Improvements in Window Sashes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Window Sashes.
I, GEORGE JOHNSTONE, residing at 404 East 82nd. Street, New York, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Carpenter, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to windows and particularly to windows in which the
sashes are supported in the frames by counter-balance weights, which are con-
nected therewith, by means of cables, ropes, or chains, and the object of the
invention is to provide improved means for detachably connecting the cables or
chains with the window sashes, and also to provide means whereby the sashes may
be turned outwardly, and supported at their lower ends, after they are dis-con-
nected from the cables in order that the glass therein, may be cleaned on both sides.
In the practice of my invention, I form the outer strip or bead by which the
lower sash is held in place in two parts, the lower part extending upwardly above
the lower sash, and said lower part is adapted to be removed whenever desired.
The central vertical bead or strip which separates the upper and lower sashes,
is also formed of two parts, the lower part terminating on a line with the lower
part of the outer bead or strip.
I also provide improved locking devices for connecting the cables, cords or
chains, by which the sashes are supported with said sashes, and these locking
devices consist of plates, one of which is counter-sunk in each side of each sash,
and said plates are provided at each end with outwardly and inwardly directed
shoulders or projections, which terminate on a line with the side of the sashes,
and these projections or shoulders are also beveled or inclined inwardly.
I also provide suitable blocks, for each of said plates, and for each side of each
sash, and said blocks are cut away longitudinally of their inner sides, so as to
form in the lower portion thereof a rectangular or oblong chamber, in which near
the lower end thereof, is mounted a transverse locking bar, and which is provided
at its inner end with two upwardly directed projections, and the back wall of the
chamber is inclined upwardly and backwardly, and at the rear edge thereof is
formed a cavity or recess, and the inner end of the locking bar is provided with a
head and said locking bar is enclosed by a transverse casing, which is provided in
the upper side thereof, with a longitudinal slot through which passes a lug or
projection formed on the inner end of the locking bar and the frame which encloses
said locking bar is cut away on its upper side so as to permit of the free movement
of an upwardly directed projection on the inner end of said locking bar, and between
the top plate of said casing, and the inner end of said locking har, is placed a plate
spring which bears on said locking bar or the head thereof, and pivotally mounted
in the upper end of said chamber is a lever, one end of which projects outwardly
and backwardly through the rear side wall of the chamber, and the other end of
which extends downwardly in said chamber, and is provided with a lug or pro-

page_text: jection which passes between the upwardly directed projections on the locking
bar and by which said lever is operated as hereinafter described.
I also secure to the inner portion of the frame of the window, a vertical plate
which is provided with a keeper, which is, adapted to receive the end of the locking
bar in the locking apparatus which is designed to be connected with the lower
sash, and secured in the groove in which the bead or strip is placed, and in
transverse line with said plate is a short bar which is provided with a socket which
is adapted to receive the locking har, in the apparatus which is designed to be
connected with the upper sash, and secured to the rear portion of the sash or to
the outer bead or strip secured thereto, is a thin plate which is provided with an
opening which is adapted to receive the end of the lever of the locking device for
the upper sash, and said bar is provided on its inner side with a cavity or recess
which is adapted to receive the outer end of the lever, which is connected with
the locking apparatus of the lower sash.
The block for the upper sash is longer than the block for the lower sash, and
each end of each block is beveled inwardly, and the plates provided with the end
shoulders or projections which are correspondingly bevel d are also provided on
their inner sides with an inclined lug or projection by which the locking bolts are
operated, and formed in the upper end of each of the blocks of the lower sash, and
communicating with said chambers is an additional chamber, in which is pivoted a
cam shaped block, and the cable, rope or cord is passed through a groove or opening
formed in the outer sides of said block, at the upper end taereof, and around said
cam shaped block, and by this means said cable, or rope is secured in said block
without tying.
I also provide rectangular castings which are secured in each of the lower
corners of the window frame, and which are designed to conform to the shape of
the corners, and with the spaces in which the sashes are mounted, and said castings
are each provided with a transverse plate, behind and above which are depending
lugs or projections, below which are openings through which hooks secured to
the lower side of the upper sash are adapted to pass, and the front lower portions of
said castings are provided with lugs or projections, which correspond with or are
located on a line with the central vertical groove or space in which the bead or
strip is placed, and the lower sash is provided with hooks or projections, similar to
the hooks or projections on the upper sash which pass through openings in the
inner portion of said castings, and engage with said lugs or projections.
