GB2290577A

GB2290577A - Concealed fixing device

Info

Publication number: GB2290577A
Application number: GB9412442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Cuthbertson
Original assignee: JOINERY CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Current assignee: JOINERY CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Priority date: 1994-06-21
Filing date: 1994-06-21
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-06-21
Also published as: GB9412442D0; GB2290577B; WO1997012111A1

Abstract

A concealed fixing device for joining two parts together comprises a U-shaped member 6 which is secured to one of the parts with the arms of the U locating in recesses in the other part. In particular the device can secure a glazing bead 5 to a window frame 4. A fastener extends through one arm 12 into the frame and recesses 15A, B in the bead receive the arms. <IMAGE>

Description

CONCEALED FIXING CLIP The invention relates to a concealed fixing clip for use in the joinery industry with particular application in the glazing of a timber window frame or window sash.

When a timber window frame is glazed, the glass is held in position in the frame by glazing beads which can be made from timber or aluminium and can be fitted on the inside or the outside of the window. Timber glazing beads are normally held in position by nails or screws which are driven through the exposed face of the bead into the timber window frame. Most commonly, headless nails are driven below the surface of the timber glazing bead, after which the hole is filled with a filler to bring it level with the surrounding timber so that when it is painted the hole is virtually invisible. However, this is a time consuming and repetitive task requiring skill, and as the task is of a manual nature labour costs are high.

It is one object of the invention to provide a method of retaining a glazing bead on a timber window frame which does not require filling, sanding or touching up after the bead has been secured in place.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a clip for joining two generally parallel parts together; the clip being of generally 'U'-shape in cross-section, whereby an arm or the base of the 'U' may be attached to a first part and the arms of the 'U' may be fitted into recesses therefor in the second part whereby the two parts may be joined together with the clip concealed.

Where one of the arms of the 'U' is attached to the first part, the recess in the second part to receive that arm must be a stepped recess on the exterior of the second part whereas the other arm will be received in a full socket in the second part. Where the base of the 'U' is attached to the first part, each arm of the 'U' is then received in a full socket in the second part.

Preferably the clip is formed from a plastic material or non-ferrous metal.

The two parts are preferably formed from timber. In a preferred embodiment, the first part is a timber window frame or timber window sash and the second part is a timber glazing bead. The invention will be more specifically described below with reference to that embodiment, although it will be appreciated that it is not intended to be limited thereto.

Accordingly, in a specific aspect, the invention provides a glazed window unit comprising a timber window frame or sash, at least one pane of glass mounted on the window frame, at least one glazing bead mounted on the window frame adjacent one face of the pane of glass, and at least one clip to retain the glazing bead on the window frame, the clip being of generally 'U'-shape in cross-section, and an arm or the base of the 'U' being attached to the window frame adjacent the pane and the arms of the 'U' being received in corresponding recesses in the bead.

Preferably the means to secure the clip on the window frame includes a hole to receive a nail or screw in one arm or in the base of the 'U'. The hole is preferably countersunk.

The means to secure the clip on the window frame may also include an adhesive.

The timber glazing bead is, therefore, formed with two recesses extending along one face, to receive the arms of the 'U'-shaped clip. The arms of the 'U'-shaped clip are preferably formed with serrations to provide a gripping force for retaining the glazing bead on the window frame. At least one arm of the clip is preferably formed at a small inclination to the normal to the base to apply a force on the glazing bead.

The clip preferably thereby provides a compressive force on the pane of glass. The pane of glass may be provided with glazing tape to provide further compressive force and to protect the glass.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section through a glazed window assembly including a clip of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the clip of the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the clip taken on the line A-A shown on Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the clip along the line B-B shown on Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1, a sealed glazing unit 1 comprises two panes of glass 2 separated by a spacer 3 and mounted in a timber window frame 4. A timber glazing bead 5 is retained on the window frame 4 by a U-shaped glazing bead clip 6 of injection-moulded polymer or the like, which is secured on the window frame 4 with the base 9 of the 'U', touching the front of the outer pane of glass 2A of the sealed unit 1.

