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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to windows, and, more particularly, to windows
having one or more sashes that are tiltable or rotatable out of the window
frame for cleaning and the like. 2. Related Art
It is common practice in modem window manufacturing to construct windows
from a variety of materials, such as wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl,
fiberglass and composites of such materials. It is also common to
manufacture double hung, single hung and slider type windows such that the
sash or sashes of such windows may be tilted or pivoted inwardly to permit
easy cleaning and removal.
In one typical example of windows of this type, the frame of a double hung
window includes a step-down type main frame jamb and the inner sash is
approximately one inch wider than the outer sash. The frame and the sash
are made of vinyl. This type of design is conducive to using top surface
mounted tilt latches that engage the frame on both ends of the horizontal
surface of the sash to lock the sash in position and resist undesired
rotation or tilting thereof. The latches must be activated to release the
sash and permit pivotal movement thereof. The latches are typically spring
loaded, thereby requiring the simultaneous activation of both latches,
requiring the user to use both hands to open the window. In addition, with
this type of window, when a sash is in an open position, only the tilt
latch holds the upper portion of the sash in the frame. If the tilt latch
becomes stuck in the retracted position, the sash could fall inward
unexpectedly, thereby resulting in an inoperable window. Moreover, the
unexpected inward tilting of the sash could damage the window or cause
injuries to persons inside the structure.
There remains a need for a window having a pivoting sash which can be
disengaged from the frame by individually activating the latches, with one
hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a window having a frame and at least one sash. The
frame includes a sash opening therein and at least one sash engaging
surface. The sash includes at least one frame engaging surface and is
slidably mounted in the sash opening of the frame so that the frame
engaging surface at least partially engages the sash engaging surface. At
least one sash stop is mounted in the frame and is movable between an
extended position and a retracted position. The sash stop is structured to
maintain the sash in position in the sash opening when the sash stop is
extended. The sash stops include resilient members mounted between the
frame and the sash stop for urging the sash stop into the extended
position. At least one latch is rotatably mounted. The latch is positioned
adjacent to the sash stop and is rotatable between a closed position in
which the latch does not engage the sash stop and an open position. In the
open position, the latch engages and depresses the sash stop to permit the
sash to be moved thereby so that the sash can be at least partially
removed from the frame.
In one embodiment, one end of the sash is rotatably mounted to the frame
and the other end may be rotated out of the frame when the latch is
opened.
The invention also includes a process for making a window. A plurality of
frame members are joined to form a window frame having a sash opening and
at least one sash engaging surface. A plurality of sash members are joined
to form a window sash having at least one frame engaging surface. At least
a portion of the sash is translucent or transparent. The sash is slidably
mounted in the sash opening of the frame. The sash engaging surface at
least partially engages the frame engaging surface. At least one sash stop
is mounted in the frame so that the sash stop is movable between an
extended position and a depressed position. The sash stop is positioned to
maintain the sash in position in the sash opening when the sash stop is in
the extended position. Resilient means are provided between the sash stop
and frame for urging the sash stop into the extended position. At least
one latch is rotatably mounted on the sash and is positioned adjacent to
the sash stop. The latch is rotatable between a closed position and an
open position. In the closed position, the latch does not engage the sash
stop. In the open position, the latch engages and depresses the sash stop
whereby the sash may be at least partially removed from the frame.
It will be appreciated that this invention may be used with single hung
windows, double hung windows, slider windows and tilt/slider windows.
It is an object of this invention to provide a window and a method of
making a window having a sash which is at least partially removable from
the frame.
It is another object of this invention to provide a window and a method of
a window that includes at least one rotatably mounted latch for releasing
the sash from the position within the frame.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a window and a method
of making a window which provides more than one latch, each of which may
be individually opened or closed by the user using one hand.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a window and a method
of making a window wherein the sash may be pivoted out of the frame.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a window and a method
of making a window which may be utilized in single hung, double hung,
slider or tilt/slider type windows.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a window and a method
of making a window which may be used with windows made of virtually any
types of materials.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the
description of the preferred embodiment on reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double hung window of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the window of FIG. 1
taken through line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the window of FIG. 1 taken through
line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of a sash of the window of FIG. 1
showing the latch in an open position.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of a sash of the window of FIG. 1
showing a latch in a closed position.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of single hung window of this invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slider window of this invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the method of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double hung window 2 of this
invention. Window 2 includes a frame 4 having a sash opening 6 therein.
