GB2028409A - Panel Retaining Means - Google Patents

Abstract

Means for retaining a panel in an aperture comprises a frame element 1 provided with two or more spaced recesses 4, and at least one bead element comprising a portion 8 securable in a said recess and a portion 9 engageable resiliently against a face of the panel. The recess is selected according to the width of the panel. The portion securable in a recess may be of substantially a U- section with splayed legs and the portion engageable against the panel of a hollow section, which projects laterally on both sides beyond the adjoining part of the other portion, preferably to different extents on the two sides. The portion engageable with the panel may be of a resilient material and the other portion of a harder material. For this purpose, the bead element is suitably a composite twin-hardness plastics extrusion, e.g. of PVC. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Panel-Retaining Means This invention relates to means for retaining or securing one or more panels of sheet material, for example panels of sheets of glass, plastics or wood, within an aperture, for instance within a framework. For this purpose, the invention seeks to provide simple inexpensive retaining means which are versatile in use and by which in particular different requirements as to thickness of panel and/or disposition of panel, can be readily satisfied.

According to the invention, means for retaining a panel in an aperture comprises a frame element which is to be received in the aperture and is provided with two or more spaced recesses and at least one bead element comprising a portion securable in a said recess and a portion engageable resiliently against a face of the panel.

The frame element is preferably an extruded plastics section, but may be of other material, for example an extruded aluminium section or of wood. It may be adhered to a surround or fastened mechanically thereto. The recesses advantageously have under-cut or set-back side walls.

The bead element is preferably an extruded plastics section having twin hardness properties, one, more rigid, portion being securable in a said recess and the other, more flexible resilient, portion being engageable with the panel face. For firm retention in the recess, the former portion may have splayed legs engageable in the recess, for example by being sprung into the same, The latter portion may be of hollow cross section with one wall inclined in the direction towards the panel.

With the above-described retaining means, panels of a variety of thicknesses and materials can be accommodated, if required in a selection of different positions, simply by positioning a bead element or elements in the frame element to suit the particular requirements.

Two ways of carrying the invention into effect will now be more fully described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section through one form of frame element and of panel-retaining bead element mounted thereon, and Fig. 2 a similar view of another combination of such elements.

Referring to Fig. 1, the frame element 1 is shown in a horizontal position in which it will serve to receive the lower edge of a panel to be retained therein. The other edges of a panel will generally be received by respective similar elements. The element consists of an extruded section of a rigid polyvinylchloride material and has an angle cross section with an elongate base 2 and an upstanding abutment flange 3 at right angles thereto. The base 2 is formed with a series of spaced grooves 4 extending longitudinally of the element in the inner side of its base 2, three equaily spaced identical grooves being provided in the example illustrated.The walls 5 of each recess 4 are undercut or set back so as to leave a narrowed opening 5a with rounded edges Sb. As illustrated, the walls 5 are inclined inwardly towards the edges Sb. A rectangular frame may be produced from four such elements 1 with mitred or butt joints at the corners. The elements 1 may be secured by adhesive within a surround formed, for example, from hollow framework members of square or other cross section. (The top part of such a square member 6 is shown in the figure). Conveniently, use is made of a strip or tape 6a which is adhesive on both faces and is interposed between the flat surfaces of the bases 2 and the flat surfaces of respective members 6.

The bead element 7 illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a portion 8 which can be lodged in any one of the recesses 4 and a portion 9 for bearing resilientiy against a panel face or, in certain cases, against faces of two panels. The element 7 is an integral extrusion of polyvinylchloride material, but whereas the portion 8 is of a composition which is relatively rigid or hard as well as flexurally strong, the portion 9 (distinguished by wider hatching) is relatively soft or resiliently flexible. Suitably, for example, the portion 9 may be of a plasticised polyvinylchloride composition with a Shore A-hardness grade 76.Such a composite, twin-hardness, extrusion can be produced, in a manner known per se, by feeding two (or more) extrusions of the different compositions, for instance with different contents of plasticiser or hardener, in a plastic state into a composite die of required form.

