GB2132675A

GB2132675A - Window or door decoration

Info

Publication number: GB2132675A
Application number: GB08334236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Reginald Jones; Michael David Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-23
Filing date: 1983-12-22
Publication date: 1984-07-11
Also published as: GB8334236D0

Abstract

An existing window comprising a glass sheet 2 is given a mock Georgian styling by attaching preformed members 1 e.g. with an adhesive backing to both sides of the window pane 2. The ends 4 of the bars of the member 1 are mitred to match the shape of the putty 5 or could be held by a cover mould which will overlie the putty 5. Bars 1 may be cut to required lengths and interconnected at the crossing points by a connecting member of cruciform shape which is fitted over the bars 1 and grips them. The bars 1 taper from the bottom to top surfaces. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to window or door decoration This invention is concerned with decorative mem bersfor changing the appearance of windows or doors with glass panels. A conventional modern window is a plain sheet of glass orthe like set within a wooden or metal frame. However some windows are constructed to have mock Tudor or Georgian styling by providing wooden cross members within the basic frame to form oblong or diamond shaped spaces for the receipt of single small panes. If a householder wishes to change style of a windowfromthe conventional plain form to a mock Tudor or Georgian style the cost of replacing the whole windowframe can be quite prohibitive and there is no readily available means of modifying the existing window in a simple and cheap manner.

According to the present invention, however, there is provided a decorative memberfor a window or door pane comprising a latticework of bars defining a regular array of rectangular or diamond-shaped spaces, the side walls of the bars tapering from the base to the top surface, and means for securing the decorative member to the pane or a frame holding the pane.

Thus an existing windowordoorincorporating a plain sheetofglass in a large frame can be modified by applying this decorative member to one or both sides to create a mock Tudor or Georgian-style window.

One method of fixing is achieved by providing that the bars have an adhesive backing covered by a removable protective strip, and can therefore be stuck directly onto the pane. In another arrangement a beading member is providedfor securing to the frame surround so as to enclosethefree ends of the bars.

In order to take account of differing sizes of existing window or door panes, it is advantageous to provide thatthe ends of at least some ofthe bars are provided with mutually interlocking portions whereby two or more decorative members may be interlinked to provide coverfor a larger area of a pane.

Itwill be appreciated thatthe latticework of bars can readily be contructed by cutting bars to required lengths and interconnecting them attheir proposed meeting points.

Thus according to a preferred feature ofthe invention,a decorativememberfora doororwindow pane may comprise bars set in a latticework array to define rectangular or diamond shaped spaces, the meeting points ofthe bars being interconnected by cruciform orX-shaped connecting members located over the end portions ofthe bars.

Advantageously the bars will be formed with rib or groove formations in their side walls and the connect ing members will have complementary locating formations in partsthereof extending down the side walls ofthe bars.The connecting members can then be snapped into place to cover over the meeting points of the four bars. Alternatively each connecting member may be formed with a base plate to define enclosed openings for receipt of the ends ofthe bars. The base plate could be formed by turned in extensions of the side walls of the connecting member which meet underneath or approach one anotherto leave narrow slots.

Using such a construction the sizes of the spaces defined by the bars can be determined to suitthe dimensions of any particular pane of glass to which the decorative member is to be applied. For many situations this may well prove to be the preferred method of applying a decorative member.

It is preferred that the decorative members should be constructed from a plastics material which may for example be moulded or extruded.

The invention also extends to a method of converting an existing window or door pane to imitate Georgian orTudorstyling,which comprises the steps of applying decorative members of the form hereinbefore defined, to one or both sides ofthe panes so as to extend, substantially symmetrically, to all sides of the surrounds holding each pane.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodimentsthereofwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a window before and after the application of decorative members of this invention; Figure 3 illustrates a door to which a decorative member of this invention has been applied; Figure 4 is a section through a window illustrating one possible manner of application of decorative memberstoawindow pane; Figure 5 is a cross-section through a window illustrating an alternative method of applying the decorative member; Figure 6 is a detail of a modification to the decorative member; Figure 7 illustrates an alternative shape for a decorative member of this invention;; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a connecting member for interconnecting a set of bars of a decorative member of the invention; and Figure 9 shows the connecting member coupled to a set of bars.

Decorative members 1 moulded from plastics material and having a cross-section as illustrated in Figure 4 are applied to both sides of plain sheets of glass 2 (Figure 1) to modify the appearance ofthe window to the form as illustrated in Figure 2. The same type of decorative member can be applied to a plain sheet of glass forming part of a door, and, as shown in Figure 3, the decorative member may incorporate modified designs such as the circle 3.

The decorative members 1 may be formed with an adhesive backing covered with a protective removable strip, so that when the strip is removed they can be attached to the window pane 2. The adhesive strip need not necessarily extend the whole length of a member 1; securing just at the ends for example may be sufficient. The ends 4 of the members 1 are mitred to match the shape of putty or glazed beads 5. Any The drawings originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy. gaps can be filled with a mastic or an approved filler.

As shown in Figure 4the decorative members are applied to both sides ofthe window pane so that the window will have the same appearance when viewed from either side.

In an alternative method of fixing shown in Figure 5 the decorative members 1 are merely placed against the surface of the window 2 and the free ends of the member 1 are trapped by a cover mould 6 (of a plastic material), which overlies the existing putty or glazing beads 5.

It is envisaged thatthe bars defining the decorative members 1 will be set at standard spacings to define oblong panelsfora Georgian-style window. Of course where the decorative member is to be fitted to windows of standard sizes the decorative members themselves can be constructed to match those sizes.

For unusually shaped windows, however, it is envisaged that the size ofthe decorative member may be extended if necessary by forming the ends of the bars with a tongue 7 (as shown in Figure 6) which will co-operate with a corresponding groove in an adjacent bar. Smallerwindows can of course be accommodated by cutting off portions of the ends of the bars.

Tudor-style windows may be constructed by using a decorative member defining diamond-shaped openings as illustrated in Figure7. The bars defining this decorative member 8 will again have the general cross-sectional shape as illustrated in Figure 4.

Afurtherfixing method is shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Here a connecting member 9 comprises a moulded section of cruciform shape defining four arms 10 which are hollow underneath and define inwardly projecting ribs 11 in the side walls 12 thereof. When four decorative bars 13 have been attached to a window pane by their adhesive backings in desired positions, the meeting point ofthefour bars will be covered over by the connecting member 9 which will snap into place byvirtue ofthe grooves 11 entering complementary grooves 14 in the bars 13.

Instead of securing the bars 13 by adhesive to the window pane they could alternatively be glued to the connecting member 9, the whole assembly being held in place by suitable attachment means atthe edges of the window. In an alternative arrangementthe connecting member 9 is formed with a base plate which will thus define enclosed openings which will receive the ends of the bars 13. The base plate of the connecting member 9 can then be secured, such as by an adhesive backing, to the surface of the window, whilst the bars will be receive freely within the openings. The base plate of the connecting member9 could,forexample, be formed by turning in extensions ofthe side walls 1 2 so thatthey meet underneath, or just approach oneanotherto leave narrow slots.

Use of connecting members 9 (or modified ones of X-shape in plan for decorative designs ofthe form illustrated in Figure 7) enables a decoration to be appliedtoanydesiredpatterntosuitan existing window by cutting the bars 13to required lengths.

This type of arrangement maywell be preferred therefore.

Claims

1. A decorative memberfor a window or door pane incorporating a latticework of bars defining a regular array of rectangular or diamond-shaped spaces, the side walls ofthe barstapering from the base to the top surface, and means for securing the decorative membertothe paneoraframe holding the pane.

2. A decorative member according to claim 1, wherein the bars are provided with an adhesive backing, covered by a removable protective strip over thewholeora partoftheirlengths

3. Adecorative member according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a beading member is providedfor securing to the frame surround so asto enclosethe free ends ofthe bars.

4. A decorative member according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ends of at least some ofthe bars are provided with mutually interlocking portions wherebytwo or more decorative members may be interlinkedto providecoverfora larger area of a pane.

5. A decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein individual bars are set in a latticeworkarrayto define rectangular or diamond shaped spaces, the meeting points ofthe bars being interconnected by cruciform or X-shaped connecting members located over the end portions ofthe bars.

6. A decorative member according to claim 5, wherein the bars are formed with rib or groove formations in their side walls and the connecting members will have complementary locating formations in parts thereof extending down the side walls of the bars.

7. A decorative member according to claim 5, wherein each connecting member is formed with a base plate to define enclosed openings for receipt of the ends of the bars.

8. A decorative member according to claim 7, wherein the base plate is formed by turned in extensions ofthe side walls ofthe connecting member which meet underneath or approach one another to leave narrow slots.

9. A decorative member according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the base plate of the connecting member is provided with an adhesive backing covered by a removable protective strip.

10. A decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 9, constructed from a moulded or extruded- plastics material.

11. A kit of parts for constructing a decorative member as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A decorative member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of converting an existing windqw or door to imitate a Georgian orTudor-type glass insert which comprises the steps of applying decorative members of the form as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 on both sides of the panes so asto extend, substantially symmetrically, to all sides ofthe sur rounds holding each pane.

14. Amethodaccording to claim 13andsubstantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.