CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO WINDOWS, BLINDS, AND CURTAINS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO DOORS
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
WEILD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Weild, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said William Weild, my exors, admors, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Weild, my exors, admors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO WINDOWS,
BLINDS, AND CURTAINS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO DOORS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said William Weild, shall cause a particular description of the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Weild, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of certain improved fastenings for windows,
commonly called sash fastenings.
Secondly, of certain improved "rack pullies" and blind furniture for raising
and lowering window blinds.
Thirdly, certain improved apparatus for opening and closing window
curtains.
Fourthly, certain improvements in spring hinges for suspending and closing
windows and doors.
And, lastly, certain improvements applicable to windows, and also in part 1
to doors, for the purpose of closing such windows and doors more effectually,
and thereby preventing the entrance of currents of air.
Figure 1 represents partly in section, and Figure 2 in plan, one of my
improved sash fastenings. a, a¹, are plates of metal to be affixed by screws or
otherwise to the sashes of a window; 6 is an axis supported vertically between 2
the excentric e and the lever d by the box c; d is a lever fixed on the axis b;
e is an excentric fixed on the axis b; f is a segmental projection on the plate a;
by moving the knob of the lever d in the direction indicated by the arrow,
Figure 2, the excentric e is brought round the back of the projection f, and
by drawing the plates a and a¹ closely together, secures or fastens the
window..
Figure 3 represents in elevation, Figure 4 in section, and Figure 5 in plan,
another of my improved sash fastenings. a, a', are plates of metal to be affixed
by screws or otherwise to the window sashes; b is a rack fixed vertically on
the plate a, the edges and back of which rack are bevilled or inclined as seen s
in Figure 5; c is a bolt sliding in the box d; this bolt is pressed in the
direction of the arrow, Figure 4, by the helical spring e; the bolt may be
drawn in the opposite direction by the knob f; g is a dovetail fixed vertically
on the box d. The action of this fastening is as follows:-When the sash on
which the plate a¹ is fastened is brought down so as to bring the plate a¹ on a 3
level with the plate a, the rack 6 enters the dovetail or groove g, and the
inclined sides and back of the former becoming wedged in the latter, the plates
a and a¹, and consequently the sashes to which they are affixed, are drawn

page_text: closely together, at the same time the bolt c is pressed against the teeth of the
rack b, and the return or opening of the window prevented; in order to allow
of the opening of the window the bolt c must be pulled back by the knob f.
It is evident that the window to which this fastening is attached may be
opened to any extent within the range of the rack b, and fixed so as to prevent
further opening. In order to effect this the bolt c must be drawn back by the
knob f, and the sash raised to the desired position; the bolt c must then be
allowed to press against the rack b; the sash will thus be fixed so that it
cannot be raised by a person outside the apartment. If it is desired to raise
the bottom sash to a greater height than that at which the bolt c is disengaged
from the rack b, and when in that position to prevent its further opening by a
person outside the apartment, I attach a tooth, Figures 6 and 7, to the middle
bar of the upper sash, at such height that when the lower sash is raised to the
required height, the bolt c is in contact with the under surface of the tooth;
it is evident the further opening of the window cannot be effected without the
previous withdrawal of the bolt c.
Figure 8 represents a vertical section, Figure 9 a plan, and Figure 10
an end view (partly in section), of another of my improved sash fastenings.
This fastening resembles in the general nature of its action the sash fastening
in common use: it consists of two plates, a and a', to be fixed to the sashes
of the window; on the plate a¹ is the segmental projection b; c is a lever
jointed to the plate a at d; the lever c, on being brought into the position
indicated by the red lines in Figure 9, describes a curve excentric to that
of the segment b, and the end of the lever c bearing against the segment,
wedges the plates a and a' together. In the fastening thus constructed a
person external to the room may unfasten the sashes by introducing a thin
plate of metal (a table knife, for example,) between the edges of the sashes,
and forcing back the lever from that position shown by the red lines, Figure 9,
to that fully drawn. The object of my Improvement is to prevent such
unfastening, and I effect this in the following manner:-The interior edge
of the segment 6 is formed into a rack, and a bolt e, sliding in the lever c, is
pressed against the rack of the segment.6 by the helical spring f. It is
evident that when the lever c is brought into the position shewn by the
red lines, Figure 9, it cannot be moved back until the bolt é is pushed back
from the rack; this is effected by pressing upon the knob e¹ connected with
the bolt.
