WO1995034739A1

WO1995034739A1 - Window structure

Info

Publication number: WO1995034739A1
Application number: PCT/CA1995/000334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Octavio M. Camara
Original assignee: Camara Octavio M
Priority date: 1994-06-10
Filing date: 1995-06-07
Publication date: 1995-12-21
Also published as: CA2125604A1

Abstract

In window units comprising a window sash or frame (5) and a moveable sash (15) carrying panes of glass (16', 16'') thereon, the sash being adapted for movement to an open and a closed position relative to the frame. There is a collapsible screen means, preferably of sheet plastic, either translucent or clear, and preferably of MylarTM, appropriately perforated so as to allow air to pass when in the open extended position and adapted to travel, in one aspect, between opposite members of the frame so as to enclose an overcovering between sash and frame, when fully open, and to collapse when in the closed position so as to not overcover the opening between sash and frame. This requires that the flexible MylarTM screen be constructed as an accordion-like member with bevels which extend open or collapsed closed depending upon the position of the screen.

Description

WINDOW STRUCTURE

This invention relates to window structures, and in particular, to window structures having built-in fly screens.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is now common in building construction, especially housing construction, to use prefabricated windows that are secured in place in rough framing, usually prior to application of sheathing on the exterior of the building, and of gypsum board covering on the inside of the building. For convenience, the units are supplied with all necessary hardware including locks, hinges and fly screens, and often mechanical means for opening and closing the window, such as a crank and linkage.

In warm climates, the fly screen associated with such units is necessary to prevent the entry of undesired insects such as mosquitoes. Indeed, in some climates, the absence of a fly screen would make comfortable occupancy of the building almost impossible.

In my Canadian Patent No. 1,298,518, issued 7 April, 1992 for a WINDOW STRUCTURE, I have disclosed a window having a sash and frame equipped with a fly screen that does not obstruct the view through the window when the latter is open or closed. The disadvantage with this type of window structure is that the fly screen is rigid and therefore, the depth of the frame and sash must be sufficient to encapsulate the screen when put into the closed position. This is most clearly seen in Figure 3 and Figure 1 of the aforesaid patent. The width or depth of the sash therefore, has to be increased in order to accommodate such fly screen and this adds to costs and is not as pleasing to the eye, when the window is viewed from the outside since the window sash or frame protrudes outwardly from the wall.

It is an object of the invention to overcome this problem; to reduce the depth of the sash, and yet to provide a collapsible fly screen which, when in the closed position, is essentially non-viewable, while in the open position to provide screening from insects and the passage of air flow through the screen. For hinged windows, the flexible screen nests into the sash and always maintains a clear view through the glass without the impediment of ever having an overcovering screen.

This is achieved by having a flexible fly screen structured as an accordion-like arcuately folding member fabricated from a flexible porous sheet plastic sheet, clear or translucent, shaped as a perforated arcuately folding accordion.

In one embodiment, the invention contemplates that the screen be integral with the sash and window during construction and in another embodiment, can be a retro-fit screen to an existing window and sash, the window being movable to an open position so as to allow airflow into the room while providing fly protection or screening. In a further embodiment, the screen is a flexible accordion-like member but linearly folding to collapse out of view of the viewing portion of the window. This requires guide rails to ensure proper collapsing of the accordion.

THE INVENTION

The invention therefore contemplates, in one aspect, a window unit comprising a window sash frame, a sash hingeably mounted to said sash frame for pivotal movement between a closed position juxtaposed with the sash frame, and an open position in which a space is defined between the sash frame and sash and, a collapsible screen means attached between sash and frame and adapted to enclose, when in the open position, that space between sash and frame and to nest closed in a collapsed state when sash and frame are in the closed position.

Particularly, the collapsible screen means is structured as a bellow from sheet plastic material which is either translucent or clear and preferably from a durable plastic sheet, for instance, that of Mvlar™. The collapsible screen means is structured as bellows which is affixed to the inner portion of the sash, on the one hand, and the window sash or frame, on the other hand, so that when the sash is in its pivotable open position collapsible screen means occupy the peripheral margin about and between the same so as to provide screening. There are a plurality of apertures in the plastic sheet material so as to provide air flow therethrough.

In yet a further embodiment of my novel screen, the same is a flexible Mylar™ accordion structure that tracts along rails to and fro over a window opening and that window opens and closes either by vertical sliding movement or horizontal sliding movement.

The invention therefore contemplates the collapsible screen being an accordion defining gussets which are adapted to be juxtaposed one to another, when in the fully closed position. This is accomplished by a guide rail which constrains the gussets so that when they collapse, they collapse in juxtaposed position while yet allowing the accordion screen means to extend open. In this respect, each gusset defines an aperture through which a strand extends and this acts as the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side perspective view with the window opening along its sash side element;

Figure 2 is a section along lines II-II of Figure 1, the section being through a wooden sash; the bottom sectional view being identical thereto;

Figure 3 is a side, partial section view of my novel window wherein the sash is extruded and the accordion-like screen is integral therewith;

Figure 4 is a bottom section view of my novel accordion-like screen as a retrofit in an existing two-pane extruded sash; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of my invention that is employed with a window sash frame that slides either vertically to open or close or, horizontally; Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of

Figure 5, the lower element of the window sash frame being removed;

Figure 7 is a section along lines VII-VII of Figure 6.

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, a window sash frame (S) comprises an upper element (10) and left and right side elements (11) and (13) together with a lower element (12) . The upper element (11) is formed from a single section of suitable material and the side and lower elements (11, 12, and 13) of the same material. The material in Figure 2 is shown as wood while in Figures 1, 3 and 4, is extruded aluminum. The left side element (11) is also the hinge side element while the right side element (13) is also the open side element. The sash (15) is hingeably mounted (not clearly shown) , in the normal fashion along the hinge side (11) so that it pivots open. It holds a window pane (16) with double glass (16', 16").

