GB2292966A

GB2292966A - Glazing corner security clip

Info

Publication number: GB2292966A
Application number: GB9418276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Malcolm Heywood Scholes
Original assignee: Scholes Ernest M H
Current assignee: Scholes Ernest M H
Priority date: 1994-09-10
Filing date: 1994-09-10
Publication date: 1996-03-13
Also published as: IE950707A1; GB9418276D0

Abstract

A security clip 1 for use in retaining a pane of glass in position in the window frame of a glazed window unit is disclosed. The clip 1 comprises an engaging portion 6a, 6b, shaped to engage with a profiled portion of two adjacent sides of the frame 10 such that the clip 1 is anchored in a corner of the frame, and a support portion 5a, 5b which abuts the pane of glass when the clip is so anchored. Such a clip 1 can be fitted after installation of the pane of glass 8. <IMAGE>

Description

CORNER SECURITY CLIP Introduction This invention relates to a security clip for use in glazed window units, particularly externally glazed units. The invention also relates to a glazed window unit incorporating the security clip.

Technological Background In externally glazed window units, two parallel panes of glass are supported in a window frame, and the outer pane is secured in position in the frame by means of a glazing "bead" around the periphery of the pane. The glazing bead locates in an appropriately shaped groove in the window frame and abuts the outer pane of glass around its periphery.

One disadvantage of such a unit is that once an intruder has removed the glazing bead, the glass can easily be removed from the unit to allow him access through the window frame.

Security can be improved by the use of some additional means of retaining the glass in the frame. For instance, double-sided adhesive tape may be applied between the inner pane of glass and the glazing upstand, although some difficulty of deglazing afterwards makes this an unsatisfactory solution to the problem.

More usually, security clips, anchored to the window frame and abutting the outer edge of the glass pane, are used to provide extra security. EP-526176-A describes a security clip comprising an engaging portion so shaped as to be capable of engaging with a profiled portion of the frame preferably a groove adapted to receive a glazing bead thereby anchoring the clip in the frame and a support portion which abuts the pane of glass when the clip is so anchored. Fixing of the glazing bead totally conceals the security clip between the internal face of the glazing bead and the external face of the glass pane.

The clip described in this document is quite effective in securing the window against unwanted entry, but the clips might be vulnerable to being bent out of contact with the double-glazed unit or being knocked along one side of the unit to leave a corner exposed to a crowbar or other tool.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a window unit comprising a frame and a security clip including an engaging portion adapted to engage with a profiled portion of two adjacent sides of the frame to anchor the clip in a corner of the frame; and a support portion which is adapted to abut a pane of glass when the clip is so anchored.

With a corner-mounted clip such as is present in this window unit, it is most unlikely that the clip can be bent out of contact with the pane of glass, because it is anchored to the frame along two perpendicular lines. An attempt to bend the clip outward with respect to one anchoring line would require the support portion to tear or else would involve the clip being forcibly pulled out of its anchorage along the other line. Both of these would be extremely difficult to achieve.

Conveniently, the engaging portion preferably comprises two substantially perpendicular engaging portions, each adapted to engage with a profiled portion of a respective side of the frame. Each engaging portion may include an elongate engaging profile. To enhance the fixation of the clip into the frame, each engaging profile may include at least one shaped barb adapted to pierce the skin of the window frame and to retard movement of the clip out of the corner of the frame.

Similarly, the support portion of the clip may comprise two substantially perpendicular support portions, each adapted to abut a length of a respective side of the pane of glass.

To enhance structural integrity, it is preferred that the clip be of unitary construction. For example, the clip may be formed from a single piece of tempered or sprung steel.

So that the clip is hidden, the unit may further include a glazing bead and the engaging portion of the clip is preferably adapted to engage with a groove in the window frame which is itself adapted to receive the glazing bead.

The clip may be retro-fitted to existing windows.

The present invention also extends to a glazed window unit comprising a frame, a pane of glass mounted within the frame and a security clip including an engaging portion which engages with a profiled portion of two adjacent sides of the frame to anchor the clip in a corner of the frame and a support portion which abuts the pane of glass.

The window unit may include a protective pad positioned between the pane of glass and the support portion of the clip. The engaging portion of the clip may engage with a groove in the window frame and the window unit then preferably additionally comprises a glazing bead anchored in that groove.

Brief DescriDtion of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. la and ib are front and underside views respectively of a security clip in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through part of a glazed window unit into which a security clip in accordance with the present invention has been installed.

Fig. 3 is a schematic isometric view of the window unit shown in fig. 2, with the glazing bead removed.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The security clip 1 in figs. la and ib is formed from a single piece of spring steel of thickness 0.7mm. The clip 1 includes two perpendicular parts la and ib, each of which is of length approximately 35mm. The cross-sectional shape of the clip 1 is designed so as to allow the clip 1 to engage with the bead groove of the glazed window frame in which it is to be used.

