GB2241014A - Double glazed window installations - Google Patents

Abstract

A double glazed assembly of the Georgian Type includes support bars (4) and spacer bars (3). The bars are attached to each other by means of adhesive (8). Installation is therefore simplified over conventional installations. The support bars are push-fitted onto anchor members adhesively attached, as by double-sided adhesive tape, to the spacer bars. <IMAGE>

Description

DOUL GLAZED WINDOW INSTAllATIONS This invention relates to double glazed window installations and in particular it relates to installations of the Georgian type.

A double glazed system of this type generally comprises two or more window panes which are held in a parallel spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of spacer bars around their edges.

Georgian bars are mounted in between the two panes to form a crosspiece between the spacer bars and to support the panes. The Georgian bars are held in lace by small bar anchors which include a stud or lug at their bottom surface. In use. a hole is drilled in a spacer bar at an appropriate posltion and a bar anchor positioned on the spacer bar with its lug tightly secured within the drilled hole. A hollow-section Georgian bar is then mounted over the bar anchor which accordingly holds the bar in place.

The bar anchors are generally moulded plastics anchors. This method of mounting can be cumbersome and cause time delays since accurately aligned holes must be drilled in the spacer bar and also the anchors must be formed with integral lugs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified method of affixing Georgian style or other supporting bars in double glazed window assemblies.

According to the present invention there is provided a double glazed window assembly including a support bar and a spacer bar, the support bar being attached to the spacer bar by an anchor member which is adhesively affixed to the spacer bar.

According to the present invention there is further provided a supporting structure for a double glazed window assembly, comprising a framework adapted to define the periphery of a window and an internal support structure, the internal structure being mounted to the external periphery defining structure by means of a plurality of anchor members which are adhesively attached to the periphery defining structure.

According to the present invention there is further provided a method of attaching a support bar to a spacer bar in a double glazed window assembly, comprising adhesively affixing an anchor member to the spacer bar and mounting the support bar to the anchor member.

Preferably, a double sided adhesive tape is affixed to each anchor member to affix the anchor member to the periphery defining member or spacer bar. The tape is preferably one which is solvent free so as not to fog window panes supported by the structure.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a double glazed window installation, and: Figure 2 shows in exploded form, parts of a window assembly.

Referring to Figure 1, a double glazed window assembly comprises a framework supporting two parallel sheets of glass or other window material 1,2. The framework comprises a generally rectangular framework of four spacer bars 3 which support the window panes 1 and 2 at their edges such that they are parallel and separated by a fixed distance of perhaps 1 or 2 cm. In order to create a Georgian style effect and also to support the window frames if they are large, a framework of cross members 4 is provided. Four of these members are provided and they are mounted to subdivide the window area into four equal rectangular portions. At the junction of bars 4 a joint portion 5 is provided, which portion is made of a plastics material and is in the form of a cross with portions which are a push-fit with members 4.At their ends remote from the junction, each respective cross member 4 is affixed to an appropriate spacer bar 3 by means of an anchor member such as a bar of the type described with reference to Figure 2 below. The anchor bars are of a nature which can push-fit into the hollow cross member 4 and are provlded at their bottom surface with an adhesive double sided tape which adheres them to the spacer bar 3.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the anchor bar arrangement for a system of Georgian profile bars. Such bars have the characteristic profile shown at 4 from Figure 2 and are commonly used. A Georgian anchor bar 6 is arranged to push-fit into hollow sectioned Georgian bar 4 and to be tightly secured therein. The bar 6 is of moulded plastics material and includes a base portion 7 which again is of generally Georgian profile. An adhesive pad or tape 8, which is adhesive on both sides, is affixed to this base 7.

In use, once the framework of spacer bars 3 has been assembled, the anchor bars 6, with their associated adhesive pads 8 are affixed into suitable position, generally at the mid-point of each spacer bar 3 and held in place by the adhesive action of pad 8. The Georgian bars 4 can then be push-fitted onto anchor 6 and connected together at their remote ends to provide a rigid supporting and decorative structure for the double glazed window assembly. The window panes 1 and 2 can then be affixed on either side of support members 4. The unit is then hermetically sealed.

Adhesive pad 8 is preferably a double-sided adhesive pad of tape. Any suitable tape and adhesive can be used, dependent upon, inter alia, the strength required and type of material to be joined.

It is preferable that the material and the adhesive are solvent free since the presence of any solvent may cause the window panes to mist or fog during use.

This fog can be difficult to remove if the unit is a sealed one.

Alternatively, instead of an adhesive pad 8, a layer of adhesive may be applied directly to the base 7 of respective anchor bars 6 or to the spaces bar 3, and the bar adhered directly to a spacer bar 3. Any other form of adhesive may also be used.

Claims (7)

1. A double glazed window assembly in#cluding a support bar and a spacer bar, the support bar being attached to the spacer bar by an anchor member which is adhesively affixed to the spacer.

2. A supporting structure for a double glazed window assembly, comprising a framework adapted to define the periphery of a window and an internal support structure, the internal support structure being mounted to the external periphery defining structure by means of a plurality of anchor members which are adhesively attached to the periphery defining structure.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the or each anchor member is affixed by means of an adhesive tape.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the tape releases substantially no solvent.

5. A method of attaching a support bar to a spacer bar in a double glazed window assembly, comprising adhesively affixing an anchor member to the spacer bar and mounting the support bar to the anchor member.

6. A window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of assembling a window assembly, which method is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.