GB2275489A - Fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastening device for use with snap-in windows has tangs 310, 312 which are displaced downwardly from a plate 301, and a series of fingers 100 which are displaced upwardly from that plate. The fingers are arranged in a series of staggered rows. In use the tangs 310, 310 engage the wall of a building, or engage a part secured thereto. On the other side its plurality of fingers engage with the stepped edge of a window frame. <IMAGE>

Description

FASTENING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fastening device, and in particular to a fastening device for locating and securing an article in a structure defining an opening.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The invention has especial application to the on-site fitting of factory pre-assembled window units into a wall opening, the wall opening perhaps being defined by an outer frame. Such outer frame can be installed either during building of the wall (and may indeed then be used as a former around which the wall is built, accurately to define the opening), or following removal of an existing unit e.g.

the replacement of a single glazed window by a multi-glazed sealed window unit.

A suitable fastening device should avoid damage to and distortion of the unit, and should not constrain the unit against proper thermal expansion and contraction. The fastening unit should permit the fitting time to be kept as short as possible, perhaps even allowing it to be reduced, especially if the unit is to be installed in a high-rise building in windy conditions.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRIOR ART A fastening device which seeks to meet the stated requirements is taught in my European patent application 88902516.9. This has had considerable commercial success.

A particular use for the device of European patent application 88902516.9 is taught in my international patent application WO 91/14066 Fig.7 (repeated as Fig.2 herein), in a mounting frame suitable for a multi-glazed window unit.

This use has been practised widely , with considerable commercial success.

A spring metal clip for centring a window unit is shown in US Patent 4,488,392, with however the device base portion attached to the top edge of a window frame, with an inclined portion integrally formed with the base portion at an acute angle, with a row of teeth along the free end.

A clip with two spring fingers with their free ends laterally aligned is shown in DOS 3420626, with a possible third finger axially offset.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION We now propose a fastening device of widespread utility, in particular for use in locating a window unit in a wall opening, the wall opening being defined by a mounting frame in a building structure, the mounting frame being constructed for instance in accordance with WO 91/14066 Fig.7. The mounting frame and/or window unit can be of proprietary make and design, with widely different location and abutment surfaces.

Thus in accordance with one feature of the invention we provide a fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the one selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised by a third part, the third part being resiliently deflectable relative to the first part, the third part being securable to the said one of the members.

Preferably the third part is oppositely facing relative to the second part, and comprises one or more resilient fingers, removably securable between upstanding abutments of the said one of the members, as by being sprung inwardly or outwardly In a preferred arrangement we provide a fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised by a third part, the third part comprising first and second sets of fingers resiliently deflectable relative to the first part, the first set of fingers being more closely spaced than the second set of fingers, the fingers of a set being laterally aligned, the third part being to the opposite side of the first part than the second part, the third part being securable to the said one of the members.

We also propose a fastening device with multiple restraint conditions.

Thus we provide a fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised in that the second part comprises a plurality of fingers, none of the fingers having its free end aligned with another whereby each finger can engage the other of the members independently.

Desirably the fingers of the second part are in rows, with the fingers of a row being in lateral staggered alignment, the rows being axially spaced. Thus any one of the plurality of second part fingers can provide point resistance against a preformed profile abutment if this is not presented square to the mounting frame carrying the fastening unit, or against a unit not having a preformed abutment, but for example merely a roughened outer periphery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig.l is a front view of a known retention component located in a partly built "new build" structure; Fig.2 is a section of a part of a known mounting frame suitable for use in a new build structure Fig.3 is a plan view of a multi-fitting spring device according to the invention; Fig.4 is a front view of the spring device of Fig.3; Fig.5 is a side view of the spring device of Fig.3; and Fig.6 is a sectional view of a modified multi-fitting device according to the invention fitted between a window unit and an outer frame.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the arrangement as shown generally in Fig.l, a bricklayer will typically lay a line of bricks 60 and blocks 70 to a selected height; he will then lay a further layer of either the bricks or blocks, position the lowermost column 200 (Fig.2) of a pre-formed rectangular (in this embodiment square) outer mounting frame 210 against the extra layer, and then clamp the column 200 in position by laying further bricks or blocks i.e. so as to sandwich the column in the cavity gap between the bricks and blocks.

