AU2016256707A1 - A sub-head assembly for a door or window - Google Patents

Abstract

A SUB-HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR OR WINDOW An assembly (10) to be incorporated in a sliding door or window. The assembly includes a sub-head assembly (11), with the sub-head assembly (11) including a sub-head (12). The assembly (10) may be complete in its assembly and will include a sub-head member (12) to which there is attached a head member (21). The head member (21) would be attached to the window or door mainframe.

Description

1 2016256707 09 Nov 2016

A SUB-HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR OR WINDOW

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to doors and windows, and more particularly to sub-head assemblies for doors and windows.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Doors and windows, particularly doors and windows formed from aluminium extrusions, include a sub-head that extends across the upper portion of the wall opening. Received by the sub-head is a main frame. Mounted in the mainframe are the panels of a door or window, such as a sliding or pivoting door panel that would consist of a glass sheet and a supporting frame.

[0003] The windows and doors formed from aluminium extrusion all have unique frames specific to each type of product be they awnings, casements, sliding doors, sliding windows and many more types. These frames typically have nailing fin flanges to suit the installation of timber reveals.

[0004] The abovementioned doors and windows are installed by firstly mounting the sub-head above the wall opening. Thereafter, the mainframe is inserted, and then the various glass panels installed in the mainframe.

[0005] A disadvantage of the above described assemblies and method of installing doors and windows is that it is time consuming, and therefore costly, assembling the door or window on site.

[0006] A further disadvantage is that the unique frames typically are not suitable for the installation of ventilation devices into the main head of frame of the window or door as the ventilation devices require a large clear opening from inside to out to allow the free passage of air. 11967805 1:hxa 2 2016256707 09 Nov 2016

OBJECT

[0007] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] There is disclosed herein a sub-head assembly to be installed in a building door or window opening, the assembly including: a sub-head member to extend across the opening; and a head mainframe member attached to the sub-head member and to form part of a window or door mainframe that is to support a window or door panel, with the head member fixed stationary with respect to the sub-head member.

[0009] Preferably, the assembly further includes the mainframe, with the frame further including a lower frame member, and upwardly extending side mainframe members extending between the head member and lower member.

[0010] Preferably, the head member have cooperating flanges that secure the head member to the sub-head member so that the head member is fixed stationary with respect to the sub-head member.

[0011] Preferably, the flanges snap engage to fix the head member to the sub-head member.

[0012] In an alternative preferred form, the sub-head member is fixed to the head member by fasteners.

[0013] Preferably, the fasteners are threaded fasteners.

[0014] Preferably, the sub-head includes a vent device providing for airflow transversely through the sub-head member.

[0015] There is further disclosed a method of assembling a sub-head member and a mainframe of a door or window for installation in a building opening, the method including the steps of: providing a sub-head member; 11967805_1:hxa 3 2016256707 09 Nov 2016 providing a door or window head frame member that is to receive a door or window panel; and fixing the head member to the sub-head member so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.

[0016] Preferably, the sub-head member and head member are moved into engagement so as to be secured together by snap engagement.

[0017] In an alternative preferred form, the sub-head member is fixed to the head member by threaded fasteners.

[0018] Preferably, a window mainframe is provided with said head member.

[0019] Preferably, at least one door or window panel is provided, the panel including a glass sheet supported by a further frame, with the further frame being received in the mainframe.

[0020] Preferably, a reveal member is provided, and fixed to the sub-head member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0022] Figure 1 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of portion of a door or window assembly; [0023] Figure 2 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a sub-head assembly of the door or window assembly of Figure 1; [0024] Figure 3 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a head member employed in the door or window assembly of Figure 1; [0025] Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the sub-head assembly of Figure 1; [0026] Figure 5 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the door or window assembly of Figure 1; 11967805 1:hxa 4 2016256707 09 Nov 2016 [0027] Figure 6 is a schematic isometric view of the sub-head assembly and head member of Figure 1; [0028] Figure 7 is a schematic end elevation of portion of a sliding window assembly; [0029] Figure 8 is a schematic end elevation of portion of an awning window assembly; [0030] Figure 9 is a schematic end elevation of the sub-head assembly, head member and reveal of Figure 7; [0031] Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of the sub-head assembly and reveal of Figure 7; [0032] Figure 11 is a schematic end elevation of the head member of Figure 7; [0033] Figure 12 is a parts exploded isometric view of the sub-head assembly, head member and reveal of Figure 7; and [0034] Figure 13 is a schematic isometric view of the sub-head, reveal and head member of Figure 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In Figures 1 to 6 there is schematically depicted a door or window assembly. In this particular embodiment the assembly 10 is a sliding door or window. However it should be appreciated that the present invention, although being applicable to sliding doors and windows, is also applicable to awning windows, double hung windows and hinged doors.

[0036] The assembly 10 includes a sub-head assembly 11, that may be a sub-head assembly as described in Australian Patent Application 2016203582. The assembly 11 includes a sub-head 12 that is longitudinally elongated and preferably and is of a unitary construction. Most preferably the sub-head 12 would be an aluminium extrusion. The sub-head 12 is of a tubular configuration and includes a longitudinally extending base 13 that is square or rectangular in transverse cross-section. The base 13 provides a longitudinally extending cavity 14. Preferably, the sub-head assembly 11 includes a vent device 15 as described in the above patent application. 11967805 1 :hxa 5 2016256707 09 Nov 2016 [0037] The sub-head assembly 11 may also include sound absorption assemblies, that may be an assembly as described in Australian Patent Application 2016219548.

