Patent GB-896311-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to devices for operating and locking in position panels in sliding panel assemblies
IPC: E05F15/08
Filed: 1958-08-21
Abstract: 896,311. Window operating mechanism. ETABLISSEMENTS GEORGES KLEIN & CIE. Aug. 21, 1958 [Aug. 26, 1957; April 23, 1958], No. 26838/58. Class 20(3) [Also in Group XXV] In a panel assembly including a panel 1 linearly displaceable in its own plane across a frame 2 and having an operating device for displacing the panel and actuating locking means which serves to lock the panel by pressing it against the frame, the operating device comprises a crank handle 27 rotatable in one direction for opening the panel and in the other direction for closing the panel, rotation of the crank handle serving firstly to cause release of the locking means and then displacement of the panel, relocking being effected when rotation of the crank handle is stopped. In the arrangement according to Figs. 1, 2 and 7 in which a glass pane 1 is slidable in a frame 2, the pane is locked against the frame by control devices 3 acting on presser members 4 which may or may not be carried by elements for guiding the pane and a cross member 5 which carries a handle 27. Each control device 3 is constituted by a system of levers and links 51, 52, 53 which when operated by a rod 54 moves the associated presser member towards or away from the frame 2. A spring 57 biases the rod 54 to the locking position. The rods 54 are operated by the handle 27 through a differential mechanism comprising a shaft 58 which drives through pinion 59, racks 60 connected with the pane 1, and a shaft 62 operatively connected to the rods 54. An adjustable brake (not shown) may be applied to the shaft 58 to prevent the rotation of the latter until the mechanism operated by shaft 62 has reached the end of its movement. The differential mechanism also comprises an intermediate shaft 70 driven by the handle 27 and meshing with a pinion or pinions 75 which in turn drive pinions 77 meshing with wheels 72 rigid with two sections of the shaft 58. In operation, rotation of handle 27 drives shaft 62 to thus release the presser members 4 and thereafter drives shaft 58 to move the pane 1. When the pane has reached the position desired, the handle 27 is released whereupon the springs 57 return the control device constituted by the links 51, 52, 53 to its locking position. The handle 27 may be provided with means such as a spring brake, which locks the handle when no effort is applied thereto. The springs 57 may be controlled by a dashpot or the like. In the arrangement according to Figs. 10-13 the pane 1 is movable hydraulically by means of an arm 6, and the presser members 4 are also hydraulically controlled by piston and cylinder devices 7, 14 acting through a lever system 9, 10 and controlled by a handle 27. Each presser member 4 is provided with a guide member 15 for the pane. Movement of the arm 6 is effected by a double-acting piston and cylinder device 17, 18 also controlled by the handle 27. Hydraulic liquid for the piston and cylinder devices is circulated by a pumping device Fig. 14 (not shown) which is actuated by the handle 27. The arrangement is such that if the pane 1 is in its opened position and handle 27 is rotated clockwise continuously liquid contained in cylinder 14 is sucked therefrom by the pumping action of a piston coupled to the handle 27 whereby the piston 7 is moved by a spring 8 to the position shown to unlock the presser member 4 from the pane 1. The liquid is delivered past valves and through a conduit to an accumulator to depress a piston thereof, whereby to open a port, to allow the liquid to pass via a slide valve to the upper face of piston 17, the consequent downward movement of which lifts the pane 1 through the arm 6. Liquid below the piston 17 is driven off through a conduit to the upper face of the handle operated piston. As soon as rotation of handle 27 is stopped, liquid is returned through conduits to the cylinder 14 to automatically lock the pane 1 in the new position. The slide valve is operatively connected with the handle 27 such that the valve is moved to one or the other of its two positions in dependance upon the direction of rotation of the handle. A switching device is operable either to prevent or allow liquid flow consequent upon operation of the handle operated piston. The weight of the pane 1 is in part balanced by gas contained in a chamber 43 above the cylinder 18.