US3641705A

US3641705A - Window unit

Info

Publication number: US3641705A
Application number: US62974A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans Schmidlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-04-11
Filing date: 1970-08-11
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15
Also published as: CH509496A; DK130363C; LU58381A1; SE358702B; DE1759241B1; NL145317B; AT312238B; GB1226223A; FR2006094A1; NL6905647A; AT309763B; FI47421B; DK130363B; FI47421C; BE731438A

Abstract

A window unit comprises a frame which surrounds a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction. A pair of window panels are received within the confines of the frame and together close the opening. Means mounts at least one of the window panels for horizontal sliding movement in the general plane of the opening as well as for tilting movement transversely to this general plane.

Description

Unite States Patent Schmidlin [54] WINDOW UNIT [72] Inventor: Hans Schmidlin, Bruelweg 47, Aesch,

Switzerland [22] Filed: Aug. 11, 1970 9/1955 Schoen ..49/223 X Feb. 15,1972

3,120,033 2/1964 Andres ..49/420 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 88,682 0/1957 Norway ..49/155 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Att0rney-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT A window unit comprises a frame which surrounds a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction. A pair of window panels are received within the confines of the frame and together close the opening. Means mounts at least one of the window panels for horizontal sliding movement in the general plane of the opening as well as for tilting movement transversely to this general plane.

12 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUFEB 15 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVI'ZNTOR HANS SCHMIDLIN ATTORNEY WINDOW UNIT This is a continuation of my earlier application Ser. No. 814,428, filed on Apr. 8, 1969 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a window unit in general, and more particularly to a window unit utilizing window panels at least one of which is horizontally slidable as well as tiltable transversely of the direction of sliding movement.

Window units of the type in question are already known. They enjoy increasing popularity in private rooms, offices, schools and in similar applications because on the one hand they make it possible to expose a large area of the frame opening completely, if this is desired, whereas on the other handthat is if the appropriate window panel is tilted out of the general plane of the opening of the window frameonly a relatively small opening will be provided in the window for ventilation purposes.

One construction of this type which is known to me suffers from a variety of disadvantages, including relatively complicated construction, relatively complicated operation, the fact that when the tiltable panel is tilted only a small and inadequate opening will be provided which is not sufficient to provide proper ventilation, and other problems. Among these should be mentioned that this known construction provides inadequate sealing in the closed position of the window unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has as its general object to overcome these disadvantages.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination window unit having at least one panel which is slidable horizontally and which can also be tilted out of the general plane of the window opening with a resultant gap which is large enough to provide adequate ventilation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a window unit which is to reliably be tight under all circumstances when it is closed.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such a window unit which is uncomplicated in its construction and simple to use.

In accordance with one feature of my invention, I provide a window unit which comprises a frame surrounding a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction, and a pair of window panels received within the confines of the frame and together closing the opening thereof. Finally, I provide means mounting at least one of the window panels for horizontal sliding movement in the general plane of the opening as well as for tilting movement transversely to the general plane.

By contrast, the known window unit of the type under discussion requires whenever the window is to be opened that the movable window panel first be tilted out of the general plane of the window opening and that it then be drawn inwardly into the interior of the room provided with the window unit until it is again located in a plane parallel to its closure plane. Only then can it be horizontally moved but not in the general plane of the frame opening.

In accordance with my invention, I have found it advantageous if at least the uppennost frame portion bounding the opening is provided with a ridge extending horizontally as well as projecting into the opening in downward direction, with at least the uppermost edge portion of the movable panel being provided with a channel in which the ridge can be sealingly sealed. If my window unit is constructed in this manner, then it is necessary, in order to permit tilting of the movable panel, that the unit be provided with lifting means or shifting means which normally lifts the movable panel up wardly so that the ridge is received in the channel, and which lowers the panel when it is desired to tilt the same, whereby the ridge is withdrawn from the channel and does not impede the tilting movement of the panel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window unit or assembly according to the present invention, as would be seen from the interior of a room in which it is installed, and with one movable panel in closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. I but with the movable panel shown in inwardly tilted condition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the movable panel shown horizontally displaced;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale of the sealing connection between the upper edge of the movable panel and the frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates the view of FIG. 4 but with the movable panel in lowered condition;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detailed view illustrating the upper connection of the movable panel with the frame;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic detail view on an enlarged scale and partly in vertical section showing the means for lifting the movable panel;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan detail view of portions of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8a is a section on line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the panel in lowered condition; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic detail view partly in vertical section and on an enlarged scale, of the roller cages shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, it will be seen that the frame of my novel unit or assembly is generally identified with reference numeral 4. It is elongated in horizontal direction and bounds a window opening in which there are received two window panels I, la which together close the window opening. In the illustrated embodiment both of the panels I, la are slidable in horizontal direction, that is in the direction of elongation of the opening of the frame 4, as indicated by the arrows, but it is evident that only one of the panels need be so slidable if it is desired.

