US3676955A

US3676955A - Reversible closure

Info

Publication number: US3676955A
Application number: US117596A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis L Schacht
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-22
Filing date: 1971-02-22
Publication date: 1972-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-18

Abstract

A reversible closure for a wall opening which includes a rectangularly shaped frame member hingedly affixed to a wall and adapted to swing outwardly from the opening for ventilation or egress purposes. A window sash pivotally mounted within the frame member is rotatable about a vertical axis to provide access to the weather side of the sash for cleaning, etc. Resilient weatherproofing material placed around the periphery of the window sash is designed to reduce wiping contact with the frame member during rotation of the window sash.

Description

United States Patent Schacht [451 July 18, 1972 s41 REVERSIBLE CLOSURE 2,568,130 9/1951 Olson ..49/163 x [72] Inventor: Louis L. Schacht 205 E. 63rd- SL New 2,666,963 1/1954 Kurtz ..49/67 York 1002 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey [22] Fil d; 22, 1971 Attorney-Natter, Wigman & Natter [21] App]. No.: 117,596 57 ABSTRACT A reversible closure for a wall opening which includes a [52] [1.8. 49/ 192, 49/390 rectangularly shaped frame member hingedly affixed to a wall [51] Int. E02d 15/52 and adapted to swing outwardly from the opening for ventila- [58] Field of Search ..49/390, 402, 163, 169, 171, tion or egress purposes. A window sash pivotally mounted 49/168, 62, 67, 192 within the frame member is rotatable about a vertical axis to provide access to the weather side of the sash for cleaning, etc. 5 References cu Resilient weatherproofing material placed around the periphery of the window sash is designed to reduce wiping UNITED STATES PATENTS contact with the frame member during rotation of the window h. 2,758,344 8/1956 Williams ..49/39'0 X Sas 2,093,727 9/1937 Julien ..49/62 10 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures 1 I4 11 1 2e 1 r 24 lo 1 28 i m I 1 l 52 lulu I l i r l l8 i i 7a 48 1 i 46 I l r 1' 1 "i I ,1, i

PATENTED JUL 1 8 I972 'SHEET 10F4 INVENTOR LOUIS L. SCHACHT M,%MD%- ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUL! 81972 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG. 3

FIG.4

INVENTOR LOUIS L. SCHACHT ATTORNEYS PmmEuJuuamz 3.675955 SHEET [1F 4 INVENTOR LOUIS L. SCHACHT ATTORNEYS REVERSIBLE CLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to closures and in particular to a fenestration or window device.

The invention is further directed to a casement type window device having means for reversing same to provide access to the exterior or weather side of the window from within a build- The reversible closure of this invention comprises an improvement over a previous closure of the same inventor described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,381,413.

The instant invention has distinct features and advantages over the previously patented closure, and in contrast thereto, specifically provides for a structurally strengthened or reinforced swingable frame member for supporting a window sash. The so improved frame member provides a rigid truss" type structure and as compared to the formerly used pair of horizontal bars or parallel arms, has the important and concurrent advantage of being able to support or accommodate a much heavier or larger sized window sash and will accordingly be able to sustain an increased wind load directed against the window sash. Furthermore, the combined efi'ect of modified extruded aluminum channel members allows for a proportional reduction in the cross-sectional dimensions and weight of the structural supporting members and a corresponding reduction in the resultant moment on the pivotal or hinged connection to the framed window opening.

Another factor which should be considered and was influential in determining this new design is the fabrication costs. It was extremely important that the previous closure have opposed horizontal window sash supporting arms in proper parallel alignment so that the window frame could freely rotate relative to the framed opening and the window sash could rotate relative to the horizontal supporting arms. This necessitated a rather time consuming and expensive fabrication operation which to a large degree depended on the skill of experienced craftsmen. The present closure can however be mass manufactured at a lower cost, using more expedient methods and the frame member can, for example, be extruded from aluminum and easily assembled.

Another advancement in the present closure device relates to the use of improved weatherproofing strip material. A resilient weatherproofing material placed peripherally around the window sash is designed to maintain a window pane securely within the sash and also to provide a wind and water seal when compressed against the frame portion of the window opening. A problem encountered with the previously used edge weather stripping was that after repeated usage and the continual opening and reversing of the window device and concurrent compression of the weatherproofing, it eventually bulged or expanded partially beyond the outer periphery of the window sash and became permanently deformed. As a result of this deformation, wiping contact or frictional resistance increased due to the weatherproofing material contacting the frame member as the window sash was rotated. This caused a rapid deterioration of the weatherproofing material and resultant wind and water leakage. The improved weatherproofing as used in the present invention is made of resilient rubber-like material such as neoprene which is provided with an incurvation or concavity and is affixed to the window sash so that when it is compressed the material is forced into the concavity rather than deforming outwardly and thereby eliminates the previously described disadvantages while providing a weather tight seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the invention involves an improved reversible closure device for a wall opening. A substantially rectangular frame member is pivotally hinged and attached to the wall along one side of the wall opening. The frame member is designed to support a window sash therein, and is particularly adapted to be swung outwardly from a closed position adjacent the wall for ventilation purposes and/or emergency egress. Handle means are provided for controlling and maintaining the frame member in a partially open ventilation position and locking means are also included to secure the frame member in a closed position.

The window sash is pivotally mounted for rotation about a vertical axis w hen the frame member has been swung suffrciently outward away from the wall so that the window sash does not cross the window sill or interfere with drapes, blinds, etc. The orientation of the window sash when thus reversed will provide access to the exterior or weather side for cleaning or repairing. A resilient sealing gasket or strip weatherproofing material is placed around the periphery of the window sash to prevent wind and water leaks when the frame member is in the closed position. This weatherproofing material is also specially formed to maintain the required clearance from the frame member, thus avoiding wiping contact during rotation and resultant deterioration of the weatherproofing.

It is an object therefore of this invention to provide an improved reversible closure device of the general character described herein which is not subject to the aforementioned disadvantages.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a reversible closure device incorporating a substantially four-sided frame member adapted to be swung outwardly from a wall opening.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reversible closure including handle means for controlling and maintaining the frame member in a partially open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible closure including a window sash maintained within the frame member and adopted for rotation about a vertical axis.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible closure comprising improved weatherproofing means.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various possible embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reversible closure showing a frame member swung outwardly from a wall and a window sash within the frame member in a partially rotated position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the reversible closure shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view and shows schematically the frame. member in the closed, ventilation and egress positions;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view and shows schematically the frame member in the closed and open position with the window sash rotationally displaced;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional plan view through the frame member and window sash and shows the position assumed by the window sash when fully reversed;

FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view through the frame member and window sash and shows the normally closed position wherein the resilient sealing means is compressed against the frame portion surrounding the window opening;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 and shows the pivotal connection between the window sash and the frame member;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2 and shows the pivotal connection between the window sash and the frame member; and

FIG. 9 is an auxiliary view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 6 and shows the pivotally locking bar in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally the reversible closure of this invention. The reversible closure 10 is adapted to be accommodated within a wall opening 12. The wall opening 12 is bounded by a stationary frame 14. The frame 14 is comprised generally of two parallel

vertical jambs

16 and 18 connected by cross members such as a soffit member 20 and a window sill 22. The reversible closure further includes a swingable frame member 24 which supports a rotatable window sash 26. The swingable frame member 24 has a generally rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is preferably fabricated with an upper channel member 28, and a lower channel member 30 which are parallel and structually reinforced at their opposed ends by vertical connecting

rods

32 and 34. The

rods

32 and 34 are bolted, welded or otherwise securely attached to the

channel members

28 and 30 to form a rigid truss-like" structure. The rod 34 also serves as a swinging or hinging post. For this purpose, the opposite ends of rod 34 are journalled within recesses or

pockets

36 and 38 formed in

respective anchor blocks

40 and 42. Each of the

respective anchor blocks

40 and 42 is welded or otherwise affixed to the stationary frame [4. It should be apparent that the frame member 24 along with the window sash 26 can be swung outwardly from the wall opening 12 as a unit. The upper channel member 28 and lower channel member 30 may preferably be fabricated from extruded aluminum, however stainless steel or other material may be used;

rods

32 and 34 also may be constructed of aluminum, steel, etc.

A vertical shield member or plate 44 can be attached to the upper and

lower channel members

28 and 30 so as to cover or protect the rod 32. Similarly, a shield member 46 may be attached to the jamb 16 of stationary frame 14 and adjacent rod 34. The shield member 46 does not contact the upper and

lower channel members

28 and 30 and will remain in this fixed position when the frame 24 is swung outwardly without interfering with the movement of frame member 24. The shield member 46 also acts as a means for holding the window sash 26 firmly against the frame 14 and for this purpose is fabricated of a resilient or springy metallic material; the manner of operation will be further described herein. The

shield members

44 and 46 are further utilized to prevent dirt or other foreign matter from becoming lodged or embedded around the

rods

32 and 34 and additionally will provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the swingable frame 24.

The rotatable window sash 26 is comprised of vertical framing members or

stiles

48 and 50 interconnected at their opposed ends by horizontal framing members or a top rail 52 and a bottom rail 54. A glass window, plate or pane 56 which may be thermal insulating glass or other specially treated glass, is secured within the window sash 26 and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is held between flange 58 which extends inwardly from the exterior ends of

stiles

48 and 50 and rails 52 and 54, and a circumferential spacer block 60 attached to these members. A cushion or filler material 62 is placed around the peripheral edges of the glass pane 56 to provide a tight or snug fit. The interior ends of

stiles

48 and 50 as well as the

rails

52 and 54 are provided with a recessed edge 64 adapted for the securement of a weatherproofing strip material 66 which may be adhesively affixed, frictionally attached or otherwise positioned thereon. The weatherproofing material 66 when in place will also aid in securing the glass 56. The weatherproofing material 66 will additionally provide a water and wind seal when the frame 24 is closed as shown in FIG. 6. A longitudinal concavity 68 is provided in the weatherproofing material 66 so that when it is compressed against frame 14, there will be less of a tendency to permanently deform outwardly and interfere with rotation of the window sash 26. In furtherance of this purpose, the recessed edge 64 provides a partial barrier which passes through a portion of the weatherproofing material 66 to confine the mass or bulk of the material 66 and to restrain the outward deformation along the periphery of the window sash 26.

The locking system is comprised of a pivotal locking bar 70 which is mounted on a bolt 72 extending from angle member 76 afiixed to frame 14. The locking bar 70 is adapted to be rotated about bolt 72 so as to engage a locking pin 74 attached to stile 48. The locking bar 70 will thereby releasably secure the window sash 26 and will selectively hold the swingable frame 24 in the closed position as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of locking bars spaced vertically along angle member 76 may be employed and mechanically interconnected for synchronous movement. This will be particularly effective for locking window sashes over six feet in height. The locking bar 70, as shown, is located along one side of the sash 26. In order to insure that the other side of the sash 26 is firmly held against frame 14, the stile 50 is provided with a protruding lip 49 which is designed to be engaged under the shield 46 as shown in FIG. 6. In order to place the lip 49 under the shield 46, the sash 26 is rotated when the frame 24 is in the open position and oriented so that the side of sash 26 having the lip 49 is the leading edge as the frame 24 is moved toward the closed position. The lip 49 can thus be slid under shield 46 with the exertion of a minimum amount of force, and the resilient shield 46 will firmly hold and compress the weatherproofing material 66 against the frame 14. It should also be noted at this point that when the frame 24 is in the open position, stop means are provided to prevent the frame 24 from rotating a full 180 and causing possible damage to the sash 26. The stop means comprises a projection or tab 17 on.jamb 16 of the frame 14 adapted for abutting engagement with the frame 24 after it has been rotated approximately 90 to the open position (see FIG. 3).

The combination of a frictional latch 77 together with a hand grip 78, which is attached to the weather or outer side of the sash 26, provides a means for turning the sash 26 about a vertical axis and for securing same in a reversed position. For this purpose, hand grip 78 is provided with a projection 79 adapted to be engaged by the latch 77 which is pivotally mounted to angle member 76 and spaced from locking bar 70. The latch 77 is shaped similar to locking bar 77 and functions in the same manner as previously described.

A push-pull handle 80 is pinned to the spacer block 60 by means of a yoke 82 which is adapted to be rotated in one plane and to pivotally receive a tab portion 84 extending from one end of a shaft 86 and adapted to be rotated in another plane so that the shaft 86 can thus be simultaneously rotated in two planes when moving the frame 24 to an open position. The other end of the shaft 86 has a hook portion 88 for engaging the jamb 16 or window sill 22 so as to maintain the swingable frame 24 in various open positions.

The rotatable window sash 26 is mounted within the frame 24 by means of

pivotal connections

89 and 91 typically shown in FIG. 2 and in sectional views in FIGS. 7 and 8. The lower pivotal connection 89 is comprised of a pivot bolt passing through the lower channel 30 and bottom rail 54 and is provided with a bushing 92 interposed therebetween. The upper pivotal connection 91 similarly has a pivot bolt 94 and bushing 96. However, the pivot bolt 94 is anchored to a block 98, preferably wood, such as oak, and a sealing gasket is clamped between block 98 and upper channel 28. The gasket 100 prevents entry of water between the soffit member 20 and the top rail 28.

