GB2264742A

GB2264742A - Improvements relating to the manufacture and glazing of windows and doors

Info

Publication number: GB2264742A
Application number: GB9202468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Searle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-05
Filing date: 1992-02-05
Publication date: 1993-09-08
Also published as: GB9202468D0

Abstract

A closure panel assembly comprises a glazing panel (7) located within a substantially complementary aperture within a frame assembly (37, 39). A generally U-shaped securing member (9) is engaged over each edge of the glazing panel (7) and with the glazing panel (7) located centrally within the said aperture, the securing members are moved outwardly of the glazing panel (7) to engage in a continuous groove (3) formed in the frame assembly around the edge of the said aperture. The securing members (9) still grip the edge of the glazing panel (7) and thus the glazing panel (7) is secured in position in the frame assembly. To at least initially centrally locate the glazing panel (7) in the frame assembly one or more support members (15) are positioned in the continuous groove (3) in the lower edge of the aperture. Further, to seal the construction flexible sealing strips (25) are fixed between the glazing panel (7) and the edge of the aperture. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE AND GLAZING OF WINDOWS AND DOORS" The present invention relates to the manufacture and glazing of windows and doors.

In particular the present invention relates to a method of glazing a window or door and a method of manufacturing a window or door which may or may not be glazed according to the present invention.

Conventionally a window or door may be formed with a rectangular aperture which has an upstanding lip all around the aperture on one side of the window or door.

A glazing panel i.e. a pane of glass or plastic, or a double glazing unit, dimensioned to fit with a small clearance in said aperture, is located in the said aperture from the other side of the door and engaged against the upstanding lip. To hold the glazing panel in this position either a length of beading can be secured or mastic can be applied around the edge of the aperture on the other side of the door and against the edge region of the glazing panel. As will be appreciated this conventional glazing method is somewhat tedious and time consuming especially when trying to achieve an aesthetically pleasing final product in large scale production. Also should the glazing panel be subsequently broken, damage can occur to the door when removing the beading or mastic in order to replace the glazing panel.

Further when the glazing panel is in the form of a double glazing unit a standard 16mm thick unit is primarily used, the thickness of the unit being limited by the dimensions of a conventional window frame i.e.

if a thicker unit were used there would be no room for the beading or mastic. Thicker double glazing units e.g. 24mm thick, are manufactured and used for greater thermal insulation. However thicker window/door frames are required to accommodate such thicker double glazing units and these can and do cause problems in achieving an aesthetically pleasing final quality product, especially when the window or door is constructed from wood where a thickness increase in the dimension of the frame would be matched to at least a certain extent by an increase in the width of the frame to retain the strength and stability of the window frame.

When manufacturing a a rectangular frame window or door a number of different members must be produced, said members being dimensioned specifically for a particular window or door. Thus numerous different size member are conventionally required to manufacture a range of different size windows or doors. This is clearly expensive and requires a large amount of storage space for members awaiting assembly.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method of glazing a window or door which is simple to perform and which enables relatively thick double glazing units to be simply and aesthetically installed in a window or door construction of what might be called standard thickness.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of glazing a window or door comprising the steps of locating a securing member over at least two edges of a glazing panel, locating the glazing panel and securing member within a substantially complementary aperture in a window or door and moving the securing members outwardly of the glazing panel so that the securing members each engage in a respective recess in the edge of the said aperture whilst still engaging both sides of the glazing panel whereby the glazing panel is secured in said aperture.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention each securing member is generally U-shaped and preferably made of a resilient metal with the arms of the U-shape slightly inclined towards each other so that the securing member will grip around an edge of a glazing panel, the arms of the U-shape gripping opposite side faces of the glazing panel. Also the U shape is preferably rectangular so that the base of the U-shape can be pushed almost flush against an edge of a glazing panel. Further, when considering a rectangular glazing panel, at least one securing member is preferably provided over each of the four edges of the panel, two or more securing members being provided over each of said edges if the glazing panel is relatively large.

Preferably the said recess in the edge of the said aperture, is a continuous groove extending all around the aperture and a further narrow continuous groove is preferably provided parallel to said groove, on each side of the said groove, the purpose of said further narrow groove being discussed herein later.

