Improvements in or in connection with Window Sashes and Frames, or what are known as Reversible Windows
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1895.
Complete Specification Left, 26th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
Improvements in or in connection with Window Sashes and Frames,
or what are known as Reversible Windows.
"
I, EDWARD VERNON HARRIS of 2, Brooklyn Road, Old Portswood, Southampton,
Hants, Master Carpenter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or in connection with window sashes
and frames or what are commonly known as or frequently termed "reversible
windows" and one of the objects of my present improvements is to provide means
of a simple and inexpensive character whereby the ordinary existing vertically
sliding windows may be converted without much expense into reversible windows
according to my present invention-my present improvements being equally
applicable to new window sashes and frames.
My present invention is as follows:-
Firstly this invention consists of improvements in or in connection with the
window frame whereby the top and bottom window sashes are permitted to be
readily swung inwards for cleaning etc. and secondly consists of means for auto-
matically locking or holding the bottom part of each sash in the frame when the
said sash is "reversed to thus respectively act as pivots or axes on which said
ash can be swung or turned inwardly for cleaning etc. while at the same time when
cach said sash is re-placed respectively in position same is automatically released
and free to he raised and lowered as desired and also according to my present
Invention I so form and arrange the sash that the sash line or cord can be secured
to the sash at about the middle of the height thereof or at any other desired point
higher or lower to serve to support said sash when same is swung inwardly as
aforesaid while allowing said sash line to come clear of the upper part of said
sash.
The improvements in or in connection with the frame consist in so arranging
forming or mounting the middle bead (i.e. the bead between the two sashes) or a
part thereof advantageously the lower part in such a manner that same may be
readily lowered or removed so as to lie flush with or below the side of the frame or
pulley stile and thus permit the top sash to be moved over and past said bead
inwardly into the room the bead on the inside of the frame (or the lower part
thereof) being made detachable or removable in any suitable or well-known manner
for instance it may be simply mounted on hinges which permit this inside head to
be laid back out of the way and thus permit the bottom sash to be removed from
the frame inwardly into the room as also the top sash when the latter has been
pulled down to the lowermost position and the middle bead moved out of its way as
aforesaid.
One way of making this middle bead to rise and sink as desired according to my
present invention consists in mounting same on two short arms or links pivotted to
said movable bead near the two ends thereof the other ends of these baid short
arms being pivotted to the side of the groove in the pulley stile in which said
movable bead is adapted to rise and fall-one of these arms having advantageously
a long pin or shaft attached thereto or formed thereon passing to the exterior of
the frame (either inside or outside) and then bent over to form a crank handle or
lever or having any suitable knob or handle etc. provided thereon by which to

page_text: rotate said pin and thereby swing said bead up or down by means of the aforesaid
two short arms or links or more than two of these latter may be used if desired.
The aforesaid crank handle or lever on the exterior of the frame may serve the
further purpose of a catch or fastener for holding fast the aforesaid hinged or
removable inside bead; or separate means may be provided for securing the latter
if desired.
A groove or slot may be provided in the ordinary wooden frame or pulley stile
into which the said movable bead can retire or a metal or other groove or channel
may be let into said frame within which said movable head can operate but what-
ever arrangement may be adopted it should advantageously be such that the rain
or damp cannot penetrate beyond said slot or groove but on the contrary any rain
beating into said groove or channel will simply drain down and run off at the
bottom.
Other suitable means or mechanical devices may be used for raising and lowering
the aforesaid "parting bead" for instance this may be done with a detachable key
adapted to fit in or on and rotate a shaft or pin the latter carrying one of the
aforesaid short links thereon or otherwise arranged or adapted to impart the desired
movement to said bead.
This movable middle bead may advantageously be used with the means herein-
after described for automatically pivotting and locking the lower part of the frame
and preventing same coming out in the room when the upper part is swung out or
same may be used with any other equivalent or suitable means for reversing or
emoving the sash from the window for cleaning or other purposes.
