GB2039028A - Window ventilator - Google Patents

Abstract

A ventilator intended to be fitted along one edge of a window frame within the glazing opening has an elongate body member 5 and an elongate flap 6 hinged along one longitudinal edge by a round-section bead 35 in engagement with a complementary portion 45 of C- section. The body member 5 has along one longitudinal edge a continuous L-section attachment portion 16 for attachment to the usual glazing rebate of a wooden frame or an inverted channel to receive a glazing member of a metal window frame. Along its opposite longitudinal edge the body member 5 has a glazing channel or rebate 9 to receive an edge of a window pane. Between these edges are spaced ventilation holes 8 through the body member. The flap 6 either closes directly against the ventilation holes 8 or indirectly by closing the mouth of a recess having the ventilation holes. Additional beads 39 and 42 like the bead 35 are provided to support a fixed weather shield 47 indentical to the flap 6. The bead 39 is used when the ventilator is fitted, inverted, to the top of a window frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window ventilator This invention relates to a window ventilator.

To obtain a small amount of ventilation by opening a window is often difficult and it is one object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which can be fitted to a window to enable some ventilation to tbe obtained while the window remains closed or with a fixed window pane.

Condensation on the internal surface of windows is also a problem. The condensation runs down the pane and collects along the bottom edge, causing damage to paint and eventually rotting of wooden frames, and corrosion of metal ones. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which can be mounted to serve as a condensation trap.

The present invention consists in a ventilator comprising an elongate body member and an elongate flap hinged along one longitudinal edge of the flap to the body member, the body member having along one longitudinal edge means of attachment to a window frame, along the opposite longitudinal edge a glazing channel or rebate to receive an edge of a window pane, and spaced ventilation holes through an intermediate portion of the body member between these edges, the arrangement being such that the flap can be moved about its hinge between a position in which the flap closes the ventilation holes, and one in which it is spaced from the body member and the ventilation holes are uncovered.The flap may close directly against the ventilation holes or be arranged, when in the closed position, to cover the mouth of a recess in the back of which the ventilation holes lie and formed between the glazing rebate and the means of attachment to the window frame. The flap then closes the ventilation holes indirectly.

The ventilator is preferably of uniform crosssection and supplied in long lengths which can be cut off to suit the window in which it is to be fitted. It is primarily intended to be fitted in a narrow gap created between the bottom rail of the window frame and the bottom edge of a pane slightly less in height than would normally be fitted to the frame. The ventilator will usually be arranged so that the body member is towards the exterior of the window and the flap when opened hinges inwards to an upwardly inclined position with its upper edge projecting beyond the plane of the inner surface of the pane. When so fitted and the ventilator is open, condensation running off the bottom of the pane falls onto the flap and is diverted to the outside through the ventilation holes. Alternative or additional holes may be provided in the body member for the draining of condensate.

According to this aspect, the invention comprises a window fitted within the glazing opening of the window frame and along one edge of the window pane with a ventilator according to the invention.

The means of attachment to a window frame, in the case of a wooden frame, may be a continuous L-section portion along the edge of the body member arranged and proportioned to fit into the usual glazing rebate of a wooden window frame. A lip or flange is preferably provided along the free edge of the L-section to extend over the outer edge of the glazing rebate onto the outer face of the frame or, in the case of a shallow glazing rebate, projecting slightly beyond the outer face of the frame. In either case the lip serves as means of shedding rain which runs onto the body member from the windows, or condensate collected from the inner surface of the pane. For a metal window frame the means of attachment may be an inverted channel to fit over the metal frame member.

The ventilator is preferably both of substantially uniform cross-section and the hinge continuous so that the ventilator can be cut to length to suit a window frame without impairing the hinging of the flap. The body member and flap may each conveniently be made as extrusions in light metal or plastics, the hinge being formed by a round section bead along the edge of the flap or along the body member in engagement with a complementary portion of C-section extending along the body member or the edge of the flap respectively. The longitudinal edges of the Csection portion define a continuous gap wide enough to permit hinging movement for the flap to open and close the ventilator holes. The bead on the flap is slid endwise into the C-section portion to hinge the two parts together.When the ventilator is cut to length and fitted to a window frame the hinge portion lies between the uprights of the frame which hold the flap portion captive.

The glazing channel or rebate in the body member for receiving the window pane may project laterally to the side of the body member to which the flap is fitted, so forming a recess to receive the flap. The adjacent edge of the flap may be of complementarily cranked cross-section preferably with a continuous flange formed along its free edge projecting away from the adjacent portion of the body member forming a Vee-section groove which will trap a limited amount of condensate. The flange also serves as a finger grip to enable the flap to be opened.

The dimensions of the body member and flap may be so arranged that when the flap is closed the cranked portion fits tightly into the lateral projection forming the recess in the body member to retain the flap in the closed position. A resilient sealing strip may be provided in the flap or the body member where they meet when the flap is shut, and this may be arranged to serve as retaining means for keeping the flap closed. An.

alternative retaining device may be provided in the form of a resilient stud of plastics or rubber with a bulbous head and fitted to the flap or the body member by engaging the head in a hole in the body member or flap respectively.

As a further alternative, the bead and C-section portion are adapted to serve as the retaining means, for example the cross-section of the bead may be extruded with a slight outward bulge and the hook section with a slight inward bulge. The bulges coincide at a position close to the shut position. This forms a tight spot in the opening and closing movement and on one side of this position the flap is held shut and on the other side is urged towards the open position. In another form, along each side of the neck portion on the surface of the round-section bead is a narrow ledge which, in effect, locally increases the diameter of the bead.

The internal marginal portions of the C-section at the gap ride up on the adjacent ledge at the extremes of the angular movement of the flap and" hold the flap in the open and closed positions by tightening the fit of the C-section portion on the bead.

Preferably however a longitudinal rib is formed on the bead to cooperate with one or more complementary longitudinal grooves with the C section portion to form the retaining means.

Particularly when a ventilator is to be fitted in an existing window, to simplify the work and avoid the use of putty, the ventilator may be fitted along one edge of the pane and the other edges may be held by mechanical glazing devices for example, a mechanical fillet according to our Patent Application No: 7922917 in which an angle section mounting member is fitted in the angle between two adjoining inclined surfaces, its flanges respectively overlying the surfaces. At least one of the flanges is provided with securing means for fixing the mounting member to the adjacent surface. Interengaging means on the mounting member in the internal angle between its flanges and on the back of a cover secure the cover over the internal angle of the mounting member.The arrangement of the fillet is such that the mounting member can be fixed in the angle between the adjoining inclined surfaces by the securing means and then the cover can be fitted to the mounting member and retained thereto by the interengaging means to conceal the mounting member and the securing means. The mounting members can be mitred where they meet one another, or the body member of the ventilator at the corners of the window. When the ventilator and glazing devices are made of similar material, aluminium alloy extrusion for example, the appearance of the re-glazed window can be very neat.

According to this aspect the present invention comprises a window glazed by a combination of a ventilator along one edge and mechanical glazing devices along the other edges.

With double glazing of the kind in which the cavity between the glazing panels is not sealed, a pair of ventilators according to the present invention can be used to ventilate the cavity and keep it clear of condensation. In such an application one ventilator is fitted along the bottom edge of the outer pane and the other along the top edge of the inner pane. Both ventilators are arranged so that their flaps swing into the cavity. As the flaps are then not directly accessible for opening and closing, they may be provided with curved operating arms which project through the ventilation holes to enable the flaps to be manipulated. With this arrangement the flap on the outer ventilator can only be operated from outside the window. In general this will not be a disadvantage as it is better for the cavity to be ventilated permanently to the outside to avoid condensation.When more ventilation of the cavity is needed or ventilation of the room is wanted, the flap of the inner ventilator can be opened to allow a flow of air right through the cavity. Alternatively remote control of the ventilator from inside the room may be provided.

According to this aspect the invention comprises a double glazed window fitted in each pane with a ventilator according to the present invention in each pane, the ventilators both opening to the cavity between the panes.

Preferably the ventilators are disposed along opposite edges of their respective panes.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:~ Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a ventilator according to the invention suitable for a wooden window frame.

Figure 2 is a similar cross-section of a ventilator according to the invention suitable for a metal window frame.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified ventilator according to the invention shown fitted to the bottom edge of a window frame; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the modified ventilator of Figure 3 but adapted for fitting to the top of a window frame.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic fragmentary cross section of a further modification similar to that of Figures 3 and 4 but suitable for a metal window frame.

