Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a hydraulically operated window unit.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
The glass unit utilized in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed and claimed in my copending patent application, Ser. No. 149,656, filed June 3, 1971, and the teachings contained therein are herein incorporated by reference.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The structural considerations, as well as the economic and other considerations, involved in constructing multiple story buildings have resulted in numerous developments in the building construction industry. For instance, the use of steel, concrete block, and poured concrete has for the most part replaced the use of brick and wood framing in such buildings. Recently, the ever diminishing amount of available land space in our urban areas has given rise to the construction of tall, high-rise commercial and residential buildings (e.g., 5-40 stories in height). In the case of residential buildings, these buildings are commonly referred to as "high-rise apartments." The construction of such buildings has resulted in additional architectural considerations, not all of which have been adequately solved. For example, building code requirements frequently necessitate the use of openable metal windows and a minimal amount of window space for each square foot of floor space. This has placed severe restrictions on the design of high-rise buildings and has added significantly to their erection costs.
Typically, high-rise buildings are constructed having an entirely steel, block concrete or poured concrete framework. Preferably, the exterior walls are erected (i.e., attached to the framework) in sections of either precast cement slabs or metal panels. Metal panels are now commercially available in large sections (e.g., sections which are two stories tall and 4 feet wide) and having window openings therein. After the erection of these metal panels, a metal window frame (e.g., an aluminum frame) and sash are installed in each of the window openings. Typically, the window sash is relatively large and, consequently, the window unit is designed so as to open by sliding horizontally within the outer frame eliminating the need to upwardly lift a heavy window. Numerous different designs of such horizontally slideable window units are commercially available.
In erecting high-rise buildings, it is highly desirable to provide dependable construction at minimal cost. However, the achievement of this objective is significantly impaired by available erection methods and materials. For example, while the utilization of the large metal panels previously mentioned has generally reduced the time spent in erecting the exterior walls, the total construction expense (and, for that matter, the total construction time) has not been significantly reduced. This results primarily from the fact that the commercially available window units (i.e., the sash and outer frame members) utilized in conjunction with these metal wall panels have a large number of component parts. Each of these parts must be separably molded (e.g., utilizing aluminum extrusion techniques) and then assembled in a very time-consuming process which must take place for the most part at the building site. This, of course, significantly increases the expense involved in erecting high-rise buildings. Further, an attempt is frequently made to reduce material costs resulting in an assembled window unit which is not as rugged or dependable as is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a hydraulically operated window unit which is preferably incorporated as a part of a prefabricated, exterior wall system. The wall system includes a metal panel member having planar, oppositely disposed vertical side surfaces and a window opening therein extending between the side surfaces. In its preferred form, the wall section is a relatively large panel (e.g., 2-4 stories in height) for use in high-rise buildings and includes a plurality of windows at each floor level. Moreover, the window openings are of sufficient size for receiving a relatively large glass unit (e.g., 10 to 60 square feet, weighing 20- 400 lbs.). An outer window frame having oppositely disposed vertical guides for receiving the glass unit is positioned about the perimeter of each window opening for slideably engaging the glass unit. Each glass unit is operated by a hydraulic operator positioned between the panel surfaces and engaging the unit for raising and lowering the unit between its open and closed positions.
The present invention allows the utilization of much larger glass units than can be presently used. In addition, the window unit can be constructed without any of the visual obstructions (e.g., mullions, track rails, etc.) which are present in the presently available commercial units. This provides for greater vision, increased esthetic attractiveness, and numerous other desirable advantages. Also, with the exception of the glass unit and an interior framing member, the present window unit can be entirely installed within the exterior wall panel prior to delivery to the building site. This greatly reduces the time expended in erecting high-rise buildings. Other advantages such as the durability, low maintenance, and relative low cost of the present window unit will become readily apparent from a reading of the description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the exterior side of a wall system provided by the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a one story, slab-to-slab wall system showing the hydraulic operators for raising and lowering the glass units;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmented vertical cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the hydraulic operator and the glass unit;
FIG. 4 is a view taken along the plane 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the attachment of the hydraulic operator to the window sill;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmented cross-sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the description of my preferred embodiment, the numeral 10 is used to generally designate a prefabricated wall system. Wall system or section 10 finds a highly desirable application in the construction of high-rise buildings (e.g., high-rise apartments) and the discussion herein will be limited to such utilization. However, it should be understood that the concept embodied in my invention can find numerous additional applications.
