US2678212A - Time-controlled automatic window closing device - Google Patents

Description

May 11, 1954 TIME-CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC WINDOW CLOSING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1948 A. E. FLOSTROY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 75 INVENTOR.

Za HQ All-2E0 E. Fzasreov ,4 rrae/vEX y 11, 1954 A. E. FLOSTROY 2,673,212

TIME-CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC wmoow CLOSING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1948 FIN V EN TOR.

l 05 TROY K?) /9 75 WZW/ A: FRED f.

y 11, 1 A. E. FLOSTROY 2,673,212

TIME-CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC WINDOW CLOSING DEVICE Filed March 29. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 V EN TOR.

F 5 ALFRED 7 A arm) Patented May 11 1954 UNITED STATES ATENI TIME CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC WINDOW CLOSING DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for automatically closing windows, which may be preset and preadjustedto operate at a specific time or after a specific time interval.

During cold weather, or when the occupants of a house leave it fora limited period, the closing of windows, left open during thenight, or over a sustained period=becomesa chore.

This invention isdirected to an automatic mechanism for closing the conventionaltype. of vertical sliding household windows; or other types of windows, ata predetermined time, or after a preselected time intervali.

The apparatus in its present, or slightly'modified form may also'be used'for opening and closing doors; cabinets, ovens, baking apparatus, and similar devices, in' which a window or door. is to be opened or closed. at a specific. time or after a predetermined time interval.

The primary object of invention is to produce a compact mechanism, which. can be preadjusted to. close a window or similar unit at. a predetermined time.

A further object is to. produce an apparatus which is. comparatively simple,. and can be ad.- justed by persons of little or no mechanical. skill.

A. further object. is to produce. a, compact device, which can be mounted. on, the. sill of a window, without disturbing the appearance of the.

room, or. unduly obstructing the circulation of air into the room.

Another object. is to so.construct.the.unit that it can be mounted substantially flush. with the window sill.

Another object. is to produce an apparatus.

whichwill.operate over asuStained period; covering a wide range. of temperature. and humidityconditions, with. a minimum of. attention, adjustmentor service.

A. further object iSztO produce; an. apparatus, so.

located on the. sill of a. window, that. it will permit-the window. tobe fully closed. without interferenceor obstruction.

Another object of the, invention. is. tor so locate the device that it will draw the window; straightdown. along the. ways. of. the. sash,. without. cocking or. otherwise interfering, with. the. movement.

of the window.

A primary object is to produce an. apparatus. for closing windows, .which can be operated automatically; or converted to. manual operation with.- out difficulty.

A further object is to" produce an apparatus.

which can be connected to a window; with a minimum of effort by a person with little me"- 2-. chanical skill; adjusted for operation in a minimum oftime, and can be connected to. anddisconnected from the window" without interfering with the normal manual operation of the window.

The accompanying drawings, illustrative of one major embodiment of my-invention, and severalmodifications thereof, together with the description of the construction, method of installation, operation and adjustment thereof; will serve to clarify further objects, advantages and features. of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l representsa plan viewofone type window of closing device assembly, mounted on a base, with the cover removed; showing-themotor fitted with a right angle reduction gear.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus, taken at 2-2 Fig. 1, showing the motor, clutch, and. the cable winding pulley.

Fig. 3 is aright hand. end view of another modification of the window-closing device of, Fig.1., showing the motor,,fitted witha parallel reduction gear, the timer control knob, with the free end of, the. cable attached to abracket. mountedon the lower member of the? frame. of. an. open window.

Fig. 4 represents a plan view of; anapparatua, similar to. that shown in Fig... 1,, except that. the. reduction gear is, shown parallel. to the. center line of the motor.

Fig. 5. shows a skeleton isometric. view. of. the window closing device. of 1,, enclosed in. a. case the case. being mounted on a. window sill, with. the. free end of. the. cable. connected, to. a. bracket attached. to the. lower. member of the frame of. an open window.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram. of. theapparatus of. Figs- 1 and 4.

