GB2318144A

GB2318144A - Resilient clips for securing replacement windows and doors

Info

Publication number: GB2318144A
Application number: GB9720367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Cubitt; Jeffrey Lee Crowder
Original assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Priority date: 1996-10-08
Filing date: 1997-09-25
Publication date: 1998-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-25
Also published as: GB2318144B; GB9720367D0

Abstract

A clip for securing a replacement window in an opening, in one embodiment comprises a base portion 20A with two holes for screwing or nailing the clip to the wall, and a resilient projecting leg 20B cut from the base, with a second resilient leg 20C projecting from the first leg, and cut from the first leg. As the outer frame of the window or door is pushed in the opening against back stop 28, the two legs are first deformed, and then spring into a recess in its peripheral face preventing removal. A further embodiment comprises a base portion having a straight section 42 and a forked section 44, the base portion being adapted for nailing or screwing to the wall at a wall opening, wherein the straight section has upstanding inclined wings 50 on its opposite sides which are deformed as a window is pushed into the opening and then spring back to enter a recess in the peripheral face of the window, thereby to fix the window in position against internal plasterwork.

Description

Replacement Window and Door Systems This invention relates to a replacement window or door system, a fixing clip for use in fixing a window or door frame in a wall opening, and a method of fixing a replacement window or door in a wall opening utilising a plurality of the fixing clips.

Conventionally, when a replacement window or door is to be fixed in position in a wall opening from which an old window or door has been removed, the outer frame of the rephcement window or door is held in the required position and drilled through from the inside to enable the insertion of screws which are then screwed into the periphery of the wall opening. In the case of a ready glazed replacement window, this has the disadvantage that the glazing has to be temporarily removed in order to enable the outer frame to be drilled. More generally, the current fixing method is disadvantageous because it is awkward and time consuming for the fitter.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for use in fixing the outer frame of a window or door in position in a window or door opening in a wall, said clip comprising a generally planar base portion adapted for nailing or screwing to the wall and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto.

Preferably the clip is integrally formed.

The base portion preferably includes at least two holes for use in nailing or screwing the clip in position The base portion may also include a locating stop at one end. This is explained hereinafter.

In one simple embodiment, the clip has a first leg upstanding from the base portion and a second leg projecting from the first leg at an angle thereto, preferably so as to point back from the first leg towards the plane of the base portion.

In this simple embodiment, the second leg is preferably a partial cutout from the first leg and preferably both legs are straight in their non-deformed condition. In one example of this embodiment, the first leg is a partial cutout from the base portion.

Preferably, in this embodiment, in the undeformed condition the first leg is inclined at a relatively larger acute angle to the plane of the base portion and the second leg is opposite inclined to said plane at a relatively smaller acute angle.

In a preferred embodiment of the fixing clip, the base portion has two inclined wings respectively upstanding from opposite sides of the base portion.

The wings are preferably triangularly shaped, and may have their free edges bent over to form lips, also of triangular shape.

In this embodiment, the base portion preferably has a straight section from which the wings are upstanding on opposite sides thereof, and a forked section at one end having holes for use in nailing or screwing the clip in position. Locating stops may be provided at the free ends of the limbs of the forked section, whilst a tab, hereinafter referred to as a security tab, may be provided at the remote end of the straight section. This is also explained hereinafter.

The triangular wings are preferably deeper at the forked end of the base portion, and may taper to a point adjacent to the security tab. In their non-deformed condition, the wings preferably point upwardly in diverging relationship from the straight section of the base portion. This straight section may also have holes for use in nailing or screwing the base portion in position.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a replacement window system including a window or door having an outer frame the outer peripheral face of which has at least one recess, and clips for fixing said outer frame in a window or door opening in a wall, each said clip comprising a generally planar base portion for nailing or screwing to the peripheral face of the wall opening, and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto, whereby after fixing a plurality of said clips to the wall opening, the outer frame can be pushed into a position in which it is fixed in the wall opening by the clips, with the at least one leg or wing engaged into the recess in the outer peripheral face of the frame.

The window or door frame is preferably a plastics extrusion having projecting formations on its outer peripheral face which define the said recess. Said terminations may define a plurality of recesses of differing widths, and the leg, legs, wing or wings of each clip may be sufficiently long not to engage into a relatively narrower recess when fixing is to be effected at a relatively wider recess beyond the narrower recess.

