Patent Publication Number: US-4368594-A

Title: Storm window

Description:
The present invention relates to a new and improved storm window structure including a storm window that is self-sealing and self-mounting when assembled over a window structure. 
     An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved energy-saving storm window of the type having an air infiltration rate below 0.50 cfm/fcp. (Cubic feet of air per foot of crack perimeter). Current storm window air infiltration standards call for rating of no more than 4.00 cfm/fcp. (Established by the Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association), although a reduction to 2.00 cfm/fcp has been proposed. The average storm window on the market today has an air infiltration rating of 2.38 cfm/fcp, which hardly saves a user any energy because the prime window and the storm window leak at an average of 3.00 cfm/fcp. To have an energy saving effect, a storm window should have an infiltration rating of 0.50 cfm/fcp or less. The new and improved storm window structure herein disclosed has the much preferred capability of being installed with a 0.50 cfm/fcp rating or less with little additional cost to consumers. 
     According to important features of the present invention a storm window structure has been provided which includes a storm window for protectively screening out cold air, dirt and the like when mounted upon a window frame carrying at least one window. The improvement of a window suspension arrangement for mounting the storm window frame in assembly with the frame of the window, the storm window frame having a continuous annular resilient synthetic plastic spacer mounted on an inwardly facing surface of the frame for abutment against the frame carrying the window, and spring loaded fasteners extending through said storm window frame for compressing said continuous annular resilient synthetic plastic spacer throughout its annular dimension and for securing the storm window frame in retained engagement with the window frame of the window thus insuring a snug air-tight assemblage of the storm window on the window frame of the window. 
     According to the other features of the present invention, the window frame on the storm window has been provided with an annular inwardly facing retaining groove and with the continuous annular resilient synthetic plastic spacer being retainingly engaged and retained in said groove, at least some of the fasteners extending into the groove and through the spacer and in threaded engagement with the window frame carrying the window. 
     A further feature of the invention is characterized by the spring-loaded fasteners having rotatable locking dogs, and annular metallic strips are anchored to the window frame, each of the dogs being engageable with a rear surface of one of the metallic strips for securing the spring-loaded fasteners in releasable engagement therewith. 
     Yet another feature of the invention involves the releasable dogs being mounted to be rotatable for disengagement from the metallic angular member, and with the release of all of the dogs, the storm window frame is then pivotally movable at its bottom end relative to its points of pivotal engagement comprising the spring-loaded fasteners at a top side of the storm window frame, and a swingable arm is mounted on the storm window frame and engageable with the angular metallic piece for holding the window frame at its bottom end in an open position when it is desired to vent the storm window frame. 
    