Fig- 7 is a. frontview of the timer. control knob.- and thedial. viewing opening: of thesdevice shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Figure 8 represents a front. elevation of: the bottom section of the. window frame, showing the; bracket. for attaching the, loop ofthe' cable to the window, and a switchractuating plate: for

moving the toggle lever on theout out: switch.

Figure. 9. is. a. schematic diagram of? the. timer shaft and. the. micro-switch, showing the radial. tip attached to a disc mounted. on the timer shaft, the spring contact plate, and the. switch contact button in the open. position, I

Figure 10.is a. view of the, mechanism. of. Figure 9, with the timer shaft, rotated. into. its mead-W justed operating position, the radial tip pressing against the contact plate, thus pressing the switch-actuating button inward to actuate the micro-switch.

Figure 11 represents a section taken at i I-i i, Figure 1, showing the method of attaching the tubular shaft extension to the reduction gear shaft, the clutch, the torsion spring, and the compression spring for holding the clutch elements in engagement.

Figure 12 is a vertical section thru the torsion spring shown in Figure 3, showing the method of attaching the ends of the spring to the shaft collar and the base, respectively.

The window-closing device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises, essentially a small motor, direct connected to a reduction gear, which thru a clutch mounted on the reduction gear shaft, drives a pulley on which a cable is wound.

A reset timer of one of several types may be mounted at the forward end of the case, with an adjusting knob, mounted on the timer shaft, projecting out beyond the end of the apparatus case, to permit manual setting and adjustment of the timer.

A loop, connected to the free end of the cable, may be connected to a bracket mounted approximately at the center of the lower portion of a window frame, the cable being drawn upward when the window is opened.

When the timer reaches the preset time, it actuates a micro-switch which starts the motor,

' thus rotating the cable pulley, drawing the cable off the flow-of current to the motor, almost simultaneously with the time when the window reaches its fully closed position.

In order to prevent the freezing of the lubricant in the timer when the device is operated under extreme low temperature conditions, a small electric bulb, or a resistance heating unit may be mounted behind the timer, the current to the resistance heating unit, or bulb being kept on during the entire period while the device is set to operate.

The reduction gear reduces the final clutch shaft speed to approximately 6 to 10 revolutions per minute, thus providing a high torque and a window pulling power of approximately 36 pounds at the bottom of the window frame.

In order to avoid injury to the motor, when the window is jammed or otherwise prevented from sliding, a circuit-breaker is connected into the motor line, to shut off the motor when an excessive load is placed on the motor and the apparatus.

' After the window is free, or the obstruction removed, a reset button may be provided on the circuit breaker to reset the circuit breaker, in its initial operating position.

In order to enable the window to be left open, and detach the cable from the bracket on the window frame, a clocktype torsion spring may be mounted on the pulley shaft. A manually operated clutch-release lever is also provided, the upper end of the lever projecting above the top of the case, to release the clutch and permit a length of cable to be withdrawn from the pulley, to allow the free end of the cable to reach the bottom of the window frame, when the window is open.

While the above-described device is directed towards closing Windows and the like, the same apparatus with a few minor modifications, may be utilized for performing other functions such as opening and closing furnace doors, ovens, cabinets, cellar doors or performing similar functions wherein a definite operation requiring pushing or pulling is to be performed at a predetermined time or after the lapse of a definite time interval.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description of the construction and operation of the time-controlled automatic window closing device, and its various modifications, as well as the following detailed description thereof. are intended as explanatory of the invention and not restrictive thereof.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, except where otherwise indicated.

The window-closing device as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 is driven by a motor l0 which is attached to a base ll, made of wood, plastic, or other suitable material, by means of screws IE, or by another suitable means of attachment. The motor is direct-connected to a right-angle reduction gear i3, attached to the forward end of the motor housing.

A tubular or other type of shaft extension 5 i. may be pressed on one end of the reduction gear shaft [5, Fig. 11. One section N5 of a square jaw clutch, or other type of clutch, or coupling, may be attached to the shaft extension, and the reduction gear shaft by means of a set screw H, which projects thru the shaft extension, the point it, of the screw, fitting into a countersink in the reduction gear shaft to lock the shaft extension on the reduction gear shaft, as indicated in detail in Fig. 11.

