Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WINDOW STRUCTURE
This invention relates to window structures, and in
particular, to window structures having built-in fly screens.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
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. F`or
convenience, the units are supplied with all necessary
hardware 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 object 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
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through the screen. For hinged windows, the flexible screen
nests into the sash and always maintains a clear view through
the glass without the impediment of ever having an
overcoverlng screen.
This is achieved by having a flexible fly screen
structured as an accordion-like arcuately folding member
fabricated from a flexible porous sheet plastic sheet, clear
or translucent, shaped as a perforated arcuately folding
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 while providing fly protection or screening. In a
further embodiment, the screen is a flexible accordion-like
member but linearly folding to collapse out of view of the
viewing portion of the window. This requires guide rails to
ensure proper collapsing of the accordion.
THE INVENTION
The invention therefore contemplates, in one aspect, 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 collaps,ible
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
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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.
In yet a further embodiment of my novel screen, the
same is a flexible Mylar~ accordion structure that tracts
along rails to and fro over a window opening and that window
opens and closes either by vertical sliding movement or
horizontal sliding movement.
The invention therefore contemplates the collapsible
screen being an accordion defining gussets which are adapted
to be juxtaposed one to another, when in the fully closed
position. This is accomplished by a guide rail which
constrains the gussets so that when they collapse, they
collapse in juxtaposed position while yet allowing the
accordion screen means to extend open. In this respect,each
gusset defines an aperture through which a strand extends and
this acts as the guide rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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
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;
Figure 5 is a front elevational view of another
embodiment of my invention that is employed with a window
sash frame that slides either vertically to open or close or,
horizontally;
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Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of
Figure 5, the lower element of the window sash frame being
removed;
Figure 7 is a section along lines VII-VII of Figure 6.
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
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 t13) 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
appropriate adhesive along the side, referenced (36) in
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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.
Referring to the embodiment of Figures 5 through 7, a
screened window sash frame (SWS) has with upper element
(510), left and right side elements (511) and (513), and a
lower element (512). The upper element (511) is formed from
a single section of suitable material and preferably can be
extruded, U-shaped in section, plastic material with mitered
joints at opposite ends; similarly with the lower element
(512) and the opposite side elements (511) and (513).
Between lower and upper extremities of the side elements
(511) and (513), is mounted a strand (525) that is terminated
at opposite ends by fasteners (527).
The Mylar~ linearly collapsing accordion-like screen
(20) has, in each of the plurality of gussets (21) creating
the bevels (22), an aperture (21') through which the strand
(525) extends so as to act as a guide rail for the collapsing
screen (20) and to securely hold the same within either the
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lower or the upper members (512) and (510), irrespective of
the position of the linearly collapsing accordion-like screen
(20), whether it be in the fully or partially extended, thus,
screened closed position or alternatively, in the fully
collapsed and unscreened position, not shown.
The screened window sash can be a retrofit which, as a
total unit, fits into an existing window or sash structure,
particularly if the opening mechanism allows it to open the
window either vertically or horizontally, the latter not
being shown.
