GB2228761A

GB2228761A - Window assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2228761A
Application number: GB9002931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Bloomer; John Thomas Rogers
Original assignee: BKL Extrusions Ltd
Current assignee: BKL Extrusions Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-14
Filing date: 1990-02-09
Publication date: 1990-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-09
Also published as: GB2228761B; GB8903331D0; GB9002931D0

Abstract

A window assembly comprises an outer frame 10 suitable for mounting in a building orifice. The outer frame 10 comprises two horizontal members 12, 14 and two vertical members 15. These members are formed as an extrusion of plastics material, e.g. UPVC. The assembly also comprises a vent frame 20 mounted in the outer frame 10 for movement between an open position and a closed position. The vent frame 20 comprises two horizontal members 22, 24 and two vertical members. These members are formed as an extrusion of metal, e.g. aluminium alloy. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention is concerned with a window assembly comprising an outer frame suitable for mounting in a square or rectangular orifice in a building and to be secured to the surface of the building surrounding the orifice, and a vent frame mounted on the outer frame or a sub-frame mounted in the outer frame for movement between an open position thereof and a closed position thereof.

The term "window assembly" is used herein to include glazed doors, e.g. of the patio type.

Window assemblies, e.g. for the replacement window market often involving double glazing panels, are frequently made of extruded material, the same material being used for all the frames of the assembly. Thus, a UPVC outer frame has a UPVC vent frame mounted therein and an aluminium alloy outer frame has an aluminium alloy vent frame mounted therein. In many cases, the window assembly has a subframe within its outer frame and may incorporate one or more transoms or mullions of the same material as the outer frame. The vent frame or frames are mounted on the subframe or the outer frame and may move into their open and closed positions by pivoting about a vertical or horizontal axis. In some cases, the outer frame and the subframe are combined as one frame.

Where the frames of an assembly of the type under consideration are made from plastics material, it is generally necessary to make the vent frame or frames of considerable bulk to provide sufficient strength and, in many instances, it is necessary to reinforce the frame members of the vent frame and any transoms or mullions by inserting metal reinforcing members within the section of the extrusion. Thus, the vent frame has a bulky appearance which may not be pleasing to the eye and may involve a complicated assembly operation.Where the frames of the type of assembly under consideration are made from extrusions of metal, considerable expense is involved in obtaining the metal material, assembly of the outer frame into the orifice of the building involves a considerable sealing problem, and the outer frame may conduct heat readily out of the building causing heat losses and condensation problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window assembly of the type referred to in which the problems associated with assemblies having their frames made from extrusions of plastic or extrusions of metal are avoided.

The invention provides a window assembly comprising an outer frame suitable for mounting in a square or rectangular orifice in a building and to be secured to the surface of the building surrounding the orifice, the outer frame comprising two horizontal members and two vertical members, all four outer frame members being formed as an extrusion of plastics material, e.g. UPVC, with each hoziontal member joined to the vertical members at corners of the outer frame; and a vent frame mounted on the outer frame for movement between an open position thereof and a closed position thereof, the vent frame comprising two horizontal members and two vertical members, all four vent frame members being formed as an extrusion of metal, e.g. aluminium alloy, with each horizontal member joined to the vertical members at corners of the vent frame.

In a window assembly according to the last preceding paragraph, the vent frame is made of relatively strong metal material so that it can be made to a slim and pleasing profile and does not need reinforcement, furthermore the outer frame is made of cheaper plastic material which is relatively easy to mount in the orifice in the building, and provides good thermal insulation.

Where the window assembly is to comprise more than one vent frame or a fixed light in addition to a vent frame, the assembly may also comprise one or more transoms interconnecting the vertical members of the outer frame and/or one or more mullions interconnecting the horizontal members of the outer frame, the or each transom or mullion being formed as an extrusion of metal, e.g. aluminium alloy. This arrangement enables relatively strong and slim profile transoms and mullions to be provided which are relatively simple to secure to the outer frame for example by mechanical fastening means, e.g. by screws.

The window assembly may comprise a glazing panel, providing a fixed light, which is directly glazed into an opening defined partially by one or more members of the outer frame and partially by one or more transoms and/or mullions.

The vent frame may be hinged to the outer frame for pivotal movement between its open and closed positions.

The outer frame of the window assembly or a subframe mounted in the outer frame may comprise an upstanding abutment portion providing a rebate and supporting a gasket which makes a seal with at least one of the frame members of the vent frame when the frame is in its closed position. The outer frame or the subframe may also provide an undercut groove arranged to receive glazing beading so that a fixed glazing panel of the window assembly can be received in the outer or subframe in engagement with the gasket supported by the abutment portion thereof and retained in the frame by beading in said undercut groove. This arrangement provides for fixed lights to be mounted with their glazing panels partly supported by the outer or subframe and partly by transoms or mullions.

