GB2288422A

GB2288422A - Joining a transom to a mullion of a frame

Info

Publication number: GB2288422A
Application number: GB9409158A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bois Edmund Arthur Du
Original assignee: REGENCY INTERNATIONAL PLC
Current assignee: REGENCY INTERNATIONAL PLC
Priority date: 1994-04-06
Filing date: 1994-05-09
Publication date: 1995-10-18
Also published as: GB9409158D0; GB9406810D0

Abstract

A mullion (13 or 14) is made by joining two elongate sections together end to end so as to provide a feed upstand (21, 22) at one side of the mullion and a fixed upstand (22, 21) at the other side of the mullion either (a) the end of the transom (15) is formed to a configuration of as to interface with the mullion at the join (J) or (b) a filler element (25, 26) or (25a, fig. 2) is provided for insertion between the end of the transom (15) and the mullion (13, 14) at the join, the configuration of the filler element corresponding closely to the configuration of the mullion at the join (J) and to the end of the transom (15). One or more fasteners (35) are inserted through the mullion (13, 14) at or adjacent to the join (J), into and extending into the end of the transom (15) and into engagement with receiving formations (41) thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Method of securing a transom to a mullion of a frame.

Description of Invention This invention relates to a method of securing a first frame member such as a transom or mullion to a second frame member such as a jamb or rail/cill and more particularly but not exclusively to a method of securing a first frame member to a second frame member where the members are each made as a hollow section having a fixed upstand.

Recently, it has become preferred practice to so call "internally glaze" window and door frames. This means that the fixed upstand of the frame components is provided at the external side of the frame and glazing or panelling (hereinafter collectively called "infill(s)") is inserted into the frame from the internal side and the infill is retained by beading provided in grooves at the internal side of the frame.

Where the frame comprises a section having an opening casernent which opens outwardly of the frame, and a section having a fixed infill, a mullion or transom is required between the ends of the jambs or rail/cill of the frame. It is conventional practice to cut the jamb or rail and cill respectively into two parts, and to "reverse butt weld" the two parts together so that along a first length of each of the jambs or rail and cill, the upstand is at one side of the frame, and along the remainder of the length, the fixed upstand is at the opposite side of the frame. The opening casement can thus close against a fixed upstand at th;.

internal side of a frame and the infill of the remainder of the frame can be inserted against the fixed upstand at the external side of the frame from the internal side of the frame.

The mullion or transom is conventionally secured to each of the jambs or the rail and cill of the frame by welding. A V-shaped notch is provided, conventionally by milling using a specialised "V" milling tool, in the jambs or rail and cill, and the end of the transom or mullion is formed to a corresponding Vshape. The transom or mullion is then welded in position using specialised "V" welding equipment.

However, specialised milling tools to provide such a V-shaped groove is expensive as is "V" welding equipment and accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved method of securing a transom to a mullion.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a method of securing a first frame member to a second frame member intermediate the ends of the second frame member, the method comprising the steps of taking first and second elongate frame member parts, which each have a fixed upstand along one side thereof, joining the parts together end to end so as to provide a fixed upstand at one side of the frame along the first part of the second frame member and a fixed upstand at the other side of the frame along the second part of the second frame member, taking the first frame member and one of: (a) forming the end of the first frame member to a configuration so as to interface with the second frame member at the join between two parts of the second frame member, such that the end of the first frame member corresponds closely to the configuration of the second frame member at the join, or, (b) providing a filler element for insertion between the end of the first frame member and the second frame member at the join between the two parts of the second frame member, the configuration of the filler element corresponding closely to the configuration of the second member at the join and to the end of the first frame member, and inserting one or more fasteners through the second frame member at or adjacent to the join, the fastener or fastenels extending into the end of the first member and into engagement with receiving formations thereof.

Thus the necessity to mill a V-shaped groove in the second frame member and subsequently to weld the first and second frame members together is avoided.

Of course, some milling operation may be performed at the join between the two parts of the second frame member if desired, and even on the end of the first member, but the integrity of the joint is obtained by the fastener or fasteners which engage with the corresponding receiving formation(s) on the end of the first member.

Where the end of the first member is formed to a configuration so as to interface with the second frame member at the join, such forming may be achieved by moulding the end of the first frame member to the desired configuration, or by milling or otherwise cutting the end of the first member LO the desired configuration.

In one example, at the join between the two parts of the second frame member, a flat bottomed V-shaped notch may be provided, e.g. -by using a relatively inexpensive milling tool, and the end of the first member may be formed to a corresponding truncated prism shape, although other configurations which avoid the need to provide a true V-shaped notch at the join of the two parts of the second member and a corresponding V-shaped end of the first member, may be provided. In each case, no welding is required for the integrity of the joint between the first and second frame member.

Where a filler element is provided for insertion between the end of the first member and the second frame member at the join of the two parts of the second frame member, such filler element may comprise a moulded or fabricated element. The end of the first member may be a simply square cut end, in which case the filler element may have fillets or legs to accommodate any space which may otherwise occur due to top edges of the fixed upstands being at other than 90" to the side of the frame. Alternatively, the end of the first frame member may be slightly formed e.g. by milling, to accommodate any angled top edge of the upstand.

The filler element may include a part which is received in a hollow at the end of the first member so as to assist in preventing any twisting movement of the first member about its longitudinal axis relative to the second frame member, which could otherwise occur.

The filler element may be generally solid, in which case an opening for the or each fastener would be required to enable the fastener to be inserted into the receiving formation in the end of the first member.

Alternatively, the filler element may be hollow and the fastener or fasteners may extend through the hollow into engagement with the receiving formation in the end of the first frame member.

As is usual, where the second frame member at least comprises a hollow section, made for example of extruded plastic material. metallic reinforcement may be provided within the hollow of the second member.

in accordance with the invention, such reinforcement may provide the receiving formation or formations for the or each fastener. Thus the or each fastener may comprise a threaded shank or a self threading shank, which may Co- operate with a respective receiving formation of the reinforcement. The reinforcement may be affixed longitudinally relative to the second member so that as the or each fastener is tightened, the first member is secured rigidly relative to the second member.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a window or door frame having a transom or a mullion secured to a jamb or a rail/cill by the method of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a partially exploded perspective illustration of a window frame during assembly, in which a transom is attached to jambs by a method according to a first aspect of the invention, FIGURE 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an alternative filling member for use in a method according to the first aspect of the invention, FIGURES 3A, 3B, and 3C show steps during performance of a method in accordance with the invention in which a jamb is formed to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a transom, FIGURE 4 is an end view to an enlarged scale of the transom shown in figure 1 or in figures 3B, and 3C.

Referring first to figure 1, a window frame 10 comprises a top rail 11, a cill 12, and a pair of jambs 13 and 14. The window frame 10 is arranged to be divided into two sections by a transom indicated at 15, a first section A of the window frame 10 then accommodating a fixed pane of glass or another infill, and the second section B of the window frame 10 accommodating an opening casement shown at 16.

In the present example, the window frame 10 is arranged so that the second section B is above section A, although in another arrangement, section B which accommodates the opening casement may be provided below section A, ol to one side of section A. Alternatively, the window frame 10 may be divided into more than two sections A and B.

The cill 12 in this example, has a fixed upstand indicated at 18 against which a glazing panel (not shown) is in use located, the glazing panel being retained in position by means of a first glazing bead 19 which fits in a groove gl towards the internal side of the frame 10.

The rail 11 at the head of the window frame 10 in this example has a fixed upstand 20 at the internal side of the window frame 10, against which tlie opening casement 16 locates as the casement 16 is closed in the window frame 10.

It can be seen that each of the jambs 13 and 14 provides, for section A of the window frame 10, a fixed external upstand 21, whereas the jambs 13 and 14 provide for section B of the window frame 10 which accommodates the opening casement 16, fixed internal upstands 22.

The transom 15 is of generally Z shape in cross section, having a depending fixed upstand 23 for the lower section A of the window frame 10 which accommodates the fixed glazing pane, and an upwardly extending fixed upstand 24 against which the casement 16 closes in the upper section B of the window frame 10.

Each of the rail 11, cill 12, and jambs 13 and 14 are made from common section, being a hollow plastics extrusion whereas transom 15 is of a different configuration as described, but again is a hollow plastics extrusion.

Other methods and means of making these sections could alternatively be utilised.

To produce the jambs 13 and 14 to the configurations described, the jambs 13,14, are so called "reverse butt welded". This means that a single length of extrusion is cut into two longitudinal parts, and the parts are reversed and joined together end to end by welding so as to provide fixed upstands 21 and 22 on opposite sides of the window frame 10, either- side of a join J between the two parts of the jambs 13 and 14.

Whereas conventionally it is necessary then to provide a V-shaped notch at each of the joins J, and to form each of'the ends of the transom to corresponding configuration, and then to weld the transom into position, in accordance with the present invention, an alternative method is adopted.

According to the method of the invention, the transom 15 is cut to a length corresponding to a distance d between the fixed upstands 22 or 21 of the jambs 13,14. Where the top edges T of the upstands 21,22, are angled at other than 900 to the sides of the jambs 13,14, distance d is the minimum distance between the upstands 21,or 22.

A pair of filler elements indicated at 25 and 26 are provided, each of which is inserted between a cut end of the transom 15, and the jamb 13 or 14, at the join J so as to interface with the jamb 13 or 14 at the join J, the filler elements 25 and 26 corresponding in configuration to the configuration of the jamb at the join J.

In figure 1, for clarity, filler element 25 is shown in position at the join J of the jamb 13 whereas filler element 26 still has to be positioned at join J of jamb 14.

Each filler element 25,26, comprises a substantially solid block of preferably PVC material, although other materials could be used as desired. The elements 25,26, each include a part 27 which actually extends into a hollow H at the cut end of the transom 15, so as to inhibit twisting of the transom 15 relative to the filler elements 25,26, and hence relative to the respective jambs 13 and 14.

The filler elements 25 and 26 are each insertable into position, by movement relative to the respective jamb 13,14, in a direction transverse to the respective jambs 13 and 14 as indicated by the arrow X. Hence it is necessary for the filler elements 25 and 26 to be located relative to the respective ends of the transom 15 prior to jamb '3 or 14 being secured to the rail 11 and cill 12. Thus, the elements 25,26, can be positioned with respect to the jambs 13,14, as the window frame 10 is fabricated. In another embodiment, filler elements may be utilised which enable the transom 15 to be inserted into position at the joins J cf the jambs 13,14, subsequent to the frame 10 being fabricated.

It can be seen from figure; 1, that when the filler elements 25 and 26 are in position, only a small proportion of the filler elements 25 and 26 will be visible from either side of the window frame 10. Where the filler elements 25 and 26 are made of the same material as the jambs 13,14, and transom 15, the presence of the filler elements 25,26, can be made nearly invisibie by polishing and filling techniques. Alternatively, the presence of the filler elements 25 and 26 may be obscured by the attachment of cover pieces to the jambs 13,14, at least in the region of the joints J, as desired.

In figure 1, the filler elements 25 and 26 are shown which include respective legs 1 which extend partly along the lengths of the jambs 13 and 14.

These are to accommodate the slight angle at which the top edges T of the upstands 21,22 of the jambs 13 and 14 extend relative to the sides of the jambs 13, 14. Because the ends of the transom 15 are cut square, legs 1 which are of slightly wedged configuration are required to fill the gaps between the ends of the transom 15 and the top edge T of the upstand 21,22.

The casement 16 may be internally or externally glazed as desired but conventionally would be internally glazed.

