Patent Application
20240352779
The present invention is directed to a safety and security support for double hung windows, more specifically, to a support which prevents tilting of the upper and lower sashes for security and weatherproofing and which permits limited venting of the bottom sash for child safety and security.
Double hung windows are a common window configuration in residential and commercial properties. Double hung windows include a top sash and a bottom sash and both sashes are operable. To open or vent the window, the top sash slides down and the bottom sash slides up along the window channel. The top sash may be opened by itself, the bottom sash by itself, or both sashes may be opened for better air flow. Double hung windows are desirable for case of cleaning. Double hung windows come with tilt sashes that allow the upper and lower sashes to tilt inward (from the top). This allows both the interior and exterior glass to be cleaned from inside the room. This is especially helpful for windows above the first floor.
Features of double hung windows render them easy to open and structurally less sound. Windows that are easily opened, and particularly those at great heights, present a potential hazard for children. It is recommended that a window opening be limited to prevent window fall and injuries which may result from window fall. This applies to windows that have furniture placed near them to prevent your children from climbing and gaining access to an open window. Thus, limiting the amount of venting by the bottom sash prevents unintended egress through the window. To reduce the risk of window fall, double hung window vent stops are provided to limit the range of motion that the bottom sash may be lifted, such as less than four (4) inches.
From a security standpoint, limiting the ingress and egress of a window is also desirable. Intruders would prefer to enter a window which may be opened rather than breaking glass for entry or exit. A device for limiting raising the bottom sash a distance permitting ingress, thus, impedes entry or exit (and requires breaking the window), even if the window is unlocked. Moreover, if an intruder enters a residence or building, the intruder will be prevented from exiting quickly by opening the window and would have to break the glass. Traditional double hung window vents are positioned within the window channel to impede raising the bottom sash.
Double hung windows, with independently moving top and bottom tiltable sashes, provide less structural integrity due the ability of the sashes to move relative to one another and to tilt inward. The ability to tils inward may be impacted by extreme weather conditions including high wind conditions. It is believed that the structurally weakest part of double hung windows in high wind is where the top and bottom sashes meet. From a weatherproofing standpoint, e.g., high winds, it is desirable to prevent tilting of the windows under wind forces.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safety and security support for a ventable double hung window which provides both limited opening of the bottom sash and structural integrity. This is achieved according to the present invention by providing a support that limits upward movement of the bottom sash a predetermined distance and which is mounted at the intersection of the top and bottom sash. This provides protection against window fall and unintentional ingress and egress for added security. The present invention also provides added structural integrity to the window, which is beneficial, for example, under high wind events.
The present invention contributes to the overall safety and security of double hung windows by providing a window support having a longitudinal first member, a lateral second member secured to the first member, and a clamp configured to receive the first member and to be slidable along the length thereof. The clamp has a clamping flange for cooperating with the window frame to limit upward movement of the bottom window sash.
These and other objects are met by the invention as shown and described.
The preferred embodiments described herein and illustrated by the drawings hereinafter be to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements.
The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described; rather, this detailed description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and practice the invention.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” and “select” or “selectively” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the use of relative terms, such as “substantially,” “generally.” “approximately,” and the like, are utilized herein to represent an inherent degree of uncertainty that is attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. The term “proximal” as used herein refers to the direction facing forward, away from the window, “distal” refers to the direction toward, and in the direction facing the window, “longitudinal” direction refers to the direction between the top and bottom ends, and the term “horizontal” refers to a direction opposite the longitudinal axis, at any angle.
The window support 10 includes a longitudinal first member 35, a generally lateral second member 40, and a clamp 50. The longitudinal first member 35 may be formed of a solid material or hollow as shown. The first member 35 may have different geometric profiles, but as shown by way of example, the first member 35 has a square profile, if viewing in cross-section as best shown in
As shown, the proximal screw 48 has a first predetermined length at least as long as the width of the first member 35. The second aperture 44 is configured for receipt of a mounting screw 50 for mounting the window support 10 to the window frame 20. As shown, the mounting screw 50 has predetermined length sufficient to extend through the second member 40 and to penetrate into the window frame 20 to mount the window support to sufficiently provide structural strength to the window frame 20 and window support 10 connection, particularly with regard to ability to sustain extreme environmental conditions or unwanted intrusion. The third aperture 46 is configured for receipt of a distal safety screw 55 having a thread profile 55 explained in more detail below. By way of example, the proximal screw 48 has a length of between 0.25 inch and 1.0 inch, preferably about 0.375 (⅜) inches; the mounting screw 52 has a length of between 2.75 inches and 3.25 inches, preferably about 3.0 inches; and the distal safety screw 55 has a length of between 1.75 inches and 2.25 inches, preferably about 2.0 inches.