As an alternative to the continuous groove, spaced apart recesses may be provided at desired locations around the periphery of said aperture. In this latter construction the glazing panel must be accurately located in the aperture, the glazing panel being substantially centrally supported relative to the aperture by the edge of the aperture between said recesses. The securing members are then moved outwardly of the glazing panel into the corresponding recesses in the edge of the aperture to secure the glazing panel in the aperture.

Where a continuous groove is provided around the edge of the aperture a support member must be located in at least the lower edge of the aperture to support the glazing panel substantially centrally of the aperture. The support member may be an elongate member which is a close fit in the groove and which substantially fills the groove. In such a case a recess may be provided in the support member for receiving a securing member. Alternatively two or more support members may be provided with the gaps therebetween forming recesses for the securing members.Preferably the last mentioned support members are generally U-shaped and made out of metal, the U-shape being so dimensioned that with the U-shape inverted the support member can be located in the continuous groove around the aperture at spaced locations so as to substantially bridge the aperture at these locations, the arms of the support members preferably frictionally gripping the sides of the groove. Preferably one arm of each U-shaped support member is extended below the base of the U-shape, so that with the support member inverted and located in said continuous groove, the extended arm of the support member extends inwardly of the aperture to form a location lip.Thus with the last mentioned preferred support members located at spaced apart positions in the groove on all sides of the aperture, a glazing panel can be easily located in the aperture, the support member substantially centrally locating the glazing panel in the aperture and by virtue of the location lips, also locating the glazing panel in line with the continuous groove around the aperture so that the securing member may be moved outwardly of the aperture straight into the groove to thus secure the glazing panel in position.To further secure the glazing panel in position each support member may have a pivotal extension of the other arm of the U-shape so that the pivotal extension can be pivoted above the base of the U-shaped support member i.e. out of the groove, when the glazing panel has been located in position, the glazing panel then being held between the location lip and this pivotal extension.

To aesthetically finish the above glazing operation and waterproof the installation, a flexible sealing strip is located in the said narrow groove extending around the aperture on each side of the glazing panel, the sealing strip pressing against the glazing panel and the edge of the aperture. If required the sealing strip can be glued or otherwise secured in position. Further whilst the corners where the ceiling strip sections inter-engage may be mitred, alternatively corner units into which sealing strip engages may be provided. Such corner units may fit into the corners of the continuous groove around the aperture prior to location of the glazing panel and they may each provide for the location of the end regions of the sealing strips on both sides of the glazing panel.

By virtue of the above glazing construction, a glazing panel can be simply and quickly installed or replaced to provide an aesthetically pleasing final quality product. Also as only a small amount of space is required for the sealing strip, a wider than usual double glazing unit may be used in a frame of standard thickness.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a window or door comprising the steps of producing elongate lengths of timber with a groove formed along the length of the timber, cutting two desired length pieces of timber from said elongate lengths and two further like pieces of the same or a different length from said elongate lengths, shaping the end regions of each of said further like pieces so that they can fit within said groove, and securing the respective end regions of each of said further like pieces in the facing grooves of the two desired length pieces with said further like pieces parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other as desired.

In a preferred embodiment of this further aspect of the present invention the end regions of said further like pieces are morticed to fit snugly in the groove in each of said two desired length pieces, said pieces being bolted together. Alternatively they may be glued together. The length of said two desired length pieces determines the height or width of the window or door and the length of the further like pieces determine the width or height of the door or window. Thus a reduction in the number of stock components is possible, every door and window being manufactured from like cross section timber.One or more pieces of the same length as said like further pieces may be secured to said desired length piece parallel to and between said like further pieces, said one or more pieces having two grooves facing in opposite directions, this being the only further cross section required to be stocked if using the method of glazing of the present invention to complete the door or window. Alternatively the grooves may be suitably filled and the apertures formed by the door/window frame may be filled with panels of desired type eg.

glazing or wood panels, using any other known desired method.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective partly cut away view of a window constructed by the method of the present invention and the further aspect of the present invention; Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate three of the steps of the method used in glazing the window of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a securing member used in the method of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the sealing strip used in Fig. 2C; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the window of Fig. 1 showing a. preferred form of support member for use in conjunction with the securing members of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of support member.

