GB2394982A

GB2394982A - Frame parts connected by flanges and grooves

Info

Publication number: GB2394982A
Application number: GB0225127A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Boardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-29
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2004-05-12
Also published as: GB0225127D0

Abstract

A structure such as a window frame may comprise an aluminium or plastic extrusion 2 with flanges 3 and 4 engaged in grooves in an inner frame 5 made of wood, plastics or metal. To assembly the structure, the flanges are slid along the grooves. To ensure ease of sliding the grooves are relatively wide and then, to give good location of the parts, wedges 23 are fitted in the grooves.

Description

STRUCTURE WITH PARTS CONNECTED BY FLANGES AND GROOVES

This invention relates to a structure comprising two parts of which one has flanges engaged in grooves in the other part. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a window frame.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a structure comprising a first part having flanges and a second part having grooves in which the flanges are engaged, the grooves being wider than the flanges and there being wedges engaged in the grooves to fix the flanges in the grooves.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a structure comprising a first part having flanges and a second part having grooves for receiving the flanges, the grooves being wider than the flanges and the method comprising sliding the flanges along the grooves and inserting wedges in the grooves to secure the flanges in the grooves.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of part of a known window frame; and Figure 2 is a similar view of part of a window frame according to the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, a known window frame may comprise an outer frame part 1 formed as an aluminium or plastics material extrusion and including a portion 2 forming the cill of the frame and portions defining upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 3 and 4 respectively. The part 1 is fixed to an inner frame part 5 made of wood. Part 5

/ could be made of plastics material or metal instead of wood. The inner frame part 5 is formed with upwardly and downwardly facing grooves 6 and 7 and the two frame parts are fixed one to another by the flanges 3 and 4 being engaged in respective ones of the grooves 6 and 7.

The outer frame part 1 has an upwardly extending glass engaging portion 8 which engages a sealed double glazed window pane 9 via sealing member 10 made of resilient material. The pane 9 is held in place by being pressed against the sealing member 10 by a glazing fillet 11 secured to the inner frame part 5. Fillet 11 is made of wood although, like part 5, it could be made of plastics material or metal if preferred.

In order to fit the outer frame part 1 to the inner frame part 5, i.e. in order to engage the flanges 3 and 4 in the grooves 6 and 7, the flanges (with the frame part 1) are slid along the grooves. However, the flanges are necessarily a fairly good fit in the grooves to give an effective location of the frame part 1 with respect to the frame part 5. As a result, considerable force may need to be applied in order to overcome the friction generated when the flanges are slid along the grooves The frame shown in Figure 2 is similar to the frame of Figure 1 - parts which are identical have been given the same drawing reference numerals However, in Figure 2, the inner frame part 5 has been replaced by a modified part 20.

The upwardly and downwardly facing grooves 21 and 22 of this part are substantially wider than the grooves 6 and 7. In the case shown, the grooves 20 and 21 are about twice as wide as the grooves 6 and 7. As a result, it is much easier to slide the flanges 3 and 4 along the grooves 20 and 21 then it is to slide them along grooves 6 and 7.

Meanwhile, once the flanges have been located in the grooves 20 and 21, they are

fixed by having wedges 23 engaged in the grooves so as to push the flanges out in the direction towards the outside of the window, against the outer side of each groove.

The wedges 23 do not extend right along the respective groove - instead they are quite short and there are several of them, for example two, three, four or more engaged in each groove.

Also, as can be seen, the horizontal surface of each groove 20 and 21 is stepped - the part of this surface which engages the wedge being deeper than the rest of the groove so as to fully receive the wedges 23.

As well as a window frame, the arrangement shown in Figure 2 could be applied to other appropriate structures.

Claims

( CLAIMS

1. A structure comprising a first part having flanges and a second part having grooves in which the flanges are engaged, the grooves being wider than the flanges and there being wedges engaged in the grooves to fix the flanges in the grooves.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure is a window frame.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part has two flanges, one facing upwards and the other facing downwards.

4. A method of making a structure comprising a first part having flanges and a second part having grooves for receiving the flanges, the grooves being wider than the flanges and the method comprising sliding the flanges along the grooves and inserting wedges in the grooves to secure the flanges in the grooves.

5. A structure and a method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.