In their normal position the lucking blocks are locked in connection with the
plates secured to the window frame, and all that is necessary to connect the sashes
therewith is to move each sash backwardly into its proper position, the upper
sash being placed in position first, and in this operation, the blocks which are
designed to be connected with said upper sash, or the beveled ends thereof, pass
beneath and within the beveled inclined ends of the shoulders or projections on the
plates which are secured to the sash, and the said blocks are locked to the sash
and detached from the frame and the sash is supported by the ropes or cables in
the usual manner.
The lower sash is placed in position in the same manner, and whenever it is
desired to lower the sashes and turn them outwardly for cleaning or other purposes,
each sash is depressed to its lowerinost position, the strips or leads or the lower
portions thereof are removed, and said sashes are dis-connected from the blocks
by simply pulling the upper ends thereof, outwardly and in this operation, the
locking bars are again operated by the plate so as to lock the blocks to the frame,
and all that is necessary to again connect the sashes therewith, is to swing them
hackwardly as hereinbefore described, the lower ends being always supported by
means of their connection with the castings or supports which are practically a
pivotal connection.
It will be apparent that almost any suitable pivotal support may be substituted
for the castings by which the lower ends of the sashes are supported, when in their
lowermost position or when swung out for the purposes of cleaning, and I also

page_text: provide chains which are secured to the sides of the window frame, and which are
provided with hooks at their lower ends, which are adapted to engage with suitable
fastening devices, on the window sashes, and by which the upper ends thereof may
he supported when swung outwardly, and any suitable supports may be substituted
for the chains such as brackets or other devices connected with the window frame.
Dated this 19th day of October 1896
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
I, GEORGE JOHNSTONE, residing at 404 E. 82 Street, New York, in the County and
State of New York, United States of America, 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 windows, and particularly to windows in which the
sashes are supported in the frames by counter-balance weights, which are con-
nected therewith by means of cables, ropes or chains, and the object of the invention
is to provide improved means for detachably connecting the cables or chains with
the window sashes, and also to provide means whereby the sashes may be turned
outwardly, and supported at their lower ends, after they are dis-connected from
the cables, in order that the glass therein, may be cleaned on both sides.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which:
Fig. 1, is a front view of a window provided with window sashes which are
supported according to my invention;
Fig. 2, an inside view of one side of the frame, showing the sashes dis-connected
with the cables or chains by which they are supported, and showing the upper
ends of the sashes turned outwardly.
Fig. 3, a side view of a portion of the frame with one of the beads or strips by
which the sashes are held in place, broken away, so as to show the method of
connecting the cables or chains with said sashes:
Fig. 4, a section on the line 4, 4, of Fig. 2: showing the sashes in place.
Fig. 5, an enlarged view of a part of the device by which the cables or chains
are connected with the window sashes:
Fig. 6, a transverse section on the line 6, 6 of Fig. 5, and showing a part of the
sash connected therewith;
Fig. 7, a perspective view of a part of the locking device by which the cables or
chains are connected with the sashes:
Fig. 8, a plan view of a locking bolt which I employ, and,
Fig. 9, a perspective view of a casing in which said bolt is mounted.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, reference being made to Fig. 1,
I have shown at 5, a window frame which is provided with the usual upper and
lower sashes 6, and 7, and the outer strip or bead, 8 by which the lower sash is
held in place, and in the practice of my invention, said outer strip or bead 8, is
formed of two parts, the lower part 9, extending upwardly above the lower sash,
and terminating at 10, and said lower part 9, is adapted to be removed whenever
desired.
The central vertical bead or strip 11, which separates the upper and lower sashes
is also formed of two parts, the lower part terminating on a line with the lower
part of the head or strip 8.

page_text: I also provide improved locking devices for connecting the cables, cords or
chains 12, by which the sashes are supported with said sashes, and these locking
devices consist of a plate 13, one of which is counter-sunk in each side of each
sash, and said plate 13, is provided at each end with outwardly and inwardly
directed shoulders or projections 14, and 15, which terminate on a line with the
side of the sashes, and these projections or shoulders 14, and 15, are also beveled
or inclined inwardly.
