GB2374920A

GB2374920A - A vent

Info

Publication number: GB2374920A
Application number: GB0110404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Nicholas Kearsley
Original assignee: Greenwood Air Management Ltd
Current assignee: Greenwood Air Management Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-27
Filing date: 2001-04-27
Publication date: 2002-10-30
Also published as: GB0110404D0

Abstract

A vent for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member has a shutter (6), a base (3) and at least one clip (fig. 7) for attaching the base to the window or door frame member. The V-shaped clip has a rounded rectangular base (31) which engages with a collar (24, fig. 6) of a rectangular aperture (22, fig. 6). End caps (4) may be replaced by jointing pieces in order to link similar vents to one another.

Description

A VENT DEVICE The present invention relates to a vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member.

It is common for window and door frame members to be provided with slots which define air passageways through the frame to allow ventilation. It is desirable to be able to control the ventilation depending on the ambient conditions and to this end a ventilation unit is usually positioned over the air passageway. The ventilation units typically have a shutter which may be opened or closed. The method of attaching the ventilation device to the window or door frame is dependent on the material from which the frame is made.

The ventilation devices are normally attached to PVC frames using clips which are inserted into the slot in the frame and engage therewith to secure the ventilation device in position. It is proposed in GB 2335975 to attach a ventilation device to a PVC frame using so-called"fir-tree"type clips. The clips are push fitted into the base of the ventilation device and secured in place by a locking catch which prevents the clip from being detached from the base. When the ventilation device is installed in the PVC frame the resilient arms of the clip displace outwardly inside the generally hollow frame and engage with the inside surface thereof to hold the ventilation device in place.

However, a slot formed in a wooden frame is generally of constant section all the way through the frame, rather than opening out into a hollow interior, and consequently fir-tree clips and the like only engage with the sides of the slot. This does not satisfactorily secure the ventilation device in position. A much more common approach is to simply screw the ventilation devices to the wooden frames using

screws which are screwed directly into the frame. Thus, the clips provided on ventilation devices to attach them to PVC frames do not generally help in attaching them to wooden frames. Indeed, the clips may even prevent the attachment of the ventilation devices to wooden frames as they may not fit the slots formed in the wooden frames. Consequently, different ventilation devices may be required for use on wooden frames from those used for PVC frames.

Viewed from a first aspect the invention provides a vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent device comprising a shutter, a base and at least one clip for attaching said base to the window or door frame member, wherein said at least one clip is rotatably attachable to said base to project from the underside thereof.

Viewed from a further aspect the invention provides a vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent device comprising a shutter and a base, wherein said base has at least one receiving means for rotatably receiving a clip on the underside thereof for attaching said base to the window or door frame member.

The at least one clip may advantageously be attached to the base when the vent device is to be attached to a PVC frame member and, if necessary, omitted when the vent device is to be attached to a wooden frame member. Thus, the same vent device may be used for both wooden and PVC frame members.

Furthermore, the vent devices may be used for different lengths of air passageways in PVC frame members as the positioning of the clips may be varied along the length of the vent device. For example, clips which would otherwise interfere with the frame member and prevent installation of the vent device may be readily omitted.

Viewed from a yet further aspect the invent'ion provides a clip to attach a vent device over an air

passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent device having a base and a shutter, the clip being adapted to be rotatably received in the base of the vent device.

Although the clip for attaching the vent device to a window or door frame member may rotate freely within the base once inserted (for example, if the clip has a circular cross-section), it is preferred for the clip to be attachable to the base by being mated therewith and then turned relative thereto by a predetermined amount, for example a quarter turn. The base preferably comprises at least one locking portion for locking said clip in position once it has been initially rotated.

Locking the clip in position ensures that it maintains the correct orientation during installation of the vent device, thus simplifying the installation procedure.

The clip preferably has a locking member for engaging with said locking portion and this may be arranged such that the clip may be locked in position and unlocked by applying the same rotational force.

Preferably, however, the locking portion is profiled to facilitate rotation of the clip from an unlocked position to a locked position more readily than rotation of said clip from a locked position to an unlocked position. This helps prevent accidental unlocking of the clip, for example during the installation of the vent device.

