GB2220219A

GB2220219A - Moisture drain for windows

Info

Publication number: GB2220219A
Application number: GB8911540A
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: 1989-05-19
Publication date: 1990-01-04
Also published as: GB2218801A; GB8911541D0; DE68928216D1; GB8811848D0; GB8911540D0; EP0343011B1; GB2220473A; EP0343011A3; GB2220473B; EP0343011A2; GB8911473D0

Description

1 2220219 MOISTURE DRAIN This invention relates to a moisture drain, and

more particularly relates to a moisture drain for use in window structures.

A typical window structure comprises a frame having upper and lower frame portions spaced by opposed side frame portions. The frame defines an opening for receiving a window pane.

In buildings it is common for moisture to condense on the side of the window pane facing the interior of the building structure. This moisture can accumulate on the window sill on the interior of the building, and can cause deterioration in the paintwork on the window structure, and can even cause the woodwork to rot.

In order to alleviate this problem it is known to provide a condensation drain between the window pane and the lower frame portion. An example of such condensation drains is disclosed in GB-A-1125397, GB-A-1452437, GBA2105770 and GB-A-2128666.

2 It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved moisture drain.

In its broadest aspect the invention provides a moisture drain adapted to be disposed in a gap between a window pane and a lower frame portion of a window frame, said moisture drain comprising means to receive the window pane in order to space said pane f rom the lower frame portion, and drainage means for providing a drainage path for moisture leading from one side of the pane to the other.

According to a preferred embodiment the invention provides a moisture drain adapted to be disposed in a gap between a window pane and a lower frame portion of a window frame, comprising: a first member having moisture collection means adapted to collect moisture running down an inner side of the window pane, window pane receiving means adapted to receive the window pane, window frame engaging means adapted to abut against the lower frame portion of the window frame, and a plurality of apertures provided between the window pane receiving means and the window frame engaging means; and a second member adapted to be secured to the first member on a side of the window 3 pane opposite to the moisture collection means, said second member at least partially covering the window frame engaging means.

Advantageously the first member is provided with securing means adapted to secure the first member to the window frame, and the second member is adapted to cover the securing means.

Preferably the securing means comprises an aperture provided in the first member, and a nail or screw adapted to pass through the aperture into the frame.

More preferably the aperture frame engaging means.

is provided in the Desirably the collection means comprises a substantially U-shaped channel having one portion adapted to engage said inner side of the window pane whereby moisture running down the window pane collects in said channel.

The apertures between the window pane receiving means and the window frame engaging means can be provided in the U-shaped channel.

4 The window pane receiving means preferably comprises a substantially Ushaped channel adapted to receive the window pane therein. In the preferred construction one leg of the U-shaped channel of the window pane receiving means is common with one leg of the U-shaped channel of the collection means.

Advantageously the second member is a snap fit with the first member.

Advantageously also, the second member is removably securable to the first member.

The first and second members can be provided with at least one cooperating formation adapted to engage in order to provide a snap fit between the first and second members.

Preferably two cooperating formations are provided on each of the first and second members.

One of the cooperating formations on the first member can be provided on the window pane receiving means, and the other of the cooperating formations in the first member can be provided on the window frame engaging means.

Preferably the second member is resiliently deformable.

The second.member may act as a baffle to restrict the passage of air from an outer side of the window pane, to the inner side, whilst permitting moisture flow from the inner side to the outer side The second member may be provided with a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the apertures between the window pane receiving means and the window frame engaging means. The second member may be further provided with a wind shield depending downwardly therefrom in front of the apertures.

6 The f irst and second members may be of elongate construction and have substantially constant section throughout their lengths. The f irst and second members may be formed by extrusion and may be made of plastics material.

cross- The first member of the moisture drain described above can be secured to the frame before attachment of the second member, thereby enabling the second member to cover the nails or screws or other fixing means employed.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a moisture drain according to a preferred aspect of the invention disposed in a window frame; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the moisture drain shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of two seals for use with the moisture drain shown in Figures 1 and 2; 7 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a moisture drain according to a general aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a spacer for use in the moisture drain shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a moisture drain according to a general aspect of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a spacer for use with the moisture drain shown in Figure 7; Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of moisture drain according to a general aspect of the invention; Figure 11 is a cross -secti onal view of another embodiment of a moisture drain according to a general aspect of the invention; and 8 Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a moisture drain according to the invention; and Figures 13 to 15 are perspective views of spacers for use with the drain shown in figure 12.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a moisture drain is generally designated 10. The moisture drain 10 is located in a window frame generally designated 12 between a window pane 14 and a lower frame portion 16. A rebate 18 is formed in the lower frame portion 16 which receives part of the moisture drain 10.

The window frame 12 also includes an upper frame portion and two opposing spaced side frame portions, of which only the side frame portion 17 is shown in Figure The moisture drain comprises first and second members 20 and 22 respectively. The second member 22 is removably securable to the first member 20 and is a snapfit therewith. The first and second members 20 and 22 are of elongate construction and are of substantially constant cross- section along their lengths.

9 The first member 20 comprises a vertical portion 24 with three portions 26, 28 and 30 branching therefrom. In use, the first member 20 is supported by the horizontal part of the rebate 18 and is substantially flush with the vertical part of the recess 18.

The branched portion 26, together with the vertical portion 24, defines a substantially U-shaped channel which acts as moisture collection means. The window pane has two opposed faces 14a and 14b. The face 14a lies on the interior side of the building, whilst the side 14b lies on the exterior side of the building. Thus, any condensed moisture running down the face 21a is collected in the collection means.

The branched portion 28 together with the vertical portion 24, defines a substantially U-shaped channel which acts as window pane receiving means and which is disposed on the opposite side of the vertical portion 24 to the collection means. The branch 28 is also provided with a first securing formation 32. Sealing means in the form of a substantially U- shaped gasket 29 is disposed in the window pane receiving means and receives the window pane 14 therein.

The branched portion 30 extends away from the vertical portion 24 at an angle thereto, in a direction towards the lower frame portion 16. The free end 30a of the branched portion 30 may engage the lower frame portion 16. An intermediate portion 34 extends downwardly substantially vertically from the branched portion 30 from a position intermediate the ends of the branched portion 30. The intermediate portion 34 also engages the lower frame portion 16.

A second securing formation 36 is provided on the exterior facing side of the vertical portion 24 between the branched portions 28 and 30.

A plurality of drainage apertures 38 are provided in the vertical portion 24 between the branched portion 28 and the second securing formaticn 36.

The second member 22 includes a first securing formation 40 adapted to be secured to the first securing formation 32 on the first member 20. The second member 22 further includes a second securing formation 42 adapted to be secured to the second securing formation 36 on the first member 20.

The material of the second member 22 is resiliently deformable so that it can snap-fit with the first member 20.

The first member is provided with a drainage surface 44 which extends downwardly towards the second member 22. The drainage surface extends from the branched portion 26, through the apertures 38 and over the second securing formation 36.

The second member is provided with a drainage surface 46 which extends upwardly towards the first member 22. The drainage surface 46 is substantially coplanar with the drainage surface 44, so that moisture running down the drainage surface 44 can run onto the drainage surface 46.

A plurality of drainage apertures 48 are provided in the second member 22 at the lower end of the drainage surface 46. Thus, moisture running down the drainage surface 46 can run through the apertures 48, from where it flows onto the upper surface of the branched portion 30. The moisture is drained off the window over the lower end 30a of the branched portion 30.

12 The second member 22 is provided with a cover portion 50, and a downwardly extending baffle 50a. The baffle 50a shields the apertures 48 and thereby helps to restrict the creation of drafts caused by rapid air flow from the exterior of the building to the interior.

The f irst member 20 is provided with a securing aperture 52 through which a screw 54 can be passed in order to secure the first member 20 to the lower frame portion 16. It will be seen that the cover member 50 covers the screw 54.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the sealing gasket 29. The sealing gasket 29 is shaped to be received on the U-shaped channel of the window pane receiving means. The exterior surface is provided with resiliently deformable gripping formations 29b which serve to hold the gasket 29 in the window pane receiving formation.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of sealing gasket 29'. The difference between the gaskets 29 and 29' is that the gasket 29' has an integral spacer 29c' which enables it to be used with window panes of smaller 13 thickness than the gasket 29. Thus the gasket 29 could be used, for example, with 6 mm glazing, whilst the gasket 29' could be used with 4 mm glazing.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of moisture drain generally designated 200. The moisture drain 200 comprises two plastics extrusions in the form of upper and lower members 240 and 242 respectively. The upper member 240 has a horizontal portion 244 and a vertical portion 246. The window pane 14 rests on the horizontal portion 244 in engagement with a positioning formation 248, which extends upwardly from the horizontal portion 244.