Figure 11 represents in elevation, Figure 12 in section, and Figure
13 in plan, another of my improved sash fastenings: a is a box fixed by the

page_text: flange to the under part of the sash c; one-half of this box is open as
seen. at a', and the other half closed as seen at a"; d is a cylindrical bolt
which slides in the box e, and also turns on its axis; fis a circular wedge
fixed to the end of the bolt d; a helical spring g tends to keep the bolt d in the
position, shewn at Figure 12. The action of this fastening is as follows:-
When the window is closed, and the sashes are in the position shewn in
Figure 12, the bolt d is pressed forward by the handle h, and the circular
wedge is thereby made to enter the box a; by now turning the handle h
in the direction shewn by the arrow, Figure 11, the circular wedge is brought
in contact with the internal inclined surface of the box a; the sashes are
thus brought into close contact and the window securely fastened.
Figures 14 and 15 represent another of my improved fastenings for windows.
This improvement is intended to prevent the raising of a window sash by
a person outside the apartment, whether such window be closed or partially
open; a' is a plate to be attached to the groove in which the window sash
slides; b is a lever turning on the axis c; the upper side of this lever is
rounded as seen in Figure 14; a spring coiled round the axis, and having a
bearing in the box d, presses the axis and lever 6 in the direction indicated
by the arrow, Figure 14. The action of this fastening is as follows:-As the
sash descends the lever b is depressed and the sash passes over the rounded
side without obstruction; on raising the sash, the elastic force of the spring,
together with the friction between the sash and the lever b raise the latter
in the direction of the arrow, Figure 14, and the sash thus becomes wedged
and. prevented from rising. In order to raise the sash the knob e must
be turned in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, Figure 14;
the lever will thus be depressed and the sash may be raised.
Figure 16 represents an elevation, Figure 17 a horizontal section, and
Figure 18 a vertical section, of one of my improved rack pullies. a is the rack to
be attached to the window frame by screws at b; c is a sliding piece carrying the
axle on which the pulley works; this sliding piece works on the flanges d of the
rack a; e is a lever, one end of which is pressed against the rack a
by the
spring f, and the other end is terminated by the thumb plate g; in order to
tighten the blind cord passing over the pulley h, the knob i must be depressed,
the end of the lever e slides over the upper or inclined edges of the teeth of the
rack a, which present no opposition to the downward motion of the sliding
piece c; it is, however, prevented from returning by the end of the lever e
bearing against the under surface of the teeth of the rack. In order to raise
the sliding piece c, the thumb plate g of the lever must be pressed, when the

page_text: other end of the lever will be disengaged from the rack a, and the sliding
piece c may be raised.
Figure 19 represents an elevation, Figure 20 a horizontal section, and
Figure 21 a vertical section, of another modification of my improved rack
pulley. In this modification the lever which engages in the teeth of the
rack a is jointed to the interior of the sliding piece, as seen at 6. The axis
c of the pulley d is hollow, and a bolt f passes through the hollow axis; one
end of this bolt bears against the end of the lever e, and the other is terminated
by a button x, which projects from the centre of the knob i. In order to
disengage the lever e from the rack a, it is only necessary to press the button x,
the sliding piece may then be raised by the knob i. Figures 22, 23, and
24, represent another modification of my improved rack pulley, Figure 22
being an elevation, Figure 23 a horizontal section, and Figure 24 a vertical
section. In this modification the sliding piece is prevented from rising by a
bolt 6 engaging in the teeth of the rack a; this bolt slides in the hollow axis
of the pulley d, and is pressed against the rack by the helical spring f. İn
order to raise the sliding piece, the knob g attached to the end of the bolt b
must be pulled back. The bolt is thereby disengaged from the rack a, and
the sliding piece may be raised.
