GB2245633A

GB2245633A - Security device for glazing

Info

Publication number: GB2245633A
Application number: GB9109039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger David Cromey
Original assignee: CROMEY JOAN
Current assignee: CROMEY JOAN
Priority date: 1990-04-30
Filing date: 1991-04-25
Publication date: 1992-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-25
Also published as: GB2245633B; GB9109039D0

Abstract

To prevent unauthorised removal of the external bead 508 of a UPVC or like window frame expandable spacers 500 are provided between the frame and bead, at positions around edges of the glass infill and are caused to expand in situ to prevent subsequent movement of the bead. Various forms of spacer are disclosed in which movement in a direction parallel to the panel causes the spacer to expand to contact the bead and so prevent inwards movement of the bead and subsequent release. <IMAGE>

Description

GLAZING AND THE LIKE.

This invention relates to glazing and the like wherein an infill which may be a panel of glass or other material is to be fixed within a frame such as a window frame.

In the case of a wooden window frame an infill of glass is held in position by putty or wooden beading. However modern window frames typically are made of a UPVC or aluminium and putty will not adhere adequately to firmly secure the infill; this is a particular problem in the case of a double glazed system in which the infill is a sealed unit of two spaced panes of glass and thus much heavier than a single pane.

It is now conventional in the case of UPVC or aluminium type frames to secure an infill in a rebate portion of the frame by means of a UPVC bead arranged to locate in a recess in an inwardly facing surface of the rebate (i. e. a surface which lies perpendicular to the plane of the frame. ) in a manner which inherently tends to resist movement of the infill out of the rebate. EPDM sealing strips are provided one between an outwardly facing surface of the rebate (i.e. a surface which is parallel with the plane of the infill) and one side of the infill and another between the UPVC bead and the other side of the infill; the EPDM sealing strips provide a weather seal and also by virtue of their resiliency are relied upon inherently to tend to bias the bead into the aforementioned recess for secure retention therein.

A problem arising with this glazing configuration is that of security. If the EPDM sealing strip adjacent the UPVC bead is slit or otherwise tampered with it is easy for an intruder to press the bead back towards the outward facing surface of the frame rebate so that the bead can be dislodged easily from its recess. Following removal of the bead(s) surrounding a sealed unit it is easy to remove that unit without breakage or much noise.

To overcome this problem it has been proposed that the frame is fitted in a wall opening in a reverse manner so that the bead is inside the building and the frame rebate prevents external interference. This necessitates installation of the glazing unit from within the building which can cause unnecessary disruption as well as being inconvenient; also the resulting appearance especially in the case of opening lights is not so pleasing. Furthermore manufacture of such units requires reverse butt welding which is time consuming.

The present invention seeks to provide a security device for use in securely retaining a bead within a frame, a glazing or like assembly in which a retention bead for an infill is securely located and an improved method, preferably user friendly, for the construction of an improved glazing or like assembly.

In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides a bead-locking security device for use in a glazing or like assembly of the kind comprising a frame in which an infill is retained in position by a retention bead, said security device comprising a body member for location between an infill and an inwardly facing surface of a frame, a fixed abutment means associated with said body member and a movable abutment means arranged to co-operate with the fixed abutment means whereby movement of the movable abutment means in a first direction parallel with the length of a portion of a glazing frame causes the movable abutment means to move also in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.

Preferably the body member is of an elongate form and said first direction of movement of the movable abutment means is parallel with the length of the body member. The fixed abutment means may be comprised by a surface of the body member, or component secured thereto, and which surface extends obliquely relative to said first direction. The movable abutment means may be of a kind comprising at least two portions each movable relative to the other; for example one portion may be movable in a second direction (which may be perpendicular to said first direction) upon movement of the other portion in said first direction. The fixed abutment means may define a surface which need not extend obliquely but may be parallel with the said first direction.

The movable abutment means may be in the form of a plate and at least a portion of that plate may be of a generally triangular shape thereby to be usable as a wedge member. The body member may be formed with a slot in which the movable abutment means is movable. A surface defining a wall of that slot for accommodating a plate-like movable abutment means may be a bearing surface over which said abutment means is movable and/or a wall defining that slot may be provided with a bearing surface over which may move an auxiliary portion of the movable abutment means depending from a plate-like portion of said movable means.

It is envisaged that a movable abutment means of a plate-like form may be provided with a hook-like formation for engagement with a retention bead. Additionally or alternatively said movable abutment means may have an abutment face, preferably of elongate form to bear, in use, against one of the confronting surfaces of the outwardly facing surface of a frame rebate and a retention bead.

Locking means may be provided to secure the movable abutment means relative to the body member and its associated fixed abutment means.

The locking means may comprise a rod of non-circular section and rotatable to a position in which it locks the movable abutment means relative to the bodv member. The movable abutment means or body member may be grooved to accommodate the rod when in a first position and the other of the movable abutment means and body member may be profiled (e.g.

have a serrated surface) for positive interlocking engagement by a longitudinally extending edge portion of the rod when in a second position. The rod may have an integrally formed cranked position arranged to facilitate rotation of the rod between the first and second positions.