The ventilator illustrated in cross-section in Figure 1 is shown fitted along the bottom rail 4 of a wooden window frame. It extends for the full width of the window. The ventilator comprises a body member 5 and a flap 6. Both are extrusions in aluminium alloy. The body member has an intermediate portion 7 through which are pierced ventilation slots 8 spaced apart along the length of the body member and with the greater dimension of the slots extending transverse to the length of the body member. Along one edge of the intermediate portion 7 (the upper edge when fitted as illustrated at the bottom of the window) is a channel formation 9 to receive the edge of a glass or other glazing pane 10. Along the opposite edge of the intermediate portion 7 is means of attachment 1 1 to the rail 4 of the window frame 10. This comprises a hinge flange 12 extending away from the intermediate portion 7 so as tQ lie against the surface 4 of the rail immediately surrounding the normal glazing aperture of the frame. On the hinge flange 12 is a C-section bearing portion 13, the gap 14 in which faces the intermediate portion 7. An L-section portion 15 of the means of attachment 11 has one limb 16 which extends away from the intermediate portion 7 almost in the same plane. The other limb 17 extends away from the flange 16 in the direction opposite to the hinge flange 12. Along the free edge of the flange 17 is a narrow lip 18. The limbs 16 and 17 are dimensioned to suit the usual glazing rebate of a wooden window frame. The Lsection portion can be fixed to the frame, by screws 19 for example.The lip 18 then overlaps on to the external face 20 of the frame or, it the rebate is shallow, projects in front of it as shown in Figure 1. A continuous lip formation 30 is provided along the external edge of the channel 9 and overhangs the intermediate portion 7 on the side from which the limb 17 projects. This sheds rain water which runs on to it from the pane and diverts it from ventilation slots 8.

As can be seen in Figure 1 the glazing channel 9 is offset to the side of the intermediate portion 7 from which the hinge flange 12 extends. The intermediate portion 7 is also slightly inclined so that the inner face 21 of the flange of the glazing channel 9 which is on the same side of the body member as the- hinge flange 12 is in the same plane as the face of the limb 16 from which the hinge flange 12 extends. The effect of this is that when the body member is fitted to a window frame, the face 21 lies in the plane of the face of the glazing rebate engaged by the inner surface of the pane 10.

The offsetting of the channel formation 9 also forms with-the hinge flange 12 and the intermediate portion 7 a recess in which the ventilation slots lie. The flap 6 is shaped to fit into this recess. It has a beaded edge 22 of circular cross-section complementary to the C-section bearing portion 13 into which it is slid endwise before the ventilator is fitted to the window. The remainder of the flap 6 projecting from the bead extends through the gap 14 and is angled to lie flat against the intermediate portion 7 but with sufficient clearance between the edges of the Csection bearing portion 13 for the flap to be swung away from the intermediate portion 7 to an inclined position, as shown in broken lines in Figure 1, opening the ventilation slots 8.Near the edge of the flap 6 opposite the beaded edge the flap is cranked in cross-section to form a portion 23 along the edge of which is a continuous flange 24 forming an obtuse angle with the portion 23.

The flap 6 is so dimensioned that when the flap is closed the obtuse angle lies close to the edge of the channel 9, which overhangs the recess and the flange 24 extends at an acute angle away from the adjacent face of the flange of the channel 9. The flange 24 serves not only as a finger grip for opening the flap but as a collector for condensate even when the flap is closed. When the flap 6 is open the main portion lies below the flange of the -- channel 9 and serves to collect drips of condensate and divert it through the ventilation slots 8 to the outside of the window.

The modification of Figure 2 is shown as applied to a metal window frame 31 of angle section. Similar parts of the ventilator bear similar reference numerals to those of Figure 1. The hinge flange 12 of Figure 1 is omitted, only the Csection bearing portion 13 being retained, and the L-section portion 15 of the means of attachment 1 1 is replaced by an inverted channel portion 32 the flanges of which receive between them the upstanding limb of the angle-section metal window frame 31.

The same refereence numerals as those used in Figures 1 and 2 are also used in Figures 3 and 4 for similar or equivalent parts.

The ventilators of Figures 3 and 4 each comprise a body member 5 and a flap 6. Both the body member 5 and the flap 6 are extrusions in aluminium alloy. The body member 5 has an intermediate portion 7 through which are pierced ventilation slots 8 spaced apart along the length of the body member and with the greater dimension of the slots extending transverse to the length.

Along one edge of the intermediate portion 7 (the upper edge when fitted as illustrated in Figure 3, along a bottom rail 4 of a window) is a glazing channel 9 to receive the edge of a glass or other glazing pane 10. Along the opposite edge of the intermediate portion 7 is means of attachment 11 to the rail 4 of the window frame. This comprises a hinge flange 12 extending away from the intermediate portion 7 so as to lie against the surface of the rail immediately surrounding the normal glazing aperture of a window frame. On the hinge flange 12 is a round-section bead 35 connected to the flange 12 by a narrow neck 36.

An L-section portion 15 of the means of attachment 11 has one limb 16 which extends away from the intermediate portion 7 in a plane parallel to the flanges of the channel formation 9.

The other limb 17 extends away from the limb 16 in the direction opposite to the hinge flange 12.

