US2705062A - Closure for a window or door opening - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 19.55 J. T. BoNGlovANNl cLosURE FOR A wINnow 0R nooR OPENING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14. 1949 www l fey Har/maja J T BONGIOVANNI CLOSURE FOR A WINDOW OR DOOR OPENING Fildl Sept. 14. 1949 United States Patent O CLOSURE FOR A WINDOW OR DOOR OPENING Joseph Thomas Bongiovanni, Rocky Point, N. Y. Application September 14, 1949, Serial No. 115,724 12 Claims. (Cl. 189-75) This invention relates to closures for window or door openings or the like and more especially to closures which are adapted to be readily inserted in and removed from such openings. The invention particularly relates to such removable closures which are intended to provide weather-tightness for the opening.

The problem of preventing or resisting the entrance of air and rain water through window and door openings supplementing the conventional window sash and doors has been met heretofore by providing so-called storm sash and doors constructed to conform to the dimensions of the particular window or door opening. For this purpose wood sash or doors have been used which have been fitted to the side surfaces of the window or door opening, such as the Window or door casings or frames, various supplemental means such as weather strips being used in many cases to resist or prevent the movement of air and water past the edges of the storm sash or door. In order to provide for variations in the dimensions of the window or door opening between opposite side surfaces thereof, that is, ordinarily the distance between parallel faces of the opposite casing or frame members, it has been proposed heretofore to construct the sash or door closures with an element cooperating with an edge thereof and movable in relation thereto in the plane of the closure toward and away from the face of the casing or frame. Various means have been proposed for urging the movable element toward and for holding it in position bearing against such side surface or face.

The means which have been adopted for this purpose, however, have not been suitable to provide in closures having sash of standard or predetermined dimensions for satisfactory bearing relation of the cooperating element upon the side surface or face of the casing or frame to secure closure-tightness or weather-tightness. The devices heretofore proposed have not provided adequately for adjusting and setting the movable element to different sizes of the window or door opening while insuring such bearing and many of these devices have been of complicated form not adapted for inexpensive manufacture of the sash in quantity production requisite for low-cost building construction. They also have not provided for positively determining the position of the movable element in relation to the face of the casing or other side surface of the window or door opening against which the movable element is intended to bear.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure for a window or door opening or the like which is adapted readily to be adjusted to openings having various dimensions.

It is anotherl object of the invention to provide such a closure which may be easily placed within the opening and securely held in position therein and may be easily removed therefrom, if desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in such a closure closure-tightness or Weather-tightness for any of the openings of various dimensions for which the closure may be adjusted.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a closure adapted to cooperate with a window or door opening, the surfaces of the structure extending about such opening being those of wood, metal, plaster, masonry or other materials.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide 2,705,062 Patented Mar. 29, 1955 such a closure which may be manufactured in quantity at low cost.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide such a closure adapted to be used as a storm sash or door for window o1' door openings which are constructed to be fitted with conventional sash or doors of dilferent types, such as double-hung sash, easements and other forms.

The invention provides a closure in the form of a sash for a window or door opening or the like, this sash having cooperating with at least one edge thereof an element which is adapted for movement relative to the sash generally in the plane of the sash transversely of a side surface of the window or door opening when the sash is disposed therein. The element and the sash are constructed to cooperate in closure-tight or weathertight relation to each other while providing for such relative movement and the element is adapted to bear against the side surface of the window or door opening in closure-tight or weather-tight relation thereto. Means is carried by the sash which is operatively connected to the element and is operable positively to pro duce movement of the element and the sash relative to each other forwardly to a position to set the element in bearing relation against such side surface of the window or door opening which will produce the desired closure-tightness or weather-tightness. It is a feature of the invention that this means is adapted to maintain any position thereof to which it is moved. The position of the element relative to the sash thereby may be determined between and including any forward position of this element in which it `will bear against the side surface of the opening and the position closest to the sash which it may assume upon reverse operation of the setting means to relieve the element from bearing relation to this side surface of the opening. When the sash is placed within the window or door opening with the element in position to be moved against the side surface of the opening and the means referred to is operated to move this element into bearing relation against this side surface, movement of the element thereafter may not take place until the means again is reversely operated. In such reverse operation, however, this means is still capable of determining the relieved position to which the element may move. In the preferred embodiment of the invention this means is provided by a non-overhauling device, such as a screw, which in any position thereof is capable upon operation thereof of moving the element into contact with and of forcing the movable element against the side surface of the window or door opening. Upon reverse movement of this screw this element will be relieved from such bearing relation but its movement away from the side surface of the opening against which it bears will be determined and limited by the relieved position of the screw.

