GB2180614A - Window frame coupling assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly for coupling two window frames (20, 21) together, e.g. at the vertical post in a bay window, comprising a first portion with two flange portions (22, 23) connected by a web (24) permitting the flanges to be relatively inclined, and a second portion (26) having a plurality of formations (29) each engageable with the free end (30) of one (23) of the flange portions when they are so inclined. The resulting coupling assembly is engageable with the inclined window frame members (20, 21). The first and second portions may be formed integrally from a plastics material whereby the second portion is joined at one of its to edges to the first portion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Windowframe coupling assemblies This invention relatesto an assemblyforcoupling two windowframestogetherata selected inclination relative to one another. For example, the assembly may be employed as the vertical coupling between two relatively inclined window frames in a bay window.

The present invention provides an elongate, frame-coupling assembly comprising, viewed in cross-section, a first portion having two flange portions and a web means interconnecting said flange portions to permitthem to assume a range of inclinations relative to one another, and a second portion in the form of afurtherwebwhich, in use,inter- connects the free ends of the flange portions to form a closed structure, the further web having a plurality of formations spaced thereof to connect with the free end of one of said flange poritonswhen the flange portions are set at any desired one of a corresponding plurality of predetermined inclinations within the said ra nge, sa id fi rst and second portions together affording formations engageable with two frame elements placed at said desired inclination relative to one another.

The first and second portions may be formed integrally. Alternatively, the second portion is formed separately form thefirst portion and has a furtherfor- mation for connecting it with the free end of the other oftheflange portions.

Preferably,saidflangeportionsofsaidfirstportion are integral with the said web means, said web means incorporating a region of reduced crosssectional area to permit bending to set said flange portions at the desired inclination relative to one another.

Said second portion may, when in its free state, be flat or it may be of arcuate cross-sectional shapeto facilitate its engagement with said flange portions when set at a relatively great inclination to one another.

Said first and second portions preferably are formed as either one or two extrusions of a plastics material such as UPVC.

The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is a cross-section of a frame-coupling assemblyformed as an integral extrusion; Figure 2 is a cross-section oftheframe-coupling assembly of Figure 1 when used to interconnect two inclined window frames; Figure 3 is a cross-section corresponding to Figure 2 but in which the window frames are parallel;; and Figure 4 is a cross-section of an alternativeframe- coupling assembly,when used to interconnecttwo inclined windowframes.

In Figures 2 to 4, the frame-coupli ng assemblies illustrated each form the vertical postatthe cornerof two window frames in a bay window, the window frames being either inclined relative to one another, as in Figures 2 and 4, or parallel to one another, as in Figure 3. Vertical members of the two adjacent windowframes are indicated at 19,19 in Figure 2, and at 20,21 in Figure 4. The coupling between the windowframesandtheframe-coupling assemblies is of a conventional type and will not be described in detail here.

Referringfirstto Figure 1,theframe-coupling assembly comprises a first portion 10,11,12 formed integrally with a second portion 14. The first portion comprises two flange portions 10,11 interconnected by a web portion 12 including a region 13 of reduced cross-sectional area to permittheflange poritons 10, 11 to flexto any required relative inclination to suit the window frames to be coupled. The second portion 14 is a web portion which depends from the free end of one 10 oftheflange poritons. The first portion hasthreeframe-coupling portions 18.

The free end 17 of the other 11 of the flange portions has a projection 16 for engaging the inner sur- face of the web poriton 14which is ribbed. Thus engaged, the assemblyforms a closed structure in the form of a box section. The projection 16 is locatable between the side walls of any adajcent pair of the ribs 15 on the web portion 14, the ribs gripping the projec tion 16 resiliently The web portion is flexible to enable it to engage the flange portion 11 in use.

Theframe-coupling assembly is used asfollows, with reference to Figure 2. The first portion is set with the flange portions 10,11 atthe desired angle, equal to the angle of inclination ofthewindowframes 19, 19 to be coupled. This configuration is then fixed by flexing the second web portion 14 and locating the projection 16 between an adjacent pair of ribs 15 thereof.The free end of the web portion 14 is trimmed so that it projects an appropriate amount beyond the box section, no furtherthan theframe- engaging poritons 18, and the assembly is ready for fitting tothewindowframes. As shown in Figure 2, re-entrantflanges on the windowframes 19,19 grip theframe-coupling assembly at the frame-engaging portions 18 and the projecting portion of the web poriton 14,thus assisting in holding the web portion 14 in engagement with the flange portion 11.

Theframe-coupling assembly is capable of accommodating a range of inclinations of window frames, inthisexamplefrom 0 degrees to about 90 degrees.Asshown in use in Figure3,wherethe angle of inclination is 0 degrees with parallel window frames, the majority of the web portion 14 is trimmed.

An alternative, preferred form of the invention is shown in Figure 4. As with the assembly of Figures 1 to 3, the window frames 20,21 are coupled by a first portion having two flange portions 22,23 which are integrally joined by a web portion 24 inciuding a region 25 of reduced cross-sectional area to permitthe flange portions 22,23 to be moved to the required relative inclination to suit the frame elements 20,21.

The coupling assembly further comprises a second poriton 26which connects the free ends of theflange portions 22,23. However, thefirst and second portions are formed as separate extrusions. At one end, as viewed in cross-section, the second portion 26 has flange 27 with serrations on its opposed surfaces, to beheldwithin a groove28defined atthefreeendof flange portion 22, having serrated sidewalls.

The second portion 26 has teeth 29 at its surface facing the web portion 24, each one of which teeth is engageable between any adjacent pair offourteeth 30 atthe free end of the flange portion 23. The separation between the first and fourth tooth 30 is no greaterthan the distance between adjacent teeth 29, so by selecting any one ofthethree gaps between the four teeth 30, a fine adjustment of the inclination of the flange portions is provided.

As shown in Figure 4, the teeth 29,30 are held in engagement by means of re-entrantflanges on the window frame 21 which isfittedoverthecoupling assembly in use.

An alternative, preferred arrangement to that shown in Figure 4 for holding the second poriton 26 to the toothed free end of the flange portion 23 is as follows (not shown). The teeth 29 are extended outwardlyfrom theweb 26 and laterally, paralleltothe web portion 26, so as to provide "hooks" (viewed in cross-section) all facing in the same direction, either towards orawayfromthewindowframe2i.At least three oftheteeth 30 on theflange portion 23 have corresponding extensions, the "hooks" all facing in the direciton opposite to that of the teeth 29 on the web portion 26, so thatthetwo sets of teeth 29,30 are capable of interlocking.The slight resilience ofthe teeth 29,30 provides a releasable snap fit of each tooth 29 in any of the three gaps between the teeth 30. Thus, the assembly is held closed, assuming its selected configuration, even before it is fitted to the window frame 21.

The assembly of Figure 4 is used in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

With all the assemblies described above, all the components of the assembly, and also the frame members 19,20,21, are extrusions of a plastics mat erial such as UPVC. The second portion 14,26 may be flat when in its free state, or may naturally have an arcuate cross-sectional shape as illustrated in Figure 4.

Although in the examples described above the assembly forms a vertically disposed coupling be tweenwindowframes, itwould also be usable ina horizontally extending orientation. For example, a horizontally extending coupling may be required in glazing a conservatory, where one window frame is inclined to the vertical and an adjacentframe is either vertical, or inclined to the vertical at a different angle.

Further, although in the examples described above the first portion of the assembly is an integral extru sion, it is possibleforthefiange portions to be sep arate components, with said web means defined by formations which fittogether in such a way as to pro vide a hinge to permit said flange portions to assume the desired relative inclination.

Claims (13)

1. An elongate,frame-coupling assemblycom prising, viewed in cross-section, a first portion hav ing two flange portions and a web means inter connecting said flange portions to permit them to assume a rangeofinclinationsrelativetoonean- other, and a second portion in the form of a further web which, in use, interconnects the free ends ofthe flange portions to form a closed structure, the further web having a plurality of formations spaced thereof to connect with the free end of one of said flange portions when the flange portions are set at any desired one of a corresponding plurality of predetermined in clinationswithin the said range, said first and second portions together affording formations engageable with two frame elements placed at said desired inclination relative to one another.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the second portion is formed separately from the first portion and has a furtherformation for connecting it with the free end of the other of the flange portions.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the said furtherformation is formed atan end ofthe second portion, when viewed in cross-section.

4. An assembly according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the said other flange portion has means for cooperating with the said furtherformation to hold the second portion.

5. An assembly according to Claim 1,whereinthe first and second portions are formed integrally.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said flange portions of said first portion are integral with the said web means, said web means incorporating a region of reduced crosssectional area to permit bending to set said flange portions at the desired inclination relative to one an- other.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said second portion is of arcuate form, in cross-section, in its free state.

8. An assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said second portion is offlatform in its free state and is flexible.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the said one of the flange portions has means for cooperating with any of the said plurality of formations to hold the second portion connected therewith.

10. An assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the second portion is held with a releasable snap fit bythesaid one oftheflange portions.

11. Aframe coupling assembly according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the said cooperating means on the said one of the flange portions comprises a plurality of spaced formations, each capable of cooperaing with any selected one of the formations on the second portion, thereby allowing the first and second portions to engage at a correspond ing plurality of different inclinations oftheflange portions for each of the said formations on the second portion.

12. Aframe coupling assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

13. Aframe coupling assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.