AU2012261532A1 - Improvements to window systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A window system 40 includes: a glass panel 12; bottom and top frame members 48 and 50, and side frame members 52 and 54 surrounding the glass panel 12, and sill and head reveal members 22 and 24, and side jamb members 26 and 28 which are fitted 5 into channel sections of the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 and face orthogonal to the plane of the glass panel 12. The frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 are joined at their corners with corner joiners 42 which are designed to give sufficient strength such that the total load from the glass window panel can be transferred from the bottom edges of the glass panel directly through the side jamb members 26, and 28 to the side members of a 10 wall opening in a building. Hence there is no need to provide a support member along the bottom of the glass panel to transfer the weight of the glass panel back to the wall opening. 42 -, _ - 42 52 -12- 46 1254 B \1 B 42 - -42 44 48 A' FIGURE__2 48 SECTION A-A 58 12 12 58 SECTION B-B M %I InMr A

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO WINDOW SYSTEMS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to improvements to window systems, and a method 5 of supporting a window system. Particularly the invention relates to a window system and a method of supporting a window system in a wall opening of a building, for the case of a window system that conventionally requires vertical support along a bottom frame. The invention may be particularly applicable to a window system where a plane of a glass panel of the window system is positioned outside of an outside plane of the wall 10 (referred to herein as a protruding window system). However, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited as such. Moreover, because the invention may have many other applications, the prior art and possible applications of the invention discussed below are given by way of example only. Herein window systems is taken to include window systems with fixed windows 15 or with one or more opening windows, and including hinged or sliding panels such as door members. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally window systems comprise a glass panel with frame members surrounding the glass panel, and wooden head and sill reveal members and wooden side 20 jamb members for fitting into the wall opening of a building to secure the window system in place. In making up the window system, the frame members are assembled together with connecting screws at the corners, and the glass panels are then fitted to the frame members with attachment strips and/or rubber beadings. Then the wooden head and sill reveal members and side jamb members are fitted into channel sections of the 25 frame members which face orthogonal to the plane of the glass panel. In the case where this window system is fitted in a wall opening of a building, there is conventionally provided support along the bottom frame to support the weight of the window system. Moreover in the case where a plane of the glass panel of the window system is positioned outside of an outside plane of the wall (protruding window 30 system), there is a need to provide a support member to transfer the weight from the bottom of the glass panel back to the wall opening. Such a configuration can be understood from FIG. 9 which shows an elevation view of a window system 10 to which the invention is applicable. This window system 1 10 may be positioned within the plane of the wall, or may be a protruding window system as shown in FIG. 10. In either case, the bottom frame member 14 is supported along its length by weight being transferred to a bottom window frame 35. Hereunder the description focuses on the protruding window system, but it should 5 be understood that the invention is also applicable to a window system positioned within the plane of the wall. A typical protruding window system for this case is illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 15. FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a conventional protruding window system with one openable window panel and one fixed window panel. FIG. 10 is a vertical section view 10 on A'-A' of FIG. 9, showing details of a sill section of the conventional protruding window system fitted with a support member secured to the frame of a wall opening in a building, designed to transfer the weight from the bottom of the glass panel back to the wall opening (in New Zealand building practice, this is sometimes referred to as a WANZ bar), FIG. 11 is a vertical section view on A-A of FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a horizontal 15 section view on B-B of FIG. 9, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a corner of an assembled conventional protruding window system, FIG. 14 is a vertical section view of the perspective view of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the corner of the conventional protruding window system illustrating screw attachment at the corner section. 20 As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, a conventional protruding window system 10 has a glass panel 12, with bottom and top frame members 14 and 16, and side frame members 18 and 20, surrounding the glass panel 12, and holding the glass panel with an attachment strip 15 and beadings 17 (in the case of the fixed window panel). A wooden sill/reveal member 22 and a wooden head/reveal member 24 and side jamb members 26 25 and 28 for fitting into the wall opening of a building to secure the protruding window system 10 in place, are fitted into channels sections 29 of the respective frame members, which face orthogonal to the plane of the glass panel 12. FIG. 13 to 15 show the connection of the adjacent corners of the overall frame using fastening screws 30. In this example, the glass panel 12 is a double glaze glass panel. In this conventional 30 configuration, the load from the glass panel 12 is transferred to the bottom frame member 14 by means of glass setting blocks 86 positioned at 1/4 spacing along the bottom frame member 14. 