The upper surface of the limb 17 tapers towards its free edge. The limbs 16 and 17 are dimensioned to suit the usual glazing rebate of a wooden window frame in which it can be fixed, for example by pins or screws passing through slots 37 spaced along the length of the limb 17. Slots 38 are also provided along the hinge flange 12 for further fixing pins or screws. The limb 17 is also provided with a supplementary round-section bead 39 similar to the bead 35 and extending the full length of the ventilator. The bead 39 is supported from the limb 17 by a bracket portion 40 to which it is connected by neck portion 41 somewhat thicker than the neck portion 35.Along the outer face of the outer flange of the glazing channel 9 is another supplementary round-section bead 42 supported and spaced from the channel formation 9 by a portion 43 to which the bead 42 is connected by neck portion 44 similar in thickness to the neck portion 41. The roundsection beads 39 and 42 extend one towards the other from their respective supports.

As can be seen in Figure 3 the channel formation 9 is offset to that side of the intermediate portion 7 from which the hinge flange 12 extends. The intermediate portion 7 is also inclined so that an outer face 50 of the inner flange of the channel 9 which is on the same side of the body member as the hinge flange 12 is in the same plane as the face of the limb 1 6 from which the hinge flange 12 extends. The effect of this is that when the body member is fitted to a window frame, the ends of the inner flange overlap and lie against the face of the upright part of the glazing rebate on which the inner surface of the pane 10 is bedded.

The offsetting of the channel formation 9 also forms with the hinge flange 12 and the intermediate portion 7 a recess in which the ventilation slots lie. The flap 6 is shaped to cover this recess. It has along one edge and offset to one side of the main plane of the flap a bearing portion 45 of C-section complementary to the round section bead 35 onto which it is slid endwise before the ventilator is fitted to the window. The gap of the C-section straddles the neck portion 36 supporting the bead 35 and is wider than the thickness of the neck in order to allow angular movement of the flap 6 between a closed position shown in full lines in Figure 3 and an open position indicated by broken lines. In the closed position the edge of the flap 6 remote from the bearing portion 45 abuts the channel formation 9.Along the extreme edge of the flap 6 is a joggled portion 46 offset to the same side of the main plane of the flap 6 as the C-section bearing portion 45. The joggled portion 46 affords a finger grip for opening the ventilator and a condensation collector tQ catch condensation which runs down the inside face of the pane 1 0 and to direct it into the recess from which it drains out through the ventilation slots 8. Two parallel, longitudinal grooves 51 are formed in the surface of the round-section bead 35 close to the neck portion 36 and a complementary rib 52 is provided on the internal surface of the C-section bearing portion 45 of the flap. The rib 52 engages one or other of the grooves 51 to hold the flap 6 in its open and closed positions.The C-section portion 45 is sufficiently resilent to allow the rib 52 to ride up out of one of the grooves and snap back into the other as the flap 6 is moved from one extreme position to the other about the hinge axis.

A length of extrusion indentical to that used for the flap 6 may, if desired, be fitted as a weather shield 47 by sliding it endwise onto the bead 42 with the C-section towards the channel formation 9. The C-section portion of the shield 47 has an internal rib 54 similar to the rib 52 of the flap 6 but only a single groove 55 is provided in the bead 42 to receive the rib 54. Provision of the groove 55 merely enables the indentical section to be used both for the shield 47 and the flap 6 but the rib 54 and groove 55 serve no functional purpose as the neck portion 44 is thick enough to fill the gap in the C-section so that the shield 47 is prevented from moving angularly around the bead 42. The arrangement of the bead 42 is such that the planar part of the shield 47 hangs down over the front of the intermediate portion 7 to shelter the ventilation slots 8.

In Figure 4 the ventilator is shown fitted in an inverted position along a top rail 48 of a window frame so that the channel formation 9 is downwardly directed to receive the upper edge of a glazing pane. The flap 6 depends from the bead 35. It is held, in the open and closed positions, by the cooperating rib 52 and grooves 51 as described in relation to Figure 3.

A weather shield 49 indentical to the shield 47 of Figure 3 is fitted to the round-section bead 42 which is also provided with a groove 56 to receive a rib 57 inside the C-section portion of the shield 49. The thick neck portion 44 fills the gap in the Csection of the shield 49 and holds the shield in a downwardly inclined position over the intermediate portion 7. When the ventilator is fitted in this position it is more important that the shield 49 is provided as the ventilation slots 8 are directed upwards and in more need of protection from driving rain.

