GB2109850A

GB2109850A - Method of installing a replacement door or window frame on an existing sub-frame

Info

Publication number: GB2109850A
Application number: GB08232959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Serge Mendez
Original assignee: Technal SA
Current assignee: Technal SA
Priority date: 1981-11-19
Filing date: 1982-11-18
Publication date: 1983-06-08
Also published as: FR2516586B1; GB2109850B; FR2516586A1

Abstract

A method of installing a replacement frame (30) for doors or windows on an existing sub-frame (100) comprises fixing first and second members (10, 20) respectively on the sub-frame (100) and the replacement frame (30) and securing these together by means of screws. Cover members and sealing strips may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of installing a replacement frame on an existing sub-frame The present invention concerns sub-frames, that is to say framings intended to permit the later installation of doors, windows or similar items.

The present invention particularly concerns a method of installation of a replacement frame for doors, windows or similar items on an existing sub-frame of, for example, wood, cast iron or steel, as well as a system for putting the method into use.

The traditional technique for repairing deteriorated or worn existing sub-frames, which is illustrated by French patent application No.

2,147,900 consists of the positioning on them of a replacement frame held in the rebate, that is to say in the groove made in the existing sub-frame, with the aid of for example an added wooden batten, permitting the level positioning of the replacement frame.

This solution requires, either touching-up operations on the members of the existing subframe, in a manner to make a flat seat for the wooden batten, or placing of adjustment blocks, of an appropriate height, on the members of the frame to build it up.

The mentioned French patent application No.

2,147,900 provides as well the fixing of the frame of a replacement window on an old wooden frame by the simple use of screws and blocks or chocks.

Whatever the solution adopted, the fixing of the replacement frame is only made across its frame and consequently necessitates some boring.

One may well understand that such an operation of preparation of the members of the existing sub-frame takes relatively long and requires specialised personnel for correctly ensuring the different operations of blocking and of boring.

In addition, one may state that the boring of frames causes a loss of sealing effectiveness.

The present invention comes to resolve the problems posed in this way by proposing a new method of installing a replacement frame of doors, windows or similar items on an existing sub-frame comprising the steps of fixing on the sub-frame a plurality of first pieces each provided with a bore, in a position such that each bore is substantially normal to the opening of the subframe; positioning and fixing on the replacement frame, in a position corresponding to that of the first pieces on the existing sub-frame, the same number of second pieces, each provided with a fixing tab having an elongate open slot, so that each of the fixing tabs is substantially parallel to the opening of the frame and that the general direction of each of the elongate open slots is substantially normal to the major axis of the member of the frame in question; offering the replacement frame up to the existing sub-frame in a position that such that each of the elongate open slots is opposite one of the bores; and fixing the replacement chassis on the existing subframe in an appropriate relevant position by securing each of the fixing tabs on to the first pieces provided with a bore, with the aid of a screw engaged in each of these.

Preferably the bores in the first pieces are oriented towards the inside of the building in question.

The method of the present invention permits rapid, robust, precise and reliable installation since it necessitates few operations on the existing sub-frame, but permits on the contrary the making, in a simple manner, of all the adjustments-and compensations wished~of the replacement frame by building up on the existing sub-frame and this can be done by a single, unqualified installer. The installation is then simple and economic.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the fixing system comprises first and second pieces intended to be fixed respectively on the existing sub-frame and on the replacement frame; the first piece being of generally parallepiped form and each having on the one hand a bore intended to receive a screw fixing a first and å second piece in respective positions and on the other hand at least one hole intended to receive a screw for fixing this first piece on the member of the existing sub-frame in question; and each second piece being itself formed with a base of a generally flat and elongate form, provided with at least one threaded bore suitable to receive a screw for fixing this second piece on the replacement frame, and a fixing tab normal to the base and provided with an elongate slot which permits adjustment of the position of the members of the replacement frame with respect to the corresponding existing sub-frame.

Preferably each first piece has an opening on the axis of symmetry of the bore, the said opening having a width substantially greater than the width of the fixing tab provided on each second piece.

Preferably the step of the method consisting of fixing on the existing sub-frame a plurality of first pieces each provided with a threaded bore is effected in such a manner that these define a common bearing plane for the second pieces, provided with a fixing tab and rigidly connected to the replacement frame.