This means of the invention which is operable to produce the bearing relation of the element and to relieve the movable element from such bearing relation affords the advantage that the element may be forced positively against the cooperating side surface of the window or door opening or the face of the window or door casing effectively to secure engagement thereof to prevent or resist entrance of air and water between the element carried by the sash and the side surface of the opening and that this may be done after the sash has been placed in the opening. This means, being of non-overhauling type such as may be provided with a screw threaded in a nut, insures that the movable element is maintained in bearing position with constant pressure against the side surface of the window or door opening so that the weather-tightness is maintained regardless of the forward position to which the screw and the element must be moved. Such pressure may be secured regardless of variations of the dimension of the window or door opening due to shrinkage or other cause merely by greater or less operation of this means, such as more or less turning of the screw. Moreover, upon reverse movement of this means it requires to be moved only to such position as will relieve the contact of the element with the side surface of the opening, thereby determining the relieved position of the element. A closure carrying such an element in its relieved position and the non-overhauling adjusting means, except for a slight clearance, may have substantially the dimensions of the particular window or door opening which it is desired to close. It may be easily slipped out of the opening and may be returned thereto without the necessity of special resetting of the elements for the dimensions of the particular window or door opening. Suitable means may be provided cooperating with this means operable to eifect movement of the element relative to the sash for retaining the element substantially in its relieved position relative to the edge of the sash. These features make possible adjustment of the closure to openings of substantially different width and height while using the same size of sash with which the adjustable elements cooperate.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the movable element is formed as a channel the anges of which embrace the faces of the sash in sliding relation thereto generally in the plane of the sash. A nut or similar member having a screw thread therein is carried by an edge member of the sash in xed relation thereto. The axis of the nut is generally parallel to the plane of the sash and transversely of the web of the channel. A screw threaded in the nut bears against this web to produce movement of the channel element in the plane of the sash upon operation of the screw. This construction provides, therefore, a simple and inexpensive means readily operated by a screw driver for securing the desired closure-tight or weather-tight bearing relation of the element upon the side surfaces of the window or door opening.

It is another feature of the invention that means are provided adjacent the corners of the sash to maintain closed against leakage of air or water the space which is formed when the element upon operation of the screw is moved against the cooperating side surface of the window or door opening and away from a similar element, whether fixed or movable, which is in angular relation thereto along the adjacent edge of the sash. This means may take the form of an angle piece which is adapted to bear against the faces of the members of the sash which are in angular relation to each other at a corner of the sash, this angle piece having a lip extending along each leg thereof which is adapted to cooperate with the face surface of such angular related member of the sash and also to cooperate with the element respectively carried upon these sash members which provide for bearing against the side surfaces of the window or door opening. By such cooperation passage of air or water through this space is prevented for any position of the movable element, thereby to maintain the desired closeureor weather-tightness.

In the above description as well as hereinafter and in the claims appended hereto the term sash is used as meaning any closure member which is of such form that it is adapted to extend across or to till the opening and the term is intended to include sash similar to conventional sash which are provided with lights of glass or other material for admission of light as well as to opaque sash which may be used to exclude light or otherwise close the opening. It is intended also to include generically doors and similar closure members which likewise extend across an opening.

The term weather-tight is intended to have its usual significance of resistance to or prevention of the entrance of air or rain water through the window or door open ing around the edges of the closure member or through joints between parts thereof.

The term closure-tight is intended to have a similar but somewhat broader meaning such that where the sash, for example, is in the form of a screen, such as a window or door screen with a screen material extending across an opening formed in the sash itself which is not intended to exclude air or rain, the closuretightness along the eges of the sash and between the screen and the sash is that which is necessary in the usual function of the screen, ordinarily that of preventing entrance of insects.

Other features and advantages of th@ d evice o f Lthe invention will be made clear from the description of the drawings to follow in which:

Fig. 1 shows in elevation a window opening with the closure of the invention disposed therein;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows in exploded perspective the adjustable elements of a sash and the cooperating angle pieces adjacent a corner thereof;

Fig. 5 shows in elevation a modification in the angle piece and the elements with which it cooperates;

Fig. 6 shows in section a modication of the means for adjusting the movable channel element relative to the sash member;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a detail of a sliding panel construction for a window or door closure.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the closure of the invention is shown supported in a window opening between the side surfaces 1 of the opening and between the surfaces 3 at the top of the opening and the window sill 5. In the particular embodiment illustrated the sash 7 is constructed with vertically extending side channel members 9 each providing three channel tracks to receive the side edges of the glass panels 11 and 13 which are slidable from left to right and reversely in Figs. 1 and 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the panels 11 and 13 are guided by channel track member 15 at the head of the sash and by the track member 17 which is supported on the sill 5 of the window opening. The track members 15 and 17, as shown in Fig. 2, are provided with beads 19 formed upon the ends of the respective flanges 21, 22, 23 and 24, these beads being formed with rounded section so that they readily may be machined or otherwise reduced to provide narrow edge surfaces closely positioned adjacent the faces of the respective panels 11 and 13 and adjacent the head member 25 of the screen frame 26 and adjacent the bottom member 27 thereof with slight clearance with respect to these panels and head members to permit the panels and the screen to move easily along the track without undue friction while at the same time providing substantial closure-tightness or weathertightness of the panels and of the screen with respect to the sash members 15, 17. The member 17 also is provided with upstanding ribs 28, Figs. 2 and 3, upon which the bottom edges of the panels 11 and 13 and of the screen bear in sliding relation. By forming the flanges of the channel members 15 and 17 with the beads as described the close fit thus secured prevents rattle of the panels and of the screen. It also becomes possible to form the glass panels and the screen at their bottom edges as well as at their other edges with rounded or limited width surfaces to avoid sharp edges, these round or narrow edges bearing upon the rounded surfaces of the ribs 28 with little friction so that these panels and the screen may be moved easily along the track even though the weights of the panels and of the screen may be considerable as in a window of a large size.