Locking means of this type is particularly suitable for locking the movable abutment means in any of a number of different positions relative to a body member.

A further alternative locking means may comprise a serrated formation on one of the movable abutment means and body member and a lip formation on the other of the movable abutment means and body member, said lip formation being adapted to move relatively readily over the serrated formation in one direction but to resist relative movement in the opposite direction.

Preferably the lip formation is accessible when in use in a glazing or like assembly whereby the lip formation may be engaged from between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate for disengagement from the serrated formation.

An alternative locking means may comprise a locking member pivotally secured at one end to the body member and having a formation for locking engagement with the movable abutment means when the latter has been moved to a prescribed position relative to the body member.

The body member may be provided with a slideable support member for location relative to the frame of a glazing or like assembly and relative to which the body member is movable in said second direction perpendicular to a portion of the length of a glazing or like frame. The support member maybe provided with retention means, such as an adhesive pad, for location on a frame surface.

The body member may be provided with a support member of a resilient and/or deformable type to allow movement of the body member relative to a frame in said second direction. The support member may be of a flexible tubular form opposite longitudinally extending portions of which are to be secured to the body member and frame respectively and to extend in a first direction parallel with the length of a portion of a glazing frame; the tubular member may distort with a rolling type movement to allow the body member to be movable in said second direction.

The security device may comprise two movable portions without the need for a body member. In the case of a movable abutment means or a device which comprises two portions, one portion may be movable in said first direction and of a wedge-like form to act between fixed abutment means, which may be a frame rebate lying parallel with said first direction and another portion, preferably restrained by guide means, to be movable perpendicular to said first direction ( and perpendicular to the plane of an infill).

In accordance with another of its aspects the present invention provides a glazing or like assembly comprising a frame having a rebate for receiving an infill and a retention bead located at a face of the rebate which faces inwardly to the centre of the frame normally to act to resist movement of the infill outwardly from an outwardly facing surface of the rebate, the infill being spaced from said inwardly facing surface of the rebate, and between said infill and inwardly facing surface of the rebate an expandable type spacer member arranged in an expanded condition to prevent movement of the retention bead in a direction towards said outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

The spacer member may be a bead-locking security device of a kind in accordance with the invention.

Preferably the spacer member comprises a body member of a thickness selected such that it may act as an infill spacer to provide, either alone or in combination with auxiliary spacers, a prescribed spacing between the infill and frame. Thus at the lower edge of a frame the spacer member may be of a thickness selected to result in it supporting the weight of an infill. Alternatively, however, independent wedges may be provided to support the weight of the infill along its lower edge with the spacer member serving only as a security device to resist improper movement of the retention bead.

The retention bead may have a bearing face against which the spacer member bears in a final assembly condition. That bearing surface may be one which directly confronts the outwardly facing surface of the rebate or it may be an internal surface of a hollow section type of retention bead.

The retention bead, especially if hollow, may be formed with an opening occupied by a hook portion of the movable abutment means of the security device of the invention when in a final assembly condition.

The frame may have a rebate of a kind in which an inwardly facing surface is grooved to receive a portion of a retention bead. Preferably that side wall of the groove which lies remote from the outwardly facing surface of the rebate is formed with an undercut to assist bead retention.

The spacer member need not be of a kind comprising a body member having an abutment surface and a relatively movable abutment means. The spacer member may be a cam member rotatably mounted relative to the frame and movable from an inoperative position to a locking position in which it acts to prevent any significant movement of the retention bead in a direction towards the outwardly facing surface of the rebate. The cam member may be carried by a support member securable to the frame.

A further alternative form of spacer may comprise an articulated body movable to a locking position in which it is lockable to prevent any significant movement of the retention bead. The articulated body may be carried by a support member securable to a frame rebate.

Yet another form of spacer may comprise a curved strip of deformable material arranged such that when one end portion is moved towards the other end portion an intermediate region of the strip moves to a locking position.

In accordance with yet another of its aspects the present invention provides a method of constructing a glazing or like assembly comprising positioning an infill in a rebated frame and locating a retention bead in said rebate in a manner such that the bead will restrain movement of the infill away from the rebated frame, providing between the infill and an inwardly facing surface of the rebate a spacer an expandable type spacer member and expanding said spacer member whereby it serves to resist movement of the retention bead in a direction towards the outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

The spacer may be a resiliently deformable spacer member such as a bendable plastics strip introduced via a gap between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate and which is caused to lie in a space between an edge of the infill and confronting inwardly facing surface of the rebate to resist subsequent movement of the retention bead.

Preferably the deformable spacer member relaxes to a substantially flat form when fully inserted.

Another form of expandable spacer suitable for inserting via a gap between an infill and the outwardly facing surface of a rebate subsequent to positioning an infill within a frame is a spacer member which comprises an reticulated body.

The spacer member may be of a kind comprising a substantially rigid body member such as that of a security device of the present invention. A security device may be pre-located in a rebate before inserticn of the infill and then operated upon following fitting of the retention bead to lock the retention bead to the frame. The security device may be positively secured to an upper, side or lower portion of a frame for example by adhesive or by screw means or as a click fit.

The movable abutment means of a security device may be moved to cause the device to lock the bead in position by operating thereon via a gap between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

Either before or after providing a spacer member in a configuration in which it locks a retention bead a sealing strip may be provided between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

Preferably a sealing strip is pre-provided between the infill and retention bead, more preferably integrally with the latter as a coextrusion.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part assembled window of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the window frame of Figure 1 in the plane 2-2; Figure 3 is a cross-section of a retention bead for the frame sections of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section in the plane 2-2 of part of the window when in a fully assembled condition; Figure 5 is a side view of the security device shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a side view of a guide block for the device of Figure 5; Figure 7 corresponds with Figure 5 but shows the device in a locked condition; Figure 8 is a plan view of a top of the device of Figures 5 and 7; Figure 9 is a plan view of the underneath of the device of Figures 5 and 7;; Figure 10 is a plan view of the guide block of Figure 6; Figure 11 is a plan view showing part cut-away a part of a security device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention when in situ in a frame and in an unlocked condition; Figure 12 is a perspective view of part of a retention bead for use with the device of Figure 11; Figure 13 corresponds with Figure 11 but shows the security device in a locked condition.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a spacer according to a third embodiment; Figure 14a is a modification of the spacer of Figure 14; Figure 15 shows a support member for the spacer of Figure 14; Figure 16 shows part of a body portion of the spacer of Figure 14; Figure 17 shows a cover plate for the spacer of Figure 14; Figure 18 shows the parts of Figure 16 in a locked position; Figure 19 shows a further modification of the spacer of Figure 14; Figure 20 is a plan view of a spacer according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 21 is a plan view of a spacer according to a fifth embodiment; Figures 22 and 23 are perspective views of parts of a spacer according to a sixth embodiment; Figure 24 shows the parts of Figures 22 and 23 in an assembled condition; Figure 25 is a plan view of another security device, having an upper plate removed;; Figure 26 is a view in the direction of arrow 26 in figure 25; Figure 27 is a sectional view of a glazing installation showing the security device in section in the direction 27-27 of Figure 26; Figure 28 is a plan view of yet another security device.

Figure 29 is a perspective view of another security device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 30 is a plan view of the device of Figure 29; Figure 31 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 30; Figure 32 is a detail of the device of Figures 29 to 31; Figure 33 is a plan view of a device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; Figure 34 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention; Figures 35a to 35c show a modification of the device of Figure 29,; Figures 36a to 36b show another security device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 37 is a cross-section of another security device in situ; Figure 38 shows a detail of a variation of the device of Figure 37; Figure 39 shows in plan another security device, and Figure 40 shows in cross section the device of Figure 39 in situ.

A window 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame 11 of a multi-chamber extruded section of UPVC or aluminium and in which is located a sealed unit type of double glazed panel 12.

The frame 11 is of a conventional section comprising a rebate 13 having an outwardly facing surface 14 which faces outwardly from the plane of the frame and is defined by a frame shoulder section 15. The rebate has an inwardly facing surface 16 which lies perpendicular to the plane cf the frame and faces inwards towards the centre of the france.

A portion 16a of the surface 16 adjacent the outwardly facing surface 14 defines an opening in which the glazing panel 12 is received, the panel being maintained uniformly spaced from the surface 16a around its periphery by spacer members 17 described in detail below.

A portion 16b of the surface 16 which is remote from the outwardly facing surface 14 is shaped to define a bead retention recess in the form of a groove 18. The sidewalls 19 of the groove are each formed with undercuts 20a, 20b for a purpose described below.

A retention bead assembly 25 for the frame 11 is shown in Figure 3 and is a co-extrusion of a rigid plastics bead 26 and a resilient weatherproof EPDM gasket 27 intended to form a water-tight seal against the outer pane of the glazing panel 12.

The bead 26 has a longitudinally extending outer bevel surface 28 intended to give a pleasing visual appearance between the glass and outer face 29 of the frame 11.

The bead 26 has two longitudinally extending hook portions 30, 32 shaped to engage with the undercuts 20 of frame recess 18. To permit installation of four beads in respective sides of the frame after insertion of a glazing panel the spacing (a) of the hook extremities 30a, 32a is less than the width (b) of the recess base by an amount slightly greater than the overhang (c) of lip 31 which defines the outer undercut 20a.

Installation of a bead is achieved by pushing the panel 12 against frame face 14 ( an inner EPDM seal 37 having yet to be fitted); a rear edge 30a of hook portion 30 is moved backwards over the base of the recess to lie in the rear undercut 20b whereupon the front edge 32a of the hook portion 32 is able to pass down through the recess opening and also seat on base of the recess. Thereafter movement of the panel forwards away from the frame face 14 results in the front edge 32a locating in the front undercut 20a, the rear edge 30a remaining located in the rear undercut 20b so that the bead is positively located.