The glazing bead clip 6 is shown in detail in Figures 2 to 4 and comprises a lower arm 7 and an upper arm 8 extending generally parallel from one side of the rear face 9. The lower arm 7 includes a hole 10 to receive a screw or nail (not shown) for securing the clip 6 onto the window frame 4. The hole 10 is countersunk to ensure that the head of the screw or nail finishes flush with the surface of the lower arm 7 so as not to interfere with the location of the glazing bead 5. The upper arm 8 includes a cut-out or recess 11 to allow the nail or screw to be inserted. The lower arm 7 has serrations 12 on the side facing the upper arm 8, the other side thereof being smooth; the upper arm 8 has serrations 12 along both sides thereof. The glazing bead includes two recesses 15B and 15A which are located to receive the arms 7,8 respectively of the clip 6.As shown, recess 15A is a socket to receive arm 8 whereas recess 1 SB is a stepped recess on the lower side surface of the bead to define a socket to accommodate arm 7 between the bead and the frame.

The upper arm 8 of the clip 6 is downwardly inclined by 20 to apply downward pressure on the glazing bead 5 when it is fitted in place.

In use, the sealed glazing unit 1 is mounted on the timber window frame 4 on a mounting block 13 with a strip of glazing tape 14 on the outer face of each pane 2 to protect the glass. A number of glazing clips 6 are positioned along the window frame 4 adjacent the outer face of the outer pane of glass 2A, and screws or nails are fitted in the holes 10 of the clips 6. A timber glazing bead 5 is pushed on to the window frame 4 until the arms 7,8 of the clips 6 are located in the recesses 15 along the length of the glazing bead 5. Sufficient pressure is applied on the glazing bead 5 to force it home so that it compresses the glazing tape 14.

The glazing bead 5 is held in position by the combination of the gripping force of the serrations and the slight downward pressure caused by the 20 inclination of the upper arm 8. As a result, the glazing bead 5 is fixed securely, but can be removed if necessary.

In the case of single glazing, the glazing bead clip will be held on the timber frame to the front of the single pane of glass. Alternatively, the glazing bead clip may be positioned against the inner face of the sealed unit in the case of internally glazed windows.

The glazing bead clip 6 may also be used to hold the less commonly used aluminium glazing beads provided that the glazing beads are extruded with recesses to receive the arms of the glazing bead clip.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, as indicated above, the clip may be secured so that its arms extend vertically to be received in recesses on the base of the glazing bead; the clip may be secured to the window frame by adhesive or the like.

Claims

1. A clip for joining two generally parallel parts together, the clip being of generally 'U'-shape in cross-section, whereby an arm or the base of the 'U' may be attached to a first of the parts and the arms of the 'U' may be fitted into recesses therefor in the second part whereby the two parts may be joined together with the clip concealed.

2. A clip according to Claim 1, which is of plastics material or non ferrous metal.

3. A clip according to Claim 1 or 2, which has a countersunk hole in one arm or the base of the 'U' to receive a nail or screw.

4. A clip according to Claim 3, in which the hole is in one ann and the other arm of the 'U' has a cut out or recess in correspondence with the hole.

5. A clip according to any preceding Claim, in which one arm of the 'U' is formed at a small inclination to the normal to the base.

6. A clip according to any preceding Claim, in which one arm of the 'U' has serrations on its inner surface and the other arm of the 'U' has serrations on its inner and outer surfaces.

7. A glazed window unit comprising a frame or sash, at least one pane of glass mounted on the frame or sash, at least one glazing bead mounted on the frame or sash adjacent one face of the pane of glass, and at least one clip to retain the glazing bead on the frame or sash, the clip being of generally 'U'-shape in cross-section and an arm or base of the 'U' being attached to the frame or sash adjacent the pane and the arms of the 'U' being received in corresponding recesses in the bead.

8. A glazed window unit according to Claim 7, in which the frame or sash is of timber.

9. A glazed window unit according to Claim 7 or 8, in which one of the arms of the 'U'-shaped clip is attached to the frame or sash and the glazing bead has a stepped socket to receive that arm of the 'U' and a full socket to receive the other arm.

10. A glazed window unit according to Claim 7, 8 or 9, in which the arms of the 'U'-shaped clip are formed with serrations.

11. A glazed window unit according to Claim 10, in which the one arm of the clip has serrations on its inner and outer surface and the other arm has serrations on its inner surface only.

12. A glazed window unit according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, in which one arm of the 'U'-shaped clip is formed at a small inclination to the normal to the base.

13. A glazed window unit according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, in which the bead compresses a strip of glazing tape against the pane.

14. A glazed window unit according to any one of Claims Claim 7, 8 and 10 to 13, in which the clip is secured to the sash or frame with its arms extending vertically and received in recesses in the base of the glazing bead.

15. A clip according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A glazing window unit according to Claim 7, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.