The channel members 15 and 17 respectively at the head and the sill of the opening may be fastened by angle clips not shown, or by other means, such as welding, to the side channel members 9 of the sash 7 to form a strong sash frame within which the panels 11 and 13 are supported in the sliding arrangement above described.

It will be noted that the sash frame thus produced is of less width than the horizontal width between side surfaces 1 of the window opening in Fig. 3 and also of less height than the distance between sill 5 and surface 3 at the top of the window opening.

Cooperating with the channel members 9 and 15, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, channel elements 30 are provided which may be of the same section at the sides of the sash as at the head thereof. These elements 30 are of such form and dimensions that the flanges 31 thereof embrace the respective sash frame members 9 and 15 in closuretight or weather-tight relation thereto and so as to provide for sliding movement of these channel elements outwardly and inwardly in the plane of the sash with respect to the members 9 and 15. The dimensions of the lianges of the channel elements 30 are such that a substantial space may be provided between the web of the channel members 9 and of the channel member 15 and the adjacent surface 1 or 3 of the window opening. In the embodiment of Figs. l, 2 and 3 the channel elements 30 are in close relation to the members 9, to correspond to a window opening of relative small size. The channel members 30, therefore, may be moved outwardly with respect to the channel members 9 and 15 of the sash so as to bear against the respective surfaces 1 and 3 b'oth for the window opening shown and for a larger opening. Where weather-tightness is desired felt gaskets 33 may be inserted between the web and the channel and the respective surfaces 1, 3, this gasket being held in place when the channel 30 is pressed against the side surfaces 1, 3. In the particular embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 the channel 30 also is provided with fins 35 upstanding. from the back of the web of the channel in opposed relation to the llanges thereof, these fins extending lengthwise along the channel, as shown in Fig. 4. Where, as in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the surfaces 1, 3 are of penetrable material as in a wood frame building or where wood trim is provided about the window opening, the tins may be forced slightly into the wood to form stops against the passage of air and water past the channel element 30.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, at the back of the web of the channel members 9, 15, these members carry a nut riveted to the web of the channel s member with the axis of the nut extending parallel to the plane of the sash and perpendicular to the web. A plurality of these nuts preferably is provided for each channel member. A screw 41 is threaded in the nut 40 which is adapted to bear at its outer end upon the web of the channel element 30 to press this channel element against the adjacent side surfaces 1, 3 of the window opening. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, access may be had to the screw 41 by a tool for turning this screw through the hole in the web of the channel member in which the nut is riveted. In the particular embodiment shown screw 41 is provided with a slot for receiving a screw driver. Upon turning the screw forwardly channel element 30 may be forced outwardly relative to the channel member 9, 15 to cause the tins 35 to penetrate surfaces 1, 3 and to press the respective channel elements 30 against the side surfaces 1 and 3 and thereby securely to hold the sash frame 7 in position. As the bottom channel member 17 rests upon the sill 5 and is made tight thereto by means of a gasket which may be held in the dovetail 46 formed at the back of the channel member 17, the movement of the screw 41 in Fig. 2 forces the channel member 30 at the top of the opening upwardly against the surface 3, there being no corresponding adjustment and no channel member 30 provided at the sill for the channel member 17 in the embodiment shown. The sash, however, may be provided with adjustable channel elements 30 on one of two opposite edges of the sash or at both opposite edges thereof in order to secure the requisite adjustment for tting the closure of the invention to window or door openings of varying dimensions.