The wall system shown in FIG. 1 is a two-story section (i.e., approximately 16-18 feet tall) and has a width of about 10 feet. The floor line between the two stories is denoted by the dotted line 11. Larger or smaller size wall systems can, of course, be utilized such as the one-story, slab-to-slab section shown in FIG. 2.
The wall system 10 is in the form of a metal panel member having two planar, oppositely disposed vertical side surfaces 12 and 13. As shown, panel side 12 faces the interior of the building and side 13 forms a portion of the exterior building surface. Preferably, system 10 is formed from a single sheet of metal. However, it may be desirable to reinforce system 10 about the edges 14, 15, 16 and 17 of panel sides 12 and 13. A vertically extending, centrally positioned reinforcement rail (not shown) is utilized in the larger wall systems such as shown in FIG. 1.
The wall system 10 includes a plurality of window openings 20 extending between the panel sides 12 and 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each wall section 10 has a plurality of openings 20 for receiving a number of window sashes shown in the form of a unique glass unit 22 at each floor level (e.g., 2 glass units at each floor). Integrally formed with wall system 10 is means partially defining an outer window frame 25 positioned about the perimeter of each of the window openings 20. The window frame 25 includes two channel-like, oppositely disposed vertical window unit guides 27 and 28. As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 6, the guide 27 is defined by a right angular notch in an inwardly extending portion 13a of wall section 10 and an interior framing member 31. Similarly, the sash guide 28 is defined by a right angular notch in a mullion portion 32 of wall section 10 and an interior framing member 33. As shown, the framing members 31 and 33 are removeably attached to wall portion 13a and mullion 32 by screws 34 and 35, respectively, so as to allow installation and removal of the glass unit 22. Various alternative designs for attaching framing members 31 and 33 can also be utilized.
The window frame 25 further includes a head member shown particularly well in FIG. 7. The head member is defined by a pair of right angular wall segments 40 and 41 having a portion thereof extending laterally toward each other from panel surfaces 12 and 13, respectively. The two parallel, vertically extending portions of wall segments 40 and 41 define a slot-like opening 45 between panel sides 12 and 13 for receiving the glass unit 22 to allow vertically upward movement thereof. The wall segments 40 and 41 are formed integrally with panel surfaces 12 and 13. Finally, a sill member 50 extends horizontally along the bottom edge of the window opening. The sill member includes an upwardly and inwardly inclined surface portion 51, a horizontally extending portion 52 and a vertical inner surface portion 53, each of which are formed integrally with outer panel surface 13. The horizontally extending sill portion 52 includes a centrally positioned opening 54 extending vertically therethrough. A reinforcing member in the form of a hollow bar 55 having a rectangular transverse cross-section is fixedly attached (e.g., spot welded) to the underside of the horizontal sill portion 52. Reinforcing member 55 includes a pair of openings 56 and 57 in the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, which are aligned with the opening 53 in sill portion 52. As will be apparent to the artisan, the sill member 50 can be integrally formed from a single extrusion.
Each of the glass units 22 includes two generally vertically members 58 and 59 extending along the opposite edges of a window pane 60. The members 58 and 59 slideably engage the guide members 27 and 28, the to allow window unit 22 to be vertically moved within frame 25. Each window unit 22 further includes a top and bottom sealing members 62 and 64, respectively. Top sealing member 62 is similar to side members 58 and 59. As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 5, the bottom sealing member 64 includes a U-shaped element 65 65, (each about the bottom edge of the window pane 60 and extending along the entire length of the edge. Bottom sealing member 64 further includes before-mentioned two oppositely disposed elements 67 and 68 extending genreally vetically downward from the outer edges of the U-shaped element 65. A guide element or section 70 having a hollow, substantially rectangular transverse cross-section is centrally positioned between he surface elements 67 and 68. A circular opening 71 is positioned in the bottom surface 73 of section 70 and an opening 74 is included in each of the side surfaces 75 and 76 for receiving a pin 77. A load-bearing, resilient pad 78 is positioned at each of two quarter points along the lower edge of U-shaped element 65,(each quarter point being at a distance half-way between the center and each end of element 65). This assures that the entire weight of glass unit 22 is supported at these two quarter-points minimizing the stress force within the glass. For a detailed description of a preferred form of the glass unit 22, see my before-mention copending patent application. It should be understood, however, that any number of conventional window sashes can be utilized in place of the glass unit 22.
