Improvements in and relating to Windows.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Windows.
I, ARCHIBALD MCKINNON, Hartwood Cottage, Hartwood, Lanarkshire, N.B.,
Joiner, 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:-
1
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with windows and
has for its object to enable the sashes to be held in their open and closed
position without the use of the usual counterbalancing weights, and also to
enable the sashes to be removed inwards from the casing and reversed to facilitate
the cleaning and repairing of same.
But in order that my said invention may be readily understood and easily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a
window frame or casement embodying my improvements.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of same.
Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation showing the sashes removed from the
casement and in the act of being reversed for cleaning or other purposes.
Fig. 4 is a plan and
Fig. 5 a cross section of same.
Figs. 6 and 7 are elevation and plan respectively, of a modification.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the said drawings, I employ a rope A at each
side of the window one end of which is attached to the lower sash B whilst the
other, after passing over a pulley C, is attached to the upper sash D. 'The weight
of the one sash, therefore balances that of the other and keeps them in their
desired position without the use of counterbalancing weights. In order that
the top sash D may be lowered without opening the bottom sash the rope A in
place of being connected direct to the sash stile, is attached to the end of a rod
or bar E, mounted in guides e 'within the usual recess for the cord. The said
rod or bar is so mounted that it can slide up when released by the spring
catch operated from within the room by its knob, and thus give an increased
length of rope, to the extent of which the upper sash can be lowered. A series
of notches or recesses e³ may be formed or provided in the tail of the sliding
rod E so that the distance of its travel may be varied by the spring catch.c¹
before referred to. F is a spiral spring by which a sudden shock is avoided
when the catch e¹ is released.
The pulleys C'are arranged at right angles to the plane of the sashes and,
when fitting a window so that the sashies can be removed and reversed, are
each preferably carried by a rod G; the one end of which is arranged vertically
above the parting bead J whilst the other is set at a distance to the side of the
said bead. The one carrying rod is thus arranged in a manner the reverse to
that of the other, as shewn more particularly in Fig. 4.
In removing the sashes from the časement, the batten rods H are first taken
out and for this purpose are removably connected to the casement by any means
similar to those at present in use: This releases the front or lower sash.

page_text: To release the outer or upper sash I arrange the parting beads J so that they
can be slightly elevated and then moved sideways into a recess where they
are retained by one or more dowels or pins engaging with notches formed
in the parting beads. The elevation of the beads may be performed before the
front or lower sash is released by engaging the point of a small pivoted catch
or snib K with a slot or recess & formed in the front of the bead, and then raising
the sash. The bead is shewn flush with the pulley stile in Figs. 3 and 4. The
lintel L carrying the top parting bead is hinged to the casement so that
when the two sashes are opened, it can be lowered to the position shown in
Figs. 3 and 5. Both sashes are then free to be drawn into the room and
reversed, the pulleys C in this operation travelling from the one ends of the
rods G to the other. In order that the said travelling of the pulleys may be
facilitated I pass the ends of the rods through links M pivoted at m so that they
can be angled from their normal horizontal position, shewn in Fig. 1, to that
shewn in Figs. 3 to 5. The rods G are preferably curved, Fig. 4, to allow the
pulleys to pass each other; and the one end is made square where it passes
through the link M to prevent them turning. The rods are also preferably
tapered towards one end as shown to facilitate the return of the pulleys to their
normal position, or may be tapered in the reverse direction to further facilitate
the travel first described, whilst the ends after passing through the link M are
fitted within curved slots, described with m as centre, so that the weight is
borne directly by the plate gl as shewn in the several figures. The tilting of
the rods may be caused by the travel of the pulleys C thereon or may be effected
or aided by extending the pivot m rearwards and fitting it with a small arm
or crank N operated by a wire or rod n through a handle or knob (not sliewn),
arranged within the room.
When chains are employed in lieu of ropes for hanging the sashes, I may, as a
modification, dispense with the two rods G and substitute therefor a single
rod P, Figs. 6 and 7, which is preferably tapered from the ends towards the
centre where it is formed with a double knee or elbow p for the reception
of the pulleys. This provision is rendered necessary owing to the greater
resistance offered by the chain to twisting. The rod is also so formed that the
two halves as well as being tapered form one horizontal line in elevation, which
is on the under side when it is desired to draw the pulleys towards the centre,
as shewn in the figures, but is on the upper side when the pulleys are put to
their normal use.
The foregoing serve as examples of how my invention may be carried into
effect but I desire it to be understood that the means employed may be varied
without departing from the scope of my invention, as for example I may utilize.
the ordinary pulleys at present in use for passing the rope of the sashes over,
the loops so formed, towards the lower part of the casement, being passed under
a third pulley, carried upon the top of a sliding rod, similar to that described
and shewn applied to the sash stile, arranged behind the pulley stile, and actuated
in a manner also similar to that described.
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
1 claim is:-
-
1. The improvement in windows consisting in connecting the lower sash to
the upper by a rope at each side, passing over a pulley above the lintel of the
casement, whereby the sashes can be retained in their desired position without
the aid of the usual counterbalancing weights, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2. The means whereby the upper sash can be lowered without raising the
lower sash, consisting of a sliding bar, to which one end of the rope is attached,
recessed within the lower sash stile and controlled in its movement by a spring
actuated catch, whereby an amount of slack rope is obtained the extent of

page_text: which determines the extent of lowering of the upper sash, substantially as
herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3. The arrangement, construction and mode of actuating the parting beads
whereby they are caused to enter a recess in the pulley stile and release the upper
sash, enabling it to be removed inwards and reversed for cleaning and repairing
purposes, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
4. The means for enabling the sashes to be removed from the casement, and
reversed for cleaning and repairing purposes, consisting of the rods G carrying
the cord pulleys, constructed and arranged as described and having at their ends
the pivoting links M whereby the said rods can be inclined to allow the pulleys
to travel therealong, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
5. Hinging the lintel carrying the top batten rod and parting bead so that
when freed by the removal of the side batten rods, it assumes a vertical position
and gives a clear way for the travel of the ropes when the sashes are in the act
of being reversed, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
6. The modified form of rod for carrying the pulleys, specially applicable for
use when chains are employed in lieu of ropes, constructed substantially as
hereinbefore described and shewn in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of November 1899.
JOHNSONS,
Applicant's Agents, 115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.