GB2365480A

GB2365480A - Improvements in or relating to windows, glazed doors and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2365480A
Application number: GB0112755A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Michael Dean; Andrew John Lane
Original assignee: DYNATECH ENG Ltd
Current assignee: DYNATECH ENG Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-03
Filing date: 2001-05-25
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Also published as: GB0112755D0; GB0013492D0

Abstract

In a double glazed window assembly comprising a sash window (10) and frame (11), the window (10) has an outer section defining an inner glazing chamber containing a sealed double glazed unit (19). A number of packers (22) around the side surfaces of the unit and contacting the outer section and said side surfaces are adjustable by means of a stud (31) e.g. screw-threadedly engaged in an insert (24) in a Euro-groove (12) of the window outer section. By screwing in the stud (31) the packer (22) is forced inwardly, thus adjustably moving the unit correspondingly inwardly. By suitable similar adjustment movement, if necessary, of packers at the other sides of the unit, it can be correctly adjustably positioned in its window section.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WINDOWS, GLAZED DOORS AND TBE LIKE This invention relates to windows, glazed doors and the like, and has particular application to a window or door having an interior glazing chamber for a double glazed sealed unit and an exterior Euro-groove. Hereinafter a window, glazed door or the like will for convenience be referred to as a 'window'. At present it is known for the four sides of a sash window each to be formed from extruded section, the sections together defining an inner glazing chamber for a double glazed sealed unit comprising a pair of spaced, parallel glass panes sealed between them and around their edges to provide four flat sides around the unit, each side extending across the unit from one pane to the other. The unit is normally fitted at the factory within said inner glazi chamber of the window by the use of packers or spacers arranged between the inner surface of the glazing chamber and said flat sides of the unit. In this way it is intended that the unit is fixed in the desired position in the chamber, relative both to the opening defined by the four sections and also to seals, beading or the like, fitted at the sections to engage the unit.

However, during transport of the window from the factory to site, it is known for movement of the packers to occur, with the result that the unit moves in the glazing chamber.

An object of the invention is to mitigate or overcome this problem.

According to the invention a window, as herein defined, comprises an outer section defining an inner glazing chamber for a pane of glass or a sealed unit of at least two spaced panes of glass, a plurality of packers between said pane or said sealed unit and said section, and means for applying force to at least one of said packers in engagement with said pane or sealed unit. Preferably the packers are of plastics material. Conveniently the force applying means is a stud extending through the window outer section. Desirably the stud is screw-threadedly engaged with an insert received in a Euro-groove at the exterior of the window outer section. Conveniently an end of the stud has location means to engage said packer or a steel plate at the side thereof spaced from said pane or said unit. The insert may be an injection moulding. In a preferred embodiment, the end of the stud at the insert is adapted for engagement by an Allen key to effect rotation of said stud to adjust the force applied to said packer. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic part-sectional view through part of a double glazed sash window and associated fixed window frame according to the invention, Figures 2 to 4 are respectively a top, a side view and an underneath view of an insert of the window of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the insert with an adjusting stud and a double packer.

Shown in Figure 1 is part of a sash window construction comprising the sash window itself, denoted generally by the numeral 10, and the window frame, denoted generally by the numeral 11. As is known, the four sides of the frame 11 can be metal or aluminium extrusions, and similarly the outer section or frame of the sash window itself is also formed by two uprights and two crosspieces which are each extrusions of plastics or metal, such as aluminium. Both the sections of the window itself and also of the frame can be of any conventional form having various internal enclosures and chambers, for example for cold bridges, insulation material, seals or the like. It will be noted that the frame 11 forms no part of the present invention and will not be described further.

Each of the uprights and the crosspieces which together form the outer section of the sash window itself, is formed at its outer surface with a channel-like groove 12, such as a Euro-groove, which extends generally centrally and longitudinally for the whole length thereof. This groove is open at the outer side of the sash window and has a pair of lips, only one of which 13 is shown, spaced a short way from the open side of the groove, the lips extending a short way from the respective inner side surfaces of the groove toward one another and defining respective ledge surfaces extending along the length of the groove. Instead, only the lip 13 may be provided.

At the opposite side of each of the uprights and of the crosspieces, each extrusion defines an L-shaped projection 14 extending longitudinally around the whole of the outer section of the sash window itself. The foot of the L lies parallel to the base of the groove 12 to define an inwardly facing ledge

surface 15. The limb of the projection 14 extends from the inner surface 16 of the outer section of the window, and at a front of the outer section this inner surface is continued through 901 to defte an inwardly facing front surface 17 parallel to the limb of the projection 14, this surface having a longitudinally extending groove therein for receiving a seal 18.

