GB2134954A

GB2134954A - Frames for windows and doors

Info

Publication number: GB2134954A
Application number: GB08303662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Edward O'donovan
Original assignee: MAGNET METALS Ltd
Current assignee: MAGNET METALS Ltd
Priority date: 1983-02-10
Filing date: 1983-02-10
Publication date: 1984-08-22
Also published as: GB2134954B; GB8303662D0

Abstract

An elongate frame member comprises an extruded metal body 12 of hollow rectangular cross-section with two pairs of opposed walls 13, 14. Side wall faces 13 are clad with strips 24 of hardwood which are bonded or secured to the faces. Flanges 16 define a glazing channel 18 and the inwardly directed faces of the opposed flanges have rib formations 20 for locating a glazing gasket 21 or the like. Flanges 17 define another channel 19 which may be used for mounting the assembled frame in the window or door construction, such as for receiving a jamb 27. In the assembled frame all major exposed faces may be clad with the hard wood strips 24, 26 giving an attractive appearance whilst the structural strength is provided by the metal body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in frames for windows and doors This invention concerns frames for windows and doors.

It is traditional to provide hard or soft wood frames, but the wood is liable to warp or deteriorate by weathering, rot or other causes, in recent times the cost of wood as a raw material has increased.

It is also well known to provide frames made from metal, usually aluminium sections, but the use of metal requires special installation and fitting techniques, and in many instances, it is preferred on aesthetic and other grounds to use the conventional material of wood. Furtheremore, with metal frames, there arise problems due to the high thermal conductivity of metal in comparison with timber, and heat transfer from exterior to interior faces may lead to condensation and consequential damage when metal frames are used.

As will be appreciated, if the traditional wood frame is to be employed, then to reduce the cost, it is preferred to reduce the amount of wood, particularly hardwood, but there is a practical limit to any reduction for reasons of adequate strength.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved frame for windows or doors in which the aesthetic appeal of wood can be retained whilst effectively reducing the wood content.

Further objects of this invention will be referred to later herein together with the advantages arising from the invention.

According to the broadest aspect of this invention, we provide a frame for windows or doors, the frame comprising an assembly of elongate members, each elongate member having a metal body of hollow and uniform section having opposed flanges extending longitudinally along each side to define two opposed side channels with the flanges extending contiguously with opposed walls of the body, and the external faces of said opposed walls with the contiguous flanges being clad with strips of wood bonded or otherwise secured to said body.

By this invention, the major faces of each member forming the frame present the wood strips to give the desired appearance of wood and these external faces, which are normally the ones subject to the temperature differentials, are effectively clad with a thermal insulation due to the lower heat conductivity of wood.

Preferably, one of the opposed side channels of each frame member is adapted to receive the marginal edge of one side edge of glazing therewithin, with the frame members being assembled so that said glazing channels extend contiguously around the inner periphery of the frame.

Each glazing channel is defined by the metal body and the opposed inwardly directed faces of each flange defining the channel may be provided with formations for retaining a glazing gasket for receiving the marginal edge of one side edge of a glazing panel therewithin.

The glazing panel will extend in the frame so that the marginal edges are hidden between the flanges and only the overlying strips of wood will be exposed thereby substantially concealing the presence of the metal body.

By such a construction, the metal body provides a strong hollow core giving strength and rigidity to the frame members whilst the composite metal and wood construction is not significantly revealed.

The other side channel may receive a wood fillet closing the channel so that the appearance of the side of such frame member presents a wooden face to the exterior. When the other channel is closed by a fillet, then the frame member may form a stile.

The other side channel may be left open for mounting ancilliary members on the assembled frame, such as rollers for sliding doors or windows, or fixing devices for securing the frame to a fixed jamb, or hinges, stays on the like where the frame is hingedly mounted on a fixed frame.

As will be understood, the same hollow section forming the body of each frame member can be used for all frame members, and the wood strips and fillet are only used to clad those faces which are exposed to view in the assembled frame. This means that the amount of wood required is far less than with an all wood frame, and the advantage of the rigidity and strength of metal is applied to the assembly.

Each frame member may be connected to the adjoining one by means of corner fixings which secure the metal bodies together in the desired attitude and where the bodies overlie one another at each corner, the wood strips can be cut to have abutting edges.

In some instances, ancilliary devices, such as inter-lock seals in sliding doors and windows can be mounted directly on the wood strips which are bonded or secured to the metal body.

The wood strips and/or the fillet may be provided with special configurations to locate them on the metal body prior to the bonding or securing of the wood to the metal.

Preferably, the wood strips and fillet are of a hardwood which is bonded to the metal body by a resin or other adhesive.

The hollow metal body preferably is an aluminium alloy extrusion, and the section is substantially rectangular with the opposed flanges extending contiguously from opposed longer side walls of the section. The ends of each flange may be provided with formations such as ribs or grooves to locate the wood cladding strips or fillet and any means, such as a glazing gasket, received in the side channel.

Other features of this invention will now be described with reference to an exemplary embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawings wherein:~ Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a sliding door arrangement in which the door frames are in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view in the direction II II given in Figure 1 with the door closed; Figure 3 is a sectional view in the direction Ill-Ill given in Figure 2 wi.h the door closed; Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail showing a corner joint at the bottom of one frame; and Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the metal body of each frame member.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a fixed surround or support secured in an opening in a wall 1 or other structure, and mounted therein are two glazed doors 2, 3. The surround comprises opposed jambs 4, 5, a head 6 and a threshold cill 7. In known manner, one door 3 is supported for sliding movement on a track 8 mounted or forming part of the threshold cill 7, and on closing is arranged to be secured to jamb 4 by a locking device 9. The fixed door 2 is secured relative to jamb 5. Each door is similar and includes a frame 10 in which a glazing panel 11 is mounted.

This invention is described with reference to such an arrangement, but the invention has wider application to other arrangements of doors or windows.

With reference to the drawings of Figures 2 to 5, each door frame 10 is constructed from frame members having a metal body 12 in the form of an extrusion of which the section is shown in Figure 5. As each frame member and the doors are of similar construction, the same references will be used herein to denote common features.

The body 12 is hollow and the two pairs of opposed walls 13, 14 define an internal void 15 of substantially rectangular shape. The body further comprises two pairs of opposed flanges 1 6, 17, each of which extends contiguously with the outer faces of the opposed major walls 13.

The flanges 16, 1 7 and the walls 14 define two opposed channels 18, 19 which extend longitudinally lengthwise of the body. One channel 18 is adapted to form a glazing channel, and the other channel 19 will extend to the external side of the assembled frame 10 whether it be at the side, top or bottom.

The inwardly facing faces of the flanges 16 which define the glazing channel 18 are provided with longitudinally extending ribs or spline-like formations 20 for gripping a glazing gasket 21 in which the marginal edge of one side of a glazing panel 1 1 is mounted. The free ends of the flanges 16 which define the glazing channel are formed with outwardly extending beads 22. These provide a seating for the glazing gasket, and define opposed free edges of the body.

The inwardly facing faces of the flanges 1 7 which define the other channel 19 are planar, and the free edge of each flange is provided with a narrow outwardly extending square bead 23 which define the opposed free edges of the body.

The opposed major faces of the body 12 are clad with strips of wood 24, preferably hardwood, which is bonded to such major faces by a suitable bonding agent. Each strip 24 is located on the faces on and between the respective edge beads 22, 23, and the profile of the strips are formed to complement the profile of the major faces and the edge beads so that the inter-engagement of the beads and complementary rebates in the wood strips locates the strips in the desired position overlying and obscuring the major faces of the body 12.

It is possible to secure ancilliary devices to the wood faces of the strips, and an example of such is shown in Figure 2 where interlock sections 25 are secured to the stiles of the two doors 2, 3.

These sections may be bonded or secured by fasteners to the strips 24 and/or through the metal body 12.

The other channel 19 may receive a wood fillet 26 to close the channel where the free edge of the assembled frame is an inner stile not arranged to locate on a jamb 4, 5. By providing such wood fillet 26 which may also be bonded to the metal body, the free edge of the door frame presents a wood finish with the metal body being substantially obscured.

Where the frame member is a stile to locate the door on a fixed jamb 4, 5, then the channel may be left open to receive a jamb closure 27 secured to the fixed jamb. In the sliding door 3, the hollow void 15 in the metal body 12 can house the lock and/or latch mechanism 9 as required.

As shown in Figure 3, where the frame member is an upper rail of the door frame 10, the external channel 19 may be closed by a plate 28 carrying guide rollers 29 engageable with head guide rails 30 mounted in the head 6 of the fixed surround.

Where the frame member is a bottom rail of the sliding door frame, the channel 19 may house the roller device(s) 31 for the sliding movement of the door on the track 8 provided on the threshold cill 7. The roller device(s) may extend into the void 1 5 and may be secured to or through the inner wall 14 of the channel. The inner wall 14 may be provided with a slot(s) to receive part of the roller device(s) within the void 15. Furthermore, where the frame member is the bottom rail of the fixed door, the channel 19 may receive the threshold tread portion 32.

By using a common construction for each of the frame members of the door frame in the manner as just exemplified, manufacturing costs are minimised whilst the assembled construction has the advantages of wood appearance and the strength of metal.

The lengths of members used for forming a frame can be chosen to suit, and the ends of the frame members can be connected and secured together by any suitable corner joint.

A suitable corner joint is shown in Figure 4 wherein the bottom end of a stile is connected to the end of the bottom rail by a joining cleat 33 which has two limbs 34, 35 extending normally to each other with each limb mounting a respective trapped threaded nut 36, 37. The cleat 33 is received within the void 15 of the metal body 12 of the bottom rail adjacent to the end face and the cleat 33 is secured to the bottom rail by a threaded fastener 38 extending through the bottom wall 14 of the lower channel 19. The upstanding limb 34 of the cleat 33 abuts the channel wall 13 and by suitable aligned piercings extending through the walls 14 of the body of the stile member, a threaded fastener 39 engages with the trapped nut 36, and on tightening the fastener, the corner joint may be tightened to complete the assembly.

On the front and rear major faces of the stile and bottom rail, the wood strips are neatly cut to abut as required at the joint.

As will be appreciated, the wood strips act as a cover or cladding for the metal body, and the thickness of the wood strips is selected to provide a substantial thickness of wood as a thermal insulation and cladding. The strips are supported rigidly by the metal body and are held against deformation and warping, and the wood may be finished by sealer, varnish or paint as required.

The principle of this invention can be employed to form window or door frames of different constructions, and where desired, the channel opposed to the glazing channel can be used to mount hinges, stays or other ancilliary devices as required. In certain applications, such as side opening casement windows, a wood fillet can be used to close each of said opposed channels.

Preferably, the metal body is formed as an extrusion of aluminium alloy, but the metal body could be a rolled section or an assembly of same.

As will be understood, the relative dimensions and configuration of the metal body can be varied to suit different profiles required which are formed by the composite construction of the metal body and wood strips and fillet(s) bonded thereto.

Claims (Filed on 11/1/84) 1. A frame for windows or doors, the frame comprising an assembly of elongate members, each elongate member having a metal body of hollow and uniform section having opposed flanges extending longitudinally along each side to define two opposed side channels with the flanges extending contiguously with opposed side walls of the body, and the external faces of said opposes walls with the contiguous flanges being clad with strips of wood bonded or otherwise secured to said body.

2. The frame according to claim 1 wherein the elongate frame members are assembled together by corner cleat devices with one of the opposed side channels of each frame member extending contiguously around the inner periphery of the frame to provide a channel for receiving the marginal edge of glazing.

3. The frame according to claim 2 wherein each of said one opposed side channels is provided with formations for retaining a glazing gasket.

4. The frame according to claim 3 wherein the formations are provided on the opposed inwardly directed faces of the channel walls and the formations comprise ribs or grooves.

5. The frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the metal body of each elongate frame member is an extrusion of aluminium alloy.

6. The frame according to claim 5 wherein the hollow section of the body is substantially rectangular with the opposed flanges extending contiguously from opposed longer side walls of the section.

7. The frame according to claim 6 wherein the free edges of the flanges are formed with outwardly extending beads or ribs between which the cladding strips of wood are secured.

8. A frame for windows or doors substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. An elongate frame member for assembly to form a frame according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A metal body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings and for use in forming a frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. trapped threaded nut 36, 37. The cleat 33 is received within the void 15 of the metal body 12 of the bottom rail adjacent to the end face and the cleat 33 is secured to the bottom rail by a threaded fastener 38 extending through the bottom wall 14 of the lower channel 19. The upstanding limb 34 of the cleat 33 abuts the channel wall 13 and by suitable aligned piercings extending through the walls 14 of the body of the stile member, a threaded fastener 39 engages with the trapped nut 36, and on tightening the fastener, the corner joint may be tightened to complete the assembly. On the front and rear major faces of the stile and bottom rail, the wood strips are neatly cut to abut as required at the joint. As will be appreciated, the wood strips act as a cover or cladding for the metal body, and the thickness of the wood strips is selected to provide a substantial thickness of wood as a thermal insulation and cladding. The strips are supported rigidly by the metal body and are held against deformation and warping, and the wood may be finished by sealer, varnish or paint as required. The principle of this invention can be employed to form window or door frames of different constructions, and where desired, the channel opposed to the glazing channel can be used to mount hinges, stays or other ancilliary devices as required. In certain applications, such as side opening casement windows, a wood fillet can be used to close each of said opposed channels. Preferably, the metal body is formed as an extrusion of aluminium alloy, but the metal body could be a rolled section or an assembly of same. As will be understood, the relative dimensions and configuration of the metal body can be varied to suit different profiles required which are formed by the composite construction of the metal body and wood strips and fillet(s) bonded thereto. Claims (Filed on 11/1/84)

1. A frame for windows or doors, the frame comprising an assembly of elongate members, each elongate member having a metal body of hollow and uniform section having opposed flanges extending longitudinally along each side to define two opposed side channels with the flanges extending contiguously with opposed side walls of the body, and the external faces of said opposes walls with the contiguous flanges being clad with strips of wood bonded or otherwise secured to said body.