GB2253477A

GB2253477A - Hit and miss ventilator for window frames

Info

Publication number: GB2253477A
Application number: GB9202223A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hardy
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1991-03-06
Filing date: 1992-02-03
Publication date: 1992-09-09
Also published as: GB9104722D0; GB9202223D0

Abstract

Ventilating means for attachment to the outer edge of a window or door frame comprises an elongated body member 15 having a series of longitudinally spaced vent openings 17, a second member 20 adapted to be slidably supported in the body member and having a corresponding series of vent openings 21 and a handle 23 for effecting relative sliding movement between the two members to open and close the vent. The unit may include a separate filter housing 25 of identical construction which can be formed by cutting from the same component as the ventilator housing. Advantageously the unit is adapted to engage with existing formations 13 on a window frame 10 and carries replicas 29 of these formations at its outer edge. The combination of member 15 and frame 10 is thus secured in the door or window frame in the same way as would the frame alone. <IMAGE>

Description

Ventilators This invention relates to ventilating devices for use in association with windows or doors.

With the advent of modern double glazed windows and doors the provision of adequate ventilation other than by opening windows can present problems.

Incorporation of ventilators in the window glass is not desirable and has undue visual impact. Attempts have been made to incorporate ventilators alongside windows and doors above, below or to one side of the main frame but this can present difficulties in installation and previously proposed ventilators of this kind have been relatively complex and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of ventilating a window or door in which these disadvantages are obviated or mitigated.

The invention provides ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame and comprising a body member, a series of vent openings spaced longitudinally of said body member, a second member adapted to be slidably supported in said body member and provided with a series of vent openings complimentary to those in said body member, and means for effecting relative sliding movement between said members between an open position in which the vent openings in the respective members are in alignment with one another and a closed position in which the vent openings in the respective members are offset relative to one another.

Preferably said means for effecting relative sliding movement comprises a handle member slidably movable relative to said body member and connected to said second member by a projection extending through a slot formed in said body member by interconnecting adjacent ones of said vent openings.

Preferably filter means is disposed between said vent openings and the surface of the device which is outermost in use. The filter means preferably comprises an elongated hollow member formed from filter material.

Advantageously said filter means is supported in a housing separate from said body member, the filter housing incorporating a series of vent openings and being adapted to be mounted on the window or door frame in a position alongside but outwardly of said body member.

Advantageously said body member and said filter housing are of identical cross-section. In this way both components may be formed by cutting appropriate lengths from a common extruded plastics section.

According to a further aspect the invention provides ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame and comprising an inner ventilating unit and an outer filter unit, both units including outer body or housing members which are of identical cross-sectional shape and which may be formed by cutting appropriate sections from a common component. Preferably said common component is formed by extrusion from synthetic plastics material.

Preferably said body or housing members are adapted for engagement with existing outwardly directed formations on the associated frame adapted to receive attachment members by means of which the frame may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like.

Preferably similar formations are provided at the outer edges of said body member and said filter housing, whereby a frame fitted with said ventilating means may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like using the same attachment members as would be used if the ventilating means were not fitted to the frame.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame having outwardly directed formations engageable by attachment members by means of which the frame may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like, the ventilating means comprising housing means adapted for attachment to the frame by engagement with said formations, and the outer portions of said housing means defining further formations of similar construction to the formations by means of which the ventilating means may be attached to said frame, whereby a frame fitted with said ventilating means may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like using the same attachment members as would be used if the ventilating means were not fitted to the frame.

The invention also provides a window or door fitted with ventilating means according to the preceding paragraphs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an exploded perspective view of one form of ventilating device according to the invention.

The drawing shows a portion of a window frame 10 comprising a hollow body member of extruded plastics construction having inwardly directed formations 11 adapted to form a seating for a glazing unit and to accommodate glazing members to retain the unit in position in the frame. The body member also includes a pair of outwardly directed channels 12A and 12B of generally rectangular cross-section and having inwardly directed projections 13 at their mouths adapted for engagement by retaining means on components of the ventilating means to be described hereafter. The channels 12A and 12B when not fitted with the ventilating components are adapted to be engaged by fixing elements by means of which the window frame may be secured in place in an opening in a building or the like.

The ventilating means comprises first and second components one of which houses a slidable shutter member and the other a filter element. The first component is mounted adjacent the surface of the frame 10 which is directed inwardly in use and comprises a body member 15 of extruded plastics construction having upwardly directed flexible projections 16 by means of which the body member may be engaged in the associated channel 12A in the frame 10. The body member 15 is of generally inverted U-shaped cross-section and is provided with series of vent openings 17 in its opposite side walls.

A pair of oppositely facing inwardly directed longitudinal ribs 18 are formed within the body member 15 and form supports for a second component 20 in the form of a slide or shutter member slidably mounted within the body member. The shutter member 20 incorporates a series of vent openings 21 corresponding in size and spacing to the vent openings 17 in the body member 15. Adjustment means to be described hereafter enable the member 20 to be slidably moved within the body member 15 between an open position in which the series of vent openings 17 and 21 are aligned with one another and a closed position in which they are displaced relative to one another so as to prevent the passage of air through the device.

Movement of the shutter member between its open and closed position is effected by an operating member or handle 22 which seats against the inner face of the body member 15 and is provided with a projecting grip portion 23 to enable manipulation by the user. A projection (not shown) on the face of the handle 22 opposite to the grip portion 23 is adapted to extend through a slot 24 formed by interconnecting adjacent ones of the vent openings 17 and into engagement with one of the vent openings 21 in the inner slide member 20. Movement of the handle member 22 in the direction of the arrows in the drawing therefore effects sliding of the shutter member 20 relative to the body member 15 between the open and closed positions.

The device also includes a second component comprising a body member 25 identical to the body member 15 and which may be formed by cutting from the same plastic extrusion. A filter element 26 in the form of a tubular member of gauze or similar filter material is adapted to be located within the body member 25 and supported on the ribs 17. The filter element is thus interposed between the outer and inner series of vent openings in the body member 25 such that air flowing through the body member must pass through the filter.

This prevents entry of flies or other insects and ingress of dust and the like when the adjacent ventilating unit 15 of the device is in the open position.

The outer end regions 28 of the body members 15 and 25 are provided with inwardly directed projections 29 and are dimensioned such that the portion of each member between the projections 18 and 29 mirrors the channels 12A and 12B of the frame 10. Fixing members may therefore be engaged in these outer portions of the ventilating device to attach the assembly consisting of the frame and ventilating means in an opening in the wall of a building or the like in the same manner as the frame would be directly attached if the ventilating device were not fitted to it.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the number, size and arrangement of ventilating openings may be varied and the construction and arrangement of the component parts of the ventilating means may be altered in various respects. The device may comprise a unitary structure incorporating portions corresponding to the body members 15 and 25 but construction as separate components from identical extruded elements provides advantages in production cost and simplicity.

Alternative forms of filter medium may also be incorporated and the ventilating means may be fitted at the top, bottom or one or both sides of a window or door construction dependent on individual requirements.

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. Ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame and comprising a body member, a series of vent openings spaced longitudinally of said body member, a second member adapted to be slidably supported in said body member and provided with a series of vent openings complimentary to those in said body member, and means for effecting relative sliding movement between said members between an open position in which the vent openings in the respective members are in alignment with one another and a closed position in which the vent openings in the respective members are offset relative to one another.

2. Ventilating means according to claim 1 wherein said means for effecting relative sliding movement comprises a handle member slidably movable relative to said body member and connected to said second member by a projection extending through a slot formed in said body member by interconnecting adjacent ones of said vent openings.

3. Ventilating means according to claim 1 or 2 wherein filter means is disposed between said vent openings and the surface of the device which is outermost in use.

4. Ventilating means according to claim 3 wherein said filter means is supported in a housing separate from said body member, the filter housing incorporating a series of vent openings and being adapted to be mounted on the window or door frame in a position alongside but outwardly of said body member.

5. Ventilating means according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said body member and said filter housing are of identical cross-section whereby both components may be formed by cutting appropriate lengths from a common extruded plastics section.

6. Ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame and comprising an inner ventilating unit and an outer filter unit, both units including outer body or housing members which are of identical cross-sectional shape and which may be formed by cutting appropriate sections from a common component.

7. Ventilating means according to claim 6 wherein said common component is formed by extrusion from synthetic plastics material.

8. Ventilating means according to any of claims 3 to 7 wherein said body or housing members are adapted for engagement with existing outwardly directed formations on the associated frame adapted to receive attachment members by means of which the frame may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like.

9. Ventilating means according to claim 8 wherein similar formations are provided at the outer edges of said body member and said filter housing, whereby a frame fitted with said ventilating means may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like using the same attachment members as would be used if the ventilating means were not fitted to the frame.

10. Ventilating means adapted for attachment to an outer edge of a window or door frame having outwardly directed formations engageable by attachment members by means of which the frame may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like, the ventilating means comprising housing means adapted for attachment to the frame by engagement with said formations, and the outer portions of said housing means defining further formations of similar construction to the formations by means of which the ventilating means may be attached to said frame, whereby a frame fitted with said ventilating means may be secured in an opening in a wall of a building or the like using the same attachment members as would be used if the ventilating means were not fitted to the frame.

11. Ventilating means according to claim 10 wherein said housing means comprises separate ventilator and filter housings of identical construction.

12. Ventilating means according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said formations comprise outwardly opening channels having retaining projections thereon.

13. Ventilating means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

14. A window or door fitted with ventilating means according to any preceding claim.

15. 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.