AU742810B2 - Multi-pane sashless windows - Google Patents

Description

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ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor.

Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: Aneeta Window Systems (Vic) Pty Ltd Robert Charles Langner CARTER SMITH BEADLE 2 Railway Parade Camberwell Victoria 3124 Australia MULTI-PANE SASHLESS WINDOWS Details of Associated Provisional Application: PP4646 filed 13 July 1998 PP6943 filed 5 November 1999 The following statement is a fulil description of this invention, including the best method of perform-ing it known to us r °i -2- MULTI-PANE SASHLESS WINDOWS This invention relates to sashless windows, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to the type of window known as a "double hung" window which generally consists of at least one pane suspended in a frame, the pane being guided for substantially vertical movement relative to the frame with the pane being connected to either another pane or to a counterbalancing weight by cord means which extends around pulley means, so that upward or downward movement of said at least one pane causes a corresponding downward or upward movement of the other pane or counterbalancing weight.

Different types of sashless double hung windows are shown in Figures 1 to The window shown in Figure 1 is a standard two-pane double hung window with two counterbalanced panes 1 and 2 mounted for relative sliding movement in a frame 3. In the closed position of the window the panes 1 and 2 overlap slightly and are connected by at least one cord extending around a pulley. The arrangement is 15 such that an upward movement of the lower pane 2 leaves an opening between the S.lower pane 2 and the bottom frame member 4 and causes a corresponding downward V.0. movement of the upper pane 1 to leave another opening between the upper frame 1 •0 0 0 and the top frame member In the servery type window or hatch of Figure the upper pane 1 is fixed in 20 the frame 3 and the lower pane 2 is connected by a cord to a counterbalanced weight.

When the lower pane 2 is moved upwards, an opening is created between the bottom frame member 4 and the lower pane 2. Figure l(c) shows a similar type of servery window, but with the lower pane 2 fixed, and the upper pane 1 movable within the frame 3 so that when the upper pane 1 is moved downwards, an opening is formed between the upper pane 1 and the top frame member Two further types of sashless double hung windows, each having three panes, are shown in Figures l(d) and In the three-pane system of Figure the bottom pane 6 is fixed and the other two panes 7 and 8 are relatively movable within the frame 3. The arrangement is such that upward movement of the middle pane 7 to create an opening between the middle pane 7 and the bottom pane 6 causes a JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 -3corresponding downward movement of the top pane 8 to form an opening between the top pane 8 and the top frame member 5. This arrangement is reversed in the threepane window of Figure 1 in which the top pane 8 is fixed and the other two panes 6 and 7 are relatively movable. In this arrangement, upward movement of the bottom pane 6 to create an opening between the bottom pane 6 and the bottom frame member 4 causes a corresponding downward movement of the middle pane 7 to form an opening between the middle pane 7 and the top pane 8.

It should be appreciated that the panes of the windows need not necessarily be made of glass. They may, for example, be made of a transparent plastics material, or 10 even of a opaque material so as to form a hatch rather than a "see-through" window.

Therefore, the term "pane" as used herein, is to be taken to refer to a pane formed of any type of material, glass or otherwise.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a different type of multi-pane sashless window from those described with reference to Figures l(a) to l(e).

15 It is also desirable to provide a multi-pane sashless double hung window system which has improved properties of heat and sound insulation.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a window :comprising: a window frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and side frame members; and 20 first and second panes mounted in the window frame for sliding movement relative to each other and to the frame, the first and second panes being connected by cord means extending around pulley means so that movement of one of said panes in one direction causes a corresponding movement of the other of said panes in the opposite direction, wherein the arrangement is such that the first and second panes are movable from a first position in which said panes overlap to a second position in which there is an opening between the first and second panes.

The window of the present invention thus differs from the standard two-pane double hung window of Figure 1 and the three pane systems of Figure 1 and 1 (e) in that in the second or "opened" position there is an opening between the movable counterbalanced panes instead of openings above the upper counterbalanced pane and JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 -4below the lower counterbalanced pane.

The window of the present invention preferably has a third pane provided in the window frame, which may be a top pane fixed to the upper frame member or a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member. A fourth pane may also be provided.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the third pane is a top pane fixed to the upper frame member and the fourth pane is a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member. In this arrangement, the first and second relatively movable panes constitute vertically movable intermediate panes between the top and bottom panes.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a multi-pane 10 sashless double hung window comprising: a window frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and side frame members; a top pane fixed relative to the upper frame member; a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member; and first and second counterbalanced panes mounted in the window frame for vertical movement relative to each other and to the 15 window frame, wherein a vertical movement of one of the counterbalanced panes in one direction causes a corresponding movement of the other counterbalanced pane in the opposite direction. In the second aspect of the invention, it may be possible for the first and second counterbalanced panes to be movable into a position in which openings are formed between the fixed top pane and the first and second 20 counterbalanced panes and between the counterbalanced panes and the fixed bottom pane. Preferably, however, the first and second counterbalanced panes are arranged to be movable between a first, closed position in which each of the first and second counterbalanced panes overlaps with the other and with a respective one of the fixed panes, and a second, open position in which there is an opening between the first and second counterbalanced panes.

Preferably, the window includes guide means having an elongate guide member extending into a gap between the overlapping first and second panes in the first, closed position of the window to provide guide surfaces extending substantially parallel to the major surfaces of the panes. This type of guide arrangement is disclosed in our Australian Patent No. 681864, the contents of which are incorporated JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 herein by reference.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, window stiles are provided on the side frame members and the side edges of the panes extend into channels formed by the window stiles on the side frame members of the window frame. The channels are preferably defined by cover members mounted on the side frame members.

The elongate guide member preferably extends from the base of the window stile into the gap between the first and second counterbalanced panes. At least one further elongate member may also extend from the base of the window stile into a gap between one of the counterbalanced movable panes, and a respective fixed pane.

10 Preferably, pane-receiving members are provided on side edges of the panes.

Pane-receiving members on the side edges of the counterbalanced panes preferably have vertically extending surfaces which co-operate with the guide surfaces of the oO°*e central elongate guide member to provide a smooth movement of the counterbalanced panes in operation.

15 A window stile of a window in accordance with the previous aspects of the invention may be formed from two or more interlocking stile members. For reasons of economy in manufacture, it is desirable to provide common interlocking stile parts :°oooo which can be used in the manufacture of a two-pane double hung window or in the manufacture of a multi-pane window having three, four or more panes.

9* S 20 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a window stile for a multi-pane sashless window comprising: a first stile member having a base portion adapted to be attached to a frame member of the multi-pane window and a side portion extending from the base portion adapted to form a first side of a channel of the sashless window; a second stile member having a base portion adapted to be secured to said frame member, a side portion extending from the base portion to form a second side of said channel, and an elongate guide member extending from the base portion in substantially the same direction as the side portion; and at least one intermediate stile member having base portions extending laterally on each side of an elongate portion, wherein one of the base portions of the at least JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 one intermediate stile member is adapted to interlock with the base portion of one of the first or second stile members, and the other base portion of the at least one intermediate stile member is adapted to interlock with the bas portion of the other of the first or second stile members or with a base portion of another intermediate stile member.

In one preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, a threepane sashless window is provided having a single intermediate stile member with its base portions interlocking with base portions of the first and second stile members.

In another preferred embodiment, a four-pane window system may have two 10 intermediate stile members between the first and second stile members.

.:oo It will be appreciated that with the inclusion of further intermediate stile members, it is possible to provide five-pane, six-pane systems etc. utilising the three types of components described above.

At least some of the pane-receiving members and/or the window stile members 15 preferably have grooves for carrying or receiving sealing means for sealing the side edges of the window assembly. Sealing means may also be provided on panereceiving members on the upper and/or lower edges of at least some of the panes.

Preferably, the top pane is fixed to the top frame member or "head" of the window frame by a head adaptor and the bottom pane is fixed to the bottom frame member or "sill" by a sill adaptor. Further sealing means may be provided on the head and sill adaptors for sealing the top and bottom of the window assembly.

The various aspects of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures l(a) to l(e) are schematic drawings of prior art types of sashless, double hung windows; Figure 2 is a front view of a multi-pane sashless double hung window assembly in accordance with an aspect of the invention; Figure 3 is a vertical section through the multi-pane double hung window of Figure 2; JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 Figure 4 is a horizontal section through one of the jambs of the double hung window of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a vertical section through a multi-pane sashless window with three panes; Figure 6 is a horizontal section through a window stile at one of the sides of the three-pane window of Figure 3; Figure 7 is an enlarged horizontal section of the window stile of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an enlarged section through an intermediate guide member of the stile of Figure 6; 10 Figure 9 is a horizontal section through a modified window stile for a fourpane window similar to that of Figures 2 to 4; Figure 10 is a section through a modified stile arrangement for a two-pane window; and Figure 11 is a section through a stile member of the stile arrangement of Figure SAs discussed above, Figures l a to l e show different types of known two or three pane sashless double hung windows. In each of these windows, when one of the oooo 0 .panes moves vertically relative to the window frame from its closed position, at least one opening is formed between the upper or lower window frame member and the 0:90 0" 20 movable pane.

The sashless double hung window of Figure 2 differs from the windows of Figures l a to l e in that it has four panes 11, 12, 13 and 14 mounted in a fixed window frame 10. The top and bottom panes 11 and 12 are fixed relative to the frame 10 and first and second intermediate counterbalanced panes 13 and 14 are slidably movable within the frame 10. As shown in Figure 3, the intermediate panes 13 and 14 are counterbalanced by being connected by at least one cord 16 extending around a pulley 18 and the arrangement is such that the intermediate panes 13 and 14 are movable from a first, closed position into a second, open position in which an opening is formed between the intermediate panes 13 and 14.

The window frame 10 has a top or head frame member 21, a bottom frame JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 8 member or sill 22, and a pair of opposed side members or jambs 23. Each of the frame members 21, 22 and 23 is preferably formed from an aluminium extrusion, although it will be appreciated that, for some windows, they may be formed of other materials, such as timber. Referring more particularly to Figures 3 and 4, each frame member 21, 22, 23 is generally in the form of an E-shaped channel having a base portion 24 and two side portions 26 with a recessed part 25 provided in the centre of the base portion 24.

The top pane 11 is fixedly mounted to the top or head frame member 21 by a head adaptor 30. The head adaptor 30 has a main channel section 32 secured on the upper edge of the top pane 11, and an extension portion 34 adapted to interlock with the recessed part 25 of the head frame member 21 to fasten the head adaptor 30 and top pane 11 to the head frame member 21.

The bottom pane 12 is fixedly mounted to the sill 22 by a sill adaptor 42 which is secured to the lower edge of the bottom pane 12, and which also has an extension 15 portion 44 adapted to interlock with the recessed part 25 of the sill 22. If required, additional fastening means, such as screws, may be provided for securing the head and eeesill adaptors 31 and 42 to the head and sill frame members 21 and 22.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, a guide member 50 is mounted on each side member orjamb 23 to guide the intermediate panes 13 and 14 for vertical sliding 20 movement relative to each other and to the window frame 10. Each guide member has three elongate guide portions 51, 52 and 53 extending substantially perpendicularly from an attachment portion 54 which is secured to the window jamb 23, for instance by screws 28. A cover part 56 extends generally perpendicularly from S. one end of the attachment portion 54 and another cover part 57 is attached to the other end of the attachment portion 54. The cover parts 56 and 57 together define a channel into which the side edges of the panes 11, 13, 14 and 12 extend. As shown in Figure 4, the cover part 56 is formed integrally with the attachment portion 54 of the guide member 50 and the other cover part 57 is formed separately as a generally L-shaped extrusion which is adapted to clip behind the attachment portion 55 by means of interengaging formations.

837.RS I 21 May 2001 Each side edge of each of the panes 11, 12, 13 and 14 has attached thereto a respective pane-receiving member 60. Each pane-receiving member 60 is of uniform cross-section having a U-shaped body portion 62 adapted to receive an edge of a respective one of the panes 11, 12, 13, 14 and a leg 64 extending from the body portion 62. The pane-receiving members 60 are of similar form to the pane-receiving members of the double hung window described in our aforementioned Australian Patent No. 681864, and are preferably formed from an extruded plastics material which has sufficient flexibility allowing the U-shaped portions 62 to snap onto an edge of a pane.