The vent frame may support a thermally insulating covering extending around a side surface thereof. This reduces heat losses and condensation caused by the thermal conduction through the vent frame. The covering may be in the form of an extruded plastics material, e.g.

of the form described in GB Patent Specification No. 2106579. Alternatively, the vent frame may be of the thermal break type in which the metal of the frame has a break filled by insulating material. The vent frame may also have plastics cladding thereon, e.g. in the form of a sprayed coating or a laminate.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a window assembly which is illustrative of the invention. It is to be understood that the illustrative window assembly has been selected for description by way of example and not of limitation of the invention.

In the drawings: Figures 1, 2 and 3 are portions of a cross-sectional view taken thorough the illustrative assembly in a vertical direction, Figure 1 showing a lower portion of the view, Figure 2 showing a central portion of the view, and Figure 3 showing an upper portion of the view.

The illustrative window assembly comprises an outer frame 10 which is suitable for mounting in a square or rectangular orifice in a building and to be secured to the surface of the building surrounding the orifice in conventional manner. The outer frame 10 comprises a lower horizontal member 12, an upper horizontal member 14, and two vertical members 15 (one visible in the background) which together form a rectangular frame with each horizontal member joined to the vertical members by mitred joints at the corners and joined by welding. All four of the members of the outer frame 10 are formed as an extrusion of plastics material, specifically UPVC, and is of the same cross-section. The outer frame also comprises a transom 16 (Figure 2) interconnecting the vertical members of the frame. The transom is formed as an extrusion of metal, specifically aluminium alloy, and is secured to the vertical members 15 by mechanical fastening means, specifically screws (not shown). In modifications of the illustrative window assembly there may be further transoms interconnecting the vertical members and/or one or more mullions interconnecting the horizontal members 12 and 14 and also being formed as an extrusion of aluminium alloy and secured by means of screws.

The illustrative window assembly also comprises a vent frame 20 which is mounted in the outer frame 10 on conventional hinge means or friction stays (not shown) for movement between an open position thereof (not shown) and a closed position thereof (shown in the drawings).

The vent frame 20 comprises an upper horizontal member 22, a lower horizontal member 24, and two vertical members (not shown). All four of the vent frame members are formed as an extrusion of metal, specifically aluminium alloy, and is of the same transverse cross section. Each horizontal member 22 and 24 is joined to the vertical members of the vent frame at the corners of the vent frame by mitred joints and are mechanically jointed together.

The illustrative window assembly also comprises a fixed glazing panel 30 which consists of two sheets of glass formed into a double glazing panel with a space between the sheets of glass. The fixed glazing panel 30 extends between the lower horizontal frame member 12 of the frame 10 and the transom 16 and is directly glazed into the opening defined partially by three members of the outer frame and partially by the transom 16. A similar glazing panel 32 is mounted in the vent frame.

The members 12, 14 and 15 of the outer frame 10 comprise an upstanding abutment portion 40 which provides a rebate in the frame and has an outwardly facing undercut groove 42 therein. The groove 42 in the upper horizontal frame member 14 and in the vertical frame members 15 frame 10 between the member 14 and the transom 16 contains a compression gasket 44 which has an arrow-head shaped projection which is received in the groove 42 to secure the gasket to the abutment portion 40. The gasket 44 serves the purpose of sealing the gap between the vent frame 20 and the outer frame 10 when the vent frame is in its closed position.The portion of the groove 42 which is formed in the lower horizontal member 12 and the vertical members 15 between the member 12 and the transom 16 contains a gasket 46 which is secured to the abutment portion 40 by an arrow-head shaped projection thereof which is received in the groove 42. The gasket 46 serves the purpose of sealing the gap between the outer frame 10 and the glazing panel 30.

Adjacent their outer sides, the members 12, 14 and 15 of the frame 10 provide an undercut groove 48 facing inwardly of the frame 10 which is arranged to receive glazing beading 50 which is formed as an extrusion of aluminium alloy and contains an inwardly facing undercut groove 52 in which a gasket 54 is mounted. The beading 50 is mounted in the portion of the groove 48 provided by the lower horizontal frame member 12 and the vertical frame members 15 between the frame member 12 and the transom 16. The gasket 54 seals the gap between the beading 50 and the glazing panel 30 and the beading 50 acts to retain the panel 30 within the frame 10.The surface of the beading 50 which is visible in the finished assembly may be coated with plastics material which matches or contrasts with the visible outer surface of the frame 10, for example the surfaces may be coloured or provided with a grain effect or both.