I also provide a block 16, a front edge view of which is given in Fig. 3, and
an inside view of which is given in Fig. 2, one of these blocks being provided for
each of the plates 13, and for each side of each sash and said block 16, is cut away
longitudinally of its inner side, so as to form in the lower portion thereof a
rectangular or oblong chamber 17, in which near the lower end thereof, is mounted
a transverse locking bar 18, which is shown in Fig. 8, and which is provided at
its inner end with two upwardly directed projections 19, and the back wall of te
chamber 17, is inclined upwardly and backwardly as shown at 20, in Fig. 6, and
at the rear edge thereof, is cavity or recess 21, and the inner end of the locking
bar 18, is provided with a head 22, and said locking bar 18, is enclosed by a
transverse casing 23, which is shown in Fig. 9, which is provided in the upper
side thereof, with a longitudinal slot 24, through which passes a lug or pro-
jection 25, formed on the inner end of the locking bar 18, and the frame 23, which
encloses said locking bar is cut away on its upper side as shown at 26, so as to
permit of the free movement of the upwardly directed projections 19, on the inner
end of said locking bar, and between the top plate of said casing, and the inner end
of said locking bar, is placed a plate spring 27, which bears on said locking bar,
of the head 22, thereof, said spring being best shown in Fig. 6, and pivotally
mounted in the upper end of the chamber 17, is a lever 28, one end of which
projects outwardly and backwardly, through the rear side wall of the chamber 17,
as shown at 29, and the other end of which extends downwardly in said chamber,
and is provided with a projection or lug 30, which passes between the upwardly
directed projections 19, on the locking bar 18, and by which said lever is operated
as hereinafter described.
1 also secure to the inner portion of the frame of the window, a vertical plate 31,
which is provided with a keeper 32, which is adapted to receive the end of the
locking bar 18, in the locking apparatus which is adapted to be connected with
the lower sash, and secured in the groove 33, in which the bead or strip 11, is
placed, and in transverse line with the plate 31, is a short bar 34, which is provided
with a socket 35, which is adapted to receive the locking bar 18, in the apparatus
which is designed to be connected with the upper sash, and secured to the rear
portion of the sash or to the outer bead or strip secured thereto, is a thin plate 36,
which is provided with an opening 37, which is adapted to receive the end 29, of
the lever 28, of the locking device for the upper sash, and the bar 34, is provided
on its inner side with a cavity or recess 38, which is adapted to receive the outer
end 29, of the lever 28, which is connected with the locking apparatus of the lower
sash.
The block 16, for the upper sash is longer than the block 16, for the lower sash,
as shown in Fig. 2, and each end of each block is beveled inwardly as is also clearly
shown in said figure, and the plates 13, provided with the end shoulders or pro-
jections 14 and 15 which are correspondingly beveled are also provided on their
inner sides with an inclined lug or projection 39, by which the locking bolts 18,
are operated, and formed in the upper end of each of the blocks 16, and com-
municating with said chambers 17, is an additional chamber 40, in which is pivoted
a cam shaped block 41, and the cable, rope or cord 12, is passed through a groove
or opening formed in the outer sides of the block 16, at the upper end thereof, and
around said cam shaped block 41, and by this means said cable or rope is secured
in said block 16, without tying as clearly shown in Fig. 2.
I also provide angular castings 42, which are secured in each of the lower
corners of the window frame, and which are designed to conform to the shape of

page_text: the corners, and with the spaces 43, in which the sashes are mounted, and said
castings are each provided with a transverse plate 44, behind, and above which
are depending lugs or projections 45, below which are openings 46, through which
hooks 47, secured to the lower side of the upper sash 6, are adapted to pass and
the front lower portion of said castings are provided with lugs or projections 48,
which correspond with or are located on a line with the central vertical groove or
space 33, in which the bead or strip 11, is placed, and the lower sash 7, is provided
with hooks or projections 49, similar to the hooks or projections 47, ou the upper
sash which pass through openings in the inner portion of said castings, and engage
with said lugs or projections 48.
The normal position of the locking blocks 16, when not connected with the
sashes is shown in Fig. 2, and are locked in connection with the plates 31, and 36,
and the central bar 24, and as hereinbefore stated, the plates 13, are counter-sunk
in the sides of the sashes and all that is necessary to connect the sashes therewith
is to move each sash backwardly into its proper position the upper sash being
placed in position first, and in this operation, the blocks 16, which are designed to
be connected with said upper sash, or the beveled ends thereof, pass beneath and
within the beveled inclined ends of the shoulders or projections 14, and 15, on the
plates 13, which are secured to the sash, and the lug or projection 39, passes
through an angular notch or recess 50, formed in the side of the block 16, or the
outer wall of the compartment 17, which is formed therein, and said lug or pro-
jection strikes the corresponding lug or projection 25, on the locking bar 18, and
forces it backwardly, out of the keeper 32, and at the same time forces the outer
end 29, of the lever 28, inwardly, and thus releases the block or blocks 16, from
the plate 36, in the bar 34, and the sash is then supported by the ropes, cables
or chains 12, which are provided with the usual counter-balance weights as shown
at 51, in Fig. 1. The lower sash is placed in position in the same manner, and
whenever it is desired to lower the sashes and turn them outwardly as shown in
Fig. 2, for cleaning or other purposes, each sash is depressed to its lowermost
position, the strips or beads S, and 11, or the lower portions thereof, are removed,
and said sashes are dis-connected from the blocks 16, by simply pulling the upper
ends thereof, outwardly, and in this operation, the locking bars 18, are again
operated by the plate 13, so as to lock the blocks 16, in the position shown in
Fig. 2.
The plate 13, is provided at the inner side of the shoulder or projection 39, with
a transverse opening 53, and the lug or projection 25, on the locking bar 18, enters
this opening, when the sashes are swung into place as hereinbefore described, and
as said sashes are drawn out in the operation of dis-connecting them from the
blocks 16, the locking bars 18, are also drawn out, and at the same time depressed
by the spring 27, until the lugs or projections 25, are withdrawn from the
opening 53, this position of the parts being shown in Fig. 6, and this operation
results in locking the blocks 16, in the position shown in Fig. 2, from which they
cannot be removed by the counter-balance weights and all that is necessary to
again connect the sashes therewith, is to swing them backwardly as hereinbefore
described, the lower ends being always supported as shown in Fig. 2, by means of
their connection with the castings or supports 42, which are practically a pivotal
connection.
It will be apparent that almost any suitable pivotal support may be substituted
for the castings 42, by which the lower ends of the sashes are supported, when
in their lowermost position or when swung out for the purposes of cleaning as
shown in Fig. 2, and I also provide chains 54, which are secured to the sides of
the window frame, and which are provided with hooks 55, at their lower ends,
which are adapted to engage with suitable fastening devices, on the window sashes,
not shown, and by which the upper ends thereof, may be supported when swung
outwardly, and any suitable supports may be substituted for the chains 54, such
as brackets or other devices connected with the window frame.
My improved window sash supports are perfectly adapted to accomplish the

page_text: result for which they are intended, and it will be apparent that the same may be
used in connection with any form or style of window sashes, that are supported
by counter-balance weights: and it will also be apparent that many changes in,
and modifications of the construction herein described, may be made without
departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages, and I
reserve the right to make all such alterations therein, as fairly come within the
scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A window frame provided with window sashes and the herein described
devices for connecting the sashes with counter-balance weights, and cables, chains
or ropes, consisting of vertically movable blocks, connected with the ends of said
cables, chains or ropes, and corresponding plates secured to the sashes with which
said blocks are adapted to be connected, said blocks being adapted to be connected
with said plates, by moving the sashes backwardly into their proper position, and
said blocks being also provided with locking devices, which are operated by said
plates, when the sashes are pulled outwardly, so as to lock the blocks to the window
frame, and said locking devices being operated to release the blocks from the
frame when the window sashes are moved backwardly into position, substantially
as shown and described.
2. A window frame provided with window sashes and the herein described
devices for connecting the sashes with counter-balance weights, and cables, chains
or ropes, consisting of vertically movable locks, connected with the ends of said
cables, chains or ropes, and corresponding plates secured to the sashes with which
said blocks are adapted to be connected, said blocks being adapted to be connected
with said plates, by moving the sashes backwardly, into their proper position, and
said blocks being also provided with locking devices, which are operated by said
piates, when the sashes are pulled outwardly, so as to lock the blocks to the window
irame, and said locking devices being operated to release the blocks from the frame
when the window sashes are moved backwardly into position, said frame and said
sashes being also provided at their lower ends with pivotal or other supports,
whereby the sashes may be swung outwardly, when dis-connected from the locking
blocks by means of which they are connected with the counter-balance weights,
substantially as shown and described.
3. A window frame provided with window sashes and the herein described
devices for connecting the sashes with counter-balance weights, and cables, chains
or ropes, consisting of vertically movable blocks, connected with the ends of said
cables, chains or ropes, and corresponding plates secured to the sashes with which
said blocks are adapted to be connected, said blocks being adapted to be connected
with said plates, by moving the sashes backwardly, into their proper position, and
said blocks being also provided with locking devices, which are operated by said
plates, when the sashes are pulled outwardly, so as to lock the blocks to the window
frame, and said locking devices being operated to release the blocks from the
frame when the window sashes are moved backwardly into position, said frame
and said sashes being also provided at their lower ends with pivotal or other
support, whereby the sashes may be swung outwardly, when dis-connected from
the locking blocks by means of which they are connected with the counter-balance
weights, and the lower side portions of the heads or strips by which the sashes are
held in place being movable, substantially as shown and described.
