AU2007200009A1 - A Window Sash Member - Google Patents

Description

A WINDOW SASH MEMBER Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to windows and window systems and particularly to improved members for window systems which allow for ease of replacement of the window glass without sacrificing functionality.

Background Art.

The present invention relates generally to a system and a sash member which allows for the installation of glass (or other material as an infill panel) to a sash extrusion with the object that any water passing through the glazing medium, which is normally unplasticised poly-vinyl chloride (uPVC) seals, will not enter the internal cavity of the sash extrusion or the inside of the window system.

For sashes of awning and casement windows manufactured from extruded sections, the sash frame generally consists of common section shapes for the head, sill and side jamb members. Providing members of common cross-sectional shape lends itself to mitre joining of the corners of the members, continuous glazing about the frame, standard processing of the members at the corners of the frame, simplified assembly and reduced tooling costs.

To aid glazing/reglazing of the window, for example when the window glass is broken, the sash members are generally formed of two separate but connectable portions. The first of the two members is a main body portion which provides the sash member with strength and integrity, carries the window seals and has a cross-sectional shape that allows a secure corner join to be made with similarly shaped members using either corner stakes or screw fasteners.

The second of the two members is an attachable, generally snap-fitting glazing head portion which can be removeably attached to the main body portion so that the sash can be easily glazed and reglazed without removing the sash from the window frame, disassembling the sash section and then re-assembling the frame after glass (or infill panel) has been put in place. The glazing head portion is normally fitted to the main body portion.

For the sake of cost and simplicity, the sash is generally glazed with the infill glass using a glazing bead on the top of the main body portion extrusion, the bottom of main body portion of the head rail sash extrusion, and facing portions of the main body portions of the opposed jamb rail members, with respect to the window 2 opening.

By providing the glazing in this manner described, the main body portion of the sill sash member for example is located directly beneath the glazing portion 12 holding the glass 11 to the main body portion as illustrated in Figure 1. As a result of this positioning of the glazing, any water which runs down the window glass 11 and accumulates adjacent the glazing bead may seep through the glazing bead. Once this occurs, the water needs to be drained through the main body member 11 requiring drain openings or similar in a lower portion of the main body member This not only prevents the location of any equipment that may be damaged by water, within the main body portion, but makes the profile of the sash member higher than necessary in order to be of sufficient strength for the window, as well as weakening the main body portion of the sash member by requiring openings therein to drain accumulated water.

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.

Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a window sash member, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a window sash member including a main body portion and a glazing head portion wherein the glazing head portion is positioned to the side of main body portion.

Providing a sash member, and/or a sash frame made using members according to the present invention, will preferably allow for any water which may pass the glazing medium to be drained to the outside of the window without the water entering the any part of the main body portion. This may reduce or preferably eliminate the chances of any accumulated water seeping to the inside of the window through the corner joint of the window sash.

Further advantages may be gained in the reduction of the height of the assembled window sash members giving a greater proportion of glass area for a given overall area of window opening. This can be particularly important for windows that have a small area such as highlight windows above doors or similar.

Still further, advantage may be gained through increasing the strength of the window sash frame in the generally horizontal or wind load direction due to the increase in material which can be provided in this direction for a member having the same material content as a prior art member.

Although the invention is described in terms of a window sash member, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is easily adaptable to use in a door system or other closure system where the above-described advantages are sought.

The sash member of the present invention includes a main body portion. As stated previously, the main body portion of the sash member is generally the portion which provides the window with the required strength, and carries the seals to seal the moveable portion of the window in relation to the fixed frame when the window is closed.

The main body portion of the sash member of the present invention will preferably be or include, a hollow or box section. The hollow section may have any cross-sectional shape but the main shape used will typically be rectangular. Due to its shape and configuration as a hollow member, this member will generally have an internal chamber defined by one or more sidewalls. As such, the member will have an interior space and an exterior.

