US3449862A - Window structure - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1969 A. J. BIRO wmvow STRUCTURE ors Sheet Filed Aug. 11 1967 INVENTOR. ALEXANDER J. 5/20 BY CAeov-HeksCAeoruses June 17, 1969 A. J. BIRO wnmow STRUCTURE SheetiofS Filed Aug. 11. 1967 I N VENTOR. A LEXAMDEE J. 5/90 B Y M3 (A20 THEESCAROTHE$ /-//s A rroawers June 17, 1969 A BIRQ WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 11 1967 w. 00 Z W gs g Q g q Q g Q I m Q a? m N I B Q Y 5 \"I \L um g W H 'c I NVENTOR.

14/5 A TTOENEY-S United States Patent 3,449,862 WINDOW STRUCTURE Alexander J. Biro, Indiana, Pa., assignor to Season-All Industries, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 660,100 Int. Cl. E05d 15/16, 13/02; E06b 7/16 U.S. Cl. 49-406 29 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A replaceable window structure having removable sash members with an interlock therebetween adapted to be guided in sash channel in parallel jamb members connected by a lintel and sill member. At least one counterbalance is provided for each sash member to bias the horizontal movement of the sash member within the jamb members and to removably interlock with the sash member, the counterbalance traveling with the sash member in its guided movement between the parallel jamb members until interrupted by abutment means in the sash channel which holds the counterbalance to permit the sash member to travel on to be interlocked from the former. lamb tensioning devices or stabilizers are provided to permit proper placement of the window in the open window frame or shell, as well as place the sash members in a state of tension in their travel within the jamb members to (a) permit proper guidance of the sash members in the sash channels of the jamb members, and (b) seal the sash members relative to the sill, lintel and jamb members, especially when the sash members are in their closed position.

BACKGROUND OF Til-IE INVENTION (1) Field of Invention This invention relates to removable closures, such as window structures, with means for mounting the closure for reciprocation wherein a diverse material guide cooperates with counterbalance hardware, the latter of which is within a jamb-guide gap. Where more than one closure is provided, an interlock means is provided therebetween to provide a seal.

(2) Description of prior art In the window art, specifically the double-hung window, the use of interengaging flanges as an interlock between sash members is well-known. However, there has always been a need to provide in such window structures the removal of the sash members from between the parallel jamb members. This need was principally based upon easy cleaning of both sash members, which may be easily removed from the window jambs for inside cleaning.

In order to permit the removal of the sash members from between the jamb members, a jamb structure is provided to release the sash from a counterbalance and slide in the jamb members to permit lateral movement of the sash in the jamb members and removal of the sash therefrom.

In order to be able to remove the sash in such cases, a cut-out or gap has to be provided in the interengaging flanges of the interlock, the length of which is as deep as the jamb sash channel. Sash cut-outs or gaps present a problem in double-hung windows in properly sealing between the sash members from the outside weather, dust, etc.

Another well-known area that has plagued the doublehung window art for many years is the provision of tensioning devices (other than a conventional counter- 3,449,862 Patented June 17, 1969 balance) in the jamb members or between the jamb members and window shell to provide the necessary biasing sash guide support to permit frictional movement of the sash members along the vertical jamb sash channels. Thus, the sash members may be selectively positioned anywhere along their guided path in the channeled jambs, due to frictional support.

A most recent example of such a resilient sash guide support is the patent to Trout, 3,228,068 (20-12) wherein the supports are urged against the jamb sash guide to provide frictional engagement of and support for the vertically movable sash members. These resilient guide supports are provided as part of the window guide support or jamb, eliminating the need of properly adjusting, boring, recessing, etc., the supports in the window frame or shell. However, the problem with such support members as presently found in the art, is that no alignment is provided wherein plumb-line straightness is assured of the window structure in the window frame or shell.

Other references in the prior art which provide the functions for resilient sash guide supports as mentioned above and at the same time, permit the removal of the sash members from between the jamb members but do not permit proper alignment of the window upon installation are:

Schairer 530,660 Basham 1,879,026 Dantrick 2,203,427 (49-423) Vose 2,288,558 (49-417) Gardner 2,613,403 (49-440) The structure comprising the present invention employs spring-loaded balances or counterbalances of the type shown in Patent No. 2,952,884 (49-430), Patent No. 3,114,178 (49-446), and Patent No. 3,358,404 (49-446). However, in order for these counterbalances to be properly employed in the present invention, they have been constructed to have supporting slides at each end of the counterbalance spring assembly housing, the upper of which is constructed to removably interengage with guide slides on the side stiles of the sash members. None of the structures of these patents employ an intergaging structure of the type found herein. In this connection, it is important to note that the counterbalance housing is actually located within the sash side stile of of the present invention, the supporting slides s0 constructed to bring the sash member, upon downward movement of the sash on the counterbalance located initially in the jamb, into slidable interlocking engagement with the counterbalance. Thus, the counterbalance directly supports the sash member actually from beneath the same, which is one of the principal reasons why the window construction of the present invention does not necessitate at all a counterbalance in each jamb sash guide channel per sash member.

In other words, the sash member will not become cocked or jammed in the jamb sash guide channels even where only one counterbalance is proviedd on a single side stile of the sash member.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION A principal object of the present invention relates to provision of an interlock between adjacent sash members of a window construction generally referred to as a double-hung window, wherein the interlock is provided with an interengaging longitudinally disposed flange on one of sash rail members to interengage with a corresponding flange on an adjacent rail member and is laterally movable relative to its rail member to permit its lateral movement upon removal of the sash member from between adjacent jamb members of the window structure. The laterally movable interlock may be spring biased to be maintained in its normal position between the jamb members and centered relative to the length of the sash rail member to which it is slidably secured.

The principal advantage of a laterally movable sash interlock eliminates the necessity of cut-outs or gaps in fixed interlocks between the removable sash members found in the double-hung windows presently available, permitting the formation of a window draft since such interlock gaps are necessary if the sash is permitted to have freedom of lateral movement between the parallel jamb members, wherein the sash is moved further into the channeled jambs and then swung from the window frame.

Another provision in the sash interlock comprising this invention is the provision of adjustable abutments positioned at the ends of the interlock to provide an abutment for said spring means to laterally bias the interlock within specific limits and at the same time, provide means to selectively adjust the normally biased position of the interlock relative to its sash rail member.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an interlock member that is laterally adjustable relative to the sash rail member to permit the positioning of the sash member in the sash guide channels of parallel jamb members for engagement with and support upon counterbalance members supported in the sash guide channels and received in longitudinal grooves provided in the side stiles of the sash members.