    
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a storm window structure embodying features of our invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line II--II looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the lines III--III looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a fastener device taken on the line IV--IV looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view as viewed on the line V--V looking in the direction indicated by arrows as seen in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary broken view of the storm window structure showing the storm window in an &#34;open&#34; position; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line VII--VII looking in the direction indicated by the arrow as seen in FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a storm window structure. The structure 10 is shown to be mounted on a building 11. The structure includes a window frame 12 having a header 13, side jams 14 and 15 and a window sill 16. In the illustrated embodiment, double-hung windows 17 and 18 are mounted on the window frame and are operable in a conventional manner. 
     In order to conserve energy very many property owners follow the practice of installing storm windows upon the window frame 12 to shut out air and to prevent air leakage between the double-hung windows 17 and 18 and particularly their frames where engaged with the window frame 12. To attain this end, a storm window 20 has been provided having a metal frame 21 and a window pane 22 mounted on the frame in a conventional manner. 
     The storm window 20 has its metal frame 21 provided with an annular outer frame attachment flange 23 provided with screw holes 24 and slots 25. A new and improved window suspension arrangement 26 is provided for cooperation with the attachment flange 23, the screw holes 24 and the slots 25 for sealing the window 20 with respect to the double-hung windows 17 and 18 to greatly minimize air flow therethrough and to insure a snug air-tight assemblage of the storm window on the window frame of the windows. While in the illustrated embodiment, the window frame is illustrated as having double-hung windows, it will be appreciated that only a single window may be mounted on the frame 12. 
     Mounted within the annular slot 25 is a continuous annular resilient synthetic plastic spacer 28. This spacer is mounted on an inwardly facing surface 29 of the attachment flange or outer margin 23 of the metal frame 21. It wll be seen from an examination of FIG. 6 that the spacer has a bulb end 28a that protrudes outside of the groove or slot 25 and which is offset away from the storm frame surface 29 for engagement against the window frame 12 or against angular metallic strips 30 which are anchored to the window frame. The spacer 28 can be made of any suitable material such as vinyl and it will be noted from an examination of the spacer 28 in FIGS. 2 and 6 that the shape of the end of the spacer which engages the strip 30 or the frame 12 becomes compressed to provide a snug seal when the spring-loaded fasteners or screws 27 are drawn into snug engagement with the window frame 12. 
     The fasteners 27 that are located at the top margin of the storm window 20 are spring-loaded at 31. The fastener 27 comprises a screw of sufficient length to firmly anchor the storm window to the window frame 12 and also to serve as a point of pivot to enable the storm window to be pivoted to a closed position as shown in FIG. 2 or to an open position as shown in FIG. 6. 
     As least certain of the fasteners 27 are provided with rotatable locking dogs 35 which when rotated coact with the angular metallic strips 30 or with an outer frame screen stop 36 (FIG. 3) to snugly mount the storm window in sealed overlapped engagement with respect to double-hung windows 17 and 18. 
     When it is desired to open the storm window 20, as shown in FIG. 6, the two fastners 27 at the sides of the storm window 20 and the two fasteners 27 at the bottom of the storm window 20 are caused to be released by rotating the rotatable locking dogs 35 from an engaged position to a disengaged position. This step can be accomplished from inside of the building merely by lifting the lower inside window 17 to an open position and then the operator can release the dogs 35. Then the operator can manually push the lower end of the storm window 20 outward and cause it to pivot on the fasteners 27 at the top of the window to cause the window to reopen. 
     In order to secure the storm window 20 in an open position, a swingable arm 40 is pivotally mounted at 41 on the inside surfaces 29 of the frame 21 of the storm window 20. The swingable arm has a pin which engages a slot in a log 42 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opposite end of the swingable arm 40 is slotted at 44 to enable it to be engaged with an upstanding leg end 38 of the angular metallic strip 30. 
     It will be appreciated that from a consideration of the following test data furnished by a testing company how the combination storm window and the improved window suspension arrangement for mounting the storm window frame provides seals which are of the order of 39 times tighter than current industry standards. 
     &#34;Subject: One vented single lite storm window for exterior application. Model 400 sampled and submitted by the client for conformance testing to ANSI/AAMA 1002.9-1977, specification HSW-Cl. Further air infiltration requirements of paragraph 456.813 &#34;standards for storm and thermal windows and doors and multiglazed insulating units for windows and doors&#34;, Federal Register-Volume 44, No. 217, page 64685, published Nov. 7, 1979 were applied. 
     Description of Sample: Vented single lite storm window for exterior application, 325/8&#34; wide by 561/2&#34; high with one operating vent 325/8&#34; wide by 561/2&#34; high. Single glazed with SSB glass in a vinyl channel system. Seal was a vinyl bulb all around the vent. The vent was designed to attach to the wooden stops of an existing double hung window with spring loaded screws at the top. The vent opened at the bottom after turning four spring loaded aluminum &#34;Butterfly locks&#34;, and pushing the vent to the outside at the bottom. Vent was held in the open position by one aluminum &#34;I&#34; beam 5/8&#34; wide by 3/8&#34; high and about 10&#34; long attached to the vent by a steel hook screwed to the approximate center of the vent sill and notched to fit over an aluminum step screwed to the existing window frame. Two 3/16&#34; round holes located about 51/2&#34; from the bottom corners of the vent sill had removable rubber plugs for condensate drainage. 
     
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Result of Tests                                                           
Para-                                                                     
graph Title of Test     Found     Allowed                                 
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2.1.2.1                                                                   
      Air infiltration Test                                               
                        0.11      2.0 CFM/Ft                              
                        CFM/FT    of crack                                
2.1.2.2                                                                   
      Water Drainage Test                                                 
                        No entry  No entry                                
2.1.2.3                                                                   
      Uniform Load Test                                                   
      exterior          conforms  0.226&#34;                                  
      interior          conforms  0.226&#34;                                  
2.1.2.4                                                                   
      Concentrated Load &amp; Glass   1/8&#34; max.                               
      adherence tests, sash.                                              
                        conforms  Deflection                              
2.1.2.5                                                                   
      Pull Test         31/2 lbs. 15 lbs.                                 
2.1.2.6                                                                   
      Glass inserts squareness                                            
                        1/16&#34; max.                                        
                                  5/16&#34; max.                              
      test                                                                
2.1.2.7                                                                   
      Attachment of insect                                                
                        no screens                                        
      screening to frame test                                             
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     Conclusions: 
     This product meets or exceeds all performance requirements of the standard and the additional air infiltration requirements imposed by the referenced federal register.&#34;