GB2216583A - Window adaptor - Google Patents

Description

2216583 Window Adaptor The present invention is an adaptor for modifying

the working of an opening window. It is of particular value as applied to transm windows but may te used with other opening windows if desired.

A high proportion of windows which are installed nowadays are constructed from pre-assembled frames, formed from cut lengths of extrusions made in metal, especially aluminium, or plastics materials, especially uP\C. The frames are assembled in the factory before being delivered to the site of installation, often with the glass also being fitted before delivery. ulypically, the windows are installed with the glass-retaining beading facing the outside of the building, in the manner of the putty of a conventional wood-framed window. However as illegal entry into is buildings has became more ammon, burglars have developed a practice of gaining entry by removing the beading and then taking out the whole glass pane.

For this reason, many window installers favour the idea of fitting the window frame into place in a building with the beading on the inside of the building. However that practice is z_21 6583 2 - inpossible with a frame containing a normally outwardlroperung window, since reversal of the whole assembly in this way would learl to the window opening, inwards, with the latch m the outside.

Many pre-assembled window units consist of a fixed pane and an opening window. 'for eye a transam. In order to reccncile the conflicting needs of an inward-facing beading and an outvwcllyopening transam, many fabricators actually go to the surprising lengths of cutting right across a windaw assembly, separating the transan section frcm the fixed pane section, reversing-one of the secti-ms and then welding the sections together again. This practice is, of course, timeconsuming and may add considerably to the final cost of the installed wirom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adaptor, by me= of which the direction of opening of a window nay be reversed without the need to reverse the surrounding window frame.

The adaptor according to the present invention comprises four lengths of rigid or resilient material, each of constant cross-section throughout its length, each said length having a generally flat continuous surface extending throughout its length and a continuous linear projection extending substantially perpendicularly away from.the back of said generally flat surface, the four lengths being assembled together within a window frame to form a rectangular fran-evnrk in which said four generally flat surfaces lie within the sarre plane and the four linear projections extend all on the same side of that plane.

By means of the adaptor according to the invention, assembled within a window frame, it becomes possible to reverse the direction of opening of an opening window in said frame, without any adverse effect on the weather-sealing or security characteristics of the window overall. More specifically, it becomes possible to install the window frame itself in the oppositelyfacinq direction, wihile allowing the window to open in the same direction as before relative to the outside of a building.

The rectangular framemork is fitted into the transcm or other window opening and then a new window is fitted within that framework. Thus the new window.will be slightly smaller than the one it replaces. The rectangular framework may be assembled before fitting into the window opening but is preferably assembled in situ. When the framework is assembled in situ, the four component lengths may be secured together or alternatively they may simply be held in the assembled position by their fit within the opening. Although, as specified, the framework is assembled from four lengths of rigid or resilient material, that is not intended to exclude the possibility of fornting one or more of those four lengths from at least two sub-lengths, mutually alighed in the assembled framework.

The rmst preferred material from which the four lengths are formed is aluminium, but other rigid or resilient materials my be used, especially synthetic polymeric materials of this 4 type, more particularly uPVC. Each of the lengths is of constant cross- section throughout its length and they iray therefore very conveniently he produced by extrusion, especially by cutting from a continuous extruded length.

All four lengths may be of the same cross-section but this ig not essential, provided that each length satisfies the structural criteria hereiribefore set forth. In particular, it may be desired that each paix of opposite sides of the framuvrk be of identical cross-section; for exarrple one pair only inay be adapted to receive hinges for the window. Nonetheless, it is iTuch preferred that all four lengths be of the same cross-section.

Each length of the adaptor has a generally flat continuous surface extending throughout its length and a continuous linear projection extending perpendicularly away from the back of the generally flat surface. The projection may be disposed in the region of one edge of the rear of the generally flat surface, in uhich case the adaptor will be somewhat L-shaped in cross-section. Alternatively, the projection may be disposed at a point bet%aen the opposite edges of the rear of that surface, though not necessarily mid;-jay between those edges, in which case the 4daptor will be smewhat T-shaped in cross-sectioil.

Preferably the continuous linear projection at the back of each length is provided with a linear channel into which a hinge rrounting rray be fitted. Preferably also, each of the lengths is provided, at the back of the generally flat surface, with a linear channel to receive a sealing gasket against which the opening window may abut in its closed position. Yoreover it is also preferred that each length be provided with a continuous lip along that edge of the length which forms a 5 part of the periphery of the assembled frarrevnrk, and that thi-m window opening have a corresponding shallow projection behind which the lip may be retained when the f=e%%vrk is installed.