4. The herein described means for connecting window sashes, with counter
balance weights, which consist of locking blocks which are connected with the
ends of the cables, with which the counter-balance weights are connected, and
corresponding plates which are connected with the window sashes, said blocks and
said plates being provided with locking devices, and said sashes being adapted to
be dis-connected from said blocks by pung the unner ends thereof, outwardly.
the lower ends being provided with suitable supports, and said locking devices

page_text: being adapted to operate so as to lock the locking blocks connected with the cables
to the window frame, when the upper ends of the sashes are pulled outwardly, and
to release said blocks from said frame when the sashes are moved backwardly into
position therein, substantially as shown and described.
5. A window frame provided with window sashes and the herein described
devices for connecting the sashes with counter-balance weights, and cables, chains
or ropes, consisting of vertically movable blocks with which the cables by which
the counter-balance weights are supported, are connected, said blocks being adapted
to operate in connection with the plates secured to the sides of the sash, and
said blocks being provided with locking devices which are operated by a shoulder
or projection formed on said plates, and by which the blocks are locked to the
window frame, when the sash is pulled outwardly, and at the same time dis-con-
nected from the sash or the plates secured thereto, said locking devices
consisting of transversely movable locking bars, mounted in said blocks, or in
chambers formed therein, and a lug or projection formed on said plate, substan-
tially as shown and described.
6. A window frame provided with window sashes and the hereindescribed devices
for connecting the sashes with counter-balance weights, and cables, chains or ropes,
consisting of vertically movable blocks with which the cables by which the counter-
balance weights are supported, are connected, said blocks being adapted to operate
in connection with plates secured to the sides of the sash, and said blocks being
provided with locking devices which are operated by a shoulder or projection
formed on said plates, and by which the blocks are locked to the window frame,
when the sash is pulled outwardly, and at the same time dis-connected from the
sash or the plates secured thereto, said locking devices, consisting of transversely
movable locking bars, mounted in said blocks, or the chambers formed therein,
and a lug or projection formed on said plate, and with levers pivoted in said
chambers, said levers and said locking bars being adapted to be projected at each
side of the locking blocks, and to engage with suitable keepers at the sides thereof,
substantially as shown and described.
7. The herein described means for connecting the counter-balance weights of a
window sash therewith, which consist of plates secured to the sides of the sash,
and provided with outwardly directed shoulders or projections at the ends thereof,
locking blocks connected with the ends of the cables with which the counter-balance
weights are connected, and adapted to be connected with said plates when the
window sash is moved backwardly into position, said blocks being provided with
chambers in their upper ends, and with grooves or passages communicating there-
with, and cam blocks pivoted in said chambers, and the ends of the cables being
adapted to be passed into said chambers, and around said cam blocks, substantially
as shown and described.
8. The herein described means for connecting the counter-balance weights, of a
window with the sashes thereof, which consists of locking blocks connected with
the ends of the cables with which the counter-balance weights are connected, said
locking blocks being adapted to be detachably connected with said sashes, and to
be locked thereto, when the sashes are moved backwardly into position, in the
window frame, and to be detached therefrom when the sashes are pulled outwardly,
and at the same time locked to the frame, and the lower ends of the frames being
provided with supports for the lower ends of the sashes, on which said sashes may
be turned outwardly when dis-connected from the counter-balance weights, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
9. The herein described means for connecting the counter-balance weights of a
window with the sashes thereof, which consists of locking blocks connected with
the ends of the cables with which the counter-balance weights are connected: said
ocking blocks being adapted to be detachably connected with said sashes, and to
e locked thereto, when the sashes are moved backwardly into position, in the
window frame, and to be detached therefrom when the sashes are pulled outwardly,
and at the same time locked to the frame, and the lower ends of the frames being

page_text: provided with supports for the lower ends of the sashes, on which said sashes may
be turned outwardly when dis-connected from the counter-balance weights, and
the window frame being provided with supports for the upper ends of the sashes
when the latter are dis-connected from the counter-balance weights, substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this 2nd of T... 180
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.