AU2021107334A4

AU2021107334A4 - Insulated window

Info

Publication number: AU2021107334A4
Application number: AU2021107334A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yakov Elgart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

A window attachment for attaching to an existing window frame, comprising: a frame having a front face and a back face, each of the front face and the back face having a transparent pane secured thereto so as to form a gap therebetween, an attachment means secured at least partially about a periphery of a front or back face of the frame, the attachment means being configured to releasably attach to the existing window frame such that the transparent panes extend at least partially over a window of the existing window frame to provide an additional thermal barrier about the window of the existing window frame.

Description

INSULATED WINDOW FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to an insulated window, and particularly to an inexpensive insulated window that is easy to install and retrofit to existing 5 windows.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In Australia, many of the windows installed in houses or other buildings are single panes of glass. Single pane glass windows are not energy efficient and allow heat to pass through in Winter and cold to pass through in both Winter and N 10 Summer.

Better building design has helped overcome some of the temperature and heat loss/gain associated with single pane windows such as providing eaves on the outside of houses, placing shutters on the outside of windows, placing heavy curtains/blinds on the inside of windows, and/or installing special reflective glass 15 or tinting windows to reflect the sun.

Double glazing is also used to reduce energy losses through windows.

Traditional double or triple glazing methods typically employ two or three panes of glass that are mounted within a frame and spaced apart by a gap. This gap is filled with air, or another gas, to reduce the energy loss through the window. 20 However, installing double glazed windows in a new building or replacing all windows and frames in an existing building with double glazed windows and new frames, is expensive and requires the building to be exposed for a period of time as the windows are removed and electricity and air conditioning is disconnected. It also requires an experienced installer to fit and modify existing 25 windows with an extra glass window pane to form double glazed windows or to remove the existing windows and install pre-assembled double glazed windows.

A further disadvantage is that existing windows are difficult to access and clean, especially the inside face of the existing window pane. This is a particular problem in instances where double glazing windows or other insulated windows 30 are retrofitted to an existing window installation.

Thus, there is a need to provide an alternative window arrangement that minimises energy loss whilst addressing at least some of the above referenced

I drawbacks of existing window arrangements.

N SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an individual insulated window and a sliding insulated window able to be easily and inexpensively retrofitted to 5 an existing fixed window to improve its energy efficiency, while still allowing access to the original window and any other type of window.

According to a first specific aspect of the present invention there is provided a window attachment for attaching to an existing window frame, comprising a frame having a front face and a back face, each of the front face and the back 10 face having a transparent pane secured thereto so as to form a gap therebetween N an attachment means secured at least partially about a periphery of a front or back face of the frame, the attachment means being configured to releasably attach to the existing window frame such that the transparent panes extend at least partially over a window of the existing window frame to provide an additional thermal 15 barrier about the window of the existing window frame. The panes may be formed from a thin transparent UV protection film. The UV protection film may be a very thin pane of glass or other transparent material such as a thin rigid polymer, or similar plastic, such as Perspex. In one form, the attachment means may be a chemical attachment means, such as 20 an adhesive tape. In another form, the attachment means may be a mechanical attachment means, such as a fabric hook and-loop fastener, such as Velcro, or a mechanical bracket. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an insulated window instalment including two insulated windows each insulated 25 window including a frame having a front face and a back face, and a transparent UV protection film pane, or a plastic film pane, or pane made from any other transparent material secured to each of the back and front face of the frame, thereby forming a void between the panes. The instalment also includes a brush located between said two insulated windows. The two insulated windows are 30 positioned such that they are slideably moveable along a rail, and the insulated window instalment is removably secured to an existing window frame by a securing means. Preferably the securing means is a material hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro. Alternatively the securing means may be removable 3 adhesive tape or other form of removable securing means, such as hooks, hinges 35 etc.

The insulated window may further include handles to assist in removing said insulated window from the existing window frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]

It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the 5 accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an insulated window according to an 10 embodiment of the present invention affixed to an existing window and window Nl frame.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the insulated window shown in Figures 1 and 2.

1s Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the insulated window of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insulated window affixed to the existing window and window frame of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a sliding insulated window according to another embodiment of the present invention and an existing window and window frame.

20 Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the sliding insulated window shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8a is a front view of the sliding insulated window of Figure 6;

Figure 8b is a cross-sectional view through the line marked F-F in Figure 8a; and

Figure 8c is a cross-sectional view through the line marked G-G in Figure 8a.

25 Figure 9 is a perspective view of another sliding insulated window according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sliding insulated window through the line marked A-A

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the insulated window will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As previously discussed, in countries such as Australia, many houses and buildings have single pane windows.

Such single pane windows are very energy inefficient because they allow heat energy to transfer through the single pane of glass, leading to significant heat loss/gain and subsequent increased energy usage to address this heat loss/gain. One way to overcome this and to increase energy efficiency within a building is to replace single pane windows with double glazed windows. However, this can be costly and may be a deterrent to many. Similarly, an existing single pane window can be retrofitted to convert it into a double or triple glazed window, however, the retrofit is permanent and does not allow the original window to be accessed.