The main body portion in general and the hollow section in particular, will typically be formed using an appropriate technique such as extrusion. As such, the main body portion will preferably have the same features and a constant crosssectional shape over its length. The section will generally be manufactured of a light but strong metal such as aluminium which is commonly used in window and door manufacture, however, other materials having similar properties are finding more common application in this field. The most common of the newer materials used is a plastics material and it is anticipated that a plastics material with appropriate properties may be used for the present invention.

The main body portion may be provided with one or more extension potions to allow the main body portion to attach to other members of the window system. There will generally be at least three different types of extension portions, namely internal extension portions to allow the attachment of the sash member to adjacent sash members, external seal attachment portions and external glazing head portion attachment portions.

There will typically be a plurality of internal extension portions which are configured to receive fasteners or similar, to attach the members together.

Members will generally be attached substantially perpendicular to one another to form a rectangular frame for the window or door. The ends of the members are then therefore mitered at an angle to form such a rectangular frame.

The internal extension portions will typically be located to allow secure attachment of the members to one another and also to prevent twisting or buckling of the rectangular frame. Once the glass or other window barrier member is properly located and attached to the rectangular frame, this will provide stiffness to the window, generally due to its material properties, but it is important that the rectangular frame possesses strength and at least some rigidity to reduce the force on the window barrier member as much as possible.

The internal extension portions will generally be located on the internal surface of at least some of the sidewalls of the hollow member. The internal extension portions may be configured in opposed pairs adapted to receive a fastener between them. In this form, each of the internal extension portions may be provided with an actual sidewall facing the other of the opposed pair, the two acuate sidewalls adapted to receive a circular cross-section fastener between them. Alternatively, they may be closed channels for receiving a fastener therein.

The main body portion will generally also be provided with one or more external seal attachment portions. The seal attachment portions will typically mount the seals which allow the moveable window member to seal against the fixed window frame member such that in the closed condition, a minimum of water and preferably none at all, can pass to the internal side of the window.

The seal attachment portions are preferably a pair of opposed extension portions which between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive a seal member. Each of the seal attachment portions will preferably include a laterally extending lip portion, extending towards the other of the opposed pair. These lip portions will typically prevent the seal member being pulled directly from the cshaped opening.

There will generally be a seal attachment portion pair on or adjacent at least one of the corners of the main body portion which will in use, be adjacent the glass or other window barrier member. Typically, this first seal attachment portion pair will be located not on the facing side wall of each of the main body portion, but on an outer sidewall which is generally perpendicular to the window barrier member, and typically adjacent the facing sidewall.

The main body portion will also typically include an external glazing head portion attachment portion. The glazing head portion attachment portion is generally a pair of opposed extension portions which between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive the glazing head portion. Each of the glazing head portion attachment portions will preferably include a laterally extending lip portion, extending towards the other of the opposed pair. One of the lip portions will typically be larger than the other to allow the removal of the glazing head portion from the main body portion to allow for ease of reglazing. Generally, the closer of the two portions to the facing surface on each member will have the larger lip portion.

The glazing head portion attachment portions will preferably be located on an outer sidewall which is generally perpendicular to the window barrier member, and typically further from the facing sidewall than the seal attachment portion.

The glazing head portion attachment portion which is furthest from the facing surface of the main body member will preferably be located on or associated with a lateral extension of a sidewall of the main body member. This lateral extension may assist with the location and support of the glazing head portion and may also mount a seal attachment portion.

The main body member, particularly that used form the sill member, may alternatively include a hollow or box section formed from a downwardly facing U-shaped member and a corresponding, removeable basewall member. The basewall member will typically mount portions of a snap-fit attachment system, corresponding portions of which are mounted on the U-shaped member. Provision of this removeable wall allows access to the interior of the main body member. The interior of the main body member may be used contain opening and closing mechanism such as chainwinder or the like. The basewall will also preferably include a lateral extension to assist with the location and support of the glazing head portion and may also mount a seal attachment portion.

