Improvements in and relating to Window Sashes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr.,. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Window Sashes.
I, JOHN HAY of 318 Paisley Road, Glasgow in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain Engineer and Pattern Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to sliding window sashes and has for its objects:
1st. To render unnecessary, imperilling the lives and limbs of window cleaners.
2nd. To render it possible for both sides of windows to be comfortably cleaned
without getting outside of the apartment.
3rd. To adapt them for being quickly and easily released from, and reconnected.
with the cords which attach them to their weights.
4th. To adapt them for being easily removed from and restored to their frames
sufficiently for window cleaning purposes.
In carrying out this invention I make the sliding window sashes with which my
improvements are combined of any ordinary type and capable of being easily
removed from their frames.
At the lower part of each any or either groove in which the window cord is
usually fastened to a sliding window sash I construct a well or cavity in the
structure and fit within upon or to it a pin staple groove plate or other simple
contrivance; to, upon, or within which I attach the end of the window cord by
means of a loop, hook or knot formed by tying or otherwise attaching it thereto or
constructing it thereon.
When the cord is thus furnished with a loop hook or knot it is thereby attached
to the pin staple groove plate or other contrivance above named or the cord may
be tied to it. The sash is then inserted in its frame in the usual way and the
retaining strip affixed to keep it in its place.
Whenever it is desired to clean the outside of the window the retaining strip
which is inside the apartment is removed and the lower sash withdrawn from its
frame and turned inwards into the apartment; one of the cords is then unhooked
or otherwise removed from its catch and made secure to a hook or other simple
contrivance within easy reach whilst the outside of the window is cleaned.
After this process is completed. the cord must be re-attached, the sash restored
to its frame and put up to the top of it whilst a portion of the inner beading
is removed; the upper sash is then drawn down, withdrawn inwards from its frame
and that window is also cleaned in the same way as just described.
After both sides of the window have been cleaned the sashes and strips can be
replaced by any person of ordinary intelligence.
I sometimes affix a pin or pivot to the underside of one or both sashes composing
a window on the side which is furthest removed from the disengaged cord.
When
the lower sash is in its usual place the pin or pivot which is upon it fits into
a recess provided for it in the framework and when the sash is removed from the
frame for the window to be cleaned the pin is inserted in another cavity suitably
for steadying the sash during the process of cleaning. The upper sash is similarly
steadied when it is provided with the aforesaid pivot.
By means of the simple devices and methods thus described, the cord attaching
and detaching contrivances thereof constituting my present invention, I am enabled
to effect the several above named objects, namely; to render unnecessary any
person occupying a dangerous position when cleaning the outsides of windows; to
clean both sides of them with ease and comfort from the inside of the apartment;
to remove the sashes from their frames and the cords from the sashes sufficiently

page_text: for window cleaning purposes and for quickly and easily reconnecting them
therewith without any specially skilled labour being required in the several
operations.
I sometimes make the cavity which. I construct in the substance of the sash of an
undercut character formed below and larger than the bottom of the groove and
give admission to it by an orifice at the face of the groove sufficiently large to
admit of a knot when tied upon the end of the cord. When a knot is thus tied
upon the cord and the knot is introduced into this undercut cavity beneath the
groove the knot cannot be withdrawn therefrom when the sash is suspended with
its whole weight upon the cords in its natural position within the frame.
If the sash is drawn out from the frame and the cord relaxed the knot can then
be drawn down from the undercut cavity and pulled out at the aforesaid orifice.
This device enables me to do without any attachment whatever for hooking on the
cord the undercut cavity alone being sufficient for the purpose when combined
with a knot upon the cord. I employ plates also in conjunction with this last
named device when necessary for strength.
Dated this Eighth day of December 1893.
JOSEPH
LOCKWOOD,.
263, Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
· Improvements in and relating to Window Sashes.
I, JOHN HAY of 318 Paisley Road, Glasgow in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain Engineer and Pattern Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to sliding window sashes and has for its objects;
1st. To render unnecessary, imperilling the lives and limbs of window cleaners;
2nd. To render it possible for both sides of windows to be comfortably cleaned
without getting outside the apartment;
3rd. To adapt them for being quickly and easily released from, and reconnected
with the cords which attach them to their weights;
4th. To adapt them for being easily removed from and restored to their frames
sufficiently for window cleaning purposes.
In carrying out this invention I make the window sashes with which my improve-
ments are combined of any ordinary type and capable of being easily removed.from
their frames.
At the lower part of each or either groove in which the window cord is usually
fastened to a window sash I construct a well or cavity in the structure and fit
within, upon or to it a pin staple groove plate or other simple contrivance to upon
or within which I attach the end of the window cord by means of a loop hook
or knot formed by tying or otherwise attaching it thereto or constructing. it
thereon.
When the cord is thus furnished with a loop hook or knot it is thereby attached
to the pin staple groove plate or other contrivance above named or it may be tied
to it. The sash is then inserted in its frame in the usual way and the retaining
strip of wood affixed to keep it in its place.
Whenever it is desired to clean the outside of the window the said retaining strip
which is inside the apartment is removed and the lower sash withdrawn from its
frame and turned inwards into the apartment; the cord is then unlocked or
otherwise removed from its catch and made secure to a hook or other simple
contrivance within easy reach whilst the outside of the window is cleaned.
After this process is completed the card is re-attached; the sash restored to its
frame and put up to the top of it whilst a portion of the inner wood beading is.

page_text: removed; the upper sash is then drawn down withdrawn inwards from its frame
and that window is also cleaned in the same way as the one just described.
After both sides of the window have been cleaned the sashes and strips can be
replaced by any person of ordinary intelligence.
I sometimes affix a pin or pivot to the underside of one or both sashes composing
a window on the side which is furthest removed from the disengaged cord. When
the lower sash is in its usual place the pin or pivot which is upon it fits into a
recess provided for it in the framework and when the sash is removed from the
frame for the window to be cleaned the pin is inserted in another cavity suitably
for steadying the sash during the process of cleaning. The upper sash is similarly
steadied when it is provided with the aforesaid pivot.
By means of the simple devices and methods thus described, the cord attaching
and detaching contrivances thereof constituting my present invention, I am enabled
to effect the several above named objects, namely: to render unnecessary any
person occupying a dangerous position when cleaning the outsides of windows; to
clean both sides of them with ease and comfort from the inside of the apartment ;
to remove the sashes from their frames and the cords from the sashes sufficiently
for window cleaning purposes and for quickly and easily reconnecting them
therewith without any specially skilled labour being. required in the several
operations.
I sometimes make the cavity which I construct in the substance of the sash of an
undercut character, formed below and larger than the bottom of the groove and
give admission to it by an orifice at the face of the groove sufficiently large to
admit of a knot being inserted therein when it has been formed upon the end of
the cord. When a knot is thus tied upon the cord and put into this undercut
cavity beneath the groove it cannot be withdrawn therefrom when the sash is
suspended with its whole weight upon the cords in its natural position within the
frame. :
If the sash is drawn out from the frame and the cord relaxed the knot can then
be drawn down from the undercut cavity and pulled out at the aforesaid orifice.
This device enables me to do without any attachment whatever for hooking on the
cord the undercut cavity alone being sufficient for the purpose when combined with
a knot upon the cord. I employ plates also in conjunction with this last named
device when necessary for strength.
My invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying
drawings in which;
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are fragmentary diagrams shewing parts of window
sashes and exhibiting my invention in connection therewith.
Figs. 7 & 8, represent devices for pivotting the sashes and attaching cords.
Fig. 9, represents a window composed of two sashes enclosed within a frame.
Fig. 10, is a similar diagram to Fig. 9 but with the lower sash detached from one
of its cords turned suitably for cleaning and supported in that position.
The cavity A with orifice of key hole shape shewn in Fig. 1 is formed in the
body of a window sash. It is undercut behind the strips B, B, and deeper than
the groove C as indicated by the dotted lines D. Fig. 2 is a perspective side view
of parts shewn in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a sectional view through X Y of Fig. 1
shewing a knotted cord E inserted within the undercut cavity A as and for the
purposes previously described.