Putty 250 is provided on the horizontal portion 244 to secure the pane 14 in position.

The lower surface of the horizontal portion 244 is provided with formations 244a and 244b which cooperate with formations 252a and 252b respectively on a spacing member 252; this arrangement secures the spacing member 252 to the upper member 240.

14 The lower member 242 comprises an upstanding portion 254 which is substantially parallel to the formation 248, and a portion 256 which is received in a rebate 258 in the lower frame portion 16.

The portion 256 is provided with formations 256a and 256b which cooperate with formations 252c and 252d respectively on the spacing member 252; this arrangement secures the spacing member 252 to the lower member 242.

The spacing member 252 is provided with apertures 260 which can receive fixing means such as a nail or screw 262. The fixing means also passes through apertures (not shown) in the horizontal portion 244 and the portion 256, to secure the moisture drain 200 to the lower frame portion 16.

The formations 252a and 252b are spaced from the formations 252c and 252d by a plurality of ribs 264. The ribs 264 act as baffles and also help to prevent the ingress of vermin and insects. However, the ribs 264 permit a limited flow of moisture and air therebetween.

Condensation from the window pane 14 runs down the inner surface 14a of the pane 14 between the formation 248 and the upstanding portion 254, between the horizontal portion 244 and the portion 256, then flows out of the building. The moisture drain 200 also acts as a ventilator.

The embodiment of moisture drain 200' shown in Figures 7 and 8 is similar to that shown in Figures 5 and 6; like parts have been designated with like reference numerals.

The principal difference is that the spacing member 252 is replaced with a plurality of spacing members 252' arranged at intervals along the window pane 12. The spacing members 252' have formations 252a' and 252b' for cooperating with the formations 244a and 244b respectively on the horizontal member 244.

The portion 256 is provided with formations 256o' and 256d' for cooperating with formations 252c' and 252d' respectively on the spacing member 252.

16 Each spacing member 252' is provided with an aperture 260' for receiving the fixing means (i.e. the screw 262).

Figures 9 and 10 show a modified moisture drain 200"; the modification is applicable to both embodiments of drain 200 and 200'. For clarity, in Figures 9 and 10 the lower member 242 has not been shown.

In Figures 9 and 10 the putty 250 is replaced"with a window pane retaining member 264. The retaining member 264 has a securing portion 266 for securing the member 264 to the upper member 240. The securing portion 266 is provided with a formation 266a which cooperates with a lower end 246a of the vertical portion 246, and a formation 266b which cooperates with an upper end 246b of the vertical member 246. In th,--. embodiment of Figures 9 and 10 the upper end 246b projects above the horizontal portion 244.

The retaining member 264 also has a retaining portion 268 secured to the securing portion 266; an end 268a of the retaining portion 268 abuts against the window pane 14 to hold the pane 14 in position.

17 The embodiment shown in Figure 11 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8; like parts have been designated with like reference numerals. In Figure 11 the spacing member 252' has been omitted for clarity.

The only difference between the embodiment of Figure 11 and that of Figures 7 and 8 is that in Figure 11 a draught excluder in the form of a strip of plastics foam 270 is provided between the upper and lower members 240 and 242. The foam 270 is of the large open cell type and allows water to run outside, and allows air movement without causing draughts.

It will be appreciated that the draught excluder can be provided in any of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 10.

When the moisture drain described above is installed, the pane 14 can be cut short along the lower edge.

The spacer 408 is provided with an elongate channel 410 which receives the window pane 14. One edge of the channel 14 is provided by a projection 412. The projection 410 can be cut away when the drain 400 is used with double glazing.

18 The cover member 406 has an upper portion 414 which engages the pane 14 and acts as a window pane retaining means. If desired the upper portion 414 can be cut away and the window pane 14 can be retained with putty.

A draught excluder 414 is disposed between adjacent spacers 408. The draught excluder 414 is in the form of a flap which is pivotally secured to the spacer 408 on each side by means of a hinge 416. The draught excluder 412 has an end portion 418 which is arranged at an angle to the remainder thereof and extends in a direction towards the collection member 404. This ensures that the tip of the excluder 412 engages the surface of the collection member, rather than a surface thereof; this helps to prevent the excluder 412 from sticking when moisture is present. It will be appreciated that the draught excluder 412 is arranged such that it will permit the passage of moisture and air from the inside of the building to the outside, but not vice versa.

A moisture path through the drain 400 is indicated by arrows G.

19 Figure 13 shows the spacer 408 in perspective, whilst figures 14 and 15 show left hand end spacers 408' and 408'' respectively. The parts of the spacers 408' and 408' ' are similar to the parts of the spacer 408 and have been designated with similar reference numerals.

An important difference between the drain 400 shown in figures 12 to 15 and the preceding embodiments is that in the drain 15 the window pane 14 is supported on a plurality of spacing members disposed at intervals along the window frame.

Referring to figure 12, a further embodiment of condensation drain is generally designated 400. The drain 400 comprises an extruded plastics collection member 404 and an extruded plastics cover member 406. The cover member 406 is spaced from the collection member 404 and the base member 402 by spacers 408 which are disposed at intervals along the lower frame portion 16. The spacer 408 is provided with formations 408a and 408b which co-operate with formations 406a and 406b respectively on the cover member 406, whereby the cover member 406 can be secured to the spacer 408.

t The spacer 408 is further provided with formations 408c and 408d which co-operate with formations 404a and 404b respectively on the collection member 404, whereby the collection member 404 can be secured to the spacer 408.

I 21

Claims

1 A moisture drain adapted to be disposed in a gap between a window pane and a lower frame portion of a window frame, comprising: a first member having moisture collection means adapted to collect moisture running down an inner side of the window pane, window pane receiving means adapted to receive the window pane, window frame engaging means adapted to abut against the lower frame portion of the window frame, and a plurality of apertures provided between the window pane receiving means and the window frame engaging means; and a second member adapted to be secured to the first member on a side of the window pane opposite to the moisture collection means said second member at least partially frame pane engaging means.

7 covering the window

2. A moisture drain according to Claim 1, wherein the first member is provided with securing means adapted to secure the first member to the window frame, and the second member is adapted to cover the securing means.

22

3. A moisture drain according to Claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises an aperture provided in the first member, and fixing means adapted to pass through the aperture into the frame.

4. A moisture drain according to Claim 3, wherein the aperture is provided in the frame engaging means.

5. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the moisture collection means comprises a substantially U-shaped channel having one portion adapted to engage said inner side of the window pane whereby moisture running down the window pane collects in said channel.

6. A moisture drain according to Claim 5, wherein said apertures are provided in the U-shaped channel.

7. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the window pane 'receiving means comprises a substantially U-shaped channel adapted to receive the window pane therein.

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8. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is a snap fit with the first member.

9. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is removably securable to the first member.

10. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second members are provided with at least one cooperating formation adapted to engage in order to provide a snap fit between the first and second members.

11. A moisture drain according to Claim 10, wherein two cooperating formations are provided on each of the first and second members.

12. A moisture drain according to Claim 11, wherein one of the cooperating formations on the first member is provided on the window pane receiving means, and the other of the cooperating formations in the first member is provided on the window frame engaging means.

13. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is resiliently deformable.

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14. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim wherein the second member is adapted to act as a baffle to restrict the passage of air from an outer side of the window pane, to the inner side, whilst permitting moisture flow from the inner side to the outer side.

15. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the second member is provided with a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the apertures between the window pane receiving means and the window frame engaging means, and the second member is further provided with a wind shield depending downwardly therefrom in front of the apertures.

16. A moisture drain according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second members are of elongate construction and have substantially constant crosssection throughout their length.

17. A moisture drain substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 atThe Patent Office, State House, 6671 HigliHolbor33, IondonWClR4TP.Furtnerc,)ples maybe obtainedfrom The Patent Office. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington. Kent BR5 3P.D. Printed by Multiplex technique; ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87