10 As shown in Figure 4, the pane-receiving members 60 are mounted in the channel defined by the cover parts 56 and 57 with the central elongate guide portion 52 extending between the pane-receiving members 60 on the intermediate panes 13 and 14 so that the surfaces of the guide portion 52 guide the intermediate panes for vertical sliding movement in the channel in the same manner as described in 15 Australian Patent No. 681864.

The outer elongate guide member 51 extends between the pane-receiving members 60 on the top pane 11 and the upper intermediate pane 13 and the inner guide member 53 extends between the pane-receiving members 60 on the bottom pane 12 and the lower intermediate pane 14. The outer and inner guide members 51 20 and 53 also assist in guiding the intermediate panes 13 and 14 in their vertical movement.

The U-shaped body portions 62 of the pane-receiving members 60 on the intermediate panes 13 and 14 carry sealing strips 65 which engage with the inner and outer guide members 51 and 53. Sealing strips 66, 67 are also provided on the cover parts 56, 57 for engagement with the pane-receiving members 60 on the top and bottom panes 11 and 12 respectively. As shown in Figure 3, horizontally extending U-shaped pane-receiving members 70 are provided on the upper edges of the bottom pane 12 and the intermediate panes 13 and 14. Each of the pane-receiving members carries a respective sealing strip 72 which is engageable with the adjacent pane.

Further sealing strips 74, 75 are provided on the head and sill adaptors 30, 42 for JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 engagement with the top and bottom panes 11 and 12 respectively.

As shown in Figure 3, the window may include an optional fly screen 76 mounted externally of the top and outer pane 11, and a removable closure member 78 mountable internally of the bottom and inner pane 12. The closure member 78 may also carry a seal 79.

In use, the intermediate panes 13 and 14 of the double hung window normally occupy a first, closed position as shown in Figure 3 in which they overlap with each other and with the top and bottom panes 11 and 12. When, however, it is desired to open the window, the lower pane 14 of the counterbalanced panes is moved 10 downwardly producing a corresponding upward movement of the upper counterbalanced pane 13 so as to leave an opening or gap between the intermediate counterbalanced panes in a second, opened position. In order to assist in moving the panes 13 and 14, a handle 80 is conveniently provided on the lower, inner counterbalanced pane 14. The handle 80 is preferably made from an acrylic material.

V: 15 For the purposes of security, a key-operated locking device 82 is mounted on the inner cover part 57, the locking device 82 having a locking member 84 which is movable into a locking position in which it extends through an aperture in the leg 64 oooo of the pane-receiving member 60 on the lower, inner pane 14 as well as through apertures in the leg 64 of the pane-receiving member 60 on the bottom pane 12 and in 20 the inner guide portion 53. This is similar to the locking arrangement described in our aforementioned Australian Patent No. 681864 and provides a very secure locking mechanism owing to the locking member 84 extending through at least three different elements in its locking position.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a multi-pane sashless double hung window which operates in a different manner from the window systems of Figures 1 to 1 Further, in the four pane window system described above, there is a significant overlap of at least two panes throughout most of the height of the window in the closed position. Therefore, the four pane window has good heat and sound insulation properties as compared with the sashless windows of figures l(a) to l(e).

JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 -11- It will be appreciated that various modifications and alterations may be made to the embodiment described above. For instance, the panes 11, 12 13 and 14 need not necessarily be formed of glass, and in a modified embodiment, the top and bottom panes 11 and 12 could be replaced by panels of wood or another material.

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, there is shown a multi-pane sashless window of the type shown in Figure 1 having a fixed bottom pane 9 and relatively movable middle and top panes 7 and 8. The middle and top panes 7 and 8 are connected by cord means 16 extending around a pulley 18. A handle 19 is attached to the middle pane 7 to enable the middle pane to be raised to create a gap between the middle pane 10 7, and the bottom pane 9 and the cord 16 and pulley 18 arrangement causes a corresponding downward movement of the top pane 8 to create a gap between the top -:see: pane 8 and the top frame member Pane-receiving members 60 are secured on the sides of the panes 7, 8 and 9.

