GB2286005A

GB2286005A - Frames for windows and doors

Info

Publication number: GB2286005A
Application number: GB9400951A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard James Heath; Nigel Ridgway
Original assignee: BESFORD HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: BESFORD HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1994-01-19
Filing date: 1994-01-19
Publication date: 1995-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-19
Also published as: GB2286005B; GB9400951D0

Abstract

An outer frame 5 for a casement window has openings 3, 4 with internal and external rebates 51, 52 for mounting an outward opening sash light 1 in the external rebate 52 of the upper opening 3 and a fixed glazing light 2 secured by internal beading 54 in the internal rebate 51 of the lower opening 4. The rebates 51, 52 are provided by upstands 50 which extend around the inner periphery of each opening 3, 4 between the front and rear walls of the frame 5, and the rebates 51, 52 which are not used are fitted with a trim strip 55 or 55'. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WINDOWS AND DOORS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to windows and doors.

A typical casement window comprises a rectangular outer frame having a rebate opening to the exterior weatherside only of the window for reception of an outward opening sash light supported by hinges and/or a fixed glazing light secured by external beading. The number and arrangement of opening sash lights and fixed glazing lights may be chosen to provide different combinations according to the required window size and style as desired.

External beading is considered a security risk, especially in windows made of plastics where the beading component is commonly an extrusion designed to snap engage the outer frame such that the beading can be released from the outside and the fixed glazing light removed without breaking the glazing so as to facilitate illegal entry.

It is already known to overcome this problem in a plastics window including an outward opening sash light and a fixed glazing light by constructing the outer frame using a technique known as "reverse butt welding".

This involves constructing the outer frame from stile and rail members cut to length from an extrusion of the appropriate section and joined at their ends by welding to provide an opening with a rebate to the exterior weatherside of the window.

A section of the rebate intended to receive the fixed glazing light is then reversed by cutting the outer frame and re-joining the frame parts by welding so that the frame has a rebate section opening to the exterior weatherside for reception of the opening sash light and a rebate section opening to the interior for reception of the fixed glazing light.

V-notches are then cut in the outer frame at the junction of the rebate sections to receive complementary V-shaped ends of a member cut from an extrusion of the appropriate section to provide separate openings having an external rebate for the opening sash light and an internal rebate for the fixed glazing light respectively.

In this way, the fixed glazing light can be secured by internal beading which is not accessible from the outside so as to prevent illegal entry without breaking the glazing.

Reverse butt welding, however, is a complicated and time consuming production technique, especially for the construction of windows having more than one opening sash light and fixed glazing light, and requires expensive machinery.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved outer frame construction for windows and doors which mitigates at least some of the foregoing problems and disadvantages.

It is a further preferred object of the invention to provide an outer frame construction for windows and doors which can be assembled from components being extrusions of plastics to accommodate an outward opening sash light and a fixed glazing light secured by internal beading without the use of reverse butt welding.

It is a further preferred object of the invention to provide such outer frame construction for windows and doors which can be assembled to provide any number and arrangement of outward opening sash lights and fixed glazing lights according to the required window size and style as desired.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an outer frame for a window or door constructed from elongate frame members to define a rectangular opening for an opening sash light or fixed glazing light wherein each frame member has a front wall and a rear wall connected by a side wall which, in the assembled frame, extends around the inner periphery of the opening and has an integral upstand located between the front and rear walls to define internal and external rebates of different width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening such that the opening can receive a fixed glazing in the internal rebate or an outward opening sash light in the external rebate.

By this invention, the opening in the outer frame can receive either an outward opening light mounted in the external rebate or a fixed light mounted in the internal rebate and secured by internal beading such that fixed light cannot be removed from the outside without breaking the glass.

In this way, the outer frame can be assembled from frame members being extrusions of plastics cut to length and joined together to accommodate an outward opening sash light or an internally beaded fixed glazing light without having to reverse butt weld the frame.

Preferably, the internal rebate is wider than the external rebate enabling fixed glazing lights having a range of thicknesses from single glazing, double glazing or triple glazing can be accommodated by selection and fitment of the appropriate glazing bead.

Iin this way, the overall width and thus the content and cost of the plastics material of the outer frame is not increased by any significant amount in comparison with known outer frames of plastics of similar size.

Advantageously, the outer frame has a plurality of openings with each opening having internal and external rebates of unequal width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening for receiving either an opening sash light or a fixed glazing light. In this way, the number and arrangement of opening sash lights and fixed glazing lights can be chosen as desired to suit different styles and sizes of windows.