[0038] The base 13 includes a longitudinally extending lower wall 17 from which there projects a pair of longitudinally extending flanges 18. Each flange 18 includes a longitudinally extending step 19 to which there extends a ramp surface 20.

[0039] Fixed to the sub-head member 12 is a head mainframe member 21. Preferably the head member 21 is the head member of a mainframe of a door or window assembly. The mainframe would include the head member 21, as well as a lower horizontal mainframe member, and side mainframe members. In this embodiment the head member 21 is an aluminium extrusion and includes a pair of spaced generally parallel longitudinally extending flanges 20, each having a longitudinally extending lip 23 that “snap engage” an associated one of the steps 19. The ramp surfaces 20 assist in resilient deformation of the flanges 20 to enable each lip 23 to pass to engagement with the associated step 19. By engagement of each lip 23 with its associated step 19, the head member 21 is secured to the sub-head member 12 so that there is no relative movement between the head member 21 and the sub-head assembly 11.

[0040] Engaged with the head member 21 is a sliding door or window panel 24 that will include a glass sheet 25.

[0041] The sheet 25 is supported in a generally square or rectangular frame 26 that is slidably associated with the head member 21.

[0042] Preferably a reveal 27 is attached to the sub-head member 12, and most preferably is attached to an upper longitudinal extending wall 28 of the sub-head member 12. The reveal 27 abuts a flange 32 that could be aligned with a nailing fin of the frame.

[0043] In the embodiment of Figure 7, the window or door assembly 10 is a sliding window assembly 10 including a sliding panel 24.

[0044] Like the previous embodiment, the head member 21 has longitudinally extending flanges 20 each with a lip 23, that snap engages pass a step 19 of the adjacent flange 18, so that the head member 21 is fixed to the sub-head 12. 11967805 1:hxa 6 2016256707 09 Nov 2016 [0045] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the panel 24 is the panel of an awning window. The head member 21 has an arcuate longitudinally extending portion 29 that is engaged by a further portion 30 of the panel 24, so that the panel 24 is pivotally attached to the head member 21 for angular movement about a generally horizontal axis.

[0046] Like the previous embodiments, the head member 21 has flanges 22, each with a lip 23. The head member 13 has flanges 18.

[0047] In Figure 9, a modification of the embodiment of Figure 7. In this embodiment, the head member 21 is provided with flanges 22, and the sub-head member 12 provided with flanges 18 as previously described. However, threaded fasteners 31 also pass through the head member 21 to threadably engage the wall 17 to further aid in securing the head member 21 to the sub-head member 12.

[0048] In a still further embodiment, the flanges 18 and 22 may be eliminated, and the head member 21 secured to the sub-head member 12 by the threaded fasteners 31.

[0049] In a still further preferred embodiment, the reveal 27 would be attached to the sub-head member 12.

[0050] The above described preferred embodiments have the advantage of enabling the sub-head member 12 to have fixed to it the head member 21 so that there is no relative movement therebetween, ready for installation in a window or door opening of a building.

[0051] Particularly in respect of the above described preferred embodiments, the window assembly 10 may be complete in its assembly, that is having a sub-head member 12, to which a head member 21 is attached, together with the window or door mainframe, providing the head member 21. The assembly would include one or more panels 24.

[0052] A further advantage of the above tubular sub head member 12 is that it can be used to accommodate a ventilation device that sits above the main frame of the window or door. A still further advantage is that the sub head member 12 is coupled on top of either a standard door or window with a snap mechanism. 11967805 1:hxa 7 2016256707 09 Nov 2016 [0053] The tubular sub head member 12 can have a continuation of the nailing fin frame to maintain the timber reveal fitting detail typically associated with residential construction, which makes the installation of the product easier. 11967805 1 :hxa

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A sub-head assembly to be installed in a building door or window opening, the assembly including: a sub-head member to extend across the opening; and a head mainframe member attached to the sub-head member and to form part of a window or door mainframe that is to support a window or door panel, with the head member fixed stationary with respect to the sub-head member.
2. 2. The sub-head assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further includes the mainframe, with the frame further including a lower frame member, and upwardly extending side mainframe members extending between the head member and lower member.
3. 3. The sub-head assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the head member has cooperating flanges that secure the head member to the sub-head member so that the head member is fixed stationary with respect to the sub-head member.
4. 4. The sub-head assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the flanges snap engage to fix the head member to the sub-head member.
5. 5. The sub-head assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sub-head member is fixed to the head member by fasteners.
6. 6. The sub-head assembly of claim 4, wherein the fasteners are threaded fasteners.
7. 7. The sub-head assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sub-head includes a vent device providing for airflow transversely through the sub-head member.
8. 8. A method of assembling a sub-head member and a mainframe of a door or window for installation in a building opening, the method including the steps of: providing a sub-head member; providing a door or window head frame member that is to receive a door or window panel; and fixing the head member to the sub-head member so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.
9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sub-head member and head member are moved into engagement so as to be secured together by snap engagement.
10. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sub-head member is fixed to the head member by threaded fasteners.
11. 11. The method of claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein a window or door mainframe is provided with said head member.
12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one door or window panel is provided, the panel including a glass sheet supported by a further frame, with the further frame being received in the mainframe.
13. 13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a reveal member is provided, and fixed to the sub-head member.