Although they may be formed of a rigid material, it is preferred that the locking member and/or the locking portion are (is) resiliently deformable to facilitate locking of said clip in position. This resilience ensures that the locking member and the locking portion are not damaged or broken when the clip is locked into position. Indeed, the resilience may allow the clip to be locked and unlocked several times without impairing the functionality thereof.

The base may be provided with, for example, a

rectangular slot to receive the clip but preferably a collar is defined in said base to support said clip during the rotation thereof. Although the clip may be profiled simply to be received in said collar and subsequently rotated, preferably the clip has a shaft portion which locates in said collar. This advantageously ensures the correct alignment of the clip in the base and ensures a true rotation of the clip without fouling with the adjacent portions of the base.

In certain arrangements a number of slots may be provided along the length of a single frame member.

Although such an arrangement may be accommodated by providing a corresponding number of separate vent devices, preferably adjacent like vent devices are joined by jointing pieces. The jointing pieces may be held in place by separate means which engage with the frame member or the air passageway (for example, screws or clips as described herein), but they preferably engage with adjacent ends of the adjacent vent devices.

The jointing pieces also allow air passageways which are longer than a single vent device to be accommodated by using a number of like vent devices located along the length thereof. The jointing pieces join the adjacent like vent devices positioned along the passageway and reduces air drafts between them. Thus vent devices which are manufactured to a given length may also be used for air passageways of greater length.

Although the jointing pieces may be used in addition to or instead of end caps for the vent devices, preferably the jointing pieces are arranged such that they also function as end-caps.

The shutter of the vent device according to the present invention may be hingedly attached to the base but preferably it is provided with at least one post slidably engageable in a recess in said base such that the shutter operates as a drawer. It is further. preferred that the shutter has an engaging arm which

engages with a recess formed in the base to latch said shutter in an open position. This arrangement prevents the unwanted or accidental closure of the shutter. If desired, a number of recesses may be formed in the base to latch the shutter in any of a number of different open positions.

The clip to attach the vent device preferably has at least one resilient arm which engages with the window or door frame member to retain the vent device in position. This arrangement greatly simplifies the installation process as access to only one side of the window or door frame member is required.

The vent device according to the present invention preferably also has at least one hole formed in said base for receiving a screw, or other such fixture means, to attach said base to the window or door frame member.

The use of a jointing piece to attach adjacent like vent devices together is of independent patentable significance and viewed from a further aspect, therefore, the invention provides a vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame, the vent device comprising a shutter and a base for attachment to the window or door frame, wherein a jointing piece is provided on an end of said base and said jointing piece is adapted to attach the vent device to an adjacent like vent device. Preferably, the base of the vent device is provided with engagement means for receiving either an end-cap or said jointing piece. It is further preferred that the vent device is provided with a jointing piece at a first end thereof and an endcap at a second end thereof. Although a separate endcap may be provided for the vent device, preferably the jointing piece is configured to also function as an endcap.

Viewed from a further aspect there is provided a jointing piece for a vent device wherein said jointing device is adapted to attach said vent device to an

adjacent like vent device. Preferably at least one end of the jointing piece functions as an end-cap for the vent device.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vent device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the vent device; Figure 3 is a plan view of the vent device, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view along A-A of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along D-D of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a view of the underside of the vent device; Figure 7 is a side view of a clip for the vent device; Figure 8 is an end view of the clip shown in Figure

7 ; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the vent device; and Figure 10 is a view of the underside of a modified end-cap for the vent device.

A vent device 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. The vent device 1 is to be mounted over a slot in a window frame (not shown) to allow the flow of air through the slot to be controlled.

Although the window frame may be either a PVC extrusion or wooden, the description now given considers primarily a PVC extruded frame. The vent device 1 comprises a shutter 2 and an elongate base portion 3 for mounting over the slot in the frame. An end cap 4 is provided at each end of the base 3. A recess 5 is formed in the upper surface of the shutter 2 and a tab 6 is provided over a central portion thereof to facilitate opening and closing of the shutter 2.

As most clearly shown in Figure 4, the shutter 2 is provided with a pair of posts 7, each slidably received in a respective channel 8 formed in the base 3, to allow the shutter 2 to operate as a drawer. The tab 6 is attached to the shutter 2 by engagement of the facing lugs 10, provided on a pair of arms 9, with the underside of a protrusion 11 formed in the shutter 2 to prevent removal of the tab 6.

