Patent Publication Number: US-2006010797-A1

Title: Method and device for increasing the opening size of a window

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to the field of windows and particularly to a method and device for increasing the opening size of single and/or double hung windows.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Due to changes in and increased concern about fire safety and fire regulations, many towns, counties and fire safety boards and agencies have added to or modified regulations relating to the opening size requirements for windows for purposes of [ingress and] egress. The changes have been implemented in part to ensure a minimum size opening for windows for purposes of allowing individuals to safely exit a structure when faced with a dangerous condition such as a fire. These changes have come about as a result of the concerns of insurance companies, and regulatory and safety agencies in minimizing the risk to life and limb, and have been designed utilizing the increased knowledge about fire safety, the amount of time available to evacuate a building and the average size of adults who would potentially be exiting a building through a window in case of a fire or other dangerous situation.  
      While implementation of and adherence to these new regulations have added some burdens to homeowners. The overall improvement in safety has more than outweighed the difficulties. Moreover, the new regulations usually do not require any modifications to existing structures, but rather are focused on new construction and where replacement windows are being installed by the building owner. To conform with the new building codes as implemented by the new regulations, the installation of new windows must meet certain requirements. Any new windows being installed must be of a certain minimum size and have a certain minimum sized opening.  
      Unfortunately, the regulations that are imposed are not uniform throughout the United States and different geographic locations often have different requirements.  
      While newly manufactured windows may be and are usually designed to conform to the most strict of the regulations, there are often situations where the replacement window does not conform to the regulations. For example, the existing window that is in stock may be out of specification due to recent regulatory changes, a party would like to conform their existing windows to the new regulations without having to replace the entire window, the window manufacturer may not want to undertake the great expense of changing an existing window design, or there may be a constraint on the size of the window based on the placement or location of the window or the design specifications of the structure.  
      One of the most common reason for a window not conforming to the regulatory specifications is that the opening size is not of a sufficient size. As a result of this situation many otherwise adequate windows can no longer be used or must be redesigned. The present invention solves this problem by providing for an increase in the opening size of the window without having to reconstruct the window, engage in costly modifications to the window structure or totally replace the window.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a device and method for increasing the opening size of a single and/or double hung window. The present invention allows a window to be opened further than was previously possible and, therefore, allows windows that previously were not in compliance with or did not conform to the new or revised egress [and ingress] regulations to achieve compliance with and conform to such regulations.  
      The present invention provides for the displacement of the upper edge of a lower sash panel in an direction interior to a room using a wedge and side channels in the window opening frame so as to bypass an edge of the upper sash panel and an upper portion of the opening frame of the window, thereby providing for the expanded movement of the lower sash toward the upper portion of the opening frame. The present invention also provides a method for achieving such expanded movement of the lower sash by positioning a wedge along at least one side portion of the window frame or an inner portion of the upper sash and providing expanded or angled channels in the side portions of the window frame, such that the wedge will force the window panel away from the upper sash toward the interior of the room and the window panel will be realigned with and follow the expanded or angled channels in the side portion of the window frame. Alternatively or additionally, the expanded movement may be accomplished for the upper sash using a wedge on a side portion of the window frame or an outer portion of an inner window and providing expanded or angled channels in the side portions of the window frame, such that the wedge will force the window panel away from the lower sash toward the exterior of the structure and the window panel will be realigned with and follow the expanded or angled channels in the side portion of the window frame.  
      The present invention provides an offset element or shim for coupling to a portion of the window frame and an expansion, cutting, melting or grinding device for expanding or angling the side channels to allow movement of the upper portion of the lower sash in an inward direction and/or the bottom portion of the upper sash in an outward direction when the widows are moved toward their maximal open position. This allows the upper edge of the lower sash and/or the locking mechanism located at the upper portion of the lower sash to bypass the lower portion of the upper sash frame and the upper portion of the upper sash frame and allows the lower sash to be raised further than otherwise would be possible. This allows the lower edge of the upper sash and/or the locking mechanism located at the lower portion of the upper sash to bypass the upper portion of the lower sash frame and the lower portion of the lower sash and allows the upper sash to be lowered further than otherwise would be possible. This incremental increase in the amounts that the lower sash may be raised and the upper sash may be lowered will provide for certain windows to satisfy the opening requirements of the new or revised regulations where previously they would not have complied.  