A preferred method of glazing a window is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. As will be evident the window has a wooden frame 1, though the glazing method of the present invention is equally applicable to UPVC window/door frames. The frame 1 has a continuous groove 3 extending around the rectangular aperture 5 which is to be closed by a double glazing unit 7, which double glazing unit 7 is a close fit in aperture 5 - in practice there is an approximate 2 mm gap between the periphery of the glazing unit 7 and the periphery of the aperture 5.

As best seen in Figs. 1, 2A and 3, a number of generally U-shaped securing members 9 are engaged around the edges of the double glazing unit 7 at spaced apart locations, each securing member 9 having a pair of arms 11 which extend substantially at right angles from a base 13. These securing members 9 are made of resilient metal and arms 11 are slightly inclined towards each other so that the securing members 9 grip opposed faces of the double glazing unit 7. A gasket (not shown) can be provided between each securing member and the glazing unit if required.

Initially, as in Fig. 2A, the securing members 9 are pushed as far into the edge regions of the double glazing unit 7 as possible, so that the base 13 of each securing member 9 is virtually flush with the edge of the glazing unit 7 and the glazing unit 7 can be located within the window aperture 5.

Before inserting the double glazing unit 7 into the window aperture 5, generally U-shaped support members 15 (see Fig. 5) are inverted and located as a snug fit in the continuous groove 3 in at least the top and bottom sides of the window aperture at spaced apart locations. Each generally U-shaped support member 15 effectively bridges the groove 3 and one arm of the U-shape is extended below the base of the Ushape to form a location lip 17 which projects inwardly of the window aperture 5 when the support member 15 is inverted and located in the groove 3. As an alternative to these support members 15 the groove 3 along the lower edge of the window can be filled with one or more elongate members, the glazing unit when inserted in the window aperture 5 merely resting on these elongate members.

Having located the support members 15 in the groove 3 in the desired locations, the glazing unit 7, including the securing members 9 in the position of Fig. 2A, is located in the window aperture 5 against the location lips 17 of the respective support members 15. The securing members 9 are then moved outwardly of the glazing unit 7 so that they engage in the groove 3, the arms 11 of the securing members 9 having bent back free end regions 19 which engage the periphery of the window aperture on each side of the groove 3 (see Fig. 2B) to prevent the securing member 9 from being detached from the edge of the glazing unit 7 if the groove (3) is excessively deep.

The glazing unit 7 is thus securely located in the window aperture 5. To further secure the glazing unit a modified support member 21 (Fig. 6) can be used. This support member 21 differs from the support members 15 only in that it additionally has a pivotal lip 23 which, with the glazing unit against the location lip 17, can be pivoted upwards to hold the glazing unit between said lips 17, 23. The pivotal lip 23 can be moved using a screw driver which can be engaged with the support member via a bore (not shown) provided in the window frame.

To aesthetically complete the glazing operation and seal the assembly against the weather etc, a flexible sealing strip 25 (see Figs. 2C and 4) is secured around the periphery of the window aperture 5 on each side of the glazing unit 7. The sealing strip 25 basically has an arcuate face 27 and a securing flange 29 which has a number of retaining ridges 31 (Fig. 4). In use (see Fig. 2C) the securing flange 29 is pressed into a narrow groove 33 which extends around the periphery of the window aperture 5, two such grooves 33 being provided, one on each side of the groove 3. As best seen in Fig. 2C the sealing strip presses sealingly against the surface of the glazing unit 7 and the edge of the window aperture, presenting a smooth face 27 therebetween. If required, the sealing strip 25 can be glued or otherwise further retained in position. Further whilst the corners 35 of the sealing strips are mitred, actual corner units (not shown) can be located in the groove 3 before the glazing unit 7 is inserted, the end regions of the sealing strips engaging in said corner units.