It will be appreciated that unauthorised removal of the bead in the assembly as so far described is possible by pressing the bead back against the face 14 so that the front edge 32a of the bead can be lifted clear of the front undercut 20a and the recess 18. Such removal is preventable by the spacer members 17 which will now be described in detail.

Conventional spacer members (known sometimes as mounting blocks) are made from simple unitary pieces of plastic strip material having a width corresponding to the thickness of the glazing panel and a thickness as appropriate for achieving a desired and usually uniform spacing between the frame and edges of the glazing unit.

The spacer members 17 shown in Figure 1, 2 and 4 differ significantly in that they are of a multi-component construction and are adjustable to serve as security devices to fully occupy the space between frame face 14 and a surface of a bead 26 when the latter lies urged forwards away from the face 14, i.e. when the bead is in a position at which it is positively located in the recess 18.

Each spacer member 17 comprises upper and lower elongate face plates 40, 41 spaced by end spacers 42, 43 to define a body portion 39 having an internal recess 44. One of the end spacers 43 has a triangular section which extends to the other end spacer to provide between the plates an internal abutment surface 45 which lies inclined to the length of the body portion.

A wedge plate 46 is provided in the recess 44 to act as a movable abutment member. Plate 46 has an abutment face 47 for sliding over the fixed abutment surface 45 and a bearing face 48 for bearing against the frame face 14.

The plate 46 may be locked relative to the body portion 39 by a rotatable rod 49 of non-circular section and which locates in a transverse groove 50 formed in a face of the upper plate 40 which confronts the wedge plate. The confronting face of the wedge plate is provided with a serrated saw-tooth profile surface; when the rod is turned a longitudinal edge 51 thereof engages against a saw-tooth profile to resist relative longitudinal movement. The rod is formed with an integral, cranked handle portion 57 which lies perpendicular to the recess surface 16a when in situ and in an unlocked condition.

The lower body portion plate 41 carries at its lower, outer face 52 an inverted T section strip 53 which extends transversely of the body portions and is adapted for sliding in the groove 54 of a guide block 55 itself securable, e.g. by a self adhesive pad, to the rebate surface 16a of the frame 11.

To form and complete the window shown in Figure 1 each side of the frame 11 has, say two spacer members secured thereto via adhesively secured guide blocks 55. Thus each body portion 39 can slide on the block 55 to and from the frame face 14. Each locking rod lever is in an upstanding unlocked position at this stage. An infill glazing unit 12 is positioned in the frame to rest upon the lower spacers 17 with front edges of the spacer members lying proud of the outer face of the glazing unit.

If the spacers have not been pre-selected to have a thickness which wholly occupies the gap between the frame and edges of the glazing unit additional plastic spacer strips of conventional form are then fitted.

Retention beads are fitted into the recesses 18 in each side of the frame as discussed above and then the glazing unit is pushed forwards away from the frame face 14. This results in movement of the body of each spacer on its guide block into contact with the bead and at least when the glazing unit is pushed sufficiently to compress the bead gasket 27 a gap 56 is created between the frame face 14 and glazing. A small tool is then inserted in this gap to move the wedge plate to a position in which the bearing face 48 thereof bears against frame face 14. The handle 57 is then turned to lie alongside the face plate 40 thereby to lock the wedge plate. An inner EPDM seal 37 is then fitted.

Pressure can then be released from the glazing unit which is free to move slightly and allow sealing strips 27,37 provided either side thereof to adopt balance conditions. However the spacer members 17 ensure that the. beads are locked against unauthorised movement; bead removal is possible only by operating on the other side of the window Ce. g.

internally of the building) to unlock the wedge plate and reverse the installation procedure.

In a second embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13 a spacer member 100 comprises a pair of spaced face plates 140, 141 and end spacers 142, 143 which define an internal opening 144. A profiled plate 146 is movable in the opening 144 both in the direction of the length of the member and perpendicular thereto. The upper plate 140 has an obliquely extending slot 150 that provides an abutment face for an abutment pin 151 which extends from the plate 146 into the slot; the pin and slot co-operate to result in the aforementioned relative movement.

The body of the spacer member, as comprised by the plate 140, 141 is secured to the frame recess and is not slideable thereover; it has a smooth upper face plate 140 so that a glazing panel may slide thereover as necessary. The movable plate 146 has a hook portion 152 arranged to extend within a hollow cavity 153 of a bead 154 via a slot 155 in a bead wall 156. When the plate 146 has been moved to a locked condition the outer surface 157 of the plate bears against an internal surface 158 of the bead to prevent the latter being moved backwards towards the frame face 114. Also the hook portion 152 becomes wedged within the bead to further assist bead retention.

A non-circular rod or like means may be provided to lock the plate 146 against movement relative to the body of the spacer member following initial installation.

In a third embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 19 a spacer member 160 comprises a rectangular shaped support member 161 having a pair of channel section formations 161a along each of its shorter edges. The channel formations locate a body portion 162 and guide it for transverse movement in a direction perpendicular to the longer, longitudinal direction of the support member.

