GB2329413A

GB2329413A - A ventilated frame that may be glazed from the interior of a building

Info

Publication number: GB2329413A
Application number: GB9719999A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Douglas Whitaker; Derek Anthony Downer
Original assignee: Whitaker and Co
Current assignee: Whitaker and Co
Priority date: 1997-09-20
Filing date: 1997-09-20
Publication date: 1999-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-20
Also published as: GB2329413B; GB9719999D0

Abstract

A glazed frame is provided for use as a window or as a glazed panel which is capable of being glazed from its interior side. Methods of glazing such a frame suited to both factory glazing and on-site glazing and re-glazing are also provided. The frame comprises top 5, bottom 6, and side frame members enclosing a glazing unit 7. The top 5 and side frame members have reveals 8A projecting around the edges of the glazing unit 7 on its exterior side 9. The glazing unit 7 abuts against the reveals 8A via a resilient sealing strip means 11 located there between. The bottom frame member 6 comprises an upstanding reveal 14A on the opposite interior side 10 of the glazing unit 7 between which and the glazing unit 7 is located a resilient sealing strip means 15 which preferably has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile. Top and side glazing beads 12 are secured to the top and side frame members respectively and bear against the interior side 10 of the glazing unit 7 via further resilient strip sealing means 13. A ventilated glazing bead 18 is rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member 6 on the exterior side 9 of the glazing unit 7. At least one support member 17 is located between the glazing unit 7 and the bottom frame member 6 to support the glazing unit 7 in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member 6 to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit 7 via the ventilated glazing bead 18.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO GLAZED FRAMES The present invention relates to a glazed frame, primarily for use as a window or as a glazed panel for a door or the like, and to methods of glazing and re-glazing the frame.

Conventionally, windows and similar glazed frames are increasingly manufactured and factory-glazed ready for use during building. However, on-site glazing is always required in the event that the glazing is damaged and onsite glazing is still practised, particularly when large and heavy glazing is required. Such on-site glazing or reglazing can be hazardous as it is usually necessary for it to be accomplished from the exterior of the building, the window design not being conducive to glazing from the interior, which is unlikely to pose the same level of hazard and difficulties.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a glazed frame which overcomes or substantially mitigates the aforementioned problem by being capable of being glazed from its interior side. Methods of glazing such a frame suited to both factory glazing and on-site glazing and re-glazing are also provided.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a glazed frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals projecting around the edges of the glazing unit on an exterior side thereof and against which reveals the glazing unit abuts via first resilient sealing strip means located therebetween, whereas the bottom frame member comprises an upstanding reveal on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit between which and the glazing unit is located second resilient sealing strip means; top and side glazing beads which are secured to the top and side frame members respectively and which bear against the interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; a ventilated glazing bead rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit; a glazing gasket located between the ventilated glazing bead and the exterior side of the glazing unit; and at least one support member located between the glazing unit and the bottom frame member to support the glazing unit in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit via the ventilated glazing bead.

Preferably, the edge of the upstanding reveal defined by the bottom frame member and in contact with the glazing gasket material has a cross-sectional profile which is angled away from the interior side of the glazing unit.

The second resilient sealing strip means may comprise a resilient glazing tape or alternatively a strip of a resilient plastics gasket which preferably has a wedgeshaped cross-sectional profile.

Preferably also, said angled cross-sectional profile of the upstanding reveal is angled in the range 30 to 45" inclusive away from a plane parallel to the interior surface of the glazing unit.

Preferably also, the surface of the bottom frame member against which the support member abuts slopes downwardly to define an angle with a plane parallel to the surface of the exterior side of the glazing unit which is greater than 90". Advantageously, said angle is of the order of 96".

Preferably also, the ventilated glazing bead is rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member by means of a series of spaced seatings which are themselves rigidly secured to the bottom frame member.

Advantageously, the glazing gasket is secured to the ventilated glazing bead and comprises at least one substantially upwardly directed blade which bears resiliently against the lower part of the exterior side of the glazing unit in order to prevent ingress of moisture into the frame beneath the glazing unit and which is sufficiently rigid to be capable of remaining in a substantially upright attitude should the glazing unit be absent from the frame.

In the case wherein the glazed frame comprises a window casement, the top and side frame members may have a cross-sectional profile that is substantially T- or Lshaped and the bottom frame member may have a crosssectional profile which is substantially Z- or L-shaped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of glazing a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members for encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals for projecting around the edges of the glazing unit an exterior side thereof whereas the bottom frame member comprises an upstanding reveal for projecting on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit, the method comprising the steps of attaching first resilient sealing strip means to the surfaces of the reveals of the top and side frame members which will contact the exterior side of the glazing unit; attaching a second resilient sealing strip means to the surface of the reveal of the bottom frame member which will contact the interior side of the glazing unit; attaching at least one support member to the bottom frame member in order to support the glazing unit in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit; locating the glazing unit in position in the frame supported by said at least one support member with its exterior side in contact with the sealing strip means; attaching top and side glazing beads to the top and side frame members respectively which beads bear against interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; rigidly securing a ventilated glazing bead to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit with a glazing gasket located between the ventilated glazing bead and glazing unit to bear against the exterior side of the glazing unit.

This method is primarily that which will be employed for factory glazing of the frame prior to fitment on-site.

However, it may also be used for on-site glazing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of glazing a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members for encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals for projecting around the edges of the glazing unit on an exterior side thereof whereas the bottom frame member comprises an upstanding reveal for projecting on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit and having attached thereto a ventilated glazing bead rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit to which is secured a glazing gasket, the method comprising the steps of attaching first resilient sealing strip means to the surfaces of the reveals of the top and side frame members which will contact the exterior side of the glazing unit; locating the glazing unit in position in the frame to sit between the glazing gasket of the ventilated bead and the upstanding reveal of the bottom frame member in contact with the sealing strip means, the unit being supported by at least one support member attached to the bottom frame member; attaching top and side glazing beads to the top and side frame members respectively which glazing beads bear against the interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; and locating second resilient sealing strip means between the surface of the reveal of the bottom frame member facing the interior side of the glazing unit and the glazing unit to urge the exterior side of the glazing unit into sealing contact with the glazing gasket of the ventilated bead.

This method is that which will be employed for onsite glazing if from the interior side of the frame or for re-glazing of the frame.

In both the second and third aspects of the invention the edge of the upstanding reveal defined by the bottom frame member which will contact with the second resilient sealing means preferably has a cross-sectional profile which is angled away from the interior side of the glazing unit in order to enable the glazing unit to be rotated into position from the interior side of the frame.

Preferably also, the second resilient sealing strip means comprises a strip of a resilient plastics gasket which has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a vertical cross-section through a glazed frame according to the invention in the form of a window casement.

A glazed frame according to the invention is intended for fitment into a building structure that defines a suitable opening into which the frame can be fitted. The frame can be used for both windows and in doors, panels and the like. In a building structure where the glazed frame will comprise an exterior fixed window, a conventional opening can be formed in a wall to which a frame can be fitted. Such a frame can either be factory glazed or glazed on-site.

In the present example, the glazed frame of the invention comprises a window casement 1 which is hinged to an outer rebated frame that can be conventionally fitted into a wall. The rebated frame comprises a sill 2, side jambs (not shown), and a head 3. The window casement 1 is attached to this frame 2, 3 in a conventional manner and appropriate sealing means, such as weather strips 4, provided.

The window casement 1 itself comprises top and bottom frame members 5 and 6 respectively together with side frame members (not shown) which are similar in profile to the top frame member 5. All of these frame members are connected together in a conventional manner to form an encasement for a glazing unit 7, such as a double- or triple-glazed sealed unit or a single pane of glass.

However, the cross-sectional profiles of the frame members and the manner of their assembly along with other components is not conventional and will now be described.

In the case of a window casement 1, the top frame member 5 and the side frame members have a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional profile and comprises reveals 8A and 8B which project respectively around the top and side edges of one side 9 of the glazing unit 7 and around the outer edge of the rebated frame 2, 3 formed in the building structure. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the reveal 8B may be omitted and the top frame member 5 and the side frame members may have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional profile.

The side 9 of the glazing unit 7 is that which is intended to face the exterior of the building whereas the opposite side 10 of the unit 7 faces into the interior. It is from this latter interior side 10 of the window 1 that it can be re-glazed, if ever necessary, as is described below.

Located between the interior faces of the reveals 8A and the exterior side of the unit 7 is a resilient sealing strip 11, such as a dry glazing tape. The unit 7 is urged into sealing contact with the sealing strip 11 by means of glazing beads 12 which are secured to the top and side frame members and which bear against the interior side 10 of the glazing unit 7 via further resilient sealing strips 13 located therebetween.

In contrast, the bottom frame member 6 has a substantially Z-shaped profile and comprises reveals 14A and 14B which project respectively along the lower part of the interior side 10 of the glazing unit 7 and along the lower outer edge of the rebated frame 2, 3. As with the top and side frame members, in an alternative arrangement (not shown) the reveal 14B may be omitted and the bottom frame member 6 may have a substantially L-shaped crosssectional profile.

The reveal 14A comprises an upstanding reveal between which and the glazing unit 7 is located further resilient sealing means 15. This sealing means 15 can either comprise a dry glazing tape, similar to the tape 11 and 13, or a resilient plastics gasket, as is further described below with reference to site glazing from the interior side 9 of the unit or during re-glazing. In addition, the edge of the reveal 14A in contact with the sealing means 15 is angled away from the facing side 10 of the glazing unit 7 by an angle a. Advantageously, the angle a falls in the range 30 to 45" inclusive. The angling of the reveal 14A in this way facilitates the fitment of the unit 7 and the sealing means 15 in the form of a gasket material during re-glazing of the window 1.

The bottom frame member 6 supports the glazing unit 7 on an upper facing surface 16 which is sloped downwardly to define an angle with a horizontal plane which is of the order of 6". The surface 16 therefore defines an angle with a plane parallel to the surface 9 of the glazing unit 10 which is greater than 90" and is preferably of the order of 96". This ensures that any moisture trapped within the window casement 1 drains to the exterior with the help of ventilation. The glazing unit 7 is itself supported in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member 6 by one or more support members 17 which rest on the surface 16 in order to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit 7 and to prevent deterioration of the glazing unit 7 such as "misting".

Ventilation and drainage around the bottom of the glazing unit 7 is ensured by the use of a ventilated glazing bead 18 which is rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member 6 by means of a series of spaced seatings 19 which are themselves rigidly secured to the bottom frame member 6 adjacent the support member or members 17. The ventilated glazing bead 18 may be of conventional construction and is provided with a glazing gasket 20 which bears against the exterior side 9 of the glazing unit 7.

The glazing gasket 20 comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of substantially upwardly directed blades 21 which bear resiliently against the bottom edge of the glazing unit 7 in order to prevent the ingress of rain and other moisture into the window 1 beneath the glazing unit 7. In order to facilitate re-glazing of the window 1, the gasket 20 should be constructed in a manner and of a material which is sufficiently rigid to permit the blades 21 to be capable of remaining in a substantially upright attitude should the glazing unit 7 be removed from the window 1 as occurs during re-glazing.

Thus, it can be seen that a window casement 1 according to the invention comprises a glazing unit 7 which is provided with seals in the form of resilient sealing strips 11, 13 and 15, and a gasket 20 all around the edges of its exterior 9 and interior 10 surfaces. The window casement 1 is also provided with adequate ventilation in the form of the ventilated bead 18 and the manner in which the unit 7 is fitted into the bottom frame member 6.

During initial factory construction, top and bottom frame members 5 and 6 together with the side members are manufactured and assembled into a frame. The support member or members 17 and the seatings 19 are also secured to the bottom frame member 6. This structure is then ready for glazing.

If the unit is factory glazed, sealing strips 11 in the form of dry glazing tape are firmly attached to the inside surface of the reveals 8A of the top 6 and side frame members and a similar form of tape can be used to form the sealing means 15 which is firmly secured to the exterior facing surface of the reveal 14A. The sealed unit 7 is then positioned into the frame. After location of the unit 7 within the frame, the top and side glazing beads 12, which are pre-fitted with sealing strips 13 are attached to the top and side frame members in order to urge the unit 7 into contact with the sealing strips 11 to form a seal around the top and sides of the unit 7. At the bottom of the unit 7, the ventilated bead 18 along with the gasket 20 is secured to the seatings 19 with the blades 21 of the gasket 20 pressed firmly against the exterior surface 10 of the unit 7. Prior to fitment, the bead 18 should be cut at each end to match the profile of the side frame members and may also be provided with protective end trims.