It will be understood that the means utilized, that is the screw and nut in the embodiment shown in the draw.- ings, for adjusting the positions of the channel elements 30 is of non-overhauling type, that is, the screw may be rotated to any position thereof to force the channel element 30 against the adjacent surface of the window opening and the screw will then remain in that position until it is reversely moved by the screw driver. The reaction thus produced upon the channel element 30 is ineffective to produce reverse motion of the screw or of this channel element. Such a non-overhauling device, moreover, is capable of producing a positive reaction and of maintaining its position under such reaction regardless of the particular position of the channel element relative to the channel member when the channel element engages the adjacent surface 1, 3. Nevertheless, when the screw is reversely rotated the channel element 30 is relieved from pressure thereon and may be moved relative to the surface 1 or 3 of the window opening to the extent that the reverse motion of the screw permits. Thus, for example, when the sash of the invention has been in position and it is desired to remove the sash from the window opening, the screws 41 need to be reversed only suiiiciently to withdraw channel elements 30 from the respective surfaces 1, 2. The screws then determine the positions of the respective channel elements 30 in relation to the channel members 9 and 15 for reinsertion of the sash in the window opening. If it is desired to place the sash of the invention in a window opening of a different size, for example, somewhat smaller than the one from which 1t is removed, it is merely necessary to reversely rotate the screws 41 to new positions so that the channels 30 engaging the ends of the screws will be in position to pass within the new opening with suitable clearance with reference to surfaces 1, 3 and the sill 5. Then the screws may be rotated forwardly to force the channel elements against the respective side surfaces and the top and sill surfaces of the new opening in the manner which has been described. If the sash is to be inserted in a window opening of larger size the screws may be rotated further forwardly to force the channel elements against the surfaces of the new opening.

The requisite closure-tightness or weather-tightness thus may be secured while utilizing sash frames of standard or predetermined dimensions within considerable variation in both in the width or the height of the window or door openings in which the sash is mounted. Thus, the sash may be constructed to standard dimensions and provided with its side members 9, head member 15 and sill member 17 by suitable manufacturing operations. The movable channel elements 30 may be fitted thereto for sliding relation of the flanges 31 with respect to the respective channel members 9, 15 of the sash as above described, the lengths of the channel elements being such as to pass within the opening of smallest size for which the particular sash is adapted. The channel element 30 at the left hand of Fig. l is shown with a length extending almost the entire distance from the sill 5 to the surface 3 at the top of the opening. The channel element 30 at the top of the opening is substantially shorter than the width of the opening in order to provide space between the vertical channel elements 30 and the ends of the horizontal top channel element 30. This space is provided to allow for the lateral adjustment above described of the side channel elements 3) with respect to the sides 1 of the window opening. It will be apparent that these sicle channel elements 30 may be moved toward the end 47 of the top channel element 30 until the edge 48 of the vertical channel element abuts the end 47 and that the top channel element 30 may be moved upwardly and downwardly without interfering with the vertical side channel elements.

In order to cover the space 49 between the end 47 and the edge 48 of these channel elements adjacent the corner of the sash frame an angle piece 51 is provided which is formed, as shown in Fig. 4, with tlat portions or legs S3 which are adapted to bear upon the outer faces of the channel elements 30 which are adjacent each other in angular relation at the corners of the sash. The angle pieces 51 are provided with lips 55 which extend perpendicular to the flat surface of the angle pieces and along the inside of the respective legs 53 thereof. The height of the lips 55 is such that when the angle piece 51 is in bearing relation upon the face of the llange 31 of the channel element 30 the edge of the lip 55 is substantially in contact with the outer face of the outer ange of the corresponding channel members 9, 15. The height of the lip 55 may be equal to the thickness of the flange 31 of the channel element 30. It will be apparent from consideration of Figs. 2 and 3 that the lip 55 thus bearing against the channel members 9, 15 and also bearing against the edge of the llange 31 of the channel element 30 is capable of preventing access of air or water through the space 49 between the end 47 and the edge 48. Moreover, it will be seen from Figs. l and I2 that the angle piece 51 is so formed that when the lips thereof are in such bearing relation, the width of the legs being equal to the width of the flange of the channel element 30, full coverage of the space 49 is provided. Thus, regardless ot the relative positions to adjacent angularly related elements 30 at the corner of the sash the space 49 always is covered and access of air and water therethrough is prevented.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 the angle pieces 51 are fastened by screws 57 passing through the holes 58 in the angle pieces, Fig. 4, and threaded into holes 59 in the respective llanges of the channel elements 30. In this embodiment when the sash is in place and the channel elements 30 are forced against the respective side surfaces of the window opening by operation of the screws 41, the angle pieces 51 may lbe put in place. Through the holes 5S of the angle piece the holes 59 may be drilled in the respective flanges of the channel ele ments 30 and tapped in any suitable manner for receiving the screws 57. If it is desired to remove the closure from the opening it is merely necessary to remove screws 57, thereby releasing the angle pieces 51, and then reversely to move the screws 41 in order to relieve the channel elements 30 from engagement with the respective side and top surfaces of the opening.