Another provision of the present invention is the provision of sealing means on the interengaging flanges of the sash interlock to engage and seal when the flanges are brought into their cooperative interengaging position.

Another object of the persent invention is the provision of laterally movable and adjustable interengaging flanges on adjacent rail members of the sashes of a double-hung window to form an interlock between the sashes to completely fill the gap therebetween without any cut-outs necessitated in a portion of the flanges to permit the removal of sashes from between the jamb members of the window.

The second principal object of the present invention are stabilizers positioned intermediate of each of the jamb members to assure that the window is plumb-line straight within. the window frame or shell and at the same time, to initially resiliently bias the window structure relative to the window shell to permit adjustment of the allowed spacing between the sides of the window shell relative to the window jamb members.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of stabilizers biasedly secured to and intermediate of the jamb members of a window structure, each stabilizer having a head which projects into a receiving channel or slot in the jamb member, the stabilizer head and jamb member slot being provided with cooperatively engaging flanges to prevent the removal of the stabilizer from the jamb member and provide transverse guided movement of the stabilizer relative to the longitudinal jamb member for self-aligned plumbing of the window structure in a window frame or shell.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of stabilizer biasedly secured to and intermediate of the jamb members of a window structure to selectively adjust the tension applied to the sash members in their guided movement in jamb sash guide channels to not only improve the operating characteristics of the sash members in their movement with the counterbalance members along the sash channels but also provide the greatest tensioning force to the jamb members of the Window structure relative the sash members when the sash members are in their closed position to sufliciently seal the sash members relative to the window jamb, sill and lintel members from the intrusion of outside atmosphere including the passage of dust, etc.

The third principal object of the present invention is the provision of a counterbalance member in the sash guide channel of one jamb member of a sliding sash window structure and an inturned flange or track in the sash guide channel of the other jamb member, the sash member being provided with a sash cam or guide on one side stile to ride on the inturned flange or track and a sash cam or guide on the other side stile of the sash member to removably interengage with a support guide on the end of the counterbalance member. The counterbalance member will travel upwardly with the sash member until releasably detached from the same by a counterbalance engaging member positioned in the bottom of the sash guide channel of the jamb member. The counterbalance member is partially housed in a longitudinal slot provided in the sash side stile in order that the sash members, together with the sash guides, may be directly supported on the counterbalance member.

The positioning of the counterbalance members well within the side stiles of the sash members, is believed to be an important feature of the present invention not only because the sash members are directly supported upon the counterbalance members, but also each sash member may be completely supported by a single counterbalance member housed in one of the jamb member sash guide channels, while the opposite side of the sash member is supported by the sash guide to ride on the inturned flange or track provided in the opposite sash guide channel. The structure of the present invention eliminates any binding of the sash member in its travel between the parallel jamb members caused by the sash member being cocked or jammed in the sash guide channels. The structure comprising the present invention eliminates such cocking or jamming which is present in the window structures of the prior art, wherein it an attempt is made to operate the sash members with a single counterbalance member, the sash member will not operate satisfactorily in its movement between the parallel jamb members.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a sliding window structure and counterbalance combination, wherein a sash member may be either operated by a single counterbalance from one of the window jamb members or operated by the employment of two counterbalance members from each of the window jamb members.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of supporting slides secured to each end of the counterbalance members adapted to cooperate with a track and a sash guide slide, respectively, in and on the stiles of the sash members in order that the counterbalance may readily be releasably connected to the sash member, and to support as well as travel with the sash member in its movement in the guide channels of the parallel jamb members. A resilient abutment protruding from the upper supporting slide on each counterbalance member is permitted to resiliently pass over, and the outwardly extended abutment on the sash guide slide thereby engaging the counterbalance member with the sash member for relative movement therewith. The lower supporting slide of the counterbalance member is provided with an inclined surface to permit the same to ride up and upon a track provided in the base of the longitudinal slot of the sash member stiles, in order to properly position the counterbalance member in a parallel aligned relationship with the sash member stile and position its upper end directly below its sash guide slide or cam. The bottom ends of the stile track are canted to permit the counterbalance lower supporting slide to ride up upon the track when the counterbalance is being interengaged with the sash member.

The stile tracks function to permit the counterbalance to be aligned properly flush relative to the outside edge of the sash side stile which aids in the easy removal of the sash member from between the window jamb members. The stile tracks also improve the interengaging qualities of the sash member with the counterbalance members by (a) eliminating frictional contact of the counterbalance member with the sash screwings connecting the side stiles with sash upper and lower rail members, the screw heads being below the level of the stile track and (b) providing, to the least minimal amount, frictional contact surface area between the counterbalance member and sash member when these two members are brought into interengagement.

The fourth principal object of the present invention is the provision of a releasably sliding window construction having a sill and lintel structure readily adjustable for variations in the size of window shells into which the replacement window is to be secured.

It is well-known in the replacement window industry that the original frame sill of a window shell may be disposed at any number of angles. The present invention provides for an adjustable sill angle which may be adjusted to the angle of the original frame sill for supporting a replacement window in a vertical position. An important feature of the sill angle resides in the provision of longitudinal scoring of both sides of the metallic angle to readily permit the stripping off of various incremental sections of the angle to permit the window to set more perfectly in a vertical position within the window opening or sill.

Thus, the sill angle with its scored sections provides a convenient structure for obtaining the proper sill pitch in installing the replacement window comprising the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an adjustably slideable header adapted to be received on the lintel of the replacement window to be adjusted and secured in position therewith and thus, take up the difference in space existing between the replacement window lintel and the header of the window opening or shell in which the replacement window is being installed.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a jamb filler to be installed along the jambs of the window opening or shell in order to properly align and plumb the replacement window upon installation of the same in the window opening. The jamb filler also may be provided with sealing means in order to seal the edges of the replacement window, relative to the window opening in which the same is being inserted, from the outside atmosphere.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a replacement window provided with dual weather seals between all operative parts of the window structure to eliminate the possibility of drafts caused by the difference between atmospheric conditions outside the replacement window and those found inside the building structure into which the replacement window has been installed. In this connection air infiltration tests have been conducted on the window structure comprising this invention and it was found that a static air pressure equivalent to that pressure exerted by a wind velocity of 25 miles per hour was exerted on the sash crack perimeter of 21.88 feet with a result that air infiltration was determined to be 0.60 cubic feet per minute per foot of crack length. The maximum permissible air infiltration is 0.75 cubic feet per minute per foot.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a replacement window which assures a weather tight draft-free installation, and at the same time can be readily installed from inside the building structure, per se. Also, each replacement window can be installed in groups with a special mullion provided therebetween.

