US2652245A - Mechanism for the opening and closing of windows, louvers, or the like - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1953 J. 5. BENTLEY 2,652,245 MECHANISM FOR THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF WINDOWS, LOUVERS OR THE LIKE Filed April 24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l lililil liifl lilil l l E OF OUVERS I I 0 Filed April 24, 1951 F WINDOWS, L

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 15, 1953 MECHANISM FOR THE OPENING AND CLOS- ING OF WINDOWS,

LIK

LOUVERS, OR THE James Sydney Bentley, London, England, assignor to Telcflex a British company Application April 24, 1951,

Products Limited,

London, England,

Serial No. 222,670

In Great Britain April 24, 1950 Claims.

anism of great simplicity.

The mechanism with which the invention is concerned comprises a push-and-pull flexible metal cable of the type having a multi-stranded on its exterior singleor multi-start spaced helical projections, such cable being mounted in a fixed guiding conduit which can be rectilinear or to close.

the mouth assumes a curved shape which is part or a substantial part of a circle.

tain the opening thrust but to act as a stay to support the window or the like in the opened position.

Where necessary, a window or the like may reverse movement by I which the window or the like is caused or allowed ably its have two cables for its operation, each of which is arranged as above set forth, and in a desired position the guiding means are run parallel to enable the parallel cables to be coupled by means of their helical projections.

The coupling means may be such that the main operating cable can cause the movement of another cable coupled thereto in the same direction by a toothed coupling slide engaging each cable, or in the same direction by two concables coming in diametrically opposite positions. In any case and whatever the exact layout, the extent of the coupling and/or re-coupling with cables coming in the same or reverse directions, is operated from the master cable moved by the operating means.

Any suitable means may be provided for effecting the movements of the cable, but preferhelices are engaged by a handle-operated gear wheel (with or without reduction gear) having automatic clutch means of any suitable and known character for holding the parts locked in any adjusted position, between the limits of operation.

In order that derstood, it will the invention may be better unnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of the elementary and primary means for carrying the invention into elfect, also shows a coupling means fitted thereto.

Fig. 2 shows a similar view to a smaller scale, illustrating the invention applied to a single window.

Fig. 3 shows a similar view to Fig. 2 but with the invention applied to two windows operated from a single master cable.

Fig. 4 shows a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing the invention as applied to three windows operated from a master cable.

Fig. 5 shows in longitudinal section, and Fig. 6 in split plan, coupling means between a master cable and subordinate cable in which both cables are caused to move in the same direction.

Fig. 7 shows in elevation and Fig. 8 in sectional escutcheon plate for the connection of the ends of guiding conduits for the cable.

Fig. 9 shows a further diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a further ing the invention into eifect, cable controls a plurality of subordinate cables.

Fig. shows a cross sectional elevation of coupling means between a master cable and subordinate cable, whereby the latter moves in the reverse direction to the master cable.

Fig. 11 shows a similar view to Fig. 10- but where three subordinate cables can be controlled from a master cable.

Fig. 12 shows a plan view of Fig. 11, one-half being taken on the line l2 --i-2.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of an installation utilis ing connectors such as shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 shows an elevation of one connection in accordance with the system shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a similar view to Fig. 13, utilis ing the connectors as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Figs. 16 and 1'? shOW elevations of the connect ing means in accordance with the system shown in Fig. 15.

In the particular method of carrying the in vention into effect shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the window it is mounted by its upper edge to turn upon a horizontal axis so that when closed its lower edge it comes against a corresponding fixed framework member. In the central position this fixed framework member 23 has one end of a guiding conduit 2! fixed thereto, preferably in the manner indicated in Fig. 8 hereafter referred to, so that on the exterior there is a circular mouth which corresponds to the end of the guiding conduit. From this mouth 22., on the interior of the room, the guiding conduit lies in a horizontal plane and is given a somewhat semicircular bend the radius of the bend being somewhat small although, of course, determined by the flexibility of the cable 2 Beyond this somewhat semicircular bend 23 the conduit has a reverse bend 21b and then runs horizontally along the fixed framework 2d to the end thereof where it is given a bend 2b in a vertical plane and then proceeds downwardly to the operating gear 2'! which comprises, as before stated, a gear wheel and automatic clutch (not shown) and an operating handle '23. The cable 26 is of a size to slide readily in the conduit 2! and one end projects through the mouth 22 and is connected as shown in Fig. l to the framework it of the moving window it. Towards the other end of the cable 2d meshes with the gear wheel (not shown) and below this the cable extends into the spent tube conduit as which is sufficiently long for the full travel of the cable.

