GB2263719A - Imitation glazing bar assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A double glazed window assembly, capable of simulating a traditional design, comprising a double glazed unit 4 provided with bars on its inner and outer faces which are aligned to give the appearance of a glazing bar. In a preferred embodiment the assembly comprises a frame 1 having a rebate 15 and at least one inner glazing bar, a double glazed unit seated in the rebate with its inner face abutting the inner glazing bar, at least one outer glazing bar 2 aligned with the inner glazing bar 12 and bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit, the outer edges of the double glazed unit being pointed with a non-setting compound 3 or secured with a glazing bead. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to window assemblies and in particular to a double glazed window assembly adapted to simulate a traditional glazed window design.

In the renovation of old buildings, it is frequently a requirement that the outer fabric structure of the building be retained and restored to its original condition and appearance. Thus when old factories, warehouses and former mansions are converted into modern flats and offices, it is frequently a pre-requisite to planning permission that the windows and other glazed fixtures and fittings should be retained and restored to their original appearance during the conversion. However, for modern convenience, warmth and soundproofing, it is desirable to provide double glazed units in place of the single glazing of the original window panes. This requirement is however very expensive to put into practice because of the necessity of making a large number of small double glazed units of non-standard size to replace each of the window panes in, for example, a Georgian or Victorian window.Difficulties are also encountered in providing glazing bars of the appropriate shape and strength to accommodate the heavier and substantially thicker double glazed units. The problem is particularly acute for sliding sash windows, for which there has hitherto been no suitable solution.

The present invention provides a double glazed window assembly, capable of simulating a traditional design, in which a double glazed unit is provided with bars on its inner and outer faces which are aligned to give the appearance of a glazing bar.

In one aspect the present invention provides a double glazed window assembly which comprises: a frame having a rebate and at least one inner glazing bar, a double glazed unit seated in the rebate with its inner face abutting the inner glazing bar, at least one outer glazing bar aligned with the inner glazing bar and bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit, the outer edges of the double glazed unit being pointed with a non-setting compound or secured with a glazing bead.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of double glazing a rebated window frame which comprises: positioning a double glazed unit within the window frame rebate, positioning an inner glazing bar in abutment with the inner face of the double glazed unit, positioning an outer bar so that it is aligned with the inner glazing bar and is bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit, and pointing the outer edges of the double glazed unit with a non-setting compound or securing them with a glazing bead.

The double glazed window assembly can be used on fixed or opening window lights, doors, conservatories, and similar glazed structures, but is particularly suitable for glazing sash windows and will henceforth be more particularly described with respect to this application.

The invention is, however, not to be taken as limited thereto.

The frame of the sash window is normally made of wood and has an outwardly facing rebate on each side adapted to receive the edge of a double glazed unit. The frame may be of any suitable profile, depending upon the period of window which it is intended to simulate.

The frame opening is divided by one or more inner glazing bars so as to form two, four, or more smaller openings in the required traditional pattern. The inner glazing bar is usually made of wood, although other materials may be used if desired, and may have any suitable profile. The glazing bar tongue, which normally projects from the inner to the outer surface of the window and provides on each side a rebate within which the window panes are seated, is however, omitted, and the glazing bar merely rests upon the double glazed unit, with its ends anchored to the frame.

The double glazed unit is of a size such that it can be seated in the rebate, and may be of conventional construction, with an aluminium channel-shaped perimeter sealed to the individual panes, for example, with a silicone sealant, and having an edge spacer separating the panes by the required distance. In another aspect of the present invention, the double glazed unit is provided with a further spacer or spacers set within the cavity and aligned with the inner glazing bar. This can provide the double glazed unit with increased strength and rigidity, but more importantly, means that whether the window is viewed from outside or inside, the glazing bar assembly appears solid, and shows no cavity.A double glazed unit having its internal cavity divided by one or more spacers so as to form several smaller window panes is a novel construction and is a further aspect of the present invention.

A typical double glazed unit is, for example, around 14 mms thick, and may have two glass panes of 4 mm thickness separated by a cavity of 6 mms. The spacer may be made, for example, of a plastic coated metal bar having a section of 6 mms by 16 mms. The cavity may carry a quantity of the usual desiccant.

