GB2262127A

GB2262127A - Device for preventing removal of glazing bead and/or panel

Info

Publication number: GB2262127A
Application number: GB9224744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hawkins
Original assignee: VINYLEX WINDOW SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: VINYLEX WINDOW SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1991-12-03
Filing date: 1992-11-26
Publication date: 1993-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-26
Also published as: GB2262127B; GB9224744D0

Abstract

A security device 14 for a window assembly comprises a metal clip having cranked flanges 19, 20 which engage beneath flanges 22, 23 on the main window frame member 11. A detent part 18 on the clip 14 bears against an inner face of a removable shuffle bead 24 and an upstanding flange 16 on the clip overlies the front surface of the glazing panel 13 at its periphery. The security clip 14 thus prevents inward displacement, and thus removal, of the shuffle bead 24, and also prevents removal of the glazing panel 13 in the event that the shuffle bead 24 is forcibly removed or damaged to obtain access to the periphery of the glazing panel 13. <IMAGE>

Description

'Improvements in or relating to Window Assemblies" The invention relates to window assemblies of the kind comprising four elongate frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, each frame member comprising a longitudinal base element and two upstanding longitudinal wall elements spaced apart on the base element to define between them a channel which receives the peripheral edge of a glazing panel retained within the frame. In a common form of such window assemblies the frame members comprise extruded profiles of aluminium or plastics material.

In one common form of construction one of the wall elements defining the channel in which the peripheral edge of the glazing panel is received is integral with the base element of the frame member profile whereas the other wall element is in the form of a removable bead which is detachably engageable with the base element. The glazing panel may then be assembled within the rectangular frame by placing the panel within the frame, with the beads removed, and then securing the removable beads in position over the peripheral edges of the glazing panel. Normally each bead will be rigid, for example extruded from aluminium or plastics, but has mounted thereon a resilient gasket which actually engages the surface of the glazing panel.Assembly of the panel within the frame is then completed by wedging a further resilient gasket between the fixed wall element and the opposite surface of the glazing panel, this serving to press the panel firmly against the gasket on the removable bead.

For certain technical and aesthetic reasons, it is normally desirable for the removable bead to be provided on the face of the window assembly which faces outwardly when the assembly is in position in the outer wall of a building. However, such arrangement has the disadvantage that it may be possible for an intruder to remove the glazing panel from the window assembly by prising the removable beads from the frame. To provide added security, therefore, a type of removable bead is commonly used which is known as a "shuffle bead" which can only be removed by first sliding the bead towards the glazing panel and then tilting it towards the panel so as to bring inter-engaging formations on the bead and base element out of engagement with one another.Since the glazing gasket on the shuffle bead is normally firmly in engagement with the outer surface of the g#lazing panel, the required movement of the shuffle bead can only be achieved by first removing the resilient wedge gasket from the inner side of the glazing panel.

This permits the glazing panel to move inwardly with the shuffle bead, and therefore permits removal of the bead.

However, in some cases it may be possible for an intruder to obtain sufficient freedom of movement of the shuffle bead, in order to detach it, by cutting or tearing away the resilient glazing gasket which is attached to it on the outside of the window.

The present invention therefore provides a security device, for use in a window assembly of the kind first referred to, which makes it more difficult for an intruder to detach the removable bead, and also makes it difficult or impossible to remove the glazing panel in the unlikely event that the intruder succee#ds in detaching the removable bead.

According to the invention there is provided a window assembly of the kind comprising four elongate frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, each frame member comprising a longitudinal base element and two upstanding longitudinal wall elements spaced apart on the base element to define between them a channel which receives the peripheral edge of a glazing panel retained within the frame, at least one of said wall elements being in the form of a removable bead which is detachably engageable with the base element, there being mounted within the channel, under part of the peripheral edge of the glazing panel, at least one security device comprising a first detent part which overlies a marginal portion of the surface of the glazing panel which faces said bead and a second detent part which cooperates with said bead in a manner to prevent its detachment from the base member.

In one embodiment of the invention the other said wall element of each frame member is integral with the base element. Resilient elongate glazing gaskets are preferably engaged between said wall elements and the respective facing surface of the glazing panel.

Said removable bead may be of the kind, referred to above, which requires to be displaced towards the glazing panel in order to effect its detachment from the base member, and in this case said first detent part of the security device may engage the removable bead to prevent such displacement.

Preferably the security device and base element are provided with inter-engaging formations which locate the device on the base element, said formations permitting limited movement of the security device towards and away from the removable bead.

Preferably said formations prevent movement of the device away from the base element at least when the device is in a position to prevent removal of said bead.

The security device referred to above provides the dual function of preventing detachment of the removable bead and preventing removal of the glazing panel in the unlikely event that the removable bead is forcibly detached. In some cases other means may be provided for preventing detachment of the removable bead and the invention therefore includes within its scope a modified version of the security device where the device serves solely to prevent removal of the glazing panel from the frame should the removable beads be detached.

According to this aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provid-ed a window assembly of the kind comprising four elongate frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, each frame member comprising a longitudinal base element and two upstanding longitudinal wall elements spaced apart on the base element to define between them a channel which receives the peripheral edge of a glazing panel retained within the frame, at least one of said wall elements being in the form of a removable bead which is detachably engageable with the base element, there being mounted within the channel, under part of the peripheral edge of the glazing panel, at least one security device comprising a detent part which overlies a marginal portion of the surface of the glazing panel which faces said bead, the security device and base member being provided with inter-engaging formations which locate the device on the base element, said formations permitting limited movement of the device towards and away from the removable bead. Preferably said formations prevent movement of the device away from the base element.

In any of the above arrangements the window assembly preferably comprises at least two security devices mounted on opposite elongate frame members, and more preferably at least four security devices, one mounted on each frame member.

The invention also includes within its scope a security device for use in a window assembly of any of the kinds referred to above and comprising a main, generally planar portion having formations for locating engagement with a window assembly frame member, a first detent part which extends generally at right angles to said portion along one edge thereof, and a second detent part which projects away from the main portion on the opposite side of said first detent part from said main portion.

Preferably the first and second detent parts are also generally planar. The first detent part may be formed from a section of the main portion which is folded at right angles thereto.

The second detent part may be co-planar with the main portion. For example it may comprise an integral extension thereof. Said locating formations may comprise deformed portions of the main portion of the security device.

The following is a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through part of a window frame member and glazing panel at a first stage of assembly, Figure 2 is a similar section showing a second stage of assembly, Figure 3 is a similar view showing a third and final stage of assembly, Figure 4 is an end elevation of the security device, Figure 5 is a plan view of the security device, Figure 6 is a side view of the security device, and Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 3 showing a modified form of security device.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3: each of the four elongate frame members 10 of the window assembly comprises a base element 11 integrally formed along one edge with an upstanding longitudinal wall element 12.

The frame member may be extruded from aluminium or PVCU in well known manner. The four frame members are assembled together, usually with mitred ends, to form a rectangular frame. A glazing panel to be mounted within the frame is indicated at 13 and may comprise, for example, a double glazing panel. In the first stage of assembly the glazing panel 13 is laid within the frame so that it rests against the upstanding walls 12, as shown in Figure 1, with a gap around the periphery of the glazing panel.

In the next stage of assembly a security device 14 in accordance with the invention is inserted beneath each of the four peripheral edges of the panel 13 (or only between two opposite peripheral edges).

The security device 14, which is shown in greater detail in Figures 4 to 6, comprises a generally planar main portion 15 from which a first detent strip 16 is bent up, at an angle slightly less than a right angle, so as to leave an aperture 17 in the main portion 15. The extension of the main portion 15 beyond the detent strip 16 comprises a second, horizontal detent strip 18.

The edge of the main portion 15 opposite the second detent strip 18 is cranked downwardly, as indicated at 19, to provide a locating formation and two similar short crank formations 20 are provided approximately midway across the end edges of the main portion 15. Tabs 9 are folded downwardly at right angles at opposite ends of the cranked portion 19. The security device may conveniently be stamped from sheet stainless steel, and stiffening channels 8 are formed in the main portion 15, across the ends of the aperture 17.

As best seen in Figure 2, when the security device 14 is initially fitted to the frame member, the cranked portions 19 and 20 extend downwardly into a recess 21 in the base element 11 for cooperation with horizontal flanges 22 and 23 formed on the base element. The cranked portions 19 and 20 are so spaced as to permit limited sliding movement of the security device 14 towards and away from the fixed wall 12 of the frame member. The tabs 9 bear on the bottom of the recess 21 to prevent tilting of the device 14.

With each security device in the position shown in Figure 2 a shuffle bead 24 is located in a further undercut recess 25 in the base element 11. The construction :of such. shuffle beads is well known. The bead is formed with flanges 26 and 27 which cooperate with the recess 25. To position the bead 24, the flange 26 is first inserted into the recess, and the flange 27 is then swung downwardly into the recess. The whole bead is then displaced away from the fixed wall 12 of the frame member, bringing the flange 27 beneath the undercut portion of the recess 25 and thus retaining both flanges 26 and 27 within the recess 25. The shuffle bead 24 is provided, in known manner, with a flexible sealing gasket 28 which engages the glazing panel 13.

To complete the assembly of the window, after all the shuffle beads 24 have been inserted, flexible wedge gaskets 29 are forced between the glazing panel and the fixed wall 12 of each frame member. This has the effect of pushing the glazing panel 13 away from the fixed wall 12. During this movement the front surface of the glazing panel 13 engages the upstanding detent strip 16 of the security device and slides the security device outwardly to the position shown in Figure 3.

In this position the cranked portions 20 on the security device engage beneath the flange 22 and thus securely locate the security device in position.

Furthermore, the horizontal detent strip 18 is brought to a position where it engages an inner surface of the shuffle bead 24.

When the window assembly is in position in a building the side of the assembly bearing the shuffle beads 24 is normally on the exterior of the building. In order to try to remove the glazing panel from the window assembly, an intruder must first try to remove the shuffle beads 24. To effect removal of a bead it is necessary to displace it towards the glazing panel.