As shown in Figure 5, the posts 7 of the shutter 2 are provided with a tapered protrusion 12 at the distal end thereof. The posts 7 are slidably received in the channel 8 between walls 13 and 14. The rear surface of the protrusion 12 is perpendicular to the surface of the post 7 and engages with the end of the wall 13 and prevents the withdrawal of the post 7 from the base 3.

The shutter 2 is further provided with an engaging arm 15 having a protrusion 16 formed on the distal end thereof. The engaging arm 15 is biased towards the wall 14 and the protrusion 16 engages with a corresponding notch 17 formed in the wall 14 to lock the shutter 2 in the closed position. A further recess (not shown) may be formed in the wall 14 for engagement with the engaging arm 15 to lock the shutter 2 in an open position, or any intermediate position (s) The shutter 2 is provided with longitudinal and transverse doublers 18 and 19 to prevent deformation along its length.

The base 3 is provided with screw holes 20 ~long its length to facilitate attachment of the vent device 1 to the frame.

As shown in Figure 6, four panels 21 are formed along the length of the base portion 3, flush with the underside thereof, to engagingly receive a clip 23. The panels 21 are each provided with a slot 22 which is generally rectangular with a central circular cut-out which defines a collar 24. A series of wall portions 25 formed integrally with the base 3 adjacent the slots 22

engage with the clips 23 to lock them in place.

As shown in Figure 7, the clip 23 has a fir-tree attachment having a pair of resilient arms 26 extending from a central member 27. The distal ends of the flexible arms 26 are provided with a series of notches 28. The base of the central member 27 is provided with a rectangular portion 29, a pair of guide members 30 and a fixing means 31. The engagement portion 31 is generally rectangular in profile with a pair of diametrically opposed chamfered corners 32 ; the remaining corners 33 are right angled, as shown in Figure 8. The guide members 30 have a depth substantially the same as the thickness of each of the panels 21 and in cross-section define a shaft which is received in the collar 24 of the slot 22. The surface of the rectangular portion 29, proximal to the guide members 30, abuts the underside of the panel 21 when the clip 23 is inserted into the slot 22.

The assembly of the vent device 1 will now be described, in particular with reference to Figure 9.

The arms 9 of the tab 6 are inserted into the corresponding channels 8 in the shutter 2 such that the lugs 10 engage with the base arms 11 to retain the tab 6 in position.

The posts 7 of the shutter 2 are then inserted into the channels 8 formed in the base 3. The tapered protrusion 12 deflects the walls 13 and 14 upon the insertion of the post 7. Once located between the walls 13 and 14, the rear face of the protrusion 12 engages with the wall 13 to prevent the removal of the shutter 2.

The vent device 1 is attached to the frame by the clips 23. The clips 23 are attached to the base 3 by inserting the engagement portion 31 through the slot 22 such that the guide members 30 align with the collar portion 24 of the slot 22. The clip 23 is then'rotated through 90 in a clockwise direction causing the

engagement portion 31 to engage with the wall portions 25 of the base 3. The chamfered corners 32 of the engagement portion 31 facilitate the rotation of the clip 23 through 90 in a clockwise direction but the right angle corners 33 restrict the subsequent rotation of the clips 23 in an anti-clockwise direction. Thus, the clip 23 is locked in position. A second wall portion prevents the clockwise rotation of the clips 23 beyond 900. Once in position, the clips 23 project from the underside of the vent device 1, that is the side of the vent device 1 which abuts the surface of the window frame.

The fir-tree portions of the clips 23 are then inserted into the slot formed in the window frame to lock the base 3 and the shutter 2 in position. The notches 28 on the resilient arms 26 engage with the inside of the slot to prevent the removal of the vent device 1. Screws may optionally also be used to attach the vent device 1 to the frame, if desired.

Once located on the window frame, the end caps 4 are slidably attached onto each end of the base 3 to cover the screw holes 20.

In operation, the shutter 2 is opened by the user engaging the tab 6 and drawing the shutter outwards (the shutter 2 being guided by the posts 7 in the channels 8). The shutter 2 may be withdrawn until the rear face of the tapered protrusion 12 engages with the wall 13 formed in the base 3. To close the shutter 2 the user presses against the tab 6 causing the posts 7 to slide inwardly along the channels 8 until the shutter 2 is in the closed position. The engagement of the protrusion 16 in the notch 17 of the wall 14 locks the shutter 2 in the closed position.

The installation in a wooden window frame is the same as described herein for a PVC frame except that the clips 23 are omitted and the vent device 1 is attached to the frame by screws.

The end-caps 4 for the base 3 may be modified to join two or more vent devices 1 together longitudinally.

As shown in Figure 10, the modified end caps 4 are provided with fixture means 34 at each end thereof, to engage with corresponding projections 35 integrally formed at each end of the base 3. A pair of T-shaped projections 36 are also provided on the inside of the modified end-caps 4 to engage in the screw holes 20 formed at each end of the base 3. The modified end caps 4 are slidably located over the ends of two adjacent base portions 3 to join the vent devices 1. These modified end caps 4 allow a number of the vent devices 1 to be used along the length of a slot which is longer than each of the vent devices, or to join vent devices provided in adjacent slots.

As an alternative to the modified end caps 4 described above, jointing pieces (not shown) may be provided to engage with two adjacent vent devices 1 to join them together. The jointing pieces may be used in conjunction with, or instead of end caps 4. The jointing pieces may engage directly with the end caps 4 of the base 3; be fitted over the top of the end caps; or be provided between the end caps and the base.

Indeed, the means for attaching a jointing piece to each of two adjacent vent devices may be different.

Although the vent device according to the present invention has been described with reference to mounting over a slot in a window or door frame, it will be appreciated that the vent device is also suitable for mounting over an air passageway formed in an over-frame unit or the like for a window or a door.

The skilled person will appreciate that the configuration of the vent device 1 of the present invention may be modified in a number of ways while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent device comprising a shutter, a base and at least one clip for attaching said base to the window or door frame member, wherein said at least one clip is rotatably attachable to said base to project from the underside thereof.
2. A vent device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is attachable to the base by being mated therewith and then turned relative thereto by a predetermined amount.
3. A vent device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said base comprises at least one locking portion for locking said clip in position upon rotation thereof.
4. A vent device as claimed in claim 3, said clip having a locking member for engaging with said locking portion, wherein said locking member is profiled to facilitate rotation of the clip from an unlocked position to a locked position more readily than rotation of said clip from a locked position to an unlocked position.
5. A vent device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said locking member and/or said locking portion are/is resiliently deformable to facilitate locking of said clip in position.
6. A vent device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a collar is defined in said base to support said clip during the rotation thereof.
7. A vent device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said clip has a shaft portion for locating in said collar.

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8. A vent device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a jointing piece is provided on an end of said base and said jointing piece is adapted to attach the vent device to an adjacent like vent device.
9. A vent device as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one end of said jointing piece functions as an end-cap for said vent device.
10. A vent device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said shutter has at least one post slidably engageable in a recess in said base such that the shutter operates as a drawer.
11. A vent device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said shutter has an engaging arm which engages with a recess formed in the base to latch said shutter in an open position.
12. A vent device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said clip comprises at least one resilient arm which engages with the window or door frame member.
13. A vent device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one hole is formed in said base for receiving a screw, or other such fixture means, to attach said base to the window or door frame member.
14. A vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent device comprising a shutter and a base, wherein said base has at least one receiving means for rotatably receiving a clip on the underside thereof for attaching said base to the window or door frame member.
15. A clip to attach a vent device over an air' passageway in a window or door frame member, the vent

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device having a base and a shutter, the clip being adapted to be rotatably received in the base of the vent device.
16. A vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or door frame, the vent device comprising a shutter and a base for attachment to the window or door frame, wherein a jointing piece is provided on an end of said base and said jointing piece is adapted to attach the vent device to an adjacent like vent device.
17. A vent device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said jointing piece is provided on a first end of said vent device and an end-cap is provided on a second end thereof.
18. A vent device as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein at least one end of the jointing piece functions as an end-cap for the vent device.
19. A jointing piece for a vent device, wherein said jointing piece is adapted to attach said vent device to an adjacent like vent device.
20. A jointing piece as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least one end of the jointing piece functions as an endcap for the vent device.
21. A vent device substantially as herein described and with reference to Figures 1 to 9.
22. An end-cap for a vent device substantially as herein described and with reference to Figure 10.