Where the outer edges of the double glazed unit are to be pointed, the outer glazing bar is preferably made of metal, so that it too can be pointed. Where the outer edges of the double glazed unit are secured with a glazing bead, the outer glazing bar can be a metal or plastic extrusion of similar external section to the glazing bead.

The outer glazing bar is positioned in alignment with the inner glazing bar, and, if present, the spacer of the double glazed unit. A typical outer bar suitable for pointing can be, for example, a 4 mm by 10 mm aluminium section.

Although the inner glazing bar is stated to be in abutment with the double glazed unit, this does not preclude the possibility of, for example, another layer being interposed between the inner glazing bar and its adjacent surface. The inner bar is preferably not bonded to the double glazed unit, however, as this would impede removal of the glass, for example for maintenance, or in the event of breakage. The outer glazing bar is, on the other hand, bonded to its adjacent glass face for example by means of an epoxy resin adhesive or other suitable bonding agent.

To complete the external appearance of the window, and to secure the edges of the double glazed unit, the outer edges of the double glazed unit and the edges of the outer bar are preferably pointed with a non-setting compound, for example, butyl putty, silicone or polysulphide sealants, or other conventional sealant material. In an alternative embodiment, the outer edges of the double glazed unit are secured with a glazing bead which matches in external section the outer glazing bar.

In this specification, the terms "inner" and "outer" are intended to refer to those surfaces of the assembly which face respectively the interior and exterior of the building, and the outer surface of the assembly would normally be exposed to elemental climatic conditions. The invention is, however, also applicable to internal windows, doors, etc, which are not thus exposed, and in this case the terms "inner" and "outer" are simply used for convenience to denote the two sides of the assembly.

The window is constructed by first making up the frame, together with the inner glazing bar or bars, and then positioning the double glazed unit in the window opening. The outer glazing bar or bars are then aligned with the inner glazing bar(s), fixed to the frame, and bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit with an epoxy resin or similar adhesive. Finally the outer edges of the double glazed unit and the edges of the outer bar are pointed with a non-setting compound, or the outer edges are secured with a glazing bead, to complete the window assembly.

An embodiment of a sliding sash window assembly according to the invention will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view (not to scale) of a typical sliding sash window assembly according to the invention having four quarter lights; Figure 2 shows a partial horizontal section through the window assembly of Figure 1 along the line AA; and Figure 3 shows a partial horizontal section through a completed sash window assembly.

Referring to Figure 1, the sash window comprises a frame 1, formed from VAC-VAC treated redwood, surrounding a window opening in which there are 4 quarter lights separated by a cross shaped aluminium section 2. The edges of each quarter light are pointed with a conventional nonsetting sealing compound 3.

Referring now to Figure 2, the double glazed unit 4 is seated in a rebate 5 of the frame 1 and is sealed thereto by the non-setting compound 3. The double glazed unit has 4 mms thick glass panes 6,7 separated by a 6 mm cavity 8.

Positioned within the cavity are edge spacers 9 and spacer dividers 10, the latter comprising 6 mms x 16 mms white plastic coated bars set within the cavity and in line with the sash glazing bars. The double glazed unit has a white aluminium channel-shaped edge section which is sealed to the glass panes with a silicone sealant. A profiled inner glazing bar 12 is mounted on the frame 1 and abuts the inner pane 6 of the double glazed unit.

After assembly, the sash window assembly can be placed within a sliding sash window frame as shown diagrammatically in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a partial section of the sash window assembly in position in a sash window frame 14, with the springs omitted for clarity. In the embodiment shown the sash window assembly is also provided with a sliding brush draft excluder 15.

By the method of the invention it is possible to simulate many traditional window designs, thus enabling old buildings to be brought up to modern standards of comfort without detracting from the exterior aesthetic appeal of the building, and internally maintaining the appearance of a traditional window.

Claims (17)

1 A double glazed window assembly, which comprises a double glazed unit provided with bars on its inner and outer faces which are aligned to give the appearance of a glazing bar.

2 A double glazed window assembly according to claim 1, which comprises: a frame having a rebate and at least one inner glazing bar, a double glazed unit seated in the rebate with its inner face abutting the inner glazing bar, at least one outer glazing bar aligned with the inner glazing bar and bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit, the outer edges of the double glazed unit being pointed with a non-setting compound or secured with a glazing bead.

3 A double glazed window assembly according to claim 2, in which the inner glazing bar rests upon the double glazed unit, with its ends anchored to the frame.

4 A double glazed window assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the double glazed unit is provided with a spacer or spacers set within the cavity thereof and aligned with the inner glazing bar.

5 A double glazed window assembly according to Claim 4, in which the inner glazing bar, the spacer, and the outer glazing bar are aligned such that the glazing bar assembly thus formed appears solid when viewed from inside or outside the window assembly.

6 A double glazed window assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the outer edges of the double glazed unit and the outer glazing bar are pointed with a nonsetting compound

7 A double glazed window assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the outer glazing bar is bonded to its adjacent glass face by a bonding agent.

8 A double glazed window assembly substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.

9 A double glazed window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described.

18 A method of double glazing a rebated window frame which comprises: positioning a double glazed unit within the window frame rebate, positioning an inner glazing bar in abutment with the inner face of the double glazed unit, positioning an outer glazing bar so that it is aligned with the inner glazing bar and bonding the outer glazing bar to the outer face of the double glazed unit, and pointing the outer edges of the double glazed unit with a non-setting compound or securing them with a glazing bead.

11 A method of double glazing a rebated window frame substantially as hereinbefore described.

12 A double glazed window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 9 produced by a method of Claims 10 or 11.

13 A double glazed unit having its internal cavity divided by one or more spaces so as to form several smaller window panes.

14 A double glazed unit according to Claim 13, in which the spacer or spacers comprise a plastic coated metal bar.

15 A double glazed unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.

16 A double glazed unit substantially as hereinbefore described.

17 A sash window substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.

17 A sash window comprising a double glazed window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 9, or a double glazed unit according any of Claims 13 to 16.

18 A sash window substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1 A double glazed window assembly, which comprises a double glazed unit provided with bars on its inner and outer faces which are aligned to give the appearance of a glazing bar, wherein the outer edges of the double glazed unit are pointed with a non-setting compound.

2 A double glazed window assembly according to claim 1, which comprises: a frame having a rebate and at least one inner bar, a double glazed unit seated in the rebate with its inner face abutting the inner bar, and at least one outer bar aligned with the inner bar and bonded to the outer face of the double glazed unit.

3 A double glazed window assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar on the outer face of the double glazed unit is pointed on both sides thereof with the non-setting compound.

4 A double glazed window assembly according to claim 2 or 3, in which the inner bar rests upon the double glazed unit, with its ends anchored to the frame.

5 A double glazed window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the double glazed unit is provided with a spacer or spacers set within the cavity thereof and aligned with the bar on the inner face.

6 A double glazed unit according to Claim 5, in which the spacer or spacers comprise a plastic coated metal bar.

7 A double glazed window assembly according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the bar on the inner face, the spacer, and the bar on the outer face are aligned such that the simulated glazing bar assembly thus formed appears solid when viewed from inside or outside the window assembly.

8 A double glazed window assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the bar on the outer face is bonded to its adjacent glass face by a bonding agent.

9 A double glazed window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bar on the outer face is made of metal.

lo A double glazed window assembly substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.

11 A double glazed window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described.

12 A method of double glazing a rebated window frame which comprises: positioning a double glazed unit within the window frame rebate, positioning an inner glazing bar in abutment with the inner face of the double glazed unit, positioning an outer glazing bar so that it is aligned with the inner glazing bar and bonding the outer glazing bar to the outer face of the double glazed unit, and pointing the outer edges of the double glazed unit with a non-setting compound.

13 A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of pointing both sides of the outer glazing bar with a non-setting compound.

14 A method of double glazing a rebated window frame substantially as hereinbefore described.

15 A double glazed window assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 11 produced by a method of any one of Claims 12 to 14.

16 A sash window comprising a double glazed window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.