Patent Publication Number: US-7716875-B2

Title: Windows

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. The Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to windows and in particular to windows with multiple pane units having two or more spaced panes. For example, a multiple pane unit having two spaced panes is commonly referred to as a double glazed unit. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention may be applied to the type of window known as a “double hung” window. Additionally, the invention may be applied to horizontal sliding windows. The invention is also not limited to windows in the conventional sense but may be used in any glazed opening such as a glazed opening in a door panel for instance. 
   2. The Relevant Technology 
     FIGS. 1 to 4  illustrate a cross section through known form of a double hung window with top  50  and bottom  52  double glazed units. It can be seen that the double glazed units possess a peripheral seal  54  between each of the two panes of glass and additionally, each double glazed unit has a top and bottom rail  56  of an extruded aluminium section. It will be appreciated that in the closed position of the window as shown in  FIG. 4 , the aligned top and bottom rails  56  will present an obvious visual barrier and will somewhat detract from the view through the window. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  also illustrate another form of sashless window having horizontal sliding glass panels  58 ,  60 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  only illustrate a single glass panel. However, it will be appreciated that this form of window may be adapted for double glazed units, in which case the visual impediment presented by extruded aluminium rails extending vertically in the centre of the window will be present. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a window which addresses the foregoing disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice of available products. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a window including at least one multiple pane unit mounted in an opening for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein the multiple pane unit includes at least two panes in spaced disposition, and has a seal disposed therebetween to form a sealed chamber between the two panes, wherein at least one of the panes extends beyond the seal. 
   Preferably, the extension is so as to overlap another multiple pane unit. 
   It should be appreciated that the panes of the windows need not necessarily be made of glass. They may, for example, be made of a transparent plastics material, or even of an opaque material so as to form a hatch rather than a “see-through” window. Therefore the term “pane” as used herein, is to be taken to refer to a pane formed of any type of material, glass or otherwise. 
   Each multiple pane unit may comprise double glazed units or alternatively there may be three or more panes of glass or other material for greater insulative properties. The panes may be spaced to optimise the heat insulative properties or alternatively, the spacing may be to optimise noise insulative properties. 
   Preferably, each multiple pane unit is provided without peripheral frame members holding the panes together. In a preferred form of the invention, the multiple panes may be held together with the seal disposed therebetween by an appropriate adhesive. In a most preferred form, the edges are finished off with an elastomeric sealant filling any peripheral gaps, with the edges of the panes polished to thereby present aesthetically appealing edges. In a most preferred form of the invention, the seal and/or the adhesive is transparent or translucent and a clear sealant/filler is used. 
   The window may be presented in a double hung configuration or a horizontal sliding configuration. In the double hung configuration there are suitably two multiple pane units arranged in a counterbalanced configuration. The counterbalancing may be achieved by a cord interconnecting the two pane units with the cord extending around a pulley so that upward or downward movement of one pane unit causes a corresponding downward or upward movement of the other pane unit. Alternatively one of the multiple pane units may be counterbalanced by a weight. In another embodiment, one or more multiple pane units may be counterbalanced by a spring or other supporting mechanism. 
   Suitably, the at least one multiple pane unit is mounted within a frame to support the sliding movement. 
   In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a window including at least two multiple pane units mounted in an opening wherein at least one of the multiple pane units is moveable between an open and a closed position, and wherein each multiple pane unit comprises at least two panes in spaced disposition and has a seal disposed therebetween to form a sealed chamber between the two panes, such that in the closed positions of the or each moveable multiple pane unit, portions of the seal of the multiple pane units are aligned and wherein at least one of the multiple pane units has at least one of its panes extending beyond the seal. 
   Preferably, the extension is so as to overlap the other multiple pane unit. 
   In a preferred form of the invention, the window may be of the double hung type, in which case there is an upper multiple pane unit and a lower multiple pane unit. Preferably, the bottom of the upper multiple pane unit extends beyond the seal to overlap the lower multiple pane unit. The extension may be about 70 mm but anywhere between 50 mm and 150 mm may be aesthetically acceptable. In the double hung configuration, preferably it is the exterior pane of the upper multiple pane unit which is extended. Alternatively, it may be the interior pane. In another form of the invention, both panes may be extended. Sealing strips referred to as “lap seals” may be provided to seal gaps between the multiple pane units. These lapseals may have bristles to assist with sealing. The lapseals may be removable. 