Frame 2 includes a generally inwardly facing sash engaging surface 8
around the perimeter of sash opening 6. In this embodiment, frame 4 is
made of a plurality of frame members that have been joined in a manner
known to those skilled in the art to form the generally rectangular frame
2. Frame 2 of this type of window is generally higher than it is wide.
Two sashes 10, 12 are slidably mounted for generally vertical movement in
sash opening 6 of frame 4. In addition, sashes 10, 12 are rotatably
mounted in frame 4 about hinge points 9, 11 at the bottom portions
thereof. Hinge points 9, 11 may be conventional hinges or other pivoting
devices known to those skilled in the art. Sashes 10, 12 are rotatable
about a generally horizontal axis between hinge points 9, 11. Each sash
10, 12 includes a generally rectangular sash frame 14 surrounding pane
portion 16 (such as a transparent glass pane or a translucent panel). The
sash frames 14 are preferably made by joining a plurality of sash members
in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Likewise, pane portion 16
is secured in sash frame 14 in a manner known to those skilled in the art.
Each sash includes at least one frame engaging surface 18. Sashes 10, 12
are mounted in sash opening 6 so that sash engaging surface 8 of frame 4
at least partially engages frame engaging surface 18 of sashes 10, 12.
Sashes 10, 12 are mounted in offset relationship with respect to one
another so that they may be vertically slid to open and close the window
2. A lock 20 may be mounted on the sashes to lock them in the closed
position.
The frame members and sash members are preferably made of vinyl and are
cladded with wood on the interior (with respect to the structure in which
the window is mounted) surfaces thereof. It will be appreciated, however,
that the window frame and sash may be made of any suitable material, such
as wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass and may be cladded on the interior
and exterior surfaces as desired.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, two sash stops 22, 24 are mounted in
frame 4 on each of opposite sides of sash opening 6. Sash stops 22, 24 are
positioned to engage sash 10. Projection 26 and sash stop 22 are
positioned to engage sash 12. Sash stops 22, 24 are movable between an
extended position (as best shown in FIG. 2) and a depressed or retracted
position (as best shown in FIG. 3) with sash stop 24 . The space between
outer sash stop 22 and inner sash stop 24, when the sash stops are
extended, defines a track or channel in which inner sash 10 is mounted.
The space between outer sash stop 22 and projection 26 on frame 4 defines
the track, or channel, in which outer sash 12 is mounted. When sash stops
22, 24 are extended, they maintain sashes 10, 12 in position in frame 4.
Sash stops 22, 24 include resilient means for urging the sash stop into the
extended position. The resilient means preferably is a foam pad or strips
28 or a spring 30 mounted between the sash stop 22, 24 and frame 4 in
frame channels 29. The resilient means must be compressible to enable the
sash stops 22, 24 to be urged into the retracted position. Sash stops 22,
24 are preferably generally "T" shaped in cross section. The enlarged head
32 of the sash stops preferably engage the resilient means and holds the
sash stop in place in a reentrant throat 34 formed in frame 4.
Sash stops 22, 24 are preferably made from the same material from which the
window frame 4 is made, such as vinyl, but may be made from any suitable
materials known to those skilled in art. In a preferred embodiment, sash
stops 22, 24 are elongated and generally are coextensive with the vertical
sides of sash opening 6 of frame 4. It will be appreciated, however, that
the sash stops may be mounted in any desired configuration.
The resilient means are preferably foam strips 28 that are coextensive with
the length of sash stops 22, 24. In a preferred embodiment, foam strips 28
are made from polyurethane ether foam with a mylar film attached to the
interior face thereof. The mylar film retards mechanical deterioration of
the foam and protects it from airborne pollutants, chemicals, window
cleaning agents and the like. It will be appreciated, however, that any
suitable resilient means may be used.
