GB2233021A

GB2233021A - Glazing clip

Info

Publication number: GB2233021A
Application number: GB9010078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Carty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-04
Filing date: 1990-05-04
Publication date: 1991-01-02
Also published as: GB9010078D0

Abstract

A retaining clip 1 of moulded plastics for fitting a pane of glass 2 to a window frame 3 has a rear portion 5, a base portion 6 and a front portion 7 which is spaced-apart from the rear portion 5 and defines therewith a slot 8 for reception of a pane of glass 2. Flexible projections 14 may extend into the slot 8 to engage and retain the pane of glass 2 in position. The clip is fixed in position eg by a nail 10, which is received in a hole 9 in the front portion 7 of the clip. After the clip 1 is fixed in position the glass 2 is retained and putty is applied between the glass and frame. In a modification (Fig 6, not shown) the parts 5 and 7 are connected by a strap which allows movement towards, but not away from the pane, so allowing use of different thicknesses of glass. <IMAGE>

Description

A Retaining Clip The invention relates to a device for use in fitting a pane of glass or the like.

When replacing or fitting a pane of glass a backing layer of putty is usually first placed on a timber window frame, a pane of glass is offered up to the frame and an attempt is made to hold it in position by hammering nails into the frame at an angle at which the head of the nail retains the glass in position. This however is an extremely difficult task as the user generally has a hammer in one hand, while with the other hand he is trying to hold the pane of glass in position.

Attempts to secure the pane by hammering nails into the frame in such circumstances are very difficult as there is a risk that the glass may fall out or the hammer may hit the glass rather than the nail. Similarly if the nail is not correctly positioned there is a risk that the nail, on being hammered in, will damage the glass.

This invention is directed towards providing a device which will overcome at least some of these difficulties.

According to the invention there is provided a retaining clip for retaining a pane of glass or the like in position while fixing by puttying or the like the pane to a frame, the clip having frame engagement means for engaging a frame, pane engagement means for engaging the pane of glass and securing means for securing the clip to the frame.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the glass engagement means comprises a rear portion and a front portion which are spaced-apart in use to define therebetween a slot for receiving the edge of a pane of glass for mounting the pane to a frame and retaining the pane in position while fixing the pane to the frame.

In one case the securing means comprises a pin or nail for extending through the clip to secure the clip, in use, to the frame.

In another case the securing means comprises an adhesive provided on the clip.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least the front portion of the clip is of a flexible material.

Preferably the clip includes a base portion extending between the front and rear portions.

In one embodiment of the invention the thickness of the clip is adjustable.

Preferably the thickness of the rear and/or base portions are adjustable.

In one preferred arrangement the clip is of generally triangular shape in side view.

In one embodiment of the invention the clip is integrally formed in a single piece.

Alternatively the comprises a first portion which is fixed to a frame, in use, and a second portion which is connected to the first portion and moveable relative thereto from a release position for receiving a pane of glass to a locking position in which the pane of glass is retained in the clip.

Preferably the second portion is connected to the first portion by a strap means, the second portion being drawn towards the first portion of retain a pane of glass.

Typically the strap permits movement of the second portion in one direction of travel only from the release position to the locking position.

Preferably the surface of the clip which engages with a pane of glass, in use, includes friction engagement means.

Typically the friction engaging means comprises a plurality of flexible projections extending to engage the pane of glass.

Preferably those surfaces of the clip which engage in use with a fixing means such as putty have engagement means for engaging with the fixing means.

Typically the engagement means comprises a plurality of ribs and/or grooves for engagement with the fixing means.

In one embodiment of the invention the clip is moulded from a plastics material.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining clip according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 1 in use.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the clip of Fig. 1, Figs. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views illustrating the clip, in use, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a retaining clip according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views of the retaining clip of Fig. 6, in use, and Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a retaining clip according to a further embodiment of the invention, in use.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there is illustrated a retaining clip according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The clip 1 is for use in fitting a pane of glass 2 to a window frame, only portion 3 of which is illustrated.

The retaining clip 1 is in this case of moulded material such as of plastics material and comprises a body member having a rear portion 5, a base portion 6 and a front portion 7 which is spaced-apart from the rear portion 5 and defines therewith a slot 8 for reception of a pane of glass 2 as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Flexible projections 14 extend inwardly into the slot 8 to engage and retain the pane of glass 2 in position. An angled hole 9 extends through the front portion 7 to receive a nail 10 which in use, is hammered into the window frame 3 to secure the clip and hence retain the pane of glass 2 in position. It will be noted that the exposed surfaces of the body member are formed with grooves 11 and ribs 12 for engagement, in use, with fixing means such as putty 13.

In use, a pane of glass 2 is cut to size in the normal way and before the pane 2 is offered up to the frame four of the retaining clips 1 are fitted to the pane of glass 2 for example, adjacent the four corners or at any suitable location at the edges of the pane of glass 2. The clips 1 have nails 10 which are positioned and angled for a correct fitting to secure the clips 1 to the frame 3, in use. A backing layer 15 of putty is generally first applied to the frame 3 in a conventional manner and the pane of glass 2 with the clips 1 attached is then offered up to this backing layer 15 and the pane 2 is pushed into position by the user, using his two hands. One hand is then used to hammer the nails 10 into position and hence secure the clips 1 and retain the pane of glass 2. The operation may then be completed by applying a finishing layer 13 of putty in the usual manner.

Where a number of panes of glass have to be fitted, for example, by a professional glazier, the retaining clips 1 may be used to retain the panes of glass in position in their respective frames safely, returning at a later stage to apply the finishing layer of putty.

The retaining clips 1 allow a pane of glass 2 not only to be easily fitted but also by virtue of the thickness of the rear portion 5 and base portion 6 allow the pane 2 to be correctly fitted in the frame 3 leaving the correct depth of backing putty between the pane 2 and the frame 3. Indeed, to facilitate variations in the length and width of the pane of glass 2, to fit in the frame, the rear portion 5 and/or the base portion 6 of the device 1 may have a thickness which is adjustable, for example, by using peel-on or peel-off layers.

To accommodate various thicknesses of panes of glass 2, separate clips 1 may be formed with different widths of slots for receiving panes of glass. Alternatively the front portion 7 of the clips 1 may be configured to be flexible or partially deformable in use and be spring biassed to engage a range of thicknesses of panes of glass.

It will be appreciated that securing means other than a nail may be used for securing the retaining clip in position. In particular, for aluminium or metal frame windows, instead of a nail an adhesive strip may be used for securing the device in position. Indeed, if the exposed surfaces of the device 1 are roughened or treated or perhaps coated with an adhesive agent, a nail or other securing means may not be required, the engagement between the putty and the device being sufficient to retain the device and hence the pane of glass safely in position. It is however envisaged that for simplicity and security in use a fixing nail or pin will generally be used with the clip of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8 there is illustrated retaining clip 20 according to another embodiment of the invention which is similar to the device described above with reference to Figs.

1 to 5 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, the clip is in two parts, namely a first or rear portion 5 and a second or front portion 7 which are interconnected by a non-return strap means 21, the strap 21 being pulled to draw the front portion 7 rearwardly in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 6 towards the rear portion 5 to secure a pane of glass 2 in position, in use. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, in use of this clip 20 the rear portion 5 is first nailed into position in the frame 3 and a pane of glass 2 is then positioned by the front portion 7. The strap 21 is then pulled to draw the front portion 7 rearwardly towards the rear portion 5 to secure the pane of glass 2 in position.

When the pane of glass is correctly positioned the exposed length of strap 21 as indicated by dotted lines in Fig 8 is then cut and the finishing layer of putty 13 is applied in the usual way. Variations and modifications of the device 20 similar to those mentioned above with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 may also be made.

Referring to Fig. 9 there is illustrated another clip 30 for use in fitting a pane of glass 2. The clip 30 is similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the device 30 is secured in position by adhesive pads 31, 32 fixed respectively to the rear portion 5 and base portion 6 of the device 30. There may be a number of such pads provided which may be peeled-off to adjust the thickness of the device 30 and hence accommodate small variations in the size of the pane of glass 2.

Preferably the clips according to the invention are integrally moulded from a plastics material, however, they may be of any suitable material such as of rubber material. Indeed, it is envisaged that in some cases the clips may be of a metal, for example, aluminium material.

Claims

1. A pre-fixing retaining clip for retaining a pane of glass or the like in position while fixing by puttying or the like the pane to a frame, the clip having frame engagement means for engaging a frame, pane engagement means for engaging the pane of glass and securing means for securing the clip to the frame.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1 wherein the glass engagement means comprises a rear portion and a front portion which are spaced-apart in use to define therebetween a slot for receiving the edge of a pane of glass for mounting the pane to a frame and retaining the pane in position while fixing the pane to the frame.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the securing means comprises a pin or nail for extending through the clip to secure the clip, in use, to the frame.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the securing means comprises an adhesive provided on the clip.

5. A clip as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein at least the front portion of the clip is of a flexible material.

6. A clip as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the clip includes a base portion extending between the front and rear portions.

7. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the thickness of the clip is adjustable.

8. A clip as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the thickness of the rear and/or base portions are adjustable.

9. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clip, in use, is of generally triangular shape in side view.

10. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clip is integrally formed in a single piece.

11. A clip as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the clip comprises a first portion which is fixed to a frame, in use, and a second portion which is connected to the first portion and moveable relative thereto from a release position for receiving a pane of glass to a locking position in which the pane of glass is retained in the clip.

12. A clip as claimed in claim 11 wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion by a strap means, the second portion being drawn towards the first portion to retain a pane of glass.

13. A clip as claimed in claim 12 wherein the strap permits movement of the second portion in one direction of travel only from the release position to the locking position.

14. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surface of the clip which engages with a pane of glass, in use, includes friction engagement means.

15. A clip as claimed in claim 14 wherein the friction engaging means comprises a plurality of flexible projections extending to engage the pane of glass.

16. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein those surfaces of the clip which engage in use with a fixing means such as putty have engagement means for engaging with the fixing means.

17. A clip as claimed in claim 16 wherein the engagement means comprises a plurality of ribs and/or grooves for engagement with the fixing means.

18. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clip is moulded from a plastics material.

19. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig 9 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of fixing a pane of glass or the like to a frame comprising the steps of retaining the pane in position while fixing by puttying or the like by securing the pane with a pre-fixing retaining clip as claimed in any preceding claim.