GB2254096A

GB2254096A - Panel assembly with locking element

Info

Publication number: GB2254096A
Application number: GB9205446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Hanley
Original assignee: GLAZPART Ltd
Current assignee: GLAZPART Ltd
Priority date: 1991-03-14
Filing date: 1992-03-12
Publication date: 1992-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-12
Also published as: GB9205446D0; GB9105454D0; GB2254096B

Abstract

A panel assembly includes a locking bridge 6 which bears downwardly on an elongate section of a frame 4 and on a glazing bead 5 in order to prevent movement of the glazing bead in a vertical direction, the locking bridge having an upstanding portion 7 which faces the outer face 3 of a panel 1 and the glazing bead being movable during the construction of the assembly transversely in relation to the elongate section of the frame between a first position and a second position in which it is in engagement with the elongate section. <IMAGE>

Description

A PANEL ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a panel assembly and, in particular, to a panel assembly in which the unlawful removal of one or more panels mounted in a frame, such as a casement or window frame, is presented.

Various proposals have been made for fixing panels, such as glazing panels, into an outwardly facing rebate of a frame. In the insulation of such systems an external glazing bead, which is typically formed from a relatively rigid material, is fitted to the frame outwardly of the panel after the panel has been fitted, in order to hold the panel in place. It has been found that such an arrangement has severe drawbacks in that it is relatively easy for a burglar to remove the glazing bead, and hence the glazing panel from the outside in order to gain access through a window or other glazed opening.

Various proposals for secure glazing systems have been made and these include those described in GB-A-2O6764l, GB-A-2l98467, GB-A-2212545, and GB-A-2235008.

It is object of the present invention to provide a panel assembly in which removal of the panel is made more difficult and time consuming to a potential burglar.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a panel assembly comprising: a) a panel having an inner face and an outer face; b) a frame which is adapted to receive the panel comprising i) an elongate section defining one side of a channel which is adapted to receive the panel, ii) a glazing bead defining the other side of the channel which is adapted to receive the panel, the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) being provided with at least one engaging means and the glazing bead (ii) being movable during the construction of the assembly transversely in relation to the elongate section (i) between a first portion and a second position in which it is in engagement with the elongate section (i), c) a locking bridge which bears downwardly on the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) to prevent movement thereof in a vertical direction, the locking bridge having an upstanding portion which faces the outer face of the panel, and d) longitudinal sealing means which engage the elongate section (i) of the frame and the panel.

The panel which is incorporated into the panel assemblies of the present invention may be a single pane of glass or a sealed double-or triple-glazed unit, or a panel of wood, plastics or metal.

The elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) are provided with engagement means which preferably comprise co-operating male and female mating parts.

The upstanding portion of the locking bridge will generally be in the form of a flange and will generally be positioned adjacent the glazing bead (ii).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking bridge has a downwardly extending projection locking bridge has a downwardly extending projection which is of such a size and configuration that it will bear on both the elongate projection (i) and the glazing bead (ii).

The longitudinal sealing means, which engages the elongate section (i) of the frame and the panel, preferably comprises a removable gasket.

The present invention also includes within its scope a frame assembly which comprises a frame which is adapted to receive a panel having an inner face and an outer face comprising (i) an elongate section defining one side of a channel which is adapted to receive a panel; (ii) a glazing bead defining the other side of channel which is adapted to receive the panel; the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) being provided with at least one engaging means and the glazing bead (ii) being movable during the construction of the assembly transversely in relation to the elongate section (i) between a first position and a second position in which it is in engagement with the elongate section (ii); and a locking bridge which, in use, bears downwardly on the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) to prevent movement thereof in a vertical direction, the locking bridge having an upstanding portion which, in use, faces the outer face of the panel.

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the first stage of the installation of a panel assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the second stage of installation of a panel assembly of the invention; Figure 3 shows a panel assembly of the invention after its installation; and Figure 4 shows a panel assembly of the invention after installation in which a part of the locking moulding of Figure 3 is replaced.

Referring to the drawings, in each Figure the inside of the room or house is depicted on the left hand side of the drawing and the exterior of the room or house on the right hand side of the drawings.

A glass panel 1 has an inner face 2 which faces to the inside of the room and an outer face 3 which faces to the outside of the room. The frame into which the glass panel 1 fits comprises two main elements. The first element is an elongate section 4 which comprises the main portion of the window profile and defines one side of a channel which is adapted to receive the glass panel. The second element of the frame comprises a glazing bead 5. A locking bridge 6 is provided, the locking bridge having an upstanding flange 7 which faces the outer face 3 of the glass panel.

The construction of the panel assembly in accordance with the present invention can be followed in sequence through Figure 1 and Figure 2 to Figure 3. The locking bridge 6 is placed in the elongate section 4 of the window profile and the glass panel 1 located thereon. The outer face of the glass panel faces the upstanding flange 7 of the locking bridge 6. Glazing bead 5 is then inserted into position, the end 8 of the bead furthest from the exterior of room or house having a stepped profile such that it can be slid beneath an outwardly extending flange 9 of the elongate section 4, as best shown in Figure 2. The glazing bead 5 has a gasket 10 fitted into a part of the profile, the gasket as shown in Figure 2 sealing against the outer face of panel 3.

As best shown in Figure 2 the glazing bead 5 is provided with a female mating section 11 and the elongate section with a male mating section 12. The glazing bead is thus movable between a first position in which one part of the glazing bead engages with the elongate section and a second position in which the female member 11 of glazing bead 5 engages projection 12 on the elongate member 4.

A longitudinal sealing means 13 in the form of a glazing bead is then inserted between the elongate member 4 and the inner face 2 of glazing panel 1.

This glazing bead 13, which is accessible only from the interior of the room or house, thus seals the glazing panel 1 into position.

The locking bridge 6 has a projection 14 which extends in a downwardly direction. As shown in Figure 1 the projection 14 initially bears only upon flange 9 of elongate member 5. However, when the locking bridge is moved into its final position, as shown in Figure 3, the projection 14 bears downwardly upon both flange 9 of elongate member 4 and the corner of the stepped portion 8 of glazing bead 5.

In this manner the glazing bead 5 is prevented from movement in an upwardly direction. Accordingly, if an intruder attempts to demount the glazing panel from the glazing panel assembly by removal of gasket 10 from the outside of the house or room, he will be prevented from moving either the glazing bead 5 or the locking bridge 6 because of the manner in which glazing bead 5 engages mating projection 12 of elongate member 4 and the manner in which the downwardly extending projection 14 of locking bridge 6 bears upon the corner of the stepped portion of glazing bead 5. Thus, even if an intruder attempts to remove glazing bead 5, for example by trying to turn it and remove it, he will be prevented from so doing.

Figure 4 illustrates a panel assembly of the invention in which a part of the locking moulding of Figure 3 is replaced with a different locking moulding. Referring to Figure 3, the assembly is finally locked in position by inserting the elastomeric seal 13 on the inside of the frame.

Although this engagement is positive, the seal 13 may be compressed by local pressure from the outside of the glass. Any movement of the glass assembly will assist in the removal of the outer glazing bead which is normally retained with 1 to 3 mm of plastic engagement. This movement is prevented by the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 in which a bead locking moulding 15 is introduced. The bead locking moulding 15 is formed from a hard polymeric material and replaces a part of the elastomeric seal 13. The bead locking moulding 15 prevents any lateral movement of the assembly and renders the interior elastomeric seal 13 discontinuous.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiment which is described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings is included by way of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that if, for any reason, a valid removal of the glazing panel is required this can be achieved readily by accessing the glazing panel from the interior of the room or house. In this manner, the longitudinal sealing means 13 can be removed from its position adjacent to the inner face of glazing panel 1 and the glazing panel slid towards the interior of the room or house. The assembly will then be in the state as shown in Figure 2 and the glazing bead 5 can then be turned about its axis and removed from the assembly in the reverse of the manner as shown in Figure 1 with reference to the construction of the glazing panel assembly.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A panel assembly comprising: a) a panel having an inner face and an outer face; b) a frame which is adapted to receive the panel comprising i) an elongate section defining one side of a channel which is adapted to receive the panel, ii) a glazing bead defining the other side of the channel which is adapted to receive the panel, the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) being provided with at least one engaging means, c) longitudinal sealing means which engage the elongate section (i) of the frame and the panel.

characterized in that the assembly includes d) a locking bridge which bears downwardly on the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) to prevent movement thereof in a vertical direction, the locking bridge having an upstanding portion which faces the outer face of the panel, and in that the glazing bead (ii) is movable during the construction of the assembly transversely in relation to the elongate section (i) between a first position and a second position in which it is in engagement with the elongate section (i)

2. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panel is a single pane of glass or a sealed double-or triple-glazed unit, or a panel of wood, plastics or metal.

3. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) are provided with co-operating male and female mating parts in order that they engage in the said second position.

4. A panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the upstanding portion of the locking bridge is adjacent the glazing bead (ii).

5. A panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking bridge has a downwardly extending projection which bears on both the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii).

6. A panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the longitudinal sealing means comprises a removable gasket.

7. A panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) are provided with second engagement means whereby they engage in the said first position.

8. A frame assembly which comprises a frame which is adapted to receive a panel having an inner and an outer face comprising (i) an elongate section defining one side of a channel which is adapted to receive a panel; (ii) a glazing bead defining the other side of channel which is adapted to receive the panel; the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) being provided with at that the assembly includes a locking bridge which, in use, bears downwardly on the elongate section (i) and the glazing bead (ii) to prevent movement thereof in a vertical direction, the locking bridge having an upstanding portion which, in use, faces the outer face of the panel, and in that the glazing bead (ii) is movable during the construction of the assembly transversely in relation to the elongate section (i) between a first position and a second position in which it is in engagement with the elongate section (ii).

9. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing.