Untitled

Progress, Volume II, Issue 10, 1 August 1907, Page 369

A. and G. indicate position in which bolts are ' fitted m centre line of sash, the pins of which run in a groove in the frame. B. Sash screw used to secure upper section of parting beads, which are removed temporarily during cleaning. C. Point at which parting beads are cut. D. Screw plate on which balances are pivoted. E. Screw plate attaching end of balance to upper sash. F. Bolt securing other end of balance to lower sash. ,

the colony, as well as in Australia, America, and Europe. Our first illustration shows how the sashes are attached to either end of metal bars pivoted in the centre and supported on screwplates, the screw-plates in turn being attached to the parting beads on the frame. The effect thus produced is that the sashes are evenly balanced and can be moved up and down in the frame guided b} 7 " means of fixed pins fitted to the sashes and running in a groove in the frame. Only a minimum of force is required to overcome the friction of the pivot, and between the sash and frame, so that a child can readily move sashes weighing up to lOOlbs. By this system the rattling and j amming of sashes and breaking of cords, which are the attendant evils of the weight-and-cord windows, are all entirely overcome, and a perfectly smooth-running pair of sashes is the result. Improved ventilation, which is now admitted to be a question of vital importance by medical men, is secured by the Austral Sash, for it opens in such a manner that the volume of draught tends in an upward direction, rendering possible free ventilation without a direct draught and the resultant cold in the head. For this reason the sash is being adopted for factories, hospitals, and school buildings, one of the latter being illustrated herewith. Base and safety in cleaning, as before mentioned, is a most important feature in the Austral Sash Balance. The outside glass of both sashes can be readily cleaned without leaving the room, thus obviating the extreme risk of standing outside on the sill — a course which so often leads to fatal accidents where high buildings are concerned ; and the timid housekeeper will not only find a new delight in the improved order of things, but the large employer of labour will experience, no doubt, material reduction in his accident insurance premiums, following on the installation of the system in his factory. Another of our illustrations shows the top sash swung into the room for cleaning. The full simplicity of its movements must be seen to be properly appreciated, but it will be sufficient, however, to state that both sashes are suspended at a convenient angle during the operation of cleaning, and there is absolutely no weight upon the operator, nor risk of breakage. We are informed that orders are now on hand to fit the Austral Sash Balance in the following Wellington buildings : — Office of the Wellington Publishing Co. ; warehouse for D. Anderson & Son, Molesworth Street ; Irvine and Stevenson, Brandon Street ; W- H.

Turnbull & Co., Panama Street ; and other buildings ; and we understand that arrangements have already been made for the introduction of over 2000 sashes in New Zealand. (For further particulars see page 385.)