The lateral extension may also include an opening or similar to assist with the attachment of the glazing head portion to the main body portion.

The sash member of the present invention also includes a glazing head portion wherein the glazing head portion is positioned to the side of main body portion. The glazing head portion will generally be or include a U-shaped member with a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a basewall, in which the spaced apart sidewalls are positioned substantially perpendicular to the glass or window barrier member and the basewall is generally parallel to the glass or window barrier member.

The length of the sidewalls of the glazing head member will typically be of a length to space the glass or window barrier member from the main body portion. The sidewalls will also generally have laterally extending lip portions to releasably engage with the lip portions on the glazing head portion attachment portion of the main body portion.

The glazing head portion will also preferably include an extension to the basewall of the portion which extends toward the centre of the rectangular frame and to which the glass or other window barrier member is typically mounted. The basewall extension will typically define a U-shaped channel with the sidewall of the main body member and one of the sidewalls of the glazing head member. It is this channel that may collect any water which penetrates the glazing seal and it is through the sidewalls of the glazing head member, that the water may be drained, maintaining the integrity of the main body member. Openings may be provided in the sidewalls for this purpose. Further openings may be provided to securely attach the glazing head member to the lateral extension of the main body portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a sill sash member and sill surround member presently available in the art.

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a sill sash member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and its adjacent sill surround member.

Figure 3 is a is a sectional side view of a sill sash member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a head sash member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with respective surround members.

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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.

According to the preferred embodiment, a window sash member for use in a window frame is provided.

O The preferred embodiment of window sash member as illustrated in Figure 2 in particular includes a main body portion 10 and a glazing head portion 12 Owherein the glazing head portion 12 is positioned to the side of main body portion OProviding a sash frame made using members according to the preferred N embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 3 or even a sill sash Smember of this type as in Figure 2, allows any water which may pass the glazing bead "I 10 13 to be drained to the outside of the window without the water entering any part of the main body portion 10. This reduces the chances of any accumulated water seeping to the inside of the window through the corner joint of the window sash.

The sash member of the present invention includes a main body portion As stated previously, the main body portion 10 of the sash member is generally the portion which provides the window with the required strength, and carries the seals to seal the moveable portion of the window in relation to the fixed frame when the window is closed.

The main body portion 10 of the sash member of the present invention includes a hollow box section. The hollow section may have any cross-sectional shape but the main shape used is rectangular. Due to its shape and configuration as a hollow member, this member will generally have an internal chamber defined by one or more sidewalls. As such, the member will have an interior space and an exterior.

The main body portion 10 in general and the hollow section in particular, will typically be formed using an appropriate technique such as extrusion.

As such, the main body portion 10 has the same features and a constant crosssectional shape over its length. The section will generally be manufactured of a light but strong metal such as aluminium which is commonly used in window and door manufacture, however, other materials having similar properties are finding more common application in this field. The most common of the newer materials used is a plastics material and it is anticipated that a plastics material with appropriate properties may be used for the present invention.

The main body member 10 illustrated in Figure 2 differs from that illustrated in Figure 3 and either embodiment may be used. The main body member illustrated in Figure 3 is a box section, having four sidewalls 14 which are integrally formed. The basewall 15 of the box section includes a lateral extension 16 to assist with the location and support of the glazing head portion 12 and may also mount a seal attachment portion 17.

The main body member 10 may alternatively be formed according to that illustrated in Figure 2 which is preferred. This main body member 10 includes a hollow box section formed from a downwardly facing U-shaped member 18 and a corresponding, removeable basewall member 19. The basewall member 19 will typically mount portions of a snap-fit attachment system, corresponding portions of which are mounted on the U-shaped member 18. Provision of this removeable basewall 19 allows access to the interior of the main body member 10. The interior of the main body member 10 can be used contain an opening and closing mechanism such as chainwinder or the like. The removeable basewall 19 will also include a lateral extension 16 to assist with the location and support of the glazing head portion 12 and also mounts a seal attachment portion 17.