The pane-receiving members 60 are similar to the pane-receiving members of Figure 15 4 and corresponding reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts.

The top frame member 5, the bottom frame member 4 and the side frame members 6 are preferably formed from aluminium extrusions. Referring more particularly to Figure 5 and 6, each frame member 4, 5, 6 is generally in the form of an E-shaped channel having a base portion 41 and two side portions 42 with a 20 recessed part 43 provided in the center of the base portion 41. A sill adaptor 44 is mounted in the recessed part 43 of the bottom frame member or sill 4. A head adaptor is mounted within the recessed part 43 of the top frame member 5, and a jamb adaptor 46 is mounted in the recessed part 43 of each side frame member orjamb 6.

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, a window stile 150 is attached to each jamb 6. The window stile 150 includes a first stile member 121 and a second stile member 122. The first stile member 121 is generally L-shaped in section having a base portion 123 adapted to be attached to the jamb 6 and a side portion 124 extending from the base portion 123. The second stile member 122 has a base portion 125, a side portion 126, and an elongate guide member 127 extending from the base portion 125 in substantially the same direction as the side portion 126.

JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 12- The base 125 of the second stile member 122 has an attachment portion 128 with a recess 129 and a projection 130 on its surface facing towards the jamb 6 at the free ends of the attachment portion 128 remote from the guide member 127. The base portion 123 of the first stile member 122 has a complementary projection 131 and recess 132 at its free ends. The second stile member 122 may be secured to the jamb 6 by means of a screw 33 extending through the attachment portion 128 and through the jamb 6.

The ends of the side portions 124 and 126 are also formed with channel-shaped grooves 135 within which are mounted sealing strips 168. The stile 150 also includes 10 an intermediate stile member 151 which is shown in greater detail in Figure 8.

The intermediate stile member 151 is generally T-shaped in cross-section having a base portion 152 and an elongate guide portion 153 extending substantially perpendicularly to the base portion 152. The base portion 152 has first and second limbs 154 and 155 extending transversely on opposite sides of the guide portion 153.

15 The end of the first limb 154 remote from the guide portions 153 is formed with a recess 156 and projection 157 similar to a recess 129 and a projection 130 on the second stile member 122 so that the base portion 123 of the first stile member 121 with its complementary projection 131 and recess 132 can clip underneath the end of the first limb 154 to be retained thereby. The second limb 155 of the base portion 20 152 has a projection 158 and a recess 159 similar to the projection 131 and recess 132 of the first stile member 121 so that the second limb 155 can clip underneath the attachment portion 128 of the second stile member 122 to be retained thereby. The second stile member 122 and intermediate stile member 151 can be secured to the side frame member or jamb 6 by screws 33 in similar manner to that of Figure 4.

A channel-shaped groove 166 similar to the channel-shaped grooves 135 of the first and second stile members is provided towards the end of the guide portion 153 for receiving the base part of a sealing strip 167. As shown in Figure 6, the sealing strip 167 and the sealing strips 168 mounted in the channel-shaped grooves 135 of the first and second stile members 121 and 122 are of the conventional brush-type, although it will be appreciated that fin-type sealing strips similar to sealing strips with JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 fin parts received in channel-shaped grooves in the pane-receiving members such as disclosed in our New Zealand Patent Application No. 500959, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be provided in the embodiment of Figures to 7.

For the purpose of security, a key-operated locking device 82 is mounted on the first stile member 121, the locking device 82 having a locking member 84 which is movable into a locking position in which it extends through an aperture in the leg parts 164 of the pane-receiving members on the middle and bottom panes 7 and 9 as well as through an aperture in the guide portions 153 of the intermediate stile member 151.

This is similar to the locking arrangement described in our aforementioned Australian Patent No. 681864 and provides a very secure locking mechanism owing to the locking member 84 extending through at least three different elements in its locking position.

