AU2002318770B2

AU2002318770B2 - Frame fixing

Info

Publication number: AU2002318770B2
Application number: AU2002318770A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Paul Ayles; David George Davies
Original assignee: CALIDAD IND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CALIDAD IND Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-17
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-17

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors Address for service is: Sola Skylights International Pty Ltd David George DAVIES Stephen Paul AYLES WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Frame Fixing" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PR9701 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- "Frame Fixing" Field of the Invention The present invention related to frames for openings, and in particular to securing such frames relative to the openings.

Background Art Frames in relation to which the invention is concerned are those used to form a border around an aperture in a wall or ceiling, in applications such as ports for ventilation ducting, and in skylights.

A common manner of attaching such frames has been to provide apertures, often countersunk-recessed, through the peripheral facing surface of the frame, through which screws may pass to secure the frame to the ceiling or wall therebehind. By way of explanation, the peripheral facing surface of the frame lies in the same plane as the ceiling or wall to which it is being attached.

Attaching the frame in this manner, has the disadvantage in that the visible screws are considered to be not aesthetically appealing. While this problem can be ameliorated by caps that interference-fit into the screw head or into apertures, a true flush finish can never be achieved. With even the closest fitting caps, there will invariably be recesses in the peripheral facing surface in which dirt can collect, which further detracts from the appearance, especially over a period of time.

This invention provides a manner of fixing the frame that does not leave visible screws or other marking in the peripheral facing surface of the frame, allowing the peripheral facing surface of the frame to have a uniform appearance, and if desired, a smooth appearance.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to -3fimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame 5 for an aperture in a panel said frame having a peripheral flange portion, and an 00 oo axial tube portion extending away from said peripheral flange portion, said axial N tube portion being intended to extend through said aperture; said axial tube 0 portion having a plurality of external guide means formed on said axial tube portion, each said external guide means forming a track extending in an axial direction in which is received a jaw portion to clamp said panel between said peripheral flange portion and said jaw portion. In use, the frame is fitted in the aperture, and each jaw portion is moved toward the peripheral flange portion so that the panel is secured therebetween, and a screw is driven through the axial tube portion, and into the jaw portion, securing the jaw portion.

Preferably each track is a semi-enclosed recess formed in said axial tube portion, with an axial opening on the outside of said axial tube portion, and said jaw portion has a complimentary shaped foot received in said recess in an axially sliding manner, and a jaw piece extending through said opening and in the same direction as said peripheral flange portion.

Preferably said jaw piece and said peripheral flange portion have opposing facing surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other. The opposing facing surfaces contact the surfaces of the panel and hold the panel therebetween.

Preferably a hole to receive a screw is provided from the inside of said axial tube portion into said recess. In this manner, when the jaw portion is in the correct position, a screw can be guided through the screw hole into the jaw portion. The screw hole may be threaded, but is preferably unthreaded.

In one preferred arrangement, said jaw portion also includes a screw hole in a predetermined position in said foot, lining up with said screw hole in said axial tube portion. The predetermined position corresponds with the panel thickness, or in a more preferred arrangement, the distance between the opposing facing surfaces. The jaw portions may be prefabricated and sold in batches with screw holes in various predetermined positions, so as to be suitable for different thickness panels. In this regard, a common panel thickness for ceiling panel material is approximately 6.35mm (1/4 inch).

Preferably or alternatively said jaw portion is formed of a material capable of receiving a screw without fracturing.

Preferably or alternatively said jaw portion is formed of a material capable of receiving a self tapping screw without fracturing.

Preferably said jaw portion forms, with said axial tube portion, a smooth surface on the outside of said axial tube portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in the following description of three preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a part perspective view of a frame fixing arrangement according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a part perspective view of a frame fixing arrangement according to the second embodiment; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of a sky-light assembly with a frame incorporating a frame fixing arrangement according to the third embodiment.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention All three embodiments are frame fixing arrangements, indicated generally at 11, for a frame 13 surrounding an aperture in a panel (both not shown). The frame 13 can be a frame surrounding a skylight portal, a ventilation duct outlet, or perhaps a lighting assembly. The panel may be a ceiling panel or wall panel, or perhaps flooring, the latter being utilised in underfloor central heating. All three embodiments have features in common, as set out in the following description.

The frame 13 has a peripheral flange portion 15 which extends outwardly from an axial tube portion 17, the axial tube portion 17 being intended to extend through the aperture that has been cut in the panel, and form the terminus of a duct to a skylight or ventilation or the like. The peripheral flange portion 15 has a peripheral facing surface 19 on one side thereof, and a panel contacting surface 21, on the opposite side thereof. During assembly of the skylight/duct outlet (as the case may be), the frame 13 has its axial tube portion 17 pushed through the aperture cut in the panel until the panel contacting surface 21 contacts the panel, whereafter the frame 13 is fixed in place, as will be understood from the following description.

The axial tube portion 17 has an internal (duct) surface 23 on one side, and an external surface 25 on the other side thereof.

The peripheral flange portion 15, has formed in the external surface 25, a plurality of external guide means each in the form of a track 27 extending in an axial direction (axial with respect to the axial direction of the duct). Each track is a semi-enclosed recess with an axial opening 29 on the outside external surface of the axial tube portion 17, and opposed channel portions 31. A screw hole 33 is provided through the axial tube portion 17 into the centre of the track 27, and aligned substantially with the opening 29.

A jaw portion 35 with a foot 37 of complimentary shape to the recess of the track 27 is received in axial sliding manner in the track 27. The jaw portion has opposed extending portions 39 which are received in the opposed channel portions 31, so preventing movement in any direction other than axial. The jaw portion 35 has a jaw piece 41 arranged to extend through the opening 29, in the same direction as the panel contacting surface 21. The jaw piece 41 has a panel contacting surface 43 opposed to the panel contacting surface 21 of the peripheral flange portion 15. The opposed/facing contacting surfaces 21, 43 contact the surfaces of the panel and hold the panel therebetween. With the frame placed in the opening cut in the panel, and the jaw portion slid into position so that both contacting surfaces 21, 43 contact the panel, a self tapping screw is driven though the screw hole 33 and into the foot 37. Thus, the jaw portion is used to clamp the panel around the opening cut therein between the panel contacting surface 21 of the peripheral flange portion 15 and said jaw portion.

The first embodiment shown in figure 1 is part of a circular framel3 for a skylight.

The foot 37 of the jaw portion 35 has a raised surface 47 on either side of the opposed extending portions 39, so that the raised surface 47 sits flush with the outside external surface 25 of the axial tube portion 17. This allows a duct to be fitted to the outside external surface 25 of the axial tube portion 17, and sealed therewith.

The second embodiment shown in figure 2 is part of a rectangular frame 13 for a skylight. In this frame, the track 27 is formed proud of the axial tube portion 17, since the duct in this embodiment which extends to the transparent light cover fitted to the roof, contacts the internal (duct) surface 23 of the axial tube portion 17.

In both the first and second embodiments, the jaw portion 35 is moulded from a soft plastic that can receive the self tapping screw 45, allowing it to "start" and self tap into the foot 37, without splitting or shattering the jaw portion The third embodiment shown in figure 3 is a square rectangular frame 13 for a skylight. In this frame, the track 27 is formed as in the second embodiment, proud of the axial tube portion 17, since the internal glazing 49 and duct 51, 53 in this embodiment which extends to the transparent light cover 55, 57 fitted to the roof, contact the internal (duct) surface 23 of the axial tube portion 17. The frame of the third embodiment is intended for a standard quarter inch thick ceiling panel, and thus the jaw portions 35 have formed in the foot 37, an aperture 59 for receiving a self tapping screw 45, the aperture being aligned with the screw hole 33 in the frame.

-7- The jaw portions 35 of the third embodiment may be prefabricated and sold in batches with apertures 59 in a predetermined position, corresponding with common panel thicknesses encountered in buildings. The jaw portions 35 of the third embodiment could be formed of a more brittle plastic than those of the first and second embodiment, due to the presence pre-formed hole. The type of screw utilised in the third embodiment need not be a "PK" type self-tapping screw, but could be a tapered, optionally axially slotted, self-tapping machine screw.

The invention allows a tradesman to rapidly install a frame for a skylight in an aperture cut in a ceiling panel, using preformed parts, and an electric screwdriver. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A frame for an aperture in a panel, said frame having a peripheral flange portion, and an axial tube portion extending away from said peripheral flange portion, said axial tube portion being intended to extend through said 5 aperture; said axial tube portion having a plurality of external guide means 00oo formed on said axial tube portion, each said external guide means forming a C' track extending in an axial direction in which is received a jaw portion to Sclamp said panel between said peripheral flange portion and said jaw Sportion.

2. A frame for an aperture as claimed in claim 1 wherein each track is a semi- enclosed recess formed in said axial tube portion, with an axial opening on the outside of said axial tube portion, and said jaw portion has a complimentary shaped foot received in said recess in an axially sliding manner, and a jaw piece extending through said opening and in the same direction as said peripheral flange portion.

3. A frame for an aperture as claimed in claim 2 wherein said jaw piece and said peripheral flange portion have opposing facing surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other, to in use, contact the surfaces of the panel and hold the panel therebetween.

4. A frame for an aperture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a hole to receive a screw is provided from the inside of said axial tube portion into said recess.

A frame for an aperture as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hole is unthreaded.

6. A frame for an aperture as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said jaw portion also includes a screw hole in a predetermined position in said foot, lining up with said screw hole in said axial tube portion.

7. A frame for an aperture as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said jaw portion forms, with said axial tube portion, a smooth surface on the outside of said axial tube portion.

8. A frame for an aperture substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. Dated this Seventeenth day of December 2002. Sola Skylights International Pty Ltd Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant