DRAUGHT-PROOF REVERSIBLE WINDOW
Year: 1888

page_text: WILLIAM WALKER CLAYTON, Joiner, Nydd, near Ripley, Yorkshire I do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for DRAUGHT-PROOF REVERSIBLE WINDOW 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 dispense with sash-cords and weights, to prevent
the sashes from rattling, and at the same time render the window perfectly draught-
proof. The invention is applicable to windows of any size, and having one, two, or
more sashes in one frame. I will take a frame fitted with two sashes which swing on
pivots placed in the centre of each side (fig. 1).
The frame has neither parting-beads nor staff-beads, so that it need not be so wide
as that of the ordinary window, and can be made out of 3 in. square stuff; for the
meeting-bars do not meet opposite or against each other, as do those of ordinary sashes
hung with cords and weights, but the meeting-bar of the upper sash shuts immediately
over the corresponding bar of the lower sash thus making the two sashes in the same
vertical plane, as shown in drawing.
Any draught between the two meeting-bars is entirely prevented by an iron plate
(fig. 2), 1 in. wide by in. thick, firmly screwed to the inside face of the meeting-
bar of the lower sash, standing in. above the top edge of this bar, and fitting closely
to the inside of the meeting-bar of the upper sash.
A similar iron plate (fig. 3) is firmly screwed on the outside of the meeting-bar of
the upper sash and extending in. below it so as to fit tightly to the meeting-bar of the
lower sash.
To render the space between the sashes and the frame draught-proof, I making use
of what may be termed a rack, made of malleable iron.
The rack consists of a bar of iron (fig. 4), 1 in. wide by
width to back edge, and tapering in. on both sides from
or face edge.
in. thick from centre of
centre of width to front
In the middle of the bar, i.e., half way from each end, is provided an arm (fig. 5)
projecting from the centre of the bar 14 in. beyond the back, or thick edge, and at
right-angles to it. This projection may be 1 in. deep by in. thick and is provided
with teeth or cogs on which works a little cogged wheel (fig. 6).
The wheel is fixed in the frame by means of a spindle attached to it, which spindle
projects a little from the inner face of the frame, to admit of a key being fitted to it

page_text: to turn the wheel. Fig. 7 shows how the wheel is fixed in the frame and fig. 8
represents the key.
A cross section of the rack is shown in fig. 9. The wheel works the rack backwards
and forwards.
An opening in the frame receives the arm of the rack, and in each side of the
frame there is a groove which admits the rack, so that its front edge is level with
the side of the frame, thus allowing the sashes to open freely, as shown (fig. 10).
There is also a groove on each side of the sashes (fig. 11), in. deep, but in. narrower
than the groove in the frame.
When the sashes are closed, the grooves in their sides are exactly opposite those in
the frame, so that when the cogged wheels are turned the racks are pushed forward
and wedged firmly in the sides of the sashes, thus rendering the window thoroughly
draught-proof and also securely locking it-no other fastener being needed. The
sashes when open-which may be together or separately are in the form of louvres,
so that should there be a shower while they are open, the rain would be conducted
outwards, clear of the window-sill. To allow the window to be held open for
vontilation a spring lever-peg (fig. 12) is screwed to the side of each sash; and a
plate with holes bored in it to receive the peg, is screwed to the side of the frame,
a little below the pivot.
By means of this peg and plate the sashes can be held open at any angle. Fig. 13
contains a front (C) and side elevation (D), (full size), of an alternative fastening for
the sashes when open.
The fastening consists of a disc of brass screwed to the widow-sash-(the heads of
the screws being sunk). Over this disc works on a centre pin (E) another disc of
brass, of the same thickness as the one on which it works. This disc is a sector of the
same circle and has cast on it a pin (F), which enters the holes in the plate on the
window frame in the same manner as the pin on the spring lever-peg. To put
the pin out of gear it is only necessary to move the handle (G) towards the position (H)
shown by the dotted lines.
Both the sashes may be turned inside for cleaning, glazing, etc. or may be lifted
entirely out of the frame. Each sash requires two racks-one for each side-and one
spring lever-peg. One key works all the racks.
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 way in which reversible window-sashes are secured and rendered draught-
proof by means of racks, as shown in drawings.
2. Making the sashes to shut one immediately over the other, so that they are in
the same vertical plane and made draught-proof as set forth in drawing.
3. The mode of holding open the sashes at any angle, by means of the spring lever-
peg, or alternative fastening, as described in drawings.
Dated this Thirty-first day of May 1888.
WM. W. CLAYTON,
Joiner,
Nydd, near Ripley,
Yorkshire.