GB2296320A

GB2296320A - Window frame element

Info

Publication number: GB2296320A
Application number: GB9425741A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Clifford Townse Williams
Original assignee: LKAJ Ltd
Current assignee: LKAJ Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-20
Filing date: 1994-12-20
Publication date: 1996-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-20
Also published as: GB2296320B; GB9425741D0

Abstract

The application describes a window frame 10, 12 incorporating a vent provided by an air passage through a box member 22 attached to an edge of the frame by engagement of a resilient catch 42, 44, 46, 48. The resilient catch is preferably a projecting ridged member provided on a frame or box member which engages behind a corresponding lip on the other. This avoids weakening the frame by providing venting holes within the body, and preserves accuracy of alignment of the window frame. The box member is provided with a downwardly directed vent 30, covered with grill 32 to prevent ingress of insects, and an aperture 34, which may be shuttered. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW FRAME ELEMENT The present invention relates to a window frame element, being a ventilator portion.

It is a requirement of the Building Regulations that habitable rooms are ventilated, and normal practice is to provide a ventilation element within the window frame.

Thus, the body of the frame is provided with holes, sheltered by suitable hoods to prevent ingress of water and insects. This method involves an inevitable weakening of the frame and exposure to the elements of internal members of the frame system. However, this system is simple to use and instal, and preserves accuracy in the alignment of the frame edges.

The SHEERVENT system, available from L.B. Plastics involves a ventilator element screwed to the top edge of a window frame, between it and the surrounding wall.

However, this system departs from accuracy of alignment of the window frame since the head vent must, apparently, be screwed in place in situ. Thus, the alignment of the complete window frame is dependent on the accuracy of that step.

The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the integral vent, whilst retaining the simplicity and accuracy of that system.

The present invention therefore provides a window frame incorporating a vent, the vent being provided by an air passage through a box member attached to an edge of the frame by engagement of a resilient catch. Preferably, the resilient catch comprises at least one projecting ridged member provided on either the frame or the box member, the ridge of which engages behind a corresponding lip on the upper of the frame and box member. Ideally, there will be a pair of such resilient catches, oppositely directed.

Many window systems are nowadays in the form of a window which fits within an outer frame and is retained by a resilient tongue engaging behind a rigid lip thereby preventing removal. Particular ease of fitting of the present invention can therefore be obtained if the frame to which the vent is attached is the outer frame of such an arrangement. Preferably, the outer frame will be symmetrical for ease of use and therefore it is preferred that the frame, in cross section, comprises a longitudinal recess the sides of which provide the rigid lip.

Usually the vent will be at the top edge of the window, although this is not necessary. In that case, however, it will usually be beneath a steel or concrete lintel and it will therefore not be a trivial matter to fix it to the wall. Therefore, it is preferred if the vent includes means for allowing fixing at a point transversely spaced from the frame. This can comprise a longitudinal dovetailed recess for receiving an extension piece to allow such fixing.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through the top edge of the frame incorporating a head vent according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section through the top edge of the frame incorporating a head vent according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a section through the top edge of the frame incorporating a head vent according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows the upper edge of a window frame in which window frame members 10 and 12 lie in an opening defined by wall 14. The frame members 10 and 12 are conventional of themselves and no further description thereof will be given herein. The frame member 12 latches within a metallic outer frame element 16 by a resilient tongue 18 which protrudes into a recess 20 on the frame 16 and latches behind a lip provided by an edge of the recess 20.

The outer frame 16 is attached to the underside of a hollow box section 22 which abuts the lower edge of the wall 14.

The box section 22 is somewhat wider than the frame elements 10 and 12, and thus projects transversely thereof on either side. On the outer side, there is a downwardly directed vent 30. The downward direction is, of course, to prevent ingress of rain etc. The vent 30 is covered with a grille 32 to prevent ingress of insects and the like.

At the inner side of the window, the box section 22 is again provided with an aperture 34. This aperture may be shuttered (not shown) to allow control of ventilation. At its inside face, the transverse projection of the box section 22 is extended downwardly to allow a seal to the window frame at 36.

Within the box section there are a pair of optional support webs 38 and 40 to stiffen the box 22. These webs are, of course, perforated or otherwise relieved locally to allow passage of air.

