GB2218801A

GB2218801A - Window ventilators

Info

Publication number: GB2218801A
Application number: GB8911473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Bottomore; Colin Frederick Gibson
Original assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Current assignee: Glidevale Building and Products Ltd
Priority date: 1988-05-19
Filing date: 1989-05-18
Publication date: 1989-11-22
Also published as: GB8911473D0; GB2220473B; EP0343011A3; GB8911540D0; GB8811848D0; DE68928216D1; EP0343011A2; GB2220219A; EP0343011B1; GB2220473A; GB8911541D0

Description

1 1 ffi WINDOW VENTILATOR This invention relates to a window ventilator.

Typically a window comprises a substantially rectangular f rame member having upper and lower f rame portions with two spaced side frame portions extending therebetween. A window pane is disposed in the frame within the space defined by the frame portions.

It has been known for many years to provide a ventilator or a condensation drain between the window pane and one of the frame portions. Typically the ventilator is provided between the window pane and the lower frame portion. Usually the primary function of such ventilators is to act as a condensation drain although a certain amount of ventilation is often provided as well.

An example of a condensation drain is shown in GB-A-716833. One problem with this type of ventilation is that it is difficult to install in existing windows i.e. during refurbishment.

2218801 b 2 One method for installing ventilation between the window frame and the lower frame position is disclosed in GB-A-2105770. However this involves removing the window pane, inserting a ventilation strip, cutting the window pane to a size such that it can accommodate the ventilation strip, then replacing the window pane.

Other examples of either ventilation or condensation drains disposed between between the window pane and the lower frame portion are disclosed in GB-A-769164, GB A-799964, GB-A-1125397, GB-A-1336125, GB-A-1362072, GB-A 1452437, GB-A-1601466, GB-A-2070117 and GB-A 2128666.

In GB-A-926549 the ventilation of a sash window is disclosed.

In GB-A-2062842 ventilation is provided through two adjacent window frame portions.

In GB-A-2063460 there is disclosed ventilation over the top of a window pane.

t cl t 3 In GB-A-1417751 there is disclosed a ventilator which is installed in the architrave or lintel of a window f rame.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved window ventilator.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a window ventilator for use in a window having upper and lower frame portions spaced by opposed side portions, with a window pane disposed in an opening def ined by the frame portions, and a ventilation gap provided between the window pane and at least one of the frame portions, said ventilator comprising an outer ventilation member adapted to be disposed over said gap on one side of the window pane, and an inner ventilation member adapted to be disposed over said gap on the other side of the window pane, each of the inner and outer members defining at least one ventilation aperture in order to provide a ventilation path through said gap.

4 Advantageously the gap is disposed in the region of a corner of the frame where one of the side frame portions meets the upper or lower frame portion; preferably said gap does not extend continuously along the length of any of the frame portions.

Preferably, the inner and outer members are of substantially triangular configuration.

Desirably, the inner and outer members are secured to at least one of said frame portions.

At least part of the inner and outer members are preferably in contact in an overlapping relationship with one another, whereby the inner and outer portions can be secured to the or each frame portion with the same fixing means. For example, the fixing means may comprise nails or screws which can be passed through aligned apertures provided in the inner and outer portions. Part of the inner and outer members may be adapted to receive part of the window frame therebetween.

The ventilator according to the invention adapted to be secured to the window pane.

f.

cl can be 1 Preferably control means is provided for controlling the air flow through said gap.

Preferably also operating means is connected to the control means for operating the control means.

In one embodiment the control means comprises a control member movable selectively towards or away from the or each aperture of the outer member in order respectively to reduce or increase the air flow through the gap.

In this embodiment the outer member can be provided with an upstanding baffle on the side facing the inner member, said baffle forming a boundary within which is disposed the or each ventilator aperture in the outer member.

The control means may comprise a control member in the form of an unapertured surface having a baffle extending therefrom in a direction towards the outer member.

1 6 The baffle of the control member can be, configured such that it encloses an area greater than the area enclosed by the baffle on the outer member.