      A similar increase in opening size is also possible where the offset element is coupled to a portion of the window frame and an expansion device is utilized to expand or angle the side channels to allow movement of the bottom portion of the upper sash in a direction outward from the structure or an upper portion of the lower sash in a direction inward to the room. This incremental increase in the amount that the upper sash may be lowered or the lower sash may be raised will also provide for certain windows to satisfy the opening requirements of the new or revised regulations where previously they would not have complied.  
      The offset element may be in the form of a shim, plug, wedge, ramp or other similar structure that forces the window in the desired direction. For example, it will force the lower sash toward the interior of the structure and/or it will force the upper sash toward the exterior of the structure. The offset element may be made of plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, a combination of any of these materials or some other rigid or semi-rigid material. The offset element may be located at the interior surface of the window frame that is parallel to the window pane and slightly below the uppermost position to which the window may be raised. An offset element may be located at one or more than one location on the window frame. For example, an offset element may be located at each of the sides of the window frame. The offset element may be positioned such that a narrower part of the offset element is located at a position where it will make first contact with the window when the interior window is moved in an upward direction or when the exterior window is moved in a downward direction. For example, where the offset element is a wedge, the offset element is positioned such that the point of the wedge faces downward where the interior window is the window being moved for expanded opening.  
      The expansion device may be a cutting, grinding, melting or other instrument for removing or dislocating a portion of each of the side channels in which the relevant window is positioned for upward and/or downward movement.  
      To assist with and ensure that the removal or dislocation of the portion of the channel is accurate and adequate to provide for the desired result of additional movement of the relevant window, the present invention provides for a template to be used in conjunction with the expansion device. The template may be positioned at the relevant location to provide for the desired expansion of a channel and the expansion device may then be used in conjunction with the template which will provide guidance for proper expansion of the channel.  
      Alternatively, in place of an expansion or angling of the side channels, the window sash may be fitted with one or more pins that remain in a retracted position until the window sash is moved into a new vertical alignment by the offset element. The repositioning of the vertical alignment of the window sash causes the retraction of a first set of one or more pins used to position and align the window sash in a first vertical position from the side channel of the window frame and the extension of a second set of one or more pins used to position and align the window sash in a second vertical position that is further interior to the structure for the lower sash and that is further exterior to the structure for the upper sash into the side channel of the window frame.  
      The pins may be in the shape of a latch, a bar, a peg, a wedge or any other shape that could be positioned in a side channel of a window frame.  
      Alternatively, pins may be utilized to maintain the window sash in correspondence with side channels of the window frame. The side channels may be angled toward the interior of the structure near an upper section of the window frame and may guide the pins in an inward direction, thereby forcing the window sash inward so as to avoid impingement of the locking mechanism upon a lower section of the upper portion of the window frame prior to maximal opening of the window. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a front view of a frame ramp disposed on a window frame according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view, along points a-a, of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1  disposed on a window frame.  
       FIG. 3   a  shows a side view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3   b  shows a front view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the window frame of  FIG. 2 , with an expanded side channel.  
       FIG. 5  shows a front view of a frame ramp disposed on a window frame according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional side view, along points a-a, of the frame ramp of  FIG. 5  disposed on a window frame.  
       FIG. 7   a  shows a side view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 7   b  shows a front view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 8  shows the window frame of  FIG. 6 , with an angled side channel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Turning to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a front view of a frame ramp disposed on a window frame according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The frame ramp  1  is in the form of a plug  3  having a rectangular shape and is disposed on an interior facing portion  7  of a side frame  9  of a window  11 .  
