Patent Publication Number: US-2019195002-A1

Title: Awning window assembly having a double hung appearance

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/224,277, filed Jul. 29, 2016, which is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/199,894, filed Jul. 31, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field of the present disclosure relates generally to windows, and in particular, to a window assembly having an appearance of a double hung window with a sash that swings outwardly and operates like an awning window. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional double hung window includes an upper sash and a lower sash arranged along two different vertical planes within a window frame. In operation, one or both sashes are slidable upwardly and downwardly within the window frame to open and close the window. A conventional awning window includes a sash that is hinged at the top to allow the sash to swing outwardly away from the window frame to an open configuration. Typically, awning windows are opened and closed via operation of a lever operator or window crank, thereby requiring less force to operate as compared to a sliding double hung window that may require lifting one or both sashes. Accordingly, awning windows may be more desirable than double hung windows in certain settings, such as homes where children, disabled, or elderly residents may be present, because operation of the awning windows is typically less demanding. 
     Double hung windows are commonly found in older homes, and when renovations are required, such as to satisfy modern building and fire codes or to repair a damaged window, owners must choose between retaining the original aesthetic of the double hung window or opting for the advantages of an awning window. In certain instances, such as for historic buildings, retaining the original aesthetic of the double hung window may be required. Accordingly, the present inventors have determined that it would be desirable to have a modified window structure that provides the aesthetics of an authentic double hung window, while also having the functionality and ease of use of an awning window. Additional aspects and advantages of such a window will be apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments, which proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Understanding that the drawings depict only certain embodiments and are not, therefore, to be considered limiting in nature, these embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with reference to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example window assembly with an upper sash and an outwardly swinging lower sash, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a hinge mechanism for accommodating the swinging motion of the lower sash of the window assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the window assembly of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of the window assembly of  FIG. 3  illustrating additional detail of the meeting rails of the upper and lower sashes. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the window assembly of  FIG. 1  in a partially open configuration. 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of the window assembly of  FIG. 4  illustrating additional detail of the meeting rails of the upper and lower sashes. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the window assembly of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of the window assembly of  FIG. 5  illustrating additional detail of the meeting rails of the upper and lower sashes. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a sequence of movement of the lower sash of the window assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an example window assembly with unified upper and lower sashes both movable in an outwardly swinging fashion, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. The embodiments described herein are set forth by way of illustration only and not limitation. The described features, structures, characteristics, and methods of operation may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or methods of operation are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring more pertinent aspects of the embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1-8  collectively illustrate various embodiments of a window assembly  100 ,  300 . In window assembly  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the window assembly  100  includes an upper sash  105  and a lower sash  110  offset from one another and arranged to resemble a conventional double hung window as is discussed in further detail below with reference to the figures. In some embodiments, the upper sash  105  may be fixed, that is, the upper sash  105  may not be slidable or otherwise moveable within the window frame  115 . A hinge mechanism  145  (see  FIG. 2 ) is mounted to an interior surface of each of the jambs  130  and coupled to the lower sash  110 . The hinge mechanism  145  accommodates a swinging motion of the lower sash  110 , which may be a similar motion to that of a conventional awning window. The action and arrangement of the hinge mechanism  145  provides sufficient clearance to allow the lower sash  110  to swing outwardly while not interfering with the fixed upper sash  105 . In other embodiments (not shown), the upper sash  105  may not be fixed but may instead be slidable within the window frame  115  and relative to the lower sash  110  for ventilation or cleaning without interfering with the lower sash  110 . In the window assembly of  FIGS. 7-8 , the window assembly  300  includes an upper sash  305  and a lower sash  310 , where the sashes  305 ,  310  are unified at a meeting rail  345  such that both the upper and lower sashes  305 ,  310  jointly swing inwardly or outwardly as described in further detail below. The following sections describe additional details of the functionality of the hinge mechanism and other components of the window assemblies  100 ,  300 . 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 1 , the window assembly  100  includes a frame  115  adapted to be secured within an opening of a building or housing structure. The frame  115  includes a sill  120  and a header  125 , each of which extending horizontally and connected at their respective ends by a pair of vertically extending jambs  130 . Upper sash  105  is positioned adjacent the header  125  between an upper portion of the jambs  130 , and the lower sash  110  is positioned adjacent the sill  120  between a lower portion of the jambs  130 . As mentioned previously, the upper sash  105  is arranged along a first vertical plane and the lower sash  110  is arranged along a second vertical plane offset inwardly (relative to the building) so that the window assembly  100  resembles a conventional double hung window (see  FIG. 3 ), with the lower sash  110  extending generally downwardly relative to the upper sash  105 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper sash  105  is positioned outwardly of the lower sash  110  and overlapping the meeting rail of the lower sash (when closed) when the window assembly  100  is viewed from an exterior of the building. 
