GB2288421A

GB2288421A - Rows of windows

Info

Publication number: GB2288421A
Application number: GB9405099A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio Revilla; Heinz Kruse; Graham Felton
Original assignee: Veka PLC
Current assignee: Veka PLC
Priority date: 1994-03-16
Filing date: 1994-03-16
Publication date: 1995-10-18
Also published as: GB9405099D0

Abstract

A window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows (12), comprises at least one mullion (10) of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, means (30) for securing the windows (12) or window frames (12c) to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion (10). Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate joint means which are capable of limited compression under load provided between windows in adjacent rows. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW SYSTEM The present invention relates to a system for the erection of a large number of windows along, for example, an entire face of a building such as frequently required for buildings such as schools and hospitals. The invention is intended primarily, though not exclusively, for use with uPVC double or triple glazed windows.

Hitherto it has been common practice to simply bolt or otherwise secure together the required number of PVCu windows which are exactly the same design as those used for individual window installation. This type of installation has drawbacks with regard to ease of installation and to the integrity and strength of the windows when thus installed. It also has limitations as to the height to which this can be done, and if one requires to install windows to say a multi-storey building then existing systems and techniques are simply not satisfactory.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the system comprising at least one mullion of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion.

Preferably, the mullion comprises a load bearing central structure surrounded by a profile bearing numerous ridges and channels which cooperate with elements of the window frames, seals and/or beading.

The means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion may comprise simple screws which pass through the window frame, through the profile and into the central load bearing structure.

Alternatively, the means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion comprises a separate pressure bearing element which is bolted to the load bearing structure of the mullion with the windows then being secured and sealed in between this pressure bearing element and the profile.

With the mullion system of the present invention it is even possible to dispense with the window frame altogether and secure the glass units directly to the mullion profile, by means of seals and either internal or external beading.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing two or more rows of windows (including without limitation PVCu windows), each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the method comprising erecting at least one mullion of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, and securing the windows or window frames to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the system including joint means between adjacent rows of windows which is capable of limited compression under load.

This joint may comprise a resiliently deformable seal and spacer arrangement which is, in use, inserted between the frames of two adjacent rows of windows such that the seal may be compressed under load to the extent permitted by the spacer(s).

Alternatively the joint may comprise a telescopic joint and spacer arrangement, the telescopic joint having cooperating parts which are arranged to slide one over the other to provide compression to the extent permitted by the end fixing brackets separating the cooperating parts of the joint.

In particular, it is envisaged that this joint may advantageously be incorporated into a window system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the method including providing joint means between adjacent rows of windows which is capable of limited compression under load.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a horizontal cross section through part of a system being a first embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, Figure 2 is a horizontal cross section through part of a system being a second embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section through part of a system in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, Figure 4 is a vertical section through part of a system being a first embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, Figure 5 is a vertical section through part of a system being a second embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, Figure 5a illustrates in detail an end fixing bracket, and Figure 6 illustrates an alternative joint to that shown in Figure 5.

A window system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises the requisite number of mullions only one of which (10) is shown in Figures 1 to 3, as well as the desired number of windows 12 two of which are shown in part in the same drawings and means (20,30) for securing the windows 12 to the mullion 10.

Referring in particular to Figure 1, the mullion 10 comprises a wind load bearing/strengthening steel structure 10a which is enclosed within an extruded uPVC profile designation generally by 11. One face of this profile comprises, when viewed in horizontal cross section, a central portion lla which would usually protrude towards the interior of the building, to both sides of which are wing portions llb, llc respectively. The other face of the profile, which would usually face the outside of the building, has small lipped protrusions lld, lle, which in Figure 1 serve to receive and retain a decorative fascia strip 15. Between the two faces of the mullion profile there are provided reception slots llf which in Figure 1 serve merely as a passageway for two screws 30.

The windows 12 may comprise standard single, double or triple glazed uPVC units, made from, for example glass panes 12a, 12b fixed within a uPVC frame 12c (including a steel strengthening element 12d) by means of seals 18,19 and beading 12e. To assemble the window system shown in part in Figure 1, the mullions are first erected at the desired spacing and then the first row of windows 12 are fixed to the mullions by means of screws 30 passing through the window frame 12c and into the mullion profile 11 and steel section 10a. When the windows 12 are secured in this way to the mullions, there is sealing engagement between the mullion profile wings llb, lic and the window frames 12c via seals 13, 14.

Once the first row of windows is installed, a joint system such as the ones shown in Figures 4, 5 or 6 (or other joint system) is then installed and then the next row of windows is installed on top of the joint, continuing in this way until the desired height is reached. If required, two mullions can be connected together (allowing an expansion gap), one on top of the other, for taller buildings, although it is envisaged that the mullions would be manufactured to a sufficient length to install windows up to two or three storeys.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a different way of securing the windows 12 to the mullions 10. This comprises a pressure plate 34 of aluminium or material of similar strength, which is secured to one face of the mullion by means of bolts 20 passing through the centre of the pressure plate and into the steel strengthening structure 10a. The pressure plate 34 also has two protrusions or ridges 34b, one each side of the centre position, which extend towards the interior of the building and bear serrations 34a for engaging with the lips lld as shown in Figure 2. Thus, the pressure plate 34 is secured to the mullion 10 and the window frames 12c of the windows 12 are sealed on the exterior to the pressure plate by means of seals 36, 37 and on the interior to the mullion profile 11 by means of seals 13, 14. To assemble windows according to Figure 2, after erection of the mullions 10 the windows 12 would be inserted and then fixed by means of the pressure plate 34. In order to cover the heads of the bolts 20, a cover plate 35 is clipped on over the pressure plate 34.

Referring now to Figure 3, the same mullion and profile system can be utilised for direct connection of the glass unit 12 to the mullion 10, by utilising seals 40, 42. Seals 40 provide sealing engagement between the glass on the interior of the building and the wings llb,llc of the profile 11. Seals 42 provide sealing engagement between the glass on the exterior and beading 44, the latter clipping into channels 11f in the profile 11 by means of resiliently deformable protrusions 44a, 44b. A narrower cover plate 43 snaps into place over the protrusions Ild, Ile which are not required for this particular application. To assemble this glazing system, the glass units 12 are inserted after erection of the mullions 12 and secured by pressing the beading 44 into the mullion profile 11.

Illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are two alternative methods of providing an effective joint between two adjacent rows of windows erected using, for example, either of the systems illustrated in Figures 1 or 2. In Figure 4, two resiliently deformable seals 50 run along the joint both interiorly and exteriorly with excessive compression and lateral movement of these seals and frames being prevented by spacer blocks 52 of substantially non compressible material. The seals 50 have rounded upper and lower ridges 50a, 50b which are housed within the channels formed between frame protrusions 12f,12g as well as straight sided wings 50c,50d which fit between the protrusions 12f,12g of the lower row of windows and the same protrusions 12f,12g of the adjacent upper row of windows.

Thus, when installed, all that can be seen between the rows of windows is the narrow strip of seal 50 which is wing 50c. The operation of this seal 50 is such that it will accommodate compression due to loading under the weight of the windows whilst still maintaining good sealing engagement due to spacers 52.

Referring to Figure 5, instead of seal 50 there is provided a type of telescopic joint comprising two steel elements 60 and 62 arranged such that when under load element 62 will slide over element 60 to accommodate compression under loading.

Seals 64 are provided between the frame 12c of the upper row of windows and the element 62 and seals 66 are provided between the elements 60 and 62. Joint element 60 is formed as a single piece, whereas the other joint element 62 is formed from an interior part 62b and an exterior part 62a being laterally separated and then thermally sealed/connected together by means of seals 63. Components 60 and 62 are held at a predetermined gap for expansion by end fixing brackets 67 (shown in more detail in Figure 5A). The component 60 is secured to the lower row of windows by means of screw fixings 68.

Referring now to Figure 6, as an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 5, there is provided an expansic coupling of PVCu extrusions 70 with steel reinforcement 72.

Claims

1. A window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the system comprising at least one mullion of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion.

2. A window system according to Claim 1 wherein the mullion comprises a load bearing central structure surrounded by a profile bearing numerous ridges and channels which cooperate with elements of the window frames, seals and/or beading.

3. A window system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion comprises simple screws which pass through the window frame, through the profile and into the central load bearing structure.

4. A window system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion comprises a separate pressure bearing element which is bolted to the load bearing structure of the mullion with the windows then being secured and sealed in between this pressure bearing element and the profile.

S. A window system according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the window frame is eliminated and the glass units are secured directly to the mullion profile, by means of seals and either internal or external beading.

6. A method of installing two or more rows of windows (including without limitation PVCu windows), each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the method comprising erecting at least one mullion of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, and securing the windows or window frames to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion.

7. A window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the system including joint means between adjacent rows of windows which is capable of limited compression under load.

8. A window system according to Claim 7 wherein the joint means comprises a resiliently deformable seal and spacer arrangement which is, in use, inserted between the frames of two adjacent rows of windows such that the seal may be compressed under load to the extent permitted by the spacer(s).

9. A window system according to Claim 7 wherein the joint comprises a telescopic joint and spacer arrangement, the telescopic joint having cooperating parts which are arranged to slide one over the other to provide compression to the extent permitted by the end fixing brackets separating the cooperating parts of the joint.

10. A method of installing two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the method including providing joint means between adjacent rows of windows which is capable of limited compression under load.

11. A window system for use in the installation of two or more rows of windows, each row comprising at least two adjacent windows, the system comprising at least one mullion of a height sufficient for the number of rows of windows to be installed, means for securing the windows or window frames to the mullion at the desired heights thereby forming rows of windows, each row comprising adjacent windows separated and supported by at least one mullion, and joint means being included between adjacent rows of windows, said joint means being capable of limited compression under load.

12. A window system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

W. A method of installing two or more rows of windows, the method being substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.