FIG. 1 illustrates the window unit in closed condition. FIG. 2 illustrates that the window panel is not only slidable in the direction of elongation of the opening of the frame 4, but also tiltably inwardly into the room in which the window is assumed to be installed. As evident from FIGS. 1 and 3, the panel 1 can be slidingly displaced in the direction of the arrow associated therewith not only when it is in the position shown in FIG. 1, that is when it is located in the general plane of the opening of the frame 4, but also when it is tilted inwardly out of this general plane, as shown in FIG. 3.

In accordance with well-known practice, the panels I, la will usually be constituted of glass which is secured in its own frame of wood, metal, plastic or the like. Details concerning this need not be discussed because they are well known. It is pointed out, however, that in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper portion of the frame 4 is provided with a downwardly extending rib or ridge 3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening in the frame 4. Conversely, the upper portion of the frame of at least the window panel 1 is provided with a channel 2 into which the ridge 3 extends when the panel is in the position illustrated in FIG. I. Sealing means may be provided, for instance, on the side walls bounding the channel 2, as in FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrated in form of brushlike sealing strips 5. Of course, other sealing means can also be used. The purpose is to assure that the sealing means 5 will engage the rib 3 when the same is received in the channel 2 so as to provide a seal against dust, moisture and the like.

It will be understood, of course, that the same type of sealing arrangement will also be provided on the panel In, although if the latter is not tiltable in the manner of the panel I, the rib 3 will remain in constant engagement with the sealing means 5.

If the embodiment of FIG. 4 is chosen, that is the embodiment where the rib 3 extends into the channel 2, tilting of the panel 1 in manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 would be impossible unless adequate provision is made. Accordingly, I provide means for raising and lowering the panel 1 in manner indicated in FIG. 1 by double-headed arrow. This means will be discussed subsequently with respect to FIGS. 7-10. At the present time it will suffice to point out that in FIG. 4 the panel 1 is shown in its uppermost position in which the rib 3 is received in the channel 2 in sealing engagement with the sealing means 5, whereas in FIG. 5 I show the panel 1 in its lowermost position wherein the rib 3 is withdrawn from the channel 2. Actually, it would be more accurate to state that channel 2 has been downwardly withdrawn away from the rib 3. Be that as it may, because the rib 3 is now no longer received within the confines of the channel 2, the panel 1 can be tilted in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Of course, when the panel I is to be tilted, it is necessary to prevent it from falling entirely out of the frame 4. As shown in FIG. 6, I provide means for preventing this, such means having the form of gliders or guide blocks 8 (only one shown) which are engaged in the uppermost portion of the frame 4 and are slidable in the longitudinal direction of the frame opening. There are two such gliders 8 provided located at opposite lateral edges of the panel 1, but only one thereof together with its associated components will be described because they are both identical. The glider 8 pivotally carries a strip-shaped member or stay arm 7 which is provided with longitudinal slots 6, and a nonillustrated screw, pin or the like extends through the slots 6 and into lateral portion of the frame of the panel 1 (which latter is also not illustrated in FIG. 6) so that, when the panel 1 is tilted from the position of FIG. 1 to that of FIG. 2, the pin will slide in the slot 6 and the member '7 can turn about its pivot connection with the glider 8. A locking member or detent means 24 of any suitable construction may be provided for preventing undesired separation of the gliders 8 from the upper portion of the frame 4, that is from the portion carrying the rib 3. It is secured to block 8 by a screw 25 or analogous means and received in the guide channel defined by the profiled rib 3.

My novel lifting means for the panel I is illustrated in FIGS. 7-10. As shown there, it comprises two rods 9 which are mounted in the lower portion 21 of the frame (see FIG. 8a) and which can be shifted in the direction of the double-headed arrows seen in FIG. 7 by turning a crank 10 (compare FIG. 8) which serves as the actuating means for the rods 9 and which in known manner and via a known gear transmission effects this shifting. The gear transmission itself is not shown in FIG. 8 because it is already well known in the art and forms no part of the novel lifting means. However, it will be appreciated that the rods 9 are to be either simultaneously drawn towards one another or to be simultaneously moved away from one another, as indicated by the double-headed arrows in FIG. 7.