In the embodiment of Fig. the angle piece 51 similarly formed with lips 55 extending along the edges of the legs 53 thereof is provided with slots 61 for screws 57 respectively extending lengthwise of the legs 53. The length of these slots is such that the vertical side channel may be moved laterally relative to the upper channel 30 to move the edge 48 toward and away from the adjacent end 47 of the upper channel element to the extent provided in the construction of the particular closure for adjustment of the vertical channel elements with respect to the side surfaces 1 of the window opening by operation of screws 41. The length of the slot in the leg of the angle piece which cooperates with the vertical channel element 30 may be similar to that of the horizontal slot in order to provide an angle piece which is symmetrical in form so that it may be used in connection with any corner of the closure. The amount of vertical adjustment is provided by the vertical slot 61 also is such that it corresponds to the movement of the screw 41 moving the horizontal upper channel element in the vertical direction. Preferably these adjustments and the lengths of the slots are the same for both side and top channel elements and members to make possible the use of like parts so as to reduce the cost of manufacture and erection. A washer 63 covers slot 61 in all positions of the parts.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a modification of the channel element and of the means operable to effect movement of this channel element relative to the channel member of the sash frame. In this embodiment the sash member 15 corresponding, for example, to the sash member 15 at the top of the opening as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be of the same form as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 and may have fastened to the web thereof a nut in axial registration with the hole 43 in the web of the channel 15, as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. In the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, however, the screw 65 which is threaded in the nut 40, is formed at its end with a head 67 connected by shank 69 to the body of the screw 65. The end of the screw opposite to the head 67 is provided with a screw driver slot.

The channel element 71 in Fig. 6, in addition to having the flanges 73 embracing the faces of the channel member 15 of the sash, is formed with a T slot by retaining anges 75 projecting from the web of the channel 71 with their edge portions extending parallel to the web to embrace the head 67 of the screw. The T slot formed by the projections 75 is of such depth that the head 67 of the screw 65 may be slidably moved along the slot by inserting the head 67 in the T slot at the end of the channel element 71 and moving this head and the screw 65 to any position, such as that shown in Fig. 7. The screw thus may be moved to the position where the screw driver slot end thereof may be entered in the thread of the nut 40. This may be accomplished by inserting a screw driver through the hole 43 and turning the screw 65 reversely in engagement with the nut 40, the flanges 73 of channel 71 concomitantly being brought into the ernbracing relation to the channel member 15 shown in Fig. 6. The channel element 71 may be formed by extrusion to produce both of the flanges 73 and the projections 75 with edge portions of limited extent parallel to the web but sufiicient to embrace the head 67 of the screw.

It will be understood that operation of screw 65 in the manner described in connection with Figs. l, 2 and 3 produces forward movement thereof, that is upwardly in Fig. 6, to bring the head 67 into engagement with the web of channel element 71 to move this element upwardly with respect to the channel member 15 and against the surface 3. Upon reverse movement of the screw 65 the head 67 will engage projections 75 and will draw the channel element 71 downwardly. Such reverse movement of the screw, therefore, will withdraw the channel element 71 from its positive engagement with the upper surface 3 of the window opening so that the sash may be removed from this opening. It will be understood further that in the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7 a plurality of the screws 65 may be used for each channel element which are capable of maintaining the positions to which they have been moved so as to maintain the elements 71 in any position between and including the forwardmost and the most withdrawn position of the channel elements embracing the channel member 15. The sash frame carrying its cooperating channel element 71 thus may be adjusted for insertion in or removal from the opening as a unit merely by the operation of the screws 65. The screw of the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, therefore, provides means not only for positively setting the channel element against the corresponding surface of the window opening regardless of the particular dimensions of the window opening within the range of the window size for which the sash is constructed but also is adapted positively to withdraw the channel element 71 and to maintain this element in the withdrawn position. It will be understood that the same construction may be used for the side channel elements and members of the sash or for the bottom members, if desired.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the panel 13 is provided with a framing member which is formed so as to embrace the glass of the panel 13 and is provided with oppositely opening slots in which respectively strips 81 and 82 of compressible or resilient material, such as felt, are positioned so that the edges of these strips bear respectively on the panel 11 and on the member 83 of the screen frame 26 to provide closure-tightness or weather-tightness between these several members as the case may be. In order to provide weather-tightness between the panels 11 and 13 at the side edges thereof in the respective track slots of the members 9 into which the panels 11 and 13 enter at opposite sides of the sash, felt gaskets 85 are provided which are slightly compressible when the panels 11 and 13 are moved thereagainst in the positions of these panels as shown in Fig. 3. It also will be noted in Fig. 3 that the strip 82 bearing on the frame member 83 of the screen when the screen is in the position shown may provide sufficient closure-tightness between the framing member 80 and the member 83 of the screen frame to prevent entrance of insects. Suicient closure-tightness may be secured also at the right hand edge of the screen in Fig. 3 which enters the track channel without using a gasket against which the edge of the member 87 of the screen frame may bear but a gasket similar to gasket 85 may be placed in the track channel for the screen if desired. The screen material 89 may be held in place in the members 83, 87 of the screen frame 26 by means of clips 90 sprung into grooves in the respective members of the screen frame, these clips being held in place by elongated elements 91 inserted in the grooves.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 it will be noted that the width of the glass of the panel 11 is greater than the width of the glass of the panel 13 in order to secure the requisite lap of panel 11 on the panel 13 and its framing member 80 so as to secure the engagement of the strip 81 with the face of the panel 11 while bringing the member 80 at the center of the opening when the panels are closed. Moreover, the framing member 80 being of metal or similar rigid piece is opaque and cuts across the otherwise clear view provided by the panels 11 and 13 when these panels are made of glass or similar transparent material. In order to be able to make the panels 1.1 and 13 of the same size, thereby to reduce the cost of manufacturing, and at the same time to reduce or substantially remove the obstruction to a clear view, the edge of panel 13 may have fitted thereto a strip 95 of channel section, Fig. 8, which embraces the faces of the panel 13 and has extending laterally therefrom a lip 97 the edge of which engages the face of the panel 11 in closure-tight or weather-tight relation thereto. The opposite side of the strip 95 also may be provided with a lip 99 bearing against the face of the member 83 of the screen frame to provide closure tightness, that is ordinarily closure against entrance of insects in cooperation with the screen 89. The resilient strip 95 may be formed of a plastic material which is transparent and may be of similar color and visual characteristics as the panels 11 and 13 when these are made of glass or other transparent material. Not only are the thickness and width dimensions of the strip 95 much reduced with respect to the framing mamber 80 of Fig. 3, thereby to reduce interference with a clear view, but the transparency of this strip, or in some cases, even the translucency of a strip not thoroughly transparent, will greatly reduce the interference with clear vision. At the same time the requisite closuretightness and weather-tightness provided by the strips 81 and 82 in Fig. 3 are secured.