Lowermost column 200 as viewed in Fig.l thus helps to determine the cavity gap between the bricks and blocks of subsequent layers forming the structure e.g. building wall.

Since each frame part of the outer frame 210 has its own column outwardly extending therefrom, further bricks and blocks laid around the frame 210 act more firmly to locate the respective frame parts; when the mortar between the bricks and blocks has set, the outer (window) frame 210 can only be removed by partial dismantling of the wall.

In this embodiment retention portion 230 and column 200 are integral. Usefully the retention portion and column will be from an extruded plastics strip (and so extends into the paper as viewed), cut to length, mitred at the corners and connected to identical (or similar) cut lengths to form a square (or rectangular) former, around which the bricks 60 and blocks 70 can continue to be laid to form a wall opening 120 of selected size to receive a window unit, preferably a pre-assembled window unit. The frame is thus assembled from frame parts, joined at their ends to form corners.

Although for clarity, clearance is shown between the column 200 and the outer wall bricks 60 and inner wall blocks 70, in practice the column 200 is of a width conforming closely to the industry standard cavity, and so can be tightly sandwiched between the bricks and blocks, or else an extra extension part is used as a cavity spacer (located in a wall tie aperture 20) during building of the cavity wall around the spacer.

To the opposite face from that with column 200, the retention component 230 has an integral upstanding abutment 336, which in an alternative embodiment can be supported by a buttress.

To the right hand side of abutment 336 as viewed in Fig.2 the component has a generally flat surface 231, used to receive plaster or the like, perhaps with an overlying window shelf for the lower (horizontal) frame part, as a building finishing operation. To the left hand side of abutment 336 the frame part carries on planar surface 232 a plurality of angled teeth 233, in this embodiment shaped as shark's teeth, with for each tooth the upstanding retention flank to the right and a rearwardly inclined lead-in flank to the left. One or more of the teeth 233 can be engaged by resiliently deflectable members, for instance of a device according to my European Patent Application 88902516.9 mounted on the outer periphery of a window unit, to prevent leftwards movement as viewed (the one selected direction as herein defined) of the window unit (and to which the base of the device is secured) i.e. relative to outer frame 210.

Although this arrangement is possible also with a modified multi-purpose device according to the invention, as by the use of nail or screw holes 300 (Fig.3), I recommend that the device be mounted instead on the outer mounting frame, being in alternative embodiments mounted by the teeth 233, or preferably better by upstanding abutments 250 separating groups of spring fingers 233.

In the alternative embodiment of Fig.6 the mounting position can be between inward and outer opposed ends of a recess 252 in an otherwise planar surface 232 of the respective frame part.

The device can be located and retained as noted in the preceding paragraphs by the use of a third part, as herein disclosed; the third part utilises spring fingers 310, 312 extending from the underside 303 of base 302, and in the opposite direction to the second fingers; in this embodiment the fingers 310 have their free ends aligned and comprise a first set, and the fingers 312 have their free ends aligned and form a second set, whereby the respective sets can provide a balanced support for the fastening device, with both free ends of the fingers of one set engaging for instance either a tooth 233, or an upstand 250 in the respective frame member.

The fingers 310,312 are resiliently deflectable relative to the first part, extending (in the unmounted condition of Fig.6) from an arched base 302.

The first set 310 of fingers are more closely spaced than the second 312 set of fingers, the fingers of each set however in this embodiment being laterally aligned. As seen in Fig.6, the spring device is alternatively securable by the "third part" fingers 310,312 in a recess 320, to move together with outer frame 210 should this move i.e the spring device is held against leftwards or rightwards movement as viewed in Fig.6 corresponding to outwards and inwards movement relative to the building, in this embodiment more firmly againt leftwards movement.

The fastening device has multiple restraint conditions, in that the second device part comprises thirty three closelyspaced or closely packed first fingers 100, none of the fingers 100 having their free end 102 aligned with another first part free end of that device.. The fingers are grouped in rows 1,2,3.4 with the free ends of the fingers in a row being in laterally staggered offset relationg aligned free ends 102, and second fingers 110 having unaligned free ends.

Any appropriate one of the second fingers 100 can provide point resistance against a preformed profile abutment if this is not presented square to the mounting frame carrying the fastening unit, or against a unit not having a preformed abutment, but for example merely a roughened outer periphery. Alternatively it is possible to preselect individual fingers or individual combinations of fingers to suit selected profiles; only these fingers e.g. six fingers, need then be punched from base 302, but since there may be dirt lodged against abutment 336 (Fig.6) which alters the required setting I recommend that the embodiment with all designed fingers punched out to operative position be used.

The second and third parts are to opposite sides of the first part, the third part being securable to the said one of the members.

Nailing holes 300 can be used to permit the fastening device of this invention to be fitted if so required instead of or in replacement of the fastening device of European patent application 88902516.9 and to which reference was made above.

It will be understood that the wall panel to be secured, in this embodiment window 205 (Fig.6), will be of slightly smaller outer dimension than the inner dimension of the frame member, whether provided with mounting teeth 233, upstanding abutments 250 or recess 320. Thus, there is a gap between the outer frame and the window unit into which one or more fastening devices according to the invention can be fitted. As above described, preferably these are shortlength metal plates, usefully of stainless steel, with thirty three first part fingers punched out and comprising the stated second part(s); and with two fingers oppositely punched out and a further two fingers bent away, and comprising the stated third part(s).

In the arrangement of Fig.6, the device is located with its inward side edge 301 (in the window fitting direction, to the right as viewed in Fig.6) against abutment 336, and with third part fingers 310,312 in retaining engagement in this embodiment respectively with an upstanding abutment 250 and a tooth 233.

When the domed or arched base 302 is flattened, by window unit 205, then these fingers are urged into greater engagement with the abutment 250 and tooth 233, so that the device is retained even more securely (against leftwards movement as viewed). Furthermore second part fingers 100 are also pressed downwardly, to reduce their angle relative to base 302, to provide an increased resistance to leftwards movement of window unit 205.

Thus the device is removably but securely received in the retention member for possible re-use, but more likely to permit its mounting position to be changed by the window installer prior to window fitting, although nail or pin holes 300 allow the device to be pre-fitted e.g to window unit 205, as with our earlier arrangement of European patent application 88902516.9.

Although we prefer the device to be in position before the window comes to be installed, it is possible in selected instances for the device to be forced along the gap i.e.

after window installation but before gap sealing, to locate and restrain the window unit relative to the outer frame.

In most installations the fastening devices are placed at discrete locations around all four sides of the window unit.

The window frame 205 is fed from the left towards the right as viewed in Fig.6 (as with the prior art device of Fig.2), towards abutment 336a, engaging a seal 338 located in an outwardly (leftwards) facing recess (not shown) in the abutment.

Claims (6)

1. A fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the one selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised by a third part, the third part being resiliently deflectable relative to the first part, the third part being securable to the said one of the members.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the third part is oppositely facing relative to the second part, and comprises one or more resilient fingers, removably securable between upstanding abutments of the said one of the members, as by being sprung inwardly or outwardly.

3. A fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised by a third part, the third part comprising first and second sets of fingers resiliently deflectable relative to the first part, the first set of fingers being more closely spaced than the second set of fingers, the fingers of a set being laterally aligned, the third part being to the opposite side of the first part than the second part, the third part being securable to the said one of the members.

4. A fastening device for restraining two members against relative movement in one selected direction which includes a first part movable with one of the members and a second part engageable with the other of the members, the second part being resiliently deflectable towards the first part to permit relative movement between the members in a direction opposed to said selected direction, the second part being coupled to the first part such that relative movement in the selected direction can be resisted by the first part characterised in that the second part comprises a plurality of fingers, none of the fingers having its free end aligned with another whereby each finger can engage the other of the members independently.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second part has fingers which are in rows, with the fingers of a row being in lateral staggered alignment, the rows being axially spaced.

6. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.