GB2220024A - Glazing - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass retaining strip 2 for fixing a window pane 3 into a window frame 1, and designed to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized entry into premises. To this end, the strip 2 is retained in strip retaining groove 11 by portion 22 engaging groove 111. Further, if unauthorized removal is attempted by prising off the strip 2, the strip tilts clockwise and a locking lug 23 engages a protrusion 112 forming part of the groove 11. This prevents further movement of the strip 2 without breaking the strip and causing noise. <IMAGE>

Description

GLASS RETAINING STRIP This invention relates to a glass retaining strip for fixing a glass pane into a window frame made of a polymer material, said glass retaining strip being of a type comprising an engagement limb which engages into a setting groove on the frame and comes into gripping engagement with retaining means arranged therein.

Such frame configurations with subsequently fittable glass retaining strips are widely known. With regard to the State of the Art, reference is made here to the German Utility Model 71 30 466. The therein described frame-profile construction with subsequently fittable glass retaining strip provides means for glazing of window surfaces.

This technique offers the possibility of removing glass panes from glazed windows, by releasing the glass retaining strip from its seat in the profile frame. Following this, the window surface can be removed from its seat. This is an important facility, for example when replacing destroyed window surfaces, etc.. However, it also introduces the possibility of unauthorized opening of such a window surface, when, for example the glass retaining strip is seated in the profile frame from the outside. This can be the case with fixedly glazed window surfaces or multi-part window elements with an outward-opening sash. In this manner, complicated and in consequence costly assembly modes such as welding of the blind frame are avoided.

Accordingly, the glass retaining strips fitted from the outside have as a drawback the possibility that they can also be removed without authorization from the outside and thus allow access to the interior of the building.

The present invention seeks to avoid this drawback in a profile frame with outside glazing in which, in spite of the glass retaining strip being fitted from the outside, unauthorized removal of the window surface is prevented. Should such unauthorized removal be attempted, it is not possible without destruction of the glass retaining strip.

Accordingly, to the invention, there is provided a glass retaining strip for the mounting of a glass pane in a window frame made of a polymer material, said glass retaining strip having an engagement limb which engages into a strip retaining groove formed in the frame wherein the free end of the engagement limb has firstly a thickened portion formed thereon which thickened portion comes into locking engagement with a groove extending along the strip retaining groove to thereby engage the glass retaining strip with respect to the strip retaining groove, and secondly an oppositely oriented hook-shaped lug formed thereon, which lug upon the glass retaining strip being tilted, engages a protrusion of the strip retaining groove.

With the glass retaining strip according to the invention, removal of the strip without its destruction becomes impossible. Accordingly, it cannot be removed without causing considerable noise.

An essential feature of the invention is the hook-shaped lug arranged oppositely to the thickened portion on the free end of the engagement limb, which prevents removal without destruction of the glass retaining strip from its mounting in the groove of the window frame. Accordingly, the advantage of the invention consists in that unauthorized entry into premises by simple removal of a window surface glazed from the outside is prevented.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a window frame incorporating an embodiment of a glass retaining strip according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic partial section to a larger scale and showing the mode of assembly from the outside.

Referring to Figure 1, the window frame 1 is for example a hollow profile made of a polymer material, and supporting a window pane 3. The frame incorporates a strip retaining groove 11 into which a glass retaining strip 2 is fitted.

The glass retaining strip 2 is engaged into the strip retaining groove 11 by means of an engagement limb 21 forming part of the strip 2. The engagement limb 21 has on its free end a thickened portion 22 formed as a catch spring. This thickened portion 22 is in locking engagement with a groove ill extending along the strip retaining groove and thereby retaining the strip 2 in place on frame 1 during normal use.

On the opposite free end of the engagement limb 21 there is formed a hook-shaped lug 23. Upon tilting of the glass retaining strip 2, the lug 23 engages a protrusion 112 of the strip retaining groove 11 and prevents further movement.

The glass retaining strip 2 has at least one sealing lip 24,25 on that side facing the window pane 3. On the opposite side of the window pane 3 there is a flexible seal element 4 the engagement limb 41 of which fits into a corresponding receiving groove 121 in an overlapping arm 12 of the window frame 1.

Figure 2 shows the retaining strip 2 in the state when it is tilted from the outside, for example, during an unauthorized intrusion. In this case, by means of a tool 5 the gap 6 between the outwardly directed lower end of the retaining strip 2 and the associated zone of the profile frame 1 has been opened. The thickened portion 22 has been freed from its seat in the groove 111 in the strip retaining groove 11. The resulting forward movement of the engagement limb 21 causes the hook-shaped lug 23 to swing under the protrusion 112 and thereby engage the latter to prevent further movement. This is the limit of mobility of the retaining strip 2 in the strip retaining groove 11. Under further application of force by the tool 5, the engagement limb 21 breaks off within the strip retaining groove and is thereby permanently damaged.

Claims (7)

1. A glass retaining strip for the mounting of a glass pane in a window frame made of a polymer material, said glass retaining strip having an engagement limb which engages into a strip retaining groove formed in the frame wherein the free end of the engagement limb has firstly a thickened portion formed thereon, which thickened portion comes into locking engagement with a groove extending along the strip retaining groove and secondly an oppositely oriented hook-shaped lug formed thereon, which lug, upon the glass retaining strip being tilted, engages a protrusion of the strip retaining groove.

2. A glass retaining strip as claimed in Claim 1 in which the strip is provided with at least one sealing lip on that side which, when fitted, faces the window pane.

3. A glass retaining strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. A window assembly comprising a window frame made of polymer material and a glass retaining strip as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, said window frame being formed with said strip retaining groove.

5. A window assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sectional shape of said strip retaining groove is generally rectangular but has a narrow mouth resulting from an overhanging portion forming said protrusion.

6. A window assembly as claimed in either one of Claims 4 or 5 wherein the sectional shape of said strip retaining groove is generally rectangular and is itself formed with a groove in which said thickened portion engages to retain the glass retaining strip in place with respect to the window frame.

7. A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.