When each clip has a locating stop, the clip may be nailed or screwed into position with this stop abutting the edge of plasterwork adjoining the window or door opening in the wall, the clip being dimensioned in relation to the lateral dimensions of the outer frame and to the position of the fixing recess in its outer peripheral face so that the outer frame will be fixed in position also to abut the edge of the plasterwork. It is thereby only necessary for the leg, legs, wing or wings to be effective, by engagement in the peripheral recess in the frame, to urge the frame in non-releasable manner against the plasterwork.

The normal clearance, about 5 mm or less, may be provided all round for fitting of the replacement window or door into the wall opening, the security tab provided at one end of the base portion being effective to prevent unauthorised release of the leg, legs, wing or wings by use of a bladed tool inserted into the clearance.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fixing the outer frame of a replacement window or door in a window or door opening in a wall from which an old window or door has been removed, the said outer frame having an outer peripheral face with at least one recess, comprising the steps of: A) nailing or screwing to the peripheral face of the wall opening a plurality of fixing clips each having a generally planar base portion adapted for said nailing or screwing, and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto, B) pushing the replacement window or door laterally into the wall opening so that the outer frame rides over the resilient leg, legs, wing or wings, deforming them towards the base portion, and C) continuing to push the replacement window or door laterally into the wall opening until the window or door abuts plasterwork, whereupon the leg, legs, wing or wings of the clips snap into the recess in the outer frame and respectively locate in a bottom corner of the recess to fix the frame against lateral movement back out of the wall opening.

In the case of an outer frame of extruded plastics material having a plurality of relatively wider and narrower recesses in its outer peripheral face, the frame may be pushed into position so that a relatively narrower recess passes the fixing clips and said clips only locate into a relatively wider recess. The wider recess may be central of the lateral width of the frame.

The fixing clips may be dimensioned so that, when nailed or screwed in position abutting the plasterwork adjoining the window or door opening, the window or door frame is automatically fixed in position abutting said plasterwork.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through part of a window opening, showing a fixing clip, in one embodiment thereof, serving to fix the outer frame of a window in position; Figure 2 shows the action of this embodiment of the fixing clip as the outer frame of a window is pushed into position; Figure 3 shows three possible simple constructions of fixing clip; Figures 4a to 4d show a preferred embodiment of fixing clip in plan view, isometric view, front elevation and side elevation, respectively; Figures 5 to 7 respectively illustrate three stages in the insertion and fixing of a replacement window in a wall opening by use of the preferred embodiment of fixing clip; and Figures 8a and 8b are somewhat diagrammatic views showing the action of the preferred embodiment of fixing clip in fixing the window frame in position against plasterwork, respectively at a jamb and at the sill.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown the end of a building wall 10 at an opening 12 to receive a window. The wall interior is on the right-hand side as drawn, and is finished with plasterwork 14. A replacement window frame 16 of extruded plastics material, fitted with glazing 18, is fixed in position against the abutting plaserwork 14 by means of a number of metal fixing clips 20, one only of which is visible. The clips 20 locate into a recess 22 extending around the peripheral face of the frame. This recess 22 is defined between projecting formations 24 constituting integral parts of the extruded frame. In general, at least two fixing clips 20 and usually more will be provided on at least two opposite sides of the wall opening and possibly also top and bottom.

The clip 20 has a base portion 20A which is fixedly secured in position by the use of masonry nails 26, said base portion 20A having an upturned lip 28 at one end to facilitate its location abutting the plasterwork 14. Thus, the clip is dimensioned in relation to the lateral width of the frame 16 and to the position of the recess 22 into which the clip locates, so that in turn the frame 16 is fixed in position abutting the plasterwork 14. The frame is sealed in position on the outside by a gasket and mastic material, as indicated at 30.

It is to be noted that the clip 20 has a first leg 20B and a second leg 20C which locate in the recess 22, in particular engaging into the bottom corners thereof on opposite sides of said recess, so that the frame 16 is fixed in position against movement either further into or out of the wall opening 12.

After the clips 20 have been nailed in place, the action of the clips when the frame is inserted into the wall opening is now described with reference to diagrams 1 to 10 of Figure 2.

In the diagrams, the arrows indicate the direction of insertion of the window frame 16, i.e. left to right in Figure 1.

First, as shown in diagram 1, the leading edge of the frame 16 engages the second leg 20C of a clip. It then starts to ride up the leg 20C which acts as a ramp, urging this leg 20C downwardly, thereby in turn to press the first leg 20B downwardly towards the base portion 20A, as shown in diagram 2. The procedure continues, as shown in diagram 3, until, as shown in diagram 4, the second leg 20C passes the point of parallelism with the base portion 20A and starts to point away from it. This leg 20C, however, is too long to enter the narrower recess 22A, which is present in the peripheral face of the frame on the interior side of the recess 22. A similar narrower recess 22B lies on the exterior side of the recess 22, and is used to receive the exterior sealing gasket (see Figure 1).

As insertion of the window frame 16 continues, the second leg 20C starts to enter the wider recess 22, being rotated to point at an increasing angle away from the base portion 20A owing to pressure exerted on the first leg 20B by the leading edge of the frame. This is shown in diagrams 5 and 6.

Diagram 7 shows the stage at which the second leg 20C has entered sufficiently far into the recess 22 to reach the bottom thereof, while the first leg 20B has entered into the narrower recess 22A. The window frame 16 is now held in position, albeit relatively loosely.

As insertion of the frame 16 still continues, the first leg 20B is pressed downwardly towards the base portion 20A of the clip by the projecting formation on one side of the recess 22 (diagram 8). At the same time, the end of the second leg 20C is in engagement with the bottom of the recess 22 and sliding along it.

Diagram 9 shows the critical point in insertion of the frame 16, when the second leg 20C engages into one corner at the bottom of the recess 22. The first leg 20B is at the point where it is also about to enter the recess 22. In order to enable the first leg 20B to do this, the frame 16 is pushed inwardly of the wall opening wiffi a force sufficient to cause the second leg 20C slightly to flex into a curved condition.

As shown in diagram 10, the first leg 20B then snaps into the recess 22 to engage into the opposite corner of the bottom of said recess, fixing the frame 16 in position. The frame 16 now cannot be either pushed further into the wall opening or withdrawn therefrom and, as shown in Figure 1, owing to the dimensioning of the clip relative to the lateral width of the frame and the position in which the clip is fixed, the window frame 16 is held abutting the plasterwork 14 on the interior side of the wall.

Figures 3(a) to 3(c) show three possible embodiments of the clip, the embodiment of Figure 3(c) being chosen for illustration in Figures 1 and 2.

In all cases, the clip 20 has the generally flat base portion 20A and the first and second legs 20B, 20C, as hitherto described.

However, in Figure 3(a) the clip 20 has a portion formed as two limbs 30, 30A bridged by the first leg 20B from which the second leg 20C projects. The clip can be produced from a single flat metal element partly cut to enable the limbs 30, 30A to be bent relatively to the first leg 20B in one sense and the second leg 20C (the portion cut to separate it from the said limbs) to be bent relatively to the first leg in the opposite sense.

The clip 20 shown in Figure 3(b) is generally similar to that shown in Figure 3(a), but the basic metal blank from which the clip is formed is somewhat larger to enable the cuts which separate the second leg 20C from the limbs 30, 30A to be extended, whereby the second leg projects from a point of the first leg more distant from the limbs.

In the clip shown in Figure 3(a), the base portion is much larger, the metal blank being partally cut so that the first leg 20B projects from a central region of said base portion. The first leg 20B is also partially cut so that the second leg 20C can project from it. Additionally, the base portion 20A is bent at one end to form a projecting lip which constitutes the locating stop hitherto mentioned. The clips of Figures 3(a) and 3(b) may require the fixing position of said clips, in the interior/exterior direction of the window opening, to be measured or gauged.

It may be possible to mould the clips of any of Figures 3(a) to 3(c) of suitable plastics material, which may incorporate lines of weakening to impart resilience, instead of forming the clips from metal plate.

In any case, the embodiments of clip illustrated in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) represent only some of many constructions possible within the scope of the invention.

Those illustrated are especially suitable for use with the window frame profile illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and they are also dimensioned accordingly.

Window and door frames of different profile may require the use of clips of different design and dimensions. Substantially all window and door frames of plastics material, however, are extruded with formations on the outer peripheral face which define one or more recesses, and the clip in accordance with the invention can be designed and dimensioned to be useful in all such cases.

This is equally true of the preferred embodiment of fixing clip shown in Figures 4a to 4d, which is of a different design to the fixing clip of Figures 1 to 3.

The preferred clip shown in Figures 4a to 4d is stamped out of sheet metal. This clip 40 has a base portion consiting of a straight section 42 and a forked section 44. The limbs of the forked section each have a locating tab 46 at the free end, whilst the straight section has a security tab 48 at its free end remote from the forked section.

Upstanding from the side edges of the straight section 42 of the base portion are two triangularly shaped wings 50, each bent over at its free outer edge to form thin triangular lips 52. The triangular wings 50 are wider at their ends adjacent the forked section 44 of the base portion, and narrow to points adjacent the security tab 48. Relative to the base portion, the wings point upwardly and diverge relative to one another. Holes 54 for nailing or screwing the clip in position to the edge of a wall opening are provided both in the straight section and the forked section of the base portion, although not all the holes may be used in practice.

Figure 5 shows two such fixing clips 40, one at a jamb and one at the sill, fixed in position by nailing or screwing at one corner of a wall opening. Reference 56 denotes internal plasterwork and reference 58 denotes an internal window sill.

Figures 6 and 7 show successive stages in the act of fitting a window 60, complete with external sill 62, into the wall opening. The window frame 60 is of the same extruded construction as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, with a wider channelshaped recess 64 in its peripheral face between two narrower channel-shaped recesses 66. The external sill also has a recessed channel 68 on its underside.

As the window 60, 62 is pushed inwardly into the wall opening, it rides over the wings 50 of the fixing clips 40, depressing them apart and towards the base portions of the clips. The wings 50 are too long to enter the interior narrower recess 66 in the peripheral face of the frame 60, but are able to spring back and enter the wider recess 64 as well as the channel 68 on the underside of the sill.

This takes place when the window 60, 62 has been pushed fully in against the plasterwork 56 and internal sill 58, the fixing clips being correctly dimensioned and having been fixed correctly in position by positioning the locating tabs 46 against the plastwork when nailing or screwing the clips to fix them in place.

It also has to be appreciated that, when a replacement window is to be fitted in a window opening left by removal of an old window, a 5 mm clearance or slightly less is provided for all round. Thus, although the wings 50 are longer than the recesses 64 and 68, the narrower tail portions of the wings can be accommodated in the said clearance. Figures 8a and 8b show the position of the wings 50 in the fully fitted condition of the window, respectively at the jamb and at the sill.

The purpose of the security tabs 48 can also be appreciated from Figures 8a and 8b. At the sill (Figure 8b), the security tab 48 completely closes the clearance to the external side, preventing unauthorised insertion of a bladed tool with the aim of releasing the clip. At the jamb, by use of a suitable strong tool, the window fitter forcibly bends up the security tab 48 from the illustration position so as substantially to close the clearance, following which the clearance is closed off all round by mastic sealant.

It will be understood that the preferred clip of Figures 4a to 4d only fixes the window securely in position by virtue of the presence of the plasterwork (or a similar abutment). However, in the case of a replacement window, such plasterwork is invariably present, so that the clip of Figures 4a to 4d is not disadvantageous compared to any of the embodiments of Figures 3a to 3c, whilst being easier and less expensive to manufacture in spite of its apparently more complex design.

Claims

1. A clip for use in fixing the outer frame of a window or door in position in a window or door opening in a wall, said clip comprising a generally planar base portion adapted for nailing or screwing to the wall and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto.

2. A clip according to claim 1, which is integrally formed.

3. A clip according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base portion includes at least two holes for use in nailing or screwing the clip in position.

4. A clip according to any of claims I to 3, wherein the base portion includes a locating stop at one end.

5. A clip according to any of claims 1 to 4, having a first leg upstanding from the base portion and a second leg projecting from the first leg at an angle thereto.

6 A clip according to claim 5, wherein the second leg points back from the first leg towards the plane of the base portion.