In cross section, the portion 8 is generally of inverted-U shape, but has splayed legs 10 which are inclined at a slightly smaller angle than the walls 5 and are dimensioned for snug engagement in a recess 4. To faciliate inward flexing of the legs 10, so that they can be snapped into the recess 4, an outward bulge 11 is formed above one leg 10, as illustrated. The portion 9 is of box section which projects laterally beyond the adjoining top part of the portion 8 on both sides, but to different extents. One wall 12 is inclined outwardly in the upward direction so that initial contact with a panel by that wall 12 is at the point 13. The opposite wall 14 is substantially vertical.

The portion 9, by virtue of the flexibility of its material and hollow form, will readily yield in contact with a panel and will consequently bear resiliently thereagainst.

Various thicknesses of panel can be accommodated: Thus, starting from the left hand side of Fig. 1, a panel could be accommodated between the flange 3 and a bead element 7 located in the first, second or third recess 4, the panel edge resting on a respective land or lands beside the recess or recesses. A panel could alternatively be located between bead elements 7 located in any pair of recesses 4. As illustrated in full lines, a bead element 7 is lodged in the middle recess 4, in which position it would be effective to retain a panel 1 5 (indicated by broken lines) of substantially the thickness a. An element 7 lodged in the left-hand recess 4 would similarly be effective to retain a thinner panel 1 6 of thickness b. An element in the right-hand recess 4 would be similarly effective to retain a thicker panel.In any case, additional latitude is afforded by the resilience of the element or elements and by the possibility of introducing an element or elements 7 in a position which is reversed, side for side, in relation to that shown in full lines.

Such a reversed element 7' is partially indicated in broken lines in the right-hand recess 4 where it serves to retain a panel 1 7 of thickness c. Two panels can be accommodated if required, for example spaced panels for the purpose of double glazing. The retaining means can be dismantled and reused.

The elements 1 and 7 may be supplied in standard lengths. Lengths can be readily cut and mitred or butt jointed to meet particular requirements.

The above-described panel-retaining means can be used conveniently for a variety of cladding, glazing and like purposes, for example in partitions, observation and other windows, doors, display units and so forth. External and internal appearance is neat. If desired, plain cover mouldings may be provided for masking unused recesses 4 on the inner side of a panel. A suitable extrusion 1 8 for masking the two outer recesses 4, when only the left hand recess was in use is indicated in chain lines. It takes the form of a flat land, of the required width, with legs generally in the form of the left-hand leg 10 for engaging in opposite ends of the unused recesses 4.

The frame and bead elements shown in Fig. 2 are generally similar to those of Fig. 1 and similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. The differences are intended mainly to simplify production. As regards the frame element 1, the edges Sb bounding the opening 5a are provided by half-round lip formations. As regards the bead element 7, the top of the portion 8 is of roof-ridge form and an upward extension 1 9 reaches up to the underside of the top of the portion 9.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. Means for retaining a panel in an aperture, comprising a frame element, which is provided with two or more spaced recesses, and at least one bead element comprising a portion securable in a said recess and a portion engageable resiliently against a face of the panel.

2. Panel-retaining means according to claim 1, wherein each recess has a narrowed opening with rounded edges.

3. Panel-retaining means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame element is an extruded plastics angle section comprising a base formed with the recesses and an upstanding abutment flange.

4. Panel-retaining means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in cross section, the portion of the bead element securable in a said recess is of substantially a U-section with splayed legs for engagement in the recess and the portion engageable resiliently against the panel is of a hollow section.

5. Panel-retaining means according to claim 4, wherein the portion engageable with the panel projects laterally on both sides beyond the adjoining part of the portion securable in the recess.

6. Panel-retaining means according to claim 5, wherein the portion engageable with the panel projects laterally beyond the said adjoining part to different extents on the two sides.

7. Panel-retaining means according to claim 6, wherein one wall of the portion engageable with the panel stands upright from the said adjoining part while the other wall is inclined outwardly.

8. Panel-retaining means according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein an outward bulge is formed above one leg.

9. Panel-retaining means according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the bead element engageable with the panel is of a resilient material and the portion securable in the recess of a harder material.

10. Panel-retaining means according to claim 9, wherein the bead element is a composite twinhardness plastics extrusion.

11. Panel-retaining means according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising also a strip, for masking an unused said recess or recesses, which is securable by engagement in a recess or recesses.

12. Panel-retaining means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either of the figures of the accompanying drawing.