As shown in Figure 5, horizontally extending U-shaped pane-receiving 15 members 70 are provided on the upper edges of the bottom pane 9 and the middle pane 7. Each of the pane-receiving members carries a respective sealing strip 72 which is engageable with the adjacent pane 7 or 9. Further sealing strips 74, 75 are provided on the head and sill adaptors 45 and 44 for engagement with the top and bottom panes 8 and 9 respectively. As shown in Figure 5, the window may include an .ooo.) 2 0 optional flyscreen 76 mounted externally of the top pane 8, and a removable closure member 78 mountable internally of the bottom pane 9. The closure member may also -carry a seal 79.

Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a four-pane sashless window of the type shown in Figures 2 to 4 having fixed top and bottom panes 11 and 12 and relatively movable intermediate panes 13 and 14.

The construction of the four-pane window of Figure 9 is generally similar to the three-pane window of Figures 5 to 7 and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. Each window stile 250 of the four-pane window differs from the stile 150 shown in Figures 6 and 7 in that it includes two intermediate stile members 151 a and 15 lb instead of a single intermediate stile member 151. The 21 May 2001 14 intermediate stile members 151 a and 15 1b are identical to the stile member 151 shown in Figure 8. In the assembled window stile 250, the first limb 154 of the base portion 152 of the intermediate stile member 151a clips over the base portion 123 of the first stile member 121 with the recess 156 and projection 157 of the stile member 151a interlocking with the projection and recess on the base portion 123. The second limb 155 of the base portion 52 of intermediate stile member 151 a clips underneath the first limb 154 of the base portion 152 of intermediate stile member 151b with the projection 158 and recess 159 of the second limb 155 of intermediate stile member 151 a interlocking with the recess 156 and projection 157 of the first limb 154 of the intermediate stile member 151b. The second limb 155 of-intermediate stile member 151b clips-:underneath the attachment portion 128 of the second stile member 122 with the projection 158 and recess 159 of the intermediate stile member 15 lb interlocking with the recess and projection on the attachment portion 128. A screw 33 is provided for securing the attachment portion 128 to the side frame member or jamb 6, and if 15 required, further screws (not shown) may be provided for securing the intermediate members 5 la and 151b to the jamb adaptor 46 and the base portion 41 of the jamb 6.

As shown in Figure 9, the elongate guide portion 153 of the intermediate stile member 151 a extends between pane-receiving members 60 on the side edges of the bottom pane 12 and the lower intermediate pane 14, and the elongate guide portion 20 153 of the intermediate stile member 151b extends between the pane-receiving members 60 on the side edges of the upper and lower intermediate panes 13 and 14.

:"The guide portion 153 of each intermediate stile member 151a, 151 b has a groove 166 which carries a seal 167. The seals 167 and the seals 168 mounted in grooves in the side portions 24 and 26 of the first and second stile members 21 and 22 may be brush seals, or fin-type seals of the type described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11 and in our aforementioned New Zealand Patent Application No. 500959 with fin parts of the seals being received in grooves of pane-receiving members 60 on adjacent panes.

As in Figure 3, pane-receiving members 70 on the upper edges of the bottom pane 12 and of the intermediate panes 13 and 14 may carry sealing strips and further A Usealing strips are provided on the head and sill adaptors for engagement with the top 2 00 JIG.TOC:#31837.RS1 21 ay

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and bottom panes 11 and 12 respectively. As in Figures 3 and 4, the window may also include an optional flyscreen and a removable closure member which may also carry a seal.