Having formed one or more undercut cavities A in each sash composing a window
I attach the sash to the cord or cords E Figs. 3 to 10, for its suspension by means
of a knot or knots e² formed upon each or either cord and insert the knot of each
cord within an undercut cavity A as shewn in Fig. 3. After the knot e is inserted
at the widest part of the cavity A it is forced up into the undercut portion a¹
Fig. 3, where the overhanging face or strips B prevent its accidental withdrawal
and the sash being thus united to and hung upon its cords can be raised or lowered
within its frame in the usual way and may be detached from and reconnected to
the cords E with ease and rapidity.

page_text: A portion of the strip F Figs. 9 & 10 is removeable preferably hinged at f
and cottared so that when the cottar pin is removed and the strip F turned
aside as shewn the sash G can then be released from the cord E, and turned into
a position for cleaning the outside as shewn in Fig. 10. When the cord E Fig. 10
is thus removed from the sash G it is inserted within a key hole slot or undercut
cavity a Fig. 9 provided in or upon any convenient part of the sash framing.
A crutch piece Fig. 7 or other kind of hook or catch may also be used for the
retention of either cord E instead of the cavity or hole as when it is detacherl
from the sash. A portable suspender consisting of a single or double cord e³, et
Fig. 10 knotted similarly to the cord E is attached to some convenient part near
to or upon the window frame and each knot is inserted in an undercut cavity within
the sash frame when it is turned inwards for cleaning as shewn in Fig. 10. When
the sash is pivotted to the window frame by means of the pin and socket g¹
and Figs. 8 to 10 this suspender, enables one or both sashes to be retained in
the position, shewn by that marked G Fig. 10 suitably for cleaning either side of
the glass or its frame.
The cord E can be easily removed from the cavity A on drawing it downwards
by means of the protruding end e¹ Fig. 3 or in other ways.
The groove C Figs. 1 to 6 formed between side strips B upon sash frames as
at present in common use forms no essential part of my invention. The cavity A
of undercut formation with key hole entrance in combination with a window sash
is its essential part irrespective of any strips or groove. The said cavity A may
be formed at the corner top side or other convenient part or parts of a sash as
indicated in Figs. 1 to 6 and wheresoever located may when required by reason of
age or other weakness of the structure or for other purposes be fortified or covered
by means of a strengthening plate or plates such for example as those marked a²
in Figures 4 to 6.
Figure 10 shews the bottom sash only turned inwards for cleaning: the top sash
can be drawn down to the bottom and turned inwards also after removing the
loose partition strip f' and dealing with the cords as before described. If each
sash is made with a socket as shewn at g Fig. 8 it is fitted therewith upon a
pin g Figs. 8, 9, and 10 and fastened with the cords e³ or e. It is immaterial
whether each sash is restored to its place in the window frame before its com-
panion one is operated on or if both sashes are treated before restoring either of
them to their frame. It is also immaterial whether the pin or pivot g' before
named is fixed to the sash or to the window frame if the socket g is made to
occupy a position suitable for engaging with it.
I am aware that previous to my invention window cords have been connected to
and made removeable from window sashes by means of loops formed thereon and
hitched upon hooks or pins also by knots formed thereon and enclosed in metal
plugs which were inserted in the sash frame and outside window case alternately.
It will therefore be understood that I do not claim the construction of a knot upon
a window cord or its insertion in a cavity within or upon a window sash broadly
as my invention.
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;
1st. In a sliding window sash the combination therewith of one or more
cavities "A" of undercut formation with key hole aperture or orifice all
substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof for
the purposes specified.
2nd. In a window containing one or more sliding sashes the combination there-
with of one or more undercut cavities with key hole aperture or orifice all
substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof for
the purposes specified.
3rd. In a sliding window sash the combination therewith of one or more undercut

page_text: cavities with key hole apertures or orifices formed entirely within the sash frame.
all substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof
for the purposes specified.
4th. In a sliding window sash the combination therewith of one or more-
cavities "A" rendered undercut in form by a face plate or covering, as con-
taining a key hole aperture or orifice all substantially as herein described and
drawn or any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
5th. In a sliding window sash the combination therewith of the key hole aperture
or orifice marked "A" and cavity behind it all substantially as herein described
and drawn or any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
6th. In a window containing one or more sliding sashes the combination there-
with of the key hole aperture or orifice marked "A" and cavity behind it all
substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof for
the purposes specified.
Dated this Eighth day of March 1894.
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
263, Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant..
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
263, Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant..