GB2259731A - Window and door frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A window or door structure comprising a sub-frame having at least one rectangular window or door opening the sub- frame being formed of members 5, 6 of identical cross-sectional shape and size having opposed side faces formed longitudinally with at least one re-entrant formation to receive an intermediate member 37 which may be engaged as a clip- fit in either of at least two ways with the or each formation the inner part of the member 37 carrying at least one longitudinal formation to receive a beading extrusion 4a as a clip fit. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOWS AND DOORS This invention relates to window and door frames which are formed from metal or plastics.

The use of metal alloys such as aluminium alloys and certain plastics materials such as PVCu for extruded window and door frames is well established. In the case of metal alloys it is usual to use a sub-frame template (frequently wood) for location in a conventional masonry structure whereas with PVCu such sub-frame is generally omitted. In both cases it has become standard practice to use numerous different extrusions including L, T and Z shaped sections and it is well known that parts made from aluminium extrusions will normally have a smaller cross-sectional area than corresponding parts made from PVCu so that metal windows or doors have a somewhat 'lighter' look than PVCu ones.

In addition the complexity of conventional frame design requires the provision of separate frames for fixed lights, outwardly opening and inwardly opening windows and doors.

Such frames are conventionally constructed in the case of PVCu, by reverse butt welding of their integral vertical and horizontal glazing bars although mechanical fixing is sometimes used. Such procedures greatly increase the complexity and cost of manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide multipurpose frame members that can be employed both for metal or plastics window and door frames and to enable metal windows and doors to be readily mounted in plastics sub-frames.

Another object is to provide such extrusions that readily enable windows and doors to be mounted for inward or outward opening.

A further object is to provide such frame members with the facility for glazing wholly from the inside should this be desired.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a window or door structure comprising a sub-frame having at least one rectangular window or door opening the sub-frame being formed of members of identical cross-sectional shape and size having opposed side faces formed longitudinally with at least one re-entrant formation to receive an intermediate member which may be engaged as a clip-fit in either of at least two ways with the or each formation the inner part of the member carrying at least one longitudinal formation to receive a beading extrusion as a clip-fit.

Various aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a known double glazed fixed window having extruded PVCu frame members, cross-hatching being omitted for the sake of clarity, Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a PVCu sub-frame with aluminium framed window units, embodying the present invention, Fig. 3 is a similar view of a known PVCu framed top hung opening window, Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a known PVCu framed door and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of an aluminium alloy framed door also embodying the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings a window unit has a rectangular sub-frame 1, inner support beading 2, a double glazed unit 3 and outer beading 4. The sub-frame 1 is made up of four members such as 5 and 6 joined together.

The members 5 and 6 are extruded from PVCu to be of tubular form and having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape with four walls 7, 8, 9 and 10. The walls 7 and 8 constituting respectively the front and rear walls of the members have sub-walls 7a and 8a spaced therefrom by ribs 11 and extending between the walls 9 and 10 so as to provide channels 12 extending longitudinally of the members. A central shaft 13 extends longitudinally of each member between the walls 9 and 10 and the sub-walls 7a and 8a and contains a reinforcing tube 14 of aluminium alloy.

The walls 9 and 10 are respectively outer and inner side walls of the members and are each externally formed with two re-entrant recesses 15 and 16 having lips 17 and 18 constituted by extensions to the walls 7 and 8 and lips 19 and 20 carried by parts 21 and 22 formed externally of the walls 9 and 10.

The double glazed unit 3 is held between inner support beading 2 and outer beading 4. The inner support beading 2 is extruded from PVCu to be of generally rectangular cross-sectional shape having front and rear walls 23 and 24 and side walls 25 and 26. The side walls 25 carry formations 27 to be a hinged engagement fit between the lips 18 and 20 on the walls 10 of the members 5 and 6. The front walls 23 of the inner support beading 2 are provided with re-entrant slots 28 to receive sealing strips 29. The outer beading 4 is also extruded from PVCu and is of conventional triangular formation having walls 30, 31 and 32; the wall 30 carrying formations 33 to be a hinged engagement fit between the lips 17 and 18 on the walls 10 of the members 5 and 6.The inner end 34 of the walls 32 carry a sealing strip 35 to bear tightly against the glazing unit 3 to hold the latter firmly against the inner support beading 2 in a watertight and wind-tight manner. It will be understood that the arrangement of Fig. 1 presents some flexibility of window or door disposition but does not enable secure inside glazing to be used without employing beading removable from outside the unit.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement of the present invention using a PVCu sub-frame 1 and an aluminium alloy window structure 36.

In this case an intermediate member in the form of a plate 37 of PVCu or aluminium has, on one face 38 two pairs of formations 27 and 33 to engage with the lips 18, 20 and 17, 19. On its other face 39 the plate has lips 17a and l9a defining a re-entrant recess 15a. The plate 37 also has an integrally formed support beading 40.

The beading 4a is extruded from an aluminium alloy and has a limb 41 to engage in the formation 19a and a lip 42 to be in a hinged engagement fit with the formation 17a.

The window unit 36 is a multi-pane unit with a central aluminium alloy mullion 43. Thus, externally the whole window unit of Fig. 2 presents the appearance of a metal window unit within a plastics sub-frame.

It will be apparent that the plate 37 can be engaged with the member 5. While the latter needs two sets of symmetrically disposed lips 18-20 the plate 37 can be engaged as shown or in a reverse manner. Furthermore the inner part of the plate 37 can be configured as desired to enable any combination of glazing unit to be carried thereby. For example the support beading could be external beading for the assembly of a secure inside glazed unit.

Fig. 3 shows an arrangement of a top-hung opening window in which the sub-frame 1 has members 5 and 6 of PVCu and inner support beading 2 similar to Fig. 1. The hinging arrangement is conventional and is not shown. The opening light comprises "T" shaped frame members 42 each having a hollow body 43 with a cross-piece 44. The body 43 is extruded from PVCu with a metal reinforcing core 14 and is formed integrally with the cross-piece 44. The latter carries a sealing strip 45 to bed against the outer wall 7 of the sub-frame 1 when the window is closed. At the same time the rear wall 46 of the body 43 beds against the sealing strip 29 of the inner support beading 2.

The cross-piece 44 also carries a sealing strip 47 to constitute a support for a glazing unit 3 which is held in place by beading 48 identical to the beading 4 in Fig. 1 which is engaged within a re-entrant slot 49 in the body 43.

It will be apparent, although not shown, that by using plate 37 in the arrangement of Fig. 3 the opening window could be of aluminium carried in the same PVCu sub-frame as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a door construction in which a sub-frame 1, similar to that of Fig. 1 is mounted on a sill plate 50. A door 51 comprises a frame 52 of extruded PVCu having outer extension pieces 53 to support a glazed unit 54 with the intermediary of a sealing strip 55. Beading 56 similar to the beading 4 in Fig. 1 is a hinged engagement fit in a recess 57 in the frame 52 and holds the unit 54 firmly against the strip 55.

The door is hinged (by means not shown) in the sub-frame 1 and the latter carries stop beading 58 similar to the support beading 2 of Fig. 1. In addition the lower part 59 of the sub-frame 1 constituting a threshold carries a hinged engagement fit strip 60 with a draught resisting brush 61 to engage the lower part of the door 51.

Fig. 5 shows another door arrangement in which an intermediate plate 37 (as in Fig. 2) is provided and the door 51 has an aluminium alloy frame 62.

It will be understood that by using a PVCu sub-frame, this can be mounted directly into a masonry structure. Furthermore the provision of the sub-frame units described enable great flexibility of design to be employed; in particular, the facility to mount windows or doors either of PVCu or an aluminium alloy or both in the same sub-frame.

Thus a PVCu sub-frame of the members 5 and 6 and including mullions and transoms can be made up and by using the plates 37 selectively mounted in opposite direction it is readily possible to mount fixed windows and inwardly or outwardly opening windows and doors in that sub-frame without recourse to coupling, frame liner reverse butt welding or cleating.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A window or door structure comprising a sub-frame having at least one rectangular window or door opening the sub-frame being formed of members of identical cross-sectional shape and size having opposed side faces formed longitudinally with at least one re-entrant formation to receive an intermediate member which may be engaged as a clip-fit in either of at least two ways with the or each formation the inner part of the member carrying at least one longitudinal formation to receive a beading extrusion as a clip fit.

2. A structure according to claim 1 in which the inner part of the member has two longitudinal formations.

3. A structure according to claim 2 in which the two formations on the inner part of the member are asymmetric of the re-entrant formation on the sub-frame members.

4. A structure according to claim 1 in which the inner part of the member has an integrally formed beading.

5. A structure according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sub-frame and the intermediate member are of PVCu and window or door frame units mounted therein are of aluminium.

6. A window or door structure substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 2 or Fig. 5 of the drawing accompanying the application.