Abstract:
An apparatus for providing improved egress and greater safety for subterranean window wells. The apparatus has relatively low lifting force to allow people to escape fires and earthquake damaged buildings through egress windows. The apparatus can include mounts which are U-shaped and fit over opposing sides of the window well wall and are connected thereto. The mounts may have pivots which connect to an operator that applies upward force upon a grate assembly that covers the window well. The mounts and grate are hinged to pivot and allow the grate to be opened when needed. The operator has swivel and ball connections and an adjustable outboard connector.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field of this invention is egress and safety apparatus for subterranean window wells. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Both the law and practical safety considerations require or suggest that a person be able to exit a basement through a direct route to the outside. This is particularly important in times of emergency, such as during fires or even earthquakes. This is commonly accomplished via subterranean windows with removable sashes to provide an egress port. These are sometimes herein referred to as subterranean egress windows. These subterranean windows require adequate size to allow the passing of a human being. In many jurisdictions there are specific size requirements for egress windows to escape from the basement or similar partial or fully subterranean location. 
     In order to assure adequate space on the outside of the window, the area adjacent to the window is typically dug out and walled off. This is commonly done with preformed corrugated metal window well shells. Such window well shells help to sustain a window well which is an opening, void or space of adequate size to allow passage by a human from the basement or the structure. 
     Window well shells are commonly installed so as to have a rim extending several inches above ground level to help prevent water and debris from easily dropping into the well. This rim creates a tripping hazard which is unsafe. There has been a long-felt need to prevent people from inadvertently tumbling into such window wells and still not pose a hindrance to escape. The known prior approach has been to place a relatively heavy grate which merely rests upon the upper rim of the window well shell. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating to and helping to describe preferred versions of the inventions are explained and characterized herein, often with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein also serve as part of the disclosure of the inventions of the current application. Such drawings are briefly described below. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment according to the inventions hereof shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a closed position taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a intermediate position taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a open position taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a intermediate position taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a second embodiment according to the inventions shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in a open position. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged exploded view showing a preferred form of outboard connector used to connect an operator to a preferred grate assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the outboard connector and swivel and ball joint of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the outboard connector and swivel and ball joint of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the outboard connector and swivel and ball joint of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Introductory Note 
     The readers of this document should understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology used in any section of this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and the language common therefor as may be known in a particular art and such as provided by dictionaries. Widely known are Webster&#39;s Third New International Dictionary, The Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition), and The New Century Dictionary, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein and for application and use of words defined in such references to more adequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and concepts shown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words having meanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts. 
     This document is premised upon using one or more terms with one embodiment that may also apply to other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention. Wording used in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text of both claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into the description entirely in the form as originally filed. Terminology used with one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing and defining the technology and exclusive rights associated therewith. 
     The readers of this document should further understand that the embodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features used in any section or embodiment shown in this document and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and language common therefor. This document is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects of the invention and provide additional embodiments of the inventions. 
     Basic or General Configuration 
     Two embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 1-8 .  FIG. 9  shows a detail common to both embodiments. The first embodiment, the currently preferred embodiment, is illustrated in the form of apparatus  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . A second embodiment is illustrated in the form of apparatus  200  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Similar items exist between the two embodiments and are thus labeled with similar reference numbers; the first embodiment uses a series of labeling while the second embodiment uses a 200 series. For example items  101  and  201  are similar for the respective first and second embodiments. This applies unless otherwise stated. 
       FIGS. 1-6  show a preferred egress and safety apparatus  100  for window wells according to the inventions. Apparatus or assembly  100  includes among other important features the basic parts which are a grate assembly  101 , mounts  120  and  121  for attaching the grate to a window well shell or more simply called a window well  70 , and an operator  130 . 
     A preferred form of operator  130  is a sealed piston compressed gas charged spring which applies an upward biasing force tending to open the outboard or front portion of the grate assembly  101 , as will be further explained below. The operator has inboard and outboard connectors  131  and  132 , respectively, ( FIG. 2 ). The connectors  131  and  132  are different and are specially configured for attaching the operator to mount  120  and grate assembly  101 , respectively, as will be detailed below. 
     The rear of the grate assembly is attached to hinges  122  and  123 . These hinges are secured to mounts  120  and  121  in a suitable manner, such as by fasteners  124  ( FIG. 1 ). Hinges  122  and  123  allow the grate to pivot when sufficient upward forces are applied. The mounts are bolted to the window well shell  70  and allow the assembly  101  to be adjustably anchored upon the shell  70  at a suitable position spaced from a structure to provide clearance as needed for proper operation and pivotal movement of the grate. On mount  120  is an stud  125 . Stud  125  secures the lower or inboard end of the operator  130 . The upper or outboard end of the operator is attached to the grate via a outboard operator connector. The operator  130  aids in lifting the outboard or front of the grate pivoting the assembly  101  toward an open position. The operator  130  allows the grate assembly to be opened with a small amount of upward force, for example 5-10 pounds, so that even a child, older person or other less capable person may escape from the window well  50 . 
     Egress Window, Window Well and Well Shell 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show the window well  50  as the open space adjacent to the egress window  60  shown in phantom in  FIG. 5 . This well space is necessary for the movement of a person through the egress window. The window well  50  is surrounded and maintained by the window well shell  70 . The egress window and well shell  70  are properly sized for escape. As a person climbs through the egress window the grate assembly  101  is pivoted open with the lifting assistance of the operator  130 . This is important because the escaping person is in an awkward position. For people of weak condition it is even more important to allow quick escape, such as from a burning building. 
     Grate Assembly 
     Grate assembly  101  can be made in different configurations and of various suitable materials. As shown, the preferred grate assembly includes an array of grate members which preferably extend approximately fully across the grate. This provides improved strength. The grate advantageously includes lateral cross members  102  and one or more intersecting members, such as medial intersecting member  103 . The intersecting member  103  as shown is transverse to the cross members, and more particularly is approximately perpendicular thereto. The grate may be constructed with the intersecting member or members advantageously positioned below crossbars  102 . Cross member  103  provides increased rigidity and load bearing capabilities. The crossbars and intersecting member may advantageously be made of reinforcing steel provided with ridges which aid in traction should a person have need to stand upon the grate. 
     The grate assembly  101  also preferably includes an L-shaped front or outboard perimeter piece  104 . Perimeter piece  104  is configured to complement the shape of the window well shell. The back of the grate assembly includes back perimeter piece  105 . Perimeter pieces  104  and  105  are joined together, such as by welding to form an integrated grate perimeter frame. As shown, the back perimeter piece  105  has an upstanding leg of the L-shaped or angle shaped piece. 
     The perimeter frame has crossbars  102  and intersecting member  103  connected. This is advantageously done in steel and the crossbars and intersecting member  103  are attached thereto by welding. The front perimeter piece has the cross members  102  attached thereto. The intersecting member  103  is attached to the front perimeter piece at the front and to the back perimeter piece at the back. 
     The back perimeter piece  105  preferably serves as the mounting piece for hinges  122  and  123  to the grate frame. Bolts  124  are used to detachably secure the hinges to the grate frame. The grate is thus capable of pivoting on the hinges rotating upward into an open position and back down into a closed position. 
     Mounts 
     Mounts  120  and  121  secure the grate assembly to the window well. Hinges  122  and  123  are attached to mounts  120  and  121 , respectively. This is advantageously done by welding the hinges so as to cause rigid attachment to the mounts to form a mounting assembly which includes the hinges and mounts. The grate assembly  101  thus can be detachably fastened to the mounting assemblies using fasteners  124 . 
     The mounts are advantageously approximately U-shaped, more properly a channel shape, to sit securely over the rim of the window well shell and extend down each side of the shell. 
     The left operator mount  120  is constructed differently than mount  121  because mount  120  is adapted for connection to not only the window well shell  70 , but also the operator  130 . Operator  130  has an inboard end fitting  131  which acts to connect the operator  130  onto an inwardly extending stud  125  ( FIG. 4 ). Stud  125  may extend through the mount and shell  70  or be attached to the inside leg of the mount  120 . 
