GB2346919A - Reinforced elongate window component - Google Patents

Abstract

An elongate window component [1] has a metal reinforcing bar [2] embedded in a timber profile [3] extending along the full length of the component [1]. In a second embodiment, a window is constructed incorporating at least one of the reinforced elongate components [1] of the first embodiment.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION : "Window component etc." FIELD OF THE INVENTION : This invention relates to an elongate window component such as a mullion, transom etc., (all hereinafter referred to as"components"), and to a window construction of, or incorporating, at least some such components, for example as an opening light, or a sash or a frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION : To meet BS 7590 security standard, which in general defines pressures that a window component must be able to withstand to successfully resist an attack by an intruder, e. g. with a jemmy, one solution is to adopt hard wood and heavy section of hard wood, which is relatively expensive. In addition, such sections are unnecessary for upstairs windows for example, which are infrequently subjected to jemmy attack compared with ground floor windows.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION : A basic object of the present invention is the provision of a low cost window component meeting the requirements of BS 7590, and a window constructed, or incorporating, at least some such components.

SUMMARY OF A FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION : According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongate window component comprising a metal reinforcing bar embedded in a timber profile and extending along the full length, or substantially the full length, of the component.

Preferably, the reinforcing bar is planar or incorporates in a planar component. Thus, the bar could be a strip, e. g. of steel or of extruded aluminar aluminium alloy, but preferably the bar is of"T"-section.

With a"T"-section bar, the latter may be embedded by the use of two mirror image, timber profiles secured to opposite sides of the bar and suitably slotted and recessed to accommodate, respectively, the wings of the top flange of the"T"and the web of the"T".

Provided that for any required length of bar its section/thickness is correctly selected, the bar alone can satisfy BS 7590, and consequently the timber profiles, being for aesthetic reasons, can advantageously be of soft wood, and consequently can be of traditional industry-standard sizes, rather than oversize.

The bar, and particularly the web of a"T"-section bar, may be drilled at suitable locations, and the timber profiles may be provided with co-axial through holes, to receive common inserts, such as threaded sleeves, e. g. for the fastening of an espagnolette keep.

SUMMARY OF THE SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION: According to a second aspect of the invention, of independent significance, there is provided a window constructed of, or incorporating at least one component in accordance with the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING: An example of a component in accordance with the first aspect is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through a window component in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows, to an enlarged scale, details of the threaded sleeves of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 but is a perspective view; and Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 4 showing the assembled form part cut-array, of a component in accordance with the first aspect, or part of a window, in accordance with the second aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: An elongate window component 1 comprises a"T"-Section reinforcing bar 2 of extruded, aluminium which is embedded in two mirror image timber profiles 3 secured to opposite sides of the bar 2 and suitably slotted at 4, and recessed at 5, to accommodate, respectively, a wing 6 of top flange 7 of the"T"-bar 2, and a web 8 of the"T"-bar.

The web 8 has two spaced-apart drilled holes 9, each to receive an internally threaded, galvansied steel sleeve 10, as detailed in Figure 4, the sleeves 10 each being of such length as to project from opposite sides of the flange 8 and to project as far as outer surface 11 of each timber profile 3, so that the exposed ends 12 of the sleeve 10 are available to receive a machine screw 13, e. g. to secure an espagnolette keep (not shown) to the component 1.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS :

1. An elongate window component comprising a metal reinforcing bar embedded in a timber profile and extending along the full length, or substantially the full length. of the component.

2. An elongate window component as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the reinforcing bar is planar or incorporates in a planar component.

3. An elongate window component as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the reinforcing bar is a strip, e. g. of steel or of extruded aluminium or aluminium alloy.

4. An elongate window component as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the reinforcing bar is of"T"-Section.

5. An elongate window component as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the"T"-bar is embedded by the use of two mirror image, timber profiles secured to opposite sides of the bar and suitably slotted and recessed to accommodate respectively, the wings of the top flange of the"T"and the web of the"T".

6. An elongate window component as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the reinforcing bar is drilled at suitable locations, and the timber profiles are provided with co-axial through holes, to receive common inserts, such as threaded sleeves, e. g. for the fastening of an espagnolette keep.

7. An elongate window component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A window constructed of, or incorporating at least one component in accordance with any preceding Claim.

9. A window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.