Other objects and advantages of this invention appear hereinafter in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show for the purpose of exemplification, without limiting the invention thereto, certain practical embodiments of the present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the window structure comprising this invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the window structure of FIG. 1 with the sash members in place.

FIG. 2a is a vertical cross-section in part of the window structure of FIG. 1 showing cross-sectional detail of the sash interlock comprising this invention.

FIG. 2b is a detail of the construction of the sill angle shown in the window structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-section of the window structure of FIG. 1 with the sash members in place and showing detail of the window stabilizers.

FIG. 4 is a vertical view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing a portion of a window frame and of a sash member interengaged with a counterbalance mem ber for guided movement therewith.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the detail of the sash interlock comprising this invention.

FIG. 6 is a modified form of the biasing structure that may be used with the window stabilizers comprising this invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an end cap for the sash interlock comprising this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown the window structure 1 comprising this invention having the jamb members 2 and 3 connected together by the sill 4 and the lintel 5. The structure 1 is the type of window generally referred to as a double hung window having the upper and lower sash members 6 and 7, respectively, for vertical guided movement between the jamb members 2 and 3. In this connection it should be understood that there are certain features of this invention which may be readily applicable to window structures other than double hung windows. An example of this is the stabilizers 8 used properly center and plumb a window structure in a window shell or frame, the detail of which is explained further below.

The principal application of the window structure 1 is as a replacement window. Upon old wooden constructed windows becoming deteriorated due to environmental conditions, such as outside weather or inside excessive moisture and abusive treatment, as well as becoming inoperative, these windows may be easily removed from their window shells and a new window placed in the shell. The use of a metallic window structure, as is the window structure 1 of the present inventionjeliminates future replacement due to deterioration, whether from natural or unnatural causes. At the same time the sash members 6 and 7 are easily removed from between the jamb members 2 and 3 to permit their glass sections 9 to be easily cleaned as well as permit the whole window structure 1 to be properly maintained, if necessary, inside and out through the window opening after removal of the sash members 6 and 7.

Each sash member 6 and 7 is essentially the same and therefore reference hereinafter being made one sash member has equal application to its counterpart.

The sash members have side rails 10 and 11 and are connected at their ends by the upper and lower rail members 12 and 13, respectively. The ends of the upper rail member 13 are provided with what may be termed sash cams 14, but also may properly be referred to as sash guide slides. The sash cams or slides 14 perform an important feature of the present invention in permitting not only simple guided movement of the sash members between the jamb members 2 and 3 but also properly guide the sash members in their movement therebetween where only one side of the sash member is counterbalanced.

The sash earns 14 extend over the ends of the rail members 13 for aesthetic purposes as well as forming a blocking member to act as an abutment or stop when the sash member is raised to its highest position in the window structure 1. The body portion 15 of the sash cams is lodged and secured within the longitudinal stile channel 16 of the side stiles 10 and 11.

As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, each sash member is provided with one counterbalance 17 housed in one of the jamb members in this instance jamb member 2 and the sash side stile 10. The other sash stile is not supported on a counterbalance member but rather rides on the track 18 in the jamb member 3. The sash stile 11 contacts the single track 18 at the points of the sash cam 14 and the marginal edge slide 20.

The lower sash member 6 is provided with a sash lock or latch 21 which engages the sash lock hook 22 to pull together tightly the sash members to assure weather-tight draft-free securance of the members.

The lower sash member 6 has the sash handle 23 to easily raise and lower the lower sash member.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lintel may be provided with a channeled head expander 24 for vertical adjustment on the lintel '5 of the replaceable window structure 1 to selectively position the same to meet the exact dimensions of the window shell 25 in which the window structure 1 is to be installed. This is one of the many adjustment features of the window structure comprising this invention to take up excess clearance and space which is variable from one window shell to another where the replacement window is to be installed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the window structure 1 is in position in a window shell or casing 25 having a header 26, a frame sill 27 provided with a window sill 28 and side jambs 30 and 31. At the frame sill 27, the rear edge 32 of the sill 4 is slightly curved inwardly under the sill to firmly seat on the frame sill 27 and, more importantly, to provide adequate clearance for excess sill paint found to have been built up over years of painting the frame sill.

The other or front edge 33 of the sill 4 is provided to engage the sill angle 34 secured to the frame sill 27 by screws 35. Since the angle of the frame sill 27, relative to the horizontal, varies from window frame to window frame in which the window structure 1 is to be placed, the sill angle 34 is provided to mate with the front sill edge 33 to position the window structure 1 within the shell 25 in a vertical upright position. The sill angle 34 may be easily bent at 36 to the proper angle 37 which is the complementary angle of the sill angle noted as 38. For this purpose the angular corner 36 may be scored on its inside, as at 40, for its full length.

As shown in FIG. 2b, the upwardly extended flange 41 of the sill angle 34 may be provided with spaced scoring 42 on bot-h sides thereof so that longitudinal strips 43 may be removed from flange 41 as necessary to permit the window structure 1 to be held at a vertical upright position. Thus, the end of the flange 41 seats against the sill 4 and adjacent to the front sill edge 33. Due to the flexible rigidity of the sill angle 34, the flange 41 may be made to biasly embrace the edge 33 so as to hold firmly against the sill 4 and firmly support the window structure 1. This is especially desired when the Window structure 1 is being installed in the shell 25.

The scoring 42 is unique in that it permits removal of the strips 43, when necessary, by the application of a pair of pliers. The strip 43 may be stripped from the flange 41 by pulling on one end of the strip. The scored area, being small in cross-section, can be easily torn by hand with the aid of pliers.

Scoring may be provided on other parts of the window structure 1 such as on the upwardly extending flanges 44 and 45 of the lintel 5 or on the front sill edge 33 of the sill 4. In the case of the lintel 4, this permits adjustment between the lintel and the header 26 where the over-all length of the window structure 1 is slightly larger than the height of the shell or casing 25. Thus, the window structure 1 has the quality of being versatile, in that it can be applied to window casings 25 of various and irregular sizes. In addition, the head expander 24 is outwardly adjustable on the lintel 5 to efficiently take up the clearance room that may be existing between the header 26 and the replacement window structure 1.

The lintel flange 44 may be slightly curved at 46 for the same purpose as the rear sill flange 32. If the strip having this curved portion need 'be removed, the next successive strip can be easily bent inwardly to serve the same function.

Each of the sash members is provided with a glass insert 9 held by the sash glass supporting channels 47 formed on the rail members 12 and 13 and the side stiles 10 and 11. The glass inserts 9 are maintained in position by the U-shaped glazing strips 48 which have ribs 50 to grip in the channels 47. Thus, the rail members and the side stiles cannot be pulled away from the glass inserts 9.

