GB2093101A - Glazed assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of making a glazed assembly, particularly for double- glazing, comprises machining timber or timber substitute to form framing members 10, 11 whose section includes a groove to locate the glazing itself 13 and forming corner joints, preferably by providing stub tenons on some lengths to mate with end portions of the grooves of other lengths and securing releasably by screw fasteners. A kit of parts is described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Glazed assemblies This invention relates to glazed assemblies, particularly but not exclusively the provision of double-glazed sash assemblies for installation into existing window openings in substitution for existing glazing.

It is known to provide double glazed assemblies by constructing a sash frame from extruded aluminium sections, often having corner joints secured by screws, which receives a double glazing unit. The term "double glazing unit" is used to refer to the parallel spaced panes of glass and spacing means employed to define and seal the air gap between them. The assembly is sized to fit the window opening either as a fixed or opening sash.

Metal framing is not always acceptable in appearance, e.g. it may be out of keeping with the architectural style or period of the building and with remaining window frames or surrounds, particularly if only certain windows of a building are to be double glazed. The poor insulation qualities of the hollow metal sections give rise to residual heat losses and to condensation problems. Use of hollow plastics extrusions or components may give rise to problems of lack of stability and rigidity and their appearance and finish may not always be acceptable. Resort may also be had to composite constructions, e.g. of plastics and metal, but these add to the cost and complexity of the assembly.

If timer framing is specified it has hitherto been provided by traditional glazing procedures involving substantial work on-site with consequent inconvenience, delays, and possible lack of skilled supervision, giving rise to variable results and adding considerably to the expense.

Said procedures usually involve constructing a timber sash frame in position having an open sided rebate, inserting the glazing unit into said rebate bedded in putty or other sealing compound, and securing it in place with pins and putty or by attaching lengths of beading along the rebate.

Mitred or other corner joints often have to be cut by hand on site and the weather sealing needs care and skill. The final weatherproof finish can only be applied in situ and is thus subject to the vagaries of the weather, added to which there may be difficulties of access.

The object of the present invention is to provided glazed assemblies, particularly doubleglazing, economically and to a high standard utilizing timber framing, with greatly facilitated manufacture, assembly and installation, improved weatherproofing, and a minimum of on-site work.

According to a first aspect of the invention a method of providing a glazed assembly having a timber frame includes the steps of machining or otherwise shaping timber to a section having a pair of integral spaced parallel glazing beads defining a continuous longitudinal groove forming a rebate to receive the edge portion of glazing; cutting lengths of said section to provide the sides of a sash frame to receive the glazing; and jointing said lengths together with the glazing in position to form the assembly.

Preferably said jointing is effected by machining or otherwise profiling the end of one length to provide a tenon for reception in an end portion of said longitudinal groove of the adjoining length, and the joint so formed may be secured by insertion of a carcasing screw longitudinally of the tenon.

It is also preferred that the groove is dimensioned to receive a double-glazing unit.

The invention further resides in a kit of parts for forming a glazed assembly including one or more lengths of timber section of the form defined in the preceding paragraph; and in a window or door construction comprising or consisting of an assembly formed by the method of or using the kit of parts of the invention as above defined.

The term "timber" is used herein not only to include natural timber but also artificial or reconstituted timber substitutes such as exterior grade chipboards or fibreboards or rigid smooth coated cellular plastics capable of being worked like wood and the shaped section may be provided by moulding, pressing or extruding the latter materials.

One practical embodiment of the invention and certain modifications thereof is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a lateral horizontal section of part of a completed double-glazed sash installation, Figure 2 is a like horizontal section of the sash frame alone at a corner joint, Figure 3 is a perspective view part broken away of a modified form of corner joint, Figures 4 and 5 are sections of single glazed forms of the invention.

The double-glazed sash assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is constructed by providing a common timber section which is used to form four sides of the frame, viz. a pair of vertical stiles 10 (one only shown in Figure 1), a horizontal top rail (not shown) and a corresponding bottom rail 1 The sash assembly, which may be opening or fixed, is shown received in a conventional built-up timber surround including a fixed jamb 20 and a main frame 21, a lip 22 of the timber section seating against jamb 20 for weather sealing.

The timber section is machined to provide a pair of integral continuous parallel spaced glazing beads 12 defining a continuous longitudinal rebate or groove of a width to receive a double glazing unit 13 (Figure 1).

Unit 13 is of conventional construction comprising two panes of glass 23 with a sealed air space between defined by edge spring elements 24 sealed between the panes. The width of the rebate can be sufficient to accommodate thicker sizes of unit, for example having up to 18 mm air gap.

Depending on the size of sash assembly required an appropriate unit is selected and the frame is constructed around it. The lengths of the timber section are trimmed at their ends to form a butt corner joint as illustrated in Figure 2, the rails 1 1 being cut to provide a central sub tenon 14 closely fitting in the groove of the adjoining stile 10 and flanked by shoulders which seat on the side faces of end portions of the beads 12 of the stile.

Unit 13 will be bedded in a mastic or other sealant or a rubber or plastics elastomeric seating element 25 in conventional manner in the frame rebate and the frame is finally secured together by carcasing screws 15 (for example chipboard connecting screws as manufactured by Guest, Keen 8 Nettlefold under reference No. 285-81), whose heads seat in counterbores of stile 10 and which are screwed horizontally into threaded engagement with bores longitudinally of the tenon 14. Said engagement may be directly into the material of the tenon portions or into a threaded or other plastics or metal insert in said bores. In some applications a metal or other insert may first be positioned in said counterbore to receive the pull of the screw head. A plastics capping may also be used to fill the recess after insertion of the screw.If desired, the shear resistance of the joint may be increased by one of a variety of methods, for example, the inclusion of a trapped ragged washer between the end of the tenon and the bottom of its opposing rebate.

Another form of screw for securing the joint e.g.

for a glazed door assembly, is shown in Figure 3 where a bolt 16 is inserted horizontally to co-act with a threaded insert 17 located in a vertical bore 1 7a of rail 1 , the tension as the bolt is tightened being carried by an unthreaded insert 18 8 receive in a parallel bore 1 8a in the stile 10.

Screws or bolts 15 or 1 6 draw the frame corner joints into tight engagement with said shoulders stabilizing the joint laterally. The section is designed to utilize the inherent stiffness in the planes of the glass of the double glazing unit itself so that a particularly strong and stable sash assembly results.

A base portion of seating element 25 may define an air passage 26 along the base of the rebate or alternately a passage may be provided by pre-forming a secondary groove in the base of the rebate itself as shown at 26a by broken lines in Figure 1 also in Figure 4. These passages provide ventilation and also collect and drain away any seepage of moisture past sealing element 22.

If passages as at 26a are formed in the timber section itself these will be self draining at the lower corners of the frame as they will extend downwards past the ends of the tenons 1 4.

Figure 4 illustrates application of the standard timber section for double glazing to glazing with a single glass pane 40 by the use of a broader seating element 41 which fills the rebate and has a pair of opposing shoulders 42 with voids in them which are urged into gripping engagement with the edge parts of the pane when element 41 is pressed home into the rebate.

Figure 5 shows a form of the invention for lighter duty single pane glazing e.g. for interior glazing assemblies or cabinet doors. A narrower timber section 50 has a rebate wide enough for a single pane 51 and associated seating element 52 only. In other respects the assembly is as described above.

If need be, e.g. due to accidental damage to the glass, the frame can be disassembled without damage by removing the screws enabling a replacement unit to be readily inserted.

The work of preparing and assembling the sash assembly can be completed in a factory or workshop under controlled conditions and supervision to a high standard of finish and weatherproofing, the complete assemblies being brought to the site for insertion in the prepared window opening either as fixed sashes or as hinged or otherwise opening sashes.

For some applications said section may be utilized to form the jamb, transom or mullion of the main frame itself, e.g. where a double glazed main frame is being constructed for a building in course of erection, or for replacement of an entire main window frame of an existing building.

In all these cases work and fitting on site is reduced to a minimum enabling speedy and efficient installation and reducing the risk of breakages or unsatisfactory workmanship. The integral beads 12 give a particularly neat finish with a minimum of jointing and improved weather resistance and the advantages of timber framing are provided in a particularly economical manner with pleasing appearance and high durability.

Weatherproof finishing can be applied to all faces of the timber section including the surfaces of the interior of the rebate and any drainage channels or passages under controlled factory conditions before installation.

Claims (12)

1. A method of providing a glazed assembly having a timber frame including the steps of machining or otherwise shaping timber to a section having a pair of integral spaced parallel glazing beads defining a continuous longitudinal groove forming a rebate to receive the edge portion of glazing; cutting lengths of said section to provide the sides of a sash frame to receive the glazing; and jointing said lengths together with the glazing in position to form the assembly.

2. A method as in Claim 1 wherein said jointing includes the step of inserting screw fasteners releasably securing the lengths together.

3. A method as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said jointing is effected by profiling the end of one length to provide a tenon for reception in an end portion of said longitudinal groove of the adjoining length.

4. A method as in Claim 3 so far as dependent on Claim 2 wherein a screw fastener is inserted longitudinally of each said tenon to draw the latter into engagement with said end portions.

5. A method as in any preceding claim wherein the groove is dimensioned to receive a double glazing unit.

6. A method of providing a glazed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A kit of parts for forming a glazed assembly including lengths of timber section having a pair of integral spaced parallel glazing bead defining a continuous longitudinal groove forming a rebate to receive the edge portion of a double glazing unit or other glazing.

8. A kit as in Claim 7 including screw fasteners for releasably securing the lengths together.

9. A kit as in Claim 7 or 8 wherein end portions of the lengths are shaped to form a corner joint on assembly, said end portions including profiled end portions of certain lengths to provide tenons for reception in end portions of the longitudinal grooves of others of the lengths.

10. A kit as in Claim 7, 8 or 9 further including a double glazing unit.

1 A glazed assembly formed by the method or by the use of the kit defined by any one of the preceding claims.

12. A glazed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.