The clamp 50 includes a main body 56 defining a main body cavity 58 configured for receipt of the first member 35. As shown, the main body 56 and main body cavity 58 are substantially squared to accommodate the square profile of the first member 35. Of course, other shapes may be employed. Sufficient tolerances are provided between the clamp main body 56, its cavity 58 and the first member 35 wherein the clamp 50 is slidable along the length of the first member 35.
The clamp 50, best shown in
The clamp 50 further includes a mounting lever 60 shown in
The window support 10 is assembled by inserting the bottom end of the first member 35 into the main body cavity 58 of the clamp 50 and the top end of the first member 35 into the second member cavity 45, in any order. The proximal screw 48, shown as having a Phillips head screw profile, is then inserted into first apertures 42 to secure the first 35 and second 40 members. The proximal screw 48 is self-threaded with a corresponding one of the first apertures 42. Two first apertures 42 are provided because the window support 10 is reversible and may be placed on either side of the window. Although the drawings show the window support 10 on the left side of a window frame 20, it is to be appreciated that it may likewise be applied on the right side of the window frame 20.
The window support 10 is then mounted to the window frame 20. This is accomplished by positioning the window support against the window frame 20 and positioning the clamping flange 64 against the distal edge of the window frame 20, between the window frame 20 and the scal 18 and within the proximal gap 22. The second member 40 is then secured to the window frame 20 by insertion of the mounting screw 52 within apertures 44 and then inserting the mounting screw 52 into the window frame 20 using a screwdriver or drill, for example, utilizing the Phillips screw head profile of the mounting screw 52. The safety screw 54 has a unique profile on its head requiring a specialty tool for added security and safety. Safety screws have a profile which require special matching security screwdriver or driver bit.
The window support 10 is mounted on the frame 20 at a height sufficient to limit the upward movement of the bottom sash 28 to provide a vent or opening A as shown in
Thus, in the opened position, the distance A between the bottom windowsill and the bottom sash frame 28 is selective by selective placement of the window support 10 on the window frame 20. For example, if a four-inch vent is desired, the second member 40 is mounted on the window frame 20 a corresponding distance wherein there is four inches between the bottom edge of the clamp 50 and the top of the bottom sash frame 28 when the window is closed as shown in
The first member 35 and second member 40 are formed of a material providing sufficient strength for its intended use. For example, to provide strength sufficient for extreme weather conditions, such as wind, steel or aluminum is utilized for the window support 10 members. If merely limiting the opening distance A is intended, less rigid materials, such as molded or extruded materials may be selected. The length of the first 35 and second members 40 are selected based on the window dimension of the intended use. By way of example, the first member 35 may be six inches long and have a diameter of ⅜ inches. Also be way of example, the second member 40 may have a length of 1 ¾ inches (such as for an aluminum window) or 2 inches (such as for a vinyl window) and a diameter of ½ inches. The clamp 50, by way of example, has a ½ diameter and a ½ inch offset of the mating flange 64. It is preferred that the length of the first member 35 is greater than the length of the second member 40, for example, more than double the length.
The window support 10 according to the present invention limits the opening of the bottom sash 15 a predetermined distance A which provides safety from unintended egress, such as a child. It also provides unintended egress from an unwanted intruder who may have entered the facility or home through another entrance. Unintended ingress from the intruders entering the window is also limited or prevented by an intruder opening the window.
The window support 10 also provides structural integrity to the window during conditions of extreme environmental conditions, such as high winds. Double hung windows provide tilting mechanisms for the top and bottom sashes to enable tilting inward for cleaning. Such windows are more susceptible to wind forcing unintended tilting of the window sashes. As shown in
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications to the disclosed embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art. The disclosure, therefore, is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from its spirit and scope.