It will be understood that from the closed position of the window it, when the handle 28 is operated to open the window a thrust or pushing movement is given to the cable 2t which is axial to the cable and at right angles to the plane of the window 53 where the cable is connected to the frame it; thereof. As a consequence, by the continued opening movement, this axial thrust causes the window it to be turned about its horizontal axis. The cable 2% is of sufficient stifiness and strength to hold the window it in any open position up to the maximum. To close the window it, it is simply necessary to reverse the movement of the handle 28, when by the pull of the cable as, assisted by the weight of the window, the closing movement is eifected.

To distribute the effort and to enable two or more thrust points on windows, louvres, shutters or otherwise to be operated from a master cable, connecting means between the master cable and a subordinate cable or cables can be provided. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate such a connecting means whereby the master cable causes a subordinate cable to move in the same direction. This conoutlet can be closed by necting means, as illustrated, comprises two similar fiat casing portions 3% and 3! which are united at their ends by screws 32. The casing portion Si which comes lowermost has apertures for securing screws. The complete casing has a somewhat flattened oval section and has such interior shaping when made up that it secures the flared ends 35 of guiding conduits therein. If desired and as shown, one unused a shaped plug 36.

The master cable passes through the casand in the mid position its helical projections engage a toothed slide 3? the teeth of which on one side are spaced suitably for the purpose. Similarly, a further set of teeth on the other side engages the helical projections of a subordinate cable 33. The dimensions of the parts and of the interior of the casing maintain the slide 31 in engagement with the cables whilst permitting the to have a reciprocating movement of the desired amount.

Thus, when the master cable is moved it carries along with it and to a similar extent, the subordinate cable which works i a conduit 39 filled to one end of the casing.

1 and 3 show an application of this device and from the latter it will be appreciated how two windows 6% and ll (similar to the window it) can be opened and closed from one master cable. (if course if desired the two windows and ll could be one large window to be operated by the two cables.

Obviously there are a great many structural arrangements which the devices described can take. In some, for example, there can be more than one subordinate cable, each of which can have its effective connection. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4. In this figure the master cable controls a window 42 and subordiate cables windows it and i l; in this figure the arrangement of the connecting casingsreadily will be seen.

Where the direct thrust. cable emergesfrom the fixed part, and at a right angle to the window, pivoted louvre, sh. ter, movable screen, or otherwise (according to the precise arrangement) .it is connected to the window or the like in order that its thrust directly and without loss is applied thereto.

The general emerging mouth is as shown in Figs. '7 and 8 in which Fig. 7 shows an elevation of an escutcheon plate 92 fastened to the fixed support from the rear by two screws it. The plate (Fig. 8) has a rear aperture coincident with that of the support. The extreme end 41 of the conduit ill is held in the escutcheon plate by an encircling rubber packing ring or gasket iii. In the total result the end M of the conduit is held fixed and the cable All has a thrust normal to the window, louvre, shutter or otherwise for opening.

Fig. 9 is example where subordinate cables themselves become master cables, again to functicn as subordinate cables.

In this figure there are two windows pivoted midway on horizontal axes. At the two sides of each window, below its horizontal turning axis, there is a thrust cable connection.

The operation is from a main conduit and cable 2l2t.

25 has a further connector 49 itself proceeding to a still further conduit and cable 58 for the operation of the upper window. Similarly, the subordinate conduit and cable 93 has another connector operating a conduit and cable 52.

From the above it is quite obvious how with straight-running toothed connections between connectors as shown in Figs. and 6 a multiplicity of co-operative cables can be utilised.

Further, in place of connecting two cables so that they can run together such as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, two cables can be connected together so that they run in opposite directions, yet to obtain similar as shown in Fig. 10, one cable 53, which can be the master cable, meshes with a gear wheel 54 on a spindle 55 in a two-part casing 5fi-51, so that another cable 58 carries on the work: in an opposite direction.

In place of such a simple device as shown in Fig. 10, two gear wheels 59 and 60 having clutch engaging faces, may be engaged upon the spindle 55 with an upper part casing 58, a lower part casing 51 and two intermediate casing parts BI and 62. In this last-mentioned case a main one or two other cables to be moved in opposite directions.

