Thermally insulated window sash construction for a casement window

Claim 2

A window sash member comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; and a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber.

Claim 3

The window sash member of claim 1 wherein said first sidewall extends further upwardly and further downwardly than said second sidewall.

Claim 4

The window sash member of claim 1 wherein said first sidewall terminates at said third transverse wall.

Claim 5

The window sash member of claim 1 wherein said second sidewall terminates at said first transverse wall.

Claim 6

The window sash member of claim 1 wherein said window sash member has a uniform cross-section throughout its longitudinal extent.

Claim 7

The window sash member of claim 1 including a glazing strip removably secured to said framing element, said glazing strip having first and second legs generally oriented in an L-shaped, said first leg generally aligned with said second sidewall and said second leg engaging said fourth transverse wall.

Claim 8

The window sash member of claim 1 wherein a reinforcing means is disposed within said first hollow chamber.

Claim 9

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at least one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; and a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber.

Claim 10

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at least one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; and a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber.

Claim 11

The window sash of claim 8 wherein said first sidewall of said sash member extends further upwardly and further downwardly than said second sidewall.

Claim 12

The window sash of claim 8 wherein said first sidewall of said sash member terminates at said third transverse wall.

Claim 13

The window sash of claim 8 wherein said second sidewall of said sash member terminates at said first transverse wall.

Claim 14

The window sash of claim 8 wherein said sash member has a uniform cross-section throughout its longitudinal extent.

Claim 15

The window sash of claim 8 wherein a reinforcing means is disposed within said first hollow chamber of said sash member.

Claim 16

The window sash of claim 8 including a glazing strip removably secured to said sash member, said glazing strip having first and second legs generally oriented in an L-shape, said first leg generally aligned with said second sidewall of said sash member and said second leg engaging said fourth transverse wall of said sash member.

Claim 17

The window sash of claim 14 including a first pane of glass secured within said sash, and a second pane of glass spaced apart from said first pane and secured within said sash.

Claim 18

The window sash of claim 15 including a third pane of glass interposed between and spaced apart from said first and second panes of glass.

Claim 19

The window sash of claim 8 wherein said sash member is in the position of said bottom rail member.

Claim 20

The window sash of claim 17 wherein said top rail member and said stile members are formed as is said bottom rail member.

Claim 21

A window sash member comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; said fourth transverse wall projecting beyond said second interior wall; and said first sidewall, said second sidewall, said fourth transverse wall and said second interior wall defining a recess.

Claim 22

A window sash member comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; said fourth transverse wall projecting beyond said second interior wall; and said first sidewall, said second sidewall, said fourth transverse wall and said second interior wall defining a recess.

Claim 23

The window sash member of claim 19 wherein said second sidewall includes an inwardly directed flange located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to said second sidewall and said first sidewall includes a pair of inwardly directed ribs adjacent to said fourth transverse wall and located without said third hollow chamber.

Claim 24

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at least one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; said fourth transverse wall of said sash member projecting beyond said second interior wall; and said first sidewall, said second sidewall, said fourth transverse wall and said second interior wall defining a recess.

Claim 25

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at least one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; said fourth transverse wall of said sash member projecting beyond said second interior wall; and said first sidewall, said second sidewall, said fourth transverse wall and said second interior wall defining a recess.

Claim 26

The window sash of claim 21 wherein said second sidewall of said sash member includes an inwardly directed flange located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to said second sidewall and said first sidewall of said sash member includes a pair of inwardly directed ribs adjacent to said fourth transverse wall and located without said third hollow chamber.

Claim 27

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at lease one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; a glazing strip removably secured to said sash member, said glazing strip having first and second legs generally oriented in an L-shaped, said first leg generally aligned with said second sidewall of said sash member and said second leg engaging said fourth transverse wall of said sash member; a first pane of glass secured within said sash, and a second pane of glass spaced apart from said first pane and secured within said sash; and said first sidewall of said sash member including a pair of inwardly projecting ribs extending from said first sidewall adjacent said third hollow chamber to define a gasket retaining recess; a gasket means in contact with said first pane of glass and retained on said first sidewalls within said gasket retaining recess; and said second pane of glass in contact with a pair of ribs located on and projecting generally transversely inwardly from said first leg of said glazing strip, whereby replacement of one or more of said panes of glass can be effected by removing said glazing strip from said sash.

Claim 28

A window sash having a plurality of sash members, including generally parallel top and bottom rail members fixedly secured to a pair of spaced stile members, said top and bottom rail members being generally perpendicular to said stile members, at lease one of said sash members comprising: first and second generally parallel sidewalls; first and second spaced, generally parallel transverse walls connecting said first and second sidewalls, extending between and oriented generally perpendicular to said first and second sidewalls to define a first hollow chamber; a third transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said first transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a first interior wall extending from said third transverse wall to said first transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said first sidewall to define a second hollow chamber; a fourth transverse wall, located without said first hollow chamber adjacent to and generally parallel to said second transverse wall, extending from said first sidewall and terminating short of said second sidewall; a second interior wall extending from said fourth transverse wall to said second transverse wall and oriented generally parallel to said second sidewall to define a third hollow chamber; a glazing strip removably secured to said sash member, said glazing strip having first and second legs generally oriented in an L-shaped, said first leg generally aligned with said second sidewall of said sash member and said second leg engaging said fourth transverse wall of said sash member; a first pane of glass secured within said sash, and a second pane of glass spaced apart from said first pane and secured within said sash; and said first sidewall of said sash member including a pair of inwardly projecting ribs extending from said first sidewall adjacent said third hollow chamber to define a gasket retaining recess; a gasket means in contact with said first pane of glass and retained on said first sidewalls within said gasket retaining recess; and said second pane of glass in contact with a pair of ribs located on and projecting generally transversely inwardly from said first leg of said glazing strip, whereby replacement of one or more of said panes of glass can be effected by removing said glazing strip from said sash.