Moreover, the control member can be positioned such that when it is moved towards the outer member, the baffle of the outer member is received within the baffle of the control member.

The operating means may comprise an operating knob disposed on the side of the inner member facing away from the outer member,and a spindle extending through the inner member. The operating knob can be disposed at or adjacent one end of the spindle, and the control member can be being at or adjacent the other end of the spindle. The arrangement is such that rotation of the operating knob ceases rotation of the spindle.

Fixing means can be provided which is adapted to prevent the control member from rotating, but does not interfere with the movement of the control member towards and away from the outer member.

7 9 At least part of the spindle can be screwthreaded, and the control member may be mounted to the screwthreaded portion of the spindle, whereby rotation of the spindle causes movement of the control member towards and away from the outer member.

In another embodiment the control means comprises first and second control members, each provided with at least one ventilation aperture. The first and second control members can be relatively movable in order to permit changes in the overlap of the or each ventilation aperture in each control member, whereby the amount of air flow through the gap.can be varied.

In this embodiment the first member can be substantially fixed relative to the inner and outer members.

The operating means may comprise an operating knob rigid with the second control member, whereby movement of 1 the operating knob causes movement of the second member.

The relative movement preferably comprises relative sliding movement.

8 Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window provided with one embodiment of a window ventilator according to the invention; Typically the inner member would be mounted on the inside of a building structure and the outer member would be mounted on the outside.

Figure 2 is a crosssectional view of the window ventilator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the window ventilator shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a window provided with another embodiment of a window ventilator according to the invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the window ventilator shown in Figure 4; and 9 I Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the window ventilator shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of a window ventilator generally designated 10. It will be observed that the ventilator 10 is of generally triangular configuration.

In Figures 1 to 3 the ventilator 10 comprises an inner member 12, an outer member 14, a control member 16 and an operating member 18. The inner and outer members 12 and 14 each have three edges 12a, 12b, 12c, and 14a, 14b, 14c, respectively.

When the ventilator 10 is assembled the edges 12a 14a are in abutment with one another, and the edges and 14b are in abutment with one another. The edges and 14c are spaced to receive a window pane therebetween; a gasket seal 21 receives the pane between the edges 12c and 14c.

and 12b 12c 20 20 The window pane 20 is received within a frame 22 which has an upper frame portion 22a, a lower frame portion (not shown) and side frame portions of which one is shown and designated 22c.

The edges 12a, 12b and 12c are provided with fixing apertures 26, whilst the edges 14-a, 14b. and 14c are provided with fixing apertures 28. When the ventilator 10 is assembled the apertures 26 and 28 are aligned with one another so that the fixing means in the form of nails or screws 30 can be passed therethrough to secure the inner and outer members 12 and 14 together. The screws 30 pass through the apertures 26 and 28 in the edges 12b and 14b and through the apertures 26 and 28 in the edges 12a and 14a and also extend into the frame portions 22c, and 22a respectively, to secure the ventilator 10 to the frame 22.

The outer member 14 is provided with a substantially centrally positioned ventilation aperture 32 which is of generally triangular configuration. A perforated screen 34 is provided across the aperture 32. An outer baffle 36 is provided around the edges of the aperture 32 on an inner surface 14d of the outer member 14. The baffle 36 extends towards the inner member 12.

The inner member 12 is provided with a plurality of ventilation apertures in the form of slots 38.

1 The control member 16 has a generally triangular face 40 having a baffle 42 depending therefrom; the baffle 42 is substantially transverse to the plane of the face 40.

The control member 12 is supported on the inner member 12 by formations in the form of three cylindrical projections 44, which extend from the inner member 12 toward the outer member 14. The projections 44 extend through apertures 46 in the face 40 of the control member 16. The control member 16 is slidable on the projections 44 towards and away from the outer member 14.

The operating member 18 comprises cooperating knob 48 and a spindle 50 having a screwthreaded portion 50a. The spindle 50 extends through an aperture 52 in the centre of the inner member 12, and the screwthreaded portion 50a of the spindle 50 extends through an aperture 54 in the centre of the control member 16.

The face 40 of the spindle 50 is held in position relative to the inner member 12 by bearings 56 so that the spindle 50 can rotate relative to the inner member 12.

12 The spindle 50 rotates with the knob 48, so that rotation of the knob 48 in one direction causes movement of the control member 16 towards the outer member 14, and rotation of the knob 48 in the opposite direction causes movement of the control member 16 away from the outer member 14.

The ventilator 10 is installed as follows. First, the corner of the window pane 20 is cut away, to enable the ventilator 10 to be received between the frame 22 and the rest of the pane 20; at this stage the gasket seal 21 can be fitted to the pane 20. Second, the inner member 12 (together with the control member 16 and the operating member 18) is positioned on one side of the pane 20. Third, the outer member 14 is positioned on the opposite side of the pane 20. Fourth, the ventilator 10 is connected to the frame 22 with the fixing means, such as the nails or screws 30.

The operation of the ventilator 10 is as follows. The control member 16 is movable between a first position (as shown in Figure 2) and a second position (not shown). In the first position the ventilation provided by the ventilator 10 is maximum. In the second position the ventilation is minimum, and may be cut off completely.

1 1 13 Movement of the control member 16 between the two positions is caused by rotation of the knob 48 in a selected direction. Rotation of the knob 48 in one direction causes the control member 16 to slide along the projections 44 toward the baffle 36. This movement can continue until the baffle 36 is completely surrounded by the baffle 42 of the control member 16, and the ventilation path is cut off. Rotation of the knob 48 in the opposite direction causes the control member 16 to slide along the projections 44 away from the baffle 36. Arrows A illustrate an air flow path through the ventilator 10.

Figures' 4 to 6 show another embodiment of window ventilator 110.

In Figures 4 to 6 the ventilator 110 comprises an inner member 112, an outer member 114. a control member 116 and an operating member 118. The members 112 and 114 each have three side edges 112a, 112b, 112c and 114a, 114b, 114c respectively.

When the ventilator 110 is assembled the edges 112a and 114a are in abutment with one another, and the edges 112b and 114b are in abutment with one another. The edges 14 112c and 114c are spaced to define a ventilation aperture 132 between the control member 116 and the edge 114c and to define a ventilation aperture 138 between the edge 112c and the control member 116. An S-shaped seal 121 is provided between the control member 116 and the window pane 20.

It should be noted that in this embodiment the inner and outer portions 112 and 114 can be identical; although this is possible with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, it is not preferred.

The edges 112a and 112b are provided with fixing apertures 126, whilst the edges 14a and 14b are provided with fixing apertures 128. When the ventilator 110 is assembled the apertures 126 and 128 are aligned with one another so that fixing means in the form of nails or screws 130 can be passed therethrough to secure the inner and outer members 112 and 114 together. The control member 116 is provided with fixing apertures 146 which, when the ventilator 110 is assembled, are in alignment with the apertures 126 and 128. The screws 130 passing through the edges 112b, 114b and 112a, 114a also extend into the frame portions 22c and 22a respectively, to secure the ventilator 110 to the frame 22.

p k The control member 116 comprises a fixed member 140 and a movable member 141. The fixed member 140 is fixed relative to the frame 22, whilst the movable member 141 is movable relative thereto.

The fixed member 140 is provided with an elongate formation 140a which is received by a cooperating formation on the movable member 141 in the form of a recess 141a. When the movable member 141 moves relative to the fixed member 140 the formation 140a slides in the recess 141a.

The movable member 141 is provided with a plurality of apertures in the form of slots 141b; the fixed member 140 is provided with a plurality of similar apertures (not shown) The movable member 141 can move between a first position in which said slots are aligned and air can flow, and a second position in which said slots are not aligned and substantially no air can flow. The direction of movement of the member 141 is indicated by arrows B in Figure 6.

16 Movement between the first and second positions is effected through the operating member 118 which comprises an operating knob 148 rigid with the movable member 141.