This surface 17, along with the surface 16 defines an interior glazing chamber of the outer section of the window in which, in use, a sealed double- glazed unit is fitted, the unit being shown schematically in Figure I and being denoted by the numeral 19. The unit comprises two parallel spaced panes of glass 20,21 respectively with the space between them being sealed in the normal mamer, with desiccant or other moisture absorbing material being arranged at said seal between the two panes. In this way the sealed unit defines four side surfaces between and normal to the two panes of glass themselves.

As shown in Figure 1, the unit is arranged within the glazing chamber so that the seal 18 engages a front pane of the unit along the lower extremity thereof. It is presently known that in assembling a window, for example one containing a double glazed unit, the unit is placed in the glazing chamber and correctly positioned relative to the uprights and crosspieces forming the outer section of the window by means of packers, packing pieces or spacers 22 which are positioned, generally around all four sides of the unit 19 between a side surface of the unit and the inner surface 16 of the outer section, or an equivalent part thereof. Figure 5 shows a double packer, which comprises two packers 22 of polypropylene copolymer hingedly joined at 22a, for use at a corner of the unit.

However, whilst after spending considerable time during manufacture correctly positioning selected thicknesses of packers around the side surfaces of the unit, the unit may indeed be installed correctly in the glazing chamber so that the appearance of the window is correct, and that none of the sealing components of the unit 19 are visible when the window is viewed at 90' straight on, it often happens that although the packers initially appear to be in relatively tight engagement with the unit 19, such packers are often found to have moved after the window has been transported to a site where it is to be assembled in its frame 11. The present invention seeks to overcome this problem. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures I to 3, there is shown a packer 22 in engagement with one side surface of the unit 19, and although not essential, there is also shown, in this embodiment, a rectangular steel plate 23 in engagement with the packer at its side remote from the unit 19. As shown this plate is somewhat wider than the packer, this plate resting on the ledge surface 15. It will be understood that other packers 22, of single or double form, and possibly other plates 23, will similarly be positioned around the other three side surfaces of the unit 19, the number of packers and plates being selected as appropriate with a view to holding the unit 19 firmly in its correct position between the four inner side surfaces of the outer section of the window, and thus in the correct position within the glazing chamber. Fitted in the Euro-groove 12 is an insert 24 which could be a casting, but is more likely a moulding or an extrusion, preferably of plastics material such as acetal copolymer. The insert is formed with a generally rectangular plate

25 from which a base part 26, of smaller generally rectangular form, depends. The thickness of the plate substantially corresponds to the spacing of the lip 13 shown in Figure 1 from the outer surface of the groove 12. Similarly as shown in Figure 1, the rectangular base part 26 is inset from the edge of the rectangular plate 25 by an amount substantially equal to the inward extent of the lip 13 shown in Figure 1. In this way the insert can be received in the groove 12, with the lower surface of the base part 26 engaging the inner surface of the base of the groove 12. As shown best in Figure 2, a series of four spaced countersunk holes 27 are provided along the longitudinal centre line of the insert, and, in use, fixing means such as screws are passed through said holes and through the base of the groove 12 to secure the insert in place. From the drawings, and from Figure 2 in particular, it can be seen that at the centre of one of the longitudinal sides of the insert there is a semi-circular thinner extension portion 28 of the plate 25, a somewhat smaller aligned generally rectangular extension part 29 extending therefrom to a position below the level of the base part 26, as shown in Figure 3. As can be seen from Figure 1, the outer surface of the upright or crosspiece in which the groove 12 is formed is, along with part of the longitudinal side of the groove 12, cut away to provide space for reception of the extension part 29. In view of the fact that this part 29 extends beyond the end of the base part 26, it is also necessary to cut away a semi-circular part of the base of the groove 12 again as shown in Figure I so that the free end of the part 29 terminates flush with the outer surface of the base of the groove 12. It will be noted that in the example shown in Figure 1, a central plane through the glazing chamber, i.e. through the unit 19 does not coincide with a plane through the

longitudinal centre of the groove 12, i.e. the two are relatively off-set. It is for this reason that the insert 24 is provided with the extension portion 28 and extension part 29, given that approximately at the junction of the portions 25 and 28 there is centred a circular tapped hole 30, this hole extending through a boss 30a which extends for the whole of the depth of part 29, and being substantially aligned with the central plane of the unit 19. Engaged in said threaded hole 30 is a force applying member which, in the example illustrated in the form of an 8 nun stainless steel stud or pin 31 which has a 4 min Allen key opening 3 1 a in its end adjacent the insert, and which is threaded along at least part, and in this embodiment, the whole of its length, with a thread complementary to that within the hole 30. Accordingly, by the use of an Allen key, or other tool as appropriate, the stud can be rotated so as to move inwards or outwards of the fixed insert 24 relative to the crosspiece/upright containing it. As shown in Figure 1, the stud is of such a length that it extends through the hollow interior of the upright/crosspiece of the outer section of the window 10 and also extends through an aligned opening in the wall which defines the inner surface 16. The end of the stud remote from its Allen key opening may be provided with a pip or equivalent, and as shown in Figure 1, this engag es the plate 23. Accordingly, by 'screwing-up' the stud, it is possible to apply force therefrom to the plate 23 and thus to the packer 22 in engagement with a side surface of the unit 19. It will be appreciated that one or more of the inserts 24 can be received in the adapted grooves 12 along any of the four components making up the outer section of the window, although it may be desirable that where there is a force applying member at one side surface of the unit there is, for balance, another such member opposite it at an opposite

