AU2016203582B2 - A sub-head assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A SUB-HEAD ASSEMBLY A sub-head (11) to receive a frame of a door or window. The sub-head (11) has a base (12) with a pair of longitudinally extending flanges (14). The base (12) includes a first longitudinally extending wall (16) and a second longitudinally extending wall (17), with the walls (16, 17) being spaced provided with apertures (20, 21) to provide for the flow of air transversely through the sub-head (11). c-oc

Description

A SUB-HEAD ASSEMBLY

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to sub-heads for buildings that receive the frame of a door or window.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Windows and doors of buildings include a sub-head into which the window or door frame is received to be secured in position. The sub-head include a pair of generally parallel flanges that are transversely spaced so as to provide a slot within which the window or door frame is received.

[0003] Buildings, particularly multi-storey buildings, are becoming more airtight with the result that air within the building is provided by the air-conditioning system. A disadvantage is that this is considered unhealthy.

[0004] To address the above issue, buildings have been provided with vents, however they suffer from the disadvantage that the vents are aesthetically not pleasing.

OBJECT

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein a sub-head to receive a window or door frame, the sub-head including:

a longitudinally extending cavity;

a pair of longitudinally extending flanges, the flanges being transversely spaced and generally parallel so as to provide a longitudinally extending slot to receive the frame; and wherein

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2016203582 30 May 2016 the sub-head has apertures to provide for airflow transversely through the sub-head via the cavity and apertures.

[0007] Preferably, the sub-head includes a tubular longitudinally extending base providing said cavity, with the flanges fixed to the base so as to extend longitudinally thereof, with the base having a first longitudinally extending side and a second longitudinally extending side, with the sides being transversely spaced, and with each side having at least one of the apertures to provide for the airflow transversely through the sub-head by the cavity and apertures.

[0008] Preferably, the base is generally square or rectangular in transverse cross-section so that the first and second sides are generally parallel, with the base having third and fourth side walls, with the flanges extending from the third side wall.

[0009] Preferably, the first side and/or the second side has a plurality of the apertures.

[0010] Preferably, the flanges are co-extensive.

[0011] Preferably, the flanges and base are integrally formed.

[0012] In an alternative preferred form, the sub-head includes a flange portion providing the flanges, with the flange portion having a transverse web extending between the flanges, and the sub-head includes a longitudinally extending cavity providing member, providing said cavity, with the flange portion and cavity providing member both having the apertures.

[0013] Preferably, the cavity providing member is fixed to one of the flanges.

[0014] In one preferred form, the flange portion and cavity providing member are integrally formed.

[0015] In an alternative preferred form, the cavity providing member is separately formed but attached to the flange portion.

[0016] There is further disclosed herein an assembly including the above sub-head, and a vent device to open and at least partly close to provide for the transverse airflow.

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[0017] Preferably, the vent device is adjacent the second wall.

[0018] In one form, the vent device is attached to the cavity providing member.

[0019] Preferably, the cavity providing member includes a longitudinally extending wall that extends transversely outwardly away from an adjacent one of the flanges, with the vent device attached to the cavity providing member wall.

[0020] In an alternative preferred form, the assembly includes a vent device mounting, the vent device mounting being attached to or formed integral with the sub-head, and to which the vent device is attached with the vent device being operable to provide for airflow through the sub-head and mounting.

[0021] Preferably, the vent device is a passive vent device.

[0022] Preferably, the vent device is temperature sensitive so that upon air temperature adjacent the vent device exceeding a predetermined temperature, the vent device operates to allow airflow through the assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the vent device includes an apertured wall, and a closure plate located adjacent the apertured wall, and an actuator operatively associated with the closure plate to cause movement thereof between a position at which an aperture of the apertured wall and an aperture of the closure plate are substantially not aligned, and a further position at which an aperture of the apertured wall and an aperture of the closure plate are substantially aligned to provide for the flow of air therethrough.

[0024] Preferably, the actuator is a bi-metal spiral member.

[0025] Preferably, the vent device includes a spring urging the closure plate in a predetermined direction.

[0026] Preferably, the closure member is also manually operable.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a sub-head assembly to receive the frame of a door or window;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the sub-head assembly of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of the sub-head assembly of Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the sub-head assembly of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the sub-head assembly of Figure 4;

[0033] Figure 6 is as schematic end elevation of the sub-head assembly of Figure 4;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a modification of the sub-head assembly of Figure 1; and

[0035] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a vent device employed in the sub-head assemblies of Figure 1 and 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] In Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a sub-head assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a sub-head 11 that is longitudinally elongated and preferably is of a unitary construction. Most typically, the sub-head 11 would be an aluminium extrusion.