      In  FIG. 2  there is shown a cross-sectional side view, along points a-a, of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1  disposed on a window frame. The frame ramp  1  is in the form of a plug  3  having a lower end  4  with an angled first surface  8  and an upper end  6  with an oppositely angled second surface  10 , such that the first surface  8  and the second surface  10  form a peak  12 . The plug  3  may be inserted into an opening  5  formed in the interior facing portion  7  of the side frame  9  of the window  11 . The plug  3  is located at an upper portion  13  of the side frame  9  such that upon impingement of the upper portion  14  of the window pane unit  15  on the lower end  4  of the plug  3  during its upward movement, the window pane unit  15  is forced toward the interior of the structure as it moves up the first angled surface  8 , thereby providing for clearance of the locking mechanism  17  from a bottom portion  19  of the lower portion  21  of the upper frame  23  of the window  11  and allowing the window pane unit  15  to be raised the maximal distance until the locking mechanism  17  on the window pane unit  15  abuts a bottom portion  25  of the upper portion  27  of the upper frame  23  of the window  11 .  
      The plug  3  may be included as part of the side frame  9  of the window  11  during manufacture or may be a retrofit unit that is field installed. To install the plug  3 , the opening  5  may be made in the side frame  9  of the window  11  by drilling or punching a hole in the side frame  9 . The plug  3  may be inserted into the opening  5  by applying pressure to the front of the plug  3 .  
      Looking now at  FIG. 3   a  there is shown a side view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1 . The frame ramp  1  is in the form of a plug  3  that includes a front section  31  having a face portion  33  and rear portion  35 , and a back section  37  that extends rearward from the rear portion  35  of the plug  3 . The face portion includes the lower end  4  with the angled first surface  8  and the upper end  6  with the oppositely angled second surface  10 , such that the first surface  8  and the second surface  10  form the peak  12 . The back section  37  of the plug  3  includes two tabs  39  disposed on a side edge of the plug  3 . The two tabs  39  extend from the rear portion  35  a distance approximately equal to the width of the side sash wall  41 , bend at approximately a 90° angle and run parallel to the rear portion  35  of the plug  3 . The interior  42  of the back section  37  of the plug  3  is hollow. The two tabs  39  maintain the plug  3  in its insertion position in the opening  5  in the side sash wall  41 .  
      In  FIG. 3   b  there is shown a frontal view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 1 . The frame ramp  1  in the form of a plug  3  has a rectangular shape with the upper end  6  disposed at the top of the side frame  9  of the window  11  and the lower end  4  disposed at the bottom of the side frame  9  of the window  11 . The side frame  9  of the window  11  includes a slot  43  having a length slightly exceeding the distance between the ends of the two tabs  39 . The slot  43  narrows in the direction of the opening  5  and is notched to provide an engaging edge to prevent movement of the plug  3  toward the slot  43  after being moved into the opening  5 .  
      Turning now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the window frame of  FIG. 2 , with an expanded side channel. The frame  51  of the window  11  includes side portions  53  (only one shown) that each include a channel  55  for guiding the movement of the window pane unit  15 . The window pane unit  15  includes extensions or pins  57  that are each positioned within a channel  55  to ensure stability of the window pane unit  15  and proper movement of the window pane unit  15  along the channels  55 . The pins  57  also prevent the window pane unit  15  from intruding within the structure through the force of the wind or other external forces. Each channel  55  is of uniform width from the bottom of the side portions  53  of the frame  51  until a point adjacent to the frame ramp  1 , at which point the channels  55  increase in width to accommodate a forward movement of the window pane unit  15  toward the interior of the structure. The forward movement of the window pane unit  15  allows the locking mechanism  17  to avoid impinging upon the bottom portion  19  of the lower portion  21  of the upper frame  23  of the window  11  and allows the window pane unit  15  to be raised the maximal distance until the locking mechanism  17  on the window pane unit  15  abuts a bottom portion  25  of the upper portion  27  of the upper frame  23  of the window  11 .  
      In  FIG. 5 , there is shown a front view of a frame ramp disposed on a window frame according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The frame ramp  61  is in the form of a shim  63  having a rectangular shape and is disposed on an interior facing portion  67  of a side frame  69  of a window  71 .  