Interposed between the bottom portion of the frame 4 and the bottom portion of the frame surrounding the panel 1 are two cages 13 which in the illustrated embodiment have two oppositely and mutually inclined end faces 12, (compare FIGS. 7 and I0) and of which the end faces 12 are directed towards one another, the cages 13 being spaced longitudinally so as to be located on opposite end portions of the panel 1. The bars 9 are located in the space between the cages I3 and are provided with inclined surfaces 11 which will ride up on the respective end faces 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 7 when the bars 9 are moved away from one another. In this manner the bars 9 lift up the panel I to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. When the bars 9 are drawn towards one another, as shown in FIG. 9, the surfaces ll slide downwardly over the end faces 12 and the bars 9 move downwardly with the underside of the panel 1, allowing the same to descend to the position of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

Located within each of the cages 13 are two roller bodies 14 provided with axles or shafts 15 whose opposite end portions are each received in an elongated slot 16 provided in the opposite side walls I7 of the respective cage 13, the slots being located opposite one another and being inclined to the horizontal. This is clearly shown in FIG. 10. Each of the roller bodies 14 is seated in an insert member 18 of trapezoidal shape and a wedge member 19 is located between the two insert members I8 for motion-transmitting purposes.

The end faces 20 of the respective cages 13 abut against oppositely upwardly inclined abutment surfaces 22 on end stops 26 which are provided at the lower portion 21 of the frame bounding the panel 1.

It will be appreciated that when the rods 9 are moved away from one another as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the panel I is raised to its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 4 in which the rib 3 of the frame 4 is located within the confines of the channel 2 in sealing engagement with the sealing means 5. In this position the panel 1 can be moved in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 1-3.

If it is desired to tilt the panel I to the position shown in FIG. 2, then the two rods 9 are moved towards one another as shown in FIG. 9, so that the panel 1 moves to its lowermost position with the rib 3 being withdrawn from the channel 2, or rather the channel 2 being withdrawn from around the rib 3, as shown in FIG. 5. The weight of the panel is distributed via the free ends 11 of the rods 9 and the abutment surfaces 22 onto the cages 13. Now the panel can be tilted inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2 and is held against falling out of the opening of the frame 4 by the members 7.

From the position shown in FIG. 2, the panel 1 can now also be moved horizontally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and in this case the members 7 with their associated glide members 8 move along with the panel 1. If it is desired to increase the stability of the arrangement, the two members 7 which are located at opposite lateral sides of the panel I, could be rigidly connected with one another. This is not shown, but how this can be accomplished will be evident to those skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 guarantees a constant and uniform loading of the individual roller bodies 14, and that unevennesses in the lower portion 23 of the frame 4, on which the roller bodies 14 roll, are automatically compensated, with the provision of the

members

18 and 19 guaranteeing an almost absolutely constant position of the panel 1 independently of any such unevennesses.

The opening obtained when the panel 1 is tilted to the position as shown in FIG. 2 can be almost freely selected, by the length of the slots 6 provided in the member 7, and its maximum limit is determined only by the extent to which it is practical to have the panel 1 make it project inwardly into the room.

It will be appreciated that the construction disclosed herein is very versatile, very simple, and very easy to operate. It will be additionally appreciated that the location of the rib 3 within the confines of the channel 2 when the panel is in the position shown in FIG. 4, guarantees that the window is tight and will remain tight regardless of whether ambient wind exerts pressure or section upon the panel 1.

The cages 13 are loosely located in the recess portion 21 of the frame surrounding the panel I. This guarantees very simple maintenance and very simple repair. The frame portion 2] may, if desired, have only point contact with the cages 13 to prevent canting of the roller bodies with respect to the frame portion 23 when the panel is tilted to the position of FIGS. 2 and 3.

To provide increased protection against unauthorized opening of the panel 1 from the outside, it may be advantageous if the construction is such that the panel 1 can be shifted horizontally only when it is in a strictly vertical position. This can be done by providing arresting means according to the concept such as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 wherein the frame portion 23 of the frame 4 is provided with a suitable depression or recess 28 and wherein a prior analogous element 27 is fast with the panel and enters into the recess 28 when the panel 1 is displaced vertically.

The glide members 8 may of course be made of various different materials, as also the members 7. Metal, or particularly in the case of the glide members 8, synthetic plastic material are among those suitable for this purpose. If it is not desired that the member 1 be horizontally slidable when it is in tilted condition, that is in the manner shown in FIG. 3, then the construction illustrated may be modified so that the panel 1 will be connected with the members 7 only when the panel 8 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Different ways will be evident to those skilled in the art for accomplishing this, and by way of example it may be mentioned that there could be suitable coupling means provided on the members 7which would then be stationarily mounted on the frame 4and on the panel 1, and which will engage when the panel 1 is moved horizontally to its position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Finally, it should also be mentioned that the lifting means of FIGS. 7-10 may be omitted, if desired, without omitting the sealing means of FIG. 4. In this case it would then be necessary to make one of the lateral walls bounding the channel 2, or the rib 3, tiltable about an axis extending in the direction of elongation of the opening of the frame 4, with biasing means being preferably provided to urge the particular tiltably mounted member to its normal position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 4. Of course, whichever one of the elements is mounted in this manner would have to be mounted for tilting movement about this axis to both sides of the same, and movement of the panel 1 to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 would then be effected by drawing the panel 1 inwardly and at the same time deflecting the tiltably mounted component inwardly, whereas when the panel 1 is to be withdrawn to its position shown in FIG. 1, it would be pressed outwardly-as seen with respect to the interior of the room-with the tiltably or turnably mounted component yielding until the panel 1 is in its vertical position and being restored by its biasing means when the upper edge of the frame bounding the panel 1 has moved past it.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a window unit, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. A window assembly comprising a frame surrounding a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction; a pair of window panels each having a lower portion, said window panels being received within the confines of said frame and together closing said opening; and means mounting at least one of said window panels for horizontal sliding movement as a unit in the general plane of said opening as well as for tilting movement as a unit transversely to said general plane about a tilting axis extending in said lower portion of said one panel.

2. A window assembly as defined in claim 1, said frame having an upper frame portion bounding the upper edge of said opening and being provided with a ridge element elongated in direction of sliding movement of said one window panel; and said one window panel having an upper edge provided with an elongated upwardly open channel arranged to accommodate said ridge element in sealing relationship.

3. A window assembly as defined in claim 2, said means comprising shifting means operative for shifting said one panel between an upper sliding position in which said ridge element is received in said channel, and a lower tilting position in which said channel is downwardly spaced from said ridge element so that the latter cannot interfere with tilting of said one panel.

4. A window assembly as defined in claim 3; further comprising arresting means operative for preventing horizontal sliding of said one panel when the latter is in said lower position.

5. A window assembly, comprising a frame surrounding a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction, said frame having an upper frame portion bounding the upper edge of said opening and being provided with a ridge element elongated in said direction; a pair of window panels received within the confines of said frame and together closing said opening, at least one of said window panes having a lower edge portion and an upper edge provided with an elongated upwardly open channel arranged to accommodate said ridge element in sealing relationship; and means mounting said one window panel for horizontal sliding movement in the general plane of said opening as well as for tilting movement transversely to said general plane, said means comprising shifting means including a pair of cages interposed between said frame and said lower edge in contact with the latter and spaced in direction of sliding movement of said one window panel, said cages each having an upwardly inclined surface facing the other cage, roller bodies in the respective cages and rolling on said frame, and a pair of sliding bars received between said lower edge and said frame and each being slidable toward one of said inclined surfaces so as to ride up on the same and thereby shift said one window panel from a lower tilting position in which said channel is downwardly spaced from said ridge element, to an upper sliding position in which said ridge element is received in said channel.

6. A window assembly as defined in claim 5, said lower edge being provided with a downwardly open groove elongated in said direction, and said cages being loosely received in said groove.

7. A window assembly as defined in claim 6, said cages each having an additional upwardly inclined surface facing away from and being upwardly inclined in direction towards the respective first-mentioned surface, and said groove being pro vided with a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly inclined surface portions against each of which one of said additional upwardly inclined surfaces abuts so that the respective cage is arrested.

8. A window assembly as defined in claim 5; further comprising a plurality of inserts in said cages and each engaging one of said roller bodies, each of said roller bodies comprising a shaft about which it turns, and said cages having opposite side walls extending in said direction and being provided with a plurality of pairs of opposite registering slots inclined with respect to said direction, each slot of each pair receiving an end portion of one of said shafts.

9. A window assembly as defined in claim 8, said inserts being of substantially trapezoidal outline; and further comprising wedge-shaped motion-transmitting members received in said cages and interposed between successive ones of said inserts.

10. A window assembly, comprising a frame surrounding a frame opening elongated in horizontal direction; a pair of window panels received within the confines of said frame and together closing said opening; and means mounting at least one of said window panels for horizontal sliding movement in the general plane of said opening as well as for tilting movement transversely to said general plane, said means comprising elongated strip members each having a longitudinal slot and each having an end portion connected to said frame at an upper frame portion thereof for sliding movement in said direction and for turning movement about an axis coincident with said direction, and connecting means extending through the respective slots and connecting said strip members slidably and turnably to an upper portion of said one window panel.

11. A window assembly as defined in claim 10; further comprising guide members mounted in said upper frame portion for sliding movement in said direction, said end portions of said strip members each being connected to one of said guide members for turning movement about said axis.

12. A window assembly as defined in claim 11; further comprising detent means detaining said guide members against undesired separation from said upper frame portion.

Claims

7. A window assembly as defined in claim 6, said cages each having an additional upwardly inclined surface facing away from and being upwardly inclined in direction towards the respective first-mentioned surface, and said groove being provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly inclined surface portions against each of which one of said additional upwardly inclined surfaces abuts so that the respective cage is arrested.