     The window assembly  100  includes a window crank  135  (or other suitable operator device) attached along an interior portion of the sill  120 . The window crank  135  is operably associated with an extendable connecting arm(s)  140  attached to the lower sash  110 , where the connecting arm  140  may include one or more individual arms. When the window crank  135  is operated, at least a portion of the connecting arm(s)  140  extends outwardly from the window frame  115  and moves the lower sash  110  from its closed configuration toward an open configuration. To close the lower sash  110 , the window crank  135  may be operated to retract the connecting arm  140  and move the lower sash  110  toward the window frame  115 . In some embodiments, the window crank  135  may require fewer than 5 pounds of force to open the lower sash  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the lower sash  110  opens outwardly at an angle of at least 45 degrees, and may be up to 75 degrees relative to its vertical plane (e.g., when in the closed configuration). In other embodiments, the lower sash  110  may open at an angle ranging from 0 degrees to 60 degrees or less. In some embodiments, the angle of the lower sash  110  may be sufficiently large so as to provide an easy egress means through which people may leave a structure, such as during an emergency. As mentioned previously, when the lower sash  110  swings outwardly, a hinge mechanism  145  accommodates the swinging motion and allows the lower sash  110  to move outwardly without interfering with the fixed upper sash  105 . The following describes additional details of the hinge mechanism  145  and its operation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of a hinge mechanism  145  operable to support the swinging motion of the lower sash  110 . While the following section proceeds with description of a single hinge mechanism  145 , it should be understood that the window assembly  100  may include a pair of hinge mechanisms  145 , each one attached to a corresponding jamb  130  of the window frame  115  and supporting the lower sash  110 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the hinge mechanism  145  includes a vertically elongate base plate  150  attached to jamb  130 , the base plate  150  having a first end  155  and an opposite second end  160 . The base plate  150  supports a shoe  165  adjacent the first end  155 , and includes a track  225  against which the shoe  165  sits. The track  225  provides a guideway for the shoe  165  and accommodates a sliding movement of the shoe  165  along a vertical axis  170  as discussed in further detail below. 
     The hinge mechanism  145  further includes a sash bar  175  having a first end  250  and an opposite second end  255 . The sash bar  175  is pivotably supported adjacent its first end  250  on an upper portion of the shoe  165 . A detachment bar  180  is pivotably coupled along a first end  260  to the sash bar  175  at an attachment point  190  along the second end  255  of the sash bar  175 . In some embodiments, the detachment bar  180  may be riveted, welded, screwed, or otherwise coupled with the sash bar  175  using other suitable fastening means. Along a second end  265 , the detachment bar  180  is pivotably connected to the base plate  150  via a clip  185  inserted into openings  195  formed adjacent the second end  160  of the base plate  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism  145  may include an adjustment screw  200  coupled to the shoe  165 . The adjustment screw  200  may be used to adjust the frictional contact between the shoe  165  and the base plate  150  to control the sliding motion of the shoe  165 . For example, the adjustment screw  200  may be loosened to reduce the friction between the shoe  165  and the base plate  160  to promote an easier sliding movement of the shoe  165 . 
     The base plate  150  includes a plurality of attachment points  195 , typically holes or openings, to accommodate installation in one of several different connection positions for the detachment bar  180 . The sash bar  175  and the detachment bar  180  (along with the connecting arm  140  shown in  FIG. 1 ) cooperate to collectively support operation of the lower sash  110  when the lower sash  110  is swung outwardly in an open configuration. As is further described in detail below with particular reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , the pivot point P DB  of the detachment bar  180  is fixed relative to the base plate  150 , but the pivot point P SB  of the sash bar  175  changes along with movement of the shoe  165  to help accommodate the swinging movement of the lower sash  110 . 