       FIG. 2  shows that mount  120  includes shell fasteners  126  which have associated mount apertures. The outboard fastener is preferably provided with a small clearance toward operator  130 , such as by making the bolt head inside. The inboard fastener can be turned in the opposite direction. 
     The right mount  121  can be simplified by having only a single fastener  126 . Alternatively, the mounts can be similar in their mounting aperture and bolt configuration. 
     Operator 
     Operator  130  provides additional force for pivoting the grate assembly from a closed position  FIG. 2  through intermediate positions (for example  FIG. 3 ) to an open position ( FIG. 4 ). Operator  130  as shown includes a cylinder portion  141  which has a connector, preferably in the form of a pivotal end  131  which mounts on operator mount  125 . 
     Operator  130  also has a rod portion  135  which is connected to a sealed piston which is internal and not shown. The side of the piston (not shown) that is toward inboard end  131  is charged with a suitable compressed gas. The compressed gas is charged up to a pressure desired to provide sufficient force to reduce the lifting required by a person to be relatively light, such as 5-10 pounds of force to lift the grate assembly when in the closed position. 
     Outboard Operator Connector 
       FIG. 9  shows a preferred outboard operator connector assembly  140 . Connector assembly  140  has a first piece  133  and a second piece  134 . First piece  133  has a hook end which when stalled as shown is to the outboard end and hooks over a crossbar  102 . First piece  133  also has slotted apertures  137  which receive fasteners  138  therethrough. This construction allows installation and adjustment of the first piece relative to the second piece to accommodate placement and adjustment to the spacing between crossbars  102 . 
     First piece  133  also has a sloped region or offset  145  which is approximately equal to the diameter of the crossbars. 
     Second piece  134  is designed to distribute the load of the operator upon a plurality of crossbars  102 . In a current preferred version the second piece distributes using the main piece  146  over three crossbars. Less or more length is possible, but it is preferred to bear upon at least two crossbars with the main piece  146 . 
     As shown, main piece  146  is a piece with a rectangular cross sectional shape. Main piece  146  is advantageously tubular to reduce materials requirements. 
     Main piece  146  also has a pair of mounting apertures  139  through which fasteners  138  extend. The apertures  139  can either be plain or threaded. If plain then a corresponding nut (not shown) would be installed either in the interior or after the bolts  138  pass through the main piece  146 . 
     Main piece  146  is also provided with a hook extension  136  which is preferably angled to provide an offset to position the hook for engagement with the crossbars. 
     Further main piece  146  has a stud  147  ( FIG. 2 ) which forms a connector part upon which the outboard end fitting  132  of the operator is connected. The outboard end fitting preferably has a spherical or ball mounting so that the changing angle of the operator relative to the stud can be accommodated. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment only there are operators  230  at each side to help accommodate a greater weight or provide more balanced operation or both. To accomplish this the mounts  220  and  221  are made as mirror images and a second operator  230  is used. There is also an outboard connector assembly  240  at both operators constructed similar to outboard connector  140 . 
     More about Preferred Manners of Making the Preferred Inventions 
     The apparatuses according to the inventions shown and described herein can be made from a variety of suitable materials. A preferred material of construction is steel. Other metals or even plastics may be suitable. 
     When steel and other materials are used a preferred manner of making is by fabrication using welding of components, except as indicated above where fasteners are desired. The apparatus could also be molded if the quantity justifies the making of molds. This may be more preferred with some materials than with other materials. 
     Further Aspects and Features 
     The above description has set out various features and aspects of the invention and the preferred embodiments thereof. Such aspects and features may further be defined according to the following claims which may individually or in various combinations help to define the invention. 
     Interpretation Note 
     The inventions shown and described herein have been described in language directed to the current preferred embodiments. Also shown and described with regard to various structural and methodological features. The scope of protection as defined by the claims is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or other aspects of the preferred embodiments shown and described. The claimed inventions may be implemented or embodied in other forms while still including the concepts shown and described herein. Also included are equivalents of the inventions which can be made without departing from the scope of concepts properly protected hereby.