An Improved Ventilating Apparatus for Window Sashes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
An Improved Ventilating Apparatus for Window Sashes.
I, EDWARD FRANCIS HUTCHINS, 9 Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, London,
Architect 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved ventilating apparatus that is readily
applicable to any ordinary window sashes and which has for its object to secure
proper ventilation in a room or elsewhere at a comparatively nominal cost, and
so that the occupants are not inconvenienced by draught.
To carry out my invention I make a narrow aperture, (hereafter termed "the
inlet,") between the meeting bars of the upper and lower sashes of a window, by
cutting away a portion of one or both meeting bars, taking care in so doing to
leave sufficient substance around all vertical bars to ensure the requisite strength
therein. Such inlet extends nearly the entire width of the window, and, if desired,
it may be sub-divided so as to form a series of inlets, and in constructing new
sashes I may make the parting bead between the upper and lower sashes thicker
than is usual so as to gain more space for air inlet. I then fit over such inlet, or
series of inlets, a sliding frame carrying a hinged flap; which corresponds in length
and width with the inlet or series of inlets, and both of which are recessed so as
to fit over the vertical bars, if any. A screen of wire gauze, or its equivalent, is
fitted beneath the flap, and inside the sliding frame, to exclude insects, dust, and
other impurities, and the flap is kept closed in windy weather by a button. The
ends of the sliding frame are furnished with grooved plates, that work to and fro
in suitable guides, furnished with tongues that take into such grooved plates. The
guides are placed one behind the other, and screwed, or otherwise fastened trans-
versely to the two meeting bars, so as to form a continuous guide wherein the
sliding frame works. Tapered bolts are fastened to the top of the sliding frame,
one at each end thereof. The knobs of these bolts serve as handles whereby to
move the frame in and out, while to prevent such frame being pushed in too far,
suitable stops are formed thereon, and also on the front guides, and on pushing the
frame quite home these stops butt together and so arrest its further forward travel.
When so pushed home, the taper ends of the bolts can be shot into eyes or
sockets cast on the back guides, thus drawing the two sashes together, and
forming complete safety sash fasteners which effectually prevent the sliding frame
being forced back from the outside, and also dispense with the ordinary sash
fasteners. When thus secured the hinged flap entirely covers the inlet and may be
open or closed as desired. When open it is retained in any desired position by
means of a hook and eye, or other suitable detent, so as to regulate the air current
through the inlet and also to direct the air upwards. In extra large or heavy
sashes I strengthen the meeting bars where cut away to form the inlet by metal
plates of any requisite size and shape. Such plates are not shewn in the drawings.
Figure 1 of the. accompanying drawings is a plan of the meeting bars of the
two sashes of an ordinary window fitted with my improved ventilating apparatus,
the sliding frame being shewn pushed in, and the hinged flap open and held in
position by the detent.
Figure 2 is a plan view in perspective of such meeting bars and apparatos
shewing the sliding frame drawn out to allow the sashes to be opened and the flap
closed.
'
Figures 3, 4 and 5 shew detail views of the front and back guides and of one of
the grooved plates hereinhefore described and

page_text: Figure 6 is a detail view of one of such grooved plates and guides shewing
they fit into each other.
Figure 7 shews in plan a modification of my invention presently described.
Corresponding numerical references indicate similar parts throughout the
drawings thus:-1, inlet. 2, sliding frame. 3, hinged flap. 4, inlet screen.
5, grooved plates. 6, front and 6, back guides with tongues 7, 7". 8, tapered
bolts. 8 bolt knobs. 9, stops on sliding frame. 9, stops on front guides.
10, eyes or sockets on back guides to receive tapered ends of bolts. 11, detent for
holding flap in position. 12, button for securing hinged flap.
The modification of my invention shewn at Figure 7 consists in making an air
inlet, (shewn by dotted lines,) in the two meeting bars in the manner hereinbefore
described, and in fitting over the same a flap hinged to one of the meeting bars,
preferably that of the lower sash, and either fitted or not with any suitable detent
whereby it can be retained in any desired position when raised. When closed such
flap entirely covers the air inlet which can also be covered by a movable wire
screen let into the bars beneath the flap and it may be secured by means of buttons
or their equivalents placed one at each end while instead of the ordinary single
central sash fastener two such sash fasteners can be fitted to the meeting bars one
at each end.
I would here observe that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein-
before described and shewn, as the same admit of modification in minor respects,
without departing from the essential features of my invention, which consist in
forming an air inlet between the meeting bars of the sashes of a window and fitting
the same with a sliding frame and hinged flap, or with a hinged flap only as herein-
before described and shewn. The advantages of my invention, may be briefly
summarised as follows viz.
1º. A current of fresh air is admitted in a narrow stream along, nearly the entire
width of the window at about the level of the mouths of the occupants of the
room or other locality, which position is recognised as being attended with the
most beneficial results.
2°. Such air current is directed upwards by means of the hinged flap thus
obviating draught.
3º. The position of the air inlet is such that rain cannot enter therethrough and
consequently no attention is required to prevent its so doing.
4°. My invention can be readily fitted to all existing ordinary sashes at a trifling
cost and without in any manner disfiguring the windows.
5°. It imparts considerable additional security to the window sashes and dispenses
with the ordinary sash fasteners, and the windows cannot be opened from the outside
even when the flap is open.
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.
1. A window having an air inlet formed between the meeting bars of the sashes
thereof fitted with a hinged flap carried on a sliding frame working in suitable
guides and furnished with bolts whereby it can be secured when closed and otherwise
constructed, arranged, and fitted all substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn.
2. A window having an air inlet formed between the meeting bars of the sashes
thereof, fitted with a flap hinged to one of such meeting bars and which flap when
closed may be secured by buttons or other equivalent devices all substantially as
herein before described and shewn.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.