In operation, the reversible closure 10 is normally in a closed position and may be opened by means of push-pull handle 80 for ventilation or emergency egress such as in the event of fire, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the swingable frame 24 and window sash 26 may be moved outwardly and maintained in an open position by the handle 80. Furthermore, the window sash 26 may be rotated as shown in FIG. 4 without passing inside or across the window sill 22, and reversed as for cleaning or repairing of the glass pane S6. The window sash 26 may temporarily be held in this reversed position as shown in FIG. 5 by means of grip 78.

It should be noted that the above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary and while they have described the invention with specific implementation thereof, other modifications and changes may be made in the embodiment so set forth and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it should be understood that all material herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A reversible closure apparatus for a wall opening comprising a stationary frame surrounding said opening, a swingable frame member hingedly attached to the stationary frame along a vertical side of the opening, said swingable frame member having at least three sides, a window sash having an exterior face and an interior face, pivot means for mounting the window sash for rotation about a vertical axis to a reversed position within the swingable frame member, sealing means provided around the periphery of the window sash on the interior face thereof including a resilient material adapted for compression against the stationary frame, confinement means for reducing interference during rotation, handle means for displacing the swingable frame member outwardly from the wall opening, stop means for limiting maximum displacement of the swingable frame member, locking means for securing the swingable frame member in a closed position with the window sash in sealing engagement with the stationary frame, and latch means for securing the swingable frame member in a closed position with the window sash in the reversed position whereby the window sash remains outside of the wall opening during rotation to or from the reversed position.

2. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises resilient weatherproofing material provided with a longitudinal concavity for controlling the outward deformation under compression and for reducing interference between the swingable frame member and the window sash.

3. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stop means comprises a projection from the stationary frame adapted for abutting engagement with the swingable frame member after it has been displaced to the maximum open position.

4. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the interior face of the rotatable window sash is provided with a recessed edge for accommodating the weatherproofing material, said recessed edge forming a partial barrier for restraining outward deformation along the periphery of the rotatable window sash.

5. A reversible closure appratus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking means includes a locking pin extending into the interior face of the window sash, and a pivotal locking bar attached to the stationary frame and adapted for locking engagement with the pin.

6. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including hand grip means extending from the exterior face of the window sash for rotating the sash, said grip means further including a projection adapted to be lockingly engaged by the latch when the window sash is in the reversed position.

7. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the handle means for displacing the swingable frame member includes a shaft pivotally attached to the window sash, said shaft being provided with means for engaging the stationary frame to selectively maintain the swingable frame in an open position.

8. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the swingable frame member is comprised of two horizontal spaced channel members, connected at opposed ends by means of two vertical rods, thereby forming a four sided frame member, and one of said rods has its opposed ends journalled to the stationary frame to permit swingable displacement of the frame member.

9. A reversible closure as claimed in claim 8 including a resilient shield member attached to the stationary frame, said shield member being spaced from the journalled rod, a lip portion extending from a side of the window sash confronting said shield member, said lip being adapted for placement between the shield member and journalled rod when the swingable frame member is in the closed position whereby the shield member will exert a force tending to compress the weatherproofing material.

10. A reversible closure apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further including a sealing gasket interposed between an upper edge of the swingable frame member and the stationary frame.

Claims

1. A reversible closure apparatus for a wall opening comprising a stationary frame surrounding said opening, a swingable frame member hingedly attached to the stationary frame along a vertical side of the opening, said swingable frame member having at least three sides, a window sash having an exterior face and an interior face, pivot means for mounting the window sash for rotation about a vertical axis to a reversed position within the swingable frame member, sealing means provided around the periphery of the window sash on the interior face thereof including a resilient material adapted for compression against the stationary frame, confinement means for reducing interference during rotation, handle means for displacing the swingable frame member outwardly from the wall opening, stop means for limiting maximum displacement of the swingable frame member, locking means for securing the swingable frame member in a closed position with the window sash in sealing engagement with the stationary frame, and latch means for securing the swingable frame member in a closed position with the window sash in the reversed position whereby the window sash remains outside of the wall opening during rotation to or from the reversed position.