The opposite section IQ, of the clutch may be attached to or formed integral with a cable pulley 20, which is slidably mounted on the shaft extension I4, the square teeth 2%, in one section of the clutch, meshing with the slots 22, in the opposite section to drive the cable pulley.

A coiled compression spring 23, may be mounted between the inner face of a flange 24, attached to the rear end of the reduction gear shaft extension 14, by means of the threads 25, or formed integral with the tabular shaft extension, and the rear wall 26 of a grooved collar 27, attached to or formed integral with the rear wall of the cable pulley, to press the pulley toward the reduction gear, and force the clutch jaws into engagement with one another.

A cable 28, the rear end of which may be attached to the bottom of a substantially rectangular groove 29, formed in the outer circumference of the cable pulley 29, the cable fitting into the rectangular groove when it is wrapped around body of the pulley, as the pulley is rotated, may be demountably attached to the bottom of the window frame.

A loop or eye 30 may be attached to, or formed from the free end of the cable, the loop fitting over a hooked pin 3|, or other suitable means of a connection, attached to a bracket 32, mounted on the lower section 33 of the window frame 34, as indicated in Fig. 3, the cable drawing the window downward, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, thus wrapping the cable around the root of t e g oo e the p y.

acme-1,2

Thea cable:- may be guidech toward; the: cable pulley by: a. guide.- pulley 35; rctatablyz mounted on a shaft 36, which may be supportediinaas. U.- shaped: bracket. 31;. attached: to? the-: base, on: by other suitable-means. Therouteririms: 38:, of: the guide pulley. and the: bracket. alson co-operate: to arrest the rotation of the cable pulleyxby. gripe ping the. loiopedrendc 1-10:- of' the cable. when the end" of: the: cable reaches the; guide: pulley.

A sliding: yoke: consistingof an: upper. section 334 and. a lowerrseotion 40,; connectedby; means of screws 41,. located. at; the ends; of: the yoke, may be: fitted into the: groove 42: in the collar 2.! attached to or formed integral with the cable pulley; to slidegthe pulleys clutch jaw' out ofiengagementwith; the; mating. jaw l6; attached" to the; reduction gearrshaft extension. Legs 43; attachedto the. extreme ends, of: the lowersection of the; yoke,,limit theangular-movement of the yoke, whenithecollar-is rotated: A clutch throwout lever 44 thegbottom of which is pivotally supported: by; means of aapin orrboltr 45, in the angle brackets. 46., attached. to the. base is connected by means: of. a; U-shaped' yoke 4?, to: the. extensions. 48' and; 49v of; the: sliding. collar; The rear wall 50=ofthe;yoke;maybeiattached to: the: central hub. 5.! or. theclutch throwout lever-44, by means of a screw 52 andnuts" 53;. why: other suitable means.

When the top. of: the; lever 44 or' a knob. 54, mounted; at. th upper end: of the. lever, which projects. outside the: top. of the. housing 55. is moved; rearward; theupper portion of. the lever is moved: towardlthe rear, thus: drawing. the sliding collar 21- rearward against the. pressure of the compression spring' 2'3} and permitting the cable pulleyrZfl; to rotatezfreely about: th reduction. gear shaft extension I41 A clock-type torsion spring 56, the outer end 51, of whichis attached to; the base by means Ofi a screw 58, is mounted in the rectangular groove 59 formed in a flanged collar 29, attached to or formed integral with the rear flange of the cable pulley, the inner end 60 of the spring being'attached to the hub of thecollar 2T, rotatably mountedon the reduction gear shaft extension, by means of a screw Si or by other suitable means of attachment.

When the operator desires to disconnect the cablefrom the window, or close the window without disturbing: the motor, the upper end of the clutch-throwout. lever may be moved. rearward, thus releasing the clutch jaws. The. cable loop 36 may then be removed from th pin3l on the bracket attached to the bottom of the window frame, the-torsion springcausing the-cable pulley to rotate, thus wrapping the cable around the pulley. After the clutch throwout lever is released, the. clutch jaws are pressed back into engagement by th compression spring, and the apparatus is again ready for automatic operation.

