Skyughts, ventiators, and Analogous Articles, and In the Fittings and Appliances in Connection therewith.
Year: 1884

page_text: Skyughts, ventiators, and Analogous Articles, and In the
Fittings and Appliances in Connection therewith.
'
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, in the County of
Surrey Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING FANLIGHTS, SKYLIGHTS,
VENTILATORS, AND ANALOGOUS ARTICLES AND IN THE FITTINGS AND APPLIANCES
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in opening and closing
fanlights, skylights, ventilators, and analogous articles, and in the fittings and
appliances in connection therewith.
In applying my invention to an ordinary fanlight which has hinges, or is other-
wise pivotted, I fit springs thereto in such a manner, that the spring
at its
greatest tension, and therefore exerts its greatest power, when the fanlight is
farthest open.
One method of effecting this object is by fitting a spiral spring
surrounding or otherwise connected with a rod (or such spring may be enclosed in
a tube) a traversing or sliding block being brought in contact with or attached to
such spring-A connecting rod link or lever connects the sliding block with the
fanlight, the connecting rod being sufficiently long to allow of the spring's
expansion, when the fanlight is closed, and to cause the spring to become com-
pressed when the fanlight is open-The connecting "rod" may be a rigid rod
chain cord or equivalent device to connect the traversing or sliding block with the
frame of the fanlight.
Another arrangement of spiral spring effects the same purpose; in which the
spring is recessed horizontally in or attached to the outer frame; one end of the
spring being firmly held to prevent it from revolving on its longitudinal axis, and´
the other end being firmly attached to the axis or lever which acts as a link
between the spring and the fanlight. The outer end of this link is slotted, and in
such slot a pin wheel or stud (in the side of the fanlight) is fixed to slide and in
traversing such slot the link or lever accommodates itself to the various angles
assumed by the open fanlight, the power of the spring having a tendency to close
the fanlight.
The arrangement of the horizontal spiral spring admits of several modifications.
By fixing the slotted link to one end of a rod, inside the spring, and a short
lever at the other end of such rod, I am enabled to open (by pulling) and shut (by
letting go) the fanlight; the short lever being actuated by rods, lines, chains, or

page_text: other suitable appliances for opening closing fixing and retaining the same at any
desired angle. Instead of the slot being in the link it may be in a plate fitted to
the fanlight frame in which case the lever would be mounted with the said stud or
wheel and would be fixed to the lever to slide in the said slot.
At each side of the fanlight I sometimes fit gussets, of flexible material, arranged
to roll up on conical (spring or other) rollers, or such gussets may be made to fold
up automatically in corrugated or bellows folds; by which means objectionable
draughts are avoided. In this arrangement it is sometimes advantageous to usc
springs or weights for raising balancing & sustaining the weight of the open
fanlight or closing the same.
In fitting the hand gear for opening and closing the fanlight, I sometimes fit a
pillar staple or arm lever jointed or otherwise to the fanlight, to which a connecting
rod is attached, the lower end of which is in connection with a sliding block with
one or more lugs this latter is more especially for skylight links or head with
single or double trunnion set upon a vertical rod, or with a rod sliding in a fixed
block. In either case the block or head has one or more binding or set screws or
their equivalent in any case only one screw need be used to set the head fast to the
rod. I sometimes use auxiliary pads of iron or other suitable material to suit
the varying lengths of the arm of the cross heads, so that the crosshead may be
held at any point, the binding screws having convenient heads for operating and
firmly setting the same-The heads of the screws are sometimes fitted with or
into journals on which the eyes or collars of the connecting rods work with
facility, and whereby their position and that of the fanlights is under perfect
control.
In some cases where the fanlight is somewhat inaccessible, and a longer rod
is required, I apply bevel gear or worm and a worm wheel or pinion or a worm
working into a worm or other gear to raise and lower the fanlight, but by
preference, I make the gear to raise or lower or revolve a screwed rod;-to the
gear casing I fix or otherwise apply a check to prevent the sash running back by
its own weight or other force.