It will be understood in connection with the above description that the movable element, that is the adjustable channel element 30, and the means for effecting movement thereof may be applied to only one edge of a closure member or a sash frame, the opposite edges thereof being of conventional form. Such an element, its screw device and the sash frame upon which it is carried may be applied to a Casement window, for example, preferably at the inside thereof, by bringing the elements 30 into engagement with the surface of the window casing or trim or other surface at one side of the opening. Along the other sides of such window opening adjustable elements may be used as described above or conventional weathertight elements or weather strips may be utilized. Alternatively, adjustable channel elements may be provided at one side and at either the top or bottom of the opening, but preferably at the top, the other side and the bottom or top, as the case may be, being made closuretight or weather-tight by conventional means. It will be further understood that the adjustable element may be provided at one or both sides of a construction member in the form of a sash, preferably also at the top thereof, which sash itself constitutes the frame of a door or similar closure member which is adapted to be opened and closed at will.

The device in the invention is capable of being embodied in a sash of other than rectangular form, for example, diamond shaped, where the channel members and their cooperating channel elements are of straight form in angular relation to each other and cooperate in the manner disclosed in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, adjacent a corner of the opening. The channel members of the sash and the embracing channel elements, moreover, may be of arcuate form such that the channel element may move relative to the channel member into bearing relation against the surfaces of a Window or door opening which are of corresponding arcuate form.

The side surfaces of the window or door opening which the adjustable element engages upon outward movement thereof upon operation of the adjusting means, such as the screw, may be that of the window casing or trim, whether of metal, wood or other material, or may be that of the adjacent plaster or masonry, this surface extending along a side or sides, or the top or bottom, or several of them as above described, this surface being generally transverse to the plane of the window opening. Where side surfaces of the window or door opening are provided by material such as plaster which may be indented slightly without cracking or otherwise marring or destroying the surface, fins may be provided as above described at the back of the adjustable element or channel which may penetrate into such plaster or other material to secure the closure-tightness in the same manner as described in connection with the drawings.

While in the above description and in the drawings the closure of the invention is shown without showing its relation to the conventional closures with which it may cooperate as a storm sash or door, it will be understood that the device of the invention may be disposed either exteriorly of such conventional closures, for example, of a double hung window, or interiorly thereof. Preferably the device of the invention is disposed interiorly with respect to a easement window in order that the Casement may be opened outwardly in the conventional manner.

The nut with which the adjusting screw cooperates as above described may be fastened to the web of the channel member of the sash by other means than that shown and described above, for example, by welding, brazlng, or other convenient means.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the drawings in its embodiment in a window closure utilizing sliding panels it will be understood that the sash frame and its adjustable elements and the means for forcing the elements against and relleving them from the surfaces of the opening may be utilized to cooperate with other movable closure members, such as hinged and double hung windows, hinged and sliding doors and the like. All such variations are intended to be Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A closure for a window or door opening providing at least at one side of said opening a surface extending along said side and generally transversely of said window or door opening, said closure comprising a sash constructed to form a frame extending about an opening therein and adapted to be disposed Within said window or door opening with an edge of said frame adjacent said side surface of said window or door opening, means extending across said opening of said sash frame to close said sash frame opening, a channel element continuous along and embracing said edge of said sash frame exteriorally thereof in closure-tight relation thereto and for movement of said element relative to said sash frame generally transversely of said side surface of said window or door opening when said sash frame is disposed therein, said element being adapted to bear against said side surface in closure-tight relation thereto, and means carried by said sash frame and operatively engaging said channel element and operable positively to produce movement of said element relative to said sash frame forwardly to a position to set said element in said bearing relation against said side surface of said window or door opening and operable reversely to relieve said element from said bearing relation, said means being adapted to maintain any position thereof to which it is moved forwardly or reversely, whereby to determine the position of said element in any of a plurality of positions thereof relative to said sash frame while bearing against said side surface of window or door openings of different dimensions.

