Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for Opening and Closing Swing Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, and Analogous Articles, and for Fastening the same at any Desired Angle.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for
Opening and Closing Swing Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, and
Analogous Articles, and for Fastening the same at any Desired
Angle.
1, ROBERT ADAMS, of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates, principally, but not exclusively, to such structures as are
formed with a number of windows, casements, or fanlights, either in a line, in a
circle, or at various angles with respect to each other, and mounted upon pivots or
hinges or other fittings; such mountings being either upon or from a central
horizontal axial line, or any line above or below such centre; or upon vertical or
other axes; and my invention has for its object the opening, closing and fastening
of the same, and analogous articles, either singly or in groups of two, three or more.
In order that the character of my invention may be understood, I will describe the
same as applied to a lantern skylight, having six vertical windows or casements built
at angles of 120° with each other; the casements being, in this instance, assumed to
be hinged at the top and opening outwards.
To each upright frame I attach bearings, in which a vertical rod is fitted capable of
sliding up and down. I also fit in suitable bearings, outside each casement, a
horizontal bar, capable of revolving in its bearings. Each bar has crank arms or
levers projecting therefrom, and connected by means of links or connecting rods and
other suitable fittings, with the corresponding vertical rods; thus each of the rods
has two connecting rods, connecting it with the adjoining crank arms of two separate
horizontal bars.
The six horizontal bars are also fitted with levers, cranks or arms which are con-
nected by suitable means to convenient parts of the casements, whereby the partial
revolution of the bars, in one direction, opens the casements; and vice versa.
It will thus be understood that the partial revolution (by any suitable means) of
one of the horizontal bars, causes a similar movement of the whole of the bars, in

page_text: consequence of the connections with the vertical rods, thus causing a simultaneous
opening or closing of the whole of the casements.
From the foregoing description it will also be understood that the relative positions
and numbers of the revolving bars, and their cranks and arms, and other connections,
may be varied to suit the position of other structures or articles, of different con-
struction to be operated upon; and that the direction of motion of the rods and bars
may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, so as to operate efficiently.
The apparatus may be fitted to actuate one, two, or any number of the aforesaid
articles, and either in groups or collectively.
One or more of the revolving bars is or are fitted so as to cause it or them to
revolve by means of cranks, wheel gear, worm and worm wheel, or other convenient
appliances the communicating portions of which may pass through the roof, wall, or
other portion of the building, if necessary, or be otherwise fitted. Or, instead
thereof, one or more of the reciprocating rods may be used for the same purpose.
When the sashes are hung on vertical axes, or at the side, I find it advantageous,
in some cases, to fit the same with flexible stays, and attach the same to spindles
fitting in suitable bearings, in a manner analogous to that shewn in the Specification
of Letters Patent granted to me dated 4th September 1883, No. 4259.
Dated 2nd December 1887.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and in Means and Appliances for
Opening and Closing Swing Windows, Ventilators, Fanlights, and
Analogous Articles, and for Fastening the same at any Desired
Angle.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
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 :-
My invention relates principally, but not exclusively, to such structures as are
formed with a number of windows, casements or fanlights, either in a line, in a circle,
or at various angles with respect to each other, and mounted upon pivots or hinges
or other fittings; such mountings being either upon or from a central horizontal
axial line, or any line above or below such centre, or upon vertical or other axes;
and my invention has for its object the opening, closing, and fastening of the same
and analogous articles, either singly, or in groups of two, three, or more.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a rectangular lantern skylight with the
windows closed.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same showing the windows open.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, are views of the mechanism and details of my improved rack
and pinion gear, for opening and fastening the windows and other articles as aforesaid,
at any required angle.
Figs. 9 to 21 show various methods and details of and for opening and fixing fan-
lights and swing sashes at any required angle.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a a are the uprights of the frame, b b are the guides
in which the vertical rods c c are fitted, and in which they are capable of sliding up
and down, d d are horizontal bars, the ends of which are supported in bearings e e.
These bearings are sustained by brackets ff as shown. ggare crank arms or levers
fitted to the revolving bars d d, and connected by means of the connecting rods h
with their corresponding vertical rods cc. Thus each of the rods c c carries two
connecting rods, connecting it with the adjoining crank arms g g of two separate
horizontal bars d d.
The horizontal bars d d are also fitted with cranks or levers ii, and these are con-
nected with the windows or casements kk by means of the connecting rods / 1.
It will thus be understood that the partial revolution (by any suitable means) of
one of the horizontal bars d d, causes a similar movement of the whole of the bars in
the group, in consequence of their connection with the vertical rods c c; thus
causing a simultaneous opening or closing of the whole of the casements.

