GB2169638A

GB2169638A - Window frame saddle

Info

Publication number: GB2169638A
Application number: GB08432326A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Read
Original assignee: BOWATER ZENITH WINDOWS Ltd
Current assignee: BOWATER ZENITH WINDOWS Ltd
Priority date: 1984-12-21
Filing date: 1984-12-21
Publication date: 1986-07-16
Also published as: GB8432326D0

Abstract

A saddle which is adapted to fit onto the end of one bar of a decorative window frame (e.g. a Georgian-effect window) of a double glazed window unit and to sit over the edge of another bar into which the first-mentioned bar runs; and with one or more spiggots projecting from an inside surface of the saddle to enter a co-operating recess in the said other bar and so locate the saddle, and hence the first- mentioned bar which carries the saddle, against the other bar. The use of such a saddle avoids the need to mitre joints between the bars which is expensive and also weakens the bars. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window frame saddle Field of the Invention The invention relates to the decorative frames which leading manufacturers of double glazed window units now incorporate in order to give an appearance of a traditional window frame without any of the traditional maintenance requirements. Such frames are conventionally made in extruded metal or PVC and may be assembled and held captive between the two glass panes so as to be protected by the panes from dirt and other contamination.

Review of Art known to the Applicants A problem arises when mitre-joining two bars of such a frame by conventional means.

Each bar has to have preparation work done on it, in that the mitre joints has to be cut into one bar whilst the mating end of the other bar has to be shaped to fit into the cutout. This is expensive, and it also weakens considerably the bar into which the mitre is cut. Such weakening is especially disadvantageous with PVC which has not the inherent strength of other materials, Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention there is provided a saddle which is adapted to fit onto the end of one bar of a decorative window frame of a double glazed window unit and to sit over the edge of another bar into which the first-mentioned bar runs; and with one or more spiggots projecting from an inside surface of the saddle to enter, in use, a cooperating recess in the said other bar and so locate the saddle, and hence the first-mentioned bar which carries the saddle, against the other bar.

The saddle, once so located, can be glued into place or can simply remain so located in situations where for instance the framework of bars is held between the panes of the unit and is not subject to stresses tending to dislocate it in use. The previous need for the other bar to be cut into is avoided, and what strength the framework does have is largely preserved.

The necessary recess in the other bar can be formed simply by drilling the bar to take the spiggot or spiggots which protrude from the inside surface of the saddle.

Preferably the spiggot or spiggots protrude from the underside of the top of the saddle so as to enter, in use, a recess or recesses formed in the top edge of the other bar. This gives the most positive location of the bars one against the other.

The invention includes within its scope a decorative framework, for a double glazed window unit, incorporating bars joined by one or more saddles having any of the features defined above.

The invention further includes within its scope a double glazed unit incorporating a decorative framework of the kind just defined.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings show embodiments of the invention. These are only examples of forms which the invention might take within its broadest aspect, but they are currently the best ways known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. In these drawings: Figure 1 shows the cross section of a Georgian-style bar for a decorative window frame forming part of a sealed double glazed window unit;, Figure 2 shows the conventional method of mitre-joining two such bars; Figure 3 shows a saddle embodying the invention, and the way in which it is used to join two bars, viewing the saddle in side elevation; Figure 4 shows the saddle in end elevation; and Figure 5 shows the saddle in plan.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Figure 1 there is illustrated one end of a straight elongate extruded white PVC window frame bar of generally rectangular cross section but profiled, as shown, along each of its four envelope edges to simulate a traditional Georgian frame bar.

Such bars are well known and conventionally extruded in PVC or aluminium for use in large quantities by the replacement window industry. PVC is generally preferred to aluminium, because it can be self-coloured, it is lighter in weight, and it ages better.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated the conventional method of mitre-joining two such bars.

It will be seen that each bar requires extensive preparation work. The end of one bar 11 has to be shaped, whilst the other bar 12 has to be cut into in order to receive the shaped end of the bar 11.

If, as illustrated, the joint is to be a cruciform (i.e. another bar is to fit into the bar 12 opposite bar 11) then it can readily be appreciated just how much the bar 12 is weakened by the amount of cutting-out that is needed.

Although the cruciform joint is held together with tongues of known kind once the preparatory work has been done, the method is still disadvantageous.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5 there is shown a moulded PVC saddle which largely overcomes the disadvantages of the known illustrated method. The saddle carries a tongue referenced generally 13 which is a progressive force-fit into one open end of a frame bar 14 of the kind generally illustrated in Figure 1.

The opposite facing inside surfaces of the walls 15, 16 of the saddle are each curved so as to fit snugly against the correspondingly curved outer surfaces of one longitudinal edge region of another bar 17 to which the bar 14 is to be joined; whilst a spiggot 18 projects from the underside of the top surface 19 ofthe saddle.

In use, as shown in Figure 3, the top wall21 of the other bar 17 is drilied to accommodate the spiggot 18. The saddle then sits on top of the wall 21 to give the appearance of a traditionally mitred joint between the two bars 14, 17. This convincing appearance is achieved without having to do anything other than straight-cut the end of the bar 14 into which the saddle fits, and without having to do anything to the other bar 17 beyond drilling the hole to accommodate the spiggot 18.

To be strictly convincing, the opposite end regions of the saddle should curve as indicated by numberal 22 in Figure 3. It is found however that this is difficult if not impossible to produce in a plastics moulding. Even if it could be produced, it would be a relatively expensive task. In practice, therefore, the saddle opposite ends will probably be substantially straight as indicated in chain line and referenced 23. It is found that this slight departure from authenticity does not unduly affect the appearance of the joint. What matters is that the lines of both bars are continued and blended into one another realistically without the extensive preparation work previously needed.

There could be two or more spiggots projecting from the inside surface of the saddle, depending on requirements in any given construction.

The saddle is particularly useful in Georgian sash window simulated decorative frameworks where a vertically running bar 14 may be only approximately half the width of the other bar 17. A particularly realistic simulated effect is achieved in such circumstances with the invention.

Claims

1. A saddle which is adapted to fit onto the end of one bar of a decorative window frame of a double glazed window unit and to sit over the edge of another bar into which the first-mentioned bar runs; and with one or more spiggots projecting from an inside surface of the saddle to enter, in use, a cooperating recess in the said other bar and so locate the saddle, and hence the first-mentioned bar which carries the saddle, against the other bar.

2. A saddle in accordance with Claim 1 and in which the spiggot or spiggots protrude from the underside of the top of the saddle so as to enter, in use, a recess or recesses formed in the top edge of the other bar.

3. A saddle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

4. A decorative framework for a double glazed window unit, the framework incorporating bars joined by one or more saddles in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

5. A double glazed unit incorporating a decorative framework in accordance with Claim 4.