GB2251882A

GB2251882A - Pane defining member for sealed glazing unit

Info

Publication number: GB2251882A
Application number: GB9127296A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Rose
Original assignee: ENVOYGATE
Current assignee: ENVOYGATE
Priority date: 1990-12-27
Filing date: 1991-12-23
Publication date: 1992-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-23
Also published as: GB9028082D0; GB9127296D0; GB2251882B

Abstract

A sealed glazing unit comprising a frame 20 defined by sealing bars 22 which are sandwiched between two sheets of glazing material. Pane defining member 24, 28 extend respectively vertically and horizontally within the frame 20 between the sheets of glazing material thereby giving the impression that the unit comprises a plurality of smaller panes 28. The pane defining means are thinner in a direction perpendicular to the panes 28 than the sealing bars so as to allow a flow of air either side of the members 24, 26. <IMAGE>

Description

Window Constructions The present invention relates to window constructions and especially, but not exclusively, to sash window constructions.

It is now conventional to install sealed glazing units in windows in order to improve the insulation qualities of the window. The term "sealed glazing unit" is used herein to refer to a construction comprising two generally parallel sheets of glazing material spaced apart to form a space therebetween, and sealing means which provide a substantially air-tight seal between the sheets around their edges. The glazing material is often glass, but could be other materials. In use, the air trapped within the sealed glazing unit forms an insulating layer between the inside and outside of the building, thereby reducing heat loss through the window.

Conventional sealed glazing units have been found vulnerable to failure for various reasons and it is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the invention, there is provided a sealed glazing unit as aforesaid, and comprising at least one pane defining member located in the space between the sheets of glazing material, the pane defining member or members being visible through the sheets to divide the area of the unit into a plurality of panes each defined between a sheet edge or edges and a pane defining member or members or solely between pane defining members, the unit further comprising at least one decorative member bonded to the outer face of one of the glazing sheets and extending across the said surface in alignment with a pane defining member, wherein the pane defining member or members are so formed and arranged as to allow air within the space of any pane to pass the pane defining member or members into the space of a neighbouring pane or panes.

Preferably at least one pane defining member is so located as to leave a gap between itself and one of the sheets. The pane defining member may be elongate and a continuous gap may be left between itself and one of the sheets along substantially the whole length of the pane defining member. The pane defining member may be elongate and there may be a plurality of gaps defined along the length of the said member and between the said member and one of the sheets, the gaps being separated one from another by portions of the said member, which portions abut the said one sheet.

There may be a plurality of pane defining members arranged to define the panes as aforesaid and arranged to leave gaps between adjacent pane defining members. The pane defining members may be arranged to span the space between the sheets and abut both sheets, the pane defining members meeting at one or more locations and there being gaps between the members at each of the said locations. There may be at least one pane defining member which spans the space between the sheets and abuts both sheets, and which extends towards an edge of the sheets, there being a gap between the or each pane defining member and the said edge and through which air may pass from pane to pane.

Preferably the or each pane defining member abuts at least one of the sheets.

Preferably, a decorative member is aligned as aforesaid with each pane defining member. There may be decorative members as aforesaid bonded to the outer faces of both glazing sheets.

The invention also provides a wooden window construction comprising wooden frame members which define a channel or channels for receiving the edges of the sealed glazing unit as aforesaid, and means defining a space within the channel and around at least a portion of one edge of a unit received in the channel, the. space being open to atmosphere.

The space defining means may comprise walls of the channel, the channel being oversized in relation to the edge of the sealed glazing unit.

The space defining means may comprise at least one bore through the body of a frame member and extending from the channel to an external surface of the frame member. There may be a plurality of bores as aforesaid.

Preferably the or each bore extends downwardly from the channel to allow liquid in the channel to drain away. At least one bore as aforesaid may be formed in a frame member which, in use, is horizontal and below the sealed glazing unit. The frame members may form an opening frame of the window construction, the or each bore opening to atmosphere at a downwardly facing horizontal surface.

The space defining means may further comprise projections extending into the channel from a wall thereof and which, in use, abut the edge of a sealed glazing unit to prevent the said unit abutting the wall.

The projections may be formed by a plurality of chocks spaced apart along the channel.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a window construction comprising an opening frame which carries a glazing sheet, and a fixed frame in which the opening frame may open and close, the fixed frame member having a surface which overlies a parallel surface of the opening frame when the opening frame is closed, the construction further comprising at least one projection formed on one of the overlying surfaces and so located as to maintain a spacing between the overlying surfaces when the opening frame is closed.

