Abstract: A remote lock assembly for vertically pivoting windows has two resilient catches mounted in the vertical stile of a window sash one above the other. Opposite the lower catch is a cam housing with a recess in which the lower catch is engaged when the window is in a locked position and containing a cam which, when rotated, rides against the catch to force the catch out of the cam housing to unlock the window. A flapper housing is mounted in the window jamb and has a recess for engaging the second catch. A flapper is pivotally mounted to the flapper housing and pivots between a locked position in which the flapper does not block the housing recess and an unlocked position in which it blocks the housing recess and forces the opposing catch out of the flapper housing recess. A link connects the cam to a bar which slidably extends into the flapper housing. The bar has a protrusion which engages the flapper, such that rotation of the cam operates to disengage both catches from the window jamb.

Abstract: A blind having an interior side and an exterior side and having a plurality of elongated slats is disclosed. The slats are made of a flexible and generally resilient polycarbonate material having selected light-transmitting qualities and superior optical clarity. Each slat has a generally V-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration in which a first portion and a second portion of the slat correspond to the two sides of the V, intersecting at an angle of 90.degree. to 160.degree.. The slats are suspended in parallel relation, the slats being rotatable about their longitudinal axes between an inwardly facing position, in which the upper surfaces of the slats are presented at the interior side of the blind with the first portions of the slats substantially co-planar, and an outwardly facing portion, in which the upper surfaces are presented at the exterior side of the blind and the second portions of the slats are substantially co-planar.

Abstract: A method for making light, thin, thermoplastic slats for use in decorative window blinds of the Venetian or vertical rotatable slat types. Strips are prepared of flexible and resilient planar thermoplastic material of not more than 1/16 inch thickness with selected light transmitting qualities. The strips are then deformed into a permanent V-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is stiff and will not sag when supported by spaced blind slat supporting means. The deformation step is accomplished by bending the strips without the application of heat over a forming surface of not more than 1/4 inch radius to exceed the elastic limit of the strip material over the radius.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for stripping paint which includes a plurality of rapidly reciprocating needle chisels to strike paint off an article and a pair of brush-polishers to polish the surface of the article so that subsequent paint layers do not adhere to it as well. The method of use of this apparatus also involves first cryogenically cooling the article to loosen the bond of the paint thereon.

Abstract: A shutter adapted to be attached in hinged relation to a frame defining an opening, whereby at least part of the opening may be covered by the shutter, includes a shutter body. The shutter body has opposed top and bottom and opposed side body members, the body members defining a shutter opening. A plurality of movable slats extend horizontally across the shutter opening. The slats are individually suspended and vertically spaced from each other by at least two flexible ladder suspension harnesses. Each harness has two parallel vertical strands with each slat held in fixed relation to a selected location on each of the vertical strands. Lateral movement of the slats is limited by the vertical strands and longitudinal movement of the slats is limited by the side body members. Means are provided to selectively lower and raise at least one of the vertical strands of each harness to rotate the slats about their longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A window structure (10) having an exterior side (12) and an interior side (14). The window structure (10) includes a stationary casing (22) closed by a movable sash (26) that is fastened to the stationary casing (22) in hinged relation. The stationary casing (22) has an exterior panel (28) located exterior to the sash (26) and extending over the sash (26) to overlap its periphery. A gasket (30) is fastened to the exterior panel (28) and faces interiorly, generally toward the sash (26). The sash has an exteriorly facing mounting surface (40), and a glazing support member (42) extends exteriorly therefrom. A window lite (46) is mounted in spaced relation to the mounting surface (40). The window lite (46) has an exterior surface (48) that engages the gasket (30) in sealing relation when the sash (26) is in its closed position and an interior surface (49) facing the mounting surface (40).

Abstract: A wall opening frame member (10, 79) for framing doors, windows, and the like having an exterior side (14) and an interior side (16). The frame member (10) has a metal frame (18) that preferably has at least one structural heat transfer barrier (52, 62) whereby no unbroken metallic heat transfer path exists between the exterior side (14) and the interior side (16). A wood facing (20) is adapted to cover all substantial interior surfaces of the metal frame (18) when the metal frame (18) is in use. Means are provided for attaching wood facing (20) to the interior surfaces of the metal frame (18) so that no substantial surface of the metal frame (18) is exposed to the inside ambient air and the transfer of heat between the exterior side and the interior ambient air of the frame member (10) is inhibited.

Abstract: A glazed wall construction system is disclosed in which all the interior metallic structural elements of the wall system are thermally isolated from the exterior air and from all other metallic components which are in contact with the exterior air. This isolation is accomplished by a separator (56) which covers a boss (36) provided on the structural frame member (34) and by a special fastener (42) which has a non-metallic head (64) molded on it so that it can fasten an exterior cover (40) to the system without serving as a conduit for heat.

Abstract: A supplemental window and blind unit (10) adapted to be installed in a conventional window (13, 15) having a conventional frame (11) and an original window pane (26). A supplemental frame (28) is attached to the conventional frame (11), and a sash (36) is attached to the supplemental frame (28) in hinged relation. A supplemental window pane (34) is mounted in the sash (36) to close the framed window opening (29) defined by the supplemental frame (28). A window blind (46) is attached to a selected part of the sash (36) so that the window blind (46) is between the supplemental window pane (34) and the original window pane (26) when the sash (36) is in its closed position, whereby the conventional window (13, 15) may be modified to be a window having multiple panes with a window blind enclosed between two of the panes.

Abstract: A thermal break ventilator unit designed to extend between the opposed end jambs of a window frame. The thermal break ventilator unit has a box-shaped body with a ventilating passage therethrough. Essentially cylindrical, opposed raceways are attached to the opposed end jambs within the box-shaped body. A substantially drum-shaped closure unit rotates within the opposed raceways. The closure unit has a closed position wherein the ventilating passage is closed and an open position wherein the venilating passage is substantially unrestricted by the closure unit. Structural heat transfer barriers are incorporated into the metallic parts of the thermal break ventilating unit and are so located that, when the closure unit is in its closed position, there is no continuous, metallic path by which heat can flow between the interior and exterior parts of the ventilator unit.