side surface. However, it will be appreciated that by providing such force applying members appropriately around the side surfaces of the unit 19, it is possible by screwing these units up or down, and thus providing appropriate force to the packers, adjustably to move the unit 19 accurately to its desired central position in the glazing chamber so that, as previously described, no part of the unit 19 which is not intended to be visible can in fact be seen when one looks head on through the window. It is intended that the or each stud would be operated when the manufacturing and assembly process is complete in the factory, so that the packers are forced tightly into engagement with the unit 19. Thereafter it is believed that generally no further adjustment would be required on site in that the packers would have remained in their set positions respectively during transport to site. However, if adjustment is needed due to some slight movement of the packers during transport or other manoeuvring of the window, then such adjustment can easily be attended to by the use of an Allen key to move the stud angularly in the direction required to increase or release the force applied to the appropriate packer. Although not shown, it is known that comer packers are also used with this type of window assembly, and a similar arrangement could be used to adjust these types of packers also. Instead of the packer being of generally rectangular plate-like form as shown in Figure 1, its opposite sides could be formed as the sides of a channel and extended upwardly at respective opposite sides of the panes 20 and 21.

Although the packers would generally be of plastics, they could be of rubber or other resilient material.

In an alternative arrangement, the insert could have squared-off rather than rounded ends and instead of being generally solid below the plate 25, there could merely be strengthening fins or ribs (as in Figure 4) around the areas of said holes through which the fixing screws pass into the base of the groove 12 to secure the insert in said groove. It will be appreciated that whilst the invention is applicable principally to windows, either fixed or movable, such as sash windows and casement windows, and in addition is also applicable to glazed doors, particularly patio doors, it is to be understood that generally the invention has applicability to any other glazed structures and moreover it is applicable to glazing by means of one or more individual panes as well as double and triple glazed units. It will also be appreciated that where there is reference herein to 'glass' or

glazing', it will be appreciated that any equivalent element is also included (iQ.'F 0) with in the scope of these terms, for example a single pane of Perspex.)or like material, or alternatively any double or single pane arrangements of Perspex or equivalent materials. It will be appreciated that the plate 23 is optional, so that, as shown in Figure 5, the end of the stud can instead directly engage a packer, with or without its end pip or other location means.

In an alternative arrangement, the sash window could provide the screw thread for the stud 31 other than by means of a hole in an insert. For example an appropriate threaded hole for the stud to engage could be provided in part of the sash window itself, either at its outer surface or its inner surface 16, without the need for an insert. Moreover in another alternative arrangement the stud could threadedly engage its associated

packer, thereby positively moving it with it in both directions of stud rotation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A window, as herein defined, comprising an outer section defining an inner glazing chamber for a pane of glass or a seated unit of at least two spaced panes of glass, a plurality of packers between said pane or said sealed unit and said section, and means for applying force to at least one of the packers in engagement with said pane or seated unit.
2. A window as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the force applying means is a stud extending through the window outer section.
3. A window as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the stud is screw-threaded along at least part of its length.
4. A window as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein an end of the stud is adapted for engagement by a tool to effect rotation thereof to adjust the force applied to said packer.
5. A window as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said end is adapted for engagement by an Allen key.
6. A window as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein an end of the stud has location means to engage said packer at the side thereof spaced from said pane or said unit.

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7. A window as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein an end of the stud has location means to engage a plate contacting said packer at the side thereof spaced from said pane or said unit.
8. A window as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the location means is a pip.
9. A window as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8, wherein the stud is screw-threadedly engaged with an insert fitted at the window outer section.
10. A window as claimed in Claim 9,wherein the insert is secured in a groove at the exterior of the window outer section.
11. A window as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the insert has a plurality of spaced holes therein to receive fixing means to secure the insert to the window outer section.
12. A window as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the insert is generally rectangular, with a base part extending from a larger plate.
13. A window as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the insert has an extension portion at one longitudinal side thereof, and substantially at the junction of said side and said extension portion a threaded hole extends through the insert, and through which threaded hole the stud threadedly extends.
14. A window as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said larger plate engages at least one lip of said groove, whilst said base part is received in said groove

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and said extension portion extends through a base of the groove engaged by said base part.
15. A window as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein said insert is of plastics material.
16. A window as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the insert is an injection moulding.
17. A window, as herein defined, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.