   In the double hung configuration, the aligned portions of the seal may comprise a top portion of the lower pane unit and a bottom portion of the upper pane unit. 
   The above aspect of the invention may also be applied to horizontal sliding windows in which case the aligned portions of the seal will extend vertically centrally of the window. 
   In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a window including at least two multiple pane units mounted in an opening with at least one of the multiple pane units mounted for sliding movement in a sliding plane between an open position and a closed position wherein each multiple pane unit includes at least two panes in spaced disposition and has a seal disposed therebetween to form a sealed chamber between the two panes, wherein, in the closed position, the at least two multiple pane units overlap in the sliding plane forming an overlapped region and at least one of the multiple pane units has an outer one of its panes extending beyond the seal, wherein a sealing strip is disposed in the overlapped region such that both multiple pane units engage with the sealing strip in the closed position. 
   In a preferred form of the invention, both multiple pane units may have their outer panes extended. Further, lap seals may be provided at the edges of the extended panes to engage with the inner pane of the adjacent multiple pane unit. 
   The terms “exterior/external” and “interior/internal” apply to the environment of the window i.e. whether on the outside relative to the building (exterior/external) (internal/interior) or on the inside relative to the building. On the other hand the terms “inner” and “outer” refer to the relative position of the pane within the window assembly. 
   This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. 
   The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following give examples. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention maybe more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described by way of example for reference to the Figures in which: 
       FIGS. 1 to 6  are prior art drawings discussed above; 
       FIGS. 7   a  to  7   f  are front views of different configurations of vertical sliding sashless windows according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7   g  to  7   j  are front views of different configurations of horizontal sliding sashless windows according to preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a vertical cross-sectional view through A-A of  FIG. 7   a;    
       FIG. 9  is a horizontal cross section view through B-B of  FIG. 7   a;    
       FIG. 10  is a alternative configuration for the cross-section through C-C of  FIG. 7   a , illustrating the downward extension of the inner pane of the upper multiple pane unit with an additional lapseal provided at the extended edge; 
       FIG. 11  is a variation of  FIG. 10  illustrating additionally the outer pane of the upper multiple pane unit being extended downwardly; 
       FIG. 12  is yet another modification of  FIG. 10  illustrating that the inner pane of the lower pane unit may be extended downwardly to overlap with the extruded aluminium sill; 
       FIG. 13  is a vertical cross-sectional detail through a window of the type shown in  FIG. 7   f  where two central pane units move away from each other to open, whereby the outer pane of the upper pane unit and the inner pane of the lower pane unit are both extended downwardly and the pane units overlap in the sliding plane; 
       FIG. 14  is another variation of  FIG. 13  whereby the lower pane unit has the outer pane extended upwardly; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a detail of  FIG. 14 , illustrating the disposition of lap seals on the extended edges of the outer panes and also the provision of a sealing strip disposed in an overlapped region on one of the multiple pane units to engage with the other multiple pane unit in the closed configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Different types of sashless double hung windows are shown in  FIGS. 7   a  to  7   e . The window shown in  FIG. 7   a  is a standard two pane unit, double hung window with two counterbalanced pane units  1  and  2  mounted for relative sliding movement in a frame  3 . In the closed position of the window, the pane units  1  and  2  overlap slightly and are connected by at least one cord extending around a pulley in the conventional manner. The arrangement is such that an upward movement of the lower pane unit  2  leaves an opening between the lower pane and the bottom frame member  4  and causes a corresponding downward movement of the upper pane to leave another opening between the upper pane unit  1  and the top frame member  5 . 
   In the servery type window or hatch of  FIG. 7   b , the upper pane unit is fixed in the frame  3  and the lower pane unit is connected by a cord to a counterbalanced weight. When the lower pane unit  2  is moved upwards, an opening is created between the bottom frame member  4  and the lower pane unit  2 .  FIG. 7   c  shows a similar type of servery window, but with the lower pane unit  2  fixed, and the upper pane unit moveable within the frame  3  so that when the upper pane unit is moved downwards, an opening is formed between the upper pane unit  1  and the top frame member  5 . 