A hydraulic operator in the form of a conventional hydraulic unit 80 is positioned between panel sides 12 and 13 for operating the glass unit 22. As shown particularly well in FIG. 5, the hydraulic unit 80 includes an upper portion 80a extending through the opening 57 in reinforcing member 55 and through the opening 54 in sill member 50. Upper portion 80a is externally threaded and threadedly engages a nut 81 which fixedly attaches hydraulic unit 80 to sill 50. This eliminates the need to support hydraulic unit 80 from the underside thereof. A prime mover in the form of a rod-like member or ram 84 extends vertically upward from upper portion 80a through the opening 71 in the underside 73 of guide section 70. The upper end of ram 84 engages an upper surface 85 of guide section 70. The ram 84 includes an opening 86 extending transversely therethrough near the upper end thereof. Pin 77 is removably insertable through the opening 74 in the side surfaces 75 and 76 of guide section 70 and the opening 86 in ram 84. This fixedly attaches ram 84 to the glass unit 22 and assures that the force applied thereto by ram 84 will be vertically upward (i.e., it minimizes twisting of glass unit 22). A lower portion 80b of hydraulic unit 80 extends vertically downward from opening 53 and through opening 56 in reinforcing member 55. A pump handle 90 for actuating pump 80 extends outward through an opening 91 in inner panel surface 12. Preferably, the release valve (not shown) for allowing ram 84 to return to its lower position is incorporated as a portion of pump handle 90. As will be apparent to the artisan, numerous different types of commercially available hydraulic operators can be utilized in the present invention and, as used herein, the term "hydraulic operator" includes any mechanically or electro-mechanically actuated hydraulic or pneumatic unit. Furthermore, hydraulic operator 80 can, of course, engage glass unit 22 in various ways (e.g., by a chain and pulley arrangement) for raising and lowering the unit.
Wall system 10 is erected as an entirely assembled unit with the exception of glass unit 22 and the interior framing members 31 and 33. After erection, the glass unit 22 is inserted within the window opening so as to have the ram 84 extend upward through the opening 71 in guide section 70 and engage the upper surface 85 thereof. The interior frame members 31 and 33 are then assembled so as to retain glass unit 22 within the outer window frame 25. As is readily apparent, wall system 10 and particularly outer window frame 25 have very few component parts which must be assembled at the building site. This substantially reduces on-site construction time.
In operation, the glass unit 22 is raised by pumping on handle 90 so as to actuate hydraulic unit 80. On actuation, the ram 84 applies a vertically upward force to surface 85 of guide section 70 raising glass unit 22 to an open position. In raising, the upper portion of glass unit 22 is received within the slot-like opening 45 of the head member 62. Depending on the length of ram 84, glass unit 22 can be raised to various heights (e.g. 6 inches). If necessary to raise glass unit 22 to a greater height than can be accomplished by the hydraulic unit 80, pin 77 is removed and glass unit 22 manually raised. To lower glass unit 22, the release valve (not shown) is opened allowing ram 84 to move vertically downward.
It should be apparent from the foregoing description that numerous modifications can be made to my preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, numerous different window frame and window sash designs can be utilized. In addition, the hydraulic operator for vertically moving glass unit 22 between its open and closed positions can be located inside the head member of frame 25 and means incorporated with top rail member 62 of glass unit 22 to allow the unit to be pulled vertically upward by the hydraulic operator. This being the case, it is my intent to be limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.