IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING WINDOW SASHES."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Arthur Biddell, of Ipswich, in the County of
Suffolk, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOUNTING WINDOW SASHES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Arthur Biddell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th November 1877.
GEORGE ARTHUR BIDDELL, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MOUNTING WINDOW SASHES."
This Invention has for its object the simplification and cheapening of the apparatus
and fittings for window sashes, especially for small and moderate sized windows,
such as are chiefly made for modern cottages and small villas.
I have one pulley only for both sashes, and this pulley is fixed to the upper part
Over
of the window frame, in, or nearly in, the vertical central line of the window.
this pulley a cord, or band, or chain is passed, one end of which is made fast to the
upper sash in or near its vertical central line, and the other end in the same way to
the lower sash, so that one sash balances the other, and when the lower sash is
raised the upper sash descends and both sashes can be moved either up or down
freely at will.
Any necessary adjustment for stretching of the band can be readily effected by
raising the pulley or by any simple arrangement at the attachment of the band to
the sash or sashes.
It will be obvious that this method may be readily modified by fixing a spindle
across the window just below the upper bar of the lower sasb. In the centre of the
spindle a pinion is attached, and in or near the central vertical line of each sash a
rack is fixed. These racks gear into opposite sides of the pinion, and thus the
windows are made to balance each other and will readily move when handled near
the vertical central line.
It will be seen at once that these arrangements greatly simplify the construction
and reduce the cost as compared with the usual present plan of hanging sashes, as

page_text: the boxing for the four weights as well as the four pulleys and cords are done away
with.
The plan of opening both sashes at once always ensures a perfect state of ventilation,
but the sashes may be inade to move independently of each other by providing a
separate cord or band for each sash, attached to the sashes as above, at or near the
central vertical line of the sash. Two pulleys are placed at or near the top of the
window, and in or near the central vertical part, and one end of each cord is
attached, as described, to each sash. The cords pass over two separate pulleys, and
weights are hung to the other ends of the cords so as to balance each sash. Then
by means of these weights as handles the sashes can be opened or shut independently
and with ease. These weights may be made in any approved form or shape and of
any suitable material.
The sashes are allowed some play in their guides, and are secured by wedges
carried upon the sash, and actuated by levers, screws, or cams, which move outwards
simultaneously the wedges on either side.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Arthur Biddell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
May 1878.
GEORGE ARTHUR BIDDELL, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk.
MENTS IN MOUNTING WINDOW SASHES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention has for its object the simplification and cheapening of the apparatus
and fittings for window sashes, especially for small and moderate sized windows,
such as are chiefly made for modern cottages and small villas.
I have one pulley only for both sashes, and this pulley is fixed to the upper part
of the window frame in, or nearly in, the vertical central line of the window. Over
this pulley a cord, or band, or chain is passed, one end of which is made fast to the
upper sash in or near its vertical central line, and the other end in the same way to
the lower sash, so that one sash balances the other, and when the lower sash is
raised the upper sash descends and both sashes can be moved either up or down
freely at will.
Any necessary adjustment for stretching of the band can be readily effected by
raising the pulley or by any simple arrangement at the attachment of the band to
the sash or sashes.
It will be obvious that this method may be readily modified by fixing a spindle
across the window just below the upper bar of the lower sash. In the centre of the
spindle a pinion is attached, and in or near the central vertical line of each sash a
rack is fixed. These racks gear into opposite sides of the pinion, and thus the
windows are made to balance each other and will readily move when handled near
the vertical central line.
It will be seen at once that these arrangements greatly simplify the construction
and reduce the cost as compared with the usual present plan of hanging sashes, as

page_text: the boxing for the four weights as well as the four pullies and cords are done away
with.
The plan of opening both sashes at once always ensures a perfect state of ventilation.
The sashes are allowed some play in their guides and are secured by wedges carried
upon the sash, and actuated by levers, screws, or cams, which move outwards
simultaneously the wedges on either side.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed,—
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
On Sheet 1 Figure 1 is an elevation, and Figure 2 a vertical section of a
window drawn to a scale of, say, 1 inches to a foot. The two sashes balance each
other by the application of a single pulley (a), over, which passes a suitable band,
cord, or chain (b), the latter preferred, which is attached to the central bar or to the
top rail of each sash. The pulley is carried by suitable brackets (c, c,) which are
firmly screwed to the under side of top of the window frame.
Also on Sheet 1 Figure 3 is an elevation, and Figure 4 a vertical section of a
similar window to that just described, but instead of the pulley and chain a single
pinion (d) and two racks are used. The pinion (d) is attached to a spindle (e)
which runs across the window just below the outside of the upper rail of the lower
sash, moving in bearings (f, f.) in the side frames of the window. The rack (g) is
attached to the central bar of the upper sash, and the rack (h) to that of the lower
sash, each gearing into opposite sides of the pinion (d).
Now it will be readily understood that in each of the above described arrange-
ments the motion of each sash is simultaneous, as each sash balances the other, so
that the window is opened or closed both at top and bottom by moving either sash.
The four usual weights, cords, and pulleys are dispensed with, and also the boxes for
the same.
On Sheet 2, Figures 1 and 2 represent plan and elevation of my improved
fastening, drawn half size, specially applicable to sashes as above described, where
they are made to balance each other, as then they lock both sashes at once, whether
such sashes are entirely closed or left partly open for ventilation. In sashes which
do not balance each other these fastenings only lock the lower sash.
In these Figures (a) shows the upper bar of the lower sash; b, b, are the inside
beads attached to the side frames of the window, and in these beads there are
inclined notches cut at c, c, c, to receive the ends of the metal sliding wedge piece d, d,
which extend along the sash to near the central part of the window where the
double cam plate (e) moves on a central pin or screw. Near the central ends of the
wedge pieces are projecting pins f, f, which fit into the grooves of the cam plate e.
The wedge pieces d, d, move horizontally on fixed screws passing through grooves g, g.
The wedges formed at the outer ends of the sliding wedge pieces correspond with
the inclined notches c, c, c, in the beads, and when forced outwards by the cam
plate e they firmly fix and lock the sashes, and are withdrawn by moving the cam
plate in the contrary direction.
In the Drawings 1 and 2, the wedges are shown partly withdrawn.
When the meeting bars of the sashes are so high from the floor of the room as
not easily to be reached, then two cords are attached to the cam plate, as shown in
Figure 2, which can be carried down to any convenient height so as to convey
motion to the cam plate and wedge pieces.
Also on Sheet 2, Figures 3 and 4 show an arrangement for operating the sliding
wedges, in which a rod (a) has a right-hand screw cut at one end, and a left-hand
one at the other, a milled boss formed on the rod for turning the rod e working
between two fixed brackets b, b, prevents end motion of the rod. The screw ends
work into projecting nut parts of the wedge pieces c, c, and give a sliding motion in
either direction, as may be desired.

page_text: When desirable a cord can be readily applied to the screw rod by winding round
the same, and the cord ends used to give motion to the screws and wedges.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The connection of the upper and the lower sashes by a central connection
through which they balance each other, such central connection consisting either of
a chain, band, or cord passing over a pulley, or of a pair of racks gearing with
opposite sides of a pinion, substantially as described.
Second. The sash fastenings, consisting of wedges mounted upon the sash on
either side, and moved simultaneously by levers, screws, or cams, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Arthur Biddell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.