   Two further types of sashless double hung windows, each having three pane units are shown in  FIGS. 7   d  and  7   e . In the three pane unit system of the  FIG. 7   d , the bottom pane unit  9  is fixed and the other two pane units  7  and  8  are relatively moveable within the frame. The arrangement is such that upward movement of the middle pane unit to create an opening between the middle pane unit  7  and the bottom pane unit  9  causes a corresponding downward movement of the top pane unit to form an opening between the top pane unit and top frame member  5 . This arrangement is reversed in the three-pane unit window system of  FIG. 7   e  in which the top pane unit is fixed and the other two pane units  7  and  9  are relatively moveable. In this arrangement, upward movement of the bottom pane unit  9  to create an opening between the bottom pane unit  9  and the bottom frame member  4  causes a corresponding downward movement of the middle pane unit  7  to form an opening between the middle pane unit  7  and the top pane unit  8 . 
   The sashless double hung window of  FIG. 7   f  differs from the windows of  FIGS. 7   a  to  7   e  in that it has four pane units  11 ,  12 , 13  and  14  mounted in a fixed window frame  10 . The top and bottom pane units  11  and  12  are fixed relative to the frame  10  and first and second intermediate counterbalanced pane units  13  and  14  are slidably moveable within the frame  10 . The intermediate panes  13  and  14  are counterbalanced by being connected by at least one cord extending around a pulley and the arrangement is such that the intermediate panes  13  and  14  are movable from a first, closed position into a second, open position in which an opening is formed between the intermediate panes  13  and  14 . 
     FIGS. 7   g  to  7   j  show four different configurations of horizontal sliding windows but other configurations are possible. 
   The window illustrated in  FIG. 8  comprises two multiple pane units  1 ,  2  as corresponding to  FIG. 7   a . Each multiple pane unit comprises two spaced panes of glass or other material having a seal  30  provided therebetween. The edges of the panes may be polished and further, a filler or other sealant material (not shown) may be provided to present an appealing finished edge. The two panes and the seal may be held together by an appropriate adhesive. Accordingly, the pane units  1 ,  2  are rimless. 
   Terms such as interior/internal pane and exterior/external pane will be used to refer to the two panes making up the pane units  1 ,  2 . The term “external pane” is used to refer to the external pane when considering the environment of the window, for example, external panes  36 ,  38  face the outside, whereas internal panes  34 ,  40  face the inside. It can be seen that external pane  38  has its lower edge extended beyond the seal  30  to overlap the lower pane unit  2 . Optionally, external pane  36  may have its lower edge extended beyond the seal  30 . 
   Optionally, a lap seal  39  may be provided which is a sealing strip having a brush pile with optionally an elastomeric swipe blade. Suitably, the lap seal is of transparent or translucent material. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the two units  1 ,  2  are mounted within a window frame including head  42 , sill  43  and side jambs  44 . A head channel  45  is provided at the head  42  and the top of unit  1  is received in the head channel  45  in the closed position. At the sill, a sill adaptor  46  is provided with a gradient towards the outside. A pulley and cord arrangement  47  interconnects the two units  1 ,  2 . 
   Other arrangements are evident from the configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 10 through 15  and like numerals represent like parts and the prime (′) indicating a similar part. 
   In  FIG. 10 , the extended pane is provided with a sealing strip  47 . In  FIG. 11 , both panes of unit  1 ″ have been extended past seal  30 .  FIG. 12  shows an alternative arrangement for the bottom unit  2 ′ having external pane  36  extended to seal against the sill adaptor  46 . Additional seals  48  may be provided to seal against the sill adaptor  46 . A similar arrangement could be used at the head  42 . 
   On 4-pane or like systems (see for example  FIGS. 7   f  and  7   g ) where two panes move away from each other then the units can be more or less aligned in the sliding plane i.e., overlapping, with a slight offset to allow for the extended pane of one of the units to overlap with the other unit. The arrows indicate the direction of opening. 
     FIG. 15  is a detailed view of  FIG. 14  illustrating various lap seals  47 ,  49  that might be incorporated. 
   The foregoing only describes some of the embodiments of the present invention and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.