The clip 1 comprises a support portion 5a, 5b consisting of first 5a and second 5b support components, each of which will abut the pane of glass to be retained, and an engaging portion 6a, 6b, consisting of first 6a and second 6b engaging components, the profile of which will vary according to the shape of the window frame in which the clip 1 is to be used.

Each engaging portion 6a, 6b is provided with barbs 60 on its tail end 14, these barbs being angled outward from the corner of the clip 1. The barbs 60 will pierce the skin of the window frame when the clip 1 is installed and because they are angled away from the corner will help anchor the clip 1 into the corner and prevent its removal.

The shape of the clip 1 can also vary according to the position occupied in the frame by the glass to be retained.

The degree to which the support components 5a, 5b stand proud of the engaging components 6a, 6b will depend upon the thickness of the pane of glass or double-glazed unit which is to be retained. A protective pad may be positioned between the clip 1 and the pane to be retained so as to cushion the contact between the two and prevent damage to the glass.

The glazed window unit, part of which is shown in crosssection in fig. 2, comprises an inner 7 and an outer 8 pane of glass supported in a channel 9 in the window frame 10.

The frame 10 comprises a profiled groove 11, adapted to receive the "toe" 12 of a glazing bead 13 used to seal the edges of the outer pane 8.

In the unit shown, a security clip 1 has been fitted so that its engaging portion 6a, 6b locates in and engages with the bead groove 11. Only the first engaging component 6a is illustrated since the section is taken through that component. The clip 1, being formed from a resilient metal such as sprung or tempered steel, is fitted by forcing the clip 1 downwards into the groove 11, and is then held firmly in place by pressure from its tail end 14 exerted against the support frame 10. This pressure also holds the projecting portion 15 of clip 1 in position in a recess 16 of the groove 11. Where the clip 1 is provided with barbs 60 on its tail end 14, as shown in fig. 1, the point of the barb will pierce the skin of the frame within the groove 11 and thus help to prevent movement of the clip 1 relative to the frame.

In assembling the unit shown in fig. 2, the panes 7 and 8 are firstly located in channel 9, with glazing wedges 17 positioned in the channel where appropriate, and clip 1 is then snapped into position in the two bead grooves 11 at a corner of the frame. Four clips 1 should be used at the four corners of the frame and the glazing bead 13 is then fitted into the groove 11 to complete the sealing of the window. It is therefore necessary that the clip 1, when in position in groove 11, can still accommodate the "toe" 12 of the bead 13. To this end, it is desirable that the clip 1 be made of a resilient material.

In fig. 3, the glazed window unit of fig. 2 is shown schematically as seen from an angle, a glass pane 8 - one of a pair 7, 8 in a double glazed sealed unit - being supported in the frame 10 and a security clip 1, such as is shown in figs. la and lb, having been used at a corner to deter intruders. A glazing bead, 13 in fig. 2, would be used to seal the periphery of the pane once all security clips 1 have been fitted.

It will be seen from the above description and accompanying drawings that the present invention provides a security clip which is simple to fit and which can be particularly effective and unobtrusive in use. No separate anchoring member is needed for the clip, since the window frame itself acts as an anchor. This makes the clip relatively cheap to produce and simple to fit either to new or to existing windows. Once mounted in a window unit, the clip provides a deterrent to intruders, since it holds the glazing panes in position even if the glazing bead is removed. Access through the window frame can then only be gained by breaking either the glass pane or the security clip, both noisy and time-consuming processes.

Claims

1. A window unit comprising a frame and a security clip including an engaging portion adapted to engage with a profiled portion of two adjacent sides of the frame to anchor the clip in a corner of the frame and a support portion which is adapted to abut a pane of glass when the clip is so anchored.

2. A window unit according to claim 1 in which the engaging portion comprises two substantially perpendicular engaging portions, each adapted to engage with a profiled portion of a respective side of the frame.

3. A window unit according to claim 2 in which each engaging portion includes an elongate engaging profile.

4. A window unit according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which each engaging profile includes at least one shaped barb adapted to pierce the skin of the window frame and to retard movement of the clip out of the corner of the frame.

5. A window unit according to any one of claims 1-4 in which the support portion of the clip comprises two substantially perpendicular support portions, each adapted to abut a length of a respective side of the pane of glass.

6. A window unit according to any preceding claim in which the clip is of unitary construction.

7. A window unit according to claim 6, in which the clip is formed from a single piece of tempered or sprung steel.

8. A window unit according to any preceding claim further including a glazing bead and in which the engaging portion of the clip is adapted to engage with a groove in the window frame which is itself adapted to receive the glazing bead.

9. A glazed window unit comprising a frame, a pane of glass mounted within the frame and a security clip including an engaging portion which engages with a profiled portion of two adjacent sides of the frame to anchor the clip in a corner of the frame and a support portion which abuts the pane of glass.

10. A glazed window unit according to claim 9, including a protective pad positioned between the pane of glass and the support portion of the clip.

11. A glazed window unit according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the engaging portion of the clip engages with a groove in the window frame and additionally comprising a glazing bead anchored in that groove.

12. A window unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A glazed window unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.