2. A closure for a window or door opening providing at opposite sides of said opening generally parallel side surfaces extending respectively along said sides and generally transversely of said window or door opening, said closure comprising a sash constructed to form a frame having oppositely disposed members to extend about an opening therein, means extending between said members across said opening to close said sash frame opening, said sash being adapted to be disposed within said window or door opening with said opposite frame members respec' tively adjacent said side surfaces of said window or door opening, channel elements respectively disposed exteriorly with respect to said sash frame members with the flanges of said channels embracing the respective sash frame members in closure tight relation thereto and so as to provide for movement of said channel elements relative to the respective sash frame members transversely of said side surfaces of said window or door opening when said sash is disposed therein, said channel elements also being adapted to bear against the respective adjacent side surfaces of said window or door opening in closure-tight relation thereto, and means carried by said sash frame members and respectively operatively engaging said adjacent channel elements and operable positively to produce movement of the respective elements relative to said members forwardly to a position to set said elements n said bearing relation against the respective adjacent side surfaces of said window or door opening and operable reversely to relieve said elements from said bearing relation, said means being adapted to maintain any position thereof to which it is moved forwardly or reversely, whereby to determine the position of said elements respectively in any of a plurality of positions there of relative to said sash while bearing against said side surfaces of window or door openings of diiferent dimensions.

3. A closure for a window or door opening providing at opposite sides of said opening surfaces extending respectively along said sides and generally transversely of said window or door opening, said closure comprising sash constructed to form a frame with oppositely disposed edge members extending about an opening in said sash, means extending between said edge members across said sash opening to close said sash opening, said sash being adapted to be disposed within said window or door opening with said opposite edge members of said frame respectively adjacent said side surfaces of said window or door opening, said members being of channel section with the webs of the channels outwardly disposed with respect to the sash frame and with the anges of said channels extending inwardly parallel to the plane of the sash opening, channel elements respectively disposed exteriorly with respect to said channel section frame members of said sash with the webs of said channel elements outwardly disposed with respect to said sash and with the flanges of said channel elements em- 11 bracing the outer faces of said lianges said members of channel section of said sash frame in closure tight relation thereto and so as to provide for movement of said channel elements relative to the respective embraced channel members transversely of said side surfaces of said window or door opening when said sash is disposed therein, said channel elements also being adapted to bear against the respective side surfaces of said window or door opening in closure-tight relation thereto, means carried by respective sash frame channel members and respectively operatively engaging said embracing channel elements and operable positively to produce movement of said respective elements relative to said members forwardly to a position to set said channel elements in bearing relation against the respective adjacent side surfaces of said window or door opening and operable reversely to relieve said channel elements from said bearing relation, said means being adapted to maintain any position thereof to which 1t is moved forwardly or reversely, whereby to determine the positions of the respective channel elements in any of a plurality of positions thereof relative to the respective channel members embraced thereby while bearing against respective side surfaces of window or door openings of different dimensions.

4. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim 3 in which said means operable to produce movement of said channel elements relative to said channel members comprises a nut carried by each channel member in fixed relation thereto with the axis of the nut extending transversely of the web of said channel member, and a screw threaded in each nut and adapted to bear against the web of the respective embracing channel elements to set said channel elements against the respective adjacent side surfaces of said window or door opening upon operation of said screws.

5. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim 3 in which said oppositely disposed channel edge members of said sash frame are formed with a partition parallel to and between said anges thereof to provide channel tracks in said channel edge members, and panels respectively slidable in said channel tracks to and from positions in which they cooperate with each other and with said channel members to close said sash frame opening, said means carried by said channel members and operable to produce said movement of said channel elements being disposed in the plane of a channel track so as to be accessible from within said sash opening.

6. A closure for a window or door opening providing at a given side of said opening a side surface extending along said side and generally transversely of said window or door opening and providing at an adjacent side of said opening which is in angular relation to said given side another side surface extending along said adjacent side and generally transversely of said window or door opening, said closure comprising a sash frame adapted to be disposed within said window or door opening and constructed with edge members extending about an opening in said sash and adapted to be disposed respectively ad jacent said angularly related side surfaces of said window or door opening, means extending between said edge members across said sash opening to close said sash opening, elements respectively engaging said edge members of said sash exteriorally thereof in substantially weather-tight relation thereto and for movement of said elements relative to the respective cooperating sash frame members generally parallel to the plane of said sash, said elements being adapted to bear against the respective adjacent side surfaces of said window or door opening in substantially weather-tight relation thereto, means carried by each sash frame member and operatively engaging the element movable relative thereto and operable positively to produce movement of said movable element relative to said sash frame member forwardly to a position to set said element in said substantially weathertight bearing against said adjacent side surface of said window or door opening and operable reversely to relieve said element from said bearing relation, said means being adapted to maintain any position thereof to which it is moved forwardly or reversely, whereby to determine the position of said movable element in any of a plurality of positions thereof with respect to its cooperating sash frame member for bearing of said element against the respective adjacent side surface of window or door openings of different dimensions, and means engaging said elements and engaging surfaces of said sash members that are parallel to the plane of said sash adjacent the corner of said sash formed by said members and so as to close the space opened between said elements upon movement of said movable element into said bearing relation to the adjacent side surface of said window or door opening and away from the end of said element angularly related thereto.

