Patent Abstract:
A window design is provided with a pair of vertical jambs, a head jamb, a meeting rail and a sill. In one embodiment, an upper sash is secured in a fixed position between the vertical jambs, head jamb and meeting rail. Interior jambs are provided to extend outwardly from interior faces of the window frame and slidably receive a lower sash that is selectively moved between open and closed positions. A screen may be optionally secured to the exterior face of the window frame to allow the simultaneous use of the screen and the sliding lower sash. The window design retains a historic exterior appearance of the window while providing improved conveniences and durability.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to windows and more particularly to a single-hung window that simultaneously incorporates the use of a lower screen member with a vertically positionable lower sash without revealing the operating features for either the lower screen member or the &amp;lower sash member to an observer who is standing in front of the exterior face of the window. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A common window design found within early 20 th  century and older homes provided a simple removable window frame having a pair of horizontally spaced side jambs, a head jamb located at the upper end of the side jambs, a sill disposed at the lower end of the side jambs and a meeting rail extending between the side jambs intermediate the head jamb and sill. The window frame formed upper and lower window openings that were covered with glass panes or screens. Accordingly, two separate windows were required for year round use with this window design. When the weather turned cold or stormy, the window having glass panes disposed within the window openings would be used. As the weather became warm in the Spring and Summer months, the glass-paned window would be removed and stored while a completely separate window, having screens in place of the window panes would be positioned in its place. Accordingly, the window design proved to be tedious during the Fall and Spring seasons when the homeowners might want to exchange one lower sash for the other as the temperatures and weather conditions varied back and forth. 
   Another flaw in the window design prevented the homeowner from varying the degree in which the window was opened. Unlike the convenient single or double-hung windows currently being used, the historic storm window was either open or closed. Moreover, regardless of whether the window is opened or closed, the homeowner had to store the window that was not being used. While this is not a serious inconvenience for a single window, it was common for a home to have several windows on each floor that would have a counterpart window that had to be stored. Accordingly, a homeowner may have to store ten or more complete window units at any given time. 
   The restoration of historic homes, as well as the construction of new homes having historic exterior designs, has become a growing industry and popular cultural trend. Oftentimes, the windows must be restored or replaced. What is needed is a window design that provides a replacement window for historic structures that resembles the exterior appearance of the structure&#39;s original windows, but also provides several of the conveniences found within modern single-hung windows. Moreover, the novel window design should provide a manner in which an existing window within a historic structure can be restored to include basic modern conveniences while retaining some of its historic exterior appearance. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The window design of the present invention is first provided with a window frame having a pair of vertical jambs coupled with a head jamb, meeting rail and lower rail. In a preferred embodiment, an upper sash is secured in a fixed position between the vertical jambs, the head jamb and the meeting rail. A pair of interior jambs are provided to extend outwardly from an interior face of each vertical jamb. In a preferred embodiment, an interior lower rail is provided to extend outwardly from an interior face of the window frame lower rail. A lower sash having upper and lower rails and opposing stiles is provided to slide within the interior jambs between open and closed positions. 
   In one preferred embodiment, weatherstripping is coupled to the interior jambs and the interior lower rail to resist the infiltration of the elements and to provide a snug fit for the lower sash as it is moved between its open and closed positions. In another preferred embodiment, a pair of latch pins are provided at the lower end portion of the lower rail to provide a means with which the user can secure the lower sash in one of a plurality of different vertical positions along the lengths of the interior jambs. The interior jambs and lower rail may be anchored within channels formed in the interior faces of the window frame using press-fit anchors that extend outwardly from the interior jambs and lower rail. A screen panel may be secured within the exterior face of the window frame to provide simultaneous use of the lower sash and the screen panel. 