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[0037] The sub-head 11 is of a tubular configuration and includes a longitudinally extending base 12 that is square or rectangular in cross-section. The base 12 provides a longitudinally extending cavity 13.

[0038] Formed integrally with an extending from the base 12 is a pair of flanges 14. The flanges 14 are longitudinally elongated and extend longitudinally of the base 12 and project from the base 12. The flanges 14 are transversely spaced and are generally parallel and co-extensive so as to provide a longitudinally extending slot 15 that receives the window or door frame.

[0039] The base 12 includes a first longitudinally extending wall 16, a second longitudinally extending wall 17, a third longitudinally extending wall 18 and fourth longitudinally extending wall 19. The walls 16 and 17 are generally parallel transversely spaced and co-extensive, with the walls 18 and 19 also transversely spaced, generally parallel and co-extensive.

[0040] Each of the walls 16 and 17 is provided with at least one aperture 20 or 21 so that air may pass transversely through the sub-head 11 via the cavity 13.

[0041] Attached to the base 12 is a first cover 22 that extends generally parallel to the wall 16 but spaced therefrom, and covers each of the apertures 20. The cover 22 is spaced from the wall 16 so that air may pass between the cover 22 and the wall 16 to exit to the exterior of the building.

[0042] Operatively associated with the walls 17 is a vent device 23. The vent device 23 is more fully depicted in Figure 8. Preferably, the vent device 23 is a passage device, however the vent device 23 may also be operated by an electrically powered linear actuator.

[0043] In this embodiment the vent device 23 is operated so that when temperature in the adjacent room exceeds a predetermined temperature, air is allowed to pass through the sub-head 11 to enter the room. When the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature, the vent device 23 at least inhibits, but preferably prevents, airflow from the exterior entering the room. In an alternative preferred form, the vent device 23 could act in the opposite manner, that is prevent airflow when temperature in the room exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the vent device 23 includes a main body 24 that is elongated and attached to the wall 17 so as to extend longitudinally thereof.

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[0045] The body 24 is of a channel configuration so as to have a longitudinally extending wall

25. The wall 25 is provided with a plurality of apertures 26 located at spaced locations along the wall 25. Slidably mounted in the body 24 is a closure plate 27 that is slidable relative to the wall and located adjacent the wall 25. The plate 27 has a plurality of apertures 28. In Figure 7, the apertures 26 and 28 are aligned so that air may pass through the device 23.

[0046] Fixed to the body 24 adjacent one end thereof is a bracket 29. Attached to the bracket 29 is spiral bi-metal actuator 30 that longitudinally elongates as temperature increases. One end of the actuator 30 is attached to the closure plate 27, so that the actuator 30 causes sliding movement of the plate 27 relative to the wall 25. When temperature in a room to which the device 23 is exposed, exceeds a predetermined pressure, the actuator 30 will move the plate 27 to a position at which the apertures 26 are at least partly aligned to provide for the flow of air therethrough. When the temperature within the room falls below a predetermined temperature, the plate 27 is located by the actuator 30 at a position at which the plate 27 essentially closes the apertures 27 to at least inhibit, if not prevent, airflow through the passages 26 and therefore the sub-head 11.

[0047] Fixed to the other end of the body 24 is a further bracket. Attached to the bracket 31 is a spring 32 that is also attached to the plate 27 to urge the plate 27 in the direction 33.

[0048] In this particular embodiment, the aperture 21 is a single aperture and is elongated so that the body 24 projects into the aperture 21. Accordingly, as temperature changes in the room, the vent device 23 is opened and closed to provide for the flow of air transversely across the cavity 31, in particular to permit the delivery of fresh air from the building exterior into the room via the apertures 20. Preferably a cover 34 is attachable to the base 12 to conceal the device 23. The cover 32 would be spaced from the wall 17 to permit air to pass through the device 23 and to exit via apertures formed in the longitudinally extending flange 35 of the cover 34.

[0049] Preferably a bracket 36 is attached to the plate 27, and projects to a position at which a user can engage the bracket 36 and moves the plate 27 between the open and closed positions manually.