7. A closure for a window or door opening providing at a given side of said opening a surface extending along said side and generally transversely of said window or door opening and providing at an adjacent side of said opening which is in angular relation to said given side another surface extending along said adjacent side and generally transversely of said window or door opening, said closure comprising a sash frame adapted to be disposed within said window or door opening and constructed with edge members extending about a sash opening and adapted to be disposed respectively adjacent said angularly related side surfaces of said window or door opening, means extending between said edge members across said sash opening to close said sash opening, said edge members having outer parallel faces extending parallel to the plane of the sash, channel elements respectively disposed exteriorly with respect to said edge members of said sash with the Webs of said channel elements outwardly disposed with respect to said members and with the anges of said channel elements embracing said outer faces of said edge members of said sash in closure-tight relation thereto, each of said channel elements being adapted for movement relative to the sash member embraced thereby transversely of the adjacent side surface of said window or door opening and relative to the end of said other channel element which is in angular relation thereto, said channel elements being adapted to bear against the respective side surfaces of said window or door opening in closure-tight relation thereto, means carried by each sash member with respect to which a channel element is movable and operatively engaging its embracing channel element and operable positively to produce movement of said embracing channel element relative to the sash member embraced thereby forwardly to a position to set said channel element in bearing relation against the adjacent side surface of said window or door opening and operable reversely to relieve said channel element from said bearing relation, said means being adapted to maintain any position thereof to which it is operated forwardly or reversely, whereby to determine the position of said movable channel element in any of a plurality of positions thereof relative to said sash member while bearing against the adjacent side surface of window or door openings of different dimensions, and an angle piece formed with legs providing surfaces adapted to bear respectively against the respective outer faces of the anges of said adjacent angularly related channel elements at a given face of said sash, said angle piece having an in-turned lip extending along each leg thereof and over the respective edges of the anges of the respective channel elements which are in angular relation to each other and bearing edgewise against said respective outer faces of said flanges of said sash members embraced by said channel elements to close the space formed between said movable channel element and the end of said channel element which is in angular relation thereto.

S. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim l in which said means operable positively to produce movement of said element and said sash relative to each other is operatively connected to said element so as positively to effect said movement forwardly and reversely and to maintain any position of said element to which it is moved between and including said forward and relieved positions to which said element is moved by forward and reverse operation of said means.

9. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim l in which the material forming said side surface of said opening is penetrable, said element being provided with a fin upstanding therefrom at the side thereof toward said surface and formed for penetrating said surface upon movement of said element into said bearing relation against said side surface of said window or door opening.

l0. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim l in which the material forming said side surface of said opening is penetrable, said element being provided with a pair of upstanding tins spaced thereon transversely of the length of said element along said side of said window or door opening at the side of said element adjacent to said side surface when said sash is disposed in said window or door opening, said tins extending along said element generally parallel to the leng-th of said side surface and being formed for penetrating said surface, and a compressible gasket element between said tins for bearing upon said side surface of said opening to increase the closure-tightness thereof,

11. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim 7 in which said angle piece is provided with slots formed respectively in the legs thereof extending lengthwise of said legs, said channel elements respectively being provided with holes registering with said slots, and releasable fasteners through said slots and said holes for holding said angle piece in position upon the flanges of said channel elements, whereby said channel elements may be adjusted with respect to each other while said angle piece is maintained in position with the lips thereof in said bearing relation against the faces of the flanges of said sash members along said edges of said anges of said channel elements.

l2. A closure for a window or door opening as defined in claim 11 which comprises washers cooperating with said fasteners and said slots to cover said slots in any polition of said channel elements with respect to each ot er.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hart Mar. 14, 1882 Classen May 30, 1893 Sire July 28, 1914 Beile June 5, 1923 Coco June 3, 1924 Weingaertner Jan. 12, 1926 Ricken Jan. 11, 1927 Finley June 25, 1929 Fox a Aug. 13, 1929 McGlothlen Feb. 3, 1931 Howenstein June 21, 1932 Reinhardt July 25, 1933 Foresman Aug. 22, 1933 1934 Apr. 16, 1940 Lang Oct. 29, 1940 Ensminger Nov. 11, 1941 Young Mar. 20, 1945 Geyser July 12, 1949 Blackman Jan. 10, 1950 Vass July 17, 1951

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