GB2266327A

GB2266327A - Installation of glazed frames in buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2266327A
Application number: GB9207979A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Sykes
Original assignee: FERSINA WINDOWS Ltd
Current assignee: FERSINA WINDOWS Ltd
Priority date: 1992-04-10
Filing date: 1992-04-10
Publication date: 1993-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-10
Also published as: GB2266327B; GB9207979D0

Abstract

A glazed frame assembly comprises a sub-frame having four sides joined at the corners, a glazed frame adapted to be fitted into the sub frame and means for retaining the glazed frame in the sub-frame. The sub-frame sides include a shaped section for the retention of masonry fixing cleats 18 which are inserted during the building process, and a flange 20 directed inwardly of the sub-frame towards the frame to be fitted so that the wall can be plastered 44 up to the flange before the glazed frame is fitted. Different means are described for securing the glazed frame to the sub-frame. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE INSTALLATION OF GLAZED FRAMES IN BUILDINGS The present invention relates to improvements in the installation of glazed frames, such as windows and doors, in new buildings.

The fitting of glazed windows and doors into new buildings is achieved by various methods. GB patent specification NO 2211535 describes a window assembly which has a rigid metal frame which is fixed into an opening in the building and a glazed plastics material frame which is snap-fastened into the metal frame when, the building is complete. The assembly is complicated and it is an object of the invention to provide a simpler assembly. One disadvantage of the known assemblies is that the glazed window frame has to be in place before the inside of the building can be plastered.

According to the present invention there is provided a glazed frame assembly comprising a sub-frame comprising four sides joined at the corners, a glazed frame adapted to be fitted into the sub-frame, and means for retaining the glazed frame within the sub-frame, wherein the sub-frame sides include a shaped section for the retention of masonry fixing cleats and a flange directed inwardly of the sub-frame.

The provision of a shaped section for the retention of masonry fixing cleats enables the frame to be tied to the building during erection and the existence of the flange enables the inside of the room containing the glazed frame to be plastered up to the sub-frame before the glazed frame is fitted.

Preferably the sides are generally L-shaped in section and are each bent from or extruded as a single piece of material. The shaped section advantageously includes a channel in which the fixing cleats can be slideably retained.

The glazed frame may be fitted to the sub frame either by a retaining means such as screws passing through the flange; or by resiliently-biassed retaining means which are actuated when the window frame is in position. The resiliently biassed retaining means may be integral with the sub-frame. Alternatively, where the sub-frame includes a recess between the flange and the channel, the retaining means may be in the form of a resiliently-biassed member adapted to engage in the said recess.

The invention also includes a method of installation of a glazed frame comprising the steps of placing a sub frame on a wall of masonry, building up the masonry along the sides of the sub-frame with the occasional insertion of a fixing cleat in the sub-frame for incorporation in the wall, plastering inside the building up to the sub-frame and finally fitting a glazed frame into the sub-frame.

The present invention will now be described,by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a sub-frame, being part of a glazed assembly according to the present invention, fitted into a window opening in a building, Figure 2 is a perspective and expanded view of two sides of the sub-frame of Figure 1 and the corner fitting, Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of a fixing cleat for use in fixing the sub-frame to the building structure, Figure 4 is a partial cross section of the sub-frame and glazed frame showing one embodiment of retention, Figure 5 is a partial cross-section of the sub-frame and glazed frame showing a second embodiment of retention, and Figure 6 is a partial cross section of the sub-frame and glazed frame showing a third embodiment of retention.

The glazed frame assemblies illustrated are all intended to be incorporated in new buildings. Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the positioning of the assembly in the outer wall of two walls 7 divided by a cavity 8. The assemblies each comprise a sub-frame made of four sides 11 joined at the corners either by spot welding or by a ribbed corner cleat 12 such as is illustrated in Figure 2 fixed for example by screwing through holes 13. The sides are generally L-shaped and manufactured in, for example, galvanised steel or plastics material. The a#re each cut from-folded or extruded lengths and provide a channel 14 which has an opening 15 directed outwardly of the sub-frame and returns on each side providing side retaining slide grooves 16,17 for a series of masonry fixing cleats or tie bars 18.The sub-frame also comprises a flange 20 which forms one leg of the L and extends in a direction opposed to that of the opening 15 and substantially perpendicularly to the channel 14; and a recess 21 between the flange 20 and the groove 16 opening in a direction opposed to the channel 15 (i.e.

inwardly of the sub-frame). The embodiments will be described hereafter with reference to windows, but it will be appreciated that the principle may be applied to any opening in a building which is to be glazed.

