GB2131072A

GB2131072A - Window frame construction with water drain

Info

Publication number: GB2131072A
Application number: GB08233758A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Hibbert
Original assignee: SULTRAFINE Ltd
Current assignee: SULTRAFINE Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-26
Filing date: 1982-11-26
Publication date: 1984-06-13
Also published as: GB2131072B

Abstract

A window or door frame comprise a lower horizontal rail 1 on which a glazing unit 5 is supported and held in position by an external glazing bead 7 carrying a resilient glazing seal 8. A longitudinal hollow duct 12 extends through the rail 1 and the rail 1 and bead 7 are provided with aligned slots 22, 24 opening to the duct 12 to drain water penetrating behind the seal 8 or as a result of condensation within the frame into the duct 12. Water collecting in the duct 12 is discharged to the exterior weatherside of the frame through an opening 28 in the front wall 27 of the rail 1. The opening 28 is preferably aligned with the slots 22, 24 and protected on the weatherside by a hood member 29. Ducts in the upper horizontal rail and the vertical rails may drain into the duct 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window or door frame construction This invention concerns the construction of frames for windows or doors including glazing.

It is already known to construct such frames from components being extruded lengths of metal or plastic which present hollow or semi-hollow sections with the required lengths being assembled and secured together to form a composite glazed frame structure.

A common problem in such frame structure when installed in situ is the effects of weather penetration and condensation within the hollow or semi-hollow sections, and the external weathering including staining and damage to the weatherside face of the structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved construction with special frame components to prevent such weathering and other adverse effects of water and condensation.

According to this invention, in a composite window or door frame assembled from frame components of uniform cross-section, there is a longitudinal hollow duct extending through the horizontal rail component on which glazing is supported and secured by glazing bead, with the rail and beam being provided with aligned slots opening to said duct to drain water penetrating or as a result of condensation within the frame into said duct, and the horizontal rail having at least one opening to the exterior weatherside of the frame through which said water is discharged and the slots, duct and opening further providing a through passageway for ventilating the interior of the frame.

By such arrangement for the drainage and ventilation of the horizontal rail where water is most likely to arise and collect, the water is discharged to the exterior and cannot lie within the frame causing various problems such as seepage through joints or cause corrosion or cause other deleterious effects secretly within the frame.

Furthermore, the ventilation of the inside of the frame ensures that any dampness is removed and this prevents growth of mould or fungi within the frame.

Preferably, the hollow duct in the horizontal rail is also in communication with other ducts within other frame components being of hollow or semi hollow section so that water arising in parts of the composite frame higher than the horizontal rail is drained to and through said duct to the opening in the horizontal rail.

By this means, the composite frame where water may penetrate can be drained and ventilated through at least one opening in the horizontal rail.

Conveniently, in the horizontal rail there are a plurality of openings to ensure adequate through flow of air for ventilation.

Additionally, each opening may be provided with a cowl or hood to deflect rain over the opening and preventing ingress of rain through the opening.

According to another feature of this invention, the composite frame includes a top horizontal rail which is arranged in situ to abut the fixed opening or timber surround in which the composite frame is located, and said top rail has an upstanding flange over which a projecting drip rail is located to deflect rain from the external face of the glazing and the composite frame.

By deflecting rain away from the external face, the risk of severe water penetration and staining is obviated.

Preferably, the top rail flange is an upstand of narrow breadth with the drip rail having a marginal inverted channel portion into which the upstand is received so that the inner face of the longitudinal channel portion is seated flush onto the opening or timber surround.

Other features of this invention will now be described with reference to any exemplary embodiment of a composite frame construction as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a scrap sectional view showing a horizontal rail of an opening window closing onto a fixed rail of a lower fixed window; Figure 2 is a scrap sectional view depicting the top or head rail with the drip rail over an opening window; and Figure 3 is another scrap sectional view depicting a horizontal rail of a fixed window adjacent the cill.

In generally known manner the composite frame is assembled from sections of designed profiles of extruded aluminium. These sections are cut to the prescribed length and joined at their ends to form the desired dimensioned configuration to suit a timber surround or fixed opening. These known features are not illustrated nor described in further detail as they are not considered essential to the invention.

With reference to the drawings, in Figure 1 there is a horizontal rail 1 of semi-hollow profile forming the lower rail of an opening sash 2. The rail 1 includes an internal flange 3 upstanding from a transverse upper web 4 which supports the glazing unit 5 with an internal resilient glazing strip 6 being mounted on the internal flange 3 to engage the internal side face of the glazing unit 5.

