provements in the Mechanism for Raising, Lowering, Balancing, and Retaining in Position the Sashes of Sliding Windows, and in Means for Locking and Securing the same, Combined with a Method for Reversing the Sashes for Cleaning, Glazing, and other Purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: UOMI LEIE DI MOITICATION
Improvements in the Mechanism for Raising, Lowering, Balancing,
and Retaining in Position the Sashes of Sliding Windows, and
in Means for Locking and Securing the same, Combined with a
Method for Reversing the Sashes for Cleaning, Glazing, and
other Purposes.
1, THOMAS BAKER BROWN, of 71, Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Joiner and Wood Turner, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates in the first place to an improved arrangement of mechanism,
whereby the sashes of sliding windows can be raised, lowered balanced or retained
in a closed or open position as required, the construction affording a compensating
balance for the sashes when raised or open.
The second part of my invention relates to a means for locking and securing the
said sashes when in a closed position or when open.
The third part of my invention refers to a method whereby the sashes can be
reversed or removed bodily at will for any purpose such as for cleaning, glazing or
such like.
I will now proceed to describe the several features of my improvements with the
aid of the accompanying drawings, reference being had to the several figures and
letters shewn thereon.
Similar refer to similar parts.
Figure 1. is a front elevation shewing my improved method of double frame.
Figure 2. is a front elevation of the inner frame with one of the sides removed to
shew the mode of connection of the sashes with the chains.
Figure 3. is a sectional elevation of one side of a window frame shewing the
arrangement of toothed wheels and chains together with the locking mechanism.
Figure 4. shews a detail of the locking mechanism.
Figures 5 and 6. shew front and back views of the plate and hook that connect
the chains to the sashes. Full size.
Figure 7 and 8, are the metal connections upon which the inner frame swivels.
Full size.
For the purpose of illustrating my method of wheels & chains I have shewn the
application of my improvements to one side only of a window as in Figure 3,
though it will be obvious that the arrangement must be upon each side thereof.
Referring to the first part of my invention it will be observed that I construct an
inner and an outer or double frame A and B the top and bottom sashes C and D
sliding within the inner frame are suspended and balanced by means of toothed
wheels E and F, two on each side, the one situated above the other, or otherwise,
at or near to the meeting bars of the sashes or where found more convenient, and
chains G and H commonly known as ladder chains, by preference, (though
other suitable description may be used) which pass over or around the toothed
wheels.
The said toothed wheels are mounted on metal plates and revolve on centre pins ;
these metal plates are secured in any suitable manner to the inner sides of the
frame A, and the chains are connected to the sashes by means of metal plates I, I',

page_text: and J, J, which have hooks at the back of same, Figure 6, to hook into and grip
the links of the chains, the metal plates are secured by screws or otherwise to the
side stiles of the sashes.
The chain G is connected by means of the metal plate I to the upper part of the
side stile K of the sash C, the chain passes round the upper toothed wheel E and is
fastened by the metal plate l' to the upper part of the side stile L of the bottom
sash D.
The chain H is connected by the metal plate J to the lower part of the side
stile L of the bottom sash D and after passing round the lower toothed wheel F is
fastened by the metal plate J' to the lower part of the side stile K of the upper
sash C.
The chains are housed in grooves M M in the framework where they have free
play in the raising and lowering of the sashes.
In order that the parting bead N may be kept rigid, I may prefer to crank the
plates I, 1, for the top sash which will admit of the groove M not being situated
so closely to the parting bead and thus enabling it to be more securely attached.
When cable chains are used instead of the chains shewn, they will be fastened
with a pawl.
By the above described method a double balancing action is obtained whereby it
is impossible for the one sash to be raised or lowered without the other and thus
the chains are always kept taut, and so preventing any liability of the top sash
suddenly descending as may sometimes happen with single chain action.
Moreover by the present improvements the action of the raising or lowering of
the sashes can be performed easily and noiselessly, the even motion of the chains
and toothed wheels contributing to this end.
When the sashes are in position and the parting bead N fixed, the toothed
wheels and chains are entirely out of sight. See Figure 1.
In some cases I may use instead of chains metallic or other bands having studs
or projections thereon; for this arrangement the pulley wheels will have
correspondingly holes or slots therein to receive the studs or projections on the
band, or the bands may have holes or slots therein to work over the toothed wheels.
I will now describe the second part of my improvements referring to the locking
mechanism in connection with the before named arrangement.
Situated upon the right hand side of the window frame (or upon each side if
found necessary) between the toothed wheels E F is a screw threaded spindle &
knob O, O' which spindle passes through the inner frame A from the front and is
kept in position by two eyeletted lugs P, P, rigidly attached by casting on or
otherwise to the plate carrying the toothed wheels, the spindle working through
these eyeletted lugs is retained at its base by a nut or rivets below the lug P, the
base of the said spindle is shouldered or countersunk so as to bear upon the lower
lug P, and prevent its being forced through too far.
The screw threaded spindle carries a travelling nut having a projection
thereon; this travelling nut works intermediate between the aforesaid lugs P, P¹,
so that when the knob O is turned to the right the projection upon the travelling
nut engages with the teeth of the lower wheel F and securely locks the same and
prevents it from revolving until released by the knob being turned the reverse way
when the travelling nut Q is freed from the teeth of the wheel which is then
disengaged and able to revolve.
Referring to the third part of my invention, provision is made for reversing the
inner frame A and sashes.
Situated at or about mid-way and screwed to the outer frame B upon each side
thereof are metal plates R, R', having eyes or bearings, and upon the inner
frame A are corresponding plates S, S', suitably attached which have short
spindles taking into the eyes of the plates R, R', so that when required to reverse
the inner frame and sashes, by pulling forward the top part of same the said inner
frame will turn or swivel upon these attachments and the entire inner portion will
be brought forward clear of the outer frame B by reason of the plates R, R¹,

