GB2202888A

GB2202888A - Window

Info

Publication number: GB2202888A
Application number: GB08704000A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Calvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-20
Filing date: 1987-02-20
Publication date: 1988-10-05
Also published as: GB8704000D0

Abstract

An elongate window or like member 1 of box section defines a pair of spaced channel sections 10, 11 so that a pair of cleats can be inserted into the two channel sections to provide rigidity at junctions of the frame members. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW FRAME MEMBER The present invention relates to window frames and in particular to window frames formed from extruded metal or plastic members.

Window frames formed from extruded aluminium members are well known and it is known to join adjacent members of a frame by means of a substantially L-shaped cleat, the members to be joined being mitred and each having a box shaped cross section into which a leg or arm of the cleat slides and which is then fixed, for example by screwing through the side of the member into the cleat within the box section.

The cleats are conventionally made from angle-sectioned extruded aluminium members which are then cut to provide the L-shape of the cleat and the box section of the member is designed to accommodate the arm or leg of the cleat as a relatively close sliding fit. The mitre joint formed by this method, whilst being relatively secure, is not particularly strong and relies significantly for its strength on the precise alignment and abutment of the mitred ends of the two members to be joined.

According to the present invention an elongate member for use in a window or like frame includes a box section, the box section defining a pair of channel sections spaced apart from one another and positioned on opposite sides of the section. By this means, a pair of L-shaped cleats may be located in the member at a mitred joint between two such members, substantially increasing the rigidity and overall strength of the joint, thus increasing the stiffness of the frame significantly.

Preferably, the elongate member has a face element attached to the box section, by a web or webs or by a thermal barrier. The box-section preferably has at least one pair of internal webs or internally directed flanges to define the two channel sections into which the cleats can fit in use, the web or flanges being positioned to dimension the channel sections to provide for a close sliding fit of the cleats.

The invention includes a window frame formed from a plurality of elongate members of the type according to the present invention and also includes a door or other frame similarly formed.

One example of a member according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying informal drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross section through the member; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of two of such members, showing a pair of cleats fixed in one of the members ready to receive the second member to form a mitre joint; and Figure 3 is a cross-section through one side of a window frame incorporating the section. Each of the members 1 is formed from extruded aluminium and is then cut to a suitable length. When a corner joint is to be formed as shown in Figure 2, the ends of the abutting members 1 are mitred, in Figure 2 at 4 5 e, as shown.

Figure 1, which shows the cross section through each of the members, the section having a front face 2 which has a central recess 3, the front face 2 being connected by a web 4 to a box section 5 which has a pair of sides 6, 7 and connecting ends 8 and 9. The overall appearance of the cross section of the member 1 is a T-shape. Within the box section 5 channel sections 10 and 11 are defined by inwardly projecting flanges 12, each of which is integrally formed with a respective end 8, 9. The front face 2 includes end channels 13 which in use receive rubber or similar seals. After formation of the extrusion, a channel 14, formed adjacent to the web 4, is filled with a resin material and the web 4 cut away to provide a thermal barrier 17 (see Figure 3).

Although Figure 2 is a front elevation of a pair of members 1 which are joined together to form a mitred corner, the hidden channels 10 and 11 are shown for ease of explanation. Into the end of each of the channels 10, 11 an L-shaped cleat 15 is inserted, the dimensions of the cleat providing a tight sliding fit in the respective channel and being secured therein by means of screws (indicated diagrammatically by the lines 16) through the side wall 6, 7 of the box section 5 or rivets, or by crimping. Once the cleats have been inserted in the first member then their free ends may be inserted through the ends of the second member in a similar way and fastened accordingly.

This method of construction, in particular the duplication and the spacing apart of the cleats 15 provides a secure and strong joint.

The method usually adopted for securing mitred corners in window frames is by crimping the section around the cleat and in the case of the present invention both cleats will first be inserted into the two sections and the corner then held on a crimping machine while pressure is applied through the two walls of the section 6 and 7 in order to crimp both cleats tightly in position. The crimping presses a portion of the aluminium wall into a recess provided in the cleat within the section.

Figure 3 shows a member 1 forming part of an intermediate frame for an aluminium framed window. A pair of inner 20 and outer 22 members which are of identical cross section but which are reversed in use, provide inner and outer frame members, the inner frame member 20 securing a glass panel 21 and the frame of which the member 20 forms a part being suitably hinged to the intermediate frame of which the member 1 is a part so as to hinge outwards, that is to say downwardly as shown in Figure 3, the intermediate frame being similarly connected to the outer frame of which the member 22 is a part so as to pivot inwardly, thus allowing the exterior of the glass panel 21 to be cleaned from the inside with ease.

The members 20 and 22 will be fixed to respective other inner and outer frame members by single cleats and crimping as is conventional.

Claims

1. An elongate member for use in a window or like frame, the member including a box section defining a pair of channel sections spaced apart from one another and positioned on opposite sides of the section.

2. An elongate member according to claim 1, having a face element attached to the box section by a web or webs or by a thermal barrier.

3. An elongate member according to claim 1, wherein the box-section has at least one pair of internal webs or internally directed flanges to define the two channel sections.

4. An elongate member according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A window or other frame formed from a plurality of elongate members according to any of claims 1 to 4.

6. A frame according to claim 5, including a pair of L-shaped cleats located in the respective channel sections of a pair of the frame members at a mitred joint between the two members, to increase the rigidity and overall strength of the joint, thus increasing the stiffness of the frame.

7. A frame according to claim 5, wherein the web or flanges are positioned to dimension the channel sections to provide for a close sliding fit of the cleats.

8. A window, door or the like frame, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.