Figure 2 shows an alternative form of filling element 25a which is similar in many respects to the filling elements 25 and 26 but does not have the legs L Utilising the filler element 25a of figure 2, the ends of the transom 15 would have to be milled to a configuration to conform to any angle of which the top edges T of the upstands 21,22, extend other than 90" to the sides of the jambs. Thus the transom for use with the filler element 25a of figure 2, would be slightly longer overall than the length of the transom 15 shown in figure 1 for use with the filler elements 25 and 26 i.e. the total transom length would correspond to the maximum distance between upstands 21,22.

In each case, the filler elements 25,26, or the filler element 25a and the filler element provided for the opposite end of the intermediate transom 15, are provided in handed pairs.

The filler elements 25,26,and 25 are formed with openings indicated at 34 for fasteners 35 which pass through openings 36 provided in jambs 13 and 14. The fasteners 35 are sufficiently long then to be inserted into the ends of the transom 15.

Referring to figure 6, it can be seen that in a hollow H of the intermediate trar.som 15, there is provided metal reinforcing member 40, which is fixed longitudinally relative to the transom 15 by transversely extending fastening elements (not shown) or otherwise.

The metal reinforcement 40 provides a pair of receiving formations 41 comprising substantially C shaped tubular portions, to receive the fasteners 35.

Thus when the filler elements 25 and 26 (or 25g) are inserted into the ends of the transom 15, and the transom 15 is located in position at the join J of the jambs 13 and 14, the joins J between the transom and the jambs 13,14, can be made by inserting the fasteners 35 and tightening them.

Referring now to figures 3A, 3B and 3C, if desired, a formation may be provided at the join J' of each of the jambs 13' and 14' (only jamb 13' is shown). In this example, the formation comprises a truncated V-shaped notch N.

This is formed conveniently by a miller M which has three milling surfaces ml, m2, m3, to provide the three sides of the notch N.

The same milling cutter M may then be used to form the ends of the transom 15' to a corresponding configuration, being a truncated prism, as indicated at P in figure 3B. Of course, because the edges of the cut off end P are external for the end of the transom 15', this would require two milling operations, one for each side of the truncated prism P, if a single milling tool M only, is to be used.

Witch the ends of the transom 15' thus formed, the transom 15' can be secured relative to the jambs 13' and 14' (only jamb 13' is shown in figures 3A to 3C) by means of fasteners 35' which extend through openings 36' In the jambs 137 and into receiving formations 41' provided again conveniently, by a metallic reinforcement 40' within a hollow H' of the transom 15'.

Thus the need for filler elements as indicated at 25, 2o and 25a in figures 1 and 2, is avoided, but again the integrity of the connection between the transom 15' and the jambs 13'14', is achieved by means of the fasteners 35'and no welding operation is required. Furthermore, tooling required to provide a truncated V-shaped notch N in the jambs 13, is not as expensive as a miiling cutter to provide a true V-shaped notch as is used conventionally in the a; Furthermore, because in both arrangements described, no welding apparatus is required for the integrity of the connection between the transom 15,15' and the jambs 13,14, pr 13'14' specialised V welding equipment is not required.

Various modifications may be required without departing from the scope of the invention. Particularly, whereas the invention has been described with reference to securing a transom 15 (or 15') to a pair of jambs 13,14, (or 13'14') at the joints J between the reverse butt welded parts of the jambs 13,14, (or 13' 14') the invention may be utilised for securing a mullion to a rail and cill where a casement is provided to one side of a fixed glazing or other infill panel or in other frame situations.

In both of the embodiments described, the jambs 13,14; 13',14', are each made by cutting and reverse butt welding a single extrusion. In another embodiment, particularly where the window or other frame has mullions and transoms, the jambs 13',14' (or ciil 12 or rail 11) may be made by taking two dissimilar profiles, for example a Z and a substantially T-shaped profile, and reverse butt welding them together so that along a first part of the jamb 13,14; 13'14' (or rail 11 or cill) there would be a fixed upstand along one side of the jamb (or rail or cill) at one side of the frame 10, and along a second part of the jamb (or rail or cill) there would be a fixed upstand along the jamb (or rail or cill) at both sides of the frame 10.

Thus the frame 10 might accommodate two opening casements.

In the arrangements described, the metal reinforcing member 40 is restrained from longitudinal movement in the transom 15 (15') by fasteners or the like. Preferably though the member 40 is of the exact length required between the jambs 13,14; 13',14, so that as the fasteners 35 are tightened, the jambs 13.14; 13',14' are pulled in in the event that there is any outward bowing, and the member 40 requires no fasteners or the like to prevent it moving longitudinally in the transom 15,15'.

Particularly in the arrangement shown in figure 3c, if desired, brackets, such as L-shaped brackets, may be provided which fit internally of the transom 15' (or mullion) and jamb 13' (or rail or cill), to restrain any tendency of the transom 15' (or mullion) to rotate about its own axis, once the joint is formed with the joint 13' (or the rail or cill).

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A method of securing a first frame member to a second frame member intermediate the ends of the second frame member, the method comprising the steps of taking first and second elongate frame member parts, which each have a fixed upstand along one side thereof, joining the parts together end to end so as to provide a fixed upstand at one side of the frame along the first part of the second frame member and a fixed upstand at the other side of the frame along the second part of the second frame member, taking the first frame member and one of: (a) forming the end of the first frame member to a configuration so as to interface with the second frame member at the join between two parts of the second frame member, such that the end of the first frame member corresponds closely to the configuration of the second frame member at the join, or, (b) providing a filler element for insertion between the end of the first frame member and the second frame member at the join between the two parts of the second frame member, the configuration of the filler element corresponding closely to the configuration of the second member at the join and to the end of the first frame member, and inserting one or more fasteners through the second frame member at or adjacent to the join, the fastener or fasteners extending into the end of the first member and into engagement with receiving formations thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a milling operation is performed at the join between the two parts of the second frame member.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein a milling or other cutting operation is carried out on the end of the first member, to form the end of the first member to a configuration so as to interface with the second frame member at the join.

4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the end of the first member is formed to a configuration so as to interface with the second member at the join by moulding the end of the first frame member to the desired configuration.

5. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein at the join between the two parts of the second frame member, a flat bottomed V-shaped notch is provided, and the end of the first member is formed to a corresponding truncated prism shape.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein where a filler element is provided for insertion between the end of the first frame member and the second frame member at the join of the two parts of the second frame member, such filler element comprising a moulded or fabricated element.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the end of the first member is a square cut end, and the filler element has fillets or legs to accommodate a space which would otherwise occur where the top edges of the fixed upstands are at other than 90" to the side of the frame.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the end of the first frame member is formed to accommodate an angled top edge of the upstand.

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the filler element includes a part which is received in a hollow at the end of the first member so as to assist in preventing any twisting movement of the first member about its longitudinal axis relative to the second frame member, which could otherwise occur.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the filler element is generally solid, and an opening for the or each fastener is provided to enable the fastener to be inserted into the receiving formation in the end of the first member.

11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the filler element is hollow and the fastener or fasteners extend through the hollow into engagement with the receiving formation in the end of the first frame member.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims where the first frame member comprises a hollow section of extruded plastic material, metallic reinforcement being provided within the hollow of the second member.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the reinforcement provides the receiving formation or formations for the or each fastener.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the or each fastener comprises a threaded shank or a self threading shank, which co-operates with a respective receiving formation of the reinforcement.

15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the reinforcement is affixed longitudinally relative to the second member so that as the or each fastener is tightened, the first member is secured rigidly relative to the second member.

16. A method of securing together first and second frame members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. A window or door frame having a transom or a mullion secured to a rail/cill by the method of any one of the preceding claims.

18. A window or door frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.