Where fanlights are fitted in pairs I make one vertical rod, or equivalent
mechanical appliance, operate upon one pair of fanlights, by fitting two arms to
the sliding block, with an adjustment to one or both of such arms to suit the
division or the thickness of the mullions, the connecting rods being attached to the
ends of such arins, or to the adjustable rods or pins fitted thereto.
In some cases in lieu of the said cross-heads I unite a pair of fanlights by a
plate using the single arın head and for heavy lights I sometinies sustain the
opposite end by the said spring stay.
My said invention or some one or more part or parts thereof, is or are applicable
to skylights, built at any angle, trap doors, cellar flaps, ventilators, and other
articles of an analogous nature; and where gearing is dispensed with, and to
prevent the sudden slamming of the fanlight by the action of the spring stay or
other movement I use a pneumatic hydraulic or mercurial check, a piston working
into a cylinder from which the confined fluid material by escaping gradually
allows the fanlight to close silently while a catch securely fastens it-to which
catch a cord may be attached to open and fasten the fanlight at any angle for
ventilation In lieu of a cord a long arm or other appliance may be used. I some-
times make the fanlight reversible but when only open as for ventilation I sometimes
fix a spring roller block to the bottom rail and the frame from which it is
withdrawn.

page_text: Skylights, Ventilators, and Analogous Articles, and in the
Fittings and Appliances in Connection therewith.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF OPENING AND CLOSING FANLIGHTS, SKYLIGHTS, VENTILATORS,
AND ANALOGOUS ARTICLES, AND IN THE FITTINGS AND APPLIANCES IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH," 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 opening and closing
fanlights, skylights, ventilators and analogous articles, and in the fittings and
appliances in connection therewith.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation shewing one method of applying my invention to a
fanlight which opens at the top. a is the fanlight. b is a slotted bar or link
having a ratchet on one side of the slot. A spring latch c is fitted to the rack, the
latch being mortised into the side of the fanlight. d is a lever, to which a cord,
chain, or rod may be applied. When the cord is pulled the pawl e of the latch is
disengaged from the rack, as shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 3, which is an enlarged
view of the lever b, shewn in Fig. 1, and of the inside of the lock. The pawl may
be otherwise actuated, and may be used without a spring.
In Fig. 2 the foregoing arrangement is modified to suit a fanlight opening below.
In this arrangement the rack b is fixed to the fanlight a, and the link b carries a
spring pawl and lever which takes into the rack b¹, and may be released by a
string, chain, cord or rod.
!
The faulight shewn in Fig. 1 is readily closed by simply pushing or pulling the
same upwards, and that shewn in Fig. 2 is opened in a similar manner.
Instead of the slotted end of the link being formed with internal ratchet teeth,
the link may be a solid bar with ratchet teeth on one of its edges. Or it may be
formed with a plain slot, without a rack, having an eccentric grip fitted thereto, or
it may be a plain bar fitted with an external clip in order to slide freely, when
desired, and to jamb or grip the bar in any part of its length, or it may be
perforated for receiving a pin or pins for the same purpose, as shewn in Fig. 3ª.
It may also be worked by hand.
The position of the lever d may be varied, as shewn by dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The arrangement shewn in Fig. 2 may also be modified by having an extension b³,
of the arm or lever b, as shewn by dotted lines, and a cord or chain d³ will serve
for opening and closing the same. The method of actuating the pawls may also
be varied to suit their position and the necessities arising from the position of the
fanlight, ee are latches for securing the fanlights, when closed.

page_text: I do not confine myself to the positions shewn in the drawings or to the position
of the hinges, as the fanlights may be otherwise hung, as, for instance, on pivots
at or near their centres of gravity, or otherwise; and the slot plate may be fixed
to the frame, and the lever attached to the fanlight, and the stays may be
so modified and arranged that the whole or any part thereof may be hidden from
view.
Another modification of my invention consists in applying springs to fanlights
in such a manner, that such springs are at their greatest tension, and therefor
exert their greatest power, when the fanlights are open to the farthest extent.
One method of effecting this object is by fitting a spiral spring surrounding or
otherwise connected with a rod as shewn in Fig. 4. a is the fanlight. d³ is a
pillar staple or arm to which the pivoted rod 63 is fitted. f is a rod, upon or
surrounding which the spiral spring g is fitted.
