GB2071192A - Double gluing assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of parts for converting a window to a double glazing assembly comprises a second window (12) which has a white plastics trim (14) around its peripheral edge, together with a plurality of U-shaped brackets (16, 18) for mounting the second window on the frame of the first window. The side brackets (16) each have a lug by means of which the bracket is pivotally mounted on the first window frame, the brackets on each side aligned such that the respective side edge of the second window can be positioned thereover. Once the second window is positioned in the bottom brackets (18) and over the lugs of the side brackets (16), the latter are pivoted to embrace the trim. The outwardly facing legs of the brackets (16, 18) are coated with a white plastics material and are dimensioned to correspond to the trim such that the appearance of the brackets matches that of the trim. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to double glazing assemblies The invention relates to a double glazing assembly and is concerned particularly with an arrangement whereby a second window can be sealingly mounted on an existing window frame.

Double glazing assemblies are known comprising arrangements for mounting a second window on an existing window frame by means of clamps which are fixed to the existing frame and which receive the sides of the second window, the latter having a plastic trim around its edge. Such clamps are however unsightly in that they do not match the appearance of the plastics trim and also the fixing screws or the like are visible.

According to the present invention there is provided a bracket for use in a double-glazing assembly, said bracket comprising a substantially U-shaped component of which one leg provides an arrangement for receiving means for pivotally mounting the bracket on a first assembly part, such that, in use, when the component is mounted on said first assembly part, a second assembly part is located over the mounting arrangement and the bracket is pivotable to embrace said second assembly part with said one leg between said second assembly part and said first part and the other leg externally of the assembly.

Preferably on said one leg of the bracket a section is removed from that corner at a free end edge thereof remote from the mounting arrangement.

Preferably also said other leg has an appearance arranged to match the appearance of the second assembly part. Said other leg may be coated with a plastics material.

According to the present invention there is also provided a kit of parts for converting a first window part to a double glazed assembly, said kit of parts comprising a second window having a trim around its peripheral edge, and a plurality of brackets as described in any of the three preceding paragraphs provided for mounting the second window at least at each of two opposed sides.

Preferably a sealing strip is provided to be located between said second window and said first window part.

Preferably also bracket means are arranged to be mounted on said first window part to receive a lower side of said second window. Said bracket means may comprise a plurality of further brackets arranged to be fixedly mounted on said first window part and to receive the second window therein, a spacer being provided for use with each of said further brackets once said second window is in position. The further brackets may be of substantially U-shaped configuration arranged to embrace said second window with one leg fixed to said first window part at a location between said second window and said first window part and the other leg having an appearance arranged to match the appearance of the trim on said second window.

The invention further provides a double glazed window formed by the use of the kit of parts as described in any of the three preceding paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a blank for a side bracket used in the invention; Fig. 2 is a blank of a bottom bracket used in the invention; Fig. 3 is an elevation of a spacer; and Fig. 4 is a front view of an assembled double glazed unit.

Referring to the drawings, a double glazed assembly comprises a first fixed window frame 10 having, mounted on an internal face thereof, a second window arrangement comprising a window 12 having a trim 14 (Fig. 4), for example of a plastics material, around its peripheral edge, the trim being preferably white in colour.

To convert the existing window frame 10 into a double glazed assembly, the second window arrangement is included within a kit of parts which comprises a plurality of said brackets 1 6 hereinafter described, and a plurality of bottom brackets 18 hereinafter described.

Each of the side brackets 1 6 is of substantially U-shaped configuration and is shown in the form of a blank in Fig. 1. The bracket has one leg 18 formed with a laterally projecting lug 20, the latter having a countersunk drilled hole 21 for a fixing screw or the like. The leg 1 8 has the corner at its free end edge remote from the lug 20 removed along a diagonal. It will be appreciated that, prior to being mounted on the existing window frame 10, the brackets 16 are formed into their Ushaped configuration by bending each of the legs 18, 24 in a direction towards one another relative to the base 22. The base 22 of the bracket 1 6 has a length substantially corresponding to the thickness of the trim 14 around the window 12.

The other leg 24 of the bracket 1 6 has a length corresponding to the width of the trim 14.

In use, a pair of the brackets 1 6 are provided for mounting each side of the window arrangement 12, 14. The brackets 16 have their lugs 20 facing inwardly and the holes 21 in vertical alignment.

The brackets 16 are fixed to the existing window frame 10 by screws or the like (not shown) through the holes 21. With the brackets 16 fixed in position the respective trimmed edge of the window 12 is located parallel to the corresponding edge of the frame 10 with the trim 14 extending over the aligned lugs 20. A seal (not shown) for example of vinyl, arranged to be positioned around the peripheral edge of the window arrangement 12, 14 is located between the latter and the existing window frame 10. The brackets 16 are then pivoted about their fixing means to engage the legs 18 between the trim 14 and the frame 10, the removed cornerfacilitating entry of the legs 18 despite the existence of the vinyl seal.The pivoting of the brackets 1 6 locates the legs 24, because of the dimensions of the bases 22, in engagement with the external face of the trim 14 and presses the latter towards the frame 10 thus compressing the seal.

The length of each leg 24 is such that the free end edge thereof aligns with the inner peripheral edge of the trim 14. Each bracket 1 6 or at least the leg 24 thereof, is coated with a material matching that of the trim 14, e.g. a white plastics material. Thus when the brackets 16 are in position a neat attractive appearance is presented externally and no fixing means are visible.

Prior to the pivoting of the brackets 16 the window arrangement 12, 14 is also correctly positioned in the bottom brackets 18, each of the latter is of substantially U-shaped configuration and is shown in blank form in Fig. 2. The bracket 18 comprises a base 26 of a length slightly greater than the thickness of the trim 14. One leg 28 of the bracket 1 8 has a pair of countersunk drilled holes 30 for receiving fixing means of any suitable type. The other leg 32 has corner sections removed and is of such a length as to correspond to the width of the trim 14.

In use, each bracket 18, having been formed into its U-shape by bending the legs 28, 32 in a direction towards one another about the base 26, is fixedly mounted at a lower edge of the window frame 10 by means of screws or the like through the holes 30. When the window 12, is to be mounted the lower trimmed edge thereof is located in a pair of the brackets 18, which are horizontally aligned, and adjusted until the side trimmed edges locate above the lugs 20 of the side brackets 16 as hereinbefore described. Once in such position the side brackets 16 are pivoted into their clamping position and a spacer 34 is then positioned between the external face of the trim 14 and the inner face of the leg 32 of each bracket 18. The use of spacers 34 enables initial adjustment of the window arrangement 12, 14 when first positioned in the brackets 18.

As with the brackets 16 the brackets 18 have their free end edges aligned with the inner peripheral edges of the trim 14, and the brackets 18, or at least the legs 32 thereof, are coated with a material to match the appearance of the trim 14, e.g. a white plastics material. Also the shape of each spacer 34 is such that the latter is not visible behind the leg 32 of the respective bracket 18.

It will be appreciated therefore that the assembled double glazed unit is extremely simple to install so as to releasably mount the second window and yet provides an aesthetically much more pleasing appearance than any similar arrangement previously proposed. Although a pair of brackets 16 are shown to be associated with each side of the second window, and a pair of bottom brackets 18 are shown, any suitable number of such brackets can be used, it being suggested that the brackets be spaced fifteen inches apart around the edge of the second window. Further brackets 16 may be utilised at the top side of the second window if desired. The brackets are preferably formed from stainless steel with a plastics coating.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (18)

1. A bracket for use in double glazing assembly, said bracket comprising a substantially U-shaped component of which one leg has a laterally extending part providing an arrangement for pivotally mounting the bracket on a first assembly part, such that, in use, when the component is mounted on said first assembly part, a second assembly part is located over the mounting arrangement and the bracket is pivotable to embrace said second assembly part with said one leg between said second assembly part and said assembly first part, and the other leg externally of the assembly.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 , wherein on said one leg of the bracket, a section is removed from that corner, at a free end edge thereof, which is remote from the laterally extending part.

3. A bracket according to claim 1 or 2, which is formed of a base material provided with a coating of an enamel.

4. A kit of parts for converting a first window part to a double glazed assembly, said kit of parts comprising a second window having a trim around its peripheral edges, and a plurality of brackets each comprising a substantially U-shaped component of which one leg has a laterally extending part providing an arrangement for pivotally mounted the bracket on the first window part, such that, in use, when the brackets are mounted on the first window part in alignment at least at each of two opposed sides thereof, the second window can be located with the trim over the aligned mounting arrangements and the brackets are pivotable to embrace the trim of ihe second window, with said one legs between the second window and the first window part and the other legs externally of the second window.

5. A kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein each of said other legs of the brackets has a length substantially equal to the width of the trim of the second window.

6. A kit of parts according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least each of said other legs has an appearance matching the appearance of the trim of the second window.

7. A kit of parts according to claim 6, wherein the trim is formed of a plastics material, and each bracket is formed of a coated base material.

8. A kit of parts according to claim 7, wherein the base material has a coating of an enamel.

9. A kit of parts according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein a sealing strip is provided to be located between said second window and said first window part.

10. A kit of parts according to claim 9, wherein the sealing strip is formed of vinyl.

11. A kit of parts according to claim 9, wherein the sealing strip comprises brush means provided with a self adhesive area for attachment in a channel in the trim of the second window.

12. A kit of parts according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of further brackets are provided to be fixedly mounted on the first window part and to receive the second window.

13. A kit of parts according to claim 12, wherein each of said further brackets is of substantially U-shaped configuration arranged to embrace said second window with one leg fixed to said first window part at a location between said second window and said first window part and the other leg having an appearance arranged to match the appearance of the trim on said second window.

14. A kit of parts according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a spacer is provided for use with each of said further brackets once the second window is received therein.

15. A double glazing assembly formed by the use of the kit of parts according to any of claims 4 to 14.

16. A bracket for use in double glazing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.