GB2121859A

GB2121859A - A facing member

Info

Publication number: GB2121859A
Application number: GB08315138A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Price
Original assignee: Institute For Industrial Research And Standard; Institue for Industrial Research and Standards
Current assignee: Institute For Industrial Research And Standard; Institue for Industrial Research and Standards
Priority date: 1982-06-03
Filing date: 1983-06-02
Publication date: 1984-01-04
Also published as: GB8315138D0; IE821334L

Abstract

A facing member particularly a glazing strip for use with a mastic or putty comprises an elongate facing strip (2) and a keying means (5, 6) for interengagement with the mastic or putty 14. Various embodiments of protruding or recessed keying means are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A facing member The invention relates to a facing member and in particular to a facing member for use with a sealing compound such as putty or mastic.

The term "window" as used in this specification includes openings in walls or roofs of buildings, ships, doors, greenhouses, conservatories or the like, filled with glass mounted in fixed, sliding or hinged frames.

The term "sealing compound" as used in this specification includes any compound used for sealing a gap such as between a pane of glass and its surrounding frame or between a frame and its surrounding wall.

There are many problems associated with the use of putty for windows and among others there is the difficulty of the putty being eaten off by birds which is particularly evident in rural areas. In addition, putty is relatively expensive and its application is time consuming even for skilled workmen.

Where putty is used in conjunction with hardwood windows it is often necessary to provide a glazing slip which is used largely for appearances but unfortunately generally leads to a relatively inefficient glazing operation in that the window is only sealed by a small amount of putty often referred to as back putty. Further, since the glazing slips contract and expand in use problems often arise in that cracks in the back putty occur with consequent ingress of moisture.

Similar problems also arise with other sealing compounds such as mastic.

There is therefore, a need for an improved method and apparatus for glazing windows.

According to the invention there is provided a facing strip having a front face and a rear face and including a keying means for interengagement with a sealing compound.

In one embodiment of the invention the keying means comprises a longitudinally extending keying leg projecting from the rear face.

The longitudinal leg may terminate in a transversely extending keying leg for interengagement with a sealing compound.

Typically the ratio of the width of the strip to the width of the transverse leg is between 4:1 and 20:1, preferably approximately 8 :1.

Ideally the width of the transverse keying leg is approximately equal to the depth of the longitudinal keying leg.

In one embodiment of the invention the keying means includes a plurality of longitudinal arranged keying holes in the strip.

In an alternative embodiment the keying means includes a keying hole in at least one keying leg.

The keying means may comprise a plurality of barbs for interengagement with the sealing compound.

Alternatively the keying means comprises a plurality of re-entrant longitudinally arranged grooves for interengagement with a sealing compound.

In a further embodiment the keying means comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged tongues projecting from the rear face of the strip, the tongues being cut-away adjacent the rear face to interengage with the sealing compound.

Additionally, the member includes a filler portion having a hollow core.

In particularly preferred embodiment of the invention at least one longitudinal edge of the strip is chamfered.

Ideally, both longitudinal edges of the strip are chamfered.

In another embodiment of the invention the facing member includes a first arm formed by the facing strip for engagement with the sealing compound and an interconnected second arm for engagement over portion of a frame member.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the facing member comprises three interconnected arms, a first arm formed by the facing strip for fitting over a layer of sealing compound on one side of a frame member, a second arm for fitting over a layer of sealing compound on the other side of the frame member and an intermediate third arm for fitting over the frame member.

In these latter two embodiments of the invention the facing member preferably includes a hinge means for applying the facing member over a frame member.

Usually the frame member is a glazing bar.

The facing member may be of an extruded plastics material.

Usually the sealing compound is putty or mastic.

The invention also provides a method of mounting a pane of glass in a window frame comprising the steps of: back sealing the frame with a sealing compound, placing the pane of glass against the sealing compound, retaining the pane of glass in position, applying a sealing compound between the window pane and the frame, and placing a facing strip over the sealing compound.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:~ Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a facing member according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a typical cross-sectional view of the facing member of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of portion of a window showing the facing member of Figs. 1 and 2 in use, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a facing member similar to the facing member of Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 5 to 9 are cross-sectional views similar to Fig. 4 of alternative constructions of facing member, Fig. 10 is a perspective, partially sectional view of another construction of facing member, Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of another facing member, Fig. 12 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows Xll-Xll in Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a facing member according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 14 is a sectional view of portion of a window showing the facing member of Fig. 13 in use, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of facing member, and Fig. 1 6 is a perspective view of another facing member.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof there is illustrated a facing member indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 formed from an elongate facing strip 2 having a front face 3 and a rear face 4. The facing member 1 includes a keying means for interengagement with a sealing compound such as mastic or putty and in this case is of T-shape comprising a longitudinally extending keying leg 5 projecting from the rear face 4 and terminating in a transversely extending keying leg 6. In this case, the width of the transverse leg 6 is substantially less than the width of the strip 2 and is approximately equal to the depth of the longitudinally extending leg 5. The width of the strip 2 is 15.5 mm, the thickness 0.5 mm and the depth of the longitudinal leg 5 and the width of the transverse leg 6 are both 2 mm.Both longitudinal side edges of the facing strip 2 are chamfered at 7.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3 when it is desired to putty a pane of glass 12 into a frame 13 the pane 12 is first puttied in roughly by putty 14 in a conventional manner. In this case the putty 14 is not smoothed off and the facing member 10 is offered up to the putty 14 and pressed against it so that the putty engages around the longitudinal leg 5 and the transverse leg 6 and in particular in the channel formed therebetween to key into position. Any excess putty will be pushed out in the direction of the arrows A and can be easily removed. The chamfered side edges 7 abut respectively against the frame 13 and glass 12 which not only gives an aesthetically pleasing joint but also gives a tight seal between the facing member and the frame and glass respectively to prevent ingress of moisture and hence protect the putty.

The particular advantages of this profile are that it is relatively inexpensive to manufacture since the minimum amount of material and a simple shape is employed which is sufficient to give adequately keying between the sealing compound whether in glazing a window with putty as described or in glazing with mastic or indeed in filling in a gap between a frame such as a window or door frame and its surrounding wall.

Referring to Fig. 4 there is illustrated an alternative construction of facing member 10 similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, like parts being assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the member is for facing a wide length of putty and is formed with two T-shaped keying legs to ensure positive engagement with the putty over substantially all its width.

Fig. 5 shows another form of facing member 20 having a front and rearface 21 and 22 respectively. The facing member incorporates a keying means which in this case comprises three longitudinally extending tongues 23 each of which is cut-away at 24 adjacent the rear face 22 to provide a dove-tail shape which is keyed into putty in use.

Fig. 6 shows a facing member 25 substantially similar to the facing member 20 having a front face 26 and a rear face 27 which in this case incorporates a keying means formed from three longitudinally arranged grooves 28 again of dovetail shape for engagement with putty.

Referring now to Fig. 7 a facing member 30 having a front face 31 and a rear face 32 includes a keying means comprising a pair of divergent arms 33 projecting from the rear face 32. The arms 33 operate in substantially the same manner as the legs of the facing member of Fig. 1 to interengage with putty.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a further facing member 35 having a front face 36 and a rear face 37 from which projects a filler piece 38 of substantially triangular shape in transverse crosssection. The filler piece 38 includes a triangularshaped hollow core 39 to save material. Two longitudinally arranged re-entrant grooves 40 are provided for engagement with putty. It will be noted that the filler piece 38 extends from the rear face a substantially greater distance than any of the arms or tongues described above.

Consequently there is substantial saving in the amount of putty used.

Referring to Fig. 9 there is illustrated a facing member indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 formed from a facing strip 41 having a front face 42 and a rear face 43. A keying means is provided for keying the facing strip 41 into putty and in this case the keying means comprises a longitudinally extending free leg 44 to project away from the rear face 43. A plurality of barbs 45 extend along the leg 44 for interengagement with putty. Both longitudinal edges of the facing strip 41 are chamfered at 46 for engagement against the frame member and glass as described above.

Referring to Fig.10 there is illustrated a further facing member 50 comprising an elongate facing strip 51 having a front face 52 and a rear face 53 and a longitudinally extending free leg 54 projecting from the rear face 53. The free leg 54 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart holes 55 for keying with the putty. It will be noted that the strip 51 is chamfered at its longitudinal edges for sealing against a window pane and frame in use.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 there is illustrated another construction of facing member 60 formed from a facing strip 61 having a front face 62 and a rear face 63. The strip 61 may be of plastics material or especially metal such as aluminium having a plurality of tapered through holes 64. In use, the strip 61 is pressed into the putty and the putty will push out through the holes 64 from which it can be smoothed off. In addition to providing a passage through which excess putty may be removed, the holes 84, because of the taper, key the strip 61 into position.

Referring to Figs. 1 3 and 14 another facing member 70 according to the invention is illustrated. In this case the facing member 70 comprises three interconnected legs, a first leg 71, a second leg 72 and intermediate third legs 73.

The first and second legs 71,72 are each of similar construction to the facing member 1 described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises a facing strip 73 having a front face 74 and a rear face 75 and a longitudinally extending keying leg 77 projecting from the rear face 76 and terminating in a transversely keying leg 78, of similar dimensions to the facing member described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

In this case the strip is formed from extruded plastics material and is provided with undercut grooves 79 between the first 71 and third 73 legs and the second 72 and third 73 legs to form plastics hinges to allow the first and second legs 71 and 72 to bend relative the third leg to bridge a glazing bar 80 such as is particularly used in the construction of greenhouses or conservatories. In use, a back layer 81 of a sealing compound in this case putty, is laid on the outer faces 82 of the legs 83 of the glazing bar 80 and panes of glass 84 pressed into the back layer 81. More putty 85 is then applied between the panes 84 and the glazing bar 80. The facing member 70 is then pressed down over the putty 85 and glazing bar 80 with the intermediate third leg 73 bridging the bar 80.The first and second legs 71, 72 are then pivoted about the hinges 79 and pressed into the putty 85 until the keying legs 77, 78 are fixed in position.

The advantage of this type of facing member is that it not only provides a smooth aesthetically pleasing finish to protect the putty but also protects the glazing bar. This is particularly important with bars of a wooden construction as is generally used in greenhouses or conservatories.

Referring to Figs. 1 5 and 16 two other constructions of facing members respectively 90 and 100 similar to that illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 are shown. The facing member 90 comprises a first leg 91 for interengagement with putty and a second leg 92 for covering at least part of a frame member such as a glazing bar. An undercut groove 93 is provided between the legs 91. 92 to facilitate bending, in use. The fixing member 100 is similar to that described above with reference to Figs. 1 3 and 14 except that in this case the facing strip 101 is bent into the curved shape illustrated with a central portion 102 for bridging a glazing bar.

Some of the advantages of facing members in accordance with the invention particularly when applied to glazing are that they protect the sealing compound, whether putty or mastic which may be applied roughly without any requirement for smoothing off to a fine surface finish. In addition, some of the glazing strips may be arranged to also protect portion of the window frame. In addition, the facing members may be formed with textures or colours to blend in with the particular window frames in which they are used. In addition, in some cases there is a considerable saving in the amount of sealing compound whether mastic or putty that is required. Another advantage is that while putty or mastic is relatively difficult to paint a facing member according to the present invention can be painted if necessary or alternatively can be precoloured to match the window frame.

The glazing members may be of any suitable material of construction such as lightweight metal, for example, aluminium, rubber or especially plastics material which may be readily extruded into the required profiles. Preferably, the plastic should be sufficiently flexible to allow the facing member to be coiled up for storage. In addition, it should be weather resistant and resistant particularly to the growth of algae or moss and to cracking due to exposure to ultra-violet light. It may be of a transparent material in which case the putty or mastic may be coloured to give the desired effect.

It will be appreciated that while the facing members have been described for use in glazing they may also be used in sealing any small openings such as would normally be filled by mastic or putty, for example, the spacing between a window or door frame and its surround.

It will also be appreciated that while the facing member has been described as being pressed into position after the sealing compound has been roughly applied, the sealing compound may be pre-coated onto the facing member and covered, for example, with a protective backing sheet which is removed when it is desired to apply the sealing compound with attached facing member.

It will also be appreciated that the facing member may be applied to old windows to protect putty from further damage. In this case, it is envisaged that the facing member may be provided either in addition to or as an alternative to the various keying means described above with a number of keying spikes which may be readily inserted even into relatively hard putty.

It will also be appreciated that while various constructions of facing members having different types of keying means have been described above, there are many other possible constructions within the scope of this invention. For example, any of the facing members may incorporate any one or all of the various keying means described or indeed any other construction of keying means.

It will also be appreciated that while the invention has been described for use with a putty sealing compound it may also be used for any other suitable sealing compounds such as mastic.

Mastic is not widely used in glazing since when set, it still remains slightly soft and sticky.

However, with the facing member in accordance with the invention that is no longer a disadvantage. The advantage of the use of mastic is that mastic sealing compounds generally do not get as hard and therefore, retain a better seal than the more conventional putty. Both putty and mastic may be used in glazing, for example, mastic may be used as a backing layer and putty as the outer layer or vice versa.

In the case where the facing member is of a metal material such as aluminium it may have an adhesive on one face thereof. For example, the adhesive may be a bitumen material compound or any suitable tacky compound. It will often be desirable to pre-coat the rear face of the facing member with the adhesive material in which case it will be necessary to use a backing strip, which backing strip may be torn off prior to placing the glazing strip in position. This applies particularly to the facing member described above with reference to Figs. 11 and 12.

Claims

1. A facing member comprising an elongate facing strip having a front face and a rear face and including a keying means for interengagement with a sealing compound.

2. A facing member as claimed in claim 1 in which the keying means comprises a longitudinally extending keying leg projecting from the rear face.

3. A facing member as claimed in claim 2 in which the longitudinal leg terminates in a transversely extending keying leg for interengagement with a sealing compound.

4. A facing member as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the ratio of the width of the strip to the width of the transverse leg is between 4:1 and 20:1.

5. A facing member as claimed in claim 4 in which the ratio is approximately 8:1.

6. A facing member as claimed in claim 4 or 5 in which the width of the transverse keying leg is approximately equal to the depth of the longitudinal keying leg.

7. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the keying means includes a plurality of longitudinal arranged keying holes in the strip.

8. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 in which the keying means includes a keying hole in at least one keying leg.

9. A facing member as claimed in any of claim 1 to 8 in which the keying means comprises a plurality of barbs for interengagement with the sealing compound.

10. A facing member as claimed in claim 1 in which the keying means comprises a plurality of re-entrant longitudinally arranged grooves for interengagement with a sealing compound.

11. A facing member as claimed in claim 1 in which the keying means comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged tongues projecting from the rear face of the strip, the tongues being cutaway adjacent the rear face to interengage with the sealing compound.

12. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the member includes a filler portion having a hollow core.

13. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 in which at least one longitudinal edge of the strip is chamfered.

14. A facing member as claimed in claim 13 in which both longitudinal edges of the strip are chamfered.

15. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in which the facing member includes a first arm formed by the facing strip for engagement with the sealing compound and an interconnected second arm for engagement over portion of a frame member.

1 6. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 in which the facing member comprises three interconnected arms, a first arm formed by the facing strip for fitting over a layer of sealing compound on one side of a frame member, a second arm for fitting over a layer of sealing compound on the other side of the frame member and an intermediate third arm for fitting over the frame member.

1 7. A facing member as claimed in claim 1 5 or 16 including hinged means for applying the facing member over a frame member.

18. A facing member as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 in which the frame member is a glazing bar.

19. A facing member as claimed in any preceding claim which is extruded from a plastics material.

20. A facing member as claimed in any preceding claim for interengagement with a putty sealing compound.

21. A facing member as claimed in claim 1 to 19 in which the facing member is for interengagement with a mastic sealing compound.

22. A facing member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 1 6 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of mounting a pane of glass in a window frame comprising the steps of: back sealing the frame with a sealing compound, placing the pane of glass against the sealing compound, retaining the pane of glass in position, applying a sealing compound between the window pane and the frame, and placing a facing strip over the sealing compound.

24. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 4 or 14 of the accompanying drawings.