A spring-actuated timer 64, or other suitable timing device maybe attached to the forward wall 65, of the casing 55, the lower end. of which is attached to the base. The timer shaft 61, which is rotatably supported by the timer mechanism, projects thru an opening in the forward wall, a control knob 68 being attached to the end of the shaft,.to manually adjust th operating position of the timer shaft. A substantially circular dial. 69. may be attached to the timer shaft; adjacent. the inner side of the forward wallof; the casing; Aseries of numerals, equally spaced around the dial and engraved or otherwise: imprintedaonr the fOI'WflIdAfSJCBIOf the dial, may be; viewed" by. the: operator; thru. an; opening 10; lucated" in the. forward. wall. of. thes housing, above the: control; knob}. Fig. 7.

The scale: H on". the dial may. be graduated in hours;. or: suitable fractions" of: an hour, depending upon the accuracy desired, the numerals indicating: eitheirthe: elapseditimeinhours; from the-time of setting the: dial: to the-tim it reaches its"operatingrposition; or-the actual time: of. day at which the apparatusis;setetozcperate; depending upon the type: of timerusedg. and the scale: or" the graduations on the; dial:.

A micro-switch 12;. or other compact type of switchmay be. mounted. on; thesforwarda wall: of. the: housing, and. wired: to; the motor til, a spring contact: plate 113; being: moved into en gagement with a SVlZilJCh;-=-&C1Jl13.til1g;buttonl i4, mounted on. the: micro-switch, when the. upper end of the contact: plate is. moyedi toward the micro-switch, Figs- 9: and 10:.

A- smal1= disc" "I15. attached? to the: timer shaft, and rotated therewith may be'mount'ed behind the. dial plate; a: ball tipi lfigprojecting. radially from the disc, pressingthe:contact 'plateiagainst the actuating button. 14: of thee micro-switch when. th predetermined operating time is reached, the microeswitchx thus: starting the motor iii.

In settingzthe timer;.the adjnstingiknob 68- may be rotated clockwise: until; the desired elapsed time is indicated on". the diali The timer shaft, the disc and the tip; attached thereto, rotate slowly counter-clockwise, continuously, from the time thetimer'i's set, untils'the'tip 16 engages the contact plate,v thus. actuating: the microswitch which starts: themotor;

When the motorstarts, the: C1 llt0hl0l'l the l duction gear shaft: extension rotates the cable pulley; the cables being wrapped? around the pulley, thus.drawing thawindow to -which the looped end of. theecable: is attached; downward; and 010s ing the window.

A small toggle cut; out. switch 11. may be mountedat the rear'en'd of thekbasexas'indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. Whenv theapparatus is set for operation; or when the: motor is running, the toggle lever 18 is in the upper position, Figs. 2 and 3.. A. switch actuating plate 19, made of spring, strip material: may be attached; to the bottom section; 33;of: the? window frame by means of screws 8.0,. in. verticalv alignment with the switch toggle: lever 78*. The. sloping portion 8! off the plate. is so: positioned. with relation to the. bottom of, the window frame, that it" strikes the tip 82 of the toggle lever, when: the bottom ofthewindow' approaches the. bottom 83 of the sash 84-. As thewindow continues its downward movement the sloping portion of the plate moves the toggle lever of the switch to thelower. off position-, the switch shutting oi the how of current to; the motor,,thuszstopping. the motor and arresting the further. movement of the; cable pulley, almost. simultaneously.- with. the. time: the bottom of-v the window frame: strikes the bottom of the sash.

In. order to avoid; excessive? shocks and. j 'ars to the glass. in the. window; the switchractuating plate maybe so: located; thalllltl strikes thetoggle lever, a short; distancez before P the. window reaches the bottom of its. travel. The momentum of the. window and the inertia of the motor and the various parts of the operating mechanism would causethewindow to continue in motion untilthe windowmeaches thebottom ofthe' sash.

By adjusting the time of shutting ed the motor to synchronize with the point at which the window is fully closed, sudden jars to the glass and the various parts of the mechanism may be avoided, the final drop of the window to the fully closed position being cushioned to a large extent.

A heating unit 85 in the form of a small electric bulb 86, Fig. 1, or a, resistance coil 31, Fig. 4., may be mounted behind the timer to heat the timer and prevent the lubricant in the timer from freezing during extreme low temperature operation. As indicated in the wiring diagram, Fi 6, this heating unit may be so connected into the circuit as to remain in operation during the en-- tire period when the apparatus is set to function, or it may be connected to a separate switch, and thus thrown in only during cold weather opera tion and shut off at all other times.

This type of heating unit would only be necessary with certain types of spring-actuated timers, the lubricant in which is sensitive to low-temperature operation.

In this type of timer or in other types which may be substituted for it, a special light lubricant which is designed for extremely low temperature operation may be utilized, thus eliminating the heating unit entirely, except for extreme applications.

A circuit breaker 88 may be mounted on the base and connected in series with the motor, as indicated in the wiring diagram, Fig. 6. When the window is cocked in the sash, or when foreign matter of any kind lodges in the sash ways, thus obstructing the movement of the window, the circuit breaker would shut off the current to the motor, when the load on the motor is excessive, to prevent burning out of the motor windings.

A reset button 89 may be mounted on the circuit breaker, to enable the operator to reset the circuit breaker into its normal position after the obstruction is removed, and the apparatus is again set for normal operation.

A casing 55 consisting of a top M, a rear wall 92 and two side walls 93 may be attached to the 1.,

base, these walls with the forward wall 65, completely housing the entire unit, as shown in Fig. 5.

The cord 94, which connects the unit to an ordinary outlet, by means of a plug (not shown) projects thru one end of the casing.

A plurality of holes 95, formed in the base, Fig. 2 may be utilized to receive screws or other means of attachment, to fasten the base to the top 96 of the window sill thus firmly supporting the unit while it pulls the window downward. Clamps or other means of attachment may, however, be utilized in place of screws to support the unit on the window sill.

The location of the unit with relation to the center of the window frame is also shown in Fig. 5, the position of the cable guide pulley 35 being so located that the cable 28 attached to a bracket mounted at the center of the lower section 33 of the window frame, assumes a substantially vertical position, the unit thus drawing the window straight downward, thereby eliminating any tendency toward cooking or otherwise causing the window to stick.

The snap-switch toggle lever 18 is also shown projectingthru the rear wall 92 of the casing, in vertical alignment with the switch actuating plate I9.

Figs. 3 and 4 show another modification of the device, in which the motor is mounted parallel 8 to the front of the base I00, the center line of the reduction gear IOI being parallel to the center line of the motor.

In all other respects the various units incorporated in the device are essentially the same as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and hereinbefore described.

The timer 64 is mounted in essentially the same position, with relation to the forward wall I92 of the casing, as that shown in Fig. 1.

The resistance type heating unit 81 is shown behind the timer to heat the timer lubricant in extreme cold weather, in place of the bulb shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic wiring diagram of one form of the unit, in which the current flows from the source I03 to the timer micro-switch l2, thence to the circuit breaker. From the circuit breaker the current flows to the brushes HM and I05 of the motor, thence to one pole I66, of the toggle cutout switch IT. From the pole I06 of the cutout toggle switch, a branch line it! runs to a heating lamp 86, or resistance unit 81, a return line I08 connecting the lamp to the main line I09 of the current source N13, to enable the lamp to be continuously in operation, when the cutout switch is closed. From the opposite pole H0 of the cutout switch, the main line H! returns to the power source I03.

The timer in starting the current thru the adjacent microswitch, starts the motor, which continues to run until the window approaches the closed position at which point the switch actuating plate, attached to the bottom of the window frame moves the toggle lever of the cutout switch, thus shutting off the flow of current to the motor. Where an excess load is placed upon the motor, the circuit breaker shuts off the flow of the cur rent to the motor, until the obstruction is removed and the reset button is pressed to again set the circuit breaker into its normal operating position.