     Collectively,  FIGS. 3-5  illustrate additional details regarding an example operation of the hinge mechanism  145  and its role in supporting the swinging motion of the lower sash  110 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the window assembly  100  in a closed configuration and  FIG. 3A  illustrates an enlarged view of the check rails  205 ,  210  (also known as meeting rails) of the upper and lower sashes  105 ,  110 , respectively. With reference to the enlarged view of  FIG. 3A , in the closed configuration, the check rail  205  of the upper sash  105  and the check rail  210  of the lower sash  110  are adjacent one another and together seal the window assembly  100 . The check rails  205 ,  210  each include a snubber  230 ,  235  respectively carried thereon. In one embodiment, the snubbers  230 ,  235  are aluminum extrusions including ends  240 ,  245  that engage or interlock between the check rails  205 ,  210  when the window assembly  100  is closed. The interlocking snubbers  230 ,  235  help strengthen the window assembly  100  for impact resistance. 
     In one embodiment, the check rail  205  of the upper sash  105  includes a foam-filled bulb weatherstrip  215  (or any other suitable seal) extending inwardly therefrom toward the lower sash  110 , with the bulbous portion of the weatherstrip  215  abutting the check rail  210  of the lower sash  110 , when closed, to help maintain an appropriately sealed environment. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , when the window assembly  100  is in the closed configuration, the sash bar  175  and the detachment bar  180  are each aligned along the vertical axis  170  of the base plate  150 , with the shoe  165  and the sash bar  175  positioned adjacent the top end  155  of the base plate  150 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 4A  illustrate the window assembly  100  in a partially open configuration, according to one embodiment. With particular reference to  FIG. 4A , as the lower sash  110  is opened and swung outwardly via operation of the window crank  135 , the shoe  165  slides downwardly on the base plate  150  along the vertical axis  170  toward the second end  160  of the base plate  150 . As the shoe  165  moves downwardly so does the pivot point P SB  of the sash bar  175  as represented by the gap G 1  relative to the first end  155  of the base plate  150 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the downwardly sliding motion of the shoe  165  provides sufficient clearance for the check rail  210  of the lower sash  110  to clear the check rail  205  of the upper sash  105 . In some embodiments, the check rail  205  may include a beveled or chamfered inside wall  220  (best illustrated in  FIG. 5A ) to provide additional relief to ensure that the check rail  210  avoids contacting the check rail  205  when the lower sash  110  is opened. Unlike conventional double-hung sliding windows, the inside wall  220  is beveled outwardly at its lower edge, rather than at its upper edge. 
       FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate the window assembly  100  in a fully open configuration, according to one embodiment. As mentioned previously, when the lower sash  110  is opened, the shoe  165  slides downwardly along the vertical axis  170 , thereby moving the pivot point P SB  of the sash bar  175  downwardly toward the second end  160  of the base plate  150 . When the window assembly  100  is fully open, the pivot point P SB  slides further down along the base plate  150  and is separated by a gap G 2  from the first end  155  of the base plate  150 , where the gap G 2  is greater than the gap G 1 . In this fashion, the sliding shoe  165  accommodates the swinging movement of the lower sash  110  and ensures that the check rails  205 ,  210  do not interfere with one another to allow the window assembly  100  to operate in a similar fashion as an awning window while maintaining the appearance of a double hung window. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a sequence of movement of the lower sash  110  of the window assembly of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , as the lower sash  110  is opened further and away from the window frame  115 , the shoe  165  slides downwardly toward the second end  160  of the base plate  150  to ensure that sufficient separation is maintained between the check rails  205 ,  210  at all times. As the shoe  165  slides downwardly, the pivot point P SB  of the sash bar  175  changes along with movement of the shoe  165  whereas the pivot point P DB  of the detachment bar  180  remains fixed to help accommodate the swinging movement of the lower sash  110 . As the lower sash  110  is opened, both the sash bar  175  and the detachment bar  180  move outwardly away from the window frame  115 . When the window is returned back to a closed configuration, both the sash bar  175  and the detachment bar  180  move toward vertical alignment with the base plate  150 , and the shoe  165  slides upwardly along the vertical axis  170  toward the first end  155  of the base plate  150 . 
     As mentioned previously,  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an embodiment for a window assembly  100  where the lower sash  110  swings outwardly like an awning window and the upper sash  105  is either fixed in position or is slidable upwardly/downwardly within the window frame  115  while the lower sash  110  is closed. In other embodiments, the window assembly may be configured in different arrangements to provide the appearance of a double hung window with the functionality of hopper and/or awning windows, certain of which are briefly described below. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the window assembly may be arranged to resemble a double hung window with an upper sash and a hopper lower sash that is hinged at the bottom near the sill to accommodate the outward swinging motion of the lower sash. In such embodiment, the planes of the upper and lower sashes may be reversed from the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the upper sash arranged in the interior position along the plane where the lower sash  110  is arranged in  FIG. 1 , and the lower sash arranged in the exterior position along the plane where the upper sash  105  is arranged in  FIG. 1 . Such arrangement allows the lower sash to swing outwardly without interfering with the meeting rail. In some embodiments, the upper sash may be fixed in position within the window frame. Alternatively, the upper sash may be slidable upwardly or downwardly within the window frame. 
     In another embodiment, the window assembly may include an upper and lower sash arranged in a stacked configuration similar to a double hung window. The upper sash may be hinged at the top to accommodate an outward swinging motion similar to an awning window. Alternatively, the upper sash may be hinged near the meeting rail between the sashes to accommodate an outward swinging motion similar to a hopper window. For each of these embodiments, the lower sash may be fixed in position or may instead be slidable upwardly or downwardly within the window frame. Accordingly, the window assembly would resemble a double hung window but with an outwardly movable upper sash frame. 
       FIGS. 7-8  illustrate another embodiment of a window assembly  300 . With reference to  FIGS. 7-8 , window assembly  300  includes an upper sash  305  and a lower sash  310  offset from one another and arranged to resemble a conventional double hung window. The window assembly  300  further includes a window frame  315  adapted to be secured within an opening of a building or housing structure. The frame  315  includes a sill  320  and a header  325 , each of which extending horizontally and connected at their respective ends by a pair of vertically extending jambs  330 . Upper sash  305  is positioned adjacent the header  325  between an upper portion of the jambs  330 , and the lower sash  310  is positioned adjacent the sill  320  between a lower portion of the jambs  330 . As mentioned previously, the upper sash  305  is arranged along a first vertical plane and the lower sash  310  is arranged along a second vertical plane offset inwardly (relative to the building) resembling a conventional double hung window. 
     The upper and lower sashes  305 ,  310  are joined to one another by a meeting rail  345  positioned between the sashes  305 ,  310  at a general midpoint of the window assembly  300 . As the meeting rail  345  joins the sashes  305 ,  310  to one another, the meeting rail  345  urges joint movement of the sashes  305 ,  310  as a single, unified unit, thereby allowing the sashes  305 ,  310  to open and close together, but are not otherwise movable independently from one another as is further described in detail below. 
     At the meeting rail  345 , the window assembly  300  may include a sealing system similar to the one described with reference to  FIG. 3  for window assembly  100 . For example, the window assembly  300  may include a foam-filled bulb weatherstrip or any other suitable seal (not shown) to help maintain an appropriately sealed environment. 
     The window assembly  300  includes a window crank  335  (or other suitable operator device) attached along an interior portion of the sill  320 . The window crank  335  is operably associated with an extendable connecting arm  340  attached to the lower sash  310 . When the window crank  335  is operated, the connecting arm  340  extends outwardly from the window frame  315  and moves the lower sash  310  from its closed configuration toward an open configuration. As the lower sash  310  moves outwardly, the upper sash  305  also pivots outwardly due to the joining of the sashes  305 ,  310  at the meeting rail  345 . To accommodate the swinging motion of the sashes  305 ,  310 , the window assembly  300  include a hinge assembly  350  of a similar construction and operation commonly used with awning windows. The hinge  350  is positioned adjacent the header  325  of the window frame to allow the upper sash  305  to swing outwardly as the crank  335  is operated and the connecting arm  340  extends outwardly. To close the sashes  305 ,  310 , the window crank  335  may be operated to retract the connecting arm  340  and move the sashes  305 ,  310  toward the window frame  315 . 
     It is intended that subject matter disclosed in any one portion herein can be combined with the subject matter of one or more other portions herein as long as such combinations are not mutually exclusive or inoperable. In addition, many variations, enhancements and modifications of the concepts described herein are possible. 
     The terms and descriptions used above are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.