Referring again to FIG. 1, two latches 40, 42 are mounted on an upper
portion of each sash 10, 12 adjacent to sash stops 22, 24. Latches 40, 42
are preferably mounted on opposite sides of the upper portions of the
vertical sides of the sash frames 14 of sashes 10, 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, latches 40, 42 are individually rotatably
between a closed position (FIGS. 2 and 5) and an open position (FIGS. 3
and 4). Latches 40, 42 are preferably mounted in a recessed portion 43 on
the sash on which they are made so that the exterior surfaces of latches
40, 42 are generally flush with frame engaging surfaces 18 on such sash.
As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 5, in the closed position,
latches 40, 42 preferably do not extend beyond the extent of the thickness
of sash frames 14 and do not engage sash stops 22, 24. With latches 40, 42
in the closed position, the sashes 10 for example, may be raised and
lowered on the track formed between the sash stops 22, 24 to open and
close the window. When latch 42 on the inner sash 10 is rotated inwardly
to the open position, it engages inner sash stop 24 and forces it into the
retracted position, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. When both latches
40, 42 on inner sash 10 are in the open position thereby depressing inner
sash stops 24, the top end of inner sash 10 may be rotated inwardly about
hinge points 9, 11, thereby permitting access to the exterior surface of
sash 10 from the interior of the structure. Likewise, when latches 40, 42
of outer sash 12 are rotated into the open position, outer sash stops 22
will be engaged and depressed and outer sash 12 may be rotated about hinge
points 9, 11 (see FIG. 1). As outer sash 12 is rotated, latches 40, 42
will engage inner sash stops 24 and force them into the retracted position
to permit outer sash 12 to be rotated therepast. The bottom portions of
sashes 10, 12 will remain in place in frame 4 when the top portions
thereof are rotated inwardly, as discussed hereinbefore. The frame
engaging surfaces near the bottom portions of the sashes 12 and 10 will
engage sash stops 22 and 24, respectively, to hold them in the depressed,
or recessed, position while the sashes are so rotated. Latches 40, 42 are
preferably constructed of an ultraviolet resistant, die-east polycarbonate
material. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable material,
such as aluminum, steel, nylon or other plastic-like material, may be
used. When sashes 10, 12 are rotated back into position in frame 4,
latches 40, 42 may be outwardly rotated to the closed position, thereby
permitting sash stops 22, 24 to return to the extended positions. Window 2
is then again ready for normal use.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred embodiment of latch 42 is shown. It
will be appreciated that latch 40 is preferably generally the same
configuration as latch 42, except it will be a mirror image of latch 42.
Latch 42 is generally an inverted "L"-shape. Accordingly, the following
description of latch 42 also applies to latch 40. The outer edges of latch
42 are provided with chamfered surfaces 44 44,including labels 44A, 44B,
44C, 44D, 44E for convenience of reference in FIGS. 2-5 to assist in easy
engagement and depression of 40 is rotated. The outer edges are preferably
chamfered at an angle of about 15 to 45 to eliminate the sharp comers that
would be created by the intersection perpendicular surfaces of the latch
and to assist in engagement of latch 40 and the sash stops. The comers of
the sash stops may also be chamfered to further assist in engagement of
the latches and the sash stops. Latch 42 is rotatably mounted to sash 10
using a screw 46 or other suitable fastener. The axis of rotation of latch
42 is eccentric with respect to the general geometric center of latch 40.
Preferably, the center of rotation (about screw 46) of latch 42 is about
1/2 to 3 inches from the upper surface 48 of latch 42. The center of
rotation of latch 42 is also preferably about 1/2 to 2 inches from the
sash stop immediately adjacent thereto. In addition, the inner bottom
surface 50 of latch 42 may be beveled (51) to engage sash frame 14 to
create a stop for inward rotation of latch 42. Latch 42 preferably rotates
about 10.degree. to 120.degree. to engage the immediately adjacent sash
stop.
Latch 42 may also be provided with a user engagable projection 52 extending
from the upper edge 48 thereof. Projection 52 creates a handle that the
user may engage to rotate latch 40 as desired. It will be appreciated that
each latch 40, 42 may be rotated into the opened or closed position
independently of the position of the other latches. The force of the sash
stop pushing against the open latch and the friction between the latch and
the sash will hold the latch in the open position while the opposite latch
is opened, thereby enabling a user may open and close the latches
independently of one another.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an embodiment of this invention in a
single hung window. This window is of generally the same configuration and
structure of the window shown in FIGS. 1-5, except that only the inner
sash is movable. The upper, or outer, sash is fixed in position. The
reference numbers used to describe the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 are also
used to identify like components of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of this invention. Window 60 is a
tilt/slider type window having at least one horizontally sliding sash.
Frame 62 is generally wider than it is high, and otherwise of generally
the same configuration and structure as the frame of the window of FIG. 1.
Sash stops 64, 66 are mounted on the horizontal portions of frame 62, as
discussed hereinbefore with respect to the sash stops of the embodiment of
FIG. 1. At least one sash 68 is mounted in frame 62 for generally
horizontal sliding movement. In addition, sash 68 is rotatably mounted to
frame 62 for rotation about a generally vertically oriented axis of
rotation on one end thereof at hinge points 70, 72. Latches 74, 76 are
rotatably mounted on the upper and lower portions of sash 68 thereof
adjacent to the comers of sash opposite hinge points 70, 72. In operation,
window 60 works in substantially the same manner as window 2, described
hereinbefore, except that sliding movement of sash 68 is in the horizontal
direction rather than vertical and rotation of sash 68 is about a vertical
axis rather than a horizontal axis. The configuration of latches 74, 76 is
substantially the same that of latches 40, 42 described hereinbefore.
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic representation of the
method of this invention. A plurality of frame members 100 are joined to
form a window frame 102. Frame 102 has a sash opening 104 and at least one
sash engaging surface 106. A plurality of sash members 108 are joined to
form at least one sash frame 110. A translucent or transparent pane 112 is
mounted in sash frame t0 110 to form a window sash 114. Sash 114 includes
at least one frame engaging surface 116. Each sash 114 is slidably mounted
in frame 102 so that frame engaging surface 116 at least partially engages
sash engaging surface 106. Each sash 114 is also rotatably mounted in
frame 102 on hinges 115 (or other pivoting device known to those skilled
in the art) so as to be rotatable generally inwardly about a horizontal
axis through hinges 115. The window thereby formed is shown as a double
hung window having two generally vertically movable sashes 114. However,
it will be appreciated that this method could also be used to make a
single hung window or tilt/slide windows. Sash stops 118, 120 are mounted
in the vertical members of frame 102. Sash stops 118, 120 are movable
between an extended position and a retracted, or depressed, position. Sash
stops 118, 120 are structured and positioned to maintain sashes 114 in
position in frame 102 when sash stops 118, 120 are in the extended
position. Resilient means 119, such as a foam strip or a spring, are
mounted between sash stops 118, 120 and frame 102 for urging sash stops
118, 120 into the extended position.
Latches 122, 124 are rotatably mounted on the vertical members of sash 114
adjacent to the upper ends thereof. Latches 122, 124 are rotatably movable
between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position,
latches 122, 124 do not engage sash stops 118, 120. In the open position,
latches 122, 124 engage and depress sash stops 118, 120 to permit the sash
114 to be rotated generally inwardly about hinge 115 for cleaning and the
like. After cleaning, sash 114 may be rotated back into position in frame
102. Latches 122, 124 are independently rotatable.
It will be appreciated that this invention provides a window having at
least one inwardly pivoting sash that may be disengaged from the frame by
independently operating the locking latches, and a method of making such a
window.
Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described for
purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art
that numerous variations in detail may be made without departing from the
invention defined in the appended claims.
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