-
My improvements in or in connection with the sash consist in providing said
sash (.e. both top and bottom sash alike) with a metal plate fixed to the bottom
of said sash at each side thereof and this metal plate is forked at the bottom
thereof that is it has a short. vertical slot or passage (advantageously slightly
tapering or bell-mouthed) terminating in a circular aperture; a stud or projection
(advantageously oblong in shape with the longest sides thereof vertically
disposed) being provided at or near the botton of the frame and securely
attached thereto (one respectively for each sash) in such a position that when
the top or bottom sash is moved down to its lowermost position the said studs
will lie in the path of the aforesaid metal plates on the bottom of said sashes
which will therefore (by means of the said slot in each said plate) be guided
over and slide past said stud until the top of the circular opening in said metal
plate comes to rest against the top of said studs and the latter will thereby act
as a stop while if now the beads are removed as aforesaid (or if said beads are
removed in other equivalent or suitable manner as desired) so as to permit the
sash to he swung inwards thereupon said studs will act as pivots or axes upon
which each said sash will respectively turn, and besides forming a point on
which same may be swung has the advantage that it prevents the window sash
from swinging entirely loose into the room and then perhaps becoming broken
or damaged while immediately the sash is put back in position (and the beads
re-placed) thereupon said sash is free to rise off said pivots.
:
Another point of improvement in the frame is I cut away or form the part of
the sash (viz. on that side of the sash which lies next to the pulley stile) from
near the point where the sash line or cord is secured in said sash to the top thereof
and between the cord and the outside of said sash so that this part of the sash
where the sash cord lies against same is flush from beneath said cord to the outer
side of the sash and thereby when the beads are removed and the sash swung
inwards said sash cord slips or moves clear of the upper part of said sash and
suspends same in a direct line from at or near the middle or other point where said
sash line is secured-a metal bridge or other suitable means as desired being
provided at or near this point to assist in keeping this line in proper position.
A further advantage of the herein-described means of automatically locking and
pivotting the lower part of the sash when same is swung out in the room is that if
desired to entirely remove the sash from the window frame this can still be done

page_text: viz. by not forcing the window sash right down to its point of rest on said studs
or stop pieces but by removing the beads as aforesaid and bringing the window
sash to rest just above i.e. clear of the said studs or pivots fixed in the frame
thereby said sash can be entirely removed from the window frame without
hindrance.
Dated this 7th day of August 1895.
Improvements in or in connection with Window Sashes and Frames,
or what are known as "Reversible" Windows.
I, EDWARD VERNON HARRIS of 2 Brooklyn Road, Old Portswood, Southampton,
Hants, Master Carpenter, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in or in connection with window sashes
and frames or what are commonly known as or frequently termed "reversible
windows" and one of the objects of my present invention is to provide means of a
simple and inexpensive character whereby the ordinary existing vertically sliding
windows may be converted without much expense into reversible windows according
to my present invention-my present improvements being equally applicable to
new vertically sliding windows and sashes and frames for same.
My present invention is as follows:-
""
Firstly this invention consists of improvements in or in connection with the
window frame whereby the top and bottom window sashes are respectively permitted
to be readily swung inwards for cleaning etc. and secondly consists of means for
automatically locking or holding the bottom part of each said sash respectively in
the frame when said sash is "reversed or swung inwards as aforesaid to thus act
as pivots or axes on which said sash can be so swung or turned inwardly for cleaning
etc. while at the same time when each said sash is re-placed respectively in its
vertical position same is automatically released and free again to be raised off said
pivots or axes as desired and also according to my present invention I so form and
arrange the sash that the sash line or cord can be secured to the sash at about the
middle of the height thereof (or at any other desired point higher or lower) to
serve to support said sash when same is swung inwardly as aforesaid while allowing
each said sash line to come clear of the upper part of each said sash.
The improvements in or in connection with the frame consist in so arranging
forming or mounting the middle bead (i.e. the bead between the two sashes-known
as the "parting bead ") or a part thereof-advantageously the lower part-in such
a manner that same may be readily withdrawn or moved so as to lie flush with or
below the side of the frame or pulley stile and thus permit the top sash to be
moved over and past such bead inwardly into the room; the bead on the inside of
the frame (or the lower part thereof also being made movable or detachable or
removable in any suitable or well-known manner for instance it inay be simply
mounted on hinges which permit this inside bead to be laid back out of the way
and thus permit the bottom sash to be removed from the frame inwardly into the
room as also the top sash when the latter has been pulled down to the lowermost
position and the "parting bead "moved out of its way as aforesaid.
One way of making this "parting bead" to rise and sink as desired according
to my present invention consists in mounting same on two short arms or links
pivoted to said movable bead near the two opposite ends thereof the other ends of

page_text: these said short arms being pivoted to the side of the groove in the pulley stile in
which said movable bead is adapted to rise and fall-one of these arms having
advantageously a long pin or shaft attached thereto or formed thereon passing to
the exterior of the frame (either inside or outside) and then bent over to form a
crank handle or lever or having any suitable knob or handle etc. provided thereon
by which to rotate said pin and thereby swing said bead up or down by means of
the aforesaid two short arms or links or more than two of these latter may be used
if desired.
The aforesaid crank handle or lever on the exterior of the frame may serve the
further purpose of a catch or fastener for holding fast the aforesaid hinged or
removable inside bead; or separate means may be provided for securing the latter
if desired.
A groove or slot is provided in the wooden frame or pulley stile into which the
said movable bead can retire or a metal or other groove or channel may be let into
said frame or pulley stile and into which said movable bead can retire-whatever
arrangement may be adopted it should advantageously be such that the rain or
damp cannot penetrate beyond said slot or groove but on the contrary should be
such that any rain beating into said groove or channel will simply drain down and
run off at the bottom of the window frame.
Other suitable means or mechanical devices may be used for raising and lowering
the aforesaid "parting bead" for instance this may be done with a detachable key
adapted to fit in or on and rotate a shaft or pin the latter carrying one of the
aforesaid short links thereon or otherwise arranged or adapted to impart the
desired movement to said bead or one of the said links may be prolonged beyond
the point where it is pivoted to the pulley stile or to a support or fitting which
latter is mounted on or secured to said pulley stile-the said projecting end forming
a lever or arm which is retained by a suitable catch and when released or pulled or
moved outwardly will thereby move said parting bead inwardly into the aforesaid
channel or slot to receive same in the pulley stile.
This movable paiting bead may advantageously be used with the means
hereinafter described for automatically pivoting and locking the lower part of
each sash and preventing same coming out in the room when the upper part is
swung out or said movable parting bead may be used with any other equivalent
or suitable means for reversing or removing the sash from the window for cleaning
or other purposes.
My improvements in or in connection with the sash consist in providing said sash
(i.e. both top and bottom sash alike) with a metal plate fixed at each side of each
sash near the bottom thereof and this metal plate is forked or upwardly slotted at
the bottom thereof that is it has a short vertical slot from the bottom upwards
(advantageously slightly tapering or bell-mouthed) terminating in a circular
aperture; a stud or projection (advantageously oblong in shape-with the longest
sides thereof vertically disposed) being provided at or near the bottom of the frame
and securely attached thereto (one respectively for each sash on each side the
frame) in such positions that when the hottom sash is moved down to its lowermost
position the said studs will lie in the path of the aforesaid metal plates on the side
edges of said sash which will therefore (by means of the said slot in each said plate)
be guided over and slide on to said stud until the top of the circular opening in each
Baid metal plate comes to rest against the top of said studs and the latter will
thereby act as a stop while if now the inside bead is removed as aforesaid so as to
permit the sash to be swung inwards thereupon said studs will act as pivots or
axes upon which said sash will turn and besides forming the points on which
said sash may be swung inwards and assisting to hold same in position for
cleaning etc. also has the advantage that it prevents such sash from swinging
entirely loose into the room and thereby perhaps becoming broken or damaged
while immediately the sash is put back in position (and the beads re-placed)
thereupon said sash is free to rise off said pivots again-the top sash acting in
precisely the same manner only the bottom sash must be first reversed
or

page_text: swung inwards as aforesaid and the parting bead removed (as hereinbefore
described according to my present invention) to allow the top sash to be swung
inwards on its pivots or the parting beads may be moved out of the way in any
equivalent or other suitable manner for instance same may be made entirely
detachable if desired.