Fig. 12 is a plan partly in section on the line l2l2, Fig. 11, which shows how the conduit, the ends of which are flared, are mounted in the parts of the assembly shown in Fig. 11 and how, from the master cable, the take-oh: can be to any desired grouping of one direction and two cables in tion.

Advantage is taken of the structures such as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 for movement from a master cable to be conveyed to a remote position or positions for the purposes of the invention.

Fig. 13 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional plan in which cables are arranged such as shown 13, which again it must be emphasised is a plan, 63 is the plan of the housings for the gears and 64 the plan of the conduit and master cable having supports 65 at spaced intervals.

The cable from the ultimate end 56 of the main conduit-cable assembly operates the window 6'! which is on a vertical axis, and the other windows 68, E9 and lb are operated through the subordinate conduit-cable assemblies 'H12-13 the conduits and cables for which are but short).

Thus, from the main operating hand gear 14 all the windows are opened and closed with the aid of structures such as shown in An exemplification of the main structure the opposite direccoupling means such as shown in passage of the cables. The curved and bent conduit 11 passes from one of these positions to an escutcheon plate 18 supported by a bracket 19. Thus the cable 80 therefrom passes to the window structure BI and by the hereinbefore described operation of the cable the window is opened and closed. It will be understood that the curved conduit 1! represents any one of the conduit and cable assemblies H, 12 or 13.

Regarding Fig. 15, in this figure 82 is the handoperated gear which operates a cable in a conduit 83 so that, in each desired position, a gear wheel structure 84 such as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, is operated. In other words, in the ultimate position to the left, at 85, the main cable in its conduit effects its particular purpose, and in the Fig. for the cable in the same results, that is to say, and

same position the reverse action takes place through the coupled conduit and cable assembly 86.

In all the other positions there are two conduit and cable assemblies 8 and 88.

In the total result, in the whole of the positions 8586 and in all of the positions 81-88 there is an for turning structures about horizontal axes.

structures shown in Figs. and indicated at 84 in Fig. 15, are arranged. Here the double gear wheel structure in its casing such as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is mounted upon a fixed bracket 89 attached to the fixed part of the framework.

As will be seen from Fig. 16,

parted to the latter cable.

2. Mechanism for the opening and closing of windows, louvres, shutters or the like which turn upon an axis, as claimed in claim 1, in which the connecting casing means consists of a pair 3. Mechanism for the opening and closing of windows, louvres, shutters or the like which turn upon an axis, as claimed in claim 1, in which the connecting casing means consists of a pair of semi-circular portions, fastening means for securing the casing portions together with :their concave faces adjacent each other, grooved locking means formed in the ends of the casing portions to retain flared ends of the guiding conduits when said casing portions'are secured together, and the toothed coupling member consists of a slide, said slide having a set of teeth formed on one side thereof to engage the helical projections of the master cable, and another-set of teeth formed on the opposite side thereof to engage the helical projections of the subordinate cable so that rectilinear movement of the former cable in one direction will impart a rectilinear movement to the slide strip and the latter 'cable in the same direction.

4. Mechanism for the opening and closing of windows, louvres, shutters or the like which turn upon an axis, as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the connecting casing means consists of a pair of semi-circular portions, fastening means for securing the casing portions together with their concave faces adjacent each other, and the toothed coupling member consists of a gear located transversely of the connecting casing means on which said gear is rotatably mounted so that teeth on one side thereof engage the helical projections of the master cable and teeth on the diametrically opposite side of the gear engage the helical projections of the subordinate cable enabling rotational movement of the master cable to move said cable rectilinearly in one direction and impart a rotational movement to the gear to move the subordinate cable rectilinearly in the opposite direction.

5. Mechanism for the opening-and closing of windows, louvres, shutters or the like which turn upon an axis, as claimed in claim 1, in which the connecting casing means consists of a pair of semi-circular portions, fastening means for se-- curing the casing portions together with their concave faces adjacent each other, and the toothed coupling member consists of two gear wheels, clutch engaging facings formed on the adjacent faces of the gears, a spindle located transversely of the connecting casing means .on which said gears are rotatably mounted so that the teeth on diametrically opposite sides thereof engage thehelical projections of the master cable and the helical projections of three subordinate cables, one of which is moved restilinearly in the same direction as the master cable and the other two moved rectilinearly in the opposite direction thereto when said master cable is rotated.

J AMES SYDNEY BENTLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent

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