      In  FIG. 6  there is shown a cross-sectional side view, along points a-a, of the frame ramp of  FIG. 5  disposed on a window frame. The frame ramp  61  is in the form of a shim  63  having a lower end  64  with an angled first surface  68  and an upper end  66  with an oppositely angled second surface  70 , such that the first surface  68  and the second surface  70  form a peak  72 . The frame ramp  61  may be coupled to the interior facing portion  67  of a side frame  69  of a window  71  using a screw  65 . The shim  63  is located at an upper portion  73  of the side frame  69  such that upon impingement of the upper portion  74  of the window pane unit  75  on the lower end  64  of the shim  63  during its upward movement, the window pane unit  75  is forced toward the interior of the structure as it moves up the first angled surface  68 , thereby providing for clearance of the locking mechanism  77  from a bottom portion  79  of the lower portion  81  of the upper frame  83  of the window  71  and allowing the window pane unit  75  to be raised the maximal distance until the locking mechanism  77  on the window pane unit  75  abuts a bottom portion  85  of the upper portion  87  of the upper frame  83  of the window  71 .  
      The shim  63  may be included as part of the side frame  69  of the window  71  during manufacture or may be a retrofit unit that is field installed. To install the shim  63 , an opening  66  may be made in the side frame  69  of the window  71  by drilling or punching a hole in the side frame  69 . The shim  63  may be coupled to the side frame  69  using the screw  65  that may be inserted into the opening  66  or that may be screwed directly into the side frame  69  of the window  71  without the need for prior drilling or punching. Alternatively, a grommet may be inserted through the shim  63  and the opening  66  to secure the shim  63  to the side frame  69 .  
      Looking now at  FIG. 7   a  there is shown a side view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 4 . The frame ramp  61  is in the form of a shim  63  that includes a face portion  91  having a depressed central area  93  where the head  101  of the screw  65  may sit and an elevated circumferential area  95 , and a rear portion  97 . The face portion includes the lower end  64  with the angled first surface  68  and the upper end  66  with the oppositely angled second surface  70 , such that the first surface  68  and the second surface  70  form the peak  72 . The shim  63  includes a central channel  99  for insertion of the body  103  of the screw  65 . The shim  63  may include an additional pin that may be inserted into a second smaller opening in the side sash so as to maintain the orientation of the shim  63 .  
      In  FIG. 7   b  there is shown a front view of the frame ramp of  FIG. 4 . The frame ramp  61  in the form of a shim  63  has a rectangular shape with the upper end  66  disposed at the top of the side frame  69  of the window  71  and the lower end  64  disposed at the bottom of the side frame  69  of the window  71 . The central area  93  is depressed below the level of the circumferential area  95  so as to provide a recessed area for positioning the head  101  of the screw  65  when it is in a deployed position coupling the shim  63  to the side frame  69 .  
      Turning now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the window frame of  FIG. 6 , with an angled side channel. The frame  111  of the window  71  includes side portions  113  (only one shown) that each include a channel  115  for guiding the movement of the window pane unit  75 . The window pane unit  75  includes extensions or pins  117  that are each positioned within a channel  115  to ensure stability of the window pane unit  75  and proper movement of the window pane unit  75  along the channels  115 . The pins  117  also prevent the window pane unit  75  from intruding within the structure through the force of the wind or other external forces. Each channel  115  extend in a linearly upward direction from the bottom of the side portions  113  of the frame  111  until a point adjacent to the frame ramp  61 , at which point the channels  115  are disposed in an upward angular direction running toward the interior of the structure to accommodate a forward movement of the window pane unit  75  toward the interior of the structure. The forward movement of the window pane unit  75  allows the locking mechanism  77  to avoid impinging upon the bottom portion  79  of the lower portion  81  of the upper frame  83  of the window  71  and allows the window pane unit  75  to be raised the maximal distance until the locking mechanism  77  on the window pane unit  75  abuts a bottom portion  85  of the upper portion  87  of the upper frame  83  of the window  71 . Alternatively, impingement of the locking mechanism  77  upon the bottom portion  79  of the lower portion  81  of the upper frame  83  of the window  71  may be avoided exclusively through the movement of the window pane unit  75  toward the interior of the structure by the angular movement of the pins  117  in the channels  115  thereby forcing the window pane unit  75  in a direction inward to the structure.