   It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a window design that resembles a historic storm window while permitting the simultaneous use of a lower sash and a screen panel. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a window design that provides a lower sash that is vertically slid between open and closed positions while retaining a historic exterior appearance. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a window design that resembles a historic storm window but provides a vertically sliding lower sash that substantially prevents the unintended infiltration of the wind and elements. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window design having an exterior appearance that is similar to a historic storm window while providing a vertically moveable lower sash and increasing the torsional stability and trueness of the window frame. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of restoring a historic storm window which incorporates the convenience of a sliding lower sash while generally retaining the historic exterior appearance of the window. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a window design that enables an individual to modify an existing historic storm window to include a permanent screen panel and a sliding lower sash without departing greatly from the historic exterior appearance of the window. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the exterior face of one embodiment of the window of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the interior exterior face of one embodiment of the window of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of one embodiment of the window of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of one embodiment of the window of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial view of the window of the present invention with the lower sash in an open position; and 
       FIG. 6  is another partial view of the window of the present invention with the lower sash in an open position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The window  10  of the present invention is generally depicted in  FIGS. 1–6  and is described herein as a single-hung design. However it is contemplated that the design of the window  10  would easily permit its construction as a double-hung window, in those particular circumstances where such a design would be desirable. For ease of description, the window  10  is described as a replacement or new construction window, it will be clear to those having skill in the art that the structures and principles of the window  10  could be easily applied in modifying existing historic or modern windows. 
   The window  10  is provided with a window frame  12  having a first vertical jamb  14  and a second vertical jamb  16  that are spaced horizontally from one another. A head jamb  18  is coupled to the upper end portions of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16 . A meeting rail  20  extends between the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  intermediate their upper and lower end portions. A lower rail  22  is coupled to the lower end portions of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16 . In a preferred embodiment, an upper sash  24  is secured in a fixed position between the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  and the head jamb  18  and meeting rail  20 . The first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  combine with the meeting rail  20  and lower rail  22  to define a window opening  26 . Stylistically, the window frame  12  could be provided in various shapes and in a wide range of dimensions. For example, the window frame  12  may be crafted to closely resemble a window frame from a historic storm window that exhibits a particular period appearance. Hardware, such as the hangers  27  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may be used to selectively removably secure the window  10  within the opening of a window casing. 
   In a preferred embodiment, first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  extend outwardly from interior faces  32  and  34  of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16 . In this manner, the first and second interior jambs would extend into the room of the building to which the window  10  is secured. The first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  are shaped to provide channels  36  and  38  that extend along at least a portion of the length of the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30 . The channels  36  and  38  are positioned within the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  to generally face one another in a coplanar manner so that they may slidably receive the side portions of a lower sash  40 . In its preferred embodiment, the lower sash  40  is provided with a glass pane  42  that is framed by upper and lower rails  44  and  46  and first and second stiles  48  and  50 . It is contemplated that such rails and stiles may be comprised of structures separate and apart from the glass pane  42  and formed from nearly any material such as various metals, woods and polymers. However, it is also contemplated that the rail and stile portions of the lower sash  40  could simply be the peripheral ledge portions of the glass pane  42  itself in particular applications. Regardless, the lower sash  40  is selecting moveable within the channels  36  and  38  between open and closed positions. 
   An interior lower rail member  52  may be provided to extend outwardly from an interior face  54  of the window lower rail  22 . The interior lower rail member  52  is shaped to have a channel  56  extending along at least a portion of its length, much in the same manner as the channels  36  and  38  are formed within the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30 . The channel  56  preferably faces in a generally upward direction and positioned in a coplanar manner with the channels  36  and  38  so that at least a portion of the lower rail  46  of the lower sash  40  is received within the channel  56  when the window  10  is in a closed position. 
   Due to the advent of various extruded materials and precise shaping processes, it is contemplated that the lower sash  40  will be slidably received within the channels  36 ,  38  and  56  in such a manner that wind and other weather elements are substantially prevented from passing there between. Moreover, the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  and interior lower rail member  52  should be formed from various modern materials that are durable while exhibiting low coefficients of friction for smooth and easy manipulation of the lower sash  40  over the lifetime of the window  10 . However, lengths of weatherstripping  58  can be provided where the lower sash  40  engages the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30 , the interior lower rail member  52  and the meeting rail  20  to further ease the sliding action. In one embodiment, the lengths of weatherstripping  58  are secured along a portion of the channels  36 ,  38  and  56 , as well as the meeting rail  20  using an adhesive or other structural securement means, such as tacks and the like. Similarly, the lengths of weatherstripping  58  can be adhered to the upper and lower rails  44  and  46  and the first and second stiles  48  and  50  of the lower sash  40  to achieve a similar sealing engagement with the channels  36 ,  38  and  56 . A mounting plate  60  may be secured to the meeting rail  20  to receive a length of weatherstripping  58 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, slots  62  are formed along channels  36 ,  38  and  56  as well as the mounting plate  60 . The slots  62  should be shaped to receive the rearward surface of the particular type of weatherstripping being used. For example, common felt weatherstripping is provided with a narrow strip of backing material that is easily disposed within T-shaped slots and are easily secured in their positions, with or without adhesives, due to the structural mating of the T-shaped slots and the weatherstripping. A nearly limitless number of different shapes, such as dovetail, elliptical, and the like could be incorporated with the slots  62  depending on the particular application and type of weatherstripping being employed. Such design flexibility is desirable due to the wide range of available materials that would suffice for use in constructing the lengths of weatherstripping  58 , such as rubber, polymers, synthetic materials and various combinations thereof. 