As the fanlight a is opened to a greater or less extent, the spring g is compressed
to a similar extent, and thus any increase in the leverage of the fanlight is com-
pensated by the increased power of the spring to resist the same.
In Fig. 4 the rod f is shewn as capable of sliding in the blocks h h; the cross-
head g being fixed to the rod; this may be varied by making the rod f a fixture
and arranging the cross-head g₁ to slide thereupon; and this may be further
varied by substituting for the rod ƒ a slotted tube, and inserting therein the
spring g and cross-head g¹.
The arm or link ³, as also the rod for the rod p with the regulator and other
appurtenances may be applied to skylights by attaching the link (which may be
bent to suit any architectural requirement) to the skylight for controlling and
fixing the same.
Fig. 5 shews another method of applying the same principle to a fanlight. a is
the fanlight; b is a slotted link or lever. The end 6 of this lever carries a
fork, shewn in Fig. 10, to which it is firmly rivetted. The fork i enters the
spiral spring (Figs. 8 and 9) and engages the spur . The spur ² is held in the
frame (in which the spring is mortised) so that it cannot rotate therein. The
spring is made sufficiently powerful to balance the weight of the fanlight in any
position, open (more or less) or closed.
In Fig. 6 the short arm 65 is added for the convenience of adding a cord, rod,
or other appliance, herein described, thereto. In some cases the spring ke may be
dispensed with by applying power to the short arm 65, as herein after described.
Fig. 7 shews another method of applying the same principle, by means of a roller
spring g³, which may be recessed in the lintel as shewn at g², or it may be placed
on either side of the lintel, as shewn in dotted lines at g³. a² is a spring latch
which may be opened by a cord a³.
It will be seen that as the leverage of the fanlight. a is increased, the tension of
the roller spring g² is also increased, and the spring is so constructed as to counter-
balance the weight of the fanlight in any position.
I sometimes apply ratchet wheels and pawls to the springs, whereby such springs
may be charged to the required tension.
Figs. 11 to 15 illustrate my arrangements for preventing side draughts from
open fanlights, by fitting gussets to the sides. These gussets may be flexible, as
shewn in Fig. 11, or metallic, as shewn in Fig. 13 or they may fold up like the
sides of bellows. When formed of flexible material conical rollers are made use
of, on which the gussets m are rolled. These rollers are usually fitted with self-
coiling springs, but they may be operated also by weights and cords or otherwise.
The rollers may be recessed as shewn in Figs. 11. and 12, or they may be placed
as shewn at in Fig. 12, or in any other convenient position.
In fitting metallic gussets, I form the sections n of a fan like form. The upper
ends are supplied with grooves as shewn in Fig. 14, each succeeding section sliding
in the groove provided on the next section. The upper ends of the sections are
also provided with stops o (Fig. 15) which prevent them from leaving the grooves,
a corresponding stop being fitted at the "end. of each groove for the purpose.
The

page_text: lower ends of the segments n may be pivoted, as shown in Fig. 13, or their axis
may differ from that of the fanlight.
The sectors forming the metallic gusset may also be held together by means of
pins working in slots n¹, or by other suitable arrangements.
Fig. 16 shews the application of what I term the folding stay to fanlights. p is
a rod, the lower end of which is screw threaded, a nut in the regulator q fits the
thread of the rod p and thereby regulates the opening and closing of the fanlight.
A pin in the end of the lever b travels in the slot a¹ fitted to the fanlight a.
The construction of the regulator q is shewn in Figs. 17 and 18, which illustrate
two modifications thereof. In Fig. 17 is the revolving nut, which is operated by
the bevel wheels 8 s¹ (shewn in dotted lines) the wheel s¹ being turned by the
handle t. In Fig. 18 the nut 1 is recessed in the body of the regulator. The
inside of the nut has a screw thread to fit the screw on the rod p, and the outside.
of the nut has a worm into which the worm on the spindle gears. The handle tis
sometimes made to fold, as shewn in Fig. 18, with a hinge at t.
In some cases the nuts is provided with holes into which a pin is placed
through the hole 8' (Fig. 17); the nut being formed, as shewn in Fig. 38.
This
prevents, the accidental descent of a heavy fanlight supported by a screwed rod, by
stopping the revolution of the nut 8. In Fig. 39 a ratchet is shewn on the outside
of the nut for the same purpose, a spring pawl being fitted to prevent its running
back. A wedge at (Fig. 17) is sometimes used for the same purpose, or a set
screw ³
Figs. 19 and 20 shew the formation of the cross-head or sliding block fitted to
the vertical rod p, in cases where fanlights are fitted in pairs. The length of the
cross-head p2 is adapted to the division or thickness of the mullion, and the
rods p' lead up to the pair of fanlights. The method of setting the cross-head p²
at any part of the length of the rod p is effected by means of packing pieces or
auxiliary metal pads p³, whereby short screws 2 may be used to effect the grip
and firmly set the same; the packing, pieces, p³, may be readily cut to any length
to suit the length of the cross-head p².
Fig. 21 shews the method of fitting a cross-head so as to engage two levers 6" b
and connect them to one rod p. One half of the cross-head p is bored out to
receive the pin 7 attached to the other portion pe, upon which the head of the rod p
works. The two portions of the cross-head are retained in position by the ends of
the levers b³, or a single bolt may be substituted, passing through the same.
In Figs. 22 and 23 an arrangement is shewn whereby the rod p may be readily
raised and lowered and fixed in any position by means of the pin u.
The head of
this pin, next to the ring u¹, is circular; but between this circular portion and the
button the sides are flattened. The spring us retains the circular portion in
the circular recesses in the rack, until the ring u¹ is drawn outwards, when it
may be removed to, and fixed in any other of the recesses v.
The action of this rack may be varied, the release taking place by pushing the
ring inwards, the rack being notched or otherwise adapted to such arrangement.
Fig. 24 shews an arrangement of my invention, as applied to an inner and outer
sash or fanlight intended to open simultaneously. a a are the fanlights, b' 6' are
the slot plates, bb are the arms or connecting rods, bo is the power lever, and P the
rod for controlling the same. The dotted lines shew the position of the same
when closed. w may be made as shewn at 6 in Fig. 5 and fitted in the same
manner, or a spiral spring may be applied to the rod p, as shewn at
in Fig. 4,
with or without a regulator, for counterbalancing or closing the fanlight. It will
be obvious that by pulling a cord attached to a catch, or to the fanlight itself it
may be held open and fastened at any angle by a suitable cord holder. By making
the spring sufficiently strong the fanlight may be made self-closing, and the
vertical rod may be dispensed with.
T
It will also be obvious that the spindle w¹ may be made of any length, and
carried through the frame and proper bearings (barrel or otherwise) to any
convenient part of the building for conveniently.operating the samė,

page_text: Fig. 25 shews another method of applying my invention to fanlights, which will
be readily understood from the drawing.
Figs. 26 and 27 shew two methods of applying my invention to a series of
fanlights. The solid lines shew the fanlights open, and the dotted lines shew the
position when closed.
Horizontal fanlights or casements on vertical centres may be actuated in a
similar manner.
Fig. 28 is a perspective view, shewing the application of my invention to a row
of skylights, and Figs. 29 and 30 are enlarged views of a portion of the same.
The rod p is mounted in such a manner that its longitudinal movement opens or
closes the several skylights simultaneously. a is the frame of the skylight to be
lifted, as is the fixed frame. xx are bars fixed to the rail of the skylight. y y are
lazy or bearing pulleys over each of which a chain z or its equivalent runs, fixed
to the bar and also to the rod p.
Bell cranks may be substituted for the chains
and pulleys y.
Fig. 31 shews another method of operating fanlights by means of the rack
plate and chain or cord ².
Figs. 32, 33 and 34 shew another method of opening and closing casements on
vertical centres. 61 is the slot plate in which the pin or roller at the end of the
rod b works, q is the regulator, shewn enlarged in Fig. 34. Fig. 33 is a perspective
view of a casement fitted with two rods.
