Improved Means for Fastening Window Sashes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Fastening Window Sashes.
We, JAMES LEACH of No. 7, The Walk, Cardiff, Railway Rolling Stock Agent
& JAMES WILLIAM LEWIS, of No. 10, The Walk, Cardiff, Managing Ship
Owner do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This our invention, relates to certain new and useful improvements in mechanism,
for the fastening of sash windows, & which invention has for its object, to minimise
the rattling in the cases of the said sash windows--caused by the action of, wind-
also to minimise the liability of wind and water passing through the crevice.
between the two meeting rails of the said sash windows.
Said invention, consists essentially, of a metal catch, in the form of a ratchet
wheel catch, working forwards & backwards across the joint, or crevice, between
the two meeting rails of a sash window. The metal catch is returned at right angles
to a suitable distance, at the opposite end to where the catch is formed, but upon
the same side of it-1st, to form a surface against which to press the said metal
catch forward & 2nd, and upon the opposite or internal side of this returned part,
to form an abutment for a volute, or other steel spring.
The metal catch, is fixed in a metal frame, the latter to be screwed permanently
upon the meeting rail of the lower half of a sash window.
The said metal frame consists of a plate (with suitable holes for wood screws) &
two vertical pieces--acting as lateral guides to the metal catch-and at one end of
the two lateral guides & at right angles with them, is another vertical piece upon
which the metal catch slides, and above the latter but at the opposite end of the
former, we rivet a pin through the two lateral guides.
In the metal frame, & between the two lateral guides and underneath the metal
catch, and abuting at one end against the said vertical piece upon which the.
metal catch slides-and at the other end-against the internal side of the returned.
part of the metal catch we provide a volute or other steel spring.
Upon the opposite meeting rail, in the top half of a sash window, and screwed
down upon it we provide another metal catch-similar in pattern in the catching
part of it to the movable metal catch--and which the latter when pressed forward-
moves over it-& in returning by the action of the steel spring described, interlocks
itself with it. Between the top & bottom guides of the said movable metal catch,..
sufficient play is allowed to permit of the latter, to rise & move over its fellow
catch-upon the opposite meeting rail-also to permit of its being released when
required.
In operating the movable catch (which is resisted by the action of the steel
spring) viz. by means of pressing it forward until it overlaps and interlocks itself
with its fellow metal catch, opposite, upon the meeting rail of the top half of a
sash window-the object is effected of clamping the two mecting rails together, by
the compressed power of the steel spring, hence closing the joint or crevice between
them, thereby minimising the liability of wind or water passing through the same
also the liability of the top half & the bottom half of a sash window rattling
together at this point.
Dated this Twentieth day of January 1892.
JAMES LEACH,
JAMES WILLIAM LEWIS,
Applicants.

page_text: - COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Fastening Window Sashes.
We, JAMES LEACH, of No: 7, The Walk, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan,
Railway Rolling Stock Agent, and JAMES WILLIAM LEWIS, of No. 10, The
Walk, Cardiff, in the said County, Managing Ship Owner, 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:-
Our invention relates to improved means for fastening window sashes, and the
objects of it as follows:-
(a.) To hold the sashes close together when they are closed so as to prevent
rattling, draughts, or the passage of rain or snow between them.
(b.) To prevent the opening of the fastener by means of a thin blade pushed up
from the outside between the two meeting rails.
•
In order that our invention and the best means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, we will now describe them in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken
as part of this Specification and read therewith.
Figure is a side elevation of a sash fastener made according to, our invention,.
and shews how it pulls the sashes together and holds them in that position.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same sash fastener shewing it open and the
sashes, although they are closed, standing apart.
Figure 3 is a plan corresponding with Figure 1..
Figure 4 is a transverse section along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sash fastener shewing it closed.
a and are the meeting rails of the top and bottom sashes, respectively. c, d are
the well known base plates by means of which the operative members of our
invention are screwed to the tops of the meeting rails as heretofore. The former
is fixed 'to the top, and the latter to the bottom sash.
e is a look which stands up from the top face of the plate c, and is inclined,..
almost horizontally, in the direction of the top sash. This hook is, for the sake of
strength, flat in cross section, being in fact a hooked plate. is a flat bar. is a
book or catch formed on the outer end of the bar and adapted, in respect of position
and shape, to engage with the hook e above described. 9, g are a pair of fixed
vertical cheeks standing up from the plate d. They are separated by a distance a
little more than the width of the bar in order that the latter may move freely
between them to and from the top "sash. is a vertical web extending from one
cheek to the other. One of its functions is to provide a bearing surface and also a
pivot for the bar f
i is a downward extension of the bar f, depending from its inner end, i.e., the end
opposite the hook f¹. The extension and the web.h provide bearing or contacting
surfaces for a compressible spring ;. The ends of the latter engage with the web
and-extension, respectively, by entering holes made in them. is a pin extending
from one cheek to the other above the bar f. Its function is to prevent the latter
leaving its working position. is a suitable grip formed upon the inner end of the
bar.f.
It will be noticed that the checks 9, 9, the web and the pin k together form a
suitable frame for the bar f to work in.
The invention is used as follows:
To unlock the fastener. Push the grip towards the top sash. This slides the
bar upon the web h, and, consequently, disengages the catch f' from the hook e.
Then press the grip down and release it. The resilience of the spring j, which
latter was compressed by the forward motion of the extension i, returns the bar f
and hook to their inoperative positions. When the grip is pressed down, and
also when it is released, the bar f pivots with a vertical motion upon the top of
the web h.

page_text: To lock the fastener. Press the grip down and push it towards the top sash.
This will bring the catch between the hook e and the top sash. Then release
the grip. The depression of the grip depressed the rear end of the spring and the
motion of it towards the top sash compressed it. As soon as it is free, its resilience
brings the nose of the catch flower than that of the hook e and next engages
catch and hook. The two motions of pressing and pushing may be amalgamated.
It must be pointed out that our invention does not confine us to the details of
relative position or of conformation and shape as the same are illustrated. In these
respects, the construction of the fastener may be varied, provided that proper
provision is retained for the discharge of the several functions, as the latter are
hereinbefore set forth. For instance, the spring and its two bearing surfaces might
be arranged above the bar instead of below it, or the spring itself might be a
tension one, held between the inner end of the bar and the inner edge of the plate d.
The respective contours of the hook e and catch f' may also be varied to the extent
of making the latter a T on the end of the bar and notching the former vertically
to receive the bar.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of hook upon the meeting rail of the top sash, sliding bar in
a suitable frame upon the meeting rail of the bottoni sash and carrying a catch
adapted in respect of shape and position to engage with the said hook, and a
spring device adapted to return the said catch towards its normal inoperative
position after it has been depressed and compressed, as set forth.
2. The combination of fixed book on the top sash with movable catch, grip, and
spring on the bottom sash adapted to co-operate for the purpose of holding the two
sashes together, as set forth.
3. The general construction of the sash fastener, so far as to provide for the
mutual co-operation of the several functions hereinbefore set forth.
· Dated this 10th day of August 1892.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.