However, the invention also enables the frame such as the window casement 1 to be either glazed on-site or reglazed, should the unit 7 become damaged, from the interior of a building structure as will now be described.

In either of these cases it should be appreciated that the ventilated bead 18 along with the gasket 20 has already been secured to the seatings 19 prior to fitment or re-fitment of the unit 7.

The first step in re-glazing is to remove carefully the top and side glazing beads 12 with a view to their reuse. The sealing strips 13 on these beads 12 should then be replaced if necessary. The damaged unit 7 should then be removed from the window 1 by rotating it inwardly towards the interior of the building structure from the top. Care must be taken not to disturb unnecessarily the ventilated bead 18 and its attached gasket 20. However, if necessary both the bead 18 and the gasket 20 should be refixed or replaced at this stage. The sealing means 15 should then be removed completely from the surface of the reveal 14A. This will be replaced, as described below, by a resilient plastics gasket if it comprises the original factory-fitted glazing tape. The sealing strips 12 around the interior of the top and side frame members should now be checked and replaced if necessary. The window casement 1 is now ready for fitment with a new unit 7. In the case of on-site glazing the casement 1 will have been supplied in this condition.

The glazing unit 7 is now located on the support members 17 and rotated into an upright attitude, which rotation is facilitated by the angled edge of the reveal 14A. Care must be taken to ensure that the exterior side 10 of the unit 7 is pressed gently against the gasket 20 with the blades 21 remaining upright along the whole width of the unit 7. It is important that the blades 21 do not fold downwards and become trapped in this position and that the seating of the ventilated bead 18 is not disturbed.

The top and side glazing beads 12 can now be replaced and fixed in position ensuring that the exterior side of the unit 7 is urged into sealing contact with the sealing strips 11 to prevent the ingress of rain and that the sealing strips 13 are equally making good sealing contact with the interior side 10 of the unit 7. Finally, the bottom of the unit 7 should be pressed against the blades 21 of the gasket 20 and an appropriate length of a resilient plastics gasket should be forced downwards between the bottom edge of the interior side 10 of the unit 7 and the angled edge of the reveal 14A to form the sealing means 15.

If the edge of the reveal 14A is angled as previously described, then the plastics gasket forming the sealing means 15 should preferably have a wedge-shaped crosssectional profile in order that when it is forced between the bottom edge of the interior side 10 of the unit 7 and the angled edge of the reveal 14A a wedge action is employed to press and retain the unit 7 against the outer gasket 20. The resilience of the gasket 15 should enable it to exert sufficient force to press the glazing unit 7 against the exterior gasket 20 to provide a seal against rain yet be sufficiently pliable for it to be retained in position between the unit 7 and the reveal 14A. Such gasket materials are currently commercially available.

Whilst it is not essential for the edge of the reveal 14A to be angled as previously described in order to facilitate the rotational fitment of the unit 7, if the angling is not present then sufficient headroom must be provided above the unit 7 in the top frame member 5 for the location of the unit 7 to be accomplished. In addition, in this case the resilient sealing means 15, whilst not having a wedge-shaped profile, must be such as to be capable of fitment in a satisfactory manner to provide the necessary degree of force against the unit 7 to provide a seal against rain.

Thus the various aspects of the present invention provide a glazed frame which can be glazed or re-glazed on-site from its interior side using conventional, readily available materials.

Claims

1. A glazed frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals projecting around the edges of the glazing unit on an exterior side thereof and against which reveals the glazing unit abuts via first resilient sealing strip means located therebetween, and the bottom frame member comprising an upstanding reveal on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit between which and the glazing unit is located second resilient sealing strip means; top and side glazing beads which are secured to the top and side frame members respectively and which bear against the interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; a ventilated glazing bead rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit; a glazing gasket located between the ventilated glazing bead and the exterior side of the glazing unit; and at least one support member located between the glazing unit and the bottom frame member to support the glazing unit in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit via the ventilated glazing bead.

