GB2250533A - Window frame mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A building aperture has a rigid outer frame member 1 serving as a template around which brickwork 2 is constructed. Brickwork ties 3 connect with the outer facing surface 4 of the frame which includes turned-in edge portions 5, 6 to define channels into which wing 7, 8 of brick ties may be located with the tails 9 being suitably embedded in the brickwork mortar. The rearward facing surface of frame member 1 has a flat face 10 serving to define an end stop for plaster 11. The forward facing surface has a nose-shaped profile 12 which provides sufficient opening for insertion of a window 13 from the front. Peripherally spaced spring clips 14 retain the window surround 13 by engagement underneath discrete or strip mushroom-headed formations 15 moulded into the frame itself. The clip 14 includes an outwardly projecting detent 16 which is arranged to engage behind an abutment face 17 pressed out of outer frame 1. <IMAGE>

Description

TITT,E Improvements in or relating to Window Structures for Buildings This invention relates to improvements in or relating to window structures for buildings and is primarily concerned with an arrangement which facilitates the incorporation of a window structure into a building during construction.

With traditional window frames of wood it is usual to make use of a prefabricated wooden frame structure which is bedded on to a course of brickwork and around which the brickwork forming the window reveal is built up. The prefabricated window unit is then inserted into the frame and suitably secured.

With uPVC window structures a framework of this plastic material is not sufficiently rigid or durable to be used as a template around which the brickwork may be laid and this problem has been overcome by making use of a steel sub-frame which is specially adapted to engage with a uPVC inner frame which then carries the window unit itself. Such an arrangement requires a specially constructed sub-frame and framework which is specific to one particular shape of window moulding.

This invention seeks to provide an improved arrangement whereby the steel sub-frame can be adapted to accept a standard uPVC or other window frame and in which the steel sub-frame permits the usual wet trades work to be completed, such as brickwork and plastering, prior to insertion of the window itself. The arrangement thus avoids potential damage and marring of a uPVC window which is particularly vulnerable during the construction stage.

According to a first aspect this invention provides a rigid window frame member including an outer sideways facing surface having formed portions to engage with ties in a window reveal, an inner sideways facing surface having a detent to engage with a clip means on a window surround, a rearward facing surface with an inwardly directed limb forming a plaster stop face and abutment for the rear edge of the window surround, and a forward facing profile to receive the window surround.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a window structure for a building, said structure having a rigid outer frame member and a window carrying inner frame or surround member, the inner frame locating within the outer frame and being retained by cooperating detent means and abutment means on the respective frame members.

Preferably, the window frame member according to the first aspect of this invention constitutes the outer frame member of the second aspect. The inner frame member may comprise a customary uPVC window moulding with the detent means comprising clip units which are engaged with profiled portions on the outer surface of the inner frame. The clips may include angled detents which engage behind an appropriate abutment formation on the inner facing surface of the outer frame member with the arrangement being such that the inner frame may be inserted from the outside of the building with the detent and abutment formations thereafter snap engaging with each other to provide a permanent interlocking fixture.

Particular advantages arising from the constructions according to this invention are that predetermined opening sizes are provided for the window reveals for a bricklayer to work to in constructing the building with an inner plaster stop being provided to give a finish around the inside of the window frame. The rigid frame member may be provided with a temporary board or the like closure thus rendering the building weatherproof without requiring the fitment of windows themselves. Thus the uPVC window units can be fitted at the latest possible time during or after construction work, thus offering protection against damage which might occur during building operations.

In order to enable the invention to be more clearly understood and more completely described, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment by way of an example only together with a modification for the rigid frame member.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a partial cross section through a window frame and adjacent brickwork, Figure 2 shows the frame during construction of the brickwork, Figure 3 shows in cross section an alternative construction of rigid frame member.

Figure 3a shows a spring clip, and Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement for cavity walls.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a window opening in a building is constructed in a customary manner using a rigid window frame member 1 (outer frame member) which serves as a template around which brickwork 2 is constructed. During construction brickwork ties 3 are connected with the outer facing surface 4 of the frame which includes turned-in edge portions 5 and 6 to define channels into which the wings 7 and 8 of brick ties may be located with the tails 9 being suitably embedded in the mortar course of the brickwork. The rearward facing surface of the frame member 1 has a flat face 10 which serves to define. an end stop for plasterwbrk 11. The forward facing surface has a profile in the form of a nose 12 which provides a sufficient opening for insertion of a uPVC window 13 from the front.The frame member is constructed from straight lengths of stainless steel or galvanised metal profile joined by corner pieces J.

In order to retain the window surround 13 a plurality of spring clips 14 are provided, these being spaced around the periphery of the surround 13 and retained by engagement underneath discrete or strip mushroom-headed formations 15 which are moulded into the frame itself. The clip 14 includes an outwardly projecting detent 16 which is arranged to engage behind an abutment face 17 pressed out of the outer frame 1. The arrangement is such that the surround 13 can be presented to the outer facing side of the rigid frame 1 and thereafter pressed into position with the clips 16 initially yielding to thereafter spring back into abutment with the pressed out portions 17 so as to securely lock the uPVC window surround into the window frame 1.After this operation the space between the surround and frame may be filled with a suitable plastics foam material 18 with a mastic or other sealant 19 applied to the outside facing gap.

A particular advantage of this arrangement is that the window frame surround 13 may be of a customary kind and the spring clips readily provide the means for ensuring a positive permanent connection with the rigid outer frame 1. The provision of the plaster stop 10 ensures that an appropriate interior finish is provided without the additional provision of another frame member which is required in known constructions.

The surround 13 may carry a customary double glazed window unit 20.

The rigid frame 1, clips 14 and brick ties 3 will be manufactured from stainless steel to ensure a long life and freedom from corrosion. The ties may be of plastic material.

According to a further feature of this invention, a temporary board closure 21 (Figure 2) may be provided which is held within the rigid frame member 1 and which serves as weather proofing pending installation of the window surround and double glazed unit. Any dimensional tolerances due to manufacture can be readily absorbed by virtue of the spring clip arrangement for securing the frame.

A typical method for installation would comprise the following: 1) Bed the frame 1 on brickwork (mortar bed) in an upright position and correct depth from the face of brickwork with the rear of the frame in line with the D.P.C. Ensure frame is parallel with face of building. Hold frame in this position by accepted method (i.e. scaffold board). Build brickwork around frame in the normal manner inserting brick ties 3 into the side of the frame at approximately every fourth course, starting two courses from corner.

2) The inner edge 10 of the frame 1 forms a plaster line enabling reveals to be plastered before uPVC surround is fitted.

3) When windows or door are to be fitted, snap spring clips 14 into retaining area on edge of uPVC surrounds 13 with wedge shape tool and in positions which correspond to lugs 17 on the frame 1. Ensure that the upstand in the centre of the spring clips 14 is pointing to the outside of the window or door.

4) Remove board insert 21 from the frame and push window or door surround into frame.

5J With plastic packers, square up window surround in frame so that gap between window and frame is equal all round.

6) Fill gap with expanded foam and trim back when cured to allow for mastic pointing as final operation.

7) Internally, finish joint between plaster and window with painters acrylic caulk mastic.

Figure 3 shows a modified construction for the frame 1 wherein the principal difference is that the abutment 17 is no longer pressed out of the frame material but is formed by a profiled surface running the whole length of the frame. This obviates the need to ensure that the clips 14 (see Figure 3a) are aligned with the abutment 17 and the clips can be positioned at any convenient spaced location.

Figure 4 shows a further construction having similar characteristics but wherein the parts have somewhat ifferzt physical forms. The like functioning parts have been allocated the same reference. In this construction the primary difference is that the frame member 1 is secured to a wall cavity closure plate 40 secured by ties 41 to respective inner and outer brick courses 42,43 defining cavity C. The tails of the ties 41 engage profiles 44, 45 on cavity closing limb 46 and cavity engaging limb 47 of plate 40 respectively.

Claims (11)

1. A window structure including an outer frame member with an outer sideways facing surface having formed portions to engage with ties in a window reveal, an inner sideways facing surface having an abutment to engage with a detent of a clip means on a window surround, a rearward facing surface with an inwardly directed limb forming a plaster stop face and abutment for the rear edge of the window surround, and a forward facing profile to receive the window surround.

2. A window structure, said structure having an outer frame member and a window carrying inner frame or surround member, the inner frame locating within the outer frame and being retained by co-operating snap engaging detent means and abutment means on the respective frame members.

3. A window structure according to Claim 2, wherein the outer frame member is provided with an outer sideways facing surface having formed portions to engage with ties in a window reveal, an inner sideways facing surface having an abutment to engage with a detent of a clip means on a window surround, a rearward facing surface with an inwardly directed limb forming a plaster stop face and abutment for the rear edge of the window surround, and a forward facing profile to receive the window surround.

4. A window structure according to any Claim 1 or 3, wherein the outer surface of the outer frame member has opposed channels each to engage with a respective tail of a brick tie.

5. A window structure according to Claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the inner surface of the outer frame member has a channel one side of which forms the abutment for the detent of the clip means.

6 A window structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the window frame or surround member has an outer sideways facing surface provided with longitudinally extending profiles engaged by clip means, said clip means having a springy tongue forming a detent to snap engage the abutment in locking relationship.

7. A window structure according to any preceding claim, wherein a wall cavity closure plate is secured to the window frame member, said plate having formed portions to engage with brickwork ties in a window reveal.

8. A window outer frame member substantially as described herein and as exemplified by the drawings.

9. A window structure comprising an outer frame member and a window carrying frame member substantially as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.

10. A method of installing a window in a building comprising the steps of:a) locating on outer frame member in position to define a window reveal, b) connecting masonry ties with said frame member, zi constructing brickwork around said frame and retained by the ties, d) locating an inner window carrying frame member within the outer frame, with the said frames being secured by co-operating and snap-engaging detent means and abutment means of the respective frame members, and e) introducing a sealant at least between the frame members to close-off external gaps.

11. A method of installing a window structure as described herein and exemplified.