The glazing unit 5 is held in position by separate external glazing bead 7 carrying a resilient glazing seal 8. Around the other marginal sides of the glazing unit other semi-hollow frame sections extend with similar glazing strips, beads and seals such as shown in Figure 2 at the top of an opening window 9.

The horizontal rail 1 includes a lower web 10 and a longitudinal partition 11 dividing the section into two portions of which the outer portion provides a duct 12. The other inner portion is filled with a plastics material 13 with the webs 10 and 4 being interrupted by longitudinal gaps 14,15 so that there is a thermal break in the rail. The rail 1 further includes a dependent external flange 16 which extends from the lower web 10 overlies a middle rail 17 also of semi-hollow section and forming the upper rail of a fixed lower window 18.

The middle rail 17 is formed with a channel 19 defining a rebate for the opening sash 2.

Furthermore, the lower window 18 includes a glazing unit 20 secured within the middle rail by another glazing bead 7 carrying a seal 8 with another strip 6 being mounted on the dependent internal flange 21 of the middle rail 17.

The horizontal rail 1 is provided with at least one slot 22 formed in the upper web 4 to open into the duct 12. An internal edge flange 23 of the glazing bead 7 which locates over the upper web 4 is also provided with at least one slot 24 which, in the assembly as shown, is aligned in register with the slot 22. Thus in the event of any water penetrating behind the seal 8 or forming within the voids 25 within the assembly, such water will drain into the duct 12.

The lower web 10 of the rail 1 which defines the bottom of the duct 12 is formed with a longitudinal channel 26 lying adjacent the front external wall 27 of the rail 1. This channel 26 provides a narrow low portion in the duct 12 from where any water is discharged through a slot 28 formed in the front wall 27 aligned with the aforementioned slots 22, 23.

As also detailed in Figure 3, a hood member 29 is fixed to the front wall 27 by locating pegs 30 received with an inteference fit in holes formed in the front wall at each side of the slot 28. The hood member 29 provides a cowl protecting the slot 28 from ingress of water from the outside and ensures that any water discharged from the duct 12 is directed downwards.

Preferably, a series of the slots 28, 22 and 23 are provided in the respective frame sections along the length thereof at regularly spaced apart positions.

With reference to Figure 3, the horizontal rail 1 comprises the bottom cill rail 31 of a fixed window 32 and the parts similar to those previously described are referenced as given in Figure 1. The front wall 27 has a front flange 33 which is provided to overlie the fixed opening or timber surround. The opposed internal faces extending beneath the lower web 10 are provided with longitudinal ribs 34,35 for locating a cill section 36.

With reference to Figure 2, the top or head rail 37 provides the head rebate 38 into which the opening sash 9 closes. For convenience, parts similar to those previously described are referenced as given in Figures 1 and 3. It should be noted that the same frame section is used for the top rail 37 as the bottom cill rail but the drainage slots are not provided. Any water present in the top or head rail voids or ducts will drain by gravity to one side and seep downwards through similar voids or ducts in the side frame sections (not shown) to be eventually collected in the duct of the lowest horizontal frame section, such as the cill rail.

The top rail provides the front flange 39 as an upstand which is arranged to overlie the fixed opening or timber surround. This flange mounts a drip rail 40 having an outstanding deflector wing 41 with an underside drip bar 42. The deflector wing 41 and drip bar 42 serve to deflect rain from falling directly onto the external face of the composite frame, and any water blown under the free edge drips off the bar 42.

The drip rail 40 is located on the flange 39 by virtue of an edge channel portion 43 formed in the rail which clips over the flange 33 to locate internally on a flange rib 44. The channel portion 43 is narrow and lies flush with the rib 44 so that the top rail is seated flush to the fixed opening or timber surround in the same manner as the cill rail without need for any additional clearance being required to receive the drip rail 40.

Generally, as can be seen from the configurations of the various frame sections shown in the drawings, it is a particular feature of the frame sections to provide a composite frame wherein the external face has curved profiles at junctions of the sections to avoid the more conventional angular and square configurations wherein water is likely to become trapped or collect.

Other features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art on construction of the exemplary embodiments aforedescribed.

Claims (Filed on 1. A composite window or door frame assembled from frame components of uniform cross-section, the frame having a longitudinal hollow duct extending through a horizontal rail component on which glazing is supported and secured by glazing bead, the rail and bead being provided with aligned slots opening to said duct to drain water penetrating or as a result of condensation within the frame into said duct, and the horizontal rail having at least one opening to the exterior weatherside of the frame through which said water is discharged and the slots, duct and opening further providing a through passageway for ventilating the interior of the frame.

2. Aframe according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal rail is in communication with other ducts within other frame components.

3. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the horizontal rail and glazing bead are provided with a series of aligned slots along the length thereof.

4. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the horizontal rail has a plurality of openings to the weatherside of the frame along the length thereof.

5. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each opening is aligned with the aligned slots in the rail and bead.

6. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each opening is protected by a hood member on the exterior weatherside of the frame.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. semi-hollow section and forming the upper rail of a fixed lower window 18. The middle rail 17 is formed with a channel 19 defining a rebate for the opening sash 2. Furthermore, the lower window 18 includes a glazing unit 20 secured within the middle rail by another glazing bead 7 carrying a seal 8 with another strip 6 being mounted on the dependent internal flange 21 of the middle rail 17. The horizontal rail 1 is provided with at least one slot 22 formed in the upper web 4 to open into the duct 12. An internal edge flange 23 of the glazing bead 7 which locates over the upper web 4 is also provided with at least one slot 24 which, in the assembly as shown, is aligned in register with the slot 22. Thus in the event of any water penetrating behind the seal 8 or forming within the voids 25 within the assembly, such water will drain into the duct 12. The lower web 10 of the rail 1 which defines the bottom of the duct 12 is formed with a longitudinal channel 26 lying adjacent the front external wall 27 of the rail 1. This channel 26 provides a narrow low portion in the duct 12 from where any water is discharged through a slot 28 formed in the front wall 27 aligned with the aforementioned slots 22, 23. As also detailed in Figure 3, a hood member 29 is fixed to the front wall 27 by locating pegs 30 received with an inteference fit in holes formed in the front wall at each side of the slot 28. The hood member 29 provides a cowl protecting the slot 28 from ingress of water from the outside and ensures that any water discharged from the duct 12 is directed downwards. Preferably, a series of the slots 28, 22 and 23 are provided in the respective frame sections along the length thereof at regularly spaced apart positions. With reference to Figure 3, the horizontal rail 1 comprises the bottom cill rail 31 of a fixed window 32 and the parts similar to those previously described are referenced as given in Figure 1. The front wall 27 has a front flange 33 which is provided to overlie the fixed opening or timber surround. The opposed internal faces extending beneath the lower web 10 are provided with longitudinal ribs 34,35 for locating a cill section 36. With reference to Figure 2, the top or head rail 37 provides the head rebate 38 into which the opening sash 9 closes. For convenience, parts similar to those previously described are referenced as given in Figures 1 and 3. It should be noted that the same frame section is used for the top rail 37 as the bottom cill rail but the drainage slots are not provided. Any water present in the top or head rail voids or ducts will drain by gravity to one side and seep downwards through similar voids or ducts in the side frame sections (not shown) to be eventually collected in the duct of the lowest horizontal frame section, such as the cill rail. The top rail provides the front flange 39 as an upstand which is arranged to overlie the fixed opening or timber surround. This flange mounts a drip rail 40 having an outstanding deflector wing 41 with an underside drip bar 42. The deflector wing 41 and drip bar 42 serve to deflect rain from falling directly onto the external face of the composite frame, and any water blown under the free edge drips off the bar 42. The drip rail 40 is located on the flange 39 by virtue of an edge channel portion 43 formed in the rail which clips over the flange 33 to locate internally on a flange rib 44. The channel portion 43 is narrow and lies flush with the rib 44 so that the top rail is seated flush to the fixed opening or timber surround in the same manner as the cill rail without need for any additional clearance being required to receive the drip rail 40. Generally, as can be seen from the configurations of the various frame sections shown in the drawings, it is a particular feature of the frame sections to provide a composite frame wherein the external face has curved profiles at junctions of the sections to avoid the more conventional angular and square configurations wherein water is likely to become trapped or collect. Other features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art on construction of the exemplary embodiments aforedescribed. Claims (Filed on

1. A composite window or door frame assembled from frame components of uniform cross-section, the frame having a longitudinal hollow duct extending through a horizontal rail component on which glazing is supported and secured by glazing bead, the rail and bead being provided with aligned slots opening to said duct to drain water penetrating or as a result of condensation within the frame into said duct, and the horizontal rail having at least one opening to the exterior weatherside of the frame through which said water is discharged and the slots, duct and opening further providing a through passageway for ventilating the interior of the frame.

7. A frame according to any one of the

preceding claims wherein a longitudinal channel is provided in the bottom of the duct adjacent to the front external wall of the rail.

8. A frame according to claim 7 wherein the or each opening extends from the channel.

9. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims including a top horizontal rail having an upstanding flange over which a projecting drip rail is located.

10. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the horizontal rail comprises the bottom rail of either an opening window/door frame or a fixed window/door frame.

11. A composite window or door frame assembled from frame components of uniform cross-section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.