Improvements in connection with Fireproof Windows.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in connection with Fireproof Windows.
I, FRANK VOIGTMANN, of 129, North Franklin Street, Chicago, County of Cook,
and State of Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:-
The object of iny invention is to provide a window the sash and glass of which
will not be destroyed or seriously damaged by fire, but will be to all intents and
purposes fireproof, and which will close automatically when struck by the heat.
Heretofore sheet-metal sashes and casing have been used; but they have been put
together with solder or other destructible material which melts and allows the
joints to fall apart when subjected to heat; also, it frequently happens that the
so-called "fireproof windows," being adapted to open up under ordinary circum-
stances, will be caught by a sudden outbreak of fire with the sash open and there-
fore present no obstruction to the fire whatever.
My invention aims at overcoming these objections.
It consists, broadly, of a window having a sheet-metal casing with clenched
joints at its corners and elsewhere, which require no solder, and a fireproof glass
set into the sash with metallic fastenings, one of the sashes being hinged and held
open by a retaining device which will be severed by the heat of a fire.
It further consists of details hereinafter more fully described, and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
Figure 1 is a front side elevation of my window closed one of the panes of
glass being removed to show the metallic fastenings. Fig. 2 is a sectional view
in perspective showing method of securing the glass and the clenched joint of
the front and rear portion of the casing. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same
not in perspective. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on lines 44 Fig. 1 showing the
joint at the corners. Fig. 5 is a section on lines 55, Fig. 1 looking down. Fig. 6
is a rear side elevation the upper sash being open and one pane being removed
from both upper and lower sash. Fig. 7 is a section on lines 77 Fig. 6.
A represents the casing B the surrounding masonry; C, the glass; DD, the
sash; E, the lugs which secure the glass; FF, the drip-passages, G the strip
which forms the gutter; H the sill; I, the joints at the corners; J the rivets; K
the joints between the front and back of the casing; L the swinging sash; M

page_text: the retaining chain; N the fusible link; O the hook which the chain is attached
to; P the pivot that the sash swings on; Q the latch; R the flange which forms
a drip-gutter for the upper sash; S the flange on the upper edge of the upper
sash.
The casing and sash are constructed entirely of sheet metal or galvanized iron.
The casing is joined at its four corners at I by clenched joints, (shown in
Fig. 4) the edges being lapped and curled under and clenched together and then
preferably rivetted by the rivets J. This makes a very secure joint and does
away with the necessity of soldering. The rivets J may be dispensed with, if
preferred, as the joint is quite secure without them. By a similar joint the front
and back of the casing are united at K, only that the rivets are not necessary
here.
The glass is set in the sash and secured by the lugs E, which are attached to or
are a part of the sash and which are turned down upon it. Fig. 1 shows one pane
removed and the lugs turned down, as when securing the glass in place.
In Figs. 2 and 3 they are shown before being turned down. Putty may be put
on over them in the usual manner to make an air-tight joint; but in case of fire
and the putty falls off the glass will be held by the lugs E.
The panes of glass are preferably of what is known as "wire-glass" glass having
a wire mesh running through it which makes it indestructible by ordinary fire;
but other glass or different material may of course be used if capable of resisting
heat.
In order to provide for the water of condensation which collects particularly on
metallic casings and sash, I form drip-passages FF at the bottom of the lower
panes, which extend under the edge of the panes and open on the outside
and I run a strip G across the lower edge on the inside of the
casing to form a gutter to catch the moisture and carry it out through
the passages F F. The drip from the upper sash is caught by the strip R across the
back, which forms a gutter, the middle rail of the sash being sufficiently sloped
to allow the water to run out between it and the upper sash,
In the same
manner the water is shed by the strip S on the upper edge of the swinging sash.
The swinging sash L is pivotted at P and held open by the chain M attached
to its upper edge and to the hook O. A fusible link N is inserted in the chain
at a point where it will be most exposed in case of fire on the outside and the
window open. As soon as the fire reaches the fusible link it is melted and the
window drops closed, the pivot P being above the centre, the weight of the lower
portion of the sash being suflicient to cause it to close.
The latch Q engages the lower edge of the sash when it drops, and the sash is
thereby locked shut.
The fusible link N is preferably made of two strips of metal soldered together
by some fusible alloy which melts on exposure to unusual heat and allows the
parts to drop apart; but in place of this link any other destructible connection
which is inflammable or readily destroyed by heat or 'fire may be used. Thus,
it will be seen in case of sudden fire, where the windows are left open that as
soon as the fire strikes the chain the link N will be broken and the windows
automatically closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
:-
1. The herein-described fireproof window, consisting of the combination of the
sheetmetal casing A having the clenched joints I at its corners, the metallic
sash D having the pliable metallic lugs E for securing the glass, and the fireproof
glass C; all substantially as shown and described.
2. The herein-described fire-proof window, consisting of the combination of the
sheet-metal casing A, having the clenched joints I at its corners, and the clenched

page_text: joint K between its front and back; the metallic sash D having the pliable
metallic lugs E, and the fireproof glass C; all substantially as shown and
described.
3. The herein-described fireproof window, consisting of the combination of the
sheet-metal casing A, having the clenched joints I at its corners and the rivets J
in said joints, the metallic sash D, having the pliable metallic lugs E, and the
fireproof glass C; all substantially as shown and described.
4. The herein-described fireproof window, consisting of the combination of the
sheet-metal casing A, having the clenched joints I at its corners, the metallic
sash 1 having the pliable metallic lugs E, the fireproof glass C, the drip-pas-
sage and the strip G; all substantially as shown and described.
5. In a fireproof window, the herein-described automatically-closing sash, con-
sisting of the combination of the fire-proof casing A, the fireproof sash L pivoted
therein, the destructible retaining device M, N, by which said sash is held open;
all substantially as shown and described.
6. In a fireproof window, the herein-described automatically-closing sash con-
sisting of the combination of the fireproof casing A, the fireproof sash L pivoted
therein, the retaining chain M, having the fusible link N therein; all substan-
tially as shown and described.
7. In a fireproof window, the herein-described automatically-closing sash, con-
sisting of the combination of the fireproof casing.A, the fireproof sash L, pivotted
therein at a pivot P above its middle, the retaining chain M, having the fusible
link N therein at a point opposite the opening; all substantially as shown and
described.
171
1
S
1808
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.