GB2371077A

GB2371077A - Frame Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2371077A
Application number: GB0130269A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Garner Mcdougall
Original assignee: Leaderflush and Shapland Ltd
Current assignee: Leaderflush and Shapland Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-22
Filing date: 2001-12-18
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-18
Also published as: GB0130269D0; GB0031635D0; GB2371077B

Abstract

The frame assembly 10 for retaining a window 14 or grille within an aperture 64 formed in a door or partition wall includes two frame members 16,18 on either side of the wall with each frame member having a stop means adapted for engagement with their respective sides of the wall. The assembly 10 also includes a co-operable connection means 38,40,50,52 communicating through the aperture 64 such that when connected the two frames 16,18 have their stop means engaging their respective sides of the wall. The co-operable connection means 38,40,50,52 may comprise a first engagement means 38,40 on the first frame member 16 and a second engagement 50,52 means on the second frame 18, the first and second frames 16,18 being slidable relative to each other between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In the disengagement position the first 38,40 and second 50,52 engagement means may co-operate to permit separation of the frame members.

Description

FRAME ASSEMBLY

The invention relates to a frame assembly for glazing a window in a window aperture extending through, particularly but not exclusively, a door or partition wall.

References to"window"herein includes apertures or openings in, for example, doors or partition walls in which a planar medium, such as a pane of glass, a grille or a mesh, may be secured.

It is often desirable to provide windows in doors or partition walls in order to allow the through flow of light and/or air. By way of example, windows are often provided in the first resistant doors that are located intermittently along corridors, and between predetermined areas in large buildings. In order to function as fire resistant doors, such doors are generally sprung biased to ensure that they are maintained in a closed position. The provision of at least one window in each fire resistant door allows a pedestrian to ensure that no one, or thing, is standing the other side of the door before they open the door.

Such windows commonly include a window medium, e. g. a pane of glass, retained within a window aperture extending through the door.

The frame assembly used to locate a pane of glass or grille, within a window aperture, is often made of metal, and is secured within a window aperture using a plurality of screws.

Such frame assemblies are often painted before being fitted and the screws used to fit the frame assembly in a window aperture are usually visible. Paint is often applied to the screw heads in an attempt to blend them with

the colour of the frame assembly. Such painting is often ineffective because it is difficult to match the colour of the frame assembly with a suitable paint.

As well as lacking aesthetic appeal, using screws to secure a frame assembly in, for example, a restricted access door allows an intruder to remove the frame assembly, and therefore the window medium. The intruder can then gain access, to a certain degree, to the other side of the door.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a frame assembly for glazing a window aperture in a door or partition wall as claimed in Claim 1.

The frame assembly of Claim 1 enables location of a planar medium in a window aperture in a door or partition wall without having to secure the frame assembly itself to the door or wall using separate fixing means such as screws. Securing the first and second frame members together, from opposite sides of a window aperture, secures the frame assembly in place within the window aperture. It is therefore not necessary to use screws, nails or other securing devices.

The provision of a frame assembly that does not have to be secured to the door or partition wall also means that it can be used to locate a planar medium in a door or partition wall made from a material that is difficult to penetrate, or obtain a secure fixing in, using screws or nails.

The manner in which the frame assembly of Claim 1 is secured in a door also allows replacement of the planar medium, if necessary. This is because

the first and second frame members are detachable from each other, allowing access to the planar medium.

Preferably, one of the frame members is arranged to be fixedly located in the window aperture. The other of the frame members is then preferably arranged to be slidably located in the window aperture to enable relative sliding movement of the first and second frame members between the engagement and disengagement positions.

Installing the frame assembly in a window aperture in this way means that the frame members may only be slid between the engagement and disengagement positions from one side of the door or partition wall. This enables the frame assembly to be installed in, for example, a restricted access door because the frame can only be dismantled from one side of the door, thereby preventing an intruder gaining access from the other side of the door.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stop means of each of the first and second frame members comprises an outwardly extending flange position surrounding at least a portion of the respective aperture. Such outwardly extending flange portions enable a relatively flush fit between the generally flat surface of a door or partition wall in use, and ensure that the first and second frame members are retained in a correct orientation relative to the door or partition wall.

