Improvements in Means and Appliances for Opening, Closing, Regulating and Fastening at any Desired Angle, Swing and other Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, Doors, Flaps, and analogous Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1896-Accepted. 21st Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for Opening, Closing,
Regulating and Fastening at any Desired Angle, Swing and
other Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, Doors, Flaps, and
analogous Articles.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 67 Newington Causeway, London S.E., Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in means and appliances
for opening, closing, regulating, and fastening at any desired angle, swing and other
windows, ventilators, faulights, doors, flaps, and analogous articles.
In applying my invention to a number of fanlights placed vertically one above
another, having links connecting the fanlights with a vertical rod, operated by a
crank-arm fast on a shaft, two rods are fitted, one on each side; a horizontal bar
spanning the sashes, and working in bearings, and fitted with a lever at each end is
united to the vertical rods by suitable links. The vertical rods, or one of them,
are or is fitted with suitable regulating apparatus, whereby, in working the apparatus
the whole of the sashes can be opened or closed simultaneously, and securely
fastened with ease and safety, irrespective of height and size.
In some cases I equalise the strain on both sides of a fanlight or fanlights, or
other article as aforesaid, by means of cords, ropes or chains passing over suitable
pulleys, and attached to the controlling rod.
In manipulating the rolling bars or shafts in connection with the various purposes
above enumerated, and analogous applications, wherein the shaft is required to be
rotated in either direction, and retained in the position to which it has been moved,
I sometimes attach to such shafts a grooved pulley wheel, to receive an endless
rope or chain. Two pawls are pivoted to the frame of the pulley in such a manner
that, when the rope is pulled in the required direction, the tension upon the rope
causes the corresponding pawl to become disengaged from a set of teeth attached
to the pulley wheel, the wheel turning freely in the direction in which it is pulled,
the teeth at the same time lifting the opposite pawl. On ceasing to pull the cord,
rope, or chain, the pawls immediately engage the teeth and lock the wheel. In
some cases I dispense with one of the pawls, and use a double or single cord
or chain.
Another part of my invention consists in operating and supporting faulights in
any required position by means of a bell-crank lever, formed in one piece and
pivoted to a sunk casting. This lever is operated by means of a rod actuated by
a screw-regulator, or by other suitable means. When using this arrangement for
heavy fanlights, I fit another bracket to the frame on the opposite side of the
fanlight, and connect the two brackets by means of a rod or tube carried across
the frame. This part of the improvement consists in making the rod fast in the
brackets at each end, and imparting to the same rod a certain amount of torsion or
twist, which acts so as to supply the necessary lifting power to the other side of
the fanlight and prevent it becoming warped for want of equal support on each
side. The two levers may be otherwise constructed and made in one piece with
the rod.
In manipulating two-leaved and other windows, fanlights, and other articles as
aforesaid and effecting further improvements in analogous operations described in

page_text: my Specification No. 254", it sometimes becomes necessary to start opening one
leaf a moment before the other, and, when closing to retard that which overlaps at
the meeting bars. For this purpose I fit a rigid rod to one leaf and a spring rod
or tube, or equivalent device to the other leaf. The two rods are pivoted to a
single actuating rod. The effect of this arrangement is that in opening, the leaf
which overlaps is moved first, and in closing it follows the ether leaf. I also fit
such articles as aforesaid with other forms of starting springs for assisting in
opening the same. These springs may be of any suitable kind and fitted in or
upon the frame in any convenient position whereby suitable pressure is imparted to
the article for starting it open directly the fastening is released.
For counterbalancing the action of gravity upon fanlights roller blinds actions
and other articles as aforesaid when opened, I sometimes fit coiled helical, volute,
or spiral springs either to the rollers or to the pulley wheels whereby the strain is
more or less counteracted or rendered intermittent or (in some cases) the article is
rendered self closing; ratchet-wheels pawls and spring boxes being sometimes
combined therewith.
I sometimes find it advantageous to fit adjustable brackets to fanlights and other
articles as aforesaid, whereby they may be adjusted so as to prevent any slackness
when closed.
The bracket is made in two parts, the outer end being fitted with a set screw
which passes through a slot in the fixed portion of the bracket, whereby the
bracket can be extended or reduced in length.
A further improvement in my said former Patent, consists in fitting windows,
doors, and other articles as aforesaid which require fastening at the top and bottom,
with bars, levers, handles, and analogous appliances which operate upon the bolts
in the required manner by means of suitable mechanism contained in the lock
horizontal bars moving in parallel lines being sometimes fitted.
Dated 30th March 1895.
