GB2118604A - Secondary glazing - Google Patents

Abstract

A secondary glazing arrangement comprises a resilient transparent or translucent plastics panel 4 fixed at a pair of opposite edges to a window frame 1 and capable of being flexed about its fixing 5, 6 and opened outwardly from the window frame to provide ventilation. Stays 11, 12 are provided to maintain the panel 4 at its opened position against its inherent resiliency. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to double glazing This invention relates to double glazing, or what is also known as secondary glazing.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a glazing arrangement that gives permanent protection to window and like frames against adverse weather conditions and so extends the life of such frames whilst permit; ting adequate ventilation for summertime use with all the normal advantages of fixed pane double glazing and without having to remove the latter.

According to the present invention a double glazed or secondary glazed window comprises a resilient transparent or translucent synthetic plastics panel fixed at its top or at a pair of opposite edges to the outside surface of a window frame so as to cover the latter and the window or windows contained in said frame and be capable of being flexed about its fixing and opened outwardly from said window frame to provide ventilation, means being provided for retaining the panel in an opened position against its inherent resiliency that tends to move it to a closed position.

Preferably the panel is of a size such that it completely covers and protects the outer face of a window frame.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the marginal edges of the panel are fitted with magnetic strips that co-act with and are drawn against magnetisable strips attached to the window frame so as to hold the panel in its closed position sealed against the frame. It will be apparent that, alternatively, the magnetic strips may be attached to the window frame and the metal strips attached to the panel. Means may also be provided for securing the panel against it being flexed and opened by unauthorized persons from the outside.

The sample and effective method of ventilation resulting from this invention make sum mertime removal of and storage of panes of secondary or double glazing unnecessary. The arrangement also serves to protect the window frame all the year round while permitting ventilation to be obtained when required.

Preferably a tough resilient plastics panel is used that is fixed to the window frame by tamper-proof screws which in conjunction with the means for preventing flexing of the panel when it is desired to retain the panel closed, enhances security against unautho rized entry from outside.

Additionally the arrangement provided by this invention constitutes an economic long term alternative to expensive modern replace ment windows.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the #ccompanying drawings, wherein:~ Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention as applied to a double sash window, the glazing panel being Flexed into an open position; and Figure 2 is a vertical section, on the line ll-ll in Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawings, the invention is shown by way of example as applied to a sash #window, comprising a frame 1 and upper and lower sashes 2 and 3 respectively.

The double or secondary glazing is constituted by a transparent resilient synthetic plastics panel 4, e.g. an acrylic panel, that is fixed securely at opposite side edges of the frame by tamper-proof screws 5 and 6 having reinforcements or load spreading strips 7 and 8 fitted beneath their heads. The screws and strips are located mid way along the two side edges of the panel and the frame.

In the closed position, the marginal edges of the panel 4 are temporarily sealediand held against the window frame 1 by magnetic strips 9 secured by adhesive around the marginal edges of he inside surface of the panel 4 that are attracted towards and engage with metal strips 10 secured by adhesive on the outside of the window frame 1.

Ventilation is obtained by opening one or both of the window sashes 2 or 3 and pushing on the top and/or bottom of the panel 4 to release the magnetic hold and bend or flex the panel outwards, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, about the regions 7 and 8. The panel is then held in its opened positions at the top and/or the bottom by pivoting stays 11 and 12.

Protection of the frame 1 and sashes 2 and 3 is provided by the panel 4 when in its closed position because rain is prevented from penetrating therepast. Condensation is also greatly reduced and so keeps the window frame dry. In addition to the foregoing, the window frames and inner glazing are kept much cleaner. The panel 4 may also serve to protect the paintwork of the window frame against ultraviolet radiation.

Security is provided by fitting a security bar 14 to the bottom of the panel 1, e.g. adjacent each bottom corner, each bar 14 being formed with a hole 15 that registers with and is engaged by a security stud 16 depending from the lower sash 3 when the sash is closed. The stud 16, after passing through the hole 15, engages in a recess 17 in the window frame. The panel is thus locked in a closed position when the sash 3 is closed.

A similar security arrangement may be provided between the top of the panel 1 and the top edge of the upper sash 2.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that as the panel 1 is located on the outside and allows ventilation simply by flexing the upper and lower parts of the panel 1 outwardly by means of the pivoting stays 11 and 12, it can also serve to protect the window frames and sashes all the year round and at the same time provide a measure of security against unauthorized entry. It has also been found that the bottom of the panel can be bowed open to provide ventilation whilst affording protection against wind and rain.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made. Thus, the magnetic strips may be in the form of an edge channel clipped or otherwise secured around the periphery of the panel. The arrangement may also of course be used with casement windows~ provided that it is accepted that their degree of opening will be restricted.

It will also be apparent that the panel could be fixed along its top edge and flexed outwardly about this fixing, in which case no ventilation would be provided at the top of the panel when it was flexed to an open position.

Although the invention has been illustrated as double glazing, it may of course be used as secondary glazing in conjunction with internal extra glazing to form a treble glazing system.

Claims (10)

1. A double glazed or secondary glazed window comprising a resilient transparent or translucent synthetic plastics panel fixed at its top or at a pair of opposite edges to the outside surface of a window frame so as to cover the latter and the window or windows contained in the frame and be capable of being flexed about its fixing and opened outwardly from said window frame to provide ventilation, means being provided for retaining the panel in an opened position against its inherent resiliency that tends to move it to a closed position.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the panel is fixed to the frame substantially mid way along each of its side edges.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the panel is of a size such that it completely covers and protects the outer face of a window frame.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which means are provided to maintain the panel in a closed position comprising magnetic means on one of the panel or the frame engageable with magnetisable means in the other of said panel or frame.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, comprising strip-like magnetic tape or strips on the edges of the panel or frame cooperating with steel strips on the frame or panel.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the means for retaining the panel in an open position comprises one or more stays at the bottom and/or top of the panel.

7. The arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, including security means for securing the panel in its closed position against unauthorized entry from the outside.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the security means comprises one or more security members attached to the panel and held secured by engagement with a part of the window when both the window and the panel are in their closed positions.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the window is a sliding sash window.

10. A double flazed or secondary glazed window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.