One of the frame members may include location means for retaining the planar medium relative to the frame member. Such location means prevent, to a certain extent, the planar medium slipping out of alignment with the first and second apertures of the frame members when they are secured together.

The location means preferably comprise opposed elongate channels, on opposite sides of the respective aperture, for slidably receiving the planar medium. Engagement of the planar medium within such channels reduces the risk of the planar medium falling out of the respective frame member during construction or dismantling of a window. This is obviously advantageous if the planar medium is formed from a pane of glass.

In such embodiments, each channel may have an outer side wall defined by a flange. One of the engagement means may then be in the form of one or more slots formed in the outer side wall, and the other of the engagement means may be in the form of tabs that are positioned on the other of the frame members such that in the second, engageable, position the tabs are offset from the slots. The provision of such tabs and slots allows the first and second members to be secured together by means of sliding movement relative to each other.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the channels each have first and second ends, and the respective frame member includes a retainer member located adjacent to the first ends of the channels such that the planar medium is only slidable into the channels from the second ends of the channels. The retainer can thereby ensure that the planar medium is retained in the correct position along the length of the channels.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an outwardly extending flange portion of each of the first and second frame members completely surrounds its respective aperture. In use, such flanges engage the door or partition wall and ensure a relatively neat appearance.

The planar medium may be a pane of glass. In such embodiments, an intumescent material may be provided around a peripheral edge of each side

of the pane of glass. The provision of the intumescent material prevents smoke passing around the pane of glass retained between linked frame members, in the event of a fire.

In other embodiments, the planar medium may be a grille.

The frame assembly is preferably formed from metal. It is envisaged however that the frame assembly may be made from other materials such as wood or a synthetic plastic material According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a framed window in a window aperture in a door or partition wall as claimed in Claim 13.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la and lb show a frame assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a first frame member of the frame assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a second frame member of the frame assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a planar medium of the frame assembly of Figure 1; and Figure 5 demonstrates assembly of the frame assembly of Figure 1.

A frame assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures la and lb.

The frame assembly 10 includes an outer frame 12 and a planar medium 14

retained within the outer frame 12.

Either side of the outer frame 12 is open, so that in use, light and/or air can pass through the window medium 14 in the assembly 10.

The frame assembly 10 shown in Figure 1 is rectangular, but it will readily become obvious to a skilled reader how, within the scope of the invention, to produce a frame assembly 10 of other shapes.

The outer frame 12 of the frame assembly 10 is made up of first and second frame members 16,18.

Each of the frame members (Figures 2 and 3) is formed from a generally planar member 20 defining a centrally located rectangular aperture 22 extending therethrough. In this embodiment, each of the planar members 20 is formed from metal.

Side walls 24a-24d extend away from, and perpendicular to the planar member 20, around the peripheral edge 25 of the aperture 22. Each of the side walls 24a-24d is spot welded at each of its ends to an adjacent and perpendicular side wall 24.

The first frame member 16 (Figure 2) includes two opposed and generally U-shaped elongate channels 26,28. A first side wall 30 of each of the channels 26,28 is secured respectively along a free edge 32 of first and second opposite side walls 24b, 24d so that it extends perpendicular to its respective side wall 24b, 24d, away from the aperture 22.

A second side wall 34 of each of the channels 26,28, extends generally parallel and juxtaposed to the respective first side wall 30 of each of the

channels 26, 28.

The first and second side walls 30, 34 of each of the channels 26, 28 are interconnected by a rear wall 36 remote from the aperture 22.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the second side wall 34 of each of the channels 26,28 includes two slots 38,40 separated by a predetermined distance A.