GEO. DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Appliances for Opening, Closing,
Regulating and Fastening at any Desired Angle, Swing and
other Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, Doors, Flaps, and
analogous Articles.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 67 Newington Causeway, London S.E., Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my said 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 my invention is to effect improvements in means and appliances for
opening, closing, regulating, and fastening at any desired angle, swing and other
windows, ventilators, fanlights, doors, flaps, and analogous articles.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
In this Specification the words cord, chain, band, or equivalent appliances, and
the words swing and other windows ventilators, fanlights, doors, flaps, and
analogous articles, are all intended to be included, although only one or more of
of such appliances or articles is or are mentioned; and, when such swing and
other windows are herein described or shown as opening inwards or outwards,
both movements are intended to be included, with obvious modifications and
adaptations.

page_text: In applying my invention to a number of fanlights, placed vertically one above
another, I fit the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 1 being a front view,
& Fig. 2 a side view. 30 is a vertical rod passing through guide brackets 31,
where required. 32 is a crank arm fast on a shaft 33. 34 is a pin attached to the
rod 30, and working in a slot in the crank 32.
Instead of the connection by means of a pin and slot, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,
a connecting link may be used, connecting the arm 32 with the rod 30 by means of
a collar and set screw attached to the rod 30, or as indicated by Fig. 4 in
No. 16,81784.
Two of such rods 30 are fitted, as shown in Fig. 1, one on each side when required
to equalise the strain and prevent torsion. The vertical rods 30, or one of them,
are or is fitted with suitable regulating apparatus, whereby, in working, the whole
of the sashes can be opened or closed simultaneously, and securely fastened with
ease and safety irrespective of height and size. The rods 30 are connected at
their upper or lower ends, or both, to a horizontal bar or bars, with a lever or
crank at each end to equalise the power.
In applying my invention to one or more swing window or windows, or ventilators
and analogous articles at various angles, as shown in perspective in Fig. 3, and in
sectional plan in Fig. 4, I fit the bar 30 horizontally, and connect bell-crank
levers 35 by means of links 36 and 37 to the windows and to collars upon the
bar 30; springs 38 being sometimes added to sustain or partly sustain the weight
of the windows, when open, as shown; or weights may be substituted for springs.
By these means a number of windows may be simultaneously opened or closed
and regulated.
In some cases I equalise the strain on both sides of a fanlight or fanlights, or
other article as aforesaid, by means of cords, ropes, or chains, passing over suitable
pulleys, and attached to the controlling rod.
In manipulating the rolling bars or shafts in connection with the various
purposes above enumerated, and analogous applications, wherein the shaft is required
to be rotated in either direction, and retained in the position to which it has been
moved, I sometimes attach to such shafts a grooved pulley wheel, to receive an
endless rope, cord, or chain, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, Fig. 5 being a face view
and Fig. 6 a side view, in which figures 39 represents the shaft, upon which the
grooved pulley 40 is made fast. 41 is the endless rope, or it may be a chain.
42, 42, are ratchet teeth formed at the back of the wheel. Two pawls 43, 43, are
pivoted to a plate 55 inside the frame 44 at 45. The lower ends of the pawls
carry pulleys 46. A spring 47 retains the pawls in contact with the teeth, until
disengaged by the rope. When one side of the rope is pulled in the required
direction, the tension upon the rope causes the corresponding pawl to become
disengaged from the teeth, the wheel turning freely in the direction in which the
rope is pulled, the teeth at the same time lifting the opposite pawl as shown in
Figs. 9 and 11. On ceasing to pull the cord, rope, or chain, the pawls immediately
engage the teeth and lock the wheel and shaft. In some cases I dispense with one
of the pawls (which may be formed to lock in both directions) and use a double or
single cord or chain.
Figs. 7 to 11 illustrate the application of the aforesaid pulley to the opening
and closing of fanlights and the like, by means of a sprocket pinion integral with
the pulley, and a sprocket chain. 48 is the frame of the pulley, which is fixed to
the window frame, 49 is the sprocket pinion (shown by dotted lines) and 50 is a
stiff-backed chain. The dotted line 59 indicates one face of a fanlight frame or
analogous article, to which an adjustable bracket is fitted. Fig. 9 shows the
opposite side of the frame 48 to that shown in Fig. 7. Figs. 10 and 11 are
sectional views of the pulley, in which a spring 53 is shown fitted between pins 54,
or equivalent devices, to press outwards the upper ends of the pawls 43, so as to
engage the ratchet teeth 42. 56 is a small stop block or projection (which may
be otherwise formed) attached to the plate 55 to limit the motions of the pawls 43.