The return 17 creates a retaining groove which is deeper than necessary soley to retain the tie bar 18 and which additionally provides a rigidity to the sub-frame.

The sub-frame is fitted into the window opening once the lower sill is reached. As the masonry progresses tie bars 18 are fitted periodically into the channel 14 each having a semi-circular sided arm 22 (see Figure 3) slidable in the channel 14 and protruding fingers 24 retained by and slidable in the retaining grooves 16,17.

The body 26 of the tie bar 18 is mortared into the masonry as can be seen in Figure 1. No tie bars are used in the horizontal sides of the sub-frame.

The window frame that is fitted into the sub-frame is already known. The frame is double-glazed with glass 28 fitted into a profile 29 comprising a hollow rear leg 31 located inwardly of the glass and a hollow front leg 32 located outwardly of the glass. The front and rear legs are interconnected by a central section 33. The glass 28 is held in place by a set of fingers 35 fitted to the rear leg 31 and a set of fingers 36 anchored by a moulding 38 which is fitted above the front leg 32. If required a sill (not shown) is first joined to the bottom of the sub-frame, for example with screws. The frame is fitted into the sub-frame from the outside of the building and pushes in until it engages the flange 20.

There are three arrangements for fitting the frame to the sub frame. Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment in which the frames are fitted by means of a series of screws (not shown) on axis 19 passing through the flange 20 from the inside of the building into the back of the rear leg 31. The holes 34 are shown in Figure 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 5 the sub-frame channel 14 is stamped out to provide a series of tongues 40 which extend in a direction opposed to the channel opening 15 (i.e. inwardly of the sub-frame). The tongues 40 engage behind a portion of the window frame, in this case the profile leg 31.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment by which the frame is retained in the sub-frame. In this case a spring-loaded plunger 42 is slidable in a sleeve 43 disposed in the rear leg 31 of the glazed frame and adapted, after engaging the flat portion of the channel section 14, to drop into the recess 21 to hold the frame in position.

The retaining means in each case operates on all four sides of the sub-frame to create a secure assembly.

The method of fitting the illustrated glazed frame assembly is as follows: When the wall has reached an appropriate level for introducing a door or window a sub-frame is placed in position. As the walls are built up at the sides of the frame, tie bars 18 are inserted periodically. The tie bars can be slid in the channels 14 until they lie on top of the wall and are then mortared in, and covered by the next brick, stone or other building component. The engagement of the arm in the grooves 16,17 holds the sub-frame in position in the opening.

Once the sub-frame is in place, the plasterer can finish plastering with plaster 43 up to the flange 20 before the glazed frame is inserted into the sub-frame.

This reduces considerably the clean-up time required before the building is ready for display.

If required a temporary security frame can be inserted into the sub-frame during erection of the building. This frame is subsequently replaced by the glazed frame.

Claims

1. A glazed frame assembly comprising a sub-frame comprising four sides joined at the corners, a glazed frame adapted to be fitted into the sub-frame, and means for retaining the glazed frame within the sub-frame, wherein the sub-frame sides include a shaped section for the retention of masonry fixing cleats and a flange directed inwardly of the sub-frame.

2. A glazed frame assemblv according to claim 1 wherein the sides are generally L-shaped in section and are each bent from or extruded as a single piece of material.

3. A glazed frame assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the shaped section includes a channel in which the fixing cleats can be slideably retained.

4. A glazed frame assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the glazed frame is fitted to the sub frame by a retaining means in the form of screws passing through the flange.

5. A glazed frame assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the glazed frame is fitted to the sub-frame by resiliently-biassed retaining means which are actuated when the window frame is in position.

6. A glazed frame assemblv according to claim 5 wherein the resiliently biassed retaining means is integral with the sub-frame.

7. A glazed frame assembly according to anv of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sub-frame includes a recess between the flange and the channel, and wherein the glazed frame is fitted to the sub frame by a retaining means in the form of a resiliently-biassed member adapted to engage in the said recess.

8. A method of installation of a glazed frame assembly according to any of the preceding claims comprising the steps of placing a sub frame on a wall of masonry, building up the masonry along the sides of the sub-frame with the occasional insertion of a fixing cleat in the sub-frame for incorporation in the wall, plastering inside the building up to the sub-frame and finally fitting a glazed frame into the sub-frame.

9. A glazed frame assembley substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of installation of a glazed frame assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.