GB2127144A

GB2127144A - Windows, doors and similar framed assemblies adapted for ventilation

Info

Publication number: GB2127144A
Application number: GB08303464A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Emsley
Original assignee: Monarch Aluminium Ltd
Current assignee: Hydro Building Systems UK Ltd
Priority date: 1982-02-09
Filing date: 1983-02-08
Publication date: 1984-04-04
Also published as: GB8303464D0

Abstract

A patio door or other framed assembly comprises four structural frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame 10, the frame members being shaped to receive and locate the peripheral edges of a glazing panel 20 mounted within the frame. The upper horizontal structural frame member 15 of the door has integral therewith a ventilator comprising an adjustable vent 22 pivotally movable on the frame member between an open position 22 where it permits the passage of air through the frame member and a closed position 22a where it prevents such passage of air. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to windows, doors and similar framed assemblies The invention relates to windows, doors and similar framed assemblies. It is particularly applicable to framed assemblies where the frame members are formed from extruded sections of, for example, aluminium, but it is not limited to such assemblies.

It is often required that a window or door, particularly a sliding door, be capable of providing ventilation for the interior of the building to which it is fitted. This may be most simply achieved by leaving the window or door slightly open. However, for security reasons it is then desirable for a device to be provided which secures the window or door in the partly open position so as to prevent unauthorised entry. To avoid this necessity, and to provide a more convenient form of ventilation, an alternative arrangement has been to provide in the window or door a ventilation panel comprising an adjustable vent which is movable between an open position where it permits the passage of air through the window or door and a closed position where it prevents such passage of air.Hitherto, the ventilation panel has been in the form of a separate component which is mounted within the window or door frame before the frame is fitted with the glazing or other panel. One edge of the ventilation panel usually abuts one of the frame members and it is formed on its opposite edge with a glazing channel or the like, corresponding to the glazing channels on the frame members, to receive one edge of the glazing panel.

In such an arrangement the ventilation panel is not a structural frame member but is a separately formed component mounted on the frame. Thus, in the present specification the expression "structural frame member" means a frame member which is an essential and fundamental part of the perimeter frame of the assembly, so that if it were to be removed the assembly would no longer constitute a frame.

The present invention provides an arrangement whereby a ventilator is incorporated in a structural frame member rather than being provided by an additional and separately formed component attached to the frame.

According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a window, door or other framed assembly comprising four structural frame members secured togethertoform a rectangular frame, the frame members being shaped to receive and locate the peripheral edges of a glazing or other panel mounted within the frame, at least one of said structural frame members having integral therewith a ventilator comprising an adjustable vent movable relatively to the frame member between an open position where it permits the passage of air through the frame member and a closed position where it prevents such passage of air.

Since the ventilator is incorporated in a structural member of the frame, the amount of labour involved in assembling the frame is reduced, and also less skill may be involved. Also, the dimensions of the combined structural frame member and ventilator can be less than the overall dimensions of a conventional frame member and a separately formed ventilator, thus reducing the extent to which the ventilator obtrudes visually and also permitting a greater glazed area to the finished window or door.

Preferably the ventilator is provided in the top horizontal rail of the framed assembly.

The adjustable vent may comprise an elongate flap pivotable about a pivot axis which extends longitudinally of the structural frame member so as to control flow of air through the frame member.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which is a vertical section through the upper part of a sliding glazed patio door incorporating a ventilator.

Referring to the drawing: in known manner the sliding door panel 10 is mounted between a lower horizontal fixed frame member (not shown) and an upper horizontal fixed frame member 11. The horizontal frame members are aluminium extrusions and will normally be screwed to hardwood frame surround members fixed within the door opening.

The fixed door frame also, of course, includes vertical frame members (not shown) at opposite sides thereof.

In order to provide a thermal break, each frame member may be formed in two parts, as indicated at 12 and 13, the two parts being secured together in known manner by a bridging element 14 of solidified plastics resin.

The sliding door panel 10 itself comprises four extruded aluminium structural frame members, the upper horizontal frame member 15 being shown in the drawing. The lower horizontal frame member (not shown) of the sliding door panel will normally carry a plurality of wheels which are rotatably mounted within a downwardly facing channel on the lower frame member and run along a support rail which extends along the lower fixed frame member.

The upper horizontal frame member 15 is formed in two parts 16 and 17 which are interconnected by a bridging element 18 of cured resin to form a thermal break. The two parts 16 and 17 define a downwardly facing glazing channel 19 within which the upper peripheral edge of a double-glazing panel 20 is secured in known manner by means of a flexible channel-sectioned glazing gasket 21.

In accordance with the invention, the upper horizontal structural frame member 15 is integrally formed with a ventilator. The ventilator comprises an elongate vent flap 22, which may be extruded from aluminium or rigid plastics material. The flap 22 has a mounting flange 23 projecting at right angles from one face thereof and carrying at its extremity a circular cross-section bead 24.

The bead 24 is received within part-cylindrical recesses in opposed jaws 25,26 formed on one or more plastics mounting blocks 27 secured within the frame member 15. To secure each block 27 within the frame member, the block is formed with a longitudinal part-cylindrical recess 28 which snaps over the conventional screw post 29 which is integrally formed in the frame member in known manner, for the purpose of connecting the horizontal frame member to the vertical frame members at opposite ends thereof.

A screw 30 passes through the jaw 26 of the block 27 and engages the jaw 25 so that by tightening or loosening the screw 30 the frictional clamping engagement between the jaws and the bead 24 may be adjusted to vary the frictional restraint to pivoting of the vent flap 22.

The arrangement is such that the vent flap 22 may be pivoted between an open position, shown in solid lines in the drawing, to a closed position, shown in dotted lines and indicated at 22a in the drawing, where the outer surface of the flap constitutes the major part of one surface of the frame member 15.

The flap 22 is formed adjacent its lower edge with a wool-pile groove 31 which receives a wool-pile 32 which bears against the surface of the part 17 of the frame member in the closed position so as to prevent the passage of air. The upper edge of the vent flap 22, in the closed position, also engages a wool-pile 33 mounted on a fixed part 34 of the fixed frame member 11.

The vent flap 22 is integrally formed along its lower edge with a longitudinally extending manipulating flange 35.

The upper side of the frame member 15 is open and is spaced below the frame member 11 to provide a gap 36. A perforate strip 37, for example formed from wire mesh or expanded metal, extends upwardly from the part 16 of the frame member and across the gap 36.

When the ventilator flap 22 is swung to the open position shown in solid lines in the drawing, air may pass through the frame member 15 by passing through the gap 36 and above and below the ventilator flap 22. When the ventilator flap is moved to the closed position, indicated in dotted lines at 22a, however, the opening between the frame member 15 and the depending portion 34 of the fixed frame member 11 is closed and the passage of ventilating air is prevented.

In the arrangement shown the frictional restraint acting on the vent flap 22 is adjusted so that the vent flap may be retained in any position to which it is set.

However, it will be appreciated that other means, such as magnetic catches, might be provided to retain the vent flap in the open and/or closed position.

In the arrangement described, the ventilator is integrally formed with structural frame member 15 and does not, as has been the case hitherto, comprise a separately formed component which is mounted within the perimeter frame. The arrangement shown in the drawing is by way of example only and it will be appreciated that there are many different forms of ventilator which might be incorporated within a structural frame member of a framed assembly.

The invention is applicable to all types of framed assemblies, including pivoted doors and windows as well as sliding doors and windows, and also fixed frame assemblies. Although location of the ventilator in the upper horizontal rail may be preferred, it will be appreciated that the ventilator could be incorporated in any horizontal or vertical frame member, including a mullion on transom.

Claims

1. Awindow, door or other framed assembly comprising four structural frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, the frame members being shaped to receive and locate the peripheral edges of a glazing or other panel mounted within the frame, at least one of said structural frame members having integral therewith a ventilator comprising an adjustable vent movable relatively to the frame member between an open position where it permits the passage of air through the frame member and a closed position where it prevents such passage of air.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ventilator is provided in the top horizontal rail of the framed assembly.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjustable vent comprises an elongate flap pivotable about a pivot axis which extends longitudinally of the structural frame member so as to control flow of air through the frame member.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said pivot axis is disposed outside the general plane of the elongate flap.

5. An assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the elongate flap is pivotally mounted on one or more mounting elements secured within the frame member.

6. An assembly according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein means are provided for frictionally restraining pivotal movement of the elongate flap, whereby the flap is frictionally retained in a position to which it is adjusted.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the elongate flap includes a pivot rod rotatable between two opposed bearing jaws, means being provided for adjusting the jaws towards or away from one another to vary the frictional restraint applied by the jaws to rotation of the rod.

8. An assembly according to any of claims 3 or claim 7, wherein the elongate flap, when in the closed position, provides at least a part of the outer surface of said structural frame member.

9. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the structural frame member is open along the side thereof forming part of the outer periphery of the frame, said open side permitting the passage of air through the frame member when the adjustable vent is in the open position.

10. A window, door or other framed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with refernce to the accompanying drawing.

11. A structural frame member, for use in a window, door or other framed assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.