Where the outer frame has a plurality of openings, an elongate frame member separating adjacent openings is provided with aligned integral upstands on opposite sidewalls.

The frame members may be provided with formations which, in the assembled frame, extend around the internal and external rebates for locating one or more of a glazing bead, glazing gasket and weather strip for fitting a fixed glazing light or an opening sash light as appropriate, and for locating a trim strip for providing a neat finish to the rebate(s) which is/are not used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an elongate frame member being a component cut to length from an extrusion of plastics having a front wall and a rear wall connected by a side wall having an integral upstand located between the front and rear walls for constructing the outer frame according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a window or door comprising an outer frame constructed from elongate frame members joined together to define first and second openings, each opening having an internal rebate and an external rebate of unequal width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening, an outward opening sash light supported by hinge means in the external rebate of the first opening, and a fixed glazing light secured in the internal rebate of the second opening by internal beading.

Preferably, the sash light is constructed from elongate frame members joined together to define an opening having an internal rebate in which glazing is secured by internal beading.

In this way, the glazing of the fixed light and sash light cannot be removed from the outside when the window or door is snut without breaking the glazing.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a window embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a transverse section, to an enlarged scale, of the main extrusion forming the outer frame of the window; Figure 3 is a transverse section, to an enlarged scale, of the extrusion forming the outer frame transom; Figure 4 is a transverse section, to an enlarged scale, of the extrusion forming the sash frame; Figure 5 is a horizontal section, to an enlarged scale, of part of the window shown in Figure 1 depicting the location of a hinge for the opening sash frame; Figure 6 is a vertical section, to an enlarged scale, of part of the window shown in Figure 1 depicting the location of an espagnolette lock for the opening sash frame; and Figure 7 is a vertical section, to an enlarged scale, of part of the window shown in Figure 1 depicting the location of a cremone lock for the opening sash frame.

The casement window shown in Figure 1 of the drawings comprises an outward opening sash light 1 and a fixed glazing light 2 mounted in openings 3 and 4 respectively of a rectangular outer fixed frame 5.

The sash light 1 comprises a rectangular frame 6 assembled from a pair of vertical stile members 7 (one only shown in Figure 5) connected by top and bottom horizontal rail members 8. The members 7,8 are cut to length from a common extrusion 9 of PVCu or other suitable plastics and joined at their ends by mitring and welding. Alternatively, a mechanical joint may be provided between the frame members.

The sash frame extrusion 9 comprises a hollow rectangular body 10 having front and rear walls 12 and 13 respectively joined by a pair of spaced side walls 14,15 with internal transverse webs 16,17 extending between the side walls 14,15 to provide three separate chambers 18,19,20 extending lengthwise of the body.

The centre chamber 19 receives a channel-section reinforcing member 21 which extends lengthwise of the body 10 to strengthen the sash frame 6 and provide the required structural properties for the intended application. The reinforcing member 21 is cut to length from a galvanised steel or aluminium section and is located and secured within the chamber 19 during production of the sash frame 6.

The extrusion 9 further comprises opposed hollow flanges 22,23 which extend from the side walls 14,15 and are contiguous with the front wall 12 to provide, in the assembled frame 6, an external rebate 24 for closing against the outer frame 5 and an internal rebate 25 for reception of a double glazing unit 26 retained by an internal glazing bead 27 secured to the sash frame 6.

The flange 23 is narrower than the flange 22 and the rear wall 13 is stepped at 28 to increase the width of the internal rebate 25 in a direction transverse to the plane of the sash frame 6 enabling different thicknesses of single, double or triple glazing to be accommodated by fitting the appropriate glazing bead 21 without increasing the overall dimensions of the window.

The sash extrusion 9 has formations for fitting the glazing bead 27 and also a weather seal 29 and a glazing gasket 30 being components cut to length from extrusions of plastics, rubber or other suitable materials as required. In this exemplary embodiment these formations include a channel 31 in the inner side wall 15 of the body 10 for locating and retaining the glazing bead 27, and a groove 32,33 in the inner face of each flange 22,23 respectively for locating and retaining the weather seal 29 or glazing gasket 30.

The outer frame 5 is assembled from a pair of vertical stile members 34 (one only shown in Figure 5) connected by horizontal top and bottom rail members 35 and a horizontal centre rail member or transom 36 which separates the openings 3,4. In a modification (not shown), the transom 36 may be replaced by a mullion being a vertical centre rail member connecting the top and bottom rail members 35.

The rail and stile members 34,35 are cut to length from a common first extrusion 37 of PVCu or other suitable plastics and joined at their ends by mitring and welding. Alternatively, a mechanical joint may be provided between the members.