The present invention thus provides a simple and quick method of glazing a window or door. The present invention also provides a simple construction of door or window. As illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings the window frame 1 is constructed from four members of like transverse cross section, each member having the groove 3 formed therein. The two vertical members 37 are secured to the ends of the two horizontal members 39, by bolts 41. To mate the vertical and horizontal members, the end regions 43 of the horizontal members 39 are shaped i.e. formed as a mortice, to fit normally into the groove 3 in a vertical member 37. The said members are all positioned so that the groove 3 always faces inwardly. Thus the glazing method of the present invention can be used to fill the window aperture. Alternatively any other glazing method can be used. Thus the same cross section timber can be used with only slight modification i.e. shaping the ends of said horizontal members, to construct a window or door. By using one or more intermediate horizontal members (not shown) each with two oppositely facing grooves, located parallel to the horizontal members 39, the window frame can be divided into two or more apertures to be glazed. Thus the timber members (37,39) for doors and windows, apart from any desired shaped window ledges, can all be cut from the same cross section timber into the desired lengths, the only additional work being the shaping of the ends of the horizontal members 39 and the forming of a further oppositely directed groove where intermediate members are required. Stocks, costs and skill are therefore minimised to produce a quality finished wooden window or door frame.

Claims

1. A glazed closure panel assembly for use as either a door or window, comprising a glazing panel located within a substantially complementary aperture within a frame assembly, at least one securing member being engaged over each of at least two edges of the glazing panel, the securing members each projecting outwardly of the glazing panel and engaging in a respective recess in an edge of the said aperture whilst still engaging an edge of the glazing panel whereby the glazing panel is secured in said aperture.

2. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which each securing member is generally U-shaped and has two arms which engage opposite surfaces of the glazing panel.

3. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the arms of each U-shaped securing member are resilient and slightly inclined towards each other, so that the securing member grips the opposite surfaces of the glazing panel.

4. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the U-shape of each securing member is generally rectangular.

5. A closure panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the said respective recesses in the edges of said aperture comprise a continuous groove which extends all around said aperture.

6. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which a further continuous groove is provided parallel to said continuous groove, on each side of said continuous groove, flexible sealing strips engaging in each of said further continuous grooves, said sealing strips pressing against the glazing panel and the edge of the aperture.

7. A closure panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which parallel continuous grooves are provided in the edge of said aperture, with said respective recesses located between said parallel continuous grooves, flexible sealing strips engaging in each of said continuous grooves and pressing against the glazing panel and the edge of the aperture.

8. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which corner units are provided, into which end regions of the sealing strips engage to allow the sealing strips to follow the profile of the edge of the aperture.

9. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which a support member is located in the continuous groove in at least a lower edge region of the aperture to support the glazing panel substantially centrally of the aperture.

10. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 9, in which each support member is a close fit in the continuous groove and substantially fills the groove at a particular location along the length of the continuous groove.

11. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the or each support member has an extended arm which projects inwardly of the aperture and forms a location lip against which the glazing panel is engaged.

12. A closure panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which each support member is generally an inverted U-shape with two arms connected by a base, the base being substantially level with the edge of the aperture.

13. A closure panel assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which a pivotal extension of the support member is engageable with one surface of the glazing panel with the location lip engaging the other surface of the glazing panel.

13. A closure panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the glazing panel and aperture are rectangular.

15. A method of producing a glazed closure panel assembly for use as a door or window, comprising the steps of locating a securing member over at least two edges of a glazing panel, locating the glazing panel and securing members within a substantially complementary aperture in a frame assembly and moving the securing members outwardly of the glazing panel so that the securing members each engage in a respective recess in an edge of the said aperture whilst still engaging both sides of the glazing panel whereby the glazing panel is secured in said aperture.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the respective recesses are formed as a continuous groove and a support member is located in the groove in a lower edge of the aperture prior to location of the glazing panel in the aperture, the glazing panel being subsequently located substantially centrally within the aperture resting on the support member.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, in which a flexible sealing strip is secured around the edge of the aperture, the flexible sealing strip pressing against the glazing panel and the edge of the said aperture.

18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, including the steps of forming the frame assembly with a rectangular aperture.

19. A method of manufacturing a closure panel assembly according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of producing elongate lengths of timber with a groove formed along the length of the timber, cutting two desired length pieces of timber from said elongate lengths and two further like pieces of the same or a different length from said elongate lengths, shaping the end regions of each of said further like pieces so that they can fit within said groove, and securing the respective end regions of each of said further like pieces in the facing grooves of the two desired length pieces with said further like pieces parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other as desired, and installing a glazing panel in the aperture so formed, by using the method of claim 15.

20. A closure panel assembly for use as either a door or window, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of producing a glazed closure panel assembly for use as a door or window, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.