Patent ID: 6698139
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: E05D,E05Y

Abstract:
A sliding sash window assembly which comprises a fixed rectangular outer frame securable in a window aperture in a building, upper and lower window units mounted in the fixed outer frame and one of said units being relatively movable between an open position and a closed position of the window assembly, respective rectangular frames for said units arranged to permit a lower horizontal frame member of the upper unit to be located alongside an upper horizontal frame member of the lower unit when the window assembly is closed and a locking element for locking the frame members to each other in the closed position and thereby preventing unauthorized attempts at forced opening of the window assembly, in which:(a) the rectangular outer frame has side frame members in which counterweight arrangements are housed and which are operable to control the upward and downward sliding movement of said one movable window unit in said outer frame, the side frame members having facings to conceal the counterweight arrangements from view; (b) each counterweight arrangement includes an elongate tensile element which is connected to one end to a lower end region of said one movable window unit and which is connected at its opposite end to a load which is housed behind the respective facing whereby one portion of the elongate tensile element is also located behind the facing, and another portion of the elongate tensile element extends upwardly of said lower end region of said one movable window unit and alongside a side frame thereof during raising and lowering movement of said one movable window unit; and, (c) each elongate tensile element is routed through an aperture in a respective one of the facings which is located generally at the level of the lower horizontal frame member of the upper unit and the upper horizontal frame member of the lower unit in the closed position of the window assembly so that, when in this position, the aperture is concealed from view and the tensile element also is not visible.