While the construction shown in the drawings, Fig. 5, and hereinbefore described is attached to the top of the window sill, this is primarily designed for installation in an existing building, where the sash and sills are in place. In new construction, arrangements can be made to cut a slot in the sill and sash, while the building is in process of construction, so that almost the entire casing can be mounted within the slot, the top of the casing being substantially flush with the top of the sill.

In such construction the cable guide pulley, and the cut-out toggleswitch would be mounted near the top of the casing, instead of on the base, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

lhe timer and timer knob would be mounted, either on the forward wall of the casing near the top, with the timer shaft rotatably attached to the top of the casing, so that the timer control knob projects slightly above the top of the casing, or at the upper end of the rear wall of the housing, in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

While the unit, as shown in the drawings is directed primarily toward the closing of windows of the conventional sliding type, the essentials of the apparatus, with some modification, may be utilized for a number of other purposes, as well.

Thus by changing the position of the cable 23, the unit may be set near a furnace, to open the furnace doors at a predetermined time, or by running the cable over a guide pulley or a plurality of pulleys, the apparatus may be used for closingrfurnace or othervtypesofzdoors, such-as those in cabinets vandrtheclike.

claims.

-What,I claim as new, andfdesire tocover :by

Letters Patent, is:

1. Ina-window closing device,-.a-base, a-housing substantially enclosing thedevice removzably attached to the base, a motor-mounted on said base,

a speedreduction mechanism attached toand driven by said motor, a shaft rotatably driven by said reduction mechanism, 'a-cable, a loop formed at one end of said cable,':a bracket attached to the ,frame of .the .window :for gdemountably attaching atheiloop ,to the ,iwindow, 11a pulleyi slidably and rotatably mounted on the reduction mechanism shaft, the inner end of the cable being attached to said pulley, a clutching mechanism for driving said pulley from the reduction mechanism shaft, a timer having a shaft rotatably attached thereto and driven thereby, a switch controlling the flow of current to the motor, mounted adjacent the timer, means attached to the timer shaft for manually presetting the timer, rotatable means attached to the timer shaft for actuating the switch after a predetermined time interval, a throw out switch for shutting off the flow of current to the motor, and means attached to the frame of said window for opening said throw out switch, the cable being wrapped around the pulley, thereby drawing the window toward its closed position, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, said throw out switch shutting off the flow of current to the motor when the window reaches its closed position, said motor operating mechanism being contained within the housing.

2. A window closing device comprising a base, a housing demountably attached to said base, an electrically-driven motor, a reduction gear attached to said motor and driven thereby, a shaft rotatably attached to said reduction gear, a flexible element, means for demountahly attaching one end of flexible element to the frame of the window, a timer having a shaft rotatably extending therefrom, means for manually presetting the operating position of the timer, a microswitch controlling the flow of current to the motor, means attached to the timer shaft for actuating the micro-switch when the timer shaft reaches a predetermined position, a pulley slidably and rotatably mounted on said reduction gear shaft, a clutching mechanism for driving said pulley, a throw out switch for shutting off the fiow of current to the motor, and means attached to the frame of the window for opening the throw out switch, one end of said flexible element being attached to said pulley, the flexible element being wrapped around the pulley thereby drawing the window towards its closed position, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, said throw out switch shutting off the flow of current to the motor when the window reaches its closed position, said motor and operating mechanism being contained within the housing.