In each of the embodiments, the lateral extension 16 also includes an opening or similar to assist with the attachment of the glazing head portion to the main body portion usually using a threaded fastener such as screws 21 or the like.

The main body portion 10 is provided with one or more extension potions to allow the main body portion 10 to attach to other members of the window system. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, there are three different types of extension portions, namely internal extension portions 22 to allow the attachment of the sash member to adjacent sash members, external seal attachment portions 17 and external glazing head portion attachment portions 23.

According to each embodiment, there is a plurality of internal extension portions 22 configured to receive fasteners or similar, to attach the members together. Members will generally be attached substantially perpendicular to one another to form a rectangular frame for the window or door. The ends of the members are therefore mitered at an angle to form such a rectangular frame.

The internal extension portions 22 are located to allow secure attachment of the members to one another and also to prevent twisting or buckling of the rectangular frame. Once the glass 11 or other window barrier member is properly located and attached to the rectangular frame, this will provide additional stiffness to the window, generally due to the barrier material properties, but it is important that the rectangular frame possesses strength and at least some rigidity to reduce the force on the window barrier member as much as possible.

The internal extension portions 22 are located on the internal surface of at least some of the sidewalls 14 of the main body member 10. The internal extension portions 11 are configured in opposed pairs adapted to receive a fastener, or similar, between them. In this form, each of the internal extension portions may be provided with an arcuate sidewall facing the other of the opposed pair, the two arcuate sidewalls adapted to receive a circular cross-section fastener between them.

Alternatively, they may be closed channels for receiving a fastener therein.

The main body portion 10 is also provided with one or more external seal attachment portions 17. The seal attachment portions 17 typically mount sealing members (not shown) which allow the moveable window member (of which the sash member of the present invention generally forms a part) to seal against the fixed window frame member 50 such that in the closed condition, a minimum of water and preferably none at all, can pass to the internal side of the window assembly.

The seal attachment portions 17 of the preferred embodiment are a pair of opposed extension portions which between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive a seal member (not shown). Each of the seal attachment portions 17 include a laterally extending lip portion, extending towards the other of the opposed pair. These lip portions typically prevent the seal member (not shown) being pulled directly from the c-shaped opening.

There will generally be a seal attachment portion 17 pair adjacent at least one of the corners of the main body portion 10 which will in use, be adjacent the glass 11 or other window barrier member. Typically, this first seal attachment portion pair will be located on an outer sidewall which is generally perpendicular to the glass 11, and typically adjacent the facing sidewall. A second seal attachment portion will generally be located on the lateral extension and seal against the fixed window frame member The main body portion 10 also include an external glazing head portion attachment portion 23. The glazing head portion attachment portion 23 is generally a pair of opposed extension portions which between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive the glazing head portion 12. Each of the glazing head Sportion attachment portions 23 include a laterally extending lip portion, extending Stowards the other of the opposed pair. According to the embodiment illustrated, one of the lip portions is larger than the other to allow the removal of the glazing head O portion 12 from the main body portion 10 to allow for ease of reglazing. Generally, the closer of the two portions to the facing surface on each member will have the larger lip portion.

The glazing head portion attachment portions 23 are located on an CK outer sidewall which is generally perpendicular to the glass 11, and typically further Sfrom the facing sidewall than the seal attachment portion 17. This allows the glazing 10 head portion 12 to be attached to the side of the main body member The glazing head portion attachment portion 23 which is furthest from the facing surface of the main body member 10 is located on or associated with a lateral extension 24 of a sidewall of the main body member 10. This lateral extension 24 assists with the location and support of the glazing head portion 12.

The sash member of the present invention also includes a glazing head portion 12 wherein the glazing head portion 12 is positioned to the side of main body portion 10. The glazing head portion 12 includes a U-shaped member with a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 25 and a basewall 16, in which the spaced apart sidewalls are positioned substantially perpendicular to the glass 11 and the basewall 26 is generally parallel to the glass 11.