[0050] In Figures 4, 5 and 6 there is schematically depicted a modification of the assembly 10.

In this embodiment, the base 12 has formed integral with it, or attached to it, a vent device

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2016203582 30 May 2016 mounting 40. Preferably the mounting 40 is attached to the side wall 17 and provides a longitudinally extending cavity 41. The cavity 41 is exposed to the aperture 21 so that air may pass therebetween.

[0051] The mounting 40 has a downwardly facing wall 42 that has at least one aperture 43 to provide for airflow through the cavity 41, and therefore the cavity 13. In this embodiment, the vent device 43 is attached to the wall 42 and projects into the aperture 43. A cover 44 with apertures 45 conceals the vent device 23.

[0052] In the embodiment of Figure 7, the flanges 14 and side wall (transverse web) 18 provide a longitudinally extending flange portion 50, that is “U-shaped” in transverse cross-section. Attached to one of the flanges 14 is a cavity providing member 51 that can be of the same construction as the vent mounting 40 previously described. In this embodiment the member 5l,has the longitudinally extending wall 42 with the vent device 23 mounted therein. The wall 42 extends transversely away from the adjacent flange 14.

[0053] To provide for transverse airflow through the sub-head 10, the flange 14 is provided with the aperture 21.

[0054] In this embodiment the member 51 provides the longitudinally extending flange 14.

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Claims (21)

1. A sub-head assembly including:

a sub-head to receive a window or door frame, the sub-head including:

a longitudinally extending cavity;

a pair of longitudinally extending flanges, the flanges being transversely spaced and generally parallel so as to provide a longitudinally extending slot to receive the frame; and wherein the sub-head has apertures to provide for airflow transversely through the sub-head via the cavity and apertures.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sub-head includes a tubular longitudinally extending base providing said cavity, with the flanges fixed to the base so as to extend longitudinally thereof, with the base having a first longitudinally extending side and a second longitudinally extending side, with the sides being transversely spaced, and with each side having at least one of the apertures to provide for the airflow transversely through the sub-head by the cavity and apertures.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the base is generally square or rectangular in transverse cross-section so that the first and second sides are generally parallel, with the base having third and fourth side walls, with the flanges extending from the third side wall.

4. The assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first side and/or the second side has a plurality of the apertures.

5. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flanges are co-extensive.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flanges and base are integrally formed.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sub-head includes a flange portion providing the flanges, with the flange portion having a transverse web extending between the flanges, and the sub-head includes a longitudinally extending cavity providing member, providing said cavity, with the flange portion and cavity providing member both having the apertures.

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8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the cavity providing member is fixed to one of the flanges.

9. The assembly of any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the flange portion and cavity providing member are integrally formed.

10. The assembly of any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the cavity providing member is separately formed but attached to the flange portion.

11. An assembly including the sub-head of any one of claims 1 to 10, and a vent device to open and at least partly close to provide for the transverse airflow.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the vent device is adjacent the second wall.

13. The assembly of claim 11 or 12, wherein the vent device is attached to the cavity providing member.

14. The assembly of any one claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the cavity providing member includes a longitudinally extending wall that extends transversely outwardly away from an adjacent one of the flanges, with the vent device attached to the cavity providing member wall.

15. The assembly of any one claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the assembly includes a vent device mounting, the vent device mounting being attached to or formed integral with the subhead, and to which the vent device is attached with the vent device being operable to provide for airflow through the sub-head and mounting.

16. The assembly of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the vent device is a passive vent device.

17. The assembly of any one claims 11 to 16, wherein the vent device is temperature sensitive so that upon air temperature adjacent the vent device exceeding a predetermined temperature, the vent device operates to allow airflow through the assembly.

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18. The assembly of any one claims 11 to 17, wherein the vent device includes an apertured wall, and a closure plate located adjacent the apertured wall, and an actuator operatively associated with the closure plate to cause movement thereof between a position at which an aperture of the apertured wall and an aperture of the closure plate are substantially not aligned, and a further position at which an aperture of the apertured wall and an aperture of the closure plate are substantially aligned to provide for the flow of air therethrough.

19. The assembly of any one claims 11 to 18, wherein the actuator is a bi-metal spiral member.

20. The assembly of any one claims 11 to 19, wherein the vent device includes a spring urging the closure plate in a predetermined direction.

21. The assembly of any one claims 11 to 20, wherein the closure plate is also manually operable.