2. A glazed frane as claimed in Clam l, wherein the edge of the upstanding reveal defined Sy the bottom frame member and in contact with the glazing gasket material has a cross-sectional profile which is angled away from the interior side of the glazing unit.

3. A glazed frame as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said angled cross-sectional profile of the upstanding reveal is angled in the range 30 to 45" inclusive away from a plane parallel to the interior surface of the glazing unit.

4. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the second resilient sealing strip means comprises either a resilient glazing tape or a strip of a resilient plastics gasket.

5. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the second resilient sealing strip means has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile.

6. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the surface of the bottom frame member against which the support member abuts slopes downwardly to define an angle with a plane parallel to the surface of the exterior side of the glazing unit which is at least 90".

7. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the ventilated glazing bead is rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member by means of a series of spaced seatings which are themselves rigidly secured to the bottom frame member.

8. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the glazing gasket is secured to the ventilated glazing bead and comprises at least one substantially upwardly directed blade which bears resiliently against the lower part of the exterior side of the glazing unit in order to prevent ingress of moisture into the frame beneath the glazing unit and which is sufficiently rigid to be capable of remaining in a substantially upright attitude should the glazing unit be absent from the frame.

9. A glazed frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 comprising a window casement wherein the top and the side frame members have a cross-sectional profile that is substantially either T- or L-shaped and the bottom frame member has a cross-sectional profile which is substantially either Z- or L-shaped.

lO. A method of giazing a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members for encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals for projecting around the edges of the glazing unit an exterior side thereof and the bottom frame member comprising an upstanding reveal for projecting on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit, the method comprising the steps of attaching first resilient sealing strip means to the surfaces of the reveals of the top and side frame members which will contact the exterior side of the glazing unit; attaching a second resilient sealing strip means to the surface of the reveal of the bottom frame member which will contact the interior side of the glazing unit; attaching at least one support member to the bottom frame member in order to support the glazing unit in a spaced relationship from the bottom frame member to permit ventilation around the bottom of the glazing unit; locating the glazing unit in position in the frame supported by said at least one support member with its exterior side in contact with the sealing strip means; attaching top and side glazing beads to the top and side frame members respectively which beads bear against interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; rigidly securing a ventilated glazing bead to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit with a glazing gasket located between the ventilated glazing bead and glazing unit to bear against the exterior side of the glazing unit.

11. A method of glazing a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members for encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals for projecting around the edges of the glazing unit on an exterior side thereof and the bottom frame member comprising an upstanding reveal =cor projecting on tne opposite interior side of the glazing unit and having attached thereto a ventilated glazing bead rigidly fixed to the bottom frame member on the exterior side of the glazing unit to which is secured a glazing gasket, the method comprising the steps of attaching first resilient sealing strip means to the surfaces of the reveals of the top and side frame members which will contact the exterior side of the glazing unit; locating the glazing unit in position in the frame to sit between the glazing gasket of the ventilated bead and the upstanding reveal of the bottom frame member in contact with the sealing strip means, the unit being supported by at least one support member attached to the bottom frame member; attaching top and side glazing beads to the top and side frame members respectively which glazing beads bear against the interior side of the glazing unit via further resilient sealing strip means; ann locating second resilient sealing strip means between the surface of the reveal of the bottom frame member facing the interior side of the glazing unit and the glazing unit to urge the exterior side of the glazing unit into sealing contact with the glazing gasket of the ventilated bead.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim t1, wherein the edge of the upstanding reveal defined by the bottom frame member which contacts the second resilient sealing means has a cross-sectional profile which is angled away from the interior side of the glazing unit in order to enable the glazing unit to be rotated into position from the interior side of the frame.

13. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the second resilient sealing strip means comprises a strip of a resilient plastics gasket which has a wedgeshaped cross-sectional profile.

14. A glazed frame substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

15. A method of glazing a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members for encasing a glazing unit, the top and side frame members comprising reveals for projecting around the edges of the glazing unit an exterior side thereof and the bottom frame member comprising an upstanding reveal for projecting on the opposite interior side of the glazing unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.