Furthermore, the first pieces of the invention perform a triple function, on the one hand thanks to their bore, they permit a simple, rapid and precise positioning of the replacement frame by a single installer, and on the other hand they define a common bearing plane for the second pieces solidly connected to the replacement frame, which guarantees correct positioning of this latter. Finally, the opening provided in the first place permits assurance of simple guiding and positioning of the said second pieces.

Each of these three functions, which constitute important features of the present invention, taken individually or together permit distinction of the invention from methods and systems previously proposed.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a fixing system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective partial view of a replacement frame and an existing sub-frame intended to be assembled with the fixing system, and Figure 3 shows a sectioned end view of a replacement frame assembled on an existing subframe with the aid of the fixing system.

The fixing system shown in Figure 1 comprises a first piece 10 and a second piece 20 intended to be fixed respectively on a member 103 of the existing sub-frame 100 and on a member 31 of a replacement frame 30, shown in Figure 2. The first piece 10, of generally parallelepiped form, has an opening 13 on the axis of symmetry of which opens a theaded bore 11 intended to receive a screw 15, shown in Figure 2, which permits the fixing together in respective positions of the two pieces 10 and 20, as will be explained in more detail in the following description. The opening 13 has a width appreciably bigger than a fixing tab 25 provided on the second piece 20.Additionally the first piece 10 has two drillings 12 at right angles to the threaded bore 11, which are each intended to receive a wood or metal screw permitting the fixing of this piece 10 on the member 103 of the sub-frame in question. As shown in Figure 1, the member 103 of the existing sub-frame is a sill.

The second piece 20 is formed with a base 21 of a generally flat elongate form provided with two threaded bores 22 suitable to each receive a set-screw permitting the fixing of this piece 20, after adjustment, on the member 31 of the replacement frame. In addition, the second piece 20 has the fixing tab 25, perpendicular to the base 21, and which is provided with an elongate open slot 26 defined between two fingers 27, 28 or the fixing tab 25. This oblong slot 26 permits adjustment of the positioning of the members of the replacement frame 30 with respect to the existing sub-frame 100, as will appear in the following description.

The base 21 of the second piece 20 is preferably along its length and opposite the tab 25 provided, in the region in which the threaded drillings 22 are provided with a reinforcement.

The sill 31 of the replacement frame shown in Figure 1 consists of two parallel flanges 32, 33 interconnected by two webs 34, 35 which are perpendicular to them, so as to define between these different boundaries a space 43. The flange 32 intended to be disposed either on the outside or on the inside according to the type of frame (on the outside for a window opening in the French way as shown in the drawings) has advantageously a greater height than the flange 33 disposed on the opposite side. The said flange 32 has at its upper edge an inwardly directed groove 36 intended to receive a seal or any accessory. Similarly the upper web 35 has on its upper surface two grooves 37, 38 suitable to receive seals or appropriate accessories. In fact the lower web 34 h'as on its lower surface three grooves 39 40 and 41.The central groove 39 has an internal size appreciably larger than the size of the base 21 of the second piece 20, in such a manner to slidingly receive it. As appears in Figure 1, the two walls normal to the web 34, which limit the groove 39, are provided with lips 44 intended to limit the opening of the groove 39 with converging sides, in such a manner to avoid withdrawal of the second piece 20, from the member 31, other than by sliding. The grooves 40, 41 are arranged laterally on either side of the central groove 39, directed respectively towards the inside and the outside, are intended to receive sealing weather strips or joint-covers which will be described in more detail in respect of Figure 3.

All the grooves 36 to 41 as defined on the part 31 have openings with converging lips, so as to retain captive the different accessories, which are introduced therein.

Of course the particular of the profile 31 shown in Figure 1 is only given and described by way of example, and that many variations may be envisaged within the scope of the invention for such parts. Nevertheless, it has of course proved advantageous that in all the illustrated cases the members making up the replacement frame are provided with grooves similar to the above described groove 39.

The method of installing a replacement chassis 30, on a sub-frame 100 using a fixing system according to the invention, will now be described in more detail.

The first step is the fixing on the existing subframe 100 of a plurality of pieces 10, each provided with a threaded bore 11, in such a position that the threaded bores are substantially normal to the opening of the sub-frame 100 and directed towards the inside of the building.