The rotation of the rod p may be also effected by the arrangement shewn in
Fig. 37. The rod p' is capable of a short vertical motion but is prevented from
rotating by the pin p' working in a slot, or by any other equivalent device. The
pin p is fixed to the rod-p³, and this pin, working in curved slots in p causes the
rotation of p and of the arm or lever b.
Figs. 35 and 36 shew the application of a rack and pinion, with bevel gear,
whereby the arm b is partially rotated and caused to open and close the fanlight a,
as desired.
The several parts of apparatus herein before described are more or less inter-
changeable.
My said invention in some one or more parts thereof, is or are applicable to
skylights built at any angle, trap doors, cellar flaps, ventilators and other articles
of an analogous nature; and where gearing is dispensed with, and to prevent the
sudden slamming of the fanlight by the action of the spring stay or other
movement, I sometimes use a pneumatic, hydraulic, or mercurial check, consisting of
a piston working in a cylinder, or other appliance as described in my Specification
No: 12,044
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 method of opening and closing fanlights by means of the slotted lever b,
fitted with ratchet, pin, or eccentric grip appliances and spring or other pawl, or
eccentric operating substantially as herein before described with reference to, and
shewn in, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.
2. The method of opening and closing fanlights by means of the lever b, serrated
or other rack 61 and spring pawl d, and with or without the extended arm b²,
severally operating substantially as herein before described and shewn in Fig. 2 of
the drawings.
4
3. The method of balancing the weight of the fanlight a by means of a spiral 5
spring g, block gl and connecting rod 63, severally operating substantially as
herein before described and shewn in Fig. 4 of the drawings.
4. The arrangement, for the purposes described of the slotted lever b in com-
bination with the spring k and fork i, severally operating substantially as herein
before described and shewn in Figs 5, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings.
>

page_text: 5. The arrangement, for the purposes described, of the bent lever bb, as shewn
in Fig. 6, with or without the spring k, the lever arm 65 being operated by any one
or more of the appliances herein mentioned and operating substantially as herein
before described and shewn in the drawings.
6. The arrangement, for the purposes aforesaid, of the spring roller g² or g³ with
or without the addition of any of the other appliances herein mentioned operating
substantially as herein before described and shewn in Fig. 7 of the drawings.
7. In the construction and fitting of fanlights the application and use of gussets
formed of flexible or folding material m and conical rollers operating substantially
as described and shewn in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings.
8. In the construction and fitting of fanlights the application and use of metallic
gussets n, arranged and operating substantially as herein before described and
shewn in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings.
9. The arrangement, for the purposes aforesaid, of the bent lever b 65 the pin at
the end of b suitably mounted working in the guide a¹, and the connecting rod p
being controlled by the regulator q, or by any of the other arrangements herein
mentioned for that purpose, substantially as herein before described and shewn in
Fig. 16 of the drawings.
10. The manufacture and use of the bevel gear form of regulators, for controlling
the motion of the rod p, operating substantially as herein before described and
shewn in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings..
11. The manufacture and use of the modified form of regulator operating
substantially as herein before described and shewn in Fig. 18 of the drawings.
12. The method and means whereby a pair of fanlights may be simultaneously
regulated with one rod p and regulator, substantially as herein before described
and shewn in Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings.
13. The method and means whereby a pair of levers may be operated by one
cross head, such levers being attached to a pair of fanlights and thereby
simultaneously regulating the same, substantially as herein before described and
shewn in Fig. 21 of the drawings.
14. For the purpose of regulating the position of the rod p and consequently
that of the fanlight or fanlights, the manufacture and use of the rack u with its
appurtenances operating substantially as herein before described and shewn in
Fige 22 and 23 of the drawings.
15. The application and use of any one and the combination of any two or more
of the several parts, and the interchangeable application or combination of such
parts, for the purposes substantially as herein before described and shewn on the
drawings.
16. The general arrangement and combination of the several and respective
parts, together forming my improvements in the method of opening and closing
fanlights, skylights ventilators and analogous articles, and in the fittings and
appliances in connection therewith, substantially as herein before described and
shewn on the drawings.