GB2250535A

GB2250535A - Coupling inner and outer frames in apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2250535A
Application number: GB9124693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hardy
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1990-11-27
Filing date: 1991-11-21
Publication date: 1992-06-10
Also published as: GB9124693D0; GB9025738D0

Abstract

A window or door is installed in a building or the like by forming an opening in the building defined by a rigid outer frame 10, fitting an inner frame 30 into the outer frame and retaining the inner frame in Position by separate retaining members 40 engaged subsequently between the inner and outer frames by movement in outward directions generally parallel to the plane of the window or door assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

Window and Door Assemb.~vO This invention relates to window and door assemblies.

The incorporation of windows and doors into buildings during construction presents certain problems.

Two principal techniques have traditionally been used.

According to the first technique the window or door frame is inserted as the building is constructed and the walls, in effect, built around the frame using the frame as a guide. This has the disadvantage that the frame is frequently damaged or broken as building work continues and the glass requires to be fitted as a separate operation once building is completed. In the second technique the building is constructed with openings of appropriate size to receive windows and doors which are then inserted in a single operation when the building is fully constructed. Fitting at this stage is difficult and the window is liable to damage and to glass breakage. Moreover if the opening is not to precisely the correct dimensions the window will not fit or additional packing requires to be inserted to take up excess space.

These drawbacks are particularly acute in the case of windows and doors of plastics material. In the first case the plastic is particularly susceptible to damage by scuffing or scratching and to breakage. In the second case fitting to an undersize opening is not practicable since the frames are hollow and removal of material to effect fitting would break into the interior and destroy the integrity of the frame.

In order to avoid these disadvantages it has been proposed to construct windows and doors from an outer frame which. is placed in position at an early stage and around which the associated wall is constructed, a separate inner frame being provided which can be pre-glazed and engaged with the outer frame when building is essentially completed. However arrangements of this kind proposed hitherto have required the inner frame to be specially constructed to clip into locking engagement with the outer frame and it has not therefore been possible to use existing window frames. In addition the outer frame is cumbersome and difficult to transport and store and the subsequent fitting of drip deflectors, sills and other fitments has been difficult and time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of these disadvantages.

The invention provides a window or door assembly comprising a rigid outer frame adapted for attachment to a building to define a window or door opening, an inner frame engageable within the outer frame, and retaining members adapted for engagement with the inner and outer frames to retain the inner frame in position within the outer frame.

An intermediate cover member may be provided for fitting over said outer frame to enclose same and form a seating for said inner frame. Where such a cover member is provided the retaining members may engage between said cover member and said inner frame.

Preferably said retaining members are of elongated form and extend along the length of each edge of said inner frame. The retaining members may incorporate projections which extend over adjacent portions of said outer frame or said cover member to conceal same from view.

The retaining members are preferably adapted to be fitted at the inside of the window or door assembly but may alternatively be fitted at the outside. Preferably the retaining members are fitted by movement in outward directions generally parallel to the plane of the window or door assembly.

Preferably one of said retaining members is fitted at the upper edge of the window or door and incorporates a drip deflector. Another of said retaining members is preferably fitted at the lower edge and incorporates a sill member.

Said outer frame is preferably of metal construction and said inner frame of plastics construction. Said cover member, when provided, is preferably of plastics construction. The outer frame may be formed from separate top, bottom and side frame members secured together by welding or inter-connected by separate corner pieces.

The outer frame members may advantageously be formed from rolled steel or from extruded aluminium.

Preferably the outer frame members are of uniform cross-section about a central axis such that the frame may be fitted with either side directed outwardly while still enabling subsequent fitting of the inner frame.

The invention also provides a method of installing a window or door in a building or the like comprising forming an opening in the building defined by a rigid outer frame, fitting an inner frame into said outer frame, and retaining said inner frame in position by retaining members engageable between the inner and outer frames after location of the inner frame in position.

Preferably said retaining members are engaged with said frames by movement in outward directions generally parallel to the plane of the window or door assembly.