However, the detent strip 18 on the security device 14 engages an inner surface of the shuffle bead 24, as shown in Figure 3, and thus prevents the required displacement of the shuffle bead, even if the intruder attempts to facilitate this displacement by cutting away the flexible gasket 28. Displacement of the security device 14 itself is prevented by engagement of the front of the glazing panel by the detent strip 16.

In the unlikely event that an intruder succeeds in forcibly detaching the shuffle beads 24, he is still prevented from removing the glazing panel 13 from the frame since it is retained by the detent strips 16 on the security devices.

Normally, therefore, the glazing panel may only be removed by first removing the wedge gaskets 29 to permit the necessary displacement of the security devices and shuffle beads. However, since the wedge gaskets 29 are on the interior of the building they are not accessible to an outside intruder.

Figures 1-6 show only one preferred version of a security device in accordance with the present invention, and it will be appreciated that the design of the security device may be modified while still remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, since it is difficult in any case for an intruder to remove the shuffle beads from the window assembly, an adequate degree of security may be provided by the detent strips 16 alone which prevent removal of the glazing panel from the frame even if the shuffle beads are removed. In a modified version of the security device, therefore, the second detent strip 18 may be omitted.

The security device 14 shown in Figures 1-6 may also be modified by replacing the cranked portion 19, which extends along the whole length of the device, by two shorter cranked portions only at the ends of the device, somewhat similar to the cranked portions 20. In this case the central uncranked part of the main planar portion of the device will extend over the flange 23, as shown in Figure 7, to provide further secure location for the device on the frame member. In this case the tabs 9 may be omitted, as seen in Figure 7.

Although it is desirable that the portions 19 and 20 should be cranked so as to hook below the flanges 22 and 23, since this prevents any possibility of unauthorised removal of the security device, arrangements are possible in which the locating formations on the security device do not hook beneath parts of the frame member but merely restrain the sliding movement of the security device. In such arrangements, however, there must obviously not be sufficient space between the peripheral edge of the glazing panel and the frame member to permit the security device to be lifted away from the frame member and slid out from beneath the edge of the glazing panel.

Claims

1. A window assembly of the kind comprising four elongate frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, each frame member comprising a longitudinal base element and two upstanding longitudinal wall elements spaced apart on the base element to define between them a channel which receives the peripheral edge of a glazing panel retained within the frame, at least one of said wall elements being in the form of a removable bead which is detachably engageable with the base element, there being mounted within the channel, under part of the peripheral edge of the glazing panel, at least one security device comprising a first detent part which overlies a marginal portion of the surface of the glazing panel which faces said bead and a second detent part which cooperates with said bead in a manner to prevent its detachment from the base member.

2. A window assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the other said wall element of each frame member is integral with the base element.

3. A window assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein resilient elongate glazing gaskets are engaged between said wall elements and the respective facing surface of the glazing panel.

4. A window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said removable bead requires to be displaced towards the glazing panel in order to effect its detachment from the base member, and wherein said first detent part of the security device engages the removable bead to prevent such displacement.

5. A window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the security device and base element are provided with inter-engaging formations which locate the device on the base element, said formations permitting limited movement of the security device towards and away from the removable bead.

6. A window assembly according to Claim 5, wherein said formations prevent movement of the device away from the base element at least when the device is in a position to prevent removal of said bead.

7. A window assembly of the kind comprising four elongate frame members secured together to form a rectangular frame, each frame member comprising a longitudinal base element and two upstanding longitudinal wall elements spaced apart on the base element to define between them a channel which receives the peripheral edge of a glazing panel retained within the frame, at least one of said wall elements being in the form of a removable bead which is detachably engageable with the base element, there being mounted within the channel, under part of the peripheral edge of the glazing panel, at least one security device comprising a detent part which overlies a marginal portion of the surface of the glazing panel which faces said bead, the Security device and base member being provided with inter-engaging formations which locate the device on the base element, said formations permitting limited movement of the device towards and away from the removable bead.

9. A window assembly according to Claim 8, whereby said formations prevent movement of the device away from the base element.

10. A window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the window assembly includes at least two security devices mounted on opposite elongate frame members.

11. A window assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the window assembly includes at least four security devices, one mounted on each frame member.

12. A security device for use in a window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 11 and comprising a main, generally planar portion having formations for locating engagement with a window assembly frame member, a first detent part which extends at an angle to said portion along one edge thereof, and a second detent part which projects away from the main portion on the opposite side of said first detent part from said main portion.

13. A security device according to Claim 12, wherein the first and second detent parts are generally planar.

14. A security device according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the first detent part is formed from a section of the main portion which is folded at an angle thereto.

15. A security device according to any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the second detent part is co-planar with the main portion.

16. A security device according to Claim 15, wherein the second detent part is an integral extension of the main portion.

17. A security device according to any of Claims 12 to 16, wherein said locating formations comprise deformed portions of the main portion of the security device.

18. A security device for window assemblies, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.