Along the inner peripheral margin (17) is an accordion like screen (20) with gussets (21) creating a plurality of bellows (22) which are shown relatively open in Figures 1 and 2, and closed in Figures 3 and 4. Each gusset (210) defines apertures, not clearly shown, so as to construct the accordion-like screen. Preferably, the material from which the accordion-like screen is constructed is a flexible force plastic sheet, translucent or clear, shaped as an accordion, and defining a plurality of small apertures in each gusset so as to provide screening characteristics when in the open position. In the retrofit cross-sectional Figure 4, the accordion-like screen (21') is shown collapsed and is within a U-shaped cross-sectional housing (30) . The outermost gusset, noted as (24) in Figures 2, 3 and 4 is adhesively affixed to (or attached by other suitable means) to a piece of square, in cross section, stock (35) that has an appropriate adhesive along the side, referenced (36) in Figure 4. The housing (30) has a single adhesive surface (37) on one of its distal arms. Together, these elements are referenced (50) .

Referring to Figure 4, when the window opens, the square-in-section element (35) moves with the window (15) to provide screening, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 3, the sash (S) is constructed so that my novel screen (20) is built into the internal peripheral surround of the sash, as shown. As such, the bellows (22) nest within a U-shaped member (30) wherein at least three sides, preferably four, thereof can be affixed to the internal portions of the extruded sash by convenient means such as welding, riveting, gluing or the like. The outermost gusset (24) terminates on a base strip (25) which is appropriately adhered to or affixed to the internal margin (17) of the window (15) , along at least three sides and preferably four. In these Figures 4 and 5, (30) is a crank which causes the window to open by turning the same and operating the internal mechanism, shown as (35) within the window sash. In the cross-section. Figure 2, there is a lock which is integral to the crank so as to lock the window closed.

Referring to the embodiment of Figures 5 through 7, a screened window sash frame (SWS) has with upper element (510), left and right side elements (511) and (513), and a lower element (512) . The upper element (511) is formed from a single section of suitable material and preferably can be extruded, U-shaped in section, plastic material with mitered joints at opposite ends; similarly with the lower element (512) and the opposite side elements (511) and (513) . Between lower and upper extremities of the side elements (511) and (513), is mounted a strand (525) that is terminated at opposite ends by fasteners (527) .

The Mylar™ linearly collapsing accordion-like screen (20) has, in each of the plurality of gussets (21) creating the bevels (22), an aperture (21') through which the strand (525) extends so as to act as a guide rail for the collapsing screen (20) and to securely hold the same within either the lower or the upper members (512) and (510) , irrespective of the position of the linearly collapsing accordion-like screen (20) , whether it be in the fully or partially extended, thus, screened closed position or alternatively, in the fully collapsed and unscreened position, not shown.

The screened window sash can be a retrofit which, as a total unit, fits into an existing window or sash structure, particularly if the opening mechanism allows it to open the window either vertically or horizontally, the latter not being shown.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A window unit comprising:

(a) a window sash frame:

(b) a sash juxtaposedly mounted to said sash frame for movement between a closed and an open position relative to said sash frame; and,

(c) a collapsible screen means adapted to be disposed in said frame over said sash and adapted to enclose, when in the open position, that space between said sash and frame and when said sash is in the non-closed position and to nest in a desired collapsed state on desire whether said sash or frame are in the relatively fully open or partially open or closed position.

2. A window unit comprising:

(a) a window sash frame;

(b) a sash hingeably mounted to said sash frame for pivotal movement between a closed position juxtaposed with the sash frame, and an open position in which a space is defined between the sash frame and sashi and,

(c) a collapsible screen means attached between sash and frame and adapted to enclose, when in the open position, that space between sash and frame and to nest closed in a collapsed state when sash and frame are in the closed position.

3. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the collapsible screen means is configured as bellows.

4. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is a sealing means connected to the peripheral edge of the collapsible screen means so as to attach at least three edges thereof to the hingeable sash, and to three edges of the window sash frame.

5. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the collapsible screen means is constructed in the shape of an accordion from a sheet plastic material.

6. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the collapsible screen means is constructed in the shape of an accordion from a sheet plastic material which is translucent.

7. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the collapsible screen means is constructed in the shape of an accordion, from a sheet plastic material which is clear.

8. The window unit as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the collapsible screen means is formed as an accordion, using gussets structured so as to create a plurality of bellows, each gusset defining a plurality of apertures therethrough so as to create screening.

9. The window unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for guiding the collapsible screen means so the screen nests, one gusset upon the other, in juxtaposed position when fully closed.

10. The window unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collapsible screen means is in the form of an accordion defining gussets which are adapted to be juxtaposed one to another when in the fully closed position.

11. The window unit as claimed in claim 10, including a guide rail adapted to constrain the adjacent gussets to collapse in a juxtaposed position, when in the fully closed position.

12. The window unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein each gusset has an aperture therein through which runs a guide rail in the form of a strand attached to opposite members of the frame so as to constrain the accordion screen to track along the rail and then, so when in the fully collapsed position, each gusset is juxtaposed one to another.

13. The window unit as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 9, wherein the collapsible screen is fabricated from a Mylar™ sheet perforated and defining a plurality of apertures sized small enough to inhibit bugs from passing therethrough.

14. The window unit as claimed in claim 10, 11 and 12, wherein the collapsible screen is fabricated from a Mylar™ sheet perforated and defining a plurality of apertures sized small enough to inhibit bugs from passing therethrough.