AU2007100382A4

AU2007100382A4 - Improvements to Glazing

Info

Publication number: AU2007100382A4
Application number: AU2007100382A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Francis Xavier Heads
Original assignee: Bradnam S Windows & Doors Pty
Current assignee: Bradnam's Windows & Doors Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-20
Filing date: 2007-05-14
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-09
Also published as: AU2007100382B4

Description

Improvements to Glazing.

Ct Field of the Invention.

This invention is directed to glazing and is particularly directed to an improved method to fix glass to a glazing channel. The invention can be used to glaze window 00 Mc, sashes and/or door sashes, but it is considered the invention need not be limited only to these particular uses.

Background Art.

Window glass (which is meant to include door glass as well) is fixed to a surround frame (which is often called the glazing channel) in a variety of methods.

A very well-known and very basic method is to use a putty or a settable plastic material which is pushed between the window glass and the glazing channel to hold the window glass in place. However, this can be quite time consuming and errors can be made. Also, putty will dry and crack over time.

It is also known to provide a plastic glazing bead to trim around the edge of the glass after it has been installed in a window. The glazing bead can be made from vinyl, aluminum extrusion, or aluminum formed sheet. The glazing bead either is screwed in place or snapped into grooves in the sash member.

An example of a glazing bead is described in our earlier patent 664665. Another example of a plastic surround channel for a glass pane is described in our earlier patent 689065.

The present invention is directed to a glazing assembly that can hold a glass pane, and which comprises a glazing strip which can adapt to a range of glazing channels.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a glazing assembly which may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial K choice.

00 In one form, the invention relies in a glazing assembly to hold a glass pane, the glazing assembly comprising an outer part and an inner part, the inner part being formed separately from the outer part and able to fit to the outer part, the outer part comprising a glazing channel, the inner part comprising a glazing strip the glazing strip being provided with a longitudinal slot into which an edge of a glass pane can be fitted, at least one flexible fin being positioned relative to the slot to press against the glass pane when the glass pane is in the slot, the inner part further comprising at least one locking member adapted to lock against the outer part when the inner part is pushed into the outer part.

In a broader form, the invention resides in a two-part glazing assembly comprising an inner part and an outer part, the inner part being attachable to the glass pane, and the inner part being fitted to the outer part, or glazing assembly that can hold a glass pane, and which comprises a glazing strip which can adapt to a range of glazing channels.

The inner part is preferably made of substantially rigid material, and therefore the inner part can be made of extruded plastics such as UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) (for instance). Conventional glazing strips are usually made entirely of flexible material and this can create some instability in holding the glass. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner part can be made of mainly nonflexible material such as UPVC. However, the inner part may also be made of other substantially rigid material such as some types of metals, composite materials and the like.

The inner part may comprise an elongate member having a substantially enclosed passageway/chamber which has an opening which comprises the slot. The slot will typically extend entirely along the length of the elongate member and will have a width sufficient to allow a glass pane to extend into the slot. Thus, the slot will typically have a width of between 4-20 mm, although this can vary to suit and it is not considered that the invention should by limited only to these sizes.

r At least one flexible fin is provided to bear up against the glass pane when the pane is 00 Mc, inserted into the slot. The fin will typically comprise a flexible member which can be co-extruded with the inner part. However, it is also envisaged that the fin can be formed separately and fitted in position by other means. It is preferred that a plurality 10 of flexible fins is provided and is preferred that a fin is provided on each side of the (Ni glass pane. Thus, a pair of fins may be provided adjacent each side of the slot.

To assist in positioning of the fins, it is preferred that a depending wall extends adjacent at least one side and preferably adjacent each side of the slot to provide a mounting area for co-extrusion or other type of attachments of the fins.

Each fin preferably extends along the length of the slot and may have a length of between 1-5 mm and a thickness of between 0.2-3 mm (although this can vary to suit and it is not considered that the invention should by limited only to these sizes).

Each fin may be made of flexible plastic material, rubber material, composite materials, homo polymers, copolymers, block polymers, other types of flexible materials and the like.

A locking or clipping member is provided to enable the inner part to be locked (and preferably push locked or snap-locked) to the outer part. The locking member will typically be provided on the inner part although it is envisaged that there may be circumstances where the locking member is provided on the outer part or both on the inner part and the outer part.

The locking member may be formed integrally with the remainder of the inner part, or may be formed separately and fitted to the inner part. It is however preferred that the locking member is extruded with the remainder of the inner part. The locking member can therefore be made of UPVC or other material from which the remainder of the inner part is manufactured.

To enable the locking member to push fit or snap fit to the outer part, it is preferred that the locking member has a small degree of resiliency of flexibility. To achieve this, it is preferred that the locking member comprises an extending wall/fin!rib and N, the like extending from the remainder of the inner part. By doing so, the locking 00 Mc, member can have a degree of flex by being "cantilevered" to some extent.

The outer part will typically be made of rigid or substantially rigid material and it is expected that the outer part will be made of extruded aluminium although under some circumstances, other metals, rigid plastics, composite materials or other materials may be suitable.

The outer part will typically be substantially channel shaped and may therefore have a 1 5 bottom wall, and a pair of opposed substantially parallel sidewalls. It is preferred that the outer part has a substantially open top thereby being substantially U-shaped and defining a channel portion.

