GB2283778A - Decorative insert - Google Patents

Abstract

A window frame has inserts 18, 20 located at its upper corners, to give an arch-like appearance to the window. The main body 22 of the insert 20 is secured to the frame by spigots 40, 42, 44, 46 and screws 54, the latter being concealed by a snap-fit decorative insert 48. <IMAGE>

Description

DECORATIVE INSERT This invention relates to a decorative insert and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a glazed assembly which includes a decorative insert, a method which uses a decorative insert and a decorative insert per se.

U.K. Patent No. GB 2 187 493 (HIS Limited) discloses a set of decorative right-angled corner inserts for insertion into two respective corners of a pre-assembled rectangular window frame. Each insert of a first pair of opposite-handed inserts of the set is arranged to be inserted into respective corners of the frame on one side of the glazing panel. The inserts of the first pair include integral locking means engageable with complimentary locking means on each of two mutually perpendicular frame members. Each insert of a second pair of opposite-handed inserts is arranged to be inserted into respective corners of the frame on an opposite side of the glazing panel. The inserts of the first and second pairs are arranged to give the window frame an arch-like appearance when inserted.

There are certain problems and/or disadvantages associated with the above described inserts. For example, they can only be used with glazed window frames offered by HIS Limited. They cannot be retro-fitted to existing glazed window frames. Also, since a part of the bead of the frame must be removed in order to fit the inserts, there is a risk of water ingress through the window frame and also an unsightly join may be visible between the bead and the insert. Furthermore, the inserts may be relatively difficult and time-consuming to install.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate problems associated with known inserts.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glazed assembly comprising a glazing panel supported by a frame means and a decorative insert for modifying the aesthetics of the assembly, the decorative insert being secured to the frame means by a securement means which co-operates with the insert and extends into a bore in the frame means.

The frame means preferably includes a first elongate frame member and a second elongate frame member secured relative to the first frame member at an angle thereto.

Preferably, the first and second frame members extend substantially perpendicular to one another. The decorative insert is preferably secured in a corner region defined between the first and second frame members. Respective edge faces of said decorative insert preferably abut the first and second frame members. The decorative insert preferably defines a curved region between the first and second frame members.

Said frame means, said first frame member and/or said second frame member preferably include a sealing means, for example a beading strip. In a preferred embodiment, the securement means extends through the beading strip, thereby making it difficult to remove the beading strip and the glazing panel. In this case, the glazed assembly may be relatively secure compared to other previously known assemblies.

The decorative insert is preferably generally triagonal in shape. It preferably includes a first side and a second side which abut respective frame members of said frame means. Said first and second sides are preferably substantially straight. The insert preferably includes a third side which extends between the first and second sides. The third side is preferably not straight; it is preferably curved, at least in part.

Said securement means preferably co-operates with the insert by extending through an opening in said insert.

Said securement means is preferably retained in said bore.

Said securement means preferably abuts a wall which defines said bore. Said wall which defines said bore preferably extends around the securement means. Said securement means and said bore are preferably of the same cross-sectional shape. Said securement means and said bore preferably have a circular cross-section. A means is preferably provided, for example by said wall which defines said bore, for restricting movement of said securement means out of said bore. Said securement means is preferably screw-threadedly engaged in said bore.

A plurality of said securement means is preferably provided. Each securement means preferably extends into a respective bore provided in the frame means. Where the frame means includes first and second frame members, a said securement means preferably extends into a respective bore defined in each of said first and second frame members.

The decorative insert may include location means for locating the insert in position. Preferably, the location means comprises a male element which is received in a female element. Said male element is preferably provided on said insert and said female element is preferably provided in said frame means.

Said decorative insert preferably comprises a base body and a cover means. Preferably, said cover means covers said securement means. Preferably, said cover means is releasably secured to the base body. Said cover means is preferably secured to the base body by resilient means.

In one embodiment, said cover means is secured over part of a main face of the base body. In this case, the cover means suitably covers all of the securement means of the assembly. In another embodiment, said cover means is secured over a part of a side part of the base body. In this case, said cover means may cover only some of the securement means of the assembly and, accordingly, the assembly may include a plurality of said cover means. In other embodiments, the cover means may entirely cover, and screen from view, the base body.

The glazed assembly may include one or a plurality of decorative inserts on a first side of said glazing panel and one or a plurality of decorative inserts on a second side of said glazing panel. An insert on one side of the panel is preferably aligned with an insert on the other side of the panel. The inserts on one side are generally different from those on the other side.

In some embodiments inserts may be secured from the exterior of the assembly and in such embodiments this means that retro-fitting is possible, In other embodiments inserts may be secured from the interior of the assembly, and/or as a step in the putting together of the assembly. Retro-fitting is not then possible but the result is of particularly good aesthetic appearance because there are no external visible securement means to cover.

Preferably, said frame means extends around said glazing panel. Preferably, the frame means is square or rectangular. In this case, two inserts are preferably provided on each respective side of the panel. One pair of inserts is preferably provided in a corner region defined between a first horizontally extending frame member and a first vertically extending frame member. A second pair of inserts is preferably provided between said first horizontally extending frame member and a second vertically extending frame member. Said first and second pairs of inserts together may modify the frame means so that it appears to be arch-like in appearance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a decorative insert to a frame means which is arranged to support a glazing panel, the method comprising placing the insert in position and causing a securement means which co-operates with the insert to extend into a bore defined in the frame means, in which bore the securement means is retained.

The method may include the step of forming the bore in said frame means. Said bore may be formed, in part, by the securement means itself. Said bore may be formed in an assembly which includes the glazing panel and the frame means. Thus, the method may be used to retro-fit an insert to an existing glazing assembly.

The method may use any of the features of the glazed assembly of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decorative insert for securement to a frame means which is arranged to support a glazing panel, per se, the insert being arranged to be secured to the frame means by a securement means which extends into a bore defined in the frame means.

The decorative insert may be as described in any statement herein.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which : Figure 1 is an elevation of a glazed assembly viewed from the outside, including a pair of decorative inserts; Figure 2 is an elevation of the glazed assembly of Figure 1 viewed from the inside, including a pair of decorative inserts; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a decorative insert shown in Figure 1, partly in crosssection; Figure 4 is a detailed view of an insert of the glazed assembly of Figure 1, partly in cross-section; Figure 5 is a perspective partly exploded view of a decorative insert shown in Figure 2, when secured in position; Figure 6 is an elevation of a second embodiment of internal insert; Figure 7 is an elevation of a base body of a second embodiment of external insert; Figure 8 is an elevation of a cover member, for arrangement over the base body, of the second embodiment of insert; and Figure 9 is the detail of the cover member of Figure 8, showing resilient engagement prongs.

The glazed assembly 2, shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a rectangular frame 4 having vertically extending spaced apart frame elements 6, 8 and horizontally extending frame elements 10, 12 extending therebetween. In a known manner, a glass panel 14 is secured within the frame 4 using beading 16.

Inserts 18, 20 are secured in respective corners of the frame 4 on the outside thereof, and inserts 22, 24 are secured in respective corners of the frame 4 on the inside thereof. The inserts 18, 20, 22, 24 are arranged to modify the aesthetics of the rectangular frame 4, thereby to give it a more arch-like appearance.

Parts of the assembly 2 are described in greater detail below.

Insert 20 is shown in detail in Figure 3. The insert 20 includes a generally triangular main body 22. The body 22 includes elongate side walls 24, 26 which are arranged at right angles to one another and a curved side wall 28 which extends between the side walls 24, 26. The body 22 further includes a generally triangular central opening 30. Respective spaced apart screw openings 32, 34 extend through, and spaced apart locating spigots 40, 42 are provided on the outside of, side wall 24; and respective spaced apart screw openings 36, 38 extend through, and spaced apart locating spigots 44, 46 are provided on the outside of, side wall 26.

A generally triangular finishing insert 48 is arranged to be releasably secured to the main body 22 in order to cover the opening 30. A plurality of hook-shaped elements 50 are provided adjacent each edge of the insert 48, on an underside surface thereof. The elements 50 are arranged to snap-engage within suitably positioned elongate slots 52 provided in inwardly facing parts of walls 24, 26, 28.

The insert 20 may be secured in position as follows.

Four holes are made through the beading 16 and frame elements 8 and 10 in suitable positions for receiving respective spigots 40, 42, 44 and 46 such that the main body 22 of the insert may be positioned in the corner of the frame 4 defined between frame elements 8 and 10. If required for retro-fitting, the holes in one of the frame elements, and its associated beading, may be in the form of short slots. The main body 22 is then located in position, with the spigots in the holes. The main body is secured in position using screws (for example screw 54).

The screws pass through respective openings 32, 34, 36, 38, through beading 16 and into frame elements 8 and 10 in which they are retained. The finishing insert 48 is then snapped in position to give the appearance shown in Figure 4. It should be noted that curved side wall 28 of the insert 48 is contoured so as to form a substantially continuous surface with respective inwardly facing walls 54, 56 of frame members 10, 8 and the beading 16.

Insert 18 is a mirror image of insert 20 and may be secured in position in the same way as insert 20.

Insert 24 is shown in detail in Figure 5. The insert 24 includes a generally triangular main body 60. The body 60 includes elongate side walls 62, 64 which are arranged at right angles to one another and a curved side wall 66 which extends between the sides 62, 64. Each of the side walls 62, 64 carries a respective locating spigot 68, 70.

The side walls 62, 64 are of a fluted design and include respective location shoulders 72, 74 along their extent.

Curved side wall 66 is also of a fluted design in order to improve the aesthetics of the insert 24 and disguise removable cover trim elements 76, 78.

Each of the side walls 62, 64 includes screw openings 80, 82 for receiving respective screws, for example screw 84. The cover trim elements 76, 78 are arranged to be releasably secured, by means of resilient catches 86, 88, to the body 60 in order to cover the openings 80, 82 and from a substantially continuous surface with the curved side wall 66. (It should be noted that, in Figure 5, cover trim element 76 is shown disengaged from body 60, whereas element 78 is shown secured in position. It should be appreciated that elements 76, 78 are identical).

The insert 24 may be secured in position as follows.

Holes are made in respective edges 90, 92 of frame elements 6, 10 in suitable positions for receiving respective locating spigots 70, 68 such that the main body 60 may be positioned in the corner of the frame 4 defined between frame elements 6 and 10. If required for retrofitting the hole in one of the frame elements may be in the form of a short slot. The main body 60 is then positioned such that shoulders 72, 74 locate upon respective main surfaces 73,75 of frame elements 10, 6 and is then secured in position using screws (for example screw 84). The screws pass through respective openings 80, 82 into the frame element 10, 6, in which they are retained. When the body 60 is in position, the cover trim elements 76, 78 are snap engaged with the body 60.

It should be noted that insert 24 is not handed and is identical to insert 22. It may be secured in position in the same way as insert 24.

The frame elements 6, 8, 10, 12 of the rectangular frame 4 may be PVC-U extrusions of known type. The inserts 18, 20, 22, 24 may be made of plastics by injection moulding.

It should be noted that the inserts 18, 20, 22, 24 may advantageously be retro-fitted to existing glazed assemblies. Furthermore, since fitment of outside inserts 18, 20 does not require any part of beading 16 to be removed, there are no unsightly joining faces between the beading and the inserts and negligible likelihood of water ingress through the assembly. Additionally, since outside inserts 18, 20 fasten into the beading 16, the beading is rendered more difficult to remove, thereby making the glazed assembly more secure. Finally, it should be noted that the inserts are relatively easy and quick to install, and may be used with a number of window systems produced by different manufacturers.

A second embodiment will now be described, of alternative arch inserts. It will suffice to describe the differences, from the inserts of Figures 1 to 5.

An internal arch insert 102 shown in Figure 6 has three co-moulded securement tabs 104. Two of these project from the longer side of the insert 102, and one projects from the shorter side. Each tab has a countersunk aperture 106. This insert is located in position during the assembly of a window frame. Screws are passed through the apertures 106, to secure the insert to vertically and horizontally extending frame elements.

No location spigots of the type used in the first embodiment are required.

It will be appreciated that the insert of Figure 6 is not adapted for retro-fitting. However, to offset that, the appearance of the insert is particularly good, and there is no requirement for a cover member to screen from view securement means.

The two-part external insert shown in Figures 7 and 8 is secured in place after assembly of the window frame.

It comprises a base body 107 and a cover member 111.

Again, there are no location spigots. The base body 107 has three slots 108 to take screws, two slots being open to its longer straight side, and one being open to its shorter straight side. Unlike the base body shown in Figure 3, it does not have a triangular opening. It should be noted that the base body 107 has three locator bores 110 respectively located adjacent its three corners.

As with the base body shown in Figure 3, the base body 107 is located in place by screws which cooperate with slots 108, and which pass through the glazing bead, and into the respective frame member.

The cover member 111 of Figure 8 fits over, and entirely screens from view, the appropriate base body 107.

Each cover member has three resilient prong locators 112.

One locator 112 is shown in cross-section in Figure 9.

The locators resiliently engage in the locator bores 110 of the base body, to firmly engage the cover member in place. If it is desired later, the cover members 111 can be removed from their base bodies 107. If required the householder could then locate in place a cover member of different shape, to create a different aesthetic effect.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (6)

1. A glazed assembly comprising a glazing panel supported by a frame means and a decorative insert for modifying the aesthetics of the assembly, the decorative insert being secured to the frame means by a securement means which co-operates with the insert and extends into a bore in the frame means.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a said decorative insert is secured in a corner region defined between the first and second frame members, with respective edge faces of said decorative insert abutting the first and second frame members, and the decorative insert having a curved edge face between the first and second frame members.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first frame member and/or said second frame member includes a glazing bead, and the securement means extends through the glazing bead, thereby making it difficult to remove the glazing bead, and the glazing panel.

4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a said decorative insert comprises a base body and a cover member engageable over the base body.

5. A decorative insert per se, as defined in Claim 4.

6. A glazed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 9.