GB2198776A

GB2198776A - Multiple glazing

Info

Publication number: GB2198776A
Application number: GB08729414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Tudor Phillips; Frederick John Dyke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-12-17
Filing date: 1987-12-17
Publication date: 1988-06-22
Also published as: GB8729414D0; GB8630084D0

Abstract

The sealed multiple glazing unit comprises two parallel glazing panels (8, 13) secured in a frame comprising pairs of parallel elongate extruded frame members. Each of the frame members includes a base portion (2) with an outer face arranged to abut the internal surface (23) of a window opening. Integral with and parallel to the outer face is a chamber (5) for desiccant material (21); the chamber (5) has parallel walls for abutting appropriate faces of glazing panels (8, 13). The frame member has, parallel to the opposed walls of the chamber and perpendicular to the internal surface of the window sash frame, an elongate flange (18) which extends the entire length of the frame member. The glazing unit according to the invention is used in substitution for a single pane of glass in a single glazed installation; the glazing unit is secured in the frame surrounding the opening so as to substantially prevent water ingress. <IMAGE>

Description

Multiple Glazing The present invention is concerned with a method of multiple glazing (such as double or triple glazing), and glazing units therefor.

There are two main ways of converting existing single-glazed window units to multiple glazed units. In a first method, a secondary glazing unit is installed internally of the existing glazing; this method enables the existing window frame to be used, but does not provide a sealed unit and consequently there are often disadvantages with condensation between the existing glazing and the secondary glazing. In a second method, substantially all the existing window frame is removed and a made-to-measure sealed multiple glazing unit installed by way of replacement. This method alleviates the problems with condensation between the panes of glass (and a desiccant material can be incorporated in the space between the panes to further help overcome the problem).However, the fact that substantially all the existing window frame has to be removed means that the operation is essentially unsuitable for the non#professional.

We have now devised a sealed multiple glazing unit which can be employed by a non-professional. According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a sealed multiple glazing unit comprising at least two substantially parallel glazing panels secured in a frame comprising respective opposed pairs of substantially parallel elongate frame members (which are preferably extruded), each of said frame members comprising a base portion having an outer face arranged to abut the internal surface of a rectangular opening (such as a window sash frame) and, integral with and substantially parallel to the inner face of said base portion, at least one elongate chamber for desiccant material, the or each said chamber having substantially parallel opposed walls each arranged to abut a respective face of one said glazing panel, and, substantially parallel to the opposed walls of said chamber, an elongate flange extending substantially the entire length of the relevant frame member.

The present invention further comprises a method of multiple glazing, which comprises: (a) providing a sealed multiple glazing unit according to the invention (b) locating the frame of the glazing unit within a rectangular opening, with the outer face of the base portion abutting the internal surface of the opening and the flange abutting a rebate of the frame surrounding the opening; and (c) securing the flange to the frame surrounding the opening in such a manner as to substantially prevent water ingress through the opening.

In this method, the sealed multiple glazing unit according to the invention is used in substitution for a single pane of glass in a single-glazed window installation; the unit may be secured to the window frame in any conventional way, such as, for example, by the use of a bead of putty around the entire periphery of the glazing unit.

In the sealed multiple glazing units according to ty. invention, the glazing panels are located at the correct spacing by the or each elongate chamber for desiccant material; the panels are preferably secured in the frame by a continuous adhesive layer between the edges of the glazing panels and the contiguous face of the base portion, as will be illustrated subsequently with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The adhesive, which is preferably of low moisture vapour transmission qualities, preferably extends in a continuous bead along the entire length of each glazing panel, so as to provide a barrier to moisture ingress.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically an exemplary double glazed sealed glazing unit according to the invention, when installed in a window frame; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a frame member for a triple glazing frame as an alternative to the double glazing frame shown in Figure l;and Figure 3 shows a modification of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an extruded frame member 1 constituting one edge of a double glazing frame. Frame member l comprises a substantially plate-like base portion 2 having upstanding lip portions 3,4 at opposed edges thereof and an intermediate integral box section 5 such that respective channels 6,7 are defined between lip portion 3 and box section 5, and between box section 5 and lip portion 4.

Channel 6 provides a seat for glazing sheet 8 which is secured in the channel by a continuous layer of adhesive 9 which covers substantially all the base 10 of the channel 6, and one upright edge 11 of lip portion 3, all except the free end 12 of the lip portion 3. Similarly, channel 7 provides a seat for glazing sheet 13, which is secured in the channel by a continuous layer of adhesive 14 which substantially covers the base 15 of the channel 7, and one upright edge 16 of lip portion 4, all except the free end 17 thereof.

The box section 5 has a thin upper surface layer 19 which has a series of perforations 20 along the length thereof; the box section 5 is substantially filled with desiccant material 21. Means for permitting air communication other than such perforations may, of course, be employed. For example, a slit may be provided along substantially the entire length of box section 5.

Lip portion 4 has an extension 18 projecting laterally downwards so as to form a flange along substantially the entire length of the frame member 1. The frame member is installed with the flange 18 flush with the rebate 22 of a window frame, with plate-like base portion 2 flush with the horizontal internal surface 23 of the window frame. The frame member 1 is secured to the window frame by means conventional for securing of panes of glass; typically a length of putty is spread along the upper surface 24 of rebate 22 so as to form a smooth bevelled edge extending along the entire length thereof.

Referring to Figure 2, in which like parts are denoted by like reference numerals, the frame member 1 includes two intermediate box sections 5 and 5a, each containing respective desiccant material 21 and 21a, respectively. The channel 25 between the two box sections is arranged to receive a further glazing sheet (not shown).

Referring to Figure 3, in which again like parts are denoted by like reference numerals, the major difference from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 is that the flange 18a is substantially narrower than the corresponding flange in Figure 1, such that the outer face 26 of flange 18 is substantially flush with the outer face of glazing panel 13; there is therefore no channel corresponding to channel 6 or 7 in the embodiment of Figure 1. Accordingly, the continuous layers of adhesive 9a and 14a cover substantially the entire length of respective flat upper surfaces 27, 28 at opposed edges of base portion 2. inhere are, in addition, continuations of the adhesive layers along respective channels 29,30 on the outer faces 31, 32 of box section 5.

The glazing panels used in the multiple glazing unit according to the invention need not necessarily be of glass; any suitable transparent glazing sheet can be used.

Examples of such materials include acrylics and other plastics sheet materials.

The present invention has been described with reference to the glazing of a window opening; the present invention may further be used anywhere where it is desired to replace an existing glazing panel by a multiple glazing unit.

Examples of such uses include the installation of multiple glazing units in cold cabinets, greenhouses, skylights, aquaria and other similar tanks.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sealed multiple glazing unit comprising at least two substantially parallel glazing panels secured in a frame comprising respective opposed pairs of substantially parallel elongate frame members, each of said frame members comprising a base portion having an outer face arranged to abut the internal surface of a rectangular opening, and integral with and substantially parallel to the inner face of said base portion, at least one elongate chamber for desiccant material, the or each said chamber having substantially parallel opposed walls each arranged to abut a respective face of one said glazing panel, and, substantially parallel to the opposed walls of said chamber, an elongate flange extending substantially the entire length of the relevant frame member.

2. A glazing unit according to claim 1, in which the or each glazing panel is secured in said frame by a continuous adhesive layer between the edge of the glazing panel and the inner face of said base portion.

3. A glazing unit according to claim 2, in which said adhesive layer extends along the entire length of said glazing panel.

4. A glazing unit according to claim 3, in which each said frame member further comprises a lip extending substantially perpendicular to at least one edge of said base portion, said lip abutting an outer face of one said glazing panel.

5. A glazing unit according to claim 4, in which at least one said adhesive layer is further located between one said lip and said outer face of the respective glazing panel.

6. A glazing unit according to claim 5, in which the or each said lip comprises a first portion adjacent the base portion and a second portion remote from the base portion, the spacing between said first portion and the respective glazing panel being greater than the spacing between said second portion and said glazing panel.

7. A glazing unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which two said elongate chambers are provided, the space between said chambers defining an elongate channel for receiving one of said glazing panels.

8. A sealed multiple glazing unit, substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of multiple glazing, which comprises (a) providing a sealed multiple glazing unit according to any of claims 1 to 8; (b) locating said frame within 8. rectangular opening with said outer face of said base portion in abutment with said internal surface of the opening and said flange in abutment with a rebate of the frame surrounding said opening; and (c) securing said flange to frame surrounding the opening in such a manner as to substantially prevent water ingress through said opening.