GB2067635A - A device for collecting water on windows - Google Patents

Abstract

To collect condensation that forms on the interior of windows a channel section extrusion is mounted with one edge of the channel in engagement with the window pane. Condensate collected in the channel can be led away through a drainage passage, which may be formed in the sill, to a container or to the exterior of the building. A stopper at the end of the channel may contain a drainage passage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for collecting water on windows This Invention relates to a device for collecting condensed water on windows.

In temperate and cold climates a common cause of complaint is the condensed water that forms on the interior windows and which then collects in pools on the window sills. In very cold weather the amount of water forming said pools can be quite large. Over a period of time, for example the winter months, the regular accumulation of pools of water on window sills can damage the sills particularly if they are made of wood and also damage any finish on the sills such as paint, varnish or polish.

There is at present no cheap way of dealing with this problem and the present invention has been made to try and remedy that.

According to the invention there is provided a channel adapted to extend across the glazing of a window adjacent the lower edge thereof, means adapted to receive said channel in position aforesaid with one edge of the channel in substantially fluid tight engagement with said glazing, means for closing the ends of the channel and means for draining water from said channel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the channel is of extruded metal, plastics rubber or other suitable material which can be cut to length appropriate to the window pane with which it is to be used. Preferably the channel is detachably fixed in plane so that it can be moved for cleaning and when it is not required, for example during warm weather. The ends of the channel may be closed by stopper which are a force fit in the channel.

Drainage from the channel may be effected through the channel itself and/or through one or both ends. Drained water can be conducted to a container or led through a bore formed in the window sill to the exterior of the building.

Advantageously this could be an open or closed channel which may be located in the stopper or other suitable position.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:~ Fig. 1 is a part sectional perspective view of a window fitted with a device for collection of condensed water, Fig. 2 illustrates in end elevation different embodiments of channel, Fig. 3 is a section through a window having a different embodiment of a condensed water collecting device fitted thereto, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a closure plug.

Referring to Fig. 1 the condensed water collecting device comprises a channel 10 of metal, plastics, rubber or other suitable material having a length corresponding to the pane of glass 11 from which condensed water is to be collected. The channel may be extruded or formed in any other suitable way. The walls of the channel extend beyond the web of the channel as at 12, the free ends 14 of which are inturned. A fixing strip 16 is secured to the window sill 18 by screws, adhesive or any other suitable fastening means. The fixing strip includes two parallel somewhat outwardly directed lugs 20 which engage the inturned ends 14 on the underside of the channel whereby the channel is releasably held on the window sill.

In order that condensation running down the window pane will be collected in the channel it is important to ensure that the edge of side 22 of the channel adjacent the pane should actually engage or bear upon the pane. The location of the fixing strip is chosen so as to provide for this.

Additionally the channel, at least in that part which is to engage the window pane can be made deformable, the fixing thus being positioned relative to the pane so that side 22 is slightly deformed by engagement with the pane when the channel is mounted on the fixing strip. It is further preferred that side 22 be tapered as illustrated.

The shape of channel is not of overwhelming importance and may be chosen to suit particular circumstances. Other configurations of channel are illustrated, by way of example in Fig. 2.

Thus as shown in Fig. 2A the channel can have an asymmetric cross-section, side 22 being longer than the other side. As previously mentioned side 22 may be tapered and that is shown in Fig. 2B.

The sides of the channel may be perpendicular, or inclined, to the web as shown in Fig. 2C. If desired the channel may be strengthened by a rib 30 on the web as shown in Fig. 2D.

To prevent objects falling in the channel, one or both arms can be shaped so as to extend at least partially across the channel. Examples of that are shown in Figs. 2E, 2F and 2G. The shape defined by the channel need not be rectangular. Any shape can be chosen, for example triangular or substantially circular, the latter being illustrated in Fig. 2H.