'3. ,An automatic window closing apparatus comprising abase, a housingremovably attached to said base, a motor mounted on said base, a reduction gearattached to and driven by said motor, ashaft rotatably extending fromsaid reduction gear, a flexible element, a loop formed at one endgof said flexible element, abracket attached to the 1 frame of the window for demountably connecting ,the looptothe window, apulley slidabiy and rotatablymounted on the reduction gear shaft, the innerend of said fiem'ble element being attached to the pulley, a clutching mechanism for "driving the pulley from the shaft, a

timer having a shaft rotatably extendingtherefrom, acontroi knob, attached to the timer shaft formanually presetting the operating position of thetimer,- a micro-switch controlling the flow of current to the motor, mounted adjacent the timer, means mounted on the timer shaft for actuatingthemicro-switch when the timer shaft reaches a predetermined position, ,a throw-out switch for shutting'off thewflow of current to the ,motoigtand means attached to the frame of the window for opening the throw out switch, the flexible element being wrapped around :thepulley, thereby drawing the window toward its closed position, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, said throw out switch shutting off the flow of current to the motor when the window reaches its closed position, said motor and operating mechanism being contained within the housing.

l. A window closing device comprising a base, a housing removably attached to said base, a motor mounted on said base, a reduction gear attached to said motor and driven thereby, a shaft rotatably driven by said reduction gear, a cable, a loop formed at one end of said cable, a bracket attached to the frame of the window for demountably connecting the loop to the window, a pulley slidably and rotatably mounted on said reduction gear shaft, the inner end of the cable being attached to the pulley, a bracket attached to the base, a guide pulley rotatably mounted on said bracket, said pulley guiding the cable toward the cable pulley, a clutch, one section of said clutch being attached to the reduction gear shaft, the mating section being attached to the pulley, flexible means for pressing said clutch elements into engagement with one another, means for drawing one of said clutch elements out of engagement with the other, a collar, attached to the pulley, slidably mounted on the reduction gear shaft, a torsion spring supported by said collar, the inner end of said spring being attached to the collar, the outer end being fixed to the base, said torsion spring rotating the pulley, thereby wrapping the cable around the pulley when the clutch elements are disengaged, while the cable loop is detached from the window frame bracket, the guide pulley and bracket co-operating to arrest the movement of the cable when the cable loop reaches the guide pulley, the cable drawing the window toward its closed position, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, while the loop of the flexible element is attached to the window frame bracket said motor and operating mechanism being contained within the housing.

5. A window closing device comprising a base, a housing removably attached to said base, a motor mounted on said base, a reduction gear attached to said motor and driven thereby, a shaft rotatably driven by said reduction gear, a flexible element, a loop formed at one end of said flexible element, a bracket attached to the frame of the window for demountably connecting the loop to 11 the window, a pulley slidably and rotatably mounted on said reduction gear shaft, the inner end of the flexible element being attached to the pulley, a clutch, one section of said clutch being attached to the reduction gear shaft, the mating section being attached to the pulley, flexible means for pressing said clutch elements into engagement with one another, a collar attached to the pulley, slidably mounted on the reduction gear shaft, a torsion spring supported by said collar, the inner end of said spring being attached to the collar, the outer end being fixed to the base, a grooved collar attached to the cable pulley, a yoke slidably fitting the groove in said collar, a lever pivotally attached to the base, and means connecting said lever to the yoke, said collar moving the clutch elements out of engagement with one another when the clutch throw out lever is moved rearward, said torsion spring rotating the pulley, thereby wrapping the cable around the pulley when the clutch elements are disengaged, while the cable loop is detached from the window frame bracket,'the cable drawing the window toward its closed position, when the pulley is rotated by the motor, while the loop of 12 the flexible element is attached to the window frame bracket said motor and operating mechanism being contained within the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,369,614 Bradshaw Feb. 22, 1921 1,485,578 Wolgemuth Mar. 4, 1924 1,554,674 Herod Sept. 22, 1925 1,618,761 Landsberger Feb. 22, 1927 1,632,532 Blue June 14, 1927 1,819,992 Vallee Aug. 18, 1931 1,868,599 Griffin July 26, 1932 1,870,992 Freuler Aug. 9, 1932 1,933,700 Blodgett Nov. 7, 1933 2,124,037 Lavigne July'19, 1938 2,317,697 Simpson Aug. 27, 1943 2,345,594 Gardner Apr. 4, 1944 2,419,659 Sabor Apr. 29, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,833 France June 5, 1913 552,187 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1943

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