The body portion 162 is of a sandwich construction comprising a rectangular base plate 163 which slidingly locates in the channel formations, a triangular plate 164 secured to the base plate and a rectangular cover plate 165 which is secured to the triangular plate and lies centrally over the base plate. The three plates define a slot 166 of triangular shape in plan and which is bounded along one edge by that edge 167 of the triangular plate which extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the support member. The edge 167 acts as an abutment edge for a triangular abutment member plate 168 which is slightly thinner than the plate 164 whereby it is able to slide longitudinally relative to the body position 162, and simultaneously move in a transverse direction, between the base and cover plates.

The movable abutment plate 168 has a transversely extending edge 169 which has a lip formation 170 the end 171 of which lies to one side of the plate, in this case to bear against the base plate 163. That longitudinal edge 172 of the base plate which is alongside the slot 166 is provided with a serrated formation 173 oriented such that the lip formation 170 can move thereover in a first, longitudinal direction as the abutment plate slides obliquely out from the slot 166 over the abutment edge 167, but such that lon,#itudinal movement in a second, opposite direction is prevented.

The spacer member 160 is provided with double sided adhesive tape for attachment to a window frame rebate. When in situ the support member is arranged to lie with its longitudinal direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rebate, and the serrated formation 173 is arranged to lie neighbouring the outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

The cover plate 165 has an upper shoulder 174 along its longitudinal edge opposite the edge location 172 of the serrated formation.

The thickness of the base or cover plate may be varied to result in body portions 162 of different thicknesses (see Figures 14 and 14a).

In use of the spacer member 160 the support member 161 is attached to an inwardly facing rebate surface, typically two per frame side, using double-sided adhesive tape. A glazing unit is then fitted and spacer body portions 162 are fitted to the lower support members, the thickness of each being selected to achieve correct alignment of the glazing infill.

The other spacer members positioned around the frame are provided with body portions either before or after fitting the glazing infill, the cover plate chcuiters 174 being omitted in the case of pre-fitting. The cover plate shoulders 174 are arranged to abut the outer face of the infill.

Retention beads are then fitted and the glazing unit is pushed forwards away from the outwardly facing rebate surface (14 in Figure 1). As in respect of the first embodiment and with assistance from the abutting shoulders 174 this results in transvsrss movement of ths body portion 162 relative to the support member to bring it into contact with the retention bead and create a gap between the glazing infill and outwardly facing surface of the frame rebate. A small tool is then inserted in this gap to slide the abutment plate 168, along the rebate, over the abutment edge 167, and into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

Reverse movement of the plate 164 normally is resisted by the interengaging lip 170 and serrated formation 173, and the spacer thereby acts to prevent inwards movement and removal of the bead. If, however, it is wished to remove the glazing unit the lip portion 170 can be lifted and the abutment plate 168 slid backwards, by use of a hooked tool, to a position in which it ceases to prevent bead removal.

In a modification of the aforedescribed embodiment the serrated formation is provided on the cover plate 165. Reverse movement can then be achieved by pressing down on the oppositely orientated lip formation to disengage it from the serrated formation and allow sliding movement to an inoperative position.

Figure 19 shows an alternative construction in which the thickness of the body portion 162 is contained wholly within the thickness of the support member channels 161a. This is suitable where the spacer does not carry the weight of an infill.

In a fourth embodiment shown in Figure 20 a spacer member 200 comprises a support member 201 adhesively securable to a frame rebate and a pair of spacer arms 202 pivotally mounted on the support member. The two arms are interconnected b a link arm 203 pivotally attached to the mid length position of each spacer arm. One of the link arm pivotal positions 204 is formed with a screwdriver slot 205 whereby the three arms may be moved from the inoperative position as illustrated to a ,locking position in which the spacer arms, of an appropriately selected length, lie perpendicular to the longitudinal edge 206 of the support 201 to prevent inward movement and removal of a glazing bead. In this embodiment the pivotal position 204 is arranged to be accessible, in use, via the gap between a glazing unit and outwardly facing surface of the rebate.To allow movement of the arms it is intended that they should not be subjected to the weight of the infill.

In a fifth embodiment shown in Figure 21 a spacer member 210 is constructed in a manner similar to that of the fourth embodiment except that the link and spacer arms are replaced by a pivotally mounted cam 211.

The cam is rotatable from the position illustrated to a locking position in which the cam surface region 212 furthest from the pivot point abuts a retention bead.

In a sixth embodiment shown in Figures 22 to 24 there is provided a spacer member 220 adapted to be suitable for fitting after an infill has been positioned in a frame and retention beads fitted. The spacer 220 comprises two arm portions 221 of plastics material interconnected by an integrally formed and relatively thin articulation portion 222. The width (w) of each arm is less than that of the gap available between an infill and outwardly facing surface of a frame rebate whereby, with the arm portions 221 longitudinally aligned, the spacer may be inserted into the rebate.Each free end 223 of an arm is provided with a small hole 224 and with the aid of a small tool, such as a pair of circlip pliers, the two holes may be engaged when in situ in a rebate to bring the free ends together, thereby moving the articulated portion 220 outwards to abut a retention bead. A U-shaped retainer 225 may then be pressed over the free ends to maintain the two arm portions adjacent one another in a locking configuration. Alternatively the free ends may be moulded with snap-fit formations (not shown) which when engaged resist separation of the free ends under any forces exerted via the retention bead but which are separable by the use of a suitable tool, such as circlip pliers inserted in the holes 223.

In the seventh embodiment, shown in Figures 25 to 27, a security device 230 comprises a body portion formed by upper and lower rectangular plates 231,232 maintained spaced apart in a superimposed relationship by end spacers 233. A rectangular slot 234 is thereby defined between the upper and lower plates and is open along each of the longer edges of the plates.

A deformable locking strip 235 is housed in the slot 234. One end 236 of the strip 235 is pivotally mounted to the lower plate 232and the other, free end 237 is provided with a lip formation to engage a serrated formation 238 provided along a part of one of the longer edges of the lower plate 232. The upper plate is of a reduced width in comparison with the lower plate (See Figure 27) so that it does not lie over the serrated formations; the upper side of the locking strip is provided at the free end with an abutment 237' to engage against the longer edge of the upper plate and thereby ensure that the free end cannot slip inwards into the slot 234 and to become disengaged from the serrated formation.

The free end is movable towards the other end 236 to cause the strip to deform and move an intermediate portion 239' outwards from the slot to a locking position as shown dotted at 239' in Figure 25.

The serrated formation is arranged normally to prevent movement of the free end 237 away from the pivoted end 236, but by use of a suitable tool the free end may be temporarily lifted from engagement with the serrated formation.

Suitable materials for the deformable strip 235 include plastics materials such as polyethylene and metallic materials such as that of spring steel, e.g. covered with anti-corrosion material, and of an adequate thickness to resist buckling.

Figure 27 shows the device of Figures 25 and 26 in situ in a locking condition in a glazing assembly. The device 230 supports the weight of a glazing unit 240 and is adhesively secured directly to an inwardly facing surface 241 of a frame rebate. The edge of the device having the serrated formation 238 is arranged to abut the outwardly facing surface 242 of rebate and the intermediate portion 239' of the locking strip bears against the exterior bead 243. The locking strip thereby prevents movement of the bead towards the rebate face 242 and potential removal.

In a modification of the seventh embodiment the locking strip may comprise an articulated component such as that of the member 220 of the sixth embodiment.

In an eighth embodiment, illustrated in Figure 28 a security device 250 is of a simple construction formed from a single square section length of spring steel. One portion 251 is rectilinear and serves as a body member one face 252 of which is provided over a part of its length with a serrated formation 253 that serves as a fixed abutment means. The opposite face 254 of the portion 251 is covered with adhesive pads 255 for enabling the device to be adhesively secured to the outwardly facing surface of a frame rebate.

The device 250 additionally comprises a sinusoidally curved portion 256 which is integral with a rectilinear portion and serves as a movable abutment member. A free end 257 of the curved portion rests against an end of the serrated formation when in an unlocked condition.

The sinusoidal portion provides a pair of abutment edges 258, 259 which are intended to bear against a glazing bead when in a locked configuration. The device is moved to a locked configuration by moving the free end 257 in the direction of arrow A relative to the rectilinear portion.

The free end 257 resists movement in the reverse direction by virtue of engagement with the serrated formation, and is held against the serrations by a resiliency of the spring material when bearing against a retention bead.

To facilitate movement of the edge 259 outwards towards a bead, preferably a wedge 260 is carried by the free end 257 and arranged to move the intermediate bead 261 outwards when the end 257 is moved in the direction of arrow A.

The security device 310 shown in Figures 29 to 32 comprises a body member portion 311 in the form of a rectangular base plate 312 along each shorter edge of which there is provided a guide channel 313~, 313b of substantially a C shape in cross-section. The two guide channels lie at a common face of the base plate and have their openings facing one another.

The base plate additionally comprises a rib 314 which serves as an abutment means and extends parallel with a longer edge of the base plate close to that edge at the same face of the base plate as that at which the guide channels lie.

The base plate carries a movable abutment means 315 of a two part construction. One part 316 is of a plate of generally triangular shape and is movable in a direction parallel with the longer edges of the base plate, guided in that direction by engagement with the abutment rib. The other part 317 is in the form of a plate movable in a second direction, perpendicular to said first direction, under guidance of the guide channels 313a, 313b within which it is free to slide. The plate 317 has an obliquely extending edge 318 which is adapted for sliding relative to a confronting edge of the triangular plate 316 as the latter is moved in said first direction.

In use of the device, as the triangular plate is acted upon to move it from a retracted position adjacent the guide channel 313b in a direction towards the guide channel 313a it will act in turn upon the obliquely extending edge 18 of the plate 317 to cause that to move outwards away from the abutment rib 314. Thus the device is moved to an expanded condition in which, when in situ between a glazing bead and outwardly facing surface of a rebate, the outer edge 319 of the plate 317 abuts the bead and the device is able to inhibit inwards movement of the bead.

Preferably the abutment rib 314 is of a wedge shape in cross-section (see Figure 31) to engage in a complementary shaped groove in the triangular plate 316 and thereby assist in holding the plate 316 captive against the base plate. It is preferred also that a portion 320 of the rib 3 14 proximate the guide channel 313a is of a toothed form (see Figure 32) whereby engagement of that toothed form by a lip (not shown) carried by the narrow end 321 of the plate 316 inhibits reverse movement of the plate 316 to the retracted position adjacent guide channel 313b. The lip may be upwardly flexible to allow it to ride over the teeth and also to be held above the teeth by means of a suitable tool if it is necessary to move the plate 316 to its retracted position.

Stop means, not shown, may be provided to prevent movement of the plate 317 out from the guide channels 313 during initial installation of the device 310 in a frame rebate.

In the embodiment of Figure 33 a security device 350 comprises a support member 351 adhesively securable to a frame rebate. The member 351 carries a first arm 352 pivotally mounted at one end to the member 351, an interconnection arm 353 one end of which is pivotally connected at 354 to the other end of arm 352, and a second arm 355 pivotally connected to the other end 356 of the interconnecting arm 353. The other end 357 of the second arm 355 is movable over a toothed profile 358 carried by the support member 351; movement of the end 357 towards the first arm 352 will move the interconnecting arm 353 in an outwards direction to an expanded condition in which that arm may abut a glazing bead and prevent its improper removal as hereinbefore described.

In the embodiment of Figure 34 a security device 360 is supported relative to a glazing frame 361 by a rubber tube 362 opposite longitudinally extending portions 363 of which are adhesively secured to the device and frame respectively. The tube is able to roll slightly to allow movement of the device 360 to and from an outwardly facing surface 364 of the frame rebate and the hollow nature of the tube ensures that water drainage is not prevented.

In the embodiment of Figures 35a to 35c the smooth edge 318 of Figure 30 and the confronting inclined edge of portion 316 are replaced by edges 370,371 of portions 372,373 and which edges are substantially of a sinusoidal shape as viewed in plan. The need for a toothed portion 320 on rib 314 is avoided since the profiles 370,371 prevent movement of the portions 316,317 towards one another in the second direction but do not significantly inhibit movement in the first direction.

In the embodiment of Figures 36a to 36b a security device comprises two portions 380,381 similar to the two portions 372,373 of Figures 35a to 35c but without but without a body member 311. One of the portions 380 is formed with a slot 382 so it may be secured by a screw to a frame rebate but be free to move slightly in the aforementioned second direction, perpendicular to the place of an infill. The two portions are flexibly interconnected by straps 383,384, which may be of metal or of plastics and moulded integrally with the portions 380,381.

In use with the device lying between a frame rebate surface 385 and a retention bead 386, the portion 381 is operated upon via the space between the surface 385 and an infill (not shown) to move it to the right (as viewed in Figure 36a) in the first direction until it wedges against the portion 380 when that has moved outwards, guided by slot 382, to firmly abut against the bead 326.

Figure 37 shows a security device 400 in situ on a frame base 401, in an unexpanded condition, between a frame face 402 and a bead 403 of the kind removable by tilting and pushing. To firmly resist such tilting a movable abutment member portion 404 has an elongate foot portion 405 which is slideable over the frame base 401. An underside portion 407 of the bead 403 confronts and is contacted by the surface 408 of the portion 404 when the device 400 has been expanded to a bead locking condition. Also the member 404 is interlocked (as shown in Figure 38) with another portion 406 of the movable abutment member so that when the portion 406 is moved lengthwise of the frame the portion 404 is positively retracted.

The upper surface 408 may be inclined, e.g. to lie substantially parallel with the outer surface 409 of the bead so as to bear upwards and outwards (to the left as viewed in Figure 37) when the device is expanded.

The upper surface, whether as shown or inclined, may be arranged to engage a similarly inclined surface of the bead 403.

Another bead-locking security device is shown in Figures 39 and 40.

The device 500 comprises a plastics body 507 having two blind passages 501 each of which houses a compression spring 502 and a tooth portion 503 of a lock key 504. Each passage is open along its length at an upper surface 506 of the body 507. Each lock key 504 has also a handle portion 505 which can be moved from a position vertical to the plane of the paper of Figure 39 to lie in that plane. When vertical the tooth 503' is aligned with the open part of the passage such that the portion 503 can slide freely relative to the body; when the key is turned to the position shown in Figure 39 the tooth 503' digs into the plastics body to prevent subsequent sliding. Figure 40 shows the device 500 in situ to act as a bead lock security device for a bead 508. The spring urges the edge 510 of the device against the bead 508 and the key end 503 against the frame face 511 when locked. The key is then turned to a locked condition to secure the bead.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bead-locking security device for use in a glazing or like assembly of the kind comprising a frame in which an infill is retained in position by a retention bead, said security device comprising a body member for location between an infill and an inwardly facing surface of a frame, a fixed abutment means associated with said body member and a movable abutment means arranged to co-operate with the fixed abutment means whereby movement of the movable abutment means in a first direction parallel with the length of a portion of a glazing frame causes the fixed abutment means to move also in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.