2 With such a protruding window system, depending on the weight and length of the glass panel 12 housed within the frame members 14, 16, 18, and 20, and the amount that the plane of the glass panel 12 is positioned outside of an outside plane of the wall of the building, there can be a problem in that, the attachment at the comer 32 (see FIG. 13) 5 between the bottom frame member 14 and the side frame members 18 and 20, which is generally provided by the screws 30 between the members, tends to open up. Moreover, due to the cantilever loading applied at the glass setting blocks 86, the bottom frame member 14 tends to bend downward along its full length. This detracts from the neat appearance of the bottom frame member 14, and the mitre corner of the frame, and can 10 allow leaking of condensation and rain to inside of the window system. Moreover, there is the possibility of complete failure of the attachment under extreme conditions such as with a storm. To ensure that this does not happen, the building regulations for protruding window systems require that a support member such as support member 34 in FIG. 10, is 15 provided along the bottom of the sill of the wall opening, to support the bottom frame member 14 under approved building standard loading conditions. This support member 34 carries the glass panel 12 load from the bottom frame member 14 directly to a bottom window frame 35 of the building, rather than having this load carried through the bottom frame member 14 and sill/reveal member 22 to the bottom window frame 35. This 20 ensures that the bottom frame member 14 does not tend to tilt due to the moment force, and come away from the side frame members 18 and 20, and produce a gap at the corners (for example at corner 32 in FIG. 13). Details of the installation of this support member are given in an article in New Zealand Build 122 (February/March 2011), where it is referred to as a WANZ (Window Association of New Zealand) bar. 25 The requirement to fit this support member 34 for protruding window systems adds considerably to the cost of fitting window systems to a building, both in material cost and labour cost. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a window system and a method 30 of supporting a window system in which the strength and configuration of the assembled window system is such that it is not necessary to provide the support member to prevent the frame from opening up under load, and possibly failing completely. That is, so that the window system is self supporting under approved building standard loading 3 conditions, and thus enables a reduction in both material and labour cost of fitting the window system to a building. The invention can thus be said to be applicable to a window system adapted for fitting as a hung window system supported by side members of a wall opening, and of a 5 size and weight that conventionally requires vertical support along its bottom sill. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a window system including: a glass window panel; top and bottom frame members and side frame members for supporting the glass 10 window panel, and head/reveal and sill/reveal members and side jamb members; the frame members including frame channel sections for accommodating the head/reveal and sill/reveal and side jamb members; wherein at least the bottom frame member and the side frame members are joined 15 together at their ends with joining means that provides sufficient strength so that, when fitted to a wall opening in a building, the total load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to side members of the wall opening. With such a window system, the joining means provides sufficient strength so that the total load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the 20 side jamb members to the side members of the wall opening, rather than along the length of the bottom frame member as in the conventional configuration. Therefore there is no need to provide support along the bottom frame member, thus enabling a reduction in both material and labour cost of fitting the window system to a building. 25 In the window system of the above configuration, in the case of a configuration with a glass setting block between the bottom of the glazing and the bottom frame member, instead of these being provided at even spacing (1/4 spacing) along the bottom frame member, as with the conventional window system, these can be in the form of corner setting blocks positioned at the ends of the bottom frame member. This ensures 30 that the load from the glazing is entirely supported at the bottom corners of the window system. The joining means for joining the comers of the frame members may be any suitable means which give sufficient strength to transfer the load of the window to the 4 bottom corners of the window frame (the bottom end of the side frame members). For example this may include welding, fitting a gusset plate, fitting a member with arms at right angles which fit into the ends of the frame members, or fitting a clamping device. The only requirement is that the total load of the window glass can be transferred from 5 the bottom comers of the window glass to the side members of the wall opening, and no significant load is carried by the bottom frame member at positions away from the corner. In a preferred embodiment, the joining means includes: a clamping device having two clamping members that are connectable by a screw member, and configured such that when connected by the screw member they form a 10 right angle corner piece, each clamping member having a spigot or aperture, and spigots or apertures formed in ends of the frame members so as to correspond to the spigots or apertures formed in the clamping members of the clamping device, the arrangement and construction and strength of the members being such that when corresponding spigots or apertures are connected, corner ends of the frame 15 members can be clamped together rigidly by tightening the screw member so as to give sufficient strength so that the total load of the window glass can be transferred from the bottom corners of the window glass to the side members of the wall opening. Due to the requirement for sufficient strength of the clamping members, these are preferable made from cast steel. Moreover the screw member is made from machine 20 steel. The screw member may be threaded into a thread formed in the corresponding clamping member. However from a strength point of view, it may be preferable to provide a nut which is held in the clamping member, instead of forming a thread in the clamping member. The window system may be an in wall system, or may be a protruding window 25 system. In the case of a protruding window system with the above configuration, there is no turning moment on the bottom frame member, the turning moment being effectively countered in the plane of the side jamb members. The window system can thus be entirely supported through the side jamb members, eliminating the need to provide the support member (referred to above as a WANZ bar) to support the bottom frame member 30 under approved building standard loading conditions. As a result, the cost of fitting a protruding window system to a building, both in material and labour can be reduced. In the case of a protruding window system this may include more than one glass panel, and a mullion disposed between adjacent glass panels, connecting between top and 5 bottom frame members, wherein the mullion protrudes inwards from the glass panel so that a bottom edge thereof rests directly or indirectly on the sill member, and there is provided a mullion joint connecting the bottom frame member to the bottom end of the mullion. 5 By providing the mullion protruding inwards from the glass panel so that a bottom edge thereof rests directly or indirectly on the sill member, and the mullion joint connecting the bottom frame member to the bottom end of the mullion, the loading from the glazing in the vicinity of the mullion can be directly transferred to the sill member, ensuring there is no turning moment on the bottom frame member. Moreover, having the 10 mullion protruding inwards can provide a pleasing design feature to the window system. The invention further includes a building fitted with a window system as described above. By fitting the window system of the present invention to a building, construction costs can be reduced. Moreover, since there is no longer the requirement for the support 15 member below the window system, there are more options for design of the outside appearance of the building. The invention further provides a method of supporting, in a wall opening of a building, a window system as described above, the method including the step of: fitting the window system into the wall opening of the building so that the total 20 load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to the side members of the wall opening. By adopting such a method, building construction can be simplified, while enhancing the integrity of the window system. Furthermore the invention provides a method of supporting in a wall opening of a 25 building, a window system described above, of a size and weight that conventionally requires vertical support along a bottom frame member, the method including: connecting opposite corners of the bottom edge of the window frame to side members of the window frame with connecting devices of sufficient strength such that the load from the window can be transferred through the side members to side members 30 of the opening of the building. With such a method, window systems of a size and weight that conventionally require vertical support along a bottom frame member can be supported without the need 6 for the bottom support, enabling building construction to be simplified, while enhancing the integrity of the window system. Moreover in the case of a protruding window system including a mullion as described above, the method may include the steps of: fitting the protruding window 5 system into the wall opening of the building so that a part of the load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to the side members of the wall opening, and part of the load in the vicinity of the mullion can be transferred directly to the sill member. The invention is applicable to various types of window systems which may or 10 may not conventionally require the fitting of a support member. For example, window systems with fixed windows or with one or more opening windows, and including hinged or sliding panels such as door members. By using the window system of the invention where the load can be transferred from the bottom corners of the window glass directly through the side jamb members to the side members of a wall opening, and from the 15 mullion to the sill member, the vertical and moment loading from the window can be transferred directly to the side and bottom members of the wall opening. Hence there is no longer the need to provide the supporting member, as with the conventional window systems where the strength of the connection of the corners of the frame is not sufficient, and the load must be supported along the length of the bottom frame. 20 The present invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be 25 incorporated herein as if individually set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 30 FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a window system of the present invention which may be either an in wall or protruding window system, with comer joiners and mullion/transom joints, and one openable window panel and one fixed window panel; 7 FIG. 2 is a vertical section view on A'-A' of FIG. 1 in the case of a protruding window configuration, showing details of a sill section of the protruding window system, with comer joiners fitted to a bottom corner joint, and the protruding window system supported in a wall opening; 5 FIG. 3 is a vertical section on A-A of the protruding window system of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a horizontal section view on B-B of the protruding window system of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a corner of an assembled protruding window system of the present invention; 10 FIG. 6 is a vertical section of the perspective view of FIG. 5, showing a section through a corner joiner of the invention; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the corner of the protruding window system of the present invention showing connection of the corner section using the corner joiner of the invention, and a drainage system; 15 FIG. 8 shows a mullion transom joiner according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein; FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the mullion transom joiner, FIG. 8B is a plan view of the mullion transom joiner, FIG. 8C is a vertical section on A-A of FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8D is a vertical section on B-B of FIG. 8B; FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a conventional window system which may be 20 either an in wall or protruding window system, with one openable window panel and one fixed window panel; FIG. 10 is a vertical section view on A'-A' of FIG. 9 in the case of a protruding window configuration, showing details of a sill section of the conventional protruding window system fitted with a support member secured to the frame of a wall opening; 25 FIG. 11 is a vertical section view on A-A of the protruding window system of FIG. 9; FIG. 12 is a horizontal section view on B-B of the protruding window system of FIG. 9; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a comer of an assembled conventional window 30 system; FIG. 14 is a vertical section view of the perspective view of FIG. 13; and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the corner of the conventional window system illustrating screw attachment at the comer section. 8 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures. In the embodiments below, the clamping device of the invention is in the form of corner joiners and a mullion/transom joint. Moreover, the invention is described in 5 relation to a protruding window system with at least one opening window. FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a protruding window system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the overall protruding window system generally indicated by arrow 40 with comer joiners 42 at the four corners and mullion/transom joints 44 at the connection between a mullion 46 and bottom and top frame members 48 10 and 50 respectively. FIG. 2 is a vertical section view on A'-A' (fixed window) of FIG. 1 also including details of a sill section of the window system with a corner joiner 42 fitted to a bottom corner joint, for comparison with the conventional configuration of FIG. 10. In the figures, parts corresponding to those of the conventional window system of FIG. 9 to FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference symbols, and detailed description is omitted. 15 FIG. 3 is a vertical section on A-A (opening window) of the window system 40 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a horizontal section on B-B of the window system 40. In this embodiment, the protruding window system 40 is a double glaze window with one openable window (left side in FIG. 1), and one closed window. The protruding window system 40 includes: a glass panel 12; bottom and top 20 frame members 48 and 50, and side frame members 52 and 54 surrounding the glass panel 12, and a wooden sill/reveal member 22 and head/reveal member 24, and side jamb members 26 and 28. The bottom and top frame members 48 and 50, and side frame members 52 and 54 include frame channel sections 29 for accommodating the wooden sill/reveal member 22 and head/reveal member 24 and the side jamb members 26 and 28. 25 The frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 are joined at their corners with the corner joiners 42. The corner joiners 42 are of sufficient strength such that when the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 are joined together to give the assembled protruding window system 40, the load from the glass panel 12 (minus the load carried by the mullion 46 to be described later) can be supported at its bottom comers and transferred via the side 30 frame members 52, and 54 through the side jamb members 26 and 28 members directly to the side members of the wall opening. Although not shown in the drawings, the side jamb members 26 and 28 are secured to the channel sections 29 with sufficient fasteners 9 to ensure that the load can be transferred through the side jamb members 26 and 28 to the side members of the wall opening. As a result, there is no longer the need to provide the support member 34 beneath the bottom frame member 14, as with the conventional arrangement of FIG. 10, to 5 support the bottom frame member 14 under approved building standard loading conditions. Therefore the cost of fitting the window system 40 to a building, both in material cost and labour cost can be reduced. Moreover, since there is no longer the requirement for the support member (referred to above as a WANZ bar) below the window system 40, there are more options for design of the outside appearance of the 10 building. FIG. 5 through FIG. 7 illustrate details of the method of joining the corners of the frames using the corner joiners 42, and the arrangement of corner setting blocks 87. The frame members shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are of a similar profile to the conventional 15 frame members of FIG. 13 to FIG. 15. However, instead of having the screws 30 for attaching the ends together, the comer joiners 42 are used. Moreover, the glass setting blocks 86 that are conventionally provided at 1/4 spacing along the bottom edge, are replaced with the corner setting blocks 87 at the ends of the sill member 48. This ensures that the load of the window glazing 12 is carried by the bottom corners of the protruding 20 window system 40, and there is no moment load acting on the bottom frame member 48 away from the comers. The corner joiners 42 (serving as clamping devices) have two clamping members 62 and 64 that are connectable by a screw member 66 threaded into an encapsulated nut 67, and are configured such that when connected by the screw member 66 they form a 25 right angle corner piece. Each clamping member 62 and 64 has two spigots 68 (only one visible in FIG. 7), and corresponding apertures 70 are formed in the ends of the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54. The clamping members 62 and 64 also have protrusions 72 for providing a positive location in the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 when fitted therein. Also an angle piece 74 is provided as an alignment device. 30 The arrangement and construction and strength of the clamping members 62 and 64 and the attachment ends of the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 is such that when the corresponding spigots 68 and apertures 70 are connected, the corner ends of the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54 are clamped together rigidly by tightening the screw 66 so as 10 to give sufficient strength so that with the total loading from the glazing 12 transferred to the corners through the corner setting blocks 87, the window system 40 can be entirely supported through the side jamb members to the side members of a wall opening. In this embodiment of the clamping device (corner joiner 42), the screw member 5 66 and nut 67 are used to hold the clamping members 62 and 64 together. However, instead of the nut 67, a thread may be provided in one of the clamping members 62 or 64 for threading into by the screw 66. Moreover, in this embodiment spigots 68 are provided on the clamping members 62, for fitting into the apertures 70 in the frame members 48, 50, 52, and 54. However depending on requirements, the spigot may be 10 formed in the frame member, for fitting into an aperture in the clamping member. FIGS. 5 to 7 also shows details of a drainage system applicable to the window system of the present invention. This includes an internal condensation valve 76 which fits into a hole 78 in the bottom frame member 48, and an external drainage device 80 which fits into a slot 82 in the frame member 48. Also provided is a corner soaker 84 for 15 collecting condensation. FIG. 8 shows details of the connection between the bottom and top frame members 48 and 50 and the mullion 46 using the mullion/transom joint generally indicated by arrow 44. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the mullion transom joiner, FIG. 8B is a plan view of the mullion transom joiner, FIG. 8C is a vertical section on A-A of 20 FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8D is a vertical section on B-B of FIG. 8B. In FIG. 8, only the bottom connection is shown in detail. In this embodiment the mullion/transom joint 44 is achieved by forming a mating end in the end of the mullion 46 to fit with the bottom frame member 48. The loading from the bottom frame member 48, which here corresponds to bottom corners of adjacent window panels 12, is transferred to the 25 mullion 46 by pins 51, nailed through a wooden packing member 53, and into pin holes 55 formed in the extrusion of the mullion 46. Moreover, the mullion 46 is configured so as to protrude inwards from the glass panel 12 (not shown) so that a bottom edge 57 thereof rests directly on the sill member 22. With this configuration, the comer setting blocks 87 are also provided at the 30 corner between the mullion 46 and the bottom frame member 48, and the load from the glazing 12 is transferred via the comer setting blocks 87 to the bottom frame member 48 in the vicinity of the mullion 46. The mullion 46 which is vertically supported directly on the sill member 22, thus carries the load from the bottom frame member 48 directly to 11 the sill member 22, so that there is no turning moment acting on the bottom frame member 48. The invention thus provides a method of supporting a window system 40 of the above construction in a wall opening of a building, without the need for the support 5 member 34 as in the case of the conventional window system. We believe the advantages of our invention to be as follows, however it should be appreciated that all such advantages may not be realised on all embodiments of the invention and the following list is given by way of example only as being indicative of potential advantages of the present invention. Furthermore it is not intended that the 10 advantages of the present invention be restricted to those of the list which follows: 1. By providing a window system of sufficient strength so that it can be entirely supported through the side jamb members, there is no longer the need to provide the support member along the bottom of the sill of the wall opening, to support the bottom frame member, thereby reducing the cost of fitting the window system to a building, and 15 providing more options for design of the outside appearance of the building. 2. By providing the comer joining device made up of two members fastened together by a screw, the window frame can be easily assembled and disassembled, and high rigidity can be ensured. 3. By having the mullion protrude inwards from the glass panel so that a bottom 20 edge thereof rests directly or indirectly on the sill member, the loading from the glazing in the vicinity of the mullion can be transferred directly to the sill member, ensuring there is no turning moment on the bottom frame member. Moreover, having the mullion protruding inwards can provide a pleasing design feature to the window system. In the above description the invention has been particularly described in relation 25 to a protruding window system with at least one glass window panel. However, the invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to in wall window systems (with the plane of the window within the plane of the window opening frame), and window systems with fixed windows which may be in the same plane or inclined to each other, or with one or more opening windows, including hinged or sliding panels such as door 30 members. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 12

Claims (12)

1. A window system including: a glass window panel; 5 top and bottom frame members and side frame members for supporting said glass window panel; and head/reveal and sill/reveal members and side jamb members; said frame members including frame channel sections for accommodating said head/reveal and sill/reveal members and side jamb members; 10 wherein at least said bottom frame member and said side frame members are joined together at their ends with joining means that provides sufficient strength so that, when fitted to a wall opening in a building, the total load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to side members of the wall opening. 15

2. A window system according to claim 1, wherein said window system is adapted for fitting as a hung window system supported by side members of a wall opening, and is of a size and weight that conventionally requires vertical support along a bottom frame member.

3. A window system according to either one of claim 1 and claim 2, further 20 including corner setting blocks for transferring loading from said glass window panel to said bottom frame member, wherein said corner setting blocks are positioned at the ends of said bottom frame member.

4. A window system according to any one of claim 1 through claim 3, wherein said joining means includes: 25 a clamping device having two clamping members that are connectable by a screw member, and configured such that when connected by said screw member they form a right angle corner piece, each clamping member having a spigot or aperture, and spigots or apertures formed in ends of said frame members so as to correspond to said spigots or apertures formed in said clamping members of said clamping device, 30 the arrangement and construction and strength of said members being such that when corresponding spigots or apertures are connected, corner ends of said frame members can be clamped together rigidly by tightening said screw member so as to give 13 sufficient strength so that the total load of the window glass can be transferred from the bottom corners of the window glass to the side members of said wall opening.

5. A window system according to any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein said window system is a protruding window system. 5

6. A window system according to claim 5, wherein said window system includes more than one glass panel, and a mullion disposed between adjacent glass panels, connecting between top and bottom frame members, wherein said mullion protrudes inwards from said glass panel so that a bottom edge thereof rests directly or indirectly on said sill member, and there is provided a mullion joint connecting said bottom frame 10 member to said bottom end of said mullion.

7. A building fitted with a window system according to any one of claim 1 through claim 6.

8. A method of supporting, in a wall opening of a building, a window system according to any one of claim 1 through claim 5, said method including the step of: 15 fitting said window system into the wall opening of the building so that the total load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to the side members of the wall opening.

9. A method of supporting in a wall opening of a building, a window system according to any one of claim 1 through claim 5, of a size and weight that conventionally 20 requires vertical support along a bottom frame member, said method including: connecting opposite corners of the bottom edge of the window frame to side members of the window frame with connecting devices of sufficient strength such that the load from the window can be transferred through the side members to side members of the opening of the building. 25

10. A method of supporting, in a wall opening of a building, a window system according to claim 6, said method including the step of: fitting said window system into the wall opening of the building so that a part of the load from the glass window panel can be transferred directly through the side jamb members to the side members of the wall opening, and a part of the load in the vicinity of 30 the mullion can be transferred directly to said sill member.

11. A window system substantially as described herein with reference to figure 1 through figure 8 of the appended drawings. 14

12. A method of supporting a window system substantially as described herein with reference to figure 1 through figure 8 of the appended drawings. M. J. SERVICE & ASSOCIATES 10 Attorneys for: FMI Research Limited 15