The transom 36 is cut to length from a second extrusion 38 of PVCu or other suitable plastics similar to the first extrusion 37 and is joined at opposite ends by welding or by a mechanical joint to the stile members.

The extrusions 37,38 each comprise a hollow rectangular body 39 having front and rear walls 40,41 joined by opposed side walls 42,43 with transverse webs 44,45 extending between the side walls 42,43 to provide three separate chambers 46,47,48 extending lengthwise of the body 39.

The centre chamber 47 receives a channel-section reinforcing member 49 which extends lengthwise of the body 39 to strengthen the outer frame 5 and provide the required structural properties for the intended application. The reinforcing members 49 are cut to length from a galvanised steel or aluminium section and are located and secured within the centre chamber 47 during production of the outer frame 5.

Each extrusion 37,38 further comprises an integral hollow upstand 50 which extends from one side wall 42 between the front and rear walls 40 and 41, and the transom extrusion 38 has an additional aligned integral hollow upstand 50 which extends from the other side wall 43 between the front and rear walls 40 and 41.

The upstands 50 are offset towards the front wall 40 and provide, in the assembled frame 5, an internal rebate 51 and an external rebate 52 extending around the periphery of each opening 3,4 with the internal rebate 51 being wider than the external rebate 52 in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame.

The opening sash light 1 is received in the external rebate 52 of the opening 3 above the transom 36 and, in known manner, may be supported for outward opening movement about either a vertical axis or a horizontal axis by any suitable hinge means. In this embodiment, the sash light 1 is supported for outward opening movement about a horizontal axis at the top by a pair of friction stays 53 (one only shown in Figure 5) arranged on opposed sides of the sash frame 6.

The fixed glazing light 2 is received in the internal rebate 51 of the opening 4 below the transom 36 and is retained by an internal glazing bead 54 secured to the outer frame 5. In this embodiment, the fixed glazing light 2 is a sealed double glazing unit but single, double or triple glazing of different thicknesses can be accommodated in the wider internal rebate 51 provided by fitting the appropriate glazing bead 54 without increasing the overall dimensions of the window.

The rebates which are not used, that is the external rebate 52 of the lower opening 4 and the internal rebate 51 of the upper opening 3, are fitted with trim strips 55,55' secured to the outer frame 5 to give the window a neat appearance.

The extrusions 37,38 have formations for fitting the internal glazing bead 54, the trim strips 55,55' and also a weather seal 56 and a glazing gasket 57 being components cut to length from extrusions of plastics, rubber or other suitable materials. In this exemplary embodiment these formations include channels 59,60 on one or both side walls 42,43 of the body 35 and a pair of grooves 61 on opposite sides of the upstands 50 for locating and retaining the glazing bead 54, trim strips 55,55', the weather seal 56 or glazing gasket 57 as appropriate.

For installation of the outer frame 5 in a suitable opening, a sill member 62 being a component cut to length from an extrusion of PVCu or other suitable plastics material is provided for locating the bottom rail member 35 of the outer frame 5. Alternatively, the bottom rail member 35 may be formed with an integral sill.

In addition, to facilitate replacement of existing windows, the external width of the outer frame 5 is matched to industry standards by providing a step 63 in the front wall 40 of the extrusion 37. Alternatively, or in addition, a step may be provided in the rear wall 41 of the extrusion 37 as may be required to obtain the required width.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, an operating handle 64 for an espagnolette lock 65 (Figure 6) or a cremone lock 66 (Figure 7) is shown mounted on the rear wall 14 of the bottom rail 8 of the sash frame 6.

The espagnolette lock 65 may be of any known type and, in this embodiment, has gearing (not shown) housed in a rectangular casing 67 mounted in the inner chamber 18 of the sash frame 6 and coupled to the handle 64 by a spindle (not shown) for converting rotation of the handle 64 into linear movement of a metal bar 68 slidably mounted on the outer side wall 14 of the sash frame 6.

The metal bar 68 is provided with spaced apart mushroom headed bolting members 69 and the outer frame 5 is provided with corresponding keepers 70 mounted in the external rebate 52 of the transom 36. The metal bar 68 is displaced by rotation of the handle 64 in one sense for engagement of the bolting members 69 with the corresponding keepers 70 to secure the sash light 1 in either a closed position shown in full lines or a partially open vent position shown in broken lines, and rotation of tne handle the opposite sense displaces the bar 68 to disengage the bolting members 69 from the keepers 70.

The cremone lock 66 may also be of any known type and, in this embodiment has a drive mechanism (not shown) housed in a rectangular casing 71 mounted in the inner chamber 18 of the sash frame 6 and coupled to the handle 64 by a spindle (not shown) for converting rotation of the handle into linear movement of two metal bars 72 slidably mounted on the outer side wall 14 of the sash frame 6.

The bars 72 are displaced in opposite directions to project from opposite ends of the sash frame 6 for engagement with corresponding keepers (not shown) mounted in the external rebate 52 of the outer frame 5 to secure the sash light 1 in closed or partially open vent positions by rotation of the handle 64 in one sense and are retracted to disengage the keepers by rotation of the handle 64 in the opposite sense.

In addition to the bars, the cremone lock 66 includes a pivotal catch 73 mounted in the casing 71 and coupled to the spindle for actuation by the handle 64 to engage a corresponding keeper (not shown) mounted in the external rebate 52 of the transom 36 in the closed and vent positions for added security.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that each opening in the outer frame of the casement window has both internal and external rebates provided as an integral part of the frame members allowing fitment of either an outward opening sash light or a fixed glazing light secured by internal beading as desired.

As a result, windows with an outward opening light and internally glazed fixed light can be produced from extrusions of plastics without using the technique of reverse butt welding with considerable advantages and cost savings for the manufacturer.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to windows in which there is a single opening light and a single fixed light. Thus, the same extrusions can be used to fabricate outer frames having any required number and arrangement of openings with internal and external rebates for fitting either opening or fixed lights as desired according to the size and style of window.

In this way, a wide range of different designs can be produced using the same extrusions providing additional advantages and cost savings for the manufacturer.

While the invention is of particular benefit for windows in which the outer frame is constructed from frame members being extrusions of plastics without reverse butt welding, it will be appreciated that the frame members could be extrusions of metal or alloy or machined from timber to provide an integral upstand defining internal and external rebates of different width in the assembled frame.

Finally, it will be understood that the advantages and benefits of the invention apply also to the manufacture of doors and the terms opening light and fixed light as used herein are to be construed as covering an opening wing and a fixed wing of a window, door or similar closure.

Claims

Claims:

1. An outer frame for a window or door constructed from elongate frame members to define a rectangular opening for an opening sash light or fixed glazing light wherein each frame member has a front wall and a rear wall connected by a side wall which, in the assembled frame, extends around the inner periphery of the opening and has an integral upstand located between the front and rear walls to define internal and external rebates of different width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening such that the opening can receive a fixed glazing in the internal rebate or an outward opening sash light in the external rebate.

2. An outer frame according to Claim 1 wherein the frame members are extrusions of plastics cut to length and joined together by welding or mechanically.

3. An outer frame according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the internal rebate is wider than the external rebate.

4. An outer frame according to any one of the preceding Claims comprising a plurality of openings with each opening having internal and external rebates of unequal width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening for receiving either an opening sash light or a fixed glazing light.

5. An outer frame according to Claim 4 wherein the frame member separating adjacent openings is provided with aligned integral upstands on opposite side walls.

6. An outer frame according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the frame members are provided with formations which, in the assembled frame, extend around the internal and external rebates for locating one or more of a glazing bead, glazing gasket and weather strip for fitting a fixed glazing light or an opening sash light as appropriate, and for locating a trim strip for providing a neat finish to the rebate(s) which islare not used.

7. An elongate frame member being a component cut to length from an extrusion of plastics having a front wall and a rear wall connected by a side wall having an integral upstand located between the front and rear walls for constructing the outer frame according to the first aspect of the present invention.

8. An elongate frame member according to Claim 7 wherein the front and rear walls are connected by a pair of spaced side walls having aligned integral upstands located between the front and rear walls.

9. A window or door comprising an outer frame constructed from elongate frame members joined together to define first and second openings, each opening having an internal rebate and an external rebate of unequal width in a direction transverse to the plane of the opening, an outward opening sash light supported by hinge means in the external rebate of the first opening, and a fixed glazing light secured in the internal rebate of the second opening by internal beading.

10. A window or door according to Claim 9 wherein the internal rebate of each opening is wider than the external rebate.

11. A window or door according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the rebates which are not used are provided with a trim strip.

12. A window or door according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the sash light is constructed from elongate frame members joined together to define an opening having an internal rebate in which glazing is secured by internal beading.

13. A window or door according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 including means for securing the sash light in at least a closed position.

14. An outer frame for a window or door constructed from elongate frame members to define a rectangular opening for an opening sash light or fixed glazing light substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. An elongate frame member for constructing the outer frame of Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A window or door according to Claim 9 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.