Whether the ventilator is fitted to the top or bottom of the window the ends of the channel formation 9 extend across into the upright parts of the glazing rebate of the window frame. The ends of the flange of the channel formation 9 which is towards the interior may be cut away or they may be pierced to receive a fixing pin or screw to attach the formation 9 to the frame and so steady the ventilator.

Figure 5 represents a modification of the construction of Figures 3 and 4 for use with metal window frames in a similar means to the embodiment of Figure 2. Instead of the flange 12 and L-section portion 16 and inverted channel portion 56 is provided. Ribs 57 and 58 equivalent to the beads 35 and 39 of Figures 3 and 4 are formed on the outside of the channel member and are in other respects identical in construction and purpose to the beads 35 and 39.

Although in the above-described embodiments the body member and the flap are extrusions in aluminium alloy, they could equally be made in other metals or materials, for example as plastics extrusions or from sheet or strip metal bent into the required shape.

Claims (26)

1. A ventilator comprising an elongate body member and an elongate flap hinged along one longitudinal edge of the flap to the body member having along one longitudinal edge means of attachment to a window frame, along the opposite longitudinal edge a glazing channel or rebate to receive an edge of a window pane, and spaced ventilation holes through an intermediate portion of the body member between these edges, the arrangement being such that the flap can be moved about its hinge between a position in which the flap closes the ventilation holes, and one in which it is spaced from the body member and the ventilation holes are uncovered.

2. A ventilator according to claim 1 wherein the means of attachment to a window frame is a continuous L-section portion along the edge of the body member arranged and proportioned to fit into the usual glazing rebate of a wooden window frame.

3. A ventilator according to claim 2 wherein a lip or flange is provided along the free edge of the L-section portion to extend over the outer edge of the glazing rebate onto or spaced beyond the outer face of the window frame.

4. A ventilator according to Claim 1 wherein the means of attachment to a window frame is an inverted channel to fit over an upright glazing member of a metal window frame.

5. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein the means of attachment of the body members to the window frame has a surface to engage the face of the glazing rebate of a window frame which surface is in substantially the same plane as that in which the glazing channel or rebate of the ventilator is adapted to hold the glazing pane.

6. A ventilator according to any preceding claim which is of substantially uniform cross-section and wherein the hinge is continuous so that the ventilator can be cut to length to suit a window frame in which it is to be fitted without impairing the hinging of the flap.

7. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge is formed by a round-section bead along the edge of the flap or along the body member in engagement with a complementary portion of C-section extending along the body member or the edge of the flap respectively.

8. A ventilator according to claim 7 wherein the flap and the body member are assembled by sliding the bead endwise into the C-section portion.

9. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein retaining means is provided to hold the flap in the open and/or closed positions.

10. A ventilator according to claim 9 as appendant to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the bead and C-section portion are adapted to serve as the retaining means.

11. A ventilator according to claim 10 wherein a longitudinal rib on the bead co-operates with one or more complementary longitudinal grooves within the C-section portion to form the retaining means.

12. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein the glazing channel or rebate projects laterally to the side of the body member to which the flap is fitted, so forming a recess into which the ventilation holes open.

13. A ventilator according to claim 12 wherein the flap is received in the recess and closes directly against the ventilation holes.

14. A ventilator according to claim 12 wherein the flap closes the mouth of the recess.

15. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein the edge of the flap opposite the hinged edge is cranked away from the adjacent portion of the body member forming, with the body member when the flap is closed, a condensation collector.

16. A ventilator according to any preceding claim wherein means is provided for attaching to the ventilator body a weather shield to shelter the ventilation holes.

17. A ventilator according to claim 7 or any of claims 8 to 15 as appendant to claim 7 wherein the body member has one or more supplementary beads or C-section portions, parallel and similar to the bead or C-section portion and for the hinge but on the opposite side of the body member, engaged by a weather shield identical to the hinge flap, the arrangement being such that in a normal position in which the ventilator is mounted in a window frame the weather shield depends from the supplementary bead or one of the supplementary beads to overhang the exterior side of the ventilation holes.

18. A ventilator substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A ventilator substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A ventilator substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A ventilator substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A ventilator substantially as described herein with reference to as and illustrated by Figure 3 or Figure 4 as modified by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A window fitted within the glazing opening of the window frame and along one edge of the window pane with a ventilator according to any preceding claim.

24. A window glazed by a combination of a ventilator along one edge and mechanically glazing devices along the other edges.

25. A double glazed window fitted in each pane with a ventilator according to any preceding claim, the ventilators both opening to the cavity between the panes.

26. A double glazed window according to claim 25 wherein the ventilators are disposed along opposite edges of their respective panes.