Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
212S604
WINDOW STRUCTURE
This invention relates to window structures, and in
particular, to window structures having built-in fly screens.
It is now common in building construction, especially
housing construction, to use prefabricated windows that are
secured in place in rough framing, usually prior to
application of sheathing on the exterior of the building, and
of gypsum board covering on the inside of the building. For
convenience, including locks, hinges and fly screens, and
often mechanical means for opening and closing the window,
such as a crank and linkage.
In warm climates, the fly screen associated with such
units is necessary to prevent the entry of undesired insects
such as mosquitoes. Indeed, in some climates, the absence of
a fly screen would make comfortable occupancy of the building
almost impossible.
In my Canadian Patent No. 1,298,518, issued 7 April,
1992 for a WINDOW STRUCTURE, I have disclosed a window having
a sash and frame equipped with a fly screen that does not
obstruct the view through the window when the latter is open
or closed. The disadvantage with this type of window
structure is that the fly screen-is rigid and therefore, the
depth of the frame and sash must be sufficient to encapsulate
the screen when put into the closed position. This is most
clearly seen in Figure 3 and Figure 1 of the aforesaid
patent. The width or depth of the sash therefore, has to be
increased in order to accommodate such fly screen and this
adds to costs and is not as pleasing to the eye, when the
window is viewed from the outside since the window sash or
frame protrudes outwardly from the wall.
It is an ob~ect of the invention to overcome this
problem; to reduce the depth of the sash, and yet to provide
a collapsible fly screen which, when in the closed position,
is essentially non-viewable, while in the open position to
provide screening from insects and the passage of airflow
through the screen, and always maintaining a clear view
through the glass without the impediment of ever having an
overcoverlng screen.
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This is achieved by having a flexible fly screen
structured as an accordion-like member and fabricated from a
flexible porous sheet plastic sheet, clear or translucent,
shaped as a perforated accordion.
In one embodiment, the invention contemplates that the
screen be integral with the sash and window during
construction and in another embodiment, can be a retro-fit
screen to an existing window and sash, the window being
movable to an open position so as to allow airflow into the
room and fly protection or screening.
The invention therefore contemplates a window unit
comprising a window sash frame, a sash hingeably mounted to
said sash frame for pivotal movement between a closed
position juxtaposed with the sash frame, and an open position
in which a space is defined between the sash frame and sash
and, a collapsible screen means attached between sash and
frame and adapted to enclose, when in the open position, that
space between sash and frame and to nest closed in a
collapsed state when sash and frame are in the closed
position.
Particularly, the collapsible screen means is
structured as a bellow from sheet plastic material which is
either translucent or clear and preferably from a durable
plastic sheet, for instance, that of Mylar~. The collapsible
screen means is structured as bellows which is affixed to the
inner portion of the sash, on the one hand, and the window
sash or frame, on the other hand, so that when the sash is in
its pivotable open position collapsible screen means occupy
the peripheral margin about and between the same so as to
provide screening. There are a plurality of apertures in the
plastic sheet material so as to provide air flow
therethrough.
The invention will now be described by way of example
and reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side perspective view with the window
opening along its sash side element;
Figure 2 is a section along lines II-II of Figure 1,
the section being through a wooden sash; the bottom sectional
212~60~
view being identical thereto;
Figures 3 is a side, partial section view of my novel
window wherein the sash is extruded and the accordion-like
screen is integral therewith;
Figure 4 is a bottom section view of my novel
accordion-like screen as a retrofit in an existing two-pane
extruded sash.
Referring to Figure 1, a window sash frame (S)
comprises an upper element (10) and left and right side
elements (11) and (13) together with a lower element (12).
The upper element (11) is formed from a single section of
suitable material and the side and lower elements (11, 12,
and 13) of the same material. The material in Figure 2 is
shown as wood while in Figures 1, 3 and 4, is extruded
aluminum. The left side element (11) is also the hinge side
element while the right side element (13) is also the open
side element.
The sash (15) is hingeably mounted (not clearly shown),
in the normal fashion along the hinge side (11) so that it
pivots open. It holds a window pane (16) with double glass
(16',16").
Along the inner peripheral margin (17) is an accordion-
like screen (20) with gussets (21) creating a plurality of
bellows (22) which are shown relatively open in Figures 1 and
2, and closed in Figures 3 and 4. Each gusset (210) defines
apertures, not clearly shown, so as to construct the
accordion-like screen. Preferably, the material from which
the accordion-like screen is constructed is a flexible force
plastic sheet, translucent or clear, shaped as an accordion,
and defining a plurality of small apertures in each gusset so
as to provide screening characteristics when in the open
position.
In the retrofit cross-sectional Figure 4, the
accordion-like screen (21') is shown collapsed and is within
a U-shaped cross-sectional housing (30). The outermost
gusset, noted as (24) in Figures 2, 3 and 4 is adhesively
affixed to (or attached by other suitable means) to a piece
of square, in cross section, stock (35) that has an
2125604
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appropriate adhesive along the side, referenced (36) in
Figure 4. The housing (30) has a single adhesive surface
(37) on one of its distal arms. Together, these elements are
referenced (50).
Referring to Figure 4, when the window opens, the
square-in-section element (35) moves with the window (15) to
provide screening, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Referring to Figure 3, the sash (S) is constructed so
that my novel screen (20) is built into the internal
peripheral surround of the sash, as shown. As such, the
bellows (22) nest within a U-shaped member (30) wherein at
least three sides, preferably four, thereof can be affixed to
the internal portions of the extruded sash by convenient
means such as welding, riveting, gluing or the like. The
outermost gusset (24) terminates on a base strip (25) which
is appropriately adhered to or affixed to the internal margin
(17) of the window (15), along at least three sides and
preferably four. In these Figures 4 and 5, (30) is a crank
which causes the window to open by turning the same and
operating the internal mechanism, shown as (35) within the
window sash. In the cross-section, Figure 2, there is a lock
(36) which is integral to the crank so as to lock the window
closed.