A key-operated locking device 82 mounted on the side portion 24 of the first stile member 21 has a locking member 84 which is movable into a locking position in which it extends through apertures in the pane-receiving members 60 attached to the bottom pane 12 and lower intermediate pane 14 and through an aperture in the guide portion 153 of the intermediate stile member 151 a.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a window stile arrangement for a twopane double hung window such as illustrated in Figure l(a) incorporating first and second window stile members 121 and 122 similar to those of the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The window stile arrangement of Figure 10 differs from that of Figures 6 and 7 in that the intermediate stile member 151 is not required and also in 15 that the sealing strips 136 are fin-type seals of the type disclosed in our aforementioned New Zealand Patent Application No. 500959. Each sealing strip 136 has a flat base part 137 and a fin part 138 connected at one end to the center of the base part 137 and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom in its free state. A plurality of brush hairs 139 are also attached to the base part 137 on each side of the 20 fin part 138. The fin part 138 of each sealing strip 136 is formed from a flexible material, such as rubber or a synthetic elastomeric material and is able to flex laterally relative to the base part 137. In the assembled double hung window the end of each flexible fin part 138 remote from the base part 137 is received in the channel-shaped groove 65 of a respective pane-receiving member 60. This type of sealing arrangement has been found to provide better sealing against air leakage than conventional brush-type seals without a fin part. With such a fin-type seal received in a groove 65 in the pane-receiving member 60, it is possible to reduce the leakage of air through the sashless window from about 4 litres per minute to 2 litres per minute or less, a rating similar to that of hinged or sash windows when closed. Further, because the fin part 138 of the seal 135 is received in the groove 65 of the pane- TOC:#31837.RS1 21 May 2001 -16receiving member it effectively locks in the groove 65 and cannot pop out of the groove. Thus, the fin part 138 rides in the groove 65 allowing the panes to slide vertically relative to one another and also helps to control lateral movement of the panes 1 and 2 within the window frame.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12 there is shown a modified stile arrangement for a two-pane sashless window of the type shown in Figure The side edges of the panes 1 and 2 of the window are received in pane-receiving members 60 identical to those of Figure 2 and corresponding reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. The window stile differs from that of Figure 2 in that it has 10 wooden stile members 90, 91 extending from a side frame member or jamb 6 and an ooooe S•extruded guide member 92. The extruded guide member has a base portion 94 :....secured to the jamb 6 by a screw 93, a side portion 95 engageable with one of the wooden stiles 90 and a central guide portion 96 which extends between the pane- S: receiving members 60 on the side edges of counterbalanced panes and 2 of the two- 1 15 pane sashless window. Each of the wooden stile members 90, 91 carries a sealing strip 100 which is in the form of a fin-type seal having a base part 101 mounted in a recess 98 in the stile member 91 or 92 and a fin part 102. One end of the fin part 102 is connected to the base part 101 and the other end of the fin part 102 is received in S"the channel-shaped groove 65 of the pane-receiving member 60 of a respective pane 1 or 2. The sealing strip 100 may also include a plurality of brush hairs 103 on each side of the fin part 102.

As in the embodiment of Figure 10, the fin-type seal 100 with its fin part 102 received in a groove 65 in the pane-receiving member 60 provides an efficient seal against air draughts while allowing the panes 1 and 2 to slide vertically relative to one another and relative to the stile members 91 and 92. The fin part 102 effectively locks in the groove 65 and is thus prevented from popping out of the groove.

The present invention thus provides in one aspect a number of interlocking stile components which can be used to form window stiles for multi-pane sashless windows having three, four or more panes. It also provides, in a further aspect, an effective sealing mechanism against draughts for a sashless window.

JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 -17- It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments described above without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

For example, it is possible for the pane-receiving members 60 on the window panes to carry the fin-type sealing strips with the ends of the fin parts of the sealing strips received in grooves on the stile members.

e* JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999

Claims (27)

1. A multi-pane sashless window comprising: a window frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and side frame members; and at least first and second panes mounted in the window frame for sliding movement relative to each other and to the frame, the first and second panes being connected by cord means extending around pulley means so that movement of one of said panes in one direction causes a corresponding movement in the opposite direction, wherein the arrangement is such that the first and second panes are movable from a first, closed position in which said panes overlap to a second position in ooooo •which there is an opening between the first and second panes.

2. A multi-pane sashless window according to claim 1 further comprising a S'third pane provided in the window frame.

3. A multi-pane sashless window according to claim 2 wherein the third pane is a top pane fixed to the upper frame member.

4. A multi-pane sashless window according to claim 2 wherein the third pane is a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member.

A multi-pane sashless window according to claim 2 further comprising a fourth pane provided in the window frame.

6. A multi-pane sashless window according to claim 5 wherein the third pane is a top pane fixed to the upper frame member, the fourth pane is a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member, and the first and second relatively movable panes are vertically movable intermediate panes between the top and bottom panes.

