Improvements in Apparatus or Appliances for Raising or Opening Hinged Ventilators or Lights of Greenhouses and other Buildings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus or Appliances for Raising or
Opening Hinged Ventilators or Lights of Greenhouses and
other Buildings.
We, WALTER CHAPMAN BURDER, of the Firm of Messenger & Company,
Horticultural Builders and Engineers and WILLIAM BROOKS, Engineer and
Manager, both of the Midland Horticultural Works, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is designed to provide tackle or apparatus for opening and closing
the hinged ventilating lights of greenhouses, viueries and other glass houses or
the skylights of other buildings by which the light or ventilator will be counter-
balanced by the weight of the operating rod and lever of the opening tackle.
It is primarily intended for the long series of either top or front ventilators
which occur in long ranges of vineries, greenhouses or other glass houses but may
be applied in other buildings where found suitable.
It consists essentially of an L shaped or cranked lever pivoted to the stretcher
or sill or other fixed bar in combination with a second lever or connecting piece,
pivoted to one end thereof and also pivoted to the frame of the ventilator or light
and a longitudinal rod pivoted to the other end by which the lever is actuated or
turned about its pivot by any suitable wheel, screw or lever tackle such as at
present employed.
In carrying out the invention we provide an L shaped or cranked lever
preferably of malleable cast metal which we call the balance lever. This balance
lever is preferably constructed with one arm longer than the other and preferably
set so as to form an obtuse angle, the fulcrum being placed at the apex. At the
apex a socket or hole is formed by which the balance lever is pivoted on a stud
which forms the fulcrum. This stud is preferably affixed to a metal angle bracket
which we call the fulcrum bracket and is secured to the longitudinal stretcher, sill
or other bar to which the hinged lights or ventilators are attached or upon which
they rest or abut when closed.
To the extremity of the upper or outer arm of the balance lever we pivot a
connecting piece or rod the upper or outer end of which is pivoted on a pin
affixed to a metal bracket and secured to the frame of the light or ventilator. The
upper or outer end of the connecting rod which engages with the projecting stud
on the hinged light is constructed with a countersunk hole or ball and socket joint or
other similar device so as to allow of the necessary free play of the rod consequent
on the radial movement of the light or ventilator. And the joint between the
balance lever and the connecting rod is sufficiently loose to allow for the movement
or lateral play of the rod as the light opens on its hinges. There is no longitudinal
or other movement of the hinged light as it opeus except the normal radial
movement on its hinges.
To the extremity of the lower or inner arm of the balance lever is pivoted an
eye bracket by which the longitudinal actuating rod is connected to the lever.
If required sliding collars or other weights may be placed upon the actuating
rod or otherwise connected thereto to increase the weight and give the desired
balance.

page_text: Where the apparatus is applied to top ventilators the lever is set or pivoted in
such a position on the longitudinal stretcher that, when the top light or ventilator
is shut both arms hang down and the top connecting piece or rod is approximately
vertical. When in this position the weight of the lower or inner arm of the lever
and the actuating rod balance the top light or ventilator. To open or raise the
top light or ventilator the actuating rod is moved longitudinally and horizontally
until the lower or inner arm of the balance lever assumes an approximately
vertical position and the upper or outer arm is raised until nearly horizontal.
This movement causes the connecting rod to be raised, the upper end of which
travels, in approximately a vertical path at the same time raising the top light
or ventilator with it. The reverse movemeut closes the light or ventilator.
When the apparatus is applied to front lights it may be either placed
horizontally with one arm extending inwards and the other outwards the actuating
rod running longitudinally horizontally or may be placed vertically with the
actuating rod also vertical and a longitudinal horizontal rod connected to each of
the vertical rods to give the required balance.
By this arrangement no undue or twisting stress is put upon the rod or levers,
the light or ventilator being balanced by the rod and lever, the weight falling on
the fulorum stud and bracket, this permits of great case in the working of the
ventilators, and also avoids any thrusting or twisting strain being put upon the
structure of the building.
It will be seen that by the use of this apparatus the objectionable and
destructive strains which are inevitable in all opening tackle which is actuated
by a long revolving rod, are entirely avoided, and as the longitudinal actuating
rod is slung and is not passed through rigid or fixed carriers or brackets there is
also an entire absence of friction from this cause.
With this apparatus the thrusting power or leverage required to open the hinged
lights or ventilators is always delivered in a direct line in the direction or path in
which the hinged lift or ventilator travels, thereby avoiding all racking or
twisting strains on the hinged light or ventilator, or on the structure consequent
upon the use of tackle in which the opening thrust is delivered otherwise than in a
direct line.
Dated this 13th day of November 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus
or Appliances for Raising or
Opening Hinged Ventilators or Lights of Greenhouses and
other Buildings.
We, WALTER CHAPMAN BURDER, of the Firm of Messenger & Company,
Horticultural Builders and Engineers, and WILLIAM BROOKS, Engineer aud
Manager, both of the Midland Horticultural Works, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, 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 is designed to provide tackle or apparatus for opening and closing
the binged ventilating lights of greenhouses vineries and other glass houses or the
skylights of other buildings by which the light or ventilator will be counter-
balanced by the weight of the operating rod and lever of the opening tackle.
It is primarily intended for the long series of either top or front ventilators
which occur in long ranges of vineries, greenhouses or other glass houses but may
be applied in other buildings where found suitable.

page_text: It consists essentially of an L shaped or cranked lever pivoted to the stretcher
or sill or other fixed bar in combination with a second lever or connecting piece,
pivoted to one end thereof and also pivoted to the frame of the ventilator or light
and a longitudinal rod pivoted to the other end by which the lever is actuated or
turned about its pivot by any suitable wheel, screw or lever tackle such as at
present employed.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
as an example it is shown applied to the top light of a greenhouse or vinery.
Fig. 1. Perspective view showing top light open.
פ..
Dan Luation showing tan alt
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
as an example it is shown applied to the top light of a greenhouse or vinery.
Fig. 1. Perspective view showing top light open.
Fig. 2. Frost elevation showing top light open.
Fig. 3. Side elevation of same.
Fig. 4. Side elevation showing top light closed.
Fig. 5. Enlarged detail side elevation of balance lover Dlink G and longitudinal
rod N.
Fig. 6. Front elevation of same.
Figs. 7 and 8. Eularged details front and side elevations of pivot H attached to
the frame of top light.
Figs. 9 and 10. Enlarged detail front and side elevations of pivot E affixed to the
stretcher bar.
The top light A the stretcher bar B the ends C and other parts of the green-
house or vinery are constructed in the usual way.
To the stretcher bar B or other fixed support we pivot the balance lever D
which is of shape or cranked and preferably made of malleable cast metal.
This balance lever D is preferably constructed with the lower arm d longer than
the other or upper arm which are preferably set so as to form an obtuse
angle, the fulcrum being placed at the apex of the angle so formed. At the apex
a socket or hole e is formed by which the balance lever D is pivoted on a etud E
which forms the fulcrum. Tho stud E is affixed to a netal angle bracket F
which we call the fulcrum bracket and is secured to the longitudinal stretcher B
sill or other bar upon which the hinged lights or ventilators A rest or abut when
closed..
:
To the extremity of the upper or outer arm of the balance lever D we pivot
a connecting link or rod G the upper or outer end of which is pivoted on a
pin Haffixed to a metal bracket K and secured to the frame of the light or
ventilator A. The upper or outer end of the connecting link G which engages
with the projecting stud H on the hinged light A is constructed with a counter-
sunk hole or ball und socket joint or other similar device so as to allow of the
necessary free play of the rod consequent on the radial movement of the light or
ventilator A. The joint between the balance lever Daud the connecting link G
is sufficiently loose to allow for the movement or lateral play of the link as the
light. A opens on its hinges. There is no longitudinal or other movement of the
hinged light A. as it opens except the normal radial movement on its hinges.
To the extremity of the lower or inner arm d of the balance lever D is pivoted
an eye bracket M by which the longitudinal actuating rod N is connected to the
lever. If required sliding collars or other weights may be placed upon the
actuating rod N or otherwise connected thereto to increase the weight and give
the desired balance.
The end of the actuating rod N we connect by means of the double links or
rods N' to a lever O affixed to a cross shaft P which is moved to and fro by a hand
lever R connected thereto by a connecting rod r and lever p whereby a direct
longitudinal pull may be applied to the actuating rod N. The hand lever R is
provided with a quadrant S by which it can be locked in any desired position.
It will be evident that the rod N may be moved longitudinally by means of a
chain passing over a pulley and attached to a small winch or by means of a screw
but at present we prefer the arrangement shown in the drawings.
Where the apparatus is applied to top ventilators as shown in the drawings the
lever D is set or pivoted in such a position on the longitudinal stretcher B that

page_text: when the top light or ventilator A is shut both arms hang down (see dotted lines
Fig. 2.) and the connecting link or rod G is approximately vertical. When in
this position the weight of the lower or inner arm d of the lever D and the
actuating rod N balance the top light or ventilator A. To open or raise the top
light or ventilator the actuating rod N is moved longitudinally and horizontally
until the lower or inner arm d of the balance lever D assumes an approximately
vertical position (see Figs. 1 and 2) and the upper or outer arm. is raised until
slightly above the horizontal. This movement causes the connecting link G to be
raised the upper end of which travels in approximately a vertical path at the same
time raising the top light or ventilator A with it. The reverse movement closes
the light or ventilator.
When the apparatus is applied to front lights it may be either placed
horizontally with one arm extending inwards and the other outwards the
actuating rod running longitudinally horizontally or may be placed vertically
with the actuating rod also vertical and a longitudinal horizontal rod connected to
each of the vertical rods to give the required balance.
By this arrangement no undue or twisting stress is put upon the rod or levers,
the light or ventilator being balanced by the rod N and lever D the weight falling
on the fulcrum stud Eand bracket F, this permits of great ease in the working of
the ventilators, and also avoids any thrusting or twisting strain being put upon
the structure of the building.
It will be seen that by the use of this apparatus the objectionable and destructive
strains which are inevitable in all opening tacklo which is actuated by a long
revolving rod, are entirely avoided, and as the longitudinal' actuating rod is slung
and is not passed through rigid or fixed carriers or brackets there is also an entire
absence of friction from this cause.
With this apparatus the thrusting power or leverage required to open the.
binged lights or ventilators A is always delivered in a direct line in the direction
or path in which the hinged light or ventilator travels thereby avoiding all racking
or twisting strains on the hinged light or ventilator, or on the structure consequent
upon the use of tackle in which the opening thrust is delivered otherwise than in a
direct line.
!
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.—
1. Apparatus for raising or opening hinged ventilators or lights of green-
houses or other buildings constructed with an shaped or bell crank balance
lever pivoted to the stretcher or other fixed bar and connected to the frame of the
light or ventilator by a link pivoted thereto in combination with a longitudinal
rod pivoted to the free end of the balance lever by which the said lever is moved
to and fro on its pivot to open or close the light or ventilator substantially as
described.
4
2. Apparatus for raising or opening the hinged lights or ventilators of green-
houses or other structures having the several parts constructed and arranged in
combination substantially as and for the purposes described and shown.
Deted this 7th dom
A 1904
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.