Where it is desired to provide a deformable edge 22 to bear against a window pane, instead of making the channel of deformable material a separate deformable element 32 can be fitted on edge 22 (Fig. 21). Alternatively, the side of the channel abutting the window could be formed with a recess or projection. This recess or projection, which could for example be semicircular, could house or locate a sealing strip. In another modification the sealing strip could be simply adhered or welded or otherwise suitably attached to the channel.

In some cases the window sill may not be big enough to mount the channel directly adjacent the window pane. To deal with that a different channel configuration is required, for example as shown in Fig. 2J. In that embodiment side 22 has a lateral extension 34 which terminates in a window pane engaging portion 36. The channel can thus be located some distance from the window pane from which condensed liquid is to be collected.

As mentioned above the channel may be adapted to limit ingress of objects, dust and so on.

Another way of achieving the same result can be obtained by covering the channel with a liquid permeable cover. As shown in Fig. 2K the channel is provided with inwardly directed lugs 38 which support a removable cover 40 of liquid permeable material, for example an open cell foamed plastics material.

The mounting of channel as illustrated in Fig. 1 can also be modified if desired. For example, as shown in Fig. 3 the fixing strip may comprise inwardly directed side edges 42 which releasably engage outwardly projecting lugs 44 on the channel 10. The position of the lug or lugs is so chosen to correctly position the channel 10 on the window. instead of having a fixing strip a series of locating pads may equally well be used. Again the position and spacing of these pads would be chosen to correctly locate the channel.

It is not essential that the channel be releasably mounted by a window pane; it can be fixed directly to the window sill or other appropriate place, for example by screws extending through the web of the channel, by adhesive or other suitable means.

The ends of the channel are closed to prevent liquid flowing from the channel. Any suitable means can be employed to close the channel ends but a preferred type of closure is shown in Fig. 4.

As illustrated the closure comprises a bung or stopper having a shank 50 which corresponds in section to the channel section. In the embodiment illustrated the closure is adapted in use with a channel of substantially circular section such as shown, for example, in Fig. 2H. The closure is preferably a force fit in the channel. To retain the closure in place barbs may be provided on the shank. Moreover an O-ring may be fitted in an annular groove on the shank to improve the fluid tightness of the closure.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 a longitudinal bore 52 extends through the closure by which liquid in the channel can be drained away to a suitable collecting vessel. Drainage can be effected in any convenient way. For example a bore may be formed in the sill which leads to the exterior of the building or to a container in the interior of the building and which is in register with a hole in the channel.

Instead of having a round section stop as shown in Fig. 4, an open channel stop could be used to reduce the risk of condensation at the extreme edges of the window flowing outside the channel 10. A tube or other suitable duct could then lead out of the channel 10.

Claims (13)

1. A channel adapted to extend across the glazing of a window adjacent the lower edge thereof, means adapted to receive said channel in position aforesaid with one edge of the channel in substantially fluid tight engagement with said glazing, means for closing the ends of the channel and means for draining liquid from said channel.

2. A channel as claimed in Claim 1 produced by extrusion from material which can be cut to a desired length.

3. A channel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, adapted to be removably mounted in said position adjacent the window.

4. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for closing the ends of the channel comprise stoppers.

5. A channel as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the stoppers are a force fit in said channel.

6. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least the edge thereof which is to engage window glazing is deformable.

7. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the deformable edge is provided by a separate element fitted to the edge of the channel.

8. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a liquid permeable cover is disposed on at least a part of the open top of the channel.

9. A window sill assembly comprising a sill having a channel as claimed in any preceding claim mounted thereon and liquid drainage passage means in said sill connected to the channel.

10. A window sill assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the drainage passage means leads to the exterior of the building of which the assembly forms a part.

11. A window sill assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the drainage passage means leads to a container.

12. A channel substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 or 3 or Figs. 1 or 3 as modified by any of Figs. 2A-K or Fig. 4.

13. A window sill assembly substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 or 3 or Figs. 1 or 3 as modified by any of Figs. 2A-K or Fig. 4.