GB2107774A

GB2107774A - Sectional frame members

Info

Publication number: GB2107774A
Application number: GB08130393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward George Bull; Martin David Jones
Original assignee: DURAFLEX HOUSECRAFTS Ltd
Current assignee: DURAFLEX HOUSECRAFTS Ltd
Priority date: 1981-10-08
Filing date: 1981-10-08
Publication date: 1983-05-05
Also published as: GB2107774B

Abstract

A frame member comprises elongated section members 2 and 3, of which member 2 defines an open channel 4 to receive arm sections 6 of the section 3. Locating projections 5 within the channel 4 mate with corresponding projections 7 at the end of the arms 6. Additional limbs 17 may provide added stability to the assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to sectional frame members for retaining sheets of material This invention relates to a frame member to be used to retain sheets of material to form a door or window. Normally the sheet of material will be a sheet of glass or a pair of glass sheets as used for double glazing purposes. The frame member could equally, however, be used for retaining metal or wooden panels of a door for example.

Normally such frame members comprise two sections which are linked together so that, between them, they form a groove which will receive the sheet of material and grip it. It is an object of this invention to provide sections of a suitable shape such that they may readily be fitted together to enclose a sheet of material and will not then be prone to accidental release or fracture so that the sheet of material becomes loose.

Accordingly this invention provides a frame member for retaining sheets of material to form a door or window and comprising a first elongated section defining an open channel whose open end is smooth walled on the inside, whilst portions of the first section towards the closed inner end of the channel are provided with locating projections, and a second elongated section providing a fixing strip to lie over the open end of the channel of the first section and having a projecting arm to locate within the open channel of the first section and incorporating mating projections to engage with the locating projections and retain the two sections together.

When such a frame member is being constructed to enclose a sheet of material the arm on the second portion is introduced into the open channel on the first portion and then the two sections are pressed together so as to grip the sheet of material until the two sets of projections interengage and lock the two sections together.

In the preferred embodiment the locating projections are on the side walls of the open channel. Ideally the arm of the second section will be split to provide two portions each of which carries mating projections to engage with respective ones of the locating projections. The two portions of the split arm can then flex towards one another as the arm is forced home into the open channel. However it is preferred that the root part of each portion of the arm should be thickened where it joins the facing strip.

The preferred construction of the projections is such that the innermost locating projection and the corresponding mating projection on each side are major projections and there are none or one or more additional minor locating and mating projections. Thus there may in fact be no minor locating and mating projections and just a single major mating and locating projection at each side.

It is advantageous to provide that respective faces of the major mating projections are angled by up to about 1 50 greater than the angles of the lowermost faces of the locating projections. This allows for variable tolerances between interconnecting parts.

In an alternative or additional arrangement, the locating projections are formed on a spigot projecting from the base of the channel of the first section and the arm of the second section defines a cavity to receive the spigot, the walls of the cavity defining the mating projections.

It may be desirable to provide stabilising portions which project parallel to either side of the arm on the second section to define grooves for the receipt of the free ends of the walls of the channel of the first section. These help to hold the two sections together and reduce the possibility of relative movement between the two. Furthermore the facing surfaces of the stabilising portions and the walls of the channel can be provided with mutually engaging projections which will tend to hold the two sections even more securely together.

An additional desirable feature is the provision of a resilient beading in or immediately below the facing strip to both sides of the arm of the second section. This beading will be pressed slightly by the free ends of the arms defining the open channel of the first section thus adding to the locking effect and substantially reducing the possibility of rattling if the frame member is subjected to vibration.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figure 1 is a horizontal section through parts of a sliding window constructed using a frame member of this invention: Figures 2 and 3 illustrate respective mating parts of the frame member of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 illustrate alternative forms for mating members which may be used for the frame member; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the provision of a resilient bead in one of the parts of the frame member; and Figures 8 to 11 are diagrammatic illustrations of further methods of interconnecting the mating parts of frame members of this invention.

The sliding window shown in Figure 1 is constructed from double-glazed glass sheet members 1 gripped between first and second elongated section members 2 and 3. These sections 2 and 3 are illustrated in more detail in Figures 3 and 2 respectively. Section 2 defines an open channel 3 whose inside walls are smooth at the open end of the channel whilst locating projections 5 are provided towards the closed end of the channel. The other section 2 is formed with an arm comprising two arm sections 6 whose lower ends carry mating projections 7 which are angled downwardly at 150 to the horizontal. The other ends of the arm portions 6 are integral with a facing strip 8 provided with recesses 9 for the receipt of resilient strips which will bear against the glazing sheet 1.The root portions 10 of the arm portions 6 are thickened to give added strength whilst the thinner free ends of the arm portion 6 may more readily be flexed as the arm is inserted into the channel 4 so that the tapered ends 11 slide down the ramp-like projections 5 until the two sets of projections 5 and 7 snap over one another to hold the sections 2 and 3 securely together. Section 3 is provided with grooves 12 which will receive further members 13 incorporating resilient strips which will bear against the other side of the glazing sheet 1.

Figure 1 also illustrates modified sections 2A and 3A wherein the arm 6 and the channel 4 are of narrower width.

In the modified sections 38 and 2B shown in Figures 4 and 5, the arm portions 6 and the inner walls of the channel 4 are additionally provided with a series of minor projections 14. These create a ratchet-like interconnection fo the two parts until the arm 6 has snapped fully home, whereupon the minor projections provide added resistance against removal of the arm 6 from the channel 4.

Figures 6 and 7 show how resilient beads 15 may be incorporated within or below the facing strip 8 of one of the second sections 2 to either side of the arm 6. These resilient beads 1 5 will be compressed by the ends of the walls 16 defining the channel of the first section thus acting as a resilient stop and locking arrangement. As shown in Figure 7, the resilient bead 15 may be received in a groove defined by stabilising portions 17 projecting parallel to either side of the arm 6 (as shown also in Figure 2). These stabilising portions 17 give added rigidity to the composite structure.

In either of the arrangements shown in Figures 6 and 7, the resilient beading may be formed integrally with the section 3 by being fused in as the extrusion of the section 3 is formed and whilst the section is still hot after leaving the die.

In the modified construction shown in Figure 8, the channel 4 is provided with a central spigot 18 projecting from the base thereof and the arm 6 defines a cavity which receives the spigot 18.

Mutually interengaging sections 19, 20 are formed on the spigot 1 8 and the walls of the cavity 21. Bosses 22 on the arm 6 stabilise the arm within the channel 4. In the arrangement shown in Figure 9, however, bosses 22 are omitted but the arm 6 is greatly thickened as compared with that shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 illustrates a combination of the features of the sections as described in connection with Figures 2 and 8 so that, for example, the channel 4 has both locating projections 5 on its side walls and a central spigot 18. Finally in Figure 11 there is illustrated a structure wherein a central spigot is provided within the channel 4 and additionally the stabilising portions 17 of part of the section 3 are elongated and provided with projections 23 which interengage with complementary projections 24 on the outer faces of the walls defining the channel 4.

Claims

1. A frame member for retaining sheets of material to form a door or window and comprising a first elongated section defining an open channel whose open end is smooth walled on the inside, whilst locating projections are provided towards the closed inner end of and within the channel, and a second elongated section providing a facing strip to lie over the open end of the channel of the first section and having a projecting arm to locate within the open channel of the first section and incorporating mating projections to engage with the locating projections and retain the two sections together.

2. A frame member according to claim 1, wherein the locating projections are on the side walls of the open channel.

3. A frame member according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the arm of the second section is split to provide two portions each of which carries mating projections to engage with respective locating projections.

4. A frame member according to claim 3, wherein the root part of each portion of the arm is thickened where it joins the facing strip.

5. A frame member according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the innermost locating projection and the corresponding mating projection on each side are major projections and there are none or one or more additional minor locating and/or mating projections.

6. A frame member according to claim 5, wherein respective faces of the major mating projections are angled by up to about 1 50 greater than the angles of the lowermost faces of the locating projections.

7. A frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locating projections are formed on a spigot projecting from the base of the channel of the first section and the arm of the second section defines a cavity to receive the spigot, the walls of the cavity defining the mating projections.

8. A frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein stabilising portions project parallel to either side of the arm from the facing strip on the second section to define grooves for the receipt of the free ends of the walls of the channel of the first section.

9. A frame member according to claim 8, wherein the facing surfaces of the stabilising portions and the walls of the channel are provided with mutually engaging projections.

10. A frame member according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a resilient beading is provided in or immediately below the facing strip to both sides of the arm of the second section so as to engage with the free ends of the walls of the channel of the first section.

1 1. A frame member of any of the forms substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.