The ventilator 110 shown in Figures 4 to 6 is installed in the building in a similar manner to the ventilator 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3.

An air flow path through the ventilator is designated by arrows C.

In the ventilators 10 and 110 it will be appreciated that the direction of air flow can be reversed.

z

Claims

1. A window ventilator for use in a window having upper and lower frame portions spaced by opposed side portions, with a window pane disposed in an opening defined by the -frame portion, and a ventilation gap provided between the window pane and at least one of the frame portions, said ventilator comprising an outer ventilation member adapted to be disposed over said gap on one side of the window pane, and an inner ventilation member adapted to be disposed over said gap on the other side of the window pane, each of the inner and outer members defining at least one ventilation aperture in order to provide a ventilation path through said gap.

2. A ventilator according to Claim 1, wherein the gap is disposed in the region of a corner of the frame where one of the side frame portions meets the upper or lower frame portion, and said gap does not extend continuously along the length of any of the frame portions.

3. A ventilator according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner and outer members are of substantially triangular configuration.

18

4. A ventilator according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inner and outer members are secured to at least one of said frame portions.

5. A ventilator according to Claim 4, wherein at least part of the inner and outer members are in contact in an overlapping relationship with one another, whereby the inner and outer portions can be secured to the or each frame portion with the same fixing means.

6. A ventilator according to any preceding claim, wherein part of the inner and outer members is adapted to receive part of the window frame therebetween.

7. A ventilator according to any preceding claim, which is adapted to be secured to the window pane.

8. A ventilator according to any preceding claim, further comprising control means for controlling the air flow through said gap.

9. A ventilator according to Claim 8, further comprising operating means connected to the control means for operating the control means.

1 ll 19 1 f

10. A ventilator according to Claim 8 and 9, wherein the control means comprises a control member movable selectively towards or away from the or each aperture of the outer member in order respectively to reduce or increase the air flow through the gap.

11. A ventilator according to Claim 10, wherein the outer member is provided with an upstanding baffle on the side facing the inner member, said baffle forming a boundary within which is disposed the or each ventilation aperture in the outer member.

12. A ventilator according to Claim 11, wherein the control means comprises a control member in the form of an unapertured surface having a baffle extending therefrom in a direction towards the outer member.

13. A ventilator according to Claim 12, wherein the baffle of the control member is configured such that it encloses an. area greater than the area enclosed by the baffle on the outer member.

14. A ventilator according to Claim 13, wherein the control member is positioned such that when it is moved towards the outer member, the baffle of the outer member is received within the baffle of the control member.

15. A ventilator according to Claim 14, wherein the operating means comprises an operating knob disposed on the side of the inner member facing away from the outer member, and a spindle extending through the inner member, the operating knob being disposed at or adjacent one end of the spindle, and the control member being disposed at or adjacent the other end of the spindle, wherein rotation of the operating knob causes rotation of the spindle.

16. A ventilator according to Claim 15, further comprising fixing means which is adapted to prevent the control member from rotating, but which does not interfere with the movement of the control member towards and away from the outer member.

17. A ventilator according to Claim 16, wherein at least part of the spindle is screwthreaded, and the control member is mounted on the screwthreaded portion of the z 11 21 spindle, whereby rotation of the spindle causes movement of the control member towards and away f rom the outer member.

18. A ventilator according to Claim 8 and 9, wherein the control means comprises first and second control members, said first and second control members each being provided with at least one ventilation aperture, and said first and second control members being relatively movable in order to permit changes in the overlap of the or each ventilation aperture in each control member, whereby the amount of air flow through the gap can be varied.

19. A ventilator according to Claim 18, wherein the first control member is substantially fixed relative to the inner and outer members.

20. A ventilator according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the operating means comprises an operating knob rigid with the second control member, whereby movement of the operating knob causes movement of the second member.

21. A ventilator according to Claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein said relative movement comprises relative sliding movement.

22

22. A window ventilator substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Office, State House, 66171 High Holborn. London WCIR. 4TP Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The Patent Office. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BF.5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87 z, ot