It should be noted that the sash member side stiles and rails, as well as the jambs 2 and 3 and the sill 4 and lintel 5 are secured together by screws 51 which are of the self-treading type and thread themselves into the arcuate expandable sockets 52.-

As shown in FIG. 2, upon installation of the window structure 1, the same is initially held in its proper upright position by means of the jamb fillers 53 which are secured to the window casing jambs 30 and 31 by means of the screws 54. The jamb fillers 53 also take up the excess space previously occupied by the window structure 1 comprising this invention. The upper end of the jamb fillers 53 support the forward edge and shoulder 55 of the head expander 24. Thus the jamb fillers are cut to their proper length to flt along the length of the jambs 30 and 31 to include the height of the expander 24.

As noted in FIG. 3, the jamb fillers 53 are Provided with a shouldered groove 49 for their full length to receive the resilient seal member 59 to seal the space between the jamb fillers 53 and the outer surface of jamb members 2 and 3.

From FIG. 2 it will be noted that the window structure 1 is completely double weather stripped relative to the sash members 6 and 7, the interlock 75 therebetween and the jamb members 2 and 3, sill 4 and lintel 5. For the upper sash member '6, pile seals 57 are provided in the shouldered grooves 56 formed along the edges of the downwardly depending flanges 58 and 60 of the lintel 5. The flanges 58 and 60 form a channel 61 into which the rail member 12 of the upper sash member 7 may recede into upon being raised to its highest position bet-ween the jamb members 2 and 3.

The lower rail member 13 of the lower sash member 6 is adapted to engage the pile seals 57, one lodged in the pile groove 62 of the upwardly extending flange 63, and the other lodged in the pile groove 63 formed in the shoulder or step 64 of the sill 4.

As noted in FIG. 3, double weather stripping is also formed along the sash side stiles 10 and 11 which are provided with the shouldered pile grooves 65 to receive the pile seals 57.

The interlock is also provided with a pair of aligned pile grooves 66 and 67 to receive pile seals 57.

Thus from the foregoing, the window structure 1 is completely provided with double weather stripping between all sealing parts of the structure to prevent the intrudance of weather, dust, drafts, etc.

From the description of the structure shown in FIG. 2, the installation of the window structure 1 in the window casing 25 is commenced by securing the sill angle 34 to the frame sill 27 by the screws 35, after the sill angle has I been properly angularly adjusted and stripped along its flange 41, if necessary, to be supported in a vertical position on the sill 27.

The jamb fillers 53 are then cut to their proper length to be secured along the jambs 30 and 31, as shown. As mentioned previously, the jamb filler length is dependent upon the inside length of the jambs 30 and 31 and whether a head expander 24 is used. The jamb fillers are then secured to the jamb members by the screws 54.

The head expander 24 is placed over the flanges 44 and 45 of the lintel 5 and pushed downwardly thereon until the ends of the flanges 44 and 45 contact the upper surface of the expander 24.

Next, the window structure 1 is placed on the frame sill 27 against the forward edge of the window sill 28 and swung into position from the frame sill 27 until the head expander contacts the window frame member 68 and the jamb members 2 and 3 engage the seal members 59. The head expander 24 may, at the same time, be lifted from the lintel to extend the same to take up any excess space between the lintel 5 and the header 26 and also to position its forward shoulder 55 over the upper ends of the jamb fillers 35 so that the front surfaces of the jamh members 2 and 3 will directly engage the seal members 59 and compress the same to form a tight seal between the jamb members 2 and 3 and the jamb fillers 53.

The head expander may then be held in its proper position by means of the metal screws 69.

To complete the installation of the window structure 1, the stabilizers 8 plumb the window structure as well as equally align the same between the jambs 30 and 31. The screws 70 secure the window structure 1 to the shell or casing 25. I

The sash lock 21 is of a conventional type and is secured to the upper rail 12 of the lower sash member 6 by means of the screws 71. The sash lock hook 22 is secured to the lower rail 13 of the upper sash member by means of the screw 72.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2a, the lower sash rail member 12 is provided with a horizontal flange projection 73 which has a head portion 74 to form a cross-sectional configuration of a T to slideably receive the longitudinal slot 76 of the interlock member 75. The interlock 75 fills the gap formed between the rail members 12 and 13 of the adjacent sash members 6 and 7. The longitudinal slot 76 is in the form of two opposed inwardly facing flange members 79 supported on base 77 forming a slot therebetween and a channel 78 therein to receive the projection head 74. The pile groove 66 is formed on the opposite side of the channel 78 on the base 77. The other pile groove 67 is formed on the downwardly but angularly disposed flange member 80. Thus, the flange 78 together with the adjacent base 77 form a longitudinal slot 81 to receive the upwardly extended right-angle flange 82. of the upper sash rail member 13.

The pile seal 57 of the pile groove 66 seals against the right-angle flange 82 while the pile seal 57 of the pile groove 67 seals against the upper sash rail member 13.

The interlock 75 is an independent element of the sash members 6 and 7 and as such forms an important feature of the present invention since the interlock is shorter in length than the rail members 12 and 13 and is permitted to have lateral movement on interengaging support means in this instance in the form of the flange projection 73 and the interlock channel 78.

In window structures of the prior art, where double hung windows are concerned, the interlock between the sash members had to be notched if the sash members were to be removable from between the window jamb members. In order for the sash member to be removed from between the jamb members, it is necessary that the sash member be readily receivable in a channel of one of the jamb members so that the sash member could be laterally swung from the window structure after the same has been moved laterally into the jamb member. In such cases, the interlock between the sash members is permanently notched, as mentioned above, in order that the sash interlock would not interfere with the removal of the sash member. The notched interlock is undesirable in such window structures since a tight seal against outside elements cannot possibly be provided for in the gap between the sash members. The floating interlock of the present invention eliminates this undersirable structural necessity in such prior art windows.

The floating feature of the interlock '75 is best shown in FIG. 5 wherein the spacing shown by the arrow 83 represents the required distance to laterally move the sash member 6 deeper into the channel of the jamb member for laterally swinging the sash member away from between the jamb members 2 and 3. The interlock 75 is shown in FIG. 5 in its normal position. Stop means are provided on the ends of the interlock member 75 to limit the movement of the same on the flange projection 73. The stop means, as shown, consists of the adjustable set screw 84 provided at one end of the interlock being threadably secured in the interlock channel 78. The set screw 84 abuts one end of the interlock member 75. The stop means at the other end of the interlock channel 78 is also in the form of an adjustable set screw 85 threadably secured in that end. The set screw 85 abuts the spring means 87 housed in the interlock channel 78, the other end which abuts the other end of the flange projection 73.

