GB2263495A

GB2263495A - Window frames for glazing from inside

Info

Publication number: GB2263495A
Application number: GB9200315A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Vella Tomlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-08
Filing date: 1992-01-08
Publication date: 1993-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-08
Also published as: GB2263495B; GB9200315D0

Abstract

A window frame is assembled from extruded metal frame members (1, 2, 3, 30) equipped with snap-on bead members (20) at their inner edges so that glazed panels (4, 6) can be installed from inside the building. The frame members (30) of a vent (5) have integral flanges (32) at their outer edges, whereas the peripheral frame members (1, 2) and the mullion/ transom member (3) are adapted to receive separately made flange elements (15) fixed in place prior to installation of the glazed panels (4) retained by these flange elements. <IMAGE>

Description

EE This invention relates to frame members, and in particular extruded aluminium frame members used in the construction of windows.

Conventional aluminium window frame members have integral flanges at their inner edges for the peripheral edge of a glass panel to abut against through a sealing gasket. Beads are fitted along the front edges of the frame members to retain the glass panel within the frame. The integral flanges at the inner edges of the frame members ensures a good aesthetic appearance on the inside of a window frame but they are disadvantageous in that the glass panels must be inserted from outside the building in which the window frame is installed, which is inconvenient especially in the case of multi-storey buildings.

The present invention resides broadly in an extruded metal window frame member of generally rectangular configuration and having a face for defining an opening for reception of a glazed panel, a separate extruded bead member, and means extending along the inner edge of said face of the frame member for snap connection of said bead member thereto. At the outer edge of said face the frame member may be provided with a fixed flange element. The flange element may be integrally formed with the frame member, but in the case of stationary window frame members the flange element is preferably made separately and fixed to the frame member.

The invention also resides in a window frame assembly including an opening surrounded by frame members as defined above.

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from the following detailed description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure shows a cross-section through a window assembly including a fixed double glazed panel and an openable double glazed panel or vent.

The window illustrated in the drawing has a fixed peripheral rectangular frame defined by four frame members of which only the two upright members 1, 2 are shown in the drawing. The interior of the peripheral frame is divided into two window openings 8, 9 by a vertical mullion 3. In one window opening 8 between the mullion 3 and the frame upright 1, a fixed glazed panel 4 is installed, whereas in the opening 9 confined between the mullion 3 and frame upright 2 there is mounted a hinged vent 5 having a rectangular casement frame in which another glazed panel 6 is installed.

The mullion 3 comprises an extruded aluminium frame member 10 which is substantially symmetrical with respect to a central plane. It includes an outer or front box section, and an inner or rear box section which is configured with an interruption to allow a thermal break to be included in well known manner, if required.

Fixed to the mullion frame member and the peripheral frame members around the opening 8 are extruded flange elements 15 each having a fixing strip 16 and a bevel strip 17 inclined at an angle, e.g.

450, to define a chamferred surface at the front edge of the opening 8. The free longitudinal edge of the fixing strip engages behind a locking rail 18 integral with the frame member, and the vertex portion of the flange element has a snap connection with an undercut retaining rib 19 extending along the front edge of the frame member. As shown the fixing strip is shaped to project into a rectangular groove formed in the frame member, which is advantageous for water drainage but is not essential. To further secure the flange elements positively against detachment from the frame members, screws or the like can be used to fasten the fixing strips 16 to frame members. Such fixing screws may be used in combination with the locking rails or alone, e.g. as shown in sketch A.The flange elements 15 are fixed in place prior to introduction of the glazed panel 4 which is inserted from the inside of the window frame. The glazed unit is held in place by retention beads 20, also made as aluminium extrusions, and including bevel strips 21, support strips 22, and location strips 23. The location strip 23 is received in a complimentary recess formed in the associated frame member and serves to provide a snap fit between the apex of the bead and a retaining rib 24 provided along the inner edge of the frame member. The beads 20 are snapped into place after the glazed panel 4 has been inserted into the opening 8.

Around the opening 9, the mullion frame member 10 and the peripheral frame members are not provided with flange elements 15 (as they would interfere with the vent 5) although they are constructed to receive such elements as would be appropriate if a fixed glazed panel was to be fitted in the opening 9 instead of the vent. However, for aesthetic reasons and to support sealing gaskets, beads 20, as described above, are fitted to the inner edges of the frame members around the opening 9.

The vent 5 has a frame defined by four extruded aluminium frame members 30 of identical cross-section. Each frame member 30 is of essentially box-like form with a thermal break section as incorporated in the frame members 1, 2 and 10 described above. The vent frame defines an aperture for receiving the glazed panel 6 which is supported by flanges 32 integral with the frame members 30 and defining bevelled surfaces at 450 to the fronts of these frame members. External flanges 34 are also integral with the frame members 30 and serve to carry sealing gaskets for cooperation with the fixed frame members extending around the opening 9 when the vent is closed.The glazed panel 6 is inserted into the vent frame from the inside of the window and is held in place by beads 20, which are formed and snapped onto the vent frame members 30 exactly as described above in relation to the beads 20 fitted to the fixed frame members 1, 2 and 10.

Although not shown in the drawing or described, it will be appreciated the flange elements 15 and beads 20 hold captive sealing gaskets in a manner well known per se.

If the window frame is to be divided horizontally by a transom, it may be constructed as the mullion 3 has been shown and described. Thus, the section of the drawing could be a vertical section through a window with an upper vent 5, a transom 3 and a lower fixed window unit 4.

It will be understood the provision of separate flange elements 15 allows the same fixed frame members 1, 2 and 10 to be employed whether fixed glazed panels or openable vents are required.

External security is not lost, however, since these elements are fixed firmly in place by means which are not accessible after the glazed panel has been installed. The provision of snap-in beads 20 allows installation of the glazed panels from within the building and is acceptable because they are located on the inside of the window, screw fasteners which would mar internal aesthetic appeal being obviated.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A window frame member comprising an elongate metal extrusion with a cross-section of generally rectangular configuration and having a face for defining an opening for reception of a glazed panel, and a separately extruded bead member, the extrusion including means extending therealong at the inner edge of said face for snap connection of the bead member thereto after installation of the glazed panel, and a fixed flange element at the outer edge of said face.

2. A window frame member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange element is an integral part of the extrusion.

3. A window frame member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange element is made separately and fastened to the extrusion before installation of the glazed panel.

4. A window frame member as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flange element is fastened to the extrusion by means comprising a snap connection between the flange element and extrusion.

5. A window frame member as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the flange element is fastened to the extrusion by means comprising screw fasteners or the like.

6. A window frame member as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said flange element includes a fixing strip for engagement with the extrusion, and a face strip joining the fixing strip at a vertex portion, and the extrusion includes a locking rail for engaging the free edge of the fixing strip.

7. A window frame member according to claim 6 wherein the extrusion includes a retention rib extending along the outer edge of said face for engagement by said vertex portion.

8. A window frame member as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the extrusion is substantially symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane parallel to said face, whereby the flange element is fixable to either side of the extrusion, and said bead member is connectable to either side of said extrusion.

9. A window frame member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bead member includes a location strip, and the extrusion is formed with a complementary recess for accommodating the location strip to provide a snap fit between the bead member and the extrusion.

10. A window frame member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bead member includes a face strip joined to the location strips an an apex portion, and the extrusion is formed with a retention rib for snap engagement with the apex portion.

11. A frame member as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the bead member includes a support strip for engagement with said face of the extrusion.

12. A window frame member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13 A window frame assembled from frame members each as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

14. A window frame including an opening for receiving a glazed panel surrounded by frame members as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.