Automatic Device for Closing Windows.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Automatic Device for Closing Windows.
I, EMIL BERNHARD KUBASCH, of Friedrichstädter Friedhofsweg, Dresden, Saxony,
Photographer, 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 :-
This invention has for object to provide a window closing device which upon
the occurrence of a strong wind or storm will automatically close a window that has
been left open and with which it is in connection, and thus prevent any annoyance
and possible injury by the passage of strong currents of air into a room or building.
For this purpose a fan or fan wheel is mounted on a shaft carried in bearings
attached to the window frame or wall at one or both of the upper corners of said
frane. The vanes of the fan are in any suitable number, and when set in motion
operate the closing of the window through suitable means or connections, for instance,
by releasing a catch holding the window sash open thereby enabling a spring or
falling weight to act to close the sash, or the motion of the fan may be transmitted
through any suitable kind of gearing to the sash in such a way as to close the
same.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view shewing the application
of the device of the invention to a hinged or swinging sash window. Fig. 2 shews
the construction modified for appliance to a sliding sash window.
Referring to Fig. 1, a is a fan provided with any preferred number of wings or vanes
and fixed on the outer end of a shaft b carried in an upper corner of the window
frame c in bearings d, e, f. On the inner end of said shaft is fixed a grooved wheel
or drum g to which is attached the end of a rope or chain h. The latter is shewn
extending downwards and passing over a guide pulley k carried in a bracket attached
to the side piece i of the window frame, thence extending through an aperture in the
latter to the outside of the same and passing over a guide pulley l, thereupon
again extending downward and over a guide pulley m after which it is conducted
laterally and over a pulley n supported by the cross piece o and fastened to an eye
staple q fixed in the swinging sash p.
The drum g instead of being on the inner end of the shaft b may be placed on the
middle portion or outer end of the same and the pulleys shewn outside the window
may be removed to the inside of the same, the precise arrangement being governed
by the requirements of the particular case.
It is obvious that the rotation of the fan in either direction will cause the window
sash to move from an open to a closed position.
In order to prevent the closing of the window by a light wind a brake of any
desired construction and preferably adjustable is applied to the shaft b. In the
drawing a brake is shewn composed of a lever r fulcrummed at one end to the wall or
window frame, resting on and partially encompassing the shaft b, and supporting at its
other end a pendent rod s, to which any number of weights t, u, v, may be applied to
effect the desired adjustment of the brake.
A catch or fastener may be provided to hold the sash in its closed position.

page_text: The form and construction of the vanes of the fan may be of any kind suitable for
the fulfillment of their purpose and the fan may also be provided with a casing
by which the wind would be given any desired direction. In Fig. 1 is shewn a very
simple form of fan.
In the modification shewn in Fig. 2 the drum g is assumed to be enclosed within a
cavity in the wall. The rope his passed over but one guide pulley w and then
fastened to the sliding sash x so that when the fan on shaft b is rotated in either
direction this sash will be raised and the window closed.
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:
An automatic device for closing windows upon the occurrence of a strong current
of air such as a high wind or storm, comprising a fan or vane wheel actuated by the
same, having one, two, or more wings or vanes of any suitable form and construction
and closing the window sash or sashes through intermediate gearing or connections,
or by releasing a self acting mechanism, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 17th day of February 1898.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.