Another point of improvement in the frame is I cut away or form the part of the
sash (viz. on each side of the sash which lies next to the pulley stile) from near
the point where the sash line or cord is secured to said sash to the top thereof and
between the cord and the outside of said sash so that this part of the sash where
the sash cord lies against same is flush from beneath said cord to the outer side of
the sash consequently when the beads are removed and the sash swung inwards
said sash cord slips or moves clear of the upper part of the said sash and suspends
same in a direct line from at or near the middle or other point on said sash where
said sash line is secured-a metal bridge or other suitable means as desired being
advantageously provided at or near this point to assist in keeping the line in proper
position.
A further advantage of the herein-described means of automatically locking and
pivoting the lower part of the sash when same is swung out inwards into the room
is that if desired to entirely remove the sash from the window frame this can still
be done viz. by not forcing the window sash right down to its point of rest on said
studs or stop pieces but by removing the beads as aforesaid and bringing the
window sash to rest just above-i.e. clear of-the said studs or pivots fixed in the
frame thereby said sash can be entirely removed from the window frame without
hindrance.
And in order that my present invention may be fully understood and readily
carried into practice I will proceed to further describe same with reference to the
drawings hereunto annexed :—
Fig. 1 is a front elevation (partly in vertical section) of a window having my
improvements applied thereto looking from the interior of the building or
apartment fitted therewith.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2-2 Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 Fig. 1-showing both top and bottom
sash "reversed" according to my present invention.
Figs. 4 to 11 are views on an enlarged scale showing the improvements in
detail.
Fig. 4 being an edge view of the sash with the aforesaid slotted plate D on the
lower part thereof while the upper part is shown cut away to permit the sash line
to act as herein described-Fig. 4ª being a plan of the top of said sash and Fig. 4B
being a plan of opposite end thereof.
Fig. 5 is a local view of the lower part of the pulley stile or window frame
having fixed thereon the aforesaid studs or projections for the sashes to turn on
respectively.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation (local view) of said stud or projection on the pulley
stile the latter shown in section.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation (local view) of the parting bead moved back into its slot
or recess in the pulley stile or frame.
Fig. 8 is a view of same in its normal position i.e. projecting beyond the face of
the pulley stile.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are corresponding views to Figs. 5, 7 and 8 respectively --but
showing a different arrangement for moving the parting bead out of the way.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
A is ordinary wooden frame or "pulley stile" in which I form or provide a groove
or slot such as A³ (see Fig. 2).
B is movable part of the parting bead adapted to be moved back into said groove
or slot A flush with (or thereabouts) or below the face of the pulley stile A-as
hereinafter described.

page_text: C is sash (of ordinary or any suitable form) of "top" y and "bottom" z of the
window.
D is metal plate slotted from the bottom upwards as shown in Fig. 4 which is
fixed on each side of-near the bottom edge of the top sash y and I also fix two
of these slotted plates D similarly on the bottom sash-the wood or part of each
such sash being cut away at C¹ (see Fig. 4) or so formed below each said slotted
plate respectively as to clear the stud or projection E (fixed to the pulley stile A)
and thus permit the slotted plate D to pass onto said stud or projection E.
is inside bead or part of the window frame which may be hinged at F1 to the
pulley stile A as shown in Fig. 5 or be otherwise suitably mounted so as to be
readily removable suitable catches or means (such as the sciew F Figs. 1 and 3)
being provided to secure said beads F. in their normal "closed condition as
shown in Fig. 1.
29
I will now describe the movable paiting bead-first of all more particularly with
reference to the arrangement shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8.
B is the movable part of the parting bead same having pivoted thereto at G¹ H¹
respectively the short links G & H the said link G being pivoted at G2 to a suitable
mount or support G³ fixed to the pulley stile while the aforesaid link H is pivoted
at Hto the ncu-movable part B₁ of the bead or to a brass or other suitable
fixed mount B² secured to or forming part of the said non-movable part of the
bead.
This said link H has an arm or extension I formed or mounted thereon to serve
as a lever or device for moving the parting bead as follows:-
When the part B is in its normal position so as to act as a parting bead this
arni is in the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 8 and forms together
with said bead B and non-movable part B¹ a part of the complete parting bead
from top to bottom.
If now it is desired to remove or "retire" said part B this arm or lever I is
pulled or moved out into the position shown in Fig. 7 (also shown in dotted lines
in Fig. 1) whereupon the said movable part B by reason of its short links G & H
is moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 7 (i.e.
flush with the pulley stile A) and is kept parallel to its former position by reason
of the said links G & H.