Connection between the box section 22 and the frame member 16 is by a pair of projecting lugs 42 and 44 on the box section 22. These each have transversely extending ridges at their extremities, which sit behind inwardly directed flanges 46 and 48 at the rear face of the frame member 16. The lug 42 nearer the outer side of the frame has a transverse projecting lug of significant depth, almost as deep as the lug 42 is tall. Thus, this lug forms a J-section. The projecting ridge of the remaining lug 44 is of significantly lesser extent and is defined by a recess behind an inclined ramp surface.Thus, to attach the frame member 16 to the box section 22, the inturned lip 46 is first located behind the rib of the projection 42, with the frame member 16 and the box section 22 at a small acute angle, and the two parts rotated together to drive the inturned lip 48 over the ramp section of the lug 44, eventually latching behind the rib thereof. The two lugs could be of identical profile, corresponding to that of lug 42 (see Figure 2), or that of lug 44 (see Figure 3). The latter may provide an easier attachment, since the box section 22 could simply be offered up and pushed into place.

The box section 22 can be attached to the lower edge of the wall 14 via a dovetailed receiving aperture 26 within which matches a fixing lug 28. The fixing lug extends transversely from the receiving aperture 26 of the box section 22, to an inner edge of the wall 14 where it can be screwed into the brickwork.

This avoids difficulties which may arise since the lower edge of the wall will generally be defined by a concrete or steel lintel 24. However, it is not strictly necessary to fix the window frame at its top edge and many builders employ only sealant.

Figure 2 shows an alternative form of head vent, being the second embodiment of the invention. The two embodiments of the invention are very similar, and like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

This embodiment differs from the first essentially in that the box section 22 is formed from two generally Usections 22a and 22b. Section 22a provides the region of the box section between the frame and the wall and on the interior side. Section 22b provides the portion of the box section at the exterior side. These two sections will generally be of the same material, although they need not be. At their junction, the two sections are linked by a snap-fit connection 50. To give the necessary rigidity to the (uPVC) U-section 22a, the previously optional internal webs 38 and 40 are now made permanent.

Figure 2 also shows an alternative method of fixing the box section 22a/22b to the frame member 16. In this case, both projections 42 and 44 are of identical Jsections providing a deep recess behind which flanges 46 and 48 of the frame member 16 can engage. The frame member 16 is attached by sliding it on to the box section from one end.

Figure 3 shows a further design which differs from Figure 1 only in that both engagement lugs 42, 44 are of the type shown at 44 of Figure 1 (as mentioned above), and that provision has been made in this design to limit any effects of internal condensation.

This provision consists of a longitudinal rib 52, 54 on each of the upper and lower and internal surfaces of the box section 22, respectively. The upper rib 52 of the internal surface should cause any condensation which is migrating inward to drip on to the lower surface, and the rib 54 on the lower internal surface should act to prevent migration of the condensation. It will be noted that the upper rib 52 is closer to the external vent 30 than the lower rib 54.

Alternatively, the lower internal surface of the box section 22 could be of a wedge-section so that the internal surface is in inclined outwardly. However, ridges and the like are particularly simple to form by standard extrusion processes.

Whilst the present invention has been described with respect to the above embodiments, the skilled person will appreciate that many variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A window frame incorporating a vent, the vent being provided by an air passage through a box member attached to an edge of the frame by engagement of a resilient catch.

2. A window frame according to Claim 1 wherein the resilient catch comprises at least one projecting ridged member provided on either the frame or the box member, the ridge of which engages behind a corresponding lip on the other of the frame and box member.

3. A window frame according to Claim 2 wherein there is a pair of such resilient catches, oppositely directed.

4. A window frame according to any preceding Claim wherein the vent is at the top edge of the window.

5. A window frame according to Claim 4 wherein the vent includes means for allowing fixing at a point transversely spaced from the frame.

6. A window frame according to Claim 5 wherein the fixing means comprises a longitudinal dovetailed recess for receiving an extension piece to allow such fixing.

7. A window system comprising a window frame engageable within an outer frame by interaction of a resilient tongue and a rigid lip, further comprising a vent, the vent and window frame being according to any preceding claim, wherein the vent is attachable to an outside face of the outer frame.

8. A window frame system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

9. A vent for a window frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.