# US 4,398,372 A · Window structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,398,372 A - Document ID: US4398372A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/050,818 - Filed: 1979-06-21 - Granted: 1983-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 1979-06-21 - Assignees: V. E. Anderson Mfg. Co. - Inventors: Richard N. Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398372A ## CPC - E06B 3/5063: {the vertical sliding wings having the possibility of an additional rotational movement} - E05B 65/08: for sliding wings - E06B 3/26336: {with two metal frame members having interpenetrating or overlapping parts when mounted (involving sheet metal section members E06B3/2735)} - E06B 3/44: Vertically-sliding wings - E06B 9/52: Devices affording protection against insects, e.g. fly screens; Mesh windows for other purposes {(screens A47G5/00)} - E06B 3/273: with prefabricated insulating elements held in position by deformation of portions of the {metal} frame members - E06B 2003/26352: {hollow} - E06B 2003/4453: {Metal} - E06B 2003/4492: {provided with screens} - Y10S 49/01: Thermal breaks for frames - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A thermal break window including a rectangular outer frame portion, a rectangular inner frame portion and an insulating member positioned between the inner and outer frame portions and cooperable therewith for rigidly securing the frame portions together into a prime window frame without contact between the inner and outer frame portions. The window structure further includes an inner window sash and an outer window sash slidably positioned in the prime window frame and a sash coupler extending between the inner and outer window sash for automatically connecting the window sash together for movement together on relative movement of the sash in one direction to place the movable sash in predetermined alignment, which sash coupler is manually disengageable to permit relative movement of the movable sash in the opposite direction out of the predetermined alignment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Thermal break window structure including a generally rectangular outer frame portion, a generally rectangular inner frame portion and an insulating member positioned between the inner and outer frame portions and cooperable therewith for rigidly securing the frame portions together into a prime window frame without contact between the inner and outer frame portions, said thermal break window structure further including an inner window and an outer window each including corresponding movable sash and further including a sash coupler extending between the inner and outer movable sash for automatically connecting the movable sash together for movement up and down together on relative movement of the sash in one direction to place the movable sash in predetermined alignment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the relative movement in one direction is down for the inner movable sash and up for the outer movable sash. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sash couple further includes means for manually disengaging the movable sash on relative movement of the movable sash in the opposite direction out of the predetermined alignment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the relative movement in the opposite direction is up for the inner movable sash and down for the outer movable sash. ### Claim 5 Thermal break window structure including a generally rectangular outer frame portion, a generally rectangular inner frame portion and an insulating member positioned between the inner and outer frame portions and cooperable therewith for rigidly securing the frame portions together into a prime window frame without contact between the inner and outer frame portions, said thermal break window structure further including an inner window and an outer window each including corresponding movable sash and further including a sash coupler extending between the inner and outer movable sash whereby the movable sash may be selectively moved together, wherein the insulating member has a cross section including an elongated central portion extending transversely of the plane of the window structure, the insulating member extends through the frame parallel to the plane of the window only in offset locations separated by the extent of the elongated central portion of the insulating member and defined by the frame portions and wherein the insulating member includes an H-shaped portion at both ends of the central portion having opposite parallel parts in common with the central portion of the insulating member and the frame members have a cross section including a pair of parallel spaced apart parts one of which is longer than the other, the longer of which parts of the frame members extend on opposite sides of the central portion of the insulating member and between the parallel parts of the H-shaped portions of the insulating member at the inner ends thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the shorter of the parts of the frame portion's cross sections are positioned between the parallel parts of the H-shaped portions of the insulating member at the outer ends thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) Structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the elongated central portion of the insulating member cross section and the parts of each of the frame portions extending parallel to and in engagement therewith on opposite sides thereof are staked together to secure the frame portions and insulating member together. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) Structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the shorter of the parallel spaced parts of the frame members cross section have roll formed ends crimping the ends of the cross section of the insulating member against the longer of the parallel spaced parts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) Structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the thickness of the central portion of the insulating member cross section is greater than the thickness of the frame members and is variable in accordance with the insulation required. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) Structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the Central portion of the insulating member is hollow.