7. A multi-pane sashless double hung window comprising: JRG:JA:#28447.CAp 9 July 1999 a window frame having an upper frame member, a lower frame member and side frame members; a top pane fixed relative to the upper frame member; a bottom pane fixed to the lower frame member; and first and second counterbalanced panes mounted in the window frame for vertical movement relative to each other and to the window frame, wherein the first and second panes are adapted to occupy a first, closed position in which they overlap and a vertical movement of one of the first and second counterbalanced panes in one direction causes a corresponding movement of the other of the first and second counterbalanced panes in the opposite direction.

8. A multi-pane window according to claim 7 wherein the first and second counterbalanced panes are arranged to be movable between a closed position in which each of the first and second counterbalanced panes overlaps with one another 15 and with a respective one of the fixed panes, and an open position in which there is an opening between the first and second counterbalanced panes.

9. A multi-pane window according to claim 7 wherein the arrangement is such that the first and second counterbalanced panes are movable into a position in which 20 openings are formed between the fixed top pane and the counterbalanced panes and between the counterbalanced panes and the fixed bottom pane.

10. A multi-pane window according to any one of the preceding claims wherein S"window stiles are provided on the side frame members of the window frame to form channels into which side edges of the panes extend.

11. A multi-pane window according to claim 10 wherein each window stile includes an elongate guide member extending from the base of the window stile into a gap between the first and second movable panes J Rr. C:#31837.RS1 21 May 2001 1 00 I

12. A multi-pane window according to claim 11 wherein each window stile includes at least one further elongate guide member extending from the base of the stile into a gap between one of the movable panes and a respective adjacent fixed pane.

13. A multi-pane window according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein pane- receiving members are provided on edges of the panes.

14. A multi-pane window according to claim 13 wherein pane-receiving members on the side edges of the first and second movable panes have surfaces which co-operate with the control elongate guide member to provide a smooth movement of the first and second panes in operation. a• a. a I

15. A multi-pane window according to claim 14 wherein at least some of the pane-receiving members on the side edges of the panes have grooves for receiving or carrying sealing means.

16. A multi-pane window according to claim 13 wherein pane-receiving members carrying sealing means are provided on the upper and/or lower edges of at least some of the panes.

17. A multi-pane window according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein each window stile is formed from two or more interlocking stile members.

18. A multi-pane window according to claim 17 wherein each window stile comprises: a first stile member having a base portion attached to a side frame member of the multi-pane window and a side portion extending from the base portion forming a first side of a channel of the sashless window; JRG:JA:#28447.CAP 9 July 1999 a second stile member having a base portion secured to said side frame member, a side portion extending from the base portion to form a second side of said channel, and an elongate guide portion extending from the base portion in substantially the same direction as the side portion; and at least one intermediate stile member having base portions extending laterally on each side of an elongate guide portion, wherein one of the base portions of the at least one intermediate stile member interlocks with the base portion of one of the first or second stile members, and the other base portion of the at least one intermediate stile member interlocks with the base portion of the other of the first or second stile members or with a base portion of another intermediate stile member.

19. A multi-pane window according to claim 18 wherein the window has three panes and each window stile has a single intermediate stile member with its base portions interlocking with base portions of the first and second stile members.

20. A multi-pane window according to claim 18 wherein the window has four panes and each window stile has two intermediate interlocking stile members, each intermediate stile member interlocking with a respective one of the first and second stile members.

21. A multi-pane window according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the elongate guide portion of the or each intermediate stile member has a groove for carrying or receiving a sealing means.

22. A multi-pane window according to any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the side portions of the first and second stile members have grooves for carrying or receiving sealing means.

23. A multi-pane window according to any one of claims 15, 16, 21, or 22 wherein the or each sealing means comprises a brush-type seal. I JRG.TOC:3 837.Rs 1 21 May 2001 FFC~- /c

24. A multi-pane window according to any one of claims 15, 16, 21 or 22 wherein the or each sealing means comprises a fin-type seal.

A multi-pane sashless window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A multi-pane sashless window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A multi-pane sashless window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings. DATED: 21 May 2001 FREEHILLS CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: ANEETA WINDOW SYSTEMS (VIC) PTY LTD 21 May 2001 JRG OC:#31837.RSl OFFC