The adjustable set screws 84 and 85 are self-threadable into the ends of the interlock channel 78, the set screws cutting threads into the small longitudinal abutment surfaces 86 along the inner edges of the inwardly facing flange members 79 as well as the back surface of the interlock channel 78.

The set screws 84 and 85 are stop means engaging the horizontal flange projection 73 to retain the interlock thereon. When the spring means 87 is inserted in the channel 78, the set screw 84 may be adjusted to centrally locate the interlock 75 relative to the rail member 12. This adjusted position would be the normal location of the interlock with the sash member 6 in position between the jamb members 2 and 3. Thus, the interlock 75, upon viewing FIG. 5, would be biased in the direction shown by the arrow 88, the inner end of set screw 84 resting against the end of the flange projection 73, as shown. The interlock 75 may readily be moved in a direction opposite to the arrow 88 compressing the spring 87, the energy of which will return the interlock to its normal position as shown in FIG. 5. The set screw 85 may be used to adjust for the desired spring tension of the interlock by threading the set screw inwardly in the channel 78 to further compress the spring 87. Upon lateral movement of the sash member 6 deeper into the channel of the adjacent jamb member, the interlock 75 will be forceably moved to the extent represented by the arrow 83 so that the sash member can be swung laterally away from and removed from the window structure 1, only to return to its normal adjusted position as shown in FIG. 5. This normal adjusted position would be that as shown in FIG. 3 wherein the interlock 75 is centrally located between the divider strips 90 of the jamb members 2 and 3.

The interlock 75 is provided with end caps 91 and 92. End cap 92 is shown in detail in FIG. 7, end cap 91 being opposite in detail. Each of the end caps 91 and 92 are provided with an opening 93 through which the set screw 84 or 85 passes to engage within the channel 78. The fingers 94 of the end caps 91 and 92 are formed for insertion into the ends of the interlock channel 78 to be received by the inwardly facing opposed flange members 79 and under the abutment surfaces 86. Thus, the adjustable set screws 84 and 85 threadably set into the end cap fingers 94 as well as the abutment surfaces 86 to maintain tightly the caps 91 and 92 on the ends of the interlock 75. In this connection, it should be noted that the caps 91 and 92 are also held in firm position by the expansion and separation of the fingers 94, by the set screws 84 and 85, against the flange members 79.

The flanges 95 and 96 of the end caps 91 and 92 fit over the ends of the interlock. As mentioned, end cap 92 is the opposite to that of end cap 91, and this in respect to the reverse opposite positioning of the flanges 95 and 96.

In connection with the interlock 75, it should be noted that there are many possible variations for interengaging support means to provide for a laterally movable interlock. For example, a longitudinal groove could easily be provided in the lower sash rail member 12 to slideably receive and retain the interengaging base or projection on the interlock member 75. Stop means in the form of the adjustable set screws 84 and 85 could be provided in the ends of rail member groove to limit the movement of the interlock within the confines of the rail member groove.

From FIG. 2, it will be noted that the sash lock 21 is fastened to the lower sash rail member 12 by means of the screws 71 with a substantial portion of the sash lock 21 overlapping the interlock 75. The sash lock 21 may therefore properly engage the sash lock book 22 and also perform as a back support for the interlock 75 upon interengagement of the interlock downward depending flange with the upwardly extending right-angle flange 82, since the interlock 75 does not intentionally fit tightly on the flange projection 73. Thus the sash lock 21 firmly supports the interlock 75 for firm interengagement with the flange 82 of the adjacent sash member 7 to insure that the cooperative flanges 80 and 82 engage their full extent one into the other as shown in FIG. 2.

The construction of the stabilizers 8 is clearly shown in FIG. 3. These stabilizers form another important feature comprising this invention. As previously mentioned in part, the jamb members 2 and 3 have a divider strip 90, which forms an inverted slot 97 ending in the extended sides 98 having along their length the inturned flanges 100. Connected to the sides 98 are the panels 101 which each form the bottom of the sash channels 102 of the jamb members 2 and 3. The outer face flanges 103 are, thus, secured to the other side of the panels 101. The panels 101, the divider strip and the outer face flanges 103 form the sash channels 102 for each jamb member.

From FIG 3 it will be noted that the primary differ ence between the jam- b members 2 and 3 is that jamb member 3 is provided with the sash tracks 18 secured along the sides of the divider strip 90.

The inner facing ends of the face flanges 103 are provided with a longitudinal groove 104 and thickened portion 105 to aesthetically improve the appearance of the window structure 1, while giving it also an appearance of rigidity.

The stabilizers 8 are housed in the outwardly open slots 97 and held therein by means of the stabilizer adjustment screw 106. The adjustment screw 106 is threadably secured to the projecting head 107 of each stabilizer 8, the head 107 having a base 108 comprising the two oppositely extending flanges 110. The stabilizer head 107 is provided with outturned flanges 111 on each side thereof and for its full length. The flanges 111 cooperate with the divider strip flanges 100 to limit the outward movement of the stabilizer Within the divider strip 90. Thus, the stabilizers 8 are retained within the jamb member whether the adjustment screw 106 is completely removed or not from the stabilizer head 107.

The coil spring 112 provides a resilientbias means for the stabilizers 8 to forceably maintain them outwardly of the divider strip 90. The flanges and 111 would thus be in engagement except for the positioning of the adjustment screw 106 to forceably retract, against the force of the spring 112, the stabilizer 8 into the outwardly open slot 97.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a modified form of the biasing means that may be used to provide the outward tensioning of the stabilizers 8 relative to the jamb members 2 and 3. Here, the leaf spring 113 not only provides this biasing means but also maintains alignment of the stabilizer relative to the jamb member to permit better plumbing of the window structure 1 within the casing 25.

As noted in FIG. 1, the stabilizers 8 are of substantially smaller length than the overall length of the jamb members 2 and 3.

In operation, the stabilizer adjustment screws 106 are tightened up as far as possible so that the stabilizers are drawn as far as possible into the jamb member slot 97. As explained previously above, the window structure 1 is then lifted into vertical position in the window casing 25 so that the outer facing flanges 103 engage the jamb fillers 53 and the head expander 24 is placed in its proper position over the ends of the fillers 53 as shown in FIG. 2. With the window structure thus positioned, the adjusting screws 106 of the stabilizers 8 may be let out by turning them counter-clockwise to permit the stabilizer bases 108 to extend and engage the casing jabs 30 and 31, taking up the spacing that may exist between the casing jambs 30 and 31 and the jamb members 2 and 3, respectively. Thus, the stabilizers function to permit th window structure comprising this invention to easily and adjustably fit various sizes of window casings into which the window structure is to be installed.

Also, the stabilizers 8 function to plumb the window structure relative to the casing 25. It is not uncommon to find that the casing jambs 30 and 31 are not perfectly plumb relative to the ground, especially in older homes and buildings. As such, the stabilizers 8 can temporarily support the window structure 1 from the frame sill 27 and the sill angle 34 to permit the installer to adjust the stabilizer screws 106 to permit the replacement window to be plumb irrespective of inaccurate positioning of the original casing jambs 30 and 31 or sill frame 27. In this connection, the flanges 111 alone, or together with the biasing means in the form of the spring 113, if utilized, prevent the window structure 1 from becoming misaligned relative to the already installed jamb fillers 53 and sill angle 34. Thus, the window structure may be readily plumbed in the plane of the window while not interfering with the plumb of the window structure in plane normal to the same.

Another function to be performed by the stabilizers 8 is to provide jamb tensioning means. The closing position of the sash members 6 and 7 should be made the tightest sealed position as far as the slideable parts of the Window structure 1 are concerned. Thus, the stabilizers 8 are positioned substantially midway of the jamb members 2 and 3 for this purpose as well as to properly plumb the window structure 1 in the casing 25 as explained above. While the stabilizers 8 are extended to meet and engage the casing jambs 30 and 31 and to properly plumb the window relative to the casing 25, tension is also placed against the jamb members 2 and 3 which are engaging the sash members 6 and 7. Optimum sealing of the sash members 6 and 7 relative to the jamb members will be provided for the sash members in these closed positions. Also the tensioning of the jamb members 2 and 3 improves the guided engagement of the sash members 6 and 7 within the sash channels 102 of the jamb members.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 where there is illustrated another important feature comprising this invention. The counterbalance 17 is shown in cooperative relationship with the sash member, which may be either of said sash members 6 and 7. The general structure of the counterbalance 17 is shown and described in E. H. Wood Patent No. 3,114,178 (20-522) and D. J. Dinsmore 3,358,404 (49-446) and, therefore, need not be repeated here in detail. The counterbalance 17 is provided with an elongated housing 114 having a tension spring assembly 115 comprising a coil spring 116 associated with a pulley arrangement 117 to provide a mechanical advantage. The inner end of the flexible cable 118 is secured at 120 and its outer end is secured to the hook 121 which clips on the shoulder 122 provided by the opening 123 in the bottom of the channel 102. Thus, the sash member places the associated spring assembly 115 under tension after the counterbalance 17 has been interengaged with the sash guide slide 14.

The ends of the counterbalance housing 114 are provided with supporting slides 124 and 125. The upper supporting slide 124 is secured to the housing 114 at 126 and has a toe portion 127 with an inclined surface 128. The slide 124 has a shoe 129 which engages the panel 101 in the sash channel 102. A resilient abutment 130 extends from the slide 124 into the sash guide slide 14. At this point it should be noted that the sash guide cam is provided with a beveled surface 132 and also has an outwardly extended abutment 133.

The lower support slide 125 is secured to the lower end of the counterbalance housing 114 by the rivets 134 and is provided with a toe portion 135 having an inclined surface 136. A shoe 137 is provided on the opposite side of the toe 135 of the supporting slide 125 to engage the panel 101 of the sash channel 102.

The side stile member of the sash members provided with a longitudinal slot or channel 138 the bottom of which is provided with a counterbalance track 140. The track 140 is needed in the bottom of the channel 138 in order to permit the counterbalance 17 to be flush with the outside edge of the sash stile member 10. Also the track 140 being raised from the bottom surface of the stile channel 138 eliminates the interference of the counterbalance member with the head of the sash member screws 141.

As shown in FIG. 3, the track 140 as well as the supporting slides 124 and 125 consist of pairs. The track 140 consists of inturned opposed flange members from the said walls of the stile member channel 138. The use of the support slides 124 and 125 in the counterbalance track 140 in the sash stile member 10 greatly improves the operation of the sash member in the sash channels 102 of the jamb members 2 and 3 since there is less friction contact of the movement of the counterbalance relative to the sash member and the jamb members.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ends of the counterbalance track 140 are canted downwardly at 142 toward the bottom of the side stile member channel 138 to provide minimal resistance of the counterbalance member supporting slide 125 when brought into position on the track 140. Thus, upon the sash member being brought downwardly to position in the sash channels 102 of the jamb members, the inclined surface 136 is permitted to ride up upon the canted surface 142 while, at the same time, the inclined surface 128 of the upper supporting slide rides up upon the inclined surface 132 of the sash guide 14 until the resilient abutment 130 of the supporting slide 124 rides over the outwardly extending abutment 133 of the sash guide 14, thus, interlocking with the same. The counterbalance member 17 takes the position as shown in FIG. 4 wherein the counterbalance member is parallel to the sash stile member 10 and adjacent thereto taking up the space provided in the sash channels 102. The supporting slide shoes 129 and 137 engage the panel 101 of the jamb members for slideable movement therealong. The counterbalance member 17 remains interlocked with the sash guide 14 and thus counterbalances the sash member through its tension spring assembly 115 to permit the sash member to be placed in any selected position along the length of the jam-b members.

In order to disengage the sash member from the counterbalance member 17, the counterbalance engaging means in the form of a spring clip 143 is housed in the openings 144 and 145 of the panel 101 of the jamb members 2 and 3. The spring clip 143 is provided with a flange 146 having an abutment 147 in order to maintain the flange 146 in the opening 144. The other end of the spring clip 143 is provided with the U-shaped spring member 148 which through the reverse turn 151 continues as the body portion 150 of the spring clip 143. As shown in FIG. 4, the spring clip 143 as to selective positions, one shown in solid lines and the other in the dotted outline 152. The two possible positions of the spring clip 143 are selectively controlled by the U-shaped spring member 148 wherein the upper portion 153 of the spring 148 may be permitted to biasly pass and rest against the sides of the opening 145.

When the spring clip 143 is in the dotted line position 152, the reverse inturn end 151 will engage the brace 154, as shown in FIG. 3, of the shoe 129 of the upper support slide 124. The counterbalance member 17 Will be thus stopped in its movement along the sash channel 102 and at the same time locked in the sash channel of the jamb member against further longitudinal movement within the sash channels 102. If the sash member is continually raised, the resilient abutment will be permitted to pass over the abutment 133 of the sash guide slide 14 with the counterbalance 17 riding down the inclined surface 132 of the guide slide 14 as well as the canted or beveled surface 142 of the counterbalance track 140. In reality, the guide slide 14 of the sash member and the lower supporting slide 125 of the counterbalance member 17 are moved away from engagement with the upper supporting slide 124 and the sash track of the sash member, respectively. Thus, additional space is provided in the sash channels 102 to permit the lateral movement of the sash member deeper into the sash channel in order that the same may be laterally swung away and removed from the window structure 1.