The invention will now be further described.. by way of example#, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional transom window fitted in a conventional window-frarne; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding view showing the wincbw-frame of Fig. 1 reversed and fitted wtth one embodknent of the window adaptor according to the inventionp to enable the fitting of a transom window opening in the same direction as that of Fig. 1.

2D The assembly showi in part in Fig. 1 comprises a window assembly frame, including cross-beams 3 and 4, enclosing a fixed window pane 5 and a transom window comprising a rectangular frae 6 and a window pana 7. Each of the rAdndow panes 5 and 7 may comprise either a single thickness of glass or a double- glazing panel of tw) spaced panes. The window assembly frame including cross-bearrs 3 and 4 and the transom frwe 6 nay be of aluminium but iii the illustrated form is of u-PVC. The -6 transom window is nounted upon hinges at its sides (not visible in the drawings) g, by neans of which it may swing outyardly and upwardly in the direction of the arrow. It is secured when closed by A lat:h or Ibracket (not shown) engaging the cross bar 4 in the conventional n=er.

As shown, the pane 5 is retained in place by beading 8, shown very simply but designed to engage a suitable channel in the window fraire. Since, in the conventional assembly shown in Fig. 1, the beading 8 faces the outside of the building, removal of the beading by an intending illicit intruder allows him to remove the pane 5 and gain access to the building through the window opening. However,, slirple reversal of the Yhole window assembly tz) counter this problem would result in the transom window opening inwards, with the retaining latch on the is outside of the building.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the wtiole window assembly has been reversed but the original transom window has been removed. A fran-ework in the form, of four lengths of an aluminium extrusion (of TAtich only two lengths 9, 10 are visible) has been clipped into place within the transom opening and this has allowed a new, outwardly-opening transom window to be installed in the opening. The four lengths could alternatively be n)ade of extruded uPVC.' Each length comprises a generally flat outer surface 11 and a linear projection 12 extending from the rear of that surface. As shown, Yhen the lengths are assembled, before or after installation, into a rectangular franework, the four 7 surfaces 11 all lie within the same plane. A continuous lip 13 along the peripheral edge of the framewcrk engages a shallow projection 14 on the window assently fran-e and thereby retains the rectangular window adaptor framework in place.

At the rear of the outer faces ll,, there is provided a continuous channel 15 within which a gasket 16 is retained, wtdch abuts the transcin framav=k to form a seal when the transom is closed. The new transom is slightly smaller than that of Fig. 1 and is pivoted at its sides upon hinges (not visible in the drawings) fitted into a.continuous channel 17 in the linear projection 12.

As will be apparent,, the window adaptor according to the invention, in the illustrated embodiment, has allowed the min window asseably to be reversed so that the beading 8 is on the inside of the building, vdAle still allowing an outwardly-opening transom window to be fitted.

tl v

Claims (10)

CLAIM

1. An adaptor for nodifying the working of an opening window, CCIRprising four lengths of rigid or resilient material, each of constant crosssection throughout its length,, each said length having a generally flat amtinuous surface extending throughout its length and a continuous linear projection extending substantially perpendicularly away from the back of said generally flat surface, the four lengths being assembled together within a window frame to fom a rectangular framevx:)rk in which said four generally flat surfaces lie within the same plane and the four linear projections extend all on the same side of that plane.

2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the four said lengths are secured together at their ends.

3. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one or rore of said four lengths is/are fd from at least t.%u aligned sub-1Engths.

4. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, formed in aluminium or a rigid or resilient synthetic polymeric material.

5. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the continuous linear projection is disposed in the region of one edge of the rear of the generally flat surface.

9

6. An adaptor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the continuous linear projection is disposed at a point between the opposite edges of the rear of the generally flat surface.

7. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said continuous linear projection is provided with a linear channel to receive a hinge mounting.

81 An adaptor as clainEd in any of the preceding claims having, at the back of each said generally flat surface, a linear channel to receive a sealing gasket.

9. An adaptor as claimed in any of the preceding claim, wherein each said length is provided with a continuous lip along that edge of the length which forms a part of the periphery of the asled fran-evnrk and wherein the window opening has a corresponding shallow projection behind which 15 the lip may be retained.

10. An adaptor for nx)difying the working of an opening window. which adaptor is substantially as hereinbefore, described writh reference to. and as illustrated in, Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Offtee, State House, 66171 High Holborn, London WClR 4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from Th Patentoface.

Ile Wes Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpingtoa, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Co. 1187