2. A security device according to Claim 1 wherein the movable abutment means comprises at least two portions movable relative to one another

3. A security device according to Claim 2 wherein one portion moves in said second direction upon movement of the other portion substantially in said first direction.

4 A security device according to any one of Claims lto 3 wherein the body member is of an elongate form and said first direction of movement of the movable abutment means is parallel with the length of the body member.

5. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the fixed abutment means is comprised by a surface which extends obliquely relative to said first direction.

6. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the fixed abutment means is comprised by a surface of the body member.

7. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the movable abutment means is of a plate-like form.

8. A security device according to Claim 7 wherein at least a portion of said plate is of a generally triangular shape to serve as a wedge member.

9. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the body member has a slot in which the movable abutment means is movable.

10. A security device according to Claim 9 wherein a surface defining a wall of said slot is a bearing surface over which a movable abutment means of plate-like form is movable.

11. A security device according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein a wall defining said slot is provided with a bearing surface and the movable abutment means comprises a portion of plate-like form and from which depends an auxiliary portion of the movable abutment means, said auxiliary portion being movable over said bearing surface of the slot wall.

12. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the movable abutment means is of plate-like form and has a hook-like formation for engagement with a retention bead.

13. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the movable abutment means has an abutment face adapted, in use of the device, to bear against one of the confronting surfaces of the outwardly facing surface of a frame rebate and a retention bead.

14. A security device according to Claim 13 wherein said abutment face is of elongate form.

15. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14 and comprising locking means for securing the movable abutment means relative to the body member and its associated fixed abutment means.

16. A security device according to Claim 15 wherein the locking means comprises a rod of non-circular section arranged to lie between the movable abutment means and body member, one of the movable abutment means and body member being profiled and the rod being rotatable whereby a longitudinally extending edge portion thereof may be moved into a position of positive interlocking engagement with the profiled member.

17. A security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16 wherein the body member is provided with a slideable support member for location relative to the frame of a glazing or like assembly and relative to which the body member is movable in said second direction.

18. A security device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A glazing or like assembly comprising a frame having a rebate for receiving an infill and a retention bead located at a face of the rebate which faces inwardly to the centre of the frame normally to act to resist movement of the infill outwardly from an outwardly facing surface of the rebate, the infill being spaced from said inwardly facing surface of the rebate, and between said infill and inwardly facing surface of the rebate an expandable type spacer member arranged in an expanded condition to prevent movement of the retention bead in a direction towards said outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

20. An assembly according to Claim 19 wherein the spacer member is a bead-locking security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 18.

21. An assembly according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the retention bead has a bearing face against which the spacer member bears in a final assembly condition.

22. An assembly according to Claim 21 wherein the retention bead is of a hollow section an internal surface of which provides said bearing face

23. An assembly according to any one of Claims 19 to 22 wherein the frame rebate has an inwardly facing surface which is grooved to receive a portion of the retention bead.

24. An assembly according to Claim 23 wherein that sidewall of the groove which lies remote from the outwardly facing surface of the rebate has an undercut to assist bead retention.

25. A glazing or like assembly constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A glazing or like assembly comprising a frame having a rebate for receiving an infill and a retention bead located at a face of the rebate which faces inwardly to the centre of the frame normally to act to resist movement of the infill outwardly from an outwardly facing surface of the rebate, the infill being spaced from said inwardly facing surface of the rebate, and between said infill and inwardly facing surface of the rebate a spacer member arranged to prevent movement of the retention bead in a direction towards said outwardly facing surface of the rebate, said spacer member comprising a body member, a fixed abutment means associated with said body member and a movable abutment means arranged to co-operate with the fixed abutment means whereby movement of the movable abutment means in a first direction parallel with the length of a portion of the frame causes the movable abutment means to move also in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.

27. A method of constructing a glazing or like assembly comprising positioning an infill in a rebated frame and locating a retention bead in said rebate in a manner such that the bead will restrain movement of the infill away from the rebated frame, providing between the infill and an inwardly facing surface of the rebate an expandable type spacer member and expanding said spacer member whereby it serves to resist movement of the retention bead in a direction towards the outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

28. A method according to Claim 27 wherein the spacer member is located in the rebate before insertion of the infill, the infill and retention bead are fitted and the spacer member is then operated upon to lock the retention bead to the frame.

29. A method according to Claim 27 or an assembly according to Claim 19 wherein the spacer member is resiliently deformable whereby it may be introduced via a gap between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

30. A method or an assembly according to Claim 29 wherein the deformable spacer member relaxes a substantially flat form when fully inserted.

31. A method according to any one of Claims 27 to 30 wherein after providing a spacer member in a configuration in which it locks the retention bead a sealing strip is provided between the infill and outwardly facing surface of the rebate.

32. A method of constructing a glazing or like assembly according to Claim 27 and substantially as hereinbefore described.