With the removal of the sash member between the channel members 2 and 3, if need be, the counterbalance member 17 may be removed from its corresponding jamb member by pushing the counterbalance member downwardly along the sash channel 102 to disengage the brace 154 from beneath the spring member 148 and reverse inturn portion 151 of the spring clip 143. The hook 121 of the counterbalance tension spring assembly 115 may then be readily removed from the opening 123 in the channel 102. This procedure is merely reversed in order to properly reinsert the counterbalance member 17 in the sash channel 102 of the jamb member.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper sash member 7 is provided with two counterbalance members 17, one in each of its sash channels 102. The lower sash member 6 is provided with only one counterbalance member 17 and thus the sash guide slide 14 on the opposite side of the sash member from the counterbalance member 17 is permitted to engage the sash track 18. The sash guide slides 14 are provided with the abutments 155 for the purpose of engaging the track 18.

In view of the nature of the supporting arrangement of the counterbalance member 17 substantially within the side stile channel 138, as above explained, it has been found that it is only necesary to provide one counterbalance member 17 to permit eflicient operation of a sash member 6 or 7 in the sash channels 102. The sash member supported only on one counterbalance mernber 17, as shown in FIG. 3 in connection with the lower sash member 6, does not permit the sash members from becoming cocked or jammed in the sash guide channels 102. The elimination of any binding of the sash member in its travel between the parallel jamb members in view of the positioning of the counterbalance member in interengagement with the support slide 14, a substantial portion of the counterbalance member being directly under the guide slide 14 and thus carrying a substantial portion of the weight of the sash member. The counterbalance member in its interengaged position with the sash member does not thrust the sash member against the opposite sash channel wherein the sash member guide slide 14 on this opposite side is in slideable engagement with the sash track 18. For these reasons, two counterbalance members 17 are not needed for a single sash member although the same is illustrated in FIG. 3 in connection with the upper sash member 7.

The use of two counterbalance members will permit the removal of the sash member upon the disengagement of one of the counterbalance members from its corresponding sash guide slide. In view of the sash track 18 as shown in FIG. 3, in connection with the lower sash member 6 and its positioning well above the panel 101 of the sash channel 102, the sash member 6 cannot be removed from between the jamb members until disengagement of the counterbalance on the opposite side of the sash member from its corresponding sash guide slide.

I claim:

1. A sliding sash window frame having lintel and sill members connected to parallel jamb members, cooperative slideably adjacent sash members having top and bottom rail members with side stiles slideably guided in sash channels in said jamb members, said sash members in their closed position in the frame forming a gap between adjacent rail members characterized by a laterally movable interlock member positioned between said adjacent rail members closing said gap, interengaging support means on one of said adjacent rail members and said interlock to slideably support the latter, a cooperative flange member on the other of said adjacent rail members to interengage with said interlock member, and stop means on the ends of said interlock member to limit the movement of the same on said support means.

2. The sliding sash window frame of claim 1 characterized in that said interengaging support means comprises a horizontal flange projection on one of said adjacent rail members extending into said gap toward the other of said adjacent rail members, said interlock member having a longitudinal slot slideably receivable on said horizontal flange projection, said stop means positioned in the ends of said interlock member slot to engage the ends of said flange projection.

3. The sliding sash window frame of claim 1 characterized by adjustable abutments included in said stop means in each end of said interlock, and spring means between one of said abutments and one end of said interengaging support means to bias the lateral movement of said interlock member on said support means in one direction relative to said window frame jamb members.

4. The sliding sash window frame of claim 3 including opposed sash channels in said jamb members between outer face flanges and a divider strip of said jamb members, characterized by a counterbalance member in each channel of one jamb member, inturned flange means in each channel of the other jamb member, guides on one side stile of each of said sash members to ride on said inturned flange means, a longitudinal slot in the other side stiles of said sash members to operatively receive their respective counterbalance members, one end of said interlock member engaging said divider strip between said jamb sash channels containing said counterbalance members to move said interlock member toward the opposite jamb member containing said inturned flange means upon insertion of said sash member in said jamb sash channels to receive said counterbalance members and position said sash member guides on said inturned flange means, said interlock member thereafter retained between said jamb divider strips.

5. The sliding sash window frame of claim 1 characterized by a downwardly depending flange on said interlock member, and an upwardly extending flange on the other said adjacent rail members to overlap and engage said downwardly depending flange to close said gap between said adjacent sash rail members.

6. The sliding sash window frame of claim 5 characterized by seal means on the faces of said downward depending flange to engage and seal against the faces of said upwardly extending flange on said other sash frame cooperative rail member.

7. The sliding sash window frame of claim 5 characterized by a second interengaging support means on said other adjacent rail member, said upward extending flange slideably receivable on said second interengaging support means, and stop means on the ends of said upwardly extending flange to limit the movement of the same on said second support means.

8. The sliding sash window frame of claim 7 characterized by adjustable abutments included in said stop means at each end of said second interengaging support means, spring means between one of said abutment and one end of said second support means to bias the lateral movement of said upward extending flange on second support means in one direction relative to said window frame jamb members.

9. The sliding sash window frame of claim 7 characterized in that said second interengaging support means comprises a horizontal flange projection on the other of said adjacent rail members extending into said gap toward said one adjacent rail member, said upward extending flange having a longitudinal slot slideably receivable on said horizontal flange projection, said stop means positioned in the ends of said slot to engage the ends of said flange projection.

10. A window frame having lintel and sill members connected to parallel j amb members each of which has opposed sash channels between outer face flanges and a. divider strip, characterized by an outwardly open slot in at least a portion of each jamb member divider strip, a pair of stabilizers each having a base with a projecting head, one for each of said jamb members and with its head extending into a respective outwardly open slot of said divider strip, said stabilizers being of a fraction of the length of said jamb members, and securing means to fasten said stabilizers intermediate of said jamb members to plumb the window frame within a window opening.

11. The window frame of claim 10 characterized by resiliently biased means in said securing means to selfadjust said window frame relative to each side of said window opening.

12. The window frame of claim 11 characterized by inturned flanges along the longitudinal edges of said divider strip slots, cooperating outturned flanges on said stabilizer heads to limit the outward biased position of said stabilizers in said slots by said resiliently biased means.

