GB2213856A

GB2213856A - Ventilators in windows

Info

Publication number: GB2213856A
Application number: GB8822215A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Allan Steel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-17
Filing date: 1988-09-21
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Also published as: GB8729437D0; GB8822215D0

Abstract

A ventilator/drain 13 consists of an elongate body member 14 defining an upwardly facing channel 15, a top land 16, a bottom wall 17 and a detachable front cover 18 incorporating a shutter 22 or blank cover 18A. The lower vicinity of the channel 15 is provided with a series of openings 29 and 30. Openings 29 serve as drainage holes to allow condensate to drain from channel 15. Openings 30 receive a handle for operating the shutter to release condensate and allow air flow across the inside of the window to prevent condensation. <IMAGE>

Description

VENTILATORS IN WINDOWS This invention relates to ventilators in windows.

In this description, the term 1window" is intended to include a window pane and surrounding shiftable and fixed frame assemblies.

According to the present invention, there is provided in a window adjacent the lower inside thereof an elongate member defining an open channel arranged for receiving condensate gravitating from the inside of the window pane, said elongate member also defining a series of openings for placing the said channel in communication with the outside of the window to permit flow of air from said channel towards the inside surface of the window pane.

Preferably, the said elongate member is of length dimension substantially equal to that of the window width dimension.

Preferably, the elongate member includes shutter means operable to open and to close the said openings.

Preferably, the elongate member defines an elongate chamber in communication with said channel.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of part of a window incorporating a ventilator/condensate drain in accordance with the present invention, the ventilator/ condensate drain being shown in "exploded" condition; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a pivot element incorporating an operating handle; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of part of the ventilator/condensate drain of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the ventilator/ condensate drain of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a vent shutter assembly, being part shown in Fig. 1, but to a smaller scale than Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of part of a window incorporating a second embodiment of ventilator/ condensate drain in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of part of a window incorporating a third embodiment of ventilator/ condensate drain in accordance with the present invention.

In Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a window includes a glass pane 10 and a bottom sash rail 11 of a shiftable window frame. The sash rail 11 has an outwardly facing rebate 12 which conventionally would serve to receive the lower edge of the pane 10. In this embodiment, the lower edge of the pane 10 terminates short of the sash rail 11 to allow incorporation of a ventilator/ condensate drain indicated generally by reference numeral 13. The ventilator/drain 13 consists of an elongate body member 14 defining an upwardly facing channel 15, a top land 16, a bottom wall 17, and a detachable front cover 18 or 18A. The vent/drain components are of a plastics material such as PVC, or an aluminium alloy, conveniently manufactured by an extrusion process.

The top land 16 receives and supports the lower edge of the glass pane 10, and also a glazing bead 19 which may be secured by means of a clip arrangement 20.

The body 14 of the ventilator/drain 13 is secured to the sash rail 11 by means of fixing screws 21 one of which can be seen in Fig. 1.

The front cover 18 incorporates a vent shutter 22 which is swing-link connected to the cover 18 by means of a series of parallel links 23 one of which incorporates an operating handle 23A as shown in Fig. 2. The cover 18 has upper and lower flanges 24 and 25 each of which carries a longitudinal bead 26 engagable with corresponding recesses 27 in the body 14 for retaining the cover 18 in position. Alternative cover 18A is fitted to the body 14 where no vent shutter is required.

The lower vicinity of the channel 15 is provided with a series of openings 29 and 30. Each of these openings is elongate as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

The openings 29 serve as drainage holes to allow condensate to drain from the channel 15 into the elongate chamber defined between the land 16 and the lower wall 17. Each of the openings 30 may serve to receive the operating handle 23A.

The ventilator/condensate drain 13 is fitted the full width of the window. With the shutter 22 in the open condition, outside air may flow through the cover 18 and openings 29 and be directed from the channel 15 towards the inside surface of the glass pane 10. Thus, ventilating air is admitted to the room and may promote reduction in obscuring condensate on the inside surface of the pane 10. Also, the channel 15 provides a convenient drainage path for condensate gravitating from the glass pane 10. If the shutter 22 is closed, condensate may accumulate within the elongate chamber between the upper land 16 and lower wall 17 within the body 14.

The ventilator/condensate drain described above may be incorporated in newly-manufactured windows and/or may be fitted as a modification to existing timber-framed windows.

In Fig. 6, parts corresponding with those described in Figs. 1 to 5 are given the same reference numerals.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 6 is particularly suitable for windows such as those fitted in caravans.

A window pane 10A has a lower frame member or bottom rail 31 which includes a glazing recess or slot 32 and a back wall member 33, there being a channel 15A defined therebetween. A flange 34 dependent from the glazing slot 32 defines vent openings 35 which can be closed by the shutter 22A operable by means of handle 35. A felt or rubber seal 36 is engageable between the shutter 22A and the flange 34.

The composite bottom rail 31 is engageable with a window sub-frame 36 as shown in Fig. 6. The ventilator/ condensate drain of Fig. 6 operates in the manner described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

In Fig. 7, parts corresponding with those in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals. The Fig. 7 embodiment is also particularly suitable for windows such as those fitted in caravans. In Fig. 7, the rear wall 33 of the channel 15A is integral with the window sub-frame 36 as is the flange member 34. Thus, the glazing slot 32 carries only the shutter 22A and operating handle 35. The embodiment of Fig. 7 is effective in the same manner as that of Fig. 6.

Claims

1. In a window adjacent the lower side thereof an elongate member defining an open channel arranged for receiving condensate gravitating from the inside of the window pane, said elongate member also defining a series of openings for placing the said channel in communication with the outside of the window to permit flow of air from said channel towards the inside surface of the window pane.

2. An elongate member as claimed in claim 1 of length dimension substantially equal to that of the window width dimension.

3. An elongate member as claimed in claims 1 and 2 including shutter means operable to open and to close the said openings.

4. An elongate member as claimed in any of the preceding claims which defines an elongate chamber in communication with said channel.

5. A window incorporating an elongate member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.