page_text: From the foregoing description it will also be understood that the numbers of the
revolving and other bars and their cranks, arms, and other connections, as well as
their relative positions and points of attachment may be varied. Also that variations
may be made to suit the positions of casements, skylights, sashes, or other articles
to be fitted; and that the direction of motion of the rods c and bars d may be
horizontal, vertical, or diagonal; and may be made to operate efficiently in any
direction.
Referring to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, m is a toothed rack, n is a pinion gearing into
the toothed rack m. The pinion is driven by the worm p and worm wheel o, the axle
of the worm being driven by the grooved cord wheel r. The angle of the arm p
carrying the worm p. relatively to the other parts of the gear may be altered as
desired by means of the serrated contact surfaces s; one such position being shown
in Figs. 4 and 5, and another in Fig. 6.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are sectional elevations showing three methods of regulating
and securing the position of the sash k, and Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing
another arrangement.
Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, t is a spring check (as described in Figs. 15, 16, 17
and 18 of my former specification No. 876580). u is a spring catch fitted to the barrel
of t, the trigger of which may be caused to enter one of the holes in the piston rod t¹.
One end of the cord v is fixed to the trigger at 1. The other end of the cord is fixed
to the sash at 2. The cord v passes through an eye at 3. A knot in the cord at 4
takes the strain when the cord is pulled and the trigger u is released. The spring in
the barrel t may be so arranged as to balance the weight of the sash at any angle.
By pulling the right hand portion of the cord the fanlight or sash may be fixed
in any open position, and by pulling with greater force upon the left hand portion of
the cord the sash may be entirely closed.
From the foregoing description the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 will be readily
understood, the spring check t being reversed.
I do not confine myself to the use of a spring in these two arrangements, Figs. 9
and 10, as a spring may in some cases be dispensed with.
Fig. 11 shows the application of the toothed rack and pinion, and worm and worm-
wheel gear, shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the gear being slightly modified to suit the
position of the sash k. The method of keeping the wheel in a vertical position
is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The sleeve carrying the worm p is formed with a
globular end p2, and the wheel and guide are fitted thereto, as shown. 72 is a
screw fixed in p² the head of which is confined in the slot of the globular flange
of the wheel . is the cord by which the wheel r is actuated. The boss may be
formed square, transversely and the cord may be guided by a link fitted to the end
of the screw or otherwise.
Fig. 12 shows the application of the gear, shown in Figs. 4. 5. 6. 7 and 8 to a
lean-to skylight, which will be understood from the drawing.
Fig. 15 is an elevation of a lantern light, being a modification of that shown in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The front sash is opened in a similar manner to that shewn in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3; but the side sashes are operated by means of cranks y, fitted with
connecting links. These links are connected with cranks g¹ fitted to the shafts d¹
mounted in bearings as shown. The levers are mounted upon the same shaft d¹
and are connected with the side sashes by links as shown.
All the sashes and such like shown and indicated in the title, may be operated by
the regulator shown in Figs. 17 and 18 of No. 16,81784.
Fig. 16 shows another method of regulating the position of the sash k, (which is
shown partly opened outwards) by means of the cranked arm 7, carrying a roller or
block 8 working in the slotted plate 9. This arrangement may be so modified that
either of the centres 5, 6, may be used as a crank and the other as an axle.
The rod y shown in Fig. 16 and other rods for the purposes referred to in this
Specification, may be made to traverse to and fro or revolve by any ordinary gear,
but I prefer to apply my patented enclosed gear shown in Figs. 17 and 18 of
No. 16,817, for that purpose, the rod wheel being suitably prepared to cause a rod

page_text: to revolve, or traverse, or rise and fall as required, either by a screwed rod of any
desired length, on which a nut may be made to travel, acting direct on other rods or
by link work on other rods or cranks; the travelling nut being suitably prepared for
mounting the link or other connection, for sashes hinged at the bottom, top or other
position.
Fig. 17 shows a somewhat similar arrangement, a worm 10 and pinion 11 being
used to actuate the arm 7, in connection with other gearing hereinafter described.
In Fig. 18 a method is shewn, whereby the sash is opened and closed by the
links 12, driven by the nuts 13 and right and left handed screws 14, fitted with cord,
bevel, worm, or other gear, for turning the screw shaft fitted in bearings xx, which
may be modified as required, and suitably fixed to the frame of the window. An
analogous arrangement may be worked with one screw only.
Fig. 19 shows another adaptation of the same gear to a sash opening inwards, the
arrangement being analogous to that shown in Fig. 18.
Figs. 20 and 21 show powerful gear for actuating a lever or levers simultaneously
for the opening and closing of sashes, which being provided with a suitable catch
retain the sashes either open or closed as desired.
Other forms of differential gear may be applied to the same purpose.
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 1
claim is
1. The method of and means and arrangements for simultaneously opening two or
more windows, casements or fanlights by fitting the same with rods c, connecting
rods h, crank arms g fitted to rotating bars d mounted in bearings e, levers i fitted
to the bars d; the levers i being connected to the sash barsk by means of connecting
rods 1, severally operating substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
2. In combination with swing windows and analogous articles as aforesaid, the
rack m, pinion n worm wheel o, worm p adjustable arm p¹, serrated boss s, and cord
wheel, severally operating substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
the drawings.
3. In combination with fittings for the regulation of windows and analogous articles
as aforesaid, the application and use of the encased gearing shown in Figs. 17 and 18
of No. 16817, and therein described; which regulator raises or lowers a rod in
connection with other parts of the apparatus for opening and closing sashes, hung
in any desired manner; also for causing the rod to revolve; or for revolving a second
rod mounted with a travelling nut, suitably made or formed for mounting a link or
other rod and also the differential gear in connection with other fittings for opening
and closing fanlights and analogous purposes, substantially as hereinbefore described,
and illustrated by the drawings.
4. The several combinations and arrangements of mechanism, constituting my
improvements in the method of and in means and appliances for opening and closing
swing windows, ventilators fanlights and analogous articles, and for fastening the
same at any desired angle, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
the drawings, or any mere modification thereof.