13. The window frame of claim 12 characterized in that said stabilizer outturned flanges are disposed longitudinally along the head of each of said stabilizers to permit the latter to move in said divider strip slots in a direction substantially normal relative to the longitudinal extent of said jamb members.

14. The window frame of claim 10 characterized by a counterbalance member in each channel in one of said jamb members, inturned flange means in each channel in the other of said jamb members, a sash member for each opposed pair of channels in said jamb members, guides on one side stile of said sashmember to ride on said inturned flanges, a longitudinal slot in each of the other side stiles of said sash members to operatively receive their respective counterbalance member, a supporting slide on each end of said counterbalance members to ride in its respective channel in said one jamb member, and resiliently biased means in said stabilizer securing means to selectively adjust the tension applied to said sash members in their guided movement in said opposed sash channels of said jamb members.

15. A sliding sash window frame including lintel and sill members connected to parallel jamb members having opposed sash channels between outer face flanges and a divider strip, characterized by a counterbalance member in each channel in one jamb member, inturned flange means in each channel in the other jamb member, a sash frame for each opposed pair of channels in said jamb members, guides on one side stile of said sash frame to engage and ride on said inturned flanges, and a longitudinal slot in the other side stile of said sash frames to operatively receive their respective counterbalance member.

16. The sliding sash window frame of claim 15 characterized by a supporting slide on each end of each counterbalance member to ride in its respective channel in said one jamb, and a sash guide slide at one end of each of said other side stile longitudinal slots to cooperatively interengage with the corresponding supporting slide of its respective counterbalance member.

17. The sliding sash window frame of claim 16 characterized by an abutment on and an opening in each of 1 7 said cooperating slides to interengage with one another, and a cam surface on at least one of said cooperating slides to guide the abutment of one of said cooperating slides into the opening of the other of said cooperating slides when the sash frame is moved into operative position on its respective counterbalance member.

18. The sliding sash window frame of claim 17 characterized by a cam surface on both of said co-operating slides to guide their respective abutments into interengaging position and support. the sash frame in said opposed sash channels for movement therealong.

19. The sliding sash window frame of claim 17 characterized by a counterbalance engaging means in each channel of said one jamb member to engage the supporting slide on one end of said counterbalance members to disengage the same from its co-operating sash cam and permit the removal of the sash frame from between said parallel jamb members.

20. In a window structure having lintel and sill members connected to opposite parallel jamb members having sash guide channels to receive a sash member, the stiles of said sash members adapted to receive sash counterbalance means for travel engagement with said sash member to permit slidable movement and selective fixed positioning of said sash member between said parallel jamb members, said window construction characterized by sash guide slides in each upper corner of said sash member, said sash counterbalance means comprising an elongated housing, a tension spring assembly secured within said housing to biasly engage said sash guide slides, a counterbalance supporting slide secured to each end of said housing for slidable engagement in said sash guide channels, a resilient abutment protruding from the upper of said supporting slides to resiliently pass over an outwardly extended abutment on said sash guide slides to removably interlock said sash counterbalance means with said sash member for relative movement therewith.

21. The window structure of claim 20 characterized in that said upper supporting slides have a toe portion, counterbalance engaging means positioned in the bottom of said sash guide channels to engage said toe to disengage said sash counterbalance means for said sash member and permit the removal of the latter from within between said parallel jamb members.

22. The window structure of claim 21 characterized by a track in the bottom of the sash member stile channels and inclined at its lower extent to meet with the bottom of said stile channels to receive said counterbalance supporting slides, the lower of said counterbalance supporting slides having an inclined surface to permit the same to ride up and on said track and substantially align said sash counterbalance means within and parallel with said sash member stile channels below said sash guide slides for direct aligned and biased engagement therewith.

23. The window structure of claim 20 characterized by a sash counterbalance means in only one of said sash guide channels of one of said parallel jamb members to biasly support said sash member between said jamb m mbers, an inturned flange means in said opposite jamb guide channel, abutment means on said sash guide slide to engage said inturned flange means for slidable movement therealong.

24. The window structure of claim 23 characterized in that said upper supporting slide in said counterbalance means has a toe portion, counterbalance engaging means positioned in the bottom of said sash guide channel of said one parallel jamb member to engage said toe to disengage said sash counterbalance means from said sash member and permit the removal of the latter from within between said parallel jamb members.

25. The window structure of claim 23 characterized by a track in the bottom of the sash stile channels and beveled at its lower extent to meet the bottom of said stile channels to receive said counterbalance supporting slides, said counterbalance supporting slides having an inclined surface to ride up on said sash guide slide and said track bevel, respectively to adjacently align said counterbalance in parallel alignment with said sash stile channel below said sash guide slide for direct aligned and biased engagement therewith.

26. In a window structure having an upper sash and a lower sash each having upper and lower rails and side stiles and counterbalanced between parallel jamb members, an interlock between said sashes to provide a weather tight seal when said sashes are in their farthest most extended positions relative to one another, said interlock characterized by a laterally movable interlock member slidably supported on one of said sashes and having an interengaging longitudinally disposed flange, an interengaging longitudinally disposed flange on the other of said sashes to interengage with said interlock member interengaging flange, said interlock member laterally movable relative to said jamb members to permit the removal of the interlock carrying sash from within between said jamb members.

27. The window structure of claim 26 characterized by spring means to bias said interlock in a selected position relative to said supporting sash, adjustable abutments included in said interlock member to select the tension of said spring means.

28. The window structure of claim 26 characterized by adjustable abutments included in said interlock member to adjustably center said interlock member relative to said sashes and said parallel jamb members.

29. The window structure of claim 26 characterized by seal means on said interengaging flanges to engage and seal therebetween in their cooperative interengaging position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,246,346 11/ 1917 Stephens 49-453 X 1,833,766 11/1931 Westerheim 49-432 2,032,726 3/ 1936 Storck 49432 X 2,781,111 2/1957 Kunkel 49434 3,169,283 2/ 1965 Gerulis 49-422 3,206,804 9/1965 Perry 49-4"18 3,239,892 3/1966 Johnson 49-4l7 X 3,290,825 12/1966 Adams 49431 DAVID J. VVILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. I. K, BELL, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

Disclaimer 3,449,862.A Zemrmdew J. Biro, Indiana, Pa. \VINDOV STRUCTURE. Patent dated June 17, 1969. Disclaimer filed Dec. 18, 1969, by the assignee, Season-A ZZ Industries, Inc. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 20 and 21 of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette March 31, 1.970.]

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