The cross-sectional shape of the transom 16 appears from Figure 2. Adjacent its inward end the transom 16 has a lower flange 60 and an upper flange 62, the flanges 60 and 62 being of identical cross-section and each having a inward barbed projection 64, an outermost lip 66, and an outwardly-facing groove 68. Two thermally insulating cover members 70 are mounted on the flanges 60 and 62 with the projection 64 received in a groove of the cover member and a projection of the cover member fitting over the lip 66 full details of the construction of the cover members are contained in GB Patent Specification No. 2106579. The gap between the cover members on the flanges 60 and 62 is sealed by a gasket 72.The inner face of the transom 16 is completely covered by the cover members 70 and the gasket 72 so that thermal conduction through the transom 16 is substantially reduced and condensation problems are significantly reduced. The lower cover member 70 supports a gasket 74 which seals the gap between the glazing panel 30 and the flange 60.

The groove 68 of the upper flange 62 receives a compression gasket 76 which abuts the gasket 44 and forms a seal completely around the vent frame 20 when it is in its closed position.

Adjacent the outer surface 80 thereof, the transom 16 provides a downwardly facing undercut groove 82 which receives glazing beading 84 which supports a gasket 86 which engages the outer surface of the glazing panel 30.

The beading 84 abuts the beading 50 and co-operates therewith in retaining the glazing panel 30 in the outer frame 10. The surface 80 of the transom 16 and the visible sufaces of the beading 84 are coated with plastics material to match or contrast with the coating on the beading 50. Within its section, the transom 16 has screw receiving projections 88 to receive the screws which secure the transom to the members 15 of the outer frame 10. The beading 84 may alternatively be of plastics material, e.g. UPVC, and may be coated with metal foil so as to appear to be of metal, e.g aluminium.

The cross-sectional shape of the vent frame 20 is visible in Figures 2 and 3. Adjacent the inward side of the frame 20 there is a inward flange 90 which in similar manner to the flanges 60 and 62 of the transom 16 supports a cover member 92 similar to the cover members 70. The cover member 92 extends around the frame 20 and, when the vent frame is in its closed position, engages the gaskets 76 and 44 to seal the gap between the outer frame 10 and the vent frame 20. The cover member 92 supports a gasket 94 which seals the gap between the glazing panel 32 and the vent frame 20 adjacent its outer side, the vent frame 20 has an outward flange 96 which supports a gasket 98 which also seals the gap between the vent frame 20 and the outer frame 10 when the vent frame is in its closed position. The gasket 98 engages the outer surface of the frame member 14 and of the vertical frame members 15 of the frame 10 and also the outer surface 80 of the transom 16. Also adjacent its outer surface, the vent frame 20 has a inwardly directed undercut groove 100 in which glazing beading 102 similar to the beading 84 and 50 is received. The glazing beading 102 supports a gasket 104 which engages the outer surface of the glazing panel 32 so that the beading serves to retain the glazing panel 32 in the vent frame 20. The visible surfaces of the beading 102 and the vent frame 20 are also coated with plastic to match the beading 50.

In the illustrative window assembly, the outer frame 10 can easily be mounted in a suitable orifice in a building and has good insulating properties reducing heat loss and condensation and the vent frame 20 and transom 16 are of slim profile and readily assembled.

Claims

1. A window assembly comprising an outer frame suitable for mounting in a square or rectangular orifice in a building and to be secured to the surface of the building surrounding the orifice, the outer frame comprising two horizontal members and two vertical members, all four outer frame members being formed as an extrusion of plastics material, e.g. UPVC, with each hoziontal member joined to the vertical members at corners of the outer frame; and a vent frame mounted on the outer frame for movement between an open position thereof and a closed position thereof, the vent frame comprising two horizontal members and two vertical members, all four vent frame members being formed as an extrusion of metal, e.g. aluminium alloy, with each horizontal member joined to the vertical members at corners of the vent frame.

2. A window assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the assembly also comprises one or more transoms interconnecting the vertical members of the outer frame thereof and/or one or more mullions interconnecting the horizontal members of the outer frame thereof, the or each transom or mullion being formed as an extrusion of metal, e.g. aluminium alloy.

3. A window assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the or each transom or mullion is secured to the outer frame by mechanical fastening means, e.g. by screws.

4. A window assembly according to either one of Claims 2 and 3, wherein the window assembly comprises a fixed glazing panel which is directly glazed into an opening defined partially by one or more members of the outer frame and partially by one or more transoms and/or mullions.

5. A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the vent frame is hinged to the outer frame.

6. A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer frame or a subframe mounted in the outer frame comprises an upstanding abutment portion providing a rebate and supporting a gasket which makes a seal with at least one of the frame members of the vent frame when the frame is in it closed position.

7. A window assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the outer frame or the subframe provides an undercut groove arranged to receive glazing beading so that a fixed glazing panel of the window assembly can be received in the outer frame in engagement with the gasket supported by the abutment portion thereof and retained in the frame by beading in said undercut groove.

8. A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the vent frame supports a thermally insulating covering extending around a side surface thereof.

9. A window assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the covering is in the form of a extruded plastics material.

10. A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the vent frame contains a thermal break.

11. A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the vent frame has plastics cladding thereon.

12. A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.