By now pressing the arm I from the position shown in Fig. 7 back into the
position shown in Fig. 8 the part B is again moved into position to act as parting
bead.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 the movable part B is
similarly mounted on links G & H the former pivoted at G¹ to the bead B and
at G to the window frame and the latter (i.e. the link H) pivoted at H' to the
part B and at H³ to a mount or support J forming part of the non-movable part of
the bead.
This mount or support J has two side cheeks or flanges J' J2 between which the
arm or end I of the link H can enter and between which cheeks said arm I 18
pivoted at H2 as aforesaid or it may be pivoted to only one of these cheeks or if
desired only one such cheek may be used.
The outer end of this arm I is cut away or notched at 1¹ see Fig. 10 so that
when said arın I is moved in between said cheeks J J as shown in Fig. 11 a
swivel plate or catch K pivoted at K' to said device J can be moved from the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 9
whereby same will pass over the cut-away portion of the said arm I and
consequently act as a stop or catch to hold and retain the said arm I in the position
shown in Figs. 9 & 11.
Thus the movable part B can be fixed in the position to act as parting bead as
aforesaid or it can be readily removed when desired.
In both the arrangements illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 and 9 to 11 respectively the
movable parting bead is shown made of wood with metal mounts screwed thereon

page_text: by which latter said parting bead B is connected to said links G & H respectively
but it will be obvious that if desired said movable parting bead B may be inade
entirely of metal either in one or more pieces.
In order to permit the sash line to act as shown in Fig. 3 (that is to suspend the
tilted windows from a point near their middle when so tilted) I cut away a portion
of the sash as shown at C* Fig. 4ª from the top to about half-way down and the end
of the sash line is then secured near the middle of said sash in any suitable manner
for instance a metal bridge D* may be fixed across the sash line groove and the
end of the sash line passed thereunder and then knotted a recess C** being provided
in the sash C for said knot see Fig. 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
―
1. In reversible windows-fixed oblong studs or projections such as E on the
pulley stile in combination and acting in conjunction with a forked or slotted plate
such as D fixed on each side of the sash the slot in each said plate having a circular
termination wider than said slot and adapted to pass onto said stud and act as a
pivot on which said sash can be swung inwards iu said frame and at same time
automatically lock the lower part of the sash to the frame while thus swung
inwards.
2. In reversible windows-fixed oblong studs or projections such as E on the
pulley stile in combination and acting in conjunction with a forked or slotted plate
such as D fixed on each side of the sash substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
3. In reversible windows-a movable parting bead such as B in combination and
acting in conjunction with short arms or links such as G & H each pivoted to the
bead B and to the window frame respectively and a slot or groove in the pulley stile
adapted to receive said movable parting bead B substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein before set forth.
4. In reversible windows-a movable parting bead in combination and acting in
conjunction with a slot or groove in the pulley stile behind said parting bead and
adapted to receive the latter entirely within same.
5. In reversible windows-constructing the sash with a portion cut away or
formed to allow the sasb line to move on or off this part of the sash as herein before
described and shown at Figs. 4 and 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
6. In reversible windows-constructing the sash with a portion cut away or
formed to allow the sash line to move on or off this part of the sash in combination
and acting in conjunction with oblong studs or projections such as E fixed on or to
the pulley stile and forked or slotted plates such as D fixed to said sash substantially
in the manner and for the purposes herein before set forth.
7. In reversible windows-the combination with a movable parting bead such
as B arranged to be moved entirely within a slot or recess provided for same in the
pulley stile of fixed oblong studs or projections such as E on the pulley stile and
forked or slotted plates such as D on the sashes arranged and acting substantially
in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
8. In reversible windows-the combination of fixed oblong studs or projections
such as E on the pulley stile, forked or slotted plates such as D fixed on each side
of the sash, a movable parting bead such as B, a groove or recess in the pulley
stile behind said parting bead and adapted to receive the latter therein, and a sash
having the top part of each side thereof cut away as at Cx to permit the sash line
to act substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
9. Reversible windows constructed combined and arranged to act substantially

page_text: in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 25th day of February 1896
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.