To enable the inner part to be fitted to the outer part, it is preferred that the outer part contains some form of engagement means to assist in the fitting. In one form, the engagement means may comprise at least one groove or tooth or something similar to which the inner part (and preferably the locking member of the inner part) can attach.

The engagement means may also comprise an inwardly or otherwise profiled shoulder, rib, edge and the like on the outer part, and against which the inner part can clip or lock.

Typically, a plurality of teeth is provided and this can extend along the, or each, side wall and it is preferred that the teeth are formed during the extrusion process and are therefore integral with the, or each, side wall. However, it is also envisaged that the teeth can be formed separately and fitted to the outer part. Typically, the teeth will comprise longitudinal projections with a gap between adjacent projections.

In this way, the locking member of the inner part can engage with the tooth to be held thereby. If a plurality of teeth is provided, this can provide some adjustability of the positioning of the inner part in the outer part.

It is preferred that some form of flexible member or biasing member is provided to ensure that the inner part is held in a locking position against the outer part. This member may comprise part of the inner part and in a particular embodiment may be 00 M positioned on the bottom of the inner part to engage against the bottom wall of the outer part when the inner part is positioned in the outer part. The member may comprise at least one flexible fin. The member may alternatively function to provide sealing to the outer part or may function to provide both a degree of sealing and a degree of "spring" to ensure what to facilitate or to assist in holding the inner part against the outer part.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:.

Figure 1. Illustrates a glazing assembly comprising a glass pane (in edge view) and an inner part which has been pushed into an outer part.

Figure 2. Illustrates, in section view, the inner part.

Figure 3. Illustrates an inner part (glazing strip) according to a second embodiment.

Figures 4-7. Illustrate various different applications of the assembly.

Figure 8. Illustrates an inner part (glazing strip) according to a third embodiment.

Best Mode.

Referring initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a glazing assembly. The glazing assembly comprises a glass pane 10 which will typically have a thickness of between 4-20 mrm. While the invention will be described with reference to a glass pane, it is envisaged that the invention could also be used for other types of members such as metal panels, plastic panels, FC sheet, composite panels and the like.

The lower edge of the glass pane has been pushed into an inner part which in the embodiment can be called a glazing strip 11. Glazing strip 11 is made of substantially rigid material such as extruded UPVC. The glazing strip has a top wall 12, a bottom wall 13, and opposed sidewalls 14 to define a substantially enclosed chamber 15. Top wall contains a longitudinal slot 16 which is possibly best illustrated in figure 2 and into which the lower edge of glass 10 can be pushed. Adjacent each side of the slots is a short depending wall 17 which is formed integrally.

00 M' Attached to each depending wall 17 is a pair of flexible fins 18, and these fins are coextruded with the UPVC. Each fin extends along the length of slot 16 and points downwardly into chamber 15. Each fin has a length of between 1-5 mm. As the glass i 0 I 0 is pushed into chamber 15 and through slot 16, the flexible fins 18 contact the glass on each side to provide sealing and one-way retention.

Extending from each side wall 14 is a locking member which in the particular embodiment comprises a rigid leg 19. Leg 19 is integrally formed with the remainder of glazing strip 11 and extends longitudinally along the length of the glazing strip.

Leg 19 extends somewhat outwardly and upwardly from the respective side wall 14.

The length of the leg can vary but will typically be between 5-50 mm.

The outer part comprises a glazing channel 20 and is formed from extruded aluminium and is substantially U-shaped thereby having a bottom wall 21, a pair of opposed sidewalls 22, and a substantially open top. The inner part of each side wall is formed with a plurality of parallel longitudinal engagement means in the form of teeth 23. These teeth are formed integrally with each side wall.

In use, the glass pane 10 can be pushed into slot 16 and will be held in position by the flexible fins 18. The glass pane 10 containing the attached glazing strip 11 can then be pushed into the substantially U-shaped glazing channel 20. As this occurs, the free edge of each leg 19 will "ratchet against the teeth 23 and, as legs 19 have a small degree of flex, they will be pushed inwardly as they ride over the teeth and then will extend outwardly to lock behind a particular tooth. Thus, one-way retention of the inner part (glazing strip 11) is provided in the outer part (glazing channel Flexible fins 24 (see also figure 2) are provided extending downwardly from bottom Q\ wall 13 of the glazing strip 11. These fins provide sealing to the glazing channel and also provide a degree of elasticity so that legs 19 fit snugly into the serrations (teeth 23) to securely lock the inner part to the outer part.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative glazing strip which is similar to the glazing strip C described above except that the slot is much larger (to accommodate thick glass see 00 M€3 figure and therefore the flexible fins are attached to the sidewalls of the glazing strip.

10 Figure 8 illustrates another type of glazing strip which is suitable for thin glass (see (,i figure 6 for instance) and which can be slotted into a different type of "glazing channel" Figures 4-7 illustrate some different non-limiting applications of the invention.

Although the arrangement can be used to glaze window sashes and/or sashes, it is considered that the assembly may also be used as an edging for other types of planar members.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

2. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fin is a flexible member.
3. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the fin is co-extruded with the inner part.
4. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of flexible fins a fin being provided on each side of the glass pane. A glazing strip provided with a longitudinal slot into which an edge of a glass pane can be fitted, at least one flexible fin being positioned relative to the slot to press against the glass pane when the glass pane is in the slot, the glazing strip further comprising at least one locking member adapted to lock relative to a glazing channel when the glazing strip is pushed into the glazing channel.