7. A clip according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the second leg is a partial cutout from the first leg.

8. A clip according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein both legs are straight in their non-deformed condition.

9 A clip according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first leg is a partial cutout from the base portion.

10. A clip according to any of claims S to 9, wherein in the undeformed condition the first leg is inclined at a relatively larger acute angle to the plane of the base portion and the second leg is oppositely inclined to said plane at a relatively smaller acute angle.

11. A clip according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base portion has two inclined wings respectively upstanding from opposite sides thereof.

12. A clip according to claim 11, wherein the wings are triangularly shaped.

13. A clip according to claim 12, wherein the wings have their free edges bent over to form lips, also of triangular shape.

14. A clip according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the base portion has a straight section from which the wings are upstanding on opposite sides thereof, and a forked section at one end has holes for use in nailing or screwing the clip in position.

15. A clip according to claim 14, wherein locating stops are provided at the free ends of the limbs of the forked section.

16. A clip according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein a security tab is provided at the remote end of the straight section.

17. A clip according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the triangular wings are deeper at the forked end of the base portion.

18. A clip according to claim 17, wherein the wings taper to a point adjacent to the security tab.

19. A clip according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein, in their non-deformed condition, the wings point upwardly in diverging relationship from the straight section of the base portion.

20. A clip acording to any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the straight section has holes for use in nailing or screwing the base portion in position.

21. A replacement window system including a window or door having an outer frame the outer peripheral face of which has at least one recess, and clips for fixing said outer frame in a window or door opening in a wall, each said clip comprising a generally planar base portion for nailing or screwing to the peripheral face of the wall opening, and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto, whereby, after fixing a plurality of said clips to the wall opening, the outer frame can be pushed into a position in which it is fixed in the wall opening by the clips, with the at least one leg or wing engaged into the recess in the outer peripheral face of the frame.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the window or door frame is a plastics extrusion having projecting formations on its outer peripheral face which define the said recess.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein said formations define a plurality of recesses of differing widths, and the leg, legs, wing or wings of each clip may be sufficiently long not to engage into a relatively narrower recess when fixing is to be effected at a relatively wider recess beyond the narrower recess.

24. A system according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein, when each clip has a locating stop, the clip is nailed or screwed into position with this stop abutting the edge of plasterwork adjoining the window or door opening in the wall, the clip being dimensioned in relation to the lateral dimensions of the outer frame and to the position of the fixing recess in its outer peripheral face so that the outer frame will be fixed in position also to abut the edge of the plasterwork.

25. A system according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein a clearance, about 5 mm or less, is provided all round for fitting of the replacement window or door into the wall opening, a security tab provided at one end of the base portion being effective to prevent unauthorised release of the leg, legs, wing or wings by use of a bladed tool inserted into the clearance.

26. A method of fixing the outer frame of a replacement window or door in a window or door opening in a wall from which an old window or door has been removed, the said outer frame having an outer peripheral face with at least one recess, comprising the steps of: A) nailing or screwing to the peripheral face of the wall opening a plurality of fixing clips each having a generally planar base portion adapted for said nailing or screwing, and at least one resilient leg or wing upstanding from the base portion at an angle thereto.

B) pushing the replacement window or door laterally into the wall opening so that the outer frame rides over the resilient leg, legs, wing or wings, deforming them towards the base portion, and C) continuing to push the replacement window or door laterally into the wall opening until the window or door abuts plasterwork, whereupon the leg, legs, wing or wings of the clips snap into the recess in the outer frame and respectively locate in a bottom corner of the recess to fix the frame against lateral movement back out of the wall opening.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein, in the case of an outer frame of extruded plastics material having a plurality of relatively wider and narrower recesses in its outer peripheral face, the frame is pushed into position so that a relatively narrower recess passes the fixing clips and said clips only locate into a relatively wider recess.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the wider recess is central of the lateral width of the frame.

29. A method according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the fixing clips are dimensioned so that, when nailed or screwed in position abutting the plasterwork adjoining the window or door opening, the window or door frame is automatically fixed in position abutting said plasterwork.

30. A fixing clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A replacement window system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A method of fixing a replacement window or door in position substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.