The plane of the opening of the threaded bores 11 must be the same for all the pieces 10, in such a way that they form a common support plane for the pieces 20 provided with a fixing tab and fixed rigidly to the replacement frame. For this the pieces 10 are positioned with respect to each other in a common plane, such as the support plane shown in Figure 1, or the plane defined by the inside surface of the existing sub-frame, as shown in Figure 3. Also as appears in Figure 2 and 3, different pieces 10 are fixed on the sill 101, the head 102 and the posts 103 of the existing sub-frame 100. The second step is the positioning on the replacement frame 30 of the same number of pieces 20 each provided with a fixing tab 25. Of course in the operation of each particular case, the pieces 20 can be fixed on the replacement frame 30 before or after the assembly of it itself. For this it is appropriate in the first instance to introduce the base 21 of the pieces 10 into the corresponding groove 39 provided on the members of the replacement frame. Then secondly, for fixing the pieces 20 in appropriate position, (for which adjustment is possible), corresponding to the position of the pieces 10 on the existing sub-frame, by tightening screws engaged in the threaded bores 22 provided in the said base 21, which come to bear on the bottom of the groove 39. One may understand that the relative distance between the different pieces 20 must be equal to the relative distance between the different pieces 10 fixed on the existing sub-frame 100, in such a manner that the different pieces find themselves opposite each other when the replacement frame is offered up to the existing sub-frame 100.As appears in Figure 1, to this end it is advantageous that the lower web 34 is provided with a reinforcement in the region where the screws engaged in the threaded bores 22 provided in the base 21 of the piece 20 bear. The replacement frame is then offered up to the existing sub-frame.

In this position, each of the fixing tabs 25 must find itself substantially parallel to the opening of the frame, and each of the elongate open slots 26 in alignment with a threaded bore 11 provided in the pieces 10, and also in this position, the general direction of the oblong slots 26 must be substantially normal to the major axis of the member of the frame in question. To help the positioning of the pieces 20 with respect to the pieces 10, one can envisage the drillings 22 being provided off-set from the plane of opening in such a manner that the set screws may be accessible at the same time as the replacement frame is positioned on the existing sub-frame. Equivalent arrangements may equally well be envisaged.

The last step is then the fixing of the replacement frame 30 on the existing sub-frame 100 by securing each of the fixing tabs 25 on to the corresponding pieces 10, with the aid of a screw 15 engaged in the threaded bore 11 provided therein, the body of the screw being engaged in the oblong slot 26 and its head bearing against the two fingers 27, 28 of the fixing tab 25.

One may, of course, understand that the oblong form of the shape of the slot 26 provided between the fingers 27, 28 permits adjustment of the position of the members of the replacement frame 30 with respect to the existing sub-frame 100. This arrangement easily allows recovery of level positioning.

At the inside of the construction, shown on the right of Figure 3, the fixings between the members of the replacement frame 30 and of the existing sub-frame 100 are hidden by an added joint-cover 50. As appears in Figure 3, the jointcovers 50 are advantageously formed as profiles having a flat web 51, supporting in the region of one of their edges a deformable housing 52, formed with two flanges 53, 54, substantially normal to the web 51 and provided with external lips forming engaging projections when, after deformation, the housing 52 is introduced into the groove 40 provided on the member 31 of the replacement frame, as previously described. Of course the shape and size of the joint-cover will be determined according to each particular case.

Nevertheless in an advantageous manner, the size of the joint-cover 50 may permit total covering of the members of the existing sub-frame 100.

The joint-covers at the level of the sill comprise a flange forming a groove for the reception of condensation water. The latter is sealed at each end by a plug exactly fitting it.

Similarly to perfect the finish of the outside of the frame, a series of weather strips adapted to the particular installation is provided. In a manner similar to the previously described joint-cover 50, the sealing weather strips 60 are formed with a substantially flat web 61 provided at one edge with a deformable housing 62 adapted to be introduced after deformation into a groove 41 provided on the members of the replacement chassis 30, as previously described, to retain it there. In addition, the web 61 of the sealing weather strips is extended, on the side opposite to its edge having the deformable housing, by a part 63 covering almost all of the members of the existing sub-frame visible from the outside.On this part 63 slides a profiled extender 70, which takes up the differences in parallelism between the edge of the sealing weather strip 60 and the wall 111 of the construction 110. As is shown in Figure 3, the profiled extender 70 has the general form of an "U'. This profiled extender has a first flange 71, supporting at one of its edges two parallel flanges 72, 73, which form a channel in which is engaged the edge of the said part 63.

Also it is possible to arrange sealing elements, such as mastic, between the flange 71 of the profiled extender and the walls 111 of the construction. The "L" shape of the profiled extender thus permits the easy sealing against water and permeability to air.

The particular form of the joint-covers 50 and the sealing weather strips 60 as well as that of the profiled extenders 70 which are associated therewith, will be determined in accordance with each particular case.

In an advantageous manner, the sealing weather strips 60, 70 and the joint-covers 50 include many weakening notches in order to permit easy cutting of them to an appropriate length.

The present invention is applicable to replacement frames for doors, windows and all similar items and particularly for ensuring the fixing of a replacement frame formed of an assembly of profiled members in a light alloy in an existing sub-frame of wood.

Of course the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment apart from which one may imagine forms of embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In particular, one may imagine numerous variations in the method of assembly of the second pieces 20 on to the replacement frame 30, so that for example the head of the screws for fixing these may be accessible from the inside of the building before the joint covers are positioned.

Claims

1. A method of installing a replacement frame for doors, windows or similar items on an existing sub-frame comprising the steps of: fixing on the sub-frame a plurality of first pieces each provided with a bore, in a position such that each bore is substantially normal to the opening of the sub-frame; positioning and fixing on the replacement frame, in a position corresponding to that of the first piece on the existing sub-frame, the same number of second pieces, each provided with a fixing tab having an elongated open slot, so that each of the fixing tabs is substantially parallel to the opening of the frame and that the general direction of the elongate open slots is substantially normal to the major axis of the member of the frame in question;; offering the replacement frame up to the existing sub-frame in a position such that each of the elongate open slots is opposite one of the bores; and fixing the replacement frame on the existing sub-frames in the appropriate relative position by securing each of the fixing tabs on to the first pieces provided with a bore, with the aid of a screw engaged in each of these.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step consisting of positioning and fixing on the replacement frame the second pieces each provided with a fixing tab comprises the further steps of: introducing the second pieces, by sliding of a base thereof, into a corresponding groove provided on the members of the replacement frame, and fixing the said second pieces in appropriate positions by tightening of screws engaged in threaded bores provided in the said bases, which screws come to bear on the bottom of the corresponding groove.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the stop consisting of fixing on the existing sub-frame a plurality of first pieces each provided with a bore is effected in such a way that these define a common bearing plane for the second pieces provided with a fixing tab and rigidly connected to the replacement frame.

4. A system for fixing a replacement frame for doors, windows or similar items on an existing sub-frame, for putting into operation the method according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising first and second pieces intended to be fixed respectively on the existing sub-frame and on the replacement frame; the first pieces being of generally parallelepiped form and each having on the one hand a born, intended to receive a screw fixing a first and a second piece in respective positions, and on the other hand at least one hole intended to receive a screw for fixing this first piece on the member of the existing sub-frame in question; and each second piece being itself formed with a base of a generally flat and elongate form, provided with at least one threaded bore suitable to receive a screw for fixing this second piece on the replacement frame, and a fixing tab normal to the base, and provided with an elongate open slot which permits adjustment of the position of the replacement frame with respect to the corresponding existing sub-frame.

5. A fixing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein each first piece has an opening on the axis of symmetry of which the bore opens, the said opening having a width appreciably greater than the width of the fixing tab provided on each second piece.

6. A fixing system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the base of each second piece is provided with a reinforcement in the region in which the threaded bores are provided therein.

7. A fixing system as claimed in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, wherein joint-covers intended to be fixed on the members of the replacement frame are also provided for perfecting the finish on the interior side.

8. A fixing system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein, for ensuring the exterior finish, as well as the sealing against water and the permeability to air, an assembly of sealing weather strips intended to be fixed on the members of the replacement frame is also provided.

9. A fixing system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the replacement chassis is for fixing on an existing sub-frame of wood and formed of an assembly of profiled members in light alloy.

10. A fixing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the profiles of the replacement frame are adapted to slidingly receive, the base of the said second pieces.

11. A method of installing a replacement frame on an existing sub-frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A system for installing a replacement frame on an existing sub-frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.