The projections are preferably formed on overlying surfaces which are generally parallel to the plane of the opening frame when closed. The opening frame may be a sash, which slides to open and close. A projection as aforesaid is preferably provided at each corner of the sash when closed.

Preferably the or each projection is formed by mounting a stud on one of the overlying surfaces. The projection is preferably formed on the overlying surface of the opening frame.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partially cut away perspective view of a conventional sealed glazing unit; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, through a complete unit according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative embodiment; Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views corresponding to the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 4, respectively, through a complete unit according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a partial section at the bottom of a sash according to the second aspect of the invention; and Fig. 8 is a vertical section of part of a sash window construction according to the third aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional sealed glazing unit 10 consisting of two generally parallel sheets 12a,12b of glazing material such as glass. These are spaced apart to form a space 14 therebetween. Sealing means in the form of sealing bars 16 are located between the sheets 12 along the edges thereof and are sealed in known manner to provide an air-tight seal between the sheets 12 around their edges, thereby preventing air entering or leaving the space 14.

Fig. 2 shows the internal frame 20 of a first embodiment of a sealed glazing unit according to the present invention. The periphery of the frame 20 is defined by sealing bars 22 corresponding to the bars 16 of Fig. 1, and used to provide an air-tight seal around the edges of two sheets of glazing material between which the frame 20 is sandwiched in order to complete the construction. Within the periphery defined by the bars 22, there are pane defining members 24,26. A first pane defining member 24 extends vertically from the top to the bottom of the frame 20, abutting the top and bottom sealing bars 22 at each extremity. Horizontal pane defining members 26 extend from the side sealing bars 22, to which they abut, across to the vertical pane defining member 24, which they also abut. Consequently, the pane defining members 24,26 form a cross within the frame 20 and vi andovisible through the glazing sheets of the finished unit, thereby giving the impression of a unit consisting of four square or rectangular panes 28.

As has been described above, the thickness of the sealing bars 22 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame 20 is equal to (and sets) the spacing between the glazing sheets. The pane defining members 24,26 are thinner in this perpendicular direction than the sealing bars 22. Consequently, the members 24,26 are not sufficiently thick to abut both panes of glazing material 30 (Fig. 3) in the finished unit, of which Fig.

3 is a section corresponding to the section line 3-3 of Fig. 2. The pane defining members 24,26 abut one sheet 30a of glazing material and are bonded thereto, for instance by adhesive or cement, but there is a gap 34 between the members 24,26 and the other sheet of glazing material 30b. This gap 34 allows air in the space 32 of one pane 28 to pass the member 24,26 into the space 32 of a neighbouring pane 28. It is apparent from Fig. 2 that each pane 28 has two neighbours with a common edge.

Since each member 24,26 provides a gap between itself and the glazing material 30b, air in any of the panes 28 can pass into either neighbouring pane.

Fig. 3 also shows decorative members 36. The members 36 are bonded to the outer faces of the glazing material 30a,30b, and extend across the faces in alignment with the pane defining members 24,26. The members 36, which are usually of wood, are profiled to resemble conventional glazing bars, such as are found in traditional Georgian windows. the members 36 complete the visual impression that the window is constructed from a plurality of individually glazed panes, whereas the construction actually consists of two unbroken sheets of glazing material, for ease of manufacture. Simulated glazing bars like the members 36 may be bonded to both outer faces of the sealed glazing unit, or to only one.

The facility for air to move around within the unit contributes to a more even temperature throughout the whole unit. Consequently, thermal stresses created by differential heating (for instance because only one part of the unit is in sunlight) are significantly reduced.

Such stresses are believed to be a major contributor to the failure of sealed glazing units. One reason for this is that the glazing material is bonded to simulated glazing bars and to spacer bars which hold the glazing material apart, and the various materials may have different coefficients of thermal expension which create stresses which are further exacerbated by temperature differences. The construction described above reduces the likelihood of such stresses causing the unit to fail, but the periphery of the unit remains sealed in conventional manner, so that this improvement is believed to be achieved without any substantial reduction in the overall insulation properties of the unit.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the inventtion. Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 2, and shows the internal frame 40 which, in use, is sandwiched between sheets 42a,b (Figs. 5 and 6) to complete the unit, with sealing bars 44 providing an air-tight seal around the edges thereof. Four pane defining members 46a,b, 48a,b complete the frame 40. The members 46a,46b extend vertically. The member 46a extends down from the top bar 44. The member 46b extends up from the bottom bar 44. The members 46a,46b are not quite long enough to meet at a location indicated generally at 50 and at or close to the centre of the frame 40. Consequently, a narrow gap is left between the upper face of the member 46b and the lower face of the member 46a.

The member 48a extends in from one side of the frame 40, almost reaching the members 46a,b, but stopping short to leave a narrow gap 52. Similarly, the member 48b extends in from the other side of the frame almost to the members 46a,b and leaving a narrow gap 54.

Consequently, a network of three gaps is formed at the location 50, through which air may pass from any of the panes 56 of the frame 40, to any other pane.

The construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 also includes simulated glazing bars 58, arranged in the same way as, and for the same reasons as the members 36 of Fig. 3.

Again, the facility for air movement between panes ensures that the temperature across the complete unit is more even, and thereby contributes to alleviating the stresses referred to above.

Other arrangements can be provided for allowing air to move between adjacent panes. For instance, the pane defining members could span the space between the glazing material sheets and be attached thereto, but have bores which allow air to pass through the body of the members, or could have one or more castellated surfaces in abutment with the glazing material, in order to allow air to pass between the castellations. In a further alternative, pane defining members could be used in pairs, one of each pair being attached to each glazing material sheet, and the members of the pair being aligned and leaving a gap between them.

Fig. 7 is a partial section of a wooden window construction 60 comprising a wooden frame member 62 which, together with other frame members (not shown), define a channel 64 for receiving the edge 66 of a sealed glazing unit 68. A space is maintained, as will be described, within the channel 64 and around at least a portion of, the edge 66 of the unit 68. The space is open to atmosphere.

In more detail, it is apparent from Fig. 7 that the channel 64 is oversized in relation to the unit 68, so that the edge 66 is not a tight fit in the channel 64, and space 70 is left around the edge 66, within the channel 64. A bore 72 extends down from the space 70 through the body of the member 62 and opens to atmosphere at its lower end 74. A series of similar bores 72, which may be vertical, are formed along the member 62.

The space 70 around the edge 66 is further assured by the provision of small chocks 76 at intervals along the channel 64, on which the unit 68 rests. That is, the chocks 76 hold the unit 68 above the floor 78 of the channel 64. Thus, air can circulate up through the bore 72 and around virtually the whole of the lower edge 66.

This ventilation assists in keeping dry the edge 66 and the wood of the member 62, thereby preventing rot; rusting etc. which could cause deterioration of the seal of the unit 68, thereby damaging the insulation properties of the unit, or shorten the life of the wooden frame. Moreover, the generally vertical orientation of the bore 72 allows any water which collects in the channel 64 (such as condensation) to drain away down the bore 72, thereby further maintaining the dryness of the edge 66, and assisting in reducing the likelihood of rot of the member 62.

The chocks 76 may be glued in position or may be small tacks embedded in the wood of the member 62.

Fig. 8 is a section through a sash window, showing the upper frame member 84 of an upper sash 80a. The member 84 is one of four members which together form the sash 80a and carry a glazing sheet or (as shown) a sealed glazing unit 86. The sash 80a slides in a fixed frame 88 to open and close. The fixed frame 88 has a surface 90 which is parallel to the plane of the sash 80a and which overlies a parallel surface 92 on the member 84 when the sash is closed. It is commonly found that such overlying surfaces can stick together, especially if they are not opened for long periods of time and if either of the surfaces 90,92 is wet when the window is closed.

In order to overcome this difficulty, a stud 94 is driven into the member 84. Further studs may be driven into the sash 80a at other locations around the sash 80a, for instance at or near each corner of the sash.

Alternatively, the studs may be driven into the surface 90. Each stud 94 forms a projection from the surface 92 which prevents close abutment between the overlying surfaces 90,92, thereby maintaining a spacing between these surfaces even when the sash 80a is closed. The existence of this spacing, and the small surface area of the studs 94 which is in contact with the surface 90, greatly reduces any tendency of the sash 80a to stick.

The creation of this spacing may give rise to draughts A draught excluding strip 96 is therefore incorporated to block these.

Studs can be used in any window construction, including hinged window constructions, which have overlying surfaces prone to sticking.

Claims

Claims:

1. A sealed glazing unit comprising at least one pane defining member located in the space between the sheets of glazing material, the pane defining member or members being visible through the sheets to divide the area of the unit into a plurality of panes each defined between a sheet edge or edges and a pane defining member or members or solely between pane defining members, the unit further comprising at least one decorative member bonded to the outer face of one of the glazing sheets and extending across the said surface in alignment with a pane defining member, wherein the pane defining member or members are so formed and arranged as to allow air within the space of any pane to pass the pane defining member of members into the space of a neighbouring pane or panes.

2. A unit according to claim 1, in which the or each pane defining member abuts at least one of the sheets.

3. A unit according to claims 1 or 2, in which a decorative member is aligned as aforesaid with each pane defining member.

4. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which there are decorative members as aforesaid bonded to the outer faces of both glazing sheets.

5. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, in which the pane defining member is elongate.

6. A unit according to any of the preceding claims, in which at least one pane defining member is so located as to leave a gap between itself and one of the sheets.

7. A unit according to claims 5 and 6, in which a continuous gap is left between the pane defining member and one of the sheets along substantially the whole length of the pane defining member.

8. A unit according to claim 5, in which a plurality of gaps are defined along the length of the pane defining member and between the said member and one of the sheets, the gaps being separated one from another by portions of the said member, which portions abut the said one sheet.

9. A unit according to any of claims 5 to 8, in which a plurality of pane defining members are provided and arranged to leave gaps between adjacent pane defining members.

10. A unit according to claim 9, in which the pane defining members are arranged to span the space between the sheets and abut both sheets, the pane defining members meeting at one or more locations and there being gaps between the members at each of the said locations.

11. A unit according to claim 10, in which there is at least one pane defining member which spans the space between the sheets and abuts both sheets, and which extends towards an edge of the sheets, there being a gap between the or each pane defining member and the said edge and through which air may pass from pane to pane.

12. A wooden window construction comprising wooden frame members which define a channel or channels for receiving the edges of a sealed glazing unit aforesaid, and means defining a space within the channel and around at least a portion of one edge of a unit received in the channel, the space being open to atmosphere.

13. A construction according to claim 12, in which the space defining means comprises walls of the channel, the channel being oversized in relation to the edge of the sealed glazing unit.

14. A construction according to claim 12, in which the space defining means comprises at least one bore through the body of a frame member and extending from the channel to an external surface of the frame member.

15. A construction according to claim 14, in which there are a plurality of bores.

16. A construction according to claims 14 or 15, in which the or each bore extends downwardly from the channel to allow liquid in the channel to drain away.

17. A construction according to claim 16, in which at least one bore as aforesaid is formed in a frame member which, in use, is horizontal and below the sealed glazing unit.

18. A construction according to claim 17, in which the frame members form an opening frame of the window construction, the or each bore opening to atmosphere at a downwardly facing horizontal surface.

19. A construction according to claim 12, in which the space defining means comprises projections extending into the channel from a wall thereof and which, in use, abut the edge of a sealed glazing unit to prevent the said unit abutting the wall.

20. A construction according to claim 19, in which the projections are formed by a plurality of chocks spaced apart along the channel.

21. A window construction comprising an opening frame which carries a glazing sheet, and a fixed frame in which the opening frame may open and close, the fixed frame member having a surface which overlies a parallel surface of the opening frame when the opening frame is closed, the construction further comprising at least one projection formed on one of the overlying surfaces and so located as to maintain a spacing between the overlying surfaces when the opening frame is closed.

22. A construction according to claim 21, in which the projections are formed on overlying surfaces which are generally parallel to the plane of the opening frame when closed.

23. A construction according to claim 22, in which the opening frame is a sash, which slides to open and close.

24. A construction according to claim 23, in which a projection is provided at each corner of the sash when closed.

25. A construction according to any of claims 21 to 24, in which the or each projection is formed by mounting a stud on one of the overlying surfaces.

26. A construction according to claim 25, in which the projection is formed on the overlying surface of the opening frame.

27. A sealed glazing unit substantially as herein before described with reference to figs 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A sealed glazing unit substantially as herein before described with reference to figs 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A wooden window construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to fig 7 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A window construction substantially as herein before described with reference to fig 8 of the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.