Preferably also said inner frame is moved into engagement with said outer frame from the side of the outer frame at which said retaining members are fitted, preferably to the side of the frame which is located inside said building or the like.

A cover member may be fitted to said outer frame before fitting of said inner frame to form a composite outer frame with which said inner frame and retaining members engage.

Preferably said outer frame is used as a former around which said opening in said building or the like is formed. Advantageously said inner frame is of standard construction and is adapted for fitting to said outer frame by attachment of components thereto with which said retaining members are engaged.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figs. 1A to 1D show various stages in the construction of a window according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows component parts of an outer frame according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section through one form of window assembly incorporating the outer frame of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section through an alternative window assembly incorporating the outer frame of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows component parts of an alternative form of outer frame; Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section through one form of window construction incorporating the outer frame of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-section through an alternative form of window construction incorporating the outer frame of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative form of window construction according to the invention Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section through the window construction of Fig. 8 just prior to insertion of the inner frame into the outer frame; Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-section showing the inner frame assembled within the outer frame; and Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross-section through the window construction of Figs. 8 to 10.

Figs. 1A to 1D show various stages in the fitting of a window assembly according to the invention in a building. The window assembly incorporates an outer frame 10 constructed from top, bottom and side frame members 11A to 11D inter-connected by corner pieces 20.

The frame 10 is mounted in position on a partially erected wall 8 of a building and acts as a template around which the remainder of the wall is built, the frame 10 being anchored in position at intervals by means of wall ties 15 engaged in recesses in the frame members and secured between adjacent courses of bricks or building blocks as the wall is constructed.

Once construction is completed the frame 10 therefore defines a window opening 9 in the completed wall 8 as shown in Fig. 1B. A separate inner window frame 30 which has been pre-glazed may then be inserted into the outer frame 10 by movement in the direction of the arrows 'A' in Fig. 1B. Fig. 1C shows the wall with the inner frame located in position, following which side, upper and lower retaining members 84A, 848 and 84C are fitted in position to secure the inner frame 30 in position in the outer frame 10. The completed assembly is shown in Fig. 1D.

Referring to Fig. 2 there is shown one form of outer frame constructed from frame members 11A to 11D of rolled steel construction inter-connected at right angles to one another by corner pieces 20 formed from synthetic plastics material. Each frame member comprises a pair of box sections 12A and 128 inter-connected by a web 13 and defining between them an outwardly directed channel 14 in which wall ties 15 may be engaged to secure the frame in position in the wall 8. The web 13 is recessed relative to the adjacent surfaces of the sections 12A and 12B and the end walls 16 of the frame members are of stepped construction. In this way the frame members incorporate a multiplicity of both horizontal and vertical parallel wall sections producing a particularly rigid construction resistant to bending stresses.The channel formed by the recessed web 13 is also adapted to accommodate the heads of bolts or screws which may be used to fix the frame in position instead of or in addition to wall ties and the recesses formed by the stepped side edges 16 are adapted to receive the edges of a damp-proof membrane forming a seal between the frame and adjacent brick work.

The frame members 11A to 11D are inter-connected to one another at rights angles by corner pieces 20.

Each corner piece is of synthetic plastics construction and comprises a corner post 21 and spigots 22 projecting therefrom at right angles to one another. The spigots are shaped to form a tight push fit within the open ends of the frame members and are chamfered at 23 to facilitate insertion.

Each of the spigots incorporates a flexible tongue 24 defined between parallel slots 25 and provided with a projecting detent 26 adapted to engage in an aperture 27 formed in the web 13 of the associated frame member 11A to 11D. In this way when the spigot is engaged in the end of the frame member the tongue 24 is deflected and the detent 26 runs along the inner surface of the web 13 until it reaches the aperture 27 when the tongue flexes outwardly to engage the detent in the aperture and retain the spigot against subsequent withdrawal from the frame member.

By constructing the outer frame from separate frame members adapted to be inter-connected by corner pieces, the frame components may be stored and transported to a building site in "knocked-down" form and assembled on site. In this way storage and transportation of the frames is considerably simplified compared with frames which are pre-assembled at the factory. If desired however the frame members 11A to 11D could be formed with chamfered ends secured together by welding.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, there is shown a vertical cross-section through a window assembly incorporating an outer frame according to Fig. 2. The assembly also includes an inner frame indicated generally at 30 and formed from top, bottom and side frame members 31 of extruded plastics material inter-connected at their corners by welding. Each frame member 31 comprises a central body portion 32 and oppositely directed abutment portions 33 and 34, the abutment portion 33 being disposed at the outside of the frame and the abutment portion 34 at the inside. The abutment portions incorporate respective recesses 33A and 34A to receive weather seals (not shown).

Formations 35A and 358 on the body portion 32 define a channel 36 into which is clipped a glazing bead 37 which retains a double glazing unit 38 in position in the frame between the glazing bead and the abutment member 34. Similar formations 38A and 38B on the outer edge of the body portion define a channel 39 with which a clip member 40 is engaged. The clip member incorporates a projection 41 which extends radially inwardly over the adjacent portions of the frame member 31 and is provided with serrations on its inner surface, the purpose of which will be described hereafter.

Further clip members 42 are attached by screws 43 to the abutment members 33 of the top and bottom frame members 31. A drip deflector 44 is engaged with the upper clip member 42 and a sill member 45 with the lower clip member 42. These components are attached to the frame during assembly and do not therefore require to be fitted separately on site.

Installation of the inner frame is effected by engaging it within the outer frame 10 from the outside of the building until the abutment members 33 contact the outer edges 16 of the frame members 11A to 11D. In this position the projections 41 on the clip members 40 lie substantially flush with the inner edges of the frame 10 and the inner frame 30 may then be secured in position in the frame 10 by combined retaining members and cover strips 50 now to be described. Each retaining strip 50 is of generally hook-like form, the free end of the hook portion incorporating inwardly directed serrations engageable with the serrations on the projections 41. The strip 50 also incorporates a projecting extension piece 51 which abuts against the adjacent inner edge of the frame 10.The strips 50 therefore serve both to retain the inner frame in position and to conceal the otherwise exposed edges of the outer frame 10 from view. The retaining strips are fitted by outward movement in the direction of the arrows 'B' in Fig. 3, thereby securely holding the inner frame in position around its entire periphery.

The clips 40 and 42 and the drip deflector 44 and sill member 45 are fitted to the inner frame assembly prior to delivery to the building site and the complete frame can therefore be fitted in a single operation by simply locating it within the previously fitted outer frame 10 and securing it in place by means of the retaining members 50. Preferably the inner frame is also pre-glazed but if desired it may be glazed after fitting to the outer frame 10.

Fig. 4 of the drawings is a horizontal cross-section through a modified form of window construction incorporating an opening frame. The window comprises an outer frame 10 and an inner frame 30 similar in construction to those described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the inner frame being secured in position within the outer frame by retaining members 50. In this instance a further frame 55 is pivotally mounted in the frame 30 by means of hinges (not shown) such that the frame 55 may be opened and closed relative to the frame 30. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of window constructions incorporating fixed glazed sections and opening frames may be fitted within the outer frame 10 to suit individual requirements.A particular advantage of the invention lies in the ability to fit existing window constructions within the outer frame 10 merely by attaching the clip members 40 to enable retention in position using the retaining members 50.

Fig. 5 of the drawings shows an alternative form of outer frame comprising frame members 60 of extruded aluminium construction inter-connected by corner pieces 61. The frame members 60 incorporate side-by-side generally rectangular box-like sections 62A and 62B separated by a central box section 63 and defining parallel outwardly opening channels 64A and 64B. The frame sections are inter-connected by corner pieces similar in general construction to those described with reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings and comprising corner posts 65 and pairs of projecting spigots 66 engageable in the respective sections 62A and 628 of the frame members. A flexible tongue 67 is disposed between adjacent spigots 66 and is provided with a projecting detent 68 engageable in an aperture formed adjacent the end of the associated frame member in a similar manner to the arrangement of Fig. 2.The frame members are provided with inwardly facing channels 69 and have stepped inner side walls 70 producing a rigid construction resistant to bending stresses and providing recesses enabling fixing by bolt or screw means and for accommodation of damp-proof membranes as previously described with reference to Fig. 2.

The frame members of Fig. 5 differ from those of Fig. 2 in the provision of an upstanding projection 75 at the inner edge of the frame member. The projection is of stepped form, the portion 75A adjacent to the main body of the frame forming an abutment for the inner window frame and the portion 75B forming an undercut recess or channel adapted to form a location for a cloaking member or cover strip as will be described hereafter. The frame member also incorporates a channel 76 for engagement by a retaining member serving to secure the inner frame within the outer frame.

Fig. 6 shows one form of window construction incorporating the outer frame 60 of Fig. 5 and an inner frame 80 formed from synthetic plastics material. The inner frame comprises a body portion 81 and an abutment member 82 projecting inwardly from the body member 81 and adapted to form a seating for a glazing unit 83 secured in position by means of glazing members in the form of strips or beads 83A engaged with the body member 81.

In assembling the window construction the inner frame 80 is moved into engagement with the outer frame 60 until it contacts the abutment portion 75. In this position the inner frame is clear of the channel 76 in the outer frame 60 and may be secured in position by retaining members now to be described. The retaining members 84A fitted at the side of the frame are shown in Fig. 7. Each retaining member incorporates a body portion 85 and a jaw portion 86 adapted to engage over the outer wall 76A of the channel 76 and provided with projecting formations which engage with undercut recesses formed in opposite faces of the wall. The retaining member also incorporates an outwardly directed extension 87 which overlies and obscures from view the exposed outer edge of the outer frame 60.

Modified forms of retaining member are fitted at the top and bottom of the frame. The upper retaining member 848 incorporates an outwardly and downwardly directed drip deflector 88. The lower retaining member 84C incorporates a jaw member 86 similar to that of the retaining members 84A but the body portion is extended to form a sill 89. Thus when the retaining members are fitted around the frame the resulting construction incorporates a drip deflector 88 at the upper edge of the window and a sill 89 at the lower edge.

In order to cloak the inner edge of the outer frame 60 from view, trim members 90 are provided. These comprise generally J-shaped sections, the outer ends of the hooked portions of which are provided with projecting ribs 91 engageable in undercut recesses 92 in the portions 758 of the projections 75. The leg portions of the trim members extend outwardly over the adjacent edges of the outer frame 60 to conceal same from view around the entire periphery of the window assembly.

Fig. 7 of the drawings is a horizontal cross-section similar to Fig. 4 but showing a window construction incorporating the outer frame 60 of Figs. 5 and 6. The inner window comprises a main frame 80 similar to that of Fig. 6 and an opening frame 95 pivotally mounted within the frame 80 for opening and closing movement. In other respects the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 to 11 of the drawings show an alternative form of window construction incorporating an outer frame 100, cover members 121 engaged over the outer frame, an inner frame 140 and retaining members 160 engaged between the cover member 120 and the inner frame 140 to hold the latter in place within the outer frame.

The outer frame is of rolled steel construction and similar in cross-sectional shape to the outer frame 10 of Figs. 2 to 4. However the frame members from which the frame 100 is constructed are chamfered at their ends and welded together to form a rigid structure. The frame comprises box sections 112A and 112B inter-connected by a web 113 and defining between them an outwardly directed channel 114 for engagement by wall ties to secure the frame in position in a wall structure. The web 113 is recessed relative to the adjacent surfaces of the sections 112A and 1128 and the end walls 116 of the frame are of stepped construction.

In this way the frame members incorporate a multiplicity of both horizontal and vertical parallel wall sections producing a particularly rigid construction resistant to bending stresses. The channel formed by the recessed web 113 is also adapted to accommodate the heads of bolts or screws which may be used to fix the frame in position instead of or in addition to wall ties and the recesses formed by the stepped side edges 116 are adapted to receive the edges of a damp-proof membrane forming a seal between the frame and adjacent brick work.

The cover member 120 is best seen in Fig. 9 of the drawings and comprises top, bottom and side members of extruded plastics construction adapted to clip over the frame 100 to conceal same from view and form a seating for the inner frame 140. The cover member 120 comprises a main seating portion 121 and opposed end portions 122 and 123. The end portion 122 comprises opposed flange portions 124 and 125. The flange 124 is adapted to form an abutment to locate the inner frame 140 in the correct position relative to the outer frame 100. The flange 125 incorporates an inwardly directed rib 126 adapted to engage the stepped portion of the side wall 116 of the outer frame 100 and extends beyond the hook 126 in order to conceal the side wall 116 from view.

The end portion 123 of the cover member 120 incorporates a generally U-shaped locking member or jaw 127, the outer limb of which is provided with inwardly directed serrations 128 adapted to engage with complimentary serrations on the locking member 160. The end portion 123 also incorporates an inwardly directed rib 128 adapted to engage the stepped portion of the associated end wall 116 of the outer frame 100 and an outwardly directed flange 129 forming a stop for the associated retaining member 160.

The inner frame 140 is identical in construction to the frame 80 shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The frame 140 is formed from synthetic plastics material and comprises a body portion 141 having an inwardly projecting portion 142 forming an abutment for a glazing unit 143 held in engagement therewith by elongated glazing members 144 in the form of strips or beads engaged with projections 145 on the body member 141.

The inner frame is retained in position within the outer frame by retaining members 160. The retaining members fitted at the sides of the frame are shown in Figs. 8 and 11. Each retaining member is of generally U-shaped cross-section but with one arm longer than the other. The shorter arm 161 is provided with inwardly directed serrations adapted for engagement with the serrations 128 on the hook portion 127 of the cover member 120. The longer arm 162 is adapted to extend over the outer surface of the hook portion 127 into abutment with the flange 129 which acts as a stop. When located in position the retaining members project inwardly beyond the seating portion 121 of the cover member 120, thereby engaging with the adjacent surface of the inner frame 140 and retaining it in position.

Modified forms of retaining member are fitted at the top and bottom of the frame and are illustrated in Fig. 10. The upper retaining member 165 is generally similar to the side retaining members 160 but incorporates an outwardly and downwardly directed drip deflector 166. The lower retaining member 170 incorporates a jaw portion 171 generally similar to the side retaining members 160 but the longer leg 172 is provided with an extension 173 forming a sill. Thus when the retaining members are fitted around the frame the resulting construction incorporates a drip deflector 166 at the upper edge of the window and a sill 173 at the lower edge.

In assembling the window construction of Figs. 8 to 11, the outer frame 100 is first installed in the wall of the building in the manner shown in Fig. 1A of the drawings. The wall is then constructed around the frame and once bulding has been completed, the pre-glazed and assembled inner frame may be installed.

For this purpose appropriate lengths of cover member 120 are fitted to the top, bottom and sides of the outer frame 100 by pushing them over the frame until the ribs 126 and 128 engage the undercut portions of the side walls 116. The cover member then cloaks the outer frame 110 and obscures it from view. The installation is completed by introducing the inner frame 140 into the opening defined by the covered outer frame until it abuts the flanges 124 and securing the inner frame in position by means of the side retaining members 160 and the upper and lower retaining members 165 and 170.

It is to be noted that in the embodiment of Figs.

8 to 11 the refinements of the aluminium outer frame 60 of Figs. 5 to 7 are in effect attained by applying the cover members 120 to the less complex steel frame construction of Figs. 2 to 4. The outer frame 100 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11 is however of welded construction but could, if desired, be constructed from separate frame members inter-connected by corner pieces in the manner of Fig. 2.

By virtue of the arrangements described the fitting of windows and doors to buildings is greatly simplified compared with conventional techniques. The outer frame 10, 60 or 100 is first fitted during construction of the building and remains in place until building is essentially complete. The inner frame already glazed may then be simply and easily fitted into position within the outer frame and secured in place using the retaining members. In the case of the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 4 the window comes completely fitted with all attachments including drip deflector and sill members and can be secured in place simply by fitting the retaining members 50.In the case of the embodiments shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the inner frame is retained in position by fitting appropriate retaining members 84A, 84B and 84C at the top, bottom and sides and fitting is then completed by attachment of the internal trim strips 90 to obscure the outer frame from view. The embodiment of Figs. 8 to 11 is installed by first fitting the cover member 120 over the outer frame, inserting the inner frame and securing it in position by means of the retaining members 160, 165 and 170.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the outer frames may be modified substantially and the outer frame members may be inter-connected at the corners of the frame by alternative means. The shapes and dimensions of the inner frame members may alter substantially and a wide variety of inner frames incorporating combinations of fixed and movable lights may be fitted within appropriately sized outer frames and retained using the same retaining members. A particular advantage of the constructions described resides in the fact that existing window systems may be fitted to the outer frame constructions described without requiring modification of the frame members. It should also be appreciated that while reference has been made herein primarily to the construction and installation of windows, the invention is equally applicable to the construction and installation of doors.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A window or door assembly comprising a rigid outer frame adapted for attachment to a building to define a window or door opening, an inner frame engageable within the outer frame, and retaining members adapted for engagement with the inner and outer frames to retain the inner frame in position within the outer frame.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 including an intermediate cover member adapted to fit over said outer frame to enclose same and form a seating for said inner frame.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said retaining members engage between said cover member and said inner frame.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining members are of elongated form and extend along the length of each edge of said inner frame.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining members incorporate projections which extend over adjacent portions of said outer frame or said cover member to conceal same from view.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining members are adapted to be fitted at the inside of the window or door assembly.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining members are fitted by movement in outward directions generally parallel to the plane of the window or door assembly.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one of said retaining members is fitted at the upper edge of the assembly and incorporates a drip deflector.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one of said retaining members is fitted at the lower edge of the assembly and incorporates a sill member.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is of metal construction and said inner frame of plastics construction.

11. An assembly according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent from claim 2 wherein said cover member is of plastics construction.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is formed from separate top, bottom and side frame members secured together by welding.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is formed from separate top, bottom and side frame members interconnected by separate corner pieces.

14. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is formed from rolled steel.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is formed from aluminium.

16. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said outer frame is formed from frame members of uniform cross-section about a central axis such that the frame may be fitted with either side directed outwardly while still enabling subsequent fitting of said inner frame.

17. A window or door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A window or door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A window or door assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of installing a window or door in a building or the like comprising forming an opening in the building defined by a rigid outer frame, fitting an inner frame into said outer frame, and retaining said inner frame in position by retaining members engageable between the inner and outer frames after location of the inner frame in position.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said retaining members are engaged with said frames by movement in outward directions generally parallel to the plane of the window or door assembly.

22. A method according to claim 20 or 21 wherein said inner frame is moved into engagement with said outer frame from the side of the outer frame at which said retaining members are fitted.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said side is the side of the frame which is located inside the building or the like.

24. A method according to any of claims 20 to 23 wherein a cover member is fitted to said outer frame before fitting of said inner frame to form a composite outer frame with which said inner frame and retaining members engage.

25. A method according to any of claims 20 to 24 wherein trim members are fitted to the inner frame after it has been engaged with said outer frame, the trim members serving to conceal parts of said outer frame from view.

26. A method according to any of claims 20 to 25 wherein said outer frame is used as a former around which said opening in the building or the like is formed.

27. A method according to any of claims 20 to 26 wherein said inner frame is of standard construction and is adapted for fitting to said outer frame by attachment of components thereto with which said retaining members are engaged.

28. A method of installing a window or door in a building or the like substantially as hereinbefore described.

29. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.