This document describes a patent for improvements in the construction of bay windows. It provides a construction method using wooden frames and posts of a standard form that can be assembled to create bay windows of any desired shape. The wooden posts have a curved, elliptical cross-section that mates with the concave curves of the window frames, allowing for a tight weatherproof joint when secured with screws. This construction method simplifies manufacturing by allowing for standardized frame and post components regardless of the bay window design.

1. * GB780187 (A)
Description: GB780187 (A) ? 1957-07-31
Improvements in and relating to the construction of bay windows
Description of GB780187 (A)
PATENT SPECIFICATION
780,187 Date of Application and filing Complete Specification: Dec. 4,
1953.
No. 33738/53.
Application made in Irish Republic on March 3, 1953.
Complete Specification Published: July 31, 1957.
Index at Acceptance:-Class 20(3), B1B3, J2J.
International Classification:-E04f.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements in and relating to the construction of bay windows We,
WILLIAM ARTHUR PARKE CROWE, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, of
65 Bushey Park Road, Terenure, Dublin, Southern Ireland, and Dinan &
Sons Limited, Bannow Road, Cabra West, Dublin, Southern Ireland, a
Company organised and existing under the laws of the Republic of
Ireland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a
patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be
performed, to be particularly described in and by the following
statement: -
In constructing bay windows in which the frames of the individual
windows are fitted between wooden corner posts or fitted directly
together without corner posts, it has hitherto been the practice to
shape the sections of the stiles of the frames and the corner posts
most carefully so that when placed together and secured in position
the adjacent frames will be relatively disposed at the desired angle.
While this is not so very difficult in the case of a so-called
"square" or rightangled bay, in the case of splayed or semicircular
bays careful design is necessary, as well as expert workmanship in the
construction of the masonry to receive the bay window and in the
construction of the individual window frames and corner posts from
which each bay window is built up.

2. The main object of the invention is to provide a construction for bay
windows whereby any desired shape of bay may be built up using wooden
frames and posts of a standard form, with consequent substantial
economy and ease of manufacture. The invention also aims to provide a
bay window construction employing wooden posts which have a pleasing
appearance, offer very little obstruction to the admission of light
through the window as a whole, and the joints of which are readily
made and maintained weatherproof.
With these objects in view the invention [Pr.
provides a bay window construction wherein the sides of the wooden
posts which are disposed between adjacent window frames are curved
convexly, and the stiles of the window frames to be secured to said
posts are formed on the sides adjacent to the posts with concave
curved surfaces the radius of curvature of which is somewhat smaller
than the smallest radius of curvature of the crosssection of the posts
presented thereto. Conveniently, the posts may be of circular
crosssection, but preferably they are substantially elliptical.
When constructing a bay window using window frames and posts of
elliptical (or approximately elliptical) cross-section for example,
according to the invention, the posts are located at the angles of the
bay with the major axis of the cross-section of the post more or less
coincident with the bisector of the angle, while the window frames,
which are preferably pre-fabricated to the size which is determined by
the design of the bay window, are fitted between the posts so that the
concave outer sides of the stiles are applied to the convex surfaces
of the posts presented thereto. The window frames may be secured in
position by screws driven through the stiles and into the posts, said
screws passing into the posts in a direction substantially normal to
the convex surface thereof at the point where the screw enters, and
being approximately mid-way between the points where the extremities
of the concave surface of a stile meets the surface of the post in
contact therewith. This insures that as the screws are driven home the
edges of the stiles in contact with the posts are pressed firmly
against the posts, thus making a tight joint between the posts and the
frames.
The invention is hereinafter more fully described with reference to
the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section
of a corner post and the associated portions of the window frames for
a right-angle bay according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a similar view
of a splayed bay, and Fig. 3 shows the normal cross-section of a
wooden frame stile.
Similar parts are indicated by like reference numerals in both
figures.
Referring to Fig. 1, the corner post 1 consists of a wooden moulding

3. having two convex surfaces 2,3 symmetrical to the axis 4, so that the
cross-section as a whole presents a substantially elliptical form. The
wooden window frames 5 are of customary or well known general form,
but the portions of the stiles 6,7 which are to meet the post 1 are
each moulded with a concave surface 8, the radius of curvature of
which is slightly less than the smallest radius of curvature of the
surfaces 2,3 of the post. (Fig. 3 shows, by way of comparison, the
normal crosssection of the stile of a wooden window frame, the
cross-hatched portion 8' indicating the portion which would require to
be removed in order to convert the stile to the shape required by the
present invention.) The frames 5 are applied to the post 1 in the
position in which the plane of the frame makes an angle of 450 with
the axis 4 of the post, and are held in this position by screws 9
passing through counter-bored holes 10 in the frames 5 and into the
post 1. The position of a window sash 11 is also indicated in the
drawing.
It will be noted that the screws 9 are approximately normal to the
curvature of the convex surfaces 2,3 respectively and near the centre
of the concave surfaces 8. Thus, since the stiles make more or less
only line contact with the posts, when the screws are driven home the
stiles are pressed firmly against the posts along the edges where the
concave surfaces of the stiles touch the post.
A tight, weatherproof joint is thus assured between the stiles and
posts, which joint may be further sealed by a primary coat of paint or
the like applied to the post or frame, or both, before assembly.
The arrangement when constructing a splayed bay is shown in Fig. 2.
The post 1 and frames 5 are identical with those shown in Fig. 1 and
are assembled in a substantially similar manner, but with the axis 4
of the post 1 approximately coincident with the bisector of the angle
of splay between the adjacent frames.
It will be appreciated that with the present invention all the posts
required for a bay window, or any number of bay windows, and all the
stiles of the window frames therefor may be respectively formed of the
same cross-section throughout, irrespective of the shape of the bay
window or windows required, thereby greatly simplifying the
manufacture and reducing the cost. When using posts of elliptical
cross-section materials are also saved as the elliptical form of
cross-section is economical from the point of view of the ratio ot
strength to weight in comparison to substantially square 70 (or
circular, sections, having regard to the fact that in use the posts
are reinforced laterally by the attached window frames.
They also offer less obstruction to fhe light than square (or
circular) posts whose width 75 is similar to the major dimensions of
the elliptical cross-section, and are of more pleasing appearance.

4. The posts and frames for constructing bay windows according to the
invention lend 80 themselves particularly to mass-production.
For constructing a bay window of any specified angle of splay, the
requisite frames and posts are preferably supplied from the factory
with each post already secured to 85 a frame at one side. the correct
position for the attachment of the frame at the other side of the post
being marked on the post by lines drawn or scored to coincide with the
edges of the frame which are to contact the 90 post. The frames are
also preferably supplied with the holes for the screws provided in the
frames in the appropriate positions, so that the erection of the bay
window involves little more than screwing 95 the frames to the posts
at one side and may be carried out by semi-skilled labour if desired.
After the assembly has been completed the holes 10 of the screws 9 may
advantageously be filled with putty or the 100 like, so that when the
frames and posts are finally painted the holes are concealed and a
neat and weatherproof construction is afforded. As it is not necessary
to build up the frames into the desired form of bay until 105 they are
being placed permanently in position in the building, both storage and
transport are greatly simplified by the present invention.
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