In Fig. 11, a modification of the pulley is shown in which both pawls are

page_text: released simultaneously by the operation of pulling either of the ropes, and
rendering the operation noiseless.
I sometimes find it advantageous to fit adjustable brackets to fanlights and other
articles as aforesaid, whereby they may be adjusted, so as to prevent any slackness
when closed. The general construction of this bracket is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The
bracket is made in two parts, 57 being the fixed portion of the bracket, which is
fixed to the fanlight or other article, and 58 being the outer movable end, adjustable
by means of a set screw, passing through a slot 52, in the fixed portion 57; the
bracket being capable of reduction or extension in length, and modification of form,
as required.
In applying stiff-back or other chains to one, two, or more fanlight or fanlights,
I sometimes fit the same as illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, and 14; in which
figures 59, 59, are portions of the fanlight to be manipulated; 60, 60, are brackets
attached to the fixed frame. These brackets are provided with a tongue and
swan-neck guide 61 to carry the chain or chains 50, at suitable angles, to the
frames of the fanlights. The chains are fixed to the U or L plates 62 which
slide in the brackets 60, as shown in Fig. 12, (or its or their equivalent) and also
in transverse sections in Figs. 13 and 14. The fanlights are opened and closed by
moving the plate 62 longitudinally in the required direction by any suitable means,
but I sometimes prefer to operate the same by means of a sleeve nut and screw,
or traversing bar and screw, or by a rack and pinion.
Another part of my invention consists in operating and supporting fanlights in
any required position by means of a bell-crank lever, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16,
in which figures 63 is the bell-crank lever formed in one piece, and pivoted at 64
to the sunk casting 65. The lever is operated by means of a rod 66, actuated by
a screw regulator, or other suitable means. When using this arrangement for
heavy fanlights, I fit another bracket 65, to the frame on the opposite side of the
fanlight, and connect the two brackets by means of a rod or tube 67 carried across
the frame. This part of the improvements consists in making the rod fast in the
brackets at each end, and imparting to the rod or tube 67 a certain amount of
torsion or twist, which acts so as to supply the necessary lifting power to the
other side of the fanlight and prevent it becoming warped for want of equal
support on each side. The two levers may be otherwise constructed and made in
one piece with the rod. 68 is an attachment into which the rod 67 enters, when
closing the fanlight. This attachment (which may be otherwise formed) enables
the rod 67 to start the fanlight when opening the same.
In manipulating two-leaved and other windows, fanlights, and other articles as
aforesaid, and effecting further improvements in analogous operations described in
my Specification No. 254, it sometimes becomes necessary to start opening one
leaf a moment before the other, and, when closing, to retard that which overlaps
at the meeting bars, as illustrated in Fig. 17. For this purpose I pivot a rigid
rod 69 to a travelling nut 70 and to the overlapping leaf 71, and a spring rod 72
to the travelling nut and to the other leaf 73. 74 is a screw upon which the nut 70
travels when the screw is turned by the regulator 75, or by other suitable means.
In some cases the screw may be dispensed with, and the equivalent of the nut
may be driven or adjusted in the guides by well known appliances. The effect of
this arrangement is that in opening, the overlapping leaf 71 is moved first, and,
in closing, it follows the leaf 73, the expansion of the spring 76, or any suitable
modification of the same, shortening the rod 72 when the leaf 73 is open.
1 also fit such articles as aforesaid with other forms of starting springs, for
assisting in opening the same, three forms of such springs being shown in Figs. 18,
19, and 20. In Fig. 18 a coiled spring 77 is shewn, the fanlight having started
open. In Fig. 19 a curved spring 78 is shown by dotted lines, sunk in a groove,
and in Fig. 20 a curved vertical spring 79 is shown. The springs for this purpose
may be of any other suitable kind, and fitted in or upon the frame in any convenient
position, whereby suitable pressure is imparted to the article for starting it open
directly the fastening is released.

page_text: For counterbalancing the action of gravity upon fanlights, roller blind actions,
and other articles as aforesaid, when opened, I sometimes fit coiled, helical, volute,
or spiral springs, either to the rollers or to the pulley wheels, as shown in Figs. 21
and 22; Fig. 21 being a longitudinal elevation, au1 Fig. 22 a section on the line a b
of Fig. 21. In this example the roller 80 is shown fitted with a spiral spring 81.
82 is a pulley wheel fitted with a ratchet wheel 83, and pawl 83ª, whereby the
strain is more or less counteracted, or (in some cases) the article is rendered
self-closing.
A further improvement in my said former Patent consists in fitting windows,
doors and other articles as aforesaid, which require fastening at the top and
bottom, with bars, levers, handles, and analogous appliances which operate upon
the bolts in the required manner, as illustrated by Figs. 23 to 27; Fig. 23 being a
trout elevation, Fig. 24 an elevation with the front plate removed. Fig. 25 is a
back view, partly in section, and Fig. 26 is a modification of Fig. 24. 84 is the
body of the lock which is secured to the door or other article by screws, as shewn.
85 is a mutilated toothed wheel (or its equivalent may be used) provided with a
slot 86, or equivalent device. The teeth of the wheel 85 gear with rack teeth
attached to the bolts 87 and 88. A spindle 89 runs across the lock and door, and
works in suitably formed bearings 90, 90 in the sides of the lock, and similar
recesses formed at the back of the cover plate 91. The rod or spindle 89 is fitted
with a crank 92, carrying a ball at its outer end. This ball, or an equivalent
device, works in the slot 86. The spindle 89 is fitted at each end with levers 93,
the levers having sockets through which the panic bar 94 is fitted.
In Figs. 24, 25 and 26, locking arrangements are shown for the purpose of
enabling a person to lock the door after passing through, to prevent entrance from
the outside. For this purpose a handle 95 is fitted outside the door 96.
On turning
this handle, after closing the door, the pawl lever 97 enters a notch in the wheel 85
and locks it; the action of the bar 94 and lever 93, releasing the pawl 97 when the
door is opened from the inside.
When using this appliance in connection with articles, other than panic doors,
the bar 94 is dispensed with and suitable handles are substituted.
Fig. 28 is a plan and Fig. 29 an elevation showing another method of applying
the chains and swan neck guides shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 to the manipulation
of fanlights in combination with the right and left hand screw shaft described, in
Figs. 18 and 19 of my former Patent No. 16,61087; 98 being the screw shaft,
99, 99 the travelling nuts, 100, 100, the chains, 101, 101, the swan neck guides and
102 the fanlight.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The improvements in means and appliances for opening, closing, regulating,
and fastening at any desired angle, a number of fanlights or the like placed
vertically one above another, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
2. The improvements in means and appliances for opening, closing, regulating,
and fastening at any desired angle one or more swing window or windows,
ventilators and analogous articles, with or without compensating springs, substan-
tially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.
3. The improved method of equalising the strain on both sides of a fanlight or
fanlights, or other article as aforesaid, by means of cords, ropes, or chains passing
over suitable pulleys, and attached to the controlling rod, substantially as herein
before described.
4. In combination with means and appliances for manipulating rolling bars or
shafts, the application and use of a combined grooved pulley and ratchet wheel
fast on the shaft, and a fixed frame carrying two internally geared pawls pivoted

page_text: to the frame, severally operating substantially as and for the purposes herein
before described and illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings.
5. In combination with means and appliances as aforesaid, the application and use
of a combined grooved pulley, sprocket pinion, ratchet wheel, and one or two
internally geared pawls, severally operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 11 of the
drawings.
6. In combination with means and appliances as aforesaid, the application and
use of an adjustable bracket 57, 58, substantially as and for the purpose herein
before described and illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings.
7. In applying stiff back or other chains to one two, or more fanlight or fanlights,
the combination of means and appliances for manipulating the same, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings.
8. The improved method of and means and appliances for operating and supporting
fanlights, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and
illustrated by Figs. 15 and 16 of the drawings.
9. The improved method of and means and appliances for manipulating two-leaved
and other windows, fanlights, and other articles as aforesaid, substantially as herein
before described and illustrated by Fig. 17 of the drawings.
10. The improved method of and means and appliances for assisting in opening
faulights, when unfastened, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
by Figs. 18, 19 and 20 of the drawings.
11. The improved method of and means and appliances for counterbalancing the
action of gravity upon fanlights, roller-blind actions, and other articles as aforesaid,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by Figs. 21, and 22 of the
drawings.
12. The improved method of and means and appliances for manipulating windows,
doors, and other articles as aforesaid substantially as and for the purposes herein
before described and illustrated by Figs. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 of the drawings.
13. In means and appliances for manipulating fanlights and the like, the com-
bination, with stiff-back or other chains, of the right and left hand screw shaft,
carrying travelling nuts connected with such chains, and swan-neck guides, together
operating substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 28 and 29
of the drawings.
Dated 30th January 1896.