Patent Publication Number: US-6213187-B1

Title: Replacement window with shutter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to windows and, more specifically, to a new or replacement window comprising a new or replacement window frame member and a number of selectively movable members traveling within individual tracks and selectively removable from said tracks. The movable members are comprised of a pair of shutter members, a pair of window pane members, and a screen member. 
     Each of the shutter members is comprised of a frame having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats. Further having a tilt bar connected to a plurality of horizontal slats providing means for rotating said plurality at the same time. 
     Each of the window pane members is comprised of a pane of transparent material, such as glass or plastic, enclosed within a rigid frame. The screen member is comprised of screen material encompassed by a rigid frame. 
     The preferred embodiment of the window frame member has a flange having a number of fastener apertures providing means for securing said replacement window frame to a rough opening. An additional embodiment for the replacement window frame has an extended jamb providing means for securing said replacement window frame to the walls of the rough opening instead of the external facing of the rough opening. 
     In addition an alternate embodiment for the shutters is provided wherein the two shutter members are replaced by a single track bifold shutter member. 
     Additionally there is provided an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a window frame having an exterior shutter member and two interior window pane members, one slidable for ventilation and one nonslidable. Also there is provided an exterior screen member to prevent entry of insects. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other shutter and horizontal sliding member windows. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,242 issued to Perron on Apr. 13, 1999. 
     Another patent was issued to Pinder on Jun. 23, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,834. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,999 was issued to Benson on Aug. 26, 1997 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 12, 1991 to Barthelemy as U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,349. 
     Another patent was issued to Liebman et al on Jan. 20, 1959 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,869,187. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,966 was issued to Foltman on Feb. 24, 1981. 
     Perron discloses a shutter assembly for installation on the outside of a building wall including one or two shutter panels fitted with top and bottom rollers moveable along tracks in a plane outwardly spaced from and parallel to the external wall. A rack is carried by each panel inside thereof and a pinion, meshing with the rack, is carried by a shaft extending through the wall and provided at its inner end, inside a building room with a crank reel for moving the shutter panels between opened and closed position at the side and front of a window respectively. The shutter panels are heat-insulated and are provided with seals to extend around the periphery of the window opening when the panels are in closed position to thereby form an air insulating chamber with a window unit within the window opening. The top rollers together with the rack are fitted with a spring suspension to permit easy installation and removal of the rollers on and from the tracks and to accommodate any variation in the vertical position of the pinion which may have occurred during installation. 
     Pinder discloses a rain deflector for a vehicle roof vent consists of a pair of like panels one of which is fastened to the cap of thee roof vent and moves therewith, and is hinged to the second panel which has the end remote from the hinge connected to slide along tracks on the vehicle roof. Each panel is substantially larger than the vent cap, to extend beyond the ridges of the vent and prevents rain from entering the vent while permitting ventilation of air through the vent. 
     Benson discloses an automatic closure assembly for a sliding panel, particularly of the screen door type. One or more power springs, operable in their linear ranges are mounted within a compact housing configured for ready attachment to a surface adjacent the sliding panel. The springs apply tension to a cord wound on a take-up reel within the housing. One end of the cord is screwed to the sliding panel such that as the panel is moved in an opening direction, the power spring(s) are wound in tension to apply closure forces to the panel. Different selections are provided for enabling an operator to select a plurality of different discrete tension forces to be applied by the closure assembly to the sliding panel. 
     Barthelemy discoses an insulative window assembly for use in portable shelter units such as mobile homes, motor homes and trailers. The assembly is attached to the inside wall of the portable shelter unit surrounding the existing window and window molding, but may be easily removed in warm seasons to regain access to the existing window. The frame of the insulating window assembly is of sufficient depth to allow room for the stem of the crank to which the crank handle is attached for opening and closing of jalouise window assembly. The frame of the insulating window assembly contains insulating, sag resisting chambers which contribute to the heat insulative properties of the insulating window. The frame also contains an inner flange and an outer flange which, when bolted to the inside wall of the portable shelter unit, lends stability to the unit and helps prevent the sag and broken seals that frequently results from the vibration and weather forces to which portable shelter units are particular vulnerable. 
     Liebman et al disclose a window construction wherein the frame work is substantially of stainless steel or other materials having substantially the same physical properties and including a permanently fixed window half-section and a slidable window half-section adjustable to the location over the fixed window half-section and wherein a screen member is fitted in the opening beside the fixed window half-section. In addition the slidable window section can be easily removed from the guide projections for removal or replacement. 
     Foltman discloses a shutter comprised of laterally spaced apart extruded plastic side frame members or rails having a track on their respective rear sides which extends over the length of the member. Panels, such as louvre panels, have runners which slide on the tracks in interlocking fashion to form a shutter assembly. The shutters are adjustable to any desired window or door height by cutting off parts of the runners of the louvre panels so as to eliminate one or more louvre slats and also cutting off an equal length from the frame member. The upper and lower end panels are secured with pins which pass through the frame members so the panels cannot slide from the tracks. 
     While these shutter and horizontal sliding member windows may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a new or replacement window having a single window frame within which are mounted shutters, windows and a screen. Embodiments are disclosed for a unit having a plurality of tracks therein for receiving a pair of slidably mounted shutters, a pair of slidably mounted windows and a screen. A tilt bar is disclosed for rotating a multiplicity of slats in the shutters. A plurality of spring tensioned pins are described for rotatably mounting the slats to the window frame. Another embodiment is described having bi-fold shutters hingedly mounted to each other. Also, another embodiment is described wherein the shutters are a single non-sliding member and only one window unit slides. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having horizontally sliding members. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having a pair of horizontally sliding shutter members. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having a pair of horizontally sliding shutter members having a roller or rollers within the base edge forming an integral part of said shutter members providing means for effortlessly moving said shutter members; 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having a pair of horizontally sliding shutter members. Each member having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats; 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having a pair of horizontally sliding shutter members. Each member having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats. Each slat having a fixed pin on one end and a spring based pin on the other end whereby each slat is selectively removable; 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new or replacement window having a pair of horizontally sliding shutter members. Each member having a tilt bar connected to a plurality of rotative horizontal slats providing means for selectively positioning a plurality of slats at one time. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a new or replacement window comprising a new or replacement window frame member and a number of selectively movable members traveling within individual tracks and each selectively removable from the track. Said movable members are comprised of a pair of shutters, a pair of window pane members, and a screen member. Each of the shutter members is comprised of a frame having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats. Further having a tilt bar connected to a plurality of horizontal slats providing means for rotating said plurality at the same time. Each of the window pane members is comprised of a pane of transparent material, such as glass or plastic, enclosed within a rigid frame. The screen member is comprised of screen material encompassed by a rigid frame. The preferred embodiment of the window frame member has a flange having a number of fastener slots providing means for securing said new or replacement window frame to a rough opening. An additional embodiment for the new or replacement window frame has an extended jamb providing means for securing said new or replacement window frame to the walls of the rough opening instead of the facing of the rough opening. In addition an alternate embodiment for the shutters is provided wherein the two shutter members are replaced by a single track bifold shutter member. Additionally there is an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a window frame having an exterior shutter member and two interior window pane members, one slidable for ventilation and one nonslidable. Also there is an exterior screen member to prevent entry of insects. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the new or replacement window frame having a flange providing means for attaching said new or replacement window to the rough opening. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the spring and pin elements of the horizontal slat. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the base of the shutter showing a roller element providing means for sliding said shutter to a selected position. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the present invention taken from FIG. 2 as indicated. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the new or replacement window frame member having means for securing the new or replacement window frame to the interior surface of the rough opening; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate the present invention being a new or replacement window. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 . Shown is a new or replacement window outer frame member  12  having a flange  14  thereon around the peripheral edge thereof having a plurality of spaced about apertures  16  for receiving fastener means (not shown) therein providing means for securing said new or replacement window  10  to the facing wall (not shown) of a rough opening (not shown). The new or replacement window  10  comprises a pair of movable window members (not shown) and a movable screen member (not shown). Shown are a pair of sliding shutter members  18  slidably movable in individual track  32 . Each shutter member  18  has a plurality of rotative generally horizontal slats  20  encompassed by a slat frame  22  and having a generally upright standing tilt bar  24  connected by means  26  to a plurality of slats  20  providing means for selectively rotatably positioning a plurality of slats  20  at the same time. The slats  20  rotate about its generally horizontal axis. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the new or replacement window frame  12  having a pair of selectively slidable shutters  18  comprising a plurality of horizontal slats  20  encompassed by a frame  22 . Each shutter member  18  has a tilt bar  24  connected to a plurality of rotative horizontal slats  20  providing means for selectively positioning the plurality of slats  20  at the same time. The new or replacement window  10  has a pair of selectively slidable window members  28  and a screen member  30  which can be moved to cover the ventilation opening created by an open window member. The frame  12  has multiple tracks  32  mounted thereon within which shutters  18 , windows  28  and screen  30  are mounted within a single frame  12 . 
     Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 . Shown is a new or replacement window  10  comprising a new or replacement window outer frame member  12 , a pair of shutter members  18 , a pair of window pane members  28 , and a screen member  30 . One of the pair of window pane members  28  is mounted within the frame  40  of the screen  38 . One window pane member  28  is slidable. Each of the shutter members  18  is comprised of a frame  22  having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats  20  and a tilt bar  24  connected to a plurality of horizontal slats  20  providing means for rotating the plurality of slats  20  at the same time. Each of the window pane members  28  is comprised of a pane of transparent material  34 , such as glass or plastic, and one member is enclosed within a rigid frame  36 . The screen member  30  is comprised of screen material  38  encompassed by a rigid frame  40  which also holds one window pane. Multiple tracks  32  are also shown as previously disclosed. 
     Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a perspective view of the new or replacement window frame  12  having a flange  14  providing means for attaching the replacement window  10  to a rough opening. Also shown is one of the shutters  18  having means for rotating  24  a plurality of horizontal slats  20 . Each of the horizontal slats  20  is rotatably fixed to the frame  22  by means of pins  42  which extend from the frame  22  into each end of the slat  20 . On one side of the frame  22  the pins  42  are maintained under spring pressure which will be described hereinafter providing means for removing or selectively replacing one or more of the horizontal slat  20 . 
     Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is an enlarged view of the spring  44  and pin  42  elements of the horizontal slat  20  in frame  22  taken from FIG. 4 as indicated. The generally horizontal spring  44  will maintain or tension the pin  42  within the aperture  46  in the end of the horizontal slat  20 . Selective removal of a horizontal slat  20  is accomplished by moving the slat  20  toward the spring  44  tensioned side until the opposite end of the slat is free of its pin element (not shown) which allows the slat  20  to be swung out and removed from the shutter frame  22 . Multiple apertures (not shown) are provided on the inner face in the frame  22  on each end of slats  20  for receiving the spring  44  and pin  42 . Pins  42  communicate with frame  12  and slats  20 . 
     Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is an enlarged view of the lower edge of the frame  22  or base  52  of the shutter taken from FIG. 4 as indicated showing a multiple roller element  48  providing means for sliding said shutter  18  to a selected position in the track  32 . A cavity  50  is provided in the base  52  of the frame  22  for receiving rollers  48 . Rollers  48  are mounted on an axle  54  which is mounted in base  52 . 
     Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a cross sectional view of the present invention  10  taken from FIG. 2 as indicated. Shown are the elements of the new or replacement window  10  comprising a pair of shutters  18  having means for sliding said shutter  18  to a selected position and said shutter  18  having means  24  for rotating a plurality of horizontal slats  20  from one position to another said means for rotating  24  having means for connection  26  to the slats  20 . Further elements of the new or replacement window  10  are one slidable window pane member  34  which can be selectively positioned to allow ventilation and a screen member  30  which has one window pane member  28  positioned in its frame. The slidable members have a track wall  56  which is taller or deeper at the top  58  than at the bottom  60  whereby the elements  20 ,  28  and  30  can be raised vertically until the bottom edge of said elements clears the bottom track wall  62  where it can bc swung forwardly out and removed. 
     Turning to FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention  10 . Shown is a new or replacement window frame  12  comprising a pair of movable window members  28  and a movable screen member  30  and a single track bi-fold shutter member  64 . One window pane member  28  is mounted in the same frame as the screen member  30 . One window pane member  28  is slidable. The bi-fold shutter member  64  is comprised of two hingedly attached  66  shutter elements  18 . Each shutter element  18  having a plurality of rotative horizontal slats  20  encompassed by a frame  22  and having a tilt bar (not shown) connected to a plurality of said slats  20  providing means for selectively positioning a plurality of slats  20  at the same time. Means  68 , e.g., a pin, is positioned at the top and bottom of shutter frame  22  for slidably positioning the shutters  64  in tracks  32  is also shown. 
     Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the new or replacement window frame member  12  being a pre-sized, pre-squared, ready to install shutter frame for use with pre-existing windows. Shown is the new or replacement window frame  12  having means  70  for securing the new or replacement window frame  12  to the wall of the rough opening using apertures  70  located in the outer frame member  12  for receiving fasteners (not shown) for securing frame  12 . After installation, apertures  70  are plugged shut to hide the fasteners. Apertures  70  are disposed parallel to said outer window frame  12  and communicate with the interior and exterior of the frame  12 . 
     Turning to FIG. 10, shown therein is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention  10 . Shown is a new or replacement window comprising a single track storm shutter  72 , which is placed in the exterior track thereby protecting the interior glass members  28  from breakage, and a pair of window pane members  24 , and a screen member  30 . The shutter member  72  is comprised of a frame  74  having a plurality of non-movable horizontal slats  20 . Each of the window pane members  34  is comprised of a pane of transparent material, such as glass or plastic, enclosed within a rigid frame  36 . One of the window pane members is non-slidable and the other is selectable slidable the width of the frame member. The screen member  30  is comprised of screen material  38  encompassed by a rigid frame  40 . All of the track window members are removable by raising said member until it clears the bottom lip of the channel  62  and swinging them out as previously described.