GB2276900A

GB2276900A - Window frame sections

Info

Publication number: GB2276900A
Application number: GB9305514A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Joseph Blake
Original assignee: Crittall Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Crittall Windows Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-17
Filing date: 1993-03-17
Publication date: 1994-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-17
Also published as: GB2276900B; GB9305514D0

Abstract

A window frame section 10, is of generally H-shaped cross-section with a central bar 11 having, at each end thereof, two legs 12, 13; 14, 15 which are aligned with each other and arranged perpendicular to the bar 11. The legs, of which at least two are relatively short, may be long legs or short legs. The section is preferably of steel, and a window may have a number of frames each employing different sections. Fig 2 illustrates a frame section in which the legs corresponding to 12, 13 and 14 are short and the leg 15 is long and Fig 3 illustrates a frame section in which the legs corresponding to 12 and 14 are short and the legs 13 and 15 are long. <IMAGE>

Description

Window frame sections The present invention relates to window frame sections or profiles and more particularly to a relatively small plurality of steel window sections from which a large range of different window frames can be assembled.

At present steel window frames are made of lengths of material from a range of approximately sixteen crosssections. This requires a steel rolling mill to produce a relatively large number of batches and involves a large amount of down time to allow the mill to be set up for a new cross-section.

The present invention seeks to reduce this problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a set of window frame sections comprising three generally H-shaped sections each having a central bar and four legs, at least two of which are short and at least one of which is long, wherein, taking the legs in turn in one circular sense around each section, the legs of a first section are short, short, long, long, the legs of a second section are short, short, short, long, and the legs of the third section are short, long, short, long.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a window frame section of generally H-shaped cross-section having a central bar and at each end thereof two legs substantially aligned with each other and substantially perpendicular to the bar, the legs at one end both being relatively short and, at the other end of the bar, one of the legs being relatively short and the other being relatively long, the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being wholly flat.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a window frame section of generally H-shaped cross-section having a central bar and at each end thereof two legs substantially aligned with each other and substantially perpendicular to the bar, one of the legs at each end being relatively short and the other of the legs at each end being relatively long, the relatively long legs extending in opposite senses and the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being wholly flat.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a window frame section of generally H-shaped cross-section having a central bar and at each end thereof two legs substantially aligned with each other and substantially perpendicular to the bar, the legs at one end both being relatively short and the legs at the other end both being relatively long, the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being wholly flat.

In preferred embodiments the ratio of the length of the central bar to the length of a short leg (measured to the centre line of the bar) is between 2 and 10, especially between 2.5 and 5, and preferably 4. The ratio of the length of a long leg (also measured to the centre line of the bar) to the length of a short leg is between l,5 and 5, especially between 2 and 3.5, and preferably 2.7.

Also the preferred range of thickness of the bar and the free ends of the long legs is 3.0 to 4.0 mm and particularly 3.2 to 3.5 mm.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a window frame comprising a plurality of one type of the sections according to the previous aspects of the invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a window arrangement comprising a plurality of window frames according to the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein the same section or different sections may be used for different frames.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a window frame comprising assembling a plurality of one type of the sections according to the previous aspects of the invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a rolling mill die for producing one type of the sections according to the previous aspects of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figs 1, 2 and 3 respectively show cross-sections of first, second and third window frame sections in accordance with the present invention; and Figs 4a to 4h show cross-sections of exemplary window frames in accordance with the present invention employing the sections illustrated in Figs 1 to 3.

Referring to the drawings, Fig.l shows a first window frame section 10 comprising a central bar 11, two short legs 12,13 at one end and two long legs 14, 15 at the other. It will be noted that the surfaces of the long legs 14,15 remote from the bar 11 are aligned to provide an unbroken flat surface 17; similarly short legs 12,13 define a flat surface 18.

Preferred dimensions in millimetres are shown in the Figure. The thickness of the bar 11 and the free ends of the long legs 14,15 is preferably 3.2mm. The section 10 is of steel giving a weight of 2.881 Kg per metre of section.

Fig.2 shows a second window frame section 20 in accordance with the present invention comprising a central bar 21, with short legs 22,23 at one end and a short leg 24 and a long leg 25 at the other end. Other details are similar to the section of Fig.l. Section 20 is also of steel and has a weight of 2.457 Kg per metre.

Fig.3 shows a third window frame section 30 in accordance with the present invention comprising a central bar 31, with a short leg 32 and a long leg 33 at one end and a short leg 34 and a long leg 35 at the other end. Other details are similar to the sections of Figs l and 2. Section 30 is also of steel and has a weight of 2.881 Kg per metre.

The above sections have a number of advantages.

Although they are of a similar weight to conventional sections, their depth of 40mm is approximately 25% greater. This means that they can readily accept double glazing units up to 25mm thick, i.e approximately twice the thickness which current frame sections can accept.

In addition the larger internal cavities resulting make it easier to conceal therein various window operating members. The increased sizes of sections also allow for modern improved glazing techniques to be employed to improve the life of the double glazed unit and also to hide spacer bars because of the increased glazing leg depth.

The flat visible surfaces, such as surfaces 17,18, mean that the sections are easier to roll and automatically have a better appearance and finish than existing sections with surface recesses. Furthermore the flat surfaces mean that it is much easier to remove any debris left after welding operations, and a higher quality of finish is obtained.

Weathering techniques possible with the profiles 10,20 and 30 lead to improved performance both as regards to resistance to water penetration and air infiltration.

It is possible to use these sections to achieve a two hour fire resistance which is not possible with normal steel window construction without special adaptations.

As mentioned in the introduction, a major advantage of the present invention is the reduction of the range of profile sections required to three in number, which not only reduces stock requirements, but also simplifies manufacturing operations and leads to improved quality.

Figs 4a to 4h illustrate some of the window frame arrangements possible with the three sections.

Fig.4a shows an opening-in ventilator window arrangement 40 with a fixed frame 41 comprising sections 10 and a moving frame 42 also comprising sections 10. Frame 42 has an external glazing bead 50 to secure and seal a pane 55. Grooves such as 44 are formed in a postrolling operation along the entire length of the sections and serve to hold flexible strips acting as air seals.

Fig.4 shows a fixed light window arrangement 45 comprising fixed sections 30 with an external glazing bead 50, Fig.4c shows an opening-in ventilator window arrangement 60 with a fixed frame 61 comprising sections 20 and a moving frame 62 comprising sections 30. Frame 62 has an internal glazing bead 70. As indicated in broken line the window may be secured to the building structure by means of a frame comprising sections 10 instead of sections 20.

Fig.4d illustrates alternative fixed light window arrangements 65 to Fig.4b, comprising a frame 66 of sections 20 (or 10 as indicated in broken line) with an internal bead 70.

Fig.4e illustrates opening-out ventilator window arrangements 75 comprising a fixed frame 76 comprising sections 20 (or 30 as indicated in broken line) and a moving frame 77 comprising sections 30 and having an external bead 50.

Fig.4f shows a further fixed light window arrangement 80 with a fixed frame 81 comprising sections 20 with an external bead 50.

Fig.4 shows an opening-out ventilator window arrangement 85 with a fixed frame 86 comprising sections 30 and a moving frame 87 comprising sections 10 with an internal glazing bead 70 for a double-glazed unit 88.

Fixed frame 86 may instead comprise sections 20 if desired.

Fig.4h shows a fixed double-glazed window arrangement 90- with a frame 91 comprising sections 10 and an internal glazing bead 70.

The above described window arrangements are only examples of an extensive range of windows which can be manufactured from the previously-described sections 10,20 and 30. Despite the great reduction in the number of different sections1 it is actually possible to increase the number of window types. For example it is possible to make reversible windows, projected top hung windows and tilt-and-turn windows. Because of the size and shape of the sections, it is possible to manufacture multi-light windows in one piece rather than separate frames coupled together with loose bars. This has cost performance and aesthetic benefits.

Although the sizes of the sections and the relative sizes of the sections are preferably as given above, these parameters may vary over a relatively large range.

For example the ratio between the lengths of the central bar and the short legs may vary between 2 and 10, and the ratio between the lengths of the long legs and the short legs may vary between 1.5 and 5. If desired the sections need not be symmetrical. Also, if desired, the sections can be made of any other suitable metal, such as aluminium.

Claims

1. A window frame section of generally H-shaped crosssection having a central bar and at each end thereof two legs substantially aligned with each other and substantially perpendicular to the bar, and (i) the legs at one end both being relatively short and, at the other end of the bar, one of the legs being relatively short and the other being relatively long, the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being flat; or (ii) one of the legs at each end being relatively short and the other of the legs at each end being relatively long, the relatively long legs extending in opposite senses and the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being flat; or (iii)the legs at one end both being relatively short and the legs at the other end both being relatively long, the surfaces of the aligned legs remote from the bar being flat.

2. A section according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the length of the central bar to the length of a short leg (measured to the centre line of the bar) is between 2 and 10.

3. A section according to claim 2 wherein said ratio is between 2.5 and 5.

4. A section according to any preceding claim wherein the ratio of the length of a long leg to the length of a short leg is between 1.5 and 5.

5. A section according to claim 4 wherein said long leg length to short leg length ratio is between 2 and 3.5.

6. A section according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the bar and/or the free ends of the long legs is 3.0 to 4.0 mm.

7. A section according to claim 6, wherein said thickness is 3.2 to 5.3 mm.

8. A section according to any preceding claim constructed of steel.

9. A window frame section substantially as herein described with reference to Fig.l or Fig.2 or Fig.3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A plurality of window frame sections comprising three generally H-shaped sctions each having a central bar and four legs, at least two of which are short and at least one of which is long, wherein, taking the legs in turn in one circular sense around each section, the legs of a first section are short, short, long, long, the legs of a second section are short, short, short, long, and the legs of the third section are short, long, short, long.

11. A window frame comprising a plurality of sections according to any preceding claim.

12. A window frame substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figs 4a to h of the accompanying drawings.

13. A window arrangement comprising a plurality of window frames according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A window arrangement according to claim 13 wherein different sections are used for different frames.