page_text: and S, S¹, being fixed flush upon the face of the frames A & B. Or as an;
alternative method these plates may be attached to the inner and outer frames at.
the top and bottom thereof upon either side so that the inner frame may open
similar to a casement in which case they will be in a vertical position.
In either case should it be necessary, the inner frame and sashes may be removed.
bodily, thereby leaving the opening clear, by taking off one of the eyeletted
plates, thereby freeing the spindle of the corresponding plate.
By either of the arrangements described effectual means are provided for
obtaining access to the sashes for cleaning or glazing the same or for other
purposes.
In order to allow of the inner frame being released easily from the outer when
reversing, the outer frame is bevelled to a suitable angle at its top and bottom,
the inner frame being also bevelled correspondingly so that no jamming of the
parts can take place.
The inner frame is bolted to the outer frame upon the inside by flush bolts U, U',.
or other convenient means.
A further advantage in the double frame is that the outer frame can be built
into the walls as the building is erected, the inner frame being attached
afterwards.
As a weather protection, I provide a bead for the sides and top and bottom of
the window, which bead is divided about mid-way T at the sides to allow of the
reversing of the window, when the method, as illustrated, is adopted, in which case
the upper half of the side bead T" is attached to the inner frame and also to the
top, whilst the lower half T2, and bottom part is upon the outer frame, thus when
the window is in its normal position the side beads come together, and abut up
against the spindles of the plates S, S¹.
As in the ordinary construction of window sashes I may prefer to make the
bottom stile or bar deep in order to allow of the lower sash being raised from the
sill for ventilation between the meeting bars and at the top without admitting
draught at the bottom of the window.
By the above described improvements effective means are provided for raising,.
lowering, balancing, and retaining in position the sashes of sliding windows also in
the method for locking and securing the same combined with the system for
reversing the sashes.
I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the several
features comprising my invention as I may find it necessary & advisable to vary
the same to suit different requirements provided the main principles be retained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the object and nature of my
said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is ;-
Firstly. In mechanism for raising, lowering, balancing and retaining in position.
the sashes of sliding windows the arrangement of my improvements consisting of
the toothed wheels, the chains and the method of attaching the said chains to the
sashes by means of the metal plates and hook connections for the purpose.
substantially as herein set forth and described.
Secondly. In means for locking and securing the said window sashes consisting
of the construction and arrangement of the several parts employed viz. :-the
screw threaded spindle, the eyeletted lugs, and the travelling nut operating in.
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and described.
Thirdly. In means for reversing or turning the inner frame and sashes consisting
of the eyeletted plates the corresponding plates and spindles thereon as shewn (or
by the alternative method named) and operating in manner and for the purpose
substantially as herein set forth and described.
Fourthly. In means for raising, lowering, balancing & retaining in position the
sashes of sliding windows, the alternative methods named consisting of metallic or
other bands in lieu of chains, having holes or slots therein, or having studs or

page_text: projections thereon, working into holes or slots in the pulleys or wheels for the
purpose set forth and described.
Fifthly. The general construction and arrangement of parts alone or in
combination for the purpose set forth and described.
Dated this 8th day of February A.D. 1894.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.