The length of the sidewalls 25 of the glazing head portion 12 are typically of a length to space the glass 11 from the main body portion 10. The sidewalls 25 also generally have laterally extending lip portions to releasably engage with the lip portions on the glazing head portion attachment portion 23 of the main body portion The glazing head portion 12 also includes an extension 27 to the basewall 26 which extends toward the center of the rectangular frame and to which the glass 11 is typically mounted. The basewall extension 27 defines a U-shaped channel with the sidewall 14 of the main body member 10 and one of the sidewalls of the glazing head portion 12. It is this channel that may collect any water which penetrates the glazing seal 13 and it is through the sidewalls 25 of the glazing head portion 12, that the water can be drained, maintaining the integrity of the main body member 10. Openings may be provided in the sidewalls for this purpose. Further openings may be provided to securely attach the glazing head member to the lateral extension of the main body portion.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (19)

1. A window sash member including a main body portion and a glazing head portion wherein the glazing head portion is positioned to the side of main body portion.

2. A window sash member according to claim I wherein the main body portion of the sash member includes a hollow or box section with an internal chamber defined by one or more sidewalls.

3. A window sash member according to claim 1 wherein the main body portion is provided with one or more extension potions to allow the main body portion to attach to other members of the window system.

4. A window sash member according to claim 3 wherein at least three different types of extension portions are provided, namely internal extension portions to allow the attachment of the sash member to adjacent sash members, external seal attachment portions and external glazing head portion attachment portions.

A window sash member according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of internal extension portions are provided configured to receive fasteners or similar, to attach the members together.

6. A window sash member according to claim 5 wherein each internal extension portion is provided as part of an opposed pair, each of the internal extension portions having an arcuate sidewall facing the other of the opposed pair, the two arcuate sidewalls adapted to receive a circular cross-section fastener between them.

7. A window sash member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body portion is provided with one or more external seal attachment portions to mount sealing means allowing a moveable window member to seal against a fixed window frame member such that in the closed condition, a minimum of water can pass to an internal side of the window.

8. A window sash member according to claim 7 wherein the seal attachment portions include a pair of opposed extension portions which between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive a seal member.

9. A window sash member according to claim 8 wherein each of the seal attachment portions includes a laterally extending lip portion, extending Ct towards the other of the opposed pair. O

10. A window sash member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body portion includes an external glazing head portion attachment portion.

11. A window sash member according to claim 10 wherein the glazing head portion attachment portion includes a pair of opposed extension portions Swhich between them define a generally c-shaped opening adapted to receive the glazing head portion.

12. A window sash member according to claim 11 wherein each of the glazing head portion attachment portions includes a laterally extending lip portion, extending towards the other of the opposed pair.

13. A window sash member according to claim 1 wherein the main body member, includes a hollow or box section formed from a downwardly facing U-shaped member and a corresponding, removeable basewall member to allow access to the interior of the main body member.

14. A window sash member according to claim 13 wherein the basewall member mounts portions of a snap-fit attachment system, corresponding portions of which are mounted on the U-shaped member.

A window sash member according to claim 1 wherein the glazing head portion includes a U-shaped member with a pair of spaced apart sidewalls and a basewall, in which the spaced apart sidewalls are positioned substantially perpendicular to the glass or window barrier member and the basewall is parallel to the glass or window barrier member.

16. A window sash member according to claim 15 wherein the glazing head portion includes an extension to the basewall portion which extends toward the centre of a rectangular frame formed from a plurality of said members, and to which the glass or other window barrier member is mounted.

17. A window sash member according to claim 16 wherein the basewall extension defines a U-shaped channel with a sidewall of the main body member and one of the sidewalls of the glazing head member to collect any water which penetrates the glazing seal 14

18. A window sash member according to claim 17 wherein openings are provided in the sidewalls of the glazing head member to allow the escape of water.

19. A window sash member substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.