The first frame member 16 includes a first flange portion 42 extending from, and perpendicular to, a third side wall 24a. The first frame member 16 also includes a generally L-shaped member 44 having a first limb 46 that extends from, and perpendicular to, a fourth side 24c, and a second limb 48 that extends perpendicular from a free end of the first limb 46, away from the planar member 20.

Referring now to Figure 3, the second frame member 18 includes two tabs 50,52 extending from each of first and second side walls 24b, 24d. Each of the tabs 50,52 extends from, and perpendicular to, its respective side wall, and corresponds in shape and size to each of the slots 38,40 provided in the second side wall 24 of each of the channels 26,28 of the first frame member 16.

Each of the tabs 50,52 is separated by the same predetermined separation distance A as the slots 38,40, but the position of the tabs 50,52 along the length of the first and second side walls 24b, 24d is offset relative to the position of the slots 38,40.

The second frame member 18 also includes first and second flange portions 54,56 secured to the third and fourth side walls 24a, 24c respectively so as to

extend from and perpendicular to its respective side wall 24a, 24c.

The planar medium 14 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 4 includes a rectangular pane of glass 58. Strips of an intumescent material 60 are secured around a peripheral edge 62 of each side of the pane of glass 58.

The dimensions of the pane of glass 58 ensure that the planar medium 14 is slideably receiveable within the opposing channels 26,28 of the first frame member 16.

In other embodiments, the planar medium 14 may be a grille member.

Assembly of the frame assembly 10 in a window aperture 64 extending through, for example, a door or partition wall is performed as follows.

The planar medium is slideably engaged in the opposing channels 26,28 of the first frame member 16.

The first and second frame members 16,18 are then positioned on opposite sides of the window aperture 64 so that the tabs 50,52 of the second frame member 18 are aligned with the slots 38,40 of the first frame member 16.

This alignment means that the apertures 22 extending through the frame members 16,18 are misaligned.

The depth of the planar medium 14, received within the channels 26,28, is such that there is sufficient space for the tabs 50,52 to pass through the slots 38,40, and into the channels 26,28. Sliding movement of the second frame member 18 relative to the first frame member 16, so that the apertures 22 extending through the frame members 16,18 are aligned, moves the tabs 50,52 along their respective channel 26,28 such that it is no longer possible

for the tabs 50, 52 to pass back through the slots 38, 40. The first and second frame members 16, 18 are thereby linked together from opposite sides of the window aperture 64.

When the tabs 50,52 are engaged within their respective channel 26,28, the relative depth of each tab 50,52, the depth of each channel 26,28 and the depth of the planar medium 14 is such that the tabs press against the planar medium 14. In this way, the tabs 50,52 trap the planar medium 14 and hold it securely in order to remove any free play of the planar medium 14 within the channels 26,28.

The relative size of the first and second frame members 16,18 is determined by the size of the window aperture 64.

The depth of the side walls 24a-24d of the frame members 16,18, plus the depth of the channels 26,28 of the first frame member 16, corresponds to the depth of the door or wall through which the window aperture 64 extends. When the frame members 16,18 are linked from opposite sides of the window aperture 64 therefore, the planar portions 20 of the frame members 16,18 engage against the respective surfaces of the door or partition wall, providing a flush fit between the frame assembly 10 and the respective surfaces.

The width of the first frame member 16, as measured between the rear walls 36 of the elongate channels 26,28, corresponds to the width of the window aperture 64 extending through the door or partition wall.

The length of the first and second frame members 16,18, as measured between second flange 56 of the second frame member 18 and the first flange 42 of the first frame member 16 when the tabs 50,52 are aligned with

the slots 38, 40, corresponds to the length of the window aperture extending through the door or partition wall.

As shown in Figure 5, the generally L-shaped member 44 of the first frame member 16 and an upper peripheral 63 edge of the window aperture 64 prevent movement of the planar medium 14 during sliding movement (arrow B) of the second frame member 18 relative to the first frame member 16.

The size of the frame members 16,18 in relation to the size of the window aperture 64, together with the relative locations of the slots 38,40 and the tabs 50,52 means that it is only possible to disengage the tabs 50,52 from the slots 38,40 by sliding the second frame member 18 relative to the first frame member 16. It is not possible to disengage the tabs 50,52 from the slots 38,40 by sliding the first frame member 16 relative to the second frame member 18 due to the size of the window aperture 64.

In other embodiments, the relative positions of the tabs 50,52 and slots 38,40 may be reversed so that it is only possible to disengage the tabs 50,52 from the slots 38,40 by sliding the first frame member 16 relative to the second frame member 18.

During installation of the frame assembly 10 in a window aperture, a filler member 100 (Figure 5) may be installed above the generally L-shaped member 44 of the first frame member 16. Such a filler member 100 may prevent upward movement of the first frame member 16, relative to the window aperture 64, when the first and second frame members 16,18 are secured together from either side of the window aperture 64.

The specific embodiment described herein is a rectangular frame assembly wherein engagement of tabs 50,52 within channels 26,28, via slots 38,40, is facilitated by rectilinear sliding movement. It is also envisaged however that the scope of the invention includes circular windows wherein engagement of tabs 50,52 within channels 26,28 is facilitated by rotational sliding movement of the first and second frame members relative to each other.

Claims

1. A frame assembly for retaining planar medium within an aperture formed in a door or partition wall, the assembly including a first frame member for location to one side of the door or wall and having a first stop means adapted for engagement with said one side of the door or wall to prevent said first frame member passing through said aperture, a second frame member for location to the opposite side of the door or wall and having second stop means adapted for engagement with said other side of the door or wall to prevent said second frame member passing through said aperture, the first and second frame members each having co-operable connection means capable of communicating through said aperture to enable said frame members to be detachably connected to one another such that when connected the frame assembly is held within said aperture by engagement of said first and second stop means against said one and opposite sides respectively of said door or wall.

2. A frame assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said co-operable connection means comprise a first engagement means on said first frame member and a second engagement means on said second frame member, said first and second frame members being slidable relative to each other between a first, engagement, position whereat said first and second engagement means co-operate to secure said first and second frame members together, and a second, disengagement, position whereat said first and second engagement means co-operate to permit separation of said first and second frame members.

3. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 2 wherein one of the frame members is arranged to be fixedly located in said window aperture and the other of said frame members is arranged to be slidably located in said

window aperture, to enable said first and second frame members to be relatively moved between said engagement and disengagement positions.

4. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 wherein first frame member defines a first aperture and said second frame member defines a second aperture and said first an second stop means each comprise an outwardly extending flange surrounding at least a portion of the respective first or second aperture.

5. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 4 wherein one of said frame members includes location means for retaining said planar medium relative to that frame member.

6. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said location means comprises opposed elongate channels, on opposite sides of the respective said first and second aperture, for slidably receiving said planar medium.

7. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 6 wherein each channel has an outer side wall defined by a flange, one of said engagement means being in the form of one or more slots formed in said outer side wall and the other of said engagement means being in the form of tabs that are positioned on the other of said frame members such in said second, engageable, position said tabs are offset from said slots.

8. A frame assembly as claimed in either of Claims 6 and 7 wherein said channels have first and second ends and the respective said frame member includes a retainer member located adjacent to said first ends of said channels such that said planar medium is only slidable into said channels from the second ends of said channels.

9. A frame assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said planar medium is a pane of glass.

10. A frame assembly as claimed in Claim 9 wherein an intumescent material is provided around a peripheral edge of each side of said pane of glass.

11. A frame assembly as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 wherein said planar medium is a grille.

12. A frame assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first and second frame members are formed from metal.

13. A frame assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of providing a framed window in a window aperture in a door or partition wall comprising the steps of positioning first and second frame members according to any preceding claim on opposite sides of said window aperture, with a planar medium located therebetween; and interengaging said co-operable connection means in order to secure said first and second frame members together and secure said frame assembly within said window aperture.