Figures 25, 26, and 27, represent another of my improved rack pullies, Figure
25 being an elevation, Figure 26 a horizontal, and Figure 27 a vertical section.
a is the frame to be fixed to the window frame by screws as at b, b; c is a hollow
axis carrying the pulley d; the square end of the axis c slides in the slot e in the
frame a; f is a rack formed on one of the sides in the interior of the frame a;
g is an axis passing through the hollow axis of the pulley d; the axis 9 carries
at one end the lever h, and at the other end a knob i; j is a spring, one end of
which is fixed to the square end of the axis c, and the other presses the lever h
against the rack f. In depressing the pulley d, the lever h slides over the upper
or inclined surfaces of the teeth of the rack f, but the return of the pulley is
prevented by the lever h bearing against the under surfaces of the teeth; in
order to raise the pulley d, the knob i must be turned in the direction indicated
by the arrow, Figure 25; the lever h is thereby disengaged from the rack f, and
the pulley d may be raised.
Figures 28, 29, and 30, represent another of my improved blind pullies,
Figure 28 being an elevation, Figure 29 a vertical section, and Figure 30
a horizontal section. a is a frame to be attached to the window frame; b is
a screw firmly fixed at top and bottom to the frame a; c is a screw box,'
the interior of which is cut with a thread corresponding to that of the

page_text: screw b; d is a bevilled toothed wheel fixed on the upper end of the screw
box c; e is the axis of the pulley f attached to the sliding frame g; this
frame is retained in its place by the arms h, h', through holes in which arms
the screw 6 freely passes. The sliding frame 9 has also a bearing against the
front of the frame a, as seen in Figure 30. i is an axis passing through the
hollow axis of the pulley f. The axis i carries at one end the bevilled toothed
whcel j, which gears into the wheel d, on the screw-box c, and at the other
end the knob k. By turning the knob k, the screw-box c is made to rotate
upon the screw b, and consequently to advance towards one end of the screw.
In its rotation the screw-box carries with it the sliding frame g and the axis of
the pulley f. In order, therefore, to raise the sliding frame g and pulley f, the
knob k must be turned in one direction; and, to depress them, it must be
turned in the opposite direction.
Figure 31 represents an elevation, and Figure 32 a side view, of another of
my improved rack pullies. This improvement differs only from that herein-
before described and represented in Figures 16, 17, and 18, of the accom-
panying Drawing, in having the pulley h of much larger size, and having a
handle or winch i affixed to the pulley h. The blind cord passes over the
pulley h, and the blind may be raised or lowered by turning the handle or
winch i, instead of raising or lowering the blind by the cord itself.
Figures 33 and 34 represent another of my improvements applicable to blinds.
This improvement consists of a new method of attaching blinds to rollers. The
roller is formed of two semi-cylindrical pieces of wood a, a', in the plane side of
one of which is a groove b, and on the plane side of the other is a feather c, corre-
sponding to the groove in the former. These semi-cylinders are curved in the direc-
tion of their length, the plane surfaces being convex. In order to attach the blind,
its end is placed between the semi-cylinders a, a', and they are then brought
together; the cloth is thus forced into the groove b, and is thereby held tightly.
The ends of the semi-cylinders are then brought together so as to form a perfect
cylinder, and metal caps being screwed thereon, the operation of attaching. the
blind to the roller is completed. The semi-cylinders are curved in the manner
<described, in order the more effectually to secure the blind at the middle of the
roller. Instead of the two halves of the cylinder, constituting the roller, being
formed as described, they may be formed as shewn in section at .x, in Figure 38.
Figures 35 and 36 represent another of my improvements applicable to blinds,
Figure 35 being an elevation, partly in section, and Figure 36 an end view.
This improvement consists of improved furniture for roller blinds, for regulating
the raising and lowering of the same. a is the roller supported by and working

page_text: in the arms b, b', affixed to the top of the window frame; c is a circular box
fitted on the end of the roller a; d is a lever, one end of which is external to
the box c, and has a cord e attached to it; and the other broad end, in the
interior of the box, presses against the internal edge of the box; the broad end
of the lever d is coated with leather, in order to increase the friction between it
and the box. The boss or projection of the arm 6', in which the axis of the
roller a works, serves as the axis of the lever d. The external surface of the
boss is not concentric with the hole in its interior, consequently the lever d, in
turning upon
it as an axis, describes a circle excentric to that formed by the
edge of the box c; hence, by pulling the cord e, the broad end of the lever d
describes a path indicated by the dotted line, Figure 36%; the friction.
between it and the box becomes consequently diminished, or is altogether.
removed, and the blind may be lowered immediately; however the cord e
is loosed, the spring f brings back the lever d to the position shewn in the
Drawing, and the friction thereby existing between it and the box prevents the
further descent of the blind; g is a stop which prevents the cord e and lever d
from being pulled too far.
Figures 37 and 38 represent (the former being an elevation partly in section,
the latter an end view) another of my improvements for regulating the raising
and lowering of blinds. a is the blind roller turning upon an axis supported
by and working in the brackets or arms 6, 61, these arms are secured to the
top of the window frame; c is a lever jointed to the arm b, the lower edge of
this lever is curved so as to correspond with the edge of the box d on which
it rests, the lower edge of the lever c is covered with leather in order to produce
a greater friction between it and the box d; f is a screw, the ends of which
turn in bearings at g, g, on the arm or bracket b; g" is a screw box working
on the screw f; a steel spring his fastened to the lower side of this screw box,
and presses on the lever c; by turning the knob i the screw box g¹¹ may be
made to advance or recede, and the spring h thereby carried nearer to or more
distant from the fulcrum or joint of the lever c. The friction between the
lever c and the box d may be in this manner regulated, and the ascent or
descent of the blind effected more or less easily.
Figures 39 and 40 represent another of my improvements in blind furniture
for regulating the raising and lowering of window blinds, Figure 39 being an
elevation, and Figure 40 an end view. a is the roller turning upon an axis
supported by and working in the arms or brackets 6, b', attached to the top of
the window frame. The arm 6' is of much greater length then the arm b, as.
seen in the Figure, and carries at its lower end the mechanism for regulating.

page_text: the raising and lowering of the blind; c, c', are two small rods. projecting
horizontally from the arm 6'; a third rod d parallel to the other two slides in
the slot e, and may be moved to and fro by the screw f, which passes through
and works in it as seen in the Drawing. The screw f is supported at g, g¹;
h is the cord for raising the blind, this cord passes in front of the rod c, c', and
behind the moveable rod d; by turning the knob x and screw f, the rod d may
be made to advance between the rods c, c', and carrying the cord h with it, the
latter is distorted as seen at Figure 40. It is evident that considerable friction
will be produced in drawing down the cord h so as to raise the blind, or when
by the descent of the blind the cord h is drawn up. By turning the knob
and thereby causing the rod d to advance more or less, the friction may be
regulated with great nicety.
My Improvement in fixing the blind roller in its bearings and removing it
from the same is also represented in Figures 39 and 40. i is the end of the
axis resting in the bearing j, one side of this bearing is prolonged vertically, as
seen at k; l is a spring lever fixed at the points m and m¹; when the lever lis
raised, that part of it marked n (in common with every other part) describes a
circular curve, and coming in contact with the vertical side k of the bearing j,
the former becomes wedged against it. The lever is thereby arrested before
it has moved so far as to be clear of the projection k. It is evident that on
introducing the axis i of a blind into the bearing j, the former cannot be
carried beyond the proper point, for on arriving over its bearing the spring
lever immediately presses it therein, and the lever cannot rise sufficiently high
to allow the axis to pass over the bearing, hence the danger of breaking the
panes of a window when putting up a blind, by the axis i passing over its
bearing, and falling against the window, is by my improvement obviated.
+
Figures 41, 42, and 43, represent one of my improvements applicable to
doors. It consists of an improved spring hinge for closing doors. a is the
"shoe" fastened to the bottom of the door, and 6 the staple which forms the
axis on which the door turns: The mechanism for closing the door is contained
in the box c, which is screwed or otherwise fastened to the floor of the apart
ment in such a position that the socket d into which the staple 6 fits is in a
line with the axis on which the door turns. The socket d is formed in the ver-
tical axis é; this axis carries the arms f,f, (see Figure 43 A) each furnished at
its end with the antifriction rollers g, g. A metallic plate h slides in the box c,
the sides of which are furnished with antifriction rollers i, i. This plate is
pressed against the rollers g, g, by a spring, the construction of which is as
follows:-A series of strips of steel (j,j) are curved in the form represented;

page_text: and have holes formed in the middle of their length; they are then placed in
pairs on the wire k (screwed into the sliding frame h) in such a way that the
concave surface of one spring is presented to the concave surface of the other
spring of the same pair, while the convex surfaces of one pair bear against the
convex surfaces of the next pair. The action of this improvement is as follows:
When the door is opened the staple 6 fitted in the socket d turns the axis e, and
with it the arms f,f; one of these arms forces the sliding piece h along the box
in opposition to the elastic force of the springs, which thereby become com-
pressed; when the door is at liberty to move, the action of the springs on the
sliding piece h causes it to press against the arm and to bring it again into the
position shown in the Drawing. It will be obvious from the Drawing that in
whichever direction the door is opened the same effect will be produced, as one
of the arms must thereby be made to press the sliding piece h, as before described.
It is also evident that the door can only be in a position of equilibrium when
closed, as only in that position have the arms f,f, an equal and contrary bearing;
on the sliding frame h the force of the springs may be regulated by the nut 1,
which on being turned with a lever introduced into the holes made for that
purpose in its circumference, causes the screw m to advance in one direction
or the other, and thus to compress or allow the relaxation of the springs.
Figures 44 and 45 represent another of my improved spring hinges. a is
the "shoe" attached to the door; bis a piston attached to the end of the rod c,
this piston travels to and fro in the box d, and is guided in its motion by the
rod c passing through the end of the box dat d'; c is a helical spring sur-
rounding the rod c, one end of the spring bears against the end of the box d;
and the other against the piston b; f,f, are two projections on the sides of the
piston b, these projections pass through the sides of the box d (a portion of
which is removed for that purpose, as seen at Figure 44), and bear against the
rollers g, g. These rollers work on axes on the plate h, which plate is screwed or
otherwise fastened on the floor of the room immediately under the axis of the
door. The axis of the door turns in the cup i of the plate h; as the door opens in
either direction the piston 6 is made to advance in the box d, and the spring e
is compressed; as soon as the door is at liberty to move it is impelled in the
direction proper to close it, and rests when it has assumed the position
exhibited at Figure 45, which is the only position of equilibrium.
Figures 46 and 47 represent, the former in section, the latter in plan,
another of my improved spring hinges. a is the box containing the mechanism
of the hinge, which box is fixed to the floor of the room; 6 is the staple on
which the door turns as an axis; c, c, are two curved arms or levers affixed to

page_text: the axis d; e, e, are two curved arms the ends of which are furnished with
antifriction rollers f, f; these rollers bear against and work on the concave sides
of the arms c, c; a rod g attached to the arms e, e, carries at its end a plate or
piston h, which works in the box i, seen separately in section at Figure 48; a
helical spring bearing with one of its ends against the end of the box i, and
with its other end against the piston h, tends to keep the whole in the position
represented. The box i turns upon a joint at k; on opening the door to
which this improved hinge is attached, one of the curved arms c, c, forces the
arms e, e, and rod g, so as to compress the spring j, the box i at the same time
turning slightly on its joint k. When the door is at liberty to move the elastic
force of the spring brings the whole into the position shown, or that in which
the door is closed. The form of the concave surfaces of the arms c, c, is
such, that when the door has opened to a small angle, the roll f rolls nearer
to the axis d, and thereby diminishing the length of the lever on which the
spring acts, causes less resistance to the further opening of the door.
Figures 49 and 50 represent, the former in plan, and the latter in section,
another of my improvements applicable to the closing of doors. This improve-
ment is applicable to doors opening only in one direction. a is one of the
hinges of the door to which this improvement is applied; 6 is a roller carried
by the arms c, c¹, this roller is very near to the joint of the hinge a; a
cylinder d, shown separately in Figure 51, containing a piston e, is attached to
the frame of the door immediately opposite the roller b; f is a helical spring
pressing the piston e against the roller 6; the force of the spring may be
regulated by the screw g. The action of this improvement is as follows:-
When the door is opened the roller b presses against the piston e, and forces
it into the box d, whereby the spring fis compressed; immediately the door x
is at liberty to move, the elastic force of the spring f, acting on the piston e,
and through it on the roller b, closes the door a; the spring acts most forcibly
on the roller when the door is in the position drawn; as the door is opened
the arms c, c', and roller 6, by turning on the hinge a become gradually more
oblique to the line of the spring's action, and the door consequently opens
much more readily as it approaches the position in which it is wide open, or
a position at right angles to that represented in this latter position; although
the spring is compressed to its greatest extent it has no tendency to close the
door.
Figures 51, 52, and 53, represent another of my improvements applicable
to the suspension or hanging of such doors as have spring hinges, and relates
to the mode of introducing the staple forming the upper end of the axis of

page_text: the door into the socket in which it works.
a represents the socket to be
fixed to the top of the door frame; 6 is the axis sliding in the metallic piece c,
fixed to the door; d is a projecting pin on the side of the axis b, this pin passes
through the piece e, and its end is flush with it; the piece e is attached to c
by the screw f. In introducing the door in its place the piece must be
removed by the removal of the screw f; the axis 6 will thereby be allowed
to descend till the pin d rests on the bearing x, the top of the axis will then be
flush with the top of the door. When the door is in such a position that
the axis b is immediately under the socket a, the former may be raised by the
pin d, so as to enter the socket a. The piece e may be introduced in its place
and the whole secured by the screw f.
Figures 54 and 55 represent another of my improvements applicable
to doors and folding windows. This improvement consists of a method
of preventing the draughts of air which usually enter a room under the
bottom of doors and folding windows. a is a thin metallic box containing
the mechanism, this box is let into the bottom of the door or window b; c is
a rod sliding in the supports d, d; the end of the rod is supplied with a bolt e,
see Figure 56, the edge of which is inclined like that of the ordinary door
fastening, a helical spring f bearing against one of the supports d, and the bolt
e constantly tends to press the bolt e and rod c into the position shewn; g, g,
are cranks or bent levers turning on joints h, h, fixed to the side of the box a;
one end of each of these levers is jointed to the rod c, and the other end is
jointed to a plate of iron i, the lower end of this plate of iron is furnished with
cloth, leather, india rubber, or other soft material. When the door or window
to which this improvement is attached is open, the whole has the position
represented in the Drawing, but when the door or window is closed, the inclined
edge of the bolt e coming in contact with the door or window case the bolt is
forced inwards, the motion of the rod c causes the horizontal arms of the cranks
g, g, to descend, and with them the plate of iron i; the cloth, leather, or india-
rubber on the bottom of the latter is thus brought in contact with the floor of
the apartment, and the occurrence of draught prevented; as the door or window
is opened the spring f forces the bolt e out again, and the cloth or india-rubber
is raised from the floor so as to avoid friction.
Figures 57 and 58 represent another of my improvements in raising
and lowering blinds: Figure 57 is an elevation of a window with my
improvement attached thereto, and Figure 58 is a vertical section of the
same. This improvement relates to the raising and lowering of the blinds
commonly called Venetian blinds. .a is the blind, and 6 a box formed in

page_text: m of the axis c.
the upper part of the window frame for containing the blind a, when raised
by the mechanism herein-after described; c is a horizontal axis supported by
and working in bearings at its ends d, d; it is also supported at its middle
by the bracket e; f, f, are two bevil toothed wheels fitted on the axis c, near
its ends. these toothed wheels gear into other similar toothed wheels, fixed
on the vertical axes 9, 9; these axes are supported by and turn in bearings at
h, h; i, i, are spirals or screws having a broad thread, which screws are fixed
on the ends of the axes 9, 9; the distance between the threads of the spirals or
screws i, i, is somewhat less than that between the laths of the blind a; jis
an endless cord passing over the rack pulley k, the pullies 1, 1, and the pulley
The action of this improvement is as follows:-By drawing the
endless cord j, motion is communicated through the pulley m to the axis c,
and through the bevil gear f, f, to the vertical axes g, g, and screws or spirals
i, i; the blind a is fixed at such a height that the top lath a' cannot descend
below the lowest thread of the screws or spirals i, i, hence by drawing the cord
jin the proper direction, the top lath a' is raised by the rotation of the screws
or spirals i, i, on whose threads its ends rest before the top lath is raised
through the range of the screws or spirals i, i; the second lath comes within
their range and is raised by them, and so the whole of the laths constituting the
blind a.
One of the screws or spirals is seen in the act of raising one side of
the blind in the section, Figure 58. The mode of lowering the blind is so
obvious that I deem description unnecessary.
Figure 59 represents one of the vertical axes g, g, with its screw or spiral i,
and the bevil gear by which it is actuated, on a large scale; the support and
bearings of the axis are also shewn in the same Figure as well as separately in
Figure 60.
Figures 61, 62, and 63, represent another of my improvements applicable
to windows. This improvement consists of a method of rendering windows
more air tight than they are on the usual mode of construction. Figure 61 is
an elevation of a sash in which my improvement is adopted; Figure 62 is an
end view of the same; and Figure 63 a view of the bottom of the sash.
a, a, are grooves made in the sides of the sash b; c, c, c, are three springs
attached to the bottom of each of the grooves a, a, these springs are shewn
separately in Figures 64 and 65; a lath of wood d (see Figure 66), the edge
of which is coated with india-rubber or leather, or other soft material, is placed
in each of the grooves a, a; when the sash is in its place the springs c, c, c,
press the laths .d, d, against the sides of the grooves in which the sash slides,
and thereby render the sash more air tight than it would otherwise be.

page_text: Another of my improvements applicable to windows is represented in Figures
57 and 66 A. This improvement consists of a new method of opening and
closing window curtains. w, w, are a series of levers jointed together in such a
manner as to form the well-known mechanical combination commonly known
as the "lazy tongs." One of these systems of levers is fixed at each end of
the board v; this board is attached to the upper part of the window frame as
seen in the Drawing; the pins forming the middle joints of the levers w, w;
are prolonged downwards and form the hooks u, u; these hooks are intended
to carry the rings of the window curtains; the whole of these books belonging
to one series of levers, excepting the end one marked u¹, pass through the
groove or slot t in the board v, and those of the other series, excepting the one
marked u", through the slot t'; the hooks u, ul, are fixed in the board v;
s is an endless cord passing over the rack pulley r and also over pullies at q, q;
the cord s is attached at p to the moveable end of one series of levers, and at o
to the moveable end of the other series; it is evident that in moving the cord s,
all those portions parallel to each other move in an opposite direction, and
hence the curtains suspended by the hooks u, u, will, by drawing the cord s, be
made to approach towards each other or close, or recede from each other or open.
Figures 67 and 68 represent, the former in elevation, and the latter in sec-
tion, another of my improvements applicable to windows. This improvement
consists of a method of preventing the shaking or jarring of window sashes. a
is a flat metal plate attached to the bead 6, by which the sash c is .kept in its
place; d is a plate of metal attached to the sash c in such a position that when
the sash is closed this plate is opposite that on the bead 6; e is a thumb screw
turning in bearings at d and e¹; f is a bar of metal working to and fro on the
screw e; the end of this bar is bent at right angles as seen at Figure 68; by
turning the screw e the bar f may be made to advance or recède, and thus
press against the plate a or otherwise. When it is desired to prevent the sash
from shaking or jarring, it is only necessary to turn the screw e so as to cause
the end of the bar f to press against the plate a; the sash c will thereby be held
tightly between the beadings 6 and g.
Figure 69 represents this improvement detached from the sash. In this
Figure are clearly seen the guide rods h, h, which prevent the bar f moving in
any other than a horizontal plane.
Figures 70 and 71 represent another of my improvements in opening, closing,
and hanging curtains. a is the rod or cylinder on which the curtain rings b
slide; a semi-cylindrical groove c is made on the upper side of the rod or cylinder,
and a small eye, through which a cord passes and to which it is fastened, is

page_text: attached to the under side of the top of each ring; these eyes or fastenings slide
in the groove c; the curtain may thus be drawn in either direction by drawing
the cord attached to the rings. This improvement is shewn in Figures 70 and
71 applied to a wooden cornice pole, and in Figures 72 and 73 applied to a
metal cornice pole.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the precise forms, parts, and proportions of the parts of my
Invention herein-before described, as such forms, parts, and proportions may be
varied without departing from the general nature of my Invention. I wish it also
to be understood that I do not claim exclusive right to the use of the several
parts of my Invention separately considered; but I claim as my Invention:-
Firstly, the construction of a sash fastening in which the sashes are drawn
together and fastened by an eccentric on one sash, bearing against a segmental
projection on the other sash, such eccentric and projection being enclosed in a
box or boxes, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 1 and 2.
Secondly, the construction of a sash fastening in which the sashes are drawn
together by a dovetail wedge and secured by a spring bolt and rack, as herein-
before described and represented in Figures, 3, 4, and 5.
Thirdly, the addition of a spring bolt and rack to the ordinary sash
fastening, whereby the unfastening the same by a person outside the apartinent
is prevented, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 8, 9, and 10.
Fourthly, the construction of a sash fastening in which the sashes are
brought into the proper relative position and fastened by the action of a cir-
cular wedge attached to one sash on the inclined side of a box on the other a
sash, as herein-before described and represented in Figures, 11, 12, and 13.
Fifthly, the method of preventing the raising of a sash by a person
outside the apartment, as herein-before described and represented in Figures
14 and 15.
..
Sixthly, the construction of a rack pulley in which the sliding piece carrying
the cord pulley is retained in its place by a lever attached by a joint to the
said sliding piece, and pressed by a spring against the teeth of the rack,
whether the arrangement of the parts resembles that herein before described
and represented in Figures 16, 17, and 18, or that herein-before described and
represented in Figures 19. 20, and 21.
Seventhly, the construction of a rack pulley in which the sliding piece
carrying the cord pulley is retained in its place by a spring bolt, as herein-
before described and represented in Figures 22, 23, and 24.
3

page_text: Eighthly, the construction of a rack pulley, herein-before described and
represented in Figures 25, 26, and 27.
Ninthly, the construction of a blind pulley in which the sliding piece
carrying the cord pulley is raised and depressed by a screw box rotating on a
stationary screw, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 28, 29,
and 30.
Tenthly, the addition of a large pulley and winch or handle to blind or
rack pullies, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 31 and 32.
Eleventhly, the method of fastening blinds to rollers, herein-before described
and represented in Figures 33 and 34.
Twelfthly, the construction of blind furniture for regulating the raising and
lowering of window blinds, herein-before described and represented in Figures
35, 36, 37, and 38.
Thirteenthly, the method of regulating the raising and lowering of window
blinds by causing the blind cord to move in a distorted line, as herein-before
described and represented in Figures 39 and 40.
Fourteenthly, the construction of the several spring hinges herein-before
described and represented in Figures 41 to 51.
Fifteenthly, the method of preventing the entrance of currents of air under
doors and folding windows, by the lowering of a plate fixed in the interior of
such door or folding window, and coated with leather, cloth, or some soft
material, the lowering of such plate being produced by an inclined bolt coming
in contact with that side of the door case opposite to the one on which the
door is hung, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 54, 55,
and 56.
Sixteenthly, the method of making window sashes air tight by the intro-
duction of laths in grooves in the sides of such sashes, such laths being
pressed against the window frames by springs introduced between them and
the bottoms of the grooves in which they are placed, as herein-before described
and represented in Figures 61 to 66.
Seventeenthly, the raising and lowering of Venetian blinds, by causing the
ends of the laths of such blinds to ride on the worms or threads of screws or
spirals, such raising or lowering taking place from the top of the blind, as
herein-before described and represented in Figures 57, 58, 59, and 60.
Eighteenthly, the mode of opening and closing hanging curtains by the
application of the combination of levers commonly called "lazy tongs," as
herein-before described and represented in Figures 57 and 66*.
Nineteenthly, the method of preventing the shaking or jarring of window
sashes, herein-before described and represented in Figures 67, 68, and 69.

page_text: Twentiethly, the method of closing and opening hanging curtains, by
causing the rings on which such curtains are hung to slide on the cornice
pole, in the manner herein-before described and represented in Figures 70, 71,
72, and 73.
Twenty-firstly, the method of suspending doors having spring hinges, herein-
before described and represented in Figures 51^, 52, and 53.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Weild, have hereunto- set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
WILLIAM (L.8.) WEILD.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighteenth day of July, in
the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid William Weild came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing. therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.