a predetermined limited movement of said connecting bar with respect to said upper sash member when said upper sash member is in a substantially vertical position, said lower sash member being directly pivoted upon said connecting bar, a balance arm pivoted at one of its ends upon said upper sash member and pivoted at its opposite end upon said frame, said assembly also including an actuating crank pivotally mounted upon said frame, said crank being linked to said connecting bar so that rotational movement of said crank about its pivot produces rectilinear sliding movement of said connecting bar, a first pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said upper sash member, a second pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said balance arm, a third pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said lower sash membar, a keeper and a cam both'rigidly mounted upon said connecting bar, said cam being positioned upon said connecting bar to engage said second pin' when said upper sash member is swung toward its fully closed position and thereby to raise said upper sash member with respect to said connecting bar as said connecting bar is raised with respect to said frame, said'keeper being positioned to engage said first pin to lock said upper sash member after said upper sash member has been raised with respect to said connecting bar and as said connecting bar is raised through said limited movement with respect to said upper sash member, and a cam-shaped portion of said actuating crank positioned to engage said third pin when said lower sash is in its fully closed position within said frame.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS