GB2179086A

GB2179086A - Improvements relating to window frames

Info

Publication number: GB2179086A
Application number: GB08619684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Nuttall
Original assignee: British Alcan Aluminium Ltd
Current assignee: British Alcan Aluminium Ltd
Priority date: 1985-08-14
Filing date: 1986-08-13
Publication date: 1987-02-25
Also published as: GB8520395D0; GB8619684D0

Abstract

A frame for a double-glazed window incorporates between the means for supporting the two panes of glass, means by which the ends of one or more elements extending across the window aperture and forming a component or structure which sub-divides the aperture are frictionally engaged for location purposes. The ends of the elements may be frictionally gripped in a channel extending about the inner periphery of the members of the frame or, where the elements are hollow, the members of the frame may have tongues engaging frictionally in the hollow ends of the elements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to window frames This invention relates to metal and/or plastics frames for windows and is more particularly concerned with frames intended to be doubleglazed.

There is a demand for double-glazed windows which have the appearance of so-called Georgian windows and this is currently met by incorporating a metal or plastics grid between the two panes of the double-glazing. The elements of the grid or some of them are secured by their ends to the main frame members of the window by means of pegs located in apertures in the frame members and in spigoted engagement with the ends of the grid elements. The assembly of such frames causes considerable problems by reason of the need to locate the pegs relative to the grid elements and frame members while avoiding loss of desiccant gel from the interior of the frame through through the holes for the pegs.

According to the present invention a metal and/or plastics frame for a double-glaxed window comprises a plurality of frame members connected together to define a window aperture each of which frame members has means for locating two panes of glass in parallel spaced relationship, and one or more elements extending transversely of said aperture and forming a component or structure which subdivides the aperture, said component or structure having portions thereof in direct frictional gripping engagement between said means for locating the two panes of glass on some at least of the frame members, whereby the component or structure is secured to the frame members.

In preferred constructions according to the invention each of said frame members has a channel therein, the sides of which are adapted to grip said portions of the component or structure. In one such construction each of said frame members has two flanges respectively forming the side walls of the channel, the free edge portions of which flanges are inclined away from each other to form a lead-in to facilitate engagement of said portions of the component or structure in the channel. Said free edge portions of the flanges are preferably capable of resilient deflection away from each other, and the remaining portions of the flanges may conveniently be inclined towards each other in a direction toward said free edge portions.

In an alternative construction the channel is constituted by a recess in the main body of the frame member and the top edges of the channel have projections extending inward towards each other for gripping engagement with said portions of said component or structure.

In another form of construction according to the invention each frame member has, between said means for locating two panes of glass, a tongue projecting towards the opposite frame member, and said portions of the component or structure have therein slots in which said tongues are a friction fit.

Said component or structure may be in the form of a metal security grid.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a frame according to the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a front view of the grid element, Figure 4 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of one of the components of an alternative form of sub-dividing structure and Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views, corresponding to Fig. 2, of two alternative constructions of frame members.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the frame is rectangular and comprises four main frame members 10 interconnected by corner pieces 11 spigoted in the ends of members 10 and a security grid 12 retained by the frame members and sub-dividing the aperture defined by the frame members. The security grid in this instance is of integral construction and is made from aluminium alloy.

Each frame member 10 (see Fig. 2) is an extruded aluminium section consisting of a hollow substantially rectangular portion 13 with two flanges 15 which are inclined towards each other at a small angle but the free end portions 16 of which are inclined away from each other. The bars 17 of the grid are of uniform cross-section and are joined together by portions 18 of smaller cross-sec ion. The distance between the flanges 15 at their closest point is slightly smaller than the dimension of the bars measured at right angles to the general plane of the grid, so that the bars of the grid can be pressed into the channel formed by the flanges, the flanges being slightly deflected away from each other and gripping the bars tightly between them.

The grid is cut to size such that a small clearance is left between the base 20 of the channel and the bars. The base of the channel is formed by one of the sides of the hollow portion 13 of the section and a series of small diameter holes 21 on narrow slits is cut in the base of the channel along the length of the section. Two panes of glass (not shown) are secured to the outside faces 22 of the frame members.

In assembling the frame, the hollow portion 13 of each of the frame members is filled with a desiccant in gel form and its ends are plugged by the corner pieces 11 as the frame is assembled about the grid, and the frame is glazed. The holes or slits 21 in the base of the channel expose the space between the panes to the effect of the desiccant but their dimensions are too small to permit the gel to escape.

In an alternative construction, the aperture in the frame is occupied by an assembly of hollow "bars" 25 having a cross-section as shown in Fig. 4 connected together by cruciform plastics connectors which are spigoted into the adjoining ends of the "bars". The cross-sectional form of one suitable form of "bar" is shown in Fig. 4. The ends of the "bars" which are connected to the frame members project into the channels and are firmly frictionally held between the flanges as in the previously described construction. The frame is assembled in the same way as that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. This construction can be employed to give the finished window the appearance, from a distance, of a Georgian window.

The resulting windows are easy to assemble since there is no problem of assembly of large numbers of connecting pegs to the frame members and bars and no loss of silica gel through large holes such as are provided for the connecting pegs.

In an alternative construction of frame members 13 illustrated in Fig. 5, a channel 28 to receive portions of the grid 17 or bars is in the form of a recess in the hollow main body of the extrusion. At the upper edges of the side walls of the channel, small ribs 29 are formed which project inward towards each other and between which the said portions of the grid or bars are forced, providing a frictional grip retaining the grid or bars in position.

In another alternative construction shown in Fig. 6, the frame members 13 are formed with an upstanding rib 30 the sides of which are barbed, and the portions of the grid or bars adjoining the frame members are slotted to receive the ribs, the barbs serving to grip the said portions frictionally to retain the grid or bars in position.

Claims

1. A frame for a double-glazed window comprising a plurality of frame members connected together to define a window aperture each of which frame members has means for locating two panes of glass in parallel spaced relationship, and one or more elements extending transversely of said aperture and forming a component or structure which subdivides the aperture, said component or structure having portions thereof in direct frictional gripping engagement between said means for locating the two panes of glass on some at least of the frame members, whereby the component or structure is secured to the frame members.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said frame members has a channel therein, the sides of which are adapted to grip said portions of the component or structure.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said frame members has two flanges respectively forming the side walls of the channel, the free edge portions of which flanges are inclined away from each other to form a lead-in to facilitate engagement of said portions of the component or structure in the channel.

4. A frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein said free edge portions of the flanges are capable of resilient deflection away from each other.

5. A frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein the remaining portions of the flanges are inclined towards each other in a direction toward said free edge portions.

6. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the channel is constituted by a recess in the main body of the frame member and the top edges of the channel have projections extending inward towards each other for gripping engagement with said portions of said component or structure.

7. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein each frame member has, between said means for locating two panes of glass, a tongue projecting towards the opposite frame member, and said portions of the component or structure have therein slots in which said tongues are a friction fit.

8. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said component or structure is in the form of a metal security grid.

9. A frame for a double-glazed window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 or in Figs. 1 to 3 as modified by Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.