   Where the window  10  is provided as a new or replacement window, it is contemplated that the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  and the interior lower rail member  52  could be integrally formed with their respective first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  and window lower rail  22  whether the structural components are formed from metal, wood, plastic or various combinations thereof. However, in many cases the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  and interior lower rail member  52  will be separate parts that are secured to the interior faces of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  and window lower rail  22 . The method of securement will depend upon the particular application. While various adhesives are contemplated, conventional fasteners, such as nails and screws may be preferred. However, in one preferred embodiment, shaped anchors  64  can be provided to extend outwardly from the mounting surfaces of the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  and the interior lower rail member  52  so that they are secured within anchor recesses  66  formed within the interior faces of the window frame  12 . It is contemplated that the shapes of the anchors  64  can vary greatly from those depicted in the Figures. However, shapes that permit the anchors  64  to be press-fit within the anchor recesses  66 , while resisting extraction, are preferred. Similarly, while the anchor  64  could be provided as an elongated, continuous member that is received within a channel-shaped anchor recess  66 , it is contemplated that the anchor  64  could be more prong-shaped and received within a smaller individual anchor recess. An added benefit to the use of the separate first and second interior jambs  28  and  30  and the interior lower rail member  52  is an increase in the torsional stability and trueness of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  and the window lower rail  22  over the life of the window  10 . This structural bracing is provided without a dramatic increase overall structural weight or complexity. 
   An optional screen member  68  may be simultaneously incorporated with the use of the lower sash  40 . In a preferred embodiment, a peripheral edge portion  70  of the screen member  68  is disposed within channels  72  that are formed within the exterior faces  74  and  76  of the first and second vertical jambs  14  and  16  and the exterior faces  78  and  80  of the meeting rail  20  and window lower rail  22 . An elongated spline  82  may be used to secure the peripheral edge portion  70  of the screen  68  within the channels  72 . To provide a finished appearance to the exterior of the window  10 , molding  84  can be applied above the spline  82  to closely resemble the molding or glazing used on the adjacent upper sash  24 . 
   Several different means for securing the lower sash  40  in one of several different open positions and a closed position may be provided. In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , a pin member  86  extends outwardly from each of the first and second stiles of the lower sash  40 . The pin members  86  should be slidably engageable with a plurality of openings  88  formed within the channels  36  and  38  in the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30 . The openings should be positioned in opposing pairs along the lengths of the channels  36  and  38  at a closed position and one or more open positions where the lower sash  40  is disposed in different open positions that reveal varying degrees of the window opening  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the pin members  86  are each operatively connected to tabs  90  that may be selectively grasped by a user to manipulate the pin members  86  into and out of engagement with the openings  88 . The tabs  90  also provide an optional structure with which the user may lift and pull the lower sash  40  between open and closed positions. It is contemplated that the pin members  86  could be outwardly biased by springs to assist the user in locating the openings  88 . 
   The design of the window  10  presents few changes to the exterior appearance of the window being replaced or remodeled. To further enhance the exterior appearance of the window  10 , a shaped profile  92 , such as an ogee may be formed along the peripheral edge of the window opening  26 , adjacent the first and second interior jambs  28  and  30 , as well as the interior lower rail member  52  and the mounting plate  60  to provide the optical illusion that the lower sash  40  is not actually disposed behind the window frame  12 . Accordingly, when the exterior of the window  10  is viewed at various angles, it appears as though the lower sash  40  is disposed within the window opening  26  in a manner similar to historic storm windows. 
   In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as a substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 
   Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4