An embodiment of the present invention that has been developed to address this 1s problem is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In this embodiment, an insulated window 100 is depicted, which is easily retrofitted to an existing window and window frame 110. The window retrofitted to the existing window and frame is depicted in this embodiment as item 10.

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the insulated window of the present invention has two panes, a front pane 32, and a back pane 36, each having an inner face and an outer face.

The insulated window also has a frame 34. The inner face of each pane 32, 36 is secured to either side of the frame 34 by an adhesive 33 which extends around the perimeter of the frame 34 (not shown in Figures 4 and 5).

The panes 32, 36 are preferably made of transparent UV protection plastic or polymer film having a thicknesses. The film or screen is pulled taut before being secured to the frame 34. The adhesive may be of any form, including for example, a hook and loop fastener (Velcro®), double sided sticky (or Scotch) tape, adhesive wires, or glue.

Handles 31 can be attached to the insulated window 100 to aid installation and placement on to an existing window. The handles 31 also assist in simply removing the insulated window after installation to an existing window, for example, to clean the existing window or to install a different insulated window. The handles can be attached directly to the frame 34, or may be attached to the outer face of the front pane which is then attached to the frame, as depicted in Figure 2.

It is important to allow access (especially access from inside the building) to the original existing window for cleaning, window repair and maintenance. Therefore one of the many advantages of this invention is that it can be easily installed and removed, as required, to allow access to the original window.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the insulated window is installed within an existing window frame 110 using securing means 37, 120. One portion of the securing means 37 is affixed to the outer face of the back pane 36 preferably in a corresponding position to where the back pane 36 is secured to the frame 34. A corresponding securing means 120 is located on part of the original existing window frame 112 to enable the insulated window 100 to be secured to the original existing window frame 110.

The insulated window 100 is removably secured to part of the existing window 1s frame 112 with the securing means 37. The securing means 37 preferably extends around the perimeter of the outer face of the back pane 36 as shown in Figure 1. The securing means is preferably a fabric hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro. However, the securing means 37 could be any other securing means which allows the insulated window to be removably secured to the existing window frame, such as removable adhesive tape, a mechanical fastener, such as a bracket for the insulated window to slide into and out of. In such a mechanical arrangement, corresponding hinges may be mounted on the insulated window and the existing window frame. It will be appreciated that the securing means 37 may take any form, which allows the insulated window to be easily installed, removed and reinstalled, as required.

When in place, the insulated window essentially acts to triple insulate the existing window as shown in Figure 5. This is because, when the insulated window arrangement of the present invention is installed to an existing window, the overall window configuration comprises are three panes and two voids. A pocket of air 25 is formed between the original existing window 21 and the back pane 36 of the insulated window. A second pocket of air 26 is formed between the two panes 36, 32 of the insulated window. The provision of such multiple trapped pockets of air has been found by the Applicant to improve the energy efficiency of the single pane glass window by approximately 16%.

Preferably, an opening 38 is provided in the side of the frame 34, as shown in Figure 3, within which a valve 39 is secured. Such an arrangement enables a gas to be inserted into the void 26 in the window through the valve 39. Having the void 26 filled with gas, such as argon or krypton, can further reduce the heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of the window. As inert gasses, such as argon, have a lower conductivity than air, the layer of gas formed within the void 26 5 reduces the heat loss significantly, when compared to air, in a sealed insulated N window. The valve 39 can be sealed with a plug (not shown) to stop any gas escaping.

The frame of the present invention is preferably made of aluminium, but can also be made from timber, metal, plastic and the like, such that the insulated window 10 is extremely light-weight making it easy to install, easy to remove, and importantly it reduces occupational health and safety risks associated with installing insulated windows. Another important advantage is that the present invention is significantly cheaper to manufacture than existing insulated glazed windows used to retrofit existing windows.

15 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 6-10. In this embodiment the invention is depicted in application as a sliding insulated window 200.

As shown in Figure 7 a sliding insulated window 200 is formed from two individual insulated windows as described above. In Figure 7, the first insulated 20 window is formed by two panes 62, 66 secured to a frame 64 with an adhesive 63 that seals each pane to the frame 64 forming a void or air pocket 26 (see Figures 8B and 8C) between the panes. Similarly, the second insulated window is formed by two panes 72, 76 secured to a frame 74 with an adhesive 73 that seals each pane to the frame 74 forming a void or air pocket 26 (see Figures 8B and 8C) 25 between the panes. As described above, preferably the panes are taut, thin UV protection layer.

Each frame 64, 74 is able to slide along a rail 71. To enable this to occur, each frame 64, 74 has wheels 60, 70, mounted along an edge thereof. The wheels 60, 70 may be in the form of rollers or ball bearings or may take other forms as will 30 be appreciated by those skilled in the art, to facilitate sliding movement of the frames 64, 74 along the rail 71.

As shown in Figures 7, and 8C, the two insulated windows are offset and a brush 51 is positioned between the insulated windows. The brush 51 is preferably secured to one of the panes. Such an arrangement allows the insulated windows 35 to slide past one another whilst maintaining their space relative to each another. Further, the arrangement ensures that when in the fully closed position the insulated windows still act as insulated windows because little or no leakage will occur through the brush 51. Additionally, a brush 67, 77 may also be secured on an outside edge of the frame 64, 74 of each of the two individual insulated windows.

5 As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rails 71 of the insulated sliding window are removably fixed to an existing window frame. As the rails only cradle the insulated sliding windows on the top and bottom, the insulated sliding window instalment is only removably secured to the top and bottom of the existing frame.

Figures 8B and 8C show detailed cross-sectional views of the insulated sliding 1o window illustrated in Figure 8A.

N Figure 8B illustrates a vertical cross-section of the insulated sliding window at the point labelled F-F in Figure 8A. As shown, the sliding insulated window is installed in an existing window frame using securing means. The rail 71 is secured to the original existing window frame 111 with one portion of the 15 securing means 75 affixed to the rail 71 and the other portion of the securing means 170 affixed to the original existing window frame 111. The securing means for the sliding insulated window is the same as described above for the single insulated window. That is, the securing means is preferably a fabric hook and-loop fastener, such as Velcro@ or an adhesive tape. It will be appreciated that 20 the securing means could take a variety of forms that allow the insulated window to be removably secured to the existing window frame. Such a securing means could employ a chemical fastening, such as an adhesive, or may employ a mechanical fastening, such as a bracket for the insulated window to slide into and out of, with corresponding hinges mounted on the insulated window and the 25 existing window frame. The securing means allows the insulated window to be easily installed, removed and reinstalled.

Figure 8C illustrates a horizontal cross-section of the insulated sliding window at the point labelled G-G in Figure 8A.

The sliding insulated window is arranged such that it is possible to access the 30 original outside window 21 to open it or unlock it without removing the sliding insulated window. This is achieved, for example, by sliding one of the insulated windows to access an existing window lock 80.

Although this embodiment has insulated windows that slide allowing access to the existing window, this embodiment when installed also acts as a triple 35 insulated window. As shown in the detailed cross-section of Figure 8C, the brush

51 is positioned between the two individual insulated windows, and is secured to one of the panes. This ensures that when in the fully closed position the insulated windows still act as insulated windows, while being able to slide past one another when required, because little or no leakage will occur through the brush. Air is 5 trapped in the space 25, between the sliding window and the existing window. N Additionally, brushes 67, 77 are also secured on one edge of each sliding insulated window which comes into contact with the existing window frame. Alternatively, brushes can be secured to the existing window frame 111.

As for the single insulated window, preferably there is an opening 88 in the side 10 of the frame of each insulated window in which a valve 89 is secured.

Gas can be inserted into the void 26 in the window through the valve 89. As detailed above, filling the void 26 with a gas reduces the heat loss and hence improves the energy efficiency of the window. The valve 89 can be sealed with a plug (not shown).

15 Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the insulated sliding window may additionally have a vertical double rail aluminium profile. This is useful for installing in particular types of windows. In this embodiment, the rails surround the sliding window panes and therefore the sliding window instalment is removably secured to the top, bottom and sides of the existing 20 frame. The insulated windows are formed as described above. A brush 67, 77 may also be secured on an outside edge of the frame 64, 74 of each of the two insulated windows. When the insulated windows are in a closed position, the brush 67, 77 touches the rail not the existing window frame.

There are several advantages of the present invention, some of which are detailed 25 above. Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows existing windows to be easily cleaned. This is achieved by easily removing or uninstalling the insulated window from the existing window. It is then possible to gain access to the existing window.

Alternatively, instead of using a thin transparent UV protection film for the panes 30 of the insulated window, a very thin pane of glass or other transparent material such as a thin rigid polymer, or similar plastic, such as Perspex, could be used. In another alternative, a transparent thin electric conducting panel, such as a solar panel could be used. In each application, there is no requirement for gas to be used.

35 Whilst preferably the frame is made of light-weight aluminium, alternatively it could be made of other lightweight material or steel.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that other embodiments and arrangements of the window are also possible within the spirit and scope of the invention described herein or as claimed in the appended claims. Throughout the 5 specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other 10 components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is N expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or 15 instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the window uppermost.

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FIGRE

Claims

N The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A window attachment for attaching to an existing window frame, comprising:

in a frame having a front face and a back face, each of the front face and the 5 back face having a transparent pane secured thereto so as to form a gap therebetween;

an attachment means secured at least partially about a periphery of a front or back face of the frame, the attachment means being configured to releasably attach to the existing window frame such that the transparent N 10 panes extend at least partially over a window of the existing window frame to provide an additional thermal barrier about the window of the existing window frame.

2. A window attachment according to claim 1, wherein the panes are formed from a thin transparent UV protection layer.

1s 3. A window attachment according to claim 2, wherein UV protection film is a very thin pane of glass or other transparent material such as a thin rigid polymer, or similar plastic, such as Perspex.

4. A window attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a chemical attachment means, such as an adhesive tape.

20

5. A window attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a mechanical attachment means, such as a fabric hook and-loop fastener, such as Velcro®, or a mechanical bracket.